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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by corafree on December 2, 2004, at 11:11:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?ask, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:05:10
I'm on for both D & A. Works well for me. No side effects except some mental fuzziness(forlackofbetterword) cf
Posted by PoohBear on December 2, 2004, at 11:16:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?ask » ask, posted by corafree on December 2, 2004, at 11:11:30
> I'm on for both D & A. Works well for me. No side effects except some mental fuzziness(forlackofbetterword) cf
As regards mental fuzziness, perhaps I'm rare, but I've never been more 'myself'. I have far more mental clarity and confidence when speaking to groups than I used to. I have to give hour-long presentations daily on the new Boeing 7E7 off-the-cuff with no notes, and I'm fairly certain I could have not done that before getting my depression under control with Effexor.Tony
Posted by dancingstar on December 2, 2004, at 11:16:25
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » dancingstar, posted by corafree on December 2, 2004, at 11:03:50
Corafree,
I only want people to know that it is possible that it can happen to them, too. I am writing to you from the bathroom because I can't leave. I stopped taking Effexor at the end of September, and you would think this would be over by now. I know I will have to be checked for colitis, which if you look at www.wyeth.com, is one of the possible side effects of Effexor. I had no idea about any of my problems with the drug for the entire three years that I was taking it...none at all.
There are some cases where these drugs may be helpful to people, under certain conditions with the right doctors and medical care, but they should never be prescribed to the general public. I am positive of this, and like MKB said, the doctors are being deceived by the drug reps about the side effects of the drugs, and the information is not easily available to them. They are really as innocent as we are in a lot of cases cause they think we are not going to be harmed by taking things like Vioxx or Effexor or now Vixoin.
Best wishes to you...and if you can help it, I would not go up in doseage. The withdrawal will be worse. Yes. It will be worse. Truly. Unless you stay on something that balances out the withdrawal symptoms for the rest of your life. I know people around here get angry with me, but that is their problem. I am telling you the truth.
Posted by corafree on December 2, 2004, at 11:22:35
In reply to Re: Mental Clarity on Effexor » corafree, posted by PoohBear on December 2, 2004, at 11:16:01
I may be older than you PB; been on ADs and benzos many yrs.
In 2000, I was brutally beaten, head bashed into floor. I was too distressed to think correctly and didn't go to ER.
Should have a brain MRI .. keep asking PCP, but he never writes referral.
I guess MEMORY is the real clarity(correct word) prob' for me. tks cf
Posted by PoohBear on December 2, 2004, at 11:54:47
In reply to Re: Mental Clarity on Effexor » PoohBear, posted by corafree on December 2, 2004, at 11:22:35
"I may be older than you PB; been on ADs and benzos many yrs..."
Head bashed in? Did you file charges? YUK!
I'm 47...
Tony
Posted by dsbk on December 2, 2004, at 11:54:59
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?ask, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:05:10
ask
I'm taking Effexor for depression. Which it has helped, just didn't do much for my anxiety. I've been told that it is mainly for depression, but has been know to help with anxiety problems.
dsbk
Posted by ask on December 2, 2004, at 11:58:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by dancingstar on December 2, 2004, at 11:16:25
Dancingstar,
I'm not saying that you're not telling the truth about the side effects. Drugs can affect people in different ways. However, I don't think that you can compare the withdrawal symptoms from Effexor to the withdrawal from serious narcotics. There simply isn't the same type of physical dependency (although anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds can cause dependency). But, as I said, drugs affect patients uniquely, so you must be experiencing some side-effect. After 2 months, it can't be a "withdrawal" from the drug--since the drug is technically no longer in your system. Rather, you might be experiencing a side effect that had some kind of unique long-lasting effect on you.
Posted by dsbk on December 2, 2004, at 12:05:58
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by dancingstar on December 2, 2004, at 11:16:25
dancingstar
I just spoke with my Dr. office earlier. He wants meto continue my Lexapro, but I did take my last Effexor last night, so I guess I'll see soon about withdrawls. Hopefully this goes well. I have only taken Effexor for about 3 months, I hope I don't have any permemant damage! Thanks for your info.
dsbk
Posted by MKB on December 2, 2004, at 12:23:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by ask on December 2, 2004, at 11:58:08
There are posts on these (or other?) boards...sorry I can't pinpoint them now...from people who have gone through withdrawal from both street drugs and from Effexor. They (more than one person) have said that going off Effexor is worse than going off street drugs. I suppose only someone who has done both can really compare them.
Who knows what long-term effects Effexor has on the body? There are people on these boards who can testify to having fatal liver disease as a result of Effexor. If that can happen, there may be a lot of other damage done too. I don't want to provide false information or spread rumors, but I do think the testimony of individuals who have taken Effexor and been hurt by it should be heard. Wyeth did not test the drug as thoroughly as they could have or they would not have to keep adding new warnings. As of June of this year, a new warning was added by Wyeth and FDA regarding the potential harm to newborns. This is in my opinion, too late in coming.
I and others have posted this before, but I really think anyone who is thinking about taking this should be aware of the experiences of others. You need to READ what the SIGNERS (not only the author) of this petition have to say..www.petitiononline.com/effexor/
Posted by jclint on December 2, 2004, at 13:31:33
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » ask, posted by MKB on December 2, 2004, at 12:23:50
"There are posts on these (or other?) boards...sorry I can't pinpoint them now...from people who have gone through withdrawal from both street drugs and from Effexor. They (more than one person) have said that going off Effexor is worse than going off street drugs. I suppose only someone who has done both can really compare them."
'Street drugs'? I can't see how anyone can compare the withdrawal of something as vague as that with effexor. Even someone who has 'done both' is not a reliable source of info, there's just too many variables. How long was their habit? How much did they consume per day? etc etc. The nature of street drugs is that many use them with no consequences, while some become horribly addicted and have hellish withdrawals as a result. I refuse to believe that anyone has had an effexor withdrawal more brutal than a full, long-term heroin withdrawal, which is the type that everyone inevitably associates with the drug.
Posted by jclint on December 2, 2004, at 13:38:17
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by jclint on December 2, 2004, at 13:31:33
Sorry if the above sounded hostile, I just read it and I think I sent out some bad vibes...
Just trying to speak for the other side of the arguement. :)
Posted by kmp68 on December 2, 2004, at 14:00:54
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am trying to get off of Effexor, I was taking 150mg a day, plus Wellbutrin. My doctor started me on Prozac last week, this week, I went down to 75mg a day, Wellbutrin and Prozac. I haven't felt normal all week, very, very tired, anxiety attacks, irritable, ears ringing, and now I am also late for my period, is this also another normal withdrawl symptom that anyone else has experienced? If I cut down like the doctor told me to next week to 37.5mg are things only going to get worse?
Posted by dancingstar on December 2, 2004, at 14:11:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by ask on December 2, 2004, at 11:58:08
> Dancingstar,
>
> I'm not saying that you're not telling the truth about the side effects. Drugs can affect people in different ways. However, I don't think that you can compare the withdrawal symptoms from Effexor to the withdrawal from serious narcotics. There simply isn't the same type of physical dependency (although anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds can cause dependency). But, as I said, drugs affect patients uniquely, so you must be experiencing some side-effect. After 2 months, it can't be a "withdrawal" from the drug--since the drug is technically no longer in your system. Rather, you might be experiencing a side effect that had some kind of unique long-lasting effect on you.Ask,
I'm a highly educated woman. The drug itself may have left my system, but the effects of the drug have not left my system. Don't you find that at all disconcerting? I don't know what the withdrawal from street drugs is like, but it cannot be any worse than this. I went to the gym this morning, trying to get back to my regular routine after I wrote the earlier posts and again had to run home to use the bathroom. My stomach still hurts all the time, and the back of my neck is still sore. No, it's no where near as bad as it was for the first eight weeks, except for the stomach part, which I'm becoming afraid might be permanent.
For the people that speak to the "other side of the story," there isn't one. Maybe not everyone will be affected by these symptoms. I have said that many, many times. It seem like everyone is affected in some way. What kind of residual is left in your body once you have finished taking Effexor, and why hasn't Wyeth been more forthcoming about any of these symptoms with the medical community? That is the only point that I am trying to make. Take the drug if you like, just don't pull the wool over your own eyes. Again, all you have to do is go to the website and read for yourself. It isn't brain surgery, just some well-spent time reading.
Posted by PoohBear on December 2, 2004, at 14:42:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » ask, posted by MKB on December 2, 2004, at 12:23:50
"I and others have posted this before, but I really think anyone who is thinking about taking this should be aware of the experiences of others. You need to READ what the SIGNERS (not only the author) of this petition have to say..www.petitiononline.com/effexor MKB"
I just signed the petition as I feel that the drug companies should be held accountable, even though my experience so far (excepting intitial SE's...) has been good.
Tony
Posted by dancingstar on December 2, 2004, at 14:47:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » MKB, posted by PoohBear on December 2, 2004, at 14:42:53
Thank you, Tony, for understanding the point we have been trying to get across, though in my case too passionately, but only because I am in pain.
Posted by ask on December 2, 2004, at 17:11:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by dancingstar on December 2, 2004, at 14:11:38
Ask,
I'm a highly educated woman. The drug itself may have left my system, but the effects of the drug have not left my system. Don't you find that at all disconcerting? I don't know what the withdrawal from street drugs is like, but it cannot be any worse than this. I went to the gym this morning, trying to get back to my regular routine after I wrote the earlier posts and again had to run home to use the bathroom. My stomach still hurts all the time, and the back of my neck is still sore. No, it's no where near as bad as it was for the first eight weeks, except for the stomach part, which I'm becoming afraid might be permanent.
For the people that speak to the "other side of the story," there isn't one. Maybe not everyone will be affected by these symptoms. I have said that many, many times. It seem like everyone is affected in some way. What kind of residual is left in your body once you have finished taking Effexor, and why hasn't Wyeth been more forthcoming about any of these symptoms with the medical community? That is the only point that I am trying to make. Take the drug if you like, just don't pull the wool over your own eyes. Again, all you have to do is go to the website and read for yourself. It isn't brain surgery, just some well-spent time reading.
Dancingstar,
...And I'm a highly educated man... but that's beside the point here. If you're having these severe, lasting effects from the drug or from tapering off of it, then, YES, you should see a doctor and try to figure out what's going on and, YES, you have a right to be angry with the drug manufacturer. All, I'm saying is that you're body is not needing the drug--as in a withdrawal. But it sounds like you're having a lasting effect of some sort. My original point was that I could not imagine that the withdrawal or any lasting symptoms from Effexor could be as bad as that experienced by a serious narcotics addict. It's not belittling your problem--you're issue is VERY serious and I hope you're working with your doctor to figure out what's going on. It certainly isn't a joke or a small problem.
ask
Posted by tnahowru on December 2, 2004, at 20:23:31
In reply to metal mouth on Effexor, posted by skp on September 24, 2003, at 9:22:34
did you ever get any response to this? i have metal mouth for 2 weeks now but it started when the effexer xr was increased.
Posted by S.Bartel on December 2, 2004, at 22:04:08
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » mickybear, posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 14:10:46
How long have you been on it? I was on it for 2 or 3 years before I gained any weight and then it was all of a sudden and I could not lose no matter what I did. Sammi B.
Posted by S.Bartel on December 2, 2004, at 22:14:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 16:24:09
I had that problem with paxil and the Dr. took me off immediately. You probably can't take effexor. When I was on paxil and it affected me that way I was ready to kill myself. Felt like I was coming out of my skin and just could'nt stand it. Sammi B.
Posted by S.Bartel on December 2, 2004, at 22:20:46
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? ask » dsbk, posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 18:07:21
That's right and I never had anxiety until I took effexor. Especially when I quit. Now I have it everyday. Sammi B.
Posted by S.Bartel on December 2, 2004, at 22:30:31
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:58:26
It's exactly like that and these are not just extreme stories, they are the truth.
Sammi B
Posted by PoohBear on December 2, 2004, at 23:48:18
In reply to Re: metal mouth on Effexor » skp, posted by tnahowru on December 2, 2004, at 20:23:31
> did you ever get any response to this? i have metal mouth for 2 weeks now but it started when the effexer xr was increased.<
This is not something I myself experienced on Effexor, but I DID experience it from Topomax. Some drugs are known to cause this. Drinking LOTS of water helps. AVOID soft drinks, as some say they make the taste worse...
Tony
Posted by dancingstar on December 3, 2004, at 0:55:19
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by ask on December 2, 2004, at 17:11:44
...And I'm a highly educated man... but that's beside the point here. If you're having these severe, lasting effects from the drug or from tapering off of it, then, YES, you should see a doctor and try to figure out what's going on and, YES, you have a right to be angry with the drug manufacturer. All, I'm saying is that you're body is not needing the drug--as in a withdrawal. But it sounds like you're having a lasting effect of some sort. My original point was that I could not imagine that the withdrawal or any lasting symptoms from Effexor could be as bad as that experienced by a serious narcotics addict. It's not belittling your problem--you're issue is VERY serious and I hope you're working with your doctor to figure out what's going on. It certainly isn't a joke or a small problem.
ask
Well, I am seeing a doctor, though not every day. I just got my blood results back today, from last week, and they were "normal." Great. Not surprising, really, as that is what happens with most of us.
The way it is the same as with "drug addicts" is if I were to once again take Effexor, almost immediately, all of my symptoms would go away. It is like a physical addiction but not an emotional or mental one.
If doctors knew more about this they would prescribe it less and also know more about what to do to prevent the problem as it seems that even tapering isn't all that effective in every case as is seen by the posts here. And the Prozac (sp?) cure sounds like it is only marginally helpful, too. If all of these things help slightly, you can imagine that cold turkey was especially gruesome...but, again, even my doctor really didn't expect these kind of results.
Posted by awatts on December 3, 2004, at 8:04:16
In reply to Withdrawl symptom?, posted by kmp68 on December 2, 2004, at 14:00:54
> I am trying to get off of Effexor, I was taking 150mg a day, plus Wellbutrin. My doctor started me on Prozac last week, this week, I went down to 75mg a day, Wellbutrin and Prozac. I haven't felt normal all week, very, very tired, anxiety attacks, irritable, ears ringing, and now I am also late for my period, is this also another normal withdrawl symptom that anyone else has experienced? If I cut down like the doctor told me to next week to 37.5mg are things only going to get worse?
I withdrew from 225 mg of Effexor XR. I had only moderate withdrawal until I went below 37.5 mg. Then it got difficult, and I had to take several months to get from 37.5 to zero mgs.
I'd cut down to 37.5 mg like your doctor suggests and then hold at 37.5 for a while. After that, go very, very slowly to zero.
Posted by corafree on December 3, 2004, at 13:39:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by jclint on December 2, 2004, at 13:38:17
I was in a detox unit w/ heroin addicts. Withdrew from 8mg Xanax, everything I was on (no street drug); but can't recall what was on, darn. I was told by the staff that my withdrawal is just as bad, if not worse, and my care was the same, same patches etc.
We can be thankful here tho', as we are not tempted by our drug when we walk out the door. That knowledge is so difficult. Used to be in that sort of position. No desire to go down that way.
Just recalled, prior to being on so much Xanax, I had been on Effexor tablets (not XR) long before that, and MAYBE at that time. I haven't a copy of records from stay.
There was no place for me, for aftercare, ya' know, no anti-depressants-anonymous, well, at least I wasn't taken seriously enough to be directed to follow-up care, as were street drug users.
Came home alone, things went bad fast. Long story. Anyway, now, when I take .5mg Xanax, I think it gives me anxiety? My mind still knows how much it really wants, think?
Seein' P today. He needs to see a P. But, have to wait, month or so, as transfer completed.
Oh, yes I filed charges re: head bashing. I think I rec'd $150; she hadn't $, but was charged. Should have gone to the ER - why couldn't I think for myself? cf
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