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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by vanillapod on July 13, 2005, at 19:59:55
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by Racer on October 25, 1999, at 19:54:13
> There's a good reason for starting slowly on Effexor. And yes, I noticed a difference RIGHT AWAY. The first dose, in fact.
>
> Not a fix from the first dose, mind you, but the sleeplessness, the lowering of anxiety, those things happened right away. Build up slowly on this stuff, it's serious business, as you can see from what we all post about it...
>Also for me the first dose I noticed things happening in my head and was lightly confused, I slept a ton, lost my appetite and felt like puking... but that was all mild compared to the "lift" of the anxiety. The wieght from my internal stress leaving so simply ( and I still have some in the background mind you) made me realize I may have been feeling this terrible most of my life. I feel like I can breathe a little. Im very thankful I decided to take it.
I was lucky, my dr gave me 4 sample packs and I figure I have 3 months worth if he has mye upgrade to the second row of 75 mil after I finish the 38 mils. Otherwise I believe opening the pill and dividing the insides would make halp a 75 mil dose.
Not that I am planning on weaning myself off of it anytime soon, (in fact I dont want to stop I can see hope right now) I would think splitting the insides to an 18 mil dose while weaning would make a trasition easier... so I am not scared of my future with this drug.
I am so absoloutly relieved that I see a small glimmer of light at the end of my long dark tunnel, even though I am not out of the woods yet by any means.
AND its only been 72 hours
Posted by TinMan on July 13, 2005, at 21:52:33
In reply to This stuff pulled me out of a deep hole fast » Racer, posted by vanillapod on July 13, 2005, at 19:59:55
The longer I am on Effexor, the more the side effects (unwanted) go away.
Anxiety - well that is a thing of the past! And yes, it is wonderful. I am not so anxious and afraid of most things most of the time. It has been life changing for me. I have done some very wonderful, exciting, challenging things that before I was absolutely scared to death of doing. Like take on a new job, sail a large boat, and just be myself.
I can concentrate, focus and carry on a straight forward, tactful conversation without my mind going off in a million different directions. I can connect with people because I can truly focus on what they are telling me.
I get the excited, "oh this is going to be fun!" feelings now, just like when I was a child. I look forward to things. I enjoy them, fully.
Has Effexor been worth it for me? For now, I would definitely say, "Yes!" Except for the sexual side effects, of course. DHEA helps. The teeth clenching, Klonopin helps for now, but I don't want to become addicted. The weight gain around my mid section is also annoying. But, hey, I will deal with it!
What works for me, may not work for others. See your Dr., communicate with them, get counseling, and ask questions. This forum is certainly a support group! (Except for the few exceptions that offer only negativity. "I'll get you, my Pretty!" and "I'd turn back if I were you!")
Really, I've always had a heart,
TinMan
Posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2005, at 21:55:35
In reply to Re: This stuff pulled me out of a deep hole fast, posted by TinMan on July 13, 2005, at 21:52:33
Tinman, So glad it's working so well for you! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by vanillapod on July 14, 2005, at 16:41:39
In reply to This stuff pulled me out of a deep hole fast » Racer, posted by vanillapod on July 13, 2005, at 19:59:55
I just pulled out of it. I knew I wasn't going to die, as I never have during them, but I had to concentrate on convincing myself of it.
I think smiking is not an option for me anymore. I dont often smoke, but when I do I roll up a fine tobacco, and have an unfiltered.
Wont do that one again.
It only was momentary but I prefer the serene calm to the freaky headrush and pounding heart.
Otherwise I was having a great day.
I wish I wasn't home alone right now, but my roomate will be here soon enough. Brushing my teeth somehow seems like it might be relaxing, I'll try that in the meantime.
Posted by mispanicked on July 15, 2005, at 10:22:49
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been taking Effexor XR for about 4 months. I am also taking Xanax XR .5, but have tried to wean off of that. I had moderate success with depression, but have not been able to kick the edgy anxious feelings. I am haveing nightmares and sweats. Sometimes I feel so agitated I have to go home. I am often tired, but fight staying in bed. I am trying to have positive thoughts, but still do not feel great. Since starting the meds, I have been waking up very agitated and edgy, gaging and shaking. Many times it is after a very vivid or disturbing dream. I am also experiencing loss of appetite. I am losing weight(I needed to anyway). I am now trying to taper off the Effexor to go onto another SSRI. Has anyone had a similiar response to this drug? I heard it has more side effects than many other AD on the market.
Posted by carolina on July 15, 2005, at 11:48:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by mispanicked on July 15, 2005, at 10:22:49
yes the effexor helped the depression but seemed 2 cause more anxiety... i take klonopin but it makes me even more drowsy. i fight each day 2 stay out of bed. dont know if i'll win 2day. unfortunately effexor has been the only med of MANY that helped w/ the depression. never had dreams though??? let me know how u do carolina
Posted by TinMan on July 15, 2005, at 13:27:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by carolina on July 15, 2005, at 11:48:51
Have you talked with your Dr. about this? It seems that you may want to try something different. It is interesting how it affects people differently. How much are you taking? Could you be taking too much, too little? Really, get to your Dr. and let him/her know what is going on so they can try something else to make your life better. Fighting to stay out of bed is, well, an awful lot like depression.
TinMan
Posted by mispanicked on July 15, 2005, at 13:54:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TinMan on July 15, 2005, at 13:27:36
I have been to my doctor and we are in the process of tapering me off the Effexor. I have experienced depression once before this episode, and took Celexa (no side effects for me) and I thought that I would feel better by now. I am really quite agitated. The dreams are very disturbing. I normally don't experience nightmares, but this is almost every night. Today I am pretty unmotivated, probably because of the increased xanax to cover the tapering. I dont feel sad or unhappy, just agitated. I feel I was such a together person and now I am one of crazy neighborhood people. Not really too funny. I hope going off this med does not make me feel worse.
Posted by carolina on July 15, 2005, at 15:20:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TinMan on July 15, 2005, at 13:27:36
-i know that i should talk 2 my dr but since i have no insurance i have 2 go where i can and its a joke. its weird-im not way down but im not up either-hell im just here and i am so fatigued lately?? i dont feel depressed but then i havn't been happy in so long i prob dont know the differance anymore. i hate my life and im trying so hard 2 do something 2 change it but im so alone in this struggle. i saw my newest counselor the other day and tried 2 stress to her that i was NOT ok but she was on a schedule..i just need 2 keep my head above water-thanx carolina
Posted by mispanicked on July 15, 2005, at 15:32:22
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » TinMan, posted by carolina on July 15, 2005, at 15:20:04
> -i know that i should talk 2 my dr but since i have no insurance i have 2 go where i can and its a joke. its weird-im not way down but im not up either-hell im just here and i am so fatigued lately?? i dont feel depressed but then i havn't been happy in so long i prob dont know the differance anymore. i hate my life and im trying so hard 2 do something 2 change it but im so alone in this struggle. i saw my newest counselor the other day and tried 2 stress to her that i was NOT ok but she was on a schedule..i just need 2 keep my head above water-thanx carolina
Too bad your therapist is not sympathetic to you. YOu should look for valid research and remember that there is good in life. Depression is so many things to so many people. What my octors diagnose as depression I feel is anxiety. Life can be good if you make it through what hurts. We all understand the pain that some people don't get, but I am young and I want to be happy. You are on your way with the desire to make a change and with that will you will succeed.
Posted by carolina on July 15, 2005, at 16:46:05
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by mispanicked on July 15, 2005, at 15:32:22
i see ur point i have always felt that my severe anxiety keeps me from doing things like i once did and by keeping to myself i become depressed. im young and ive always had anxiety but 4 years ago i had a job i loved, i was back into sports(had 2 play on an all guy team but that made it more fun when i struck them out after their hooters jokes LOL)and life was good until the straw that broke the camels back. i have made it through sexual,physical and mental abuse so i cant seem to figure out why im stuck. i often wonder if it is that i feel ive lost my independance..i dont know-just babbling:-D
Posted by carolina on July 15, 2005, at 16:47:28
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TinMan on July 15, 2005, at 13:27:36
u r a TinMan w/ a heart
Posted by TinMan on July 15, 2005, at 19:57:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by carolina on July 15, 2005, at 16:46:05
> i see ur point i have always felt that my severe anxiety keeps me from doing things like i once did and by keeping to myself i become depressed. im young and ive always had anxiety but 4 years ago i had a job i loved, i was back into sports(had 2 play on an all guy team but that made it more fun when i struck them out after their hooters jokes LOL)and life was good until the straw that broke the camels back. i have made it through sexual,physical and mental abuse so i cant seem to figure out why im stuck. i often wonder if it is that i feel ive lost my independance..i dont know-just babbling:-D
It is certainly okay to babble here on this board! I know so many women who after going through some pretty awful sexual, physical and mental abuse that the damage just sticks with them and is so devastating. Some therapists just don't "get it" when it comes to the abuse cycle. As the nurturing ones, women tend to blame themselves for the abuse heaped on them. The blame/shame turns to depression. First of all, you are NOT to blame for ANY of the abuse. You DID NOT deserve it. Also, I understand how difficult it is trying to find appropriate health care without insurance. (Have you ever noticed that the tallest buildings in a big city are the insurance companies?!?) You might want to communicate your feelings to your therapist in a more forceful way. If the therapist still "doesn't get it", find another. It is difficult; just one more seeming insurmountable task. You CAN do it! You are worth it! You are very valuable and need to be selfish about this right now. It is okay.
Going to see the Wizard can be so daunting,
TinMan
Posted by carolina on July 16, 2005, at 10:44:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TinMan on July 15, 2005, at 19:57:45
U R SO LOVABLE!!! THANX---CAROLINA
Posted by haddsl on July 21, 2005, at 17:06:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by carolina on July 15, 2005, at 16:46:05
Hello,
I have been there as well. I have been through a LOT in my young 24 year life... more than anyone should have to go through... like you said sexual/physical/emotional abuse. I had made it through all that without the depression. although a LOT of misdiagnosed anxiety disorder. And then finally one day for a reason WAY less worst than what you have been through, here you are. If you need to talk don't hesitate to babble, or reach out in any way. We are here for just that! Hope you find a reason to start loving life again.> i see ur point i have always felt that my severe anxiety keeps me from doing things like i once did and by keeping to myself i become depressed. im young and ive always had anxiety but 4 years ago i had a job i loved, i was back into sports(had 2 play on an all guy team but that made it more fun when i struck them out after their hooters jokes LOL)and life was good until the straw that broke the camels back. i have made it through sexual,physical and mental abuse so i cant seem to figure out why im stuck. i often wonder if it is that i feel ive lost my independance..i dont know-just babbling:-D
Posted by DPRJR on July 21, 2005, at 17:55:41
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been on Effexor for a little over a year. I started with 37.5 MG and went to 75 MG two weeks later. I started taking it in the morning but had difficulty sleeping. I switched to taking it at night and that corrected the problem. I experienced nauseousness for about 2 weeks. The first six months, motivation, or the lack there of, caused great concern for me. This eventually subsided. The long term side effects that I still experience are sweating, and prolonged orgasms. I now sweat more profusely than I ever have. It also takes quite long for me to reach orgasm. That's not at all bad considering before Effexor, I experienced pre-mature ejaculation. This drug has been a positive life altering drug for me. I no longer experience depression, my sex life is great, and my co-workers enjoy the fact that I no longer bite their head off.
I will gladly tolerate the mild side effects I experience. The pros of this drug, for me, far outweigh the cons. Tom Cruise eat your heart out.
Posted by flipsactown on July 21, 2005, at 18:15:43
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by DPRJR on July 21, 2005, at 17:55:41
Did you experience weight gain and constipation?
Thanks,
FST> I have been on Effexor for a little over a year. I started with 37.5 MG and went to 75 MG two weeks later. I started taking it in the morning but had difficulty sleeping. I switched to taking it at night and that corrected the problem. I experienced nauseousness for about 2 weeks. The first six months, motivation, or the lack there of, caused great concern for me. This eventually subsided. The long term side effects that I still experience are sweating, and prolonged orgasms. I now sweat more profusely than I ever have. It also takes quite long for me to reach orgasm. That's not at all bad considering before Effexor, I experienced pre-mature ejaculation. This drug has been a positive life altering drug for me. I no longer experience depression, my sex life is great, and my co-workers enjoy the fact that I no longer bite their head off.
> I will gladly tolerate the mild side effects I experience. The pros of this drug, for me, far outweigh the cons. Tom Cruise eat your heart out.
>
Posted by DPRJR on July 22, 2005, at 6:13:22
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » DPRJR, posted by flipsactown on July 21, 2005, at 18:15:43
>None at all
Did you experience weight gain and constipation?
>
> Thanks,
> FST
>
> > I have been on Effexor for a little over a year. I started with 37.5 MG and went to 75 MG two weeks later. I started taking it in the morning but had difficulty sleeping. I switched to taking it at night and that corrected the problem. I experienced nauseousness for about 2 weeks. The first six months, motivation, or the lack there of, caused great concern for me. This eventually subsided. The long term side effects that I still experience are sweating, and prolonged orgasms. I now sweat more profusely than I ever have. It also takes quite long for me to reach orgasm. That's not at all bad considering before Effexor, I experienced pre-mature ejaculation. This drug has been a positive life altering drug for me. I no longer experience depression, my sex life is great, and my co-workers enjoy the fact that I no longer bite their head off.
> > I will gladly tolerate the mild side effects I experience. The pros of this drug, for me, far outweigh the cons. Tom Cruise eat your heart out.
> >
>
>
Posted by flipsactown on July 22, 2005, at 7:42:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by DPRJR on July 22, 2005, at 6:13:22
DPRJR,
I have been on Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Elavil, Desipramine, Remeron, Lithium, Nardil etc., and currently on Lexapro, Wellbutrin and Trazodone. Prozac in combo with Desipramine worked for 7 years, sometimes switching to Zoloft with Despramine with great success in relieving my unipolar depression. However, all the AD's that were effective eventually poop out which is the case of my current combo.
Yesterday my pdoc increased my Wellbutrin to max 400mg and hopefully that will extend the effectiveness of the current combo. I am also on 30mg Lexapro which my pdoc says is max and the 100mg Trazodone taken before bedtime is primarily to help me sleep. I did try Effexor XR for nearly 4 weeks, but the nauseousness, constipation was too much for me to handle and I was drinking lots of Metamucil. The constipation was probably made even worse because I take lots of Tylenol/Codeine for chronic back pain. If my current combo becomes totally ineffective, as I have been on it for nearly 18 months, I may ask my pdoc for another trial of Effexor XR and give it more time for my body to adjust.
Have you taken any other AD's or is Effexor XR the first? Also, even at present, I still have delayed orgasm or sometimes none at all. I have been on AD's nearly 15 years. I am married, 54 and male.
Thanks
FST> >None at all
>
>
> Did you experience weight gain and constipation?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > FST
> >
> > > I have been on Effexor for a little over a year. I started with 37.5 MG and went to 75 MG two weeks later. I started taking it in the morning but had difficulty sleeping. I switched to taking it at night and that corrected the problem. I experienced nauseousness for about 2 weeks. The first six months, motivation, or the lack there of, caused great concern for me. This eventually subsided. The long term side effects that I still experience are sweating, and prolonged orgasms. I now sweat more profusely than I ever have. It also takes quite long for me to reach orgasm. That's not at all bad considering before Effexor, I experienced pre-mature ejaculation. This drug has been a positive life altering drug for me. I no longer experience depression, my sex life is great, and my co-workers enjoy the fact that I no longer bite their head off.
> > > I will gladly tolerate the mild side effects I experience. The pros of this drug, for me, far outweigh the cons. Tom Cruise eat your heart out.
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by teetee on July 22, 2005, at 13:56:57
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am not sure if this will post so as I see it I will re write my previous note that I do not see.
Posted by teetee on July 22, 2005, at 14:08:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » jp, posted by teetee on July 22, 2005, at 13:56:57
I made it!
I have been on Effexor for ten years and it changed my life. Before taking Effexor I could not take a single thought and work it through, I ruminated on situations over and over...I was raising three kid's and it felt like I was barely hanging on. After starting the medicine...One week later it was as if the volume had been turned down on the world...I had never experienced this feeling, I was scare it would go away but it hasn't. I still feel things but not to such extremes. Effexor enabled me to take thoughts in counseling and begin to deal with them one by one. I am now a very different person and I thank God daily for Effexor. Depite the stigmas that can prevail in religion and are deeply rooted in cultures, I am an advocate for medicines because I am living proof of the success they can provide along with hard work. I now work in the Legal field and am much more at peace. Continue taking your medicine despite the days when it seems a burden or you begin to believe that "Hey I don't need this anymore" If you do go off go veryyyyyyyyyyyy...slowly. And if your brain is not wired perfectly thank God there is something that helps...ps no side effects for me.
Posted by julish on July 22, 2005, at 15:06:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » teetee, posted by teetee on July 22, 2005, at 14:08:53
Hooray for you and thanks for posting something so positive!! I'm happy to hear of such a long term success. I, myself, have just been on Effexor for 4 weeks now... with great success so far. I keep hearing about medicines "pooping out" after a while... and that concerns me--there's no way I want to go back to the dark hole I was in.
It's nice to hear about your experience! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by teetee on July 22, 2005, at 17:39:13
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by julish on July 22, 2005, at 15:06:30
Sometimes I forget that others may benefit from my experiences. I am so happy that you were encouraged. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and I will be more than happy to respond.
best of luck and remember there is alot to be happy about.
Posted by Jimmy Go on July 24, 2005, at 15:26:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » julish, posted by teetee on July 22, 2005, at 17:39:13
I've been on Effexor XR about 18 months. Started with 37.5 then to 75 and now I'm taking 150mg daily. It seems to require more to acccomplish same goal. I'm concerned about increasing to 300 mg due to side effects. I don't know if Effexor XR is the best alternative but I'm sure it's the lesser evil. It seems to keep me calmer with lesser side effects than I hear about with other meds. I feel a little dull at times and suffer from short term memory loss. The silver lining is the sexual side effect prolonged ejaculation. I have tried to quit taking Effexor but the symptoms always return such as anxiety, over reacting and resisting authority. Effexor also seems to give me a craving for alcohol and possibly prevents hangovers. I'm 51 and drink more beer now after taking Effexor than ever. I'm very concerned, I lost my wallet last night. I wish there was a support group for people on Effexor XR, or is this what we're doing now?
Posted by teetee on July 25, 2005, at 13:29:56
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Jimmy Go on July 24, 2005, at 15:26:27
I get the impression that this may be the place to be for Effexor info and support.
18 months is not extremely long on Effexor and I can tell you that finding the correct dosage takes time. I have learned that Effexor is just a part of achieving overall mental and emotional health, it's not the answer to every thing. It only enabled me to look at other behaviors that were compulsive and destructive.
I take 300 mg of Effexor but am on my way down to a lower dose. I have cleaned alot out of my closet and have learned skills to achieve more calmness and peace so don't worry too much about the dose. One concern is it can raise blood pressure at higher doses. In the beginning of my recovery process I attended alot of 12 step meetings because I needed a place to talk out things. I wasn't an alcoholic but instead I had Bulemarexia and new that change was going to be difficult so I didn't want to switch addictions and compulsions. Just keep doing what your doing and use this place and anywhere else to talk out things that go on in your head....once you bring them out in the light they somehow lose their power to confuse and torment. best of luck
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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