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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by louiseC on August 31, 2004, at 13:06:53
In reply to Suffering and looking for answers, posted by Smileyjil on August 21, 2004, at 19:37:20
I'm new to this board but have been reading if for some time because of problems with taking Effexor. I have been on it for almost 4 years and it did okay but nothing great. I gained a lot of weight 35-40 pounds, which in itself made matters worse. I felt very tired, unfocused, brain zaps while on 150 mgs. I wanted to get off but I was really scared to try because of how I felt just missing a dose by a few hours. Now with my doc's help I am on day 8 on 75 mgs. She is suggesting I take 2 weeks on 75mgs and then 2 weeks on 37.5mgs The brain zaps arent' as bad as I thought and my mood acrtually improved on the lower dose. But I have felt like I have the flu, body pain, chest pain, headache, no energy. I haven't been to work in a week.
I wanted to try the Lexapro, so I was sorry to hear your experience wasn't good. I will probably try it anyway because we are all different.
To those who did gain weight, when you got off if it were you able to loose it? I feel like my metabolism is ruined because of this drug.
I will keep reading
louise
Posted by corafree on August 31, 2004, at 15:48:39
In reply to Re: In need of advice, posted by jennyb on August 28, 2004, at 12:35:13
No increase in weight at all on a high dose. What else are you on? cf
> Did anyone lose significant weight after getting off of effexor xr. This med has ruined my life. I weigh now, after being on the drug for almost a year, more than I ever have in my life, and NOTHING seems to help me lose the weight.
Posted by jennyb on September 2, 2004, at 12:02:51
In reply to Re: In need of advice » jennyb, posted by corafree on August 31, 2004, at 15:48:39
I am not on anything else...in fact, as I sit here typing I am going through horrible withdraw...I have taken matters into my own hands and have stopped effexor cold turkey...I know I will be in hell for a few days...but I refuse to stay on a med that makes me hate myself more than I did before it.
Posted by bubblehead on September 2, 2004, at 21:32:44
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by jeanette on April 14, 2000, at 6:58:11
>
>Those of you that were unaware of the withdrawl troubles you were faced with may be interested in these sites: http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/effexor.pl?#4729
http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/effexor.pl?read=4623
http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/petition.htmlYou are not alone in this terrible battle.
Posted by Ima Pe Ach on September 7, 2004, at 11:27:22
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by bubblehead on September 2, 2004, at 21:32:44
In answer to regarding withdrawal, I started Effexor XR in April of 2000. In about 2 months my Docter had me up to 300 mg a day and a year later 375 a day. In May of 2004 I wanted to get off of it because I was having mild tremors every day. My Docter advised me to back off 75 mg a week. I took longer than that and took what I thought would be my last dose of 37.5 mg on August 17. In 3 days I started vomitting everything I ate or drank. It got so bad I even vomitted the Malox I had taken to coat my stomach. I lost strength and weight quickly and became extremely depressed, contemplating death and considering ending it. I cried for 2 days straight. I had muscle spasms. One was so bad I had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Needless to say, my Docter put me back on it at 225 mg a day and said he would wean me off much more slowly this time. Now I am feeling and acting completely normal but it is like I am physically adicted to the drug like a heroin addict only instead of being stoned and incoherant from taking a drug, I am that way if I don't take it. This is not a very stable life style. I understand that there is a Class Action Law Suit going on against the company that makes Effexor and I am going to contact thir attornies to see if I qualify. I am now living in fear of that if I don't take Effexor I will die in one way or another.
Posted by hilton on September 12, 2004, at 5:08:21
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by Evita on August 25, 2004, at 17:36:01
have been finding these postings really interesting and helpful. i am on 75 mg xr/ day i have also been gaining weight but hadn't linked the two till now.i have never really had any probs with weight and thought it was my age! think it must be the medication though, as also got very rough itchy patches on my legs although the dr said these werent a medical rash. good to be able to get information on actual personal experience on a website like this cos gps cant be expected to have that much specialised knowlege on each drug they prescribe. not looking forward to coming of it- the withdrawal symptoms is also news to me! :( The drug is helping me a lot though so i am going to persevere with it for a while and get over the withdrawal hurdle and lose the weght at a later stage.
Posted by dusty534 on September 12, 2004, at 11:38:04
In reply to Re: In need of advice, posted by jennyb on August 28, 2004, at 12:35:13
I took Effexor for almost a year...and gained about 20lb. Against my dr's advice, I weaned myself off of it....but not slowly enough. I've had many of the symptoms that have been mentioned, but will never go back on it again. The worst effect it had on me was the extreme lack of energy. I couldn't even make myself get out of my chair for a long time.
After quitting Effexor, I went on the South Beach Diet and lost 15lbs pretty fast. I've been on a plateau of not losing for awhile, but am so glad that I lost that much.
I went to a Health Food Store...and have been taking 5-HTP for my depression. I still have bad days when I cry a lot...but this supplement has helped a lot.
Also since I've stopped taking estrogen (had hysterectomy), I've been using progesteron cream. The combination of these two products have helped me tremendously.
Hope this helps you, too.
Posted by scruff on September 12, 2004, at 15:33:07
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by juanantoniod on February 8, 2003, at 22:11:31
> I took Effexor for a while until it stopped working. Like a previous poster, I would accept the side effects for the benefit without question. Withdrawal occurs (mostly) when it is stopped abruptly. When ramped down slowly, there should be no problem.
>Sadly, this is just not true.
> FWIW YMMV
If it helps anyone, great. But it seems there will be withdrawal of some sort from this drug.
Well I had been on Effexor for nearly a year. It was completely unsuccessfully on its own and only marginally successful with the use of supplementals such as seroquel and ativan.
I have finally switched to Wellbutrin and have been very careful about 'ramping down carefully' form the effexor.
The above posting is just plain incorrect. My withdrawal from effexor has been worse than the depression itself. The symptoms of brain shivers, terrible sleep disturbances and extreme agitation have continued fully one week after I took my last tab of effexor.
This has not been an unmanaged withdrawal. I see a psychiatrist weekly.
The drug did next to nothing positive for me and now that I've finally stopped taking it, it persists in hounding me with 'withdrawal'.
I have a hard time finding any mention of ANY withdrawal effects in the pharmaceutical's paraphernalia.
It has been a an arduous journey to come OFF of a drug that is supposed to help depression.
I have had to switch form several other anti-depressants including Zoloft and Paxil. Not only did I NOT have any withdrawal form these medications, I have read/seen little information on anyone who has.
It is clear that the process of withdrawal from any psychotropic drug needs to be studied much more carefully. As for Effexor , perhaps removing it form the market until real study of its withdrawal effects have been made is in order.
I'm all for that.
Posted by 4WD on September 12, 2004, at 16:03:02
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by scruff on September 12, 2004, at 15:33:07
> > I took Effexor for a while until it stopped working. Like a previous poster, I would accept the side effects for the benefit without question. Withdrawal occurs (mostly) when it is stopped abruptly. When ramped down slowly, there should be no problem.
> >Sadly, this is just not true.
> > FWIW YMMV
> If it helps anyone, great. But it seems there will be withdrawal of some sort from this drug.
> Well I had been on Effexor for nearly a year. It was completely unsuccessfully on its own and only marginally successful with the use of supplementals such as seroquel and ativan.
> I have finally switched to Wellbutrin and have been very careful about 'ramping down carefully' form the effexor.
> The above posting is just plain incorrect. My withdrawal from effexor has been worse than the depression itself. The symptoms of brain shivers, terrible sleep disturbances and extreme agitation have continued fully one week after I took my last tab of effexor.
> This has not been an unmanaged withdrawal. I see a psychiatrist weekly.
> The drug did next to nothing positive for me and now that I've finally stopped taking it, it persists in hounding me with 'withdrawal'.
> I have a hard time finding any mention of ANY withdrawal effects in the pharmaceutical's paraphernalia.
> It has been a an arduous journey to come OFF of a drug that is supposed to help depression.
> I have had to switch form several other anti-depressants including Zoloft and Paxil. Not only did I NOT have any withdrawal form these medications, I have read/seen little information on anyone who has.
> It is clear that the process of withdrawal from any psychotropic drug needs to be studied much more carefully. As for Effexor , perhaps removing it form the market until real study of its withdrawal effects have been made is in order.
> I'm all for that.I have to agree. I've been on Effexor about 5 years. Every time I tried to switch to another drug (because of side effects and because the Effexor just didn't help with motivation, energy or anhedonia) I found I couldn't switch and had to go back to Effexor. I didn't have any of the physical symptoms (like nausea) except for the brain zaps so I thought I wasn't having Effexor withdrawal; I just thought the other drugs were causing me to have extreme anxiety. Even now when I am tapering Effexor slowly while going on Cymbalta, I'm having panic attacks every few days and heightened anxiety the rest of the time. I hate this drug and I am furious at the idea that I and other people have been forced to stay on it longer than we wanted because getting off it is next to impossible.
Marsha
Posted by josephine20 on September 13, 2004, at 22:35:43
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by louiseC on August 31, 2004, at 13:06:53
this website is REALLY helpful...I have been on Effexor XR for about 2 years, taking 225mg per day. Seems to have been working well until lately. In the last couple of weeks I have begun to have extreme nightmares, every night, not just bad dreams but scary, wake up screaming dreams, has this happened to anyone else? After reading the other postings I did link my weight gain to about the time I started taking the drug too. Am really thinking of trying to switch to something else since I have not had a good night sleep in at least 10 days...The effexor no longer seems to have any effect on my energy level and sometimes seems to make me more tired (before the nightmares started)
Posted by helpless on September 13, 2004, at 22:49:23
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by tablasco1 on August 30, 2004, at 10:45:39
My husband started this drug in Novenber for reoccuring depression. At the advice of family members on it and the doctor he saw once he took it for 7 months. He decided after 7 months he was so happy for the first time he was "cured" so he seceretly stopped taking it. 2 weeks later he left me and our 9 and 6 year old. He makes no sence anymore and can't even think rationally. We have been married and been best friends for 14 years. Please find out more about this drug and others like it before you try them. It made him feel so much better we never stopped to ask or think about side effects of missed doses or stopped usage. We were only one of a statistic but our lives are over now. PLEASE be careful.
Posted by 4WD on September 14, 2004, at 13:14:04
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by josephine20 on September 13, 2004, at 22:35:43
> this website is REALLY helpful...I have been on Effexor XR for about 2 years, taking 225mg per day. Seems to have been working well until lately. In the last couple of weeks I have begun to have extreme nightmares, every night, not just bad dreams but scary, wake up screaming dreams, has this happened to anyone else? After reading the other postings I did link my weight gain to about the time I started taking the drug too. Am really thinking of trying to switch to something else since I have not had a good night sleep in at least 10 days...The effexor no longer seems to have any effect on my energy level and sometimes seems to make me more tired (before the nightmares started)
That's why I wanted to quit Effexor. I was exhausted all the time. Completely lethargic, no interest or motivation. I wasn't sleeping very well any more either. I didn't gain weight but I keep a really close watch on my intake (eating disorder type, here). No nightmare, though.Marsha
Posted by pablo1 on September 14, 2004, at 13:28:05
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by 4WD on September 14, 2004, at 13:14:04
That was a big complaint for me taking naps in the day then waking up at night or waking very early. My doc was suprised and said he never heard of that hmph!
Also effexor completely eliminated my dreams. I used to recall lots of complex dreams & suddenly nothing at all on that med. I still haven't dreamt much a couple months or so off it.
I wasn't completely lethargic, just periods of sleepiness. And sort of a "who cares" worry-free attitude was not real helpful for motivation though it did relieve the depression & anxiety that interfered with getting things done, I was not really motivated.
Posted by 4WD on September 14, 2004, at 13:49:24
In reply to feeling sleepy on effexor » 4WD, posted by pablo1 on September 14, 2004, at 13:28:05
> That was a big complaint for me taking naps in the day then waking up at night or waking very early. My doc was suprised and said he never heard of that hmph!
>
> Also effexor completely eliminated my dreams. I used to recall lots of complex dreams & suddenly nothing at all on that med. I still haven't dreamt much a couple months or so off it.
>
> I wasn't completely lethargic, just periods of sleepiness. And sort of a "who cares" worry-free attitude was not real helpful for motivation though it did relieve the depression & anxiety that interfered with getting things done, I was not really motivated.You know, I never noticed that before but I really had almost stopped having dreams while on Effexor. I hadn't thought about it until I read your post.
Marsha
Posted by jujube on September 14, 2004, at 15:05:29
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877 » corafree, posted by lorily on August 13, 2004, at 14:17:48
Lorily,
This is going to be a long message, so I apologize in advance (and hope you will not get sick of my ramblings before you get to the end). I can relate to some of what you say. And, I am happy I came across your post. I, too, am a recovering alcoholic (almost 8 1/2 years of sobriety and loving it!). However, the past 8 months have not been good. I have not been thinking about drinking (that ship has sailed and sunk for me, and I am happy that it has). What happened to me in the last year was a physical illness that caused my mood to drop and my anxiety to increase. I became significantly iron deficient last year and was diagnosed in the fall. I was exhausted, apathetic, anxious, etc., and, until the diagnosis, did not know what was wrong with me. Needless to say, my alcoholic personality took over and I wanted to be well asap. Decided to go to a different doctor after not responding to treatment in 3 months (I had been with my gp for the entire 8 1/2 years of sobriety). This doctor said all that was wrong with me was that I was depressed. She put me on Effexor XR, gradually increasing the dose. After a month, I was tired all the time, anxious, apprehensive. Didn't like it at all. Went back to my regular gp (thank God she agreed to take me back). She continued to try to bring my iron levels up (when she diagnosed me with iron deficiency, she said she was surprised that I had been able to work at all), and eventually gave me injections which have brought the iron up almost to a the low end of the normal range. She didn't want to mess around with the Effexor XR, so she called a friend of hers who is a psychiatrist and he agreed to deal with the medication. He increased the dose yet again. I yet again said I was becoming increasingly tired and apprehensive (hard to explain, but bordering on agoraphobic minus any panic attacks). Dose increased again and told to be patient, Effexor XR takes a while to do its thing. After another 2 months, I told that phyc that there was no difference between 150 mg and 225 mg (except the fatigue), so I was going back to 150 mg. During this time, my periods became irregular (I am now learning that this could well have been a side effect of the Effexor). So, my GP arranges for me to see a gynocologist. First visit, I get jabbed with Depo Provera. Well, since the jab, my mood, energy and disgestive system have taken a nose dive (I literally had morning sickness - go figure). Needless to say, I will not be going back for a second shot. This pretty much confirmed to me that the Effexor was not working for me (after, in my view, wasting six months of my life in a Effexor-induced fog of apathy and apprehension). Anyways, I am rambling and apolgize. Just to wrap things up, I called the phych and told him I wanted to try natural alternatives (Sam-e, Rosavin) and wanted off Effexor. He wasn't keen on the naturals (didn't know enough about them), but changed the medication from Effexor to Celexa. I was weaned down over two weeks from 150 mg to 0 and then started Celexa. I have been experiencing withdrawal (I can only describe it as chronic fatigue syndrome with the stomach flu). I am looking forward to this being over and being my usual hyper self again. Thanks for listening.
> CF I finally agreed to take an AD after years of trying to fight depression on my own. I am also an alcoholic (in recovery) I also have hypothyroidism (which is a major factor in depression) and I was taking depo-provera injections. After my last near-death experience with alcohol I agreed to try an AD, I had heard others experience with how wonderful their experience with it was and took it. At the same time I got my thyroid levels leveled, stopped the depo shots and was finally able to work the program of Alcoholics Anonymous properly. With all of those things in my favor, the desire to be med-free, and not controlled by a substance or a doctor, and the knowledge that depakote has horrible side effects to a fetus and the effects of effexor is unknown, and I am not willing to have an abortion at this point in my life, and the willingness to use another, safer medication if I had to, I decided to give it a try. Maybe I never needed it==maybe the depression was due to my thyroid problems and the depo shots? Who knows?
> But I do know that I did the right thing taking it, apparently, hopefully it didn't cause me any harm and I'm free.
Posted by sexylexy on September 14, 2004, at 15:19:31
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877, posted by jujube on September 14, 2004, at 15:05:29
JuJube,
Never ever ever under estimate the power of those birth control hormones. I was on the pill Allese 28 and for the first time ever became depressed. After months, I realized it could be the pills got off and was a new person two days later. However, I, being an anxious person got so scared about becoming depressed that I had to go on lexapro for the depression phobia. YUCK. The doctor just switched me to Sarafem (pink prozac) which he said would work better during PMS than Lexapro...Here's hopeing this is the end of the depression road for you!!!!
A friend,
LExy
Posted by jennalynn on September 14, 2004, at 15:25:12
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by 4WD on September 14, 2004, at 13:14:04
You can get all Effexor info on their website http://www.effexorxr.com/ Open the page and click on the Prescribing Information Tab. There are 36 pages of info in there about side effects, etc. I started it today for IBS and there is nothing in there on that.
Would anyone know of any place to get Effexor study info for IBS?
Posted by SLICK on September 15, 2004, at 21:34:46
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Parks on January 4, 2000, at 16:10:07
I have improved immensely! Started very slowly by taking 1/2 dose for a few days before going to the 75 mg. My doctor monitored me for about 5 months; I went to see her at the end of every month to see if the dosage was right for me. After about 5 months, I have increase the dosage to 150 mg per day because I was starting to feel a little low and wanted to see if an increase would help.
Depression, anxiety, mood swings, ect. run thick in my family. This is the first time that I have taken perscription drugs for my mental health, but I do feel that it has made a difference, at least for me that is. Before starting on Effexor XR, I would feel some sort of frustration/anxiety or immense hate for everyone or someone at least once during some point of the day. It was uncontrollable and I hated the way that I felt. I always told my family that if they think that I am mean to them, they should try being inside my head and thoughts; i hated it! Of course, I would lose my temper/control mostly with those very close to me who I knew would continue to love me. Usually the feelings or hyper-feelings were short lived, but I could not appologize for the burst since I knew that they would happen again. Uaually the feelings of angre were over extremely small things...
Since I have been on Effexor XR, I feel just regular stress like "normal" people experience, and I don't blow things too much out of porportion...I am afterall still human.
I have quickly read through many different opinions on using Effexor XR, and I remain with the conclusion that, like everything in life, there is not one specific drug or dose that is perfect for everyone. Every body is different, and sometimes it takes time to find the the right solution; it could be a combination of a certain drug with therapy. There is no magic in the process, just patients and determination to find what is right for you; don't give up trying find the right balance, it will be worth it. I hope that Effexor continues to provide me with the balance it has given in the past 6 months.
> > My husband has shown great progress with effexor xr 75mg...He is a new person...His main problems have been some occasional very negative dreams, for a short time sexuall disfunction, and it has elevated his blood preasure (however he has had juvinile hypertension)...This dug as worked better than any other!!!
> Hi there,
> >
> > Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> > "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> > Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
> >
> > Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> > to have a lot of success...
> >
> > please share your thoughts on this.
>
>
Posted by Shyla on September 16, 2004, at 8:01:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Parks, posted by SLICK on September 15, 2004, at 21:34:46
Effexor XR has helped me and my husband. The only side effect for me is loss of libido. But like you said, it takes patience, persistance, and determination to find the right med combo that works. My doc and I have a great relationship, and we both are open to trying new things. Right now I have started taking 300mgs of Wellbutrin to see if that helps with the libido problem. She also mentioned trying testosterone cream. That will probably be next on my list if I don't experience an improvement with Wellbutrin. And on it goes.
Posted by charming on September 16, 2004, at 12:46:46
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am just coming off of Effexor and the withdrawal symptoms are so much worse than the reason why I went on it. To be honest with you, the only reason why my Docotor chose Effexor for my Anxiety, was "Effexor" doesn't have a negative influence on your sex drive...like the others do....apprently anyway. But Honestly if I knew what was going to happen after going off of it, I NEVER would have started.
Posted by scruff on September 16, 2004, at 14:51:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » jp, posted by charming on September 16, 2004, at 12:46:46
I'm so sorry to hear this, Charming. And yet it vindicates the other folks who've had rotten effoxor experiences.
It's been two weeks since I stopped taking the drug altogether. I still get brain shivers though not as frequently .The bad dreams have softened. What hasn't changed is the rages I feel, the extreme agitation, the fits of unstoppable weeping..
The whole experience of getting off of this really dangerous-seeming drug has left myself and my doctor confused, and me terrified. Are these rages another withdrawal effect of the effexor? IS the extreme agitation a side effect of the new med. I'm on, Welbutrin?
Should I be taking mouthfuls of Ativan to calm the effects? Could this be a hypo-mania episode presenting itself?If it turns out that all this whole nightmare has been caused STOPPING a medication, I think I'll just go right off the deep end. And Yet it seems that effexor IS to blame for most of these recent and dramatic changes I've experienced.
Medicine is supposed top help. I signed no contract with Effexor promising that I would be on it for the rest of my life or if I stopped that it would come back and torment me for weeks ( actually from the time I started ramping down effexor its been MONTHS).I'll let you know if it's all because of the Wellbutrin or if I turn out to be bipolar doubt it.
Please be warned if you decide to start taking this drug.
Charming, try to note down what's happnening to you now. Some folks just don't believe this stuff is going on.
Posted by lorily on September 16, 2004, at 15:22:32
In reply to Re: feeling sleepy on effexor, posted by 4WD on September 14, 2004, at 13:49:24
Maybe that's why a lot of people complain of nightmares when they stop taking it.
Posted by lorily on September 16, 2004, at 15:28:01
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877, posted by sexylexy on September 14, 2004, at 15:19:31
Birth control hormones can be a HUGE reason for depression. I had been taking the deprovera shots. Another big one for depression is the thyroid!!!!! Hypothyroidism was mine. Then of course there's the weight gain that comes with the underactive thyroid. mix that with the hormonal problems and having depression problems for years...........what a nightmare that was.
I distontinued the depo shots, got my thyroid levels in order and started effexor around the same time. Changed my life, one or all of those things. Other than the thyroid medication, I am off all others. Effexor I'm off about 2 months now.
Posted by lorily on September 16, 2004, at 15:34:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Shyla on September 16, 2004, at 8:01:53
Shyla, I've shared this here before and other women have written they tried it with success. Ask your doctor about taking viagra. I know, for women? YES. My doctor explained to me that the way it works is it increases the blood flow in our genitals which is stimulating as well as allows for orgasm.
My problem wasn't lack of desire, but lack of response. It didn't work the first time, like the package insert mentions it might not for men, but after that, after about 1/2 hr to 45 mins later, the results were positive.
Good Luck
Posted by lorily on September 16, 2004, at 15:40:20
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by scruff on September 16, 2004, at 14:51:47
Someone posted a link here that there are very serious side effects to ADs that actually can cause worse depression and suicidal thoughts etc. Some people just can not take certain medications. Some people get tired when they drink coffee for instance.
My effexor withdrawals seem to be gone, although I thought that weeks ago and I can tell a difference from then to now. I've been off for 2 months
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