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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by newgirl on April 18, 2000, at 10:46:14
In reply to Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Louise on March 14, 2000, at 23:35:34
> Just got sample of Effexor XR.
I've been on Paxil 20mg. for 1 yr.
I feel great and my panic attacks are gone.
BUT --- I keep gaining weight. I told my dr.
to give me something else.
Did anyone gain weight on this stuff?
Does anyone use this for panic attacks.
My dr. told me I could go right from Paxil
to Effexor XR, stopping one and starting the
other with no withdrawl symptoms. ANyone try it. Thanks for any input.
> >I was on Paxil for one year also, and it worked
GREAT for me for the severe PMS mood swings and
depression I was experiencing. At first I had
no weight gain, then after about 6 months, I
suddenly gained 35 pounds in 4 months! The web
info sites on depression and meds say that the
SSRI's (Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft) are more apt to
cause weight loss than weight gain, but I know
a LOT of people who take them or have taken
them, and they had the same thing I experienced --
about 6 months with no problem, then BAM -- a
big weight gain in 4-6 months without changing
their eating habits or decreasing their activity
levels.I switched to Wellbutrin SR a few weeks ago.
We'll see how it goes.
Posted by Kathy on April 19, 2000, at 0:16:56
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by newgirl on April 18, 2000, at 10:46:14
I have just started on the Effexor XR and am really hoping I don't gain weight from it. I have gained about 35 pounds in the last few months I think from Celexa. I started the Wellbutrin for 2 weeks and did lose about 5 pounds because I felt so nauseous all the time. I broke out in hives the second week and was taken off the Wellbutrin and that's why I'm now on Effexor. Gaining weight from an antidepressant is so depressing! Kathy
Posted by KarenB on April 19, 2000, at 10:47:24
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Kathy on April 19, 2000, at 0:16:56
Hello again Kathy!
I have read several postings suggesting that Effexor PLUS Ritalin or Adderall is just the ticket for many suffering ADD w/HYPOactivity symptoms. Check the thread further down, titled "Any happy, stable rapid cyclers" and read Mark H's and Scott's response to my post. You may want to ask, I think it was Mark, about that combo.
As for me, Ritalin SR 20mg, 2x a day is working for me. Energy, focus and no depression. Am I dreaming?
I think Paxil sucks but that's just me. And I agree, gaining weight is NOT worth it. The way fat makes me feel rivals any depressive symptom I may have. I have 10-15 pounds I need to dump RIGHT NOW, due to all the different meds I was trying over the last few months. Hopefully, the Ritalin will help me along with that. At least now I have the energy necessary to exercise (and cook more healthily, from scratch). I have plans to buy a used weight bench today. Pretty ambitious, huh?
Wishing you the best,
Karen
Posted by Janey on April 18, 2000, at 17:59:12
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
> Nice to see everyone on these message boards....
> helps to know one is not alone.
>
> I have been on effexor xr for about 1 year - 150mg)
> and it has really helped me with my depression!!!
>
> BUT I have found - from missing doses - that the
> withdrawal effects are real. For me, they have
> included strange effects in my brain. A feeling
> of electricity or shocks, also vertigo when I move
> my head from side to side or up and down. Then it
> feels like my head has moved too fast and my eyes
> take a few seconds to catch up. This prohibits
> driving, makes me dizzy and feels very bizarre.
>
> Muscular tension and knots in my leg and hip -
> where I previously had bursitis - GREATLY
> increased when I decreased my dosage from 325 mg
> back to 150mg od.
>
> The side effects, that I can live with, are
> weird dreams plus a LOT of twitching and
> involuntary movements of arms and legs when in bed.
> These wake me up lots of times, but that is much
> preferrable to the weight of depression.
>
> This drug is wonderful for some,
> and disasterous for others.
> Worth a try if you really want to be rid of
> that dreaded pit of despair!!!
>
> Maggie
I am so glad that you posted this. I am taking 225 mg Effexor XR. About three weeks ago (on a Sunday) I experienced these same exact symptoms.
You described my symtoms almost exactly, except that my speech was quite slurred and I was having trouble putting sentences together.It took me until Sunday night to figure out that I had missed several days of medication. I had to sing that Sunday at church and didn't know that I would be able to make it thru the song, but I did. Unfortunately, my husband and daughter had to help me out of the church and home. It was so bad that I was unable to walk, much less cook or take care of my family.
Needless to say, I have not missed any doses since.
Like you, the weird dreams I can deal with...at least I am sleeping!!!
Thanks for your post!
Posted by PAD702 on April 21, 2000, at 4:57:08
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Kathy on April 19, 2000, at 0:16:56
I have been taking Effexor XR since December 99 and I have had fair results. I have gained 15 pounds since I started taking it. (I actually lost weight with Celexa but the depression was not getting any better.) I can get out of bed in the morning and make it through a whole day of work but I still have very low points and sleep is tough. My doctor hasn't given me anything to sleep amd insists that Effexor shouldn't cause significant weight gain. My eating habits have not changed except I have lost my appetite for certain foods.
It is far more depressing to have gained weight. I would almost rather be thin and miserable than heavy and somewhat better. My doc tried to add Cylert, a med for ADD with bad results. Sweats, paranoia, and trouble concentrating. (So much for helping me pay attention.) I have switched doctors repeatedly and always feel like this industry keeps letting me down. It's good to know I am not alone though. Any suggestions anyone?
Posted by medlib on April 22, 2000, at 4:21:02
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by katey on April 22, 2000, at 1:01:44
>
> > I can DEFINATELY say that had I truely understood what the withdrawal would be like, I would have tried another route first. I am usually a very contained and strong person, but lately feel like I am falling apart again.
>
> This is really exciting to see peoples comments on Effexor. I have been on it for about 2 and half years now. I was only up to 150 mg. I switched down to 75 mg about 6 months ago. I can go about two days on one 75 milligram extended release pill. I really want to get off of this stuff. Don't get me wrong, it has trully done a great job, but I don't like how addicting it is. My withdrawl symtoms are awful. I just went 7 days without it and finally had to get some more. Is there any way to get off this easily? I had no idea when I started taking it it would be like this. Oh well.
>
> Katey______________________________-
Katey--Effexor XR is available in 37.5 mg. strength. Many have found that low-dose Prozac (with its exceptionally long half-life) is useful in tapering off Effexor; check out CamW's post on this thread from 2/11 for details.
Best wishes--medlib
Posted by Noa on April 22, 2000, at 13:20:30
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by katey on April 22, 2000, at 1:01:44
I am not sure that withdrawal symptoms necessarily means the drug is addictive. If it was helping you, why DO you want to go off of it?
Posted by Ann on April 23, 2000, at 12:20:02
In reply to effexor and drinking, posted by Jane on April 15, 2000, at 4:01:54
>I just started effexor xr and am wondring when tired feeling goes away- This is my 3rd day- I do feel much less anxiety and felt it from first day-
I do feel cognitively slower and I like to feel sharp when I am at work- how does this compare to prozac? Does it increase serotonin levels? I want to make sure it is an antidepressant and not just anxiety reducer-I had trouble with prozac, because too much anxiety-After many tries, I ended up on St.John's wart- It helped, but gastro feels I am depressed and recommended effexor xr- I've had signicant irritable bowel and menopause problems
Posted by Cindy W on April 23, 2000, at 20:48:09
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Ann on April 23, 2000, at 12:20:02
> >I just started effexor xr and am wondring when tired feeling goes away- This is my 3rd day- I do feel much less anxiety and felt it from first day-
> I do feel cognitively slower and I like to feel sharp when I am at work- how does this compare to prozac? Does it increase serotonin levels? I want to make sure it is an antidepressant and not just anxiety reducer-I had trouble with prozac, because too much anxiety-After many tries, I ended up on St.John's wart- It helped, but gastro feels I am depressed and recommended effexor xr- I've had signicant irritable bowel and menopause problemsSeveral people have written that they feel tired, on Effexor-XR. After five months on it, I have noticed that my sleep is not quite right. I never remember my dreams and wake up a LOT and can't go back to sleep, on Effexor. Will ask my pdoc about this, next visit, since I slept great on Serzone and other AD's.
Posted by Judy on April 23, 2000, at 22:43:54
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Ann on April 23, 2000, at 12:20:02
Sweating - is anyone having problems with excessive sweating from taking Effexor, 75 mg, the time released version? I can't decide if it's the med or menopause......
Posted by Cam W. on April 23, 2000, at 23:08:36
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Judy on April 23, 2000, at 22:43:54
Posted by Anne on April 23, 2000, at 17:26:10
In reply to Re:Intractable Effexor Withdrawl , posted by Cam W. on February 11, 2000, at 22:42:41
HELP!!!
If anyone reading has successfully stopped using effexor, I would love to hear from you. I also seem to be stuck at 75 mg effexor xr dose. Any further decreases produces very strong withdrawal symptoms. All are tolerable, I think, with the exception of the feeling of electric shock going through your brain. Does anyone know if adding wellbutrin stops that? Or is there any other way? I am very eager to hear what worked for you. I really want to discontinue use as I am ready for another child, and do not wish to take any meds while pregnant if possible.
Many thanks in advance.
Posted by Fusche on April 23, 2000, at 22:08:13
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Cindy W on April 23, 2000, at 20:48:09
Was on Paxil and it made me soooo sleepy and didn't help my depression much. I felt calmer, so calm that I felt like crawling under my desk (at work everyday) to go to sleep. Just started effexor xr. I feel it already!! For once, in a very long time, I feel better. Hope it will last!! Side effects so far: Constipation, sweating, thirsty, weird dreams. But I can live with this!! And I feel more sexual drive where as on Paxil I didn't want anything to do with it.
Posted by Cam W. on April 24, 2000, at 7:31:48
In reply to Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Anne on April 23, 2000, at 17:26:10
Anne - I haven't answered your earlier post, as the situation with having a baby while depressed is a very complicated issue. I do not feel fully comfortable with giving advice in an area that there are no absolute rights and wrongs.
*Work very closely with your doctor throughout any pregnancy (with or without antidepressants.*
I can tell you how others have been able to stop Effexor. One way is to decrease the dose as low as possible (I believe that the XR version does come in a 37.5mg dose). Once you get to the lowest dose possible, without getting the withdrawl effects, your doctor can add 10mg of Prozac daily for 1 week. Then try to stop the Effexor. If you can tolerate this, take the Prozac for another week and stop it. Prozac's long half-life will take the edge off of the withdrawl symptoms by gradually leaving your system.
But, because Prozac has a long half-life, you will have to wait 5 weeks before you consider trying to get pregnant, if you want to be drug-free.
Also, there are issues around if it is better to be depressed and have a baby, or to be treated for depression while having a baby. Is it better to have some drug in your body (and your baby's) and not be depressed or to be depressed (with high levels of cortisol in yours and your baby's body) and be antidepressant-free? I cannot answer this question for you. You and your doctor have to come to that decision. Book a long appointment with your doctor to go over these issues.
Antidepressants have been used in pregnant women for years. The "Prozac babies" (babies whose mothers were taking Prozac while pregnant) are now reaching adulthood and, so far, there are no, out of the normal problems presenting themselves.
Sorry that I cannot be of more help than this - Cam W.
Posted by steve on April 24, 2000, at 20:28:40
In reply to JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by TANYA on January 14, 2000, at 10:48:44
hello i just started on effexor xr today i was on paxil but didnt like it
Posted by Jennifer on April 25, 2000, at 23:10:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Glenda on April 14, 2000, at 12:59:09
I know that we all react to things differently, but most of the things I have read here have scared me. I took my first dose of Effexor XR 75 mg tonight. The label said that I cannot operate heavy machinery with it, so I took it at night. My doctor told me to take it in the morning. Should I have done that? Do you get better results that way?? I am just wondering if I should deal with my symptoms without this medicine. Yikes.
Posted by BJ on April 26, 2000, at 0:44:16
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
>
> Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> to have a lot of success...
>
> please share your thoughts on this.DON'T DO IT! DO ANYTHING ELSE, GET PSYCHOTHERAPY, HOLISTIC TREATMENTS, ANYTHING. I've been on it since 1996 (recently went to Effexor XR) and trying to get off it for over a month. This shit is powerful and ADDICTIVE. I get horrible hot flashes and EXTREME IRRITABILITY WHICH I NEVER HAD PRIOR TO GOING ON THE DRUG.
The drug companies won't tell you there are NO long-term studies -- how did FDA approve it I don't know! In animal studies, there was brain damage -- yes -- brain damage to the neurotransmittors. No one knows how antidepressants work on the brain so we're all human guinea pigs. If you're willing to be a human guinea pig and stay on it the rest of your life, go ahead and get on it. Otherwise, if you're smart, you'll stay far far away. Check out these truly enlightening readings: "washingtonian.com" (July 97 issue) and Dr. Joseph Glenmullen, MD's book "Prozac Backlash." It'll open your eyes to the realities of these so-called miracle drugs. The drug companies are interested in PROFITS, NOT PEOPLE.
Posted by Sarah on April 26, 2000, at 0:53:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by BJ on April 26, 2000, at 0:44:16
So, BJ, you are saying Not to take it? Couldn't quite understand... Sorry, I have to laugh sometimes... Anyway, when ppl put up posts like the one you just did, I usually think "what a weirdo", but I almost have to agree with you on the Effexor one. UGH!!! Hate it!! I had a horrific experience with it... YUCK, YUCK, YUCK!!!! I can not say it enough!!!
Posted by Cam W. on April 26, 2000, at 6:47:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Sarah on April 26, 2000, at 0:53:39
Posted by Cindy W on April 26, 2000, at 9:26:15
In reply to This is scarier than I thought , posted by Jennifer on April 25, 2000, at 23:10:39
> I know that we all react to things differently, but most of the things I have read here have scared me. I took my first dose of Effexor XR 75 mg tonight. The label said that I cannot operate heavy machinery with it, so I took it at night. My doctor told me to take it in the morning. Should I have done that? Do you get better results that way?? I am just wondering if I should deal with my symptoms without this medicine. Yikes.
Jennifer, I take Effexor-XR 375 mg/day, and take it all in the morning. It doesn't keep me from operating machinery or anything. The only problem I have since increasing the dose is problems sleeping. I don't have any other side effects I know of. Remember that the side effects vary from person to person, and you may experience none at all (esp. on a low dose). Talk with your pdoc and start slow (I started with 37.5 mg/day, then after a week, went to 75 mg/day, etc.; that seemed to minimize any side effects).
Posted by Zannah on April 26, 2000, at 12:33:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Sarah on April 26, 2000, at 0:53:39
> So, BJ, you are saying Not to take it? Couldn't quite understand... Sorry, I have to laugh sometimes... Anyway, when ppl put up posts like the one you just did, I usually think "what a weirdo", but I almost have to agree with you on the Effexor one. UGH!!! Hate it!! I had a horrific experience with it... YUCK, YUCK, YUCK!!!! I can not say it enough!!!
Same here-I took 37.5 daily, for about a week. It made me uncontrollably sleepy. I was in the bed 20 hours out of 24. When I told my doc, he said, STOP taking the stuff.But, I hated the idea of yet another AD not working for my depression. After sleeping for about 10 days straight I did taper off and quit the Effexor XR. That 2 weeks was probably the worst in my life, ever! General physical malaise, but accompanied by the deepest most severe depression ever.
I cannot be sure it was the Eff. withdrawal or not, but I was as close to suicidal as I have ever been. I cried constantly and was in touch with my deepest pits of (objectively) sourceless despair.
I came out of it after about 10 days from my last little shaved crumb of an Eff. XR tablet. I did not come out of my depression-just the blackest suicidal part-and man, oh, man! I was grateful for that!
That was last December, and I was so completely bummed from that experience, that I have just this week had the guts to try a new AD-Remeron.
So far, I feel nothing different. Time will tell, I guess.
Posted by Noa on April 26, 2000, at 13:21:51
In reply to Re: This is scarier than I thought , posted by Cindy W on April 26, 2000, at 9:26:15
Jennifer, please don't make your decisions based upon a few people's bad experiences with Effexor XR. Many of us have reacted badly to one or another medication, but done well on others. And the sensationalism of some authors really doesn't help matters at all.
I have been taking Effexor XR for a few years, at 375 mg/day. I take it all in the morning. I think many of the medications have labels warning against operating heavy machinery, etc. The most important thing is to see how it affects YOU. For some people, effexor can make them a bit drowsy. When I first heard this, I laughed because it was hard for me to believe that, given that it is quite activating for me and makes sleep harder. Each of us responds differently. Negative effects for me have been, difficulty falling asleep, and fidgetiness, and possibly some bladder problems. But these are dose related, it seems.
My most important advice about Effexor is to taper up gradually, starting at 37.5 mg/day. That way, the initial side effects will be minimal to nonexistent, hopefully. Same with going off of it, if that comes up. Go slow.
My understanding is that it is not addictive, per se, but does cause withdrawal symptoms, especially if you have been on higher doses for a long while. But it is not addictive in the sense that you will crave more and more of it.
BTW, how has your first day on it been so far? Keep us posted
Posted by Noa on April 26, 2000, at 13:26:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? NOT ME!!!, posted by Zannah on April 26, 2000, at 12:33:26
Zannah, sorry to hear of your bad experience. I know how demoralizing it can be when another AD doesn't work and you are still in despair.
I don't think it was actually withdrawal symptoms, as supposedly one week is too short a time to experience that.
GOod luck, keep us posted on how you are doing on the Remeron, and how you are doing in general.
Posted by Zannah on April 26, 2000, at 17:15:55
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? NOT ME!!!, posted by Noa on April 26, 2000, at 13:26:04
> Zannah, sorry to hear of your bad experience. I know how demoralizing it can be when another AD doesn't work and you are still in despair.
>
> I don't think it was actually withdrawal symptoms, as supposedly one week is too short a time to experience that.
>
Noa~
I have NO idea whether it was withdrawal from the Eff. that sent me spiralling downward or not.
I have spent the past yr. and a half being diagnosed w/the source(s) of chronic pain and depression. I was originally prescribed tri-cyclics and prozac (separately)to ease pain. But, I was also trying to find a way to ease my anxiety/depression. Actually it went like this: first prozac(way too activating) amytrip, nortrip, desipramine,(none of which made me feel/change anything) Celexa,(felt no difference), Wellbutrin (this helped a bit, but made me tense and exacerbated chronic muscle spasm/pain)and then...EffexorXR. The Effexor was literally like taking a handful of barbiturates, for me, anyway. It knocked me on my butt.
Oh, I also took Ritalin for a while, up to 60 mgs. a day, and it also made me sleepy.I guess I'm one of those 'parodoxical effect' reactors.I have this weird way of feeling anxious/nervous, but sleepy, all the time. I am now taking .5 mgs. clonazepam daily, propanolol (beta-bocker) 120mgs ext. release daily. The prop.is to help w/both high b.p. and chronic headaches. It is also good for anxiety. As you may know, it is often prescribed to musicians, actors, etc., to use before going on stage. Apparently it is very effective for that type of 'performance' anxiety.
And, the clonazepam is the only Rx I've tried that helped relax my muscles to any helpful extent.
And, now the Remeron. I do hope it helps. Now, that I'm on some new drug, I'll have to comb thru the Psycho-Babble archives to read up on the various reactions posters have had to latest in my series...Back to EffexorXR-yes-we are ALL different, & if Effexor had helped me, I'd still be on it, even after reading the horror stories of withdrawal.
Many drugs can cause withdrawal, few are without risk, and so it goes...Zannah
Posted by BJ on April 26, 2000, at 23:02:33
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by saint james on April 11, 2000, at 16:47:05
Has anyone here tried (consistently) any other methods for alleviating depression/ocd/other related before you started taking the Effexor? If so, what have you tried?
It makes me wonder, too, how many psychiatrists, upon meeting a patient for the first time, ask them what methods (if any) they've tried first.This whole dialogue really makes it crystal clear how INCOMPETENT many psychiatrists are and that we, as consumers, need to look at other means to help ourselves, before we start putting stuff in our bodies.
It is painfully obvious too many psychiatrists don't even both to tell us the withdrawal effects.
If they did, would we still take the drug, and if not, then they are out of a job basically?These are real questions we need to be asking ourselves before we submit to any drug. Especially one that has not had long-term studies to determine any lasting negative affects. If you read the July 97 article in the Washingtonian, you will see what I mean. It's on-line at:
www.washingtonian.com -- check it out.KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
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