![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3603 to 3627 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by PuraVida on March 26, 2003, at 22:34:44
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Morning or Night? » PuraVida, posted by jessi on March 26, 2003, at 21:59:14
Jessi -
You are so welcome. This site has helped me tons too. I did forget to mention that I started at 37.5, supposedly for a week, but since the depression was worse than the tiredness, I went to 75 on day 6.
The doc has had me on a mood stabilizer for bi-polar, but recently I think I'm ADD instead. I have quit the Topamax because THAT I was having a hard time tolerating, and haven't replaced it. We'll see how I go. Take care -
PV
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 0:04:26
In reply to Re: Please keep us posted annlanka :-), posted by annlanka on March 26, 2003, at 21:16:49
hi anne,
yes, I guess any break up would be hard for anyone-it just seemed to hit me bad-on top of the other things. How did you feel after your break-up? Did you go on meds shortly after? I gained a lot of weight pretty much because I had been so active all my life-then BAM stopped and devoted my time to my fiance.
May I ask what you went to school for? Grad School!! That is so awesome-what did you major in?
As for sports, I played Volleyball, ran Track, Tennis, Soccer, and danced. It really makes me so damn depressed because now and for about 12 years, I am living in a body that isn't mine. I miss those sports and all the activity. I miss the feeling of thin. I am not meant to be a heavy girl! When I was in high school, team sportsmnaship was required, but I had fun also, as I've gotten older, I have become lazy and have the attitude that -well, I don't have to do it, so I won't-same thing happened with me towards colllege. I'm almost done with that BA, because I have hung in there through all this stuff. lol I am going to try Lindora and see how much that is-to help me along. I have a lot of deep-seated issues that I know affect the weight so I have to work out those also.
Yep, I have felt happy days, usually when I am living on my own, no pressure from my mom, and when I'm busy, and of course, on the right meds.
I have found in all of this that Effexor, Seroquel, and Klonopin are the only thing that seem to help me. Celexa did at one time, but I have a problem with med compliance but I am getting better at that!
I want to make a point here. I was on meds before and my life was different. I was seeing a guy, etc. what I mean is that meds aren't going to solve my unhappiness, and I'm glad that I realize that. I wish I didn't have to be on meds, but I guess I do. I have had a hard time accepting that-a very hard time.
Anyway, sorry for a rather long post, did you like basketball? I never played that sport. I love to play sports though:-)
All the best, Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> hi Kristen-
> Iknow how you feel about living with your parents. It is so relieving in a way but also you feel like such a loser. I lived in chicago for 6 years ( went to undergrad and 2 yrs grad schoool there) and then just last month the depression caused me to move back to a really small town and live with my parents. It is quite a change, esp considering i have no friends here so i either hang out by myslf or with my parents.. fun :)
> Your experience with your fiance reminds me of a horrible period of depression i suffered after breaking up with a long term boyfriend - it was the first time i had really neem dpressed. I couldnt function and have never really been the same since.
> I am sorry to here about the other illnesses you suffer from. That must be really rough. I hope you are doing allright. Have youever felt back to normal or have happy days? I hope the lexapro can do something for you. You dont deserve to feel bad or have these things happen to you.
> Jus twondering .. what sports did you play? I played basketball.
>
> Take care
> anne
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 0:11:48
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Morning or Night? » Krissy P, posted by jessi on March 26, 2003, at 21:23:32
Hi :-)
Glad to hear that the upset stomach was helped by taking the Effexor at night. Good luck!
THE SIDE EFFECTS WILL GO AWAY! LOL I'm not shouting-just wanted to put it how you asked it. Your body is getting used to the Effexor and if you hang in, it SHOULD get better-but everyone's chemistry is different. I really, really hope that it works for you. The yawning thing seems to be universal. I remember yawning constantly-it was like weird-I'm not tired but why the heck am I yawning? lol Headaches were common with me too, but again this is just my experience.
When I first went back on Effexor about a month ago-MAN!! I had NO appetite, I was like cool, but after about 2 weeks, I got it back *shucks* lol
So please just hang in there, I hope this helped and please keep us posted:-)
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> I took the effexor at night last night (with food), and seemed to help with the upset stomach. I still didn't sleep very well, and woke up with a HORRIBLE headache. I felt exhausted all day long, and this yawning thing is just weird! I also BURP alot!! I feel like I'm in the movie "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" where he and his grandpa are burping, to get themselves down and away from the big fan. :-) I've also seen postings about weight gain, but also loss of appetite. I haven't had any appetite at all. I just don't feel like eating, even though I know I should, nothing sounds appealing to me. PLEASE TELL ME THESE SIDE EFFECTS WILL GO AWAY!
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 1:31:15
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious-A question......, posted by jtc on March 26, 2003, at 18:21:14
HI this is from a google search to better help ya! :-)
Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) is a mood disorder, which means that the symptoms are disturbances or abnormalities of mood. Major depression is a more common illness, the symptoms of which are mainly those of 'low' mood. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of both serious mania and depression. The person's mood swings from excessively 'high' and irritable, to sad and hopeless, and then back again, with periods of normal mood in between. Different from normal mood states of happiness and sadness, symptoms of manic-depressive illness can be severe and life threatening. However, because many artists, musicians and writers have suffered from bipolar illness, the effect of the illness has sometimes been trivialised, and regarded in some way as beneficial for artistic creativity. In fact, for those afflicted with the illness, it is extremely distressing and disruptive.
Bipolar disorder is the third most common mood disorder after major depression and dysthymic disorder. It affects about 1% of adults during their lifetime. Symptoms typically begin during adolescence or early adulthood, and continue to recur throughout life. Men and women are equally likely to develop this disabling illness. The consequences of the illness can be devastating, and may include marital break-ups, unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse. Bipolar illness is often complicated by co-occurring alcohol or substance abuse. Without effective treatment, bipolar illness leads to suicide in nearly 20% of cases.
Effective treatments are available that greatly reduce the suffering caused by bipolar disorder, and can usually prevent its devastating complications. However, bipolar disorder is often not recognised by the patient, relatives, friends, or even physicians. People with bipolar disorder may suffer needlessly without proper treatment, for years or even decades. Also, many patients do not respond to at least one drug, and many show no response to several. This means that combination treatment is often the rule because a combination of different drugs with different methods of action can be more effective wiithout increasing the risk of side effects. Lithium is still the most used drug overall in mania, but mood stabilising anticonvulsants are also widely used.
Hope this helped:-)
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> > Hi Kristen,
> I was just reading the following post and I wondered what is bipolar disorder? I have generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder and depression also. I am currently tapering off Effexor XR but I am going to continue Klonopin. I don't know much about bipolar. Thanks for the post on mania. It was very informative.
> Thanks, jtc
Posted by PuraVida on March 27, 2003, at 1:58:46
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious-A question...... » jtc, posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 1:31:15
Kristen- Don't know where you got the BP description from, but do if there is a similar description for Adult ADD? I wonder if the two (and maybe GAD) are all intermingled/confused/etc, sometimes...
Thanks!
PV
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 2:03:48
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious-A question...... » Krissy P, posted by PuraVida on March 27, 2003, at 1:58:46
Hi, here's something:
>Adult ADD, an Executive Function DisorderAdult ADD is a condition in which psychological executive functions such as planning, managing time, carrying out tasks on time, and reasonably controlling emotional states are significantly impaired. Affected individuals have serious problems in one or more of the following areas:
screening out distractions
starting and completing tasks without unreasonable delays
controlling impulses
being on time
keeping their priorities in order
keeping their desks and days relatively well organized
They can get lost doing unimportant activities, heedless of more important jobs that need to be done. At times, they may have difficulty with their short term memory. They may not fulfill their obligations until the last moment or complete a task only when they feel an external pressure to do so.
People suffering from ADD often feel unfairly nagged by those around them and sometimes become defiant when confronted with their performance problems.
Their underachievement often leads to reduced self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Some undertake psychotherapy to deal with interpersonal conflicts that are caused by the disorder or to gain control over their seeming negligence.
Mild or non-specific deficits of executive functions are common in the general population. Executive functions may also be impaired by injury to the brain, fatigue, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. In addition, various psychological disorders, including learning disabilities, depression, and anxiety, frequently coexist with ADD.
At the present time, there is no definitive test for ADD. Because the treatment of ADD differs from that of other disorders that impair executive function, a careful assessment should be carried out by an experienced clinician before treatment is undertaken.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kristen- Don't know where you got the BP description from, but do if there is a similar description for Adult ADD? I wonder if the two (and maybe GAD) are all intermingled/confused/etc, sometimes...
>
> Thanks!
> PV
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 2:05:43
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious-A question...... » Krissy P, posted by PuraVida on March 27, 2003, at 1:58:46
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 2:10:58
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious-A question...... » Krissy P, posted by PuraVida on March 27, 2003, at 1:58:46
PV,
saw this too, I'm goin to sleep:-)
Good luck!
kristen:
GAD plus cyclothymia -- or BPII? Or adult ADD? As you probably have learned also, these are distinctions for which we do not have any biologic or even psychologic underpinnings. So once someone reaches the point of having tried all these things, I don't worry to much about trying to make these distinctions anymore. There might be a role for a good psychotherapist, one might wonder, just to complement all the other strategies that have been tried (not because I can detect some underlying dynamic issue, obviously).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kristen- Don't know where you got the BP description from, but do if there is a similar description for Adult ADD? I wonder if the two (and maybe GAD) are all intermingled/confused/etc, sometimes...
>
> Thanks!
> PV
Posted by PuraVida on March 27, 2003, at 2:24:46
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious-A question...... » PuraVida, posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 2:03:48
It's me!!! Thanks Kristen - I haven't heard a few of these descriptions...I did do a cool test at mindfixers.com - give it a try -
THANKS!PV
>Adult ADD, an Executive Function Disorder
>starting and completing tasks without unreasonable delays (I've started a LOT - what have I finshed???)
>being on time (always!)
>keeping their priorities in order (every single day - this is what makes me depressed a lot of time)
keeping their desks and days relatively well organized (keep talking...)
>They can get lost doing unimportant activities (like weeding), heedless of more important jobs that need to be done (like paying bills.) At times, they may have difficulty with their short term memory (Krissy P. who???). They may not fulfill their obligations until the last moment or complete a task only when they feel an external pressure to do so. (Like - wedding/birthday/christening presents being given 6, 12, 18 months late, or not at all - despite the desire to acknowledge?)> People suffering from ADD often feel unfairly nagged by those around them and sometimes become defiant when confronted with their performance problems. (I have always felt nagged...)
> Their underachievement often leads to reduced self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Some undertake psychotherapy to deal with interpersonal conflicts that are caused by the disorder or to gain control over their seeming negligence. (So this is where it comes from!!!!)
Mild or non-specific deficits of executive functions are common in the general population. Executive functions may also be impaired by injury to the brain, fatigue, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. In addition, various psychological disorders, including learning disabilities, depression, and anxiety, frequently coexist with ADD.
At the present time, there is no definitive test for ADD. Because the treatment of ADD differs from that of other disorders that impair executive function, a careful assessment should be carried out by an experienced clinician before treatment is undertaken.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kristen- Don't know where you got the BP description from, but do if there is a similar description for Adult ADD? I wonder if the two (and maybe GAD) are all intermingled/confused/etc, sometimes...
>
> Thanks!
> PV
Posted by jessi on March 27, 2003, at 9:08:14
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Morning or Night? » jessi, posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 0:11:48
Thanks Krissy P!
I'm not real happy about the "no appetite" thing. This medication and seeing the doctor was a last resort for me (kept thinking I'd get better). So, I've been so stressed and depressed for the last 4 months, I've already lost about 15 pounds. I don't want to lose anymore, I look sick now.
Within the last 2 months, one of my boys was diagnosed with ADHD, and the other with ADHD and ODD. It has been SOOOO hard! I've been putting all of my energy into helping them, so I haven't done anything to help myself. I also have a
1 1/2 year old too...
Last night I slept better, but I had to take a Tylenol PM. So, I'm starting to feel a little better about the Effexor XR.
Thanks for the pep talk! :-) Jessi
> Hi :-)
> Glad to hear that the upset stomach was helped by taking the Effexor at night. Good luck!
> THE SIDE EFFECTS WILL GO AWAY! LOL I'm not shouting-just wanted to put it how you asked it. Your body is getting used to the Effexor and if you hang in, it SHOULD get better-but everyone's chemistry is different. I really, really hope that it works for you. The yawning thing seems to be universal. I remember yawning constantly-it was like weird-I'm not tired but why the heck am I yawning? lol Headaches were common with me too, but again this is just my experience.
> When I first went back on Effexor about a month ago-MAN!! I had NO appetite, I was like cool, but after about 2 weeks, I got it back *shucks* lol
> So please just hang in there, I hope this helped and please keep us posted:-)
> Kristen
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> > I took the effexor at night last night (with food), and seemed to help with the upset stomach. I still didn't sleep very well, and woke up with a HORRIBLE headache. I felt exhausted all day long, and this yawning thing is just weird! I also BURP alot!! I feel like I'm in the movie "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" where he and his grandpa are burping, to get themselves down and away from the big fan. :-) I've also seen postings about weight gain, but also loss of appetite. I haven't had any appetite at all. I just don't feel like eating, even though I know I should, nothing sounds appealing to me. PLEASE TELL ME THESE SIDE EFFECTS WILL GO AWAY!
>
>
Posted by annlanka on March 27, 2003, at 10:28:41
In reply to Re: Please keep us posted annlanka :-) » annlanka, posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 0:04:26
Hi kristen-
Thanks for your post and letting me know more about you. It is nice to know that there are other people going thru some of the same stuff. Yeah, the breakup with my boyfriend was really hard on me for some reason. My grades dropped in schoool and that was the first time i sought psychological help. I was in therapy for about 12 weeks and it helped. Not unitl 2 years later did i get on meds(actually this year). The school i went to for undergrad was a really lonely place and i didnt make friends there. Iplayed basketball for a year there but it didnt work out how i expected and i quit. i solated my self all throughout undergrad and then ended up going to grad school at the same place, only cuz i really liked the education i got- I studied neuroscience in grad school- pretty good choice for someone with a mental illness..huh? :)
Hated grad school and the lab i worked in mostly due to the people there. I am applying to med school this year- i really want to help people with mental illness, feel like there are not enough doctors who really truly want to help.
Only prob is i cant concentrate for the mcats which are in a month- i m going to give it my best shot.
I know how you feel about the weight gain. It sucks- tehy always talk about depressed people who lose all this weight- but ihave gained about 15-20 pds this year alone. It adds self-consciousness to the already bad feelings you get with depression. I try to eat healthy but sometimes i feel so bad i dont care anymore. You get to the poin twhere nothing matters- you feel beaten down, but then the next day you wake up adn are mad at yourself for self destructing and that in itself is depressing.
I hope your new stuff works out for you. It sounds like we have a lot in common. YOu can email me at annlanka@yahoo.com if you want (no pressure) in case we are boring others with our life stories! I would like to hear more from you and how your are doing!
take care
anne
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 10:42:19
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious-A question...... » Krissy P, posted by PuraVida on March 27, 2003, at 2:24:46
Hey you :-)
Your very welcome AND,
I notice a lot of myself in here like you said Krissy P who? LMAOROTF
I am definately going to talk to my doc about this ADD!!!! At mindfixers.com, what test did you do?
I'm headed there right now just woke up
Keep me posted, Kristen:-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;> It's me!!! Thanks Kristen - I haven't heard a few of these descriptions...I did do a cool test at mindfixers.com - give it a try -
> THANKS!
>
> PV
>
> >Adult ADD, an Executive Function Disorder
>
> >starting and completing tasks without unreasonable delays (I've started a LOT - what have I finshed???)
>
> >being on time (always!)
>
> >keeping their priorities in order (every single day - this is what makes me depressed a lot of time)
>
> keeping their desks and days relatively well organized (keep talking...)
>
>
> >They can get lost doing unimportant activities (like weeding), heedless of more important jobs that need to be done (like paying bills.) At times, they may have difficulty with their short term memory (Krissy P. who???). They may not fulfill their obligations until the last moment or complete a task only when they feel an external pressure to do so. (Like - wedding/birthday/christening presents being given 6, 12, 18 months late, or not at all - despite the desire to acknowledge?)
>
> > People suffering from ADD often feel unfairly nagged by those around them and sometimes become defiant when confronted with their performance problems. (I have always felt nagged...)
>
> > Their underachievement often leads to reduced self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Some undertake psychotherapy to deal with interpersonal conflicts that are caused by the disorder or to gain control over their seeming negligence. (So this is where it comes from!!!!)
>
> Mild or non-specific deficits of executive functions are common in the general population. Executive functions may also be impaired by injury to the brain, fatigue, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. In addition, various psychological disorders, including learning disabilities, depression, and anxiety, frequently coexist with ADD.
>
> At the present time, there is no definitive test for ADD. Because the treatment of ADD differs from that of other disorders that impair executive function, a careful assessment should be carried out by an experienced clinician before treatment is undertaken.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Kristen- Don't know where you got the BP description from, but do if there is a similar description for Adult ADD? I wonder if the two (and maybe GAD) are all intermingled/confused/etc, sometimes...
> >
> > Thanks!
> > PV
>
>
>
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 10:46:49
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious-A question...... » Krissy P, posted by PuraVida on March 27, 2003, at 2:24:46
***starting and completing tasks without unreasonable delays (I've started a LOT - what have I finshed???)
***being on time (always!)
***keeping their priorities in order (every single day - this is what makes me depressed a lot of time too!!!!)
***keeping their desks and days relatively well organized (my desk, my bathroom, my room, my car keep talking is right LOL)
***People suffering from ADD often feel unfairly nagged by those around them and sometimes (become defiant when confronted with their performance problems--oh yeah). (I have always felt nagged...)
Have a good one PV:-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> It's me!!! Thanks Kristen - I haven't heard a few of these descriptions...I did do a cool test at mindfixers.com - give it a try -
> THANKS!
>
> PV
>
> >Adult ADD, an Executive Function Disorder
>
> >starting and completing tasks without unreasonable delays (I've started a LOT - what have I finshed???)
>
> >being on time (always!)
>
> >keeping their priorities in order (every single day - this is what makes me depressed a lot of time)
>
> keeping their desks and days relatively well organized (keep talking...)
>
>
> >They can get lost doing unimportant activities (like weeding), heedless of more important jobs that need to be done (like paying bills.) At times, they may have difficulty with their short term memory (Krissy P. who???). They may not fulfill their obligations until the last moment or complete a task only when they feel an external pressure to do so. (Like - wedding/birthday/christening presents being given 6, 12, 18 months late, or not at all - despite the desire to acknowledge?)
>
> > People suffering from ADD often feel unfairly nagged by those around them and sometimes become defiant when confronted with their performance problems. (I have always felt nagged...)
>
> > Their underachievement often leads to reduced self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Some undertake psychotherapy to deal with interpersonal conflicts that are caused by the disorder or to gain control over their seeming negligence. (So this is where it comes from!!!!)
>
> Mild or non-specific deficits of executive functions are common in the general population. Executive functions may also be impaired by injury to the brain, fatigue, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. In addition, various psychological disorders, including learning disabilities, depression, and anxiety, frequently coexist with ADD.
>
> At the present time, there is no definitive test for ADD. Because the treatment of ADD differs from that of other disorders that impair executive function, a careful assessment should be carried out by an experienced clinician before treatment is undertaken.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Kristen- Don't know where you got the BP description from, but do if there is a similar description for Adult ADD? I wonder if the two (and maybe GAD) are all intermingled/confused/etc, sometimes...
> >
> > Thanks!
> > PV
>
>
>
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 11:37:10
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Morning or Night? » Krissy P, posted by jessi on March 27, 2003, at 9:08:14
YVW:-)
Keep feeling better k?
Also, May I ask how you felt after taking the Tylenol PM???
I heard it works well for some, just wondering.............
> Thanks Krissy P!
> I'm not real happy about the "no appetite" thing. This medication and seeing the doctor was a last resort for me (kept thinking I'd get better). So, I've been so stressed and depressed for the last 4 months, I've already lost about 15 pounds. I don't want to lose anymore, I look sick now.
> Within the last 2 months, one of my boys was diagnosed with ADHD, and the other with ADHD and ODD. It has been SOOOO hard! I've been putting all of my energy into helping them, so I haven't done anything to help myself. I also have a
> 1 1/2 year old too...
> Last night I slept better, but I had to take a Tylenol PM. So, I'm starting to feel a little better about the Effexor XR.
> Thanks for the pep talk! :-) Jessi
>
>
> > Hi :-)
> > Glad to hear that the upset stomach was helped by taking the Effexor at night. Good luck!
> > THE SIDE EFFECTS WILL GO AWAY! LOL I'm not shouting-just wanted to put it how you asked it. Your body is getting used to the Effexor and if you hang in, it SHOULD get better-but everyone's chemistry is different. I really, really hope that it works for you. The yawning thing seems to be universal. I remember yawning constantly-it was like weird-I'm not tired but why the heck am I yawning? lol Headaches were common with me too, but again this is just my experience.
> > When I first went back on Effexor about a month ago-MAN!! I had NO appetite, I was like cool, but after about 2 weeks, I got it back *shucks* lol
> > So please just hang in there, I hope this helped and please keep us posted:-)
> > Kristen
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 22:04:07
In reply to Re: Please keep us posted annlanka :-), posted by annlanka on March 27, 2003, at 10:28:41
Hi anne,
You go!!! I wish you the best in med school. That is an awesome endeavor-you can do it:-)
I haven't decided if I am going to go into the counsleling professsion or nursing school. I also really want to help people with mental illness, I feel like there are not enough doctors who really truly want to help or just don't understand.
Give it your best shot:-)
Yeah, the weight gain does add to self-consciousness to the already bad feelings we get with depression.
I see my pdoc finally!!! tomorrow, got a lot to talk about lol
Take it easy:-)
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Hi kristen-
> Thanks for your post and letting me know more about you. It is nice to know that there are other people going thru some of the same stuff. Yeah, the breakup with my boyfriend was really hard on me for some reason. My grades dropped in schoool and that was the first time i sought psychological help. I was in therapy for about 12 weeks and it helped. Not unitl 2 years later did i get on meds(actually this year). The school i went to for undergrad was a really lonely place and i didnt make friends there. Iplayed basketball for a year there but it didnt work out how i expected and i quit. i solated my self all throughout undergrad and then ended up going to grad school at the same place, only cuz i really liked the education i got- I studied neuroscience in grad school- pretty good choice for someone with a mental illness..huh? :)
> Hated grad school and the lab i worked in mostly due to the people there. I am applying to med school this year- i really want to help people with mental illness, feel like there are not enough doctors who really truly want to help.
> Only prob is i cant concentrate for the mcats which are in a month- i m going to give it my best shot.
> I know how you feel about the weight gain. It sucks- tehy always talk about depressed people who lose all this weight- but ihave gained about 15-20 pds this year alone. It adds self-consciousness to the already bad feelings you get with depression. I try to eat healthy but sometimes i feel so bad i dont care anymore. You get to the poin twhere nothing matters- you feel beaten down, but then the next day you wake up adn are mad at yourself for self destructing and that in itself is depressing.
> I hope your new stuff works out for you. It sounds like we have a lot in common. YOu can email me at annlanka@yahoo.com if you want (no pressure) in case we are boring others with our life stories! I would like to hear more from you and how your are doing!
> take care
> anne
Posted by melley on March 28, 2003, at 19:34:08
In reply to bizarre dreams, posted by bluestar on March 21, 2003, at 13:01:40
> Since I started taking effexor, I've been haved a series of incredibly vivid and strange dreams. Is anyone else experiencing this too? It seems like I'm in a constant dream state when asleep. I guess that's due to not sleeping deeply. The weirdest one yet was about talking to cheetahs and eating live eels.
I too have had vivid dreams since I have been on effexor. My dr. put me on a sleeping pill, too, to counteract that. It makes me sleep more deeply so I don't remember the dreams as well, which is fine by me!
Posted by ayuda on March 28, 2003, at 19:50:28
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, posted by melley on March 28, 2003, at 19:34:08
> > Since I started taking effexor, I've been haved a series of incredibly vivid and strange dreams. Is anyone else experiencing this too? It seems like I'm in a constant dream state when asleep. I guess that's due to not sleeping deeply. The weirdest one yet was about talking to cheetahs and eating live eels.
>
>
> I too have had vivid dreams since I have been on effexor. My dr. put me on a sleeping pill, too, to counteract that. It makes me sleep more deeply so I don't remember the dreams as well, which is fine by me!
>I had completely bizarre and very real-seeming dreams when I was on Effexor XR. And sometimes I felt like I was not quite awake when I was awake, and could not distinguish between being awake and being asleep, like my waking life was also one of those dreams. From what I've heard, I think it's a common side effect of Effexor.
Posted by melley on March 28, 2003, at 22:03:23
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by dongerue on March 19, 2003, at 21:48:28
I am thinking of switching to Welbutrin (I have depression and anxiety, mostly anxiety). I am now on 225 mg of effexor and taking a ambien (a sleeping pill at night). How is it going now? Do you recommend switching?
> > I recently switched from Effexor to Welbutrin. Had no problems with withdrawal. The Dr. Had me ramp down. I switched due to sexual side effects. That was the only side effect I had, otherwise the Effexor was working great. Wish I could say the same for the Welbutrin.
>
> It may have been no problem with you but it is a purple bitch for me. I tapered off reducing dosage at the rate of 37mg per week. I then quit and I felt nausiated, headaches, general malaise, ringing in the ears, with sudden sharp disturbances in ears and eyes. I quit and switched to welbutrin for the same reason you mentioned, but as of now, I have been off all effexor for two weeks and I still feel awful. I don't know the answer yet but I will let you know. Any help would be appreciated
Posted by KRM123 on March 29, 2003, at 0:49:08
In reply to new to effexor and pumped up about it, posted by annlanka on March 26, 2003, at 15:19:48
Anne- please help! I am in the same situation that you were in. I can't stand the Lexapro anymore. The tiredness is terrible and I hate it. Today was week 2 with improvments in all side effects except the tiredness. The Dr. gave me Provigil but didn't help. I would like to try Effexor but I am scared.
Posted by bluestar on March 29, 2003, at 0:50:46
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, posted by ayuda on March 28, 2003, at 19:50:28
I've been on effexor 150mg for 1 1/2 months now. I am able to enjoy more what life has to offer me instead of always having nagging social anxiety and depression. I'm finding it easier to concentrate on school.I tried Paxil and that was a disaster. I feel for anyone who has not yet found what works for them. It's so good to be at ease and not all wound up. Good luck everyone
Posted by manhattom on March 29, 2003, at 22:34:18
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, posted by melley on March 28, 2003, at 19:34:08
i had found effexor to be completely ineffective for me, both in depression and insomnia.
sonata seemed to work decently for making me fall asleep, but i would wake up an hour or two into sleeping, and i'd be disoriented and sometimes hallucinating. i did not like sonata.
i think, for someone who needs to combine an antidepressant and a sleep aid, amitryptaline (elavil) is the best for relieving depressive problems as well as giving a very deep, very reliable night of sleep. my only problem with it is the possible toxicity that can be only slightly above baseline dose. and also, you might feel drowsy throughout the day.
Posted by utopizen on March 30, 2003, at 10:29:25
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, posted by manhattom on March 29, 2003, at 22:34:18
You think you have weird dreams? Last night, I had a Paxil-induced vivid dream with a guy I was suppose to undead after he died 2 weeks ago from an MAOI reaction. I was suppose to give him charcoal and pump his stomach, but I kept putting it off because it freaked me out.
I found Neurontin has been good for buffering dreams and calming me down enough to sleep, but it takes an hour and a half to kick in. Unfortunately, my doc won't prescribe a sleep aid.
Posted by PuraVida on March 30, 2003, at 15:24:49
In reply to Re: I Have Just been Diagnosed With Type 2,3,5ADD » pellmell, posted by Alec on August 6, 2001, at 13:11:29
Alec,
Just curious about how the Effexor worked on the ADD? I think I have ADD, have known about the depression for years. My take is that I got depressed because of the ADD. Anyhow, I'm on 225 Effexor but ot doesn't seem to touch the ADD - just the depression. Any feedback on your experience would be great -
PV
Posted by dongerue on March 30, 2003, at 15:38:56
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by melley on March 28, 2003, at 22:03:23
>Hello:
Well I finally succeeded in getting off of the effexor. But about 4 days later I began to feel so low, I would have to look up at a snake. So I started taking some Effexor xr (75mg)with my 300mg a day of welbutrin. I seem to be doing ok with this dosage. I still have some energy and the other problems seem better.
Don
> I am thinking of switching to Welbutrin (I have depression and anxiety, mostly anxiety). I am now on 225 mg of effexor and taking a ambien (a sleeping pill at night). How is it going now? Do you recommend switching?
>
>
> > > I recently switched from Effexor to Welbutrin. Had no problems with withdrawal. The Dr. Had me ramp down. I switched due to sexual side effects. That was the only side effect I had, otherwise the Effexor was working great. Wish I could say the same for the Welbutrin.
> >
> > It may have been no problem with you but it is a purple bitch for me. I tapered off reducing dosage at the rate of 37mg per week. I then quit and I felt nausiated, headaches, general malaise, ringing in the ears, with sudden sharp disturbances in ears and eyes. I quit and switched to welbutrin for the same reason you mentioned, but as of now, I have been off all effexor for two weeks and I still feel awful. I don't know the answer yet but I will let you know. Any help would be appreciated
>
>
>
>
Posted by jtc on March 30, 2003, at 21:36:10
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by dongerue on March 30, 2003, at 15:38:56
Hi all,
Has anyone had any problems with going off Effexor XR? I am having serious withdrawal. Today is my third day of no Effexor at all. I tapered down from 75 mg to 37.5. Took the 37.5 for about two weeks daily then every other day for about two weeks and now am into third day of no Effexor. I am completely crazy. I have crying spells and my two little girls, ages 8 and 3 don't know what has happened to their mom and my husband, well he just completely does not understand. This is really scary and I would not recommend this medication to anyone, however it did help me. I have taken it for about 10 months and have much weight gain so my psychiatrist and I decided I should try to go off of it since it is Spring and things start to get a little better for those of us who have depression (or so my psychiatrist says) but I also have anxiety. If I had known it was going to be like this I would have never started taking it. I should have stayed on Luvox. The withdrawal is so not worth the help it gave me. My 8 year old is also taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg but I am taking her off of it when school is out in May (or maybe sooner). I just hope she does not experience the same symptoms I have. I am going to watch her really closely though. I have flu like symptoms, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, irritability, depression and I feel like I am becoming manic depressive and also bipolar. Thank goodness I am still taking Klonopin. I just hope this gets better. If anyone has any advice please please send it to me. I really like this posting board and it is very helpful. Thanks so much and God Bless us all....jtc> >Hello:
>
> Well I finally succeeded in getting off of the effexor. But about 4 days later I began to feel so low, I would have to look up at a snake. So I started taking some Effexor xr (75mg)with my 300mg a day of welbutrin. I seem to be doing ok with this dosage. I still have some energy and the other problems seem better.
>
> Don
> > I am thinking of switching to Welbutrin (I have depression and anxiety, mostly anxiety). I am now on 225 mg of effexor and taking a ambien (a sleeping pill at night). How is it going now? Do you recommend switching?
> >
> >
> > > > I recently switched from Effexor to Welbutrin. Had no problems with withdrawal. The Dr. Had me ramp down. I switched due to sexual side effects. That was the only side effect I had, otherwise the Effexor was working great. Wish I could say the same for the Welbutrin.
> > >
> > > It may have been no problem with you but it is a purple bitch for me. I tapered off reducing dosage at the rate of 37mg per week. I then quit and I felt nausiated, headaches, general malaise, ringing in the ears, with sudden sharp disturbances in ears and eyes. I quit and switched to welbutrin for the same reason you mentioned, but as of now, I have been off all effexor for two weeks and I still feel awful. I don't know the answer yet but I will let you know. Any help would be appreciated
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.