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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 8:17:19
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching » dsbk, posted by S.Bartel on November 30, 2004, at 2:58:22
Sammi B.
Thanks so much for your reply! I have been taking my Effexor for about 10 weeks. I wasn't getting the results I wanted so I asked my Dr. to switch me to something else. That's when I started Lexapro. I started itching all over about 3 day later, but I stopped the Lexapro and I'm still itching (and still on Effexor) I want to switch back to Paxil because I had good results with it (except the sexual side effect and who need that?) I can't take the panic attacks, so I will have to be on something!dsbk
Posted by MKB on December 1, 2004, at 9:13:56
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 8:17:19
The itching happens with going off many of these anti-depressants. You can take Benadryl to help with that, but if you have a rash with it, you might need to get a prescription cream from a dermatologist. That's what I had to do. He was able to tell me specifically that the rash was caused by the medication and prescribed Clobetasol Propionate Cream 0.05%.
Posted by AuntieMel on December 1, 2004, at 9:28:28
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » AuntieMel, posted by dancingstar on November 30, 2004, at 17:32:24
Yes, I was on 300, along with 300 wellbutrin. I got off half the effexor by opening up the capsules (150 mg each) and pouring some out, staying at that rate for a day, then emptying more and so on until I was down to one capsule. I didn't replace it with anything - I did it because a trial with inderal proved to me that I was too high on NorE and that the anxiety I was feeling was physical, not psychological (many thanks to chemist for the advice)
I didn't need anything to help, but others have had success with adding a little prozac at the end of the tapering to help with the last bits.
You are right that knowledge is king. Without it I wouldn't have known that gradual reduction was the way to go. If I'd just quit taking half and experienced the withdrawal symptoms I would have assumed that I wasn't ready to go off it.
Luckily, my doctor does know about the side-effects. When he switched me to effexor from paxil he had me reducing one while increasing the other.
Time of day is also important. I was told to take effexor and wellbutrin in the morning, as they can interfere with sleep, and when I was on paxil I was told to take it in the evening.
Current cocktail:
AM: 150mg effexor, 300mg wellbutrin, 300mg provigil
PM: 50-100mg trazedoneIt's a huge leap forward from anything I've taken before. I'm still having some problems with motivation and focus, but for the most part I can function now.
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 10:50:52
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » dancingstar, posted by AuntieMel on December 1, 2004, at 9:28:28
AuntieMel
I hope you feel better! Can I ask you why you went off of the Paxil, because I had good luck with it except for the sexual side effects. Otherwise I felt good. I haven't had any luck with Zoloft, Effexor is making me itch (I think) and Lexapro made me more nervous than I was. I think I will go back to Paxil for now, I just want ot feel like myself again!
dsbk
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 10:57:57
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching » dsbk, posted by MKB on December 1, 2004, at 9:13:56
MKB
The thing is I haven't gone off any meds yet. The Effexor helped my depression, but it wasn't getting my anxiety under control. So I wanted to try the Lexapro and I felt worse on it. That's when the itching actually started, but I'm still itching after stopping the Lexapro, so that leads me to believe that it's the Effexor. With evrything I have been reading on the net, itching is an unusual side effect of Effexor.(leave it to me to end up with the unusual one!)I will go back to the Paxil for now.
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 11:00:59
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching » dsbk, posted by MKB on December 1, 2004, at 9:13:56
MKB
The thing is I haven't gone off any meds yet. The Effexor helped my depression, but it wasn't getting my anxiety under control. So I wanted to try the Lexapro and I felt worse on it. That's when the itching actually started, but I'm still itching after stopping the Lexapro, so that leads me to believe that it's the Effexor. With evrything I have been reading on the net, itching is an unusual side effect of Effexor.(leave it to me to end up with the unusual one!)I will go back to the Paxil for now.
I'm really glad I found this sight, at least I know I'm not alone. I have a great support group from friends and family, but unless you have experienced anxiety and depression you can never really understand! Thanks everyone!dsbk
Posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 11:32:28
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 10:57:57
"The Effexor helped my depression, but it wasn't getting my anxiety under control."
As far as I know, Effexor is not really for anxiety. Usually people take something like Klonopin (sp?) for that...
Tony
Posted by MKB on December 1, 2004, at 11:42:19
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 11:32:28
Effexor IS for anxiety, according to what I've read. That is also one of the main reasons my doctor recommended it to me. However, I have not stayed on it and I'm doing fine.
Posted by mickybear on December 1, 2004, at 12:34:33
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Kimberly on May 6, 2000, at 10:20:14
I gained a LOT of weight while on Effexor XR. I have been taking this medication for over a year now and have gained about 60lbs which on my small 5'3" frame is far TOO much. My Doctor noticed that I have a lot of water retention and after explaining to him that I didn't find that my hunger increased but no matter what I did over the past year, my weight steadily increased we felt it best that I change medications. I'm currently being weaned off of Effexor XR and will be trying something new. I'm not sure at this point what that will be.
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 12:42:21
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by mickybear on December 1, 2004, at 12:34:33
I don't mean to be daft, really, I don't; but if it is at all physically possible, have you considered exercise? It is amazingly effective for depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. And I am not in the least being sarcastic. I am trying to find a way to get past the ultimately inevitable effects of drug therapy, which will in the end rob you of something precious to you.
Blessings!
Posted by S.Bartel on December 1, 2004, at 12:48:40
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching » dsbk, posted by MKB on December 1, 2004, at 9:13:56
Actually the best thing I found for the itching is Desitin ointment for diaper rash. I think it is the Zinc Oxide in it that helps. Sammi B.
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 12:50:50
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » dancingstar, posted by AuntieMel on December 1, 2004, at 9:28:28
You are obviously taking this under the supervision of a doctor that knows what he or she is doing and you are agreeing to your own care. That's okay by me :-)
We all have to make our own decisions about this stuff. My concern is that I and others like me were not provided with the opportunity to make an informed decision.
Personally, I am for the legalization and taxation of drugs. I don't think we should bother wasting money on the war on drugs, we should just tax it. Just give us the information to make informed decisions. When prescription drugs are as harmful to us as street drugs, even though they are prescribed by the very doctors that are supposed to make us well and we are not advised about the possible dangers of those drugs that we are taking...that's when I get my feathers in a tailspin.
Blessings!
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 13:03:35
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 11:32:28
My Dr. said it has been know to help with anxiety, but half the time I don't think they know what they're talking about. Also the research Iv'e done on the net showed that it helps some people for anxiety. It's not helping me, so it's time to do something else. Thanks for your response!
dsbk
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 13:09:09
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 12:42:21
I haven't gained much weight on any of these meds (thank goodness) But exercise is great for anxiety and depression. I had said before that I joined Curves for Women (and even worked there over the Summer, begore starting college.) I loved it. I haven't been going due to lack of time, but IT DOES HELP! I nedd to get myself back there! I know I would see a difference!
dsbk
Posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 14:07:39
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 13:03:35
My guess is the dosage or time of day taken prevents its anti-anxiety properties to work.
If I don't take a second dose, I have anxiety; like a short-term, 2-3-4+ hour detox, actually causing the anxiety; drug gone.
It's about metabolizing. For consideration :-) cf
> My Dr. said it has been know to help with anxiety, but half the time I don't think they know what they're talking about. Also the research Iv'e done on the net showed that it helps some people for anxiety. It's not helping me, so it's time to do something else. Thanks for your response!
>
> dsbk
Posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 14:10:46
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by mickybear on December 1, 2004, at 12:34:33
Is there no one out there who has not gained weight at all on Eff-XR, like me? cf
Posted by Gia on December 1, 2004, at 14:12:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » mickybear, posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 14:10:46
Hi there,
I have been taking Effexor XR now for almost 3 months and have not gained weight, I am hoping I will not, I guess not everyone does, I am taking 75 mg daily
Gia
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 15:17:58
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » mickybear, posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 14:10:46
I have only gained a few pounds in the past few months since I've been on Effexor, but I do have a bigger appetite, so who know what would happen if I stayed on it. I don't plan to find out!
dsbk
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 15:38:31
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I'm taking 2x 37.5mg effexors/day and have been for a few weeks now. I'm trying to combat depression and very minor social anxiety disorder--a problem which I used to fight off day by day, moment by moment, without medication. I don't know if the effexor is working properly on either problem though. How much of a change should I preceive in terms of not feeling so hopeless in life. I'm trying to get that feeling again of being able to move forward in life, and I don't think the effexor is working. Has anyone had positive experiences on it and to what degree should I feel a change? Is it very perceptible? Do I need to supplement the effexor with another drug? (Unfortunately, I have vomited from taking my dose on an empty stomach, so upping the dosage may not be a good idea for me.)
Also, I've been feeling incredibly jittery too but can't let it out. It's like I'm jumping out of my skin, but can't do anything active to expel the energy. It's like my skin is crawling, and I have to run around the block or something. I'm not hyper or physically jittery or on edge or anything like that--it's just this feeling inside of me that I can't get rid of--and it's driving me crazy! And it prevents me from getting to sleep, sometimes keeping me awake for 3 hours before I finally get some shut eye. Has anyone else experienced this side effect, and, if so, how did you get over it.
Thanks!
Posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 15:54:15
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 15:38:31
> I'm taking 2x 37.5mg effexors/day and have been for a few weeks now. I'm trying to combat depression and very minor social anxiety disorder--a problem which I used to fight off day by day, moment by moment, without medication. I don't know if the effexor is working properly..."
Your doseage is a little low... Most people use 150-225 or even 300mg. I myself am on 150 BID in the morning.
I usually try to make certain that I take it with some food, even a piece of toast and jam. That was most likely your problem, not the doseage.
Some people have good results with split dosing (i.e. corafree...), but Effexor is *usually* not taken later in the day since it can interfere with sleep. I use 50mg of Seroquel at night for sleep.
The usual course is to increase doseage by 37.5mg a week up to 225 or so and then back off if need be. I found that my body is unusually senitive to medications and that I do very well at 150 compared to 225. 300 made me jittery. 225 is twice as expensive as 150, because all the doseages cost the same...
In the end, work with your doctor to find the right solution.
Tony
Posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 15:55:33
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 15:54:15
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 16:24:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 15:54:15
> Your doseage is a little low... but Effexor is *usually* not taken later in the day since it can interfere with sleep. I use 50mg of Seroquel at night for sleep...
Thanks for the tips. I'm definitely going to start taking my meds earlier in the day... I was taking it rather late. I'll also consult my doctor about dosage. Thanks a million.Also, if anyone has ever experienced skin crawling and a feeling of agitation with effexor, how did you combat it?
Many thanks, everyone!
Posted by AuntieMel on December 1, 2004, at 16:38:16
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 10:50:52
Right.
I went from paxil to effexor because of anxiety. The theory is that anxiety is caused by lack of NorE, so effexor should help....
It didn't help the anxiety, not one whit. Of course at the time I was so out of it (sick) that I didn't question anything. I had to make lists just to remember to shower and eat.
Eventually I got enough energy (barely - and it took a couple of months to get anywhere) to do some web searching and figured I was a few quarts low on dopamine. That's when we added the wellbutrin (300mg on top of the 300mg effexor).
Of course I still had anxiety. But the anxiety I felt was not the psychological type, it was the physical type. Constant antsiness, feeling like I needed to jump out of my skin. That's when I tried inderal and eventually cut the effexor in half. And after that we added provigil for more energy.
A good mix for me. Not a great one, a good one.
good luck
Posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 16:49:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 16:24:09
"Also, if anyone has ever experienced skin crawling and a feeling of agitation with effexor, how did you combat it?"
For me, like almost all of the Effexor side effects, it went away with time. However, 300mg of Wellbutrin made me want to crawl the walls.
A low dose of Wellbutrin works great to offset the sexual side effects of Effexor.
Tony
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 18:02:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » ask, posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 16:49:48
Thank you all. You've been so helpful.
One more question though:
How perceptible is the change in mood resulting from Effexor? Should I notice a definite change in how I feel, or is it subtle and hard to pin down? Many people have told me that it's hard to notice because you don't feel anything per se. Rather, you just function a whole lot better. What are the tell-tale signs that it's working (a feeling, a behavior, anything!)?
Thanks again, everyone.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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