![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2857 to 2881 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by jannbeau on November 13, 2002, at 11:50:38
In reply to Re: Effexor, think twice!!!!, posted by h20surfer1 on November 12, 2002, at 21:36:59
> I think you should consult your Doc, you sound like you are on the wrong Med for your condition.
>Well-spoken, H20! I told harry the same thing!
Personally, I hated Effexor for the very reasons that Harry does not like it. I felt depersonalization in a big way. That is not to say that another medication would not work for harry.
> For the others reading these, remember, the therapuetic dose starts at 150mg. Ramping up at first is tough. The side effects at the beginning suck, I definitely did not dig them. They dissapear over time (at least for me) and the results are well worth it. When I read this board during my "ramp up" it scared the "...." out of me but I stuck with it.
>
> I will post again in a month to update the effects of combining Remerol with Effexor.
>
>
Posted by jannbeau on November 13, 2002, at 13:47:07
In reply to Re: bad shrink+effexor=?, posted by sly on November 13, 2002, at 9:17:25
> Absolutely, Sly, yes to everything you said below! Although I saw an excellent psychiatrist who helped me immensely when I was very depressed about 30 years ago , that was before they all began to think that medication was all it takes to help a mentally ill patient. Since those times, the explosion of psychotropic medications has changed psychiatry, and, may I add, not for the better! I agree that psychologists are much better therapists than psychiatrists today.
I'm glad you are feeling so much better and doing well.
Cheers,
jerry ann
Get a new doctor.
>
> I see my family Doc for my meds, and a psychologist, not psychiatrist for my head. The result has been wonderful. I had friends and family who saw psychiatrists, they all said they were awful and no help at all, they wouldn't talk to them, only prescribed meds and didn't seem to care about how they were feeling mentally or physically. In fact, even my family doc said don't bother going to a Psychiatrist.
>
> The meds will help you get over the slump, but you need a psychologist to get you to work out your feelings and make positive changes.
Posted by SJMA on November 13, 2002, at 14:32:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Inanna on May 9, 2002, at 14:09:55
I have PMDD, which makes for many a teary mood swing during two weeks every month. Additionally I have seasonal affective disorder, and actually moved to the southwest in order to escape the debilitating symptoms of lack of sun. I tried Sam-e last winter when the fatigue set in, with fair result, but this year it seemed to have lost it's efficacy. I finally broke down and asked my therapist to recommend an antidepressant, and have been taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR daily for two weeks. My hormones have not caused me to cry, and I feel awake and energetic during the day now (two weeks ago I was drinking MAJOR caffeine just to drag myself around and barely get anything done). My question is this-if I'm feeling so much better on 37.5 mgs a day, why should I increase the dosage? It seems the likelihood of side effects increases, and I'm not really suffering from any now.
Posted by jannbeau on November 13, 2002, at 15:04:58
In reply to Low dose effectiveness, posted by SJMA on November 13, 2002, at 14:32:08
>Hi, SJMA,
I am not a physician and thus cannot tell you whether you need an increase in medication, but, as an informed patient and a toxicologist, I would suggest that you are on to something when you ask "why change the dose if it's doing what I need it to do?"
One tennet of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry is that one should take the lowest effective dose (or the fewest doses) of a medication in order to reduce the probability of adverse side effects, just as you suggest.
However, with psychotropic medications the definition of "effective" seems occasionally to get lost in translation. Seems the physician relies upon the patient to tell him/her- often without objective measure- whether the medication is "working." Sometimes, also, it seems that an effect of the medication (don't confuse "effect" with "efficacy" or "effectiveness") may change over time; the patient may seek a change. Often, the physician may just "think" the dose should be higher, based on his/her clinical accumen-or the lack thereof- or on the literature or, God forbid, what he/she hears from the drug rep. Then, again, the effective dose may different for different conditions. For instance,it may take more medication to treat major depression effectively than it takes to treat dysthymia (note the "may" in that last statement).
Hope you continue to do well on Effexor, at whatever dose you need to take.
Cheers,
jannbeau
I have PMDD, which makes for many a teary mood swing during two weeks every month. Additionally I have seasonal affective disorder, and actually moved to the southwest in order to escape the debilitating symptoms of lack of sun. I tried Sam-e last winter when the fatigue set in, with fair result, but this year it seemed to have lost it's efficacy. I finally broke down and asked my therapist to recommend an antidepressant, and have been taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR daily for two weeks. My hormones have not caused me to cry, and I feel awake and energetic during the day now (two weeks ago I was drinking MAJOR caffeine just to drag myself around and barely get anything done). My question is this-if I'm feeling so much better on 37.5 mgs a day, why should I increase the dosage? It seems the likelihood of side effects increases, and I'm not really suffering from any now.
Posted by Kalevi on November 13, 2002, at 15:34:49
In reply to Effexor, think twice!!!!, posted by Kalevi on November 10, 2002, at 16:04:37
I'm on day 6 without my effexor and still have problems as the one disciribed in my post but It feels easier and the dizziness has stopped so now i can at least keep the food. I'm so angry at my doctor for not letting me know the side-effects of effexor and when I read the manufacturers page, none of my problems are discribed there or any warnings at all about how hard it is to get off this drug. I am lucky that im in god medical and psykic health now, otherwise i dont know what i had done to my self. My hope is that people think twice befor taking medication like prozak, effexor and it really disturbs me that there is no alternative threatments for depression. My brother told me that deep in the forrests in finland people cure their depression with a god hangover and a sauna ;-) and after that they go fishing for a week... Maybe thats the miraclecure for depressions that scientists have been looking for.. 3-4 hours hangover, sauna and fishing instead of years of medication and terrible side effects.
Im better make my self clear... I am alive to day thanks to effexor... but i still have many doubts about medication against depressions. People have had depressions since stonehedge and never had to use drugs like prozak and effexor. Whats the deferense between to days humans and our forfathers... Have we forgotten how to take care of each other and what miracles love and empati can do. I really wish people to use drugs as the absolutely last option and not taking easy on adding this chemikals to your system. Im shure that If my lifesituation during the time i got ill had been better and i would had the opportunity to take some time of on the contryside I could had been back as a functional person after maybe a few months instead of drowning under depression and medication for 3 years..
/Kalevi
Posted by jannbeau on November 13, 2002, at 16:02:12
In reply to Re: Effexor, think twice!!!!uppdate, posted by Kalevi on November 13, 2002, at 15:34:49
> Hi, Kalevi. It might take longer than 6 days to get over the discontinuation syndrome. It took me about three weeks to feel like myself again. I might add that one of things I had when I stopped was ANGER, lots of it, for a few weeks after stopping Effexor--at everyone and everything. The anger went away, too. Even my husband noticed those days and the change over a few weeks. You should get better. But, be aware, too, that you could slip back into a depression, also. If you do this, please seek help, ok?
As another poster said, maybe a psychologist is a better therapist these days. There ARE alternatives to medication for depression. The alternatives have been around for longer than the meds. Have you gotten any psychotherapy? I might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy. Why don't you look into this avenue?
Hey, have you thought of this? Maybe it's evolution - or not, as the case may be, that is causing this seeming epidemic of depression, panic, borderline personality, bipolar dx? The rapid evolution of computers and the advent of global communications have caused our poor little primitive brains to go on the fritz; hence the term "burnout?" We are drowning under the pressures placed upon our nervous systems from these technologies, I am convinced. It will take eons for the human brain to catch up with today's technology, unless you believe in Lamarckian (sp?) evolution--I don't. Or, more simply, maybe it's the drug companies and their shareholders! Or the psychiatrists who are too lazy, too busy, or too uninformed to try anything other than drugs. As another poster said, maybe a psychologist is a better therapist these days. There ARE alternatives to medication for depression. The alternatives have been around for longer than the meds. Have you had any psychotherapy? I might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy. Why don't you look into this avenue?
With regard to "taking care of each other:" that's what this board is for (even if it is made possible by the very thing that has created the problem--ironic, is it not?)!
Jannbeau
I'm on day 6 without my effexor and still have problems as the one disciribed in my post but It feels easier and the dizziness has stopped so now i can at least keep the food. I'm so angry at my doctor for not letting me know the side-effects of effexor and when I read the manufacturers page, none of my problems are discribed there or any warnings at all about how hard it is to get off this drug. I am lucky that im in god medical and psykic health now, otherwise i dont know what i had done to my self. My hope is that people think twice befor taking medication like prozak, effexor and it really disturbs me that there is no alternative threatments for depression. My brother told me that deep in the forrests in finland people cure their depression with a god hangover and a sauna ;-) and after that they go fishing for a week... Maybe thats the miraclecure for depressions that scientists have been looking for.. 3-4 hours hangover, sauna and fishing instead of years of medication and terrible side effects.
>
> Im better make my self clear... I am alive to day thanks to effexor... but i still have many doubts about medication against depressions. People have had depressions since stonehedge and never had to use drugs like prozak and effexor. Whats the deferense between to days humans and our forfathers... Have we forgotten how to take care of each other and what miracles love and empati can do. I really wish people to use drugs as the absolutely last option and not taking easy on adding this chemikals to your system. Im shure that If my lifesituation during the time i got ill had been better and i would had the opportunity to take some time of on the contryside I could had been back as a functional person after maybe a few months instead of drowning under depression and medication for 3 years..
>
> /Kalevi
Posted by nonamedad on November 13, 2002, at 20:04:45
In reply to Re: bad shrink+effexor=? » anais, posted by Geezer on November 13, 2002, at 10:20:55
I understand some people may have experienced side effect. In my case, I started taken them 2 hours before bedtime. The first few nights, I was dizzy after 20 minutes. I took them at night for approx. 2 months. Then my doctor asked me to start taken them in the morning that I could sleep better. I did, and had no side effect during the day. Since then I have increased from 75 to 150 and then 225. I am still at 225, and I am doing well. Let say 8.5 on then. This is a lot better than 5 to 7 on 10.
Marc
Posted by nonamedad on November 13, 2002, at 20:09:11
In reply to Low dose effectiveness, posted by SJMA on November 13, 2002, at 14:32:08
My opinion is you should listen to your body. You are doing fine........stay there.
Marc
> I have PMDD, which makes for many a teary mood swing during two weeks every month. Additionally I have seasonal affective disorder, and actually moved to the southwest in order to escape the debilitating symptoms of lack of sun. I tried Sam-e last winter when the fatigue set in, with fair result, but this year it seemed to have lost it's efficacy. I finally broke down and asked my therapist to recommend an antidepressant, and have been taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR daily for two weeks. My hormones have not caused me to cry, and I feel awake and energetic during the day now (two weeks ago I was drinking MAJOR caffeine just to drag myself around and barely get anything done). My question is this-if I'm feeling so much better on 37.5 mgs a day, why should I increase the dosage? It seems the likelihood of side effects increases, and I'm not really suffering from any now.
Posted by harryartin on November 13, 2002, at 22:56:01
In reply to Re: Effexor, think twice!!!!, posted by jannbeau on November 13, 2002, at 11:50:38
well, it's weird. I have reduced my meds to about 150 of the Effexor, and all of a sudden I feel fine. I'm suspicious of feeling fine, but I do. I'm going to see how I fee a month from now too! Let's see how this works out!
I don't feel as drugged. I'm actually accomplishing things!
Posted by anais on November 14, 2002, at 5:03:19
In reply to Re: uninsured withdrawal advice, posted by pregnant on October 11, 2002, at 23:53:51
> >I had the same symptoms as you. I truly tell you there is no easy way. I am off effexor now after being on 300 mg for 6 months. I had to take the 37.5 for a week, and then I cut it in half for a week and then I stopped. The withdrawal effects were not as bad as when I tried to just stop, but I still had the nausea, headache feeling, dizziness, and brain zips for another 3 weeks at least. Right now when I awaken from sleep I still get the brain zips sometimes. I also feel impatient and just not so happy. I am so mad that I ever started taking this. I hope that prepares you some. Pregnant.
>
> I've recently moved to New York City. Because I haven't yet found a job, I'm going to be without insurance for a little while, so I'm planning to polish off the last of my Effexor this month. I've been taking 75 mg daily for about 9 months to alleviate depression after breaking off my engagement to a beloved man/disappointing potentail life partner. I'm coping with that more rationally now.
> > At the end of September, I started taking my dose every other day, and am able to do that with minimal side effects. However, since the beginning of October, I have been experimenting with taking the dose every three days, and on the third day, I have a number of the side effects, most notably the body's a jet, head's a slug dissociation at maddeningly varriable intervals. However, by staying calm and observing, but not panicking, over these side effect events, I've been able to endure them tollerably.
> > I'm not really in a position to incur any expense as far as getting some Prozac for the transition--everything I've got right now is dedicated to November rent already. So, essentially, I'm asking for any insight into how to manage this. I don't have any of the 35 mg capsules, and don't think I'll get a very predictable dose from divvying up my capsules. I wonder if I am just prolonging my symptoms, and should try going off altogether and getting it over with. My additional motivation in all of this is to try to be off the medication by the time I'd begin working, because I really don't want to begin my new job distinguishing myself by being incapacitated for a coupla weeks.
> > I have noticed some abatement in the severity of the side effects on the third day now. At first, I felt really nauseous, like I could feel my brain turning and tipping slowly in its cranial fluid, and headachey, and wanted to stay in bed all day. The first time I just threw in the towel and took my dose sometime in the afternoon, then not again for another coupla days.
> > Anyone else out there ever heard anyone try it like this before? I'd welcome any advice.
>
>you don't have to go through this just because you don't have insurance. i am in the same situation, and was worried about med costs without insurance-which are insane! my psychologist told me about an online prescription service from canada, where they ship you your meds at a huge discount- socialized medicine, no interference from drug co's keep prices low. look up a few websites via google.com... i've visited 3 sites- the average price for 100 pills of 37 mg or 75 mg of effexor is $80. your old doc just faxes them the prescription. it's easy! hope this helps. good luck!
Posted by Sioux on November 14, 2002, at 12:23:36
In reply to re: uninsured withdrawal..., posted by anais on November 14, 2002, at 5:03:19
>>>> my psychologist told me about an online prescription service from canada, where they ship you your meds at a huge discount- socialized medicine, no interference from drug co's keep prices low. look up a few websites via google.com... <<<<<<<<
This is very helpful. Thanks!
S
Posted by jannbeau on November 14, 2002, at 13:15:26
In reply to Re: Effexor, think twice!!!!, posted by harryartin on November 13, 2002, at 22:56:01
>Hi, there!
Good for you! Read an earlier post that I wrote re: take the lowest dose that does the job with the fewest side effects! I always felt drugged on Effexor, no matter the dose. It sure helped my chronic pain and anxiety, however. Maybe I felt drugged because of the sleep apnea that I've JUST been diagnosed as having. I seem exceedingly sensitive to the "sedative" like side effects of most medications. I have had to take stimulants off and on for years. Maybe that's because of the sleep apnea, too.
Cheers,
jannbeauI'm happy you have found a dose that seems right for you.
well, it's weird. I have reduced my meds to about 150 of the Effexor, and all of a sudden I feel fine. I'm suspicious of feeling fine, but I do. I'm going to see how I fee a month from now too! Let's see how this works out!
> I don't feel as drugged. I'm actually accomplishing things!
Posted by jannbeau on November 14, 2002, at 13:30:45
In reply to re: uninsured withdrawal..., posted by anais on November 14, 2002, at 5:03:19
Oh, I just thought of something for those of you who need expensive meds but are indigent or who have very little income. Some drug companies have a "pro bono" or "compassion" program for some of their products. I don't know which companies that manufacture pmeds have these programs or how one qualifies, but, if you contact the manufacturer and prove that you cannot afford their med, the company will often arrange for you to get it at "cost" or for free or just for the shipping charges. Sometimes, the company will arrange with a pharmacy to supply the medication. I do know that Eli Lilly has such a program and that Amgen does, for these companies are helping a friend and her husband with meds for diabetes and MS, respectively.
You might try this avenue.
Cheers and good luck,
Jannbeau
> > >I had the same symptoms as you. I truly tell you there is no easy way. I am off effexor now after being on 300 mg for 6 months. I had to take the 37.5 for a week, and then I cut it in half for a week and then I stopped. The withdrawal effects were not as bad as when I tried to just stop, but I still had the nausea, headache feeling, dizziness, and brain zips for another 3 weeks at least. Right now when I awaken from sleep I still get the brain zips sometimes. I also feel impatient and just not so happy. I am so mad that I ever started taking this. I hope that prepares you some. Pregnant.
> >
> > I've recently moved to New York City. Because I haven't yet found a job, I'm going to be without insurance for a little while, so I'm planning to polish off the last of my Effexor this month. I've been taking 75 mg daily for about 9 months to alleviate depression after breaking off my engagement to a beloved man/disappointing potentail life partner. I'm coping with that more rationally now.
> > > At the end of September, I started taking my dose every other day, and am able to do that with minimal side effects. However, since the beginning of October, I have been experimenting with taking the dose every three days, and on the third day, I have a number of the side effects, most notably the body's a jet, head's a slug dissociation at maddeningly varriable intervals. However, by staying calm and observing, but not panicking, over these side effect events, I've been able to endure them tollerably.
> > > I'm not really in a position to incur any expense as far as getting some Prozac for the transition--everything I've got right now is dedicated to November rent already. So, essentially, I'm asking for any insight into how to manage this. I don't have any of the 35 mg capsules, and don't think I'll get a very predictable dose from divvying up my capsules. I wonder if I am just prolonging my symptoms, and should try going off altogether and getting it over with. My additional motivation in all of this is to try to be off the medication by the time I'd begin working, because I really don't want to begin my new job distinguishing myself by being incapacitated for a coupla weeks.
> > > I have noticed some abatement in the severity of the side effects on the third day now. At first, I felt really nauseous, like I could feel my brain turning and tipping slowly in its cranial fluid, and headachey, and wanted to stay in bed all day. The first time I just threw in the towel and took my dose sometime in the afternoon, then not again for another coupla days.
> > > Anyone else out there ever heard anyone try it like this before? I'd welcome any advice.
> >
> >
>
> you don't have to go through this just because you don't have insurance. i am in the same situation, and was worried about med costs without insurance-which are insane! my psychologist told me about an online prescription service from canada, where they ship you your meds at a huge discount- socialized medicine, no interference from drug co's keep prices low. look up a few websites via google.com... i've visited 3 sites- the average price for 100 pills of 37 mg or 75 mg of effexor is $80. your old doc just faxes them the prescription. it's easy! hope this helps. good luck!
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 14, 2002, at 19:11:09
In reply to re: uninsured withdrawal..., posted by anais on November 14, 2002, at 5:03:19
> look up a few websites via google.com...
I understand you're trying to help, but please don't use this site to exchange information on how to import into the US prescription medication without a prescription:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#illegal
Thanks,
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Posted by anais on November 15, 2002, at 2:07:04
In reply to re: prescription medication without a prescription » anais, posted by Dr. Bob on November 14, 2002, at 19:11:09
> > look up a few websites via google.com...
>
> I understand you're trying to help, but please don't use this site to exchange information on how to import into the US prescription medication without a prescription:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#illegal
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob
>
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.>of course one would need a prescription to order prescription medication online. that's why i wrote "your old doc just faxes them the prescription."
>anais
Posted by harryartin on November 15, 2002, at 4:56:55
In reply to Re: Effexor, think twice!!!!, posted by harryartin on November 13, 2002, at 22:56:01
Well jannbeah, read my new thread, because all in all even though I feel well on effexor, I still feel drugged and that sucks! My motivation just isn't there! I'm just so afraid to go off this drug because of possible adverse reaction!
Harry
Posted by sly on November 15, 2002, at 9:36:30
In reply to Re: Effexor, think twice!!!!, posted by harryartin on November 15, 2002, at 4:56:55
Anti-depressants do "coat" your emotions, but remember when you're depressed your emotions can overwhelm you and run your life.
The way I look at it, anti-depressants help take away the misery, but they don't add happiness, only you can do that, don't expect miracles, they can't improve your life - only you can, you have to make changes, they can't motivate you, only you can do that!
I had the same drugged feeling for months, probably the first 5-6, but with time and therapy and a lot of effort I feel great, I don't expect the medication to "cure" me, just to help give me some of the energy that I need to make positive changes for myself.
Take responsibility for your role in your own recovery - only you can do it!
Posted by jannbeau on November 15, 2002, at 10:48:37
In reply to re: prescription medication without a prescription » anais, posted by Dr. Bob on November 14, 2002, at 19:11:09
> >Hi, Dr. Bob:
The message about which you comment below states in the last sentence something to the effect that "your doc just faxes the prescription." If I read that post correctly AND if I have correctly interpreted the comments from the link you provided, this particular posting doesn't suggest an illegal action, since it clearly states that a prescription is needed. I didn't find anything in the notes at your link that I interpreted to mean that it is illegal to import a medication from Canada as long as one can produce a valid prescription. Have I misinterpreted something here?
Thanks and Cheers,
Jannbeaulook up a few websites via google.com...
>
> I understand you're trying to help, but please don't use this site to exchange information on how to import into the US prescription medication without a prescription:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#illegal
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob
>
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Posted by anais on November 15, 2002, at 11:27:55
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
can different drugs' potencies be compared in milligrams? example- i used to take 30mg paxil/day, which was really not enough, but 40mg made me sleep @ 15hours/day! my lousy doctor told me to take 150 mg/day of effexor, but during the "rev up" period, i was feeling much better, read more about the drug, and decided to stay at 37 mg/day. i feel fine, except for awful insomnia. does anyone have that? so my question is- how do 30mg of paxil and 150mg of effexor compare? does it have the same potency? would that make paxil 5x stronger than effexor? does it have anything to do with toxicity (60mg/day paxil; 300mg/day effexor)? according to these posts, effexor seems incredibly strong. so why would the doc increase dosage by 120mg with a stronger drug than the first? is he really inept, or can milligrams just not be arbitrarily compared?
thanks!
ps- can anyone sleep all night on this stuff?
Posted by jannbeau on November 15, 2002, at 13:48:25
In reply to Re: Effexor, think twice!!!!, posted by harryartin on November 15, 2002, at 4:56:55
>Hi, Harry, you aren't going to believe this, but I don't know how to find your new thread! How do I get there?
Cheers,
JannbeauWell jannbeah, read my new thread, because all in all even though I feel well on effexor, I still feel drugged and that sucks! My motivation just isn't there! I'm just so afraid to go off this drug because of possible adverse reaction!
> Harry
Posted by jannbeau on November 15, 2002, at 13:48:44
In reply to Re: Effexor, think twice!!!!, posted by harryartin on November 15, 2002, at 4:56:55
>Hi, Harry, you aren't going to believe this, but I don't know how to find your new thread! How do I get there?
Cheers,
JannbeauWell jannbeah, read my new thread, because all in all even though I feel well on effexor, I still feel drugged and that sucks! My motivation just isn't there! I'm just so afraid to go off this drug because of possible adverse reaction!
> Harry
Posted by Kalevi on November 15, 2002, at 14:20:33
In reply to Re: Effexor, think twice!!!!uppdate, posted by jannbeau on November 13, 2002, at 16:02:12
Hello again :-)
Im on day 8 ... and counting days, it feels better for every day that goes by.
I tried cognitive-behavioral therapy for 2 periods a' 12 months. The first period gave me quite a lot and learned me that Im not a superhuman who must work for 70 hours a week and that no one's thanking me when i am ill. The second period was i total disaster with a new theraphist who couldnt learn my name or remember what we had been talking about on my last visit. She only managed to make me angry and frustraded and my therapy was about why I had such angry feelings against her and she also suggested angercontroltheraphi. Finally i fired her and suddenly my angercontrolproblem where gone ;-) I dont think Im so much in need of theraphy anylonger and the main cause to my depression where that i was sooo burned out and totally deathtired. Now my familly is calling for my attention so i have to break here and leave the next chapter for an other day.
Bye everyone and good luck and remember... use drugs as the last option.
YS
Kalevi> > Hi, Kalevi. It might take longer than 6 days to get over the discontinuation syndrome. It took me about three weeks to feel like myself again. I might add that one of things I had when I stopped was ANGER, lots of it, for a few weeks after stopping Effexor--at everyone and everything. The anger went away, too. Even my husband noticed those days and the change over a few weeks. You should get better. But, be aware, too, that you could slip back into a depression, also. If you do this, please seek help, ok?
>
> As another poster said, maybe a psychologist is a better therapist these days. There ARE alternatives to medication for depression. The alternatives have been around for longer than the meds. Have you gotten any psychotherapy? I might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy. Why don't you look into this avenue?
>
> Hey, have you thought of this? Maybe it's evolution - or not, as the case may be, that is causing this seeming epidemic of depression, panic, borderline personality, bipolar dx? The rapid evolution of computers and the advent of global communications have caused our poor little primitive brains to go on the fritz; hence the term "burnout?" We are drowning under the pressures placed upon our nervous systems from these technologies, I am convinced. It will take eons for the human brain to catch up with today's technology, unless you believe in Lamarckian (sp?) evolution--I don't. Or, more simply, maybe it's the drug companies and their shareholders! Or the psychiatrists who are too lazy, too busy, or too uninformed to try anything other than drugs. As another poster said, maybe a psychologist is a better therapist these days. There ARE alternatives to medication for depression. The alternatives have been around for longer than the meds. Have you had any psychotherapy? I might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy. Why don't you look into this avenue?
>
>
> With regard to "taking care of each other:" that's what this board is for (even if it is made possible by the very thing that has created the problem--ironic, is it not?)!
>
>
> Jannbeau
> I'm on day 6 without my effexor and still have problems as the one disciribed in my post but It feels easier and the dizziness has stopped so now i can at least keep the food. I'm so angry at my doctor for not letting me know the side-effects of effexor and when I read the manufacturers page, none of my problems are discribed there or any warnings at all about how hard it is to get off this drug. I am lucky that im in god medical and psykic health now, otherwise i dont know what i had done to my self. My hope is that people think twice befor taking medication like prozak, effexor and it really disturbs me that there is no alternative threatments for depression. My brother told me that deep in the forrests in finland people cure their depression with a god hangover and a sauna ;-) and after that they go fishing for a week... Maybe thats the miraclecure for depressions that scientists have been looking for.. 3-4 hours hangover, sauna and fishing instead of years of medication and terrible side effects.
> >
> > Im better make my self clear... I am alive to day thanks to effexor... but i still have many doubts about medication against depressions. People have had depressions since stonehedge and never had to use drugs like prozak and effexor. Whats the deferense between to days humans and our forfathers... Have we forgotten how to take care of each other and what miracles love and empati can do. I really wish people to use drugs as the absolutely last option and not taking easy on adding this chemikals to your system. Im shure that If my lifesituation during the time i got ill had been better and i would had the opportunity to take some time of on the contryside I could had been back as a functional person after maybe a few months instead of drowning under depression and medication for 3 years..
> >
> > /Kalevi
>
>
Posted by JayM on November 15, 2002, at 15:14:04
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I'm due to start on Zoloft or Effexor soon. Anyone care to compare the two meds or relate your experiences with both meds?
Posted by jenni.39 on November 15, 2002, at 18:31:47
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update » dot, posted by Reneeb on March 7, 2002, at 15:21:40
> > > > > 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, dot
>
>
>
> Hi 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
i have a friend who lost loads of weight after starting Effexor, i haven't noticed this affect on me(sadly)...tho she lost her sex drive too and i found mine enhanced....
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 16, 2002, at 0:23:05
In reply to re: prescription medication without a prescription » Dr. Bob, posted by jannbeau on November 15, 2002, at 10:48:37
> > look up a few websites via google.com...
> The message about which you comment ... states in the last sentence something to the effect that "your doc just faxes the prescription."
Yes, but her original search instructions led to sites that did *not* require them.
Bob
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