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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Mercedes on October 5, 2003, at 22:26:51
In reply to About your vision: » BJL, posted by Kacy on October 4, 2003, at 9:32:47
Hi, my name is Mercedes and I'm interested in your comment about vision problems. I wrote earlier that I've had my glasses changed five times this past year and i'm due again. I have a hard time when I'm on the computer so I don't come to this site much anymore. If I'm on the computer for an hour or so, I have blurred vision AFTERWARDS for another hour. I'm scheduled to see a opthamologist next week and wonder, since I'm withdrawing from Effexor, if my vision will get better. And if so, will a new eyeglass prescription at this time (I've gone gradually from 300mgs to currently 75 and next week 37.5 then finally off completly)be wrong for me..again? Should I wait till I'm off Effexor completly? I'm not sure and don't have vision coverage so $$$ is an issue.
p.s. Anyone?.....I also have tennitus and have an ENT appt soon. Does the tennitus go away with stopping effexor. Any comments would be appreciated.
Mercedes
****************************************> Bobbi: I quit Effexor and went back on again. By the tenth day or a little after, my vision was clear enough to easily read the phone book. Before that, I needed a magnifyer to read it, thanks to Effexor. I went back on Effexor and I needed those reading glasses near the phone book to read it again. Maybe this bodes well for you. If it doesn't happen right away, don't panic. My withdrawal symptoms were a piece of cake compared to the severity and duration some of you get.
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 6, 2003, at 1:21:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by BJL on October 5, 2003, at 11:12:03
I feel for you!!!! I am on my 7th day of being Effexor free and I feel like CRAP!!!! The "electric shocks" are unnerving to say the least. I don't know how many times I have just looked at my left over pills (I know I shouldn't keep them around but I do) and just wanting to take one to make this all go away. I don't know which is worse, experiencing these side effects or the fact that a doctor can't tell you how long it will last or what is even causing them etc...If only we could count the days until they would disappear, I think it would make going through it all that much more bearable, for me personally it would be a huge relief. Right now I just feel like I will have to feel this way for the rest of my life and I know I can't cope with it for a few more meeks let along a life time. I hope you have someone close to you that can keep the pep talks going for you. It is hard to not cave and take the pill, but we have to believe it will be better in the end...won't it?
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 6, 2003, at 1:27:07
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Does anyone know what exactly CAUSES these shocks that are associated with the withdrawal of Effexor? I can't seem to find any information about them, just that they exist. Also, is the time span for them to go away really as large as 1-7 weeks? I have just gone through my first week and I really REALLY don't want to do 2 but the funny thing is, today my shocks are as bad as the first couple days. My third day without the Effexor was my worst so far (nausiated, sensitive to light, tired etc.) and today it felt like day one all over again. I don't get it. Shouldn't something that is out of your body start to get better and not progress?? If anyone knows more about these shocks I would love to hear what you have learned. God Speed to everyone and may there come a day of comfort for you!
Posted by kcg33 on October 6, 2003, at 5:21:42
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! » BJL, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 6, 2003, at 1:21:21
> I feel for you!!!! I am on my 7th day of being Effexor free and I feel like CRAP!!!! The "electric shocks" are unnerving to say the least. I don't know how many times I have just looked at my left over pills (I know I shouldn't keep them around but I do) and just wanting to take one to make this all go away. I don't know which is worse, experiencing these side effects or the fact that a doctor can't tell you how long it will last or what is even causing them etc...If only we could count the days until they would disappear, I think it would make going through it all that much more bearable, for me personally it would be a huge relief. Right now I just feel like I will have to feel this way for the rest of my life and I know I can't cope with it for a few more meeks let along a life time. I hope you have someone close to you that can keep the pep talks going for you. It is hard to not cave and take the pill, but we have to believe it will be better in the end...won't it?
Remember when I was at 7 days out and still felt like I was dying? I know how hard it is, for sure. I hesitated to throw the medicine out just in case it became necessary to take one or die. In the end, this is what i have done - I went to the drug store and bought empty gel capsules. I have taken the remainder of my bottle and have divided each pill into thirds and repackaged them in the each of the gel caps. Now I take one a day - whatever 1/3 of 75 mg is, somehow it is keeping the nausea and fatigue away. I haven't felt this well in a long time. I figure I'll give it another two weeks worth and then I will start pouring out a couple of crystals at a time until I am taking nothing. If you are like me, you don't want anything else to do with this medicine, so caving makes you feel like you have failed, but I'm tellin' ya', 1/3 of that capsule at a time will cover the brain zaps, the shakes, the nausea and the fatigue. It helped me to avoid jumping off a bridge to get relief, for sure.
Posted by darthwribar on October 6, 2003, at 8:16:40
In reply to Effexor side effects - heart palpitations, posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 0:46:51
I started Effexor five weeks ago and went back to the doctor this week for an echocardiagram and stress test. It showed nothing but these palpitations seem very real and very scary! My heart seems to go fast, then slow right down and a few times a day (recently) seems to almost stop and then starts again, very obviously. I keep thinking my heart will stop. Am I just being stupid? Is it me or the tablets? should I stop taking them? The doctors say I shouldn't be in danger but they don't know how I feel. Afraid.
Any advice?
Posted by spacecase on October 6, 2003, at 8:19:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Salty_Dog on October 5, 2003, at 20:09:43
> As I have previously posted, I gave Effexor XR my best shot. I didn't want to wounder if the SE's I had where related to Effexor XR or not. At 600 mg per day, I fairly well know all of the mentioned SE on this BB. I found a solution to put a stop to the night sweats and the lazy eye (try using one or the other eye alone to see if there is improvement) the shakes, the twitching, the inability to think, the Tinititus and all of the other unmentionable SE's. I tryed Neurontin 600 mg three times a day and found great results. I also stopped taking the Neurontin for a week and got back the SE's like night sweats and lack of energy. So, in my own testing and in my case, Neurontin has done wounders to clear up the undesired SE's (even the sex issue) and has given my Eye Dr. a break. Untill I tried going off the Neurontin, I thought maybe I had become used to the SE's, but it turns out that's not case. I highly recomend it. Remember, I am at 600 mg of Effexor XR and while using Neurontin I was able to put an end to most, if not all, of the SE's.
I was wondering if everyone is on high doses of Effexor Xr. Because you stated that you were on 600mg. I'm on 450mg of Effexor Xr. And I've always been on high doses of antidepressants, and it just seems kind of alarming to me because the side-effects go up with it. People have talked about twitching, does anyone have eye twitching. Because I have it from the moment I wake up to the moment I go asleep and even if I wake up in the middle of the night. My doctor thinks it's tardive dyskenesia, but not sure. Because it did twitch once when I increased my Effexor but didn't think about it till know till I read yalls messages. Thanks for the outlet.
Posted by Music on October 6, 2003, at 9:33:28
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by spacecase on October 6, 2003, at 8:19:01
I am on 300 mg of Effexor XR per day. I think I have finally reached my therapuetic doseage. I finally feel better. About the sex thing this med stinks. It is so hard to have a "O" on this med. Does anyone have any suggestions about what else to take along with Effexor XR med? I am going to my PsyDoc this Thursday any suggestions would help.
Music
Posted by darthwribar on October 6, 2003, at 9:41:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Peterjg on December 13, 2002, at 13:02:22
I've had all sorts of side effects - slightly blurred vision for the first few weeks, shaking, muscular twitching (sometimes severe) but the most recent is my heart slowing down a great deal and almost (it feels) like it's going to stop.
i don't know if to keep with the Effexor or blame this on the Effexor. I feel more scared by what my heart is doing at the moment that anything I felt before. Is it me? Or the tablets? Any advice?
Posted by KimberlyDi on October 6, 2003, at 10:09:34
In reply to Re: Effexor Club Collapses » KimberlyDi, posted by Kacy on October 4, 2003, at 9:19:17
Posted by BJL on October 6, 2003, at 10:54:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! » BJL, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 6, 2003, at 1:21:21
Sufferfromeffexor, I know how tempting it is to start taking those pills, but hang in there. I'm feeling much better today (I'm on day 12 since last pill). Even my mood is better. I'm almost starting to feel like there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there! I wish I could do something to help everyone suffering! It truly sucks! -Bobbi-
Posted by spacecase on October 6, 2003, at 12:28:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Music on October 6, 2003, at 9:33:28
Music,
I don't know what would work for you because I don't know what conditions you have. But, I have bipolar disorder w/ psychotic symptoms (voices), ADHD, a little bit of OCD, anorexia, and bulumia, and tardive dyskinesia. I'm on Abilify, Topomax, Effexor XR, Adderall XR, Xanax XR. And I really feel good and wouldn't change my combination of medications right now because they just feel right. Have you ever been on Topomax? It's an anticonvulsant used for bipolar patients and it's also used for people with headaches, and I think it might be used for people with hard to treat depression but not sure. But, I'm on it for bipolar and bulimia. It's really hard to find the right medications. It took me trying over 25 antidepressants until Effexor.
Posted by FarmBoy on October 6, 2003, at 13:09:04
In reply to Re: any sexual side effects?, posted by SLS on January 12, 2001, at 17:36:06
The good-sex can last loooooong
The bad-can't finish.
Any help out there
Posted by Salty_Dog on October 6, 2003, at 14:46:28
In reply to Electric Shocks, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 6, 2003, at 1:27:07
I have read about two or more people who have stopped taking Effexor XR and are experiencing SE's.
I hope none of you are going 'cold turkey'. As far as I am able to 'Black Box' how Effexor XR works, it appears as though it stimulates production of two transmitters or messengers unlike the SSRI which slow the absorbtion of these transmitters. It is not wise to stop 'cold turkey' unless you have a padded room in your home. I was lucky to have found Zyprexa and was on it for 2-3 weeks before I tappered off the Effexor. Granted, I tappered off pretty fast and I was also stopping Xanax which felt akin to stopping cocain but it passed in a realively short period of time (5-10 days). I would recomend this proceedure to anyone having bi-polar tendancies. I think the Electric Shocks are like priming a carborator with ether or even the itch you feel on a scratch. It may be an indication of 'healing".
Posted by Astred on October 6, 2003, at 15:14:29
In reply to Effexor and Urinary Retention? , posted by Cybertao on July 14, 2002, at 22:39:46
I feel for you. I am having the EXACT same side effects. My doctor started me on the 37.5's first and then worked up. The first couple of days that I took them, my jaw was killing me it was so tight. Then it would loosen up. Then he would up the dosage. And it would start all over again. It was just yesterday that I started the XR and I am miserable. I can try forever and barely do anything. It's killing me. My jaw is so sore. I stay dizzy which is a problem because I am epileptic and I already have problems with my Equilibrium. I wish you the best of luck. If you find out a solution, Please Let me know. My email is [email protected]. I like the fact that I am not having the depression and I have been losing weight. But I don't like the other side effects.
Posted by Salty_Dog on October 6, 2003, at 17:06:37
In reply to Re: Effexor side effects - heart palpitations, posted by darthwribar on October 6, 2003, at 8:16:40
I have found a statement concerning arrhythmia and angina pectoris (chest pain) in < 1% of the trial victims. I also found a direct statement concerning withdrawl:
Abrupt Discontinuation of EFEXOR-XR: Discontinuation symptoms have been assessed both in patients with depression and in those with anxiety. Abrupt discontinuation, dose reduction, or tapering of venlafaxine at various doses has been found to be associated with the appearance of new symptoms, the frequency of which increased with increased dose level and with longer duration of treatment. Symptoms reported included agitation, anxiety, confusion, dry mouth, fatigue, paresthesias, vertigo, hypomania, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, diarrhoea, sleep disturbance, insomnia, sweating and nervousness. Where such symptoms occurred, they were usually self-limiting, but in a few patients lasted for several weeks. Discontinuation effects are well known to occur with antidepressants. There is also a report of a withdrawal syndrome, confirmed by two challenges in a 32 year old woman who had received venlafaxine 300 mg daily for 8 months. It is therefore recommended that the dosage of EFEXOR-XR be tapered gradually and the patient monitored. The period required for discontinuation may depend on the dose, duration of therapy and the individual patient (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Posted by Salty_Dog on October 6, 2003, at 18:34:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by spacecase on October 6, 2003, at 12:28:09
I would like to take a poll on how many people on this BB take multiple medications for multiple reasons. The reason I ask is to identify the posiblity that the Trials conducted on Effexor XR where incomplete because they favored patients (victims) who where virgin to treatment and where not currently taking any thing else. I personally take several meds for bi-polar and seizure disorder (1 seizure). Bi-polar includes depression as well as elation and both can occur at the same time. My only seizure (not including withdrawl from alcohol/drugs) was probably the result of the Wellbutrin which is why I am taking Effexor again. In this State (NJ) anyone who has more than one seizure in the period of one year loses their Drivers License. If we could track the number and intensity of SE's as well as the various meds taken by each of you, we might see a correlation. I don't want to know your personal stuff, but if you let every one know via BB, then someone could see a trend if there is one.
BTW I could not even use a mouse or keyboard 6 weeks ago because of the twitching and involuntary muscle actions. Now if have no problem even though I still can't spell. I am begining to be able to think and remember much better than before taking the Effexor XR. With the addition of the Neurontin I have regained function (even "O") and feel, for the most part, good.
> Music,
> I don't know what would work for you because I don't know what conditions you have. But, I have bipolar disorder w/ psychotic symptoms (voices), ADHD, a little bit of OCD, anorexia, and bulumia, and tardive dyskinesia. I'm on Abilify, Topomax, Effexor XR, Adderall XR, Xanax XR. And I really feel good and wouldn't change my combination of medications right now because they just feel right. Have you ever been on Topomax? It's an anticonvulsant used for bipolar patients and it's also used for people with headaches, and I think it might be used for people with hard to treat depression but not sure. But, I'm on it for bipolar and bulimia. It's really hard to find the right medications. It took me trying over 25 antidepressants until Effexor.
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 7, 2003, at 1:34:29
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by BJL on October 6, 2003, at 10:54:37
You ARE helping!!!! That is exactly what I needed to hear. You say you are on day 12, does that mean the "electric shocks" are gone? How long and what dose did you take Effexor. I was at 150mg for about 8-9 years. My mood has felt better since I have been off of it with the exception of the shocks...they make me crazy. I have also noticed that I am very quick to being startled. If I am startled for any reason I feel it throughout my entire body and am instantly anxious and angry. I never used to startle so much. I hope things keep getting better for you from here on out (mainly for you) but also for the rest of us to use for feedback. I can't seem to find anyone who has stopped taking this (and not switched to another medicine). I don't want to take any more meds period. All my best to you as I know you have had to have suffered greatly because of stopping the Effexor and that is just not fair!
> Sufferfromeffexor, I know how tempting it is to start taking those pills, but hang in there. I'm feeling much better today (I'm on day 12 since last pill). Even my mood is better. I'm almost starting to feel like there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there! I wish I could do something to help everyone suffering! It truly sucks! -Bobbi-
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 7, 2003, at 1:51:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Salty_Dog on October 6, 2003, at 18:34:40
I think we should all call the manufacturer of this drug (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) and bug them every day, many times a day if we have too. I don't know about the rest of you but if I can't get answers from my doctors the next best place to go is to the "horse's mouth". I want answers to my questions and I believe I deserve them. I have paid them plenty of money by taking their drug for 8-9 years it is the least they can do. I am going to start calling them tomorrow and I will call many times a day if I need to, to get answers! Power comes in numbers though doesn't it? I think everyone concerned should do the same and just start calling...it is a free number to call. Just my suggestion due to my constant and acute FRUSTRATION and panic!
Posted by willie on October 7, 2003, at 6:34:58
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
The past week I've been waking up during the night and I have a lot of trouble getting back to sleep. These past few nights have been much worse, I'm maybe averaging 4 - 5 hours of sleep per night. Last night I actually got out of bed and watched TV for a few hours because I was wide awake. I've read postings of people having trouble sleeping when taking effexor. I've been on it for almost a year and had never experienced this.
I was wondering if these people experienced the insomnia right away after starting effexor or had it become a problem after taking the drug for a while? It's so easy to point the finger at the drug and I don't want to do that unless others have experienced the same result. Look forward to any responses...Willie
Posted by slinky on October 7, 2003, at 6:51:14
In reply to Just curious...., posted by willie on October 7, 2003, at 6:34:58
I can't remember when i started to reduce..but I reduced to 150 about 3 weeks ago.
The prozac helps a lot with the physical symptoms..but I've dropped into depression, sleeping more than 15hours out of 24.
Panick attacks and nervousness has returned--when i am awake
I go from intense suicidle thoughts to intense fear of dying thoughts.
I need to keep this up because efexor dealt with anxiety but not the depression...I've been on it about 5 years.
I'm not angry at drug manufacters because i was heading for death with alcohol before i took the drug..so it saved my life...
This is hard drug to quit.
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 7, 2003, at 9:10:17
In reply to Just curious...., posted by willie on October 7, 2003, at 6:34:58
Insomnia...why of course! I don't remember when it started exactly but I know it didn't start until after I was taking this medication...and now that I am coming off of it the insomnia is even worse!
> The past week I've been waking up during the night and I have a lot of trouble getting back to sleep. These past few nights have been much worse, I'm maybe averaging 4 - 5 hours of sleep per night. Last night I actually got out of bed and watched TV for a few hours because I was wide awake. I've read postings of people having trouble sleeping when taking effexor. I've been on it for almost a year and had never experienced this.
> I was wondering if these people experienced the insomnia right away after starting effexor or had it become a problem after taking the drug for a while? It's so easy to point the finger at the drug and I don't want to do that unless others have experienced the same result. Look forward to any responses...Willie
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 7, 2003, at 9:17:57
In reply to Re: joining the withdrawal thread, posted by slinky on October 7, 2003, at 6:51:14
I don't know who I am mad at anymore...or should I say most mad at...the manufacturer or the actual doc that prescribes it and doesn't fulfill his duties by monitoring you while you are on it??? Hmmmm! I did call Wyeth this morning and just as I figured, they couldn't give me any information. They said they don't know the exact mechanism that causes the electric shocks only that they assume it is the brain chemicles rebalancing themselves again. I asked specifically if there were reports of permanent damage from these and they told me no! Other than that I didn't learn anything knew and nothing enlightening. I hate not being able to get answers from people!
Posted by BJL on October 7, 2003, at 10:00:41
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 7, 2003, at 1:34:29
Suffer,
The electric shocks are very minimal now. I was on Paxil for 2-1/2 years and Effexor only for a few months. I went up to 150 mg and then came back down pretty quick. Paxil has many similarities to Effexor (especially since I tried to go off it once and had the EXACT same withdrawal symptoms). Keep your chin up!!
Posted by Music on October 7, 2003, at 10:16:47
In reply to Re: joining the withdrawal thread, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 7, 2003, at 9:17:57
I have been diagnosed with major depression that is recurrent and OCD, and a little anxiety. I want to have an "O" if I am going to have sex. I want something out of sex with my husband. Anyway, I have not tried anything except Effexor XR. I just started AD's the end of June 03'. So I am new to this ball park. I want to feel better and I have with Effexor XR finally at 300mg per day. Did not feel better until recently it took 300mg to feel better. I don't know if I could take something along with Effexor XR that would help in the sex catagory. Any suggestions would help.
Music
Posted by Salty_Dog on October 7, 2003, at 12:32:09
In reply to Just curious...., posted by willie on October 7, 2003, at 6:34:58
I am not a Dr., but it sounds like you have developed a different form of depression. Remember, each drug works on a different pathway in the brain. If your brain has decided (triggered) to become depressed, it will use any pathway it can to accomplish it. The preceeding is just a theory. Effexor is not a cure all for depression. Let your Dr. know what is happening if it persists.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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