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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by workinonit on March 14, 2007, at 3:39:40
In reply to Re: XR: What Dosage Passes Serotonin Impact? » Hagbard, posted by SandyWeb on March 3, 2007, at 23:40:11
I have been taking Effexor for 4 years and only recently have come off it because it seems it has lost its effectiveness. I was up to 375/day. Just starting out the dreams and nite sweats and sleepiness happened to me too. They went away (unless I missed a dose- don't do it, especially when your dose gets high. The effects are magnified and it is actually difficult to function). The decreased libido and inability to orgasm- not so good. That never went away. Where previously I could orgasm once a day if not more, it just didn't happen, except maybe once every few weeks, and that is after really working at it. I accepted this as a payoff for feeling so much better on effexor.
Regarding withdrawl. It has taken me 6 weeks to go from 375 to Zero. Last dosage was 37.5 for a week. When I hit 0 mg (2 weeks ago), I had a week or so of the mind flashes/dizziness, crying spells and sadness. I had started 20 mg of Prozac concurrently. I still don't feel as well as I did but I think I need to get the Prozac dose up.
So:
For starting people, keep with it. The dreams/sweats/tiredness/ went away, esp at higher dosages. Unfortunately, the sexual side effects did not, even at higher doses. Don't worry about withdrawl. On a sensible, long term program you can do it.
For newbies, Give the med a while to kick in. Most of my side effects went away within a few weeks and when we upped my dosage to 150/dayBest of luck
Posted by SandyWeb on March 14, 2007, at 16:36:14
In reply to effexor- stay with it for newbies and withdrawl » SandyWeb, posted by workinonit on March 14, 2007, at 3:39:40
Thanks for the response. I'm glad you had such good results with the Effexor over the long run, discounting the sexual side effects, of course.
I Have been taking 225 mg XR for maybe a week now in the morning, and I feel fine. I really only have two side effects. I seem to need to take a 2-hour nap about four hours after I've taken the Effexor XR (I curl up in my livingroom chair with a blanket so that I don't get TOO comfy....I would hate to sleep longer than 2 hours!). And I also find that it doesn't help my pre-existing insomnia, either in falling asleep or staying asleep (even when I occassionally will take 2 mg of clonazepam to help me sleep, when I'm only supposed to take 1 mg at bedtime). Other than those two side effects (oh, and a lose of appetite), I am extremely happy with this med. I can't even feel the edges of depression or suicidal ideation, nor do I have a "busy brain" (constantly ruminating about real and imagined events). Unfortunately, I don't have these dreams that everyone seems to talk about. Dang! I would like to have some interesting dreams!
Anyways, I can say that my combination of Effexor XR (225 mg daily), clonazepam (1 mg 3x daily), and Lopressor SR (100 mg 2x daily) works wonders for my anxiety and depression. I'm still agoraphobic, but give me time, give me time. *smile*
I hope you do well without the Effexor. Isn't it wonderful not to be a walking pharmacy? Lol.
God bless,
Sandy
Posted by Mr MM on March 18, 2007, at 23:21:19
In reply to sexual side effects effexor xr (male)?, posted by bjoj on January 15, 2007, at 12:34:55
Yep. I can go as long as 2 hours. 30-40 is average most times. Its frustrating to take so long to climax.
> Just started on the 37.5 mg of this medication, to be stepping up pretty rapidly I think. However, just like with the Celexa I was on last year, when I first started I had some sexual side effects, specifically that I could not achieve orgasm.
>
> However, with this med, although it took a loooong time getting there and a bunch of concentration, I was able to get there...and it was mindblowingly good. Anyone else get this?
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 24, 2007, at 16:07:25
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal Solution, posted by Jouezmoi on February 22, 2007, at 16:55:51
> All .... I have great news. A solution that has worked and I am finally Effexor free.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding Effexor Withdrawal to Psycho-Babble Withdrawal. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20061224/msgs/743738.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by vanni on April 9, 2007, at 13:05:25
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
For a year now I have been taking 75mg of the Effexor XR for anxiety that worsened at menopause. It has been such a relief to feel "normal" but I am finding lately that my mood is flat and I have lost the energy and optimism that I was feeling. Has anyone had to increase their dosage after being quite stable for a year?
Vanni
Posted by KristiVegas on April 9, 2007, at 14:13:12
In reply to One year on Effexor XR, posted by vanni on April 9, 2007, at 13:05:25
Hi Vanni,
I haven't been on the site for awhile but saw your post today and thought I would respond. My depression and anxiety got worse during menopause too but I wasn't quite sure what it was then. I've been on Effexor for almost a year but was gradually worked up to 300 mg. per day. I am experiencing loss of memory and weight gain but am sleeping better. What do you trade? I don't like the loss of memory (short term) but I'm sleeping better than I have in years. My mood is flat also and I still have no motivation. I've been told (and have read) that some meds stop working after a while and I'm wondering if that's what I'm experiencing. Have you talked to your Doc yet?
Kristi
Posted by vanni on April 9, 2007, at 15:43:16
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR, posted by KristiVegas on April 9, 2007, at 14:13:12
Hi Vanni,
>
> I haven't been on the site for awhile but saw your post today and thought I would respond. My depression and anxiety got worse during menopause too but I wasn't quite sure what it was then. I've been on Effexor for almost a year but was gradually worked up to 300 mg. per day. I am experiencing loss of memory and weight gain but am sleeping better. What do you trade? I don't like the loss of memory (short term) but I'm sleeping better than I have in years. My mood is flat also and I still have no motivation. I've been told (and have read) that some meds stop working after a while and I'm wondering if that's what I'm experiencing. Have you talked to your Doc yet?
>
> Kristi
>
>
Thanks Kristi,I will check with my doctor. I take Trazadone at night to sleep and it works really well. I too am sleeping better than I have in years. My short term memory also sucks but I think that might be a function of age!...53.
Vanni
Posted by KristiVegas on April 9, 2007, at 19:40:00
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR, posted by vanni on April 9, 2007, at 15:43:16
>
> Hi Vanni,
> >
> > I haven't been on the site for awhile but saw your post today and thought I would respond. My depression and anxiety got worse during menopause too but I wasn't quite sure what it was then. I've been on Effexor for almost a year but was gradually worked up to 300 mg. per day. I am experiencing loss of memory and weight gain but am sleeping better. What do you trade? I don't like the loss of memory (short term) but I'm sleeping better than I have in years. My mood is flat also and I still have no motivation. I've been told (and have read) that some meds stop working after a while and I'm wondering if that's what I'm experiencing. Have you talked to your Doc yet?
> >
> > Kristi
> >
> >
> Thanks Kristi,
>
> I will check with my doctor. I take Trazadone at night to sleep and it works really well. I too am sleeping better than I have in years. My short term memory also sucks but I think that might be a function of age!...53.
>
> Vanni
>Hi Vanni,
I saw my PDoc today and he doesn' believe Effexor is causing any of my side effects. I'm going to elicit some feedback from everyone on the website and prove to him that this med causes side effects. I was told by a lot of women that short-term memory loss was part of menopause but I don't remember it being this bad when I was in the throes (I started when I was 48-I'm 56 now and over it). My PDoc has added 150mg of Wellbutrin XL to my daily dosage of Effexor to see if that will sharpen up the senses a bit and give me a kick in the butt. So we'll see. If you don't mind sharing any experiences with me while you've been on the med, I would appreciate it.
Thanks and good luck,
Kristi
Posted by Crystal_clear on April 11, 2007, at 9:27:48
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia, posted by Cindy W on October 6, 2000, at 22:21:40
I've been taking Effexor XR for 2 weeks now. I started on 75 mg and now on 150 mg. The first 2 days I felt extreamly anxious and jittery. But ever since then I've felt very very sleepy all the time. I've tried taking it at different times of the day, but I'm still always tired no matter when I take it. My mood does feel a little better, but what's the point if I'm so tired that I don't feel like doing anything? Not to mention the sexual side effects. My interest in sex has completely gone away. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to take Effexor if these side effects don't go away. Good luck to everyone else!
Posted by SandyWeb on April 11, 2007, at 10:08:20
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia, posted by Crystal_clear on April 11, 2007, at 9:27:48
I started out on Effexor XR at 75 mg, and had to quit after a little over a week. I was soooo lethargic and sleepy. I had absolutely no motivation, and my brain was "busy". Plus I tried taking it at night, and it gave me terrible insomnia. And my anxiety just would not go away, even with clonazepam.
Well, 75 mg is only impacting your serotonin...and my problem is with norepinephrine. I knew I needed to get to a higher dose in order to get past that dang serotonin impact. Remeron is in the same class as Effexor XR, and it worked wonders except that it made me FAT (I had to quit it, and happily have lost that weight!!). I figured the Effexor XR would help in the same way as Remeron, so I HAD to give it a try again.
This is what I did, but I'm not suggesting that you do it the same way. I'm just saying that it worked for me. I began the med again. I took 75 mg at night, and when I got up the very next morning I took another 75 mg. Then, because I wanted my dosing to be done in the mornings because of the insomnia it causes, I waited until the next morning and then took 150 mg. I had absolutely no side effects from that dose other than some sleepiness each afternoon. I would end up taking a 2-hour nap. Then 3 days after being on that dose, I increased it to 225 mg. I felt soooo much better, and the only side effect again was the afternoon sleepiness (which I would take a 2 hour nap, then it was down to a 1 hour nap, and then it was down to just resting my eyes but never falling asleep, down to not getting sleepy at all!!!). It took about 2 or maybe 3 weeks for the transition from a 2-hour nap to no nap to occur. And I feel great. People are recognizing the old Sandy again. I really do feel quite good. But I can still feel "the pit" just on the outer edges of my world. I'm certainly not depressed anymore and my anxiety is much better, but I know that I'm not quite safe if I can feel that blackness on the edge of my thoughts.
I stayed on 225 mg for 5 weeks. This morning I increased it to 300 mg, and so far....no side effects, not even any sleepiness. I feel fine so far.
You may need to get to a higher dose to get rid of those side effects that you are talking about. You may not have a serotonin problem, either. Maybe, like me, it's epinephrine. You've been on 75 mg to 150 mg for 2 weeks, and it only takes 3 days for the med to reach a steady state in your system. It wouldn't hurt to increase your dose to 225 mg now. Just ask your doctor if he agrees with you, which I don't know why he wouldn't. I have felt my best so far on 225 mg, and now I'm just waiting to see what happens at 300 mg. If it's not as helpful, I know that I can always go back down to 225 mg. Many people are on 375 mg for anxiety and depression. You've still got some room to experiment with dosing. But just call your doctor and see if you can increase to 225 mg, and hopefully that will help any epinephrine problems you might be having. And, like I said, my side effects went away after 2-3 weeks. Good luck.
God bless,
Sandy
Posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2007, at 19:35:29
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » Crystal_clear, posted by SandyWeb on April 11, 2007, at 10:08:20
Sandy I don't think effexor is the same class of meds as remeron. Remeron is in it's own class. The only other SSNRI I know of is cymbalta. Correct me if you google it and I'm wrong. It won't bother me heck I'm wrong a lot of the time. Love Phillipa
Posted by dsm3r on April 11, 2007, at 23:53:53
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR, posted by KristiVegas on April 9, 2007, at 19:40:00
> >
> > Hi Vanni,
> > >
> > > I haven't been on the site for awhile but saw your post today and thought I would respond. My depression and anxiety got worse during menopause too but I wasn't quite sure what it was then. I've been on Effexor for almost a year but was gradually worked up to 300 mg. per day. I am experiencing loss of memory and weight gain but am sleeping better. What do you trade? I don't like the loss of memory (short term) but I'm sleeping better than I have in years. My mood is flat also and I still have no motivation. I've been told (and have read) that some meds stop working after a while and I'm wondering if that's what I'm experiencing. Have you talked to your Doc yet?
> > >
> > > Kristi
> > >
> > >
> > Thanks Kristi,
> >
> > I will check with my doctor. I take Trazadone at night to sleep and it works really well. I too am sleeping better than I have in years. My short term memory also sucks but I think that might be a function of age!...53.
> >
> > Vanni
> >
>
> Hi Vanni,
>
> I saw my PDoc today and he doesn' believe Effexor is causing any of my side effects. I'm going to elicit some feedback from everyone on the website and prove to him that this med causes side effects. I was told by a lot of women that short-term memory loss was part of menopause but I don't remember it being this bad when I was in the throes (I started when I was 48-I'm 56 now and over it). My PDoc has added 150mg of Wellbutrin XL to my daily dosage of Effexor to see if that will sharpen up the senses a bit and give me a kick in the butt. So we'll see. If you don't mind sharing any experiences with me while you've been on the med, I would appreciate it.
>
> Thanks and good luck,
> Kristi
>Hi Kristi -
Just saw your post. I've been on Effexor for 5 years now. The side effects that I've experienced have been weight gain (100lbs!!!!!), short term memory loss, and absolutely no sexual drive, (even if I happen to think about it and want to do something it's gone in a flash). Sometimes my speech is affected - like I can't get the words out. When I finally speak it sounds like speech dyslexia.I take 300mg at night. I was at 150 in in a.m. and 150 p.m. but I was so drowsy during the day.
I'm also on 300 mg Seroquel because of insomnia. I adjust during the winter because of seasonal affective disorder.I truly wish I could be med free, but given what I was before to what I am now, I'll stick with the meds.
Hope you can use this.
Blessed journeys
Posted by KristiVegas on April 12, 2007, at 0:09:32
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR » KristiVegas, posted by dsm3r on April 11, 2007, at 23:53:53
Thank you for the post. I really appreciate your sharing your experiences with me.
If anyone else out there would like to share their "side effects of Effexor", please do. I need my PDoc to stop treating me like I'm making it up. I went to the Wyeth website and pulled some information from there, also.
I've taken the Wellbutrin XL (150mg) for two days in addition to the Effexor (300mg) and I had a melt down at work today. Can anyone tell me if I have enought Wellbutrin in my system to cause this? I have to be very careful - I have a very sensitive system to meds (especially tablets). Anything out of the ordinary I have to pay attention to. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Kristi
Posted by SandyWeb on April 12, 2007, at 12:51:55
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » SandyWeb, posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2007, at 19:35:29
> Sandy I don't think effexor is the same class of meds as remeron. Remeron is in it's own class. The only other SNRI I know of is cymbalta. Love Phillipa<
-------------------
Hi Phillipa,I just did a real QUICK search on SNRIs, and Effexor is listed as the first and most commonly used one. Look under SNRIs currently available:
http://www.answers.com/topic/serotonin-norepinephrine-reuptake-inhibitor
You were correct, though, that Remeron is not an SNRI. The reason I always thought it was an SNRI is because it acts on norepinephrine (also known as being noradrenergic) as well as Serotonin....just like the SNRIs.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mirtaz_cp.htmMy boo-boo. Sorry. Still seems like it should be an SNRI, though. And I still believe that it is the impact upon my norepinephrine that helps me, not the serotonin. SSRIs make me "whacko", whereas high doses of both Remeron and Effexor XR make me feel soooooo much better.
Take care and have a wonderful day. I hope you get lots of sunshine!
God bless,
Sandy
Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2007, at 19:52:43
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » Phillipa, posted by SandyWeb on April 12, 2007, at 12:51:55
Funny how different we all are as remeron once was given to me at l5mg doses with benzos and chloral hyrate and even seroquel for one night in the hospital no sleepiness for me. So wierd? Love Phillipa ps so only one S thanks for show me that and good luck.
Posted by SandyWeb on April 12, 2007, at 21:24:33
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » SandyWeb, posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2007, at 19:52:43
The only med that I ever found to make me tired was Trazadone, but like I mentioned in another post some time ago, it closed my nose right up and I had to breathe through my mouth. Definately no sleep when your tongue is sticking to your throat!! LOL.
I guess I'm like you. I just can't find anything to help me sleep. Guess we'll have to find some barbituates out on the street! JUST KIDDING! Lol.
God bless,
Sandy
Posted by cloudnine on April 15, 2007, at 5:47:38
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » Phillipa, posted by SandyWeb on April 12, 2007, at 21:24:33
Hi,
I thought I might contribute here,as I noted a lot of negative stories about this medication even though it is very popular and known to tackle the worst depressionsIve been on Efexor xr bt. 75 and 150 mg since begining of 2005 till now,and I must say I had annoying side effects the first month but after that it was great.
Positive things compared to other ADs (and I tried many of them including MAOs,RIMAs,TCA,SSRis.NRis,NDRis,atypicals)
]
No weight gain,but slight weight loss!
No insomnia,
No anxiety
No Fatigue but desirable activation!
Normal sex drive(sometimes I use Wellbutrin to enhance)
Fairly good concentrationThe only annoying side effect that is persisting is more than average sweating,which made me have more showes!
Please can I hear other positive experiences to lift up my soul?
Thanks,
Cloudnine
Posted by JouezMoi on April 15, 2007, at 12:01:10
In reply to Re: Effexor xr positive experiences, posted by cloudnine on April 15, 2007, at 5:47:38
Oh I agree, it is one of the most effective medications around. My experience was very positive. My nightmare started when it was time to come off. All the tapering in the world did not work, and I still get the occasional brain zap months after my last dose.
Posted by Phillipa on April 15, 2007, at 18:46:42
In reply to Re: Effexor xr positive experiences » cloudnine, posted by JouezMoi on April 15, 2007, at 12:01:10
Last two posters would you mind going to admin and asking on my thread for a board with positive effects from the SSRI's and SNRI's and others. Too many negative stories which scare people from posting successes. And congrats to all the success stories. We need them here. Love Phillipa
Posted by My sons mother on April 29, 2007, at 18:17:14
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR, posted by KristiVegas on April 9, 2007, at 14:13:12
My son has been on effexor for 7-8 years and cannot get off of this medicine! He is now 28 years old. He has tried several times. He lowered his dose, and then tried and didn't work. It doesn't matter what dose he takes, he gets the same effect. As long as his body has it, it doesn't go into withdrawl. If he misses one day, he goes into withdrawl. Terrible withdrawl. He is afraid they are going to stop making this medication, because he heard he could go into a comma. This is not right. There should be a way to get off this medication! Does ANYBODY know how to get off this medication?
Thanks.
Very worried mom
Posted by ClubSoda on May 2, 2007, at 13:12:31
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR, posted by My sons mother on April 29, 2007, at 18:17:14
I went off of it pretty much cold turkey and don't recommend that to anyone. I didn't have insurance and couldn't afford it anymore.
I have read of people who tapered off of it very slowly to the point where they got to the lowest dose available in capsule. When that happened they opened the caps and started counting the grains and tapering to nothing.
Posted by KerriC4412 on June 19, 2007, at 11:13:15
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent , posted by annj on February 27, 2001, at 15:37:01
Please....if anyone out there can give me insight into PERMANENT side effects of Effexor I need HELP! My 9 year old son was accidentally given effexor by pharmacy instead of prescribed antibiotic. He was hospitilized for five days and had many problems but this was a year ago and we are STILL struggling with mood swings, bouts of depression, manic ups and downs, concentration problems, memory loss/confusion....Is there any hope of this eventually going away? We NEVER had problems of this nature before!
Posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2007, at 21:30:38
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KerriC4412 on June 19, 2007, at 11:13:15
Kerri have you spoken to a lawyer as this is definitely a case. Do you still have the bottle it came in? Love Phillipa
Posted by KerriC4412 on June 20, 2007, at 9:50:08
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KerriC4412 on June 19, 2007, at 11:13:15
Yes we have and the pharmacy is not even fighting it. The pharmacist was 80 and has since retired and is fighting dementia. We have been to medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, poison control....you name it we have contacted them. But everyone interprets the long term effects differently. It is just getting frustrating. Most of the research is about short-term withdrawl side effects. Not much out there on permanent or long-term....nothing specific. Maybe no one really knows for sure. The insurance company wants to settle and frankly I just want it over with but we really don't KNOW if this is something he (and WE) just need to accept as permanent now. Just curious if anyone else out there has experienced lasting side effects. Thank you for your concerns!
Posted by KerriC4412 on June 20, 2007, at 9:51:25
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KerriC4412 on June 19, 2007, at 11:13:15
Yes we have and the pharmacy is not even fighting it. The pharmacist was 80 and has since retired and is fighting dementia. We have been to medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, poison control....you name it we have contacted them. But everyone interprets the long term effects differently. It is just getting frustrating. Most of the research is about short-term withdrawl side effects. Not much out there on permanent or long-term....nothing specific. Maybe no one really knows for sure. The insurance company wants to settle and frankly I just want it over with but we really don't KNOW if this is something he (and WE) just need to accept as permanent now. Just curious if anyone else out there has experienced lasting side effects. Thank you for your concerns!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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