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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Cindy W on July 5, 2000, at 0:01:25
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Sunnely on July 4, 2000, at 23:15:54
> If you have missed a dose or two of Effexor, chances are you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, Effexor seems to provoke the most rapid and nasty withdrawal symptoms among the new generation of antidepressants. Dizziness, vertigo, insomnia, agitation, "shock-like" sensations, flu-like symptoms are not uncommon withdrawal symptoms of Effexor.
>
> Prozac, with its serotonin effect, usually alleviates the withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. It is OK to combine the two drugs and then gradually taper down the dose of Effexor to comfortable level until it is completely stopped.
>
> Increased sweating (and nightmares) have been reported with the use of SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, and others) and Effexor. The "trails" you sometimes see are most likely due to trazodone. Other visual disturbances reported with the use of trazodone are "seeing again" medically termed palinopsia, and "ghost shadows." These visual disturbances are believed to be dose-dependent, so cutting down the dose of trazodone may help alleviate this problem. FYI, with the addition of Prozac, your blood level of trazodone may rise due to Prozac's inhibiting effect on the liver enzymes that trazodone depend on. BTW, these visual phenomena have also been reported with the use of Serzone (nefazodone), which is structurally related to trazodone.Sunnely, i agree with what you wrote...sounds like a missed dose of Effexor to me! Also, the visual trails happened to me with serzone (in fact, i kind of miss them! they were kind of fun!) but have disappeared since i'm now only taking 50-75 mg/night of serzone (since i'm cutting the pills up, it's hard to tell exactly the dose, but no more visual trails).
Posted by Sunnely on July 5, 2000, at 22:26:57
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Cindy W on July 5, 2000, at 0:01:25
Dear Cindy,
I'm glad to hear that your visual "trails" have disappeared. (Or may be not, since you seemed to be having fun with them.) :)
Watch for drug interactions with Serzone. Certain drugs may raise the blood level of Serzone and cause a return of the visual trails even though you're keeping same dose. These drugs include: certain antibiotics such as erythromycin and Cipro; antidepressants such as Prozac and Luvox; antifungal drugs such as Nizoral and Sporanox; Tagamet for ulcer. Avoid grapefruit juice, too. Propulsid (cisapride), drug for stomach reflux, should not be combined with Serzone. Serious medical consequences may occur including sudden death. (This drug should be off the market by now, anyway.)
Happy "trails" to you. ;)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Sunnely, i agree with what you wrote...sounds like a missed dose of Effexor to me! Also, the visual trails happened to me with serzone (in fact, i kind of miss them! they were kind of fun!) but have disappeared since i'm now only taking 50-75 mg/night of serzone (since i'm cutting the pills up, it's hard to tell exactly the dose, but no more visual trails).
Posted by Cindy W on July 5, 2000, at 23:44:21
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Sunnely on July 5, 2000, at 22:26:57
> Dear Cindy,
>
> I'm glad to hear that your visual "trails" have disappeared. (Or may be not, since you seemed to be having fun with them.) :)
>
> Watch for drug interactions with Serzone. Certain drugs may raise the blood level of Serzone and cause a return of the visual trails even though you're keeping same dose. These drugs include: certain antibiotics such as erythromycin and Cipro; antidepressants such as Prozac and Luvox; antifungal drugs such as Nizoral and Sporanox; Tagamet for ulcer. Avoid grapefruit juice, too. Propulsid (cisapride), drug for stomach reflux, should not be combined with Serzone. Serious medical consequences may occur including sudden death. (This drug should be off the market by now, anyway.)
>
> Happy "trails" to you. ;)
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> > Sunnely, i agree with what you wrote...sounds like a missed dose of Effexor to me! Also, the visual trails happened to me with serzone (in fact, i kind of miss them! they were kind of fun!) but have disappeared since i'm now only taking 50-75 mg/night of serzone (since i'm cutting the pills up, it's hard to tell exactly the dose, but no more visual trails).Sunnely, happy trails to you too!
Posted by SLS on July 6, 2000, at 7:38:08
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Sunnely on July 5, 2000, at 22:26:57
Dear Sunnely,
This is great information.
I am curious about the grapefruit juice. What kind of interaction occurs?
Also, can you describe in a bit more detail the interaction between Propulsid and Serzone?
Thanks.
- Scott
> Watch for drug interactions with Serzone. Certain drugs may raise the blood level of Serzone and cause a return of the visual trails even though you're keeping same dose. These drugs include: certain antibiotics such as erythromycin and Cipro; antidepressants such as Prozac and Luvox; antifungal drugs such as Nizoral and Sporanox; Tagamet for ulcer. Avoid grapefruit juice, too. Propulsid (cisapride), drug for stomach reflux, should not be combined with Serzone. Serious medical consequences may occur including sudden death. (This drug should be off the market by now, anyway.)
Posted by Sunnely on July 6, 2000, at 19:45:54
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects » Sunnely, posted by SLS on July 6, 2000, at 7:38:08
Dear Scott,
Your question deals with drug-drug (or food) interactions.
When drugs are taken concurrently, drug-drug interactions are bound to occur. Fortunately, most do not lead to any clinical importance or just mild discomfort. Unfortunately, some interactions lead to serious consequences, including death. Others lead to loss of effectiveness of one or more drugs involved.
The interaction between grapefruit juice and Serzone mainly involves the type called "pharmacokinetic." (The other type is "pharmacodynamic.") When a drug is taken is taken orally, four major processes of pharmacokinetics are involved: 1. absorption (gastrointestinal tract), 2. distribution, 3. metabolism, and 4. excretion. It is the stage of metabolism where most of the major drug interactions occur, mainly involving the liver.
In the liver, there are several enzymes that play a big role in the break down of different drugs. Prominent among these liver enzymes are the ones called "cytochrome P450," enzymes (CYP for short). Although there are several CYPs known so far, only about 5 major ones are involved in the metabolism of different drugs, including the psychotropic drugs. Included among these CYPs is the enzyme called CYP3A4.
CYP3A4 is involved in the metabolism (breakdown) of Serzone. Therefore, it is a "substrate" of this enzyme. Grapefruit juice markedly inhibits the action of this enzyme. Therefore, it is an "inhibitor" of this enzyme. Inhibition of this enzyme leads to a decrease in the metabolism of the "substrate" of this enzyme. This leads to an increase in the blood level of the "substrate" which in turn leads to an increase in the "substrate's" side effects or toxicity. In short, Serzone (substrate of CYP3A4) + grapefruit juice (inhibitor of CYP3A4) ---> decreased metabolism of Serzone ---> increased Serzone blood level ---> increased side effects or toxicity from Serzone.
The same mechanism is involved with drug-drug interaction between Serzone and Propulsid. This time it is the Serzone that is doing the inhibition (same liver enzyme involved, CYP3A4). FYI, Serzone is both a "substrate" and an "inhibitor" of CYP3A4. Propulsid is a "substrate" of CYP3A4. Excess blood levels of Propulsid resulting from interactions with other drugs have been reported to cause serious heart rhythm irregularities including sudden death. I believe there were about 80 deaths reported from these interactions. Most of these reports came from drug-drug interactions with Propulsid and other drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 such as the antibiotic erythromycin, and the antifungals (Nizoral, Sporanox). Since Serzone is a marked inhibitor of CYP3A4, serious drug interaction with Propulsid is possible, although I have not read in the literature deaths from this particular interaction. This is the reason why the drug company (Janssen) was forced to take this drug off the (US) market. Incidentally, for what it's worth, at one point, Pres. Clinton was on Propulsid for GERD.
FYI, Seldane and Hismanal, both nonsedating antihistamines, were taken off the market for similar reason as Propulsid. There were approximately 120 deaths related to drug-drug interactions involving these drugs.
For more info on Grapefruit Juice Drug Interactions, check out this excellent website created by a Canadian Pharmacist: http://powernetdesign.com/grapefruit/
Good Luck.
===========================================================================
> Dear Sunnely,
>
> This is great information.
>
> I am curious about the grapefruit juice. What kind of interaction occurs?
>
> Also, can you describe in a bit more detail the interaction between Propulsid and Serzone?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
> > Watch for drug interactions with Serzone. Certain drugs may raise the blood level of Serzone and cause a return of the visual trails even though you're keeping same dose. These drugs include: certain antibiotics such as erythromycin and Cipro; antidepressants such as Prozac and Luvox; antifungal drugs such as Nizoral and Sporanox; Tagamet for ulcer. Avoid grapefruit juice, too. Propulsid (cisapride), drug for stomach reflux, should not be combined with Serzone. Serious medical consequences may occur including sudden death. (This drug should be off the market by now, anyway.)
Posted by SLS on July 7, 2000, at 6:46:54
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Sunnely on July 6, 2000, at 19:45:54
Hi Sunnely.
Thanks for the explanation.
This whole grapefruit thing is news to me. I wonder to what degree similar drug interactions with other foods have gone unrecognized. Thanks for the URL.
Regarding the differences between the interactions of GJ and Serzone versus Serzone and Propulsid, are these explained by differences in binding affinity or some other form of competition for enzyme sites?
1. Does GJ bind more tightly than Serzone bind more tightly than Propulsid to CYP?
2. Is there a difference between "competition" and "inhibition"? Is an inhibitor catalyzed at the site it is inhibiting?
Are you are involve professionally in the medical field? I'm not, but I guess I like to pretend sometimes.
I didn't know that Seldane was discontinued. Heart conduction stuff?
- Scott
Posted by Sunnely on July 7, 2000, at 23:30:32
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by SLS on July 7, 2000, at 6:46:54
Hi Scott,
You do ask tough questions.
Let me see...
There are many types of CYP inhibition. The following are two of the most common types: 1) "competitive" - 2 drugs compete for the same binding site with only one being metabolized (with enough drug one can overcome the inhibition); and 2) "mechanism-based" - the metabolites of the drugs such as cimetidine (Tagamet) or erythromycin (E-mycin) complex with and tie up the CYP.
Both grapefruit juice and Serzone are marked inhibitors of a specific CYP called CYP3A4. I don't know which one inhibits CYP3A4 the most. (Since both are considered marked inhibitors of this CYP, this is probably immaterial.)
"Competitive inhibition" is one of the 2 most common types of antagonizing the action of CYP. The other one is via "mechanism-based" inhibition. (See explanation above). Yes, it is possible that an inhibitor of a specific CYP is also catalyzed (substrate) by the same CYP. There are drugs that are, at the same time "substrates" and "inhibitors" of a specific CYP. For example, Paxil is a "substrate" of CYP2D6 and at the same time an "inhibitor" of this particular CYP. In effect, Paxil is inhibiting its own metabolism. This phenomenon is called "autoinhibition." On the other hand, there are drugs that are "substrates" of a specific CYP and at the same time "inducers" of the same CYP. For example, Tegretol is a "substrate" of CYP3A4 and an "inducer" of this same CYP. In short, Tegretol is inducing its own metabolism. This phenomenon is called "autoinduction." This is the reason why, after several weeks, the blood level of Tegretol tends to decline even if the dose and all other factors remain the same. There are also drugs that are "substrates" of a specific CYP and "inhibitors" of another CYP. This is exemplified by quinidine, a heart drug. There are also drugs that are "substrates" of several CYPs at the same time. There are also drugs that are "inhibitors" of several CYPs at the same time. There are also drugs that are "inducers" of several CYPs at the same time. This CYP busines is too complex to explain. Remember, there are close to 3 dozen human CYP isoenzymes discovered so far (the number still growing), yet we only know very few of them as to how they work.
Yes, Seldane and Hismanal have been off the market (US) due to serious heart conduction problem. They tend to cause electrocardiogram abnormality called "prolongation of QT" interval which can potentially cause serious heart rhythm irregularity called "torsades" and sudden death. (Fexofenadine, an active metabolite of Seldane, without the heart effect, is now available. It is probably more popularly known as Allegra.)
Yes, same stuff with Propulsid (cisapride), that heart "thingie."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Hi Sunnely.
>
> Thanks for the explanation.
>
> This whole grapefruit thing is news to me. I wonder to what degree similar drug interactions with other foods have gone unrecognized. Thanks for the URL.
>
> Regarding the differences between the interactions of GJ and Serzone versus Serzone and Propulsid, are these explained by differences in binding affinity or some other form of competition for enzyme sites?
>
> 1. Does GJ bind more tightly than Serzone bind more tightly than Propulsid to CYP?
>
> 2. Is there a difference between "competition" and "inhibition"? Is an inhibitor catalyzed at the site it is inhibiting?
>
> Are you are involve professionally in the medical field? I'm not, but I guess I like to pretend sometimes.
>
> I didn't know that Seldane was discontinued. Heart conduction stuff?
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on July 8, 2000, at 9:02:12
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects » SLS, posted by Sunnely on July 7, 2000, at 23:30:32
> You do ask tough questions.
It's a gift.
Thanks for your wonderfully detailed explanation. I hope to see you around.
- Scott
Posted by Carol on November 24, 2000, at 20:46:41
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Orin on May 18, 2000, at 21:43:42
I have been on effexor for about 8 or 9 months now, and wow, haveI ever gained weight. About 50 pounds in that time period. Now, that's depressing!! I have also discovered I have fibromyalgia and haven't been able to exercise much. I am not sure which is to blame for the weight gain. Has anyone else experienced weight gain with effexor?
Posted by Shannon on January 29, 2001, at 21:43:26
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Orin on May 18, 2000, at 21:43:42
I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR NOW FOR 5 MONTHS AND IT HAS WORKED VERY WELL FOR ME. COULD ANYONE TELL ME IF THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED HAIR LOSS. IT CONSTANTLY COMES OUT WHEN I BRUSH IT AND I HAD NEVER NOTICED THAT BEFORE. ALSO DO YOU GRADUALLY INCREASE THE DOSAGE EVENTUALLY.
Posted by normama on February 9, 2001, at 20:40:24
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Shannon on January 29, 2001, at 21:43:26
> I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR NOW FOR 5 MONTHS AND IT HAS WORKED VERY WELL FOR ME. COULD ANYONE TELL ME IF THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED HAIR LOSS. IT CONSTANTLY COMES OUT WHEN I BRUSH IT AND I HAD NEVER NOTICED THAT BEFORE. ALSO DO YOU GRADUALLY INCREASE THE DOSAGE EVENTUALLY.
I have been on EffexorXR for 3 weeks (75mg)and have developed an incredibly itchy scalp. I had this happen to me a few years back when I was taking phenfen. Eventually my hair began to fall out. Once I stopped the phenfen the itching stopped and my hair grew back. I'm afraid it's happening again with the Effexor. I hate to stop taking it since it is working well for my depression. Has anyone else had this side effect?
Posted by Ryan on February 19, 2001, at 23:37:17
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects » Shannon, posted by normama on February 9, 2001, at 20:40:24
> > I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR NOW FOR 8 MONTHS AND IT IS THE ONLY AD THAT HAS WORKED FOR ME. I TAKE 300MG EVERY MORNING. I AM HAVING TROUBLESOME SIDE EFFECTS HOWEVER. ITCHING SCALP, WEIGHT GAIN, ABSOLUTELY NO ENERGY, AND INSOMNIA. IF ANYONE HAS ADVICE OR KNOWS OF A BETTER AD PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Posted by Lorraine on February 20, 2001, at 9:45:10
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects » normama, posted by Ryan on February 19, 2001, at 23:37:17
> > > I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR NOW FOR 8 MONTHS AND IT IS THE ONLY AD THAT HAS WORKED FOR ME. I TAKE 300MG EVERY MORNING. I AM HAVING TROUBLESOME SIDE EFFECTS HOWEVER. ITCHING SCALP, WEIGHT GAIN, ABSOLUTELY NO ENERGY, AND INSOMNIA. IF ANYONE HAS ADVICE OR KNOWS OF A BETTER AD PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Re insomnia--when do you take your dose and is it a split dose. I have to take mine early in the morning and I take GABA (a natural enzime you can get at the health food store) before bed to help me sleep.
Re energy and weight gain--perhaps your pdoc will augment with amphetamine or Wellbutrin which may counter balance these effects. You may be able to lower your dose of effexor in this event as well. Good luck.
Posted by Ryan on February 21, 2001, at 22:42:53
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Lorraine on February 20, 2001, at 9:45:10
Thank you for the reply Lorraine. I am starting Wellbutrin SR 150mg. and Sonata today.
Posted by Jani on February 23, 2001, at 19:39:05
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Lorraine on February 20, 2001, at 9:45:10
> > > > I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR NOW FOR 8 MONTHS AND IT IS THE ONLY AD THAT HAS WORKED FOR ME. I TAKE 300MG EVERY MORNING. I AM HAVING TROUBLESOME SIDE EFFECTS HOWEVER. ITCHING SCALP, WEIGHT GAIN, ABSOLUTELY NO ENERGY, AND INSOMNIA. IF ANYONE HAS ADVICE OR KNOWS OF A BETTER AD PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
>
> Re insomnia--when do you take your dose and is it a split dose. I have to take mine early in the morning and I take GABA (a natural enzime you can get at the health food store) before bed to help me sleep.
>
> Re energy and weight gain--perhaps your pdoc will augment with amphetamine or Wellbutrin which may counter balance these effects. You may be able to lower your dose of effexor in this event as well. Good luck.This is in response to your weight gain and also to Carol's earlier. I, too, gained a significant amount of weight both on Celexa and Effexor. I tried Welbutrin after going off Celexa and before Effexor and lost the weight, but experienced terrible agitation, etc. My doctor insists it is not due to the Effexor but because I am feeling better, I am eating more. With 1 month, I will be weaned from the Effexor and will see what happens with the weight. I will write back to notify you of the results.
Posted by welch on February 24, 2001, at 9:35:16
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects » Lorraine, posted by Jani on February 23, 2001, at 19:39:05
Hi
I have been on Effexor for 3 weeks. All of the side effects are gone except the terrible insomnia.I was taking it in the am but am now taking it in the pm to see if the insomnia would go away. Didn't work. Should I try it in the am again since the other side-effectsare gone? I can't take any sleep-aids so that is out of the question. I hear Serzone does not cause insomnia. Or will this insomnia go away if just wait it out.
Posted by prl on February 24, 2001, at 15:00:28
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects » Sunnely, posted by SLS on July 6, 2000, at 7:38:08
> Dear Sunnely,
>
> This is great information.
>
> I am curious about the grapefruit juice. What kind of interaction occurs?
>
> Also, can you describe in a bit more detail the interaction between Propulsid and Serzone?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
> > Watch for drug interactions with Serzone. Certain drugs may raise the blood level of Serzone and cause a return of the visual trails even though you're keeping same dose. These drugs include: certain antibiotics such as erythromycin and Cipro; antidepressants such as Prozac and Luvox; antifungal drugs such as Nizoral and Sporanox; Tagamet for ulcer. Avoid grapefruit juice, too. Propulsid (cisapride), drug for stomach reflux, should not be combined with Serzone. Serious medical consequences may occur including sudden death. (This drug should be off the market by now, anyway.)
I was wondering if you or anyone else knew of any conflicts with vitamins or soy/protein supplements. I have been trying different ADs and mood stablizers for many years with no real lasting luck yet. I just started on effexor less than a week ago and am feeling good so far(except for insomnia). I was taking alot of diff. vits and supplements for years but quit taking any for almost a year now to see if they were interfering somehow. Nothing changed except for the worse but the meds I was on weren't helping either so it is hard to tell. I always felt so much better all over and had more energy while doing the above. I am taking 37.5 of effexor in a.m., 25 of thyroid med in a.m., a prescribed diuretic, and 250 of Lamictal in p.m, with estrace. Do you see any problems with going back to taking vit supplements?
Posted by cessna on February 24, 2001, at 21:08:32
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by welch on February 24, 2001, at 9:35:16
> I HAD INSOMNIA FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS -- WAKING AT 4 AM FOR THE DAY, USUALLY -- BUT IT DID GO AWAY. EXERCISE (2MI WALKING) IN AM HELPED ME TO BE SLEEPY IN PM. FRANKLY IT WAS SUCH A BLESSING NOT TO BE HAVING PANIC ATTACKS THAT I WAS EUPHORIC AT 4 AM. HOWEVER STARTED BIRTH CONTROL PILLS 30 DAYS AGO AND HAVE MAJOR RECURRENCE OF DEPRESSION. I AM GOING BACK TO BOTH GYN AND PSYCHIATRIST THIS WEEK. HAS ANYONE FOUND THAT EFFEXOR LOSES ITS PUNCH AFTER A YEAR OR SO?
Posted by Marty7294 on March 24, 2001, at 2:54:32
In reply to Effexor-side effects, posted by Lisa on December 30, 1998, at 12:34:47
Hi there...
Has anyone out there with diabetes experienced
particular problems with withdrawl from Efexor?
My stepfather has been off of the drug for 5 weeks
and still suffers pretty badly from side effects,
including drowsiness and muddy thinking...
Any info much appreciated.
Cheers!
Posted by alyce on March 25, 2001, at 12:36:44
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by cessna on February 24, 2001, at 21:08:32
> > I HAD INSOMNIA FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS -- WAKING AT 4 AM FOR THE DAY, USUALLY -- BUT IT DID GO AWAY. EXERCISE (2MI WALKING) IN AM HELPED ME TO BE SLEEPY IN PM. FRANKLY IT WAS SUCH A BLESSING NOT TO BE HAVING PANIC ATTACKS THAT I WAS EUPHORIC AT 4 AM. HOWEVER STARTED BIRTH CONTROL PILLS 30 DAYS AGO AND HAVE MAJOR RECURRENCE OF DEPRESSION. I AM GOING BACK TO BOTH GYN AND PSYCHIATRIST THIS WEEK. HAS ANYONE FOUND THAT EFFEXOR LOSES ITS PUNCH AFTER A YEAR OR SO?
i have been on effexor xr for approx 1 year. i have not experienced any problems getting to sleep however the nightmares are something else. i could probably write some pretty scary novels. i do feel like my dosage might need to be increased. has anyone experienced pvc's (premature ventricular contractions) while taking effexor xr?
Posted by Heather L. on April 13, 2001, at 18:02:41
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Lisa on January 8, 1999, at 9:54:52
I am taking Effexor XR. It is an extended time release capsule. I take it after I eat breakfast. Must take right after food or it will hurt your tummy. I felt better from the very first dose.I have a little trouble getting to sleep. What I have done for this is gone to bed about 45 minutes earlier than I usually do. Then I toss and turn for a bit and fall asleep within about 30 minutes or so and am not getting to sleep to late. Once I am asleep I am fine. And when I wake up I feel refreshed:) I had MAJOR anxiety and depression before trying this medicine. I also have A.D.D. I am so happy I have Effexor. I haven't felt this calm and relaxed in years.
> > > After trying just about every kind of anti-depressant,
> > > my psychiatrist put me on Effexor. I am currently
> > > taking 300mg a day (150mg twice a day) and I really
> > > starting to feel better, but does anyone ever have
> > > muscle spasms? I have noticed that not only do I have
> > > trouble sleeping because of the strange dreams, but
> > > everytime I try to sleep I can feel my legs jump and
> > > quiver uncontrolably. I never feel rested.
> > I also had uncontrollable muscle spasms when taking Effexor. I found it unbearable. I shook so hard I could not hold a pen, nor sign my name, nor drive my car. And I never slept. As you can probably guess, I stopped taking it entirely. Even after months the effects did not wear off.
> I have found it hard to write and my mind starts racing a lot lately. I really do not want to stop taking Effexor because I haven't felt this good in years, but the side effects are wearing down on me.
> It's almost like I have two choices Mental health or physical health.
> Depression is such a nasty disease and I am just trying my hardest to not let it take the best of me!
Posted by Heather L. on April 13, 2001, at 18:11:48
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Leslie on June 2, 2000, at 0:35:33
Your dentist can make a mouth piece for you if you are clenching your jaw. I clenched my jaw even before Effexor. I haven't been clenching it as much now but still do some. My dentist is making a mouth piece to help with it. it takes the pressure off your jaw when you clench.
> I've been on Effexor for about 6 months and "mental" health-wise it has definitely made a HUGE improvement, however I have developed an irritating problem that really interferes with my sleep. I clench my teeth and I keep hearing a popping noise in my ears at night, when I go to bed. Does anyone else have this??? It got so bad that I cut back on my dose by 75mg, then I tried to get completely off it - what a mistake that was. I became so disoriented and dizzy that I had to go back on the meds.
Posted by Cindylou on April 13, 2001, at 23:00:30
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Heather L. on April 13, 2001, at 18:11:48
YES! I clench my jaw all the time, especially at night. In fact, a dentist and a chiropractor both mentioned how messed up my jaw was (I think one of them said the muscles were "shattered" or something...obviously not literally shattered)
Anyway, I had never attributed the jaw clenching to the Effexor before ... I've been on SSRIs for several years now; it makes sense that I could have started the clenching when I started the meds. HOW INTERESTING!
I've been learning so much here...
>
> > I've been on Effexor for about 6 months and "mental" health-wise it has definitely made a HUGE improvement, however I have developed an irritating problem that really interferes with my sleep. I clench my teeth and I keep hearing a popping noise in my ears at night, when I go to bed. Does anyone else have this??? It got so bad that I cut back on my dose by 75mg, then I tried to get completely off it - what a mistake that was. I became so disoriented and dizzy that I had to go back on the meds.
Posted by michellec on April 14, 2001, at 13:54:53
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by Cindylou on April 13, 2001, at 23:00:30
Hi
I know exactly what your talking about however
I don't think it's from the effexor. I have done
this for years and only been taking effexor for the
past 8 months or so. I would suggest that you get a
mouth piece to wear at night. You can have one made
by your dentist or you can simply by a football mouth
piece and try that.
I discovered I was doing this because I was having
AWFUL headaches. I would clench mine so hard that I
would wake up in the morning and my teeth would be aching
I attribute it it this wonderful thing called
"stress!!!"
Hope this helps
Take care
Michelle
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 15, 2001, at 8:06:18
In reply to Re: Effexor-side effects, posted by michellec on April 14, 2001, at 13:54:53
Have a mouth-piece made by the dentist instead of one that is sold over-the-counter for football use. Otherwise your entire mouth will pay the forfeit.
> Hi
> I know exactly what your talking about however
> I don't think it's from the effexor. I have done
> this for years and only been taking effexor for the
> past 8 months or so. I would suggest that you get a
> mouth piece to wear at night. You can have one made
> by your dentist or you can simply by a football mouth
> piece and try that.
> I discovered I was doing this because I was having
> AWFUL headaches. I would clench mine so hard that I
> would wake up in the morning and my teeth would be aching
> I attribute it it this wonderful thing called
> "stress!!!"
> Hope this helps
> Take care
> Michelle
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