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Posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Cam W. on April 12, 2000, at 19:27:33
Nice to see everyone on these message boards....
helps to know one is not alone.I have been on effexor xr for about 1 year - 150mg)
and it has really helped me with my depression!!!BUT I have found - from missing doses - that the
withdrawal effects are real. For me, they have
included strange effects in my brain. A feeling
of electricity or shocks, also vertigo when I move
my head from side to side or up and down. Then it
feels like my head has moved too fast and my eyes
take a few seconds to catch up. This prohibits
driving, makes me dizzy and feels very bizarre.Muscular tension and knots in my leg and hip -
where I previously had bursitis - GREATLY
increased when I decreased my dosage from 325 mg
back to 150mg od.The side effects, that I can live with, are
weird dreams plus a LOT of twitching and
involuntary movements of arms and legs when in bed.
These wake me up lots of times, but that is much
preferrable to the weight of depression.This drug is wonderful for some,
and disasterous for others.
Worth a try if you really want to be rid of
that dreaded pit of despair!!!Maggie
Posted by sarah on April 13, 2000, at 23:59:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by julie on April 11, 2000, at 21:05:21
ive been taking effexor since july of 99. so far its the only thing that has given me some sort of peace of mind. in the last 2 years ive tried prozac(made me manic), paxil(manic), zoloft(i didnt sleep for a week), wellbuitrin(didnt work),lithium(most awful experience of my life), depakote (worked really well for a while, then stopped), serzone (didnt work),neurontin(didnt work), pamelor(made me too sick), deseryl( didnt work)........and the list goes on.
i had side effects when i started the effexor, i couldnt sleep, i have lost a good amount of weight, but other then that, i dont notice any problems. except for withdrawal symptoms. if i miss a dose, i get extremely anxious and paranoid. really disoriented. sometimes i experience depersonalization. all the symptomes go away when i take it again. i cant imagine life without effexor.
Posted by Louise on April 14, 2000, at 0:04:29
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by sarah on April 13, 2000, at 23:59:38
> ive been taking effexor since july of 99. so far its the only thing that has given me some sort of peace of mind. in the last 2 years ive tried prozac(made me manic), paxil(manic), zoloft(i didnt sleep for a week), wellbuitrin(didnt work),lithium(most awful experience of my life), depakote (worked really well for a while, then stopped), serzone (didnt work),neurontin(didnt work), pamelor(made me too sick), deseryl( didnt work)........and the list goes on.
> i had side effects when i started the effexor, i couldnt sleep, i have lost a good amount of weight, but other then that, i dont notice any problems. except for withdrawal symptoms. if i miss a dose, i get extremely anxious and paranoid. really disoriented. sometimes i experience depersonalization. all the symptomes go away when i take it again. i cant imagine life without effexor.
what dose are you on to be losing the weight. I was on Paxil and put on a bunch of pounds and am now on Effex. XR 150mg but the weight is not coming off -- yet. it's only been a month.
Posted by jeanette on April 14, 2000, at 6:58:11
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
Thanks for your response to my question. When I first posted it, I didn't think anyone would answer, so thanks...
My doctor and I decided to keep me on 37.5mg of Effexor XR for a while. I do OK on this low dose, and it totally has stopped the withdrawal. When I first started the Effexor XR, I had no idea getting off of it was going to be like that. I had been on desipramine years ago and Prozac about 5 years ago, and when I quit them, I never had any problem. This has been totally different. I probably wouldn't have taken it had I known, but maybe I would have, because it really did help. I just have this thing that I just don't want to take medicine, so I am looking into other options. Right now I am doing well, but maybe that's because the medicine works. In response to Maggie, the things you describe with a missed dose are exactly what I experience with a missed dose, so I was pretty sure it was going to be difficult going off, but I didn't know how difficult. Right now I think if I stay on the 37.5mg forever, that'll be fine. I hate that feeling of your head floating or bouncing or whatever it is- it feels so out of control and I don't like that. When I told the dr. I wanted to get off the medicine, he gave me the dosage pack that has one week of 75mg and another week of 37.5. About 2 days after taking the 75mg, the withdrawal symptoms would come for a day or so, then be OK, and the same the second week, but the third week, they were much more severe and didn't seem to be stopping. I missed a little work with it and (since none of them at work have these kind of problems), they acted like I was just being a big baby or I made it up to get out of work. I know I can't miss much more work without it being a big deal, and I don't feel like they have to know every detail of my medical problems, so I think I am staying on the 37.5. Oops, sorry to keep going on, guess it just feels good to be able to communicate with others who don't think I am crazy or a hypochondraic. Thanks.
Posted by Glenda on April 14, 2000, at 12:59:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by julie on April 11, 2000, at 21:05:21
> > > I have been taking Effexor XR at a dose of 150mg a day for over a year now. Sad to sad, I really haven't felt much improvement in the overall picture (anxiety and depression). I have good days and bad days, about 50/50. I'm still searching for a medicine which can set me up to help myself get better. So far, over about 6 years, I've tried prozac, luvox, zoloft; all pretty worthless for me.
> >
> >
> > James here....
> >
> > I would try doses up to 300 mgs b4 you chunck this on and try another.
> >
> > james
> I just started taking Effexor last week, one week at 37.5 mg and this week I started 75 mg and next week I go to 150 mg where I'll stay for a while. My family doc prescribed it for mild depression and anxiety. From day one, I experienced a terrible migraine (which I have a history of) which lasted 4 days. Then when I upped the dose, the migraine is back. The nausea only lasted a couple days and is gone. Has anyone taken this who has a history of migraines? what's your experience? My prescription of Imitrex isn't helping much. I'm wondering if all this is worth it or if I should go off it and just deal with my issues drug free. I'm also concerned about the withdrawl symptoms when I do decide to go off it. How bad are they?I decided to take myself down from effexor xr a year ago, big mistake. Along with the other withdrawal symptoms mentioned by maggie, I hated everyone! and told them so! After about a month of this I decided to get back on for life!
Glenda
Posted by Jane on April 15, 2000, at 4:01:54
In reply to Everyone's different, but..., posted by Racer on October 24, 1999, at 22:14:55
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 help
Posted by Dean on April 15, 2000, at 16:41:13
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Sassy on January 17, 2000, at 17:34:07
> Hi,
>
> After the second week for me, that tireness went away and now, I don't recognize any effects at all.
>
> By the way, I really am pleased with the results.
>
> SassyGod bless the question and answers. I'm going on 2 weeks and was thinking of stopping because of fatigue, but sounds like I need to hang in longer. Thanks so much.
Dean
> > Hi, I have just started taking effexor xr and I have only been on it for 3 days. I had been suffering from mild depression and sleeplessness. My dr. has also given me tryodozone for sleeping at night. it really helps and I wake up feeling refreshed after sleep. I don't have much of an appetite which to me feels good because I need to loose some weight. The only concern that I have is that I get severely tired during the day when taking the effexor xr the dr. said he wants me to take it during the day so that it will give me energy, but i haven't experienced that yet. I know it's only been 3 days, but am worried that I don't want to feel this exhausted during the day while taking it. Did anyone else experience this and if so how long before it went away?
> > thanks,
> > tanya
Posted by Sara T. on April 16, 2000, at 12:17:40
In reply to Re: From Wellbutrin for Dep. and ADD to Effexor XR, posted by Kathy on April 16, 2000, at 0:17:16
> It really is nice to have a place to write and ask questions. I have learned far more from reading the messages on the message boards than from reading the medical information. I was put on Wellbutrin about 3 weeks ago for adult ADD with depression. Like Maggie had mentioned in her message, I felt like I had electric shocks running through my body. I also was extremely sick to my stomach and didn't feel like eating anything. After 2 weeks I finally felt better and then broke out in the worst case of hives I've ever had. I'm not positive that the Wellbutrin caused it, but they took me off it. I am now on Effexor XR. I started it on Thursday. I am taking 37-1/2 mg. for 1 week and then am supposed to take 75 mg. for a week, and then 75 in the morning and 75 in the evening after that. I really hope it helps both the depression and the ADD symptoms. So far I have gotten a couple of headaches, am extremely crabby and feel sort of tired, but I am willing to give this a chance. Is there anyone who has been given this medicine for ADD? Please let me know! Thanks!
I have been prescribed Effexor XR for ADD, anxiety and depression. I have been taking the 75 mg dose in the morning for a month now and I think it works well for me. Side effects have been miinimal. But I don't really think it has touched the ADD symptoms. Combining it with 10 or 15 mgs of ritalin gave me the energy and motivation I need to get started on things, but my BP went up into the 90's and the pschiatrist said to stop the ritalin, which I feel really bummed about. But I am also taking birth control pills for hormonal changes as well and that can bring out the BP stuff too.
My doc said that Effexor plus adderall are the preferred mix of the "experts" on ADHD field at the moment.
Hope you get good results.
Also, I'm glad to see some other ADD adults posting med questions. Makes me feel like I have some company.
Sara T.
Posted by Renee N on April 16, 2000, at 12:34:19
In reply to Re: From Wellbutrin for Dep. and ADD to Effexor XR, posted by Sara T. on April 16, 2000, at 12:17:40
Sara,
Glad to hear from a fellow ADHD adult. Please let us know what you try and the results. Also, please feel free to come here to let off some steam. I know how frutrating ADHD symptoms can be! Renee N
Posted by Debbie on April 17, 2000, at 16:53:21
In reply to withdrawal, posted by jeanette on April 12, 2000, at 16:31:48
> Does anyone out there have any idea how long the withdrawal from Effexor XR lasts?
I recently decided to stop Effexor XR 150 mg because I was having bad headaches. The doc covering for mine said to switch to Wellbutrin SR 150 until she came back. I've had a really hard time with agitation and just feeling weird. The doc then cxalled in some Xanax. He said he's not sure if it's from coming off the effexor or starting the Wellbutrin. I think I should not have come off the Effexor suddenly--he should have tapered me off. Hope I start feeling better soon. I am so edgy and I'm having a hard time sleeping even with the Xanax. I'm actually ahppy to hear that others have had similar problems with withdrawal--thought I was going crazy!
Posted by maggie on April 17, 2000, at 19:18:38
In reply to effexor and drinking, posted by Jane on April 15, 2000, at 4:01:54
I drink moderately while on 150mg of effexor xr
and have no problems with it at all.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 help
Posted by newgirl on April 18, 2000, at 10:46:14
In reply to Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Louise on March 14, 2000, at 23:35:34
> Just got sample of Effexor XR.
I've been on Paxil 20mg. for 1 yr.
I feel great and my panic attacks are gone.
BUT --- I keep gaining weight. I told my dr.
to give me something else.
Did anyone gain weight on this stuff?
Does anyone use this for panic attacks.
My dr. told me I could go right from Paxil
to Effexor XR, stopping one and starting the
other with no withdrawl symptoms. ANyone try it. Thanks for any input.
> >I was on Paxil for one year also, and it worked
GREAT for me for the severe PMS mood swings and
depression I was experiencing. At first I had
no weight gain, then after about 6 months, I
suddenly gained 35 pounds in 4 months! The web
info sites on depression and meds say that the
SSRI's (Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft) are more apt to
cause weight loss than weight gain, but I know
a LOT of people who take them or have taken
them, and they had the same thing I experienced --
about 6 months with no problem, then BAM -- a
big weight gain in 4-6 months without changing
their eating habits or decreasing their activity
levels.I switched to Wellbutrin SR a few weeks ago.
We'll see how it goes.
Posted by Kathy on April 19, 2000, at 0:16:56
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by newgirl on April 18, 2000, at 10:46:14
I have just started on the Effexor XR and am really hoping I don't gain weight from it. I have gained about 35 pounds in the last few months I think from Celexa. I started the Wellbutrin for 2 weeks and did lose about 5 pounds because I felt so nauseous all the time. I broke out in hives the second week and was taken off the Wellbutrin and that's why I'm now on Effexor. Gaining weight from an antidepressant is so depressing! Kathy
Posted by KarenB on April 19, 2000, at 10:47:24
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Kathy on April 19, 2000, at 0:16:56
Hello again Kathy!
I have read several postings suggesting that Effexor PLUS Ritalin or Adderall is just the ticket for many suffering ADD w/HYPOactivity symptoms. Check the thread further down, titled "Any happy, stable rapid cyclers" and read Mark H's and Scott's response to my post. You may want to ask, I think it was Mark, about that combo.
As for me, Ritalin SR 20mg, 2x a day is working for me. Energy, focus and no depression. Am I dreaming?
I think Paxil sucks but that's just me. And I agree, gaining weight is NOT worth it. The way fat makes me feel rivals any depressive symptom I may have. I have 10-15 pounds I need to dump RIGHT NOW, due to all the different meds I was trying over the last few months. Hopefully, the Ritalin will help me along with that. At least now I have the energy necessary to exercise (and cook more healthily, from scratch). I have plans to buy a used weight bench today. Pretty ambitious, huh?
Wishing you the best,
Karen
Posted by Janey on April 18, 2000, at 17:59:12
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
> Nice to see everyone on these message boards....
> helps to know one is not alone.
>
> I have been on effexor xr for about 1 year - 150mg)
> and it has really helped me with my depression!!!
>
> BUT I have found - from missing doses - that the
> withdrawal effects are real. For me, they have
> included strange effects in my brain. A feeling
> of electricity or shocks, also vertigo when I move
> my head from side to side or up and down. Then it
> feels like my head has moved too fast and my eyes
> take a few seconds to catch up. This prohibits
> driving, makes me dizzy and feels very bizarre.
>
> Muscular tension and knots in my leg and hip -
> where I previously had bursitis - GREATLY
> increased when I decreased my dosage from 325 mg
> back to 150mg od.
>
> The side effects, that I can live with, are
> weird dreams plus a LOT of twitching and
> involuntary movements of arms and legs when in bed.
> These wake me up lots of times, but that is much
> preferrable to the weight of depression.
>
> This drug is wonderful for some,
> and disasterous for others.
> Worth a try if you really want to be rid of
> that dreaded pit of despair!!!
>
> Maggie
I am so glad that you posted this. I am taking 225 mg Effexor XR. About three weeks ago (on a Sunday) I experienced these same exact symptoms.
You described my symtoms almost exactly, except that my speech was quite slurred and I was having trouble putting sentences together.It took me until Sunday night to figure out that I had missed several days of medication. I had to sing that Sunday at church and didn't know that I would be able to make it thru the song, but I did. Unfortunately, my husband and daughter had to help me out of the church and home. It was so bad that I was unable to walk, much less cook or take care of my family.
Needless to say, I have not missed any doses since.
Like you, the weird dreams I can deal with...at least I am sleeping!!!
Thanks for your post!
Posted by PAD702 on April 21, 2000, at 4:57:08
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Kathy on April 19, 2000, at 0:16:56
I have been taking Effexor XR since December 99 and I have had fair results. I have gained 15 pounds since I started taking it. (I actually lost weight with Celexa but the depression was not getting any better.) I can get out of bed in the morning and make it through a whole day of work but I still have very low points and sleep is tough. My doctor hasn't given me anything to sleep amd insists that Effexor shouldn't cause significant weight gain. My eating habits have not changed except I have lost my appetite for certain foods.
It is far more depressing to have gained weight. I would almost rather be thin and miserable than heavy and somewhat better. My doc tried to add Cylert, a med for ADD with bad results. Sweats, paranoia, and trouble concentrating. (So much for helping me pay attention.) I have switched doctors repeatedly and always feel like this industry keeps letting me down. It's good to know I am not alone though. Any suggestions anyone?
Posted by medlib on April 22, 2000, at 4:21:02
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by katey on April 22, 2000, at 1:01:44
>
> > I can DEFINATELY say that had I truely understood what the withdrawal would be like, I would have tried another route first. I am usually a very contained and strong person, but lately feel like I am falling apart again.
>
> This is really exciting to see peoples comments on Effexor. I have been on it for about 2 and half years now. I was only up to 150 mg. I switched down to 75 mg about 6 months ago. I can go about two days on one 75 milligram extended release pill. I really want to get off of this stuff. Don't get me wrong, it has trully done a great job, but I don't like how addicting it is. My withdrawl symtoms are awful. I just went 7 days without it and finally had to get some more. Is there any way to get off this easily? I had no idea when I started taking it it would be like this. Oh well.
>
> Katey______________________________-
Katey--Effexor XR is available in 37.5 mg. strength. Many have found that low-dose Prozac (with its exceptionally long half-life) is useful in tapering off Effexor; check out CamW's post on this thread from 2/11 for details.
Best wishes--medlib
Posted by Noa on April 22, 2000, at 13:20:30
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by katey on April 22, 2000, at 1:01:44
I am not sure that withdrawal symptoms necessarily means the drug is addictive. If it was helping you, why DO you want to go off of it?
Posted by Ann on April 23, 2000, at 12:20:02
In reply to effexor and drinking, posted by Jane on April 15, 2000, at 4:01:54
>I just started effexor xr and am wondring when tired feeling goes away- This is my 3rd day- I do feel much less anxiety and felt it from first day-
I do feel cognitively slower and I like to feel sharp when I am at work- how does this compare to prozac? Does it increase serotonin levels? I want to make sure it is an antidepressant and not just anxiety reducer-I had trouble with prozac, because too much anxiety-After many tries, I ended up on St.John's wart- It helped, but gastro feels I am depressed and recommended effexor xr- I've had signicant irritable bowel and menopause problems
Posted by Cindy W on April 23, 2000, at 20:48:09
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Ann on April 23, 2000, at 12:20:02
> >I just started effexor xr and am wondring when tired feeling goes away- This is my 3rd day- I do feel much less anxiety and felt it from first day-
> I do feel cognitively slower and I like to feel sharp when I am at work- how does this compare to prozac? Does it increase serotonin levels? I want to make sure it is an antidepressant and not just anxiety reducer-I had trouble with prozac, because too much anxiety-After many tries, I ended up on St.John's wart- It helped, but gastro feels I am depressed and recommended effexor xr- I've had signicant irritable bowel and menopause problemsSeveral people have written that they feel tired, on Effexor-XR. After five months on it, I have noticed that my sleep is not quite right. I never remember my dreams and wake up a LOT and can't go back to sleep, on Effexor. Will ask my pdoc about this, next visit, since I slept great on Serzone and other AD's.
Posted by Judy on April 23, 2000, at 22:43:54
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Ann on April 23, 2000, at 12:20:02
Sweating - is anyone having problems with excessive sweating from taking Effexor, 75 mg, the time released version? I can't decide if it's the med or menopause......
Posted by Cam W. on April 23, 2000, at 23:08:36
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Judy on April 23, 2000, at 22:43:54
Posted by Anne on April 23, 2000, at 17:26:10
In reply to Re:Intractable Effexor Withdrawl , posted by Cam W. on February 11, 2000, at 22:42:41
HELP!!!
If anyone reading has successfully stopped using effexor, I would love to hear from you. I also seem to be stuck at 75 mg effexor xr dose. Any further decreases produces very strong withdrawal symptoms. All are tolerable, I think, with the exception of the feeling of electric shock going through your brain. Does anyone know if adding wellbutrin stops that? Or is there any other way? I am very eager to hear what worked for you. I really want to discontinue use as I am ready for another child, and do not wish to take any meds while pregnant if possible.
Many thanks in advance.
Posted by Fusche on April 23, 2000, at 22:08:13
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Cindy W on April 23, 2000, at 20:48:09
Was on Paxil and it made me soooo sleepy and didn't help my depression much. I felt calmer, so calm that I felt like crawling under my desk (at work everyday) to go to sleep. Just started effexor xr. I feel it already!! For once, in a very long time, I feel better. Hope it will last!! Side effects so far: Constipation, sweating, thirsty, weird dreams. But I can live with this!! And I feel more sexual drive where as on Paxil I didn't want anything to do with it.
Posted by Cam W. on April 24, 2000, at 7:31:48
In reply to Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Anne on April 23, 2000, at 17:26:10
Anne - I haven't answered your earlier post, as the situation with having a baby while depressed is a very complicated issue. I do not feel fully comfortable with giving advice in an area that there are no absolute rights and wrongs.
*Work very closely with your doctor throughout any pregnancy (with or without antidepressants.*
I can tell you how others have been able to stop Effexor. One way is to decrease the dose as low as possible (I believe that the XR version does come in a 37.5mg dose). Once you get to the lowest dose possible, without getting the withdrawl effects, your doctor can add 10mg of Prozac daily for 1 week. Then try to stop the Effexor. If you can tolerate this, take the Prozac for another week and stop it. Prozac's long half-life will take the edge off of the withdrawl symptoms by gradually leaving your system.
But, because Prozac has a long half-life, you will have to wait 5 weeks before you consider trying to get pregnant, if you want to be drug-free.
Also, there are issues around if it is better to be depressed and have a baby, or to be treated for depression while having a baby. Is it better to have some drug in your body (and your baby's) and not be depressed or to be depressed (with high levels of cortisol in yours and your baby's body) and be antidepressant-free? I cannot answer this question for you. You and your doctor have to come to that decision. Book a long appointment with your doctor to go over these issues.
Antidepressants have been used in pregnant women for years. The "Prozac babies" (babies whose mothers were taking Prozac while pregnant) are now reaching adulthood and, so far, there are no, out of the normal problems presenting themselves.
Sorry that I cannot be of more help than this - Cam W.
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