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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by meri on September 14, 2006, at 9:46:22
I have been taking this med for 6 months at 150. It has definitely helped with depression. But it has caused definite sexual dysfunction, and more recently it has caused irritability. I find myself saying things more angrily than I am happy with. (I also had this with Wellbutrin, as did my daughter) My other concern is how hard it is to discontinue it, even under a Doctor's care.
Anybody else had these concerns?
Posted by Gee on September 14, 2006, at 11:39:25
In reply to Questioning Effexor, posted by meri on September 14, 2006, at 9:46:22
I am right now wanting to quite effexor. I tried last year to get off of 225, but I only got down to 150. Then I was put on Welbutrin and I had a horrible time with it. Take it really slowly, and expect bad days. After about 2 weeks or so the bad side effects should go away almost completly.
Posted by Over 55 on September 14, 2006, at 16:27:39
In reply to Re: Questioning Effexor, posted by Gee on September 14, 2006, at 11:39:25
HI Meri,
I went off 225mg of Effexor XR over a 5 week period and took Prozac (20mg) after the first week along with it. I had some mild discomfort, but think the Prozac helped a lot. I also took Omega 3 capsules at the same time. I did not experience the nausea and flu-like symptoms I had when I missed a couple of days of meds. The brain zaps were there about the first 3 weeks, but not unbearable and I slept well through the whole thing. Just do it as gradual as YOU need to so the symptoms will be minimal. There is no sense being miserable!! I think ( : I am OK now without meds (almost 3 months now), but will not say I won't take them again if I go down again. I have a 40 year history of episodes of depression. I have been on various meds for last 15 and Effexor for the last 5 of those. So.....there is hope. Just take care of yourself and listen to YOUR body.
We are all so (nicely) different you know!!! Be well.
Posted by Attitude on September 16, 2006, at 2:53:29
In reply to Questioning Effexor, posted by meri on September 14, 2006, at 9:46:22
I had problems with Effexor...but I love it now. The sexual side effects were there but, as I kept taking it I adapted. It takes me longer to orgasm and it dehydrates me but being on the 225mg administers the seretonin and norepinephrine that other single drugs don't. I love sex and usually climax. It definitely takes time getting used to but, if you take the full dose, that irritability may wane. Maybe hang in there a bit longer and try not and get discouraged with having sex for a bit longer than before.
Posted by Galennt on September 17, 2006, at 19:42:07
In reply to Questioning Effexor, posted by meri on September 14, 2006, at 9:46:22
The irritability may well go away at a higher dose--225, perhaps. That'show it worked for me.
gt
This is the end of the thread.
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