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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Lianne on August 22, 2003, at 22:33:23
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by lavender on August 22, 2003, at 15:07:45
Does anyone have an suggeston on what time of the day is best to take Effexor in order that its side effects do not interfere with one's daily activities? I have been taking mine at night before going to bed and I feel like hell the next morning and once I took it in the morning but I was drowsy most of the day.
Posted by Salty_dog on August 23, 2003, at 15:26:43
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by Lianne on August 22, 2003, at 22:01:18
I think an exercise program (cardio) like running/jogging or walking briskly by yourself would slow down your reactions and let you meditate a little. I found that exercise worked in channeling my agitation into something positive. Zanax is a possibility, but, it's highly addictive and realy hard to withdraw. You may need to have a sit down meeting with your significant others and tell them what is happening, they may be able to help by reminding you at the time of an episode or in other ways.
Posted by choltz22 on August 26, 2003, at 0:58:35
In reply to quitting effexor, posted by helena on February 1, 2001, at 10:33:10
I have been on effexor for four months and I have recently tried to stop taking it. I asked my doctor to prescribe me zoloft, because I was taking paxil before the effexor and it had been working, but I had been getting sexual side effects from it. He didn't inform me on the possible withdrawal effects and I stopped taking it all together and felt like I was dying. It felt like a combination between a bad hangover and a heart attack. I couldn't breathe, had rapid heart beat, tingling sensation, dizziness, and my anxiety came back ten times worse than it had ever been. I am beginning to think that I should have never had my primary care physician prescribe me anything, because after I told him about the withdrawal symptoms, he prescribed me a medicine called zyprexa, which is an anti-psychotic used mainly for schizophrenics and acute bipolar disorders. Being a psychology major, I know I have neither of these. I really believe that regular doctors need to stop trying to act like psychiatrists. You wouldn't trust a dentist to do brain surgery on you, would you? I have decided to take this into my own hands until I can get into see the psychiatrist. I'm currently on 300mgs, which I think was too much for me to be taking anyways. I am 5"6' and only 125lbs and have a small build. Has anyone found an effective way to slowly get off of effexor with minimal withdrawal effects?...if so, please contact me at [email protected]...
Posted by bsho on August 26, 2003, at 1:54:15
In reply to Withdrawals from Effexor....., posted by choltz22 on August 26, 2003, at 0:58:35
I tapered off (accidentally at first) going every other day on my original dose of 150 mg. At night on the second day, I would get dizzy. That's when I realized about the side effects.
Then, I tapered every day at 75, then 37.5, then every other 37.5, then every other dumping out more and more of the grains inside the capsule. Now, it has been 3 days since I had about 10 mg of Effexor. I still got the dizziness last night and tonight. However, I didn't get it in the day (I don't know why).
Posted by MINNIEP on August 26, 2003, at 6:39:56
In reply to Re: Effexor down the hatch » zinya, posted by KimberlyDi on August 22, 2003, at 17:39:47
Hi this my first post. Just got out of hospital a week ago was finally diagnosed after 4 months of agony. It seems the effexor i was on for about 10 months was slowly debilitating me. I in the last 4 months have been to at least 4 specialist none of which could diagnose me correctly But did proceed to draw every ounce of my blood and scan every part of my body. My oncologist seemed to think i had a blood born cancer. my neurologist diagnosed me with essential tremors. Well when i did finally ended up in hospital i slept for 3 days. I was cked for arsenic and sionide poisining.my general practitioner finally figured out what was going on and i am on my way to recovery not an easy task.I am being told i will not be able to take SRI's again. Tough call when i have been diagnosed with manic depression. My doctor has put me on some herbal cocktail to help with dts. I am goin to post my symptoms in order they appeared in case this can help anyone else.1. bruising lots and lots even under toenail.2.shortness of breath which progressively got worse. 3. night sweats oh gynocoligist ruled out midlife.sweats were 2 and 3 times a night. Got a lot worse with dts 4.memory confusion. 5.speech 6. dizziness at end when being weaned of it got where i couldn't stand up without breaking out in a cold sweat. I WAS MISERABLE But I cant forget the weird electrical shocks shooting through my head face arms hell my whole body at one time or another the shocks came towards end of weaning process and still appear. Good luck beginners. Hopefully I was just a fluke case. I have taken antidepressants for 8 years. Now I am wondering what to do
Posted by MINNIEP on August 26, 2003, at 7:03:16
In reply to Withdrawals from Effexor....., posted by choltz22 on August 26, 2003, at 0:58:35
Can relate to the heart attack feeling my doctor had upped me to 300 mg also but made me to tired and went back to 150 but still had problems. Tapering off did not help me just bit the bullet in the end and am still suffering side effects after 2 weeks since last pill which was only 50 mgms for a week.
Posted by kaza78 on August 26, 2003, at 11:22:03
In reply to Re: anyone else get tremors on effexor? » lovemybabies, posted by Napaba on April 28, 2003, at 9:06:32
I havent had a problem on effexor. As a matter of fact its done a lot of good for me. That is until I lost my pills over a 2 day period. I though I would be ok. I have missed a day before and all I got was dizziness. On the second day I thought I was going to die!!! I was fine one minute and unbearable the next. I felt like my skin was crawling. I had to call my doctor IMMEDIATLY. I was also dilusional. I will NEVER forget/loose these pills again. Because of that I think I will have to be on these for the rest of my life!!!!
Posted by Harlock on August 26, 2003, at 20:55:04
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Lise811 on August 12, 2003, at 16:14:29
>
> Why is all this being discussed on an obscure web site and not on 20/20 or Dateline? Why would a drug be made available to already depressed persons, that will ultimately make them more depressed and unbalanced? Why does asking these questions make me the insane one?---
Hell no. I agree with you 100%. I'm actually having pretty severe withdrawal effects from Lexapro. I had NO idea these were withdrawal effects.. well, I had a theory that might be what was causing me to feel so bad, but now that I read all these posts, I'm sure that is what was/is going on.
Anyway, back to the point... It's shocking that there are so few doctors that are unaware of the withdrawal symptoms from these medications. I asked a few doctors and none of them knew what was happening to me! I LUCKILY found this web site, and now I know.
I would love to see a 20/20 or similar type media broadcast discussing the *dangers* of these medications.
I'm not a fan of the sue everyone for everything mentality, but I would love to see the makers of Effexor (and other meds) slapped with a major lawsuit. By law, these guys have to list the side effects of the medications they advertise. Well, on the Effexor commercial, I didn't hear anything about withdrawal symptoms.. nor did I read any in they documentation I got at the doctor's office.
It sounds like some of you have had better experiences than I have as far as medical treatment has been concerned. I'm seen *many* doctors, and I got say, the average Kindergarten student is more informed.
Posted by EmmaL on August 26, 2003, at 21:29:03
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Lise811 on August 12, 2003, at 16:14:29
You, go Harlow! I was enlightened by your message. Take care!
Posted by EmmaL on August 26, 2003, at 21:35:29
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Harlock on August 26, 2003, at 20:55:04
Sorry, Harlock, my previous message was for you. Please read it. What can we do?? Any ideas? I would very much like to pursue some sort of accountability. Especially since some of these drugs are so very expensive.
Posted by lucylucy on August 27, 2003, at 9:26:23
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I first visited this board the day I took my first dose of Effexor, and all the terrifying reports made me think, what in the world have I gotten myself into? But I reasoned that most of us would be more likely to post comments about concerns or problems than to take the time to write about great results.
So that's what I'm doing now. This medication has been fantastic for me. I woke up the morning after the first pill and felt better. Not exactly not depressed, but I could for the first time in a while imagine not being depressed.
My side effects were minimal and nothing I couldn't live with. Dry mouth for a few days, loss of appetite, some slight difficulty sleeping. I also dropped four pounds of weird water weight immediately and now have a very easy time staying at my right weight without any effort.
But most importantly, I feel like myself again. I am no longer paralyzed in my work and social life. I'm able to connect with people easily, I have the energy and the gumption to tackle new work challenges, I don't seem to overreact to things that would have made me over-anxious or highly angry before I found Effexor. My emotions feel solid and real and like reasonable reactions to the events of my life, rather than feeling like I was reacting out of some weird chemical or hormonal cesspool.
My gynocologist prescribed Effexor over the phone, very casually, based on some symptoms (including depression and anxiety) that she attributed to perimenopause. Her office has also been very cavalier about increasing my dosage or extending the prescription, which is why I was cruisng the Internet to find out more about the drug.
And that's where I discovered that Effexor often seems to lose its effect after about six months, and that's when people frequently increase their dosage. After five months, I felt like it wasn't working and after a few weeks of hemming and hawing and feeling low and anxious and awful, I increased my dosage to 150 mg. After only a few days, I felt much better.
Today, I turned 42. It's my best birthday yet. I feel happy and satisfied with my life, darn lucky, in fact. And although it's easy to say my life just got better recently, the circumstances of my life haven't really changed. I think the Effexor has helped me be able to appreciate and enjoy the wonderful life I already had.
I say all this only because I want people out there who are considering the drug to know there are plenty of success stories with it. Like anything else, it's right for some people and not for others.
Posted by kaza78 on August 27, 2003, at 10:29:54
In reply to A Success Story, posted by lucylucy on August 27, 2003, at 9:26:23
i do agree with lucy to an extent. i felt the same way in the beginning. i used to be on the edge at work and at home all the time and people were afraid to approach me about anything!! i was full of rage and didnt know why. i just knew that at the age of 24 i had had enough and so havent my loved ones. it was no way to live. the effexor is starting to wear off and i have been considering uping my dose. my doctor prescribed it to me and told me that it was still experimental. at that time i was willing to try just about anything. now as long as i dont miss a dose i feel ok. i am more relaxed, i can finally do the things that i couldnt for 2 years because of my anxiety. yes, i do have my moments still, but they are not half as frequent or half as bad as they were.
Posted by Music on August 27, 2003, at 10:30:55
In reply to A Success Story, posted by lucylucy on August 27, 2003, at 9:26:23
I have been taking the med for about two months and my Pdoc increased my dosage gradually to 225mg I wonder if I will have to be on this stuff forever because eventually my husband and I want to have children. This is the first med that I have been on. I don't know if it is really working or not. Sometimes I feel better and sometimes I feel so very low. Sometimes it is very dark. My therapist cancelled our appointment this week because of a family situation with her mom, and I really needed her this week. So I feel out in left field this week. Any suggestions?
Posted by Salty_dog on August 27, 2003, at 11:30:53
In reply to A Success Story, posted by lucylucy on August 27, 2003, at 9:26:23
I had Hep. 'C' with a low viral count. My Gastro DR started me on Peg-interferon with Ribavin at max. dosage. Two months into 'Chemo' I woke up in bed spins (I don't Drink), dizziness while trying to vomit. I was by all outside impressions, having an anxiety attack. The DR phoned an order of Xanax and a motion sickness med. I took Xanax for the next two years, even after the 'Chemo' had finished. BTW I was able to completely destroy the virus or what is know as Sustained Verilogic Response (SVR) or 'All gone'.
I had severe depression and was refered to a Phy DR. He immediately prescribed Effexor XR and I was handed a startup package which is supplied by the Manufacture. I followed the directions to the letter. After two months my dosage was increased to 300 mg which is where I remained for one year.
I was still taking Xanax and could not stop.Ibegan fresh with my family DR. who had me take a test (my Wife was also given the test to take with me in mind). The outcome was diag. as a bi-polar and I was started on Zyprexa 15 mg. After about a month I felt like the Effexor XR and Xanax was having no affect. I reduced my dosage and quit completely taking the Effexor XR and the Xanax.
My Dr. explained that a Bi-polar given an anti-depresant would end up with Mania eventually.
Which explained the burn out effect of the Effexor XR. Since I was full blown manic it was not a proublem to stop Effexor XR and Xanax.Later my depression returned and after using Wellburtin I had a seizur had to swith to Effexor XR all over again. Since I was no longer vomiting and all the other side-effects of 'Chemo', I have had some inital side-effects from the Effexor XR.
I have raised my dosage to 300mg and I can now say the Effexor XR is doing it's work. I am also taking Lamictal along with Zyprexa. So after about 8 weeks I will taper off the Effexor XR all the while watching out for the return of depression.
Effexor XR is trial tested for 6-8 weeks because it was designed as a short term anti-depressant.So I am a success story.
Posted by sufferfromeffexor on August 27, 2003, at 13:22:22
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Harlock on August 26, 2003, at 20:55:04
I have just recently started to read these threads and am so very angry at the makers of Effexor. I have been taking the medicine for around 8 years and have just decided to take control of my life again and come off of this evil pill. I have missed doses before and know what the withdrawls feel like and I feel I have no choice but to withstand them this time to finally get this drug out of my system. I am curious why there has never been legal action taken against these makers. I am very interested in seeing what can be done legally if anyone else is interested as well, please feel free to email me:
[email protected]Good Luck to you all (having temporary success or trying to rid yourself of this drug)
Becky
> >
> > Why is all this being discussed on an obscure web site and not on 20/20 or Dateline? Why would a drug be made available to already depressed persons, that will ultimately make them more depressed and unbalanced? Why does asking these questions make me the insane one?
>
> ---
>
> Hell no. I agree with you 100%. I'm actually having pretty severe withdrawal effects from Lexapro. I had NO idea these were withdrawal effects.. well, I had a theory that might be what was causing me to feel so bad, but now that I read all these posts, I'm sure that is what was/is going on.
>
> Anyway, back to the point... It's shocking that there are so few doctors that are unaware of the withdrawal symptoms from these medications. I asked a few doctors and none of them knew what was happening to me! I LUCKILY found this web site, and now I know.
>
> I would love to see a 20/20 or similar type media broadcast discussing the *dangers* of these medications.
>
> I'm not a fan of the sue everyone for everything mentality, but I would love to see the makers of Effexor (and other meds) slapped with a major lawsuit. By law, these guys have to list the side effects of the medications they advertise. Well, on the Effexor commercial, I didn't hear anything about withdrawal symptoms.. nor did I read any in they documentation I got at the doctor's office.
>
> It sounds like some of you have had better experiences than I have as far as medical treatment has been concerned. I'm seen *many* doctors, and I got say, the average Kindergarten student is more informed.
Posted by michelle29 on August 27, 2003, at 22:44:23
In reply to Withdrawals from Effexor....., posted by choltz22 on August 26, 2003, at 0:58:35
I have also recently tried to withdraw from Effexor, feeling that after a year and a half things were better. I was taking 150mg daily, and then slowly decreased to 75mg and then to 37.5mg. I am currently cutting the 37.5mg in half and am wondering if these horrible withdrawal effects will ever go away. It is so nice to hear that others have experienced the same thing and that I am not alone. I have not been able to adequately describe these sensations in my brain, the "electric shock" and vertigo that I feel during my day. Paxil was another drug that I experienced to have similar withdrawal effects. I wonder how long it will take to go away and if I will be able to stop taking the "18.75mg" doses....
Posted by Lela on August 28, 2003, at 23:00:11
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by lianne on August 22, 2003, at 12:02:32
Where to find more info about Effexor
Hi,
my partner has generalized anxiety disorder and has been on Effexor for the last 3 months.
He keep saying that he is OK, but I have noticed that he sweats much more, gets hot very easily, gets tired a lot, needs more sleep then before and his blood pressure is 160/110 (not good!!!).
We are now debating should he stay or get off the drug. I am looking for more info about the drug:
1. Steve Whiting effexor link www.effexorfz.freeuk.com is broken
2.some stats regarding effexor: how many people are using drug in USA or Canada, success rate, failure rate. Did anybody ever got off it cured or is this "drug for life"
3. any other options for GAD that could work?Thanks a lot
Lela
Posted by Salty_dog on August 29, 2003, at 14:54:11
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Harlock on August 26, 2003, at 20:55:04
Here is the Effexor web site where the side-effects are in print by the manufacture
:
http://www.effexor.com/b/b60.asp
Posted by rondi on August 29, 2003, at 16:38:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Ceeg on December 31, 2000, at 14:00:08
I have been using effexer xr now for 3 months. I had no problems using it it helps me cope with everyday life and to get back on track again. The only thing is i lost 30 pounds on this medication so far. You do have some sexual problems like not wanting to do really anything. This medication is the one on the market that works,but it doesn't work on everyone. I advice to u is go back and talk to your doctor, in the first week u feel anyworse.........
Posted by Johnlund on August 29, 2003, at 21:38:05
In reply to Where to find more info about Effexor, posted by Lela on August 28, 2003, at 23:00:11
I have been on Effexor for 4 years. I find I sweat more, and get hot flashes once in a while. I do not consider that a big deal. I also noticed that my blood pressure might be a little high. I am getting a physical this month, and will find out about my colesterol. I think most of these symptoms can be compensated for by excercise and diet. However, other medications may be needed to adjust blood pressure and colesterol levels. Effexor has been a gift from God to me. I won't go off of it unless medical science comes up with a drug that is just as good on depression with less side effects.
Posted by Johnlund on August 29, 2003, at 22:26:52
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor » Harlock, posted by sufferfromeffexor on August 27, 2003, at 13:22:22
> I have just recently started to read these threads and am so very angry at the makers of Effexor. I have been taking the medicine for around 8 years and have just decided to take control of my life again and come off of this evil pill. I have missed doses before and know what the withdrawls feel like and I feel I have no choice but to withstand them this time to finally get this drug out of my system. I am curious why there has never been legal action taken against these makers. I am very interested in seeing what can be done legally if anyone else is interested as well, please feel free to email me:
> [email protected]
>
> Good Luck to you all (having temporary success or trying to rid yourself of this drug)
> Becky
>
>
> > >
> > > Why is all this being discussed on an obscure web site and not on 20/20 or Dateline? Why would a drug be made available to already depressed persons, that will ultimately make them more depressed and unbalanced? Why does asking these questions make me the insane one?
> >
> > ---
> >
> > Hell no. I agree with you 100%. I'm actually having pretty severe withdrawal effects from Lexapro. I had NO idea these were withdrawal effects.. well, I had a theory that might be what was causing me to feel so bad, but now that I read all these posts, I'm sure that is what was/is going on.
> >
> > Anyway, back to the point... It's shocking that there are so few doctors that are unaware of the withdrawal symptoms from these medications. I asked a few doctors and none of them knew what was happening to me! I LUCKILY found this web site, and now I know.
> >
> > I would love to see a 20/20 or similar type media broadcast discussing the *dangers* of these medications.
> >
> > I'm not a fan of the sue everyone for everything mentality, but I would love to see the makers of Effexor (and other meds) slapped with a major lawsuit. By law, these guys have to list the side effects of the medications they advertise. Well, on the Effexor commercial, I didn't hear anything about withdrawal symptoms.. nor did I read any in they documentation I got at the doctor's office.
> >
> > It sounds like some of you have had better experiences than I have as far as medical treatment has been concerned. I'm seen *many* doctors, and I got say, the average Kindergarten student is more informed.
>
Excuse me, but if you don't like the drug, don't take it. It is your choice, if it doesn't work or makes you feel bad, then it is not the right drug for you. But don't take it out on the rest of us by trying to make the manufacturer of a perfectly good take the AD off the market. Every medicine known to mankind has side effects, sometimes we live with them, and other times the cure is worse than the desease. That is the way medical science works.
Posted by sufferfromeffexor on August 30, 2003, at 6:59:34
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Johnlund on August 29, 2003, at 22:26:52
Well excuse me, but I am not talking about having side effects while ON the medication...I realize they all have some, what I am talking about is the lack of education on the withdrawls coming OFF the medicine. I have been trapped on this medicine for 8 years ONLY because the withdrawls are so severe when stopping this medicine. That is NOT fair. I wished I would have been told of these things before taking it so I could have made a better decision to take it. I don't mind experiencing a minor withdrawl or two when coming off the medication, but I do mind that it has totally STOPPED my life until they are over with. I don't have a job because of the symptoms, I wouldn't be able to function...I shouldn't have to put my life on hold or stay on something for 8 years because of the fear of stopping a medication. This is what I am angry about and I have that right! So what works for you is great and more power to ya, but wait until you stop this medication...Good luck to you!
Posted by bsho on August 30, 2003, at 17:33:15
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Johnlund on August 29, 2003, at 22:26:52
I heard an ad on TV for a journal-type show talking about Paxil withdrawal symptoms. I didn't actually see the show, because I was on vacation. Did anyone see the show? If so, did they mention Effexor too, or just Paxil?
Posted by Kira1 on August 30, 2003, at 18:42:31
In reply to Re: Discontinuing Effexor Krystal » CrystalThacker, posted by Leo on February 16, 2001, at 18:10:44
We all had our reasons for starting on effexor, and mine were legitimate and situational in nature. As a short-term effexor consumer (one month) the symptoms included dry mouth, vertigo, depression, TMJ,lack of focus and indifference to life events and major decisions at hand. Quite honestly, it was like my brain slowed down and this previous articulate and competent person was marginally fuctional. No feelings. No nothing.When I quit "cold turkey" despite horror stories, I was more fortunate than many consumers. (headaches, fatigue)
Here is the problem...One month later I had two days that felt like my "old effexor state"--depressed, foggy state. Just not me. I was only on this med for a month! An R.N. said she heard of that experience before and it would go away. Did anyone else experience relapses into the foggy state on occasion? Anyone know why??? Thanks! Kira1
Posted by tacky1 on August 30, 2003, at 22:46:51
In reply to Re: Withdrawals from Effexor....., posted by michelle29 on August 27, 2003, at 22:44:23
I am so happy that I accidentally found this message board. Effexor XR worked great for me, but I felt it was time to go off the medications. I was unaware of any withdrawal symptoms! My dose was gradually decreased from 150mg to 75mg for 1 week, then 37.5mg for 1 week. I didn't even realize what I was experiencing were withdrawals. I actually joked about having a serious neurological disorder or something. My symptoms were as follows: Headaches, light-headedness, uncoordination(loss of balance occassionally), insomnia, mental fogginess(unable to make sense of things or vocalize thoughts properly), nausea, cough, fatigue, really bad PMS, irritability, tender breasts, emotionally sensitive. I actually thought I might be pregnant or something, I felt so crappy.
If there is anyone else out there with these symptoms let me know. Hopefully my problems can help someone else out there.
It is really comforting to know that other people have experienced similar reactions. I thought there was something really wrong with me! The only question I have now it how long until these horible symptoms subside?!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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