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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 0:51:53
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 16:32:33
. . ."you mistake my intent, perhaps . . ."
". . . only those millions who have 'experienced' the event are qualified to report back on it. no generalization at all."Perhaps, I have mistaken your intent. I assume your intent is honorable and that you would like others to avoid the physical/psychological symptoms of longterm benzo withdrawal. If this is not your intent, please advise. It is very possible that your message has been heard loud and clear. Do you feel that you have not been heard or understood? I hear that you don't like the way benzos are prescribed for longterm use and are against this practice. I hear that you have gone through withdrawal. Is there something I am missing?
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 2:10:09
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax » maxx44, posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 0:51:53
correct---if i may save one person from inappropriate long-term benzo use, i will try. if i suceed they'll never even know. so i expect no accolades. if i fail, they will hopefully join me and benzos.org.uk, and many others against a plague of drugs that make opiates, ADs, alcohol, cigs---makes them look near silly. you talk long term moderate or high-dose benzodiazapine use? Nothing may recover the real you, save a long, often terrifying and dangerous taper-down. have you met a drug requiring 6-12 month's taper, and then perhaps a year later being hit again with full withdrawal? a withdrawal where you may not just go bonkers, thinking about shooting -up the place--you may do it---lawyers have sites on this. when it hit me, after a near year's taper and 'free' for 4 months---i Had to get to the er. a shot of ativan, 30 minutes later? normal. and millions have the same sad story---i want to protect you, anyone from that. as the net documentation is there, find for yourself, if print may save you---i will use it. what would you do? benzos have become a major global issue. why? deservedly. it's the same problem as the one-eyed man in the land of the blind. can my discripton of a rainbow ever work? i pray it may.
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 2:57:22
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by camel on December 7, 2003, at 20:07:45
you know, if you actually read my post, which was dead-on-accutate, and the bizarre, disjointed responce that got the poster blocked---what say you then? and i am infintely curious about how you would assign 'blame' to me? are you saying my response 'triggered' a victim to 'blockable' post? that would concern me. not my intent. there are many boards less 'clinical' than here. regards
Posted by Viridis on December 8, 2003, at 5:19:23
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 2:10:09
Maxx,
Are you OK? No insult intended, I just sense a certain manic trend here, and maybe you need a bit of help right now. People on this board are very supportive, and I'm guessing you have doctor you could call too. People post here for good reasons, and sometimes they're looking for help but don't quite realize it at the time.
If I'm off-base I hope you don't take offense -- it's just an intuitive thing.
Viridis
Posted by camel on December 8, 2003, at 7:31:37
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 22:04:17
Maxx......I am not trying to "fight" with you...only putting in my "2 cents" worth....and in my opinion your posts....while informative....do have a tendency to be a bit on the "negative" side.....which for people suffering from depression.....is a bit of a downer!
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 13:53:49
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by camel on December 8, 2003, at 7:31:37
being depressed myself, i have my share of negativity. try to keep it out of posts. but i do concentrate on what i see as potential problems from experience of myself and others with meds. when someone's happy, i'm glad for them. regards
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 13:58:34
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax » maxx44, posted by Viridis on December 8, 2003, at 5:19:23
lot of stress. ive advised dr. bob to block me at signs of mania...thanks for your concern. regards
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 19:25:15
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax » maxx44, posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 0:51:53
yes, if i may have one person reconsider long-term benzos, prior to addiction, i'm happy---i've gone CT, and 6 month's taper. now on a year's taper---even though inoperable internal damage precipitated chronic panic disorder. but i have 9 children, the 'emotional blunting' benzos produce steals the normal response, even to your children. the withdrawal is well-known. i feel a bit of surfing, on your part, will more than prove honorable intent. regards
Posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 21:56:28
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 19:25:15
There is a concept called live and let live. One's first responsibility is to oneself and then to one's children. I have never been more emotionally blunted and have never had a more abnormal response to my children then when I was suffering from my anxiety/depression/mood disorder. But enough said. I shall live and let live. Good Luck to you in your travels.
> yes, if i may have one person reconsider long-term benzos, prior to addiction, i'm happy---i've gone CT, and 6 month's taper. now on a year's taper---even though inoperable internal damage precipitated chronic panic disorder. but i have 9 children, the 'emotional blunting' benzos produce steals the normal response, even to your children. the withdrawal is well-known. i feel a bit of surfing, on your part, will more than prove honorable intent. regards
Posted by john b stevens on December 8, 2003, at 22:46:12
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 21:56:28
Science supports 2 glasses of wine, or 2 beers, or 2 shots daily, etc. for long term health. Yet, alcohol is also a scourge. Point: it all depends on context. I view the American and especially UK perspective on benzos as overly narrow, almost puritanical. Benzos can be VERY good for some people.
[internal organ damage? Viridis may have been right...]
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 23:04:03
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 21:56:28
odd idea, 'one's first obligation is to oneself, and then one's children.' i see the sense of it. but this would mean if your chid were in the path of an auto, you would not throw your child from harm and be crushed youself? i don't think that's what you mean. just not written concisely. if you mean 'take care of your problems 1st'. that makes sense. if your 'benzo-personality' seems to make you a better parent, i've seen that. but i've also seen it rarely last. seems a matter of dosage and time---the line between efficay vs. tradgedy is thin with benzo use---and you never see it coming. nothing i can say. you really have to have been to hong kong to know it. words are inadequate vs. experience. hope you're lucky.
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 23:10:16
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by john b stevens on December 8, 2003, at 22:46:12
so why is long-scripting vanishing? why?
Posted by maxx44 on December 9, 2003, at 0:03:39
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by john b stevens on December 8, 2003, at 22:46:02
if you read my posts, you will note the current legitimate uses of benzos are noted. as for alcohol--it's not a benzo---detox is short--sure, it's not good. i see no logic in justifying one bad drug with another, with rare exception. as for your 'addendum?' re. internal damage---unless you're an internist, well, go figure. are you an internist? do you know whereof you speak? regards
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 9, 2003, at 0:28:36
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 16:32:33
> Any long-term user will suffer horrific withdrawal if not tapered.
> any dr. scripting benzos daily, long-term? unless they are doing so for the aforementioned reasons, if caught, they will lose their liscense to practice.Please don't exaggerate or overgeneralize. I've asked you to be civil before, so now I'm going to block you from posting for a week.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by Mercedes on December 9, 2003, at 9:52:55
In reply to Re: blocked for week » maxx44, posted by Dr. Bob on December 9, 2003, at 0:28:36
Being a xanex user myself among other AD's, this stuff was upsetting.
****************************> > Any long-term user will suffer horrific withdrawal if not tapered.
> > any dr. scripting benzos daily, long-term? unless they are doing so for the aforementioned reasons, if caught, they will lose their liscense to practice.
>
> Please don't exaggerate or overgeneralize. I've asked you to be civil before, so now I'm going to block you from posting for a week.
>
> Bob
>
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by Kim B. on December 9, 2003, at 13:51:51
In reply to Re:Side effects of Effexor XR, posted by liz taylor on June 26, 2001, at 14:15:23
I just started taking Effexor XR and have already started experiencing symptoms such as sleeplessness at night extreme fatigue during the day and a feeling of jitters. How long does this generally last? I am on the 37.5mg dose.
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 9, 2003, at 14:46:18
In reply to I just started taking Effexor Xr, posted by Kim B. on December 9, 2003, at 13:51:51
Insomnia: try Benedryl or ask for a 100mg prescription of Trazadone (anti-depressant often used as a sleep aid, non-addictive).
> I just started taking Effexor XR and have already started experiencing symptoms such as sleeplessness at night extreme fatigue during the day and a feeling of jitters. How long does this generally last? I am on the 37.5mg dose.
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 9, 2003, at 15:01:06
In reply to I just started taking Effexor Xr, posted by Kim B. on December 9, 2003, at 13:51:51
Also,
Don't skip dosages. Take at the same time each day.
Be prepared for the day when you decide to stop taking it. Withdrawal is very common, it seems. You can manage the withdrawal through a tapering off schedule. It's very easy once you get the hang of it.
Many of the Side Effects go away after a few weeks. Whenever you up your dosage, you'll probably experience them again for awhile.
Beyond that, Effexor was a lifesaver for me back in April/May. I'm still on 150mg a day (down from 300mg because it raised my blood pressure). Seems like mostly people with problems with Effexor are driven to find sites like this one. The ones happy on Effexor are out there living in real life.
Good Luck!
KDi in TX> I just started taking Effexor XR and have already started experiencing symptoms such as sleeplessness at night extreme fatigue during the day and a feeling of jitters. How long does this generally last? I am on the 37.5mg dose.
Posted by Mercedes on December 9, 2003, at 15:43:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by biogurl on December 1, 2003, at 20:15:09
Hey Biogurl, how's it going with effexor? Are you still on 75 mgs? Is it working for you? Any side effects?
A note to Camel, I had to quit Effexor due to high blood pressure, but will write you separatly in case you miss this one.
Hope to hear from you Biogurl.
Mercedes*******************************
> Paxil made me gain a ton of weight too but they had to take me off of it because I was more suicidal than when I started taking it. That was about 8 years ago when I was 15. Turns out some recent studies show that paxil in children/adolescents tends to increase suicidal thoughts! Great! By the way, according to my Effexor XR pamphlet from the pharmacy, an increase in blood pressure is a common side effect. You may want to bring that to your Dr.'s attention, he/she must not have known about it.
>
Posted by LibraTilted on December 9, 2003, at 17:59:12
In reply to I just started taking Effexor Xr, posted by Kim B. on December 9, 2003, at 13:51:51
Hi Kim and everyone. I've been on Effexor XR for almost a week. I haven't had problems sleeping, but the dry mouth is a nuisance. Today, I noticed my left hand was jittery. I'm on the 37.5mg, but Friday, I'll start the 75mg dose. Can't wait to see what happens then. I've also joined a support group.
Posted by biogurl on December 9, 2003, at 21:32:46
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » biogurl, posted by Mercedes on December 9, 2003, at 15:43:48
Hey Biogurl, how's it going with effexor? Are you still on 75 mgs? Is it working for you? Any side effects?
Hope to hear from you Biogurl.
Mercedes
Hey Mercedes, Thanks for asking. It's going very well actually. I have an appointment in a week with the doc and I'm thinking my dose will be increased. By the way did you receive my e-mail.
The side effects I had were jitteryness and insomnia. They went away at the 2.5 week mark. How is the job search going?
Posted by biogurl on December 9, 2003, at 21:38:32
In reply to I just started taking Effexor Xr, posted by Kim B. on December 9, 2003, at 13:51:51
> I just started taking Effexor XR and have already started experiencing symptoms such as sleeplessness at night extreme fatigue during the day and a feeling of jitters. How long does this generally last? I am on the 37.5mg dose.
Hi, Those are exactly the same symptoms that I had at first. My symptoms went away at about 2.5 weeks. Now I feel a great deal of relief from my depression. So hold on just a little longer, it'll get better soon!
Posted by biogurl on December 9, 2003, at 21:59:00
In reply to Effexor - Dosage and Lowest Price, posted by relax on November 25, 2003, at 9:00:57
> I have depression and want to go on Effexor. What dosage should I start with? Should I go on the regular or extended release? Is there an on-line pharmacy that offers great prices?
> RelaxAbout the online pharmacy, the absolute cheapest that I found was at www.canukdrugs.com. I've really searched around because I don't have prescription coverage. Apparently it is legal to import a 3 month supply of non-narcotic prescription drugs into the U.S. from Canada. You have to have a script from a U.S. doc (I guess I'm assuming that you are in the U.S.) and fax or mail it to them. It takes about 2-4 weeks for them to process it and have it on your doorstep.
Posted by Mercedes on December 10, 2003, at 1:38:54
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Mercedes, posted by biogurl on December 9, 2003, at 21:32:46
Biogurl,
Yes I rec'd your email. (Just waiting for your request when needed.)I'm glad to hear that Effexor XR is working for you. The insomnia was difficult for me to overcome so it's good new's that you got over it so quickly. Effexor works differently for each individual. Job search is on "lay-away" for now. I've had two 'attacks' recently, don't know why. Hadn't had any for about 3 months. Hopefully the Lexapro will kick in. Oh, by the way, have been on Lex for about 2 weeks now and no side effects (crossing finger's & knocking on wood).
Nice to hear from you again.
Mercedes
Posted by Mercedes on December 10, 2003, at 2:14:14
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by camel on December 1, 2003, at 18:02:51
Camel, my blood pressure became very elevated. I could only assume it was due to Effexor as I didn't have the problem b-4. I was put on blood pressure medication and also quit Effexor XR. Was on 300 mgs for a year. I titrated down and Yikes!, went thru the withdrawals for about 5 weeks. You probably didn't want to hear that but it's true, in my case. I swore off AD's altogether but the crying for no reason started among other signs of depression.
Finally had to admit I needed help and Pdoc put me on Lexapro. 5mgs at first, now 10mgs. No side effects, I sleep good at night, unlike the insomnia I had with effexor.
Yesterday had my B.P. checked and it was 118/58. Doc says it's good. I also had to make changes to my eating habits. I had to cut out fatty foods, cheese, sweets.. all the good stuff. I still have a little bit of the 'good stuff' once in a while, but not like before.
Well, I've given more info than I was intending to but when you say the doc said high blood pressure and Effexor are not related... I agree with biogurl. Increased blood pressure is a side effect listed on the information I received with the Effexor prescription.
Best wishes for releif,
Mercedes
********************************
> The only side efect I have had is the BP thing.....Doc says they are not connected....weight gain from paxil MAY have caused the BP prob! But the w/d from Paxil was just as bad...I feel if the drug is working I will continue to take it and IF I have to go on BP meds (IF I can't lose the weight)so be it...I refuse to go back to what I was before.
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