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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dysfunk on January 14, 2003, at 20:19:14
In reply to I'm trying to figure this one out......, posted by Joel Maxuel on January 14, 2003, at 18:57:32
Maybe you were lucky to not have side effects. I have a family member on the same medication as I who isn't experiencing side effects and I am. Who knows for sure how our brains respond to these medicines?
Posted by disney4 on January 14, 2003, at 21:34:04
In reply to Re: nerve zapping or OTHER SYMPTOMS?, posted by lam on January 13, 2003, at 13:57:12
I have had my hands fall asleep at night a lot too. This was way before I tried the effexor. My fingers felt numb during the day at times, but now everything is back to normal. I don't think it was medication related. I hope it was just a phase.
Posted by syringachalet on January 14, 2003, at 22:30:27
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and alcohol, posted by catri on January 14, 2003, at 15:55:51
hello catri,
I was on Effexor for about six months and I learned that for me I needed to adjust the times I took my meds, esp my psych meds....
If I had a chance to go out with frineds and have a nice dinner and ONE glass of wine, I took my Effexor(and all my other meds the next morning).
I have continued to do this through my 18 months of Celexa and now when Im on Lexapro.I have been on psych meds intermittently for the past 20 years and I have learned that my meds are just a very small piece of my life and nothing is engraved in granite for me...
that the secret to compliance is convience...
so I set my med cassette next to my toothbrush in the bathroom and take those meds that next morning when Im already at the sink brushing my teeth....You got to figure out what works for you...just know. Just knowing that you have some options can make your life a little nicer and managable all I know is it works for me...
syringachalet
Posted by EGR on January 14, 2003, at 22:37:16
In reply to Re: I'm trying to figure this one out......, posted by Dysfunk on January 14, 2003, at 20:19:14
> Who knows for sure how our brains respond to these medicines?
You know, that's MY question. Who really does know? Who came up with this "Seratonin re-uptake idea"? How did they ever "see" that was happening... how do they "know" that's our problem, and how do they "invent" these drugs? Why do some work for some people, but not others? Why do some of us have certain side effects, and others completely different ones?
Posted by h20surfer1 on January 14, 2003, at 22:40:38
In reply to Re: Monthly Positive Update, posted by disney4 on January 11, 2003, at 11:30:03
Hi Elsie,
Sorry, I don't come back here often, just happened to make a quick check.
To answer your question on Libido. Effexor wiped out my libido for 3 months. I went to Zero. It slowly came back with time. I was put on Remeron to help in this area (Remeron has little to no side effects and works on a different group of Seretonin Receptors which is believed to help in Libido). Remeron also works on GAD as does Effexor.
After seven months I have 90% of my Libido back. Most importantly, I do not suffer from depression or GAD anymore! Well worth the initial side effects.
As far as going off the AD's is concerned, my belief is that if they are working, why go off of them and go back to where you were?? If your doc recommends continuing them indefinitely then I would do it (I know I will).
Good Luck!
Posted by syringachalet on January 14, 2003, at 22:46:53
In reply to Re: Monthly Positive Update, posted by h20surfer1 on January 14, 2003, at 22:40:38
h20surfer1,
I am happy for you that you have found a combo that helps you feel better and takes care of the labido issue.
I just hope that it lasts for a long time ..
you deserve a smoother ride for awhile...catch the wave...LMAO
syringachalet
Posted by WrittenDream on January 14, 2003, at 22:53:44
In reply to 4 Weeks off Effexor, posted by Leo on March 7, 2001, at 17:23:26
will I be fine if I stop taking effexor cold turkery? will I have withdrawls? what should I expect to happen? can anyone help?
Posted by catri on January 15, 2003, at 2:46:45
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and alcohol, posted by syringachalet on January 14, 2003, at 22:30:27
Hi there!
Yep, I do take the meds in morning anyway, and going out a few times a week doesn't really make much difference, although I've not been doing much of that recently! Anwyay, as far as I know, you're not supposed to drink St John's Wort tea with any kind of prescribed med you're on, because it totally cancels out the effects of the prescribed drug!!! Which would explain the reason why the person a couple of posts ago didn't get any side effects either on the med or coming off....
Posted by Dysfunk on January 15, 2003, at 10:42:29
In reply to Re: I'm trying to figure this one out...... » Dysfunk, posted by EGR on January 14, 2003, at 22:37:16
It is all chemistry......trial and error.
Posted by mxgirl13 on January 15, 2003, at 12:23:02
In reply to Going off, have some questions........ Please Help, posted by CJo on January 11, 2003, at 12:36:00
As I was told recently on this board, you can split the capsules, but be careful! They are acidic (or something) and can damage whatever tissue they land on if they don't make it all the way to your stomach. Be sure to drink tons of water to be sure they go down.
> I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for about 3 months. I have such a hard time waking up in the morning that I've even missed several days of work and now my job may be in jeopardy. I have to at least lower my dosage, or try to get off of it. Since I have the capsules, can i just take one pellet out each day... and do it like that... like 1 today... 2 tomorrow... 3 next, etc. I am really scared to go off... I felt what the brain shivers were like when I had missed a few doses before.... I don't want to go thru that, I could BARELY function... walking into walls... Please, I really need someone to see me thru this, and I really need some advice on going off... talking to my doc (fam doc btw) isnt an option... I dont think he knows anything about this DRUG. Thank all of u again who had to go thru this already and have posted... you are all my heros :-)
>
> P.S. Gosh I'm gunna miss the dreams!!
Posted by 4girlsMoM on January 15, 2003, at 13:16:50
In reply to Re: Monthly Positive Update, posted by h20surfer1 on January 14, 2003, at 22:40:38
I have been on zoloft for 5 months for depression/anxiety. I feel like the depression has gone away, but my anxiety is terrible. I get the feeling of my head/jaw being in a vice. I also get short of breath at times. I think my anxiety is strictly GAD. The only reason for it is everyday stress. I have a constant feeling of being overwelmed. I go back to the doctors in two weeks, - does anyone have any suggestions for new meds? I was thinking of Effexor-XR but am open to suggestions. Does anyone have any comments on what is best for anxiety?
Posted by proud mary on January 15, 2003, at 14:04:53
In reply to Re: Monthly Positive Update, posted by 4girlsMoM on January 15, 2003, at 13:16:50
I have taken zoloft for about 5 years...started because of GAD and panic. I began taking klonopin for the "help" and discontinued, and later started it again (years later) after experiencing a exercise-induced panic attack. I understand what you are feeling very well...see if you are a candidate for klonopin. It's inexpensive, non-addictive and EFFECTIVE. I do really know what you mean about the overwhelmed feeling and the everyday stress. Please don't think its something you just have to deal with because there ARE things to help. I suggest klonopin because it seems to me that it doesn't mess too much with your head, but WORKS.
Let me know! Mary
> I have been on zoloft for 5 months for depression/anxiety. I feel like the depression has gone away, but my anxiety is terrible. I get the feeling of my head/jaw being in a vice. I also get short of breath at times. I think my anxiety is strictly GAD. The only reason for it is everyday stress. I have a constant feeling of being overwelmed. I go back to the doctors in two weeks, - does anyone have any suggestions for new meds? I was thinking of Effexor-XR but am open to suggestions. Does anyone have any comments on what is best for anxiety?
Posted by proud mary on January 15, 2003, at 14:05:37
In reply to Re: Monthly Positive Update, posted by 4girlsMoM on January 15, 2003, at 13:16:50
I have taken zoloft for about 5 years...started because of GAD and panic. I began taking klonopin for the "help" and discontinued, and later started it again (years later) after experiencing a exercise-induced panic attack. I understand what you are feeling very well...see if you are a candidate for klonopin. It's inexpensive, non-addictive and EFFECTIVE. I do really know what you mean about the overwhelmed feeling and the everyday stress. Please don't think its something you just have to deal with because there ARE things to help. I suggest klonopin because it seems to me that it doesn't mess too much with your head, but WORKS.
Let me know! Mary
> I have been on zoloft for 5 months for depression/anxiety. I feel like the depression has gone away, but my anxiety is terrible. I get the feeling of my head/jaw being in a vice. I also get short of breath at times. I think my anxiety is strictly GAD. The only reason for it is everyday stress. I have a constant feeling of being overwelmed. I go back to the doctors in two weeks, - does anyone have any suggestions for new meds? I was thinking of Effexor-XR but am open to suggestions. Does anyone have any comments on what is best for anxiety?
Posted by dde on January 15, 2003, at 15:59:41
In reply to Re: Monthly Positive Update, posted by 4girlsMoM on January 15, 2003, at 13:15:35
Paxil. My oldest daughter has had some problems with anxiety and with hypotension. She takes 10 mg a day and is doing wonderfully well....it seems to have addressed both the anxiety and the hypotension, to the joy of her physicians. I understand it can have some side effects in getting off of it as well. Just stay in tune with how you are feeling. Best regards, dde
Posted by Joel Maxuel on January 15, 2003, at 17:20:49
In reply to st john's wort and effexor, posted by catri on January 15, 2003, at 2:46:45
> Yep, I do take the meds in morning anyway, and going out a few times a week doesn't really make much difference, although I've not been doing much of that recently! Anwyay, as far as I know, you're not supposed to drink St John's Wort tea with any kind of prescribed med you're on, because it totally cancels out the effects of the prescribed drug!!! Which would explain the reason why the person a couple of posts ago didn't get any side effects either on the med or coming off....
I would just like to clarify something. I was on effexor for over six months (as well as paxil a year ago for about four), and I never got any positive effects on either of them when I was on them, however, a few of the negative effects (exessive sleeping, sweating, maybe a couple of other things) did come up. I have only been drinking SJW for the past three weeks, to a total of about 25 bags worth (Yogi Tea brand), so the effects of the tea couldn't have cancelled out the positive effects of the effexor XR, simply because i never had them in thye first place. That was probably a good thing, becase if I did get any positive effects from the effexor, I could have probably died from serotonin syndrome (because I was mixing the two with no idea what it has the potential for)
However, if it wasn't for the serotinin syndrome risk, I would reccomend SJW to minimize the withdrawal effects.
--
Joel Maxuel
ShamelessPlug(http://www.maxuel.ca)
Posted by syringachalet on January 15, 2003, at 20:05:36
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by dde on January 15, 2003, at 15:59:41
Hello 4 girls MoM,
You said this was your oldest daughter but you did not indicate her age. You sound like a very savy Mother.
I hope your prescribing MD advised her or you that if she is on any SSRIs and is sexually active that some form of BC should be already be taken. These drugs are not kind to unborn children and even if they carry to term, these infants might have major developmental and physical maladies...Just food for thought....
syringachalet
Posted by jtc on January 15, 2003, at 21:29:47
In reply to Re: nerve zapping or OTHER SYMPTOMS?, posted by lam on January 13, 2003, at 13:57:12
> How about waking up several times during the night to find your hands asleep and not only tingling but also swollen and very painful (and you have not been laying on them). It usually takes a good ten minutes before they feel half way normal again and it's just close to normal. The first night it happened it scared me to death because I didn't know what was happening and I couldn't feel my hands. Now it happens every night( a few times a night) and my hands don't quite feel right during the day anymore. Have you ever experienced this or heard of anyone who has? My PD
> doesn't think its anything to worry about but also told me that perspiring also had nothing to do with the effexor.Hi, I have the very same thing with the hands going numb at night but I have been told I have carpal tunnel in both hands, right worse than left and I will need to have surgery to correct it. It is from years of typing on the computer. But I am glad you brought this up because my hands are worse since starting the Effexor XR about 8 months ago and my fingers are also swollen more than usual. As far as the sweating goes, I had that really bad in the beginning but it is gone now. Good luck and keep me posted about your hands.
Posted by KayC on January 16, 2003, at 15:00:31
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi out there,
I've been on Effoxor XR (75) for about a month. Before that, on and off Celexa - made me too drowsy. My doctor didn't give me any warnings about what I might experience on Effexor. I was weak/tired/disoriented for about two weeks. I lost 6 pounds in a week (5' 6'' and 112 lbs before, so not a good thing). I experienced anxiety, weird dreams and agitation. I also felt like I was in a trance. I called my doctor and said I wanted to stop and she said to try a little longer on it.
What was good: From the 1st pill (25mg)I experinced a sense of mental calm and my desrire for suicide disappeared. The bad thing is that unlike with Celexa, my depression hasn't lifted. I feel like I've plateaued. I'm not suicidal but I'm still depressed. My appetite is back but my weight is still low. I don't want to up my dosage now that I've read the withdrawal horror stories.
My doctor has started me on Trazodone (50mg)along with the Effexor. I don't know how I'll do. Anyone with experience with this let me know!! Also people who have gained weight on Effexor, did you lose weight first? Thanks for the support!!
Posted by KelKel on January 17, 2003, at 13:15:16
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by KayC on January 16, 2003, at 15:00:31
I have been on Effexor xr 75mg for about 2 months. It has really helped me. I do have the anorexia problem also (98 lbs). I have lost 10 lbs. probably due to stress also which it hasn't completely relieved. My Dr. wants to start me on lexapro also. Has anyone taken this combo? I do have some side effects like the shaky hands, sweats, insomnia and weight loss. It is nothing compared to the depression though.
Posted by catri on January 17, 2003, at 14:32:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by KayC on January 16, 2003, at 15:00:31
Hello there!
In reply to the weight loss issue - I found that I have actually gained weight when on it - but previously to to switching to effexor xr I was on prozac, and that was initially horrible; I spent about the first six weeks constantly feeling sick as in a motion sickness kinda way and my apetite went out the window, and so I lost loads of weight. However, I think that is was a little extreme, but usually when starting SSRIs or similar med you get a certain amount of qeasyiness. All I can say is that it improves, and its certainly better than the depression! So I think you should stick with it a while, the side effects do wear off....and I have found that the effexor has really helped with the depression and suicide and particulary the anxiety that I was experiencing. Its still quite tough, but the med has certainly helped!
Posted by ohwell on January 17, 2003, at 15:13:09
In reply to Re: i'm not sure how i feel, posted by M. Lee on January 9, 2003, at 13:54:46
I too am not sure how I feel. I've been on Effexor XR for 1 year and am considering increaseing my dose to 175. The effexor xr really helped my anxiety but I still dwell on the issue is "I'm really doing ok". I;m just so afraid to increase my dose. What's a "normal" dose???
Posted by gladgirl on January 17, 2003, at 17:33:55
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and weight gain , posted by PAD702 on April 21, 2000, at 4:57:08
was on prozac for 2 yrs. and had the prozac poop-out result. have been on effexor-xr for 4 yrs. the 1st 3 yrs. at a 75mg. dosage, the past yr. 150 mg. WOW!!!! my prayers have been answered! the side affects of the effexor were a bit to adjust to at first.[the 1st week had nausea,dizziness, lack of appetite .] after initial adjustment i just enjoyed the relief from the depression and renewed zest for life. last year while experiencing a lot of crisis in my life i asked my doc for help. my dose was increased to 150mg. suprisingly my interest in sex and ability to achieve orgasm returned! i have gained some weight but, i have not been as consistant as in years past w/ my exersise and diet. overall am happy that i didn't give up on life when depression had me in it's grip.
Posted by finallyfeelinggood on January 17, 2003, at 17:42:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by KayC on January 16, 2003, at 15:00:31
I was so concerned about getting off medication that I didn't listen to my doctor at first. He persisted that I take Effexor, and I didn't want to. Finally I relented, and I began taking it about a year ago. I am finally feeling much better and any side effects are minimal compared to what I was facing without it.
Hang in there. Don't worry about getting off a medication before you even start!
Posted by charlie mac on January 18, 2003, at 3:16:56
In reply to Re: i'm not sure how i feel, posted by ohwell on January 17, 2003, at 15:13:09
> I too am not sure how I feel. I've been on Effexor XR for 1 year and am considering increaseing my dose to 175. The effexor xr really helped my anxiety but I still dwell on the issue is "I'm really doing ok". I;m just so afraid to increase my dose. What's a "normal" dose???
my doc put me on an increasing dose from 37.5 to 150mg in away as to adjust to one then move on. this has worked great for me. once the 150 fully kicked i changed from night to day. its the dosage, and finding whats right for you and your chemistry. talk with your doc about an increase. you can always go back.
Posted by kataklysm on January 18, 2003, at 5:32:11
In reply to Re: st john's wort and effexor, posted by Joel Maxuel on January 15, 2003, at 17:20:49
My younger brother and I both have had anxiety problems throughout our lives. I tried Paxil when I was 19 and didn't like the way it made me feel/act, so I got off of it within 3 months.
Well, my brother told me about this Effexor XR that he's been on for two years (I'm 26 now) and says "it works awesome."
I decided that I would try it and the effects were almost instantaneous!!! My feeling of anxiety almost completely disappeared; it seemed like a miracle drug. This came at the cost of a few minor side effects, like most drugs. I get the weird dreams, sweating, drowsiness (sometimes), and tremors when I'm falling asleep, but the pros still outweighed the cons.
Well, my brother just decided that he was going to see what life was like now without the drug and he slowly tapered himself off (honestly, probably rushed a little) within a week. Well, that was 3 weeks ago and he's had migrane headaches ever since and has been iratable and not himself. This guy's normally a teddy bear! He went to the doctor again and they're going to try a different way to get him off.
Anyway, the end of my siloquy here (sorry), he did some research on the adverse effects that Effexor may have on people and he sent me a link on it. I've only been on it for about 6 months and I'm cutting my losses. Somebody posted before about the way this drug makes people react differently (side-effects etc.)... Makes you wonder what it really IS doing to your brain.
Please check out this link! I'm not trying to scare anybody; I just want people to be weary.
LINK-----------> http://www.effexorfx.freeuk.com/webdoc12.htm
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