![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 678 to 702 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:40:37
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
What I have just posted is the tip of an enormous iceberg. I could spend days posting the facts associated with the devistating effects of effexor. This drug makes Prozac look like an M&M.
In the future I will post the sources of information about the drug so that you can go to the sites and spend whatever time you feel i necessary navigating through all the information.
An excellent source to start with is:www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
This site will lead you to an abundance of sources and information about this "wonderful" drug.
Posted by JaneB on March 29, 2001, at 9:50:04
In reply to The Icing on the Cake............, posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:30:41
I took Effexor XR for over a year and experienced many of these symptoms. Tried to go without antidepressants at all and 10 months later had to start Celexa. Will I experience similar reactions upon discontinuation of Celexa? Scarey!
JaneB
Posted by Julie L on March 29, 2001, at 9:58:00
In reply to Is the same true of Celexa?, posted by JaneB on March 29, 2001, at 9:50:04
All of the studies that I'm reading only involve tests on people that have been on Effexor or Effexor XR for a year or less...
One of the studies that Leo posted mentioned breifly that the severity/intensity of the symptoms increased with the longer amount of time that the person was on Effexor.
Should I sue my doctor? Why did he leave me on this for so long if its not a common practice?
I'd really like to know when the withdrawal symptoms will stop...
Julie
Posted by McGuyver on March 29, 2001, at 10:38:25
In reply to Case Studies......More FACTS to come......, posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:03:17
Leo,
Ahh the light. I will continue to take my chances, as I've emntioned before I'm sure it's not as bad as other withdrawls I've had. But please note, I'm sure that I'm not alone in saying thanks. Backing up all the former bickering with something substansiated gained my respect immediatly. However, i will be taking it with a grain of salt, if you were to go into as much detial with something like asprin, I'm sure you could find similar results. Case studies and statistics are as good as the people who do them. Again, thanks.
Mc
>
>
Posted by goofy on March 29, 2001, at 11:42:51
In reply to EFFEROX XR YES!!!, posted by Voski on March 29, 2001, at 8:14:23
> Efferox XR, YES!!! It has helped me!!! After taking Zoloft with side effects and then Prozac, yet more side effects with muscle spasms, it was Efferox XR that helped with no side effects. Struggling with depression is no fun for yourself or your family. After a year of feeling out of touch with myself and out of control, I went to my doctor. The results are wonderful with the help of counseling. The hell I put my children and husband thru. I am currently up to twice a day taking Efforox XR with fantastic results. That's 150 mg. 75mg. each time. I was having a mid day crash, as I call it. Crying and feeling useless is not fun. Now I am smiling and laughing again with slight bouts of crying, etc. What great news!!!! I am still in couseling and probably will be for a while, which is fine with me along with med help. At least now, I can get through the day. I still have trouble sleeping nights, but with Ambien, I now have a night with sleep and not waking to my mind wondering.... Feel free to comment. Good luck with all!!
> voski
voskiIam a 35 year old woman who had the same situation you discribed in your post. The only exceptions were, i was only on 75mg. and i was not seeing a counsler. I was excited with the results of this drug just like you. I did not have any side effects and was looking at this drug as a life saver. When I had been on the effexor for about a year, I started noticing some stange things gradually happening to me. The most noticable was I was having a hard time waking up. I started requiring 10-12 hrs. of sleep. Then i noticed my sex life was changing. I was becoming numb to any stimulation. Of course these are some of the signs of depression so my first thought was i had to increase my effexor dose. The fact that i was fine and great with my life one day and all of a sudden over a few weeks noticing these symptoms baffled me. I started investigating this drug and monitoring this board. all I can say is THANK GOD, I did not increase my dose at my dr. advise and that I startrd to take myself of this drug. I was able to get off this drug with very minimal side effects( check my previous post for details) I have now been effexor free for 19 days and all aspects of my life are great. I am glad you are doing great. I just felt compelled to share my situation with you because you reminded me of myself.
goofy
Posted by goofy on March 29, 2001, at 11:52:01
In reply to The Tip of the Iceberg.............., posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:40:37
> What I have just posted is the tip of an enormous iceberg. I could spend days posting the facts associated with the devistating effects of effexor. This drug makes Prozac look like an M&M.
> In the future I will post the sources of information about the drug so that you can go to the sites and spend whatever time you feel i necessary navigating through all the information.
> An excellent source to start with is:
>
> www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
>
> This site will lead you to an abundance of sources and information about this "wonderful" drug.Leo,
I just wanted to take a second to thank you. Your posts and some of the others have changed my life. Iam very grateful to you for all the time and effort you put in trying to inform all of us on this site.
goofy
Posted by kid47 on March 29, 2001, at 11:52:55
In reply to The Tip of the Iceberg.............., posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:40:37
> What I have just posted is the tip of an enormous iceberg. I could spend days posting the facts associated with the devistating effects of effexor. This drug makes Prozac look like an M&M.
> In the future I will post the sources of information about the drug so that you can go to the sites and spend whatever time you feel i necessary navigating through all the information.
> An excellent source to start with is:
>
> www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
>
> This site will lead you to an abundance of sources and information about this "wonderful" drug.Hi Leo. I promise this will be my last post re: FXR withdrawal. I understand this is an important issue for you. To put this in some perspective I might suggest you check out some other AD sites like Paxil etc. You will see the same type horror stories about these meds as you see about FXR. The FDA sites also post similar side effects as FXR about several AD's. Meds effect all of us differently. I think any widely prescribed med will have its share of bad press. Penicillin has been known to kill people. Some chemotherapy patients experience side effects that very nearly destroy them. But many of us feel the good out weighs the bad. I do appreciate all your hard work in bringing this info to our attention. Add this to what already exists in the archives & I would venture to say this is probably the most comprehensive site on the net for FXR info. Perhaps the next generation of FXR will have fewer problems as a result of sites like PB. I do agree with you that drug co. monitor these sites. Maybe they've learned something!
Those of us with chronic long term illness are an impatient & sometimes desperate bunch. As long as there has been reasonable testing as to a drugs effectiveness & safety bring it on!!! We would however hope the drug cos. & the FDA would be forthcoming with any & all info as it becomes available. Lawsuits are so prevalent against drug companies that the federal govt. actually will pay for there defense & settlement if any. Otherwise it would not be feasible for these cos. to R&D new drugs & bring them to the market place. Yes we are "dollar driven" here in the US. But I hope these companies continue trying to find better drugs w/fewer side effects not just for mental disorders but for all illness (Boy I do sound like I work for a drug Co.)
The FXR continues to work well for me & others. There are folks who have successfully withdrawn from FXR with little or no problem. People are now more aware that there is a potential as with many powerful drugs for some severe & possibly as yet unknown side effects. I think the potential consumer has an opportunity to make an educated decision about FXR especially if we try & present a "balanced" view free from hype & drama.
Well I'm rattling like an old truck. Hope you are feeling better. Take care.
Posted by Seraphim on March 29, 2001, at 11:56:08
In reply to Re: Has anyone been on Effexor for longer ....., posted by Julie L on March 29, 2001, at 9:58:00
Julie,
I've been on 300mg of Effexor for two and a half years. My doctor also combined that with 100mg of Elavil. I had no problem eliminating the Elavil about 5 weeks ago. Looking back, I can see how wrong I was to think drug therapy was the answer. I'm down to 125mg of effexor in three weeks. The withdrawal is awful! I'm so sick. I've heard it can last anywhere from several weeks to several months. I'm determined to go quickly and get this out of my system (my choice), so I'll update everyone on my progress. Also, I faxed my psychiatrist many of the postings here, good and bad, including the postings from Leo today. I'll let you know what response I get and what his suggestions are to get some relief; Other than staying on Effexor any longer than absolutely necessary. But I would NEVER have taken even one pill if I knew what I would be going through today. Stay positive, it can't last forever :-)
Seraphim
> All of the studies that I'm reading only involve tests on people that have been on Effexor or Effexor XR for a year or less...
>
> One of the studies that Leo posted mentioned breifly that the severity/intensity of the symptoms increased with the longer amount of time that the person was on Effexor.
>
> Should I sue my doctor? Why did he leave me on this for so long if its not a common practice?
>
> I'd really like to know when the withdrawal symptoms will stop...
>
> Julie
Posted by Seraphim on March 29, 2001, at 12:11:36
In reply to The Tip of the Iceberg.............., posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:40:37
Thank you, thank you , thank you!!!!!
I have faxed over all of this information you posted today to my psychiatrist, my family physician and plan to share it with my husband. It means so much to me to have found people who understand what I am going through and don't dismiss the symptoms I am suffering through on a daily basis as trivial or exagerated.Seraphim
> What I have just posted is the tip of an enormous iceberg. I could spend days posting the facts associated with the devistating effects of effexor. This drug makes Prozac look like an M&M.
> In the future I will post the sources of information about the drug so that you can go to the sites and spend whatever time you feel i necessary navigating through all the information.
> An excellent source to start with is:
>
> www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
>
> This site will lead you to an abundance of sources and information about this "wonderful" drug.
Posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 12:21:43
In reply to Re: Case Studies......More FACTS to come...... » Leo, posted by McGuyver on March 29, 2001, at 10:38:25
Mc
The studies speak for themselves. No emotions....just the facts. They do confirm the experiences of the people posting world wide about the drug. It is a bigger problem than originally estimated. Effexor seems to be extremely effective in initially "snapping" people out of depression, however, continued use begins to work against the disease because of the side effects associated with its use. These side affects adversely affect the physical body as well as the patient’s mental state. These symptomatic side effects progressively worsen the longer the patient stays on the drug. There are some people that have been off the drug for 2-3 years that are still experiencing a number symptomatic side affects directly associated with effexor. This is just starting to be recognized. This should be a great area of concern for all of us that have been exposed to the drug. Good or bad experiences. I believe, based on the research that I have done, that as the studies filter in that we will find that the drug will end up being directly responsible for some permanent mental and physical damage to its users. What bothers me the most is that the manufacturer still has not voluntarily stepped forward and lad the cards on the table. I think that it is now only a matter of time before the FDA steps in once again and forces them to do so or pulls the drug off the market until these issues are researched in depth and specifically addressed.
Regards,
Leo
Posted by Fish on March 29, 2001, at 13:02:14
In reply to Re: beginning to wean hopefully losing weight » vanroni, posted by goofy on March 22, 2001, at 12:33:28
Goofy, you had mentioned you divided the granuals in the capsules while you lowered your dosage. How do you know the mg amount when you divide them? I want to stop taking this drug and your way has seemed to have the most favorable results. Thanks! Fish
Posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 13:22:00
In reply to Re: The Tip of the Iceberg.............. » Leo, posted by kid47 on March 29, 2001, at 11:52:55
I respect the stand you take in strongly attempting to nuetralize the facts surrounding effexor. And yes, I do strongly suspect that you are employed by Wyeth-Ayerst. But thats OK to. Yes we can all look at the other drugs out there. And yes, we can read all the horror stories about all the other drugs. The people coming to this site are interested in only the one drug that is adversly affecting them........effexor. Attempting to nuetralize what people are saying about the drug is an of obvious form of "damage control." So we will respect your attempts to do so. However, the one thing that you can't neutralize are the experiences posted here and on the hundreds of other sites out there. They are real and exacting.
Let me give you some more facts:
1) All the side effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy are disclosed prior to treatment beginning. This is done so that the patient knows what to expect....both short and long term. I know because I'm a cancer survivor.
And of course the good (living) undergoing treatment outways the bad (certain death)left untreated. I think you'll agree that this is a no brainer.2) Those of us that will not be exposed to the next gerneration of effexor aren't concerned about what fewer problems may be associated with the drug. We are victims of the existing drug. That is our concern.
3) Those people out there that suffer from depression, chronic or otherwise, seek medical treatment to help cure or abate their illness. They trust that what their doctor is prescribing is going to make them better. Not worsen their condition by presenting a whole new set of side effects that exaserbate the problem.
4) All legal drugs undergo reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety.....as did Phen Phen. I think everyone is aware of the aftermath associated with its "reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety."
5) I know of no federal aid ever being available to any drug company for defense or settlement money. I do know that the government gets invloved as an arbitrator involving any settlement amounts and dispersion. They don't finance legal defense fees, nor do they delve out settlement money. This comes out of the drug companies pocket.
6) If people were more aware of the potential side effects of the drug prior to taking it then there wouldn't be so many bewildered or frightened people coming to sites like this.
DISCLOSURE......DISCLOSURE.......DISCLOSURERegards,
Leo
Posted by Fish on March 29, 2001, at 13:45:50
In reply to The Tip of the Iceberg.............., posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:40:37
Leo, first I want to thank you for sharing the information you have found. I have been on effexor xr for a year and a half and have experienced hot flashes, sweats, confusion, "brain freeze", nightmares and even periods where I would wake out of a sound sleep because I stopped breathing. I have told my doctor of these symptoms and he tells me it can't be the drug and if it is, since the drug is working, which is worse? The Effexor did work in the beginning and since my depression was so bad, I could tolerate the side effects. Now that I am feeling better, and thinking of going off, I found this site to get information. I have missed doses and have gone through the aweful dizziness, etc and am terrified of the withdrawl symptoms. The person who keeps saying we aren't weighing the facts. Don't even answer his/her emails. It is obviously a ploy. If he thought this was a load of s*%t, he wouldn't even have bothered to write anything, he would have just moved on. He is obviously not on the drug because no one is so organized that they wouldn't miss a day and I don't believe anyone could get through one day without this drug after taking it and not have side effects. This drug did help me tremendously in the beginning, but it is not worth it. I am glad you are taking a stand. I feel cheated and I am angry that I have to suffer through withdrawl symptoms. Will start soon, have to muster up the courage. Thank you again! Fish
What I have just posted is the tip of an enormous iceberg. I could spend days posting the facts associated with the devistating effects of effexor. This drug makes Prozac look like an M&M.
> In the future I will post the sources of information about the drug so that you can go to the sites and spend whatever time you feel i necessary navigating through all the information.
> An excellent source to start with is:
>
> www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
>
> This site will lead you to an abundance of sources and information about this "wonderful" drug.
Posted by Quasibarbidoll on March 29, 2001, at 14:15:13
In reply to Re: withdrawal - effexor ...how long??, posted by Kim Hazell on January 17, 2001, at 22:40:08
4 months
Posted by Quasibarbidoll on March 29, 2001, at 14:25:03
In reply to Re: The Tip of the Iceberg.............., posted by Fish on March 29, 2001, at 13:45:50
Agree 100% and a word of kind advice for employees(No one specific.. just a general statement.) of publicly traded companies that post info on the internet. It is not "proper" to not identify yourself if you do in fact work for the company in question. (Ask your corporate lawyer....she'll fill you in.:)
Was on the drug for fibro... took 4 months to get off and it was not a "Mind set" or imagined and I'm no victim. Vomiting daily, nausea, vertigo, being incoherent and spaced out is physical...good luck to you all!
> Leo, first I want to thank you for sharing the information you have found. I have been on effexor xr for a year and a half and have experienced hot flashes, sweats, confusion, "brain freeze", nightmares and even periods where I would wake out of a sound sleep because I stopped breathing. I have told my doctor of these symptoms and he tells me it can't be the drug and if it is, since the drug is working, which is worse? The Effexor did work in the beginning and since my depression was so bad, I could tolerate the side effects. Now that I am feeling better, and thinking of going off, I found this site to get information. I have missed doses and have gone through the aweful dizziness, etc and am terrified of the withdrawl symptoms. The person who keeps saying we aren't weighing the facts. Don't even answer his/her emails. It is obviously a ploy. If he thought this was a load of s*%t, he wouldn't even have bothered to write anything, he would have just moved on. He is obviously not on the drug because no one is so organized that they wouldn't miss a day and I don't believe anyone could get through one day without this drug after taking it and not have side effects. This drug did help me tremendously in the beginning, but it is not worth it. I am glad you are taking a stand. I feel cheated and I am angry that I have to suffer through withdrawl symptoms. Will start soon, have to muster up the courage. Thank you again! Fish
Posted by kid47 on March 29, 2001, at 17:14:00
In reply to Re: The Tip of the Iceberg..............Kid47 » kid47, posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 13:22:00
> I respect the stand you take in strongly attempting to nuetralize the facts surrounding effexor. And yes, I do strongly suspect that you are employed by Wyeth-Ayerst. But thats OK to. Yes we can all look at the other drugs out there. And yes, we can read all the horror stories about all the other drugs. The people coming to this site are interested in only the one drug that is adversly affecting them........effexor. Attempting to nuetralize what people are saying about the drug is an of obvious form of "damage control." So we will respect your attempts to do so. However, the one thing that you can't neutralize are the experiences posted here and on the hundreds of other sites out there. They are real and exacting.
>
> Let me give you some more facts:
>
> 1) All the side effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy are disclosed prior to treatment beginning. This is done so that the patient knows what to expect....both short and long term. I know because I'm a cancer survivor.
> And of course the good (living) undergoing treatment outways the bad (certain death)left untreated. I think you'll agree that this is a no brainer.
>
> 2) Those of us that will not be exposed to the next gerneration of effexor aren't concerned about what fewer problems may be associated with the drug. We are victims of the existing drug. That is our concern.
>
> 3) Those people out there that suffer from depression, chronic or otherwise, seek medical treatment to help cure or abate their illness. They trust that what their doctor is prescribing is going to make them better. Not worsen their condition by presenting a whole new set of side effects that exaserbate the problem.
>
> 4) All legal drugs undergo reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety.....as did Phen Phen. I think everyone is aware of the aftermath associated with its "reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety."
>
> 5) I know of no federal aid ever being available to any drug company for defense or settlement money. I do know that the government gets invloved as an arbitrator involving any settlement amounts and dispersion. They don't finance legal defense fees, nor do they delve out settlement money. This comes out of the drug companies pocket.
>
> 6) If people were more aware of the potential side effects of the drug prior to taking it then there wouldn't be so many bewildered or frightened people coming to sites like this.
>
>
> DISCLOSURE......DISCLOSURE.......DISCLOSURE
>
> Regards,
> Leo
The government money available for defense & settlement of lawsuits for drug companies is only when it involves vaccines. My only excuse is I take a fairly heavy drug cocktail. Sorry for the error.
Posted by goofy on March 29, 2001, at 17:19:38
In reply to Goofy or Anyone how do you know the mg in EFXR, posted by Fish on March 29, 2001, at 13:02:14
> Goofy, you had mentioned you divided the granuals in the capsules while you lowered your dosage. How do you know the mg amount when you divide them? I want to stop taking this drug and your way has seemed to have the most favorable results. Thanks! Fish
Hi Fish,
Each capsule that I had was 37.5 mg. I was taking 2 per day a total of 75 mg. when I decided to ween of the drug. I only took 1 capsule (37.5mg.) for 10 days. then i opened the capsule and divided the granuals in half which gave me 2 piles of granuales that I assumed equaled 18.75 mg. I emptied out some other meds that I had and used those capsules to put the divided amount into. I divided enough effexor 37.5 capsules to go at 18.75 mg. for 5 days. I then took another 37.5 capsule and divided the granuales into 4 piles which I assume gave me a dose of 9.375 mg. I refilled more empty capsules with this amount and took that dose for 5 days. then I divided another capsule into 8 piles which gave me a dose of 4.6875 I took this amount for 5 days then I divided a 37.5 capsule into 16 piles which gave me a dose of 2.3437. I took this amount for 5 days then I went off the drug. I had some very mild side effects starting the third day but they stopped after a couple of days. I am now 19 days free and feel great. I hope this info will help you. GOOD LUCK!!!!
goofy
Posted by Noa on March 29, 2001, at 17:38:44
In reply to Re: Goofy or Anyone how do you know the mg in EFXR, posted by goofy on March 29, 2001, at 17:19:38
I don't reccomend opening the capsules because the granules are of varying sizes and so you won't know how much you are really taking at one time.
Posted by goofy on March 29, 2001, at 17:55:39
In reply to Re: Goofy or Anyone how do you know the mg in EFXR » goofy, posted by Noa on March 29, 2001, at 17:38:44
> I don't reccomend opening the capsules because the granules are of varying sizes and so you won't know how much you are really taking at one time.
some of the granuales are fused together and some are a little smaller it is very easy to eye ball this and divide the granuales equally by size. As far as the dose it may differ a slight bit but I don't think it matters that much. It was time consuming but it was worth it!
goofy
Posted by Cam W. on March 29, 2001, at 21:04:08
In reply to Case Studies......More FACTS to come......, posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:03:17
Today I start Effexor XR (37.5mg daily and increasing to at least 300mg or more - depending on response - over the next 3 months).
Thank goodness I know the difference between case studies, case series, post marketing surveillance, restospective studies, naturalistic studies, randomized placebo controlled trials, and other types of articles written about medications and disease states. I also know the merits and limitations of each.
Thank goodness I have extensively studied all aspects of all antidepressants available in Canada (and most of those available in other parts of the world).
Thank goodness I understand physiology (physical and chemical processes in the body), pharmacology (preparation, properties, uses, and actions of drugs), pharmacodynamics (how an antidepressant acts in the body , including duration of response relative to plasma concentration), pharmacokinetics (including absorption, onset of action, distribution, biotransformation, metabolite action, and excretion route), and pharmacogenetics (including the effects and differences of antidepressant action in different people). Otherwise partial explanations of these factors involving a small subset of people who did not withdraw from the drug in a proper manner, might scare me into not taking this drug.
Even if I do happen to get withdrawl symptoms while being weaned from this drug, I know of several strategies to minimize these withdrawl effects. Most of which have been posted several times on this site. In the past, this drug has not been understood as well as it is today, although I and my colleagues knew of the withdrawl syndrome and it's extent in a minority of people, for at least the past 3 years and we have dealt with it appropriately. Withdrawl syndrome still occurs in some of our patients, but this is almost always due to nonadherence to the treatment regimen.
Since I know how to wean myself from this drug if and when need be, I am very confident the this drug has the ability resolve my depressive symptoms and PTSD so that I may be able to lead a more productive and "normal" life, again. I see this drug as a useful tool, not an evil demon.
Sincerely - Cam
Posted by Michele on March 29, 2001, at 22:19:11
In reply to Started Effexor XR Today, posted by Cam W. on March 29, 2001, at 21:04:08
AMEN!
Posted by Julie L on March 30, 2001, at 0:05:44
In reply to Re: Withdrawal after 6 YEARS, posted by Pamela on March 28, 2001, at 10:00:56
hi-
I just wanted to clarify that I've been on the regular Effexor not the "XR" version for 6 yrs. i wasn't sure if you were insinuating something because I sure wasn't ingesting candy...Julie
Posted by Johnny on March 30, 2001, at 8:16:52
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Cindy W on June 1, 2000, at 9:42:07
I have been on paxil for about 5 years now and in the past year figured out it has caused me to gain about 50 pounds. I have tried to get off of it, but didn't work. I am getting together with my psychiatrist to try and switch meds to one that won't cause weight gain. I go to the gym 4x a week and it doesn't help. any suggestions? My email is anendtopain@cs.com. THanks
Posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 8:22:24
In reply to Started Effexor XR Today, posted by Cam W. on March 29, 2001, at 21:04:08
> CAM, just out of curiousity. Who are your colleagues? Are you in the medical profession? There is one thing that really upsets me. I have noticed that doctors and the medical profession listen more to pharmaceutical companies than they do their patients. I can't tell you how many times I have told my doctor of strange symptoms and he says "oh, that can't be the drug". What really gets me is I told my doctor of these symptoms and told him they began when I started the drug and he just didn't believe it so he did
FSH/LH testing and also tested my thyroid. Now here are lots of people writing in and telling of the same exact symptoms I have. It's a relief to know that I can verify that it is indeed the drug that is causing these problems and that I know going off of it will relieve them. Why are the people who take this drug and speak of the many SIMILAR side affects ignored and pooh-poohed off like we're idiots who couldn't possibly know what we are talking about because we don't have the "medical" knowledge that you have. Take the medicine, enjoy the ride, but don't tell us that we don't know what is happening to our bodies. I hope these emails keep someone else from taking it and ending up like some of us have. What scares me is how many people are out there who don't know enough to look on the web and read this information. Experience is knowledge and your medical research is wrong. The medicine will work for you in the beginning, it did for me, but I hope it is all worth it to you in the end. I am still on it and trying to figure out when I can ween myself off of it with minimal disruption to my life. I have to work full-time, take care of a 14 year old and finish out the semester. I am not looking forward to the struggle of getting myself off this stuff. By the way, another FACT. I attend college at night. Since I began taking this drug I went from an "A" student to a "C" student with even more effort on my studying. This is very real, so is the delay in being able to come up with the words sometimes when I am trying to get a thought out of my head. So is the memory lapses I experience at least 3 times a day. So are the hot flashes that make me feel like I am on fire and then the sweating. So is the fear when I wake up suddenly because I stop breathing. You see, it is NOT just the withdrawl that has patients upset, it is the side effects. I hope to God they go away after I stop taking the medicine. I'm not buying it, your medical knowledge, and I hope people read these emails before they start taking Effexor. I believe that drug is dangerous and should be taken off the market. People with depression don't need these added burdens, life with depression is hard enough without more struggle from a medication that is suppose to help.Fish
Today I start Effexor XR (37.5mg daily and increasing to at least 300mg or more - depending on response - over the next 3 months).
>
> Thank goodness I know the difference between case studies, case series, post marketing surveillance, restospective studies, naturalistic studies, randomized placebo controlled trials, and other types of articles written about medications and disease states. I also know the merits and limitations of each.
>
> Thank goodness I have extensively studied all aspects of all antidepressants available in Canada (and most of those available in other parts of the world).
>
> Thank goodness I understand physiology (physical and chemical processes in the body), pharmacology (preparation, properties, uses, and actions of drugs), pharmacodynamics (how an antidepressant acts in the body , including duration of response relative to plasma concentration), pharmacokinetics (including absorption, onset of action, distribution, biotransformation, metabolite action, and excretion route), and pharmacogenetics (including the effects and differences of antidepressant action in different people). Otherwise partial explanations of these factors involving a small subset of people who did not withdraw from the drug in a proper manner, might scare me into not taking this drug.
>
> Even if I do happen to get withdrawl symptoms while being weaned from this drug, I know of several strategies to minimize these withdrawl effects. Most of which have been posted several times on this site. In the past, this drug has not been understood as well as it is today, although I and my colleagues knew of the withdrawl syndrome and it's extent in a minority of people, for at least the past 3 years and we have dealt with it appropriately. Withdrawl syndrome still occurs in some of our patients, but this is almost always due to nonadherence to the treatment regimen.
>
> Since I know how to wean myself from this drug if and when need be, I am very confident the this drug has the ability resolve my depressive symptoms and PTSD so that I may be able to lead a more productive and "normal" life, again. I see this drug as a useful tool, not an evil demon.
>
> Sincerely - Cam
Posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 8:48:49
In reply to Re: Goofy or Anyone how do you know the mg in EFXR, posted by goofy on March 29, 2001, at 17:55:39
Goofy, thank you for getting back to me. It sounds like this is the best solution from what I have read in these emails. Were you able to function on the job, etc.? How bad were your side effects? Can you share some of your experience of withdrawl with me and include severity of them? I think it will help me stay focused if I know what to expect. I appreciate your input.
If I am prepared and know there is an end to the withdrawl symptoms I know I can do it! FishI don't reccomend opening the capsules because the granules are of varying sizes and so you won't know how much you are really taking at one time.
>
> some of the granuales are fused together and some are a little smaller it is very easy to eye ball this and divide the granuales equally by size. As far as the dose it may differ a slight bit but I don't think it matters that much. It was time consuming but it was worth it!
>
> goofy
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