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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:42:37
In reply to Re: I've had to come off it after 6 weeks, posted by HappinessPie on December 14, 2004, at 15:20:17
> I was only on it for about 10 weeks total, including ramping up and down. I weaned myself off 150 mg (XR) but it was the last step (from 18 mg to 0) that was the worst.
>
> I am so glad to be off it; it's been 8 days and my brain shivers are nearly gone. I just get one every several hours or so instead of every 5 minutes. The nausea is almost gone too!
>
> Good luck to everyone else coming off it; it is most unpleasant (to put it mildly).
>
> (PS I went off it because of weight gain, flat emotions / dispassion, nausea, & memory issues)
Oh yea.....I forgot my name a couple times Ha111
I started thinking I was 92 not 52 . Jubilee
Posted by MKB on December 16, 2004, at 14:57:25
In reply to A whole new hell , I discovered, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:24:55
I completely understand, Jubilee. I went through the same thing, but things are OK now. You'll feel 100% better in a month or so.
Posted by corafree on December 16, 2004, at 16:10:19
In reply to Re: I've had to come off it after 6 weeks, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:42:37
Jubilee - Yep, flat emotions and memory loss. I am beginning to think I have Alzheimer's. Just today confused an appt w/ tomorrow .. it was important too. cf
Posted by eeyorena on December 16, 2004, at 16:20:49
In reply to Re: I've had to come off it after 6 weeks, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:42:37
Jubilee--
You have my sympathies. I came off of Effexor in 2001, before there was a lot of documenation (nothing from Wyeth) that there was any kind of withdrawal effect from Effexor.
My withdrawal was so bad that they thought I had Multiple Sclerosis. Those were just the physical symptoms. I put my poor husband through hell. It is so unbelievable to me now that I felt SO badly that I became raging from the pain.
You will feel better in a month. And then better after that. And then better after that. I'm working on my third year of still trying to regain the competencies I had before the Effexor withdrawal. Along with the fainting, seizures and pain, I also had major memory and processing problems. I would mix up the words in sentences or forget certain words entirely. It was easier for me to watch AND listen to people talk or just read notes from them. Listening to someone on the phone was impossible. It didn't given me a way to process or slow down.
I've always had a bit of distrust of the FDA (I used to administer benefits in the Fortune 100), but now I despise it.
I do think that these drugs may have slightly different effects on different people. So anyone else reading this shouldn't necessarily be afraid of Effexor. Just, please, be cautious. For those who repond poorly too it, the redponse can be increibly poor.
ee
http: //hapynothappy.blogspot.com
Posted by als1972sd on December 17, 2004, at 0:52:20
In reply to A whole new hell , I discovered, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:24:55
I have been on Effexor for 3.5 years at 300mg per day. This drug was the magic bullet for curing a lifetime of chronic depression (dysthymia). I highly recommend it to anyone who has had poor results with SSRIs (I tried prozac, wellbutrin, paxil first). Effexor is generally well tolerated, but side effects can become apparent at higher doses. I experienced slightly elevated heart rate and blood pressure and some constipation, but it was not clear that the elevated heart rate was not due to my lethargic body being reanimated by the medication. To anyone starting this medication, I suggest spending several months evaluating your dose.
When I made it to 300mg/day I found myself sweating excessively during exercise and while sleeping. My doc suggested this might be due to being out of shape and indeed, after a physical traing program and having reduced some of the stress associated with the recovery process the sweating went away. I did find that the elevated blood pressure, heart rate and constipation did not go away however, so a new doctor recently suggested I try Lexapro. Lexapro is reported to have the lowest magnitude of side effects (esp intestinal), so it seemed like a good idea. I started my change over by lowering Effexor to 150mg/day and taking 10mg lexapro/day. I continued this for a week and had no withdrawl symptoms other than a very very slight flu like feeling on day one. At the end of the first week I stopped the Effexor entirely, continuing with 10mg/day Lexapro. During week two I experienced some insomnia and a funny electrical sensation when I walk that is like suddenly becoming aware of your nerve transmissions as they run along your limbs. It is a strange sensation but not painful or disabling at all. My mood has not changed for the worse and I have felt more of an antianxiety effect than I did on Effexor. I have read that Lex is great for anxiety.
I think my experience demonstrates the wisdom of taking a SSRI while discontinuing Effexor even if you do not plan on staying on it long term.
Another thing I found really helpful in treating depression was omega-3 fatty acid supplements. These are used as a natural treatment for depression in Europe and made me feel noticeable more stable emotionally even while on Effexor.
Hope this was useful,Aaron
Posted by Wildflower on December 17, 2004, at 11:43:21
In reply to Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta), posted by absolute on December 14, 2004, at 0:55:30
Anyone know the definition of moderate versus heavy drinking?
Posted by ed_uk on December 17, 2004, at 12:31:56
In reply to Effexor: I love you, but all good things must end, posted by als1972sd on December 17, 2004, at 0:52:20
Hi,
Welcome to babble! You must be new because you have a 'green thing' by your name.
Antidepressants all make me sweat, especially Paxil. If it's hot I get soaked and it can be embarrasing :-(
I'm glad you were helped by Effexor. You seem to have posted 'I love Effexor' in the 'I hate Effexor' thread! Personally, Effexor wasn't any more effective than Paxil but some people do find it more effective. The withdrawal is worse though! Prozac is often useful for Effexor withdrawal because it helps to block the withdrawal symptoms while being easier to stop than Effexor itself. I hope the Lexapro treats you well :-)
Ed.
Posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 13:15:34
In reply to Re: I've had to come off it after 6 weeks, posted by eeyorena on December 16, 2004, at 16:20:49
eeyorena,
You are one of the few people that I've read about that has had as hard a time as I have had with the withdrawal from Effexor. I stopped taking it three months ago. I'm better...but still icky.
The pain is often unbearable, and it's too bizarre that Benadryl take it down a notch. I'm working on finding a good products liability lawyer for all of us. Even my regular attorney has had trouble finding someone to take Wyeth on, mostly because our symptoms are "subjective" rather than "objective," i.e. we didn't break our arms. Our symptoms are not concrete and can possibly be attributed to other causes and may not be "permanent."
I don't know about you, but if I had any idea that it was possible to feel this badly, I would never have taken this stupid stuff. It has damaged my health dramatically.
> Jubilee--
>
> You have my sympathies. I came off of Effexor in 2001, before there was a lot of documenation (nothing from Wyeth) that there was any kind of withdrawal effect from Effexor.
>
> My withdrawal was so bad that they thought I had Multiple Sclerosis. Those were just the physical symptoms. I put my poor husband through hell. It is so unbelievable to me now that I felt SO badly that I became raging from the pain.
>
> You will feel better in a month. And then better after that. And then better after that. I'm working on my third year of still trying to regain the competencies I had before the Effexor withdrawal. Along with the fainting, seizures and pain, I also had major memory and processing problems. I would mix up the words in sentences or forget certain words entirely. It was easier for me to watch AND listen to people talk or just read notes from them. Listening to someone on the phone was impossible. It didn't given me a way to process or slow down.
>
> I've always had a bit of distrust of the FDA (I used to administer benefits in the Fortune 100), but now I despise it.
>
> I do think that these drugs may have slightly different effects on different people. So anyone else reading this shouldn't necessarily be afraid of Effexor. Just, please, be cautious. For those who repond poorly too it, the redponse can be increibly poor.
>
> ee
>
> http: //hapynothappy.blogspot.com
Posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 14:02:31
In reply to Effexor: I love you, but all good things must end, posted by als1972sd on December 17, 2004, at 0:52:20
I wonder what happens if you stop taking Lexapro and don't take anything at all? Will you take these drugs for the rest of your life?
With regard to "reported side effects," meaning no disrespect, I have come to understand that no one tells the truth about these sorts of things.
Posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 17:37:57
In reply to Hello Aaron!, posted by ed_uk on December 17, 2004, at 12:31:56
Okay; so here's the deal. I called the FDA, and all 6,000 plus people on the petition really should be filling out the form from the FDA website so that we can make some headway.
Maybe someone can turn this into a link for me. Please, if you are grumpy about the problems that you have had with Effexor, do us all a favor and let the right people know that the drug causes more harm than good. Believe me, no one will be injured by not taking Effexor in the first place. They will find safer ways of helping people with depression, and that can only be a good thing. Spare others from what we have been through by encouraging the FDA to get this drug off the market.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Blessings!Bebe
Posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 17:39:01
In reply to Trouble with Effexor? - Please let them know!, posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 17:37:57
wow, it is a link...just like that :-)
Posted by kinglear on December 18, 2004, at 14:40:14
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have had amazing success with Effexor, and I was very reluctant to try another antidepressant having used tricylics earlier in my life (too sedating, zoned out) and then prozac (stopped working after one year). Based on a psychiatrist friend's advice I finally tried to get treatment again. After a lengthy history was taken, my psychiatrist recommended Effexor XR. I began at 37.5 mgs for one week, in which I felt a little bit of jittery new energy, but after a week I felt fine. Then as I increased dose at 2 weeks to 75 mgs, I felt no additional symptoms and began to feel "anxiety" was lessened tremendously. I understand this is early to see effects but I did notice reduction of anxiety very soon and realized finally after 20+ years that anxiety has been at the root of my depression and inability to live a joyful life. After 6-8 weeks I have noticed tremendous improvement and more ability to discuss my feelings with my psychotherapist without so much extreme emotion and overeaction to those feelings. I still feel feelings though, and she has advised that it is good to stay at a level of medication that allows this. I have not had any other side effects other increased dreaming and lighter sleep - no sexual side effects at all : ) I am so happy with Effexor XR and I wanted to post this experience because I did a lot of internet research and personal research before I tried it and was very concerned about side effects. I cannot speak about withdrawal symptoms, because I have only been on the medication for 2 months but at this point I will definitey say that for me, and I emphasize this, for "Me", Effexor has proven to be a miracle drug. I want to encourage everyone who is having trouble with depression to keep trying to find an effective treatment, it may not be Effexor but there are many treatments and providers of treatment. Find a psychiatrist who will listen, and take a thorough history. Ask questions. Get good psychotherapy from a recommended therapist. Keep trying. Do not give up. This comes from a person who previously believed there was no hope for getting effective treatment! Ask trusted friends for referrals, keep seeking help. It is possible to feel better.
Posted by S. Bartel on December 18, 2004, at 22:17:42
In reply to Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta), posted by absolute on December 14, 2004, at 0:55:30
I know nothing of cymbalta, but can tell you that effexor can cause liver damage, because it has done that for me. Irreversible and I will die from it. I was only on 75mg a day for 7 yrs. and I don't drink at all, however the doctor said not to drink while on it when he gave it to me. I can't say this will happen to everyone who takes effexor but who would want to take the chance knowing this. As far as withdrawls go, I have never gone through anything like this in my life and I'm 56. The side effects I had while on it were just as bad, although I did'nt realize the cause for years and they just kept getting worse. I have been off about 9 wks. now and I don't think some of the side effects will ever go away. At least I don't live in a fog now and I don't have to stay in bed all the time. I am embarrassed that I praised this drug so highly for so long and recommended it to so many people, even my own daughter. Thank God she saw what it had done to me and did'nt listen. I agree with dancingstar and hope they will take it off the market. It's a miracle drug when you first start taking it and then it turns into a monster. It's a dangerous drug and I can't say that enough.
Sammi> Speaking of side effects- I've compared Eli Lilly's drug Cymbalta to Effexor XR. Cymbalta can damage your liver if you are a moderate to heavy drinker. I've never found any information on that being true with Effexor. In fact, my doctor says it does not.
>
> Do SNRI's increase the likelihood of liver damage when combined with alcohol, or is this side-effect limited to Serzone & Cymbalta?
>
> It's possible that no one really knows for sure.
Posted by dancingstar on December 18, 2004, at 23:17:15
In reply to Re: Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta) » absolute, posted by S. Bartel on December 18, 2004, at 22:17:42
In the tons of reading that I've been doing I believe they actually do account for liver damage as a possible side effect.
Posted by Gia on December 20, 2004, at 13:54:24
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 15:39:55
I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and don't let your depressing get in the way of enjoying your holidays!!
Love Gia
Posted by hez on December 20, 2004, at 14:33:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by kinglear on December 18, 2004, at 14:40:14
Ok, so, Effexor XR worked (is working) for me. I was on the 75mgs for a few months and then had a "relapse" of emotion and anxiety and decided to increase to 150mgs. Let's just say, for me, Effexor works so good that I feel like I am not on medication. It makes me feel so normal that I can't even believe it is working. (I know, duh).
A few things tho, once I increased the dosage to 150mg BAM! I gained 15 lbs. SO not happy about that since I have a past with an eating disorder and my body perception is a huge part of my unhappiness. As someone has written once on this board before, "I would rather be thin and miserable, than fat and happy."
Second side effect: I cannot go to the bathroom to save my life. And I was an every morning type of gal, and now even Smooth Move tea does NOTHING.
Third side effect: I get these weird body jerks, (not unlike a muslce spasm) but only when I am relaxing.
Fourth side effect: It totally interfered with my alcohol intake! (this is a joke kinda) I am not a big drinker, but a few times went out with friends (and had first dates...ugh) and drank my normal range of drinks. (Between 3 and 4) over the course of an evening.) I would be fine, mildly buzzed, having fun and then BAM! I was completely trashed. I wasn't falling down drunk, but manic and just crazy. Needless to say, my first date never called me back.
Once the dosage was upped, I lost my awesomely vivid dreams (no more alien, barbarian invaders!), and my brain zaps (or what I call, Electric Head).
That said, I decided to get the hell off of the 150mg dose and told my doctor. She suggested that I come off it in 6 month increments. 75 for 6 months than 37.5 for another 6 months. I started to do that but then found myself VERY melancholy, or mildly depressed EVERYDAY. I was completely anti-social and would rather go home and put my PJ's on and watch movies, than see friends.Being that I feel I am in a pretty good situation in my life to support me coming off this drug, I decided to come off it sooner, in 6 months rather than 12. My rational is, I'd rather be really miserable for a month than mildly miserable for 6 months.
ANYWAY, I got the flu and my perscription ran out and I was so sick I couldn't get the refill for 4 days and I thought I might just go cold turkey...uhh, word of advice. Don't do that. I WAS CRAZY. I was manic and unfocused and had these awesome twitches. I felt like I was a second behind myself for 4 days. This was right before Thanksgiving and I tried to food shop (and get my refill) the night before and couldn't find a parking spot and literally lost it in the Safeway parking lot. I just totally screamed in my car and shook my head and hands around. It was really funny. I mean, I can find the humor in it. I really needed the drug but I so couldn't deal. So I just drove home. HAHAHA. I did get it the next day and scarily, within 2 hours was back to "normal."
Soooo, I am coming off the drug. My Doctor is supportive but a little clueless on withdrawal side effects. She was like, "If we see that you have break through depression, than we will know that you still need to be on it." I was like, Hello! that is a major withdrawal side effect! duh.
Overall, it really helped me. It got me up off the floor during the most trying/depressing time of my life and kept me from crying every two seconds. It worked! I curse the weight gain, but I am in the gym everyday and working hard.
Posted by dancingstar on December 20, 2004, at 15:14:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by kinglear on December 18, 2004, at 14:40:14
It worked well for most of us in the beginning. Most of us had no idea that the changes in our bodies were in any way related to our taking Effexor until after we had stopped taking it.
You are in a better place because you have already read about the possible side effects and so you know what to watch out for. Just be careful to monitor your own body for possible changes from three months onward as that seems to be when most of us began to notice negative changes in our bodies that would seem as though they would not be related to Effexor if so many others had not experienced them too, and you can always check to see if they are mentioned at www.wyeth.com to test the validity of your experience.
Good luck to you, and I hope you continue to feel better.
Posted by dancingstar on December 21, 2004, at 1:02:53
In reply to Re: Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta) » absolute, posted by S. Bartel on December 18, 2004, at 22:17:42
Sammi's right; according to the Physician's Desk Reference, Effexor can cause liver damage.
Posted by Cindy S. G. on December 21, 2004, at 8:37:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Cindy W on January 11, 2000, at 22:18:51
I started on Effexor XR about six months ago. My doctor started me on the 37.5 for two weeks and then on 75 mg. I took that for a while. I had so much energy the first week. Before the effexor I was very depressed and had a lot of anxiety. I was closing myself off to just about everyone. I could not sleep at night and had trouble waking in the morning and was in danger of losing my job for being late. Once I started taking the medication I saw very rapid improvements. I also take Prevacid 30 mg. so I wasn't nauseated. I could sleep better and I woke when the alarm clock went off. I felt like moving and it is definitely an appetite suppressant. I hardly eat anything at all. I do have increased elevations of cholesterol since taking the medication. I also experience confusion at times. My doctor increased my medication to 150 mg (effexor xr). This worked for about a week and a half. My family and friends have noticed that I seem more myself since taking the meds. I did not tell them I was on it. What I do not like about the meds is that I will be in the middle of a sentence and forget totally what I was about to say. It causes a lot of confusion and is hard for me to concentrate on things for a long period of time. I have been on the 150mg for about a month now and I seem to be going back to my restless self of not sleeping at night and being hard to wake up in the morning. I still feel a little depressed, but not like I used to. I do not know if I need to have my doseage increased or not. Let me know if anyone else is experiencing this same thing.
Posted by dancingstar on December 21, 2004, at 12:15:58
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Cindy S. G. on December 21, 2004, at 8:37:57
Though you should be able to trust the judgment of your doctor, it would be in your best interest to read everything that you can about Effexor before increasing your doseage. ( www.wyeth.com )
Your experience is tracking along the same time lines as those of us that found out too late that we lost years of our lives because of taking E. Just be sure that if you take it, you are doing so with full knowledge and consent that it can cause various problems that you are currently having, including fatigue and depression. I have come to understand that our doctors may not know this. They also do not seem to be right on top of the fact that there is no way to be sure that we can get this drug out of our system, though some people have an easier time of it than others.
Posted by Markku on December 21, 2004, at 18:18:38
In reply to Re: Effexor: I love you, but all good things must end » als1972sd, posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 14:02:31
> I wonder what happens if you stop taking Lexapro and don't take anything at all? Will you take these drugs for the rest of your life?
>
> With regard to "reported side effects," meaning no disrespect, I have come to understand that no one tells the truth about these sorts of things.
>I have taken both Effexor and Lexapro for panic. I had bad withdrawal effects from Effexor, but not so much from Lexapro. I was able to reduce my dose of Lexapro and started taking it only when I felt I needed it, even though my doctor probably wouldn't be happy with me doing such a thing. I now only take 5 mg when I feel symptoms or have trouble sleeping. With Effexor that didn't seem like an option because it felt like the shock sensations would never go away (unless I took another dose). It actually took a couple months for all traces of those sensations to finally go away after I stopped taking Effexor.
Posted by absolute on December 22, 2004, at 0:41:17
In reply to Re: Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta), posted by dancingstar on December 20, 2004, at 0:12:21
Has anyone had these side-effects?
I've noticed at work, after a few hours my thoughts get cloudy and I can't concentrate very well. I don't think this is related to hunger, lack of sleep, or any need for caffeine. It's really hard to differentiate between a normal response to stress and a side-effect of medication .
The skin rash is strange-- I have one under my eye that has not gone away in a few weeks. Never had anything like that before. Any long-term users of Effexor noticed anything like this??
Posted by beppe on December 22, 2004, at 3:25:22
In reply to Re: Effexor: I love you, but all good things must end » als1972sd, posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 14:02:31
hello this is my first time poasting. i'm very upset right now. i am 22 and have been on effexor xr for about 6 years now. i feel like i am a slave to it. i have a love hate relationship w/ it. i hate how i feel if i don't take it i'm physically and emotionally very sick. i get this wierd feeling when i turn my head in my chest and i'm so dizzy. i can't stop crying and i can't cry at all when i take it. my family will not support me in trying to ween myself off, they say i need it. i don't know what to do. i have been sleeping 13-20 hours a day and i think about suicide often. can anyone relate? please help me
Posted by dancingstar on December 22, 2004, at 10:48:06
In reply to effexor xr withdraw » dancingstar, posted by beppe on December 22, 2004, at 3:25:22
You've been taking Effexor since you are 16 years old? Wow, it would be wrong of anyone -- even me, who doesn't like this drug much at all -- to tell you to stop taking it. You need really good medical care, and you need to tell the doctor how you feel and why you feel this way. Now that I've done it, I can never tell anyone to just stop taking E, it was the hardest thing that I have ever done. If you want to stop, you really need someone to help you. Work calmly and rationally to get your doctor's support. Maybe you can tell him that an antidepressant is supposed to make you less depressed, not to leave you feeling suicidal.
The truth is that you probably know your own body better than the people that are not taking the drug, but they love you very much and are afraid for you cause they want you to be well. You, like me, may have to do some research in order to show them facts where other people have had similar problems with Effexor after being on it for a lengthy period of time. Don't give up...don't give in, and for goodness' sake, please don't take this out on yourself, please promise me!!!!!!! Also, promise me that you will have help getting off of Effexor if that is what you ultimately decide to do because you must not do this alone if you are in a fragile state. It is very difficult for some of us. Be patient with yourself and with everyone that loves you. Things will come together, and you will begin to feel better again, though it might not happen as quickly as you would like.
Blessings.
Posted by KarenQ on December 22, 2004, at 20:21:12
In reply to Withdrawl symptom?, posted by kmp68 on December 2, 2004, at 14:00:54
I am weaning off of Effexor right now and am late. When I first went on it, I was about 10 days late with my first cycle and was worried that I might be pregnant at the time. Thank God I wasn't. So, evidently Effexor has some sort of effect on the hormones. I'll be glad when its out of my system all together.
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