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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 20:02:21
In reply to Re: I gained 20 pounds BLAH » Kazza, posted by lisataho on October 3, 2004, at 20:47:42
ewww i totally didn't realize that the extra 10-15 pounds that i have accumulated in the last year are probably because of the effexor. I was a track star and teh skinny girl in high school and NEVER thought I would be concerned with my weight, but in the last year i have FILLED out and i don't like it. The boobs are ok but i could ditch all the rest.
-e
Posted by debbers on October 8, 2004, at 20:33:44
In reply to does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 16:17:30
> I have been noticing that I grind my teeth adn feel super tense lately...I have come to realize that after two years of effexor xr it has either stopped working or i would need to up my dose...but I already hate thinking abou the withdrawl and think that upping the dose will just make that worse. Does anyone else get tension in their jaw and terrible teeth grinding at night or am I cursed?
I've been taking 150 mg of Effexor XR on and off for the past 2 years. I've noticed every time that I start taking it, my jaw and neck are sore and my ears pop from grinding my teeth at night. So, you're not alone. I'm always very tense and wired the first few days that I take it, but it will eventually go away. I also suffer from alot of muscle weakness as a beginning side effect, so exercise is out of the question. The first few weeks are always the most difficult, but the results are worth it.
Posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 22:06:50
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by debbers on October 8, 2004, at 20:33:44
OH my thatnk you so much for responding well, the thing is that I have been on effexor xr 150mg for two years now at the same dosage and think maybe it is not working for me anymore...why does that seem to happen???do you know?> am i becoming immune to it.`e
Posted by pmz on October 9, 2004, at 1:10:51
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by debbers on October 8, 2004, at 20:33:44
I have found that clinching my jaws, or grinding my teeth have been a side effect. I will notice even during the day time I will be sitting with my teeth clinched so tight. If you do grind your teeth much, you need to get a mouth guard to wear at night so you don't wear through the enamel of your teeth. You can get them at any drug store.
Posted by eighteenminutes on October 9, 2004, at 1:26:44
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by pmz on October 9, 2004, at 1:10:51
Thanks for the response...I am a newbie and have learned so much from these listings and feel so much more comfortable with taking effexor xr and knowing that I am one of many who experiences all of these things including anxiety and depression in the past.
Posted by utopizen on October 9, 2004, at 10:31:11
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 22:06:50
> OH my thatnk you so much for responding well, the thing is that I have been on effexor xr 150mg for two years now at the same dosage and think maybe it is not working for me anymore...why does that seem to happen???do you know?> am i becoming immune to it.`e
>Ah, give yourself some slack! =) It's not an antibiotic, and no evidence suggests "tolerance." You may be suffering from increased stress, especially if you report bruxism (teeth grinding). None of us take these meds in a vacuum-- our lives are known to change around us! =)
Talk to your doc. You may benefit from an increased dose. You are on an incredibly low dose-- one I took just for a week or so in order to escalate to 300mg. Some report taking 450 mg. 150 is certainly not that much!
=)
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 9, 2004, at 11:45:11
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by utopizen on October 9, 2004, at 10:31:11
Yes,Effexor XR most definately quit working for me and at higher dosages 300 then down to 225 my depression hit rock bottom. From reading so many of these posts over the year I think many of the AD "poop out", maybe you would benefit from and increase dosage? Only your body really knows.... Personally, I would get your doc to wean you off and try one of the many others. We are all different and we all seem to react differently, but there are also so many simililarites in side efffects, etc. specific to each med...good luck.....try a night brace, any pharmacy should have them and they are easy to mold to your own teeth......
e
Posted by tatarka on October 9, 2004, at 12:33:18
In reply to does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 16:17:30
Hi everyone, it's my first post here, and pls excuse my english :-)
Now I get it! Thanks Eighteenminutes! I was wondering why all my teeth are in pain like I was chewing some metal! I just started Effexor, today is the second week and I switched to 75 mg from the starting dose. I also trying to adjust time of taking it - instead of taking it before going to bed I've taken it in the morning because I was drowsy after 3 pm last week. Doc said I can adjust myself cuz everybody's reaction is unique. We'll see...
Everything was tolerable except the first days I was very anxious and almost had panic attack out of nothing. Yesterday my skin around mouth became extremely dry and therefore red, so I had to apply lots of vitamin E on it. Looks better this morning, but still not well. ANY IDEAS HOW TO FIX IT??I switched from Remeron because I was gaining weight. Right after switching to Effexor I started losing weight, almost the next day! But I have problems with sleeping, which was originally one of the reason of seeing the psychiatrist. I'm having dreams (not sure how to call them good or bad :-)), and I wake up several times. I hope that if i'll peak the right time to take the med it will go away. Panic seems to go away now, which is good cuz I was misurable at work and home.
By the way, I think it affected my thinking a lot cuz I was able to brake my comp at work. I suspected that I caught a virus and decided to clean the drive by deleting all the files that were created that day... So I made a search and methodically deleted over 350 files, most of which were system ones. Still don't understand how could I do it - so I think it's Effexor.
Oh well, I already gave up on my idea of prolong my life by not putting any chemicals in my mouth, cuz sometimes I wish to put some very strong chemicals to stop it. So we'll see where we'll end up with this drug. Hope I'll be able to keep my job!!! Good luck to everyone! :-)
Posted by Eric C on October 9, 2004, at 14:35:59
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have currently been off effexor xr 37.5 for almost 2 weeks now and my head still feels weird. I am still having brain shivers with quick movements, feel spaced out, dizzy and now headaches. How long does this withdrawal period take. Does anyone have an idea????
Posted by Sebastian on October 9, 2004, at 17:58:39
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 9, 2004, at 11:45:11
stress, anxiety, wellbutrin, med changes. Mainly stress.
Posted by Jubilee on October 9, 2004, at 18:39:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success -To Invisible... » Jubilee, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 7, 2004, at 4:47:20
I will post ,like invisible said , it will be interesting when I get down to those tiny doses and then the "hit" will probably hit the fan, so I will post when I get there. My posting on babble I believe got me spyware and adware so I suggest protecting your PC. Jubilee
Posted by Jubilee on October 9, 2004, at 18:46:44
In reply to should i give up on effexor xr, posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 0:21:56
Again, effexor side affects are agitation, anxioty, and hypermania, plus alot of dangerous stuff, which is why I am going off. Go off over 4 months small doses and get tranc if you can. Its hard ,but possible. Try Phil. 4:6-8. I havent had any trouble with my teeth yet. God Bless. Jubilee
Posted by Sondi on October 9, 2004, at 21:50:30
In reply to How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last?, posted by Eric C on October 9, 2004, at 14:35:59
I too, am curious about how long the withdrawl symptoms last. I've been off effexor xr at a 75mg dose now for a little over a week, and also still feel very dizzy and out of it. Randomly today it felt like my mouth went numb! It's crazy.......
Posted by pmz on October 9, 2004, at 23:05:29
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by utopizen on October 9, 2004, at 10:31:11
I think it important for everyone to understand that each individual will react differently to any medication. So many factors into the effectiveness of a medication. Metabolism, other medications that you are taking, your general health, and your current psychological health all come in to play. I have not had the symptoms in the severity many of you have described. Some of you might instead of having "withdrawal symptoms", are experiencing the things that the medication was actually keeping at bay with it's theraputic effects. I was taking 150mg twice a day and the only severe effect I remember from the withdrawal was my mood swings being so severe with the uncontrolled crying. Now that I have been able to replenish my medication supply, I believe the benefit that the medication has given me outwiegh the possible negative outcome by a great deal and that is why I have chosen to stay with the medication. I am actually sleeping better now than when I had run out of the medication.
No matter what medication you are on, there will be side effects. Sometimes there are positive side effects and negative side effects. The big question is whether the benefits of the medication outweigh the negative side effects that it presents. Some people have severe side effects, some have mild. You dont' have to go through "withdrawal" from all medicaions, but we know that with psychotropic medications you can. That is one reason it is so important that you are weaned off the medication instead of stopping abruptly. Some medications will have a positive effect on one person and a negative effect on the next. Never do anything without the guidance of a physician so that you can hopefully minimize the negative effects.
Posted by danny g on October 9, 2004, at 23:37:45
In reply to Re: How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last? » Eric C, posted by Sondi on October 9, 2004, at 21:50:30
ive been off 2 weeks cold turkey. a public clinic really did mew wrong by not giving an emergency refill, i am dizzy numb and week and my mind is upset. when i take effexor i think better and dont think too many things at once, i can concentrate. so i am looking for a doc who can prescribe again, my last one moved.
Posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 4:03:35
In reply to Re: should i give up on effexor xr, posted by Jubilee on October 9, 2004, at 18:46:44
There are many dangerous and deadly side effects to Effexor. Not only does it cause weight gain but it can cause Liver disease, which is irreversible, extremely high cholesterol and triglycerides which will lead to stroke or heart attack. It can take years for the symtoms of liver disease to show up. I have been on effexor for 7 years and high liver enzymes only showed up last year. The doctor did a sonogram after that and found the liver disease. The only possible cure is a liver transplant.
I think effexor should be taken off the market. I strongly advise anyone still taking it to quit. It's a dangerous drug and hard to get off of.
God Bless us all, Sammi B.
Posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 4:44:28
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by pmz on October 9, 2004, at 23:05:29
Good luck if you stay on effexor. Keep reading the postings and you might want to change your mind. I just don't think the benefits are worth anyones life and that's what it is costing me. You may be lucky and not have the same side effects but is it worth the chance?
Bless you, Sammi B.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 10, 2004, at 8:42:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success -To everyone, posted by Jubilee on October 9, 2004, at 18:39:45
> I will post ,like invisible said , it will be interesting when I get down to those tiny doses and then the "hit" will probably hit the fan, so I will post when I get there. My posting on babble I believe got me spyware and adware so I suggest protecting your PC. Jubilee
Jubilee, You go girl(as they say!)..bite the bullet..dig your heals in and pray for the strength to finish what you have started...God will keep his hand on your shoulder as your walk your walk!
E
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 10, 2004, at 8:50:00
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me??? » pmz, posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 4:44:28
Amen, side effects are terrible, cholesterol increase which suprised the heck out of me......I have taken the last of what I hope will be my sorted out microcapsules this morning.....I will post what side effects I get as next week progresses......thank goodness for strong coffee and Klonopin!
E
Posted by Eric C on October 10, 2004, at 9:59:48
In reply to Re: How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last? » Sondi, posted by danny g on October 9, 2004, at 23:37:45
HEy Danny G. Have you been having withdrawal effects for the whole 2 weeks?? What dosage were you taking?
Posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 12:12:56
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 10, 2004, at 8:50:00
The high cholestorol is caused by the liver working overtime. You may want to have your Dr. do a sonogram of your liver. The high cholestrol shows up first in your blood. The high liver enzymes may not show up for several years after the damage is already done.
Posted by Jubilee on October 10, 2004, at 12:53:01
In reply to Re: How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last?, posted by Eric C on October 10, 2004, at 9:59:48
I am in my 3rd month comming off 300mgs. Just dropped to 2 37.5's today and prepared with prozac, nausea med, inderal for panics, anti-hystimine spray for headaches, and I am also on wellbutrin. I am taking 5 months to come off as last time I almost died. Try to get highest dosage possible with 150's. Start cutting down right away, and save all you pour out in a bottle. That should give you enough to take 5 mths or 4 . Get some prozac if you can ask for it for to take for withdrawals. I got 60 as my doc wanted me to go off in 6 weeks!Ha. I would be dead for sure!. Try to gather all you need before telling a doc you are going off , in fact I wouldnt mention it and just keep getting it and go off yourself. Stop giving Doctors control of your life. Dr's have almost killed me many times and by the grace of God I am still here! I trust God and his wisdom , not doc's. I do feel bad for people who will again struggle with depression. I was on elivil for 13 years and no killer side affects, and it kept me alive and happy. God bless all of you. Signing out , Jubilee
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 10, 2004, at 14:57:12
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me??? » invisiblemanpa, posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 12:12:56
> The high cholestorol is caused by the liver working overtime. You may want to have your Dr. do a sonogram of your liver. The high cholestrol shows up first in your blood. The high liver enzymes may not show up for several years after the damage is already done.
Thanks! excellent suggestion. I will most certainly do that when I follow up visit in two weeks...I really had to laugh when the family practice doctor sent me a lowfat / low cholesterol diet sheet dated 1995.....and of course nothing was mentioned from him about effects of the poison Effexor...but it certainly will come up from it during my next visit...I always wondered why none of my Psy. dr's or family doctors ever asked for regular blood work etc...with all of these meds going in my body???
e
Posted by pmz on October 10, 2004, at 19:10:03
In reply to Re: How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last?, posted by Jubilee on October 10, 2004, at 12:53:01
I would never suggest that anyone hand over control of their lives to someone else unless they are finding that they could be harmful to themselves or others. I do suggest that when you are going to change the dose of your medication, you do so under the guidance of a medical professional. I say this because the changes in medications and dosages can affect any other medication therapies effectiveness. Effexor xr is not the only medication that has the side effects that I have seen listed in these postings. All antidepressive medications can affect your mood swings, your liver or kidneys, your appetite, sex drive, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. It seems to me that people are so centered on believing that the medication is what is causing the negative health issues or behaviors, when it could be just that you are not getting the wanted effect from this medication and may need to try something else. This is why it is so important for you to let your doc. know everything that is going on with you when you are on antidepression therapies. I am so sorry that some have had severe adverse reactions to the medication, but that does not mean that every one who takes it will. I am afraid that there will be someone who is actually benefitting from the medication who will stop taking it because they might think that they will have the same adverse result, and then because of the stopping of the medication, do something harmful to themselves or others. I just want to caution everyone to be cautious, but also be informed about their drug therapies.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 11, 2004, at 3:18:22
In reply to Re: How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last?, posted by pmz on October 10, 2004, at 19:10:03
PMZ, You had some very valid points and some sage advice. Of course, none of this medication should be used without being a dr's care. But, any of us that have been the rat in the maze before with other medications, often times more than once and it my case and in many others, quite a few. The family practioners and psy. docs are throwing darts at a board with meds. on it instead of numbers. It is a best guess, at best, for coming up with the right cocktail for each individual. I must say though, after being thru the here let's try this about 10 times, I know the signs and symptons of what works and what when my body is telling me "this is not working get it out of me or else!". And most recently for me, it was Effexor XR, really hitting home in August, while on an increase dosage schedule, I hit an all time low. So I knew it was time for a change. I knew I had to start weaning myself off so I would be ready to hopefully start something better for me. I have gotten to the point of not calling my psy dr. with every issue or asking for another appointment, because unless it is a life threatening crisis, it is next to impossible to see them. So I have starting writing letters to them in advance of my next visit, which I did 3 weeks in advance of my visit this week, explaining what had happened and what I had planned to do. And my visit this time is with a nurse, not even the doc. (which is usually a waste of time, except to get refills...but in this case, I would hope she has read my memo before hand and will have a new game plan for me when I go into the nurse.) I think that in the case of mental health issues and any health issue people need to start taking the initiative to be informed and willing to take steps on their own, especially if their doctor is not doing so. I think this is especially true for someone being treated for mental health issues by their family doctor, many of them just don't know and are willing to hand out whatever starter pack that the lastest drug rep brought by along with all of those good freebies, cookies, subway sandwiches and probably a lot more that would surprise us all. The drug companies are playing a high stakes game. It is scary, very scary, look at Serzone...Off the market and that was the first AD that I was put on back in like 1999. Sorry for rambling.......it is early, the coffee is still perking and my pill box has no Effexor XR in it for the first time in almost two years.......
e
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