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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by livingghost on June 17, 2002, at 19:51:23
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Better Experience » gare, posted by Reneb on May 21, 2002, at 15:06:39
> > > > Whatever I said before--I changed my mind. I started Effexor XR 37.5 at the end of March. The first 4 weeks were very good, increased energy and pain relief. A few regular swimmers even commented on my stroke. Then, I experienced a dramatic decrease in pain relief and energy, which was replaced by a sense of calm, causing 10 days of depression. I shook myself out of that convincing myself that I had at least held on to a portion of the pain relief, plus I did feel less aggravated by my whole "pain, poverty and filth" situation. But then the CALM just kept on coming, until I realized that I had been unable to do anything all week. Most of my time from Sun.-Thurs. had been spent lounging on the couch. The problem was that I didn't feel bad or tired, I actually felt very awake and alert--I thought that I was just being lazy, I felt good, I just had no energy for physical movement. On Friday I felt weak and dizzy upon getting out of bed--But I didn't feel bad. I went straight to the couch, then back to bed, then I decided that I had had enough of that Effexor and made the decision to discontinue. I spent the day on the couch,I went to the pool in the evening and sat in the car for 45 minutes before I could face that pool. I could not finish my normal 15 minute workout and became dizzy and weak. In the shower my hand passed over my heart and it was racing. My pulse was 120 and the paramedics were called. My blood pressure was 136 the first time that they took it and 126 the second time they took it after they had given me oxygen for a minute or two (normally 110 is high for me). I'm finished with Effexor, unless I need to take some to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
> > >
> > >
> > > Boy, I understand what you are saying! I exercise everyday. In the spring I increase my exercise to get ready for the races. I love to run!! I couldn't believe the difference it made being on effexor. It would take everything I had to run what I used to run with ease. My friends were really concerned because they couldn't believe that my energy level had fallen so much. I too decided that was enough. I wein myself off which took at least 2 months. I am so glad to be rid of that stuff.
> > >
> > > Renee
> >
> > Hi Renee...I think you replied to one of my post's before. I, too, am a jogger - maybe not fast like you, and do yoga, and during the first eight weeks on Effexor XR, I didn't have any motivation to do much of anything even though I didn't lose my desire.
> >
> > As I mentioned before, I was taking Effexor XR at 6 pm in the evening and it's made a world of a difference taking it at 2 pm.
> >
> > I am still at 2 pm with great results.
> >
> > I have been back on my yoga routine and built up to my regular 1 hour jog this Sunday.
> >
> > I don't have zaps in energy and I don't claim that Effexor XR gives me the boost either but I feel that I am able to do all my activities that I loved to do before.
> >
> > Now if I could only write my book!
> >
> > Did you ever try adjusting the time you took Effexor XR?
> >
> > Has anyone else adjusted the time and found their best time to take Effexor XR?
> >
> > Gare
>
> Hi Gare, No I didn't try doing that. I was on 300mg of effexor. I was taking 150mg in the morning and 150mg in the afternoon/evening time. I just think that it was to much for my system. I did work on my depression..almost too good. I wasn't feeling anything and that's not good either. I just started taking a yoga class. I couldn't believe how unflexible I am. It's all those years of running and biking and not enough stretching. I am going to continue the yoga. I thought it was great!!! what kind of yoga do you do?
>
>
> ReneeEveryone sleepy on Effexor,
Sorry if you've read something similar to this before, I put it in the wrong thread by accident because this is my first posting.
I take 275/day for the last couple of years.
Unfortunately, I also have what others in this chat room have called hypersomnia (I think) and I think it is because of effexor, in which I'm tired most of the time and sleep so much that it seriously hinders my career and relationships. I'm so tired during the day, sometimes, which is a real bummer because as a child I was more hyper than anyone else. I feel so helpless sometimes because my bouts of tirdeness makes me depend so much on the ones I love, when inside I'm such an independant person. Until I found this site today, I've been thinking that maybe my boyfriend was right and I'm just lazy, but I never see others struggle with sleeping, tiredness, and sleep patterns the way I do. Now I feel better, I think effexor may be the cause.
Excercise actually helps me counter this effect, a bit; and has been close (but not near close enough) to a natural help for depression pre-effexor.
I wonder, however, if the sleepiness is not just a part of the depression that was never cured; after all, depression made me this way.
As I look back at about the first year I took effexor, I remember that I didn't have a problem with sleeping; but I had bad temper problems instead that got me into trouble. Once I took a more easy-going attitude (upset by the trouble I caused), the sleepiness began.
It's amazing to me how different all of our experiences are with similar drugs.
Posted by coyote on June 18, 2002, at 11:44:12
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Better Experience, posted by livingghost on June 17, 2002, at 19:51:23
I had extreme lassitude while on 300mg of effexor xr. I find zoloft much easier to be active on.
Posted by Luann on June 19, 2002, at 17:00:48
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have had tremendous results from Effexor (150mg). It has literally changed my life for the better! Although I suffer side effects of insomnia at night and fatigue during the day, it is a fair trade off for the quality of life which has improved drastically. I hope others feel the same!
Posted by mara talamaur on June 20, 2002, at 17:06:14
In reply to Effexor - Changed my life!, posted by Luann on June 19, 2002, at 17:00:48
Greetings all,
and I did see a few posts above about abnormal bruising, but I am wondering if there are any people, more recently, who have experienced this!
For a bit, I thought I might have been rather clumbsy, but it seems that I really am abnormally apt to bruising since I have been on the Effexor XR.
Please let me know if you've experienced this, and any insight your own MDs have provided. I'm in the process of changing my insurance companies, otherwise, I'd go ask my own doctor. =)
Cheers!Mara
Posted by spencer on June 21, 2002, at 1:21:40
In reply to Bruising, posted by mara talamaur on June 20, 2002, at 17:06:14
Mara
I posted about the abnormal bruising a while ago because I bumped the tip of my elbow quite badly and the next day the whole of my forearm and half my upper arm was one huge brown and blue bruise. I had never had anything like it before. I had to go to the doctor the next week for bronchitis so I had a chance to show him. He said I must have ruptured a vein.
Since then I have not had any repeat experiences despite bumping myself quite badly from time to time. If I was suffering from abnormal bruising it should have shown up. So most probably it was what the doctor said and nothing to do with Effexor.
As an aside, I started weaning off 150mg XR over a month ago. I was on 112.5mg for about two weeks, then 75mg for two weeks and now I'm down to 37.5mg (normal release). I have been very fortunate and have no side effects whatsoever and hope to be off completely in another week.
Regards
Spencer
==================================================
> Greetings all,
>
> and I did see a few posts above about abnormal bruising, but I am wondering if there are any people, more recently, who have experienced this!
>
> For a bit, I thought I might have been rather clumbsy, but it seems that I really am abnormally apt to bruising since I have been on the Effexor XR.
>
> Please let me know if you've experienced this, and any insight your own MDs have provided. I'm in the process of changing my insurance companies, otherwise, I'd go ask my own doctor. =)
>
>
> Cheers!
>
> Mara
Posted by sly on June 21, 2002, at 7:28:45
In reply to Bruising, posted by mara talamaur on June 20, 2002, at 17:06:14
I have the same problem, I'm on 75 mg Effexor XR. I seem to bruise quite easily, they're deep, dark brown and blue/red, and I get them frequently doing things I normally do with no problems. Usually I don't even notice them until someone else points them out - however, Effexor makes me feel kind of spaced out and foggy, I just might not be able to focus enough to remember what caused it.
Most of the other side effects went away after 4 weeks, but this one is lingering, if it's still around in another month I'll mention it to my doctor. It doesn't really bother me, but other people keep noticing them and wondering what's going on.
Posted by Shanti on June 21, 2002, at 10:30:09
In reply to Re: Bruising » mara talamaur, posted by spencer on June 21, 2002, at 1:21:40
> Mara
>
> I posted about the abnormal bruising a while ago because I bumped the tip of my elbow quite badly and the next day the whole of my forearm and half my upper arm was one huge brown and blue bruise. I had never had anything like it before. I had to go to the doctor the next week for bronchitis so I had a chance to show him. He said I must have ruptured a vein.
>
> Since then I have not had any repeat experiences despite bumping myself quite badly from time to time. If I was suffering from abnormal bruising it should have shown up. So most probably it was what the doctor said and nothing to do with Effexor.
>
> As an aside, I started weaning off 150mg XR over a month ago. I was on 112.5mg for about two weeks, then 75mg for two weeks and now I'm down to 37.5mg (normal release). I have been very fortunate and have no side effects whatsoever and hope to be off completely in another week.
>
> Regards
>
> Spencer
>
> ==================================================
>
>
>
>
>
> > Greetings all,
> >
> > and I did see a few posts above about abnormal bruising, but I am wondering if there are any people, more recently, who have experienced this!
> >
> > For a bit, I thought I might have been rather clumbsy, but it seems that I really am abnormally apt to bruising since I have been on the Effexor XR.
> >
> > Please let me know if you've experienced this, and any insight your own MDs have provided. I'm in the process of changing my insurance companies, otherwise, I'd go ask my own doctor. =)
> >
> >
> > Cheers!
> >
> > Marahi there!
have you ever had your platlettes checked? if they are low this causes bruising with even the littlest of bumps. you should see my body. anything with aspirin in it you should not take because it thins the blood out and causes the platlettes to drop thus causing bruising. quick side note: when i delievered my 2 children my platlettes were so low i had to have them naturally otherwise i could have hemorraged they also had to checked my children's blood as well (if their's was too low i would need a c-section to prevent cerabal palsy (the head is very soft when going through the womb it could cause a brain hemmorage if the platlettes are too low or worse yet even death) thank god, both my children's were ok! so i had them naturally 9lbs 6oz's and 7lbs7oz (i weigh all of 125 at 5ft9inches!)
anyway, have your dr check your platlettes next time you see him/her
take care
shanti/tracey
Posted by joy on June 21, 2002, at 14:37:12
In reply to Bruising, posted by mara talamaur on June 20, 2002, at 17:06:14
It's not just the Effexor. All the SSRIs have done that to me, including Paxil and Prozac. I have been off all SSRIs for 4 months and voila, no more bruising. I have restarted Prozac and expect the easy bruising to start. Even most of the doctors don't get it, but it's a reality. I would not go off medication that worked for me because of easy bruising. I just would not take much aspirin or other blood thinning meds. My friend has lived with bruising 10 years on Prozac, but it works for her so she is staying on it despite bruises. I've used a little leg makeup when necessary [hard to cover]. Good luck whatever you decide to do.
Joy
Posted by angela528 on June 21, 2002, at 19:34:06
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Better Experience, posted by livingghost on June 17, 2002, at 19:51:23
hi-i'm on effexor and it really took away anxiety and depression--now a year later i think i'd like to go off it because of a feeling of tightness and tension in my body--does anyone else notice this symptom. i wake up in the am, feel lazy about getting out of bed like many who have posted here, but feeling like i've been clenching my jaw all night--anyone notice something like this?
angelica
Posted by supergirl on June 21, 2002, at 21:16:26
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Better Experience, posted by angela528 on June 21, 2002, at 19:35:21
I just stopped taking effexor less than 2 weeks ago. Before I started lowering the dosage, my body was also tense. I even had to miss work for a week because of back problems. Since I tapered and quit, I have noticed that my body is a lot more relaxed, no more back trouble... in fact the only problem I have faced since I stopped taking it is I am not wanting to sleep as much, something I have to get used to. Make sure you get with your doctor if you are wanting to get off of the effexor, though, or you might cause more strain on your body.
good luck
supergirl
Posted by LynnPerley on June 21, 2002, at 21:49:17
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Better Experience, posted by angela528 on June 21, 2002, at 19:34:06
I have suffered jaw clenching (bruxism) on effexor xr but it was worse on prozac. I quit prozac after two weeks because of it. The bruxism has gradually decreased but I still notice it.
Posted by mara talamaur on June 22, 2002, at 20:47:22
In reply to Bruxism Re: Effexor - Exercise - Better Experience » angela528, posted by LynnPerley on June 21, 2002, at 21:49:17
Greetings,
and I was grinding my teeth at night before I started the Effexor XR and it seems to actually be better now! Perhaps because I've reduced my stress levels a bit, I'm not doing it as intensely or as often. I did have my dentist make me a bite guard so that my teeth would not suffer from the grinding. The bite guard also reduces/eliminates the jaw tension headaches that would occur the next morning.Good luck!
Cheers,Mara
Posted by angeltalena on June 22, 2002, at 21:17:01
In reply to Re: Bruxism , posted by mara talamaur on June 22, 2002, at 20:47:22
I had a bit of trouble in the beginning but found that cutting my caffeine intake way down helped a lot. It seems that the Effexor lifts me up enough by itself without the added caffeine which interferes with other medicines I take also anyway.
Karen :-)
> Greetings,
> and I was grinding my teeth at night before I started the Effexor XR and it seems to actually be better now! Perhaps because I've reduced my stress levels a bit, I'm not doing it as intensely or as often. I did have my dentist make me a bite guard so that my teeth would not suffer from the grinding. The bite guard also reduces/eliminates the jaw tension headaches that would occur the next morning.
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mara
Posted by WhereSheRuns on June 23, 2002, at 2:06:06
In reply to Bruising, posted by mara talamaur on June 20, 2002, at 17:06:14
I had terrible bruising when my psych doc raised my dosage of effexor xr to 75 mgs. I had my med doc take some blood tests to check my platelet count and it came out normal. I finally told my shrink and she started weaning me off of effexor right away. At that time it had been 3 months and up to 150 mgs.
Two days ago, after stepping down gradually to 37.5 mgs, I came completely off of Effexor. All I've gotta say to everyone out there coming off is, BE CAREFUL. I have been extremely depressed, anxious, paranoid, angry, and somewhat suicidal. It has been complete HELL! I know it'll pass but make sure your enviroment is as comfortable as can be and no ones around to push your buttons!!
Posted by BethB on June 23, 2002, at 15:54:40
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Rhonda on April 28, 2000, at 7:17:12
Wow-
Nice to know I'm not alone. Here's my 2 cents.
Going on the medicine initially gave me mild side effects like sleeplessness, middle of the night wakings (always 4am), loss of appetite, and dizziness. My doc put me on the meds in steps of 37.5.
I have been on 150 mg for a year now. The first 4 months were successful. I was able to just exist as a normal person. Ahhhhhh....no hideous pits of despair.
Then i started feeling restless and surprisingly SLEEPY. I feel...strangely heavy.
I now crave sweets because I am always so tired and frustrated. Despite my best efforts of exercise and healthy eating I have gained 15 pounds!
I still have ups and downs but BARELY. I CAN'T FEEL. Even when I get excited about something my body doesn't respond. No reactions. No excitement. No misery. Just irritability.
My eyes are so dry that my contacts stick. I always feel thirsty. My lips and face are dry. I sweat much more now. I bruise easily (is this the meds?).
If I miss two or more doses the withdrawal truly is horrendous! Flu-like symptoms including night(day)-sweats, hot flashes, aching muscles, intense nausea, dizziness, migraines beyond reason, severe power outages/surges in the brain, drunken visual effects, slowness in body as well as in thoughts and speech, and lots of irritability.
Does anyone else find it difficult to pee? I know this sounds odd, but I have to really concentrate in order to find the correct peeing muscles!
My psycho-doctor suggests a higher dosage, but that will just make the withdrawal symptoms that much worse!! Plus, when I tried to take higher doses I experienced more side-effects as well, which is not good for being a teacher!
This is the only med I've tried and frankly I hate the idea of a lifetime of pills.
HELP!?
Sarah B
Posted by NikkiT2 on June 23, 2002, at 18:57:54
In reply to Effexor XR Overall Synopsis, posted by BethB on June 23, 2002, at 15:54:40
I had terrible urinary retention on effexor.. just not being able to "start the flow"!! WHile on it I was only going for a wee about 3 times a day... it was quite a shock to get back to normal after coming off and at first I was going about 10 times a day as the slightest urge felt strange compared to no urge on effexor!!!
I loved Effexor at first, the first 3 months on it were great (after the initial side effects wore off), then my pdoc (the twat he was) took me off for 2 weeks before putting me back on it, and it never worked right again after that.. even up to 375mg...
Coming off it was the wirst thing I have ever known and neevr ever want to go through anything like that again in my life... its scared me off taking any meds, though I know I must take them else I'll kill myself...
Nikki xx
Posted by Timmy4 on June 23, 2002, at 19:52:40
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Overall Synopsis- peeing » BethB, posted by NikkiT2 on June 23, 2002, at 18:57:54
SarahB,
Thank you for sharing your experience with what truly seems to be Side Effexor. My advice (especially if you are a teacher!) is to listen to yourself and your body and wean off for the next few weeks-months. A higher dose sounds like the worst thing you can do. I would address it like walking down stairs, in 37.5 increments, and only when YOU feel secure on one step, inch down to the next until you rid yourself of this soon-to-be-memory.
Best of luck and lots of strength...
Posted by Mr Beev on June 24, 2002, at 7:06:07
In reply to Re: Bruxism , posted by angeltalena on June 22, 2002, at 21:17:01
> I had a bit of trouble in the beginning but found that cutting my caffeine intake way down helped a lot. It seems that the Effexor lifts me up enough by itself without the added caffeine which interferes with other medicines I take also anyway.
For what it's worth, I had a similar experience. I am a quite moderate coffee drinker, but I too found that eliminating caffeine helped with the Effexorisms. I also found that the bruxism diminished substantially after a few weeks, though after 1 1/2 months it's still present...
Best regards,
Mr Beev
Posted by BethB on June 24, 2002, at 10:27:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Overall Synopsis- peeing » BethB, posted by Timmy4 on June 23, 2002, at 19:52:40
thanks nikki and timmy4.
i know this is an important decision (To wean or not to wean). I'm just still trying to decide whether it is better to be physically and mentally "blah" or to be psychological depressive. according to some others if i stop taking the meds i'll find myself back in the pits of despair and going back on effexor will never be the same. hmmm....tough call.
i just don't want to jump the gun. and MAN, that peeing issue is such a strange side effect! lol
thanks again, your support is great-
BethB
Posted by Reneb on June 24, 2002, at 13:11:34
In reply to Effexor - Changed my life!, posted by Luann on June 19, 2002, at 17:00:48
> I have had tremendous results from Effexor (150mg). It has literally changed my life for the better! Although I suffer side effects of insomnia at night and fatigue during the day, it is a fair trade off for the quality of life which has improved drastically. I hope others feel the same!
Hi, I am so glad you are having a good experience with effexor. Can I ask how long you have been on it? I was on it for at least a year before I noticed the bad side.Renee
Posted by Reneb on June 24, 2002, at 13:19:25
In reply to Effexor XR Overall Synopsis, posted by BethB on June 23, 2002, at 15:54:40
> Wow-
>
> Nice to know I'm not alone. Here's my 2 cents.
>
> Going on the medicine initially gave me mild side effects like sleeplessness, middle of the night wakings (always 4am), loss of appetite, and dizziness. My doc put me on the meds in steps of 37.5.
>
> I have been on 150 mg for a year now. The first 4 months were successful. I was able to just exist as a normal person. Ahhhhhh....no hideous pits of despair.
>
> Then i started feeling restless and surprisingly SLEEPY. I feel...strangely heavy.
>
> I now crave sweets because I am always so tired and frustrated. Despite my best efforts of exercise and healthy eating I have gained 15 pounds!
>
> I still have ups and downs but BARELY. I CAN'T FEEL. Even when I get excited about something my body doesn't respond. No reactions. No excitement. No misery. Just irritability.
>
> My eyes are so dry that my contacts stick. I always feel thirsty. My lips and face are dry. I sweat much more now. I bruise easily (is this the meds?).
>
> If I miss two or more doses the withdrawal truly is horrendous! Flu-like symptoms including night(day)-sweats, hot flashes, aching muscles, intense nausea, dizziness, migraines beyond reason, severe power outages/surges in the brain, drunken visual effects, slowness in body as well as in thoughts and speech, and lots of irritability.
>
> Does anyone else find it difficult to pee? I know this sounds odd, but I have to really concentrate in order to find the correct peeing muscles!
>
> My psycho-doctor suggests a higher dosage, but that will just make the withdrawal symptoms that much worse!! Plus, when I tried to take higher doses I experienced more side-effects as well, which is not good for being a teacher!
>
> This is the only med I've tried and frankly I hate the idea of a lifetime of pills.
>
> HELP!?
>
> Sarah BSarah, you are not alone! I felt exactly how you feel. I was on it for ove a year. Started to feel nothing...just existing. I exercise everyday. I actually train in the spring and summer for races!!! I also started to gain weight. I told myself that is it. I weaned myself off. It took about 2 months to do it without those horrible withdrawals. It worked well, by the time I was taking my last 1/4 dose of effexor. I was feeling no side effects at all.
Yes, Peeing took forever...lol My husband used to knock on the door to see if I was alright. If I didnt sit there and concentrate it wouldn't happen.
take care,
Renee
Posted by Starwatcher on June 24, 2002, at 16:49:49
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Overall Synopsis, posted by Reneb on June 24, 2002, at 13:19:25
I am sure glad I read all of these threads here about Effexor! My doctor has recently put me on it for fibromyalgia chronic pain. I waited and started it at 75 mg. over the weekend to see what would happen - and it totally zonked me out! I could barely wake up and move around all weekend, and I felt totally shaky and weak, and my pupils were dilated big time. I cut the dose down last night to 37.5 mg. and I'm able to function and go to work today, although I feel kinda heavy and sedated. The pain, though, is basically gone - so that's a plus! I had a little nausea, but more like a loss of appetite, which may be a good thing. I'm going to see if the smaller dose works continuously because I don't see how I'll be able to function in the daytime on the higher dose! You're right, this is some powerful medication!
Posted by Reneb on June 24, 2002, at 19:19:32
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Overall Synopsis, posted by Starwatcher on June 24, 2002, at 16:49:49
> I am sure glad I read all of these threads here about Effexor! My doctor has recently put me on it for fibromyalgia chronic pain. I waited and started it at 75 mg. over the weekend to see what would happen - and it totally zonked me out! I could barely wake up and move around all weekend, and I felt totally shaky and weak, and my pupils were dilated big time. I cut the dose down last night to 37.5 mg. and I'm able to function and go to work today, although I feel kinda heavy and sedated. The pain, though, is basically gone - so that's a plus! I had a little nausea, but more like a loss of appetite, which may be a good thing. I'm going to see if the smaller dose works continuously because I don't see how I'll be able to function in the daytime on the higher dose! You're right, this is some powerful medication!
Hi, I think if you stay at a lower dose the side effects aren't as severe. The only problem I think will be when you get used to the dose you are on and feel that you need to up it???
hope it works out,
Renee
PS...I like your name!
Posted by Starwatcher on June 24, 2002, at 20:50:59
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Overall Synopsis » Starwatcher, posted by Reneb on June 24, 2002, at 19:19:32
Thanks, Renee!
I guess I'll decide and try upping it if and when the time comes that the lower dosage doesn't work. I do know that the 75 mg. dosage was definitely too much to start out on for me. Luckily, so far, I don't seem to need the Effexor to relieve depression, although I have had that problem in the past.
Posted by Luann on June 24, 2002, at 22:05:15
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Overall Synopsis » Starwatcher, posted by Starwatcher on June 24, 2002, at 20:50:59
I don't know if this is related to being on the medication - I'm on 150 mg a day. Just increased dosage 2 weeks ago but my eyes have been feeling sore and kind of "strained". Has anyone had this problem or something like it? Everything else has been great except for the insomnia. But my eyes are really sore.
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