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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Sad Panda on July 30, 2004, at 10:21:03
In reply to Been on Effexor XR for 1 year now, posted by eastbay on July 29, 2004, at 22:31:01
> I just wanted to say that I'm very content with my experience thus far with Effexor XR. I had been suffering with chronic depression for 6+ years, compounded by lifelong seasonal depression in the fall/winter. Tried Zoloft and Wellbutrin with limited success. Something was still missing. Effexor XR had whatever it was. I've now been on 150mg daily for a year, and feel about 80-85 % of the way I used to remember feeling before my troubles. I wanted to wait until summer when I would normally be my best before seeking another doseage increase, which I just got today. So, now 225mg day.
>
> As far as side effects, I did experience some, most of which have dissapated over the duration of treatment, but some did take a while to go away.
>
> Severe nightsweats were common.
> It took the digestive system a while to stabilize, but is better now than it has been in years as far as knowing what to expect when its time for things to exit, lol.
> I did/do experience sexual side effects of difficulty in reaching orgasm. No loss of desire, or in gaining erection it was solely in being able to reach orgasm, which is because part of an orgasm involves the flushing and re-uptake of seratonin, which is exactly what we are inhibiting. Viagra was able to eliminate the problem there.
> I do find I sleep an average of 4 hours a night, no matter when I adjust my dosing period to. But I do not wake up feeling like I need sleep. I've found the best time for me to dose is immediately before bed, which assists with me being able to get to sleep right when I lay down, as my dose for the day is pretty much spent by then.
>
> I travel on business and have forgotten to take it with me a couple times, and I would say that the effects of not having it become pretty bad at day three. Nervousness, dizzyness, poor thinking/judgement.
>
> The best way for me to describe what it feels like for me personally, being on Effexor, is like being on top of a lake with a floatation safety device on. It's not impossible for you to get under water, but it takes a lot of focus and work to make it happen.
>
> So, when I want to think deeply, I can get there just fine, but, I'm not going to be staying down there if I start. You "head back to surface" when you are done.
>
> I personally would recommend it to anyone who is unhappy with their other treatments as treating two separate neurotransmitters seems to have made a big difference for me.
>
>Effexor works for me too. I am pleased that it hasn't altered my feelings or cognitive ability at all. I have the same side effects, but I found that Remeron is great to combine with it as it eliminates the side effects.(Insomnia, Nausea, Anorgasmia & probably night sweats too.)
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Rockson on July 31, 2004, at 14:41:23
In reply to Re: Effexor and Alcoholism, posted by cirrus6000 on July 28, 2004, at 23:24:56
Hi, I'm not sure if this will appear on the board. I've replied to a couple of the messages, and I'm not sure why they haven't appeared on the board... hmmm... Thanks for your comments, James. I live in Canada, but it's kind of you to make the offer. I'm thinking that I need to find a new approach - perhaps AA might be helpful. Btw, are you using any pharma therapy with your recovery?
> Hi my name is James and I am a recovering alcoholic/addict.If you are an alcoholic or an addict(like myself) then you should try Alcoholics Anonymous. Only you can tell if you need help but I would go to a meeting and see what it is all about. btw where are you from if you are anywhere near forest park illinois i will take you to a meeting myself
Posted by lorily on July 31, 2004, at 19:11:47
In reply to Re: Effexor and Alcoholism, posted by Rockson on July 31, 2004, at 14:41:23
Cirrus, Are you confirming your post?
Good Luck
Posted by lorily on July 31, 2004, at 19:24:19
In reply to Re: pretty scared of venlafaxine!, posted by carriejane on July 28, 2004, at 11:01:39
Yes, I'm in the US, and yes I was on effexor and depakote and trazadone when I used the viagra.
Posted by cirrus6000 on July 31, 2004, at 23:25:56
In reply to Re: Effexor and Alcoholism » Rockson, posted by lorily on July 31, 2004, at 19:11:47
> Cirrus, Are you confirming your post?
> Good LuckPlease explain what you mean by "confirming my post?"
Thanks
Posted by pablo1 on July 31, 2004, at 23:51:32
In reply to Re: Effexor and Alcoholism, posted by cirrus6000 on July 31, 2004, at 23:25:56
This board is a bit odd that you post, then it simply shows a preview and you have to hit the submit button again (or edit further).
Also, I found myself checking the boxes to notify by email, etc. & the last one is to just post the title & erase the message. Be careful not to check that last one.
>> Cirrus, Are you confirming your post?
>> Good Luck>Please explain what you mean by "confirming my >post?"
Posted by chaoz on August 2, 2004, at 1:08:46
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Question,3 years ago was on paxel
for bad panic attacks.and xanax,
after about 2 years i stopped taking everthing and was fine for little over a year and Bam it came back.Doc wants me to try the Effexor
after reading alot of posts here i have second thoughts.anyone have good luck with any med for mostly just nasty panic attacks and anxity
If it where up to me i would just use xanax as it works great.but doc and wife say its no fix just a mask to the problem
Thanks for any input.
Posted by lorily on August 2, 2004, at 3:33:44
In reply to Panic/anxity, posted by chaoz on August 2, 2004, at 1:08:46
Alot of people here seem to have great success with effexor. Cymbalta I here works the same way, without the side effects, but it's not available in the US yet. I have to agree with your doctor and wife on the Xanax. It's a highly addictive drug. I'm in recovery and know plenty of people who curse the doctors who put them on it, they cannot get off. I also know people in AA who use xanax to get high since they're supposedly "sober" they use it as a substitute. I would stay away
Posted by Alesa on August 3, 2004, at 13:14:02
In reply to Re: afraid to take effexor/bad experience w/paxil, posted by Cindy W on April 10, 2000, at 21:52:43
For anyone who is afraid to take meds now because of a bad experience with Paxil, I have had the same experience. I took Paxil once, and instantly had terrible side effects. I couldn't sleep, I shook like crazy, my jaw was tense and trembling, my muscles kept seizing, I couldn't sleep, had nausea, and severe panic attacks. I felt like I was being poisoned. After three days of that torture, I went off of it.
Ever since, I had been very reluctant to try anything. But then my mother died, and my depression and panic was out of control. I found a new doctor, who convinced me that Effexor may work for me if I started on an extremely low dose. So now I take half of the 37.5 mg a day, by breaking the pill into quarters for each dose. It's fine-I feel a little better already. I felt a bit wierd at first, and my jaw is tense and a little trembly, but it's not bad. I also have to pee alot, and have dry mouth, but again, it's not awful. I can live with the symptoms because I feel better with more energy, and not so incredibly sad, awful and irritable like I felt before. I feel more relaxed and mellow, a little spacey, but it's kind of cool. I think I feel wierd because I'm so used to feeling anxious sad and tense, and my body is not used to feeling good and relaxed.
is there any suggestions for me
> Stef, there are lots and lots of antidepressants: tricyclics (like imipramine), SSRI's (Paxil, Luvox, Zoloft, Celexa), Effexor-XR, Serzone, Remeron, MAOI's, etc. Have you talked with your pdoc about your fears? He/she can probably suggest a new med depending on what your symptoms are and what side effects you have experienced in the past. Have you ever tried anything besides Paxil? Also, if you try another med, you may want to start VERY slow (some people even crush the pill and put it in water and take VERY VERY small doses until they see how they are going to react).
>
Posted by Alesa on August 3, 2004, at 13:19:42
In reply to Re: Effexor Side Effects Atticus, posted by PoohBear on July 26, 2004, at 9:45:30
Alot of people here are saying they experienced sexual disfuntion and anorgasmia with Effexor. I've had the opposite. I have had increased sexual drive since I've started it! Isn't that wierd? Anyone else experience this? I think it's because I've had increased energy with Effexor.
Posted by lorily on August 3, 2004, at 13:52:05
In reply to Increased sex drive » PoohBear, posted by Alesa on August 3, 2004, at 13:19:42
And probably because you feel so much better about yourself while taking it!
Posted by lorily on August 3, 2004, at 13:57:08
In reply to Re: afraid to take effexor/bad experience w/paxil » Cindy W, posted by Alesa on August 3, 2004, at 13:14:02
My jaw felt a bit weird when I first start taking effexor, kind of like when I used to take mescaline, remembered that feeling right when I was coming onto the mesc, right before all the giggling and laughing. I put two and two together and realized that tingling feeling in my jaw was because I hadn't been smiling or laughing for so long, it was foreign. :)
Posted by PoohBear on August 3, 2004, at 14:11:09
In reply to Increased sex drive » PoohBear, posted by Alesa on August 3, 2004, at 13:19:42
> Alot of people here are saying they experienced sexual disfuntion and anorgasmia with Effexor. I've had the opposite. I have had increased sexual drive since I've started it! Isn't that wierd? Anyone else experience this? I think it's because I've had increased energy with Effexor.<
The other thing could be that you're less depressed. People who are in the midst of depression *usually* don't feel like having sex...
Tony
Posted by chaoz on August 4, 2004, at 0:31:30
In reply to Re: afraid to take effexor/bad experience w/paxil » Cindy W, posted by Alesa on August 3, 2004, at 13:14:02
don't forget work out or ride a bike
3 to 4 times a week for 30 mins.
be suprised what that can do.
for anxity and panic,also no caffine
that really can make things worse
Posted by lorily on August 4, 2004, at 3:55:13
In reply to Re: afraid to take effexor/bad experience w/paxil, posted by chaoz on August 4, 2004, at 0:31:30
Chaoz, thanks for mentioning that. We get trapped into the "take a pill" mode for everything that we forget about the things we should be doing anyway for our health!!!
Posted by pablo1 on August 4, 2004, at 9:12:54
In reply to Re: afraid to take effexor/bad experience w/paxil » Cindy W, posted by Alesa on August 3, 2004, at 13:14:02
Alesa,
How long has it been? I agree a larger dose may not be necessary. That's powerful stuff. I didn't want to go above 37.5 but the doc talked me into it.> I found a new doctor, who convinced me that
> Effexor may work for me if I started on an
> extremely low dose. So now I take half of the 37.5
> mg a day, by breaking the pill into quarters for
> each dose. It's fine-I feel a little better
> already.
Posted by crazychickuk on August 5, 2004, at 6:04:40
In reply to very low dose effexor, posted by pablo1 on August 4, 2004, at 9:12:54
it really isnt that bad, it was a wonder drug for my depression but i messed that up when i went from 37.5mg all the way to about 400 mg in one night for a laff to be feel even higher.. its was awfull, but my physc made me see it was my doing and not effexor's.. give it a go... start low stay lo if u can help it.. :-)
Posted by pablo1 on August 5, 2004, at 10:13:56
In reply to very low dose effexor, posted by pablo1 on August 4, 2004, at 9:12:54
BTW, I know someone else doing that exact same story. Same hideous reactions from other AD's and 37.5 gave migranes so split that and feels great. First week so far so good.
Posted by Alesa on August 5, 2004, at 15:22:28
In reply to very low dose effexor, posted by pablo1 on August 4, 2004, at 9:12:54
Pablol,
It's only been one week. My doctor will monitor me for one month, and change to a higher dose if it doesn't work. If I feel better, she said I can stay at this level, and go off of it after a few months, if I want to. I'm not sure if I feel better already because the weather has suddenely changed and my boyfriend just came back home from 3 weeks in Europe, or if it's the medication. Like I said, I feel a few physical side effects for sure, like dry mouth and a trembly jaw, and a little dizziness. I keep waking up too, twice a night, and it's hard to fall back to sleep. I do get a decent night's sleep, but I feel tired all day.
Alesa,
> How long has it been? I agree a larger dose may not be necessary. That's powerful stuff. I didn't want to go above 37.5 but the doc talked me into it.
>
> > I found a new doctor, who convinced me that
> > Effexor may work for me if I started on an
> > extremely low dose. So now I take half of the 37.5
> > mg a day, by breaking the pill into quarters for
> > each dose. It's fine-I feel a little better
> > already.
Posted by pablo1 on August 5, 2004, at 18:46:46
In reply to Re: very low dose effexor, posted by Alesa on August 5, 2004, at 15:22:28
The repeated mid-night wakeups were a persistent problem for me and probably my main reason for giving up after 7 weeks at 75mg. I got the same thing from Wellbutrin previously & suspect the norepenephrine component so my thought is to combine an SSRI with a pure dopamine stimulant like Survector. I tried regular stimulants for inattentive ADD & while I didn't have trouble sleeping (they are very short acting) I did not get the mental calming that is touted, just more wired & obsessive.
Posted by Normal Again on August 5, 2004, at 22:35:29
In reply to Panic/anxity, posted by chaoz on August 2, 2004, at 1:08:46
Effexor has done wonders for me. I've suffered with anxiety and chronic depression for about 12 years and finally found Effexor. I can honestly say it has saved my life, my love life and my relationship with my family, and it's only been about three months. I'm a new and (more importantly) normal person. I'd almost forgotten what that felt like. My only advice is to give it time to work, it takes a while before you get to the final effect, for me a little over 2 months. Also suggest to your doctor that you increase doses by 1/2 at a time. I currently take 1 1/2 doses and it works great, but it's a little out of the ordinary as that's actually a combination of the starter dose (37.5) and the regular dose (75), technically the next step after that is the double dose (150), but my doctor decided to try the first two together and it worked great. During the starter dose you will still be able to get depressed, and you might feel increased levels of apathy or "dullness" but it goes away. If you're still getting depressed on the regular dose you probably need to up it. Make sure you don't miss a day, or you'll regret it as the worst side effects happen when you stop suddenly. You should also take it just before bed because it seems to energize your body about 8-10 hours after taking it so if you take it too early in the day it will wake you up or you just won't get to sleep.
hope that helps.
Posted by Louoicu81 on August 5, 2004, at 22:37:29
In reply to Re: Success so far; don't ever run out; and drinking., posted by Sinnielou on June 14, 2004, at 17:05:55
Hello, everyone! I have dealt with anxiety/depression for as long as I can remember...and I'm only 22. About two years ago I had a complete nervous breakdown. I suffered from bulemia then also. I thank God every day for my family, my faith, and Effexor. I didn't care to live anymore. After taking Effexor for two years now and plans to get married and have children in the near future at hand, I have decided to quit taking the medicine. I took 150mg, twice a day. I am now on 37.5mg once every three days. I will have my BSN in nursing and have worked in the pharmacy for four years now so I know how POWERFUL of a drug this actually is. I am absolutely sick from weaning off of effexor. It makes me feel like I wish I would have never been on it in the first place, but who knows where I would be if I wasn't. I guess you can't win. What are the things that everyone is talking about called "brain flashes." I have this side effect that I cannot think of how to explain but it sounds like brainflashes is it. It feels like the whole world just flashes right in front of my face and then my stomach gets sick. Please describe how you feel when you get one. Any other advice?
Posted by Normal Again on August 5, 2004, at 22:43:33
In reply to Re: very low dose effexor, posted by Alesa on August 5, 2004, at 15:22:28
Alesa,
Don't worry about the dry mouth and the "jitters", they go away after a couple weeks once you find your ideal dose. If you're having trouble sleeping it might have something to do with when you take the pill. I have found that it energizes you about 8-10 hours after taking it so, for me, it works best to take it just before i go to bed, that way it starts to kick in just after i get up.
Hard to sya what dose will work best for you but you can go as high as 300 mg aparently, though most people take 75. I personally take 1 1/2 doses (75 mg + 37.5 mg) and it works really well for me.
Hope that helps.
N/A
> Pablol,
>
> It's only been one week. My doctor will monitor me for one month, and change to a higher dose if it doesn't work. If I feel better, she said I can stay at this level, and go off of it after a few months, if I want to. I'm not sure if I feel better already because the weather has suddenely changed and my boyfriend just came back home from 3 weeks in Europe, or if it's the medication. Like I said, I feel a few physical side effects for sure, like dry mouth and a trembly jaw, and a little dizziness. I keep waking up too, twice a night, and it's hard to fall back to sleep. I do get a decent night's sleep, but I feel tired all day.
>
> Alesa,
> > How long has it been? I agree a larger dose may not be necessary. That's powerful stuff. I didn't want to go above 37.5 but the doc talked me into it.
> >
> > > I found a new doctor, who convinced me that
> > > Effexor may work for me if I started on an
> > > extremely low dose. So now I take half of the 37.5
> > > mg a day, by breaking the pill into quarters for
> > > each dose. It's fine-I feel a little better
> > > already.
>
>
Posted by Normal Again on August 5, 2004, at 23:14:05
In reply to Re: Sexual Disfunction of Effexor, posted by Misha on May 20, 2003, at 7:23:57
why would you take a pill without first reading the papers that come with it?
Yes the side effects can be bad, but they go away. If i hadn't gone on Effexor, i could very likely have taken my own life. I would take night sweats over death any day.
It didn't work for you, my sympathies. Perhaps you weren't on it long enough to see that the side effects go away, or maybe it just wasn't for you, but please be considerate in your responses as you may inadvertently turn someone away from a product that could save their life.
Posted by pablo1 on August 5, 2004, at 23:43:09
In reply to Re: Panic/anxity » chaoz, posted by Normal Again on August 5, 2004, at 22:35:29
Thanks for the info about the 8 hour wakeup scenario! I asked around and got various guesses about when to take the stuff... I was getting a nice calming sedative effect in the hours following consumption and tried various times without joy. Doc's advice was a few hours before bed which did not work. Based on this, I'd suggest a small dose mid-morning or noon (so you feel it during the stressful part of the day) and a half dose at bed time (to sleep). The famous withdrawls are due to the short action so two-a-day doses makes sense.
PS
HOLY CRAP! six months is a long time for withdrawal!!!! I guess it's possible my seven week trial was inadequate. I'll tell you what though, I was impatient (after other failures) & the doc shoved the starter pack in my face & I gulped the things without reading anything. ANd I was very resistant to the idea of SSRI's. And it worked immediately. I am not suicidal but was at the pivot point in a divorce.I don't regret the trial and may attempt again. We'll have to see how long the withdrawl lasts though...
I'd be real interested in other folks experiences with sleep and dosage timing and time to 'cure'.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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