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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Zellie on November 25, 2003, at 23:46:02
In reply to took my first effexor this morning..., posted by jayt243 on November 25, 2003, at 9:47:18
It is normal to feel worse at first, until your body adjusts to the medication. Each time your dose is increased until you reach the optimum dosage, you will likely experience a few side-effects. I found that these subsided almost entirely over time. It is helpful if your doc has you titrate up very slowwwwwly (my doc had me go 4 weeks on the lowest dose, then about 5 or 6 weeks on the next level, then about 8 weeks, and so on. I have been at 150 mg for many months now).
You may also experience an increase in depression at certain doses. I found for me that this was true, because the med seemed to work on my anxiety first. I discovered that, once the anxiety was reduced, it no longer was there to prod me through the depression. The anxiety had actually served a purpose previously. Once the Effexor reached 150 mg, I found that the anxiety, depression, and in my case, also the ADHD, were all substantially improved.
Everyone's body and experience is different. Some love Effexor (as I do), others hate it. For me, it is the first time in 42 years that I have been given my life. I am happier, more fun to be with, calmer, contented, not high-strung and rattled, less annoyed or irritable....I am very grateful.
Good luck. P.S. Utilize the net to gather as much info on your meds and on your condition as you can. Read recommended books on the matter. Get yourself as educated as you can. It will help tremendously for you to learn about what to expect. Moreover, be patient with the Effexor. It does not work right away, and may be months before it works optimally. My advice is, if you have no unbearable side-effects, then stick with it.
> and I think it made me feel worse :-( I've been feeling great the past couple days without any drugs but now I have a headache and I'm really tired and irritable and just want to get in bed and cry. Is it the effexor already or is it all psychological because I'm stressing about taking it? Is it ok for me not to want to take it anymore? Or should I just stick with it...
Posted by Zellie on November 26, 2003, at 0:01:53
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin?, posted by mdb1224 on November 20, 2003, at 12:29:58
I have now been on Effexor XR for over 6 months, and now that the doc is satisfied that my anxiety and depression are well controlled, he has taken steps to work more on my ADHD (Effexor helps somewhat with ADHD, but not a whole lot).
We tried Concerta first, but my body didn't like it at all (it is a methylphenidate product...a Ritalin base...and it made me very irritable, anxious and shakey). So I came off that, and he has now started me on Wellbutrin. Although it is not as effective as Ritalin or Dexadrine for ADHD, it does not make me agitated or anxious. It is too low a dose to discern whether it is helping the ADHD yet, but the only side-effects from it so far have been a slight headache and nausea, but only for the first day. It is too early yet to know how it will impact on the sex drive. I still take the Effexor XR (150 mg), which is very, very helpful to me. So far, taking Wellbutrin with it is not a problem.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> > Has anyone tried this Wellbutrin alone without anything else? Did it help with your sex drive? And did it help with any of the symptoms of depression? What was the cost compared to Effexor XR?
> >
> > I am still having sleeping problems even with trying some of the ideas posted on here. I will ask my Dr if I should take Trazadone.
> >
> > I appreciate any input about Wellbutrin.
> >
> > Tanya
>
>
> I just started Effexor as stated above and did take Wellbutrian a couple of years ago. I asked the Dr to go back on Wellbutrin and he said to try this.
> I'm not sure about the sex issues with this stuff yet, but I will say that I was on Prozac for a little bit and asked the Dr. for a change, because of sexual dysfunction and Wellbutrin really helped. The only side effect for me was breaking out on my back and shoulders. This, effexor stuff is really weird and I'm not sure what to think of it yet.
>
Posted by jayt243 on November 26, 2003, at 14:09:17
In reply to Re: took my first effexor this morning... » jayt243, posted by Zellie on November 25, 2003, at 23:46:02
thanks alot for the reply :) I decided not to take it again this morning because yesterday I could barely get out of bed all day and when I did I just wandered around in a daze feeling really drugged. I've got a really busy few weeks with school right now and I figure it's not a great time to be adjusting to a new medicine... maybe I'll start taking it once the semester is over.
Posted by mdb1224 on November 26, 2003, at 14:28:28
In reply to Re: From Wellbutrin for Dep. and ADD to Effexor XR, posted by camel on November 25, 2003, at 7:18:47
> I have to say that neither the Paxil nor the Effexor has diminished my desire for sex...actually quite the opposite! I have attributed that to my feeling better about myself...but the sex is great and I can't get enough!!! LOLOL
Is Camel Boy or Girl? It seems to me to matter. As far as desire I think it is fine and ok for everyone, but the Big "O" is tougher than before as a male on E xr.
Posted by camel on November 26, 2003, at 14:39:59
In reply to Re: From Wellbutrin for Dep. and ADD to Effexor XR » camel, posted by mdb1224 on November 26, 2003, at 14:28:28
I am a woman.....camel is a play on my initials!LOLOL......I can't speak for a man(who would try to anyway!!!LOLOL) but for me I have had no sexual side effects whatsoever...the BIG "O" is even bigger! I wish it was so for everyone....but these drugs seem to effect each person differently.
Posted by Sooty on November 27, 2003, at 9:21:24
In reply to Re: From Wellbutrin for Dep. and ADD to Effexor XR » camel, posted by mdb1224 on November 26, 2003, at 14:28:28
> > I have to say that neither the Paxil nor the Effexor has diminished my desire for sex...actually quite the opposite! I have attributed that to my feeling better about myself...but the sex is great and I can't get enough!!! LOLOL
>
> Is Camel Boy or Girl? It seems to me to matter. As far as desire I think it is fine and ok for everyone, but the Big "O" is tougher than before as a male on E xr.As a female on Effexor XR, I'd have to say that Effexor XR has increased my sexual desire. Formerly, Zoloft decreased it somewhat...but I considered that a good thing at the time because at my age (53) it was good to not be thinking about it so much. Now I am married...and it would still be good to not think about it so much because hubby is older and not as interested. :o)
Posted by barbie2000 on November 29, 2003, at 17:03:07
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by lg on November 7, 1999, at 19:11:05
i started taking effexor 3 days ago. I have been completely out of it since then. I have slept all day everyday and have had zero interests in eating or anything else, including conversations or leaving the house. I don't think I'm going to take another dose - Did anyone else feel this way when they started? If so, when does it go away?
Posted by maxx44 on November 29, 2003, at 17:59:30
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by barbie2000 on November 29, 2003, at 17:03:07
i feel this should be reported to your dr. asap.
not an easy thing on a holiday---but any good dr. remains reachable for crisis, etc. i know zip on effexor, but all ssris knock me out, as you discribed. i do know many anti-ds have made me sleepy at first. 3 days should not harm anything, but that's why your dr. needs to know, golfing or not. you come first. maybe he's working in a free clinic on holidays. who knows? my oldest daughter is allergic to penicillen---she turned red as a beet and was hospitalized just in time. most drugs carry 'allergy warnings'---your dr. should know from speaking with you. my med records show up-front---allergic reaction to wellbutrin. 2 doses landed me in the er. please call your dr.
Posted by biogurl on November 29, 2003, at 18:12:50
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by barbie2000 on November 29, 2003, at 17:03:07
> i started taking effexor 3 days ago. I have been completely out of it since then. I have slept all day everyday and have had zero interests in eating or anything else, including conversations or leaving the house. I don't think I'm going to take another dose - Did anyone else feel this way when they started? If so, when does it go away?
I started effexor xr about 2 weeks ago, for the first 5 days I took 37.5 mg then up to 75. It made me really jittery and wired and I also lost my appetite. The shakes are gone and my appetite is back although, I feel slightly queasy after I eat, especially when I eat too much. It has alleviated my anxiety almost completely and my depression has slightly lifted. I hope your symptoms go away soon too but it's different for everyone. Here's some info from the effexor website:
EFFEXOR XR may cause side effects in some people. In clinical studies, few people had to stop taking EFFEXOR XR because of side effects.In clinical studies, the most common side effects included:
Nausea,Dizzyness, Sleepiness, Abnormal ejaculation, Sweating, Dry mouth, Gas,
Abnormal vision, Nervousness, Insomnia,
Anorexia, Constipation, Confusion/agitation,
Tremor, Yawning, Palpitation.
Tell your doctor right away if you have
increases in heart rate.
extreme confusion or seizures, which may indicate very low levels of sodium in the blood.
abnormal bleeding or bruising.
sudden, unexpected eye pain, eye redness, or changes in vision, which may indicate increased eye pressure.
symptoms of mania or hypomania, such as persistently elevated or irritable mood, a decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, hyperactivity, and rapid, excessive speech.
I hope this helps!
Posted by maxx44 on November 29, 2003, at 19:25:24
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by biogurl on November 29, 2003, at 18:12:50
barbie? re. the post from biogurl, very interesting. regrettably we are not all the same, and drug co. data often flawed. anecdotal experience may be relevant, or not. i know 'biogurl' has the best intentions, but you may note---her reaction was different from yours.
you, she, i---we don't share the same brain. i feel any good dr., if anyting, will respect you more if you do call them quickly about Your reaction. only you are you. biogurl's info did mention 'heart-stuff'. that would get me on the phone. pdq. best wishes
Posted by maxx44 on November 29, 2003, at 20:04:36
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by barbie2000 on November 29, 2003, at 17:03:07
hi barbie---a quick look at effexor shows 2 of the main reasons for stopping as sleeping and anorexia---also, it interacts with many 'over-the-counter' drugs and no-doubt herbs---as st. john's wort. i don't know your age, but a google search has a bunch of lawyers on top. below, you may see the studies results for yourself---you seem safe. why take chances? hope you get better.
Posted by justplay on November 30, 2003, at 9:19:02
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by barbie2000 on November 29, 2003, at 17:03:07
I started 9 days ago, I was on the phone to my doc every day. Nausea, sweats, chills, couldn't drive, barely could motivate myself to do anything. but now on the 9th day I am feeling better than ever, I am suppose to double to 75mg today, not sure i will be able to handle that. I am not crying, confused or irritable like I was before I started. My anxiety level seems to be in check and I am starting to spend more time with my kids and be a normal mom again!
Posted by biogurl on November 30, 2003, at 11:12:43
In reply to starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit, posted by justplay on November 30, 2003, at 9:19:02
Justplay: I would try going up to the 75 mg, that is when my weird symptoms went away. At 37.5 mg I had many of those symptoms. I think they are just the side effects of starting a new AD.
Posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 13:09:38
In reply to Re: starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit, posted by biogurl on November 30, 2003, at 11:12:43
interesting start-up. hope barbie's situation is similar. wise of you to keep dr. contact---best wishes
Posted by Jaynee on November 30, 2003, at 13:49:52
In reply to Re: starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit, posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 13:09:38
Maybe I should count myself lucky, or maybe the side-effects just haven't hit yet. When does all the weird stuff start?
I know when I started Celexa for the first time, I had some real awful side-effects, that started basically the first day I started it.
I am only taking 37.5mg and was told to take this amount for a week then increase to 75mg.
Posted by Waterlily on November 30, 2003, at 14:27:15
In reply to starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit, posted by justplay on November 30, 2003, at 9:19:02
> I started 9 days ago, I was on the phone to my doc every day. Nausea, sweats, chills, couldn't drive, barely could motivate myself to do anything. but now on the 9th day I am feeling better than ever, I am suppose to double to 75mg today, not sure i will be able to handle that. I am not crying, confused or irritable like I was before I started. My anxiety level seems to be in check and I am starting to spend more time with my kids and be a normal mom again!
I had a very similar experience. Chills, sweats, nausea, anxiety, etc. I was in bad shape for a good week+, but by two weeks I was feeling much better. Effexor would have been an ideal med for me if it hadn't given me insomnia. I went off it in August.
Posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 15:09:40
In reply to 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by Jaynee on November 30, 2003, at 13:49:52
i feel you should not worry about 'weird-stuff' starting. although i've learned the hard way that we are all unique, for me, any bad stuff shows-up right away. ADs have snatched me out of long and short depressions---i don't consider them addictive, as benzos or neuroleptics. pretty safe.
it will, no doubt, start working vs. a placebo---only time will tell if it's 'perfect' for you, but no immediate adverse effects sounds good.
Posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 16:16:41
In reply to Re: starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit, posted by Waterlily on November 30, 2003, at 14:27:15
ADs have triggered mania in me, at high doses. and when manic, well, your mental state doesn't think much about tapering down, hopefully to a productive hypomania. hope you find your right med.
Posted by camel on November 30, 2003, at 18:31:49
In reply to 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by Jaynee on November 30, 2003, at 13:49:52
I have had zero side effects since starting...started at 75mg and bumped up to 150mg after about 3 weeks.
Posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 19:10:52
In reply to Re: 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by camel on November 30, 2003, at 18:31:49
is it working? you didn't mention that. best wishes
Posted by camel on November 30, 2003, at 19:16:00
In reply to Re: 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 19:10:52
Seems to be.....Other than the normal everyday stress of marriage and raising teenagers (YIKES) anxiety/depression is in control. My mood is much better and my opinion of myself is much better!
Posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 19:33:49
In reply to Re: 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by camel on November 30, 2003, at 19:16:00
sounds like it was made for you---and that's Wonderfull---so happy for you.
Posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:44:08
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Well I don't know if this medication is the best to be on.I've known a couple people on it and they said it was hard as hell getting off of it.They had to get on Ativan to get off of it.But really I'm not discouriging it.???If it works,,,,,,then stay on it.About Prozac,,,,,for some reason it made me feal really good for about the first week or two bu then I really started having panic attacks bad,,,,,,,,,,,go figure.LOL I'm on Lexapro now and it is
not really doing anything for my anxiety,,,,but it does take care of depression.I still have major panic attacks though,,,,,,,,,,need some XANAX>>>>>
Posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:52:54
In reply to starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit, posted by justplay on November 30, 2003, at 9:19:02
I'm just warnig everyone about Effexor cause I've heard some really bad shit about that med.I mean it can be really hard to get off of.Do u know how it works? Well I think it releases a lot of Dopamine in your brain(happy chemical)and then when you stop,,,,,your brain is not used to being depleted of that.......So you freak out.I guess good luck anyway but I say if you can,,,,,,just use a benzo.......,,,,as needed.
Posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 23:04:51
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by barbie2000 on November 29, 2003, at 17:03:07
Just like SSRIs, this medication will make you feel weird at first(possibly).But don't let that make you stop.You will feel normal again,,,,,,,just give it a couple weeks.I don't know why,but it does take a while for those drugs to kick in.It really sucks that you have to go through major anxiety at first,,,,but it will go away.just hang in there and if you are feeling normal again,,,,,don't switch to the higher dose,,,,,just listen,,,,OK??
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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