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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Jeff Guider on December 31, 2004, at 13:44:12
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Cindy S. G., posted by dancingstar on December 21, 2004, at 12:15:58
all of you that have had these severe withdrawls........how long had you been taking the Effexor?
Posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 13:45:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Jeff Guider on December 31, 2004, at 13:44:12
I took it for three years.
Posted by Jeff Guider on December 31, 2004, at 13:51:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 13:49:22
ive been on it for 5 days at 37.5.....supposed to go up to 75mg tomorrow.......not sure what to do
Posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 14:19:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Jeff Guider on December 31, 2004, at 13:51:45
After reading hours and hours...and hours of information from all sides, I'd say that you should do all the research first. The doctors don't seem to have done a good job of this, and Wyeth may be withholding some information from us. Did you read the article that I posted in the NY Times?
Did you read the side effects that not2late4u posted that were just revised as of 2004? Here is a link that will show you that Wyeth has known of those side effects since 1996 but that they didn't publish them. Read the whole thing and then read the very last paragraph, the conclusion.
http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/9425vfx.htm
Some people think that this is a valuable drug. If you are extremely depressed with no alternative available or nothing else that will work, then by all means, you might want to consider taking it because it is likely that you will survive the drug's reactions as most of us have. Truthfully, during the time that I took it I had no idea that it caused me harm. Had I not stopped taking Effexor, I would never have known that I didn't have chronic fatigue nor fibromyalgia; that I don't spend my days tired, in pain or feeling hazy and drugged. It didn't happen right away either. At first it gave me more energy, just as it was prescribed to do. I even lost weight at first. It wasn't until months went by that I became tired, achey, gained weight and slowly became almost completely unable to do much of anything for more than an hour or two at a time for about two and a half years...not even work, think, drive...live. I know others that this has happened to as well. It happens so slowly that we don't know it. Something just changes. I became sad, lonely, incapable of doing all the things that people do.
Three months after I've stopped taking Effexor, though I feel as though I may have a bit of colitis, I'm happy, essentially healthy, clear thinking -- the world is truly a wonderful place to be for the first time in years. Thing is, I wasn't clinically depressed when I took Effexor and it shouldn't have been given to me...and probably millions of others, but I can't speak for you. For you all I can say is that if you don't really need it, it is a very, very powerful drug that has the potential to be dangerous to some people. You need to evaluate all the data very carefully and make a decision that you think is right for you. Some people have said, as you have read, that it has saved them from the depths of depression. If you are clinically depressed with no other alternative, this could be true for you, too.
Best of luck to you in your journey. I'm sure you will find the right answers. They're out there. You have to do the research for yourself, though, and not take mine or anyone else's suggestion because each person's health is a different situation.
Bebe
Posted by eeyorena on January 1, 2005, at 21:44:19
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 0:04:07
The short term studies are most definitely a problem. It is my understanding that the FDA does not require longer term studies NOR does it require "post market" studies (i.e. studies to continue after the drug is released). If any problems occur later, the drug company can keep gathering anecdotal information without making that information available to the public. Until their risk in NOT releasing information "tips" the scales, or a PR event occurs, a lot of post market data does not get released to the general public.
Hurts stock prices.
Posted by dancingstar on January 1, 2005, at 21:55:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by eeyorena on January 1, 2005, at 21:44:19
Yup. That's why I'm asking everyone to please fill out the FDA's online form if they have had any problems associated with their having taken Effexor. It will not only help us but perhaps save millions of others from taking this drug without knowing how dangerous it is. I truly think that someone is beginning to hear us. If it really happened to so many of us, let's flood the lines and see what happens. (One report per person, please.) :-)
Posted by eeyorena on January 1, 2005, at 22:05:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 22:05:24
Actually, Wyeth posting that information and attaching it to their print advertising for Effexor is relatively new.
I know, because I am a researcher who searched high and low for evidence of Effexor withdrawal effects during the summer of 2002. Two doctors (my meds doc and my primary care physician) also searched. We all came up empty.
I was having so many problems getting off of Effexor (I had been on it for 3 years) and the symptoms were so bad that these two doctors and one other plus specialists thought that I might have multiple sclerosis or a neurological problem that was showing up coincidentally during the time of my withdrawal. After all, there was no information from Wyeth about withdrawal symptoms and my symptoms were extremely intense.
I was so desperate, I even wrote a rough draft of a letter for my psych to forward to Oliver Sacks, if we could get him. That's how extreme and unusual this case was. I was newly married (my husband is amazing) and completely despondent because I could not envision living with the physical pain I was in. I could stand the seizures, but not the pain.
After CAT scans and an MRI and tilt table tests and blood tests (et al.), I found some anecdotal evidence that other people were having problems withdrawing from Effexor. In discussing it on a message board, we took a LOT of heat from other patients who just loved the drug. Those were hard days to make it through.
In 2003, I saw the first Effexor print ad with any kind of "official" withdrawal information attached. My psych doc and I felt betrayed. (He's a very good and wise person.)
I don't think that prescribers are all negligent. I think that the drug companies don't make this information easy to find, there are many promises sold to medical providers about the benefits of drugs, insurance companies are pushing drugs versus therapy (it's cheaper), doctors are overwhelmed with a mountain of new drug information every year.
And no one wants to see their patient in pain or severely depressed.
My primary care physician has already stopped prescribing any drug which has not been out for at least 1 year. She is one of the most conservative doctors I have. But my problems ON Effexor didn't start until 1.5 years after starting it. And it was so new, few patients had gone off of it.
Now I'm on an MAOI (which has been absolutely terrific) but I'm still trying to get off of Neurontin and Ativan, both of which have been adversely affecting my sleep effectiveness and memory.
I'm hoping that the chronic pain I suffer, at age 38, after being an active climber and hiker for most of my life, is temporary and that someday I can resume my very active life again. I can't tell you if it is related to any drug I've taken. But the timing between the beginning of problems with effexor and the onset of my chronic pain problems (even though I have been off of it for 2.5 years now) is too convenient.
I'm frustrated and want to get back to my career and school and social life. I want my life back.
Posted by dancingstar on January 1, 2005, at 22:35:20
In reply to Doctors are not all negligent..., posted by eeyorena on January 1, 2005, at 22:05:08
Please let me know how your pain is doing. Mine is nearly completely gone since I stopped taking Effexor. Not 100 percent, but at least 80 - 90 percent. What a surprise it was for me. Good luck! Thank you for your post!!
Bebe
[email protected]
Posted by sickcheck on January 1, 2005, at 23:08:37
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I must be among the few who have had great success with effexor xr. My problem when on it long enough ( and seeing my Psych ) I fall to the belief I'm getting better and stop taking them. YOU GOT IT! Stopped. Not once but twice, cold turkey. Not a withdrawl at all. Considering I was (and not back on again) taking 225 mg per day. 2 in am & 1 in PM all @ 75 mg. Honestly folks. You are your best advocate on what does and what does not work. Been on Depekote & had the hellish feelings some have mentioned of Effexor. Bottom line is, YOU need to tell your Dr if you need to get on another med. If you need them, why deny it? But don't trust the MD or PHD behind their names to know better than you on the effects. KNOW THYSELF
Posted by twilson on January 2, 2005, at 6:11:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by sickcheck on January 1, 2005, at 23:09:02
Actually, a couple things...
1 - My wife just started taking this for anxiety/stress/depression/helplessness & it is working well for her so far. Major side effect for her is difficulty in achieving orgasm. Is there any meds that any female here has had success with for similar conditions that has not lowered their sex drive & ability to orgasm?
2 - I was physically abused as a child from infancy until ~7 years old. It was a pretty extreme case, our dad putting cigarettes out on our mom & shootouts with cops/hostage situation. Been to shrinks before, they put me on st. john's wart & gaba gaba?? i think it was. Didn't do anything for me. I am now 23 years old, have most things under control, but still have problems controlling anger. I get 'weird' around large groups of people or around people that make me uncomfortable. I rarely get angry anymore, but when I do(~5x-10x a year), it is an uncontrollable rage that I'm aware of, but can't do anything to get it to go away. I'll say & do stuff that I regret later. I just have to wait it out - usually 20 to 30 minutes, which a lot can happen in 20 to 30 minutes. Anyone here have suggestions for medication/s to go on or good experience w/ similar history?
~thanks
Posted by jubilee on January 2, 2005, at 12:03:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? -t » sickcheck, posted by twilson on January 2, 2005, at 6:11:37
Well just lately I had my first orgasm in 4 years, kind of accedently, and go ahaead and laugh. effexor also made it too painful to have intercours , and how it does that I dont know.
Yes , it is a good antidepressant, but not worth the price you pay.
What to talk about anger. Well I am a christian and in withdrawal I have had to deal with everything I can do not to say the Lords name in vien after 4 years on effexor . I believe it is a dmonic drug and by the way I just want to thank Dr Bob and the site he put here for us to share the insanity of living on it and worse of all the withdrawal and will these anger attacks ever leave.? I necer thought I would ever have to take Xanex, but it is all that gets me through the attacks or I would be tearing my trailer up.
Do you want to go there my friend ,.. I suggest your wife getting off asap. I have gone through the death of a son in Feb, he was 27 and healing completely finally from Multiple Personality and I have no personalities i can switch to when I am out tolunch. Just me and God now. Forgiveness is how I healed from that if anybody is interested.
Forgiveness is the great healer but you must be willing to get pissed off to reach the forgiveness. I mean I want them to burn in hell God. He knows how you really feel . Make a list of 500 offenders like I di and then take a few months hating and then forgiving through the power of the Holy Spirit. I just wanted to share a healing proces that keeps me out of depresion. What strarted my healing 2 years ago ( I had 21 personalities) was tithing to christin TV. Cant go wrong with that "ground" Well I know I have said some strange things here today , but I believe on working on issues and not taking pills . I was under bondage to suisidal depression for 19 years and I took effexor to l;oose wieght . Yea , also lost my vision and my memory and the ability to sleep and became selfcenteredly hyper manic al side affects of effexor. Go to the petition on line
try: "" http://wwwpetitiononline.com/effexor/""
without parenthisis of course.
This week , my first whole week off effexor after comming down for 5 months I went 3 days without loosing control of my anger and I am not normally a person with an anger prblem . I have gotton so much support , thank you all. Hope I helped someone today. God Bless Jubilee
Posted by jubilee on January 2, 2005, at 12:11:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? -t, posted by jubilee on January 2, 2005, at 12:03:35
Whoops I meant 50 offenders and that was hard enough , but I heard this pastor teaching on how to breakthrough forgive rather than re forgiving over and over like I did for years. (which keeps you sick and depressed which is what depression is about, suppressed anger. ) Panic attacks came up for me in AA and I got on Inderal , and then those old men that reninded me of my molesters didnt bother me anymore. Can't forget the time spend on my knees helped mostly, Jubilee
Posted by FaithT on January 2, 2005, at 13:23:02
In reply to whoops , I meant 50 offenders!!, posted by jubilee on January 2, 2005, at 12:11:21
If you read my posts above, you will see that I have only benefited from this drug. Again, the withdrawl was crappy, but after 1 1/2 years on the drug, I did it.
Due to my circumstances however, I slipped back into that black hole, and Effexor is the only drug that keeps me getting up in the morning, and face my fears. I am GRATEFUL for this drug, and would never sign a petition against it.
I'm confused....Is this a sight for people that only hate Effexor? Let me tell you guys, there are other drugs out there that are no picnic either. I would be devastated if Effexor was ever taken off the market in my lifetime, and I bet alot of other people would as well. I don't know why they're not speaking out.
Every circumstance is different and you cannot lump everyone into one catagory. Some people like me, facing cancer or other illneses, need this drug to function. It seems that posters on this sight are repeatedly posting the same side effects over and over again, and scaring people. That in my opinion is wrong. We all have to make educated choices, and be our own advocates. If your clinical depression is severe, Effexor may be a life saver. I would honestly worry about the withwrawl, when and if that time comes. If the medicine works for you, then be grateful and "live'!
Faith~
Posted by dancingstar on January 2, 2005, at 13:56:03
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by FaithT on January 2, 2005, at 13:23:02
...but just for the record, if anyone does want to complain about the drug and get the most mileage out of their gripe, this is the correct link. The petition is nice and informative but won't do as much good.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
People do an online search when they get sick and want to know what is happening to them. Often they wind up here. That's what I did. And I thank Dr. Bob for having his site available so that we can figure out what was going on with our bodies when this happened by sharing information with each other.
I didn't know, Faith, that it took you a year and a half to fully recover the last time you stopped taking Effexor. To me that is a long time. I understand that there are some circumstances that make even that length of time tolerable, but it isn't to me. Wyeth told my doctor that there were no side effects at the time I began to take this drug. That is the furthest thing from the truth. I wasn't depressed and never took it for depression. Patients are being given Effexor/XR for all kinds of problems today, the least of which is serious depression if it is one of the four most common drugs prescribed because most people are not seeing pdoctors. That means that lots of people could possibly be innocently harmed by taking Effexor. You are taking it with your full knowledge of all of the potential harmful reactions that it causes and your explicit consent unlike many of us. There is a huge difference.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by KaraS on January 2, 2005, at 14:04:32
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by FaithT on January 2, 2005, at 13:23:02
There are others here who have spoken out and said they have/had a positive experience on Effexor. I am one of them. I only had a partial response to Effexor but it was better than most other meds for me. I wouldn't hesitate to go back on it. Unfortunately, the withdrawal process can be difficult if not done correctly (and maybe even if done correctly) and people need a forum to vent about that and get support going through it. Like anything else in life, you hear more about things when people aren't happy than you do when they're content. It doesn't specifically mean that this site hates Effexor - though it could easily give that impression.
Posted by eeyorena on January 2, 2005, at 14:16:50
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by FaithT on January 2, 2005, at 13:23:02
Faith--
I'm very glad that Effexor works for you. And I'm also very glad that you are getting what you need to survive cancer.
My sister had cancer and depression. I have severe clinical depression and have been hospitalized for it.
I think a lot of the anger around Effexor has to do with the complete lack of information around its risks as well as its rewards. Until Wyeth VERY recently was goaded into publishing the information that they had about withdrawal and so forth, there was nothing. In fact, there was worse than nothing. There was denial.
And for people who have fought very hard to get treated for a condition that others may not be able to "see" in blood test results or on an Xray, this is a very devestating experience. You are sick AND have to convince medical providers that you aren't "imagining things." It's a nightmare. It was for me. Luckily, there is a little part of me that is cantankerous and stubborn even when I am very sick. And, also lucky, I have had the same very good medical providers for a decade. They know me very well. Many others don't have that luxury.
So I believe that the anger you are reading about is directed at Wyeth and how, since they held back important information about this drug, they took something very important away from patients. They took away "choice." We couldn't choose to take a risk. We were told that there were no risks. Even after we raised concerns.
Take care--
Eeyorena
http://happynothappy.blogspot.com
Posted by dancingstar on January 2, 2005, at 14:31:45
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by eeyorena on January 2, 2005, at 14:16:50
...just want to add that I loved the blog. You made me laugh. It's always been my experience that guys appear from out of nowhere when I'm at my most unattractive and never when I am put together and think I look half decent. Must be some unwritten law of nature.
Posted by KaraS on January 2, 2005, at 15:15:11
In reply to I agree and... » eeyorena, posted by dancingstar on January 2, 2005, at 14:31:45
I also should have added something about Wyeth's not providing the information that they should have regarding Effexor in my previous post. I agree completely that people should have the all of the facts and be able to make an informed decision. Though my experience was mostly positive with Effexor, I understand why other people are angry - and I would be too had I had their experiences. I too want the drug companies to be held more responsible but I don't want to see Effexor removed from the market. It's an option I want to keep.
k
Posted by dancingstar on January 2, 2005, at 15:34:23
In reply to Re: I agree and..., posted by KaraS on January 2, 2005, at 15:15:11
Even I am not saying that it should be completely removed from the market...now that I am thinking more clearly after three months of withdrawal hell.
I just want it severely limited and not offered as a panacea for the symptoms of mild depression, menopause, a broken heart, bad weather, lost job, bad grades, even the death of a loved one. You better be physically depressed and know what you are getting yourself into, know each and every possible side effect and maybe even have to sign something acknowledgeing that you know what the side effects are before taking Effexor.
Posted by corafree on January 2, 2005, at 17:13:03
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by FaithT on January 2, 2005, at 13:23:02
I am on Eff-XR and doing 'fine'; it suppresses my emotions a bit much sometimes, but then if my emotions right now were not suppressed, I'd prob' be dead. Some day I would like to change to a lesser AD, maybe Elavil, ya' know 'maybe the old things were the best things', but that is only because I think Eff-XR may be effecting my brain chemistry. I am not emotionally or financially stable enough to change to diff' AD or stop taking one currently. You are not alone in being grateful for it ... it is really the only one that has worked for me; tried pretty much them all. Way back, tried Elavil, but didn't give it a chance. Just a thought. The withdrawal info is here for those to 'prepare' whether or not their withdrawal is bad or not; others are able to use alternative therapy; there is prob' quite a bit of concern over changing brain chemistry too, but individual depth of depression is a factor. love your name, cf
Posted by not2late4u on January 3, 2005, at 0:06:06
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by dancingstar on December 30, 2004, at 22:39:38
Bebe, not everyone gets all the symptoms and if they do get some, they usually go away after your body adjusts. BUT with some people they dont, which means its not the right medication for that person. Renee
Posted by not2late4u on January 3, 2005, at 0:10:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by FaithT on December 31, 2004, at 0:54:37
Hi Faith~ My insurance wont allow my gp treat depression/anxiety or any "mental health" disorder either. So thats one reason why I went a psychiatrist and my older sister made a good point anyways, they are the ones who are the most knowledgable in "mental health" and those types of medications. I have been on effexor for about 2- 2 1/2 years, prior to that paxil for about 1 1/2 years. I liked effexor better than paxil. Renee
Posted by not2late4u on January 3, 2005, at 0:21:04
In reply to Doctors are not all negligent..., posted by eeyorena on January 1, 2005, at 22:05:08
Bebe and others who have had a hard time with Effexor......I hope you dont think that I dont believe your experiences, just because I havent had the same. I feel for all of you who have suffered and I am glad for others who havent suffered from the same medication. Renee
Posted by not2late4u on January 3, 2005, at 0:23:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by sickcheck on January 1, 2005, at 23:08:37
sickcheck, well said. Renee
Posted by not2late4u on January 3, 2005, at 0:38:48
In reply to Re: I agree and..., posted by dancingstar on January 2, 2005, at 15:34:23
Bebe, if the drug company provides information that they have, then the doctors should be the ones to decide what it should be prescribe for and to who. I do agree that ALL drug companies should be held responsible for the meds they put out on the market and the docs who prescirbe it should be familiar enough with it to prescibe it. I wouldnt sign a petition to limit a drug to certain problems, I would sign a petition to hold drug companies responsible for ALL information and better/longer research. But as previously posted, alot of the medical industry (the world) is driven by money. So that inevitabley puts alot of responsibility on the patient and/or consumer. IF I had your experience of not having the choice, no listing of side effects and was misadvised, I too would make it known. Just my 2 cents! Renee
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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