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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rewg on April 22, 2001, at 22:34:20
I just recently discovered that one of the possible side effects of Effexor XR is Arthritis. Now I know why at age 40 I began to have Arthritis. Arthritis does not run in my family, and I was surprised to suffer from it at such a young age.
Has anyone else had this problem? Will the arthritis go away when I stop the Effexor or is this a permanent side effect?
Thanks.
Posted by JaneB on April 23, 2001, at 17:32:04
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR XR ARTHRITIS, posted by kayjay on April 23, 2001, at 1:47:53
> I have never taken Effexor, but I do get arthritis symptoms with all the SSRIs. In my case the arthritis symptoms gradually faded over 4 to 5 months after stopping the drug.
> >
> kayjay
It seems I am not alone in my suspicions about the arthritis type pain while on SSRI meds.
I have been struggling with the arthritis pain and I am not that old and it is worse on Zoloft, Effexor XR and now Celexa. What can be taken to control depression and anxiety without causing these arthritis problems? Because depression and anxiety cause a different type of pain.
Jane B
Posted by kayjay on April 23, 2001, at 22:59:16
In reply to Wow! I thought it was just me!, posted by JaneB on April 23, 2001, at 17:32:04
Jane B,
Sorry to hear you're having this problem. I had been taking Prozac + Cylert for about 6 years when the joint symptoms began to get severe. Of course my doctors said it could not be from the meds, so I thought I had arthritis for 3 years.
I then developed respiratory problems, after some increases in meds, and stopped taking my medication. I became very depressed again, but the joint symptoms improved over several months, and at the end of about 5 months were almost non existent. Went back on the meds, and after several months, the pain came back again. In the last 4 years I've been on and off the SSRIs(Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Serzone and Zoloft) and the same thing happens. If I add a stimulant, such as Cylert or Dexedrine, the joint symptoms get even worse. The arthritis begins to fade after stopping the drugs, and gets much worse when I go back on them.I also test positive for lupus while this joint pain is going on, and get very fatigued along with some other symptoms(the pos. tests occuring only after being on the meds for several months). Since the arthritis comes and goes, and my depression is so bad, I've chosen to stay on Zoloft for now(I'm kinda worried about what the long term effects might be though).
I've tried just about every drug out there and the SSRIs are the only ones that have helped me.
I've seen quite a few doctors about this, and they don't seem to know anything about it. Staying away from caffeine seems to help some.I'd definitely be interested if you find out any thing about this. Do your arthritis symptoms come and go, and move around to different joints? Also, I was curious as to whether it is worse in the evening.
kayjay
This is the end of the thread.
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