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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by BB1969 on October 4, 2006, at 20:12:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » BB1969, posted by prasnhym on October 1, 2006, at 23:17:29
If you didn't have restless legs before, it is most likely caused from the Effexor. My doctor put me on Neurontin, which is used for seizures and pain, and Ultram, which is a pain medication, but the combination a little while before bedtime helps a lot. Just be sure not to try to take the med and drive, etc., because it will really put you to sleep. If I take it and sit down to watch TV for a while, when I try to stand up, it is all I can do to walk sometimes, but I sleep and I don't care about my legs jumping around, my toes drawing or the feeling that things are crawling on my legs. Good luck. Effexor is great for depression - I just want people to be aware of the side effects. I am trying to get off Effexor now because I feel it is doing me more harm than good.
Posted by vanni on October 4, 2006, at 22:10:50
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hives, posted by Carolyne on October 4, 2006, at 8:20:23
> Hi Vanni,
>
> Yes I am experiencing the same thing. I have had then for the last three weeks every morning. I am starting to connect the effexcor xr. I have found posting of people who start hives any where from 5 months to 5 years. I have seen my doctor three times and she hasn't made the connection yet. I am going back to see her next week and will demand she take me of these. I am not sure what is worst, anxiety or hives! let me know if your gettting better
>
>Thanks for your response. It's been almost a month and I still have the hives. I stopped the Trazadone at night and it didn't make a bit of difference. I see an allergist tomorrow so I'll let you know what he says. I really hope I don't have to go off the EffexorXR because other than the hives I haven't felt this good emotionally in years!
Posted by Carolyne on October 5, 2006, at 7:17:22
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hives, posted by vanni on October 4, 2006, at 22:10:50
Hi Vanni,
Let me know what the allergist says. I have an appointment with one in January! I am sure I will have scratched off all my skin by then....
This morning is my worst day, I am starting to have them on my face. I have only had them on my legs, amrs...not it seems to be going everywhere. I also have been feeling great with the effexor but I cannot put up with these hives. You can go to this link and see other people who have begun the hives with these meds.
http://depression.about.com/b/a/054481.htm
check out the comments...Anyhoooo wishing you luck, cause I know what you are going through.
Posted by frankie2120 on October 5, 2006, at 12:04:18
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by BB1969 on October 4, 2006, at 20:12:02
I've been on Effexor XR for about 2 months now and no I've never felt like i could feel my heart beating through my chest at all. I guess everyone is different though. I had only one side effect and that was being a lil tired for the first 2 weeks but that went away and now i have more energy than i know what to do with. Well pretty much normal energy that i was never used to having before.
Someone asked why they see Lexapro and Effexor together... well me I was on lexapro for two years for depression. Worked great for that. NOt for the anxietys. So I asked my doctor to try somthing else that he recomended. So now on the Effexor XR it is doing a fantastic job of taking care of both the depression and the social anxiety. I am so happy that he recomended this medication.
Some of the urges and cravings to do some of my old routines are still there a little. What I feel now is more control over my mind. I am aware of these thoughts now and I can tell my mind to stop and it's like it listens. I'm once again the boss of my mind. It's an amazing feeling.... :)
After two months no side effects. Effexor XR is working great for me... :) I couldn't be happier with the results thus far.
Posted by dkl on October 5, 2006, at 15:27:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by frankie2120 on October 5, 2006, at 12:04:18
It has been four days, and it is doing something. Depression is much more manageable, anx might be slightly less. I am only on 37.5 for another 4 days, than up to 75. Dry mouth is certainly something that happens. It also has a fairly strong stimulant effect, but maybe I should watch the caff while on this. I am feeling more balanced, but the "highs" seem to have left along with the "lows". As someone else said, I dont like that, but it IS better than crying all the time. Does anyone else experience lower back discomfort? That has me a little concerned.
Posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2006, at 20:16:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by frankie2120 on October 5, 2006, at 12:04:18
Have you been on long term benzo use? As I wonder if these meds don't work if you have been. Love Phillipa
Posted by vanni on October 5, 2006, at 21:55:14
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hives, posted by Carolyne on October 5, 2006, at 7:17:22
Hi Carolynne,
(For anyone who is not a woman in midlife I apologize for the long post...just skip this!!)
The allergist said the hives have nothing to do with the Effexor or the Trazadone! I was relieved. He ruled out any food or environmental allergans, thyroid, liver or other issues. It is apparently fairly common for women in their 50's (like me) to get hives for awhile and they don't know why. The hives will go away, he just doesn't know when! In the meantime he has prescribed a stronger antihistamine to take for two weeks (Reactine 20 mg/1x day). He has also asked me to get tested for the bacteria that can contribute to ulcers because that can sometimes cause hives. (I take Nexium for stomach pain.) Just one more wacky change that happens......
Thanks for listening. Hope you are doing better.Vanni
Posted by Carolyne on October 6, 2006, at 7:30:42
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hives » Carolyne, posted by vanni on October 5, 2006, at 21:55:14
Hi Vanni,
I went to see a naturopath yesterday and she also believes it is the effexcor. Since I am only 24 I don't think I am getting the hives for the same reason as you. However if you look at the fine print of side effects of effexor there is a chance of having hives. I am going to begin to taper myself off effexor and hopefully the hives will begin to go away when the medication is out of my system. I do have a hard time to believe it's not the medication though, I have never had any health issues and I have never had an allergy in my life. The naturopath also said she has never heard of this but she says it takes months before you get a built up of this medication in your system. My body might just be telling me it has had enough. Anyways good luck with your hives and I'll give you an update if the hives begin to disappear. Wish me luck in coming off effexor...I know it's gonna be hard!
Posted by gabbie on October 6, 2006, at 9:39:59
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
is it possible that this medication could be making the anxiety seem worse? i'm starting my second week today, but the past week i've felt like i was getting worse. me and my boyfriends one year was yesterday and i was doing good with forgetting how sh*tty i felt, and then at night when i left his house... i started bawling my eyes out for no reason. i just feel really miserable (more than i did before)... so i'm wondering if maybe it's a side effect to go through more anxiety and bad feelings in the beginning.. and i was also wondering if this will go away because i really don't want to ruin my relationship with my boyfriend or friends or family. they can only handle so much of my crying and bad days.... any feedback is appreciated. please don't be negative. it gets me in a worse mood about all of this.
Posted by Carolyne on October 6, 2006, at 9:49:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by gabbie on October 6, 2006, at 9:39:59
Hey Gabbie,
I would give it another week or so. I was starting to feel great on the third and forth week. I was getting no more anxiety attacks and was finally eating and sleeping again. I am really glad I began taking effexor cause it took me out of this really terrible place. However effexor is a temporary treatment and you really need to learn to cope with the attacks. I took a 14 week therapy and wow what a difference. They gave me this book "Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic (MAP-3): Client Workbook for Anxiety and Panic". I would recommend it to anyone who is suffering from panic disorder. Hang in there girl it will get better!
Posted by vanni on October 6, 2006, at 11:46:56
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hives, posted by Carolyne on October 6, 2006, at 7:30:42
Yes, we are in different places in the life cycle! Thanks again for that website re: hives and effexor. Best of luck in finding the source of the hives and with the change in medication. I'd be interested in knowing how you do with both. The good news is we have access to health care and even though it isn't perfect we have some options! Take care.Vanni
Posted by chickey on October 6, 2006, at 12:58:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? - Gabbie, posted by Carolyne on October 6, 2006, at 9:49:23
Hey Gabbie! You need to give the meds some time. My doctor told me at least a month. The first week I was on the med I felt much better and then went down hill for a week. I would cry at the drop of a hat. My doctor said I will have ups and downs until I am up to a proper dose. By the way I am feeling much better these days. Give yourself a couple of more weeks and I am sure you will see a difference. It took me a while before I got ride of the sideeffects and started to feel better. All the best!!
Posted by gabbie on October 6, 2006, at 15:22:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? - Gabbie, posted by chickey on October 6, 2006, at 12:58:11
thank you both for that... i'm really getting scared. i don't know if effexor is right for me because i was on it before for a month and 2 weeks and didn't really feel that much a difference... so i decided to try it again. started my second week today and feel really bad. i'm getting bad anxiety and it's scaring me. i just want it to go away.
Posted by corafree on October 6, 2006, at 15:44:49
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? - Gabbie, posted by gabbie on October 6, 2006, at 15:22:09
It feels like time for me to once again take Effexor-XR.
My mood is 'very very complacent'.
I have an 'I don't give a *uck' attitude.
Best start makin' phone calls.
Phillipa: No prob' taking benzos alongside it, afa I know. In fact, in me, it lessened need for them, although I was always on one alongside the big E!
bestwishes, cf
Posted by tofuemmy on October 8, 2006, at 14:46:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? - Gabbie, posted by gabbie on October 6, 2006, at 15:22:09
Gabbie - Effexor save my life once, umm...1999 it was, I think. I just started taking it again. Need it to work wicked bad.
I wish you much success with this and all things. Keep me posted.
Hugs, em
Posted by gardenergirl on October 8, 2006, at 20:37:33
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? - Gabbie » gabbie, posted by tofuemmy on October 8, 2006, at 14:46:09
I'm glad you're giving it another good. I wish you speedy relief.
gg
Posted by gabbie on October 9, 2006, at 9:50:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? - Gabbie, posted by gabbie on October 6, 2006, at 15:22:09
I wish you all the best, too. I had a really good weekend, but today seems off. I don't know if it's just my mood, or the medicine. We will see. Good luck. Keep me posted as well.
- Gab
Posted by tommysangel on October 11, 2006, at 7:32:15
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by Racer on October 25, 1999, at 19:54:13
I was on Effexor XR a long time ago and stopped taking it. I'm beginning to feel my depression is getting out of my control. I've started taking it again. I have a Panic Disorder also, but haven't had any attacks. Does Effexor work well for depression? I use to take Paxil, which worked great for the panic attacks but did nothing for the depression. Has anyone taken Cymbalta? I saw a commercial for that yesterday and was wondering if that had better results than Effexor.
Posted by prasnhym on October 11, 2006, at 8:43:03
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am on effexor xr 75s going thru the grieving process of losing my sister. I was suffering badly from insomnia and lack of sleep. My doc put me on Vistaril to help that. I either have insomnia or horror movie like nightmares if i do go to sleep. I do not know if it is the drugs or my grief or what. Amyone know what to do?
Posted by TKaz on October 11, 2006, at 11:56:18
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by tommysangel on October 11, 2006, at 7:32:15
I have been on EffexorXR now for about five weeks. I feel 200% better. And it has not affected my sex life. The only problem is I have so much energy now that I don't want to stop doing things. So I get a little exhausted just doing so much. I advise anyone to give it a try, work on getting past the side effects (dry mouth, sleeplessness, loss of appetite) and see how it works. I would give it a couple of months to see how it begins to work. I am so happy my doctors recommended this. I have been on Celexa and Lexapro before and both worked for me at the time. I give Effexor a thumbs up. Don't let anyone tell you to "snap out of it" or to try to help you "fix" your life. That's not it. I agree with someone else who said, if I had diabetes, I'd take my insulin for ever, and if this works for keeping me sane and content, then there is no "side effect" to taking it. It is well worth it.
Posted by wacky on October 11, 2006, at 13:34:34
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by TKaz on October 11, 2006, at 11:56:18
I have been on Effexor for the past year and it helped substantially - but at a pretty high dose (450 mg). I suffered from extreme sweating/shivering so tried to get off it only to find my depression returning with a vengence. So now I'm taking 225mg Effexor and 30 mg Cymbalta until next week - I'll drop to 150 Effexor and increase the Cymbalta to 60. After that I see pdoc again and and presumably he'll up the Cymbalta as I continue to taper the Effexor to zero. I just hope the Cymbalta is as effective as the Effexor was for the depression. So far, I haven't seen any change - but the dose of Cymbalta is probably too low.
If it weren't for the sweating/shivering, I'd probably have stayed with the Effexor - so I give it two thumbs up - especially if it works for you at a lower dose.
Good luck
n
Posted by Phillipa on October 11, 2006, at 19:51:42
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by wacky on October 11, 2006, at 13:34:34
How high is your pdoc planning on going with cymbalta? As the manufacturer says above 60mg no improvement. I know some pdoc's are going higher. Google the official website for dosing info. Love Phillipa
Posted by wacky on October 12, 2006, at 11:42:34
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » wacky, posted by Phillipa on October 11, 2006, at 19:51:42
Not sure how high he'll go but I have a friend who is on 120. From what I gather, the trend seems to be augmenting with another drug for better results. He added Lamactil to her cocktail. It's the same pdoc so I'm sure it will depend on how I do at 60. I will check out that site though. Thanks for the input.
n
Posted by ashleystives on October 12, 2006, at 21:40:52
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » Phillipa, posted by wacky on October 12, 2006, at 11:42:34
i'm on 300mg and have been for about 2 years. effexor is the drug that changed my life. i still have some panic and anxiety symptoms - but they are manageable - and occasional depression, always situational. but nothing, nothing like i used to live. i am a different person now. one thing: i do need to monitor my weight meticulously. it's a combo of not smoking, meds, and age, and some people lose weight on it. everyone's biochemistry is different. one thing for sure: it cured my extreme OCD.
Posted by cryinagain on October 12, 2006, at 23:46:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
I was diagnosed with severe depression in February of 2006, before that not anything. So after trying 2 antidepressants and having a horrible side effect,(very strong suicidal thoughts and thoughts of hurting others)I went to a physciatrist for the first time today and he wants me to take Effexor XR. I must say I am terrified. I have cronic back pain and feel this is the biggest contributing factor to my depression. So the fact that he is insisting I take this with or without the side effect that I had before scares me to death! He told me that with or without it 15% of the people with depression die. Don't want to be a statistic! I have read some of the posts, but so tired I just can't do anymore so happy to have found this!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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