![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2435 to 2459 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by sillyhead on July 31, 2002, at 17:11:46
In reply to Re: L-Arginine, posted by jrbecker on July 31, 2002, at 16:38:08
Hey jr, thanks for the info. about L-Arginine. I checked out the article. It is pretty comprehensive. I am going to ask my doctor about L-Arginine or about Niacin (also helps women).
On the plus side, my insomnia and crazy dreams actually seem to be lessening, so for now I am going to stay on 150 mg of the effexor. If things persist, then my Dr. said to consider switching to another AD. But, I am pretty new to this, so I am not sure what options are best.
I'll keep you posted.
Anyone have other related experiences?
sillyhead
Posted by swingsnroundabouts on July 31, 2002, at 17:14:16
In reply to Help: Insomnia/Inorgasmia, posted by sillyhead on July 30, 2002, at 9:50:56
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I have been taking Effexor XR for about a month. I started at 37.5 mg and after each week, I have increased this dose by 37.5 mg. Now I am on day 8 of my recommended dose: 150 mg.
>
> At first I felt no real side effects, but now I am noticing that since I started, I have not been able to have an orgasm, which is really frusterating b/c this has never been a problem for me.
>
> Also, since I increased by dosage, I have been waking in the night, thrashing around in bed, talking in my sleep, and having bizarre and vivid dreams that are generally too intense, making them unpleasant. I am going to wait this one out, b/c I think once things stabalize this will go away, but it is hard b/c the lack of sleep is making me tired! And I never had that problem before either! I could sleep anywhere before the effexor!
>
> I am also very concerned about the inorgasmia as I have a boyfriend of 2 1/2 years and we are not used to this. And what is worse, is that finally my sex drive has come back, only to find out I can't climax!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> Please, Please share your experiences with insomnia/inorgasmia with me. Does this go away?
>
> Thanks a ton,
> Sillyhead
Yes have had both of these side effects each and every time I have been on efexor. It has worked much better for me than other antidepressants so far as far as mood is concerned - in other words it does the job it is supposed to do.HOWEVER my sleep was wrecked and I got to the point where the ONLY way I could sleep on efexor was by using sleeping tablets, e.g. zimovane / zopliclone (had to have a high dose of all of these to get any effect at all). I also experienced sexual side effects - strange weak orgasms which although tolerable, not as fulfilling.
I have just stopped taking efexor and have started on mirtazapine (zispin / remeron). It is so wonderful to sleep without the sleeping tablets. However I am wiped out and sleeping too much (hope this will wear off as it has only been a week) and the orgasms - well ;^)- I say no more.
A WORD OF WARNING Do not let your doc convince you to stop taking efexor abrubtly I have a seriously bad withdrawal syndrome - this drug should be tapered off gradually.
Posted by sillyhead on July 31, 2002, at 18:48:37
In reply to Re: Help: Insomnia/Inorgasmia, posted by swingsnroundabouts on July 31, 2002, at 17:14:16
> I have just stopped taking efexor and have started on mirtazapine (zispin / remeron).
What other meds have you tried and what were they like?
I have heard about the withdrawal symptoms, which scares me. But, I guess these are the chances we take in hopes of getting over the depression or anxiety.>and the orgasms - well ;^)- I say no more.
Is that a good face or a bad face?
Have you experienced inorgasmia on every med that you have been on?On effexor, the percentage of women in the test group that had "sexual problems" was only 2%!!! But on this chat group, it seems more common. Isn't that strange?
Thanks for the advice-I am such a newbie!
Posted by cybercafe on August 1, 2002, at 2:08:02
In reply to Re: Help: Insomnia/Inorgasmia, posted by sillyhead on July 31, 2002, at 18:48:37
> On effexor, the percentage of women in the test group that had "sexual problems" was only 2%!!! But on this chat group, it seems more common. Isn't that strange?
on spontaneous-reporting tests patients rarely bring up their sexual problems, whereas on multiple-choice tests sexual side effects are reported much more accurately ...
... the thing to do... is find out what method of testing is employed
Posted by Mark Parson on August 1, 2002, at 9:13:55
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by care on December 18, 2001, at 22:08:19
I have been using Effexor XR 75 mg for 2 weeks. It seems to work well, reducing stress and anxiety and the "knot" that you get in your stomach in these situations. It has also slowed me down (calmed me) internally. At first, I was more sleepy - and would go to bed 2 hrs earlier because I was exhausted, but that is slowly going away. It has also reduced my internal "cravings" for food, sex and alcohol. Overall it seems to work well, but my biggest concern is the male sexual disfunction (cannot orgasm). I know different people experience different side effects, but once it effects sexual disfunction, is this temporary (how long) or permenant?
I am also worried that several people have indicated do not quit cold turkey that the withdrawl symtoms are dibilitating and you may have to be hospitalized (severe headaches & dizziness - inability to function). Please advise with your experiences with this dosage. Thanks.
Posted by swingsnroundabouts on August 1, 2002, at 11:54:19
In reply to Re: Help: Insomnia/Inorgasmia, posted by sillyhead on July 31, 2002, at 18:48:37
> > I have just stopped taking efexor and have started on mirtazapine (zispin / remeron).
>
> What other meds have you tried and what were they like?
> I have heard about the withdrawal symptoms, which scares me. But, I guess these are the chances we take in hopes of getting over the depression or anxiety.
>
> >and the orgasms - well ;^)- I say no more.
>
> Is that a good face or a bad face?
> Have you experienced inorgasmia on every med that you have been on?
>
> On effexor, the percentage of women in the test group that had "sexual problems" was only 2%!!! But on this chat group, it seems more common. Isn't that strange?
>
> Thanks for the advice-I am such a newbie!That was definitely a happy face!! It has always been suspected that the sexual side effects were underreported, particularly in women. The reporting on this site is not surprising - its easy to say it on here, but how many women would say so to their (often male) psychiatrist ??
Psychiatrist - "So how are you doing?"
Female patient - "well the depression's much better but my orgasms just don't feel quite right"I have not had the inorgasmia or similar on any other meds - just the efexor.
Re other meds - dothiepin or prozac have not worked - efexor was the first antid to work for me - hopefully mirtazapine will do to as it works on serotonin plus noradrenaline systems
Posted by sillyhead on August 2, 2002, at 8:48:53
In reply to What are your side effects using Effexor XR 75mg? , posted by Mark Parson on August 1, 2002, at 9:13:55
>I know different people experience different side effects, but once it effects sexual disfunction, is this temporary (how long) or permenant?
>
Hello Mark (and everyone else), I am new at this too and I certainly am not a big fan of the inorgasmia. My Psychiatrist said that it will probably not go away. But, I do have another friend who is on 75mg (whereas I am on 150) who said that she got over the inorgasmia. Her exact words were: "It just takes longer now and is more work". Check out the website on an earlier post about a supplement you can take that may help. I am going to stay with the effexor for another month or so and then I am going to consider switching to something else if I am still not having orgasms.good luck and let's keep in touch about this or any news we here,
Sillyhead
Posted by jrbecker on August 2, 2002, at 9:40:46
In reply to Re: What are your side effects using Effexor XR 75mg? , posted by sillyhead on August 2, 2002, at 8:48:53
let me preface this by saying that between the two (effexor and celexa), I had a much better treatment efficacy with effexor. however, in terms of the sexual dysfunction department, celexa is definitely the most tolerable. You might even want to look out for lexapro due out this month (an isomer remodeling of celexa). It's supposed to have better side effects tolerability than even Celexa. The pharm company is really touting these side effects (e.g., sexual dysfunction, increased appetite, somnolescence) as fairly improved, however, from what I've read up on so far, the critics believe that there might be only a slight -- who knows, possibly even negligible --significant difference between lexapro and celexa. And even with less side effects, they might find the same loss in treatment efficacy though.
I'm always the skeptic though, so you never know.
There's plenty of posts about this on this site if you want to research more. good luck sillyhead.
Posted by beardedlady on August 2, 2002, at 12:21:07
In reply to Re: Help: Insomnia/Inorgasmia » awake at last, posted by colin wallace on July 31, 2002, at 4:56:07
> I can't help wondering if the problem has something to do with your boyfriend's age.
> At 2 1/2 years, he can't have accumulated much experience, really.He's obviously precocious, but I reckon if you gave it another try in 15yrs or so, things would improve.
> The best things in life are always worth the wait!!! *_-Colin:
I came here lookin' for some drug rep (from a post in Admin), and I saw the original post. I was going to say this same thing!
beardy
Posted by madonna on August 2, 2002, at 21:57:48
In reply to Feeling terrible., posted by xena on July 25, 2002, at 7:39:16
I have been on Effexor (300mg/day) for 2 years+; I have never noticed any effect it has on drinking. I'm a frequent drinker. What I generally take are: Merlot, Japanese sake, beer and brandy. May be the effect differs individually. One side note: I never mix drinks - If I am on brandy I would take nothing else except brandy that night. Hope it helps
donna
Posted by mara talamaur on August 2, 2002, at 22:01:22
In reply to Re: Feeling terrible., posted by jannbeau on July 25, 2002, at 14:56:05
Greetings,
and I just learned the alcohol competes for the some of the same liver enzymes that Effexor is metabolized with. This means that when you drink, alcohol may have more of an effect as your liver will take a bit longer to metabolize it, or you won't metabolize Effexor as fast and there may/may not be some associated side effects with that.
In addition, the metabolic product of Effexor is similar to tricyclic antidepressents which can be hard on the circulatory system....something to watch out for as long-term clincal studies come out.
Cheers,Mara
Posted by Wheezer on August 4, 2002, at 0:29:22
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been acquainted with Effexor and Effexor XR, and my feelings are mostly positive. I am a card carrying memeber of ADHD since I was a child. Two years ago, I began experiencing anxiety which later evolved into a major depressive episode. Effexor at 300mg put me on my road to recovery. It was amazing, within a few days I was feeling better. Unfortunately, I did have some side effects. I could not achieve orgasm, which wasn't so bad since I was celebate. Later when all the depressive symptoms had abated I began experiencing mania, I am still dealing with the consequences of that one. I began to slowly try to get offf the Effexor, which was HELL!!!!! Mood lability, nausea, dizziness. It took me two months. After a year of med free living, many stressors erupted in my life, new relationship, heavy work demands, family conflict. My anxiety and hyperactivity were running amok, and I began to feel depressed. I started on Effexor XR at 37.5 and have had great results. Only side effect are the lack of orgasm, which is not acceptable. I will speak with my shrink and see what I can do, but for the most part I am very happy with effexor!!!
Posted by Reneb on August 4, 2002, at 16:34:13
In reply to My story, posted by Wheezer on August 4, 2002, at 0:29:22
> I have been acquainted with Effexor and Effexor XR, and my feelings are mostly positive. I am a card carrying memeber of ADHD since I was a child. Two years ago, I began experiencing anxiety which later evolved into a major depressive episode. Effexor at 300mg put me on my road to recovery. It was amazing, within a few days I was feeling better. Unfortunately, I did have some side effects. I could not achieve orgasm, which wasn't so bad since I was celebate. Later when all the depressive symptoms had abated I began experiencing mania, I am still dealing with the consequences of that one. I began to slowly try to get offf the Effexor, which was HELL!!!!! Mood lability, nausea, dizziness. It took me two months. After a year of med free living, many stressors erupted in my life, new relationship, heavy work demands, family conflict. My anxiety and hyperactivity were running amok, and I began to feel depressed. I started on Effexor XR at 37.5 and have had great results. Only side effect are the lack of orgasm, which is not acceptable. I will speak with my shrink and see what I can do, but for the most part I am very happy with effexor!!!
Hi Weezer, I am really glad its working for you. I wouldn't say it didnt work for me. I think it worked almost to well. I began to feel nothing!!! I didn't like that at all. All my motivation was gone. The doc also put me on wellbutrin when I complained about not being able to reach an orgasm anymore.Now I am on wellbutrin alone and its wonderful.
Good luck,Renee
Posted by sillyhead on August 5, 2002, at 9:55:42
In reply to Alcohol and Effexor, posted by mara talamaur on August 2, 2002, at 22:01:22
> Greetings,
>
> and I just learned the alcohol competes for the some of the same liver enzymes that Effexor is metabolized with. This means that when you drink, alcohol may have more of an effect as your liver will take a bit longer to metabolize it, or you won't metabolize Effexor as fast and there may/may not be some associated side effects with that.Hello Everyone! I sometimes drink on the weekends, especially if I am at the cottage. And I have not had any negative consequences, but I have noticed that while taking effexor, I do feel the drink more, which makes sense based on what Mara said.
I may have a couple drinks in the afternoon and then anywhere from 3 to 5 beverages in the evening. I am 5 feet, 3 inches, about 120 pounds and I do mix drinks, such that I may have liquor or coolers in the afternoon, red wine with dinner, and beer or liquor in the evening. I have had no problems and the drunk feeling is pretty good, whereas before effexor, drinking sometimes made me feel more depressed (as I'm sure you all know alcohol is a depressant).
Anyway, just thought I'd throw my experience in, where drinking and effexor is concerned.
Sillyhead
> In addition, the metabolic product of Effexor is similar to tricyclic antidepressents which can be hard on the circulatory system....something to watch out for as long-term clincal studies come out.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mara
Posted by jannbeau on August 5, 2002, at 10:03:17
In reply to Alcohol and Effexor, posted by mara talamaur on August 2, 2002, at 22:01:22
Hi, Mara, will you please send the citation for the information below or a web link? I wondered about this issue because my allergist won't do skin tests until one is off tricyclics for a month. I asked him about Effexor, but he was unaware that Effexor might suppress skin test results. Sure enough, although I display many seasonal allergic symptoms as well perennial rhinitis and asthma (previously told I was allergic to dust mites, etc), my allergy tests were all essentially negative. I was taking 150 mg qd of Effexor-XR at the time. In light of your information on tricyclic-like metabolites of the bicyclic AD, Effexor, I would like to take the citation to my allergist because I think I should be retested now that I no longer take Effexor.
Many thanks for the information, past and future.
Cheers,
jannbeau
>
> In addition, the metabolic product of Effexor is similar to tricyclic antidepressents which can be hard on the circulatory system....something to watch out for as long-term clincal studies come out.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mara
Posted by sillyhead on August 5, 2002, at 10:05:22
In reply to Re: My story » Wheezer, posted by Reneb on August 4, 2002, at 16:34:13
> >Effexor at 300mg put me on my road to recovery. It was amazing, within a few days I was feeling better. Unfortunately, I did have some side effects. I could not achieve orgasm, which wasn't so bad since I was celebate.
>
>
> Hi Weezer, I am really glad its working for you. I wouldn't say it didnt work for me. I think it worked almost to well. I began to feel nothing!!! I didn't like that at all. All my motivation was gone. The doc also put me on wellbutrin when I complained about not being able to reach an orgasm anymore.
>
> Now I am on wellbutrin alone and its wonderful.
>
>
> Good luck,
>
> Renee
>
>I just wanted to let everyone know that I had an orgasm last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel sooooooooo relieved (and my boyfriend does too)! Renee, I know what you mean, I was feeling a little apathetic as well, but it seems that at least my love life is back! Or at least I hope it is-I will keep you informed.
Also, regarding the insomnia, it seems to be getting better. The dreams and talking in my sleep are still there, but the dreams are not unpleasant anymore =) and I do not seem to be thrashing around in bed.
Sillyhead
Posted by Reneb on August 5, 2002, at 19:16:38
In reply to Re: My story and Inorgasmia/Insomnia, posted by sillyhead on August 5, 2002, at 10:05:22
> > >Effexor at 300mg put me on my road to recovery. It was amazing, within a few days I was feeling better. Unfortunately, I did have some side effects. I could not achieve orgasm, which wasn't so bad since I was celebate.
> >
> >
> > Hi Weezer, I am really glad its working for you. I wouldn't say it didnt work for me. I think it worked almost to well. I began to feel nothing!!! I didn't like that at all. All my motivation was gone. The doc also put me on wellbutrin when I complained about not being able to reach an orgasm anymore.
> >
> > Now I am on wellbutrin alone and its wonderful.
> >
> >
> > Good luck,
> >
> > Renee
> >
> >
>
> I just wanted to let everyone know that I had an orgasm last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel sooooooooo relieved (and my boyfriend does too)! Renee, I know what you mean, I was feeling a little apathetic as well, but it seems that at least my love life is back! Or at least I hope it is-I will keep you informed.
>
> Also, regarding the insomnia, it seems to be getting better. The dreams and talking in my sleep are still there, but the dreams are not unpleasant anymore =) and I do not seem to be thrashing around in bed.
>
> SillyheadHi Sillyhead! It's funny, when I was reading your post. It all came back to me...the vivid dreams, the continual body jerking when I slept, weight gain, etc., My body would jerk so much that I would not only wake myself up I would wake up my husband. I didn't have a problem falling asleep after awhile, but I was on 150mg for over a year. It all went away after I weaned off the effexor. I kind of miss the vivid dreams...lol
I wish you continued success!
Renee
Posted by sillyhead on August 6, 2002, at 8:06:10
In reply to Re: My story and Inorgasmia/Insomnia » sillyhead, posted by Reneb on August 5, 2002, at 19:16:38
Hi Renee, thanks for the post. My mom was on Zyban to quit smoking and she too misses the vivid dreams. For me, I am enjoying my more restful sleeps.
What made you switch from Effexor to Wellbutrin? How has Wellbutrin helped you?
Sillyhead
Posted by Reneb on August 6, 2002, at 11:43:57
In reply to Re: My story and Inorgasmia/Insomnia-Renee, posted by sillyhead on August 6, 2002, at 8:06:10
> Hi Renee, thanks for the post. My mom was on Zyban to quit smoking and she too misses the vivid dreams. For me, I am enjoying my more restful sleeps.
>
> What made you switch from Effexor to Wellbutrin? How has Wellbutrin helped you?
>
> SillyheadHi, well I got on wellbutrin because I was sooo tired on effexor. I was taking both until I couldn't take the effects of the effexor anymore. My pdoc told me just to try the wellbutrin alone and see how it goes. I have been doing very well just being on the wellbutrin. I have alot more energy. My motivation is back plus some. Oh and the greatest thing about being on wellbutrin is my sex life is back, better than it was before. My husband wants me to stay on it forever...lol
Renee
Posted by michaelb on August 9, 2002, at 11:40:26
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I just started Effexor XR yesterday. So far just a little nausea and sometimes dizziness. What I want to know is about the sexual disfunction associated with it. What kind, how long and when does it start? I had no problem on Wellbutrin but it didn't help my mood/depresstion very much.
Posted by sleepy lizard on August 10, 2002, at 0:25:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by michaelb on August 9, 2002, at 11:40:26
I have been on Effexor XR (currently 150 mg once daily) for about 10 weeks. I have had delayed orgasm and eventually anorgasmia, that began from the start. However I had the same problem on Paxil and Celexa and I transitioned from Celexa to Effexor XR to get rid of the sexual side effects, which it did not do. It was taking 45-60 minutes to have an orgasm, way too long, considering normal is about 3-5 minutes. My doctor has added Wellbutrin 100 mg (once daily) to the Effexor XR and it has not worked yet (at 2 weeks). You may not have the same effect, however, I have read that any drug that increases Serotonin has the potential to decrease libido and ability to orgasm. The exceptions may be Remeron, Serzone, and Desyrel. Serzone is on the black list now, due to reported liver failures. Serzone and Desyrel both increase Serotonin but also have 5HT2 rec. antagonizm. The 5HT2 receptor is the one connected to libido and orgasm.
Posted by quarterlifer on August 11, 2002, at 3:26:58
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » michaelb, posted by sleepy lizard on August 10, 2002, at 0:25:35
Ah, for god sake. Alright folks, I understand exactly what you mean in the 45 minute+ deal with male orgasm with Effexor. It really put a strain on my relationship. I tapered down a little bit and stopped the drug completely three days ago, and that problem is now 100% better, however, I am now going through extreme withdrawal, and think I may be going completely insane. I was set to start taking Serzone, and was ramping up on it, but got scared with the liver deal, and so stopped ramping up, so thertefore did the double whammy over a weekend of coming down off two and started going completely nuts. I won't take effexor anymore, no matter what, even if it would help this current situation, because for the first time in six months, I was able to achieve orgasm with my partner within a reasonable amount of time. Was quite nice, however, I'm feeling like I might actually belong in a Psych Ward shortly. So, I've decided to continuie to go on the Serzone, and watch for liver type side effects, as I understand it may be easier to come down off that than that horrid Effexor.
Posted by Wheezer on August 12, 2002, at 11:49:43
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » michaelb, posted by sleepy lizard on August 10, 2002, at 0:25:35
Thanks so much for your knowledgable information. I will be speaking with my doc shortly! I wish you and me luck. This really sucks : (
Posted by Wheezer on August 12, 2002, at 16:31:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by quarterlifer on August 11, 2002, at 3:26:58
Effexor is a total bitch to come off of! BUT, it is a good drug that works quickly.
Posted by quarterlifer on August 12, 2002, at 21:18:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Wheezer on August 12, 2002, at 16:31:02
So, do you happen to know how long it takes to come off of? I finished my last dose on Thursday of last week, and I feel like I'm on crack. Not that I've ver tried crack, but if I had, it would likely feel like this. I just need an estimated date of when this feeling might end. If anyone has any idea, please please let me know!
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.