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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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!!
Posted by amaranta on March 2, 2004, at 16:13:34
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Malka on March 2, 2004, at 11:54:27
Sorry about the nausea, but a lot of stuff I read on rxlist.com mentioned nausea as one of the main side effects - I was lucky enough to avoid that. I am on Day 4 now and already a lot of my cotton-mouth and 'drugged' feeling have subsided, plus I've only had to pee 10 times today vs. 20 times a day the last few days. Hope your side effects go away as quickly. I'm interested to know how 'newbies' like me are reacting.
Posted by Rayce on March 3, 2004, at 0:32:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Malka on March 2, 2004, at 11:54:27
I have been on this medication for 4 months, the sick feeling will pass as you get used to it, I have been on this three separate times and have stopped taking it only to end up depressed again, I am taking 75mg a day now and I feel ok, I am still not feeling perfect but I can deal with the day to day stuff, I am working on being more sociable again but it is going to take some time. give this medication a chance, it does work at least somewhat, I have no side effects at all now and I look forward to things getting better yet
Posted by Malka on March 3, 2004, at 0:49:13
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Rayce on March 3, 2004, at 0:32:11
Glad to hear that people are having success with Effexor. I am on my 2nd day but can only bear to take half the dosage because of the nausea. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the Effexor hydrocloride that I am on and Effexor XR? Should I ask my doctor for XR? and what is the difference between an SSRI and a SNRI? Which one is Effexor? I'm a bit ignorant here!!
Posted by Clayton on March 3, 2004, at 0:57:42
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Malka on March 3, 2004, at 0:49:13
An SSRI is a Selective SERATONIN Reupdate Inhibitor. An SNRI is a Selective NOREPINEPHRINE reupdate inhibitor. Seratonin and Norepinephine are both neurotransmitters that are involved in depression (and/or its alleviation). Effexor is BOTH. It is essentially a SSNRI as it blocks the reupdate of BOTH neurotranmitters.
Posted by Thankful on March 3, 2004, at 1:03:02
In reply to Re: New Effexor User - Input Welcome » amaranta, posted by Doctor Feel Good on March 2, 2004, at 3:56:08
Where did you go to medical school?
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on March 3, 2004, at 1:39:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Malka, posted by Clayton on March 3, 2004, at 0:57:42
Almost perfect. Effexor works on all 3 neurotransmitters, dopamine is the other. The higher the dosage the more of an effect on norepinephrine and dopamine.
> An SSRI is a Selective SERATONIN Reupdate Inhibitor. An SNRI is a Selective NOREPINEPHRINE reupdate inhibitor. Seratonin and Norepinephine are both neurotransmitters that are involved in depression (and/or its alleviation). Effexor is BOTH. It is essentially a SSNRI as it blocks the reupdate of BOTH neurotranmitters.
Posted by green hornet on March 3, 2004, at 7:32:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Clayton, posted by Doctor Feel Good on March 3, 2004, at 1:39:27
I guess that I was an "Effxor success" That is if you count feeling like a zombie, moving around in an unemotional fog with no affect a success. Oh yes, I also gained 50lbs in less than a year. It seemed that every time I got on the scale I had gone up another notch.!!
The good news is, after over two years on the stuff, (at 400+mgm) I was able to get off of it without problems. However, my theory is,if you can come off an antidepressant without some kind of withdrawal symptoms, the stuff probably was not working anyway. Trust me on this one. Since I was first hospitalized and diagnosed in 1984 I have taken no fewer than eleven antidepressants and about that many "other" medications(ie Benzos, Stelazine, Xyprexa, Topamax, Seroquel, Clozeril, Mellaril,Imipramine blah, blah blah) just to name a few. Some worked for awhile, some did not.
Good luck what ever --- I guess that it is just such an individual thing, GH
Posted by effexed on March 3, 2004, at 15:53:23
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
so negative we are, I still have hope that there is something out there you have not tried to help you with your depression. I my self am new at this med thing. Effexor xr is the first ad I have ever been on but seems to work for me, as for the weight gain I keep hearing about on this site is so not what I am experiencing. I have lost 10 lbs since being on this med wich is only 8 weeks on 75s maybe Iam an exception to the rule but anyway I hope you soon get to feeling better or find something to help you feel better.
This I mean green hornet. HAVE A GOOD DAY
AND KNOW THAT WE ALL HOPE YOU
SMILE AT SOME POINT TODAY
THANKS .Cindy in TX
Posted by amaranta on March 3, 2004, at 16:31:33
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by green hornet on March 3, 2004, at 7:32:03
well, it's nice to hear of someone who didn't almost die from the withdrawal. good luck!!
Posted by lacey2001 on March 3, 2004, at 18:06:56
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by amaranta on March 3, 2004, at 16:31:33
It was hard to get a hold of him like most Dr's. He is also in another city too which makes things difficult. Anyway, I was told to take 37.5 mg every alternate day. And then in a weeks time, to try and stop. If that doesn't work out for me, then to continue to take it every third day and stop that in a week. It sounds like better advice than the Dr here told me to just stopping altogether at 37.5 mg.
Anyone try to get off meds this way that I was told to with every second day? And did it work? Any input would be appreciated.Tanya
Posted by Kavon on March 3, 2004, at 23:21:58
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I currently take Effexor XR 37.5 and I have had no problems in the least. I had breast cancer and can no longer take hormones. All of my menapausal symptoms came back twice as bad. With Effexor my hot flashes have subsided to a minimum and I feel 100X better. No more mood swings or anything. The one thing I can tell you is this. NEVER just stop taking it becasue you can get really sick. It's also dangerous! I am weaning myself off of the pills because I no longer have insurance. They are VERY expensive. I have one month left and I am now taking them every 3 days. I started at every other day. Boy can I tell the difference. I am tired, more irritable and worst of all, I have the severe hot flashes back. To be straight...I feel like crap!
I hope this helps. I feel so much better when taking them.
Posted by Malka on March 4, 2004, at 0:54:05
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by amaranta on March 2, 2004, at 16:13:34
No one's told me yet what the difference is between Effexor 37.5mg which is what I'm on and Effexor XR. is it just the dosage? On my 3rd day of it now and nausea subsided, thank goodness. Now just feel like I'm on speed! I'm scared of these side effects anyone know how long they will last?
Posted by newgirl on March 4, 2004, at 12:03:19
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Malka on March 4, 2004, at 0:54:05
I started taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR. So, I think what you're talking about is one in the same. I upped my dosage soon after that, to 75 mg, 100 mg, and eventually to 150 mg. Personally, Effexor XR worked for me. The depression seems to be completly gone - to the point that I began to "ween" myself off of the stuff. I was tired of gaining weight - 30 lbs in about a year and a half. It also killed my desire for sex - not good when your married! I also noticed that I was more irritable than usual - the little things were getting to me too much. I decided it was time to try life off of Effexor XR. We'll see how it goes!
Posted by Malka on March 4, 2004, at 14:09:54
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by newgirl on March 4, 2004, at 12:03:19
Why is everyone saying that Effexor makes them put on weight? Help!! Does it slow down your metabolism or increase you appetite? I don't want this happening to me!!
Posted by newgirl on March 4, 2004, at 14:26:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Malka on March 4, 2004, at 14:09:54
I can't say it increased my appetite - I never noticed a difference in how much I ate or even what I ate. From what I can recall, I haven't changed my diet in any way. It just seemed that after a month or so on the Effexor, I started picking up weight. Diets didn't work at curbing the weight gain. It seems as though it slows down your metabolism. Hopefully it won't be the same for you. I'm hoping that now that I'm off it, I'll be able to get rid of the weight.
Posted by green hornet on March 4, 2004, at 17:44:36
In reply to Talked to Dr today, posted by lacey2001 on March 3, 2004, at 18:06:56
> It was hard to get a hold of him like most Dr's. He is also in another city too which makes things difficult. Anyway, I was told to take 37.5 mg every alternate day. And then in a weeks time, to try and stop. If that doesn't work out for me, then to continue to take it every third day and stop that in a week. It sounds like better advice than the Dr here told me to just stopping altogether at 37.5 mg.
> Anyone try to get off meds this way that I was told to with every second day? And did it work? Any input would be appreciated.
>
> TanyaYes Tanya, that is how I came off Effexor. I guess I might have been on the every other day routine for about two weeks then every third etc etc. Bon chance
Posted by Lizzy7711 on March 4, 2004, at 18:22:55
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Kavon on March 3, 2004, at 23:21:58
Doctor Feel Good,
Can you explain what serotonin, norephephine, and dopamine exactly DO? My doctor told me when I started Effexor XR that it wouldn't start affecting norep...(however you spell it!) until I was up to I think she said 150 mg. She had me take 1 week 37.5, then 1 week 75, then 150 and that what I've been on for the past month or so. I like it. She tried to up it to 300 because I told her that although my anxiety and irritability was WAY down (still is!), I still felt depressed. But I couldn't handle the 300, I just felt SO tired, so after one week I went back to 150...and I feel really good at this dose overall. I'm wondering what difference going up to 225 would have.thanks!
Liz
Posted by Lizzy7711 on March 4, 2004, at 18:29:05
In reply to RE.green hornet, posted by effexed on March 3, 2004, at 15:53:23
I haven't noticed weight gain yet, but i've only been on it for about 2 months. For those who did gain weight, did it start right away?
Does anyone know the stats on how many of the people (%) going off effexor experience those terrible withdrawal effects? Also, how long can you stay on it...forever? Does it lose effectiveness over time or anything?
So far, I really like it, having more patience with my 4 year old is a godsend. But I do sort of generally just "feel" less, if you know what I mean, and that is kind of concerning...that would probably be the only reason i'd go off it at this point.
take care,
Liz
Posted by Alf on March 4, 2004, at 20:05:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by effexed on February 28, 2004, at 20:29:49
> 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 TXYour question is a difficult one to answer. I assume your taking Effexor for some personal reason. The improved mood you experience while taking Antidepressants will not stay with you once you stop. The Effexor can insulate you from your anxiety and improve your mood. But as to the why of this, I can only say that no Antidepressant is a substiute for therapy. You will know you are better when you can emotionally overcome whatever "life issues" are confronting you. Hopefully, this issue you are dealing with is short lived. For some of us, like myself, depression is genetic. "It's A Family Tradition." Hank Williams
One problem with Effexor is that it may make you emotionally numb. For some people in the throws of depression that's not a bad place to be in but it's not a place where you would want to stay forever. Wellbutrin tends to alleviate some but not all of the negative effects of Effexor when the two are taken together. I know from personal experience.
Depression is a medical condition. There are no easy answers for most of us.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on March 4, 2004, at 21:30:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? (Doc), posted by Lizzy7711 on March 4, 2004, at 18:22:55
Serotonin affects mood, appetite, sleep. Norepinephrine (noradrenalin) also impacts mood, energy,concentration. Dopamine affects concentration, motivation, etc. also that and noepinephrine are more stimulatory as opposed to serotonin. The higher the dose, the more of an effect on all 3 transmitters.
> Doctor Feel Good,
> Can you explain what serotonin, norephephine, and dopamine exactly DO? My doctor told me when I started Effexor XR that it wouldn't start affecting norep...(however you spell it!) until I was up to I think she said 150 mg. She had me take 1 week 37.5, then 1 week 75, then 150 and that what I've been on for the past month or so. I like it. She tried to up it to 300 because I told her that although my anxiety and irritability was WAY down (still is!), I still felt depressed. But I couldn't handle the 300, I just felt SO tired, so after one week I went back to 150...and I feel really good at this dose overall. I'm wondering what difference going up to 225 would have.
>
> thanks!
> Liz
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