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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Alec on August 4, 2001, at 20:05:37
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi, I have just been diagnosed with types2,3,&5 ADD. My M.D. a specialist in childrens and adult behaviorial disorders started me on effexor xr. Yesterday first dose=37.5mg, today75mg tomorrow112.5mg, next day 150mg. And then phone him to check in with a follow up visit three days later. I am feeling a little numb,my mouth is dry, slightly blurred vision up close and slight nausia. I have never taken any medication of this kind nor have I ever seen a shrink.My doctor, who is highly regarded in his field is certain that I have a genetic problem and I am not nuts.I feel some "slight" relaxing euphoria through this underlying "numbness",but am short on energy. am sleepy.I hope he is right that this medication will lift that dark cloud that has been following me for as long as I can remember. My anxiety seems to be already going away, hope it isn't all in my head. Is it possible that I am feeling the effect of the drug this soon? My M.D. said it would. Any thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated, Thanks, Alec
Posted by gldngodess on August 4, 2001, at 21:48:43
In reply to I Have Just been Diagnosed With Type 2,3,5ADD, posted by Alec on August 4, 2001, at 20:05:37
>
> Hi, I have just been diagnosed with types2,3,&5 ADD. My M.D. a specialist in childrens and adult behaviorial disorders started me on effexor xr. Yesterday first dose=37.5mg, today75mg tomorrow112.5mg, next day 150mg. And then phone him to check in with a follow up visit three days later. I am feeling a little numb,my mouth is dry, slightly blurred vision up close and slight nausia. I have never taken any medication of this kind nor have I ever seen a shrink.My doctor, who is highly regarded in his field is certain that I have a genetic problem and I am not nuts.I feel some "slight" relaxing euphoria through this underlying "numbness",but am short on energy. am sleepy.I hope he is right that this medication will lift that dark cloud that has been following me for as long as I can remember. My anxiety seems to be already going away, hope it isn't all in my head. Is it possible that I am feeling the effect of the drug this soon? My M.D. said it would. Any thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated, Thanks, AlecYes, what you are feeling is normal. But I don't understand why you don't go up on effexor gradually. Most doctors give 37,5 for 4-5 day then go to the 75, 4-5 days as they increase the mgs. Let me know if this quick jump gives you a bad reaction, like the involuntary jerking when you try to go to sleep. I jerked everytime I was just about to doze off into second stage sleep so I never got a real good night's sleep. So sleep as much as you can now because when the dose goes up more and if you drink caffeine you might have problems sleeping. (just something to keep a mental note of) . Your vision will always be fuzzy on this or any other like Effexor..,I used to zone out while people talked but then someone recommended a herb called "morinda citrifolia" and after the first dose I regained my mental sharpness and I could see clearer, my nausea went away and my dry mouth went away. When I got off the Effexor I used that to handle the withdrawl. Now, I don't use anything. That stopped my nervousness.
I get nervous when I model bikinis, I am a hardbody but anyone would get a little nervous modeling infront of alot of people. So my condition wasn't that bad, but coming off effexor was.
I do what my body tells me, if the medicine works use it but if it makes things worse just tell your doctor.
Some other doctor asked me why I was on Effexor and I told him because I would get a little nervous, my mind races, I am overanalytical and I feel like I can walk a straight line why can't everybody else(raised in military atmosphere). I love myself alot but I love everyone too.
That Effexor made me not really give a crap about anything or anyone but myself and I was not compassionate to others problems, my friends like I was before the effexor. However, the effexor did make me not so analytical, because I did not care as much.
The doctor told me if people have a few idiosyncrasies and are eccentric it doesn't mean they have to be medicated. I do think people who want to killl themself should be or people that hear voices.
Now, I am going to look up 2,3,5 ADD...it's like they come up with some new condition everyday to make the drug companies richer.
Now, they have once a week Prozac...how cute=) .
How old are you and let me know if it makes it harder to concentrate in school?
Does it hurt or feel weird when you roll your eyes upward as far as they can go. I remember that aspect of effexor. I thought I was building water pressure behind my eyeballs fron the effexor. so I got a little freaked out. It is like I always want to be in control of my conciousness and when something feels wrong with my body I get more scared.
effexor gave me a headache too.
Read the PDR about Effexor and come to your own judgement, because YOU are the one who has to live with the side effects. I felt all the things you are feeling the first pill I took and the doctor said it would take three weeks at least to get in my system before I noticed anything. The sleepiness goes away that is true.good luck~goldengoddess
Posted by Alec on August 5, 2001, at 13:30:35
In reply to Re: I Have Just been Diagnosed With Type 2,3,5ADD » Alec, posted by gldngodess on August 4, 2001, at 21:48:43
> >
> > Hi, I have just been diagnosed with types2,3,&5 ADD. My M.D. a specialist in childrens and adult behaviorial disorders started me on effexor xr. Yesterday first dose=37.5mg, today75mg tomorrow112.5mg, next day 150mg. And then phone him to check in with a follow up visit three days later. I am feeling a little numb,my mouth is dry, slightly blurred vision up close and slight nausia. I have never taken any medication of this kind nor have I ever seen a shrink.My doctor, who is highly regarded in his field is certain that I have a genetic problem and I am not nuts.I feel some "slight" relaxing euphoria through this underlying "numbness",but am short on energy. am sleepy.I hope he is right that this medication will lift that dark cloud that has been following me for as long as I can remember. My anxiety seems to be already going away, hope it isn't all in my head. Is it possible that I am feeling the effect of the drug this soon? My M.D. said it would. Any thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated, Thanks, Alec
>
> Yes, what you are feeling is normal. But I don't understand why you don't go up on effexor gradually. Most doctors give 37,5 for 4-5 day then go to the 75, 4-5 days as they increase the mgs. Let me know if this quick jump gives you a bad reaction, like the involuntary jerking when you try to go to sleep. I jerked everytime I was just about to doze off into second stage sleep so I never got a real good night's sleep. So sleep as much as you can now because when the dose goes up more and if you drink caffeine you might have problems sleeping. (just something to keep a mental note of) . Your vision will always be fuzzy on this or any other like Effexor..,I used to zone out while people talked but then someone recommended a herb called "morinda citrifolia" and after the first dose I regained my mental sharpness and I could see clearer, my nausea went away and my dry mouth went away. When I got off the Effexor I used that to handle the withdrawl. Now, I don't use anything. That stopped my nervousness.
> I get nervous when I model bikinis, I am a hardbody but anyone would get a little nervous modeling infront of alot of people. So my condition wasn't that bad, but coming off effexor was.
> I do what my body tells me, if the medicine works use it but if it makes things worse just tell your doctor.
> Some other doctor asked me why I was on Effexor and I told him because I would get a little nervous, my mind races, I am overanalytical and I feel like I can walk a straight line why can't everybody else(raised in military atmosphere). I love myself alot but I love everyone too.
> That Effexor made me not really give a crap about anything or anyone but myself and I was not compassionate to others problems, my friends like I was before the effexor. However, the effexor did make me not so analytical, because I did not care as much.
> The doctor told me if people have a few idiosyncrasies and are eccentric it doesn't mean they have to be medicated. I do think people who want to killl themself should be or people that hear voices.
> Now, I am going to look up 2,3,5 ADD...it's like they come up with some new condition everyday to make the drug companies richer.
> Now, they have once a week Prozac...how cute=) .
> How old are you and let me know if it makes it harder to concentrate in school?
> Does it hurt or feel weird when you roll your eyes upward as far as they can go. I remember that aspect of effexor. I thought I was building water pressure behind my eyeballs fron the effexor. so I got a little freaked out. It is like I always want to be in control of my conciousness and when something feels wrong with my body I get more scared.
> effexor gave me a headache too.
> Read the PDR about Effexor and come to your own judgement, because YOU are the one who has to live with the side effects. I felt all the things you are feeling the first pill I took and the doctor said it would take three weeks at least to get in my system before I noticed anything. The sleepiness goes away that is true.
>
> good luck~goldengoddessHi, and thank you for your message.To answer your question I am 44 years old and long out of school but yes, I always had trouble concentrating then and now which is a problem when you are a craftsman that works with his hands. I am not a pill popper and don't hear voices nor have any desire to end it all and really feel for people with those problems.I was at wits end trying to deal with constant worry, anxiety,and ever present anger etc. everything that goes with the types of ADD that I was diagnosed with. I have an Uncle who is a professor of medicine at a major university in the midwest and he agrees that ADD does exist and my Uncle is no QUACK. I have been trying for years to "BUCK UP" and "just get over it" but all this crap that affects my ability to think clearly just won't go away and I finally got an explanation of why I have these problems that interfere with my ability to participate in everything that is around me instead of always feeling like you are on the outside looking in. There is a book out called "Healing ADD" or maybe it was "Curing ADD" which identifies the six major types of ADD. You might want to check it out and if you can't find it at a major book store or if I got the title wrong I will get more specifics for you. I read the book and if this sort of thing is real then I am the poster boy for ADD. Thanks for the info regarding start up with the drug and side effects and I hope I don't lose my compassion toward others,but to be honest, it probably wouldn't hurt in my case if I lost a little and started thinking of myself a litte more than I do.All The Best, Alec
Posted by gldngodess on August 5, 2001, at 14:51:53
In reply to Re: I Have Just been Diagnosed With Type 2,3,5ADD » gldngodess, posted by Alec on August 5, 2001, at 13:30:35
> > >
> > > Hi, I have just been diagnosed with types2,3,&5 ADD. AlecHi Alec,
I would love to know the name of the book and read it.
My brother's name is Alex and I felt the urged to talk to you for some reason.
He got hooked on benzodiazapines (like valium , klonopin,xanax)because he needed help falling asleep and as he got older he just got more depressed. I wonder if there is a link to long-term benzo use causing more aggravated depression.
It's also, peculiar, that some people spend most of their life trying to help and please others that they love and others don't appreciate it.
So those "givers" in the world are the ones most seriously affected, and when they get older they get depressed because they spent most of their life being told what to do and doing and when they lose that they lose their purpose.
When the whole time they should have been focusing on themselves and what made them happy. They are lost.I have good friends like that and they are considered bi-polar with some other numbers and letters beside it. :)
I read on here, that they can augment effexor, if you have problems with concentration with desoxyn, a methamphetamine. I heard by many many people it works great. It takes away the daytime sleepiness and it is not long lasting to were you have to worry about insomnia. You feel sharp and focused, which is a good thing. Further, it doesn't seem to make you jumpy either.
very nice talking to you~
gldndodess
Posted by Alec on August 6, 2001, at 11:32:50
In reply to Re: I Have Just been Diagnosed With Type 2,3,5ADD, posted by gldngodess on August 5, 2001, at 14:51:53
> > > >
> > > > Hi, I have just been diagnosed with types2,3,&5 ADD. Alec
>
> Hi Alec,
>
> I would love to know the name of the book and read it.
>
> My brother's name is Alex and I felt the urged to talk to you for some reason.
>
> He got hooked on benzodiazapines (like valium , klonopin,xanax)because he needed help falling asleep and as he got older he just got more depressed. I wonder if there is a link to long-term benzo use causing more aggravated depression.
>
> It's also, peculiar, that some people spend most of their life trying to help and please others that they love and others don't appreciate it.
>
> So those "givers" in the world are the ones most seriously affected, and when they get older they get depressed because they spent most of their life being told what to do and doing and when they lose that they lose their purpose.
> When the whole time they should have been focusing on themselves and what made them happy. They are lost.
>
> I have good friends like that and they are considered bi-polar with some other numbers and letters beside it. :)
>
> I read on here, that they can augment effexor, if you have problems with concentration with desoxyn, a methamphetamine. I heard by many many people it works great. It takes away the daytime sleepiness and it is not long lasting to were you have to worry about insomnia. You feel sharp and focused, which is a good thing. Further, it doesn't seem to make you jumpy either.
>
> very nice talking to you~
> gldndodessHi Again, The name of the book is Healing ADD by Daniel Amen M.D. It should be available at Tower Books or Barnes & Noble although I have these stores here in the San Francisco bay area but I don't know if those sort of stores are in your area where ever that is. I am on my fourth day and now up to 150mg this morning. I haven't had any problems as you described when I roll my eyes nor have I had any twitching before I go to sleep. I have been staying up a little later than usual but once I turn out the light I don't have much trouble falling asleep and I sleep well. Felt really foggy yesterday and today I seem to be coming out of it. The thing I notice most is the absence of anxiety or at least a great reduction. I really don't think its a placebo effect, the drug really is working.The nausia seems to have gone.I have to phone my M.D. this morning to check in and I think he is going to up my dose. Hope your brother is over his problems. In regard to people like us putting others before ourselves,I agree with you 100%. My Great Aunt used to say "No Good Deed Ever Goes Unpunished" I consider this a very unpleasant saying but it does have a ring of truth to it. So I guess people like us have to strike a happy medium, I am getting a little better at those sort of things,finding a "Happy Medium". Very nice talking to you also, Thank You, Alec
Posted by Teri on August 6, 2001, at 11:36:06
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and anxiety » Teri, posted by Cam W. on August 3, 2001, at 9:35:30
Thanks for the help. I have cut out the caffeine and that helped some but I'm still feeling so sick and tense. I may go back to 37.5mg today. I think my body is just too sensitive to this medication. I'm amazed people can take up to 300mg of this stuff! Thursday of this week will be two weeks at 75mg. I tried to split the dose and take a 37.5 in the am and one in the afternoon but I'm still feeling bad. I'm coming off of 15mg of Remeron that I was on forever. Maybe I'm having withdrawal symptoms from that. I haven't heard that Remeron has bad withdrawal symptoms, though. I also have chronic fatigue that effexor was supposed to help but it's making it worse because of the insomnia, anxiety, etc. Ambien helps for 4 or 5 hours and then I wake up. Not fun! Anyway, thanks again. Teri
Posted by pellmell on August 6, 2001, at 12:01:51
In reply to I Have Just been Diagnosed With Type 2,3,5ADD, posted by Alec on August 4, 2001, at 20:05:37
Alec,
I felt the antianxeity effects of Effexor within the first week. For the people for whom it works, it seems to be a rather quick-acting antidepressant. I've been on 150mg for about six weeks now, and dry mouth and blurred vision are still a small problem. I felt that "numbness" at first as well. I think it came from no longer feeling anxious about things I used to feel anxious about, but not having a "good" reason why I shouldn't anymore (aside from the effects of the drug). I found that this dissapated after about five weeks at 150mg, as the antidepressant effects took hold.
My diagnosis is major depression and social phobia, but I don't suspect your experience will differ largely from mine. I'd stick with it unless the side-effects become unbearable. The fact that you've responded so quickly is a good sign that Effexor's a good match for you.
-pm
> Hi, I have just been diagnosed with types2,3,&5 ADD. My M.D. a specialist in childrens and adult behaviorial disorders started me on effexor xr. Yesterday first dose=37.5mg, today75mg tomorrow112.5mg, next day 150mg. And then phone him to check in with a follow up visit three days later. I am feeling a little numb,my mouth is dry, slightly blurred vision up close and slight nausia. I have never taken any medication of this kind nor have I ever seen a shrink.My doctor, who is highly regarded in his field is certain that I have a genetic problem and I am not nuts.I feel some "slight" relaxing euphoria through this underlying "numbness",but am short on energy. am sleepy.I hope he is right that this medication will lift that dark cloud that has been following me for as long as I can remember. My anxiety seems to be already going away, hope it isn't all in my head. Is it possible that I am feeling the effect of the drug this soon? My M.D. said it would. Any thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated, Thanks, Alec
Posted by Alec on August 6, 2001, at 13:11:29
In reply to Re: I Have Just been Diagnosed With Type 2,3,5ADD » Alec, posted by pellmell on August 6, 2001, at 12:01:51
> Alec,
>
> I felt the antianxeity effects of Effexor within the first week. For the people for whom it works, it seems to be a rather quick-acting antidepressant. I've been on 150mg for about six weeks now, and dry mouth and blurred vision are still a small problem. I felt that "numbness" at first as well. I think it came from no longer feeling anxious about things I used to feel anxious about, but not having a "good" reason why I shouldn't anymore (aside from the effects of the drug). I found that this dissapated after about five weeks at 150mg, as the antidepressant effects took hold.
>
> My diagnosis is major depression and social phobia, but I don't suspect your experience will differ largely from mine. I'd stick with it unless the side-effects become unbearable. The fact that you've responded so quickly is a good sign that Effexor's a good match for you.
>
> -pm
>
> > Hi, I have just been diagnosed with types2,3,&5 ADD. My M.D. a specialist in childrens and adult behaviorial disorders started me on effexor xr. Yesterday first dose=37.5mg, today75mg tomorrow112.5mg, next day 150mg. And then phone him to check in with a follow up visit three days later. I am feeling a little numb,my mouth is dry, slightly blurred vision up close and slight nausia. I have never taken any medication of this kind nor have I ever seen a shrink.My doctor, who is highly regarded in his field is certain that I have a genetic problem and I am not nuts.I feel some "slight" relaxing euphoria through this underlying "numbness",but am short on energy. am sleepy.I hope he is right that this medication will lift that dark cloud that has been following me for as long as I can remember. My anxiety seems to be already going away, hope it isn't all in my head. Is it possible that I am feeling the effect of the drug this soon? My M.D. said it would. Any thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated, Thanks, AlecDear PM, Thank You for your input. I am beginning to look at this whole thing as an adventure. This effexor xr seems to be pulling me out of a deep hole that I have been stuck in for as long as I can remember. Thanks Again, Alec
Posted by msaxon on August 6, 2001, at 23:42:09
In reply to Re: Discontinuing Effexor, posted by CrystalThacker on February 16, 2001, at 14:21:10
> >Has anyone experienced erectile dysfunction after coming off effexor. I am a 33 yr. old man. I'm in good physical condition. I was on effexor for approximately 3-4 months and I could not stand the side effects: sweating and erectile dysfunction (ED) being the two main problems. I quit cold-turkey contrary to the advice of my psychiatrist. I have been off of it for approx 3 months. I have mild-medium depression and can, on most days, make do without the meds. Since my ED has not gotten better, I called my psych. and explained the situation. He immediately handed me a script for Wellbutrin. I can't decide if I should take it or not. I have never had problems of this nature in the past and I am becoming scared that this could be permanent. My psych. even told me that Wellbutrine could up my sex drive. How upsetting that could beto have the drive and no "car". Any info at all would be very appreciated.
Msax
I would first like to thank everyone for your e-mail responses to my threads. I have read thru most of the Effexor notes and the pattern of experiences that I have read are all basically the same. For those of you who are taking the drug and having success.........fantastic!!! I hope you continue getting and feeling better.
> >
> > Many of us have been prescribed this medication to help overcome the debilitating effects of depression and/or anxiety. We all know how we were feeling when we started taking the effexor. I to, started feeling better.....in the beginning. The positive effects of the drug lasted about six months and then what I found, as I look back on it now, was what seemed to be some sort of relapse of the depressive state. This lasted until I started taking a real hard look into the side effects of the drug. Thru your own experiences with effexor and your discussion I now feel confident that I'm not going insane.
> > I have been off the effexor completely for 5 days but it was months, and I mean months of withdrawal effects before reaching this point. Here's how I did it. I was taking 37.5mg a day which was nothing compared to what some of you are currently taking. Nine months ago I cut that dose in half, literally. I actually broke the pill in half. I stayed at this dose for 2 months. In the beginning I suffered severe side effects. I the middle of the third month, I broke that dose in half. I was down to a qaurter of a pill a day. On a quarter of a pill a day I wasn't having any of the withdrawl effects. I then started spreading out the dosage to a quarter of a pill every other day. Withdrawal effects again became severe. But I was determined to get off this drug. It stayed like this for almost 6 months. The process of getting off the effexor started almost a year ago. I am still having "flashes" of all the side effects. Some so bad that I am forced to lay on my back for hours just to deal with the withdrawl. When this isn't happening I'm up, out and feeling really good. Here's the bad news, I have been in touch with several ex-effexor med patients. One in particular has been off the drug for almost two years. He still has severe flashbacks of the side/withdrawl effects although now occuring with less frequency than they have in the past. He believes through his investigative research that there may be a possiblity that he, as will all of us, will suffer with these effects for the rest of our lives. Almost everyone I have been in contact with feel that the effexor has permenantly and negitvely effected their lives and vow never to use it again.
> > There are some people on this sight who challenge this, requiring "scientific proof" of this fact.
> > To you I say, your proof is coming. Effexor has now been on the market long enough for post-trial studies of the side effects of this drug to begin. These preleminary studies are not at all good or positive. Some can be seen and read by going to Pubmed. A case report on the long term neurological effects of effexor as well as all SSRI's can be found at Psychiatry Online.
> >
> > I ecourage all of you to look into these studies. I think you will find that the drugs we have been taking create entirely new and equaly debilitating effects that may very well cause that unexplained relapse back into depression. My feeling is that long term use of this drug (1 year or more) creates a vicious cycle of effects, mentally and physically, that do nothing more than worsen what is already a bad situation. The longer you are on this stuff the worse the side effects and withdrawal become. If your on effexor and feeling the "blahs" or that miserable depressed state, get to your doctor. It could be, and most likely is, the effexor.
>
> HI I was wandering if you still have depression and anxiety since you quit taking the effexor or are you on something else. Or could the side effects be anxiety and depression from not tahing the pill.
Posted by Joy on August 7, 2001, at 13:17:48
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and anxiety, posted by Teri on August 2, 2001, at 14:52:03
Hi. Just a comment....My boyfriend takes Effexor XR and Buspar twice a day. That really helps him tremendously. He takes 100 mg Trazodone at night for sleeping. He says Effexor XR combined with the Buspar is like a miracle for him.
Joy> Thanks for your response. I've read that about caffeine on this board also. I have been making my coffee about 1/3 regular and the rest decaf but noticed I was taking off like a rocket afterwards. I'm just going to try to cut it out all together to see if that helps. Just bought a case of diet pepsi, too! Maybe I'll trade it in for decaf. Are you still on Effexor? The anxiety along with the nausea are really doing a number on me. I've heard that for some people the anxiety wears off. Hope that's the case soon. It is lifting my mood so that's good at least. Since I've gone up to 75mg my insomnia is worse. I've been taking Ambien that helps but with this increase I'm waking up after the Ambien leaved my system. Yikes! I'm just really sensitive to these activating ADs. I was on Remeron for a long time but it wasn't really doing anything but making me gain weight. It did help the insomnia thing, though. Thanks again. Teri
Posted by Craftnkidz on August 7, 2001, at 19:06:34
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by BacktoNormal on May 31, 2001, at 13:52:52
> > Thanks so much for writing- i too am coming off of effexor without much success. I was just diagnosed bi-polar (at 30?) and switched from effexor ( thought maybe it may be induceing some manic eppisodes) onto serzone at 200mg a day. I went down on effexor slowly but continue to have serious dizziness, unable to focus and deep deep depression. I have considered being hospitalized to keep myself and children safe, but find that too demorilizing. I have already missed almost two weeks worth of work, and am in jepordy of losing my job. How do people survive with this kind of depression and withdrawal issues? I will not quit fighting (or so I keep telling myself)
Posted by Bernadette on August 8, 2001, at 0:12:42
In reply to Re: This is scarier than I thought , posted by Noa on April 26, 2000, at 13:21:51
> Jennifer, please don't make your decisions based upon a few people's bad experiences with Effexor XR. Many of us have reacted badly to one or another medication, but done well on others. And the sensationalism of some authors really doesn't help matters at all.
>
> I have been taking Effexor XR for a few years, at 375 mg/day. I take it all in the morning. I think many of the medications have labels warning against operating heavy machinery, etc. The most important thing is to see how it affects YOU. For some people, effexor can make them a bit drowsy. When I first heard this, I laughed because it was hard for me to believe that, given that it is quite activating for me and makes sleep harder. Each of us responds differently. Negative effects for me have been, difficulty falling asleep, and fidgetiness, and possibly some bladder problems. But these are dose related, it seems.
>
> My most important advice about Effexor is to taper up gradually, starting at 37.5 mg/day. That way, the initial side effects will be minimal to nonexistent, hopefully. Same with going off of it, if that comes up. Go slow.
>
> My understanding is that it is not addictive, per se, but does cause withdrawal symptoms, especially if you have been on higher doses for a long while. But it is not addictive in the sense that you will crave more and more of it.
>
> BTW, how has your first day on it been so far? Keep us postedThanks to everyone who has contributed. This is all scary since my state of mind isn't what I'm used to in the first place. I hope everything went okay with Jennifer. I just started my first dose at 37.5 mg of Effexor XR and took it in the evening. It sounds like mornings will be better. I was on Paxil and switched to Celexa on the advice of a friend. I liked it much better, but my depression got worse and now that I've maxed out at 60 mg/day of Celexa, my doc suggested we add Effexor. I'm very nervous about it. Has anyone else taken this combo? My depression is "situational" in a lot of ways and I just need to keep it together for the sake of my young children, my marriage, and to get me through this rough point in my life. Any feedback would be appreciated! I do look forward to a med-free life some day, but in reading all the postings realize that may not be a reality. Thanks for making me not feel alone!
Bernadette
Posted by Marlane on August 8, 2001, at 15:28:06
In reply to Re: Discontinuing Effexor, posted by msaxon on August 6, 2001, at 23:42:09
> > >Has anyone experienced erectile dysfunction after coming off effexor. I am a 33 yr. old man. I'm in good physical condition. I was on effexor for approximately 3-4 months and I could not stand the side effects: sweating and erectile dysfunction (ED) being the two main problems. I quit cold-turkey contrary to the advice of my psychiatrist. I have been off of it for approx 3 months. I have mild-medium depression and can, on most days, make do without the meds. Since my ED has not gotten better, I called my psych. and explained the situation. He immediately handed me a script for Wellbutrin. I can't decide if I should take it or not. I have never had problems of this nature in the past and I am becoming scared that this could be permanent. My psych. even told me that Wellbutrine could up my sex drive. How upsetting that could beto have the drive and no "car". Any info at all would be very appreciated.
> Msax
>
>
>
>
> I would first like to thank everyone for your e-mail responses to my threads. I have read thru most of the Effexor notes and the pattern of experiences that I have read are all basically the same. For those of you who are taking the drug and having success.........fantastic!!! I hope you continue getting and feeling better.
> > >
> > > Many of us have been prescribed this medication to help overcome the debilitating effects of depression and/or anxiety. We all know how we were feeling when we started taking the effexor. I to, started feeling better.....in the beginning. The positive effects of the drug lasted about six months and then what I found, as I look back on it now, was what seemed to be some sort of relapse of the depressive state. This lasted until I started taking a real hard look into the side effects of the drug. Thru your own experiences with effexor and your discussion I now feel confident that I'm not going insane.
> > > I have been off the effexor completely for 5 days but it was months, and I mean months of withdrawal effects before reaching this point. Here's how I did it. I was taking 37.5mg a day which was nothing compared to what some of you are currently taking. Nine months ago I cut that dose in half, literally. I actually broke the pill in half. I stayed at this dose for 2 months. In the beginning I suffered severe side effects. I the middle of the third month, I broke that dose in half. I was down to a qaurter of a pill a day. On a quarter of a pill a day I wasn't having any of the withdrawl effects. I then started spreading out the dosage to a quarter of a pill every other day. Withdrawal effects again became severe. But I was determined to get off this drug. It stayed like this for almost 6 months. The process of getting off the effexor started almost a year ago. I am still having "flashes" of all the side effects. Some so bad that I am forced to lay on my back for hours just to deal with the withdrawl. When this isn't happening I'm up, out and feeling really good. Here's the bad news, I have been in touch with several ex-effexor med patients. One in particular has been off the drug for almost two years. He still has severe flashbacks of the side/withdrawl effects although now occuring with less frequency than they have in the past. He believes through his investigative research that there may be a possiblity that he, as will all of us, will suffer with these effects for the rest of our lives. Almost everyone I have been in contact with feel that the effexor has permenantly and negitvely effected their lives and vow never to use it again.
> > > There are some people on this sight who challenge this, requiring "scientific proof" of this fact.
> > > To you I say, your proof is coming. Effexor has now been on the market long enough for post-trial studies of the side effects of this drug to begin. These preleminary studies are not at all good or positive. Some can be seen and read by going to Pubmed. A case report on the long term neurological effects of effexor as well as all SSRI's can be found at Psychiatry Online.
> > >
> > > I ecourage all of you to look into these studies. I think you will find that the drugs we have been taking create entirely new and equaly debilitating effects that may very well cause that unexplained relapse back into depression. My feeling is that long term use of this drug (1 year or more) creates a vicious cycle of effects, mentally and physically, that do nothing more than worsen what is already a bad situation. The longer you are on this stuff the worse the side effects and withdrawal become. If your on effexor and feeling the "blahs" or that miserable depressed state, get to your doctor. It could be, and most likely is, the effexor.
> >
> > HI I was wandering if you still have depression and anxiety since you quit taking the effexor or are you on something else. Or could the side effects be anxiety and depression from not tahing the pill.Hello All, I have not posted lately, but wanted to update you on my weaning off EffexorXR. The other posts in this thread hit home for me and I wanted to encourage some of you. I have finally come off this drug after being on it for several years. Paxil wasn't working, and I was still depressed and hated the side effects, mostly, the inorgasmia! Do drs. who prescribe these drugs ever take them themselves? Would they, knowing what they do to one's quality of life? My depression is also situational, but they say you need to be in counseling also when taking these, and that I can't afford. I found that I was gaining weight, mostly in my abdomen, and I was depressed anyway. So the dr. said to up the amount, that in turn gave me a terrible rash on my face! I was still very depressed all winter, which was not unfounded by any means. When I researched what would help my serotonin levels, and also asked a biochemist about what to do, I decided to reduce the dosage slowly and supplement with 5-htp, which goes right to the brain and makes serotonin! I have had terrible dizziness, especially whenever I would postpone or miss a dose of the effexor. When I tried to get off this before, I would cry at the drop of a hat! The thing is, on these anti-depressants, one doesn't truly feel emotions, and I was beginning to feel like some kind of Zombie, just going through the motions of life and not moving forward because I was still depressed anyway! What purpose does that serve?? I did have a rough time after weaning off for about 2 months, and I cried through church, and I cried at everything, but it has been healing and cathartic. Having not been able to cry when I should have for several years, I think this was needed. The 5-htp, along with St. John's Wort, has helped tremendously, and I am now totally Effexor free!!! I am deeply concerned that this drug has permanent effects, because I still have no sex drive, and I have extreme difficulty reaching an orgasm. It became progressively worse from Paxil to Effexor, and now that I am off of both, have to wonder, like some of you, are we going to soon be a nation of Zombies, taking elaborate cocktails of psychotropic drugs just to get us through life? What is that going to do to our children? And when is the govt., the FDA, and the public going to tell the huge drug manufacturers that this is enough?!!? They make me sick, how they invade dr. offices, selling their wares, giving out free samples. I have to tell you, my dr. has a closet FULL of samples, and since I haven't any medical, she has been supplying me with Effexor for years! That is wrong! I now take nutritional supplements that are the best made, and I am feeling like myself again! I still have overwhelming difficulties in my life, but I feel better and more in control than I ever did on anti-depressants. I hope to soon stop taking the St. John's Wort also, but I don't want to push it. It has taken 2 months to not get the dizzy spells. Every once in a while I get a twinge, but nothing like it was before! So you all keep trying, and I know you, too can get off these potentially harmful drugs. Take care. Marlane
Posted by Richster on August 10, 2001, at 16:03:44
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been using Effexor on and off for at least 3 years for depression. I had tried many other meds including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Wellbutrin unsuccessfully. I have tapered myself off at least twice and probably went "cold turkey" at least once. Although I found the withdrawal effects striking (mild to moderate lightheadedness and/or dizziness, very mild headache), actually I considered them an annoyance and they subsided relatively quickly. By the posts on this board I can see that the side effects of use/withdrawal of this (and likely all) drug(s) varies greatly from patient to patient.
I took myself off of Effexor for nearly one year, hoping to be drug-free. However, I decided that my symptoms of depression outweighed any side effects of Effexor I had experienced. In fact, my side effects ON Effexor are almost zero. I should state that on initiating the med, I did experience some mild to moderate sexual dysfunction (including abnormal ejaculation which someone else had mentioned) but which subsided within I would say 2 weeks. I now have no problems with respect to sexual function. The only symptoms that I do experience are if I miss a dose, then after several hours I do begin to experience mild lightheadedness or dizziness. I have never had any sleep-related side effects. Interestingly, one side-effect of Effexor use that I have noticed is significant appetite suppression and/or weight LOSS. Fortunately for me this has not been an issue.
Effexor has really allowed me to cope with my depression and really lessens the "lows". I still absolutely feel like "myself" and have never ever felt like "a zombie" or "unable to feel normal emotions". Without question if I ever felt that way on any medication I would stop.
I decided to post my experiences in the hope of providing some balance in view of the (many!) fear-inducing reports I have read on this board and hopefully to reduce the fears of persons looking for solutions for their depression who may, like me, have tried other medications without success.
Posted by alec on August 11, 2001, at 12:14:20
In reply to Fear Factor?, posted by Richster on August 10, 2001, at 16:03:44
> I have been using Effexor on and off for at least 3 years for depression. I had tried many other meds including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Wellbutrin unsuccessfully. I have tapered myself off at least twice and probably went "cold turkey" at least once. Although I found the withdrawal effects striking (mild to moderate lightheadedness and/or dizziness, very mild headache), actually I considered them an annoyance and they subsided relatively quickly. By the posts on this board I can see that the side effects of use/withdrawal of this (and likely all) drug(s) varies greatly from patient to patient.
>
> I took myself off of Effexor for nearly one year, hoping to be drug-free. However, I decided that my symptoms of depression outweighed any side effects of Effexor I had experienced. In fact, my side effects ON Effexor are almost zero. I should state that on initiating the med, I did experience some mild to moderate sexual dysfunction (including abnormal ejaculation which someone else had mentioned) but which subsided within I would say 2 weeks. I now have no problems with respect to sexual function. The only symptoms that I do experience are if I miss a dose, then after several hours I do begin to experience mild lightheadedness or dizziness. I have never had any sleep-related side effects. Interestingly, one side-effect of Effexor use that I have noticed is significant appetite suppression and/or weight LOSS. Fortunately for me this has not been an issue.
>
> Effexor has really allowed me to cope with my depression and really lessens the "lows". I still absolutely feel like "myself" and have never ever felt like "a zombie" or "unable to feel normal emotions". Without question if I ever felt that way on any medication I would stop.
>
> I decided to post my experiences in the hope of providing some balance in view of the (many!) fear-inducing reports I have read on this board and hopefully to reduce the fears of persons looking for solutions for their depression who may, like me, have tried other medications without success.
Thanks for that post! I have types 2,3,& 5 adult ADD. I have been on effexor XR 10 days now. Day1 37.5 mg, day2, 75mg , day3, 112.5mg, and since then 150mg per day. Within 8 hours my anxiety and depressive tendancies were gone! It was amazing. I have never had the ability to experience life without the ever present anxiety, anxiousness, and depression (not all at the same time)that influenced my every thought and action. My side effects so far are the following. Dry mouth, supressed apetite,sweating easier than usual,and sexual disfunction as described by all you other guys. Also I had been sleepy during the day but at night I have never slept better.I felt somewhat numb and cloudy and had a long visit with my doctor two days ago. He is a specialist in Behavioral Disorders and the first thing I told him was "Please don't let me go back to the way I was".We spoke at length about my first week on this stuff, side effects etc. My doctor wants me to stay with 150mg effexor XR every morning and asked me to start taking Wellbutrin SR 100mg. once in the morning and once late in the day if I think I need it. He told me that it should relieve me of that cloudy-foggy feeling and should help the sexual disfunction.This is my third day with the Wellbutrin and it seemed to start working the first day.Yesterday I was a little disoriented when driving and don't know why but maybe the new medication had a little to do with it.I really am feeling a lot clearer today and I think I am getting back my get up and go.There are certain aspects of my behavior that I think will have to be RE-Learned,For example,My motivation or drive to get things done,(including exercise)was always initiated by what I think was an abnormal anxioness or worry that I have to get this thing done (hope this makes sense).I seem to have lost my drive to get things done because those feelings that drove me have all but disapeared. I feel different than I have ever felt in my life, I feel good pretty much all the time and think I may be able to be like some people I have admired for their ability to take life "With a grain of salt" and not let the "small stuff get to them" I think I will have to find a more "normal" motivation to get things done like maybe "I like doing it ", now there is a novel idea! any way I need to fill all of you on what is going on with me and my course of treatment. I for one am very grateful to my doctor and the drug companies that make this stuff. I am sorry about the people that have had all those nasty side effects and want to run out and get a lawyer but it works for me, hope it lasts....any questions,comments ?.....Alec
Posted by Bobsher on August 12, 2001, at 7:01:28
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
my wife has been on various depression medications
but Effexor XR has produced the best results.She
now has her life back after 4 years of searching
for the right medication.
Posted by Bobsher on August 12, 2001, at 7:02:56
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
my wife has been on various depression medications
but Effexor XR has produced the best results.She
now has her life back after 4 years of searching
for the right medication.
Posted by Nwysca on August 15, 2001, at 9:51:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Bobsher on August 12, 2001, at 7:02:56
Does anyone here take Effexor XR for PTSD? Does anyone know it it is effective in helping with PTSD??
Posted by Iris on August 15, 2001, at 21:58:23
In reply to Effexor and PTSD, posted by Nwysca on August 15, 2001, at 9:51:39
Hi,I've been taking Effeor XR -75mg- for about four months now and decided to quit. I took my last pill five days go and other then feeling a little lightheaded I'm fine.Does that mean I'm one of the lucky ones or could I still get some of those awful withdrawal symptoms? Anyone out there who quit cold turkey also and haven't had any withdrawal symptoms? Iris
Posted by ksc on August 16, 2001, at 11:33:37
In reply to Fear Factor?, posted by Richster on August 10, 2001, at 16:03:44
I am someone who has never been very good about taking my medications properly (i.e. not at the same time every day, and sometimes missing my doses all together. I am also one who had all the nasty side affects with Effexor XR.
My question is: How many people who had side affects on the drug took their pills on a regular basis (same time every day, not missing a dose)? And how many people DID miss doses but did NOT have side affects?
I'm just curious to see if not taking the meds on a consistant basis might be what's causing the problems.
KSC
Posted by jotho on August 16, 2001, at 12:02:23
In reply to A little survey, posted by ksc on August 16, 2001, at 11:33:37
I would say, over the course of 6-7 months, I missed maybe two or three doses. I had no noticable side-effects when i missed a dose. I always took effexor in the a.m. and the time probably varied 2-3 hours on occassion, but not too frequently. It took me approximately two months to get through withdrawal after slowly weaning off, symptoms being: leg twitching and jerking in p.m., itchiness all over the body (usually in p.m. also) clenching teeth, inability to fall asleep without other meds., and worst of all, the whooshing, low-voltage electrical feeling in my head...that was the last symptom to leave.
Posted by Nwysca on August 16, 2001, at 12:32:54
In reply to A little survey, posted by ksc on August 16, 2001, at 11:33:37
> I am someone who has never been very good about taking my medications properly (i.e. not at the same time every day, and sometimes missing my doses all together. I am also one who had all the nasty side affects with Effexor XR.
> My question is: How many people who had side affects on the drug took their pills on a regular basis (same time every day, not missing a dose)? And how many people DID miss doses but did NOT have side affects? > >
>
> I'm just curious to see if not taking the meds on a consistant basis might be what's causing the problems.
>
> KSC
I just started effexor xr a few weeks ago and I take it at exactly the same time every day. (within 15 minutes) The side effects I am experiencing are: drowsiness, constipation, nausea, dry mouth. I got over the nausea after the second week but the rest of the side effects are still here. They aren't too bad except the goddamn drowsiness! I could literally sleep all day, and actually I have been on the weekends!
Nwysca
Posted by Bobsher on August 16, 2001, at 13:01:38
In reply to Re: A little survey, posted by Nwysca on August 16, 2001, at 12:32:54
To the best of my knowledge,Effexor dosage has
to be maintained on a regular basis.If not,the
body starts to with withdraw when a dose is missed.
This causes ups and downs.
Posted by Richster on August 16, 2001, at 19:15:30
In reply to Re: A little survey » ksc, posted by jotho on August 16, 2001, at 12:02:23
Wow, I could never quite describe the feeling but Jotho, your description of "whooshing, low-voltage electrical feeling in my head" describes it pretty much to the tee! It's a strange feeling, and I get it if I miss a dose or forget it for more than a couple of hours.
Posted by jotho on August 16, 2001, at 23:11:04
In reply to Re: A little survey » jotho, posted by Richster on August 16, 2001, at 19:15:30
Yeah...really an odd sensation...and the one that used to freak me out the most. Difficult to describe, but when you have it, man it is eerie! Weird though, instead of the intensity decreasing in time, it was the frequency that changed, meaning, i'd still get that feeling..just as intense, but it happened less and less frequently till finally, after about 8 weeks, it stopped altogether.
....jotho
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