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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by newby on May 23, 2001, at 13:28:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny 15, posted by kid47 on May 23, 2001, at 13:14:00
I guess I still don't get it. Does Effexor treat depression or anxiety? Does it help sleep disorder? Just graduated from 37.5 to 75. Still jittery..
Posted by N.P. on May 23, 2001, at 15:30:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny 15, posted by newby on May 23, 2001, at 13:28:40
I totally understand you. I don't get how they do it, but antidepressants do treat both - depression and anxiety (which is in most cases one of signs of depression). I guess that is because lack of serotonin causes both - anxiety and depression.
> I guess I still don't get it. Does Effexor treat depression or anxiety? Does it help sleep disorder? Just graduated from 37.5 to 75. Still jittery..
Posted by LglEagle on May 23, 2001, at 23:03:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny 15, posted by newby on May 23, 2001, at 13:28:40
> I guess I still don't get it. Does Effexor treat depression or anxiety? Does it help sleep disorder? Just graduated from 37.5 to 75. Still jittery.
Hi, I read your post. The way it was explained to me is that this medication treats both anxiety and depression. For me, I had horrible anxiety, so bad that I ended up in the ER while on vacation in Florida. I had my first Panic Attack (Terrible!!) I ended up coming home on Xanax. I went on the Effexor XR and it was pretty rocky the first 2 weeks. My heart was racing, I had nausea, and did not sleep good at all. I would sleep for maybe 3 hours then be wide awake. I did the starter pack of the 37.5 then went to 75mg. Lack of sleep causes your Serotonin level to be depleted. With the medication, I truly believe you will overcome this. I have the same problem that you have. It helped me to sleep and there were nights that I didn't sleep at all. Hang in there :-)
Posted by on May 24, 2001, at 4:48:00
In reply to Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia, posted by Mary Jane M on October 6, 2000, at 16:15:52
> Has anybody accidentally skipped or forgot a dose and it felt like you were starting all over again? I am on 150 and forgot one dose. I slept for 2 days. In the past, when I ran out for about 3 days, I had the electric head things, severe anger/frustration, the flu-like symptoms, and the sleeping. Anyway, just wondering if this has happened to anyone else. I'm not sure if this is working, but then again, it could just be my stressfull surroundings, too. ....Not giving up yet....
Thanks, Real Name (Not)
> I've just worked up to 225 grams of effexor xr and can't figure out whether it's better to take bigger dose during the day or at night? Please give feedback if this drug causes you daytime drowsiness or nightime insomnia. Do these side effects wear off? I'm also taking 500mg depakote bid, wellbutrin 100mg am and afternoon, topomax 25 mg at night, and klonopin (clonazepam)1 - 2 mg at night and prn for anxiety and panic attacks (about .25 mg occaisionally during the day.) I also am experimenting with ambien and sonata along with the klonopin to see how I'll get the best night's sleep with no side effects. pdoc doesn't want me to take any more antidepressants for fear I may go into a hypomania.
> Thankyou, Mary
Posted by DSJ on May 24, 2001, at 8:53:30
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
>
> Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> to have a lot of success...
>
> please share your thoughts on this.
EffexorXR has changed my life. I was suffering from panic attacks which lead to anxiety attacks which lead to be totally out of balance. I have tried them all, prozac, wellbutrin, klonopin, just to name a few. I started on 37.5 and went to 75 about 1 month after. I am much happier, I smile, My moods are even, I laugh. I work in a high stress job and the anxiety is all but gone. The side effects are at times a pain, especially the sweating. I have found that I sleep better if I take it a night as it does at times make me drowsy during the day. But, those things are I small price to pay for stablity.
Posted by Astrologer30 on May 24, 2001, at 18:31:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 22, 2001, at 4:56:18
At the time that I was on Effexor, I am coming off of it now after a year, I was on a very high dosage of 225 mg of the time release a day, and it was started at 'one' time due to an impending disaster that was about to occur in my life and the after effects, my docter felt it best to really 'give it to me'. So I didn't have to take steps to increase my dosage, like yourself ( I have ocd I'm not sure about you) but I was terrified about being sick, and what was going to happen and so on, but it really wasn't bad at all, if anything, now that I am coming off of it I have been having withdrawl symptoms that appear to be worse than going on it... but I can tell you, that I would recommend the Effexor xr, if you can, like I did, I divided my pills up through out the day, morning, noon and bedtime, you can try your increase at bed and any side effects you 'may' experience, you'll probably sleep through and than adjust it to your regular time schedule. But I am not a docter - I just try to play one on the internet ;) so you should ask him/her, I just know that aside from shocking every pharmacist when I would bring in my prescription at the mgs. I was on, the 'episode' that I had to go through 'may' have taken my mind off of the symptoms, so try not to 'think' toooo much about it, because they do say "If you think it - it will probably happen".
I dont know if that helps, but you'll pull through it fine, and the Effexor worked wonders, and I mean wonders! it did for me and I am literally 'living' proof!!
Posted by KatieGinger on May 25, 2001, at 3:40:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny 15, posted by LglEagle on May 23, 2001, at 23:03:01
< < Hi, I read your post. The way it was explained to me is that this medication treats both anxiety and depression. For me, I had horrible anxiety, so bad that I ended up in the ER while on vacation in Florida. I had my first Panic Attack (Terrible!!) > >
*Hugs* I'm on Effexor for Panic Attacks as well. I always thought that they were normal until I had my physcial before I went off to college. The RN blinked when I told her how often I had panic attacks (2-3 a week) and then put me on Effexor right away.
< < I ended up coming home on Xanax. I went on the Effexor XR and it was pretty rocky the first 2 weeks. My heart was racing, I had nausea, and did not sleep good at all. I would sleep for maybe 3 hours then be wide awake. I did the starter pack of the 37.5 then went to 75mg. > >
I think that's exactly what I did too. Although sometimes after being on the medication for awhile I consider upping the dosage. I've had panic attacks while on Effexor after 2 months, or so of medication.< < Lack of sleep causes your Serotonin level to be depleted. With the medication, I truly believe you will overcome this. I have the same problem that you have. It helped me to sleep and there were nights that I didn't sleep at all. Hang in there :-) > >
Yeah, Effexor still messes with my sleep cycle when I go on it. I guess I'm a bad medication person because I'll go off it for days, weeks, or months at a time and then start again after I have another panic attack.
=KatieGinger=
Posted by JAMMER on May 25, 2001, at 7:50:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? Jenny 15, posted by newby on May 23, 2001, at 13:28:40
> I guess I still don't get it. Does Effexor treat depression or anxiety? Does it help sleep disorder? Just graduated from 37.5 to 75. Still jittery..
Kid47, Anxiety was the primary reason I went to Effexor XR and it worked very well for that symptom. I was at 37 then 75 then back to 37 due to B.P. issues.
-James
Posted by limey on May 25, 2001, at 10:09:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? kid47, posted by JAMMER on May 25, 2001, at 7:50:30
I have just found this thread, and want to add my 2 cents worth of effexor experience. I have been treated for severe depression and anxiety (panic disorder) for the last 20 years, and have been on quite a large number of various meds. Paxil seemed to work best, and I have been on it for 5 years, but my weight has ballooned!! I lived with this side effect becasue it felt soooooo good to be out from the black cloud! But, I recently asked my pdoc. if he could possibly find me an equally good med, that won't put the weight on like this! He switched me to effexor XR 2 months ago, and I feel really good on it! My life is very stressful right now (moving house, etc.) but, I am coping fine! Side effects are very minimal. But, he now wants to put me on Topamax also, to help with the weight gain. Has anyone had any experience with these 2 drugs together? Thanks!
- limey
Posted by CincyJack on May 25, 2001, at 17:17:55
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 22, 2001, at 4:56:18
I am now in my 6th week of Effexor and the results have been good. Six years ago I was on Prozac for depression (constant weeping, the "black dog" runs in my family).
A couple months ago I had a major panic attack in the dead of night, thought I was dying or going insane or both. Then, I simply could not sleep for days. Signs of depression.
My Pdoc prescribed Effexor XR. The first couple weeks were rough - I was a space case. Then I was not sleeping very well - very light, restless sleep.
Now things are getting back in the groove and I am sleeping better and in much better spirits. I had morbid thoughts all the time prior to the panic attack and took no joy in my life. Now I am playing the drums again (something I love but felt pointless with the big D). People have noticed the change in me.
I do occasionally have a mild spot of dizziness or "chills" (we used to call them "rushes" - not all bad!) but overall I am pleased with the results. If you can get through the first month, it may work out well.
I will cross the withdrawal bridge when that time comes - no sense dreading something in the future that might not happen.
Good luck.
Posted by Finallyhappy? on May 25, 2001, at 20:57:25
In reply to I Love Effexor, posted by Denny on April 13, 2001, at 15:38:04
I love it too! I have been depressed for 25 years before I tried a medication. I had a few side effects on Effexor when I first started, but after 3 days I was feeling fine. I had trouble sleeping and I could not get words out of my mouth when I tried to talk.I also had the sexual side effect of not being able to have an orgasm. That was tough. Of course my wife loved it. I thought I ws going to have a heart attack though. That symptom too has dwindled away and our sex life is great. My over all negative feelings and pessimism have disappeared. This obviously works on anxiety attacks also because I was told last week that I was getting laid off on June 1st. That sucks because its also my 10 year wedding anniversary.Oh well!! Anyway , I have not freaking
out at all. I am concerned obviously but my anxiety is not there. This drug works great for me! Those of you who are not having luck I'm sorry. Those of you who have not tried Effexor and are depressed have nothing to lose except maybe your life. Best of life to all! FinallyHappy
Posted by maribeth on May 26, 2001, at 8:20:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 22, 2001, at 4:56:18
> > Dee, I have been on the 37.5 for a week. Will switch to 75 today. All I know is, doctor told me to give it two weeks for it to work, so I'm trying to hang in. Last night, couldn't sleep from the anxiety. Heart racing all night. Scared of what affects the 75 will have, and nearly threw in the towel, but I'm going to try to hang in another week. Feel ok during the daytime. > > I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY CURRENTLY TAKE XANAX AND NOW DR. WANTS ME TO TRY EFFEXOR XR 37.5 MG. I AM TERRIFIED OF ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS! ANY THOUGHTS??
>
> Thanks for the help. I still haven't started it. Very apprehensive. I may try it this weekend when my husband is around for that extra security that I desperately need!! All these side effects make me wonder which is better to stick with the xanax and therapy or try the effexor since some people do have positive outcomes from it. I have also been told to try the herb Kava Kava? Anyone tried this yet?Dee --I have taken most of the anti depressants you can name and I have been on Effexor XR 350 for a little over a year. I would say without a doubt it is the best. I had a few side effects in the beginning but they went away within a week and now I wouldn't trade Effexor for anything. Hang in there! Maribeth
Posted by limey on May 26, 2001, at 9:08:02
In reply to Re: I Love Effexor » Denny, posted by Finallyhappy? on May 25, 2001, at 20:57:25
To Dee, I agree with Maribeth, don't be afraid - try it - I have been on so many different ones over the past 20 years, that I have lost count. The problem that I have found with many people taking AD's is that they quit too early. My pdoc told me years ago, that until you get up to a "therapuetic" level, you're really only getting the side-effects of a med. I also found that whatever I took, my body finally got used to the med. and usually the side-effects became minimal (whether if fixed the depression was another matter!.) So, go for it Dee, you will feel so much better, I think effexor is one of the best - but, give the med. a good chance to work before quitting - expect to feel a bit "wierd" for a few days while your body adjusts, but, stay optomistic and look forward to the improved feelings and quality of life that it will give you. Good Luck - let me know how it goes! - Limey
Posted by limey on May 26, 2001, at 9:14:12
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 22, 2001, at 4:56:18
Dee, please see my post above - it went with the wrong heading ,but is meant for you! -limey
Posted by johne on May 26, 2001, at 14:31:55
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Hazel on August 2, 2000, at 10:22:12
i've been on effexor XR 75 mg capsules for a month now. i love what the drug has done for me. however, i like to go out once a week and get pizzed drunk eh and i'm starting to think i cannot do that on this drug. i have a few drinks and get very sick. then the after drunken depression lasts up to a week. i never had such a horrible time drinking in my life. anyone else having such bad experiences or have any advice about drinking while on effexor XR?
Posted by johne on May 26, 2001, at 14:38:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dee pop on May 22, 2001, at 4:56:18
fought going to the doctor cuz i really hated what his paxil did to me a year ago. finally broke down and went. he put me on the 37.5 tabs and i sat and looked at em for a week b4 i started taking them. after the 37.5's ran out i wuz suppose to start on the 75's and i wasn't sure if i wanted to still. but i hang in there and took the 75's for a week like doc wanted me to and it's now been a month, i'm still taking the 75's, and i feel like i'm the king of the world!! hang in there. if you've come this close, give it the full chance, the end result is definately worth it.
Posted by ElleninNYC on May 26, 2001, at 14:48:53
In reply to Re: I Quit Effexor Cold Turkey, posted by Diane J. on April 30, 2001, at 19:37:49
My M.D. has warned me several times not to miss a dose ("it's not a good feeling" he said). After about 6 months on it I accidentally skipped my dose yesterday (I take 112.5mgs a day). "Not a good feeling" is the biggest understatement ever. It was the worst day of my life. I had a lightheaded feeling and was nauseous. I had muscle pain, diarrhea, and felt all day like I might throw up or pass out. I also could not control my crying, and spent the day at work locked in my office sobbing. I had worse depression than I ever had before I began treatment. I am horrified that my doctor didn't tell me how bad it would be. I'm going back to Prozac ASAP (don't worry-I'll wean slowly.)
-Ellen
Posted by newby on May 26, 2001, at 15:13:21
In reply to Re: I Quit Effexor Cold Turkey, posted by ElleninNYC on May 26, 2001, at 14:48:53
Just finishing second week on Effexor XR. Graduated from 37.5 to 75. Best thing that has happened is that I am finally sleeping at night. Drymouth has eased up and the initial jitters have passed. Feeling more relaxed and not getting anoyed at others. Is anyone happy with Effexor?
Posted by willow on May 26, 2001, at 21:32:42
In reply to Re: I Love Effexor, posted by limey on May 26, 2001, at 9:08:02
I've been on it for eight months now and am still improving.
Love it, YES!
Willow
Posted by newby on May 27, 2001, at 10:35:31
In reply to Re: I Love Effexor, posted by willow on May 26, 2001, at 21:32:42
Willow.
Can you tell me more? Have you experienced side effects? I am never taken medication for depression. Didn't even know I was depressed, but do have lots of anxiety. How long did it take before you started feeling better?
> I've been on it for eight months now and am still improving.
>
> Love it, YES!
>
> Willow
Posted by lecky on May 27, 2001, at 13:27:20
In reply to Re: This is scarier than I thought , posted by Cindy W on April 26, 2000, at 9:26:15
i had been taking effexor xr 150mg/day for about a year. just recently though i went out of the country to study abroad. in an incedent (the end of march) where i lost my backback which had my medicine in it, i was forced to go without the effexor. for the first few weeks, i had many withdrawl symptoms. then after this i felt incredible, like i was on the top of the world. i was not able to recieve any more medication until i arrieved back in the u.s. (the end of april) now, for the past two weeks i feel my anxiety and mild depression again. i had my perscription refilled recently but am wary of taking 150mg right off the bat. are there adverse effects to doing this? can i cut the pill in half to take 75mg for a week or so?
Posted by DebbieLynn on May 27, 2001, at 19:24:15
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by maribeth on May 26, 2001, at 8:20:35
> > > Dee, I have been on the 37.5 for a week. Will switch to 75 today. All I know is, doctor told me to give it two weeks for it to work, so I'm trying to hang in. Last night, couldn't sleep from the anxiety. Heart racing all night. Scared of what affects the 75 will have, and nearly threw in the towel, but I'm going to try to hang in another week. Feel ok during the daytime. > > I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY CURRENTLY TAKE XANAX AND NOW DR. WANTS ME TO TRY EFFEXOR XR 37.5 MG. I AM TERRIFIED OF ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS! ANY THOUGHTS??
> >
> > Thanks for the help. I still haven't started it. Very apprehensive. I may try it this weekend when my husband is around for that extra security that I desperately need!! All these side effects make me wonder which is better to stick with the xanax and therapy or try the effexor since some people do have positive outcomes from it. I have also been told to try the herb Kava Kava? Anyone tried this yet?
>
> Dee --I have taken most of the anti depressants you can name and I have been on Effexor XR 350 for a little over a year. I would say without a doubt it is the best. I had a few side effects in the beginning but they went away within a week and now I wouldn't trade Effexor for anything. Hang in there! Maribeth
Hello. I take Effexor XR--225 mg a day. I take 150mg in the morning and 75 mg about 6pm. When I first started it, I started at 37.5 mg. I felt so weird. It made my heart race, my pupils dilated...I probably had every side effects thats possible. I was scared to jump to 75mg. I was on 37.5 for about a week and a half, I wanted to feel "ready" to jump to the next step. When I started the 75mg, it really wasn't that bad. Then I started 75mg 2x a day. I was extremely tired at that dose. When my doctor put me up to 225mg...3 weeks went by and I was like "is this all this medicine does?" But magically, about the fourth week of being at the 225mg level, I started feel "up" and in great moods. I too suffer from anxiety, and the Effexor did make me feel incredibly anxious at first, but I took Xanax to control that until it stopped. (that was about 2 or 3 days for me) Effexor does wonders for anxiety as well! I never would have thought I'd be at this level, but it is working great for me.
Hang in there, and do as you doc says. If you can tolerate these side effects, I believe you will be grateful. It does take awhile for it to "kick in"Good luck to you!
Debbie
P.S. Sorry to ramble on about my experience, but it is nice to know that there are people out there feeling the same way I do.
Posted by paulk on May 27, 2001, at 20:36:28
In reply to Hate it! , posted by SCALLOPSHELL on April 13, 2001, at 7:42:19
have been taking Effexor for 3 years now. At first it was quite good – I have had depression all my life – never stopping. After I started Effexor-xr my wife all of a sudden thought I was sweet< grin >.
I never could take more than 75mg and function. I would lose the ability to concentrate – memory problems – I would be unable to remember a phone number I give out several times a day. Problems with word choice. Recently, I had to cut the dose to 37.5mg or my concentration became so poor that I couldn’t work. It is as if a metabolite just keeps collecting but not the one that does me good. I am wonder if anyone else here has had the experience of memory/ concentration problems with long term use of Effexor-xr??
I decided to change to a MAOI and stop the Effexor-xr a few weeks ago – I have had a lot of withdrawal side effects – I first went a week at 25 mg and then stopped. I would recommend anyone stopping to learn to open the pills and count the pellets. Then taper down cutting the daily dosage in halve each week until you are down to 9mg. Effexor-xr really should come in smaller amounts for tapering. Anyone starting it should be told, up front, that it takes a good month to stop the drug.
Before starting ANY antidepressant you should see a good endocrinologist who can rule out hypothyroidism. A good endocrinologist needs to be familiar with combined T4/T3 treatment and understand treating the patient and not just the lab test numbers.
A high TSH indicates hypothyroidism – but what WAS a high normal is now treated. Many doctors are not aware that the normal range for TSH has changed – and that replacement therapy for hypothyroidism should probably end up with the TSH level in the bottom 25% of the new normal range.
Most of my concentration is back – along with my depression – I have found tears in my eyes unexpectedly. I have to be totally off the Effexor-xr for one week before I start the MOAI.
Please be aware the risks of taking antidepressants are much less than the risks of depression itself. While psychopharmacological treatment is still crude and in its infancy, it has helped me much more than the years and years of psychotherapy that in hind sight was mostly an expensive waste of time for me.
Posted by willow on May 27, 2001, at 21:09:45
In reply to Re: I Love Effexor, posted by newby on May 27, 2001, at 10:35:31
*Have you experienced side effects?
Yes, lots of them. Having said that, they are all physical ones, which I can tolerate and have lessened with time or either I found a change in my lifestyle that would help aleviate them. The most common side-effect I have had from other anti-depressant medications have affected my moods and thinking negatively. This I couldn't tolerate, not if I was to live with other people.
*never taken medication for depression.
I spent my first week in the hospital for depression during my 16th birthday. Seven years later I took my first AD, impramine. It made me agitated and I cried non-stop. I think I took it for a month. Six years later I guess I started a long period of chronic illness, which just seemed to slowly get worse. This has lasted for almost five years. During this time I've taken different ADS which usually made me worse. Last October I started effexor.
I was unable to think when I moved or stand any external stimulation. The effexor lessened this, but it did have side-effects. The symptom it helped was worse than the side-effects, so this is probably why I stuck with it.
*Didn't even know I was depressed, but do have lots of anxiety.
My husband thought the doctor was wrong when he suggested that I was suffering from depression. We've been together a long time, so if anyone knows me he would. What I'm trying to say is that depression/anxiety can be hard to recognize. My psychologist says it's anxiety, which I've argued that I don't have, but now being on the effexor and it has gotten rid of the excessive anxiety I can look back and say it was. So I think it can slowly progress without us being aware.
*How long did it take before you started feeling better?
The concentration problems were helped fairly quickly, I noticed subtle improvement within days. After that it would be about every month when I look back, and say wow! Or I recover bits of my memory that I thought were lost, little pieces of the old me coming back.
Uups for making a short thing so long. In a nutshell, effexor has worked great for me. The most noticeable thing is that it can control chronic generalized anxiety. It can have side-effects that are manageable with help.
Let me know what you decide.
Willow
Posted by paulk on May 27, 2001, at 22:41:42
In reply to is it dangerous to start at 150mg?, posted by lecky on May 27, 2001, at 13:27:20
You probably should go through the one week at 37.5mg, one week at 75mg routine. You CAN divide the capsuls - I've done it for years - it can save you lots of money also - just don't chew on the little balls or it won't be time release.
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