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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by hf on May 12, 2001, at 11:24:53
In reply to Effexor: MY Conclusions, posted by kid47 on May 7, 2001, at 14:43:15
Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with Wellbutrin? I am now off of EXR for 3 weeks and am sort of getting over the withdrawls however, I am noticing that I am also having some of the depression coming back. I was on 375 mg of EXR plus 175 mg Wellbutrin 2x/day. I stopped both but now am wondering if I should stay on the Wellbutrin for a while by itself. After the AWFUL withdrawls from EXR, I don't want to get back into something that will do the same thing to me. Does anyone have any experience as to what WB's side effects are and any problem with withdrawl from it? And how it has helped them? Or not?
Thanks!hf
Posted by battygoth on May 12, 2001, at 11:28:17
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by Ann NY on May 11, 2001, at 15:09:18
-Ann NY
Thanks for the input. I'm from NY, but live in MD now. Anyway, what really angered me was that this drug was given out like candy at the pain clinic. The nurse practitioner has the authority to write prescriptions and give out free samples of FXR even tho he is not required to have any psychiatric training. Therefore, he is ill informed of side effects and how to prescribe a drug cocktail to help patients thru side effects. I just quit FXR cold turkey bec I've only been on it a short time and luckily it hasn't really made me very sick. And I am grateful that I can actually get out of bed and stay up. I am so annoyed that this nurse practioner can hand out this drug like its tylenol and he was completely unconcerned when I told him it made me sleep all day and unable to go to school. He did not care and did not offer any other medical solutions. He went as far as to ask me how I even know its FXR. He never even did a psych eval on me. He walks into the room and immediately blurts out that I have anxiety, take this. He doesn't even seem to know that different people have different types of anxiety. I admitted to having anxiety for years, well before my chronic pain incident. I did not tell him about my repetitive behaviors, hair picking, skin picking etc which would be important in determining which drug to prescribe. I was just too blinded with the idea of saving money and being able to get free med from him. Now I learned the hard way that I will have to see a qualified psychiatrist if I want to try something else. I am probably going to write a letter to the nursing board and physician boards in my state asking them to reconsider allowing non-psychiatric professionals to prescribe psychiatric drugs with serious side effects without having the necessary training background to do so and without considering how that affects the "victim" (patient). You just can't treat SSRIs or other psych drugs, whatever they consider FXR to be, like its an over the counter pain reliever or like its a bandaid cure-all. He seems to think that it is as simple as noting that someone seems anxious, but then again, how many people feel anxious when going to the doctor about a serious and chronic injury??? DUH! So to freely give out drugs like FXR w/o really examining the patient from a psychiatric standpoint is just totally absurd and irresponsible in my opinion. I just happened to have anxiety, but like I said, its nothing to do with the chronic pain because I've always had problems. It was tempting to not see a psychiatrist bec I do not currently have health insurance and they usually charge mega bucks unless I'm confusing what they charge with what psychologists/therapists charge. Anyway, I will see what I can do as I'd maybe like to try something like paroxetine as I've read it can help for people with anxiety with a touch of OCD.
-Jen C.
Posted by Cindylou on May 12, 2001, at 14:30:32
In reply to Any one with good/bad exp. w/ Wellbutrin?, posted by hf on May 12, 2001, at 11:24:53
Hi -
I am on 300 mg of Wellbutrin, and I have also just come off of Effexor. It's been about 3 or 4 weeks for me as well. So I guess we were both suffering at the same time! (UGH.) But we made it.Anyway, I was taking the Wellbutrin and Effexor together, and stayed on the Wellbutrin while going off Effexor. I have no bad side effects at all from the Wellbutrin, but it isn't really enough alone to help with my depression (I have been seeking some alternatives to SSRIs since I don't tolerate them well).
I have been on Wellbutrin in the past and then gone off of it to get pregnant -- I had NO problems at all with withdrawal symptoms. All in all, Wellbutrin has been very kind to me! In your case, I wouldn't hesitate to go back on it; it could give you the support you need right now.
Good luck, and keep me posted on what you decide to do -
-cindy> Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with Wellbutrin? I am now off of EXR for 3 weeks and am sort of getting over the withdrawls however, I am noticing that I am also having some of the depression coming back. I was on 375 mg of EXR plus 175 mg Wellbutrin 2x/day. I stopped both but now am wondering if I should stay on the Wellbutrin for a while by itself. After the AWFUL withdrawls from EXR, I don't want to get back into something that will do the same thing to me. Does anyone have any experience as to what WB's side effects are and any problem with withdrawl from it? And how it has helped them? Or not?
> Thanks!
>
> hf
Posted by kid47 on May 12, 2001, at 18:46:06
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by Pharma on May 12, 2001, at 5:54:32
Hi. Sorry you had such difficulties involving FXR. There are a number of us here, including myself, who have had great results with FXR. It "cured" my treatment resistance depression & I successfuly weaned off of 300mgs FXR xr with no discontinuation fx. Just reinforces the idea that we all can respond differently to meds. Take care.
> I took Efexor for just over 2 years. I found out that it was a very nasty drug. I also could not remember most of my dreams. I must warn you now about the enormous effects of withdrawing of this drug before I go any further. I tapered Efexor off as slowly as I could. I started to go mad towards the end. I had a lot of suicidal and even homicidal thoughts. In a sane moment, I realised that I must get of it. I had to go into hospital when I was withdrawing. The doctors had me on 40mg of diazepam (Valium), and 100mg of chlorpromazine (Largactil, Thorazine) a day and I was still bouncing off the walls. I could not even read a whole page of a novel for about 6 months after. I could have killed someone at the drop of a hat. IT IS VERY NASTY STUFF. I warn you to stop taking it if you can. As for the tight jaw you mentioned, that sounds like a cholinergic effect. It is a very powerful drug that should be reserved for sever cases of depression. I have numb fingers now thanks to Efexor and it was over a year since I stopped taking it. Be warned.
Posted by hf on May 12, 2001, at 23:20:28
In reply to Re: Any one with good/bad exp. w/ Wellbutrin? » hf, posted by Cindylou on May 12, 2001, at 14:30:32
> Hi -
> I am on 300 mg of Wellbutrin, and I have also just come off of Effexor. It's been about 3 or 4 weeks for me as well. So I guess we were both suffering at the same time! (UGH.) But we made it.
>
> Anyway, I was taking the Wellbutrin and Effexor together, and stayed on the Wellbutrin while going off Effexor. I have no bad side effects at all from the Wellbutrin, but it isn't really enough alone to help with my depression (I have been seeking some alternatives to SSRIs since I don't tolerate them well).
>
> I have been on Wellbutrin in the past and then gone off of it to get pregnant -- I had NO problems at all with withdrawal symptoms. All in all, Wellbutrin has been very kind to me! In your case, I wouldn't hesitate to go back on it; it could give you the support you need right now.
>
> Good luck, and keep me posted on what you decide to do -
> -cindy
>
Thanks, Cindy! I decided today, after reading some of the archive posts, to go back on to the Wellbutrin. I am starting with one 175 mg in the morning and will do that for a week and then go back to the 2x/day routine. I am also on Klonopin (although "they" have talked about putting me on Dilantin instead) for muscle spasms due to some rather serious injuries in the past (car, horse, snow mobile wrecks). It has helped quite a bit with the anxiety, too, and I can decide how much to take from a part of to three pills/day depending on how I am doing. I usually just use 1 per day. I will see how the "just" Wellbutrin goes and if I need any different routine with the Klonopin.It's sort of a weird feeling, I guess, but it helps to know someone else was going through The Withdrawal at the same time. Not that I would wish that on ANYONE, but, if you were going to be going through it anyways, then, at least we did it together (sort of :D )
I am supposed to see my pdoc this coming Tuesday and plan to tell him what I've decided about the NO EXR!!! and to try the Wellbutrin solo. Will be interesting....
Thanks, again!
HF
Posted by mvaureen on May 13, 2001, at 1:09:03
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Alissa on May 11, 2001, at 12:42:28
Hi! I just went off of Effexor, partially because I was no longer depressed and partially because I had a tremendous weight gain over 2.5 years, accompanied by extreme lethargy. I have started Wellbutrin, which is supposed to have the opposite effect according to my doctor. He tells me that Effexor is known for causing weight gain. My experience is proof enough for me. 75 pounds worth of proof.
>I have been on Paxil for about two months now. Like everyone else, it's working BUT the weight gain is horrible. Has anyone lost the weight after switching to Effexor?
Posted by mvaureen on May 13, 2001, at 1:38:01
In reply to Any one with good/bad exp. w/ Wellbutrin?, posted by hf on May 12, 2001, at 11:24:53
Hi!
I just went off Effexor, and I know what you mean about withdrawal. I never want to go through this again. This is my seventh day, and I am only now feeling like I can someday become normal. Here's what my doctor made me do to lessen the withdrawal: start Wellbutrin [first 150 mgs, then 300 mgs]; remain on Effexor at 225 mgs [my dose] for one week, then taper down to 37.5 mgs by the fourth week; stop Effexor; take as many natural stimulants as possible; he prescribed a stimulant for me [a diet pill; then, he suggested I stop smoking [believe it or not! I thought he was crazy].
Well, Welbutrin made me feel some joy for the first time in the couple of years on Effexor. For me, Effexor was a neccessary evil: an induced stupor. The withdrawal symptoms were almost unimaginably horrid for five days, and now are tolerable. I found that if I could just get out of the bed long enough to get stimulants in, I could break the cycle of excess sleep and lethargy. I felt terribly depressed because I realized that while Effexor probably saved my life, I am quite fat now. I also realized that I was quite detached from my emotions for these couple of years and a flood of them came back by the 5th day off of Effexor. I regretted some of the things I tolerated because of the detachment created by Effexor.
However!! I am laughing at the silliness of my withdrawal horror on this, the 7th day. I find that the vertigo, brain shivers, shock sensations, fatigue, etc. created a hilarious set of experiences. I walked into a glass door. I fell over my own shoes. I cried for three days. I vomitted at embarassing and unexpected times.
As for Wellbutrin, I feel that it is a gentle mood changer. It is what I need now, and while I was flooded with emotions for a week -- it was natural after sustaining an enforced evenness for over 2 years. I feel some happiness. HERE IS AN IMPORTANT TIP: my doctor was right about not smoking with Wellbutrin. By the time the Effexor wore off, I was only taking Wellbutrin and vitamins. I forgot to take the stimulants to stop me from sleeping too much. What I thought was depression disappeared when I added the stimulants to Wellbutrin. ABOUT THE SMOKING: what I didn't realize for a day or two was that I was experiencing grotesque sensations every time I smoked. I thought the sensations were part of the already ghastly Effexor withdrawal. The cigarettes were making me sicker. At one week off of Effexor, I thank Wellbutrin from preventing me from succumbing to depression because of the withdrawal symptoms. I also realize that my doctor was right to prescribe stimulants. Until I took them, I was feeling like I was depressed. It's a side affect AND withdrawal symptom of Effexor. I hope that you avoid depression and can find success with a drug that won't leave you with the double rebound of bad side effects and withdrawal when you stop taking it. Wellbutrin, I hear, does not have those effects. According to my doctor it will stop food cravings once the withdrawal ends, permit a free range of emotions, allow more energy, and make cigarette smoking disagreeable. I didn't believe much of that. I am starting to, though! Good luck and I hope Wellbutrin works out well for both of us.
Posted by N.P. on May 13, 2001, at 1:52:43
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I started having vertigo, sleepiness and nausea the next day I started 37.5 XR. Is it even possible. Is the drug wrong for me? Plus I have mussles shaking in my arms and legs, which I've never experienced before. Any comments are appreciated.
N.P.
Posted by Ann NY on May 13, 2001, at 2:09:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by N.P. on May 13, 2001, at 1:52:43
My Dr. told me these are common initial side effects. THerefore don't read it as an immediate sign that it is not right for you. But it should be a sign that you might need an itial lower dose.
I was started on 25 mg of the immediate release tablets and was told to cut it in half if I got the symptoms you decribed. This way you start with the drug at lower doses and it stays in you body for a much shorter duration. Personally, I always think it is good to start with traditional immediate release tablets for ANY drug. What if you have an allergic reaction and the stuff is trapped in your body for 20 hours?
Ask your Dr. to phone in a week of 25 mg tablets. I got them free, part of my starter package, sorry to hear you didn't.
I hope Effexor works for you. Its been great for me but it took several months and slow increases in the dosage. (Read my post "Effexor: My psitive experience")
Good luck and good health.
> I started having vertigo, sleepiness and nausea the next day I started 37.5 XR. Is it even possible. Is the drug wrong for me? Plus I have mussles shaking in my arms and legs, which I've never experienced before. Any comments are appreciated.
> N.P.
Posted by N.P. on May 13, 2001, at 10:54:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » N.P. , posted by Ann NY on May 13, 2001, at 2:09:36
Thank you Ann for your feedback. Too bad my doctor didn't tell me all this. He also didn't tell me that what he prescribed was antidepressant. :-) I'm thinking about quitting it, since I do not like the withdrawal effects almost everyone describes. What's the point of taking it if then you have month of torture going off and then some wind up on different medication. I for sure do not have clinical depression. Might (!) have chronical. But still not sure. But before quitting I'm going to call dr. and tell him that. See what he says. Thanks againg for your posting.
N.P.> My Dr. told me these are common initial side effects. THerefore don't read it as an immediate sign that it is not right for you. But it should be a sign that you might need an itial lower dose.
>
> I was started on 25 mg of the immediate release tablets and was told to cut it in half if I got the symptoms you decribed. This way you start with the drug at lower doses and it stays in you body for a much shorter duration. Personally, I always think it is good to start with traditional immediate release tablets for ANY drug. What if you have an allergic reaction and the stuff is trapped in your body for 20 hours?
>
> Ask your Dr. to phone in a week of 25 mg tablets. I got them free, part of my starter package, sorry to hear you didn't.
>
> I hope Effexor works for you. Its been great for me but it took several months and slow increases in the dosage. (Read my post "Effexor: My psitive experience")
>
> Good luck and good health.
>
> > I started having vertigo, sleepiness and nausea the next day I started 37.5 XR. Is it even possible. Is the drug wrong for me? Plus I have mussles shaking in my arms and legs, which I've never experienced before. Any comments are appreciated.
> > N.P.
Posted by Cindylou on May 13, 2001, at 12:42:25
In reply to Re: Any one with good/bad exp. w/ Wellbutrin? » Cindylou, posted by hf on May 12, 2001, at 23:20:28
Hi again, HF ...
Funny, we are on the exact same regimen it seems -- I am also taking Klonapin (for anxiety), and I am trying to only take it when I really need it ... I only take about 1/2 or even 1/4 pill at a time, sometimes twice a day, sometimes once, sometimes every other, etc ...Anyway, you're right, it is kind of comforting to know that someone else out there is going through the same things at the same time; can understand how it feels to go through WITHDRAWAL :(, etc.
Let me know how things are going for you, and how it goes Tuesday with your pdoc!
-cindy
> Thanks, Cindy! I decided today, after reading some of the archive posts, to go back on to the Wellbutrin. I am starting with one 175 mg in the morning and will do that for a week and then go back to the 2x/day routine. I am also on Klonopin (although "they" have talked about putting me on Dilantin instead) for muscle spasms due to some rather serious injuries in the past (car, horse, snow mobile wrecks). It has helped quite a bit with the anxiety, too, and I can decide how much to take from a part of to three pills/day depending on how I am doing. I usually just use 1 per day. I will see how the "just" Wellbutrin goes and if I need any different routine with the Klonopin.
>
> It's sort of a weird feeling, I guess, but it helps to know someone else was going through The Withdrawal at the same time. Not that I would wish that on ANYONE, but, if you were going to be going through it anyways, then, at least we did it together (sort of :D )
>
> I am supposed to see my pdoc this coming Tuesday and plan to tell him what I've decided about the NO EXR!!! and to try the Wellbutrin solo. Will be interesting....
>
> Thanks, again!
>
> HF
Posted by Cindylou on May 13, 2001, at 14:12:15
In reply to Re: Any one with good/bad exp. w/ Wellbutrin?, posted by mvaureen on May 13, 2001, at 1:38:01
> I also realized that I was quite detached from my emotions for these couple of years and a flood of them came back by the 5th day off of Effexor. I regretted some of the things I tolerated because of the detachment created by Effexor.
Your comment here is so insightful -- I have been feeling the same way since I've been off of Effexor; like I let everything just roll off my back while on the drug, and now when I think about some of those things, all these emotions well up inside of me ... It's almost a scary feeling to "feel" again, but it also means I'm a living human being and not a detached zombie anymore.Glad to hear the Wellbutrin is working for you. It's not enough for me alone; my depression has been coming back. I just started St. John's Wort to see what might happen -- I'm not optimistic, but who knows?
Also, did you know that Wellbutrin is also "Zyban" -- the medication they're marketing to stop smoking? So, no wonder it made you feel horrible while you smoked! Guess that's why it helps people quit...
Take care!
cindy
Posted by hf on May 13, 2001, at 18:56:21
In reply to Re: Any one with good/bad exp. w/ Wellbutrin?, posted by mvaureen on May 13, 2001, at 1:38:01
> Well, Welbutrin made me feel some joy for the first time in the couple of years on Effexor. For me, Effexor was a neccessary evil: an induced stupor. The withdrawal symptoms were almost unimaginably horrid for five days, and now are tolerable. I found that if I could just get out of the bed long enough to get stimulants in, I could break the cycle of excess sleep and lethargy. I felt terribly depressed because I realized that while Effexor probably saved my life, I am quite fat now. I also realized that I was quite detached from my emotions for these couple of years and a flood of them came back by the 5th day off of Effexor. I regretted some of the things I tolerated because of the detachment created by Effexor.
>
> As for Wellbutrin, I feel that it is a gentle mood changer. It is what I need now, and while I was flooded with emotions for a week -- it was natural after sustaining an enforced evenness for over 2 years. I feel some happiness. HERE IS AN IMPORTANT TIP: my doctor was right about not smoking with Wellbutrin. By the time the Effexor wore off, I was only taking Wellbutrin and vitamins. I forgot to take the stimulants to stop me from sleeping too much. What I thought was depression disappeared when I added the stimulants to Wellbutrin. ABOUT THE SMOKING: what I didn't realize for a day or two was that I was experiencing grotesque sensations every time I smoked. I thought the sensations were part of the already ghastly Effexor withdrawal. The cigarettes were making me sicker. At one week off of Effexor, I thank Wellbutrin from preventing me from succumbing to depression because of the withdrawal symptoms. I also realize that my doctor was right to prescribe stimulants. Until I took them, I was feeling like I was depressed. It's a side affect AND withdrawal symptom of Effexor. I hope that you avoid depression and can find success with a drug that won't leave you with the double rebound of bad side effects and withdrawal when you stop taking it. Wellbutrin, I hear, does not have those effects. According to my doctor it will stop food cravings once the withdrawal ends, permit a free range of emotions, allow more energy, and make cigarette smoking disagreeable. I didn't believe much of that. I am starting to, though! Good luck and I hope Wellbutrin works out well for both of us.******
You know, I didn't realize how much of a stupor I was in until I read this post. Now that I think (ouch!) back on the last three years, I realize that, indeed, I was totally numbed emotionally. I started forgetting to take my EXR when I started working with a volunteer program last summer mainly because of the early and late hours. I got off schedule and just kept forgetting. The pain and other withdrawal symptoms kind of came and went with when I remembered to take my EXR but I didn't notice the correlation and I was totally uninformed. What I do see is that, during this period of on and off taking EXR I started getting angry with how my husband had not been working for most of our married life and how things had been a real nightmare with him and his undisciplined brat teenagers. I filed for divorce and kept working with the volunteer program which means I kept forgetting the EXR. To make a long story shorter, I quit taking alot of things and had honest emotions about them and did something about the situation. Thankfully, it woke up the ex, who's now the hubby again, and the kids were made to move out and grow up (both had physically threatened me - one had threatened to kill me - guess brat is a mild word :) ). Now, when I consciously decided to go off the EXR, I know more what's going on and why due to this list. No, it's no fun but the withdrawals are a necessary thing to get my life back and I am definitely willing to go the distance. Things are getting better! Your post helps because I see the reason why I have been feeling some of the emotions I have the last week or so. It had sort of been scaring me as I thought, oh, no, what's happening now?! My temper was on edge as was my emotions. But I can see them as "delayed reactions" that should have happened when I was numbed out. I started taking the Wellbutrin again yesterday starting with the 175 mg/day and will go up to the 2x/day next week and I am still on the Klonopin. My life has turned around in so many ways - mostly due to the coming to as I started off the EXR. I made decisions that I have needed to and decided to do something that I really enjoy and quit listening to those who really shouldn't have had any say in the first place. I truly believe that my pdoc kept medicating side effects and adding more of the culprit - EXR - which just made things worse. A defeating cycle, for sure!! That is over. I hope it was ignorance and not negligence on his part. I will have a better idea on this when I see him this Tuesday as I plan to tell him NO MORE EXR!!! Wellbutrin and Klonopin, YES!Oh, and the weight!! I had kept gaining weight - about 30 pounds - and hadn't been hardly eating a thing and working hard physically (the volunteering was training horses for a youth ranch). I had been perplexed! I am hypothyroid but that is being medicated and shouldn't be the problem. Hopefully, my metabolism will get back on track once the EXR is out of my system and the Wellbutrin starts kicking in.
One thing that I have found to be helpful is Gatorade and salt. The potassium, sodium, electrolyte balance seems to be important. One of the things I noticed when I started withdrawals is that my blood pressure was staying very low so I started pushing the above and I have felt quite a bit better. That and Immodium and Zantac or Prevacid to counter some of the other effects. I will try some natural stimulants like your doctor suggested. What are you taking?
Sorry so long winded but it seemed that some things clicked when I read your post. I am very thankful for the people on this list as it helps to hear "the rest of the story".... :)
HF
Posted by N.P. on May 13, 2001, at 22:49:32
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by mvaureen on May 13, 2001, at 1:09:03
I'm new to that stuff, but I have a BIG problem with sugar. My cravings were totaly gone the very next day I started Effexor. But maybe it's only in the beginning. It also made me so sleepy that I wouldn't lose any weight even not eating sugars. I decided to not to get on it (particulary after reading everything that people write about it) and didn't take it today. The sugar craving are back. Too bad.
> Hi! I just went off of Effexor, partially because I was no longer depressed and partially because I had a tremendous weight gain over 2.5 years, accompanied by extreme lethargy. I have started Wellbutrin, which is supposed to have the opposite effect according to my doctor. He tells me that Effexor is known for causing weight gain. My experience is proof enough for me. 75 pounds worth of proof.
> >
>
> I have been on Paxil for about two months now. Like everyone else, it's working BUT the weight gain is horrible. Has anyone lost the weight after switching to Effexor?
Posted by mstar on May 14, 2001, at 11:21:35
In reply to Re: Effexor and advil? » mstar, posted by Ann NY on May 11, 2001, at 20:31:43
Ann,
Actually, I found another anti-inflamatory which doesn't give me an upset stomach or extra hot flashes: alleve (naproxen sodium). So I am very excited. I need to take an anti-inflamatory for TMJ and tension headaches and now I have terrible back pain from an injury. I have had such a past with cronic muscle tension and pain that I usually took large doses (600) but now I am so used to the pain that I only take it when it is really, really bad.
Posted by sl on May 14, 2001, at 21:46:50
In reply to Any one with good/bad exp. w/ Wellbutrin?, posted by hf on May 12, 2001, at 11:24:53
> Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with Wellbutrin? I am now off of EXR for 3 weeks and am sort of getting over the withdrawls however, I am noticing that I am also having some of the depression coming back. I was on 375 mg of EXR plus 175 mg Wellbutrin 2x/day. I stopped both but now am wondering if I should stay on the Wellbutrin for a while by itself.
I'd suggest. If nothing else, it'd probably be easier to go gradually instead of cold turkey. (gradually to "drug-free", I mean)
>After the AWFUL withdrawls from EXR, I don't want to get back into something that will do the same thing to me.
Not a chance. I took it for a long time, Occasionally I'd run out and have to go on half-doses or even NONE for a day or two or four, I never noticed the difference other than being down. I was never worse than I'd been before I'd started Wellbutrin.
>Does anyone have any experience as to what WB's side effects are and any problem with withdrawl from it? And how it has helped them? Or not?
It was wonderful. I took it for upwards of 5 years. I felt normal, I woke up in the morning and was able to get out of bed and do things I wanted to do, it was like a dream. My family all noticed the difference, they could tell when I'd missed a dose or two...it was night and day difference. I started keeping my apartment clean, cooking, going places...doing all the things I always looked out the window at and said "if only...".
And now....I switched to Wellbutriin-SR, and then after 6 months or a year, it wasn't affecting me like it was in the beginning. So I started the search for something that'd work. And here I am, still looking. :( I'm starting to think that even at reduced effectiveness Wellbutrin was better than anything else.
sl
Posted by hf on May 15, 2001, at 1:12:20
In reply to Re: Any one with good/bad exp. w/ Wellbutrin? » hf, posted by sl on May 14, 2001, at 21:46:50
> I'd suggest. If nothing else, it'd probably be easier to go gradually instead of cold turkey. (gradually to "drug-free", I mean)
I am now taking the Wellbutrin 175 mg/day and will go back to the 2x/day next week. I am seeing my pdoc tomorrow and will see what he suggests - however, NO EXR!
>
> Not a chance. I took it for a long time, Occasionally I'd run out and have to go on half-doses or even NONE for a day or two or four, I never noticed the difference other than being down. I was never worse than I'd been before I'd started Wellbutrin.That's what I've been hearing and why I decided to go on and try the Wellbutrin without the EXR.
> And now....I switched to Wellbutriin-SR, and then after 6 months or a year, it wasn't affecting me like it was in the beginning. So I started the search for something that'd work. And here I am, still looking. :( I'm starting to think that even at reduced effectiveness Wellbutrin was better than anything else.
>
> sl
I hope you find the right "one" or combination. I have gone through several: Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, EXR, Trazadone (I slept through that one), Buspar, and the Wellbutrin and Klonopin combo. So far, Wellbutrin and Prozac (seperately) have done the best but the Prozac fizzled out. That has been 4 years ago so I don't know if it would work again or not. I think I will stick with the Wellbutrin and see how that goes. I am curious what my pdoc is going to suggest (and say about my NO EXR stand)....guess I'll find out tomorrow.Thanks for your suggestions!
HF
Posted by mstar on May 15, 2001, at 12:20:21
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
for a while I thought the FXR was working. I have been at 150 now for almost a month. I have had some good days but lately I have had some physical pain (a back ache) and now it seems the depression is taking over again. I feel tired most of the time, sad and have violent thoughts. I don't want to do anything. Has this happened with anyone else? My depression isn't as bad as it was, and I did seem to get better. I've only been on FXR for a total of 8 weeks. Do things get better and then worse if you aren't at the right dose? Is it situational? Do you think my pdoc is going to up my dose when I see her next week? Any advise on this would be great.
best,
m
Posted by Sunie on May 15, 2001, at 21:22:13
In reply to feelin bad again, posted by mstar on May 15, 2001, at 12:20:21
sounds familiar...
2 months is about all the usefulness I got out of FXR. Only I didn't realize at the time that I was sliding...I stayed on it a year with no further benefits except weight gain (some benefit!). My doc and I did play with dosage some at the end, but by then my attitude was "screw this, I can do better on my own."
Needless to say, I stayed depressed.
Trying Wellbutrin now.for what it's worth,
Sunie
Posted by SalArmy4me on May 16, 2001, at 0:32:21
In reply to feelin bad again, posted by mstar on May 15, 2001, at 12:20:21
Effexor has dose-dependent effects on the uptake pumps for serotonin and then norepinephrine. At 75-150 mg/day, venlafaxine is predominantly a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) like the SSRIs. At 300 mg/day, it produces comparable norepinephrine uptake inhibition to an NSRI such as desipramine...Your depressed brain may be lacking that norepinephrine boost gained only by a higher dose of Effexor {thus, this may be why the Effexor does not work for you right now}.
Posted by wen on May 16, 2001, at 12:40:46
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by kate on April 13, 2000, at 9:26:23
Hi i have just started taking effexor xr its the first anti depression medication i have tried, i have had side effects such as dizzyness and dry mouth and sleeplessness but i am hoping these will go away. i have been reading all of the above comments and trying to get a better understanding of the drug, if anyone has any more negative or positive feedback i would be very interested, also how successful is lithium in treating depression, is it an uplifter or a downer drug and is is dangerous??
wen
Posted by SalArmy4me on May 16, 2001, at 13:09:06
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by wen on May 16, 2001, at 12:40:46
Dry Mouth: This effect is most commonly seen with antidepressants that block the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, but may also occur with norepinephrine uptake inhibitors (like Effexor). While it is frequently considered a trivial adverse effect, it can result in increased tooth decay and gum disease due to the loss of the bacteria-fighting effects of saliva. You should practice excellent dental hygiene, including brushing after every meal, avoiding snacks (particularly those which are sweet), and flossing. Chewing sugarless gum can be helpful.
For the sleeplessness, you may want to move your dose to earlier in the day.
Here's what Dr. Preskorn says about the dizziness:
"The dizziness caused by 5-HT1A stimulation is most likely centrally mediated. It can occur early in treatment with antidepressants which inhibit serotonin uptake (eg, SSRIs and Effexor)... There are no cardiovascular changes associated with it. Balance and coordination are subjectively, but not objectively, affected. **Tolerance commonly develops within days to a week..."
http://www.preskorn.com/books/omd_s11.htmlI agree with the Dr. that tolerance does develop to some Effexor symptoms.
Posted by kid47 on May 16, 2001, at 15:46:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by wen on May 16, 2001, at 12:40:46
Hi. I was taking FXR xr@ 300mg/day for about a year. The dry mouth never resolved but was a great motivator to drink lots a water. The dizziness I experienced went away after the first week. I took my meds in the a.m. & had very little problem with sleep, but when I did I found 1mg of Klonopin OR a dose of Ambien to take care of it.
Lithium has been shown to be effective as monotherapy for depression, but I would try the newer AD's with more benign side fx profiles before ever considering Lithium. Unless you have a difficult to treat condition I think FXR, or one of the SSRI's, should bring you relief. Hope this helps. Take care.
PS -Effexor xr was the only AD out of 7 I tried to resolve my treatment resistant depression.
> Hi i have just started taking effexor xr its the first anti depression medication i have tried, i have had side effects such as dizzyness and dry mouth and sleeplessness but i am hoping these will go away. i have been reading all of the above comments and trying to get a better understanding of the drug, if anyone has any more negative or positive feedback i would be very interested, also how successful is lithium in treating depression, is it an uplifter or a downer drug and is is dangerous??
>
> wen
Posted by newby on May 18, 2001, at 17:36:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by wen on May 16, 2001, at 12:40:46
Started Effexor XR five days ago. Withdrawal posts are frightening. Only other medications I've ever taken are vitamins and aspirin. Dr. prescribed Effexor for insomnia and related anxiety. Feeling jittery during the day since taking the med and drowsy at night, but still can't sleep more than three hours. Anyone take this for sleep disorder?
Posted by N.P. on May 18, 2001, at 20:02:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by newby on May 18, 2001, at 17:36:47
Hm.. Effexor made me reeeeeealy sleepy. I slept for three days and nights and then quit it.
But mine was prescribed for depression. They recommend to hang on for couple of weeks when majority of the side effects should dissapear. Take care
N.P.>
> Started Effexor XR five days ago. Withdrawal posts are frightening. Only other medications I've ever taken are vitamins and aspirin. Dr. prescribed Effexor for insomnia and related anxiety. Feeling jittery during the day since taking the med and drowsy at night, but still can't sleep more than three hours. Anyone take this for sleep disorder?
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