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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Jewels on March 14, 2003, at 23:20:20
In reply to Re: Increase in anxiety Effexor side effects, posted by napaba on March 12, 2003, at 9:29:13
Okay donnap....our stories are almost identical! I, too, was taking Effexor for a physical problem and dr's thought it would help. I quit cold turkey after I ran out last weekend. My dr told me that I shouldn't quit cold turkey and at this point and in reading all the past posts, I am glad I did! I am now at the close of day 5 and the vomitting and most nausea have gone. I was only on 75mgs for 8 weeks and have had a terrible run of it. My dreams aren't as wacked and freaky but still very vivid and real. I still have a hard time sleeping but find Tylenol PM helps. I am still quite dizzy in the day. I am not quite sure what the "brain shivers" are that are mentioned so much....but assume it is the "head rush" I am feeling. One other thing I have noticed is racing of my heart and a hard time breathing. I also have been extremely achy but don't know if this is due to my physical condition or the withdrawl.
I am so glad this works for some people. In regards to a prior post....if it IS working for you it ISN'T worth the withdrawl to go off. However, I am of the old book of "if it ain't working, don't take it" and anything that is that addictive to my body and that hard to break isn't what I would like to have in my body!
Best of luck to you all.........hoping I'm almost there....
Jewels
Posted by KarenIam on March 14, 2003, at 23:26:02
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been taking effexor for about 6 months or so. I take 150 miligrams and wanted to increase the dosage just to see if I'd feel even better. My doctor prescribed 225 mil. When I went to the drug store to pick it up they wanted me to pay 2 co pays of $25.00! It seems the insurance companys, or at least mine, will only cover up to 150 mil. per day. They only come in increments of 75ml or 150ml. I was told it was because I needed one of each ml. and that if I got the same mil capsule it would probably be covered. Guess what, not true! It's the only med. I've tried with this problem, usually you can just get a higher ml. Like paxil for example. Anyway, guess I'm not crazy enough yet to pay double for this stuff...maybe someday soon! Seriously though...anyone else's insurance covering say 300 ml with just one copay?
Posted by Krissy P on March 14, 2003, at 23:27:55
In reply to Re: Increase in anxiety Effexor side effects, posted by Jewels on March 14, 2003, at 23:20:20
Hi, real quick here: I think the "brain shivers" people are talking about are like chills but in your head. You feel a chill in your head. Do you know what I mean? I wonder if that's it?
> Okay donnap....our stories are almost identical! I, too, was taking Effexor for a physical problem and dr's thought it would help. I quit cold turkey after I ran out last weekend. My dr told me that I shouldn't quit cold turkey and at this point and in reading all the past posts, I am glad I did! I am now at the close of day 5 and the vomitting and most nausea have gone. I was only on 75mgs for 8 weeks and have had a terrible run of it. My dreams aren't as wacked and freaky but still very vivid and real. I still have a hard time sleeping but find Tylenol PM helps. I am still quite dizzy in the day. I am not quite sure what the "brain shivers" are that are mentioned so much....but assume it is the "head rush" I am feeling. One other thing I have noticed is racing of my heart and a hard time breathing. I also have been extremely achy but don't know if this is due to my physical condition or the withdrawl.
>
> I am so glad this works for some people. In regards to a prior post....if it IS working for you it ISN'T worth the withdrawl to go off. However, I am of the old book of "if it ain't working, don't take it" and anything that is that addictive to my body and that hard to break isn't what I would like to have in my body!
>
> Best of luck to you all.........hoping I'm almost there....
>
> Jewels
Posted by Troubled_Boy on March 15, 2003, at 4:14:23
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am on Effexor for around 4 weeks and my dosage now is 225mg. I notice improvement in the first three weeks. But, i do not feel any this week after the increase in dosage from 150mg to 225mg. Anyone can tell me what is wrong.There are also other questions that i will like to ask.
How long will Effexor totally treat me?
How do i know that the drug is actually working?
How does it feel like when i am totally free from depression?
Can Effexor used to trest chronic tension headache?
Posted by Jewels on March 15, 2003, at 11:07:43
In reply to Re: Increase in anxiety Effexor side effects » Jewels, posted by Krissy P on March 14, 2003, at 23:27:55
Mine is more like a head rush where my ears seem to be full and pounding and I get dizzy and almost disoriented. I feel something like a chill....but those aren't too bad.....
Thanks!
J
Posted by Krissy P on March 15, 2003, at 11:40:15
In reply to Questions.....Pls help, posted by Troubled_Boy on March 15, 2003, at 4:14:23
Hi, I only take 75mg Effexor-XR.
I got tension headaches a lot-the Effexor helps them. I know that Topomax has been approved for migraines, probably because it is an anti-seizure med. I also don't get them as bad on Lamictal. If I can help a little more-please let me know:-)
Hope this helped a little?
Kristen
==================================================================================================> I am on Effexor for around 4 weeks and my dosage now is 225mg. I notice improvement in the first three weeks. But, i do not feel any this week after the increase in dosage from 150mg to 225mg. Anyone can tell me what is wrong.There are also other questions that i will like to ask.
>
> How long will Effexor totally treat me?
> How do i know that the drug is actually working?
> How does it feel like when i am totally free from depression?
> Can Effexor used to trest chronic tension headache?
Posted by John2222 on March 15, 2003, at 22:37:07
In reply to Questions.....Pls help, posted by Troubled_Boy on March 15, 2003, at 4:14:23
I can unequivicably say that YES Effexor XR is VERY helpful to treat chronic tension headache.
I have been having tension (work related I think plus self imposed tension) headaches for years..10 or 20.
I have been taking Effexor 75 mg (was at 112.5 mg) XR for about a year and my headaches have reduced dramatically!
The constant anxiety is also much diminished.
Good luck!
> I am on Effexor for around 4 weeks and my dosage now is 225mg.
> Can Effexor used to treat chronic tension headache?
Posted by Krissy P on March 15, 2003, at 23:06:16
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help... tension headache, posted by John2222 on March 15, 2003, at 22:37:07
Posted by megamufn on March 15, 2003, at 23:18:00
In reply to Questions.....Pls help, posted by Troubled_Boy on March 15, 2003, at 4:14:23
> How long will Effexor totally treat me?
I have been on Effexor for over a year and it hasn't stopped working, but I need to go on a higher dose temporarily when I'm going through a really stressful time. Maybe you just need to give it time to kick in. Don't give up!> How do i know that the drug is actually working?
You wake up one day and start your day, and then you realize, Hey! I haven't been feeling so crappy lately. I actually feel okay!> How does it feel like when i am totally free from depression?
I don't know if you'll be TOTALLY free (everyone gets depressed sometimes) but the symptoms will be fewer and less often. I don't know your symptoms (everyone's different) but I hardly ever think of suicide anymore, and my mind doesn't race as much or seem to get stuck on certain thoughts anymore. I certainly sleep better! Before I went on meds I was worried that it would change my personality. If you find the right medication (you may have to try a few) you will just feel more "normal," more like yourself. I'm cetainly not cured, but there is hope!
Posted by Krissy P on March 15, 2003, at 23:22:27
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help » Troubled_Boy, posted by megamufn on March 15, 2003, at 23:18:00
megamufn, hi. Can I ask what your Dx is? Are you on Effexor-XR? What other meds do you take?
Sorry for so many questions, hope to hear back:-)
Thanks, Kristen
**************************************************************************************************
I don't know if you'll be TOTALLY free (everyone gets depressed sometimes) but the symptoms will be fewer and less often. I don't know your symptoms (everyone's different) but I hardly ever think of suicide anymore, and my mind doesn't race as much or seem to get stuck on certain thoughts anymore. I certainly sleep better! Before I went on meds I was worried that it would change my personality. If you find the right medication (you may have to try a few) you will just feel more "normal," more like yourself. I'm cetainly not cured, but there is hope!
Posted by megamufn on March 15, 2003, at 23:57:20
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help » megamufn, posted by Krissy P on March 15, 2003, at 23:22:27
Hi Kristen!
I'm on Effexor XR 150mg, and go up to 225mg (I think the maximum dose) when things get really stressful. I don't like to stay on the high dose if I don't need to because it makes me sleep even more. I'm not on anything else (except vitamins :) ). I have dysthymia (chronic minor depression) and anxiety (not panic or manic). I feel better, especially the depression, but I'm not all better.
Posted by Krissy P on March 16, 2003, at 0:09:22
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help » Krissy P, posted by megamufn on March 15, 2003, at 23:57:20
Hi, thanks for the reply. Have any of these meds caused a weight gain for you?
Posted by Krissy P on March 16, 2003, at 0:10:54
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help » Krissy P, posted by megamufn on March 15, 2003, at 23:57:20
Also, what vitamins do you take? Do they help? and for what?
sorry-just trying to get some feedback-thanks for your cooperation:-)
Kristen
================================================================================================== Hi Kristen!
>
> I'm on Effexor XR 150mg, and go up to 225mg (I think the maximum dose) when things get really stressful. I don't like to stay on the high dose if I don't need to because it makes me sleep even more. I'm not on anything else (except vitamins :) ). I have dysthymia (chronic minor depression) and anxiety (not panic or manic). I feel better, especially the depression, but I'm not all better.
>
>
Posted by lovemybabies on March 16, 2003, at 6:53:31
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help... tension headache, posted by John2222 on March 15, 2003, at 22:37:07
Yes, absolutely! I had the most awful tension neck/headache 24/7 and after about six weeks, it is completely gone. Massages help, too but I attribute it mainly to the Effexor; my anxiety/stress-level is greatly reduced and I think that's why.
Also--I'm happy to report the little twitches are almost gone. I kind of miss 'em. :) No weight-gain..if anything, I'm having trouble gaining BACK the 5 or 6 pounds I lost in the first two weeks. I'm not bouncing around in happy la-la land, or anything but my mood is definitely better. I feel like a big veil of anxiety has been lifted and I can see things with a more normal perspective.
Posted by Jewels on March 16, 2003, at 8:53:30
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help... tension headache, posted by lovemybabies on March 16, 2003, at 6:53:31
In response to weight gain.....(even though not directed to me...) I have only been on 75mgs for 8 weeks and I have gained 20 pounds since going on Effexor....has anyone else experienced this? I have always heard they lose weight.....auckckck! Why me?!?! as if this wasn't enough? LOL Let me know if it's just temporary or what!
Jewels
Posted by megamufn on March 16, 2003, at 11:16:52
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help » megamufn, posted by Krissy P on March 16, 2003, at 0:10:54
I've gained weight, but I don't know if it's from the meds. I've gained a little weight every year since I was in high school, and I wasn't on anything then. I just take a multivitamin because I don't eat my vegetables.
I think 75mg is the starting dose. I don't know if it's high enough to have an effect.
Posted by megamufn on March 16, 2003, at 11:20:03
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects » megamufn, posted by PuraVida on March 14, 2003, at 12:15:21
Thanks PuraVida!
I don't know much about mood stabilizers. I'm not bipolar. Could you tell me a little about them?
Posted by Krissy P on March 16, 2003, at 12:02:04
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help... tension headache, posted by Jewels on March 16, 2003, at 8:53:30
Hi Jewels (BTW-love that user name) Anyway, I started Effexor 2 weeks ago after stopping it in December. I never noticed much of a weight gain with that, but the Seroquel, I took last night, and about a half hour later, I was gorging-in a totally zombie state-it has always done that to me. I do it, then feel sick in the morning. I ate a whole box of Girl Scout Cookies yesterday-god they are good. But, man, I'm payin for it this morning LOL.
take care, kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> In response to weight gain.....(even though not directed to me...) I have only been on 75mgs for 8 weeks and I have gained 20 pounds since going on Effexor....has anyone else experienced this? I have always heard they lose weight.....auckckck! Why me?!?! as if this wasn't enough? LOL Let me know if it's just temporary or what!
>
> Jewels
Posted by Krissy P on March 16, 2003, at 12:24:40
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help » Krissy P, posted by megamufn on March 16, 2003, at 11:16:52
Thnaks, May I ask what brand of multivitamin you take?? I go on and off the vitamins, I just want to be consistent with everything-I'm working on it.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've gained weight, but I don't know if it's from the meds. I've gained a little weight every year since I was in high school, and I wasn't on anything then. I just take a multivitamin because I don't eat my vegetables.
I think 75mg is the starting dose. I don't know if it's high enough to have an effect.
Posted by PuraVida on March 16, 2003, at 15:21:12
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects » PuraVida, posted by megamufn on March 16, 2003, at 11:20:03
I took Nuerontin, and now Topamax to smooth the cycles of anxiety I was having. They are supposed to help with anxiety, as well as classic bipolar -
PV
> Thanks PuraVida!
>
> I don't know much about mood stabilizers. I'm not bipolar. Could you tell me a little about them?
Posted by Ev on March 16, 2003, at 21:58:56
In reply to effexor and drinking, posted by Jane on April 15, 2000, at 4:01:54
> I started taking effexor about 4 weeks ago (and still have the side effects of nausea, sleepiness, headaches and loss of appetite). I've tried aropax and zoloft (both which made me really sick) and doxepin for about a year (which didn't make me sick but didn't actually help_
> Just wondering if anyone knows about the effects of drinking and taking certain drugs when on effexor. Is it too risky?
> I drank the other weekend and just felt a bit worse than usual.
> Thanks if anyone can helpTo start off, I am a young guy in college, and I have a hard time with refraining from alcohol while taking antidepressants. I drink about once a week, and admittedly, it is usually 10 or more drinks.
I once took paxil, 20 mg for about a year. It worked great with my depression and anxiety. No side effects other than sleepiness and sexual dysfunction. When I drank alcohol with paxil, I think it did seem to increase my inebriation (manic?). But as far as the benefits of the drug, I noticed no changes after drinking. So Paxil worked great for me. However, I stopped taking it for about a year and then decided I needed to go back on it. This time Paxil did not work anymore, even at a higher dosage.
Then I switched to wellbutrin. It did not work.
So, I asked my doctor for something that will help with anxiety like Paxil once had, and she recommended Effexor. I started taking effexor xr a month and a half ago. First week being 37.5 mg, then increased to 75 mg. I noticed no negative side effects at all. And the benefits I noticed within the week. I was feeling great! So far it seemed to be a miracle drug for me. However, I had my first night at the bars, and the next day I was not feeling too great, which continued for several days after. I then slowly began to feel better again. For me, the alcohol seems to counteract the Effexor, and it takes a couple days to recooperate... every time I drink, a few days will go by, and then I will start to feel better again. However, it has only been a month and a half, and so it is too early to really say if this is the case, or something else is going on. I will let you know after more time has passed.
Posted by Krissy P on March 16, 2003, at 22:12:11
In reply to Re: effexor and drinking, posted by Ev on March 16, 2003, at 21:58:56
Posted by SpreadDaALoha on March 16, 2003, at 22:18:56
In reply to Re: effexor and drinking, posted by Ev on March 16, 2003, at 21:58:56
I can't be sure of anything. But I have never thought of drinking and driving. But after taking Zoloft for a bit, I started drinking more. I got a DUI. I would never blame this entirely on Zoloft, but it unquestionably encouraged my alcohol abuse (I think more education from my PDoc about the possible effects of AD's and drinking would have prevented my poor choices). It just wasn't like me at all! Too bad Zoloft pooped out because I sure felt like a different, happier person for a while.
Posted by Krissy P on March 16, 2003, at 22:30:24
In reply to Re: effexor and drinking, posted by SpreadDaALoha on March 16, 2003, at 22:18:56
When I drank a lot on my AD, AP's, and benzo, I didn't notice anything unusual, except the time I smoked laced pot and ended up in the ER room. I was on Seroquel then but.
I can't be sure of anything either with these meds sometimes.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> I can't be sure of anything. But I have never thought of drinking and driving. But after taking Zoloft for a bit, I started drinking more. I got a DUI. I would never blame this entirely on Zoloft, but it unquestionably encouraged my alcohol abuse (I think more education from my PDoc about the possible effects of AD's and drinking would have prevented my poor choices). It just wasn't like me at all! Too bad Zoloft pooped out because I sure felt like a different, happier person for a while.
Posted by jtc on March 17, 2003, at 0:18:14
In reply to Re: Questions.....Pls help... tension headache, posted by Jewels on March 16, 2003, at 8:53:30
> In response to weight gain.....(even though not directed to me...) I have only been on 75mgs for 8 weeks and I have gained 20 pounds since going on Effexor....has anyone else experienced this? I have always heard they lose weight.....auckckck! Why me?!?! as if this wasn't enough? LOL Let me know if it's just temporary or what!
>
> JewelsHi Jewels,
I was on Effexor XR 75 mg and now am tapering off at 37.5 every other day in an effort to go off of it. I have gained about 10 or more pounds since going of Effexor about 10 months ago. I just want to eat all the time even when I am not hungry. I am a junk food junkie and a chocoholic. I am going to try to see how I do off of Effexor. I am also taking Klonopin, .5 mg a day. I have anxiety disorder and panic attacks as well as mild depression. I have been on and off of Luvox for about 5 years and my doc decided to try the Effexor on me. It helped me a great deal but I don't want to have to increase to 150 and 75 mg is no longer helping me so I am trying to stop because I think the weight gain is partly the effect of Effexor. Also I am worried about the side effects of this medication. When I tried to stop the 37.5 mg I had dizziness, lightheadedness, and feeling of not being inside my own body as well as headaches so I do not know how I am going to get off of the Effexor. My psychiatrist says to gradually taper down to 37.5 every other day for about a week and then just stop altogether. Sorry for the ramblin on. Good luck to you and keep us posted.
JC
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