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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Butterfly on June 5, 2002, at 11:03:05
In reply to Losing weight on Effexor XR, posted by sly on June 5, 2002, at 10:52:08
You should talk to your doctor about that, without delay. Looks like in your case Effexor (or something else) could be inducing anorexia, which can be serious.
Good luck,
Butterfly
Posted by renelso1 on June 5, 2002, at 11:07:30
In reply to Losing weight on Effexor XR, posted by sly on June 5, 2002, at 10:52:08
> Since starting Effexor I've developed an extreme food aversion. I'm terrified of gaining weight and fear overeating. I'm starving myself and avoiding meals, I've lost 15 lbs. so far and I want to lose more, I wasn't heavy to begin with and I know it's crazy to want to lose more but I can't stop, I'm terrified of eating.
>
> From reading the postings I know most of you out there gained weight, did any of you have the opposite problem?STOP STARVING YOURSELF!!! STOP AVOIDING MEALS!!!
This is sooooo unhealthy for your body physically AND mentally. Starving yourself is the worst thing you can do for your depression. Aside from that, when you restrict your calorie intake by such a substantial amount your metabolism slows down. While you are losing weight initially, this will have reverse long term effects. More than 75% of the time, those who lose weight through starvation gain the weight back and MORE. I have been on effexor for about 2 months and have not experienced any weight gain. i eat sensibly and try to exercise. if you are concerned about gaining weight, try to exercise for 45 minutes 3x per week. This is also a GREAT thing to do for depression, since exercise is a natural anti-depressant.
PLEASE STOP HURTING YOU BODY!
i have friends who have suffered from eating disorders, this is not something you want.
your mental health is FAR more important than a number on a scale!
Posted by Reneb on June 5, 2002, at 21:11:26
In reply to Re: going off still, posted by Grace Coyote on June 5, 2002, at 5:21:24
> Today will be day 5 of going off the Effexor. I am now halving the half and will do so until Friday. I am still itchy and very forgetful. I can tell the drug is leaving, I am starting to dream again, but I can still fall asleep anytime and remain in deep sleep for hours. I will be starting Wellbutrin on friday. Has anyone been on this one?
Hi Gracie, I have been on wellbutrin for about a year. I was on effexor and weaned off that stuff. I have had no problems with wellbutrin.
Renee
Posted by lyuba on June 5, 2002, at 22:20:52
In reply to Losing weight on Effexor XR, posted by sly on June 5, 2002, at 10:52:08
I'm going into my 4th week on Effexor, and I've noticed a significant change in my eating habits. During my first week, I found my appetite decreased significantly. My appetite has returned, but find I can't eat certain foods. So far I've lost about 10lbs, which I really can afford to loose. I'm not starving myself, but my intake has decreased significantly.
Posted by Schuyler on June 6, 2002, at 11:03:17
In reply to Re: going off still » Grace Coyote, posted by Reneb on June 5, 2002, at 21:11:26
> > Today will be day 5 of going off the Effexor. I am now halving the half and will do so until Friday. I am still itchy and very forgetful. I can tell the drug is leaving, I am starting to dream again, but I can still fall asleep anytime and remain in deep sleep for hours. I will be starting Wellbutrin on friday. Has anyone been on this one?
>I've been on Wellbutrin for 13 years. It is the only AD that ever did me any good. I am now trying to add Methylphenidate (Ritalin) to see if that helps. So far, it helps a little.
Schuyler
Posted by Reneb on June 6, 2002, at 19:11:20
In reply to Re: going off still » Reneb, posted by Schuyler on June 6, 2002, at 11:03:17
> > > Today will be day 5 of going off the Effexor. I am now halving the half and will do so until Friday. I am still itchy and very forgetful. I can tell the drug is leaving, I am starting to dream again, but I can still fall asleep anytime and remain in deep sleep for hours. I will be starting Wellbutrin on friday. Has anyone been on this one?
> >
>
> I've been on Wellbutrin for 13 years. It is the only AD that ever did me any good. I am now trying to add Methylphenidate (Ritalin) to see if that helps. So far, it helps a little.
>
> SchuylerHi Schuyler, could you tell me what the bad press is? Can i get this information ?
thanks
Renee
Posted by mara talamaur on June 6, 2002, at 20:32:03
In reply to Re: going off still » Schuyler, posted by Reneb on June 6, 2002, at 19:11:20
Greetings,
and I've noticed that a lot of people in this list lose faith in their medical practitioners after a few weeks of being on a new medication. It seems that they aren't willing to deal with the side effects, or were not correctly informed of them. This also seems to lead to self-medication and non-informed altering of dosages and medication.
What I'm curious about is this, why aren't more questions asked of your general MD before/during the taking of the medication? Why aren't these people also asking for psychiatrist referrals who can offer more information on potential side effect and drug interactions?
It seems especially dangerous (both physically and mentally...not that those are really different) to tinker around with the dose and or combinations on your own.
I do realize that many of these side effects aren't listed in the accompanying literature with the medication or known by general MDs (bruising, etc) and can be rather scary. I also realize that mental/behavioral health and psychopharmacology are burgeoning fields with so much still to be learned and understood.
My point in all of this is to suggest maybe more people should give their medications time to actually create the down-regulation of post-synaptic receptors before they go about stopping or changing their meds! I'd be curious if as many negative rants would exist for each AD.Cheers,
Mara
Posted by Grace Coyote on June 7, 2002, at 5:28:48
In reply to Curious about Dissenters.., posted by mara talamaur on June 6, 2002, at 20:32:03
Today will be day 7 on my tapering off adventure. I began halving the 37.5 three days ago. I am not having any of the usual side effects I have been reading about i.e. lightness in head, tingling, etc. Instead this "weird" feeling comes over me and I feel like I am losing touch with my thought process. Similar to the sensations like LSD...(ok, I am a product of the 60's) Needless to say I do not like those experiences and feel scared when it happens, like I am not here. I can deal with the physical withdrawal, but when it begins to effect my mental state I do not fare well. I tried to remind myself that this is the withdrawal, that I am not going to lose my mind, that I have control over my thoughts etc.etc. Today I am supposed to start the Wellbutrin and I am concerned about this "depersonalization" experience. I am very sensitive to drugs and was only on 75mg of effexor x6weeks, certainly not that long. Has any one else had those weird thoughts (almost like internal panic)? I also feel like I am getting more depressed.
Posted by Schuyler on June 7, 2002, at 7:02:32
In reply to Curious about Dissenters.., posted by mara talamaur on June 6, 2002, at 20:32:03
> Greetings,
> and I've noticed that a lot of people in this list lose faith in their medical practitioners after a few weeks of being on a new medication.
> <snip>
> Cheers,
>
> MaraWell, I can't speak for anyone else, but:
1. Prescribers (do you call them pdocs here?) don't know everything;
2. Pdocs don't tell you everything they know;
3. Pdocs may not have had as much feedback as you can get from reading this list;
4. Pdocs may not have the time to listen to all your questions;
5. Pdocs don't have the time to tell you all your options;
6. Pdocs are sometimes hard to reach on the phone and expensive to talk to;
7. Pdocs sometimes give you *wrong* information.I read the package inserts and I read two different paperback Rx drug guides, but I've already learned a few things here that I would never have learned elsewhere.
Schuyler
Posted by Schuyler on June 7, 2002, at 7:04:37
In reply to Re: going off still » Schuyler, posted by Reneb on June 6, 2002, at 19:11:20
> > I've been on Wellbutrin for 13 years. It is the only AD that ever did me any good. I am now trying to add Methylphenidate (Ritalin) to see if that helps. So far, it helps a little.
> >
> > Schuyler
>
> Hi Schuyler, could you tell me what the bad press is? Can i get this information ?
>
> thanks
>
> ReneeBad press?
Schuyler
Posted by grampieb on June 7, 2002, at 7:56:16
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I just started taking effexor and am noticing sexual problems, I am wondering if these go away like the dizzyness or the tiredness. If they do not go away has anyone tried Viagra to help with these problems? Mine it that I cannot reach an orgasm.
Posted by Schuyler on June 7, 2002, at 9:08:32
In reply to Male Sexual Problems, posted by grampieb on June 7, 2002, at 7:56:16
> I just started taking effexor and am noticing sexual problems, I am wondering if these go away like the dizzyness or the tiredness. If they do not go away has anyone tried Viagra to help with these problems? Mine it that I cannot reach an orgasm.
I don't know if they go away. I quit (Side-)Effexor because I had 4 nasty side-effects, 3 of them uro-genital, after only 2 days at 75 mg. On Celexa, I first lost my orgasms and soon after that I got a side-effect that Viagra couldn't fix, so the pdoc told me to try something else.
YMMV, of course.
Schuyler
Posted by Rainman57 on June 7, 2002, at 19:16:29
In reply to Male Sexual Problems, posted by grampieb on June 7, 2002, at 7:56:16
> I just started taking effexor and am noticing sexual problems, I am wondering if these go away like the dizzyness or the tiredness. If they do not go away has anyone tried Viagra to help with these problems? Mine it that I cannot reach an orgasm.
I had a similar problem with Effexor when I first started taking it. Everything worked OK sexually except for the ejaculation/orgasm. This side effect last 2-3 weeks. After that, things went back to normal for the most part. Each time I increased the dosage, this side effect came back for another few weeks. I've been at 150mg now for about 5 months and have not experienced any side effects since the dosage change. The medicine really seems to help significantly with my depression. Good luck, hope this helps.
Posted by Reneb on June 7, 2002, at 21:25:20
In reply to Re: going off still, posted by Butterfly on June 5, 2002, at 10:38:05
> > Today will be day 5 of going off the Effexor. I am now halving the half and will do so until Friday. I am still itchy and very forgetful. I can tell the drug is leaving, I am starting to dream again, but I can still fall asleep anytime and remain in deep sleep for hours. I will be starting Wellbutrin on friday. Has anyone been on this one?
>
>
>
> Hi
> Wellbutrin has very bad press up where I live, in fact it's almost not prescribed at all anymore.
> A number of "stories" have been read in various newspapers lately, about possible deadly side-effects of this drug.
>
> Well, to make things even worse a young fellow (31) died lately in my hometown, and the coroner has established that the arythmia causing his death was a direct consequence of is taking Wellbutrin.
>
> My doc has said that he would not prescribe this drug anymore, and that from what he knows not many of his colleagues would either.
>
> FWIW
> Butterfly
Hi Butterfly, could you tell me what the bad press is? can I get this information?thanks,
Renee
Posted by Reneb on June 7, 2002, at 21:26:50
In reply to Re: going off still, posted by Schuyler on June 7, 2002, at 7:04:37
>
> > > I've been on Wellbutrin for 13 years. It is the only AD that ever did me any good. I am now trying to add Methylphenidate (Ritalin) to see if that helps. So far, it helps a little.
> > >
> > > Schuyler
> >
> > Hi Schuyler, could you tell me what the bad press is? Can i get this information ?
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > Renee
>
> Bad press?
>
> SchuylerSorry, I meant to send it to butterfly. She was the one that said it was getting bad press.
Renee
Posted by Butterfly on June 8, 2002, at 10:54:17
In reply to Re: going off still » Butterfly, posted by Reneb on June 7, 2002, at 21:25:20
Renee
I can't say very much about Wellbutrin because I'm not a specialist, but I will just report a few facts.A few months ago, here up in Canada, the press has reported the death of a 31 yr old guy as a result of severe arythmia. The guy was taking Wellbutrin for depression. The coroner suspected that there could be a link between the death and the medication. They eventually officially linked the death of the guy to his medication. Apparently, he was following the prescription carefully and didn't mix the med with anything else.
In fact Wellbutrin, even though it actually has helped a number of people with their depression, and is an anti-depressant with very few if any sexual side-effects (unlike many anti-depressants), has had press almost since its introduction. A number of cases of seizures and deaths have been reported all over N.A. This has been widely reported in the medical and non-medical press.
If you try to go to the Wellbutrin official site (www.wellbutrin.com), you will see that it's being "updated", and it's "being updated" for quite a while, and it doesn't have much to offer in terms of information, in comparison with the websites of Effexor or Remeron for example, to name just a couple.
But you can do a search using a search engine like Google and your findings, if they look like mine, may lead you to reconsider your choice to take this medication.
For one, my doc said "forget about it, there's too much uncertainty at this point around this med, and some things need to be clarified to unsure that Wellbutrin is safe." He also added that given the likely level of risk for the patient and the risk of recourse aganst the practitioner, very few doctors were prescribing it here now.
That was enough for me. I guess, like with everything when a decision is made one has to weigh the pros and cons. I personnally assumed that my doc knew more about it than me, and I have choosed to follow his advice.
So I went to Remeron which, other than helping my sleep, does nothing good for me. But thats' another story.... Effexor was working fine, but I couldn't stand the side-effects.
Good luck
Butterfly
BTW, Butterfly is a "he" !
Posted by Reneb on June 8, 2002, at 12:41:12
In reply to Re: going off still, posted by Butterfly on June 8, 2002, at 10:54:17
> Renee
> I can't say very much about Wellbutrin because I'm not a specialist, but I will just report a few facts.
>
> A few months ago, here up in Canada, the press has reported the death of a 31 yr old guy as a result of severe arythmia. The guy was taking Wellbutrin for depression. The coroner suspected that there could be a link between the death and the medication. They eventually officially linked the death of the guy to his medication. Apparently, he was following the prescription carefully and didn't mix the med with anything else.
>
> In fact Wellbutrin, even though it actually has helped a number of people with their depression, and is an anti-depressant with very few if any sexual side-effects (unlike many anti-depressants), has had press almost since its introduction. A number of cases of seizures and deaths have been reported all over N.A. This has been widely reported in the medical and non-medical press.
>
> If you try to go to the Wellbutrin official site (www.wellbutrin.com), you will see that it's being "updated", and it's "being updated" for quite a while, and it doesn't have much to offer in terms of information, in comparison with the websites of Effexor or Remeron for example, to name just a couple.
>
> But you can do a search using a search engine like Google and your findings, if they look like mine, may lead you to reconsider your choice to take this medication.
>
> For one, my doc said "forget about it, there's too much uncertainty at this point around this med, and some things need to be clarified to unsure that Wellbutrin is safe." He also added that given the likely level of risk for the patient and the risk of recourse aganst the practitioner, very few doctors were prescribing it here now.
>
> That was enough for me. I guess, like with everything when a decision is made one has to weigh the pros and cons. I personnally assumed that my doc knew more about it than me, and I have choosed to follow his advice.
>
> So I went to Remeron which, other than helping my sleep, does nothing good for me. But thats' another story.... Effexor was working fine, but I couldn't stand the side-effects.
>
> Good luck
>
> Butterfly
> BTW, Butterfly is a "he" !
Butterfly, Thank so much for the info. I am on 400mg of wellbutrin. So I was concerned. I am so sorry about the he/she thing.
Posted by Donald on June 8, 2002, at 20:44:13
In reply to Re: Alternative Ways of dealing with Depression, posted by hank on June 4, 2002, at 9:29:36
> >
> > > I switched to Viagra + Senade.
> > > MIRACLE RESULT !
> > > No side effects!
> > > No depression!
> >
> >
> > what is Senade? i've never heard of it...
>
> A Russian laxative, CEHADE (imagine that's in Cyrillic though). Not exactly widely available, nor does it have any sort of antidepressive effect so I have no idea why this chap is mentioning it unless it's in response to others talking about constipation.Yes, thanks for comments.
Senna extract and Viagra that's what helped me.Let me suggest that one becomes depressed when the body is filled with what supposed to be exerted regularly.
When we clean body from inside, that may include moderate dieting, we may become more rejuvenated and depression free.
Posted by Grace Coyote on June 10, 2002, at 15:07:22
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I had my last dose of Effexor on Friday...after tapering I also began Wellbutrin on Friday 100mg. I felt ok on Friday, a bit more energy , which I serious needed and was able to do some long over due work. By Sunday (yesterday) I was feeling more tired and nauseous, achy and lethargic. Today I feel like I haven't slept in weeks (although I have). Am I experiencing the withdrawal from the Effexor or the beginning effect of the Wellbutrin. I had thought that the Wellbutrin gave more of an up. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Oh, I am also getting this zapping feeling...what the hell is that?
Posted by JANNBEAU on June 10, 2002, at 15:24:56
In reply to withdrawal?????, posted by Grace Coyote on June 10, 2002, at 15:07:22
Hard to tell, what with two meds = confounding variable. However, the "zapping" or "brain zaps" or "brain shivers" have been described with the "discontinuation" syndrome associated with some AD's, including that of Effexor
Cheers,
jannbeau
Posted by supergirl on June 10, 2002, at 15:47:54
In reply to withdrawal?????, posted by Grace Coyote on June 10, 2002, at 15:07:22
> I had my last dose of Effexor on Friday...after tapering I also began Wellbutrin on Friday 100mg. I felt ok on Friday, a bit more energy , which I serious needed and was able to do some long over due work. By Sunday (yesterday) I was feeling more tired and nauseous, achy and lethargic. Today I feel like I haven't slept in weeks (although I have). Am I experiencing the withdrawal from the Effexor or the beginning effect of the Wellbutrin. I had thought that the Wellbutrin gave more of an up. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Oh, I am also getting this zapping feeling...what the hell is that?
I have also just stopped Effexor, taking the last dose (hopefully) on saturday. I was on 150 mg. When I went down to 75 mg, i had more energy, was in better spririts, all around feeling good. As soon as I went down to 37 mg, two weeks ago, I have been very tired. I can't get myself out of bed until I absoulutely have to in order to get to work, sleeping 10 or 12 hours a night. I am also on Prozac 20 mg to help me with withdrawal. That really has helped with the zapping feeling your getting, a withdrawal symptom not widely known until you go through it, but I have no ambition whatsoever on it, and I can't wait to be able to discontinue the Prozac, too.
From my experience, and seeing it in others, withdrawal usually starts getting unbearable on the 2nd day it isnt taken. It SOUNDS like you are going through withdrawal, but don't count out the Welbutrin... read the info to know the side effects. Whatever the case may be, you should talk to your doc. You might just need to tapper off of the Effexor a little more slowly.supergirl
Posted by Grace Coyote on June 10, 2002, at 17:28:10
In reply to Re: withdrawal?????, posted by supergirl on June 10, 2002, at 15:47:54
Thanks for the feedback. I am very sensitive to these AD's and I had only been on the Effexor for 6 weeks on a low dose (75mg), I tapered to 37.5 for about 4 days and then half of that for 3 or 4 more days then nothing and onto Wellbutrin. I have been taking a small dose of Ativan for the zaps and this seems to relax my brain for awhile anyway. How long does this usually last? This is getting to be ridiculous.
Posted by spu on June 11, 2002, at 5:29:43
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hey folks. Just thought we needed to see some positives around here for a change. I posted back on 5/13, the day I started this crazy ride, and have actually been doing better this past month! I am up to 75mg/d with no, check it, NO, side effects to speak of (knock on wood). I can't say this episode has past, I am about 40% these days. Some good, some bad days. It sure beats the 4 years it took me to pull myself out of the last episode with no help. To bad the first relationship I got into afer that turned out to be a dishonest disaster with a friend of three years. But everyone comes into our lives for a reason, and I'm glad it forced me to get some help. Tomorrow is my 27th birthday, and I am actually excited about the many years and adventures that lay ahead, regaurdless of this condition. I don't post often, but read everyday, and will continue to do so. I hope we all find what we need to make things better for ourselves. I am glad to know I am not alone.....
Posted by Butterfly on June 11, 2002, at 8:26:30
In reply to Some good news for a change..., posted by spu on June 11, 2002, at 5:29:43
> Hey folks. Just thought we needed to see some positives around here for a change. I posted back on 5/13, the day I started this crazy ride, and have actually been doing better this past month! I am up to 75mg/d with no, check it, NO, side effects to speak of (knock on wood). I can't say this episode has past, I am about 40% these days. Some good, some bad days. It sure beats the 4 years it took me to pull myself out of the last episode with no help. To bad the first relationship I got into afer that turned out to be a dishonest disaster with a friend of three years. But everyone comes into our lives for a reason, and I'm glad it forced me to get some help. Tomorrow is my 27th birthday, and I am actually excited about the many years and adventures that lay ahead, regaurdless of this condition. I don't post often, but read everyday, and will continue to do so. I hope we all find what we need to make things better for ourselves. I am glad to know I am not alone.....
Thanks for sharing Spu. Glad to see you seem to be doing OK. Looks like you are on the right track, and getting the right lessons from life
keep going
Butterfly
Posted by angeltalena on June 11, 2002, at 11:32:31
In reply to Re: Some good news for a change..., posted by Butterfly on June 11, 2002, at 8:26:30
I also love good news and have been on Effexor 37.5 for about a month now. I just went up to the 75 in the last few days and feel so much more like myself. It's a good feeling. I had been depressed and having anxiety problems since an auto accident in the spring. I am thirsty but like drinking a lot of water and my appetite is less which is good. I am interested in any and all other good reports. I recently got in touch with a girl who is still happy with this medicine after three years!
Angel
> > Hey folks. Just thought we needed to see some positives around here for a change. I posted back on 5/13, the day I started this crazy ride, and have actually been doing better this past month! I am up to 75mg/d with no, check it, NO, side effects to speak of (knock on wood). I can't say this episode has past, I am about 40% these days. Some good, some bad days. It sure beats the 4 years it took me to pull myself out of the last episode with no help. To bad the first relationship I got into afer that turned out to be a dishonest disaster with a friend of three years. But everyone comes into our lives for a reason, and I'm glad it forced me to get some help. Tomorrow is my 27th birthday, and I am actually excited about the many years and adventures that lay ahead, regaurdless of this condition. I don't post often, but read everyday, and will continue to do so. I hope we all find what we need to make things better for ourselves. I am glad to know I am not alone.....
>
>
>
> Thanks for sharing Spu. Glad to see you seem to be doing OK. Looks like you are on the right track, and getting the right lessons from life
> keep going
> Butterfly
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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