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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sillyhead on September 5, 2002, at 6:52:01
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by Alara on September 5, 2002, at 4:23:39
> One more comment (if that's OK): After reading some of your posts, I realise that I was luckier than most in that my withdrawal recovery was a relatively speedy one. Yes, I came as close to hell as I have ever been, but thankfully I didn't have to stay there for long.
>
> I completely sympathise with anyone who is coming off a larger dose and hope that your recovery is as painless and quick as possible. Keep your faith. :-)Hi everyone! Alara, your post was very well articulated and appreciated!
Some of you may remember that I wrote a while ago about my insomnia and inorgasmia, which seemed to lessen as I adjusted to my dosage of 150 mg. (You may recall my excited message that I had an orgasm.) I currently experience the night sweats. I can cope with it, but it is sort of annoying when I wake up in the middle of the night cold, because I am lying in my wet bed!
In general, I am feeling a lot better about myself and I appear to be in remission from my depression. Today, I finally see a pdoc and I am greatly looking forward to psychotherapy.
Another reason that I am feeling more in control of my life, is that I broke up with my boyfriend of two and a half years. I realized that while I love him, we are not right for each other in the long run (i.e., to get married). At age 27, I feel that it is not fair to stay in a relationship if I know that it's not forever.
Anyway, I share these experiences because I think that a lot of my depression originated from staying in a relationship that wasn't right for me. I believe the effexor helped me bring that realization to the surface.
The biggest lesson I have learned is that I am still growing and I hope that the combo of effexor and psychotherapy will allow me to adjust my assumptive world and allow me to better my interactions with others and with myself.
sillyhead
Posted by J200 on September 5, 2002, at 7:25:19
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by DebraA. on September 3, 2002, at 16:39:34
When I stopped taking Effexor, my major complaint was a severe headache. I suffered with it for 6 weeks before it finally went away. Your mileage may vary, you may feel fine after only a week or two or the withdrawal effects may linger for a month or more. One more reason why I no longer accept prescriptions for SSRIs.
Posted by J200 on September 5, 2002, at 7:37:45
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Kat on September 4, 2002, at 13:08:49
I tried Effexor for a few months and had to stop it. Fortunately, I did not go through any of the more severe withdrawal symptoms that some describe, although I did suffer from the worst headache and body aches I've ever had which lasted for weeks.
I too have found that doctors have opinions as to what should or should not happen with a drug that are based on what they've been told or read, not on empirical observations. What needs to be done is to give a skeptical doctor a good dose of Effexor (or any other anti-depressant) for a couple of months, and then take it away from him. Watch how fast the withdrawal syndrome gets reported in the medical literature !
Posted by DebraA. on September 5, 2002, at 8:59:12
In reply to Re: I can't stop sweating - can anyone help?, posted by rumbera on September 4, 2002, at 23:54:45
You might consider printing out some of these messages and let your doctor know that these brain shivers are indeed a very big part of withdrawal from Effexor. It's ridiculous that she would dismiss this as something else considering the only thing different in your body chemistry right now is that you've reduced your intake of this drug. I'm on day number 5 now and I'm still "shivering" and "swooshing". So far it's not as bad and I feel like it's getting better (but not real fast that's for sure!). I still feel nauseated and still a little bit of diarrhea.
Keep me posted on your progress and hang in there.
Take good care of yourself right now.
Posted by DebraA. on September 5, 2002, at 9:16:56
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by Alara on September 5, 2002, at 4:02:40
Gosh! I really appreciate your lengthy response! I'm glad to see that this agony will eventually cease. There are so many parts of your message that I can relate to. Yes, the effexor did help me during a really bad time, but it certainly took away big pieces of myself that I've missed. My husband commented this morning that he was glad to "start seeing his wife again." Even with these withdrawal symptoms he can see the difference - can you believe it?
I'm also glad to hear about the alcohol piece. I used to be a "social drinker" and would go to Happy Hour on Fridays and enjoy a bottle of wine with my husband on Saturday nights. The past two years I had gotten to the point that I couldn't wait till 5 p.m. to roll around so I could open my "happy hour" wine. Happy Hour was every night, not one night a week anymore. I haven't had any desire to drink in the last few days - I chalked it off to the bad withdrawal symptoms, but maybe you're on to something here. I am truly hoping that once I'm past this, I can return to enjoying wine socially, but not as something I feel compelled to have every night.
Thanks so very much for your input!!
Posted by DebraA. on September 5, 2002, at 9:24:19
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by rumbera on September 5, 2002, at 6:24:52
You bet! Read my response to Alara who had the same compulsion!! I've had to practice "controlled drinking" since being on this drug - couldn't wait till 5 p.m. every day. I was NEVER this way about alcohol in the past. Plus, my doctor said I shouldn't be drinking - didn't stop me though.
Let me please reiterate that I haven't felt that desire in 5 days now. I've been off Effexor for 5 days.
Posted by DebraA. on September 5, 2002, at 9:29:17
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by J200 on September 5, 2002, at 7:37:45
This is a very excellent idea!!! Make it mandatory that each doctor must first try out any drug they are thinking of prescribing! They'd be singing a different tune I think.
Posted by Robin David John on September 5, 2002, at 10:44:13
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by DebraA. on September 5, 2002, at 9:16:56
Debra ..I would like to give you a little advice ..tell your doctor that you drank alot over the last couple of years ..there are very serious side effects coming off any mind altering drug.And Alcohol is a DRUG. Some people would not admit that they have an alcohol problem because deep in our brain there is a thing called shame and guilt and the other side of our brain says I dont have a drinking problem..Please talk with your doctor about the drinking that you have done and the amount because there could be some serious side effects ..Nightmares are one ,shallow breathing and even stop breathing for well not a normal length of time while falling asleep or sleeping,..seizsures are another , loss of memory, convusions...There is also a withdrawl period that these symptoms could come.They could start in a day ,a week , month , year, and ever many years later ..This is called post accute withdrawl..Please do talk to someone about this ..it can be very frightening if it happens and you don't know about post accute withdrawl ..Not everyone has them ,I know about them because when I was taking the pain killers (Codine for a lower back and neck injury) I was also taking drinks of beer and wine at home as well and a hole bottle of wine is mind altering . I am still having some difficulty after 21 months ..Hope you follow up on this ..it may help you and then you maybe able to help someone else someday. Knowledge is a wonderful thing ..
Hope you suffer little while coming off the drugs that you have taken..(-:
Robin
Posted by J200 on September 5, 2002, at 11:14:22
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by rumbera on September 5, 2002, at 6:24:52
While I have been a weekend drinker for 30 years, it wasn't I started taking Effexor that drinking nearly destroyed me. I ended up in a hospital from an overdose of alcohol and Xanax a few weeks after beginning to take Effexor. I don't remember a thing about it. This effect has not occurred again since I have stopped Effexor. Yes, I absolutely craved alcohol while taking the drug. I stopped it after less than three months. I'm now back to my usual weekend beer-sampling pattern.
Posted by jannbeau on September 5, 2002, at 11:35:26
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by Alara on September 5, 2002, at 4:02:40
Alara, WOW!!!!!! Beautiful composition!
Jannbeau
Posted by madonna on September 5, 2002, at 16:14:09
In reply to Re: I can't stop sweating - can anyone help?, posted by sly on September 4, 2002, at 11:51:50
I had the same problem but it was cured with herbal medicine prescribed by Chineses herbal doctor. The medicine also cured my vivid dreams in the night. Hope this helps.
>
My doctor told me the symptoms were similar to menopause, something to do with the extra serotonin, my body thinks it's cold so it overheats to compensate - I wonder why it happens at night, I take my pill around noon, what time do you take yours?
>
> Actually, I've had a revisit of my insomnia, for the past week I haven't been able to sleep (due to work-related stress, not depression), so sweating isn't a problem, it only seems to happen when I'm asleep. It's weird and annoying, but I guess I can live with it, all my other symptoms disappeared over time.
Posted by beth b on September 5, 2002, at 19:33:35
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by Alara on September 5, 2002, at 4:02:40
hello all--
i just have to say "AGH!!"
this really should be common sense by now:i don't understand why people stop taking effexor cold turkey and then complain about the side effects. you shouldn't stop taking *any* drug cold turkey. it simply doesn't make sense. if you quit effexor abruptly it will suck. don't be surprised. we have already established the fact that quitting cold turkey feels shitty. why are people still doing it and acting like they're surprised?? it's like poking yourself in the eye and then crying because it hurts. DON'T DO IT!
i was on 150 mg for over a year and then i started weaning. the key word is *weaning.* first, i informed my doctor, then i told my roommates so that they could monitor me. i have been reducing my dosage every two weeks and i have had NO serious problems. i tend to feel a little nausea in the afternoons but it passes if i eat a snack.
effexor helped lift me from my severe depression to a manageable state. i was soo sleepy while i was on it and i was kind of numb. unable to cry. so i'm slowly ridding myself of those symptoms. i'm now at 37.5 mg a day and so far so good. if the depression relapses then i will just have to accept it and go back on the meds.
i understand that this life isn't easy and depression is no piece of cake. but for crying out loud, don't make ignorant choices and create more problems than you already have!! wise up!
(i mean no offense, i'm just trying to use humor to show how silly it is to do that!)
for what it's worth-
beth b
Posted by rumbera on September 5, 2002, at 20:50:45
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by DebraA. on September 5, 2002, at 9:24:19
Thank to all on your responses on the dependence of alcohol and it's relevence to Effexor. I too do not blame all of my problems on Effexor ,but honestly it is quite scary to trust drug companies nowadays. I was once on Serzone and as many of you now know there has been a recall on that drug. I am not trying to say that it was entirely bad ,but I know that this is not a miracle drug and that there is no such thing.
During this my fourth day of weaning I am rediscovering who I am and I got to admit I like the person that I am getting to know.I hope that everyone is doing better in their recovery.
Posted by Dinah on September 5, 2002, at 21:52:39
In reply to making wise choices, posted by beth b on September 5, 2002, at 19:33:35
I certainly agree that stopping any psych medicine cold turkey without discussing it with your doctor isn't a good idea. And I also agree that Effexor should be tapered.
But I did taper, and I still got side effects. I was even opening up the capsules, dumping out half and taking it every other day. And I think that's true for a lot of people. I'm glad you're having relatively few side effects, though. I hope it continues through till you're completely off.
Dinah
Posted by Hoss on September 6, 2002, at 1:21:22
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello Everyone,
Would like to know from the men who are on Effexor..have any of you had a problem reaching orgasm? I am currently taking 150 mg a day...migrated from taking 40 MG of Celexa which ceased to work in treating my depression and have been on this dose for about 2 months.
What really stinks about this is the fact that I have always had great stamina when it comes to maintaining errections and delaying climax. My wife has always bragged about this but now it seems like I can't reach climax without a very focused effort. It has put a serious cramp on our sex life...it's almost like I have "lost" the sensitivty in my penis although I am aroused and still as crazy about my wife as I was when I first met her ( we've been married for seven years).
Originally, I was on 75 mg of Effexor XR and felt fine. My doc had said that the 150mg would eventually needed..in addition to the libidio issue, I have also experienced some dizzy spells..I am happy with the med overall but think I'm on too high of a dose. I think two months is plenty of time to allow side effects to subside..overall it's been three months since my migration.My wife is a trooper but the "marathon's" it's been taking her to bring me to climax is taking it's toll on the both of us. Any serious feedback would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Hosf
Posted by Alara on September 6, 2002, at 6:59:17
In reply to making wise choices, posted by beth b on September 5, 2002, at 19:33:35
>
> (i mean no offense, i'm just trying to use humor to show how silly it is to do that!)
>
> for what it's worth-
> beth bNo offense taken, Beth. The stick analogy was actually quite apt and funny. :-) I should explain, though, that cold-turkey exit from Effexor was completely unplanned: An emergency trip to the vet left me with NO money for medication or even food - and so I was left with no alternative but to rough it. Originally I had planned to resume the Effexor as soon as I got some money again. But by the time I got paid, I was already five days into withdrawal and was beginning to feel better! That was when I decided to try life without antidepressants for a while.
I am confident that I made the right decision to continue life without drugs. The Effexor worked wonderfully when I needed it, but now I realise that I stayed on it for far too long. At some point, it simply stopped helping me, which I didn't realise until I withdrew from it. Looking back, I was living in a kind of semi-fog.
Here's the silly bit: My cat was fine! The vets examined him and apparently I was worried about nothing...Now THAT'S poking a stick in the eye. :-)
Posted by jay60 on September 6, 2002, at 7:09:16
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by DebraA. on September 5, 2002, at 9:29:17
the problem is that not every one has withdrawals from antidepressants I have been on about 10 different kinds of antidepressants and have never had even the slightest withdrawal symptom
Posted by Alara on September 6, 2002, at 8:29:12
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by DebraA. on September 5, 2002, at 9:16:56
> I haven't had any desire to drink in the last few days - I chalked it off to the bad withdrawal symptoms, but maybe you're on to something here. I am truly hoping that once I'm past this, I can return to enjoying wine socially, but not as something I feel compelled to have every night.
>
> Thanks so very much for your input!!
Debra, don't mention it. I realise now that I wrote that post as much for myself as for anyone else; it was exactly the kind of catharsis that I needed. Hopefully you won’t mind too much if I talk some more. All this is really helping to sort out the thoughts in my head.To be honest, I was already a binge drinker even before I started Effexor. I don't hold Effexor responsible for my alcoholic tendencies at all. Yet I do know that my drinking became much worse, progressing from a twice-weekly binge to a nightly occurrence after I started the drug.
This is my theory: If Venlafaxine (Effexor) has a shorter half-life than SSRIs, then you will probably hit a serotonin low later in the day. Alcohol provides a quick serotonin fix, although it depletes serotonin stores in the long run. I was on Effexor XR, which apparently has a more sustained release, but I noticed a definite drop in my mood around the late afternoon - right about the time that the nightly cravings started! In hindsight, I wonder if I should have taken my dose at night instead of during the morning.
I wonder if my moods have become more stable since coming off Effexor because I'm not suffering from that daily afternoon withdrawal low! Maybe this has something to do with my reduced craving for alcohol. I need to be really honest here and say that, at the moment, my alcohol cravings have returned to some extent, because I did feel like a drink tonight. Still, the craving was not strong enough to send me over to the bottle shop! I realise that I still need to work hard to stop myself from slipping.
You see, here's another thing: Before I came off Effexor, I wouldn't have had enough strength or determination to stay away from alcohol. On Effexor, I would have been at the bottle shop by 6pm tonight...
There's also a huge psychological factor in my sudden ability to abstain: Coming off Effexor was so **** awful that I kept thinking: "If I can come off this, I can come off alcohol!" (I have withdrawn from alcohol a few times before and, funnily enough, have never suffered from any withdrawal symptoms other than mild anxiety for a day or so.) Then again, the quantities that I was drinking each night were probably not so great.
I remember telling myself as I lay there withdrawing from Effexor: "I am myself again; I feel like myself. I'm going to wipe the whole slate clean and quit alcohol too." Ironically, going through the agony of Effexor withdrawal may have saved me from my own worst habit. :-)
Debra, my own honest feeling is that the Effexor played a huge part in my drinking but that I already had a predisposition to drink. I know that I still need to be very careful. Wednesday night’s slow glass of champagne was an encouraging sign but still…You may be very different. (I hope, for your sake, that you are!) If you like, I’ll keep you posted to let you know whether the cravings are still less frequent/intense over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, keep strengthening your resolve! And yes, “this agony will eventually cease”, as you rightly said. I’ll be thinking of you.
Alara
Posted by J200 on September 6, 2002, at 13:40:04
In reply to Sex life and Effexor...Help!!, posted by Hoss on September 6, 2002, at 1:21:22
Hoss,
I have tried most every SSRI or related anti-depressant including Effexor, and experienced precisely the symptoms you describe (lack of sensation, working forever for an orgasm I could barely feel, etc.). I finally simply gave up on those medications entirely, opting for a low-dose TCA (Sinequan) instead, which has worked for me in the past. My sex life returned to normal within a few weeks of quitting the SSRI routine, and has remained so, to my great relief. Now if I could only make my wife younger and cuter..... ;-)
Posted by Pariah on September 6, 2002, at 13:42:05
In reply to Sex life and Effexor...Help!!, posted by Hoss on September 6, 2002, at 1:21:22
> Hello Everyone,
>
> Would like to know from the men who are on Effexor..have any of you had a problem reaching orgasm? I am currently taking 150 mg a day...migrated from taking 40 MG of Celexa which ceased to work in treating my depression and have been on this dose for about 2 months.
> What really stinks about this is the fact that I have always had great stamina when it comes to maintaining errections and delaying climax. My wife has always bragged about this but now it seems like I can't reach climax without a very focused effort. It has put a serious cramp on our sex life...it's almost like I have "lost" the sensitivty in my penis although I am aroused and still as crazy about my wife as I was when I first met her ( we've been married for seven years).
> Originally, I was on 75 mg of Effexor XR and felt fine. My doc had said that the 150mg would eventually needed..in addition to the libidio issue, I have also experienced some dizzy spells..I am happy with the med overall but think I'm on too high of a dose. I think two months is plenty of time to allow side effects to subside..overall it's been three months since my migration.
>
> My wife is a trooper but the "marathon's" it's been taking her to bring me to climax is taking it's toll on the both of us. Any serious feedback would be appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
> Hosf
>
>
> I started taking 150mg a day of Effexor about two months ago and have had the same problem lately. It takes me a long time to reach orgasm and sometimes i dont think i can reach it at all. I can still be aroused but having to have "marathon" sex with my girlfriend is making her think i'm not sexually attracted to her anymore. which is not true. i explained to her that i just increased my effexor dose and she tries to understand, but it's still a problem. i wish there was some cure for this side-effect. the only way i've found to make it better is to not have sex as often so when i do have sex with my girlfriend i REALLY want it.
Posted by Pariah on September 6, 2002, at 13:59:29
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
i have been on effexor for 5 months now. it is the only medication i have taken that has the least amount of side-effects (unlike paxil, zoloft, celexa, buspar all which gave me terrible side-effects). actually the only side-effect i have from Effexor is delayed-orgasm. i'm taking it for severe, chronic panic attacks. As soon as i started taking 112.5mgs (one 37.5mg and a 75mg) i felt awesome for a month and a half. no panic attacks what so ever and a normal life back. after that period i had a weeks worth of multiple panic attacks a day. so my doctor increased my dose to 150mgs, which i hace been on for a month now. was fine for that whole month but the past two days have been terrible, multiple attacks. i'm also on Xanax but i dont take them much since i'm in college and really want to remember what i study. Should i increase my effexor dose again? has anyone had this problem of having a good month then several bad days? it's a lot better than without medication but it's real hard to be in class and have to leave on account of panic attacks and be miserable for the whole day waiting for the next one.
Posted by 123 on September 6, 2002, at 14:12:47
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My neurologist has prescribed Effexor XR for a daily medication for prevention of my migraines. She recommended starting with 37.5 milligrams once a day for two weeks, the increasing it to 75 milligrams every day after that. But I'm very worried after reading the numerous negative postings on the medication. I just went off Verapamil because of weight gain, but research shows that you don't gain weight on Effexor XR, but these postings say otherwise. Help!
Posted by Kat on September 6, 2002, at 14:45:16
In reply to Anyone use Effexor XR for prevention of migraines?, posted by 123 on September 6, 2002, at 14:12:47
Effexor XR never did anything to help my migraines. I've gotten migraines since 1973, and my doctor never mentioned Effexor to prevent them. If I were you, I'd try something not so addictive.
Posted by 123 on September 6, 2002, at 14:47:20
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My neurologist has prescribed Effexor XR for a daily medication for prevention of my migraines. She recommended starting with 37.5 milligrams once a day for two weeks, the increasing it to 75 milligrams every day after that. But I'm very worried after reading the numerous negative postings on the medication. I just went off Verapamil because of weight gain, but research shows that you don't gain weight on Effexor XR, but these postings say otherwise. Help!
Posted by sulaf98 on September 6, 2002, at 15:00:19
In reply to should i increase my dose?, posted by Pariah on September 6, 2002, at 13:59:29
> i have been on effexor for 5 months now. it is the only medication i have taken that has the least amount of side-effects (unlike paxil, zoloft, celexa, buspar all which gave me terrible side-effects). actually the only side-effect i have from Effexor is delayed-orgasm. i'm taking it for severe, chronic panic attacks. As soon as i started taking 112.5mgs (one 37.5mg and a 75mg) i felt awesome for a month and a half. no panic attacks what so ever and a normal life back. after that period i had a weeks worth of multiple panic attacks a day. so my doctor increased my dose to 150mgs, which i hace been on for a month now. was fine for that whole month but the past two days have been terrible, multiple attacks. i'm also on Xanax but i dont take them much since i'm in college and really want to remember what i study. Should i increase my effexor dose again? has anyone had this problem of having a good month then several bad days? it's a lot better than without medication but it's real hard to be in class and have to leave on account of panic attacks and be miserable for the whole day waiting for the next one.
I would speak with your doctor right away. I've seen several people up to 225 MG, but I wouldn't think anything about that would be beneficial from what I've read.
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