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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Kimbersaur on November 15, 2004, at 8:59:58
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasm » jujube, posted by sunny10 on September 30, 2004, at 10:57:56
> I had a breakdown (again)last February. I had felt myself cycling into it, called my doc and she put me back on the Depokate and Desipramine that I had previously been on. My diagnosis is Major Depression with General Anxiety. The breakdown happened anyway and I was put on Effexor XR. I take 75/mg a day, (I am a small person and I apparently have a small brain, too- LOL). That is enough to ease my general anxiety and depression enough for ME to control my situations, not the medication.
> But even on this low dose, I have gained 13 lbs. (not pretty on my tiny frame)and suffer from a TOTAL inability to become aroused, thus pain during intercourse. My brain says, yes, yes, yes, but my body just won't respond.
> I went to my gynecologist to rule out medical causes ( I had a LEEP procedure in June). He said that this was probably caused by the Effexor XR and gave me VagiFem, a "naturally-derived" estrogen insertable tablet which is usually prescribed to postmenapausal women. I am only 37. I just used the first one last night, so it is too soon to tell if it will work. I have thought about switching to Wellbutrin because it is said to cause "the least amount of sexual dysfunction". I am a little nervous taking estrogen because of cancer related possibilities.
> Has anyone tried the estrogen tablet addition to Effexor XR and if so, are there any side effects? Has anyone switched to Wellbutrin because of weight gain and loss of sexual desire?
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> Thanks for any light you can shed on this.
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> > Good luck to you. Take care.
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> > Tamara
> >I talked to my dad- he is a OBGYN. I asked if VagiFem could in any way increase cancer risk and he said absolutely not. Good luck
Kimbersaur
Posted by invisiblemanpa on November 15, 2004, at 10:21:19
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasmTamara, posted by Kimbersaur on November 15, 2004, at 8:59:58
Sorry to hear your problems, welcome to the world of Effexor Xr..I to (male) gained 20 lbs, lost most of my sexual desire and most ability...as soon as I weaned myself off the Effexor..my desire, sexual dreams etc..all started to come back...the weight is still there..while I exercise like crazy and eat almost a veg. diet...I have started on Cymbalta 60 mg about 6 weeks ago with mixed results, I had been on remeron also and stopped that along with the Effexor, knowing the Remeron is notorious for weight gain, plus I wanted to rid myself of another pill....but about 10 days ago I really started to feel the signs of depression creeping back in so I added back half a dose of Remeron and it really seems to have helped. I had it added previously because the Effexor had quit working and was causing much greater depression symptons. I can't say that Effexor ever helped me with anxiety at all..and I was up to 300 mg last summer........good luck...
e
Posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 10:27:20
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasmTamara, posted by invisiblemanpa on November 15, 2004, at 10:21:19
Does anyone think we should crown Effexor and Paxil the King and Queen of withdrawal syndromes?
.....as far as ADs are concerned.Ed!
Posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 11:17:33
In reply to Re: King and Queen, posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 10:27:20
From what I have read, yes.
Now let's do another informal "study."
Which comes first, taking antidepressants (particularly Paxil and Effexor) or the diagnosis of fibromyalgia?
Mine is gone since I've stopped taking Effexor....as is all semblance of chronic fatigue. My thyroid meds are finally working, too. It's 9:15 in the a.m. and I'm up and about to go work out before I start working. Maybe it's getting better????
Posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 11:28:12
In reply to Re: King and Queen, posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 11:17:33
.......effexor and paxil both made me drowsy. Getting out of bed became very hard work, the temptation to stay in bed was irresistable.
Ed
Posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 11:37:47
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasmTamara, posted by invisiblemanpa on November 15, 2004, at 10:21:19
Invisiblemanpa,
If you are -- or were doing everything else right, I am now convinced that it has got to be some med that has taken control of your metabolism when it comes to your weight. It has me so freaked out for an entire three years. Well, it would. I taught others and couldn't help myself. I was pretty ashamed that I couldn't fix my own weight drama. Now it doesn't stop dropping. Sooner or later I will stop it myself, but I am eating completely healthy foods, just got out of the habit of eating sugar and flour and stuff.
It had to be some med or a metabolic thing if you were eating properly, just had to be :-). (I feel vindicated.)
Posted by MKB on November 15, 2004, at 14:20:35
In reply to Re: King and Queen, posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 11:28:12
Me too. Both of them. Debilitating.
Posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 14:49:03
In reply to Re: King and Queen, posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 10:27:20
Can I also take a tummy check? Two months into withdrawal and I am still having stomach problems. Is it from something else???? Or is it still the Effexor?
Thanks.
Posted by Shyla on November 15, 2004, at 14:53:53
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasmTamara, posted by Kimbersaur on November 15, 2004, at 8:59:58
I take 75 mgs. of Effexor XR, and have worked closely with my doc. to try to find a way to combat the sexual dysfunction. Currently, I'm on 300 mgs. of time release Wellbutrin. I also have been using a testosterone cream on my wrists 2x a day. I can finally, happily report that since on the T, I have actually felt desire. Yay! My doc's next step is to maybe decrease my Effexor down to 37.5 mgs. Don't give up. Keep talking with your doc. If you express dissatisfaction, it's your doc's responsibility to work with you to try to eliminate these unwanted side affects. Good luck!
Posted by MKB on November 15, 2004, at 17:00:18
In reply to Symptom check...., posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 14:49:03
I was only on it for 5-6 weeks, probably not long enough for lasting effects. Sorry I can't be more help.
Posted by corafree on November 15, 2004, at 17:06:06
In reply to Re: King and Queen, posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 11:17:33
Just a note to say I had fibromyalgia before Eff-XR,...and now don't. And, different than others, I have not gained at all. As far as withdrawal goes, it sounds like the King to me. Could someone babblemail me re: overwhelmed w/ dr appts, female preferably, tks, cf
Posted by S.Bartel on November 15, 2004, at 20:25:15
In reply to Re: King and Queen, posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 11:17:33
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1996 and started taking Effexor in 1997. I had also noticed that a lot of people here has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and wondered what kind of conection there might be, but since mine came first I don't know what it could be.
Posted by S.Bartel on November 15, 2004, at 20:36:26
In reply to Re: King and Queen » dancingstar, posted by corafree on November 15, 2004, at 17:06:06
It could be you are in remission with your fibromyalgia. I had symptoms just as bad while on the Effexor and nothing has changed since I stopped taking it.
I go to a Rhuematoligist for fibromyalgia and she gives me shots of Depo-medrol every 3 to 4 months. I could'nt keep going without it. I sincerely hope it has gone away for you. Sammi B.
Posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 22:12:11
In reply to Re: King and Queen » dancingstar, posted by S.Bartel on November 15, 2004, at 20:25:15
I was just wondering. It seems like I had a few symptoms, but the chronic fatigue part was really only after the Effexor. Maybe it was just the beginning, I don't know.
Posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 22:18:50
In reply to Re: King and Queen » corafree, posted by S.Bartel on November 15, 2004, at 20:36:26
After what I've been through, I think that I will stick with Bayer on a full stomach when this is all said and done. My body obviously doesn't tolerate these meds very well at all, even if I don't notice any problems while I am receiving relief from my symptoms. I know that it feels like I have a hole in my stomach already from whatever it's been through, and that's more than I can handle. I don't want to take anything to complicate things any further. Taking it easy has always helped me; so if I'm in pain again, maybe that, too, is an option. I didn't even realize that Aleve is the same as Vioxx, and I had been taking that as well.
Posted by dancingstar on November 16, 2004, at 12:05:47
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasmTamara, posted by Shyla on November 15, 2004, at 14:53:53
I hate to sound like a broken record here, but exercise will most likely help that problem even with the dread Effexor.
Yes, I know, I know diet and exercise don't help everything. Well...food is a drug, and so is exercise.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 17, 2004, at 5:18:42
In reply to Re: King and Queen, posted by dancingstar on November 15, 2004, at 22:18:50
> After what I've been through, I think that I will stick with Bayer on a full stomach when this is all said and done...
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding pain medication to Psycho-Babble Health. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20041005/msgs/416947.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by hannah3 on November 19, 2004, at 11:21:05
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Caz on February 11, 2000, at 20:46:26
Hi there,
I've been on Effexor XR for about 10 months. Although I initially had some brief problems with nausea and headache, the side effects dissapated within a month (nausea caused me to lose over 10 pounds...not healthy. I've since gained it back). I've found that my anxiety and depression have been reduced significantly and I'm really happy with the drug. It works very well as long as you remember to take it. :) skipping a dose is not the most pleasant.
Posted by corafree on November 19, 2004, at 12:25:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by hannah3 on November 19, 2004, at 11:21:05
Hi. I, and others, do very well w/ Eff-XR. I have PTSD and nothing else worked.
I worry some re: withdrawal. Will cross that bridge if needed.
Oddly enough, I never gained a pound on it. I've lost a bit, but father just passed away this year.
I also take trazodone for sleep, and have a very small (like miniature!) amount of benzodiazepine for panic attacks. I am on 225mg Eff-XR.
see ya' round cf
Posted by hilltx on November 19, 2004, at 13:27:34
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » hannah3, posted by corafree on November 19, 2004, at 12:25:02
I've been on Effexor XR for a few weeks. My experience has been that at the beginning it gave me a almost euphoric calm and then began to subside after a couple of weeks. When I upped to 150 mg a day I noticed the same thing. Everything was ok with the world etc... But now I'm sliding back. I will say that the depression is not nearly as intense as it was without the drug but I wished I could feel the way I felt in the first week. Anyone know what the typical dosage is supposed to be?
Posted by crazychickuk on November 19, 2004, at 14:33:12
In reply to Re: A Slow down » siuFrank, posted by LynnPerley on November 4, 2002, at 21:47:30
Any0ne else ever started with half of 37.5 mg just onece a day to see how things goes?
I took it this morning and i had amajor panick attack to it because i am very nervous about medications..
But with me being so anxious and depressed i had to start it cus no other med has ever agreed with me.So had anyone else ever started out on half of a 37.5 mg ? my doc reckons it wont do nothing for me but i feeling it just after the first day i had major panick attack after taking it tryed making myself sick .. lol ive had a dodgy stomach and cant concentrate proply and feel kind of up and down ...
I had this med 5 yrs ago for postnatel depression and it caused me severe anxiety at higher dose of 400mg so i stopped it went through brain zaps etc....
i suppose thats why i am so nervous about taking it now, but i am so depressed... ALSO my leg has been all twitchy and i DO feel like i am spacey i suppose the same symptoms as i had before trying it ..... apart from the twitchyness...
ANy imput?
thanks
Posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 15:11:19
In reply to Re: AIve just started half of a 37.5mg tablet, posted by crazychickuk on November 19, 2004, at 14:33:12
Can you try SAMe from the health food store? I know that your hormones are all whacky, and Effexor won't help you get them in order. As much pain as you are in, if you have had trouble with E before, please think carefully before taking it again. Have you asked your doctor to run a hormonal blood panel? This could help....
I hope you find something else :-)
Posted by corafree on November 20, 2004, at 1:50:15
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by hilltx on November 19, 2004, at 13:27:34
Feel may be sliding back also. Reminds me of 'Awakenings' (movie). I'm at 225mg a day in divided doses. Dare I go higher? cf
Posted by scruff on November 20, 2004, at 16:36:29
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » hilltx, posted by corafree on November 20, 2004, at 1:50:15
Someone would take a drug and not question it's side-effects?
Its irresposnible to suggest such a thing. Especailly in light of the recent Vioxx debacle.
Everyone needs to know about any side effects you might have. From doctors to pharmacists to drug companies. They can't protect us unless we speak up.
As for Effexor. Even when carefully ramped down, I suffered sever withrdrawl from this medication.Some people don't get withdrawl or even side-effects from Effexor.But I know many who have slowly reduced effexor and still had withdrawl.
Decide for yourself how much side effects are tolerable to YOU. That's what matters - and, please, allways report even minor side-effects to your doctor.
Posted by depressedkitten87 on November 22, 2004, at 23:45:26
In reply to Everyone's different, but..., posted by Racer on October 24, 1999, at 22:14:55
I'm on Prozac currently, and it doesn't seem to do me much good, as well as some unpleasant side effects. I have been on Wellbutrin and Depakote as well. Does Effexor have many side effects, and what are they. I've been wanting to try Effexor but I'd like to know more about it first.
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