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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Zellie on November 14, 2003, at 11:05:09
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by skyboy451 on November 14, 2003, at 6:39:46
Muscle tension, cramps, twitches, etc. are common. So is sleeplessness. These things subsided in time with me, as was predicted. My Pdoc had me titrate up very, very slowly...37.5 for one month, then 75 for 5 weeks, 112.5 for 8 weeks, then for the last many months I've been at 150, which I am hoping to remain at. My body has had time to adjust to the meds with each increase, so the side-effects have been minimal, compared to what I am hearing some have had. I know that if I were to ever come off of this, he would titrate me down over an even longer duration than I went up. This seems to be key. I have very, very little in the way of side-effects now, and what I do have, I am learning strategies to keep them minimized.
As for drinking while on anti-depressants, I wouldn't at all. Alcohol is a depressant, not to mention, the interaction with any meds isn't all that certain.
Hope all goes well.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
Posted by Zellie on November 14, 2003, at 11:07:50
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by skyboy451 on November 14, 2003, at 6:39:46
Sorry, forgot to add that Effexor is very effective for reducing paranoia and anxiety.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
Posted by zinya on November 14, 2003, at 18:36:42
In reply to Effexor tapering isn't like falling off the wagon » zinya, posted by KimberlyDi on November 10, 2003, at 14:09:16
hi Kim!
That last post of mine was, unwittingly, on the edge of a cybermuda triangle blackout... My internal computer 'clock' battery died, my e-mail and internet were both 'corrupted' and after my 'puter spending the whole week in the "mind shop" (as opposed to body shop), to the tune of $300, i've lost ALL my internet bookmarks/links and my e-mail address book -- 4 years' worth of accumulated and organized accesses to everything under the sun, gone...
erg, aargh, ugh...
i'm back but also with bummer headache and backache so i'll be short ... just to say 'hi' and sign in... the usual ups and downs of life thus being all i have to report... only Effexor-related in the sense that -- as i reported last weekend in those posts -- this whole barrage of carpal tunnel and foot torn-ligament reactivation seems to be related to the paresthesias (nerve-frying) symptom of Eff. w/d...
I'm still down to 9 mg - since about 10 days ago... and i forget or fall asleep too early just enough nights that i don't have to program in the next stage which is skipping the 9 mg dose every other night ... But after that happened again 2 nights ago, i still was vulnerable enough to feel zappy stuff by last night and know i couldn't go two nights yet without it... I'll keep doing it like this for a while longer...
The loss of my whole computer network of connections this week was making me feel amputated, addicted to internet needing an IA group to attend, etc., all week but it still didn't prep me for last night when i actually came home with "repaired" 'puter and was faced with the reality of not only no addresses/bookmarking but also "upgraded" (hah!) versions of both Internet Explorer and Outlook Exp the guy had installed upon claiming my corrupted programs were unrecoverable ... And so i don't know my way around the new programs either -- as well as all that sense of loss (of info) and i just found myself completely retapped into the grief of my mom's loss (which is now 16 months ago) and weeping ... probably worse due to only 4 hrs sleep the night before for some reason - unusually little sleep for me in recent times ...
so i'm kind of a mess :) ... but i did force myself this week, wrist and ankle braces notwithstanding, to build a couple more of the shelves i'd been unable to have even the will to do since moving in here with my mom, and then never could manage cuz i'd no more than bought this house for her and moved us both in her (she had alzheimer's) than came the belated diagnosis that she had cancer as well... And it's only been since mid-Sept (not coincidentally, i think, AFTER i started tapering down from Effexor on Sept 3) that i'd finally actually started "moving in' to this home which i still have days of wondering why i'm living here.... But i'm not depressed anymore, not in the way that i may have been (i'm not sure any more what it was) all last winter and spring, at least i have the will to make this house into a home and feel 'moved into'...especially with bunches of friends descending here at christmas time and the place still in chaos... But still any loss, like this loss of computer and all access #s for people, taps me back into such grief...
Did sleep last night but today awoke with one of these outrageous left-temple headaches that i get (since before Effexor) and tend to last 3 days...
okay, i'm repeating myself. Enough.. This was only supposed to be a Hi! back to you, dear Kim... and hope all's going well on your own offramp since you last wrote...
hugs to Kim and all,
zinya
Posted by Lacey2001 on November 15, 2003, at 1:05:57
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi everyone. I was incredibly happy to see this board. I have recently started taking Effexor XR this week. I have been on it for 7 days now. I was feeling down for a few years and was always too shy or embarassed bringing it up to anyone at all but finally thought to myself that I am sick of feeling like this. It seems to be getting worse since my only daughter was born two years ago.
My Dr. put me on Effexor XR 37.5 mg for the first 7 days, and today I moved up to 75 mg. The past week has been awful for no sleep at all. I feel like a zombie all during the day. The first two days I was quite sick to my stomach but thought Iw ould hold it out and at least that feeling went away. Now I am stuck with no sleep. Does this seem to go away because I couldn't handle this all the time?
Another question I have is the price of this prescription? I am from Canada and I want to know from anyone really not just a fellow Canadian if it is expensive?
One more question is how it affects everyone's sex drive? I didn't have one to begin with so I hope this doesn't destory it completely.
I am excited to have all of you to chat with. Take care.
Lacey
Posted by awatts on November 15, 2003, at 8:53:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Lacey2001 on November 15, 2003, at 1:05:57
Hi Lacey,
Most of your side effects except the sexual ones should go away or at least get a lot better. ONLY take it in the morning to help with sleep. You probably won't realize any benefits until you are up to 150mg/day. Effexor XR is the only AD that has worked for me. I take 225mg. Sex drive is gone, but the depression was worse.
Good luck.
Alan> Hi everyone. I was incredibly happy to see this board. I have recently started taking Effexor XR this week. I have been on it for 7 days now. I was feeling down for a few years and was always too shy or embarassed bringing it up to anyone at all but finally thought to myself that I am sick of feeling like this. It seems to be getting worse since my only daughter was born two years ago.
> My Dr. put me on Effexor XR 37.5 mg for the first 7 days, and today I moved up to 75 mg. The past week has been awful for no sleep at all. I feel like a zombie all during the day. The first two days I was quite sick to my stomach but thought Iw ould hold it out and at least that feeling went away. Now I am stuck with no sleep. Does this seem to go away because I couldn't handle this all the time?
> Another question I have is the price of this prescription? I am from Canada and I want to know from anyone really not just a fellow Canadian if it is expensive?
> One more question is how it affects everyone's sex drive? I didn't have one to begin with so I hope this doesn't destory it completely.
> I am excited to have all of you to chat with. Take care.
> Lacey
Posted by woo on November 15, 2003, at 12:41:24
In reply to Re: Insomnia and depression, posted by MSM on February 25, 2001, at 14:40:52
I am sorry to hear you are suffering from insomnia. That is so frustrating. What I do find that helps me is 1000mg GABA, 1000 mg Taurine (both of these are amino acids) and a cup of chamomile tea. I find that I can get about 4hrs of sleep with that and it feels like good sleep. I feel more refreshed after taking these.I still wake up at 3:00am every morning and can't get back to sleep but the little bit of sleep I did get is more refreshing. You might want to try banana's (which help with melatonin production) or melatonin supplements. A good B-complex vitamin helps calm the CNS system and so does calcium so you might want to try these at night as well. Eating plenty of protein increases l-tryptophan levels and that increases serotonin and can help induce sleep. I don't eat any sugar or starchy white breads as a general rule and it helps me to cope with the lack of sleep and gives me more energy. From what I have read you may want to be careful with SSRI's because serotonin might make you sleep some but they usually only promote "shallow" sleep and what you need is to get into the deep sleep mode which is healing to our bodies. Ambien and other sleep aids are in question for possible memory loss so I would use with caution. You might like to try reading the book called THE MOOD CURE by Julia Ross, M.A. It is written by a nutritional therapist who helps people with the stresses of detox through nutritional manipulation. It has been an invaluable source of information for me with depression and for improving the quality of my life. As always, talk to a physician before using anything listed here to make sure it doesn't interfer with pre-exisiting conditions or other medications. Good luck and hang in there because this too will pass.
Posted by moonchildoo7 on November 15, 2003, at 12:59:58
In reply to Re: Insomnia and depression, posted by woo on November 15, 2003, at 12:41:24
Hi, Now that I am going through withdrawal I am not sleeping well. The symptoms arent bad but I only took 75 mg effexor for 10 mo. The dizzyness is some concern. I'm on day 6 of being drug free, glad this board is here, enlightened me to what is going on with me. ty all for sharing your expierence strength and hope.
Posted by Mercedes on November 15, 2003, at 18:10:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Lacey2001 on November 15, 2003, at 1:05:57
Hi Lacey, my experience with Effexor as far as insomnia, it lasted the whole time I was on it. Actually from the time I was on 75, m/b 112mgs all through my highest, 300mgs. Three, sometimes 4 hrs of sleep per night. Either I was up till 3 am, and slept till 7 am, or went to sleep at midnight and was up at 4 am. Hummmmm???? what to do at 4 am?
The problem with that was that during the day, I would just fall asleep, not even remembering getting sleepy. I would just be OUT. I wouldn't hear the phone ring, doorbell...nothing. A few times I would put the timer on the stove, cause I was afraid of going to sleep, nope....didn't hear the timer either. This was my "during the day" sleep. I also took my effexor in the morning to try to help my sleeping at night. Didn't work.
As for the Sex Drive....In my case, I don't have a regular sex partner (I'm single) so it didn't bother me, but welcome to effexor celebacy!
Effexor is good for depression but too many negative SE's (side effects), mainly increase in blood pressure, made me stop taking it.
As for the cost, perhaps someone else can answer that. I have insurance, not currently working, so I pay for my own insurance....$300 per month, plus the co-pay of 40.00 per prescription. It get's expensive. And it wasn't my only prescription. Tell your Doc ASAP about the insomnia. It's not healthy, especially since you have a two year old.
Much luck to you...
Mercedes
***********************************
> Hi everyone. I was incredibly happy to see this board. I have recently started taking Effexor XR this week. I have been on it for 7 days now. I was feeling down for a few years and was always too shy or embarassed bringing it up to anyone at all but finally thought to myself that I am sick of feeling like this. It seems to be getting worse since my only daughter was born two years ago.
> My Dr. put me on Effexor XR 37.5 mg for the first 7 days, and today I moved up to 75 mg. The past week has been awful for no sleep at all. I feel like a zombie all during the day. The first two days I was quite sick to my stomach but thought Iw ould hold it out and at least that feeling went away. Now I am stuck with no sleep. Does this seem to go away because I couldn't handle this all the time?
> Another question I have is the price of this prescription? I am from Canada and I want to know from anyone really not just a fellow Canadian if it is expensive?
> One more question is how it affects everyone's sex drive? I didn't have one to begin with so I hope this doesn't destory it completely.
> I am excited to have all of you to chat with. Take care.
> Lacey
Posted by Samadhi on November 15, 2003, at 20:11:46
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Experiences, Withdrawals and Though, posted by Salty_Dog on November 13, 2003, at 21:49:29
Well, this is about day 6 for me on 75mg (having weaned down from 225mg to 150mg and then weaned down again, for those who haven't seen my other posts), and I'm still doing ok. The worst SE at the moment is one that I didn't expect to bother me too much (mainly because I had forgotten just how awful it is) and that is the damn muscle spasms in my body when I lie down to go to sleep at night. I pity my boyfriend - it must be like trying to sleep next to someone who is constantly having a severe epileptic fit! My legs jerk and jump every few seconds or so and keep me awake, and the rest of my body jumps regularly too. This happens maybe a few times subtly throughout the day, but it just goes crazy when I lie down to sleep. I had the same problem when I was starting on Effexor so I'm not surprised, but I had forgotten just how bad it is. Sometimes it just goes on and on all night and I can't sleep or control my body and I just want to cry with frustration. But it's not that bad really - I've forgotten it by the next morning. Something so small can be amazingly annoying, though!
Apart from that, still sweating like a pig, but I'm used to that. (Does anyone know if that will stop once off Effexor totally? God I hope so.) No insomnia, nausea every now and then but nothing too bad (certainly nothing like the evil waves I had when starting on Effexor), headaches only mild and infrequent, moods are fairly stable and I'm coping ok emotionally, dark dreams are just as normal, nothing too terrifying...so all in all I think I'm doing ok, touch wood. I still don't think I've experienced a "zap" or any "porcupine needles" and I'm not having as bad a time of the withdrawals as some of the posts I've read on here in the past. So I think maybe I'm pretty lucky? Anyway...a matter of weeks and I plan to be off them altogether...I can't WAIT!!!
I did discover that drinking when in mid withdrawals is NOT a good idea. I went really dopey and stupid drunk. Think I shall avoid going out for a while until I'm completely off them! (I know combining alcohol with ADs is a bad idea anyway, but I've always been able to indulge now and then without too much trouble. Not right now, though, apparently!)
Anyway, keep smiling everyone - I'm doing ok and hope everyone else is as well.
Samadhi xxx
Posted by Zellie on November 15, 2003, at 20:30:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Lacey2001 on November 15, 2003, at 1:05:57
Hi, Lacey. It is nice to hear from a fellow Canadian.
In response to your message, I would say that it is advisable to titrate up very, very slowly, so your body can adjust slowly, minimizing the side-effects.
The sleeplessness for me went away before long. The ability to climax also returned in time, although not as frequently. The nausea ended, as did the headaches.
Everyone's body seems different, judging from the wide and varied experiences I've read on this message board.
I hope you will find success in reducing the depression. Bear in mind that, at certain dosage levels, the depression may seem worse, until you get to your optimum dosage, which is the place where the heavy weight will be substantially alleviated most of the time.
I have been at 150 mg for months now, and am very grateful to be finally enjoying life after a life-long struggle with depression. I still get a PMS low for a week of the month, but it beats having felt like I had it every day, all my life.
It really takes several months before you will be able to see what your optimum dosage is, so be patient with it. It takes at least 2 months, and for me was almost 4 months, before I was consistently feeling relief from the depression and the side-effects. It was worth it to persevere, though.
Hang in there.
Oh, yes, Effexor is expensive. I gather that you do not have an extended healthcare plan that covers the cost. I suppose you must weigh out the benefits of taking it, against the cost.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> Hi everyone. I was incredibly happy to see this board. I have recently started taking Effexor XR this week. I have been on it for 7 days now. I was feeling down for a few years and was always too shy or embarassed bringing it up to anyone at all but finally thought to myself that I am sick of feeling like this. It seems to be getting worse since my only daughter was born two years ago.
> My Dr. put me on Effexor XR 37.5 mg for the first 7 days, and today I moved up to 75 mg. The past week has been awful for no sleep at all. I feel like a zombie all during the day. The first two days I was quite sick to my stomach but thought Iw ould hold it out and at least that feeling went away. Now I am stuck with no sleep. Does this seem to go away because I couldn't handle this all the time?
> Another question I have is the price of this prescription? I am from Canada and I want to know from anyone really not just a fellow Canadian if it is expensive?
> One more question is how it affects everyone's sex drive? I didn't have one to begin with so I hope this doesn't destory it completely.
> I am excited to have all of you to chat with. Take care.
> Lacey
Posted by zinya on November 16, 2003, at 0:03:55
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Experiences, Withdrawals and Though, posted by Samadhi on November 15, 2003, at 20:11:46
hi samadhi,
i like your name :)
well, yes, i (who literally had never sweat in my whole life except from my scalp) sweat like a stuck pig from the point i hit 37.5 on the way up the effexor onramp and for every single day (and night! waking to soaking wet sheets and nightclothes) for the whole 3 months i was on (at 150 mg) ... I kept on, despite the fact that the sweating alone started screwing up my life, but what made me actually quit was realizing that it was making my heart race so badly that gardening had become an aerobic exercise and i was terrified of doing actual aerobic exercise for fear of a heart attack...
Anyway, just as i went on Effexor VERY slowly, the slowest surely of anybody in the history of Effexor (!!!) given past problems with other AD's and wanting this one to work - i had started at 19.5 mgs and went to 37.5, then 50, then 75, then 100, before up to 150 and staying at least 2 wks at each level... before being at 150 for about 2 months...
Similarly, on the offramp, i've been going down super slowly to avoid the zaps (given what i understand from reading here that it's a process of giving the brain time to 'restructure' again) ... so it took me almost 2 months to work from 150 down below 37.5 but sure enough since dropping below 37.5 (to 25, then 19, then 12, now at 9 mg) i have NOT been sweating!! :))
So i write to give you encouragement... Yes, i did sweat one day, just last Thursday, in a way that was unusual given my pre-Effexor self - but i was moving a bunch of stuff at the time and it was understandable, no biggie... So YES, there's life after Effex-sweating ...
I do encourage you though to take it VERY VERY slowly from here on out. From everything i'd read -- since last December on here -- about others' withdrawal experiences, it seems to me that the worst part of the withdrawal is the last part and weaning yourself off REALLY slowly becomes increasingly important the lower you go ... Which is why i'm dividing up granules into the amounts i mentioned above and so far it's pretty okay... My way-too-rapid heart beats stopped back somewhere around 75 mg and the excessive sweating has stopped since somewhere below 37.5... and i've only had zaps so far when i've tried (intentionally or not) skipping a night's dose and then the next day starting to really feel it before taking the next night's dose (which i then usually took a bit earlier than usual to cut off the zaps)... This next week i plan to start intentionally taking only 9 mg every other night and then every 3rd night... til it seems i can quit completely w/o the zaps...
good luck!
zinya
Posted by Lacey2001 on November 16, 2003, at 0:17:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Lacey2001 on November 15, 2003, at 1:05:57
I want to thank you to those who responded. I think just being on this board and talking about my depression may help so I am really grateful.
It sounds like there may be light at the end of the tunnel for those nasty side effects. I slept okay last night. I just don't seem to have those deep sleeps anymore when I do finally get some shut eye. I will talk to my Dr about my sleeping patterns.
I am a stay at home mom and my hubby does have some coverage of prescriptions through work. I think it is a percentage but anything will help at this point.
This is my first time on an anti depressant so I am quite anxious to see if it helps. Normally my body doesn't tolerate any kind of prescription well but I am finally over the nausea for the most part. I took my first 75 mg yesterday up from 37.5 so I was understandably sick today. I am sure it will only be a few days of this.
Thanks again for all your replies. And to think I got lucky enough to have found this group through a search engine:-)
Lacey
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 16, 2003, at 5:46:05
In reply to Re: Insomnia and depression, posted by woo on November 15, 2003, at 12:41:24
> You might like to try reading the book called THE MOOD CURE by Julia Ross, M.A...
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Edie on November 16, 2003, at 11:51:28
In reply to Anyone on Effexor had mucous retention cysts?, posted by Zellie on November 12, 2003, at 17:48:24
Dear Zellie,
I had been on 75mg of effexor (SR) for a little over a month-trying to cope with a tough situation at work. I went off of it last week because (in part) I had the exact cyst you described in the soft tissue of my mouth under my tongue! It would wax and wane in the way you described and it is still there. I did some reseach in this type of cyst after I saw your posting, and also I'm sure it is related to taking the medicine.
Thank you so much for posting it-I really wouldn't have known what it was, and don't think my doctor would make the connection. He told me at the outset that the medicine had absolutely no sexual side effects from what he read (12% in men, 2 % in women) but I was unable reach orgasm, and then weeks later it took just too long a time. I suspect this is underreported in the literature.
In addition, re: stopping the med., my doctor said I was on such a low dose for a short time that I didn't have to slowly wean off, and I disagree with that! I'm wondering now if a severe muscle spasm in my low back that I have been battling for a week now is related to stopping. I missed work for 2 days and this weekend it hasn't improved. I have some viral-type symtoms and bloating, so I'm wondering if it's just some bug I caught. Confusing. I'm 53 and also on a combi-patch (estrogen/prog),still getting my period due to the hormones, so I'm now wondering if that is having an effect... It can be confusing and I'm loosing faith in the irreverant, laid-back attitude of my physician!
Anyway, thanks for hearing me vent but most of all for posting the question about what you've experienced, and the anwer is yes, I've had that same type of cyst!
All the best to you, and I guess I'll opt to have this thing removed as you and your friend did. Curious-I don't think it's any coincidence.
Edie
Posted by sasha71 on November 16, 2003, at 18:50:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Lacey2001 on November 15, 2003, at 1:05:57
The funny thing I found about Effexor (I've been on 225mg for almost 2 years) that my sexual drive IMPROVED after about the first 6 weeks. I am also on Welbutrin.
I believe alot has to do with not being as depressed as the last 15 years. I actually found myself enjoying being in bed with my husband. There's a whole lot more detail here I could go into but as I am new to the board - i'm not sure yet where the line is drawn on this particular topic/sideeffect. It is certainly fascinating to both of us and we're both of the opinion that the makers of Effexor should be granted Knight-hood.
Posted by moonchildoo7 on November 16, 2003, at 20:20:08
In reply to Sexual side effects Effexor XR , posted by sasha71 on November 16, 2003, at 18:50:10
> The funny thing I found about Effexor (I've been on 225mg for almost 2 years) that my sexual drive IMPROVED after about the first 6 weeks. I am also on Welbutrin.
>
> I believe alot has to do with not being as depressed as the last 15 years. I actually found myself enjoying being in bed with my husband. There's a whole lot more detail here I could go into but as I am new to the board - i'm not sure yet where the line is drawn on this particular topic/sideeffect. It is certainly fascinating to both of us and we're both of the opinion that the makers of Effexor should be granted Knight-hood.Hi, I found the exact opposite to be true in my case. Getting off it now, see what happens after withdrawal symptons subside.
Posted by ant on November 16, 2003, at 20:24:04
In reply to Sexual side effects Effexor XR , posted by sasha71 on November 16, 2003, at 18:50:10
What sexual side effects !!!!!!!?????
There are none because there is no sex, no desire, no nothing. If you are in a relationship where lack of sexual interest by one party is a problem, then EFFEXOR is the perfect drug to fix the situation. Both parties then have no interest in sex, and the problem is solved.For the moment anyway
Ant
> The funny thing I found about Effexor (I've been on 225mg for almost 2 years) that my sexual drive IMPROVED after about the first 6 weeks. I am also on Welbutrin.
>
> I believe alot has to do with not being as depressed as the last 15 years. I actually found myself enjoying being in bed with my husband. There's a whole lot more detail here I could go into but as I am new to the board - i'm not sure yet where the line is drawn on this particular topic/sideeffect. It is certainly fascinating to both of us and we're both of the opinion that the makers of Effexor should be granted Knight-hood.
Posted by sasha71 on November 16, 2003, at 20:45:46
In reply to Re: Sexual side effects Effexor XR , posted by ant on November 16, 2003, at 20:24:04
but another problem is created which can be
just as devastating as the other.i have a very good friend whose marriage is
ending because of this issue.Mine almost did.
No matter what you can fool yourself into believe,
intimacy between marriage/life partners is a must and
that includes a healthy sexual relationship.I know it probably seems easier right now to be
able to ignore the issue since you both are on the
same page, as it were, but in the long run, there
will be other issues to deal with.This has become a pet rock issue for me in the last
couple of years and I've done a lot of thinking
and talking about it with different people.Check out health issues (physical and emotional) as to
why you and/or your partner may not be interested
in sex - this is something that must be dealt with
upfront.
> What sexual side effects !!!!!!!?????
> There are none because there is no sex, no
> desire, no nothing. If you are in a relationship
> where lack of sexual interest by one party is a
> problem, then EFFEXOR is the perfect drug to fix
> the situation. Both parties then have no interest
> in sex, and the problem is solved.>
> For the moment anyway
> Ant
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by Zellie on November 16, 2003, at 21:47:29
In reply to Re: Anyone on Effexor had mucous retention cysts?, posted by Edie on November 16, 2003, at 11:51:28
Dear Edie,
I have found that many doctors seem to be either uninformed about the many aspects of A.D.s and their efficacy and their side-effects, or they have become too complacent to share it with their patients.
Personally, I feel that the physician needs to have his/her patient thoroughly research any A.D. before it is administered as a treatment. My prescribing physician, a psychiatrist, will only commence a medication regimen following the patient's research and informed consent. I found this site and dug into the info here, and on other sites, and read books, articles, and asked advice of other physicians before commencing the Effexor. I knew of the pros and cons. And, yes, I too, read about the 12% and 2% thing, and quickly concluded that the stats were grossly understated, likely from lack of feedback from patients.
I have learned from my own experiences and from the experiences with my children's various physicians, that not all doctors are created equally! I make it my goal to become as expert as I can in understanding each and every disorder, medical problem, etc., that I or my family ever encounter. In so doing, plenty of doors have opened for me and my family, and I have also been able to bring hope to others along the way, as I pass on our experiences.
Thanks for your response to my question about the cysts. I will be seeing my Pdoc this coming week, and will give him the feedback. He is very active in sharing info with other physicians, so hopefully, if it needs to be listed as another side-effect of Effexor, it will eventually be done (sooner than later, I hope).
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> Dear Zellie,
>
> I had been on 75mg of effexor (SR) for a little over a month-trying to cope with a tough situation at work. I went off of it last week because (in part) I had the exact cyst you described in the soft tissue of my mouth under my tongue! It would wax and wane in the way you described and it is still there. I did some reseach in this type of cyst after I saw your posting, and also I'm sure it is related to taking the medicine.
>
> Thank you so much for posting it-I really wouldn't have known what it was, and don't think my doctor would make the connection. He told me at the outset that the medicine had absolutely no sexual side effects from what he read (12% in men, 2 % in women) but I was unable reach orgasm, and then weeks later it took just too long a time. I suspect this is underreported in the literature.
>
> In addition, re: stopping the med., my doctor said I was on such a low dose for a short time that I didn't have to slowly wean off, and I disagree with that! I'm wondering now if a severe muscle spasm in my low back that I have been battling for a week now is related to stopping. I missed work for 2 days and this weekend it hasn't improved. I have some viral-type symtoms and bloating, so I'm wondering if it's just some bug I caught. Confusing. I'm 53 and also on a combi-patch (estrogen/prog),still getting my period due to the hormones, so I'm now wondering if that is having an effect... It can be confusing and I'm loosing faith in the irreverant, laid-back attitude of my physician!
>
> Anyway, thanks for hearing me vent but most of all for posting the question about what you've experienced, and the anwer is yes, I've had that same type of cyst!
>
> All the best to you, and I guess I'll opt to have this thing removed as you and your friend did. Curious-I don't think it's any coincidence.
>
> Edie
Posted by Zellie on November 16, 2003, at 22:11:50
In reply to Re: Sexual side effects Effexor XR , posted by sasha71 on November 16, 2003, at 20:45:46
Ant:
True, a healthy sexual relationship is ideal, but I have some friends who do have husbands who do not have an aggressive sex drive.
Personally, I believe that "healthy" means something different to each couple. If the two of you can find a level of communication, agreement, and contentment in your sexual intimacy, then I believe that is the most important thing.
I have friends who are going very strong after more than 25 years of marriage, having sex only about 2 times per month. Also, another couple are in their 19th year of a similar pattern. They are happy with it, which is more important, I believe, than frequency is.
When one member of the couple is wanting it way more or way less than the other, that can create a problem, which must be remedied, and there are certainly many options available as remedies. I hope you and your spouse can find greater peace and a deeper relationship through what you are experiencing now.
I don't know how long you've been on Effexor XR, but the sex drive returned for me after quite a few weeks. I have read that others have coupled Effexor with Viagra (taken by either male or female), or with Wellbutrin, with positive results (they take the Viagra or Wellbutrin a couple of hours prior to having sex).
Good things will open up as a result of anything you are going through, if you look for them.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
Posted by dagon on November 16, 2003, at 22:48:13
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by Alara on September 5, 2002, at 4:23:39
Ow my god. On a delicate time in my life, -honestly- faced with the continued pressure of a bordy-schizofrenic wife who has all but grown asexual I have drifted into the arms of to friends who embrace me and accept me for what I am and what my needs are, sexual and other. I had already been reducing my Effexor dosage but dammit, right this weekend I was visiting my friends and I discovered I had forgotten the red "Matrix Pills"...
150mg and whammo, down to zero in 3 days.
It may be a good thing, going cold turkey, but it is harder than *anything* I have ever done in my life. Being awake is no problem. The shivers and sensory warpspace vybes I can deal with, even with a knife in my kidney if need be, but the nighmares are beyond me.
As a side note, I *need* to get rid of these pills. I was frggin crying over a Fred Astaire movie yesterday on Engla's (my friend, swedish for Angel) birthday. Normally I watch torture.net for kicks, but now a silly 50s movie plot unfolds and I get tears in my eyes. Actually right now, telling this, my eyes tear all over. I need my old empathy again cause my wife has really bad issues, like scarification and deep inner rape trauma's and a fundamental issue with sexuality.
But the Nightmares, if EVER I was to believe that Demons had come from Hell to haunt me it was tonight. Being awake is doable. But sleeping is being harrowed, my mind being raped in ways I can't begin to describe.
It is a *massive* relief to know I am not the only one, that it isn't me or my guilt or me being actually in Hell or anything. And I have this guilt issue for I am seeking sex outside my marriage (my wife knows and feels shit about it).
Well, I have the hope it will be better soon. Thank you, all of you.
Posted by biogurl on November 16, 2003, at 23:40:44
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by skyboy451 on November 14, 2003, at 6:39:46
I recently started taking effexor xr but I don't have any prescription coverage so the cost was through the roof! I am a 23 year old college student and I have free health insurance through a local hospital, however this doesn't cover prescriptions. I had to pay $168 at Walmart(that was the cheapest). I'm a poor college student so $168 is just not feasible for me. Does anyone know of a place (maybe on-line or out of the country or a doctor that would write a prescription in my fiance's name) where I could get it significantly cheaper? Thanks
Posted by dagon on November 16, 2003, at 23:45:41
In reply to Effexor prices!, posted by biogurl on November 16, 2003, at 23:40:44
I can get them on prescription here in holland and plan on no longer using them. I am willing to order new pills, donate them to you if you find a way to get them where you're at. Email me at [email protected]
Posted by ant on November 16, 2003, at 23:50:57
In reply to Re: Sexual side effects Effexor XR , posted by Zellie on November 16, 2003, at 22:11:50
Zellie/sasha71,
Have been on EFFEXOR for about 4 or 5 months. Now on 225mg mid morning.
I may of sounded dismissive of the whole situation, but that's just me at this stage.
Thanks for your posts.
It is a big issue and there ae a lot of reasons for it. I have however seen a councellor and my partner and I will be seing a councellor early next year (I hope). We have beentogether for 8 years and I believe we will work through it. The EFFEXOR has helped a lot with numerous issues I/we have had. Even with the side effects, I would take it again. Even with my problems, it doesnt mean sex is out of the question. I am expecting a baby daughter next Monday. Should be interesting times. Anyway, got to goAll the best Ant
Posted by Zellie on November 17, 2003, at 8:04:36
In reply to Re: Sexual side effects Effexor XR , posted by ant on November 16, 2003, at 23:50:57
Ant:
Congratulations on the baby daughter!! I hope all goes well. Enjoy!
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> Zellie/sasha71,
>
> Have been on EFFEXOR for about 4 or 5 months. Now on 225mg mid morning.
> I may of sounded dismissive of the whole situation, but that's just me at this stage.
> Thanks for your posts.
> It is a big issue and there ae a lot of reasons for it. I have however seen a councellor and my partner and I will be seing a councellor early next year (I hope). We have beentogether for 8 years and I believe we will work through it. The EFFEXOR has helped a lot with numerous issues I/we have had. Even with the side effects, I would take it again. Even with my problems, it doesnt mean sex is out of the question. I am expecting a baby daughter next Monday. Should be interesting times. Anyway, got to go
>
> All the best Ant
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