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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by fayeroe on March 1, 2003, at 7:14:20
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor? » lovemybabies, posted by KrissyP on March 1, 2003, at 0:32:16
jen, you mentioned it is good to know that others go through the same things as you. i lived in New Mexico for 10 years and had not seen my high school friends for 30 years. we had a small reunion. after telling what i had been through in my life, one friend said "and here we all thought you were living the perfect life".........as REM sings "everybody hurts".........
Posted by KrissyP on March 1, 2003, at 13:56:59
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor? » KrissyP, posted by fayeroe on March 1, 2003, at 7:14:20
Can I please share this, I am constantly comparing myself to my friends in high school who were fortunate to not have some chemical imbalances, but also were able to handle things that came their way that would have and did really put me into depression. I am corresponding with a guy I have known since 5th grade-and oh is he a cutie-nice, smart, and just great. He has asked me out and I am making all kinds of excuses, because I am scared-scared of what he is going to think after almost 15 years-how do I explain that I am not working? I am not blowing him off-he wants to go do karaeoke-I love that. Yesterday I almost got the guts to go see him but didn't. What is wrong with me??? When I moved back "home", I just can't get the guts to see this guy-let alone do anything that will help my self-esteem. I have been hurt by some guys-and I do understand it takes "two to tango" but I have a great opportunity here and it means nothing-just a visit and going out to have some fun-Why am I so scared?-it's ridiculous! I hear you when you said "one friend said "and here we all thought you were living the perfect life".........as REM sings "everybody hurts".........-A neighbor who has known me since I was a little girl, told me-that you never know what burdens people carry-and I have struggled with the thought that I was the ONLY one-I hope this doesn't sound self-centered-it's just how I really feel-It bums me out. What can I do?
Kristenjen, you mentioned it is good to know that others go through the same things as you. i lived in New Mexico for 10 years and had not seen my high school friends for 30 years. we had a small reunion. after telling what i had been through in my life, one friend said "and here we all thought you were living the perfect life".........as REM sings "everybody hurts".........
Posted by lovemybabies on March 1, 2003, at 15:09:47
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor? » fayeroe, posted by KrissyP on March 1, 2003, at 13:56:59
Krissy,
I hear you, sister. Are you a perfectionist? Are you fearful of going out with this guy because it MIGHT not work out and you might 'fail?' That's held my sister and me back from so much in life. It's a fight, truly, to overcome the thought process. But you can do it. Instead of jumping in your mind from point A to point Z, try to just live in the MOMENT and enjoy what's happening--don't worry about what might or might not happen.
Do you feel like your brain needs an off-switch to stop the worrying and self-analysis/introspection? It's a faulty thought-process but it can be conquered. Therapy is very helpful, along with medication. I'm at the point now(thanks to Effexor) where I can stop, mid-anxiety attack, and say, 'ENOUGH! What I'm worrying about is NOT the reality and I need to change my thought process NOW.'
Good Luck and be strong. You can do it. Sometimes it really is one step forward two steps back but keep going!
Jen
Posted by KrissyP on March 1, 2003, at 17:29:20
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on March 1, 2003, at 15:09:47
Thanks so much-I needed to hear this:) Oh yeah-I am a perfectionist alright, but far from perfect or my life being anywhere near it. Things like this have held me back from a lot in life and I feel like i just sit on the side lines watching and as I have watched, many years have gone by. College keeps me busy, which is good, and I have a few friends and family who care and who I talk to, but that is limited. It is time for me to go out, on my own again, and work at achieving a happy, productive life-one which I haven't had in about 10 years. I was in a serious relationship with a guy that ended in 1992-I'm like telling myself-GET OVER IT ALREADY and I think that is part of what is inhibiting me to get close to guys. I have dated-but nothing really, truly, special. You ask(Do you feel like your brain needs an off-switch to stop the worrying and self-analysis/introspection?) Yes! I do and all I can do is work on it. I have had a lot of therapy and It's time to fall back on that which I have learned, but yes-you're right-it's a fight. Thank you for your wishes, I pray I just shut the hamster wheel in my head and go for it, and accept the outcome. I am definately taking your advice.
Thanks again,
Kristen*******************************************************************************************
Krissy,
I hear you, sister. Are you a perfectionist? Are you fearful of going out with this guy because it MIGHT not work out and you might 'fail?' That's held my sister and me back from so much in life. It's a fight, truly, to overcome the thought process. But you can do it. Instead of jumping in your mind from point A to point Z, try to just live in the MOMENT and enjoy what's happening--don't worry about what might or might not happen.
Do you feel like your brain needs an off-switch to stop the worrying and self analysis/introspection? It's a faulty thought-process but it can be conquered. Therapy is very helpful, along with medication. I'm at the point now(thanks to Effexor) where I can stop, mid-anxiety attack, and say, 'ENOUGH! What I'm worrying about is NOT the reality and I need to change my thought process NOW.'Good Luck and be strong. You can do it. Sometimes it really is one step forward two steps back but keep going!
Jen
Posted by sbh on March 1, 2003, at 21:20:57
In reply to Re: Help: Insomnia/Inorgasmia, posted by sillyhead on July 31, 2002, at 18:48:37
the low percentage in the literature is due to the fact that the side effect info was volunteered and not elicited. People often dont volunteer sexual side effect info w/out being asked. Ive used Buspar in conjunction with SSRI's and it has helped with both libido and anorgasmia. I just started Lexapro and am hoping it wont have the effects so I can stick to just one med. What about other folks and Lexapro?
Posted by noa on March 1, 2003, at 22:27:13
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on February 28, 2003, at 23:39:41
I have written about the muscle twitching a lot here at babble. I currently take Effexor Xr, and at higher doses I had the twitches, called myoclonus. I also had this with Paxil. It is no longer much of a problem. What my pdoc and I decided was to lower the effexor dose and add serzone, which supposedly blocks the 5HT2 receptors, which activate the muscles, and also to add more antidepressant effect since I had lowered the effexor. This strategy works pretty well. Of course, even with the myoclonus gone, I still have a lot of activation from effexor, and in addition to the serzone, I need a small dose (quarter of a mg) of ativan to help me fall asleep. Otherwise, I am fidgety and have restless legs, which is not the twitching, but the uncontrollable urge to move my legs. The difference is that the restless legs is somewhat volitional--the urge feels irrepressible, but it can in fact be suppressed for a few moments, although it is extremely uncomfortable to do so. The twitching, or myoclonus, is completing involuntary and random. I couldn't purposely flex some of the muscles that flex from myoclonus--random little muscles all over the body.
Sorry you had to go through all that invasive testing for this SE.
Posted by noa on March 1, 2003, at 22:29:36
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on February 28, 2003, at 23:53:25
Just curious, had you tried any other meds before Effexor? Effexor has been the best AD for me so far, but I don't tend to think of it as a first med becasue it does have a number of side effects.
Posted by RealTim on March 2, 2003, at 0:41:02
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Amazing. I thought I had the 24 hour flu TWICE in the same month, but thanks to Dr. Bob's site and all of you, now I realize I probably missed a dose of Effexor. I'm on my 3rd "flu" now but this time it's on purpose: I'm ready to quit.
Effexor helped me through an awful period a few months ago when I was having severe work-related anxiety problems. Immediate side effects included sexual dysfunction (difficult to ejaculate), appetite gain, minor yawning, and some minor digestion problems. Sexual issue faded away after a month or so, as did yawns. I had the urge to um, flatulate more often, but since no one else seems to have posted that one here maybe I need to check my diet instead (or is everyone just too embarrassed to mention that one??)
I think I am ready to go off it. Skipped the usual morning dose today, and I found the strong urge to nap by 3PM. Slept 2 hours (bad sleep).
Been dizzy and a little nausea since. A little thirsty too. Oddly enough, even with the nausea I still have an appetite...I suspect I am in for a long night of vivid dreams and frequent waking. I've put off going to sleep for hours, but it's 1:30AM and I can't hold out much longer.
If the withdrawal gets bad, I will try Benadryl and/or the other suggestions (tapering, talk to Dr., get some Prozac samples, etc).
I remember the 2nd time I had these symptoms, I searched the internet for a couple of hours and tried to figure out why I had the vivid dreams with the flu. The dream thing, like the "brain zap" phenomenon has been documented here by dozens of people for 3+ years, but somehow my Dr, didn't know to discuss them with me? I don't get it. I'm not gonna fire him, but I am going to suggest that as a Psychiatrist he needs to get on this site and read what patients say...
Posted by lovemybabies on March 2, 2003, at 8:50:02
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by noa on March 1, 2003, at 22:27:13
Thanks, Noa. I'm cancelling the EMG. The myoclonus IS getting better. And you know, it's kind of fun in a wacky way. :) I think doctors can be a little(lot) overkill in trying to diagnose something FAST. Perhaps it's fear of lawsuits? Sometimes TIME is just needed to sort it all out. I'm surprised mine hadn't heard about the twitching side effect.
Posted by lovemybabies on March 2, 2003, at 8:56:48
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor? » lovemybabies, posted by KrissyP on March 1, 2003, at 17:29:20
Krissy,
There are so many people like this. I just found out yesterday my sister-in-law feels exactly the same way. We're definitely not alone. I think some people are better than others at putting on a good 'front.' Also, I have a theory that people with "hamster-wheel" brain(love that term) are just a little SMARTER than your average, non-anxiety-ridden Joe. Maybe? I mean, we just have the capacity to THINK about things on such a deeper level. In another era, maybe we'd have been the great philosophers of our day? I think the key is learning how to channel all this 'brain-power' to things positive and productive. Focus less on ourselves and the negative, circular thought. Do things that make you feel good and take care of you.
Jen
Posted by jtc on March 2, 2003, at 20:44:55
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on March 2, 2003, at 8:56:48
> Krissy,
>
> There are so many people like this. I just found out yesterday my sister-in-law feels exactly the same way. We're definitely not alone. I think some people are better than others at putting on a good 'front.' Also, I have a theory that people with "hamster-wheel" brain(love that term) are just a little SMARTER than your average, non-anxiety-ridden Joe. Maybe? I mean, we just have the capacity to THINK about things on such a deeper level. In another era, maybe we'd have been the great philosophers of our day? I think the key is learning how to channel all this 'brain-power' to things positive and productive. Focus less on ourselves and the negative, circular thought. Do things that make you feel good and take care of you.
>
> JenHi Jen and Krissy,
I totally agree with you Jen that we may be smarter than the average "Joe". That is probably why we have all this anxiety. I have a mind that is always ruminating and worrying about things I really can't do anything about thus causing my anxiety and panic disorder. Eventually I will get so anxious and exhausted from the anxiety that I get depression. At the same time I think I would like to go back to school but I am afraid of failure at even the school thing. I am 38 and have two girls and never finished college and I am still unsure of what courses I would like to take. I think my husband just does not understand this whole anxiety and chemical imbalance thing. He thinks I will get better if I just stop taking all medications (I take Klonopin and Effexor XR) and just join the YMCA and work out. He just doesn't understand that when I stop taking the medications my anxiety always comes back. I am always trying to analyze everything and find a reason for everything, maybe I should have been a psychologist or psychiatrist but I can't fix my own emotional status so I don't think I could fix someone else either. Anyway thanks for your postings. They are really helpful and I am sorry to be rambling on and on. I think I am going to try to go off Effexor and just stay on Klonopin if my psychiatrist will let me. Take care,JC
Posted by abi on March 2, 2003, at 22:41:59
In reply to Odd bodily sensation, posted by Fan on February 6, 2001, at 17:22:39
I had a sensation that I think might be related. I've been on effexor for three months and sometimes I have the sensation that my body is rolling over and over when I know it's not
Posted by lovemybabies on March 2, 2003, at 23:31:33
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by jtc on March 2, 2003, at 20:44:55
Hi, JC,
Omigosh, I can totally relate. My husband now asks me every day, "Did you exercise today?" He doesn't get it, either. I think exercise definitely HELPS but isn't a cure-all for those with a true chemical imbalance. Effexor really seems to be helping me with the anxiety--I wake up feeling GOOD and not overwhelmed. For about a year doctors have been trying to diagnose me with various illnesses based on the symptoms I give them; then when they run tests/bloodwork, everything comes back negative. Of course, I then worry and think they must have missed something. Now I'm thinking it's all related to stress and anxiety and me believing I have some horrible disease and just ruminating so much my body reacts, physically.Maybe you could start out taking just one class...something you're interested in but that doesn't sound too overwhelming. Then, when you succeed at that, it will be easier to take another, and another...It's hard but I think if we can just close our eyes and jump into whatever it is we're afraid to try...we'll find it's not nearly as big and scary as we make it out to be in our (hamsterbrain)minds. :)
Best,
Jen
Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 0:04:30
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by jtc on March 2, 2003, at 20:44:55
Hi JC:-)
I also have a mind that is always ruminating but I have gotten so much better. My problem is that I get angry when a person-whether it be a friend, family, etc. doesn't SAY what I want them to say. This has caused a lot of uproar in my life but only for me-I get tummy aches, and headaches all because I give power to another person-I now try to remind myself NEVER to allow anyone to rent space in my head-especially when it is someone who doesn't accept you for who you are. That's life-some do and some do not-I am now trying to surround myself with uplifting, supportive people and keep faith and hope in myself-I deserve it and so do you both. Life is a trip.JC-I 'm sure you have 2 beautiful girls and that alone is wonderful. When you are ready, school will always be there. I graduated high school in 1988 and I am just now finishing up my BA. I struggled with the same feelings you talk about here. YOU CAN DO IT! Your husband, a nice person no doubt, sounds EXACTLY like a friend of mine-she just doesn't understand and says, "Join a gym, get off meds, yada yada yada-It sux. Do what's best for you and take care of YOU:-)
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------
Hi Jen and Krissy,
I totally agree with you Jen that we may be smarter than the average "Joe". That is probably why we have all this anxiety. I have a mind that is always ruminating and worrying about things I really can't do anything about thus causing my anxiety and panic disorder. Eventually I will get so anxious and exhausted from the anxiety that I get depression. At the same time I think I would like to go back to school but I am afraid of failure at even the school thing. I am 38 and have two girls and never finished college and I am still unsure of what courses I would like to take. I think my husband just does not understand this whole anxiety and chemical imbalance thing. He thinks I will get better if I just stop taking all medications (I take Klonopin and Effexor XR) and just join the YMCA and work out. He just doesn't understand that when I stop taking the medications my anxiety always comes back. I am always trying to analyze everything and find a reason for everything, maybe I should have been a psychologist or psychiatrist but I can't fix my own emotional status so I don't think I could fix someone else either. Anyway thanks for your postings. They are really helpful and I am sorry to be rambling on and on. I think I am going to try to go off Effexor and just stay on Klonopin if my psychiatrist will let me. Take care,
JC
Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 0:06:54
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on March 2, 2003, at 23:31:33
AMEN JEN:-)
> Hi, JC,
> Omigosh, I can totally relate. My husband now asks me every day, "Did you exercise today?" He doesn't get it, either. I think exercise definitely HELPS but isn't a cure-all for those with a true chemical imbalance. Effexor really seems to be helping me with the anxiety--I wake up feeling GOOD and not overwhelmed. For about a year doctors have been trying to diagnose me with various illnesses based on the symptoms I give them; then when they run tests/bloodwork, everything comes back negative. Of course, I then worry and think they must have missed something. Now I'm thinking it's all related to stress and anxiety and me believing I have some horrible disease and just ruminating so much my body reacts, physically.
>
> Maybe you could start out taking just one class...something you're interested in but that doesn't sound too overwhelming. Then, when you succeed at that, it will be easier to take another, and another...It's hard but I think if we can just close our eyes and jump into whatever it is we're afraid to try...we'll find it's not nearly as big and scary as we make it out to be in our (hamsterbrain)minds. :)
>
> Best,
> Jen
Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 1:47:04
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on March 2, 2003, at 8:56:48
Jen, thanks so much!:-)
Yes, I agree-we just have the capacity to THINK about things on such a deeper level, I know seem to think on a deeper level-oh well. I want so bad to learn how to channel all this 'brain-power' to things positive and productive.
Thank you for your kind words.
KristenKrissy,
There are so many people like this. I just found out yesterday my sister-in-law feels exactly the same way. We're definitely not alone. I think some people are better than others at putting on a good 'front.' Also, I have a theory that people with "hamster-wheel" brain(love that term) are just a little SMARTER than your average, non-anxiety-ridden Joe. Maybe? I mean, we just have the capacity to THINK about things on such a deeper level. In another era, maybe we'd have been the great philosophers of our day? I think the key is learning how to channel all this 'brain-power' to things positive and productive. Focus less on ourselves and the negative, circular thought. Do things that make you feel good and take care of you.
>
> Jen
Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 1:49:13
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on March 2, 2003, at 8:56:48
Jen, I almost forgot the most important thing----Focus less on ourselves and the negative-I got a hard time of this and I am praying that I get better with it.
Thanks:-)
Kristen
Posted by sly on March 3, 2003, at 8:15:18
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi Everyone,
I was on 75 mgs for about 11 months, went to 37.5 for 3 weeks and now I've been off for about one week. The side effects are minimal but I seem to be rapidly cycling through all my earlier side effects when I first went on the medication.
I'm having insomnia, this is the worst, I haven't slept for about 3 weeks, I got to bed at 10pm (no exercise, no caffeine etc. for 4 hours before bed) and I usually wake up around 1 or 2am and can't fall back asleep. I'm having night sweats again, and sometimes during the day I can actually feel my body temp rising. My sex drive is fine, but I'm inorgasmic again.
This is very frustrating to me, I have no dizziness or headaches, but I'm being revisited by all my worst symptoms of the past. Anyone else had this happen?
Posted by napaba on March 3, 2003, at 8:25:26
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 0:04:30
>I don't know how old the two of you are, but I'm almost 42 and have had problems with depression and anxiety as long as I can remember. I have three wonderful children, who really keep me going and are the reason I finally got help. I work full-time and have gone back to school. For me it actually helps. All that extra analizing is great. I have 3.89 grade point average. I have six classes left and then I'm contemplating law school. I started with one class, one I knew a lot about so I could work my way back into the school and study thing. I also went to a college that offers accelerated classes. The classes are
usually filled with adults between 30-50 years old, so there is a lot of talk, not all lecture. I would recomemded taking a class. If your not comfortable you've only committed yourself to one class, but on the up side you'll meet new people and may really like it.Good luck to you in what ever you decide.
Hi JC:-)
> I also have a mind that is always ruminating but I have gotten so much better. My problem is that I get angry when a person-whether it be a friend, family, etc. doesn't SAY what I want them to say. This has caused a lot of uproar in my life but only for me-I get tummy aches, and headaches all because I give power to another person-I now try to remind myself NEVER to allow anyone to rent space in my head-especially when it is someone who doesn't accept you for who you are. That's life-some do and some do not-I am now trying to surround myself with uplifting, supportive people and keep faith and hope in myself-I deserve it and so do you both. Life is a trip.JC-I 'm sure you have 2 beautiful girls and that alone is wonderful. When you are ready, school will always be there. I graduated high school in 1988 and I am just now finishing up my BA. I struggled with the same feelings you talk about here. YOU CAN DO IT! Your husband, a nice person no doubt, sounds EXACTLY like a friend of mine-she just doesn't understand and says, "Join a gym, get off meds, yada yada yada-It sux. Do what's best for you and take care of YOU:-)
> Kristen
> -------------------------------------------------
> Hi Jen and Krissy,
> I totally agree with you Jen that we may be smarter than the average "Joe". That is probably why we have all this anxiety. I have a mind that is always ruminating and worrying about things I really can't do anything about thus causing my anxiety and panic disorder. Eventually I will get so anxious and exhausted from the anxiety that I get depression. At the same time I think I would like to go back to school but I am afraid of failure at even the school thing. I am 38 and have two girls and never finished college and I am still unsure of what courses I would like to take. I think my husband just does not understand this whole anxiety and chemical imbalance thing. He thinks I will get better if I just stop taking all medications (I take Klonopin and Effexor XR) and just join the YMCA and work out. He just doesn't understand that when I stop taking the medications my anxiety always comes back. I am always trying to analyze everything and find a reason for everything, maybe I should have been a psychologist or psychiatrist but I can't fix my own emotional status so I don't think I could fix someone else either. Anyway thanks for your postings. They are really helpful and I am sorry to be rambling on and on. I think I am going to try to go off Effexor and just stay on Klonopin if my psychiatrist will let me. Take care,
>
> JC
>
>
>
Posted by lovemybabies on March 3, 2003, at 9:07:58
In reply to Withdrawal - revisit of my earlier side effects, posted by sly on March 3, 2003, at 8:15:18
Hang in there. My Mom said the exact same thing happened to her and did last longer that a week. She said it was like start Effexor all over again. It will go away. She said the weirdest thing was numb lips. I had insomnia when I started Effexor and simple things like warm milk, warm baths, relaxation techniques seemed to help. Mostly, though it's just a matter of riding it out. Good luck.
Jen
Posted by lovemybabies on March 3, 2003, at 9:16:20
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor? » lovemybabies, posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 1:49:13
Yeah, you know sometimes this is SO easier said than done. I'm thinking of volunteering somewhere. I think helping people(or animals!) would be rewarding and also great 'therapy.' There are plenty of shelters, adult day-care, SPCA, etc. that would welcome any help. It's hard to find time with two little kids but I think it would be worth it. I think it's time for me to start DOING something to improve my situation and not just THINKING about it, you know?
This board is so awesome. I feel like it's our own little support group! :)
Posted by napaba on March 3, 2003, at 9:24:07
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on March 3, 2003, at 9:16:20
>I agree. This board is great. It really helped me when I first started on Effexor and it continues to help now seeing others triumphs and accomplishments. It also helps to encourage those of us who have trouble with selfconfendence build ours up with our imput.
Yeah, you know sometimes this is SO easier said than done. I'm thinking of volunteering somewhere. I think helping people(or animals!) would be rewarding and also great 'therapy.' There are plenty of shelters, adult day-care, SPCA, etc. that would welcome any help. It's hard to find time with two little kids but I think it would be worth it. I think it's time for me to start DOING something to improve my situation and not just THINKING about it, you know?
>
> This board is so awesome. I feel like it's our own little support group! :)
Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 15:37:36
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by napaba on March 3, 2003, at 8:25:26
Hey there. I'm 32. I was thinking along these same lines-you speak of. The biggest thing that keeps me busy and less depressed is the 2 courses I took this term. Next term I am taking 3 until I finish up the the 28 that I have left to finally get my BA in Psych and Health. It has taken me a while and I came to the conclusion that timing isn't everything-different strokes for different folks. That was hard for me. I kept saying "why aren't I done yet, and in a good career-working?" The fact of the matter is, I was faced with a lot of sad stuff-that I didn't know how to handle at the time-and I STILL am working on it. I have had some of the greatest (I think) therapists who have worked with me a lot-CBT being one of them. I could no longer keep going to shrinks who opened a can of worms about a molestation/rape (I'm still not sure what to cal it:-(--that happened at 7-by a stranger. I know it has affected me-but not terribly. It was an unfortunate thing that happened. When you said, "All that extra analizing is great"-I like to think that too. We choose how to use it-to be productive or to worry ourselves sick.
Thanks for such a great post.
All the best to you GO Get Em:-)
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know how old the two of you are, but I'm almost 42 and have had problems with depression and anxiety as long as I can remember. I have three wonderful children, who really keep me going and are the reason I finally got help. I work full-time and have gone back to school. For me it actually helps. All that extra analizing is great. I have 3.89 grade point average. I have six classes left and then I'm contemplating law school. I started with one class, one I knew a lot about so I could work my way back into the school and study thing. I also went to a college that offers accelerated classes. The classes are
usually filled with adults between 30-50 years old, so there is a lot of talk, not all lecture. I would recomemded taking a class. If your not comfortable you've only committed yourself to one class, but on the up side you'll meet new people and may really like it.
Good luck to you in what ever you decide.
Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 16:01:13
In reply to Re: twitching/tremors on Effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on March 3, 2003, at 9:16:20
Yep-it IS our own little support group and I am so thankful for it:-)
I think it's time for me to start DOING something to improve my situation and not just THINKING about it too- I hear ya here, you know?
Good luck to you and All the best,
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------
Yeah, you know sometimes this is SO easier said than done. I'm thinking of volunteering somewhere. I think helping people(or animals!) would be rewarding and also great 'therapy.' There are plenty of shelters, adult day-care, SPCA, etc. that would welcome any help. It's hard to find time with two little kids but I think it would be worth it. I think it's time for me to start DOING something to improve my situation and not just THINKING about it, you know?This board is so awesome. I feel like it's our own little support group! :)
Posted by RealTim on March 3, 2003, at 19:18:15
In reply to Withdrawal - revisit of my earlier side effects, posted by sly on March 3, 2003, at 8:15:18
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I was on 75 mgs for about 11 months, went to 37.5 for 3 weeks and now I've been off for about one week. The side effects are minimal but I seem to be rapidly cycling through all my earlier side effects when I first went on the medication.
>
> I'm having insomnia, this is the worst, I haven't slept for about 3 weeks, I got to bed at 10pm (no exercise, no caffeine etc. for 4 hours before bed) and I usually wake up around 1 or 2am and can't fall back asleep. I'm having night sweats again, and sometimes during the day I can actually feel my body temp rising. My sex drive is fine, but I'm inorgasmic again.
>
> This is very frustrating to me, I have no dizziness or headaches, but I'm being revisited by all my worst symptoms of the past. Anyone else had this happen?
Very interesting. When I go off Effexor I di not experience the effects I had when I first went on it (sexual dysfunction and yawns)Didn't I read some posts that you can mitigate the withdrawal effects by tapering and supplementing with other things? Benadryl, Prozac 10mg, etc?
I tried to quit my 150mg daily morning doses after @ 6 months this weekend. Didn't fly. As I posted above, the dizzy light headedness set in. I tried to sleep Saturday night and literally what a nightmare! Went to bed and barely slept more than 3 hours, woke up constantly from troubling nightmares. Things like hearing intruders in the house to having a heart attack to the kids being in danger. No happy dreams.
The "sea sickness" was so bad the next day, i took a half a dose and gradually got better.
I took another half dose today and will see if I can taper off further.
I hate being dependent on a pricey drug that no one truly knows the long term effects of. Liver damage? I hope not.
Is there a database where you can enter the drugs you've tried and the side effects and they track patterns? It seems that these studies they do are so limited in size.
For example, I took Celexa and had immediate skin rashes and intense yawning and sexual side effects. Wellbutrin had almost zero side effects. If I entered that data, maybe someone could tell that based on my profile Effexor or some other drug would likely have "X" side effects.
Surely someone has thought of this? There must be patterns. I would be willing to enter all my personal info: age, health history, weight etc.
I work at an insurance company. I can do "data mining" to find out how many people have been in accidents of over 5mph after 5pm with 5 or less people in their car in the 5th month of 1995...why can't we create patient feedback databases that track drug interactions. Think of the fascinating things we could find out.
Sorry for the rambling. I will report in coming weeks how the cessation of medication progresses...
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