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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2005, at 19:22:51
In reply to Re: Cymbalta seems to be the only drug..., posted by dancingstar on January 3, 2005, at 18:44:34
I guess I should have asked the pts. I always had a really good relationship with them and was well liked by them. I would like the answer to this too. I asked other staff, but nobody seemed interested. I guess it was because it did't affect them, and most of them didn't care, they were just there to earn money. Phillipa
Gee, sounds like the pdocs!
Posted by dancingstar on January 3, 2005, at 19:28:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta seems to be the only drug... » dancingstar, posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2005, at 19:22:51
It sounds like you were on to something, you must be a very good nurse.
Posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2005, at 20:15:29
In reply to Re: Cymbalta seems to be the only drug... » Phillipa, posted by dancingstar on January 3, 2005, at 19:28:02
Thank-you so much. I take that as a compliment. I Think I will start a Thread on this now and ask how many have thyroid problems. A little investigation of our own! Phillipa
Posted by dancingstar on January 3, 2005, at 20:17:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta seems to be the only drug... » dancingstar, posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2005, at 20:15:29
Good idea. I've been curious, too. Thanks.
Posted by chpike on January 3, 2005, at 22:26:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta seems to be the only drug..., posted by dancingstar on January 3, 2005, at 20:17:40
> Good idea. I've been curious, too. Thanks.
After horrible anxiety and panic - I went from Paxil - doc changed me to Effexor due to night sweats - found out I was pregnant and weaned w/no problem via Cymbalta. I'm thrilled as I tried for a year to get off Effxr - following a year on it. Figured it was causing my night sweats. Before Cymbalta - my withdrawl was not barable - anger, panic etc.
I went from 150mg Effx Xr to 60 mg Cymbalta for two weeks, now down to 30 mg Cymbalta and feeling great. I would say my head is much clearer and dreams not so freaky as on Effex and Pax. Good luck I believe in Cymbalta as a means to wean off all AD's.
But as I read through months of babble - it amazes me how various drugs affect us all so differently. My doc basically told me that from the start. I do however share frustration at the level of concern and lack of follow up.
Good luck and God Bless. CHE
Posted by sierra1 on January 3, 2005, at 23:24:10
In reply to whoops , I meant 50 offenders!!, posted by jubilee on January 2, 2005, at 12:11:21
took effexor for about a year, my name can be found in much earlier posts....i went from the beginning stages, middle stages, as everyone here talks about. Orgasms were "gone"....perhaps the odd few, but they just were not happening, all though i totally enjoyed all sex.....anytime, the big "O" was missing. After going from 75 mg up to 300 mg in that year....i stopped....cold turkey...
once in anwhile i check back here for new and different posts about effexor. Going off effexor, id say it took a long time for most of the side effects to be gone....except the occasional tingling in the head feeling (still get that one)
....orgasms....they are happening...not as they once were but at least there are some.......
Posted by sierra1 on January 3, 2005, at 23:30:42
In reply to whoops , I meant 50 offenders!!, posted by jubilee on January 2, 2005, at 12:11:21
bgbham KimberlyDi Zinna Mercedes
come back and tell us what is going on in your lives now?
Posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 1:24:08
In reply to Re: Cymbalta seems to be the only drug..., posted by chpike on January 3, 2005, at 22:26:28
Cymbalta is a relatively new drug. Are you currently pregnant?
Generally speaking, we wouldn't want to advise people that are just flipping through the website to switch from Effexor to Cymbalta if they are pregnant because that may not be the most prudent move that one can make. Generally speaking, it would be better to be off of ADs entirely. If Cymbalta is covering the effects of Effexor and it, too, is an antidepressant, then it is likely that it is generally doing the same sort of thing that Effexor does to your body with some variations.
I wish you well in your journey, but you should research the effects of Cymbalta on pregnancies and newborns if that data is available as it is, finally, with Effexor.
Posted by not2late4u on January 4, 2005, at 2:37:09
In reply to Re: I agree and... » not2late4u, posted by dancingstar on January 3, 2005, at 8:33:07
Dancingstar,
All my posts have been informational about my experiences and research, as I assume everyone elses is. It seems that you have a hard time excepting this. I have said twice and others have said that we are sorry for all those who have had to suffer for whatever reasons and that fda, drug makers etc should provide more info, these things have been acknowledged many times by many posts. The fact is that not everyone has or will have the same experiences, this has been said throughout posts as well. We can not place everyone in the same category or group, we are all different! This doesnt invalidate anyone elses experiences, however in my opinion, your responses seem to.. Lets not take away from someone who may be helped by Effexor, lets provide the best info we can for them so they can be better informed on both sides of the issue and base their own decision on their research. Please, cant we share this site?
Posted by not2late4u on January 4, 2005, at 2:58:14
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by FaithT on January 3, 2005, at 7:15:18
FaithT
Ya, when I take the last one, thats what I am wondering if I will still be doing this well. Im glad you've been lucky enough to find a medication that will help you to live your life, Im sure you know yourself better than anyone else and I just have to say that I would guess that you are clear minded enough to know know whats best for you. Im glad that Effexor does not give you the horrible side effects that others have suffered. Praise God for that! I'll also say a prayer for you about the fear of cancer returning. (the opposite of fear is your name, "faith".) Renee
Posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 7:25:06
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by not2late4u on January 4, 2005, at 2:58:14
Thanks so much Renee. That was really sweet of you.
As far as the withdrawl, like I said I did go off Effexor once myself...You'll get through it, just wean down very slowly, and let your Dr. help you. Basically, I just felt kinda weird for the first week without it. I'm sure you read about the zaps and insomnia. For me, it gradually diminished after about a month. I did begin taking the herbal supplement Melatonin while having the insomnia, and that seemed to help me sleep better.
After that I felt absoloutly fine physically...no lasting effects for me.
I feel fine back on it again as well. As you said in you post above, everyone is different, and on the drug for different reasons. For some, like me, it's a miracle. For others it's horrible, and I'm sorry about that.
Renee, best wishes to you...
Faith~
Posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 12:30:41
In reply to Re: I agree and... » not2late4u, posted by dancingstar on January 3, 2005, at 8:33:07
Renee,
You addressed your prior post to me with your opinion, and I answered you with my opinion. Was I not supposed to do that? If I did something wrong, I apologize.
Bebe
Posted by ckc on January 4, 2005, at 12:42:25
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » dancingstar, posted by FaithT on January 3, 2005, at 9:22:03
OK, this is the third time I've tried this. I have been reading for over two hours and I now have both trepidation and some hope re: Effexor. Five days ago I had a detailed suicide plan and was close to implementing it. With the help of my PCP, psychologist and husband I have been able to make it through one day at a time. I realized while answering his questions that I have had some degree of depression for at least 28 years. I have been off and on many AD. I was on Wellbutrin 300 XL and Cymbalta 60mg last week. I did not feel that they were making any difference and did not f/u with my pdoc as I should have. My PCP immediately started me on 75mg of Effexor and cut the Cymbalta to 30mg. My pdoc called yesterday because I had missed a 10am appt. He told me to decrease the Cym to every other day after the week of 30/day and to then increase the Effexor to 75mg 2x/day. I am kind of freaked out now because of how slowly other folks on this site have been started. I have wicked insomnia. I actually have less hand tremoring since the Cym has been cut in half. I was wondering, what the heck are brain zaps? Do they happen at any dosage? It is great to know that there is a site like this for support during this low point in my life. ckc
Posted by ckc on January 4, 2005, at 13:02:13
In reply to Re: Cymbalta seems to be the only drug... » dancingstar, posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2005, at 20:15:29
Phillipa,I have just started Effexor five days ago. I had my thyroid levels checked in June and they were ok. I'll be your "lab rat" and let you know how it goes. ckc
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2005, at 16:21:08
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » FaithT, posted by ckc on January 4, 2005, at 12:42:25
It's kind of hard to describe brain zaps. It is usually associated with W/D from an AD, in my experience anyway. When I turn my head, blink my eyes, walk,etc, it almost feels like you lose consciousness for a milisecond or are wierdly dizzy. Maybe someone else can explain it better. I can't find any Ad that works for me. The only thing that does is benzos, but even they don't work the same as they used to. This is causing my depression to worsen and I'm afraid to go out alone. My husband has lost all patience with me. Regards; Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2005, at 16:22:41
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » FaithT, posted by ckc on January 4, 2005, at 12:42:25
It's kind of hard to describe brain zaps. It is usually associated with W/D from an AD, in my experience anyway. When I turn my head, blink my eyes, walk,etc, it almost feels like you lose consciousness for a milisecond or are wierdly dizzy. Maybe someone else can explain it better. I can't find any Ad that works for me. The only thing that does is benzos, but even they don't work the same as they used to. This is causing my depression to worsen and I'm afraid to go out alone. My husband has lost all patience with me. Regards; Phillipa
Posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 16:57:15
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » ckc, posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2005, at 16:22:41
Here is my babble regarding Effexor. My family physician started me on Effexor back in 1995. I started out taking 37.5mg per day and am now on
75mg XR per day. My doctor prescribed Effexor because of my severe mood swings. I would say that overall Effexor has been positive except for the negative sexual side effects. I can't count the number of times I have attempted to quit effexor but have failed. Each time I have tried to quit the withdrawal symptoms were so bad I just gave up. My doctor even tried a combination of Wellbutrin with the Effexor to ease the withdrawal symptoms. I don't want to increase my current dosage of 75mg per day because of the weight gain side effects I have read about. My doctor thinks I should take 150mg per day. I have friends who have gained as much as 150lbs on effexor but they are at the higher doses of 300-450mg. I know I need to increase my dose but I hate to get more dependent on this drug. I am curious if any other Effexor users have experienced the weight gain with the higher doses. I'm a healthy 39 yo m that exercises regularly. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I understand that Prozac and Benadryl can sometimes help in the withdrawal process. I think the reason I have tried to quit Effexor is because of the negative research I have read but I also have to understand that there are others out there that Effexor has helped.
Posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 17:20:32
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 16:57:15
Hi...I am on 150 mg of Effexor, ..actually just increased to 187.5. Basically, except for a 2 month period, that I went off the drug, I've been on Effexor with great results for 2 1/2 years now.
I wonder why your Dr. gave you Wellbutrin, while you were attempting to withdrawl...I tried that med., and it made me bounce off the walls!
As far as weight gain on Effexor, in the beginning I actually lost a little weight, then gained back what I lost plus about 5 lbs., So technically, in 2 1/2 years I've gained 5 lbs, which is no problem.
I would try the 150 mg.,and you can always go back down if you see that you're gaining weight or not happy.
If you do choose to withdrawl instead, then just do it very slowly, with your Dr. I have read that some patients go on Prozac at a low dosage for a short period of time.
Best wishes either way,
Faith~
Posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 17:28:08
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » emtbman, posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 17:20:32
> Hi...I am on 150 mg of Effexor, ..actually just increased to 187.5. Basically, except for a 2 month period, that I went off the drug, I've been on Effexor with great results for 2 1/2 years now.
> I wonder why your Dr. gave you Wellbutrin, while you were attempting to withdrawl...I tried that med., and it made me bounce off the walls!
> As far as weight gain on Effexor, in the beginning I actually lost a little weight, then gained back what I lost plus about 5 lbs., So technically, in 2 1/2 years I've gained 5 lbs, which is no problem.
> I would try the 150 mg.,and you can always go back down if you see that you're gaining weight or not happy.
> If you do choose to withdrawl instead, then just do it very slowly, with your Dr. I have read that some patients go on Prozac at a low dosage for a short period of time.
> Best wishes either way,
> Faith~
Thanks Faith! I think I will give it a try. I have no complaints with the effexor I just think that 75mg is no longer doing the trick. My co-workers have even commented that I am more moody than usual. I just have to accept the fact that I will probably be taking this for the rest of my life. My doctor prescribed the Wellbutrin to counter the sexual side effects of the Effexor which did work but you're right about the bouncing off the walls, I hated Wellbutrin. Thanks and good luck.
Posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 17:38:23
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 17:28:08
Trying to stop taking Effexor is very difficult. The higher the dose, the more difficult it becomes to stop taking Effexor. There is virtually no way to stop taking it without your being in pain unless you switch to a similar drug. The higher the dose, the worse the weight gain, the more likely that you will have thyroid and the other possible problems associated with Effexor.
It is also possible that Effexor is causing your depression, rather than helping it. Like others, I was never depressed when I started taking it, but became depressed at 75 mg. and increased to 150, but it didn't help. You may be adding to your problems.
Some of us are now suing Wyeth for withholding information that we believe they have about the dangers of Effexor. Rather than risking your health, since there is so much news in the media about antidepressants both in the U.S. and in England these days, why don't you wait and see what turns up rather than taking a chance on risking your health. Some of us believe that the dangers are much greater than the possible rewards. Of course, the choice is always yours to make. We just want you to do the research and to be careful before you take something that could be dangerous. Check out www.wyeth.com and see what they have to say.
Posted by not2late4u on January 4, 2005, at 21:54:41
In reply to You might want to give that a second thought.... » emtbman, posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 17:38:23
dancingstar, how can you make such blanketed statements as you have below?
"There is virtually no way to stop taking it without your being in pain unless you switch to a similar drug. The higher the dose, the worse the weight gain, the more likely that you will have thyroid and the other possible problems associated with Effexor."
This is not true for everyone.
Posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 22:48:37
In reply to You might want to give that a second thought.... » emtbman, posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 17:38:23
Renee,
In answer to your question, because since I stopped taking Effexor I have read posts from only one person that had a limited amount of trouble when he stopped taking Effexor, and I don't know whether or not he switched to another antidepressant, like Cymbalta, at the same time. Generally, though, once you take these drugs, most people have a very difficult time ever quitting. They become a part of their lives forever. And yet, no one tells us this at the time we take the first pill. Unless someone is severely depressed, I will guess that most people would choose to not take that pill if they were informed that it was to be a lifetime decision that could possibly involve bodily harm.
Ask any pharmacist how many of their customers have stopped taking Effexor without replacing it with another antidepressant? Mine has not seen even one person besides me. He doesn't know anyone that has ever stopped taking it.
The rest of my deductions have been made from reading posts here; the information provided in links from people kind enough to offer them that have shown testing data, published and unpublished from Wyeth; and the website with journals, testing, and posting information from England. That and the fact that over 7,000 people now have signed a petition to the manufacturer of Effexor, many of them detailing the problems that they have had and their experiences with it, have led me to my conclusions.
Though I am not at liberty to give you any details whatsoever, as of today we have located chemists that work with venlafaxine, Effexor, and hope to be able to come up with something more concrete and substantial soon.
In the meantime, it is my personal opinion that people should do their research, not take my word for it, but be cautious before taking Effexor for the first time or increasing their dosage. I have posted links all over this website so that people can get the information that they need. As I have said all along, we all have a right to know what a drug is doing to our bodies when we take it, and we do not have all the facts at this time. Wyeth does not even admit to Effexor causing weight gain. For me, five pounds is a big deal. Fifteen is anxiety producing. If there is a link between Effexor and thyroid, that could possibly have had something to do with three years of chronic fatigue, and I will not have been the only victim of severe fatigue, even pain. Others have had heart and cardiovascular problems, liver damage, problems with pregnancies, depression, anxiety. That's just the beginning.
In excess of 20 people have personally written to me, saying that they have had problems with Effexor, I'd say some have extremely serious health problems. That's in this last month alone.
Have I sufficently answered your question, Renee?
Bebe
Posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 23:46:46
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought...., posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 22:48:37
Dear Bebe~
Again, why are you going to extreme lengths to scare people who are not asking a question ,pertaining to YOUR personal experience? This person is considering increasing dosage, but was concerned about weight gain etc.. Bebe, not every single person does gain weight, have problems such as yours, or is unable to stop taking Effexor. Come to the support group that I belong to, an online support group for melanoma patients and, YES, even Melanoma patients have taken Effexor and stopped the drug. It is possible!!!!!!!!!!
Bebe, I stopped the drug for 2 months, and you know what? If I didn't have melanoma that scares me to no end, I would have been fine without the drug after taking it for 1 1/2 years at that point! I felt great the entire time I was taking it, and felt fine after as well. I went back on it because I have an issue that causes my depression. Effexor doesn't cause it..It HELPS it!
The 7,000 people that you are referring to in signing this petition are largely complaining about withdrawl symptoms that they were unadvised of. I can understand that. However, you are truly unfair in the things that you are posting to these people on this board, in answering every question with scare tactics. That is just not right, and unfair to the poster.
As far as a 5 lb. weight gain, most people do know that ANY anti-depressant can cause weight changes. Some people lose weight on Effexor, some gain, some stay the same. Not everyone gains an extreme amount.
Your statement regarding Wyeth not admitting to weight changes is untrue. It's listed right on the side effect sheet that you get from the pharmacy, along with cautions regarding withdrawl from the med. etc.
You have this personal crusade going on for this one drug. Bebe, I hate to tell you this, but there are many others out there with much worse side effects. Are you also answering each an everyone of those posts as well, in such a manner? How about Remeron for example? Now, that drug causes weight gain. Going off ANY anti-depressant is no picnic, Bebe. It's NOT just Effexor,and a GOOD Psychiatist. does tell you this.
By no means am I on a mission to sway people to take this drug, BUT it seems that people with good experiences on it are afraid to say so, or they're not on this sight,because they have no reason to be. Basically, I wouldn't still be here either after answering that first post, if it wasn't for you. Again, the title of that post was "Has anyone had good results with Effexor XR?"
Why not stick to answering the posts that pertain to your bad experience, instead of scaring people who have obviously read those posts and are looking for someone who had a good one?
Faith~
Posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 0:38:48
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought.... » dancingstar, posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 23:46:46
Faith,
Renee asked me a very specific question, and I answered her question. I didn't mean to upset you. Did you read her question? She asked me why I said the things I did and/or how I came to the conclusions that I came to, and I answered her.
I know that you think that Effexor is prescribed by pdoctors, but that isn't always the case. It is one of the four most widely prescribed drugs, and most of the people taking it may not have been prescribed it by shrinks.
Have you clicked on the numbers under the names on petition to say accurately that each person is only claiming problems related to withdrawal because what you said isn't accurate? Those 7,000 people have had all sorts of problems with Effexor. You should read what they have to say. It's interesting if nothing else. And also contrary to what you have said, most of us were not informed of ANY side effects prior to our ingesting Effexor.
You are entitled to your opinion, Faith, and I am entitled to mine. But the only reason that I posted the last time was directly in response to a question...and I am really busy right now; so the only reason that I am posting now is directly in response to you. Again, I do not mean to be disrespectful, but I sincerely disagree with the facts as you present them, but I respect your right to post them. It seems as though you don't feel that I have the same right simply because you disagree with me.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by FaithT on January 5, 2005, at 0:44:13
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought.... » dancingstar, posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 23:46:46
Bebe~
I want this to come out as civil as possible,but I feel this needs to be said.
I went back and read your previous postings in November,and I now see that you have been on this mission for quite some time now in regard to Effexor bashing, and some pretty far out statements.
It appears that you have gotten into disputes regarding your method of posting tactics in the past,as well as currently. You may think that what you are doing is helpful, but in reality you are giving unsolicited medical advice, based on your own experience. You are replying to posts asking for POSITIVE feedback, with a vengence of your own and in my opinion that is not right.
You stated in one of your posts that you were going to stop doing this. So why are you? Why not stick to answering posts, to people who are having problems. Let the people that have had a positive experience on Effexor say so, without being bashed.
Faith~
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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