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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Zarry on April 21, 2004, at 9:00:47
In reply to Prozac, posted by Angela Young on April 20, 2004, at 23:13:16
Angela, there's gotta be something different than Effexor to go on. I agree with you about Prozac that it's really not a good one to be on long term. Funny thing is, that's what my sister is on and she's got multiple personalities, so she says or the docs say. Personally, I don't thing GPs really study up on ADs and they give out like candy the things that drug companies pust to them.
Posted by BR549 on April 21, 2004, at 11:19:25
In reply to Re: How long for these withdrawals to end??, posted by Zarry on April 10, 2004, at 8:20:34
18 days now and counting since my last day of Effexor XR. Rage still rears it's ugly head and remains an evil beast to control as my poor wife can attest. She's "coping" with ADs too but I gotta take care of me first, then her. Maybe.. The sensation to sob now and then doesn't bother me so much. It feels good to well up and breath a little deeper and easier. My blood pressure is too high and needs to be addressed. My geographical tongue, which showed up about the same time I went on Prozac about 7 years ago, has gone wild but the MD's told me it's nothing to worry about. A twitch or tic in my left eye-lid bugs me when I least expect it. The zip-zap noises in my mind at night are almost gone along with the nausea. Headaches come and go but could be seasonal allergy related.
I think I learned a good lesson after my one-day psych class at community college earlier this month, DO NOT allow a family MD to prescribe meds for the brain. See a pyschologist 1st, preferrably with a PhD and plenty of education, who can analyze, diagnose, and refer me if necessary to a pyschiatrist for prescribing brain illness meds. Another item helping me now is light therapy. I acquired a lamp, a happy light I call it, and read the news under it every morning. It's helping me feel better and prodded me back (a little bit anyway) into taking action to work off some of my beer gut.
Thanks for the note of encouragement Zarry. This chat room, or whatever the proper term may be, is a Godsend. It's a whole lot cheaper and faster than group therapy. John
Posted by Zarry on April 21, 2004, at 11:42:06
In reply to Re: My 150 Mg Withdrawal Update, posted by BR549 on April 21, 2004, at 11:19:25
BR - Your blood pressure should be going down by now - are you on any lowering meds? Mine has gone down after 2 1/2 wks off Effexor, but still needs monitoring, it's not where it should be yet.
I do like your idea of not letting anyone but a "mind" doctor precribe "mind" meds.
I have found I have the ability to talk to my husband when he says things to me that bother me. He seems to have started to want to pick fights lately with me and I've weathered them successfully.
Hang in there.
Posted by Emma Smith on April 21, 2004, at 13:30:27
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by newgirl on April 21, 2004, at 9:00:42
I, too gained weight with effexor. I have been off now for almost 3 weeks, I think. Funny how I can block out the "effexor time" :) I think you are on the right track with the weight loss. I really haven't changed anything in my strategy, since I have always watched what I ate and exercised (running, kick boxing/aerobic classes, and walking with my children), but my weight is dropping off at a good rate. (1-2 lbs a week) That is the healthiest way and most permanent way anyway.
You said you gained the weight over a year and a half, you can't expect it to fall off. But it sounds like you are on the right track! :) Keep plugging along! Best of luck to you and all the others left with the "weight issue."
Posted by TJB on April 21, 2004, at 15:58:03
In reply to Re: Prozac, posted by Zarry on April 21, 2004, at 9:00:47
Please don't give Prozac a bad wrap. It has been the only thing that has worked for me. Zoloft was actually one that put me on the verge of suicide. All the while I was being told by my GP that it doesn't have those type of side effects. Thank God it was so obvious to me what was causing those feelings and I stopped it on my own. I think all SSRI's have the potential to make a person worse. The most important thing is to be working with a doctor who listens and keeps a close eye on their patients. Unfortunetly that can be very rare. I know that with Prozac it helps tremendously as long as I keep it at a fairly low dose (which by the way is much less than the standard dose). Any higher and I get much worse. Maybe alot of people are being overmedicated as well as undermonitored.
Just my 2 cents.
Posted by Angela Young on April 21, 2004, at 23:27:17
In reply to Re: Prozac, posted by Zarry on April 21, 2004, at 9:00:47
I am not saying that Prozac is the worst thing in the world. I have nothing against prozac unless it is wrong for you. I think that if it balances chemicals the way it should then it should not affect you badley. I prefer Effexor, but that does not mean that is the only medication that works for people. Please don't think that I am totally downing on Prozac. I just think that people should know what the possibilities are on certain medications. Sorry if I offended anyone.
Posted by calico cat on April 22, 2004, at 6:31:33
In reply to Newgirl, posted by Emma Smith on April 21, 2004, at 13:30:27
I went to the doctor yesterday, and I am on my last phase of effexor withdrawal - hopefully. I am now on 37.5mg which I take at supper with 100 mg. of wellbutrin - also new. The doctor says it isn't the effexor my body wanted, just the chemicals in the effexor. But, if this were true, wouldn't everyone have similar withdrawal.
I told the doctor that I have never been so depressed in my life. I could feel this way for free and without medication.
Anyway, I am feeling somewhat hopeful. Also, I think that when you go on effexor, the doctor should tell you how very difficult it may be to get off. I never intended to stay on these medications for the rest of my life so I am thinking of asking for a referral to a psychiatrist, especially after my terrible experience the first time weaning off the effexor.
Thanks again to all of you who offered support and advice. I find that saying good-bye to effexor is very painful and solitary so I am glad to have all of you who understand.
Posted by Beta on April 22, 2004, at 6:47:14
In reply to Re: Newgirl - getting off effexor, posted by calico cat on April 22, 2004, at 6:31:33
Has anyone lost weight on Effexor XR? In the month and a half that I have been on it , at 150mg. now, I have gained about 5lbs.
I believe I read that a small percentage of people that are underweight when they begin taking it lose weight when on Effexor. Does anyone have any insight regarding this?
Thanks
~Beth
Posted by TJB on April 22, 2004, at 8:19:36
In reply to Re: Prozac, posted by Angela Young on April 21, 2004, at 23:27:17
No offense taken here. Its just that with all the scary warnings that have come out recently it concerns me that there may be people who end up not getting help for fear that they could become worse. It is definetly a matter of personal experience. Prozac is for me but it put another family member of mine over the edge. Sometimes I think the meds get the bad rap when it really should be the people who are doing the prescribing. I guess I'm kind of ranting because its been hard enough to deal with the stigma of having to take these medications. Just when it seemed that it was becoming more acceptable the new warnings came out and people starting saying, "You better stop taking that stuff" etc. etc. That is definetly not an option for me.
Posted by Shyla on April 22, 2004, at 8:59:52
In reply to Anyone lose weight on Effexor?, posted by Beta on April 22, 2004, at 6:51:59
I have maintained my weight while on Effexor for the past several months. Being conscious of what I eat, how much I eat, and moderate exercize has helped me stay at my desired weight. In fact, after looking back a year in my journal, I happily discovered that I lost 13 pounds. But that was before Effexor. So don't be discouraged. Just be mindful. S
Posted by PoohBear on April 22, 2004, at 12:18:29
In reply to Anyone lose weight on Effexor?, posted by Beta on April 22, 2004, at 6:47:14
Beth:
I have gained quite a bit in the last four months. I was doing great on Effexor and just about at my Weight Watchers goal (I'm a guy...), and then had two weeks of Remeron in January. I've gained 15 pounds I can't seem to be able to get off, BUT, I will say that some of it's my own fault, as food just tastes SOOOOOOOOO good now.
I also think I'm (sub)consiously using the AD's as an excuse... I'm on a seafood diet: If I 'see' it, I eat it...
Tony
> Has anyone lost weight on Effexor XR? In the month and a half that I have been on it , at 150mg. now, I have gained about 5lbs.
>
> I believe I read that a small percentage of people that are underweight when they begin taking it lose weight when on Effexor. Does anyone have any insight regarding this?
>
> Thanks
> ~Beth
Posted by Zarry on April 22, 2004, at 13:00:29
In reply to Re: Prozac, posted by TJB on April 21, 2004, at 15:58:03
I'm not giving Prozac a bad name as I wouldn't about any AD - IF it works for you. But there are some precautions. I just watched Montel Williams today and the discussion was about kids on ADs.
He had a guest on the show that wrote a book, "Prozac Backlash" and has a website at www.prozacbacklash.com
It was a very interesting show as it brought about the side effects of ADs prescribed to kids and the docs that aren't knowledgeable about the effects. The docs go by what the pharmaceutical companies tell them.
Here's a quote from the website:
A strong patient advocate, Dr. Glenmullen tesitfied at the FDA hearing that resulted in the recent warning that antidepressants make patients, including children and adolescents, suicidal. The warning covers all ten of the currently popular antidepressants: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Effexor, Celexa, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Luvox, Remeron, and Serzone.
This doesn't say that ADs are bad, but you need to do your research and talk with your doctor - what is his/her experience/knowledge of the drug he's prescribing. It's sad to hear of suicides of ppl that are on ADs when the ultimate goal is to HELP the patient from their depression.
Ok, I'm done babbling now.
Zarry
Good luck and congrats to all that are on this board.
Posted by TJB on April 22, 2004, at 15:33:26
In reply to Re: Prozac, posted by Zarry on April 22, 2004, at 13:00:29
One of my pet peaves about how AD's are prescribed is that it is obvious that alot of doctors take the pharm reps word for everything about them. Actually, its not even just the AD's. This is so scary especially when it comes to children. I just had a similar situation with my son. It wasn't for an AD but they wanted to put him on something for a very minor problem and told me there were no side effects and it was completely safe. It happened to be a relatively new med and the cabinet was stocked with samples. Its so scary. Thank God he didn't have a real problem that he might have needed medication for. My heart goes out to the parents who think they are doing the best for their children only to find out they have been mislead.
Posted by Angela Young on April 22, 2004, at 16:12:36
In reply to Re: Prozac, posted by TJB on April 22, 2004, at 8:19:36
I know what you mean. I agree that the people doing the prescribing should be paying closer attention to the people's emotions.Did you know that now dentists can prescribe AD's? How stupid is that. They are not really qualified to be prescribing these kinds of meds., but who knows... I have a 16 year old sister that is really messed up. She has tried to overdose, cuts herself, and goes on lots of drinking binges, but because my mom is against antideppressants she has my sister to scared to even try taking anything. That really gets me going. Some of us can't live without our AD's. I wish I could but I know I can't. Atleast mot at the moments
Posted by ku4ns on April 22, 2004, at 17:39:38
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by Zarry on April 19, 2004, at 15:51:07
I'm only using the prozac to help with the weaning process and then I plan to stop the prozac. Its been a month now and I have not had any side effects from the stopping of the effexor. This is my second attempt, the first failed because of increased blood pressure, heart rate, migraine and then I took an effexor and all got back to normal. So, I told my doc and he suggested trying the prozac to help get rid of effexor. Best choice, it has worked for me.
John
Posted by Niknak on April 30, 2004, at 12:58:01
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by ku4ns on April 22, 2004, at 17:39:38
> I'm only using the prozac to help with the weaning process and then I plan to stop the prozac. Its been a month now and I have not had any side effects from the stopping of the effexor. This is my second attempt, the first failed because of increased blood pressure, heart rate, migraine and then I took an effexor and all got back to normal. So, I told my doc and he suggested trying the prozac to help get rid of effexor. Best choice, it has worked for me.
> John
Prozac worked for me also. I had none of the horrible side effects that some have described. I would think the docs would tell all effexor users that when they quit don't quit "cold turkey". My doc (GP)didn't tell me this - I learned from this board.
Posted by AngeLMeg on May 1, 2004, at 4:33:40
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, drinking on effexor, sweats » Skorpius60, posted by PoohBear on March 8, 2004, at 9:40:03
> Ya know...
>
> Most pharmacies put a little label on the bottle that says something to the effect of "Avoid Alcohol" when taking Effexor (or any other antidepressant for that matter...) It's just *not* a good idea, nor very smart. I'm glad that all you suffered was the mother of all hang-overs, and not something worse. People die doing stuff like that... The label the pharmacy put on my Wellbutrin prescription said: "Do not use alcohol while taking this medication, may cause DEATH". I'm not making this up.
>
> As for night sweats, these drugs *do* seem to mess up one's body temperature regulation. I woke up the other night, my side of the bed was *SOAKED* with sweat and when I got up to use the bathroom, the sweat was literally *dripping* off me as I stood there taking a leak. VERY weird, and definitely *NOT* something I've ever experienced in my life, short of when I've been sick and had a fever break. I can't attribute it to the Effexor however. It could just as well have bee the Seroquel.
>
> Good luck and please avoid drinking. The risk is just not worth it while on these drugs.
>
> Tony*Actually, Tony...Wellbutrin is one of the safer drugs to drink on. I'm not recommending it, but doctors will choose Wellbutrin specifically for heavy drinkers.*
Posted by Zarry on May 1, 2004, at 8:20:57
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by Niknak on April 30, 2004, at 12:58:01
I agree with you NikNak about the doctors should tell their patients a little bit more info - better yet, they should know a bit more about the drug they are prescribing.
After my experience with my doc telling me I get an A+ for my research of the drug I was taking, I switched docs. His first comment - you shouldn't have gone cold turkey. DUH.
Posted by calico cat on May 1, 2004, at 9:00:12
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by Niknak on April 30, 2004, at 12:58:01
Hello Everyone. I have noticed that since I reduced to 37.5 of effexor and up to 250 on wellbutrin, I have been having terrible night sweats also. My headache is finally gone, and I actually feel somewhat balanced - the first time since I tried to go from 75 effexor to nothing. The process has not been easy, but a good effect - I am not as hot-tempered as before - is a nice change. I have not lost any weight either. I am just going day by day right now. I have another 2 weeks until I start taking the 37.5 effexor every other day. I do hope I can finally get off this drug this time.
Posted by biggurl831 on May 1, 2004, at 9:37:54
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by ku4ns on April 22, 2004, at 17:39:38
I was on Effexor for a little less that a year.....150 mg. Recently, I have made the decision to go off, so my dr. put me at 75 mg and then down to 37.5 for a week. Today is day 3 of being off. Is it normal to feel like I am lightheaded and need to lie down frequently? How long until this is over? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Posted by Zarry on May 1, 2004, at 15:24:37
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by biggurl831 on May 1, 2004, at 9:37:54
Biggurl, yes, what you're feeling is normal. Some people describe it as brain chills, or as I describe it, a sound in the head like a rain stick. I went off Effexor cold turkey, NOT recommended and I've been off it now almost a month and I still get the rain stick feeling but not as prevalent.
Good luck and just know you're not abnormal. You also may experience crying times - that's normal. Try not to put yourself into situations that might upset you and don't pick a fight (argument) with anyone - just walk away if something starts.
Posted by Douglas T. on May 1, 2004, at 17:54:35
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by Zarry on May 1, 2004, at 15:24:37
I have been through the withdraral period (13 weeks of hell)
after 5 years on Effexor. I was in a fog for all of that time.
I am still not myself after almost a year. My site, dougtyler.com
has a lot of information and a way to get involved if you're like me
and want the idiots who make this stuff to pay us all back for what
we've been through. I am NOT selling anything.
Go to Effexor link at the bottom of the page. thanks and be well.
Posted by nephron on May 2, 2004, at 7:05:33
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I saw all the horror stories about Effexor before even starting, and while they scared me, I decided to give it a go- I figured life couldn't get much worse than it was already.
The first couple of days were pretty bad- my mood markedly lifted but I was confused- disoriented, nauseous & spaced out.
After the 3rd day, though, I started getting less confused, and most amazingly- my mood lifted! I felt, while not fantastic, like life was bearable and even worthwhile.
Sure, it's hell to come off. And for some people, the side effects are terrible. But for me, so far at least, it has made my life worth living.
Posted by chemist on May 2, 2004, at 19:10:32
In reply to I've found it fantastic..., posted by nephron on May 2, 2004, at 7:05:33
> I saw all the horror stories about Effexor before even starting, and while they scared me, I decided to give it a go- I figured life couldn't get much worse than it was already.
>
> The first couple of days were pretty bad- my mood markedly lifted but I was confused- disoriented, nauseous & spaced out.
>
> After the 3rd day, though, I started getting less confused, and most amazingly- my mood lifted! I felt, while not fantastic, like life was bearable and even worthwhile.
>
> Sure, it's hell to come off. And for some people, the side effects are terrible. But for me, so far at least, it has made my life worth living.chemist here.....Doug Tyler has the answers to all your problems. even though by his own admission his 5 years of effexor therapy were miserable, and the recent withdrawl severe enough to incapacitate a horse, he still managed to put up a pretty good-looking web site that promotes his musical contributions to a friend's CD and plugs that of his brother. turns out Doug Tyler is planning on releasing his own solo effort soon! effexor side effects do not include: writing web pages with the assistance of mozilla, creating musical works and/or playing an instrument, and gathering a very comprehensive list of what to do if you want to sue a drug company. so to all of you who have had any diminished capacity from taking effexor - in terms of productivity, cognition, and self-promotion - you're all wrong. but don't take my word for it: Doug, you are the man....chemist
Posted by KennyBingo on May 2, 2004, at 23:11:24
In reply to I've found it fantastic..., posted by nephron on May 2, 2004, at 7:05:33
Hey All,
Just another affirmation of Effexor's mixed blessings. I've been on it (75 to 150 mg)steadily for a year and a half and feel none of the fogged desperation and underwater weightiness that I hitherto had experienced most of my life, particularly in the cold, academically-burdened winter months.
That's the good news.
The bad news is that I too have noticed a significant increase in blood pressure--currently 145/100. That's troublesome, but a compromise I'm willing to make in order to live a more empowered and contented existence. To see if I can get the BP managed, my Psy-doc may titrate down my Effexor dosage this summer, while supplementing the balance with Prozac. No cold turkey for me...I know all too well those damnable brain chills and dizzy spells from missed doses. The "rain stick" sensaaaaation is particularly apt. Anyway, enough about me. My question:
Could we possibly have two threads? One for those of us not yet in the weaning-off phase of our journey, and one for those engaged in the long tipsy farewell to the venerable venlafaxine HCL? I read with great interest postings from both camps, but find the discussions referring to Effexor therapy, rather than withdrawal, most relevant.
k
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