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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by djsarah on February 19, 2004, at 19:29:44
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!!, posted by KFRAN on January 29, 2004, at 15:17:32
in response to K-FRAN -
In terms of the drug working, I found that Effexor was quite effective and it really helped me with few side effects. Before panicking about what you read here, be thankful if the drug is helping you and try to become aware of the precautions you should be taking. Once you are ready to withdraw, read a lot of different stuff on it so that you can learn from others' mistakes and successes, make sure you are aware of what can happen and how to make withdrawal least painful.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 19, 2004, at 21:34:38
In reply to Re: Has ANYBODY out there lost their Effexor weight ?? » 4peace, posted by Dirtylowdown4 on February 19, 2004, at 7:49:06
Good for you. Antipsychotic drugs are infamous for gaining weight also, and it is recommended that people on these meds exercise daily and monitor what they eat. I am on Effexor, but I manage to do 30min cardio and 30-60min. on heavy weights, so Im always craving food, but I eat unfried chicken, fish, turkey, and an occasional steak or burger. I Eat every 2-3 hours (i.e Rice, chicken, veggies)
> I have managed to lose weight since taking Effexor although the weight loss was intentional. I find that since taking Effexor my appetite has increased dramatically and if not for calorie counting and changing my eating habits I would have ballooned up. Instead of eating junk food snacks now I eat fruit several times a day. I am vain about my appearance so I have always been able to control my weight although it has not been easy. There is no substitute for will power. Sorry if anyone thinks I'm oversimplifying with this last comment.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 19, 2004, at 21:38:36
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by crzyinlove on February 19, 2004, at 8:18:50
Do you drink or do drugs? Speed driving, go on spending sprees or have irritability? Just a though, maybe the effexor is putting you into a manic state, or possibly you have bipolar? Either way, you need to let your doc know exactly what is going on, and be specific, maybe even work on writing a list of things until your appointment comes.
> I have a new question - did this medication make anyone think they were losing their mind. I swear it has made me act completely irrational and bizarre. I think I am in love with someone other than my spouse and am about ready to ruin my marriage and this all started about 3 months after I started taking effexor. Also my friends think it is not helping and that I am always sad or strange. But, now that I have read about the withdrawal symptoms I am petrified to go off it.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 19, 2004, at 21:40:29
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by PoohBear on February 19, 2004, at 10:12:41
Great advice. I just gave similar advice as well :P
> You should talk to your pDoc; this may not be the medication for you if you're still sad after three months of treatment. Also, it looks like you may need some talk therapy to work out some other issues. An affair will NOT help your situation, but only add to your guilt, etc.
>
> Prozac can help you get off Effexor. You may also be bipolar. If so, an antidepressant can cause an agrivation of manic-depressive cycles. If your doctor is not open to invesitgating new lines of thinking, you need a new doctor.
>
> Good luck and best wishes!
>
> Tony
>
> > I have a new question - did this medication make anyone think they were losing their mind. I swear it has made me act completely irrational and bizarre. I think I am in love with someone other than my spouse and am about ready to ruin my marriage and this all started about 3 months after I started taking effexor. Also my friends think it is not helping and that I am always sad or strange. But, now that I have read about the withdrawal symptoms I am petrified to go off it.
>
>
Posted by ian hills on February 20, 2004, at 8:48:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR, posted by Jackie Jones on May 31, 2000, at 13:45:25
hi just found this page
I have been taking efexor-xr 300mg twice aday now for 5 years and im hooked can't go aday with out them if i do i feel like im stoned out of my head till i take my next pills
my sleeping patten is wild i fall to sleep any time any were in the day but not much at night
my nerves are shot and my depression is bad and i dont like myself much
I told my GP and he said im just feeling sorry for myself is this right.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 20, 2004, at 9:06:45
In reply to Re: Effexor XR, posted by ian hills on February 20, 2004, at 8:48:30
Grandpas are old fashioned and dont understand these situations. If u r depressed that will cause you to dislike yourself. I avg. 5 hours of sleep a week, not even good sleep. Im on effexor also. Report this to your doc. Maybe dropping down 37.5mg per month would be gradual enough. Good luck!
P.S.I feel so gross, and schizophrenic from not sleeping. I see the clock at 11am after being up, and sometimes if i sleep, it seems like 1 minute of running around the world, but i look at clock and it says 12:00-1:00 otherwise Id never know. I thought I was up for weeks, without a min of sleep.
> hi just found this page
> I have been taking efexor-xr 300mg twice aday now for 5 years and im hooked can't go aday with out them if i do i feel like im stoned out of my head till i take my next pills
> my sleeping patten is wild i fall to sleep any time any were in the day but not much at night
> my nerves are shot and my depression is bad and i dont like myself much
> I told my GP and he said im just feeling sorry for myself is this right.
Posted by djsarah on February 20, 2004, at 10:25:51
In reply to Re: Effexor XR, posted by ian hills on February 20, 2004, at 8:48:30
your GP is wrong. you are not just 'feeling sorry for yourself' (if he says this i'm surprised he prescribed anything for depression in the first place!! isn't that just feeling sorry for yourself then, doc?) i think after a while the good effects of effexor go away, and since you're on such a high dosage i doubt it'll help to go up. it may help to go down actually, i decreased by 75mg and after the initial w/d symptoms i feel okay. i was pretty depressed on the 225 so i figure i might as well just be off. anyway please look over the posts on this page and consider finding a new doctor who is more sympathetic to your needs!!!
Posted by PsychoSage on February 20, 2004, at 10:46:09
In reply to Re: hypomania, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 16, 2004, at 15:52:39
> > You can also have mixed states where you're depressed and agitated. depression with GAD is often confused with BP2 because they can look the same...in reality it's not depression with anxiety..it's a mixed state of BP...depression with an agitated or hyperaroused state. I believe my pdoc said that BP2 is mostly depression with some hypomania. <
>
> Your post kind of ran together here. Have you read that depression with GAD can be misdiagnosed as BP2? If so, can you point me toward your source? This is the aregument I have been having with my current pdoc. That maybe my original DX was wrong, but I can't get her to budge.
>It's the other way around. BP2 is what is missed for years or forever with many. Depression with GAD is easy to point to. Excess energy and disproportionate positive emotions that are part of a cycle are confused for normal states or simply unaddressed because the patient doesn't clue the doctor in.
Posted by Judie on February 20, 2004, at 12:08:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR, posted by ian hills on February 20, 2004, at 8:48:30
NO THAT'S NOT RIGHT!! Just read for a while on these posts and you'll figure that out pretty quick. Please find yourself a new doctor... the one you've got is obviously not too familiar with the effects of this drug. Hang in there... you can find GOOD help. You do not have to feel this way any more.> hi just found this page
> I have been taking efexor-xr 300mg twice aday now for 5 years and im hooked can't go aday with out them if i do i feel like im stoned out of my head till i take my next pills
> my sleeping patten is wild i fall to sleep any time any were in the day but not much at night
> my nerves are shot and my depression is bad and i dont like myself much
> I told my GP and he said im just feeling sorry for myself is this right.
Posted by lacey2001 on February 22, 2004, at 19:33:16
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor: Attn 4peace, posted by jahmah on February 18, 2004, at 10:22:35
Do I just go to a place like GNC and ask for empty gell caps. I looked online to see if they have them available but couldn't find anything.
I am down to 37.5 mg but will want to divide the capsules up and pour loose meds into smaller portions. Anyone know where to look for these? and what health stores have them available?Tanya
> >
> > Hi,Be prepared for a ride. I think the caps are the best. you can go to a health food store and get your own empty gell caps and start to devide your caps up.Thats what I did . I went from 150 and devided them into four caps. Its been5 days now and its been like the >
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 22, 2004, at 19:42:31
In reply to Down to 37.5 need empty gell cap: Attn Jahmah, posted by lacey2001 on February 22, 2004, at 19:33:16
Just because they are gelcaps, doesn't mean they are time-released gelcaps. I totally recommend contacting your doctor. If your effexor is 37.5 Effexor XR, leave it as is, if it isnt the XR, cut the pill in half and take half if taking 37.5 total. Please Do NOT cut a gelcap. If u do, you will probably end up OD if on XR.
> Do I just go to a place like GNC and ask for empty gell caps. I looked online to see if they have them available but couldn't find anything.
> I am down to 37.5 mg but will want to divide the capsules up and pour loose meds into smaller portions. Anyone know where to look for these? and what health stores have them available?
>
> Tanya
>
>
> > >
> > > Hi,Be prepared for a ride. I think the caps are the best. you can go to a health food store and get your own empty gell caps and start to devide your caps up.Thats what I did . I went from 150 and devided them into four caps. Its been5 days now and its been like the >
>
>
Posted by EFFEXED on February 23, 2004, at 16:23:17
In reply to Down to 37.5 need empty gell cap: Attn Jahmah, posted by lacey2001 on February 22, 2004, at 19:33:16
go to sunharvest thay have the empty gel caps in the vitamin section good luck with the withdraw I want to go off of this med to it dose nothing for me anymore I am on 75 for 2 months now and feel worse now than well I DONT feel thats the problem and no sex drive at all thats the reason I went to see my dr in the first place and now I realy do feel depressed because I thought this med would bring back the sex drive but no such luck my fianci or what ever have had sex maybe 10 times over a 5 yr period so hope you succed in your quest to get off so do I HA HA
any way sorry to go on and on
GOOD LUCK
CINDY
Posted by lacey2001 on February 23, 2004, at 16:50:30
In reply to Re: Down to 37.5 need empty gell cap: Attn Jahmah, posted by EFFEXED on February 23, 2004, at 16:23:17
One of my problems has always been low sex drive. Even before coming on this med. I wish there was more help out there for women and not just a testostorone cream. It is a big issue with my hubby and I all the time it seems.
Anyway I hope to be off soon. I have three more of 37.5 mg left and we will see. I hear about Wellbutrin all the time. Maybe I will give that a go after if I have a pregnancy.
I thought that if I do have withdrawls, I could
make up a few a 17 mg pill for a few days. Who knows? It is good to know there is that option though. Thanks for the advice from some of you.Tanya
> go to sunharvest thay have the empty gel caps in the vitamin section good luck with the withdraw I want to go off of this med to it dose nothing for me anymore I am on 75 for 2 months now and feel worse now than well I DONT feel thats the problem and no sex drive at all thats the reason I went to see my dr in the first place and now I realy do feel depressed because I thought this med would bring back the sex drive but no such luck my fianci or what ever have had sex maybe 10 times over a 5 yr period so hope you succed in your quest to get off so do I HA HA
> any way sorry to go on and on
> GOOD LUCK
> CINDY
Posted by dms777smd on February 23, 2004, at 18:22:01
In reply to Down to 37.5 need empty gell cap: Attn Jahmah, posted by lacey2001 on February 22, 2004, at 19:33:16
> Do I just go to a place like GNC and ask for empty gell caps. I looked online to see if they have them available but couldn't find anything.
> I am down to 37.5 mg but will want to divide the capsules up and pour loose meds into smaller portions. Anyone know where to look for these? and what health stores have them available?
>
> Tanya
>
>
> > >
> > > Hi,Be prepared for a ride. I think the caps are the best. you can go to a health food store and get your own empty gell caps and start to devide your caps up.Thats what I did . I went from 150 and devided them into four caps. Its been5 days now and its been like the >
>
>
Yea you could probably get the empty caps at a lot of health stores but if you can't find them try a head shop.They sell a lot of stuff having to do with drugs,and I know all the ones around me sell empty caps.Good luck,,I know these stupid drugs are hard to get off of.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 23, 2004, at 19:34:57
In reply to Re: Down to 37.5 need empty gell cap: Attn Jahmah, posted by EFFEXED on February 23, 2004, at 16:23:17
I wouldnt try gelcaps because usualy they are not "Time Released", and lack FDA approval. If you have been having sexual problems w/ the fiance, see urologist to see if its due to meds, depression, anxiety, or if your testosterone is low. Either way he/she will most likely give you a sample pack of Levitra, Cialis, or Viagra to combat these intimacy issues. Good luck! And, don't stress out thinking if you can't perform right now, that you would lose the fiance. If its love, it will not happen, if it did ever happen, then they are not right for u.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 23, 2004, at 19:43:23
In reply to Re: Down to 37.5 need empty gell cap: Attn Jahmah » lacey2001, posted by dms777smd on February 23, 2004, at 18:22:01
Most empty gellcaps are not Sustained Release, or FDA approved even if they are. Do not use the gellcaps if u intend on having a sustained release. Also do not cut effexor gellcaps. I believe u are referring to the regular ones though?
> > Do I just go to a place like GNC and ask for empty gell caps. I looked online to see if they have them available but couldn't find anything.
> > I am down to 37.5 mg but will want to divide the capsules up and pour loose meds into smaller portions. Anyone know where to look for these? and what health stores have them available?
> >
> > Tanya
> >
> >
> > > >
> > > > Hi,Be prepared for a ride. I think the caps are the best. you can go to a health food store and get your own empty gell caps and start to devide your caps up.Thats what I did . I went from 150 and devided them into four caps. Its been5 days now and its been like the >
> >
> >
> Yea you could probably get the empty caps at a lot of health stores but if you can't find them try a head shop.They sell a lot of stuff having to do with drugs,and I know all the ones around me sell empty caps.Good luck,,I know these stupid drugs are hard to get off of.
>
Posted by Judie on February 23, 2004, at 21:48:54
In reply to Re: Down to 37.5 need empty gell cap: Attn Jahmah » dms777smd, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 23, 2004, at 19:43:23
I just opened the capsules and dumped out half of the granules to go from 75mg to approx. 37.5.... closed the caps back up and took them like that. I did that for a few days and then just stopped completely. I was dizzy/nauseous for a few days, but I could cope. Half a dramamine helped and advil helped headaches. Now it's been a week and maybe a 2 or 3 times a day, I'll feel like the room shifts... I'm just dizzy for a few seconds, then it passes. So I think (hope) I'm on the road to recovery. There is hope for getting off this stuff. Also, I wanted to let you know that the sex stuff does go away after a while. The first 2 months I was on effexor, I had no libido and it took forever to reach orgasm (too much information?) Sorry... just wanted to say my husband was very frustrated, too... but that whole thing passed and I was feeling "normal" again after about 2 months. Hope that helps and wasn't offensive to anybody. Good luck!!
Posted by Thankful on February 23, 2004, at 23:53:44
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 19, 2004, at 21:38:36
My doctor gave me a one month sample of Effexor today. I have tried Paxil, Zoloft(horrible - hallucinated - took it for 2 days), Celexa for depression. Nothing really worked. I just want to thank you for all of the posts. I read almost all of them and realized I was better off not starting this medicine. Thank you and good luck to everyone.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 24, 2004, at 1:39:59
In reply to Re: Thank you to everyone who posted, posted by Thankful on February 23, 2004, at 23:53:44
You should try Effexor. Many people have Good-bad experiences on psych meds. It works on an individual basis. More people login to a website to bash a medication, as opposed to those who come to a website to say a medication is good. Stay in contact w/ your doc and try effexor.
> My doctor gave me a one month sample of Effexor today. I have tried Paxil, Zoloft(horrible - hallucinated - took it for 2 days), Celexa for depression. Nothing really worked. I just want to thank you for all of the posts. I read almost all of them and realized I was better off not starting this medicine. Thank you and good luck to everyone.
Posted by jerseydevil on February 25, 2004, at 12:34:12
In reply to Re: Thank you to everyone who posted, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 24, 2004, at 1:39:59
I'm with you Doc. My pdoc put me on 37.5 of Effexor so I could finish getting off of Paxil. Maybe it's the low dose, but I'm not getting the same side effects (the sexual ones...) with the Effexor as I did with Paxil. Down to 2.5 mg/day of Paxil. I use a pill cutter, available in any drug store. By the by, the last refill of Effexor I got came in pill form rather than capsule (???), so I guess when it is time to lose that I can cut that into pieces too. Good luck to all and happy hunting.
the devil
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 25, 2004, at 17:59:41
In reply to Don't criticize what you haven't tried., posted by jerseydevil on February 25, 2004, at 12:34:12
Yeah most people have sexual side effects from effexor at dosages of 150 or more mg. Getting the pill form on your last refill could be a mistake you should definitely check. If you were taking Effexor XR 37.5, thats 37.5 throughout 24 hours, pill form is 37.5 immediately, which is like saying someone drinking 6 beers in a 24 hour period versus someone Drinking 6 immediately. More side effects and withdrawl if immediately, except you don't get the fun part from effexor :)
> I'm with you Doc. My pdoc put me on 37.5 of Effexor so I could finish getting off of Paxil. Maybe it's the low dose, but I'm not getting the same side effects (the sexual ones...) with the Effexor as I did with Paxil. Down to 2.5 mg/day of Paxil. I use a pill cutter, available in any drug store. By the by, the last refill of Effexor I got came in pill form rather than capsule (???), so I guess when it is time to lose that I can cut that into pieces too. Good luck to all and happy hunting.
>
> the devil
Posted by lacey2001 on February 25, 2004, at 18:05:34
In reply to Re: Down to 37.5 need empty gell cap: Attn Jahmah, posted by Judie on February 23, 2004, at 21:48:54
Alright, I have one 37.5 mg left for tomorrow. I do have bad headaches from when I went from 75 mg to 37.5 mg. It is a relief to hear that can just be a side effect. I am also experiencing a lot of nausea. Tylenol seems to help the headahces and I can make it through the nausea.
To the doc feel good, I am glad you brought up the subject in regards to time release caps. I never took that into conisideration so I thank you. I have 8 (that I didn't need to use)caps of 75 mg so I will take Judie's advice on opening those up, cut down to 17 mg and then close it back up. That way it will be the time release. I want to thank everyone for your input. I do get good suggestions from here than anywhere else.
And a word to Judie, I am happy you brought up the effects Effexor can have on a person's sex life. And don't worry it isn't offensive to me. Most of us are adults so it is good discussion on how it can be related to AD's. I am finding it hard to reach orgasm as well since I started Effexor XR. That is quite frustrating for both my hubby and myself.
I will keep posting on how I am doing. Wish me luck after tomorrow:-)Thanks again.Tanya
Posted by Lizzy7711 on February 25, 2004, at 21:56:48
In reply to Re: Thank you to everyone who posted, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 24, 2004, at 1:39:59
I started Effexor about 6 weeks ago, 37.5 for 1 week, 75 for a week, then up to 150 which is where i'm at. A few days ago I found this site and started really freaking out about the withdrawal symptoms people have. Then I talked to a few professionals and realized that:
1) as the Doc said, most of the people come to the site who are having problems, it is probably a small minority of all the people taking it
2) I LOVE the effects i'm getting! Maybe i'll never go off it. Obviously, my chemicals were way off for me to feel so much better--i'm patient, calm, and starting to even feel joyful and yes...happy. wow.Any drug (even for physical ailments), usually has some side effects, and I guess it's worth it to try if it can improve your quality of life so much--my 4 year old daughter is certainly going to benefit from my increased patience and lack of anxiety and irritability. If it doesn't work and you have 1-2 weeks of difficulty getting off...so what, it's only a short time. But, you might have positive results like I did and be grateful you took the chance.
Good luck!
Liz
> You should try Effexor. Many people have Good-bad experiences on psych meds. It works on an individual basis. More people login to a website to bash a medication, as opposed to those who come to a website to say a medication is good. Stay in contact w/ your doc and try effexor.
>
> > My doctor gave me a one month sample of Effexor today. I have tried Paxil, Zoloft(horrible - hallucinated - took it for 2 days), Celexa for depression. Nothing really worked. I just want to thank you for all of the posts. I read almost all of them and realized I was better off not starting this medicine. Thank you and good luck to everyone.
>
>
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 26, 2004, at 1:37:33
In reply to Re: Thank you to everyone who posted, posted by Lizzy7711 on February 25, 2004, at 21:56:48
Optimism and patience is the key. When someone expects something bad to happen, it usually does. That includes withdrawal. It's great to hear the change you've noticed as of late. Good luck!
Posted by Salty_Dog on February 27, 2004, at 3:50:26
In reply to Re: Thank you to everyone who posted » Lizzy7711, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 26, 2004, at 1:37:33
> Optimism and patience is the key. When someone expects something bad to happen, it usually does. That includes withdrawal. It's great to hear the change you've noticed as of late. Good luck!
I have no difficulty agreeing with that statement.
I have been on and off of Effexor XR at high strength ( 300mg and 600mg for more than 6 months )The last time (600 mg) I was checked in to an Acute Psychiatric Services (APS) in patient ward.
I had failed to eat any food for 4 days and had not drank enough floods to do any good. I lost 50 lbs over the proceeding 3 weeks. My blood chemistry was extremely acidotic and I had to stay in the hospital for 2 days to regain my strength.I keep thinking the 600 mg Effexor XR was what was putting me to sleep for 3-4 days at a time, so, the PDoc switched me to Lexapro and tappered me off the Effexor XR in less than 10 days. I didn't feel withdrawl untill day 4. I caught myself in that same mode (3 days sleeping) and decided to restart the Effexor XR at 150mg. Nothing has really affected my sleep problem. I have reduced the dosage to 75mg with no SE's. After 4 days at this dosage I will stretch out the time between doses to 30 hours then 36 hours and continue from there.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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