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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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.
Posted by camel on December 10, 2003, at 7:28:29
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » camel, posted by Mercedes on December 10, 2003, at 2:14:14
Mercedes.....thanks. I have really tried to adjust my eating habits....really never used salt anyway but I had terrible habits.....only ate one meal a day. Trying for two little ones instead. NOW I need to work on getting some darn exercise!!! I have an appointment tomorrow so we'll see what happens.
Posted by NightOwl_Trisha on December 12, 2003, at 19:53:32
In reply to Re:Thanks Dr. Bob blocked for week » Dr. Bob, posted by Mercedes on December 9, 2003, at 9:52:55
> > 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.
>
> BobWow, I am glad that person was blocked for a bit.
I am new here and that sure scared me!I have been on Xanax for 18 years. Yes, you read right. My life was nothing -- I was totally agoraphobic. My panic attacks were horrid. I was unable to care for my newborn son alone. I was put on Xanax and scared to death. It saved my life and let me tell you, my kids are so much better off than if I had not gotten treatment.
I went through a pregnancy on Xanax and had another son who is now 13. I have obviously been raised from my initial does over the years but now, with the long acting Xanax, I find myself able to taper nicely. I am on 3 mg a day. Sounds like a lot but for someone who has taken it this long, it isn't. I plan to taper slowly and I just started Lexapro (after a terrible battle with Effexor, YUK!) and hope to get to 1 or 2 mg a day but have no illusions that I will be able to get off Xanax completely. I may, I may not. I am in no hurry at all at this point.
And you know what? My health is FINE. My liver, kidneys and everything else are 100%. I have no long term damage physically from being on Xanax. Yes, it's very hard to get off of. Yes, I may have thought twice before taking it if I had known the withdrawal was so tough. BUT, I swear, if I can get off Effexor and live to tell the tale, I can get off Xanax. Slowly and with no rush.
Xanax may be "evil" in the eyes of some, but for a person who was stuck in the house, panicking daily, completely terrified of the world, I managed to fly across the country many times, go on cruises, travel all over, work in a very high profile career, deal with my mother's four year devastating hospitalization and other things that I never could have done before Xanax.
It's hell to get off, but it can be a life saver so please don't read the terrible things and think Xanax is an awful medication. For some, like me, it is a miracle.
Trisha
Posted by Clayton on December 13, 2003, at 1:30:18
In reply to Clayton... Xanax Xr, etc » Clayton, posted by jparsell82 on December 4, 2003, at 18:12:57
We're talking about garden variety Xanax. I never tried the CR formulation.
I concur with to so much of the rest of what you said! Certainly, we agree about Klonopin! And we agree that Xanax does not seem to possess the benzo impairing properties, or, at least, that the good outweighs the bad, so long as you stay within the prescribed dose (especially, for me, with SAD).
What is Tribulus terrestris, please? I can have not heard of it.
I wouldn't worry about tapering of off Xanax from the viewpoint of withdrawal symptoms. I did it with no taper and soon symptoms at all. But we'll different so follow doctors your withdrawal guidelines and there should be no problems.
But PLEASE keep me posted on whether your SAD symptoms remain in check "post Xanax."
Prozac only controlled my SAD by about 20%, leaving me dependent on Xaxax. Paxil effected a 35% reduction of SAD symptoms...so,again, some Xanax was still required.
Then I name the good fortune to see a very a talented (or lucky) pdoc. Within 5 minutes of our first meeting, he had pulled Remaron out of his black bag as an adjunct to Paxil. It was liking finding keys the Kingdom! Within 3 days, done my mood depression was lifting. By two week, it was over 90 controlled. And my SAD has gone into total remission!!! Not one single attach - not even close, for 7 months now.
I happily quick of Xanax, cold turkey, never to need (or crave) another dose. I flushed the mind-numbming Klopin (that gave as as substitute for Xanax) within a about two weeks. I was benzo free the first line in 15 years. My mind call gerw sharper and my memory improproved.
So please do let be know know how you fair on the Prozac! And best of luck!
Posted by Mercedes on December 13, 2003, at 12:43:55
In reply to Re:Thanks Dr. Bob blocked for week, posted by NightOwl_Trisha on December 12, 2003, at 19:53:32
Trisha, I couln't agree with you more on the positive's about xanex. Your experience sounds simalar to mine. I've been on it for over 7 year's, and have heard all the lectures of it being addictive. I was given it for PTSD, then the anxiety, the agoraphobia, the jumping at every little sound, or someone creeping up on me, I was a total disaster, and it saved my life too, as I was ready to "escape" life altogether, if you know what I mean. I was able to 'function' on xanex, unlike some AD's.
I can identify with Effexor withdrawal also. I identified it as swallowing a whole porqpine and with every movement of my body, face, eye's, the spikes would exit..horrible in MY case. And paralyzing nightmare's, YUK is right. It took me 5 weeks to get off it, and that was with the help of xanex. There were good thing about effexor, like I wasn't taking as much xanex. (Also on 3 mgs) Had to quit E, though due to high BP, blurry vision, etc. I worry more about permanent damage from Effexor xr, like memory prob, clouded thinking, loss of words, intellect...etc.
Now i'm on Lexapro also, I think I'm on my 3rd week. No side effects that I can tell yet.
I wish I could say my health was fine. While withdrawing from E, was given paxil, was also starting Topamax for siezure's (which I've never been diagnosed with seizure's) and was given the OK prior to this by MD, to take the herbal Green Tea, which is a no-no with HBP. I found out the hard way, cause the combination of all those landed me with chest pains and having to take Nitro. I'm off paxil and Topomax, and Green Tea, just X, and L and HBP med, and..........
Glad to hear about your experience though. Oh, I was just prescribed the xanex XR, haven't picked it up yet, so is it better than the reg. one? Do you feel any different. I'm a little med-phobic after the chest pain ordeal.
Mercedes
Posted by Rvanson on December 13, 2003, at 18:02:40
In reply to Re:Thanks Dr. Bob blocked for week, posted by NightOwl_Trisha on December 12, 2003, at 19:53:32
I agree.
Xanax is no harder to quit then other drugs or alcohol. In fact, as a former cigarette smoker, many years ago, coming of nictotine was WAY lots harder then Xanax !
Its a shame so many doctors are scared to death of benzodiazpines, which are so benifical for sleep and anxiety, but will dish out heavy duty AD medication like Prozac, Remeron, Serzone and others with negative reactions in many people, like it's candy.
>
> I have been on Xanax for 18 years. Yes, you read right. My life was nothing -- I was totally agoraphobic. My panic attacks were horrid. I was unable to care for my newborn son alone. I was put on Xanax and scared to death. It saved my life and let me tell you, my kids are so much better off than if I had not gotten treatment.
>
> I went through a pregnancy on Xanax and had another son who is now 13. I have obviously been raised from my initial does over the years but now, with the long acting Xanax, I find myself able to taper nicely. I am on 3 mg a day. Sounds like a lot but for someone who has taken it this long, it isn't. I plan to taper slowly and I just started Lexapro (after a terrible battle with Effexor, YUK!) and hope to get to 1 or 2 mg a day but have no illusions that I will be able to get off Xanax completely. I may, I may not. I am in no hurry at all at this point.
>
> And you know what? My health is FINE. My liver, kidneys and everything else are 100%. I have no long term damage physically from being on Xanax. Yes, it's very hard to get off of. Yes, I may have thought twice before taking it if I had known the withdrawal was so tough. BUT, I swear, if I can get off Effexor and live to tell the tale, I can get off Xanax. Slowly and with no rush.
>
> Xanax may be "evil" in the eyes of some, but for a person who was stuck in the house, panicking daily, completely terrified of the world, I managed to fly across the country many times, go on cruises, travel all over, work in a very high profile career, deal with my mother's four year devastating hospitalization and other things that I never could have done before Xanax.
>
> It's hell to get off, but it can be a life saver so please don't read the terrible things and think Xanax is an awful medication. For some, like me, it is a miracle.
>
> Trisha
>
Posted by glenn on December 14, 2003, at 11:09:36
In reply to Re:Thanks Dr. Bob blocked for week, posted by NightOwl_Trisha on December 12, 2003, at 19:53:32
I think I have come to this discussion late but I want to add my thanks to xanax, after 20 other psych meds most of which were either neutral (tcas in the main)
or awful xanax was a lifesaver for me!
I am lucky in that one dose lasts nearly 24 hours so I must metabolise it slowly and I have used it prn for 3 years.
I now find 0.25 works instead of the 0.5 mg I used to take which now sedates me ( it never used to!)
It is the only thing that has ever worked for the terrible feeling of fear and terror I used to feel.
This includes hours of meditation ( daily!!)masses of exercise and all the herbals you can think of.
So thanks again xanax!!Glenn
Posted by zeugma on December 14, 2003, at 12:45:59
In reply to Re:Thanks Dr. Bob blocked for week, posted by glenn on December 14, 2003, at 11:09:36
Klonopin is working for anxiety. Buspar, nortriptyline, Strattera, SSRI's, CBT either had little to no effect on anxiety or worsened it dramatically (SSRI's and CBT). My pdoc is very grudging about prescribing Klonopin, he refers to it in terms that do not conceal his dislike of this med, but it is literally the only thing that has worked for this problem.
Posted by Gummybear on December 14, 2003, at 22:53:56
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by SEVE on May 24, 2000, at 6:46:08
Hi, I've just started taking (one week) Effexor XR and it's really helped with the anxiety. However I feel TOTALLY tired, yawn and lifeless during the day, also I get spells of dizziness, disorentation and I feel like fainting or having to sit down/lie down. It's only been a week on 37.5 dose, this week I'm upping the does...so I'm trying to hang in there.....
....please, do these side affects go away? Has anyone experienced these and have they gone away? How long does it take????????? It's really affecting my work / life.
Posted by PennyLane on December 16, 2003, at 0:46:39
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hey everyone!
I started effexor xr about a month and a half ago. It's been really good for me so far, very effective. I've improved a lot, especially my anxiety although i still suffer from waves of depression - no where as severe as it was before.
My story is a little different from everyone else's experiences, I think. Up until three months ago, I've always been pretty happy. I had my down moments like mostly everyone does but I was satisfied with my life in general. I'm a university student and I experimented with recreational drugs... nothing major, just pot and occassionally mushrooms. So three months ago, I went to my friend's cottage and we all did some shrooms. I had an extremely bad trip and suffered from a severe anxiety attack. i had never had one before so I thought i was going crazy. The world completely changed for me, it was the scariest thing I had ever experienced. it felt like my brain was getting squeezed and just crazy was coming out. And I was scared of everything! I was paralyzed with fear even though there was no logical reason to be afraid. After that night, I vowed never to do anything like that ever again.
But unfortunately it wasn't over. For weeks after, I started getting anxiety attacks. I would walk down the street and this terrible sensation that the world was just different now would wash over me. I started getting chest pains all the time and it became increasingly difficult to be around my roomates. I had trouble going to class because large crowds made me nervous. I stopped eating because everything made me feel nauseous. i couldn't enjoy any of the things I used to like. I was scared to do anything, basically and I just didn't feel like myself. I was trying to keep it together but after a while I just broke down. I had to leave school and go home. I told my parents everything. They're amazing people and they completely supported me through everything. I told my dad all of my symptoms... he suffered from a bout of depression about ten years ago and he said what i was describing was very similar to how he felt. it was so great to have someone understand what I was going through but I was still crying constantly and feeling the lowest of low possible.
I tried st. John's wort for a while but my depression was growing worse... I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, cried constantly. I knew I might need something stronger and I wanted results right away. one night i was lying in bed thinking of ways to commit suicide. it was terrifying but I just wanted to end this pain I was feeling. My whole world had flipped upside down in just one month. I still felt like I was going slowly insane and I was so scared of what the world was turning into. Mornings were the worst. I would wake up crying and wanting to die. I didn't understand what was happening to me. I knew I needed to give antidepressants a try.
I started the effexor xr and noticed the results in about a week, and each week I started feeling better. It took time. The first week I had trouble going to a restaurant with my parents because the crowds of people made me anxious. But three weeks into it, I was able to go back to school and resume my life but it was still extremely hard.
I'm doing a lot better now, but I still find some things hard... I thought i would get increasingly better but I've been on the same level for a few weeks now. I'm wondering if maybe I should up my dosage? I'm on the 75 mg dosage now. I've never taken any drugs like this before so I'm not certain how it all works. I just want to feel like me again, and I'm having difficulty enjoying all the same activities I used to. And I used to have big dreams and now I feel like they're not important anymore and that makes me feel bad. I've tried to talk to a counselor but I didn't find that very effective. Just looking for advice from people with experience! I'd appreciate any advice, thanks so much!
Posted by camel on December 16, 2003, at 7:16:15
In reply to been on it for a month - good but is there more?, posted by PennyLane on December 16, 2003, at 0:46:39
Hey there......first talk to your Doc. You may need to up to 150mg. I had success on the 75mg for about one month and then started feeling some of the old feelings and KNEW I had to up it. My Doc had told me to immediately start up on the 150 if I felt I needed it. No problems since. Hnag in there......
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 16, 2003, at 8:57:26
In reply to been on it for a month - good but is there more?, posted by PennyLane on December 16, 2003, at 0:46:39
Someone said "There is no reality, only perception." The world can be a scary place.
If a lower dosage is doing just fine for you, I wouldn't try to bump the Effexor up yet. I'm on Effexor XR 150mg plus 100mg of Imipramine. I was on Effexor XR 300mg daily but it raised my blood pressure too high. Anxiety is my number one problem, depression second.
GOod Luck!
KDi in TX
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