Posted by jannbeau on July 1, 2002, at 23:30:54
In reply to Re: Effexor and chronic pain, posted by cary 111 on July 1, 2002, at 18:49:21
>Hi,Cary, I don't think all of my message even got there. I was attempting to edit it when I hit the wrong button. I, too have horrible chronic pain. I am managing mine right now with opiod analgesics and tylenol, only. This works as long as I remember to take the meds regularly.
The insomnia started almost immediately, but I had a confounding factor. My doctor changed three meds at one time and one of them, Ultram, interacts with Effexor-XR to result in some slight ''serotonin syndrome." My pain was decreased within a day or two, also, but again I was taking two new drugs. I dropped the Ultram and I've been ok since then. The loss of libido started within a couple of weeks of starting the Effexor, probably associated with serotonin receptors or something. I think the pain relief is through a different system, perhaps. Worked for me. I just didn't want the side effects. Good Luck to you in your trial of this medicine.
Jannbeau
Jannbeau;
> Thank you for your caring, thoughtful, and lengthy response to my post.
> I started taking Effexor 37.5 mg yesterday, and my pain seems to be somewhatimproved after only 2 doses. I have also continued to avoid completely the wheat, and dairy, so I'm not sure how much that has to do with my improvement. I do suspect that the Effexor is involved. My pain generally seems to be heightened beyond a resonable degree, and it makes me wonder how the anxiety I've been living with effects my pain level. I've also been taking Flax seed oil for the last month or so, and I think it has been helping loosen up my very tight muscles and tendons in my legs, as I can much more easily get into certain Yoga postures, which for a long time were almost impossible.
> I'm curious about how much Effexor you took, for how long, when did the insomnia start, and how long after beginning did it take for you to loose interest in sex?.
> I understand about the of the issue of not caring what you say to others while on an antidepressant. That is one of the reasons that I decided to stop taking Serzone, I was feeling like I didn't care very much anymore, about much. And I thought I'd be better off being more anxious, and more connected to my real feelings. However my pain kept getting worse as I went down in dose. My hope is that there is a chemical imbalance issue at the bottom of this, and eventually the balance will clear up, and I won't need drugs.
> Thanks again for you concern.
> Cary 111
poster:jannbeau
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111169.html