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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1767 to 1791 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Angel-2 on March 5, 2002, at 23:59:27
In reply to Ringing in ears ... Prozac ... Effexor withdrawal, posted by Allen F. on November 14, 2001, at 22:53:11
Thank God I'm not alone with a tinnitus (the ringing in the ears).
I was on Prozac for the last 3 years (I had been on other AD before but I had quit, always for side effects reasons and because it just didn't really helped). Anyway. I was put back on Prozac (20mg) 3 years ago for "depression" (it was in fact something like a burn-out from too much work, with physical symptoms like cluster headaches, vision problems, photophobia, myoclonus... I had dystonia but I didn't know it at the time).
Last december, I experienced what they call a "serotonin syndrom" and a HUGE dystonic crisis (all the aforementioned symptoms were back... with new ones). I had to go off Prozac (+ benzos) cold turkey. I wasn't really scared because I had done it before quite easily. EXCEPT this time it was not so easy. In fact, it was not easy at all and even if I feel a little better now (I almost got my sleep back, for instance, after weeks of staying awake for sometimes 3 days & 3 nights in a row).
But the thing is, just as I started to feel better, that new symptom showed up: the tinnitus (ear ringing). I didn't know how I would be able to cope with the dystonia condition (even if I had repeatedly asked my doctor over the years if there were serious side effects from using Prozac for a long period of time -he kept saying there wasn't any-, I had never heard the word "dystonia" before my physician finally diagnosed me and explained where all those symptoms like the blepharospasm, cluster headaches, pain in the neck, and now facial tics came from). I know, it's a little late to wake-up now since I don't think it will ever go away. At least not enterely. I know from having to live with all those headaches and vision problems (I have a an "ocular rest myoclonus" and, believe me, it is horrible). I don't want to scare anybody but I now fully realize that those "miracle pills" w/o any long-term side effects are literaly poison slowly distilled into your system and the day when your body just can't take it anymore is the first day of your cold turkey nightmare. The nightmare is actually not that bad since you eventually wake up from a nightmare... But you don't wake up from tardive and acute dystonia. And you don't wake up from having to live with this tinnitus problem -'cause you just can't go to sleep anymore with that noise in the middle of your head!
I know those pills can help a lot of people. They surely didn't help me. Going back to college, working, having friends helped me a lot. Pills got me physically sick. And most of doctors just won't aknowledged that fact (it took them 3 years to diagnose the dystonia condition... while they would continue to fill prescriptions for the very medications that got me sick and made me lose my job and everything I had been working so hard to get in the last 10 years of being "mentally" ill and plagued w/ depression).
I empathize with people who have to go through a Paxil or Effexor withdrawal -never been there- because it seems so hard to accomplish. But please don't believe what they say about it being easy tappering off Prozac: it is NOT. At least, not when you have a physical condition and after years of AD use and tryings.
Sorry for the hiatus...
Going back to the main topic now: has anyone in here experienced having a tinnitus after going cold turkey off Prozac (after years of use)? If so, did the ear ringing eventually disapeared?
The truth will be hard to swallow but would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
A2
Posted by colin wallace on March 6, 2002, at 3:29:31
In reply to Re: blocked for two weeks » Jason911, posted by Dr. Bob on March 5, 2002, at 16:05:51
I experienced quite severe tinnitus when I first came down with major depression.It persisted, with varying degrees of severity, throughout treatment with numerous AD's (and xanax).Whilst it is true that tinnitus can commonly be attributed to AD's or benzo's as a side effect, depression and anxiety by themselves are often the biggest culprit.
Posted by beardedlady on March 6, 2002, at 5:36:37
In reply to Re: blocked for two weeks, posted by colin wallace on March 6, 2002, at 3:29:31
Tinnitus doesn't even have to be a symptom of depression. Some illnesses, especially those for which there are no tests but only diagnoses of exclusion, have a laundry list of often unrelated symptoms. I have tinnitus, but I am not depressed, and it is not a side effect of my Serzone, which I have been on for three years. In fact, the ringing started when I got a bout of dizziness that was diagnosed as migraine (not as vertigo). I get it often for a few seconds at a time (though it sometimes can last a whole night). It could very well be sinus troubles, which I have. Or it could simply be tinnitus itself.
We have to understand that any number of things that could happen to us may be completely unrelated--to the medication, to depression, to each other.
: )>
Posted by Trisha on March 6, 2002, at 7:48:47
In reply to tinnitus » colin wallace, posted by beardedlady on March 6, 2002, at 5:36:37
I agree with you that there are many different things that can cause tinnitus. Although I know several people (including myself) that have experienced this as a direct side-effect to a med. I never experienced tinnitus until AFTER I started on the ssri's. It's been about 3 months since I stopped the meds. and I still experience it to some degree.
Trisha
Posted by beardedlady on March 6, 2002, at 8:34:44
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
Hey--I found this old post and thought you might like to know another thing those brain zaps could be! Migraines.
I have had them for years (way before my anxiety/insomnia began), and they got worse after my daughter was born. Sometimes I'll be sitting at the computer, and it'll feel like the floor dropped. It's usually just a split second thing. They started becoming more frequent in the last few years, after I started Serzone, but I don't think it's at all related. My neurologist told me this floor-dropping sensation is fairly common and usually not a problem.
Anyway, I have had opthalmic migraines--moiré patterns with bright flashing lights or halos--without pain and vomiting all my life. It runs in my family.
Last June, I got a dizzy spell--it was not vertigo, as the room wasn't spinning. It felt like the ceiling was too low and the walls were too narrow, and the floor seemed to bob up and down at times--like a longer version of Brain Zaps. It went away after a week, and I was fine. It came back two months later, so I went to the entdoc, had an ENG, took vertigo pills. Even though I had a sinus infection just before it started, I was told it was not, in my case, related to that. The entdoc told me it might be a migraine that just never went away. I finally saw a neurologist. My MRI and CT scans were both clean (neurodoc says my brain's in pristine condition; that's because it's never been used). He says this is a form of migraine, and it won't go away until the cycle is broken.
I took a pill for high blood pressure (calcium channel blocker?) for a while, but it didn't seem to help. Symptoms ALWAYS got WORSE with my PERIOD and got better during the middle of my cycle, when I ovulated.
And guess what: the first time I got it was a few days after I changed my birth control pill to a lower estrogen dose. Symptoms went away after a week. Two months later, I quit birth control pills altogether, and the symptoms returned. They didn't go away. I tried going back on my original bc pill, and I got so dizzy I couldn't stand it.
I know men have this problem, too, but it is certainly hormone related in my case--and maybe in the cases of those others, especially the ones who've had their innards outed.
If anyone else has this unusual dizziness problem (not just the brain zaps) and has been treated for it, I'd love to know what works. Mine is very minor now (a few docs have said it will probably just peter out, though it's been seven months!), but it is not completely gone.
Anyway, try the migraine avenue. The tingly arms and legs and stuff can easily be part of it, and there is certainly a connection between migraine and stroke.
Phew. That was long.
bearded lady : )>
Posted by JANNBEAU on March 6, 2002, at 11:00:48
In reply to Re: tinnitus, posted by Trisha on March 6, 2002, at 7:48:47
> I agree with you that there are many different things that can cause tinnitus. Although I know several people (including myself) that have experienced this as a direct side-effect to a med. I never experienced tinnitus until AFTER I started on the ssri's. It's been about 3 months since I stopped the meds. and I still experience it to some degree.
> Trisha
Hi, Trisha and those others who are asking about tinnitus. I have a bit of information that may be useful to some of you. Tinnitus is one of the MOST common side effects of ASPIRIN, as well as other over-the-counter or prescription medications including meds like Motrin. It is also listed as a side effect of Effexor. Tinnitus with vertigo OR dizziness may be associated with inner ear dysfunction. Tinnitus may also be idiopathic (no known cause). If you take these meds, try stopping the NSAIDs (which include aspirin) or switching to Tylenol. Many, many other meds also cause tinnitus. I've had it for years, well before I ever started any psychotropic meds. Taking aspirin or other NSAIDs increases it dramatically. Sometimes it drives me nuts-especially when the room is quiet. White noise at bedtime may make it easier to go to sleep. Use a small fan or a white noise generator (you can buy these from many places, including Sharper Image, Brookstone, etc). You can even turn you television onto a station that is off the air (if you can find one or if your tv doesn't drop the noise after a few seconds).Good luck to you.
Jannbeau
Posted by colin wallace on March 6, 2002, at 11:58:48
In reply to tinnitus » colin wallace, posted by beardedlady on March 6, 2002, at 5:36:37
Agree with you absolutely: what I meant though is that if tinnitus comes on simultaneously WITH a depression, and it's not been experienced prior to the depression, then in all probability the depression (or even the med.) is the cause.
On the other hand, my sister for example, has never been depressed, never gets ill, and has suffered loud tinnitus for years.Who knows??!
Posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 17:01:02
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 19:21:08
> > Hi Dot, I thought effexor worked great until I noticed I gained 10 pounds. We were all told that effexor didn't put weight on you??? I am also on wellbutrin and I like that a lot seems to give me more energy. I went back on my dose of 37.5 and when I see my doc on friday I am going to ask him if he could put me on something else so the withdrawals aren't so bad. I have read many post where people were successful doing it this way. Let me know what you doc says I will be interested to hear what advice he gives you.
Take Care,
Renee
Posted by cmm22 on March 6, 2002, at 17:07:00
In reply to Re: just started effexor today 3-4-02 » cmm22, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 20:51:17
Hey Renee.. thanks for the info.. after reading many reports on effexor I have decided not to take it..
Posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 17:07:15
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by LisaDiann on March 5, 2002, at 23:58:08
>
Wow, you are a brave person!! I couldn't last 5 days without effexor before I went back to my 37.5 dose. I couldn't take it anymore. I wasn't functioning at all. I will see my pdoc on friday - he told me to get back on the 37.5 dose til we talk on friday.Good luck and let me know how you are progessing.
Renee
Posted by JANNBEAU on March 6, 2002, at 17:23:42
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by Jetson on March 4, 2002, at 23:03:33
> Hi, Jetson:
Gosh, sounds like you have covered all the bases! Your doctor really sounds rather cavalier, though!
Have you tried Viagra? It seems to have some side effects (my husband has slight headaches and some "fuzziness" in his thinking) but maybe it would help if you can tolerate the medication if you can tolerate the side effects (which only some folks seem to get) and you have no medical contraindications for taking Viagra.
Good Luck!
JannbeauI have had a check-up and the doctor says that I should not complain, because I CAN get an erection, but it is not as hard and does not last as long as it used to before I started taking Effexor in Sept 1996 (I stopped around Dec 1997). I have been given a clean bill of health by doctors, which leads me to the conclusion that Effexor has indeed had something to do with my permanent dysfunction.
>
> I have followed doctors' suggestions in doing some physical therapy exercises to strengthen my pubococcygeal muscle. I have been doing PC exercises for over two years now only to notice minimal improvements in my erections.
>
> During intercourse I do experience pleasure, but about 50% of the time, my erection will just randomly disappear before orgasm. This never used to happen before I started taking Effexor. I used to be able to orgasm every time. These days, it varies from day to day.
>
> QUESTION: Has anyone experienced any long term sexual side effects similar or even less severe as mine?
>
> Please email me at jetson@poboxes.com if you have. Or just post to this board.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I think you should have a thorough checkup to rule out some other cause of your erectile dysfunction (ED). Although I could not (and would not)tell you that your ED is NOT due to having taken Effexor five years ago, that seems an excessive length of time to attribute an adverse event to a medication. There are many for ED, including: age-related hormonal changes; physical illness to include diabetes mellitus (recognized or unrecognized); vascular disorders; psychological illnesses unrecognized anxiety or depression; medications you currently take that might include over-the-counter meds--just a few examples. I don't pretend to be an expert. The point is go to see a GOOD urologist, endocrinologist, or other internal medicine specialist for a work up. Don't take "no" for an answer from your GP or psychiatrist.
> >
> > Thanks for listening.
> > Jannbeau
> >
> > > I have been off of Effexor since 1997.
> > > I still do not get erections as easily as I used to. I can have orgasms, but they are mostly not as intense. In general I am frustrated with the side-effects of Effexor that do seem to last for a long time after termination.
> > >
> > >
> > > > I started taking effexor xr 2 almost 2 weeks ago,my first anti-depressant(possibly last), and felt tired and terrible and dazed every waking hour of the day while taking it, headaches, cannot reach an orgasm at all. I took 37.5 mg aday for 7 days and 75 mg for 2 days and have now stopped cold turkey. I have yet to experience any side effects, been about 55 hours since last dose, still cannot reach an orgasm, wife is very upset and I'm not far behind her. Will this go away or could this be a pemanent development?
Posted by sue doe on March 6, 2002, at 17:40:56
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 19:21:08
I decided that it is okay to cry. Creative "juices" are flowing again. Poetry is my way of coping. When I start feeling a mood switch, I lay down and let my mind be creative. I used to play the piano. Here is a quote from Patty Duke's book on her life with bi-polar, "It had been quite a while since I had had any symptoms of depression. Working [on the show It Takes Two], of course, had a lot to do with it. I usually didn't get depressed when I was working."
Creative exercises help me, the moodiness passes and then I'm fine to go ahead.
So what if my productivity is down for a while, my creative side is alive again!
Posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 21:26:24
In reply to Day four effexor free for me, posted by sue doe on March 6, 2002, at 17:40:56
> I decided that it is okay to cry. Creative "juices" are flowing again. Poetry is my way of coping. When I start feeling a mood switch, I lay down and let my mind be creative. I used to play the piano. Here is a quote from Patty Duke's book on her life with bi-polar, "It had been quite a while since I had had any symptoms of depression. Working [on the show It Takes Two], of course, had a lot to do with it. I usually didn't get depressed when I was working."
> Creative exercises help me, the moodiness passes and then I'm fine to go ahead.
> So what if my productivity is down for a while, my creative side is alive again!
Sue, What a wonderful and positive way of thinking. What a inspiration you are. Please tell me how you have survived those many days. I couldn't do it. I know exactly what you mean about the crying!! I am going to my pdoc on friday so he can give me something to help with the withdrawals. I could hardly even stand without losing my balance and boy was I sick.
Hang in there!
Renee
Posted by dot on March 6, 2002, at 21:37:16
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update » dot, posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 17:01:02
> > > Hi Dot, I thought effexor worked great until I noticed I gained 10 pounds. We were all told that effexor didn't put weight on you??? I am also on wellbutrin and I like that a lot seems to give me more energy. I went back on my dose of 37.5 and when I see my doc on friday I am going to ask him if he could put me on something else so the withdrawals aren't so bad. I have read many post where people were successful doing it this way. Let me know what you doc says I will be interested to hear what advice he gives you.
>
> Take Care,
>
> Reneei didn't notice any weight gain with effexor, if anything i lost a bit of weight since i didn't really feel as hungry anymore. i was worried it would make me lose a lot of weight since that is what happened when i tried prozac. i stopped eating for over a month before i had to stop taking it.
i think trying another med to help you ease off the effexor is a good idea. i am feeling ok now but wouldn't recommend cold turkey to my worst enemy. i stopped taking the dramamine today to see how i felt and i was ok, just a bit dizzy but it isn't interfering with work and i feel like i could drive a car now.
i told the doctor that i was going to wait a few weeks to decide if i was going to start another med. the idea of having a sex life again is pretty tempting so i might just try to go without anything and see if i get depressed again...
i'll keep you posted on futher developments.
thanx, dot
Posted by sue doe on March 6, 2002, at 22:15:29
In reply to Re: Day four effexor free for me » sue doe, posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 21:26:24
ReneeB: Thanks for the encouragement. I have been a bit dizzy occasionally, but I've also had viruses which have made me dizzy. If I had pneumonia I would accept the need to stay in bed for a while. Why not now? The problem is that most people can't understand "mental storms." It is easier for them to find fault of character.
I just need to remember people like Handel. When I studied music in college I was told he was on drugs when he wrote the Halleluia chorus. Later I read that he claimed to have seen "heaven open before him." Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for him to explain his "mood". Now I am told he suffered from manic-depressive disorder. Just think, with effexor the world may have never heard the Halleluia chorus!
I'm not Handel, but you know what, if I'm a little "wierd" people are just goin' to have to deal with me. Did you know that I sometimes laugh to myself in a loud jovial laugh without making a sound. I can even keep a straight face. The laugh is in my mind. Try it when the going gets rough! Oh well, here ends day four.
Posted by Reneeb on March 7, 2002, at 15:21:40
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by dot on March 6, 2002, at 21:37:16
> > > > Hi Dot, I thought effexor worked great until I noticed I gained 10 pounds. We were all told that effexor didn't put weight on you??? I am also on wellbutrin and I like that a lot seems to give me more energy. I went back on my dose of 37.5 and when I see my doc on friday I am going to ask him if he could put me on something else so the withdrawals aren't so bad. I have read many post where people were successful doing it this way. Let me know what you doc says I will be interested to hear what advice he gives you.
> >
> > Take Care,
> >
> > Renee
>
> i didn't notice any weight gain with effexor, if anything i lost a bit of weight since i didn't really feel as hungry anymore. i was worried it would make me lose a lot of weight since that is what happened when i tried prozac. i stopped eating for over a month before i had to stop taking it.
> i think trying another med to help you ease off the effexor is a good idea. i am feeling ok now but wouldn't recommend cold turkey to my worst enemy. i stopped taking the dramamine today to see how i felt and i was ok, just a bit dizzy but it isn't interfering with work and i feel like i could drive a car now.
> i told the doctor that i was going to wait a few weeks to decide if i was going to start another med. the idea of having a sex life again is pretty tempting so i might just try to go without anything and see if i get depressed again...
> i'll keep you posted on futher developments.
> thanx, dotHi Dot, Since I have lowered my dose of effexor and use a higher dose of wellbutrin, my sexual drive has gone crazy!! I love it...LOL
Renee
Posted by broadville on March 7, 2002, at 17:44:39
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am on Effexor XR (150mg) but was always SLEEPY--Effexor helped the depression but I found I had no motivation and just wanted to sleep all day long while the kids were at school at husband at work.
I told my new doctor this yesterday and he started me on something called Focalin which is a pure form of Ritalin--has anyone ever tried this combo either Effexor and Focalin or Effexor and Ritalin? If so could you please tell me if this helped with the fatigue?
Thanks
Posted by Reneeb on March 7, 2002, at 21:21:53
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by gurl on March 7, 2002, at 15:54:57
> > Hi
> > I am still on EffexorXR @ 75mgs twice a day.
> > Have less anorexia than I did. :( But am also on
> > Remeron at 45mgs at nite. I am eating like a pig!
> > Sleeping a *little* better- only a little.
> > Sweating Just as Much. I thought these 2
> > drugs were supposed to counteract each others'
> > weaknesses.
> > I get jumpy,especially with chocolate.Klonipin
> > helps.In spite of these side effects:I FEEL BETTER
> > THAN I'VE FELT IN A REALLY REALLY REALLY LONG TIME
> > !!!
> > The Remeron-Effexor duo has to be commended at
> > least as far as *feeling* better. I think
> > I'll stay on them a while and enjoy the ride
> > a little, and hope the less desirable effects
> > fade further into the background:?) Keeping
> > fingers crossed.(for all of us)Watch- for me the
> > worst side effects will probably be doubled!
> > LOL!
> >
> > lgHi, I am so glad to hear that you are doing well. I haven't heard of your combo. Please keep us informed on how it is working for you.
Good Luck,
Renee
Posted by RIgirl on March 7, 2002, at 23:52:56
In reply to Re: Trying to get off Effexor » RIgirl, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 18:14:59
It's definitely better than the first few days when the nausea and dizziness was unbearable, but still have some weird things going on. I'm having a horrible time falling asleep and night sweats once I do. The frequency of panic attacks is much greater than before I went on it, but I'm not ready to consider that among the withdrawel symptoms yet.
This sucks, huh?
Posted by JANNBEAU on March 8, 2002, at 11:09:02
In reply to effexor/focalin (ritalin) combo?, posted by broadville on March 7, 2002, at 17:44:39
> I experienced the same horrible side-effect with Effexor as I increased my dose to 150 mg. I found myself staring dumbly at my computer screen all day - simply could not think - and I work full time. This was funny, too, because when I first started Effexor, I couldn't sleep.
I discussed the somnolence with my doc, who prescribed Welbutrin. After I read the product insert for Welbutrin, I decided I was afraid of the possibility of seizures with Welbutrin, so my doc Rx'd phentermine, an appetite suppressant that has stimulant effects. It works very, very well at quite low doses (15 mg 1 to 2 times per day). I am back to my "normal" function most of the time.
Sometimes a stimulant can make you "hyper." If this happens to you, perhaps your doc would ok a lower dose or a divided dose.
Take care. Good luck with your meds.
Cheers,
Jannbeau
P.S. I've noticed a couple of other phenomena with Effexor, too. One thing is that I cannot take an over the counter antihistamine like Benadryl or Chlortrimeton with the Effexor or I am really wiped out! Also, I have to be careful to keep my phentermine dose as low as possible or I find myself acting stereotypically.
J
I am on Effexor XR (150mg) but was always SLEEPY--Effexor helped the depression but I found I had no motivation and just wanted to sleep all day long while the kids were at school at husband at work.
>
> I told my new doctor this yesterday and he started me on something called Focalin which is a pure form of Ritalin--has anyone ever tried this combo either Effexor and Focalin or Effexor and Ritalin? If so could you please tell me if this helped with the fatigue?
>
> Thanks
Posted by Angel Girl on March 9, 2002, at 14:17:16
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been taking Effexor since last November. I never felt any improvement in my moods and constant suicidal thoughts until my dosage was increased 2 weeks ago to 225mg. Unfortunately, with the good came the bad. :( I started having severe muscle twitches and jerks and it was hard to get to sleep. So when I went to my doctor last Thursday he decreased my dosage back to 150mg with hopes that the twitches/jerks would go away and then when I go back this Wednesday, he wants to start more slowly to increase it again.
Unfortunately, even though I was severely depressed before, on the first day on the reduced dosage I was manic. I haven't had a manic episode since last summer. I thought they were a thing of the past. I actually like the manic episodes but what I don't like is the inevitable crashes that follow and that is where I have been ever since. I can't stop crying. I feel sooooo sad again. AND to make matters worse the twitches and jerks are still here. :( I HATE feeling so depressed. I had finally had some relief for 2 weeks and now I'm back into this once again. I'm so tired of dealing with this all the time. I need the higher dosage but yet I can't take these side effects. All I can do is cry, cry, cry!!!! And I've yet to find a dosage that has given me any slight bit of motivation to do anything. :( :( :(
Sorry to be such a downer. I just felt like getting it out. :(
Angel Girl
Posted by Ron Hill on March 9, 2002, at 14:34:00
In reply to I'm soooooo depressed!!!, posted by Angel Girl on March 9, 2002, at 14:17:16
Angel,
Are you bipolar? Have you told your pdoc about your mania/hypomania? Are you taking a mood stabilizer? If not, could it be that you are bipolar and a mood stabilizer is needed to, among other things, facilate to effectivenes of the AD?
-- Ron
-------------------> I've been taking Effexor since last November. I never felt any improvement in my moods and constant suicidal thoughts until my dosage was increased 2 weeks ago to 225mg. Unfortunately, with the good came the bad. :( I started having severe muscle twitches and jerks and it was hard to get to sleep. So when I went to my doctor last Thursday he decreased my dosage back to 150mg with hopes that the twitches/jerks would go away and then when I go back this Wednesday, he wants to start more slowly to increase it again.
>
> Unfortunately, even though I was severely depressed before, on the first day on the reduced dosage I was manic. I haven't had a manic episode since last summer. I thought they were a thing of the past. I actually like the manic episodes but what I don't like is the inevitable crashes that follow and that is where I have been ever since. I can't stop crying. I feel sooooo sad again. AND to make matters worse the twitches and jerks are still here. :( I HATE feeling so depressed. I had finally had some relief for 2 weeks and now I'm back into this once again. I'm so tired of dealing with this all the time. I need the higher dosage but yet I can't take these side effects. All I can do is cry, cry, cry!!!! And I've yet to find a dosage that has given me any slight bit of motivation to do anything. :( :( :(
>
> Sorry to be such a downer. I just felt like getting it out. :(
>
> Angel Girl
Posted by Scott Hendrix on March 9, 2002, at 21:16:25
In reply to Re: I'm soooooo depressed!!! » Angel Girl, posted by Ron Hill on March 9, 2002, at 14:34:00
I just completed my first 7 days of the 37.5 Effexor XR 1xday. Really the only good thing I have to say about it is that my original complaint of sleeping to much has been resolved. I now have begun to have mixed thoughts / depression but now I'm awake, but sleepy by 5pm. I have been haveing really vivid and sometimes anxiety type nightmares, also I am still having Anxiety during the day, although a little less than before taking effexor but its also making me more unfriendly, edgie, and thinking negatively about other people in the office, which I didn't have before, and very slightly depressed, with the negative thoughts. I have started to seem to gain weight and eat lots more than normal (Went shopping and bought two 1/2 gallons of Chocolate Ice Cream. I have also notice an increase in weired out of the norm type thoughts, which scare me, I have never had before while on prozac. I am suppose to start to the next increased dose of 75mg today for 7 days. I have noticed increased sweating since not taking my next dose today. I called my Primary Care doctor yesterday and left a message, he has yet to return my call. I told him I wanted to go back on the Prozac that he took me off of 7-8 days ago, because he said it would help me wake up and lower my anxiety so he could take me off xanax and prozac with one drug (Effexor). I have been waking up like at 5am everyday and then forcing myself back to sleep till 7 am sometimes waking again before 7 at 6am. Traditionally I have been a very heavy sleeper and enjoy my sleep, but with the negative dreaded oversleeping syndrom in the mornings. So with all this hype about withdrawl and it's really not making me happier like the prozac did, I think I am calling it quits on Effexor. I just read about Brain Zaps today?? What is that?? I have never heard of that side effect, should I expect it from quiting Effexor after only 7 days on the 37.5mg dose? I am concerned about stopping it now. I had some left over prozac so I started taking those today, until my doc calls me back. I still have my anxiety med. xanax but at a low dose of .25mg 2xday to keep the prozac jittery side effects and my panic attacts in control. Any suggestions? By the way I am Mixed Bi-polar or Bi-polar II. I have tried lithium, and it doesn't work for me, metalic tastes, flat mood, no emotions, zoobie type attitude. I have heard about the other bi-polar meds, but my main problem is deppression not the mania as much just anxiety. I keep asking my doctor for Ambiem to help me with my sleeping patter, which really is my only problem when taking prozac and xanax. He for some reason doesn't want to prescribe Ambiem, He just wants to keep changing my meds that work for everything but sleeping too much. What are everyones thoughts.
> Angel,
>
> Are you bipolar? Have you told your pdoc about your mania/hypomania? Are you taking a mood stabilizer? If not, could it be that you are bipolar and a mood stabilizer is needed to, among other things, facilate to effectivenes of the AD?
>
> -- Ron
> -------------------
>
> > I've been taking Effexor since last November. I never felt any improvement in my moods and constant suicidal thoughts until my dosage was increased 2 weeks ago to 225mg. Unfortunately, with the good came the bad. :( I started having severe muscle twitches and jerks and it was hard to get to sleep. So when I went to my doctor last Thursday he decreased my dosage back to 150mg with hopes that the twitches/jerks would go away and then when I go back this Wednesday, he wants to start more slowly to increase it again.
> >
> > Unfortunately, even though I was severely depressed before, on the first day on the reduced dosage I was manic. I haven't had a manic episode since last summer. I thought they were a thing of the past. I actually like the manic episodes but what I don't like is the inevitable crashes that follow and that is where I have been ever since. I can't stop crying. I feel sooooo sad again. AND to make matters worse the twitches and jerks are still here. :( I HATE feeling so depressed. I had finally had some relief for 2 weeks and now I'm back into this once again. I'm so tired of dealing with this all the time. I need the higher dosage but yet I can't take these side effects. All I can do is cry, cry, cry!!!! And I've yet to find a dosage that has given me any slight bit of motivation to do anything. :( :( :(
> >
> > Sorry to be such a downer. I just felt like getting it out. :(
> >
> > Angel Girl
Posted by Angel Girl on March 9, 2002, at 21:36:12
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Since I've been depressed I have had absolutely NO motivation whatsoever. All I want to ever do is to be by myself and watch mindless hours of TV. Does anybody else have this problem? And what do you do about it????
Angel Girl
Posted by Allen F. on March 9, 2002, at 23:40:52
In reply to Bi-polar- Just finished First 7days on Effexor XR » Ron Hill, posted by Scott Hendrix on March 9, 2002, at 21:16:25
Did you go "cold turky" off of the Xanax? I was on Prozac and Xanax for years, the doc then took me off of them and put me on Effexor. I learned the hard way about withdrawals from Xanax ... wasn't fun.
The things you have talked about during the first seven days on Effexor are simular to what I experienced. I have been on it for six months and have not tolerated it well. I am into week two of wiening off the Effexor and it is not fun. Next week is the last week I will be on it. The doc wants me to go onto Remeron and I am really hesitant. After Xanax and now Effexor withdrawals I am not sure I want to take anything else.
I have asked the "post" if anyone has had any experience with Remeron but did not hear anything.
Hope things go well for you.
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