![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 716 to 740 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by collegeguy on April 16, 2004, at 21:37:24
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - Increasing lebido?, posted by TanyaJean on April 16, 2004, at 13:53:18
I was on low dose (37.5 mg) of Effexor XR for just under a month when the side effects became too much for me and I decided to discontinue suddenly despite the fact it was helping my anxiety and depression (Effexor turned me into a practical narcoleptic). For about three days after I stopped the side effects were horrendous --dizziness, sleepiness and a general, very powerful flu-like feeling. I treated myself with OTC medications like Benadryl and meclizine (antihistamines) for the dizziness, and Excedrin geltabs for the headaches and fatigue (excederin has a small amount of caffeine in it).
When I saw my new pdoc (I had decided to switch doctors because my original doctor would not budge in her prescription of either an SSRI (or SNRI) medication plus Wellbutrin (if there were fatigue or sexual side effects) despite these drugs endlessly causing adverse effects in me), he put me on 5 days of Prozac (10 mg once a day). Prozac can be useful in treating withdrawal from other antidepressants like Effexor (which is extremely short acting) because it will temporarily (for the days following withdrawal) keep your serotonin levels high enough to prevent most of the cholinergic rebound that occurs once you stop the med and then taper out of your system very slowly on its own once you cease the short course. How exactly the prozac is used of course is something that needs to be decided by your pdoc based on your effexor dose and length of time on it, but I know for me it almost completely eliminated the withdrawal symptoms (some dizziness lingered for about a week though).
Good luck!
Posted by Aldus Huxley on April 21, 2004, at 18:57:35
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by collegeguy on April 16, 2004, at 21:37:24
I started taking Effexor XR (150mg) in June of 2001 when I was diagnosed with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and ADD. My pdoc also prescribed Wellbutrin for the ADD and also for purposes of counteracting the sexual side effects I was experiencing with Effexor (really weird orgasms). I didn't particularly enjoy the Wellbutrin, so after a series of other dopamine increasing drugs, I ended up with Adderall XR (now at 30mg) which I feel has helped immensely.
So, although I never had a real problem with Effexor, by December, 2003, I felt its efficacy was questionable and thought if I could get off any med it would be a plus. So I decided to go off of the Effexor. However, I was apprehensive about asking my pdoc to stop taking it since she was prescribing the Adderall (and also Xanax and/or Valium) and I didn't want her to think I was skipping the SSRI just to take the potentially "fun" meds. She trusts me and I am really not abusing the Adderall (ok, admittedly, I OCCASIONALLY will chew one before going out on a Friday night, but that's about it, as I would rather utilize them for my work day). In other words, I was just concerned she would stop prescribing the Adderall.
So, to do this on my own, I basically started dividing my Effexor XR 150mg capsules into two doses by opening the capsule and splitting the beads. I did this for about two weeks, then began dividing the 150mg into 3 doses, taking one of these thirds each day. Finally, I was down to dividing it by 4 (approximately 37.5mg now). After about two weeks of this, I would take a 37.5mg dose (approximated obviously) every other day. After around 1 week of this, I just stopped. I suffered the "brain shocks" somewhat, but understandably, nothing like those I would experience if I missed a 150mg dose two days in a row. I also suffered a little depression and some spontaneous crying or exaggerated emotions (i.e. for no real reason I remember starting to cry in the middle of the movie "Daylight" with Sylverter Stallone--perhaps I was just happy those people were getting out of the tunnel safely!).
Also, during this whole withdrawal process, I took 5HTP (and a lot more magnesium and inositol) hoping this would ameliorate any withdrawal effects (can't say for sure if these other compounds helped, but it definitely helped psychologically--in that I thought I was benefitting my brain with the mag and inositol, and boosting serotonin a bit with the 5HTP).
These mild withdrawal effects lasted maybe 2 weeks and then I was fine. For about 2-3 months afterwards however, I would get the familiar "brain shock" (albeit a mild one) when I was stressed over something, but now, I don't notice any withdrawal effects at all.
So, if you want off of Effexor, just do what your pdoc would do anyway--titrate down. It was painless (for me anyway) until I stopped completely, and as stated, the withdrawal affects then were rather mild. Even if you are on 75mg or 37.5 mg currently, just follow the above recipe (or, better yet, act in concert with your pdoc and get the approriate prescription strengths).
For me, Adderall XR was the ticket to productivity, focus, and mood enhancement/anti-depression. I don't want to be on it forever, but until some of the more significant professional and personal problems in my life subside, I am content with taking it.
Posted by roomy on April 22, 2004, at 5:46:16
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Aldus Huxley on April 21, 2004, at 18:57:35
I have been effexor-free for three and a half months and have been doing quite well for about a month. Until yesterday that is. I have been around some depressing people and situations and have had to make an effort to not become emotional or depressed. I was doing quite well and then it all came flooding out yesterday when I was all alone and it SHOULD have been a good day. But, I suppose most people have a day or two like that so digress. Anyway....back to the reason I am posting today...VALIUM????!!! No freakin wonder you didd't suffer any withdrawl!!!
Congrats for being off effexor anyway, and Happy day for you today!!
-Roomy
Posted by Aldus Huxley on April 22, 2004, at 18:13:37
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Aldus Huxley, posted by roomy on April 22, 2004, at 5:46:16
> I have been effexor-free for three and a half months and have been doing quite well for about a month. Until yesterday that is. I have been around some depressing people and situations and have had to make an effort to not become emotional or depressed. I was doing quite well and then it all came flooding out yesterday when I was all alone and it SHOULD have been a good day. But, I suppose most people have a day or two like that so digress. Anyway....back to the reason I am posting today...VALIUM????!!! No freakin wonder you didd't suffer any withdrawl!!!
> Congrats for being off effexor anyway, and Happy day for you today!!
> -RoomyWell, the Valium wasn't really being proffered at that point (I was being prescribed it for a stressful time in the middle of 2003 and had maybe 3 10mg tabs in December), nor did I want to ask and perhaps inadvertantly disclose my little project...but still, Xanax was very helpful. Is Valium that desireable? I thought Xanax was more preferable than Valium for the pleasant calm/soporific effects--especially because Xanax is short acting (i.e. no hangover).
Posted by roomy on April 23, 2004, at 7:05:07
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » roomy, posted by Aldus Huxley on April 22, 2004, at 18:13:37
> Well, the Valium wasn't really being proffered at that point (I was being prescribed it for a stressful time in the middle of 2003 and had maybe 3 10mg tabs in December), nor did I want to ask and perhaps inadvertantly disclose my little project...but still, Xanax was very helpful. Is Valium that desireable? I thought Xanax was more preferable than Valium for the pleasant calm/soporific effects--especially because Xanax is short acting (i.e. no hangover).
To tell you the truth, I had to take valium WAY before I was ever on any antidepressants of any kind. I could never go to a doctor or dentist without passing out cold. It got to be down right stupid so they got together and gave me an Rx for Valium. It was a very small dose and I only took it to premedicate before doctors and dentist appts. It didnt help much which was the start of being put on anti-depressants. Well I still had several refills left of Valium and a few left in the bottle I had. I got rid of the refill slips and flushed the rest of the bottle. Today I find out that there are some dudes I work with that would have paid BIG TIME CASH for those drugs. ??
Kind of a long way to answer your question: Is Valium really that desireable? I never thought so but OBVIOUSLY for some it is. Xanax? hmmm I get all those mixed up. Zyban is for quitting smoking right? and Zantac is for heartburn? I guess I am not familar with Xanax. As long as we are on the topic of drugs other than effexor...let me zing one off ya. When I was on Effexor, it made me sooo soooo tired. Plus I gained weight. so..my doctor put me on Addipex. (sp) It was FANTASTIC! BUT...I could only be on it for three months at a time. It gave me energy and I didnt actually LOSE weight but whenever I went off it, I GAINED weight. Now that my doctor has lost her liscense and I have a new doctor, I am off all medication but he wont put me back on addipex. Even three month would prolly get me back to the weight I need to be. MAN have I been rambling! sorry folks! the sun is shining and I am gonna go out and play! Have a good one!
-Roomy
Posted by 4hope on April 23, 2004, at 16:13:04
In reply to Effexor XR Story and my opinion 25 F mother of 1, posted by Sinaminika on March 23, 2004, at 10:57:49
Its been 96 hours (4 days) being off of Effexor XR. I took 75mg for almost 5 months. I dropped down to 35 for two weeks and then went off of it completely. The first three days were HELL!! I had the brain zaps and wanted to kill myself. Today is much better. I still have them but everytime I get them I just say, "THank YOU JESUS" because He really saved me. I was trying to get pregnant while on this and my stupid doc told me it was fine. I can't imgagine what this drug would have done to my child.
I have been excercising for three months and during withdrawls I cried all the way there and back but I forced myself to do it. I went to acupuncture 3 days, had a de-tox massage, and have been taking herbs and vitamins to stregthen myself.
I am hoping in a few days the brain zaps will be gone completly and I can get back to my old self.
It's been a rough journey but I am glad me and Effexor are parting ways and WILL NEVER be friends again!!!
Hope
Posted by triedalldrugs on April 23, 2004, at 17:30:43
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Story and my opinion 25 F mother of 1, posted by 4hope on April 23, 2004, at 16:13:04
Hope, hang in there, you will make it. And it's worth it in the end when you're completely free of it. I am at the end of week 4 after quitting cold turkey and the herbal supplements help immensely. Almost no effects as of today, just slight dizziness but nothing like before. You can do it!
Posted by Raggy on April 24, 2004, at 10:36:18
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by fastblackZZR on March 4, 2004, at 12:50:06
On Montel Williams show this week they talked about these antidepressants and they had this doctor on there who wanted feed back on what these antidepressants do to people. All your feelings and if you get more depressed or suicidal or your feelings on any of the top antidepressants. He had 2 people on there that had a lot of trouble with effexor and the other talked about prozac.
If you could take a few minutes to vent your feelings on the good or bad of these antidepressants, it would be good. We all know that the drug companies dont do the right studies and they hide certain facts of these drugs. Here is his address:
http://www.prozacbacklash.com/
Even though it says prozac he wanted feed back on all these drugs.
Thanks, finally someone who wants to get something done about these doctors who are giving these drugs too freely.
Posted by SeeknSolace on April 25, 2004, at 7:02:40
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by annesand on April 15, 2004, at 7:07:54
Hey annesand, I'll give you my experience with prozac. I too had read that prozac is given to aid in the withdrawals of effexor. I got all the info I could on this prior to my last pdoc appointment. She had confirmed what I had read. I told her I want to get off effexor. She gave me the starter blister pack 75mg/37.5mg that they give you when you start, only took it in reverse. I was on 150 mgs for 2 years. After deciding I'm ready to be done with this, I was on the 75 mgs for one week.. it went well.. I thought maybe I can go cold turkey. I did for four days.. I dont have to remind you all what hell that is.
I decided to go on the 37.5 because I couldnt take the sickness of not having it. The evil little pill made me feel back to my sense of normality.
I called the pdoc the next day, told her I didnt do well coming off the effexor.. was bed ridden, couldnt go to work for 2 days. I didnt tell her I tried cold turkey.. she has been a b**** to me several times, very unprof, but thats besides the point.. had to lie to get the prozac, because I knew the 37.5 was about to run out.
She prescribed me ten pills only of 10 mgs of prozac. I took my first prozac the same day I took my last dose of 37.5. The second day on the prozac, I was a little sick, just a bit unbearable. I broke open an effexor and took about a third of its contents, then about 36 hours later, did it again.. after that, I refused to take any more and stayed on only the prozac. I knew I had to be strong to get free from the effexor.
There was evidence of the transitions, some sense of having an adrenaline rush but also feelings of what the reasons why I got on effexor to begin with. After a couple days, there was a sense of some balance.
I was not at all sick while taking the prozac. Still had the brain zaps and sense of euphoria and depression.. I'm bipolar anyways. But it was mild in comparison to other things I've felt before and preferential over the effexor withdrawals without the prozac.
Two days ago I took the last one. Yesterday was quite difficult. I'm prone to anxiety attacks.. the effexor suppressed these, I was in a bad state while out shopping, but kept on telling myself it will pass.. to keep moving/living.
I hope the anxiety is only symptomatic of the withdrawals, but as I said, had the attacks frequently prior to effexor.. just dont want to go back to pre-effexor days.
But to answer your quetion, yes prozac did help, still have the brain zaps, but its tolerable.. it all takes time...
I dont think more then 10 days worth of prozac: 10mgs each, is necessary, so be informed before going to your doc.
> I haven't tried this, but lots of others here have. They say that temporarily taking Prozac smooths out the withdrawal symptoms because the half life is a lot longer. Can somebody else fill in the details??
Posted by Raggy on April 25, 2004, at 7:36:02
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » annesand, posted by SeeknSolace on April 25, 2004, at 7:02:40
> Hey annesand, I'll give you my experience with prozac. I too had read that prozac is given to aid in the withdrawals of effexor. I got all the info I could on this prior to my last pdoc appointment. She had confirmed what I had read. I told her I want to get off effexor. She gave me the starter blister pack 75mg/37.5mg that they give you when you start, only took it in reverse. I was on 150 mgs for 2 years. After deciding I'm ready to be done with this, I was on the 75 mgs for one week.. it went well.. I thought maybe I can go cold turkey. I did for four days.. I dont have to remind you all what hell that is.
>
> I decided to go on the 37.5 because I couldnt take the sickness of not having it. The evil little pill made me feel back to my sense of normality.
>
> I called the pdoc the next day, told her I didnt do well coming off the effexor.. was bed ridden, couldnt go to work for 2 days. I didnt tell her I tried cold turkey.. she has been a b**** to me several times, very unprof, but thats besides the point.. had to lie to get the prozac, because I knew the 37.5 was about to run out.
>
> She prescribed me ten pills only of 10 mgs of prozac. I took my first prozac the same day I took my last dose of 37.5. The second day on the prozac, I was a little sick, just a bit unbearable. I broke open an effexor and took about a third of its contents, then about 36 hours later, did it again.. after that, I refused to take any more and stayed on only the prozac. I knew I had to be strong to get free from the effexor.
>
> There was evidence of the transitions, some sense of having an adrenaline rush but also feelings of what the reasons why I got on effexor to begin with. After a couple days, there was a sense of some balance.
>
> I was not at all sick while taking the prozac. Still had the brain zaps and sense of euphoria and depression.. I'm bipolar anyways. But it was mild in comparison to other things I've felt before and preferential over the effexor withdrawals without the prozac.
>
> Two days ago I took the last one. Yesterday was quite difficult. I'm prone to anxiety attacks.. the effexor suppressed these, I was in a bad state while out shopping, but kept on telling myself it will pass.. to keep moving/living.
>
> I hope the anxiety is only symptomatic of the withdrawals, but as I said, had the attacks frequently prior to effexor.. just dont want to go back to pre-effexor days.
>
> But to answer your quetion, yes prozac did help, still have the brain zaps, but its tolerable.. it all takes time...
>
> I dont think more then 10 days worth of prozac: 10mgs each, is necessary, so be informed before going to your doc.
>
> > I haven't tried this, but lots of others here have. They say that temporarily taking Prozac smooths out the withdrawal symptoms because the half life is a lot longer. Can somebody else fill in the details??
>
>This is the kind of info this doctor wants, he wants to know how you feel on the drug and how you feel when you get off it. We could be doing a lot of people a great thing by visiting his website and telling him. If we can help one person and their families from this hell, it is well worth it. His website is.www.prozacbacklash.com
Posted by Slinky on April 26, 2004, at 4:01:24
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on April 25, 2004, at 7:36:02
Hi everyone..
Over 2 months ? off effexor and the electric shock tingling is driving me crazy...no sensations in my head or eyes though...just my left side of body.
My leg muscle twitches constantly..
The sensation can only be described as when you knock the elbow very hard.
The good side is I'm sleeping deeper so I have more energy...but I'm more agitated and irritable but not so suicidal now and grim.There's no point in telling my doc about the weird sensations...thinking of seeing an osteopath.
Posted by SeeknSolace on April 26, 2004, at 5:34:52
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Slinky on April 26, 2004, at 4:01:24
I still have the electric, zaps, tingling sensation too but its only been a few days off. I am getting all the symptoms of anxiety disorder, but had it before.. the sense of things being surreal, feeling like I'm gonna hyperventilate, tough being is social situations.. it was hard just going to the laundry mat yesterday.
I read somewhere on the net.. maybe here, that someone's doc said we get those zap feelings because the brain is searching for.. and trying to produce seretonin. Makes sense I suppose..
I'd take that over what I'm feeling now.. the anxiety is constant: back hurts, cramps, headaches, tension around the neck and throat, clenched teeth, dry mouth, racing heart, burning sensation in my arms, tight chest.. it all is overwhelming and makes the mind spin out of control into a surreal sense of existance.. uneasy one at that.
Anyone else experience this, or are bipolar and living life after effexor.. your shared thoughts and experiences would be appreciated
> Hi everyone..
> Over 2 months ? off effexor and the electric shock tingling is driving me crazy...no sensations in my head or eyes though...just my left side of body.
> My leg muscle twitches constantly..
> The sensation can only be described as when you knock the elbow very hard.
> The good side is I'm sleeping deeper so I have more energy...but I'm more agitated and irritable but not so suicidal now and grim.
>
> There's no point in telling my doc about the weird sensations...thinking of seeing an osteopath.
>
>
>
Posted by annesand on April 26, 2004, at 7:11:39
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » annesand, posted by SeeknSolace on April 25, 2004, at 7:02:40
Thanks, SeeknSolace. I came in to work feeling so sick and tired of all of this. It really helped to read your message.
Posted by KimberlyDi on April 26, 2004, at 12:44:53
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Story and my opinion 25 F mother of 1, posted by 4hope on April 23, 2004, at 16:13:04
> I am hoping in a few days the brain zaps will be gone completly and I can get back to my old self.
>
> It's been a rough journey but I am glad me and Effexor are parting ways and WILL NEVER be friends again!!!
>
> HopeBrain zaps take longer than a few days. But they won't disable you so much that you can't go on with your life. They finally fade away so much that you don't feel the desire to post your misery and confusion on this helpful web site. Thank you Dr. Bob for giving me this website to make it through my initial side effects, temporary success and withdrawals from Effexor. Darn my high bloodpressure because Effexor sure did me alot of good. Now that I'm off of it, I'm not sure I would always want the possibility of a missed dosage hanging over my head.
Good Luck!
KDi in TX
Posted by maxziggy2002 on April 28, 2004, at 20:38:42
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
To everyone out there who is suffering or has suffered from Effexor related hell: This drug and others like it will never be taken off the market until the mainstream media takes up the cause. So many of us are suffering in shame and silence. I believe that if enough people write to Oprah and suggest this as an idea for her show, they will make one. We need the media if we want this suffering to end, if we want our suffering to mean something, if we want the drug companies to stop peddling this crack! Contact Oprah and ask your friends and families to do so as well. Together, we can stop this monster!
Posted by Raggy on April 28, 2004, at 20:51:42
In reply to TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR, posted by maxziggy2002 on April 28, 2004, at 20:38:42
> To everyone out there who is suffering or has suffered from Effexor related hell: This drug and others like it will never be taken off the market until the mainstream media takes up the cause. So many of us are suffering in shame and silence. I believe that if enough people write to Oprah and suggest this as an idea for her show, they will make one. We need the media if we want this suffering to end, if we want our suffering to mean something, if we want the drug companies to stop peddling this crack! Contact Oprah and ask your friends and families to do so as well. Together, we can stop this monster!
They did have people talking about it on Montel Williams last week, and I posted an address where you can write the doctor that was on the show, do hope everyone does write him and tell him all these terrible things this drug does. The address is http://www.prozacbacklash.com/ , he wants to know about all these drugs, effexor, prozac, paxil, zoloft, etc.
Posted by seeknsolace on April 28, 2004, at 20:54:01
In reply to TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR, posted by maxziggy2002 on April 28, 2004, at 20:38:42
Yes effexor is a horrible drug to be on and to come off as so many others are as well, tho I dont know about others first hand. I'm still having the zaps.. been two weeks no effexor (I think) and one week no prozac. I feel like sh*t most of the time, could be a variable of things, including but not limited to effects of the withdrawls. I can say I will never go on effexor again, but I cant say I regret starting it. I was near suicide.. so depressed I managed to go to work every day and rest of the time was spent in bed, thinking about only dying.. how I could, when I will go thru it.... I cried constantly day and night.. simply put I was not able to enjoy any essence of life. I wouldnt have had to piece together some essence of life, if I never had the effexor to start with.. who knows, without it I might not be here now, being able to write this...
I was not informed of effexor going on it, maybe I would have refused it if I had known what I now know.. I'm not sure, but then maybe I was too desperate to care what the reprocussions are.
So, what I'm getting at.. maybe some people need effexor or whatever.. as I did and in truth, still do, but I'm off it, trying to make something better out of life, life now is worse without effexor.. thinking of taking up yoga/meditation, life is getting really hard as the days pass, so effexor might be the better (or only) alternative for those severely depressed.. when your essence of life is gone, we begin compromising things, if effexor gives people quality of life, even for a short time, its better then a life long struggle with deep dark depression where there is no release.
It would be better for people to be informed about this drug thoroughly, rather then removing any hopes of embracing life.
> To everyone out there who is suffering or has suffered from Effexor related hell: This drug and others like it will never be taken off the market until the mainstream media takes up the cause. So many of us are suffering in shame and silence. I believe that if enough people write to Oprah and suggest this as an idea for her show, they will make one. We need the media if we want this suffering to end, if we want our suffering to mean something, if we want the drug companies to stop peddling this crack! Contact Oprah and ask your friends and families to do so as well. Together, we can stop this monster!
Posted by TanyaJean on April 28, 2004, at 23:27:02
In reply to TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR, posted by maxziggy2002 on April 28, 2004, at 20:38:42
> To everyone out there who is suffering or has suffered from Effexor related hell: This drug and others like it will never be taken off the market until the mainstream media takes up the cause. So many of us are suffering in shame and silence. I believe that if enough people write to Oprah and suggest this as an idea for her show, they will make one. We need the media if we want this suffering to end, if we want our suffering to mean something, if we want the drug companies to stop peddling this crack! Contact Oprah and ask your friends and families to do so as well. Together, we can stop this monster!
*That's a great idea and I did email the Oprah show. I tell everyone I know how EFFEXOR has impacted me.
Posted by Bill LL on April 29, 2004, at 9:09:12
In reply to TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR, posted by maxziggy2002 on April 28, 2004, at 20:38:42
Many people are greatly helped by Effexor. This drug has immensely improved the quality of life for a large number of people. It has taken suicidal miserable people and turned them into happy productive people.
It's a shame that in some cases it causes side effects . Hopefully, scientists will eventually come up with antidepressanats that have less side effects.
Posted by PoohBear on April 29, 2004, at 10:28:05
In reply to TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR, posted by maxziggy2002 on April 28, 2004, at 20:38:42
> To everyone out there who is suffering or has suffered from Effexor related hell: This drug and others like it will never be taken off the market until the mainstream media takes up the cause. So many of us are suffering in shame and silence. I believe that if enough people write to Oprah and suggest this as an idea for her show, they will make one. We need the media if we want this suffering to end, if we want our suffering to mean something, if we want the drug companies to stop peddling this crack! Contact Oprah and ask your friends and families to do so as well. Together, we can stop this monster!
Effexor is NOT a monster... This kind of post is unbelieveably irresponsible.Many, MANY people are being helped by Effexor. Many might be dead without it, where other drugs have failed.
The posters here are a very small minority of the vast number who are being helped by this drug.
Tony
Posted by Camille Dumont on April 29, 2004, at 13:08:42
In reply to Re: TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR » maxziggy2002, posted by PoohBear on April 29, 2004, at 10:28:05
If this were to push for better information, I would jump in but trashing a medication because it doesn't work for you or some people have bad side effects is like saying that the forecast guy on tv is always wrong ... which is not true but you tend to remember teh times that he is wrong more than the 97% of the time when he is right.
Effexor needs more info on quitting side effects but its still a good medication ... its just not for everybody.
Without it, I would probably be 6 feet under right now.
Posted by psychosage on April 29, 2004, at 14:44:26
In reply to Re: TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR, posted by Camille Dumont on April 29, 2004, at 13:08:42
I think if you want to get Oprah to take up the cause and to have a show about antidepressants than you have to take into consideration that the manufacturer of Effexor advertises the med in O magazine.
What does this mean? I am not sure.
The heart of the matter lies in the drug claims and indications. Drug marketing needs to be overhauled. Since drugs have been advertised on TV there has been an upsurge in pharmaceuticals.
Drugs aren't medical treatments anymore. When I say I take wellbutrin Xl I am probably making more of a social statement about my emotional problems and my culturally recognized solution than the actual efficacy of that solution. It's like telling someone you are on antidepressants says more about your diagnosis than the fact anything good is happening from them.
I think there should be a new name for them, like flat out just call them mood chemicals. The name for them should be as vague as their mechanism of action because that is what they really mean.
The fact Zoloft is a more potent dopamine reuptake inhibitor than Wellbutrin tells me a lot about how the drug companies want us to believe the story about Zoloft more than the reality.
I think one main problem is when to stop taking the drugs. One can never tell if an AD should be maintained for preventative measures. I don't think all drugs are appropriate for maintenance therapy. Our brains adapt and change, so even at the same dosage a drug that initially was theraputic and life-saving even can start to cause negative effects.
Is there a single class of psych drug that is never taken for maintenance?
I think SSRIs are generally anesthetics. They blunt your emotions so you don't kill yourself after the initial improvement and feelings of well-being that have nothing to do with improvements in life circumstances. Even if they do make you feel better eventually the blunted effect will take over. Most of us have experienced it, right?
I don't have qualms about the chemicals themselves. I have issues with how they are marketed, prescribed and how I've been socially conditioned to believe they are really "antidepressants".
This is something that will take time to untangle because it will take collective experience over time to really figure out how we have to socially perceive the chemicals and how doctors and scientists figure out how to use them and generate claims about them that are more responsible.
i myself vacillate on whether or not antipsychotics are really worth the side effects to treat bipolar or if SSRIs are tolerable in low doses or for a short-term course. I feel Risperdal really helped save my life during a one-week self-admitted stay in a hospital psych ward, and Zoloft lifted me from the depths of my first major depressive episode at 19 years old. However, a subsequent 5-month course with Zyprexa ruined my life physically, emotionally and spiritually. After the initial month on my first AD ever, Zoloft, I was rather indifferent, hypomanic and compulsive. I think if I stayed on 50 mg for about two months and got off I would have been fine instead of being pumped up with 150mg a day.
Zyprexa helped me gain 35 pounds, and I developed neck and posture troubles that sent me into my first ever experience with physical rehabilitation for an entire summer at a center where the patients were 50 years older than I am. i wish I stayed on a minimal 2.5mg instead of the 10mg even though none of it changed a single symptom I had. Even though I was sedated physically, my mental anxiety became even worse since I was so concerned about my daily functioning.
Naturally, I am in the midst of attempting another antidepressant change.
Posted by annesand on April 29, 2004, at 15:03:25
In reply to Re: TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR, posted by Camille Dumont on April 29, 2004, at 13:08:42
Effexor probably saved my life six years ago too. But nobody told me about the long-term side effects, or how very difficult it would be to go off. Why did I only learn about this after the fact, from friends and from anecdotes on the Internet??!! I just think prescribers should give us the whole picture from the get-go so we can make educated choices.
Posted by noa on April 29, 2004, at 20:17:55
In reply to TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR, posted by maxziggy2002 on April 28, 2004, at 20:38:42
After a struggle to find an AD that would treat my refractory depression, Effexor came along and it worked. It is not perfect, and certainly isn't for everyone and the withdrawal problems need to be taken into account, but I certainly wouldn't advocate for it being taken off the market.
Posted by noa on April 29, 2004, at 20:35:02
In reply to Re: TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR » maxziggy2002, posted by PoohBear on April 29, 2004, at 10:28:05
Pooh Bear's point is well taken:
>The posters here are a very small minority of the vast number who are being helped by this drug.
I usually skip these threads. I have been stable on Effexor for a long time now. Not without some SE issues, so I know it's not perfect. But it is working for me, and because I don't have pressing issues or concerns about it, I don't post about Effexor except rarely, like now.
So, I would say that it is probable that these negative threads about Effexor, though perfectly valid and representing the true experiences of these posters, are not representative of all Effexor users. We don't know the numbers--those who have serious problems with it vs. those who don't. But my sense is that one has to be careful generalizing from these threads because there is intrinsically more reason for people having problems with the med to post about it.
It is a serious med with potentially serious SEs, yes. And has serious WD issues (I've experienced them myself) that I believe should be stated up front; and over time, as these become more evident, I hope the prescribing MDs are being more upfront about it. I don't see it as a "first line" strategy for most people, as I believe there are other options that are less complicated.
But it is not, as Pooh said, "a monster".
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