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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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.
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:05:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 15:38:31
ask
The crazy thing about these drugs are that they can cause these 'crazy' feeling and these are the feeling that we are trying to get rid of. My Dr. gave me a low dose of Xanax to help me sleep. It works wonders. I haven't had much luck with Effexor. I have also experienced so forms of social anxiety, but not so much of a fear of being social, but the fear of having a panic attack in public. Hang in there, the side effect may subside with time. Talk to your Dr. about the Xanax to get you through some of these side effects. Be cautious, Xanax can be addictive!
dsbk
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 18:07:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? ask » ask, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:05:24
...no more addictive than effexor.
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 18:11:11
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » dsbk, posted by AuntieMel on December 1, 2004, at 16:38:16
It was probably the drugs that were causing the problems in the first place.
If you go to www.wyeth.com and do some thorough reading you can see which symptoms are caused by Effexor.
I'll bet you can do the same for each of the drugs that you are taking. Each problem that you have was probably caused by one of the drugs, and you have to take another to counteract the first.
Bummer.
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:12:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 16:24:09
ask
I felt very aggitaed with Effexor at first, that went away, but I never felt like I was getting back to my self, so I'm going back to Paxil! If you don't start feeling better consider switching meds.
dsbk
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:18:39
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » dsbk, posted by AuntieMel on December 1, 2004, at 16:38:16
AuntieMel
My anxiety unfortunately is heredity. I come from a long line of 'crazy people' of course now that we all understand it a little better, we can joke about it. (both of my parents and a brother have dealt with anxiety and depression at some time.) Not to mention that my Grandmother committed suicide when my dad was still a teenager. The thing to remember is that your're not alone and that there are med to help, it just takes finding the right ones.
dsbk
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:24:22
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 18:02:45
ask
With me, I just all of a sudden noticed that I was functioning better. My biggest complaint with my anxiety are dizzy spells and not being able to think or concentrate. When I'm on the right meds, Ifind myself thinking 'Wow, I'm not dizzy and I can think clearly' which is so wonderful. It will hit you some day that you're feeling better, if you have found the right meds!
dsbk
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:31:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? ask » dsbk, posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 18:07:21
You know, none of my Dr.'s have ever said anything to me about Effexor being so addictive. Which makes me wonder, WHY? But since I started chatting with all of you, I've been freaking out. Someone said that it was like coming off of heroin (which I've never done, but I'm sure it can't be good!) I have still decided to go back to Paxil, I felt 'normal' except for the sexual side effect and there are meds for that, so I hope to get back on it this week. I'm a college student, I can't continue like this!
Thanks you all for your help!dsbk
Posted by jclint on December 1, 2004, at 18:38:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » dancingstar, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:31:01
Posted by jclint on December 1, 2004, at 18:39:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » dancingstar, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:31:01
> But since I started chatting with all of you, I've been freaking out. Someone said that it was like coming off of heroin (which I've never done, but I'm sure it can't be good!)
Man... I hate the fact that people are scared off potentially helpful drugs by such extreme stories! If this is the severity of heroin withdrawal, heroin sounds quite tempting :) Down to 10mg from 150mg, be off completely within a couple of days.But on the other side, I wish you all the best with Paxil, maybe its best to stick to something you know at the moment. Take care! John :)
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:02:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » dancingstar, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:31:01
"Someone said that it was like coming off of heroin (which I've never done, but I'm sure it can't be good!)..."
Yeah! What's the deal with that! Is the withdrawal really that bad. I haven't noticed any physical or psychological draw to the drug, and I've dealt with my own serious addictions not to mention have helped multiple friends come off of serious IV herion addictions. I can't imagine that it's that bad. Herion withdrawal is indescribably awful. Could someone elaborate on the withdrawal symptoms from Effexor. How bad are they REALLY!?!?!
Thanks,
ask
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:05:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?ask » ask, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:24:22
Many people in this discussion seem to be on Effexor for anxiety or social anxiety. Is there anyone out there who is taking it for depression? And, if so, how did the med make you feel?
Thanks.
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 19:37:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:02:26
I don't know what heroin is like, but it can't be any worse than this was and kind of is...I'm left is something like colitis and bad stomach neck and back pain.
It doesn't affect everyone in the same way. I can't imagine why anyone would take the risk. Doctors do not know how badly some of us are affected, and I am now doing my best to change that. It has obviously been kept under wraps for whatever reason. Drugs that mess with your brain are very serious, and you better have a good reason for taking them and take them with complete and informed knowledge. Once you have all the facts, go for it.
Check it out for yourself. Do all the reading you want to at www.wyeth.com. It's old information, but if you get into the meat of the material, you can find out anything that you really need to know. I think the only thing I couldn't find was the weight gain. I don't remember whether or not it addresses the fatigue as most of us say that after a while on Effexor you will develop severe fatigue even though you are amped in the beginning.
Believe me, don't believe me. Whatever. I'm going to an art show; so I'll leave you to your reading as I can't make anyone believe anything.
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 19:42:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:02:26
> "Someone said that it was like coming off of heroin (which I've never done, but I'm sure it can't be good!)..."
>
> Yeah! What's the deal with that! Is the withdrawal really that bad. I haven't noticed any physical or psychological draw to the drug, and I've dealt with my own serious addictions not to mention have helped multiple friends come off of serious IV herion addictions. I can't imagine that it's that bad. Herion withdrawal is indescribably awful. Could someone elaborate on the withdrawal symptoms from Effexor. How bad are they REALLY!?!?!
>
> Thanks,
> askINDESCRIBABLY AWFUL!!! I thought I might die at week 3. No kidding. don't know if I have something they call a European gene that makes it more difficult to withdraw from E or not, but I have had the runs for two solid months since then.
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:58:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 19:42:01
Wow! Those withdrawal symptoms are hard to believe! I hope you feel better. I was curious about this because if it's anything like what I've seen with heroin users, I'm getting off it right now. I'm talking about people who after quitting, wake up in such a cold sweat that it looks like they were just in a swimming pool. Not to mention the fever, diarrhea, contstant vommitting and stomach sickness, muscle aches all over like from a high fever, severe headaches, the feeling like you want to crush your head through a wall because the pain would take your mind off the REAL pain, and the desire to kill yourself if you don't get better soon. Pretty bad... I hope to God that it's nothing like that...
Posted by MKB on December 1, 2004, at 20:21:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?ask, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:05:10
I have posted my experience with Effexor in previous threads, but I will try to summarize again here.
I went to the Dr. for blood pressure medicine. I mentioned that I wanted to renew my Wellbutrin which I had not taken in awhile. I was not seriously depressed at the time and I did not feel I had an urgent need, but I have dysthymia, so it helps to have a little something to lighten my mood. My doctor urged me to try Effexor because it would help with the depression and also help with some anxiety problems I was having due to unemployment. I didn't know anything about it, but I trusted her, so I said OK. She gave me a bunch of samples, but no prescription.
I started taking the medicine and did notice an improvement in my mood, along with feeling more relaxed in social situations. I also noticed that my mind was not ruminating as much as usual on negative thoughts. So in general, I was functioning better emotionally.
However, almost immediately, I noticed the following: fatigue, inability to get up in the morning, complete lack of energy to do anything physical, waves of hot flashes, increased blood pressure, dry eyes and skin, and weight gain. I believe MOST of these are listed as possible side effects by Wyeth. If this be so, then I still do not understand why my doctor gave it to me. She already knew I had high blood pressure. She never once mentioned any of these possible side effects to me. If she had, I would not have gotten started on it.
When I ran out of the samples before getting back to her for the prescription, I got the most unpleasant surprise of my life...no kidding. I woke up one morning very ill and could barely lift my head. I thought I had the flu. As the day wore on, I became more and more concerned as I felt really really sick. That's when I started looking on the internet to see if it could be the Effexor. I discovered that it was. Meanwhile, I became very teary-eyed over nothing and became more deeply depressed than I have EVER been in my life. I did feel suicidal. But even worse, I overreacted to a family member in such an uncontrolled emotional outburst, that I don't know if I can ever regain this person's trust.
When I went back to the doctor, she said she "usually" warns patients about the withdrawal. (But why didn't she warn me?) Then she gave me some printed information about it, told me Prozac might help, etc. So she really did know about the withdrawal, but she failed to tell me. We discussed trying a smaller dose for a longer period and she offered me samples. I told her I didn't want to keep someone else from getting the samples. She shrugged her shoulders and said, "They'll just bring me more." I took the samples, tried the low dose for a couple of miserable days, then decided to stop. I took one every other day for a few days before stopping completely. I did suffer the same miserable symptoms. Even my therapist said it was obvious I was in worse shape four weeks after starting the medicine than I was before I ever started. I was like a zombie, too tired to care for myself, too fat for my clothes, dragging in to my support group because I couldn't get out of bed, etc.
Since that time my doctor has told me that she has kicked the Wyeth rep out of her office because the rep claimed that Effexor did not cause serious withdrawal problems.
Now that I am off the Effexor, I feel healthy again. I will not take anymore antidepressants... ever. I've taken Zoloft, Paxil, Serzone, Wellbutrin, Depakote, and Effexor. Effexor was effective in treating my problem, but the side-effects while ON IT and while WITHDRAWING were too severe...much worse than any other medication. I feel that Effexor, even in the short time I was on it, has damaged my health. If I had not stopped, I am sure my vision would have been damaged as other people have experienced. I am sure my blood pressure would have become unmanageable. I am sure I would still be sleeping until noon and not getting anything done. To be put on a medicine when you don't have a serious need for it is irresponsible. I don't care who is offended by that statement; it's the truth. Judging from the posts on this board and elsewhere, Effexor is being pushed on patients who don't really need it and I think the reason is that Wyeth knows they will be facing legal challenges. It would seem to be in their best interest to get as many people as possible on it to increase their profits and to tilt the balance away from people who have suffered problems because of it.
I now take L-Tyrptophan, Omega 3 fish oil and vitamins. I have also resolved that I need to learn to solve my problems, not medicate them. This is not to say that I think everyone has to do the same. I would just make sure that you are aware of the extreme damage to your health that Effexor can cause and of the debilitating symptoms during withdrawal.
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 22:27:20
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:58:26
> Wow! Those withdrawal symptoms are hard to believe! I hope you feel better. I was curious about this because if it's anything like what I've seen with heroin users, I'm getting off it right now. I'm talking about people who after quitting, wake up in such a cold sweat that it looks like they were just in a swimming pool. Not to mention the fever, diarrhea, contstant vommitting and stomach sickness, muscle aches all over like from a high fever, severe headaches, the feeling like you want to crush your head through a wall because the pain would take your mind off the REAL pain, and the desire to kill yourself if you don't get better soon. Pretty bad... I hope to God that it's nothing like that...
Yup, that about sums it up :-) You said it better than I have managed to. That's why I'm on my soapbox.From what they are saying, not everyone, obviously, has these problems. Some do. How many have to for doctors to be made more aware of it?
Posted by MKB on December 2, 2004, at 10:03:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 15:38:31
In regard to Effexor, here is a portion of an email I received from my doctor in the course of our correspondence about my withdrawal problems.
"Dear___,
I am aware of the withdrawal problems associated with Effexor. I do however
agree that the pharmaceutical companies are being blatantly dishonest with
physicians about the risks associated with their products. Unfortunatly I had
to hear that Vioxx had been recalled from a patient rather than my Merck rep who
insisted that Vioxx was completly safe until the moment it was recalled.I recently kicked a Wyeth rep out of my office. I asked her about the
withdrawal problems associated with effexor, I wanted to know what solutions
other physicians may have found. She told me that withdrawal is not associated
with effexor. I told her that either she was being blatantly dishonest with me
about her product, or she is extremely uninformed about the drug she is
peddling. She is no longer welcome in my office..."
Posted by corafree on December 2, 2004, at 10:27:33
In reply to Re: Effexor XR? My doctor said..., posted by MKB on December 2, 2004, at 10:03:03
Whoa Nellie! Albeit they're prob' all the same, Merck was maker of Vioxx, Wyeth being the maker of Eff-XR,...shouldn't be all about the money, but so obvious it is!
Wonder re: procedures of FDA too?
Thanks so much for sharing your pro-active doc's thoughts and action.
My PCP just told me increasing my Eff-XR wouldn't make the withdrawal any worse than it could already; PCP must be unaware of problem withdrawal too.
It makes one want to trash their docs, their pills, and live like pioneers!
I did tell you all I live in one of the biggest metropolis' in US and all behavioral health beds were full a weekend back. If ever I go off Eff-XR, they'd better make room for me.
I'm prepared to face it more than a withdrawal; rather a detox! cf
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