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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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??
Posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 23:13:24
In reply to Re: took my first effexor this morning..., posted by jayt243 on November 26, 2003, at 14:09:17
I don't know if that's the best thing to do.You do not have to listen to me,,,but I think you should stay on the pill for a little bit.I mean,,,,,if you really have that problem,then the med might help.Otherwise,don't get caught up in the whole pill thing.Just like I said before,,,if you really need it,then take a Valium or Xanax just as needed......OK?
Posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 0:16:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » jp, posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:44:08
going from an AD to a benzo? very, very unwise, even a week. no AD is addive like benzos---makes heroin look like a breeeze---if it's not'very-short-term' benzo use, it's considered unethical these days. please, please inform them of this. thank you
Posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 0:25:00
In reply to Re: starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit » justplay, posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:52:54
before using any benzo---hold out---and visit benzos.org.uk---
Posted by camel on December 1, 2003, at 7:45:49
In reply to Re: 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 19:33:49
Thanks.....but if/when I need/want to go off it I'm expecting the same probs I had with Paxil w/d so believe me...I know it's no "miracle" drug! Hang in there.....
Posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by lg on November 7, 1999, at 19:11:05
I'm on 225mg E-XR everyday. I've been on it for about 18 months. And it's only been probably the last 6 months that I've noticed a decrease in daytime sweating for activities such as teeth brushing and email typing. Nighttime sweating went away about about a year ago - so about after 6 months on the meds.
The E. keeps my anxiety way down and my moods are very level. Sometimes I kind of feel like a robot - just going through the motions but not really being touched by anything. Even last night when my 9 year old was crying her eyes out over a nightmare about her father (he's been in Iraq sinch february) - I just couldn't seem to really respond to her in a way I knew she needed, but i just couldn't feel.
That bothers me a lot - i do have a dr. appt. tomorrow morning and will mention it.
Posted by camel on December 1, 2003, at 8:05:41
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » lg, posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
Sasha...PLEASE hang in there and tell your Doc. That definetly is no way to live.....
Posted by Zellie on December 1, 2003, at 9:06:06
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » lg, posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
I still feel empathy, sympathy, love, compassion... all the inner feelings, but I do not respond with tears anymore.
Perhaps because you were not moved to tears, it makes you think you are robotic. I find that I "feel" less than I used to, in one sense, but now I don't spiral into a deep, deep sadness any more, the way I used to, so I find myself actually able to help others more now, not less, even though I am not moved to actually cry.
So for me, it's been a good thing (I was way, way over-the-top emotional before).
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> I'm on 225mg E-XR everyday. I've been on it for about 18 months. And it's only been probably the last 6 months that I've noticed a decrease in daytime sweating for activities such as teeth brushing and email typing. Nighttime sweating went away about about a year ago - so about after 6 months on the meds.
>
> The E. keeps my anxiety way down and my moods are very level. Sometimes I kind of feel like a robot - just going through the motions but not really being touched by anything. Even last night when my 9 year old was crying her eyes out over a nightmare about her father (he's been in Iraq sinch february) - I just couldn't seem to really respond to her in a way I knew she needed, but i just couldn't feel.
>
> That bothers me a lot - i do have a dr. appt. tomorrow morning and will mention it.
>
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 1, 2003, at 12:19:21
In reply to Re: starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit » justplay, posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:52:54
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 1, 2003, at 12:47:24
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » lg, posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
Maybe instead of being worried about the emotionless side effect, you should be thankful? If my son's dad was in Iraq, I would be worried for my son's sake, plus any personal concerns that I might have alone... You are able to be rock solid and steady instead of weepy and afraid. Your stability will be an anchor for your child.
God bless...
KDi in TX> I'm on 225mg E-XR everyday. I've been on it for about 18 months. And it's only been probably the last 6 months that I've noticed a decrease in daytime sweating for activities such as teeth brushing and email typing. Nighttime sweating went away about about a year ago - so about after 6 months on the meds.
>
> The E. keeps my anxiety way down and my moods are very level. Sometimes I kind of feel like a robot - just going through the motions but not really being touched by anything. Even last night when my 9 year old was crying her eyes out over a nightmare about her father (he's been in Iraq sinch february) - I just couldn't seem to really respond to her in a way I knew she needed, but i just couldn't feel.
>
> That bothers me a lot - i do have a dr. appt. tomorrow morning and will mention it.
>
Posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 13:58:39
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » sasha71, posted by KimberlyDi on December 1, 2003, at 12:47:24
When i first went on E., I was soooo relieved to be free of the over-emotional reactions to everything. It was so exhausting to react super-charged to everything.
I'm in frequent contact with many other wives of my husband's unit and I see them falling apart every other day and just not being able to hold it together for their kids. I worry alot about those situations.
I guess you have a good point about my being able to be a good foundation for my girls. I hadn't htought of it that way. Thanks. :)
Posted by dms777smd on December 1, 2003, at 15:34:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 0:16:37
> going from an AD to a benzo? very, very unwise, even a week. no AD is addive like benzos---makes heroin look like a breeeze---if it's not'very-short-term' benzo use, it's considered unethical these days. please, please inform them of this. thank you
I'm just saying if it's possible for you to take it maybe a couple times a week,,,,definitely not everyday.Unless the problems are way too complicated for every other day use.When I have any kind of benzo,I take it just as needed,and I mean when I can't calm myself down and the anxiety is just too much.I know how addictive they really are and I'm not trying to get anyone hooked on them.They really are very bad drugs(if you get into abusing them)but they work fast for those really bad times.
Posted by matz on December 1, 2003, at 15:53:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by dms777smd on December 1, 2003, at 15:34:53
Effexor worked incredibly well for me, except that I had almost all of the side effects - constipation, difficult urination, sexual effects, and, worst of all, increased blood pressure. When my pressure got into the hypertention range, I had to quit. I haven't seen anyone mention the high blood pressure yet.
Quitting was not fun. I got the "brain shocks" very badly. At first, every time I blinked my eyes, I would get zapped. To get off it, my doctor told me to take only one capsule one day, skip a day, one capsule the next, then I would be off. Big mistake. It actually took me 4-5 weeks, taking smaller and smaller doses. Near the end, even taking 5-6 of the little beads inside the capsule prevented the zaps. Finally went away completely.
I am really upset about the side effects. It worked so well on my depression and anxiety, both. I don't beleive any other med will work as well.
Posted by camel on December 1, 2003, at 18:02:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by matz on December 1, 2003, at 15:53:47
The only side efect I have had is the BP thing.....Doc says they are not connected....weight gain from paxil MAY have caused the BP prob! But the w/d from Paxil was just as bad...I feel if the drug is working I will continue to take it and IF I have to go on BP meds (IF I can't lose the weight)so be it...I refuse to go back to what I was before.
Posted by biogurl on December 1, 2003, at 20:15:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by camel on December 1, 2003, at 18:02:51
Paxil made me gain a ton of weight too but they had to take me off of it because I was more suicidal than when I started taking it. That was about 8 years ago when I was 15. Turns out some recent studies show that paxil in children/adolescents tends to increase suicidal thoughts! Great! By the way, according to my Effexor XR pamphlet from the pharmacy, an increase in blood pressure is a common side effect. You may want to bring that to your Dr.'s attention, he/she must not have known about it.
Posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 22:13:13
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » lg, posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
'emotional blunting' seems part of any anxiety-reducing med. you have to weigh that vs. why you started the med. i do know lithium or benzo users encounter this. for many, it continues long after the drug is gone. not to scare you---i never saw an anti-d do that, but i never used effexor---the stress of your man in iraq has to be hard---that's where a good 'talk-therapist' may be a big help, and group-therapy with other brave men's wives over there. please feel better.
Posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 22:47:24
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » sasha71, posted by KimberlyDi on December 1, 2003, at 12:47:24
my dear kimberly, re. iraq hero's wife---her concerns seem appropriate. 'emotional blunting' is a clear sign important areas of the brain have shut down. areas in great part involved in 'core' personality. as effexor is so new, and in view of recent press, i appreciate her concern. 'blunting', as with lithium or benzo patients may be irreversible---does this lady wish to risk going through her life that way? not from the tone of her post. i think she is wise to address this event swiftly. tcas and maois always left me where i started. effexor? i feel it too soon to know. best wishes
Posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 23:10:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by dms777smd on December 1, 2003, at 15:34:53
low dose, infrequent use is safe, but several times/week---playing with fire, depending on the dose and your body-chemistry. you seem aware of the risk---i know the results. looking back, the drs. that said 'take the panic, it will stop. don't use benzos'---i wish i had followed their words. i know panic---been hospitalized for it 3 times. when it hits that hard, and you 'know' you're dying, you'll grab anything. perhaps you may save the med for those occassions only? best wishes
Posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 23:15:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by matz on December 1, 2003, at 15:53:47
ever have an imipramine hcl or maoi try at your depression?
Posted by Clayton on December 2, 2003, at 6:31:59
In reply to Re: For Music » Clayton, posted by Mercedes on November 10, 2003, at 17:10:18
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 2, 2003, at 13:28:15
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 22:47:24
my dearest maxx... i know for a fact that stopping Effexor can be dangerous for a person during a stressful time... during withdrawal, i was extremely suicidal and always crying. i had zero control over my emotions...
i presented the flip side. i didn't minimize her concerns. "Even bad things can have a few good benefits." and sometimes... "you don't know what you've got, until it's gone." This war will not last forever. And AD's can be prescribed on a temporary basis for situational depression or stress.
Thank you, for presenting your concerns... but I *aint* your dear.
KDi in TX
> my dear kimberly, re. iraq hero's wife---her concerns seem appropriate. 'emotional blunting' is a clear sign important areas of the brain have shut down. areas in great part involved in 'core' personality. as effexor is so new, and in view of recent press, i appreciate her concern. 'blunting', as with lithium or benzo patients may be irreversible---does this lady wish to risk going through her life that way? not from the tone of her post. i think she is wise to address this event swiftly. tcas and maois always left me where i started. effexor? i feel it too soon to know. best wishes
Posted by maxx44 on December 2, 2003, at 14:02:02
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » maxx44, posted by KimberlyDi on December 2, 2003, at 13:28:15
well, you speak of effexor bopping you. there are many ADs that handle anxiety with little or no 'emotional blunting' and most require only a very brief taper when stopped, with no 'withdrawal'. this woman is very wise to see her dr. on this. best wishes
Posted by maxx44 on December 2, 2003, at 14:17:00
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by Zellie on December 1, 2003, at 9:06:06
hi---what did your dr. think?
Posted by sasha71 on December 2, 2003, at 14:24:46
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » lg, posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
I saw my dr. this morning and described what I felt was happening/not happening with my feelings unable to respond to situations as appropriate.
He said this isn't usually a side effect of E. but for me to keep track for about a month and to report at the next appt. about it. (I usually go about 3 months between meds. checks)
He also talked to me about my daughter some and recommended that I think about starting her with a peds. therapist for a little while. That is probably a good idea.
Thanks all for your thoughts and input. They are all greatly appreciated.
Posted by camel on December 2, 2003, at 14:28:12
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by sasha71 on December 2, 2003, at 14:24:46
Sasha......glad you discussed it with your Doc. My husband is retired military and I raised my three kids "basically" by myself.....the last thing either of you need is to become "disconnected". Hang in there......
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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