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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by corafree on August 28, 2006, at 11:37:04
In reply to Re: Pseudo Cushing's » invisibleman15010, posted by Elroy on August 23, 2006, at 7:50:07
Just throwing in simple 'too-sense' here.
When I was first asked if I was depressed, many years ago, my response was that I was so anxious 'it' (anxiety) was causing an alteration in my confident personality and maintaining relationships and making decisions and in my physical wellness.
The P said, "That's depression!" He/she, and all following Ps have put the main focus on 'depression'.(?) It was like putting the cart before the horse. It was really anxiety.
Prozac only worked w/ a benzo. Even Effexor only worked w/ a benzo. After trials of pretty much all ADs, and many years later now, and so much unhappiness, I believe that depression is, at least in me, sadness or grief, and I believe it is very hormonally related, as well as it is environmentally related (for example; a loss).
I'm on Valium and levothyroxine. I take Soma for sleep.
Afa the stress hormone idea, I'm convinced it is a cause of a lot of digestive problems I am currently having, mainly spastic colon, and extreme IBS. Because I am on Valium, a colo-rectal physician would not prescribe anything for me. I am reacting to many foods/drinks w/ hours of cramping and then diarrhea.
I switched from bio-identical HRT to synthetic estrogen in patch form just a week ago because, although plant-based estrogen really increased my sense of well-being, I was eating sugar and salt by the handfuls and weight was distributing itself around my mid section. I am a woman w/o a pear-shape body and it was just more than I could handle.
This HRT switch ALMOST(!) has me wanting an AD again, but I KNOW what is going on. I mean, I can cognitively tell myself these moody feelings are hormonally related and I just can't have a perfect figure and a stress free life too, or, can't 'have my cake and eat it too'. It's a trade off. I don't wish to be a zombie. I don't, today, desire to be on an AD to dull my passion to feel. Even if that means I must feel some sadness. If I find myself w/ suicidal ideation, I self-talk myself down/back.
Re: anxiety specifically, especially now w/ some increase since change in HRT, I've felt some break-thru panic and the need for fast-acting Xanax.Don't see P for over a month and a capsule of niacinamide and some other alternatives help to calm me. Self-talk helps too. (It's kind of like self praying.)
Basically what I'm saying here is anxiety (or stress really) began BEFORE 'depression' began in my life, and I'm proof that hormones can impact as anxiety w/o an environmental stimulant.
Hope made some sense. Sorry if comments aren't pulled-together or in proper order. Have a headache and can't be online long. Anyone identify or comment?
love, cf
Posted by corafree on August 28, 2006, at 14:04:30
In reply to New header/old topic, posted by inshadeoftree on August 26, 2006, at 13:12:27
Gave me chills ... :)
Yes Effexor-XR can be analyzed all over the place and do every dance and 'not'.
I lost weight while others gained.(?)
I've chosen 'not' to take it anymore. I've taken it five times and had different results each time.
It is the only AD I've ever taken that seemed to help alleviate anxiety ... yet, ... not enough that I didn't need a benzo of some sort.
Oh, and my GYN wanted me to take it for hot flashes. (And, as I recall, it did keep them at bay.)
Still, remaining AD free now.
bestwishes, cf
Posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2006, at 20:23:15
In reply to Re: New header/old topic » inshadeoftree, posted by corafree on August 28, 2006, at 14:04:30
Corafree how did you get AD free? What about brain zaps and all that stuff? Love Phillipa
Posted by corafree on August 28, 2006, at 20:56:30
In reply to Re: New header/old topic » corafree, posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2006, at 20:23:15
I was on Norpamin for a few months. Helped me fall asleep also. Quit it.
I was on Wellbutrin for a few days. (I felt 'mania' for the first time in my life and thought to myself, how horrible for anyone to have to try to 'live'. 'feeling frozen but moving a mile a minute'!) Quit it!
I woke up the next morning and noticed my thoughts were positive instead of negative and (okay ... this is going to sound cRaZy ;) I had this feeling that someone had been in the room with me as I slept. (I live alone.)
I began Soma a couple nights later for sleep.
You have to know, it's been 30yrs of trial and error w/ ADs for me.
Then you brought 'remission' to my attn. I'd never heard that theory.
I'm okay. A lot of feelings and, of course, sadness, but feel somewhat better able to handle. I'm proceeding w/ caution. Also, I don't work. I don't know if I could do this if I had to have a lot of people contact.
A negative; Now that head feels screwed on better, my body is getting screwed up! (I have a lot of digestion problems really flaring up recently and my neck injury that is not yet surgical. Five years ago, I ran, as a hobby. Now as my neck is deteriorating, I'm not able to bounce. Can 'fast-walk' I guess. Always thought looked silly. Not sure about my neighborhood. Thinking treadmill?!
Can't have everything .. ever! .. I guess?!
love, cf
Posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2006, at 21:01:27
In reply to Re: New header/old topic » Phillipa, posted by corafree on August 28, 2006, at 20:56:30
Corafree that's exactly what wellbutrin did to me but I took it for a week ended up in the hospital the doc thought I was manic. Wow!!! you're the only other person I've ever heard this happened to. Love Phillipa
Posted by alimae on August 31, 2006, at 13:43:03
In reply to Re: New header/old topic » corafree, posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2006, at 21:01:27
Son started effexor last week. After 3 days started noticing difficulty with urination(had to really strain) Doc took him off becasue of that side effect. Put him on Zoloft....
Any comments greatly appreciated.Was taking effexor for social anxiety....
Posted by Elroy on August 31, 2006, at 15:46:03
In reply to Re: effexor... urination problems????, posted by alimae on August 31, 2006, at 13:43:03
> Son started effexor last week. After 3 days started noticing difficulty with urination(had to really strain) Doc took him off becasue of that side effect. Put him on Zoloft....
> Any comments greatly appreciated.
>
> Was taking effexor for social anxiety....
One of side effects of Effexor in males is that it gives prostatitis type symptoms in certain males. I had that side effect occur almost immediately when I trieed this drug and it also greatly increased my anxiety levels (which was what I was getting treated for). When I read thru the fine print in the warning brochure that came with the meds, it was even listed there!Why do Pdocs prescribe AD meds for anxiety problems? And generally immediately think of AD medications.
At different times I was put on Wellbutrin (greatly increased anxiety levels), Effexor (brought on prostatitis symptoms plus greatly increased anxiety) and Cymbalta (brought on prostatitis symptoms plus greatly increased anxiety)...
Elroy
Posted by notfred on September 1, 2006, at 22:11:17
In reply to Re: effexor... urination problems???? » alimae, posted by Elroy on August 31, 2006, at 15:46:03
This is less a side effect and more a primary effect. This effect is not uncommon in AD's effecting norepinephrine. Common effects are vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output; norepinephrine (Levophed)is used for some medical crisises due to these effects. Norepinephrine has effects on mood but is also a key player in all things cardiac. All AD's that effect norepinephrine have the potential to raise heart rate and blood pressure. For me urination problems were/are start up effects with Effexor and any other AD that effects norepinephrine; it went away with time.
Posted by vanni on September 2, 2006, at 13:23:55
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Thanks to everyone for participating on this website. When I started EffexorXR 5 months ago it was reassuring to hear other people's experiences (even though some did freak me out!). I am 53 and am taking 75mg Effexor, 50mg of trazadone at night and have a low dose estrogen patch...I call it my menopause cocktail! I have never taken any psychotropic medication before. Prior to this combo I was very anxious, couldn't sleep, had night sweats, was irritable, cried easily, my memory was lousy and I had trouble focussing. I was worried I was not doing my job well and that I shouldn't be driving. Well now I feel like a million bucks! I am sleeping at least 7 hours, have energy, feel calm and optimistic most of the time, can think straight, can laugh again, and am more active. I think I have had a low level of anxiety and depression my whole life and didn't know it. I think about how it might be when I have to go off all these drugs (if I have to) but that is not today and I am grateful to be enjoying my life again.
Vanni
Posted by invisibleman15010 on September 2, 2006, at 15:47:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by vanni on September 2, 2006, at 13:23:55
Wow..that's great to hear. I am on my 4th day at restarting 75mg of Effexor XR. First two days were not bad at all, today I feel pretty wiped out. More or less like flue symptons. Today was the first day in a long time that I was not able to force myself to exercise after breakfast, just went back to bed. But, I have high hopes that in a few days it will pass. I had some luck on Effoxor about 1 and half years ago, but quit after reading to much about horrible withdrawl stories, plus my cholestorol did sky rocket and my family has a serious heart disease history on both sides. I easily weaned myself off of effexor and got my cholesterol back down on Omega 3 and Niacin as my Dr. did not want to add a statin to my new med. cocktail that followed Effexor......well the first step on my way to getting well is started, restarting Effexor, the second is over too, making the commitment to have ECT and going through the prescreening.
e
Posted by vanni on September 2, 2006, at 18:06:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » vanni, posted by invisibleman15010 on September 2, 2006, at 15:47:09
To e,
I felt a bit nauseous and really revved up for the first few days (started with 37.5 mg for three weeks) and needed the trazadone to be able to sleep at all. I lost my appetite and lost some weight at first. All of that settled down after 3 weeks and I went up to 75mg and felt even better. I can't drink much coffee or other caffienated drinks as I get too speedy. I know it's time to eat (I usually eat three healthy meals a day) because I start to feel a bit nauseous. I also get this chirping sound in my left ear every once in awhile that is weird but not a problem! As well as feeling emotionally better I have noticed that tension I used to get in my upper back doesn't happen anymore. I also have had left leg pain due to a herniated disc and that is less intense. Brain chemistry is pretty amazing!Vanni
Posted by HOPEFULL on September 2, 2006, at 18:23:58
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by vanni on September 2, 2006, at 13:23:55
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, I JUST STARTED TAKING EFFOREX AND STOP TAKING IT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT LET ME SLEEP AND THEN I READ ALL THESE COMMENTS AND IT JUST SCARED ME, SO I STOP TAKING IT AND NOW TODAY AFTER READING YOUR COMMENT, I STARTED AGAIN,BUT TELL ME HOW LONG DID IT TAKE BEFORE YOU STARTED FEEELING POSITIVE? AND TAKING TRAZONE DOES IT LET YOU SLEEP ALL NIGHT OR DO YOU WAKE UP AND HAVE A HARD TIME GOING BACK TO SLEEP? AND DID YOU GAIN ANY WEIGHT? THANK YOU
Posted by HOPEFULL on September 2, 2006, at 18:25:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by vanni on September 2, 2006, at 13:23:55
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, I JUST STARTED TAKING EFFOREX AND STOP TAKING IT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT LET ME SLEEP AND THEN I READ ALL THESE COMMENTS AND IT JUST SCARED ME, SO I STOP TAKING IT AND NOW TODAY AFTER READING YOUR COMMENT, I STARTED AGAIN,BUT TELL ME HOW LONG DID IT TAKE BEFORE YOU STARTED FEEELING POSITIVE? AND TAKING TRAZONE DOES IT LET YOU SLEEP ALL NIGHT OR DO YOU WAKE UP AND HAVE A HARD TIME GOING BACK TO SLEEP? AND DID YOU GAIN ANY WEIGHT? THANK YOU
Posted by vanni on September 2, 2006, at 20:33:49
In reply to Re: VANNI, posted by HOPEFULL on September 2, 2006, at 18:25:02
I had more energy right away. It was a couple of weeks later I added the trazadone and my sleep then began to improve. My mood improved gradually, especially when I got more regular sleep. I began with 25mg of trazadone and that wasn't enough. I have settled at 50mg. Most nights I sleep through, but if I wake up I can go back to sleep. I rarely get that middle of the night anxiety, and if I get it at all it passes more quickly and I don't feel wrecked the next day.
Vanni
Posted by invisibleman15010 on September 3, 2006, at 8:28:57
In reply to Re: VANNI, posted by HOPEFULL on September 2, 2006, at 18:25:02
Just like most of the meds. , they all effect us differently. So strange, starting effoxor again, I am wiped out and others it makes anxious, just like Paxil, regular wellbutrin and Zoloft did to me. I hope this passes for me in a few days, as I like to workout everyday and eat healthy also. This I can handle if it passes in a week or so. Paxil had me on the floor, puking, shaking all over, brain zaps...yadah......and Yes, I was scared off of Effoxor the first time I tried it by reading the posts.......so one has to be careful and try to balance out the comments and remember they are relating others experiances, not necessarily something that will happen to you. Restarting Effoxor is the prelude for ECT for me. I will post my experiances........if I remember how to...good luck to all....hang in there...there has to be life out there for us....
e
Posted by Galennt on September 3, 2006, at 14:17:29
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.
Hi,After trying numerous other meds with no success Effexor yanked me out of a deep five month depressive episode. Thirteen years later my dose is higher than it was at the beginning, but it is still working. I switched to XR when it came out, to reduce side effects. I know several other people who are doing well on Effexor. It sometimes gets a bad press, here among other places, but it worked for me when nothing else would.
Good luck,
gt
Posted by corafree on September 3, 2006, at 17:25:20
In reply to Re: New header/old topic » corafree, posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2006, at 21:01:27
Hi Phillipa!
Yep ... I'm pretty sure that was 'mania'. Didn't like, couldn't handle.
Checking email. Been sick.
Will get in touch.
love, cf
Posted by corafree on September 3, 2006, at 19:16:20
In reply to Re: effexor... urination problems????, posted by alimae on August 31, 2006, at 13:43:03
All I can say is, I took different AD once and had the same thing happen. Don't recall what AD. I know it was before Effexor or Effexor-XR made its debut.
I had to go to an ER and be catheterized.
I believe it's a nervous system thing related to some chemical or combination of chemicals ... causing stress/spasm. I wonder if it will go away. Feelin' like ya gotta go, and can't, is a horrible feeling.
Good luck.
bestwishes, cf
Posted by Phillipa on September 3, 2006, at 20:14:36
In reply to Re: New header/old topic » Phillipa, posted by corafree on September 3, 2006, at 17:25:20
Thanks I miss you and have a lot of questions for you. So I'll wait til I hear from you to e-mail. And don't forget to tell what you were sick from Love Phillipa
Posted by chickey on September 5, 2006, at 14:58:24
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am new to this whole thing and my husband doesn't want me on any drugs. I have been on this for a month and am starting to feel better but have no support to help me out. I am hoping to find some here!
Posted by TKaz on September 6, 2006, at 21:31:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by chickey on September 5, 2006, at 14:58:24
I too am new to effexorXR and will be following this thread to see how it affects new people like me. I have been on other meds before (Celexa was one), and they helped. Each time (a couple of years apart) I am go for help with depression, I get a new one. So I guess Effexor is it this time. I know I'm drepressed, but believe it may be related to surgical menopause. Anyway, any help I can get, I'll take it.
Posted by cristyleigh on September 7, 2006, at 13:29:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by chickey on September 5, 2006, at 14:58:24
> I am new to this whole thing and my husband doesn't want me on any drugs. I have been on this for a month and am starting to feel better but have no support to help me out. I am hoping to find some here!
I started on Effexor just yesterday but I had been on Lexapro for about 4 months previous (serious weight gain caused a change). Anyway, my husband fought me tooth and nail before I just stopped listening to him and went to the doctor anyway. My depression/anxiety wasn't severe but it was causing me internal misery and I was being pretty distant/mean to my family. Steve thought that I should be able to handle it by myself since it was "all in my head"....according to him. Once I went against him and actually got help he was very pleased with the results and happy that I chose to listen to my body and not him. Give your husband time to come around. Once he sees the change in you he should just be thankful that you have a mind of your own and can use it! Feel free to email me anytime if you just want to vent or unload...I'm a great listener. crihawk@hotmail.com
Posted by dbc on September 8, 2006, at 1:00:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by cristyleigh on September 7, 2006, at 13:29:35
I did the whole california rocket fuel thing Effexor/Remeron. While its certainly the most potent and extreme conventional anti depressant experiance i've had in my life it didnt do much. It left me in a perpetual dream world where i was insulated from the outside world but i still wasnt well or very functional. I guess any improvement i showed was due simply to the fact that my poor brain was getting assaulted by massive amounts of neurotransmitters.
Also the effexor withdrawl was by far the worst drug experiance of my life. I did everything by the book and slowly lowered the dose over a month+ and i still went into full on discontinuation syndrome. Oh well, thats what i get for playing with fire i suppose.
Posted by corafree on September 8, 2006, at 6:23:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TKaz on September 6, 2006, at 21:31:32
Hi. Just want to tell you my OB-GYN (a top doc in a big city and very into hormone stuff) brought up Effexor-XR re: my hot flashes just a couple wks ago. I suffered w/ PMDD, now in surgical menopause, was on plant-based estradiol valerate .. mood lifting but appetite inducing, so went back to synthetic estrogen in patch form. Good luck 2u.
bestwishes, cf
Posted by tiredguy on September 8, 2006, at 13:38:22
In reply to Re: effexor... urination problems????, posted by notfred on September 1, 2006, at 22:11:17
I have not been back to this site of over a year (so that's a sign of how Effexor worked for me).
I fought severe depression for over three years. I knew about ADs from a bout I had ten years earlier (as well as my wife’s experiences with it). The first thing I said when I walked into the Ps office was “I’ll try anything except Efexxor”. And that’s what I did. Nothing worked. After two years of this I gave in and tried Effexor. I have been taking 150 mgs for a year now and have not had any symptoms of depression.
In the process of looking for a solution I discovered two things. I have a hypo-active thyroid and very low testosterone. These are both things that can intensify depression (or as my GP says “I’ve got the triple whammy”). I now take medications for these. I also take 100 mg. of Welbutron in the morning.
Unfortunately, during my two years in hell, I developed a bad habit. I need to take 2mgs of Ativan to sleep at night. Yes, I am a benzo addict. My P is not concerned about it and is not in a hurry to have me “kick the habbit”.
I have had two major side effects that continue to haunt me.
One is that I am very fatigued all the time. To fight this, I have tried every stimulate you can name (my medicine cabinet is a college student’s dream!). Provigil helps and I occasionally take Adderal or Dexodrine or Ridiline. I’m not happy with any of these so I remain tired.
Second side effect, total death to the “neather regions”. I’m 46, have kids; so it’s not that bad. Wish it wasn’t true but I can deal with it.Over all. I feel really good (for a junkie)! Popping lots of pills a day is not a fun thing but it’s worth it if I can stay in the light. I can’t tell you what it’s like to get off Effexor; my P does not want me to try. I may try it anyway in a year or so.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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