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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ckc on January 7, 2005, at 10:55:04
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by jubilee on January 6, 2005, at 15:24:20
Jubilee, I truly appreciate your concern. I was supposed to increase yesterday but called my pdoc and voiced my concern. We agreed to keep the same dosage until I see him next week. My PCP started me on it; my pdoc was away. At that point I was on the brink of suicide and was not asking any questions, just barely functioning. Looking back, if I had refused I am sure I would have been committed and given it anyway, who knows at what dose. Thanks also to Bebe. CKC
Posted by dancingstar on January 7, 2005, at 11:09:22
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by ckc on January 7, 2005, at 10:55:04
ckc,
I do hope you feel better soon!! I'm beginning to understand what's going on with Effexor if only because I've been studying it now for a while. I think it's possible that if you are missing certain things in your body that are making you depressed, Effexor won't be as hard on your system, physically, as it will be on people who take it without needing to take it for a physical as opposed to an emotional reason.
Does this make any sense? I'll post a link for you that I found to help you with some of your decisions down the line. It may not be the wrong drug for everyone, but it is absolutely the wrong drug for some people, and it would sure help it doctors didn't prescribe it to those of us that shouldn't be taking it in the first place. Even then, keeping the dosage as low as possible seems to be the way to go.
Best of luck to you in everything, and I wish you tons and tons of happiness!!!
http://www.crazymeds.org/effexor.html
Posted by Gia on January 7, 2005, at 11:12:39
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by ckc on January 7, 2005, at 10:55:04
I was pretty bad before I started taking Effexor, on the brink of suicide, in hospital, seeing doctors. I tried Paxil, Prozac, Celexa and nothing seemed to work for I even tried to commit suicide by taking my whole bottle of Paxil but I think that was just a cry for help. Effexor has been great for me. I have not had many side effects and I finally know what is it like to feel happy and content, the first time since I was a kid I think, I think this drug is good for those who really need it.
Posted by willow918 on January 7, 2005, at 13:52:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 20:35:00
I have read through the most recent posts here and wanted to state that I have had fantastic results with Effexor. In fact, I recently increased my dosage from 75mg per day to 150mg. The reason for the increase was due to the onset of sever depression, crying and just the feeling of helplessness...my PCP listened intently and when she told me she wanted to increase the dosage I hesitated but then agreed. I am so glad I did as within about a week or so I began to feel the veil of darkness lift. Today I feel like a new woman...one with a purpose once again.
I agree that Effexor...and I feel neither is Paxil or any of the other antidepressants aren't for everyone. This is where you need to report problems to your physician so something else can be prescribed that will work for you.
Good Luck to all.
Posted by dancingstar on January 7, 2005, at 13:58:22
In reply to Excellent Results, posted by willow918 on January 7, 2005, at 13:52:48
By contrast, I was taking 75mg of Effexor and became extremely weepy and depressed. I, too, consulted my internist and we decided that I should increase the dosage to 150 mg. After about three weeks, I became more depressed, more fatigued, and gained more weight.
That is how I began to get a clue that Effexor was the cause and not the solution. I would never have known otherwise.
Posted by willow918 on January 7, 2005, at 15:28:56
In reply to Re: Excellent Results/ Flip Side for Refernce » willow918, posted by dancingstar on January 7, 2005, at 13:58:22
This is an instance where the internist should have known Effexor wasn't the med for you and prescribed something better suited to you.
I'm sorry this happened to you.
Posted by dancingstar on January 7, 2005, at 15:39:58
In reply to Re: Excellent Results/ Flip Side for Refernce, posted by willow918 on January 7, 2005, at 15:28:56
Actually, no one could have known as Wyeth does not provide the appropriate information for any of to have known. I only know this now after doing many hours of research myself. He could not have known this. The data available is too conflicting. No one really knows anything accurate about Effexor. They say it causes weight loss, but many of us gain weight. It is an anitdepressant, yet causes depression. This goes on. It causes pain, fatigue, liver damage, hypertension, hypotension, aortic aneurysms -- for me that's a big one. If I had known that, I'd never have taken it.
It is my belief now that I am drug free that I should not have been on any antidepressant as I was never depressed. The antidpresseant is what caused my depression in the first place. For others, it just makes their depression worse. For some people it works, and it helps.
Then there are those that have really bad problems, problems so bad that they want to forget about life. Effexor is great for that. I lost track of my business and everything that was important in my life for nearly three years. "Not to worry, it will all work out. I'll think about it tomorrow..she thought, and went back to sleep."
Give me good old fashioned exercise. They can keep their drugs. They've done enough damage to my body.
But thanks for the suggestion. I'm glad it works for you.
Posted by FaithT on January 8, 2005, at 14:00:05
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by jubilee on January 6, 2005, at 15:24:20
Dear Jubilee~
I'm guessing that your post was directed towards me, since I made the original one. If not, I would like to respond anyway.
I do see both sides of the coin here, and I am not denying that. I am very sorry for everything that you and others experienced from taking Effexor. For some it is a Godsend and for others,a nightmare.
As far as signing a petition for banning Effexor, that is something that I will never do...As I previously stated, I take Effexor since I was diagnosed with Maliginant Melanoma in July of 2002. I can not even begin to describe the fear and depression that I have experienced due to this, and that is why this particular drug was the drug of choice for me and my psychiatrist.
Yes, Effexor is an anti-depressant that should be given to patients with severe clinical depression. I do not agree in attempting to ban the drug from people who truly do need it, and have benefited from it, like myself and others.
As far as not being able to ever replace Effexor.. Cymbalta is running pretty close, and it's components are very, very similar in the way it works on the two parts of your brain.
I happen to have a very good psychiatrist, and I think that it's wrong to say that "If he knew about Effexor, he never would have put me on it." If he hadn't put me on it, I would probably be wasting away in a mental institution, by now and that is the honest truth.
On it, I can function through the Melanoma fears, and still be a 30-something wife and Mommy to my 3 year old little boy, and enjoy my life, for however many years that may be. I will remain on Effexor for as many days as I remain on this earth.
Best wishes to you,
Faith~
Posted by FaithT on January 8, 2005, at 14:11:13
In reply to Re: please be civil » FaithT » dancingstar » Renee » corafree, posted by Dr. Bob on January 5, 2005, at 22:00:22
Posted by not2late4u on January 8, 2005, at 20:00:44
In reply to Re: Sorry about that, Dr. Bob~ n/m (nm) » Dr. Bob, posted by FaithT on January 8, 2005, at 14:11:13
bob,thought I responded to this one but dont see my post. wanted to say sorry and thanks for monitoring the site to help us out. renee
Posted by not2late4u on January 8, 2005, at 20:05:06
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » jubilee, posted by FaithT on January 8, 2005, at 14:00:05
If you want updates and see how its going, I started a thread "renee tapering off effexor" feel free to visit. Im not looking for debates or stats of this drug, just wanted to share my experience as I go off Effexor, hoping to get help and help others. Renee.
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 9, 2005, at 17:14:16
In reply to Re: Sorry about that, Dr. Bob~ n/m (nm) » Dr. Bob, posted by FaithT on January 8, 2005, at 14:11:13
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 9, 2005, at 17:15:20
In reply to Re: Sorry about that, Dr. Bob~ n/m, posted by not2late4u on January 8, 2005, at 20:00:44
Posted by tatarka on January 9, 2005, at 21:16:55
In reply to Im Tapering off Effexor now....., posted by not2late4u on January 8, 2005, at 20:05:06
somehow i cant find this thread. in fact i can find the tread i post right now by notification links coming to my email, otherwise i dont know how to find it either. If anybody could post a link here, i would really appreciate that!
Right now i have some "problems". i'm on 75 mg for about half of year, and it was okay, my psycho state improved, i didnt cry all the time, was able to sleep, etc. In the mornings i'm taking Welbutrin - 300 mg. The day before yesterday i drank a couple of beers and got drunk right away (of course, - with all these drugs). Anyway, i forgot take effexor that night. I must add that i have a cold, maybe that added to the problem. Yesterday i was sick with cold, couldn't do much, was depressed, but it was okay. Last night I had really weird nightmares. Today was a NIGHTMARE itself: i thought i can die. i have some kind of electric discharges in my head - it's terrible! i was throwing up all day, i'm still feel sick. i dont know, i was really skeptic to the posts here against effexor, but my gut feeling keep saying me today that it's what caused my problems today. Now: because i feel sick, i cant eat. Because i cant it - i cant take my night dose. Because i cant take it tonight - i will not be able to work tomorrow!
PLEASE, I NEED AN ADVICE HOW TO DEAL WITH IT RIGHT NOW. I'm vegetarian. Thank you, guys.> If you want updates and see how its going, I started a thread "renee tapering off effexor" feel free to visit. Im not looking for debates or stats of this drug, just wanted to share my experience as I go off Effexor, hoping to get help and help others. Renee.
Posted by not2late4u on January 10, 2005, at 0:39:29
In reply to Re: Im Tapering off Effexor now..... » not2late4u, posted by tatarka on January 9, 2005, at 21:16:55
Hi, I have a hard time finding threads too! Can someone help us both......Renee
Posted by not2late4u on January 10, 2005, at 1:05:31
In reply to Re: Im Tapering off Effexor now..... » not2late4u, posted by tatarka on January 9, 2005, at 21:16:55
Hi, I hope that you'll be able to find the other thread, hope someone will help you find it, I can only get to it by keeping an email response!
Do you get sick when you take it on an empty stomach? I was ok taking it on empty stomach, but everyones different, I know. IF you can and I were you, I would suggest you take your 75 mg dose right away! Call your doctor who prescribes and let him know whats happening. Please let us know how you are doing. Renee
Posted by FaithT on January 10, 2005, at 6:05:18
In reply to Re: Im Tapering off Effexor now..... » not2late4u, posted by tatarka on January 9, 2005, at 21:16:55
Dear Tatarka~
I agree with Rene's advice,in that you have to try to get that 75 mg. of Effexor in you somehow. I imagine that your body is also reacting to not having the 300 mg. of Wellbutrin. Maybe try taking something to calm your stomach down, like pepto, and then try to take your meds. By stopping the drugs suddenly, you are going to feel violently sick. The alchohol is probably something you should stay away from while on them.
Until your stomach calms down, just try taking little sips of gingerale or water so that you don't dehydrate. When you can tolerate that, then try a little more liquid and some saltine crackers. Sorry to sound like a Mom...but,I am one.
Hope you feel better,
Faith~
Posted by FaithT on January 10, 2005, at 6:12:25
In reply to Re: Im Tapering off Effexor now..... » not2late4u » tatarka, posted by not2late4u on January 10, 2005, at 1:05:31
Renee and Tatarka~
If you go to the main Psycho Babble page, your thread and posts are about halfway down. I think that the current page is maybe a 30 day window. So, if you want to see older posts, you have to go up to the top and click on the dates that you're looking for.
Hope that helps,
Faith~
Posted by tatarka on January 10, 2005, at 10:20:47
In reply to Re: Im Tapering off Effexor now..... » not2late4u » tatarka, posted by FaithT on January 10, 2005, at 6:05:18
Hi guys, THANK YOU all for your help!
I feel much better today. Yesterday i drank lots of water and kept throwing up till it stopped. then i forced myself to have some just boiled potatoes (i know it sounds wierd) and it calmed down my stomach. i took effexor right away. i never tried take it on empty stomach. those strange things in my head stopped after a couple hours, so i have no doubt that it was withdrawal effect. i was so sick, depressed and scared yesterday that i decided to ask my doc to get me off at least effexor, because i dont want end up insane. thank you again, i'll come back here after work.> Dear Tatarka~
> I agree with Rene's advice,in that you have to try to get that 75 mg. of Effexor in you somehow. I imagine that your body is also reacting to not having the 300 mg. of Wellbutrin. Maybe try taking something to calm your stomach down, like pepto, and then try to take your meds. By stopping the drugs suddenly, you are going to feel violently sick. The alchohol is probably something you should stay away from while on them.
> Until your stomach calms down, just try taking little sips of gingerale or water so that you don't dehydrate. When you can tolerate that, then try a little more liquid and some saltine crackers. Sorry to sound like a Mom...but,I am one.
> Hope you feel better,
> Faith~
>
>
Posted by dancingstar on January 10, 2005, at 11:01:36
In reply to Re: Im Tapering off Effexor now....., posted by tatarka on January 10, 2005, at 10:20:47
Didn't see your post...but even I would tell you to take the Effexor :-)
Glad you instinctively went for the potatoes. Believe it or not, ever since I stopped taking Effexor, they've become a staple of my diet. I don't know why. I never, ever ate them before, but now they seem like the perfect food for me. Must be the potassium.
Faith is right about the alcohol. It doesn't mix with these drugs. I think that something in the drugs magnifys the effects of alcohol, and the combination just ends up making you feel bad. I hope today is a better one!!
Bebe
Posted by nomde on January 10, 2005, at 12:35:45
In reply to Re: Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta) » absolute, posted by Wildflower on December 17, 2004, at 11:43:21
Last week I started Effexor XR 37.5mg one a day.
On day three my ears started ringing and although now not quite as loud it is still with me even though I stopped taking it.
Posted by not2late4u on January 11, 2005, at 2:20:46
In reply to Re: Im Tapering off Effexor now....., posted by tatarka on January 10, 2005, at 10:20:47
Hi, I am soooo glad you are feeling better! I couldnt drink on Effexor, 1/2 a drink and I was dizzy and buzzed, not a drinker anymore anyways. If it was the flu, glad its passed! God bless, Renee
Posted by broken on January 11, 2005, at 9:23:55
In reply to Re: Im Tapering off Effexor now..... » tatarka, posted by not2late4u on January 11, 2005, at 2:20:46
> Hi, I am soooo glad you are feeling better! I couldnt drink on Effexor, 1/2 a drink and I was dizzy and buzzed, not a drinker anymore anyways. If it was the flu, glad its passed! God bless, Renee
So many posts on this subject, and the differences between how one person reacts as opposed to the other are mind boggling.(No adverse reactions for me to alcohol, wife and I split a bottle of Dom Perignon on new years.)
For the record, I am on 300mg effexor, and 450 mg of Wellbutrin a day, and the only real side effects I have seen have been fatigue, and I admit that is a real pain. ( However I have changed when I take each pill, and the timing change has seemed to make a big difference.
I have never liked Wellbutrin, I took it years ago and almost immediately I had extremely vivid nightmares/dreams. I agreed to give it another shot this time, and although it has taken much longer to show up, I am back in the dream/nightmare phase again. I was set to see my Doc today, but because of a death in his family, it had to be rescheduled. He advised me to taper down off the Wellbutrin, but I dropped it altogether. Dreams are too vivid, and some things I dream about are forcing me to relive some terrible experiences. In my case, for the wellbutrin, it seems the cure is worse than the disease. I am definitely going to discuss the withdrawals that I have seen mentioned here on effexor with him, I'll have to decide what to do there, as the effexor has helped alot over the last 6 months.
Obviously, everyone reacts differently to medication, I wish all of you the very best when dealing with this crap. The goal is to get better, and I fail to see how this is possible when you are fighting off effects of your medication instead of battling the original problem.
Take care of yourselves...
Posted by tatarka on January 11, 2005, at 9:53:31
In reply to Re: Im Tapering off Effexor now..... » tatarka, posted by dancingstar on January 10, 2005, at 11:01:36
Thank you, dancingstar. I think you guys are right - it was an alcohol. I'm still feeling okay (if you can call it normal when you are taking all this crap). But still i'm planning to take off effexor because i dont like the wierd dreams, the constant fatique in my muscles and dark circles under the eyes. I'm just very concerned about bad timing for me to do it now - i'm thinking of leaving my husband, who is not bad all the time (if you know what i mean)... I was thinking about it for years now, and decided to see a doctor thinking that maybe all the problems are just in my head and its because i'm chronically depressed since i was a kid. Anyway, i'm still confused, but i'm very close to this step, even started looking for an appartment for myself. But oh my... its so hard to make this step when he is not always a jerk. Sorry for all these details.
> Didn't see your post...but even I would tell you to take the Effexor :-)
>
> Glad you instinctively went for the potatoes. Believe it or not, ever since I stopped taking Effexor, they've become a staple of my diet. I don't know why. I never, ever ate them before, but now they seem like the perfect food for me. Must be the potassium.
>
> Faith is right about the alcohol. It doesn't mix with these drugs. I think that something in the drugs magnifys the effects of alcohol, and the combination just ends up making you feel bad. I hope today is a better one!!
> Bebe
Posted by tatarka on January 11, 2005, at 10:00:17
In reply to Totally Amazing..., posted by broken on January 11, 2005, at 9:23:55
I first was taking remeron and wellbutrin, then i switched to effexor because i started to gain weight. But instead i started to have nightmares and i'm always dehydrated not mentioning constant swetting (never had this problem before!), etc., etc. I can't tell that all that happened with starting Effexor was bad - no, i have positive moments, i dont cry at all, i sleep, etc. Wellbutrin makes me a bit anxious, but i knew that it will be like it, - i need smth like this to stay awake at work and be able to concentrate.
> > Hi, I am soooo glad you are feeling better! I couldnt drink on Effexor, 1/2 a drink and I was dizzy and buzzed, not a drinker anymore anyways. If it was the flu, glad its passed! God bless, Renee
>
> So many posts on this subject, and the differences between how one person reacts as opposed to the other are mind boggling.(No adverse reactions for me to alcohol, wife and I split a bottle of Dom Perignon on new years.)
>
> For the record, I am on 300mg effexor, and 450 mg of Wellbutrin a day, and the only real side effects I have seen have been fatigue, and I admit that is a real pain. ( However I have changed when I take each pill, and the timing change has seemed to make a big difference.
> I have never liked Wellbutrin, I took it years ago and almost immediately I had extremely vivid nightmares/dreams. I agreed to give it another shot this time, and although it has taken much longer to show up, I am back in the dream/nightmare phase again. I was set to see my Doc today, but because of a death in his family, it had to be rescheduled. He advised me to taper down off the Wellbutrin, but I dropped it altogether. Dreams are too vivid, and some things I dream about are forcing me to relive some terrible experiences. In my case, for the wellbutrin, it seems the cure is worse than the disease. I am definitely going to discuss the withdrawals that I have seen mentioned here on effexor with him, I'll have to decide what to do there, as the effexor has helped alot over the last 6 months.
> Obviously, everyone reacts differently to medication, I wish all of you the very best when dealing with this crap. The goal is to get better, and I fail to see how this is possible when you are fighting off effects of your medication instead of battling the original problem.
> Take care of yourselves...
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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