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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by KimberlyDi on September 9, 2003, at 8:28:26
In reply to anyone switch to effexor from lexapro?, posted by ezra on September 8, 2003, at 23:10:29
i would say that Effexor is best for anxiety so try everything else first before trying Effexor for any other reason. They shouldn't prescribe it so widely because of the withdrawal problems.
KDi in Texas
> about four months ago i was on 10mg/day on lexapro and 900mg/day on neurontin for supposed bipolar I. i had been having problems with taking the AD alone because i was going into what i thought was hypomania, but my shrink thought otherwise and, as i said above, listed me as bipolar I. after two weeks on the first combo i described, i was insane.. i quit the neurontin altogether and upped my lexapro to 20mg. that seemed to help for a while, but lately (the past month) i've become more prone to mood swings (not sure if it's hypomania or not). i was considering trying to switch to another AD, but honestly i don't know if my symptoms would merit the trouble of the switch to another AD. what do you guys think?
>
> Has anyone switched from lexapro? and useful comparasons between the two ADs? i'd appreciate it! -michael
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 9, 2003, at 8:37:46
In reply to Re: lack of sleep, posted by mspiggy on September 9, 2003, at 0:44:21
Blame the lack of sleep on Effexor. Welbutrin never caused insomnia for me. It actually seemed to speed my sleep to REM status. Sometimes experiencing dreams while I was semi-conscious of them.
KDi in Texas
Posted by Music on September 9, 2003, at 9:37:48
In reply to Re: anyone switch to effexor from lexapro? » ezra, posted by KimberlyDi on September 9, 2003, at 8:28:26
Hey are you still out there? Just wondering. I went to my therapist last night and she wants to see me again this Friday for a session. I go to see me PsyDoc this Thursday and my therapist wants me to tell her about my dark thoughts that I have been having. How are you doing? How was your weekend? Please keep in touch.
Music
Posted by tony on September 9, 2003, at 12:22:10
In reply to Effexor Remeron, seeking feedback, posted by PhilChemicalEngineer on July 13, 2003, at 13:20:50
MY DOCTOR JUST GAVE ME A STARTER PACKET OF EFFEXOR .DOES ANY ONE KNOW THE SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS IT GIVES YOU ? I AM NOT SURE I AM GOING TO TAKE IT AFTER READING SOME OF THE MESSAGE BOARDS POSTED.
Posted by oeps7 on September 9, 2003, at 13:56:10
In reply to Re: 4 Wks off Effexor-/joint pain , posted by Jacke on September 8, 2003, at 17:27:52
> Having taken Effexor XR for almost a year I find myself having nearly disabling joint pain, hands, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and one knee, with swelling and terrible stiffness. Consulted my internist and had tests ran, all negative. Could Effexor XR be the culprit? Do any of you know of any studies relating to Effexor XR and the link to joint and muscle pain? I'd be interested in medical journal articles that support this to take to my doctor.
I am off effexor xr as well and started having slight joint pain. I believe it's related
Posted by Music on September 9, 2003, at 14:37:12
In reply to Re: Effexor Remeron, seeking feedback, posted by tony on September 9, 2003, at 12:22:10
> MY DOCTOR JUST GAVE ME A STARTER PACKET OF EFFEXOR .DOES ANY ONE KNOW THE SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS IT GIVES YOU ? I AM NOT SURE I AM GOING TO TAKE IT AFTER READING SOME OF THE MESSAGE BOARDS POSTED.
I have been on Effexor XR since June 03' and it is hard to "O" on this stuff. My husband and I struggle with this. I hope maybe my PsyDoc on Thursday might put me on something else. I have never been on any AD's before this is my first one. So I might try something else. I am currently on 225mg per day in the morning I take it. Just some feed back for you. Most other side effects go away. Except the sexual ones.
Let me know if any of us can help. Have a great day!Music
Posted by cobamis on September 9, 2003, at 15:55:47
In reply to Re: Effexor Remeron, seeking feedback, posted by Music on September 9, 2003, at 14:37:12
Effexor DOES has sexual side effects. I was on 75mgs and the big "O" was hard to reach (thank god for a persistant partner). Supposedly 75 and less there are none. I'm on 37.5mg now and will find out next week if this will help. Supposedly Wellbutrin has minimal , if any, sexual side effects. In fact the rep here calls it the "happy,skinny,horny pill"..it didn't sit well with me, messed up sleep, so went back to effexor. Good luck
Posted by Music on September 9, 2003, at 16:46:57
In reply to Re: Effexor Remeron, seeking feedback, posted by cobamis on September 9, 2003, at 15:55:47
I think that is the drug (Wellbutrin) that my PsyDoc mention to me last time I saw her 3 weeks ago, maybe that is the one that will work for me. Because I don't think Effexor XR is working for me. I'm still very depressed and have very dark thoughts at times. My husband hopes that I can have the "O" with maybe another drug. What didn't you like about Wellbutrin again? What SE's does that drug have?
Music
Posted by Angelina on September 9, 2003, at 17:09:12
In reply to Message for Angelina, posted by Music on September 9, 2003, at 9:37:48
> Hey are you still out there? Just wondering. I went to my therapist last night and she wants to see me again this Friday for a session. I go to see me PsyDoc this Thursday and my therapist wants me to tell her about my dark thoughts that I have been having. How are you doing? How was your weekend? Please keep in touch.
>
> Music
>Music,
Sorry I've been out of touch. I'm in a little bit of a rough time right now. I mentioned my divorce the other day, and the other loss I'm experiencing is due to the death of my father August 7. His 65th birthday is Sept. 11, and I feel like I'm not coping too well. See, writing that is making me cry, and I cry all the time. I feel like I'm probably not too supportive right now, so I laid low for a few days.
I'm so glad to hear you saw your therapist, and it's definitely a good idea to talk to your prescribing doctor about your dark thoughts. Did you think about having your husband go to an appointment with you?
Take care,
A.
Posted by Angelina on September 9, 2003, at 17:12:09
In reply to Re: Effexor Remeron, seeking feedback, posted by cobamis on September 9, 2003, at 15:55:47
> Effexor DOES has sexual side effects. I was on 75mgs and the big "O" was hard to reach (thank god for a persistant partner). Supposedly 75 and less there are none. I'm on 37.5mg now and will find out next week if this will help. Supposedly Wellbutrin has minimal , if any, sexual side effects. In fact the rep here calls it the "happy,skinny,horny pill"..it didn't sit well with me, messed up sleep, so went back to effexor. Good luck
> I was on 75 mg, and I couldn't reach orgasm, so yet again, more bad information from the drug company/our doctors that aren't fully informed.
Posted by jcsmiles21 on September 9, 2003, at 18:29:29
In reply to Re: Have I got too many side-effects?, posted by Noorah on October 22, 2002, at 10:05:38
My roommate committed suicide while taking 100 mgs of wellbutrin 2 times a day. He was suffering from depression. Though he complained about the side effects he was having, his psychacrist stated that it would take six weeks for the drug to take it full effect. He hanged himself 3 days prior to the 6 week timeframe. Has anybody else had suicidal thoughts from taking well butrin??
Posted by BJL on September 9, 2003, at 19:51:35
In reply to Re: Effexor Remeron, seeking feedback, posted by Music on September 9, 2003, at 14:37:12
I've never had an O to begin with so I'm obviously not missing that.
Posted by Salty_dog on September 9, 2003, at 21:49:47
In reply to Re: 4 Wks off Effexor-/joint pain , posted by Jacke on September 8, 2003, at 17:27:52
I went the site for Effexor (www.effexor.com), selected 'Prescribing Information' & 'Continue' and you get the manf. complete info.
I found no joint pain in specific terms, however, I also found no weight gain statistics. I have gained 10 lbs in one week for the last two weeks while I was on lower dosage. That problem continues to plague me. It could be the elimination of depression explains the hunger.
On page 29 you can read the 'moderately depressed' dosage info. Basicly the upper levels are between 225 and 300.
In other studies, more severely depressed patients where given a mean dosage of 350 mg.
That, of course, means some of the patients had much highter levels of Effexor.
I am sweating less each day and I can not say I have any other side effects. When I first jumped to 600 mg/Day I felt some confusion and slured speach, both of which have gone away.
I do not notice any new joint pain, but, I do feel brused and sore for no apparent reason. These feeling disapear in a short period of time and may be related to seizure activity durin my sleep because I have noticed that my tongue is punctured and painful as well.
So, this posting I hope, is an answer to several questions.
P.S.: I am still at 600 mg. and mostly fine but I am working on my sleep/wake cycle just in case I find work.
Good Night
Posted by cathyhil on September 9, 2003, at 23:06:34
In reply to anyone had weight gain?, posted by nocalmaggie on July 23, 2003, at 10:39:59
gained about 60# in 4 years on 300mg. Off effexor now and trying hard to lose it.
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 10, 2003, at 7:53:49
In reply to side effects of well butrin...suicidal tendencies?, posted by jcsmiles21 on September 9, 2003, at 18:29:29
I don't believe that Welbutrin causes suicidal tendacies. I don't want to step on anyone's toes but your roommate went on Welbutrin because he was already depressed. I think that Welbutrin just wasn't a strong enough Anti-Depressant (AD) for him. I consider Welbutrin to be a Light-Weight, with Effexor being a Heavy-Weight AD.
I am sorry for your loss. I'm sorry for him that he took a permanent solution for a temporary problem.
> My roommate committed suicide while taking 100 mgs of wellbutrin 2 times a day. He was suffering from depression. Though he complained about the side effects he was having, his psychacrist stated that it would take six weeks for the drug to take it full effect. He hanged himself 3 days prior to the 6 week timeframe. Has anybody else had suicidal thoughts from taking well butrin??
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 10, 2003, at 7:55:05
In reply to Re: Effexor Remeron, seeking feedback, posted by BJL on September 9, 2003, at 19:51:35
Posted by Music on September 10, 2003, at 12:56:42
In reply to Re: Message for Angelina, posted by Angelina on September 9, 2003, at 17:09:12
A,
I am sorry about your father. Yesterday was hard for me my brother died 12 years ago and on his Birthday and was killed by a drunk driver. He was only 24 on that day.
I have missed your posts. I actually look forward to hearing from you. I will be thinking about you tomorrow and praying for you as well. We can make it through these difficult times. Even when it looks dark. I am going to PsyDoc tomorrow morning for my 3 week check up and I think I have to change my med. I don't think it is working. Well keep in touch. I am going to lunch right. Oh my husband can't go to my PsyDoc because he has class at college. Post me soon.
Music
Posted by J9 on September 10, 2003, at 14:20:55
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello all.... I just started Effexor yesterday, and saw all this here and got a little scared. I was prescribed this because Celexa was not working for GAD. I had NO energey and NO interest in sex. My pdoc said that this should help correct this situation. I have taken many others in the past, Paxil (worse than chemo) Xanax (didn't work) buspar (made me suicidal), etc... Been so long can't remember all of em right now. But does anyone know if this will help give me energy, I go to bed at 8:30 everynight. Hubby says I don't give him enough attention... At my wit's end. Please help
Thanks J9
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 10, 2003, at 14:36:22
In reply to Just started Effexor Yesterday, posted by J9 on September 10, 2003, at 14:20:55
Effexor definately kills the sex drive and it about put me to sleep at first, during the day, not the night. In my mind, I think it's similar to Paxil, which sounds like it's bad news for you. I bet Welbutrin would be a good choice for you, unless you had a history of eating disorders. Welbutrin is sort of stimulating and didn't affect my sex drive at all. I took it successfully for years. It's the same as Zyban (sp?) and if you smoke, it could help you stop... Bad thing about Welbutrin is that it takes several weeks until you notice a difference. It's very gradual.
Take Benedryl at night to help with the 3:00/4:00 wakeups or ask your pdoc for a prescription of Trazadone to help you sleep at night. Everyone says that Effexor doesn't give an energy boost until you reach the higher dosage levels.
Good Luck!
KDi in Texas> Hello all.... I just started Effexor yesterday, and saw all this here and got a little scared. I was prescribed this because Celexa was not working for GAD. I had NO energey and NO interest in sex. My pdoc said that this should help correct this situation. I have taken many others in the past, Paxil (worse than chemo) Xanax (didn't work) buspar (made me suicidal), etc... Been so long can't remember all of em right now. But does anyone know if this will help give me energy, I go to bed at 8:30 everynight. Hubby says I don't give him enough attention... At my wit's end. Please help
>
> Thanks J9
Posted by J9 on September 10, 2003, at 14:45:53
In reply to Just started Effexor Yesterday, posted by J9 on September 10, 2003, at 14:20:55
Thanks for your quick reply KDi. I took zyban and it turned me into a virtual Zombe!!! I literally went through days without knowing what I did. I am on 37.5mgs of Effexor for 1 week, then 75 for a week then a final of 150. I am really scared of everything I have heard so far. Pdoc and pharmacist both said that they would prescribe effexor for female sexual dysfunction over the Celexa I was taking. But I now am afraid of all of the other side effects.
J9
Posted by Music on September 10, 2003, at 15:30:17
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor Yesterday, posted by J9 on September 10, 2003, at 14:45:53
I am back from lunch and at my desk working. I have been thinking about you. I hope you are doing okay. Keep in touch. You were there for me and I will try to be there for you as you are struggling.
Music
Posted by Angelina on September 10, 2003, at 16:14:14
In reply to Message for Angelina, posted by Music on September 10, 2003, at 15:30:17
> I am back from lunch and at my desk working. I have been thinking about you. I hope you are doing okay. Keep in touch. You were there for me and I will try to be there for you as you are struggling.
>
> Music>Thanks!
I'm going to my mom's tomorrow until Sunday, and I don't use the computer there, as it's too slow. I'll check back in Sunday or Monday.
Take care of yourself.
A.
Posted by J9 on September 10, 2003, at 16:16:08
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor Yesterday, posted by J9 on September 10, 2003, at 14:45:53
I will soon have to increase from 75mg to 150mg. Do I take 2 75 in the morning? Or do I take one in the morning and one in the afternoon? How should I do this for the maximum results to take effect?
J9
Posted by sufferfromeffexor on September 10, 2003, at 19:19:11
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello all. I keep popping in and out of this message board, mainly because my moods keep going from one thing to the other. I have been on Effexor (started on Zoloft) for about 8 years. I decided that I wanted to come off of it to see what I am like without medication. I thought my doctor understood this...well since I have been tapering, I have had severe emotional breakdowns (coming from someone who never showed any emotion)...and even though it brings dark thoughts into my head, I am trying my best to survive. I want to pull my head above this water of depression and medication so badly! I think I am going to be starting a 5 day a week cognitive therapy session, which has given me tremendous hope to hold on to!!! However, I went to see my psychiatrist today and he discharged me as a patient!!!! He said if I don't want to take any more medicine he can't see me because my insurance won't cover it. Ok, I understand that intellectually...but he told me this right after I told him I have suicide ideation thoughts...go figure! I asked him for the referral to the hospital program (per my counselor) and he acted like I was asking him for his next born child. He completely dismissed me today (of all the days not be to be dismissed, this was the one) and I am flabbergasted. I called my counselor, bawling like a baby, because not only did he dismiss me...but he ended my tapering down off of Effexor, he told me to just quit now. Grantid I came from 150mg to 37.5 every other day, but I was supposed to do the every other day until Sept. 7th and than go from there, depending on how my withdrawls are. I am terrified now. Yesterday was my very firt skipped dose (intentionally anyhow) and the shocks were pretty bad...now I am just supposed to do it alone? The nerve of this guy. Anyway, I am so angry and so upset, that I just needed a place to vent. I am so tired of "pill pushers"...it's like they don't want anything to do with you because you won't be giving them a paycheck if you stop taking medication. Doesn't anyone in this world truly WANT people to feel better and not keep them trapped for their own financial gain???? Sorry everyone, I had to get it off my chest.
Posted by Angelina on September 10, 2003, at 19:25:35
In reply to Bad psychiatrists...., posted by sufferfromeffexor on September 10, 2003, at 19:19:11
> Hello all. I keep popping in and out of this message board, mainly because my moods keep going from one thing to the other. I have been on Effexor (started on Zoloft) for about 8 years. I decided that I wanted to come off of it to see what I am like without medication. I thought my doctor understood this...well since I have been tapering, I have had severe emotional breakdowns (coming from someone who never showed any emotion)...and even though it brings dark thoughts into my head, I am trying my best to survive. I want to pull my head above this water of depression and medication so badly! I think I am going to be starting a 5 day a week cognitive therapy session, which has given me tremendous hope to hold on to!!! However, I went to see my psychiatrist today and he discharged me as a patient!!!! He said if I don't want to take any more medicine he can't see me because my insurance won't cover it. Ok, I understand that intellectually...but he told me this right after I told him I have suicide ideation thoughts...go figure! I asked him for the referral to the hospital program (per my counselor) and he acted like I was asking him for his next born child. He completely dismissed me today (of all the days not be to be dismissed, this was the one) and I am flabbergasted. I called my counselor, bawling like a baby, because not only did he dismiss me...but he ended my tapering down off of Effexor, he told me to just quit now. Grantid I came from 150mg to 37.5 every other day, but I was supposed to do the every other day until Sept. 7th and than go from there, depending on how my withdrawls are. I am terrified now. Yesterday was my very firt skipped dose (intentionally anyhow) and the shocks were pretty bad...now I am just supposed to do it alone? The nerve of this guy. Anyway, I am so angry and so upset, that I just needed a place to vent. I am so tired of "pill pushers"...it's like they don't want anything to do with you because you won't be giving them a paycheck if you stop taking medication. Doesn't anyone in this world truly WANT people to feel better and not keep them trapped for their own financial gain???? Sorry everyone, I had to get it off my chest.
>I'm so sorry you had this happen today! I can definitely empathize.
Regarding the ongoing withdrawal "shocks", I have had great success taking benedryl as soon as I start feeling them. I have not taken any effexor in almost a week, due to the benedryl. Try this!!
Good luck.
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