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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 20:31:48
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions, posted by yoopergirl on November 1, 2004, at 15:29:08
I'm going to throw in my experience here in hopes that it will prove helpful to someone.
I went to my regular practitioner for another problem (blood pressure), asked for an antidepressant I had previously taken (Wellbutrin), but was offered Effexor XR samples instead. The reason was that I needed something for anxiety and Effexor is better for that. I said OK, not knowing anything at all about it. I was not warned of the side effects.
I took 37.5 mg for a week and then 75 mg for 3 weeks. The Effexor worked extremely well on my anxiety. However, I was very tired and absolutely could not get out of bed in the morning. All I wanted to do was sleep. My contacts started bothering me and I noticed my skin was very dry. I could also sense my blood pressure was elevated (no, I didn't actually check it) and that is bad because the reason I went to the Dr. in the first place was to get my blood pressure medicine.
I ran out of the samples and had not been given a prescription. The first day off I felt wonderful, but the second or third (not sure which) day I thought I had the flu. The minute I woke up I knew I was not going to be able to get out of bed. Depression set in fiercely and I found myself crying for no reason. That's when I started wondering what the side effects of withdrawing from Effexor might be and found this website. I was relieved to find out I did not have the flu.
I went back to the Dr. and discussed my experience with her since I needed a prescription. She gave me literature on Effexor and said she usually warned people about the withdrawal. We discussed alternative medications, but I ended up taking some more samples of Effexor. I hesitated because I did not want to deprive anyone else of getting those samples. The Dr. shrugged her shoulders and said the pharmaceutical rep would just bring her more.
So I tried the 37.5 mg again. Even that small amount caused some of the same problems. To read on this site of someone dying of liver disease from Effexor as well as some of the other problems clinched it for me. First of all, I cannot afford to go get an eye exam and new contacts right now. Also, I already need to lose weight and sleeping all day is not going to help. In short, I decided again not to take it after only a few days. It was a bad withdrawal experience, but not as bad as the first time. I have had a rash for about a week that I am sure is a result of going off the Effexor. I have found that it is true that Benadryl helps overall with the bad withdrawal. My skin and eyes are just now getting back to normal. I have started awakening each morning before 8:00 instead of 12:00 noon when I was on the med.
I wish I could get the benefits of Effexor. I need something that works exactly like that. I am taking L-Tryptophan for the moment and plan to continue, but I doubt it can completely heal me of my depression and anxiety. I am seeing a counselor and that is going well. She did not want me to get off the Effexor. Even though the Effexor really helped my mental and emotional state, the side-effects outweighed the benefits for me. I definitely need something as I am going mentally and emotionally downhill fast, so I am just trying to hang on until I can see a psychiatrist for a thorough evaluation and a proper diagnosis and prescription. I am probably older than most of you (50+) so maybe your experience will be completely different.
Posted by dancingstar on November 2, 2004, at 21:36:27
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR, posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 20:31:48
I know that I said that I wouldn't write, but I hate to not tell you something that could help you. I am 49 and in generally excellent healthy now that I am free from Effexor. You may have tipped me off as to why I was unable to get off the couch or out of bed for an entire year. I never thought of connecting the dots in that way.
It could be very helpful to you to have a doctor that you completely trust run a full blood panel. Low thyroid seems to be more common than they used to think, especially in women of around our age, and it can often be responsible for feelings of depression. Sometimes when you regulate the thyroid, the depression kind of evaporates. I hope that this is something that works for you as it is a better solution than medications per say.
Posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 21:45:32
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR, posted by dancingstar on November 2, 2004, at 21:36:27
I'm already on medication for low thyroid. It's seems like everything just went kaput when I was about 46. First major depression, first diagnosis of low thyroid, first prescribed estrogen...all within a year or two. Thanks for your input.
Posted by dancingstar on November 2, 2004, at 21:51:12
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR, posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 21:45:32
I don't take estrogen, but I do know that at 46 I was in the best shape of my life. My friends on hormones have all had a more difficult time than I have, but I'm grateful that I haven't really needed them. Now that I'm free of Effexor, I'm getting my body back again :-). I couldn't understand why I couldn't lose weight. That alone was making me crazy --ier.
I hope you feel better soon.
Posted by juliette on November 2, 2004, at 22:25:20
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
hi im new here just wanted to know some of ur symptoms to compair with my own ty
Posted by tuckerj on November 3, 2004, at 6:52:42
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi
I'm a newbie to effexor having tried prozac (kept me awake for a month) and dothiepin (2 years and no change)
I've noticed that after only 5 days my mood has lightened dramatically, however I'm itching like crazy, no rash or anything, just maddening itching.
Has anyone else had this side effect and if so how long did it last.
Many Thanks
Tuckerj
Posted by invisiblemanpa on November 3, 2004, at 7:12:37
In reply to Effexor and Itching, posted by tuckerj on November 3, 2004, at 6:52:42
good for you if it has already helped....I was on Effexor xr for a year and a half and it caused me to have terrible breakouts of acne..along with other worse side effects.....I have been off of it for almost a month and still getting acne problems.....I feel like I am 16 again...(I wish!)
Posted by tuckerj on November 3, 2004, at 10:07:28
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching » tuckerj, posted by invisiblemanpa on November 3, 2004, at 7:12:37
Yeah it seems from reading these posts that it has quite a few side effects, mind you I'm willing to put up with them (for a while at least)as I am feeling so much better - I just wish I could stop scratching, and a good nights sleep wouldn't go amiss either.
Posted by jujube on November 3, 2004, at 10:28:36
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching » invisiblemanpa, posted by tuckerj on November 3, 2004, at 10:07:28
Perhaps you could ask the pharmacist of your pdoc if you could take some benadryl or something else that might stop the itching. I am sure the pharmacist could recommend something to help you that wouldn't interact with the Effexor. Maybe some Goldbond powder or cream (it is for itching).
Anyways, good luck to you. I hope you get the itching under control.
Tamara
> Yeah it seems from reading these posts that it has quite a few side effects, mind you I'm willing to put up with them (for a while at least)as I am feeling so much better - I just wish I could stop scratching, and a good nights sleep wouldn't go amiss either.
Posted by Jubilee on November 3, 2004, at 12:07:48
In reply to Re: Going slow isnt good???? Help!!!, posted by dancingstar on November 1, 2004, at 18:06:35
> Hi Corafree,
>
> I think that I will take this for as long as it works or until I hear that I shouldn't. The Enzymatic Therapy program is at its most effective at the three-month mark.
>
> I have also concluded that I haven't been getting the proper nutrition until now because I have been fighting so hard to keep my weight down...because of the EffexorXR. I am trying to add some high quality carbohydrates to my diet, like oatmeal and a little bit of brown rice, which I haven't done for three years. I've just eaten low carb/relatively low fat and still had a hard time keeping my weight below 140 at 5'6."
>
> So far I've dropped to 130 without doing anything. My normal weight is 125ish.Hi again Dancingstar, I just found you at that body pain place I visit , like seeing an old friend. How ya been feeling??? I have been going slow and I am ready now for another drop. Now on 2 37's a day and going to cut them both back a tad, and take the prozac, and stomach promithazine, and panic attack inderal, and klonipin again and bear with it . On another site they said the doc said its like herion withdrawals comming off effexor and I believe it from what I read. Elivil will give you your life back and not kill you and destroy your vision and your liver. Hows Sammi? Jubilee
Posted by Jubilee on November 3, 2004, at 12:12:40
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions » dancingstar, posted by gardenergirl on November 1, 2004, at 18:30:06
Would'nt niacin help blood flow too? Somebody mentioned it and good for Fibro also. Jubilee
Posted by Jubilee on November 3, 2004, at 12:21:04
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR, posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 20:31:48
Call me old fashioned but elivil is a safe anti depressiant and I have been to hell and back w/ dep. !! Effexor causes high blood preasure! Try going to "http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/"
Also causes anxioty and hypermania and alot more. Don't use quotes.Jubilee
Posted by Jubilee on November 3, 2004, at 12:23:36
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR-try this, posted by Jubilee on November 3, 2004, at 12:21:04
Hello Sammi B. . Been thinking of you and dropping my effexor again. God Bless you for sharing your story here, and thats about getting liver desease from effexor folks. God Bless, Jubilee
Posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 14:01:27
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR, posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 20:31:48
I finally saw psych after my one month wait. I can't recall any words, just the face of someone scolding me, shaking his finger at me. I had told him I was having the panic attacks and worried about going up any higher on Eff-XR, since now at 225. I have called to complain about the way I was treated. He gave me a scrip for .5mg Xanax x3 and reduced my klonopin to 1mg x3 a day, and was ranting, so that I couldn't understand about Effexor-XR. I didn't take my dose yesterday. Today I am very will. I will probably just trash my dialectical behavioral therapy, because the other issue I brought up, feeling dulled or maybe having ADD, was squashed by him; all he asked was whether anyone in my fam' was ADD. Sending out an S.O.S. I'm so scared. I don't understand up from down. I have no one to turn to. Why is DBT so hard for me?
Posted by yoopergirl on November 3, 2004, at 14:59:38
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » MKB, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 14:01:27
I am not so weepy anymore but I still get a that weird feeling at times. As time goes on it's less and less.
When I was on the Effexor (besides getting quite irritable) I was a bit OCD. Has to be from the Effexor---never was like that before. Also, I have always had a bit of a problem with eczema but could keep it under control ----but the withdrawal from Effexor severely increased my itchness and area of eczema. This has since subsided. Whew!
The weird thing about coming off is the crash. I went right down to my lowest place of depression.
I am a 43 year old female and overweight. I am going to see my GP tomorrow and would like some input as to the right SSRI and dose that worked for any of you.
I know some of you are going to tell me to see a phychiatrist and get into counceling, but I have no insurance and don't want to put myself in debt. Although I am sure it could help.
I am going to be depressed for the rest of my life and I've already accepted the fact that I will be on meds until the day I die. But the weight gain and lack of energy has become a big problem for me.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
The comment about coming off of Effexor being like Heroin Withdrawal was funny to me because, although I have never used Heroin, "Trainspotting" is one of my favorite movies!
Posted by jujube on November 3, 2004, at 16:04:00
In reply to Day 6 and feeling much better...., posted by yoopergirl on November 3, 2004, at 14:59:38
Hi! I'm glad you are starting to feel better. Don't give up. The "breakthrough depression" you are experiencing is likely the withdrawal, which may last two or three more weeks. So try not to despair. Maybe you might have to be on ADs for the rest of your life. There is no shame in that, especially if the meds improve your quality of life. Work with your doctor to identify an AD or combination of ADs that will work well to get your depression at bay. Perhaps you can ask you gp to consult with a pdoc on appropriate meds. Or arrange for you to have a consult based on your profile. In the meantime, you can ask others on this board what meds or combos of meds have worked best for them, so you can be prepared to discuss options with your doctor. I have found that there are a lot of smart and knowledgeable people on this board, who are genuinely willing to help and who have been where you are right now.
As for therapy, if you can't afford it, look into investing in something like "The Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns. It teaches you Cognitive Behaviour Therapy techniques to help you overcome or deal with depression and anxiety. I have heard it is quite good. I recently bought a copy ($21 in Canada through Chapters/Indigo), and plan to start using it very soon. There are other self-help books similar to this. You can search on Amazon books to find others that may be useful.
Finally, with respect to weight loss, I had gained a few pounds a number of years ago that made me really uncomfortable. I had never had a problem with my weight before, and used to be able to eat whatever I wanted. In my mid to late thirties, I guess my metabolism slowed down and I started putting on weight, and realized I couldn't put eat like I was eating. I did lose the weight and am now back to my normal weight. I followed a plan called "Mincavie" (roughly translated it means Thin that's life or Thin for Life). It was developed in Quebec, Canada, and was an extremely effective program. I actually lost much more weight than I had planned, and was back down to a size 6. A number of my friends followed the plan as well, and had great success with it. It is well balanced, and not too restrictive (although breads and starchy foods, they are not excluded).
Anyways, I wish you luck. And please don't despair. Things will get better.
Tamara
> I am not so weepy anymore but I still get a that weird feeling at times. As time goes on it's less and less.
>
> When I was on the Effexor (besides getting quite irritable) I was a bit OCD. Has to be from the Effexor---never was like that before. Also, I have always had a bit of a problem with eczema but could keep it under control ----but the withdrawal from Effexor severely increased my itchness and area of eczema. This has since subsided. Whew!
>
> The weird thing about coming off is the crash. I went right down to my lowest place of depression.
>
> I am a 43 year old female and overweight. I am going to see my GP tomorrow and would like some input as to the right SSRI and dose that worked for any of you.
>
> I know some of you are going to tell me to see a phychiatrist and get into counceling, but I have no insurance and don't want to put myself in debt. Although I am sure it could help.
>
> I am going to be depressed for the rest of my life and I've already accepted the fact that I will be on meds until the day I die. But the weight gain and lack of energy has become a big problem for me.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> The comment about coming off of Effexor being like Heroin Withdrawal was funny to me because, although I have never used Heroin, "Trainspotting" is one of my favorite movies!
Posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 16:13:47
In reply to Effexor and Itching, posted by tuckerj on November 3, 2004, at 5:35:04
Most people consider itching an allergic reaction to something if it can't be related to something else.
Most good doctors would like to know about a reaction like this...but I'm afraid to comment about that sort of thing for fear that I'm offending someone.
Posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 17:28:44
In reply to Re: Going slow isnt good???? Help!!!Hi again!!, posted by Jubilee on November 3, 2004, at 12:07:48
Hey Jubliee,
It's nice to hear that some doctors acknowledge that it is like heroin withdrawal. I'm sure that it must be.
Some days I feel amazing, and I think it is completely over. On other days, like today, I don't. I really haven't got any idea why. It makes me feel very helpless. I know that I cannot push my body too hard, stay up too late, exercise too much, work too hard, etc. no matter how good I think that I feel; or I will be rewarded with feeling very badly the next day. It's kind of -- no really bizarre, and I wish that it were over already.
Posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:29:10
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » MKB, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 14:01:27
I finally saw psych after my one month wait. I can't recall any words, just the face of someone scolding me, shaking his finger at me. I had told him I was having the panic attacks, and let him know I would not go higher on Eff-XR, since now at 225. I have called to complain about the way I was treated. He gave me a scrip for .5mg Xanax x3, and reduced (I think) my Klonopin to 1mg x3 a day, and was ranting, so that I couldn't understand about Effexor-XR. I didn't take my dose yesterday. Today I am very ILL. I am dropping letters in my words - and as a profession I was a medical transcriber and insurance transcriber w/ excellent English. The chemical compound, I believe, in Eff-XR, is very strong. But, rather than giving a person with borderline personality disorder an anti-anxiety medication (a "HORRIBLE" benzo), they'd have you take this strong chemical. Why is that??? I WENT TO DBT, BUT HAVING TROUB' LEARNING, ATTN, REMEMBERING. That is the other issue I brought up to my raving psychiatrist; feeling dulled or stupid, yet he only asked whether anyone in my fam' was ADD (said no), and that was it. NOT EVEN KNOWING THE CRITERIA, I KNOW THAT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE! Sending out an S.O.S. I'm so scared. I don't understand up from down. I have no one to turn to. Why is DBT so hard for me? ANY DBT PEEPS OR DANCING STAR, PLS CONTACT ME. MESSENGER WOULD BE GOOD. I'M NOT DOING WELL AT ALL. On my behalf, I will have to leave my familiar clinic and get a new psychiatrist, and another, and another, until someone treats me respectfully! Will take what little GUMPTION I've lost or given away. I ASK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR PRAYERS. Yeah, I know I'm being needy ... please share, and maybe something I say will help one of you some day. coraneedstobefree, cf
Posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 21:45:29
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » corafree, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:29:10
Corafree,
I wrote you a private message earlier today. Did you get it? I don't know what DBT means, I'm sorry. Let me know if you get my message. I'm pretty sure it's here somewhere under your name.
Posted by KarenQ on November 3, 2004, at 21:50:30
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I switched from Celexa to Effexor XR (75 mg) a couple of months ago because of problems with sexual side effects with C. Glad to say that switching did help with the big o. However, I don't feel as tranquil and calm with the E as I did with C and am wondering if I go up to 150 mg of E, whether it will help more with the GAD (anxiety) without sacrificing my libido. Anyone have any input on this? Thanks.
Posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:57:08
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR, posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 20:31:48
Have you considered good old Elavil as an anti-depressant. I just get this feeling that the more refining of meds, the worse they become. It, I learned through Sammi I believe, helped her. Can you explain what L-Tryptophan is for?>
I just posted about not wanting to increase my Eff-XR, especially since on 225 a day. My psych is going to be in my past very soon. My main symptoms are anxiety, sadness, some anger, and panic attacks.
They would rather I took Eff-XR than prescribe a benzo. I really wonder...the latter is addicting yes, but the prior may be damaging.
be well cf
I'm going to throw in my experience here in hopes that it will prove helpful to someone.
>
> I went to my regular practitioner for another problem (blood pressure), asked for an antidepressant I had previously taken (Wellbutrin), but was offered Effexor XR samples instead. The reason was that I needed something for anxiety and Effexor is better for that. I said OK, not knowing anything at all about it. I was not warned of the side effects.
>
> I took 37.5 mg for a week and then 75 mg for 3 weeks. The Effexor worked extremely well on my anxiety. However, I was very tired and absolutely could not get out of bed in the morning. All I wanted to do was sleep. My contacts started bothering me and I noticed my skin was very dry. I could also sense my blood pressure was elevated (no, I didn't actually check it) and that is bad because the reason I went to the Dr. in the first place was to get my blood pressure medicine.
>
> I ran out of the samples and had not been given a prescription. The first day off I felt wonderful, but the second or third (not sure which) day I thought I had the flu. The minute I woke up I knew I was not going to be able to get out of bed. Depression set in fiercely and I found myself crying for no reason. That's when I started wondering what the side effects of withdrawing from Effexor might be and found this website. I was relieved to find out I did not have the flu.
>
> I went back to the Dr. and discussed my experience with her since I needed a prescription. She gave me literature on Effexor and said she usually warned people about the withdrawal. We discussed alternative medications, but I ended up taking some more samples of Effexor. I hesitated because I did not want to deprive anyone else of getting those samples. The Dr. shrugged her shoulders and said the pharmaceutical rep would just bring her more.
>
> So I tried the 37.5 mg again. Even that small amount caused some of the same problems. To read on this site of someone dying of liver disease from Effexor as well as some of the other problems clinched it for me. First of all, I cannot afford to go get an eye exam and new contacts right now. Also, I already need to lose weight and sleeping all day is not going to help. In short, I decided again not to take it after only a few days. It was a bad withdrawal experience, but not as bad as the first time. I have had a rash for about a week that I am sure is a result of going off the Effexor. I have found that it is true that Benadryl helps overall with the bad withdrawal. My skin and eyes are just now getting back to normal. I have started awakening each morning before 8:00 instead of 12:00 noon when I was on the med.
>
> I wish I could get the benefits of Effexor. I need something that works exactly like that. I am taking L-Tryptophan for the moment and plan to continue, but I doubt it can completely heal me of my depression and anxiety. I am seeing a counselor and that is going well. She did not want me to get off the Effexor. Even though the Effexor really helped my mental and emotional state, the side-effects outweighed the benefits for me. I definitely need something as I am going mentally and emotionally downhill fast, so I am just trying to hang on until I can see a psychiatrist for a thorough evaluation and a proper diagnosis and prescription. I am probably older than most of you (50+) so maybe your experience will be completely different.
Posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 22:10:06
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » MKB, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:57:08
The L-Trytophane (sp?) helps to increase your natural seratonin levels. It also makes people a little tired or in some cases, just more relaxed. Turkey as a lot of it. Lately it has been thought to be a somewhat better option to raise seratonin levels by taking 5-HTP, which is kind of the same thing. I don't really know what the difference is or the reason for that recommendation. I think that the two chemical compounds are processed slightly differently. They are both health-food-store products, and they both work.
As a tool from the more painful aspects of withdrawing from Effexor, for those of you that trust my judgment on this and don't think that I am exaggerating, 5-HTP is a wee bit helpful, but it's going to take an awful lot of it to really do much in the way of relieving sysmptoms; in other words, I don't really feel anything from it. I take it anyway so that my body isn't on "empty" when it comes to seratonin depletion.
Hope that helps to answer your question....
Posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 22:42:54
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR, posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 21:45:32
I cannot tolerate anything but estrogen patches. Have you or do you use them? cf
> I'm already on medication for low thyroid. It's seems like everything just went kaput when I was about 46. First major depression, first diagnosis of low thyroid, first prescribed estrogen...all within a year or two. Thanks for your input.
Posted by emmahoward on November 4, 2004, at 0:02:07
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 16:13:47
A friend of mine was put on Effexor by her doctor and because Im on it too, she asked me if I had itching. I have not. Itching can be because of a variety of reasons, and no, its not an allergy to the medication, its usually just a chemical reaction and it does go away.
I advised my friend to dab on some Apple Cider Vinigar (sounds gross I know) with a cotton ball on the area. You can buy apple cider vinigar almost anywhere you buy your groceries. It relieves the itching, but does stink your leg up (or arm, or wherever youre getting this.)
Hope that was helpful.
E
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