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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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.
Posted by Alf on February 27, 2004, at 22:12:15
In reply to Re: Thank you to everyone who posted, posted by Salty_Dog on February 27, 2004, at 3:50:26
It's been over a year since I've posted here. I've been taking Effexor at different dosages during this entire time. My experience with Effexor has been mixed. I initially welcomed taking Effexor because of it's calming effect and mood elevation. The problem I had early was that it was difficult to maintain any consistant result regardless of the dosage. My PDoc recommended that I take Wellbutrin along with it. The combination of the two did work best for me. I have been much more alert. The Wellbutrin seems to stabilize the effects of the Effexor enough for me to continue on a dosage regimen. At one time, I was taking 300mg of Effoxor and 150mg of Wellbutrin. There was only one bad side effect from this. I had a serious sexual dysfunction which was due primarily to the Effexor. The plumbing just didn't work most of the time. And when it did work the result was quite painful.
So I tried to titrate myself off the Effexor but it didn't work for me. I had the usual symptoms of
withdrawal such as the infamous brain zaps for a couple of days and then uncontrollable depression by the fourth day without Effexor. So I went back on it. I'm now trying to go off the Effexor again by replaceing it with 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)[NOT TRYPTOPHAN].5-HTP is the precursor for Serotonin that is created by the body from L-tryptophan. The body converts L-tryptophan to 5-HTP and then 5-HT,serotonin. At present I'm at 300 mg of Wellbutrin, 75mg of Effexor and 100mg of 5-HTP. I'm feeling pretty good and the sexual side effects are easing. I'm going to wait a couple more weeks before going off the Effexor. My hope is to just to be taking the Wellbutrin and 5-HTP. My fingers are crossed.
Posted by effexed on February 28, 2004, at 20:29:49
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
how dose this work? do we just keep takeing the ADs for ever or do we get off of them when we feel better cause I did not feel depressed when I got on these drugs my DR gave me the questionnare in his office when I told him I had no want for sex anyway so how do I know when I am better I have a lot less anixty but for anything else nothing has changed
thanks confused cindy in TX
Posted by lacey2001 on February 29, 2004, at 0:42:19
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I didn't take one yesterday or today so we will see how it goes. I do feel kind of crappy but that is to be expected I guess. I don't know what these brain zaps I keep hearing about. I have a weird feeling in my head and it is constant and maybe I do have those zaps a bit. Do they hurt? Mine do not but they are irritating. I feel like I have the flu with the icky feeling. Oh well. I am survivng so that is what is important:-) I have heard people thatit worse so I guess I am lucky.
Tanya
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 29, 2004, at 3:32:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by effexed on February 28, 2004, at 20:29:49
Well it's always possible that anxiety and depression can cause the impotence or low desire for sex. If you are patient with effexor, you may notice a sexual benefit. Many times wellbutrin is added to an AD because it raises dopamine levels, which means increased libido and sexual functioning. Effexor raises serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Give it enough time to adjust to the side effects 2+ months, and you may find it an aphrodisiac. I've had no libido due to anxiety, depression, and zoloft, etc. Wellbutrin or Effexor helped with it. Doctors generally have no problem givingf you viagra, cialis, or levitra. You should grab that stuff. Levitra and Cialis take 15 min. to work where viagra takes close to an hour or 30-60min.
Good luck
> how dose this work? do we just keep takeing the ADs for ever or do we get off of them when we feel better cause I did not feel depressed when I got on these drugs my DR gave me the questionnare in his office when I told him I had no want for sex anyway so how do I know when I am better I have a lot less anixty but for anything else nothing has changed
>
> thanks confused cindy in TX
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 29, 2004, at 3:39:08
In reply to 2nd day off of Effexor..hanging in there, posted by lacey2001 on February 29, 2004, at 0:42:19
Hope everything works out for ya. 1st of all, you should assume that everyone does not get the same withdrawal effects. Everyone has different reactions. Also, stopping a med for 3 days can be disastrous. I have someone who stopped Zoloft for 3 days. She went nuts and smashed everything in her house because of severe moodswings. I recommend expecting u are different, and that u csn get off of effexor with no probs. Good luck
DFG> I didn't take one yesterday or today so we will see how it goes. I do feel kind of crappy but that is to be expected I guess. I don't know what these brain zaps I keep hearing about. I have a weird feeling in my head and it is constant and maybe I do have those zaps a bit. Do they hurt? Mine do not but they are irritating. I feel like I have the flu with the icky feeling. Oh well. I am survivng so that is what is important:-) I have heard people thatit worse so I guess I am lucky.
>
> Tanya
Posted by lacey2001 on February 29, 2004, at 12:01:50
In reply to Re: 2nd day off of Effexor..hanging in there » lacey2001, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 29, 2004, at 3:39:08
I think I have those irritating brain zaps. I am not too sure but whatver it is, is irritating as hell. It feels like I am in the daydreaming mode all the time and then I get brain twitches that snap me out of it. But of course I fall right back to the zoning out phase. That is the only way I can describe it. I am hoping it shouldn't be too bad for me because I was only on Effexor for less than three months and the highest dose was 75 mg. And that was my first AD.
Anyone know anything that helps the bad feeling like maybe a hot bath or just sleeping a lot of possible. That is another thing now that I broguht it up...it takes a long time for me to fall asleep and it is a crummy sleep once I do.Tanya
> Hope everything works out for ya. 1st of all, you should assume that everyone does not get the same withdrawal effects. Everyone has different reactions. Also, stopping a med for 3 days can be disastrous. I have someone who stopped Zoloft for 3 days. She went nuts and smashed everything in her house because of severe moodswings. I recommend expecting u are different, and that u
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 29, 2004, at 23:26:35
In reply to Re: 2nd day off of Effexor..hanging in there, posted by lacey2001 on February 29, 2004, at 12:01:50
Good exercise is key, you can raise the amount of the neurotransmitters that are no longer blocked at the presynaptic neurons (transmitters).
> I think I have those irritating brain zaps. I am not too sure but whatver it is, is irritating as hell. It feels like I am in the daydreaming mode all the time and then I get brain twitches that snap me out of it. But of course I fall right back to the zoning out phase. That is the only way I can describe it. I am hoping it shouldn't be too bad for me because I was only on Effexor for less than three months and the highest dose was 75 mg. And that was my first AD.
> Anyone know anything that helps the bad feeling like maybe a hot bath or just sleeping a lot of possible. That is another thing now that I broguht it up...it takes a long time for me to fall asleep and it is a crummy sleep once I do.
>
> Tanya
>
>
>
> > Hope everything works out for ya. 1st of all, you should assume that everyone does not get the same withdrawal effects. Everyone has different reactions. Also, stopping a med for 3 days can be disastrous. I have someone who stopped Zoloft for 3 days. She went nuts and smashed everything in her house because of severe moodswings. I recommend expecting u are different, and that u
Posted by lacey2001 on March 1, 2004, at 12:29:11
In reply to Re: 2nd day off of Effexor..hanging in there » lacey2001, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 29, 2004, at 23:26:35
I had to phone my Dr first thing this morning. he is in another city so I was hoping to find a good Dr here but it turned out to the the one who told me to just stop after a week of 37.5!! Yesterday was the worst day ever!! I felt so incredibly sick. I broke down and did open a capsule and try to half it. I just wanted to do that since Dr's office was closed. I finally felt better last night thankfully when I was watching the Oscars:-)
Just waiting to hear back from him.
Tanya
Posted by amaranta on March 1, 2004, at 21:01:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by effexed on February 28, 2004, at 20:29:49
I just started taking Effexor 3 days ago at 75mg for mild depression/fatigue. It kind of feels like I'm on speed. My main side effects are cotton-mouth, dehydration, and a kind of spacey feeling. Hoping in a couple of weeks I'll feel better but am told I'll be up to 150mg by that time. All these postings are really scaring the hell out of me and I'm wondering if anyone has anything positive to say. Is there anyone who has not had those horrible side effects??
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on March 2, 2004, at 3:56:08
In reply to New Effexor User - Input Welcome, posted by amaranta on March 1, 2004, at 21:01:50
Me Me I do I do! :) It is rare you'll go onto a message board to find people posting good experieces. The largest % will be from bad experiences. I'm willing to bet before u goto 150mg, you'll have been adjusted, if not, there's nothing wrong with letting the doc know u dont feel ready. Just because its on the prescription, doesn't mean u can call him to tell him you've adjusted. Your doc will be upset if u went to 150 not feeling up to it. All it takes is a call , or leaving a msg. Don't fear holding off. Effexor has been the next thing to a lifesaver for me, my quality of life is wayyyyy better and Ive been on 75 for one week, and 150 for two weeks. Better concentration, and more motivation. Most antidepressants will make u feel weird at the beginning, some people get no side effects when starting, or after a long time. It depends on what you expect to happen mostly, but not always. Good luck!
> I just started taking Effexor 3 days ago at 75mg for mild depression/fatigue. It kind of feels like I'm on speed. My main side effects are cotton-mouth, dehydration, and a kind of spacey feeling. Hoping in a couple of weeks I'll feel better but am told I'll be up to 150mg by that time. All these postings are really scaring the hell out of me and I'm wondering if anyone has anything positive to say. Is there anyone who has not had those horrible side effects??
Posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 4:03:56
In reply to New Effexor User - Input Welcome, posted by amaranta on March 1, 2004, at 21:01:50
Hi Amaranta:
Something to remember when reading these posts is that when people find a med that works well, and they start getting a life again, they become free to shift their focus away from depression. Often, they quit reading and posting on mental health boards. People tend to frequent the forums more when things aren't going well, to get advice and support.
So the posts are sometimes a little one-sided, making a drug or therapy appear to be a lot worse than it is. When they're useful, we tend to want to get on with our lives and forget about our mental health issues!
I've been struggling with depression for nearly nine years now, beginning when I finally started to realise that my nerve damage from a repetitive work injury would be permanent. I've been on many different anti-depressant combinations since. I've been on Effexor XR for nearly a year now. I am currently taking 300mg a day, with 400mg of Wellbutrin SR, as well. It was hard for me at first also. Don't give up on it. Take it slow. It seemed to help me almost immediately. After a week or so, the light-headed, doped-up feeling stopped. At about three weeks, it seemed to quit working and the amount was slowly increased. This pattern repeated itself again and again: relief with side-effects, relief without side-effects, and then no relief, until I reached 300mg a day (broken into two doses.) It has been working consistently for months now.
I continue to have a dry mouth. This is something to discuss with your dentist, as you'll be more prone to gum disease and decay. I now use a Sonicare toothbrush 2-3 times a day, and my teeth and gums are fine. I also have been very heat-sensitive, turning down the thermostat until my whole family complained! Though annoying, these "Side-Effexor's" as I call them, are much easier to deal with than my thoughts of suicide, every hour of the day. One thing I learned the hard way, TAKE EVERY DOSE. When I forget the afternoon pill, I tend to get irritable and edgy. If I forget it twice in one week, I'm like a "black hole," sucking everything around me into my nothingness. With most anti-depressants, I could forget a dose twice, sometimes even three times a week, without any problems. Now I always wear a watch with a timer!
Sorry this is sooo long. Hope it helps.> I just started taking Effexor 3 days ago at 75mg for mild depression/fatigue. It kind of feels like I'm on speed. My main side effects are cotton-mouth, dehydration, and a kind of spacey feeling. Hoping in a couple of weeks I'll feel better but am told I'll be up to 150mg by that time. All these postings are really scaring the hell out of me and I'm wondering if anyone has anything positive to say. Is there anyone who has not had those horrible side effects??
Posted by Althea8869 on March 2, 2004, at 9:19:09
In reply to Re: New Effexor User - Input Welcome » amaranta, posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 4:03:56
Amaranta - Sleepless is right on the money. You are hearing all the bad because 'happy' people generally arent posting to these boards(there are exceptions). Despite all the bad you've read, the bottom line is Effexor is an excellent AD. If you want to assure yourself just start surfing the web for clinical trials data. I was on effexor xr for 4 years, it was the only AD that ever worked for me. Most side effects go away within 2-3 weeks if not sooner. The most important thing about this drug to know is that it does have a VERY short half-life. If you miss a dose, you'll know about it. Most learn this the hard way and as a result dont miss many doses thereafter.
Take Sleepless' advice and dont get too caught up in all that you read on these boards about effexor. Just let it do its thing.
Take care.
Posted by PoohBear on March 2, 2004, at 9:54:54
In reply to New Effexor User - Input Welcome, posted by amaranta on March 1, 2004, at 21:01:50
Amaranta:
I would second, third and fourth Althea's advice: Effexor gets a bad rap on these boards because it's generally only the people with bad experiences that post. I've been on it since September and it's done wonderful things for my depression and ability to control my thoughts. The side effect do mostly go away, so hang in there...
Tony
> I just started taking Effexor 3 days ago at 75mg for mild depression/fatigue. It kind of feels like I'm on speed. My main side effects are cotton-mouth, dehydration, and a kind of spacey feeling. Hoping in a couple of weeks I'll feel better but am told I'll be up to 150mg by that time. All these postings are really scaring the hell out of me and I'm wondering if anyone has anything positive to say. Is there anyone who has not had those horrible side effects??
Posted by amaranta on March 2, 2004, at 10:09:45
In reply to Re: New Effexor User - Input Welcome, posted by Althea8869 on March 2, 2004, at 9:19:09
I feel a little better now, thanks to all of you. Guess those withdrawal horror stories are scaring me, as no one has indicated a 'positive' experience coming off of Effexor.. When I got off of Zoloft last year, I had mild brain zaps, but nothing too severe as I was very careful in weaning off. Thanks for your posts.
Posted by Malka on March 2, 2004, at 11:54:27
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Just took my first Effexor 37.5mg today and felt seriously like throwing up all day, as well as having a disgusting taste in my mouth! Anyone got any remedies for the nausea? Not sure if I will continue to take them if I have to put up with this!!
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