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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Cosmic on April 13, 2003, at 17:56:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Kevin123, posted by melley on April 13, 2003, at 15:49:29
Just started EXR a couple of weeks ago and am supposed to increase one more 37.5 starting tomorrow but afraid to. Have been sick as a dog for two weeks. Stomach cramps, headaches, insomnia (even /w xanax), tremors. Have lost 18 lbs and I'm a light weight to begin with. Wife says I look like I came out of a German concentration camp. Anyone else with these problems. Really thinking of just quiting these damn things. And the memory sucks!! Walk into a room and forget why. They're messing me up big time. Be careful ppl. Any help??
Posted by lovemybabies on April 13, 2003, at 20:19:41
In reply to What about life AFTER withdrawl?, posted by Paco on April 12, 2003, at 20:32:57
I'm with you, Paco. It's my first antidepressant/antianxiety and it's changed my life. I'm going on three months and have no plans to quit anytime soon. Most of the side effects are gone and I feel great. My marraige is better, the kids are happier...I have a whole new perspective on life. Don't let the naysayers sway you. I'm not worried about withdrawal. It's temporary. :)
Jen
Posted by lovemybabies on April 13, 2003, at 20:21:54
In reply to Re: What about life AFTER withdrawl? » Paco, posted by SpaceKace on April 12, 2003, at 23:43:44
It's weird. Twice, I've missed a dose. No ill effects at all. I actually started to panic when I realized it was 9pm and I forgot to take it. But nothing happened. How long did you go before taking another dose? Did the brain shivers start immediately? What exactly do those feel like? I've read many postings regarding this. Thanks.
Jen
Posted by lovemybabies on April 13, 2003, at 20:24:57
In reply to Having horrible side effects!!, posted by Cosmic on April 13, 2003, at 17:56:38
Yes, yes. The first two weeks are crazy. It's like walking around in somebody else's body. They do go away, though. SOmetimes it takes a month or two to start really feeling good. I think, though, if it's completely intolerable, talk to your doctor. Maybe there's another one that's better for you. I also lost weight--about seven pounds the first week! No vomiting or pain, just anorexia. It all came back, though. Good luck and keep us posted.
Posted by lovemybabies on April 13, 2003, at 20:28:40
In reply to Re: What about life AFTER withdrawl?, posted by lovemybabies on April 13, 2003, at 20:21:54
I've read several posts from people who say Effexor just stopped working. Have many people experienced this? Did you have to keep upping the dose? I'm wondering if this is very common. What's the longest that anyone's been on it? Does it help long-term? Just wondering. Thanks.
Posted by SpaceKace on April 13, 2003, at 22:24:04
In reply to Re: What about life AFTER withdrawl?, posted by lovemybabies on April 13, 2003, at 20:21:54
The first time I missed a dose, I didn't realize it was because I missed it that I was getting a strange dizzy sensation when I turned my head. I had drank the night before (which is why I forgot to take the medication) and thought maybe it was just a hangover. The second time was Friday night, and I had to work Saturday so couldn't take another one til I got home because I didn't have them with me. I took it around 8:30 p.m. and was better within an hour or so. It is a strange sensation that most people, including me, describe as turning your head and then your brain takes a second or two to catch up with you. My whole body would also feel numb for a second. It is very different from being dizzy. I'm on 75 mg so if you're on a lower dose, you probably won't have the effects yet. I think I skipped one on 37.5 and didn't notice any problems. I've been taking it for 6 months now after being on Paxil for almost 2 years. When I got home last night, I got on the internet and learned that I was not the only one experiencing this symptom. Just do a search on Brain Shivers and you will find various sites that associate Brain Shivers with Effexor.
Posted by SpaceKace on April 13, 2003, at 22:28:08
In reply to Does Effexor lose effectiveness?, posted by lovemybabies on April 13, 2003, at 20:28:40
I went from 37.5 to 75 in just six months because I had an anxiety attack probably a month or two after starting the drug. I was on 10mg of Paxil for a long time and then when I went to 20mg, I started have strange muscle cramps in my left arm and chest and would panic because I would think it was a heart attack - and I'm only 31. That's why I went on Effexor but I hope to God I don't have to increase my dose, I just want off of this ride. And from what I've read, that is not going to be pleasant - God help us.
Posted by jturner795 on April 14, 2003, at 13:16:10
In reply to Having horrible side effects!!, posted by Cosmic on April 13, 2003, at 17:56:38
I know exactly how you feel. I was having horrific stomach cramps, low energy ect. (even though I am also on Adderall for ADD) Then a couple of days ago I started feeling better. Im now at 150mg per day and divide the doses up. 75mg in the morning and 75mg at noon. Seems to have helped. Still having some headache and cramping late in the afternoon. (Been on the med for 4 wks now) I am pissed that my Doc didnt discuss these side-effects with me when she perscribed them! Hang in there it will get better. Keep us posted. ,Jared
Posted by Katia on April 14, 2003, at 14:23:10
In reply to Re: Alcohol??, posted by fanni on April 13, 2003, at 14:25:58
It's so hard though. I mean for me all these years i've been self-medicating with alcohol and other (yet healthy) things. I've been on this "finding the right AD" ride since July 02 and have not gotten any closer. I've been on Zoloft for three months and the first five weeks I quit drinking (talking about 2-3 glasses of wine 2-3x per week). And I actually felt more depressed. (maybe b/c the zoloft was doing nothing for me except making me a zombie). I know that I have to learn to re-structure how I work in this world without the alcohol and it's a process. But in the past three weeks, I've started having a few glasses of wine again simply b/c the AD is doing nothing for me and I can now see why I've subconsciously medicated with alcohol over the years. I feel better. And that's sad, but right now it really feels like my life boat carrying me over until the right AD. The combo of inertia, apathy, but overwhelming sadness and pain is making me not be able to function at all. And I have huge bills to pay each month and am single with no help financially and live in a very expensive part of the USA. And i live in USA which basically provides no support financially/disability in this illness.
I know it's ridiculous to drink on ADs and unhealthy and it cancels it out somewhat, but what can one do anymore to function??????
any similar input would be appreciated.
thanks for letting me ramble.
Katia
Posted by justyourlaugh on April 14, 2003, at 14:36:36
In reply to Re: Alcohol??, posted by Katia on April 14, 2003, at 14:23:10
hi ,
i take zoloft aswell(and wellbutrin)
i find i am getting drunk 3 times a week now..
real drunk..
when i am not drinking i am sad and pathedic..
what now?
peace
jyl
Posted by Katia on April 14, 2003, at 14:54:13
In reply to Re: Alcohol??and zoloft » Katia, posted by justyourlaugh on April 14, 2003, at 14:36:36
> hi ,
> i take zoloft aswell(and wellbutrin)
> i find i am getting drunk 3 times a week now..
> real drunk..
> when i am not drinking i am sad and pathedic..
> what now?
> peace
> jylHi-
How long have you been on the Zoloft and Wellbutrin? I am actually transitioning onto the WB now. I'm a little apprehension b/c of the stimulating effect. I already am a neurotic hopeless insomniac.
I think from experience, that the few days after you drink, you are more depressed b/c it screws up the "balance" whatever that is. I've gone off alcohol before for a month or two stints and normally feel better. For some reason this five week stint of sobriety on the three month Zoloft trial was horrible. It may be the Zoloft? Tell me about your history of it. It is soooo hard to be well! when we have good intentions, but need to cope as well!
katia
Posted by justyourlaugh on April 14, 2003, at 15:44:56
In reply to Re: Alcohol??and zoloft, posted by Katia on April 14, 2003, at 14:54:13
hi,
thanks for the response,
i have been on wellbutrin for 4 month and just started addng zoloft 2 weeks ago..
i tried to add celexa..nothing.
topamax made me crazy..
i have no side effects from wellbutrin other than the phase of restlesness,but it didnt last...
oh my yes i stopped smoking 3 months ago..didnt even notice it..smoked for 15 years..
keep me posted
peace
jyl
Posted by lovemybabies on April 14, 2003, at 19:35:58
In reply to Re: Alcohol??, posted by Katia on April 14, 2003, at 14:23:10
I can totally relate. I used(and still use, sometimes) alcohol to 'numb' my anxiousness. The most wine I'd drink at one time was just 2 glasses but it worked. Except for feeling REALLY crappy/depressed the next day. Catch-22, right?
I admit I do have an occasional glass now that I'm on Effexor. One glass is all I can handle--I guess Eff. effects your tolerance? I have 2 kids, a husband who travels frequently, we recently moved, I'm trying to make friends. It's hard right now but I'm trying to find alternate 'coping' methods.
Good luck you you!
Posted by Napaba on April 15, 2003, at 10:00:32
In reply to Re: Alcohol??, posted by lovemybabies on April 14, 2003, at 19:35:58
Wow
This is just an FYI.
Today is the second day I missed my Effexor. I feel like sh^&. I've also been experiencing the brain shivers. What a strange feeling. Thank goodnes there's another woman here who takes Effexor, she gave one of hers. I hope it helps. I take 150 and hers are only 75. Anyone know how long before these weird feelings subside?
Posted by melley on April 15, 2003, at 12:03:21
In reply to Those nasty brain shivers, posted by Napaba on April 15, 2003, at 10:00:32
Hi there,I put all my pills in a pill thingie for each day (feel like a little old lady at 47) and put it where I brush my teeth. Hard to forget that way. Also, before I did that, sometimes I would forget whether or not I had taken it and now I can just check.
Just a thought.
mel
Wow
>
> This is just an FYI.
>
> Today is the second day I missed my Effexor. I feel like sh^&. I've also been experiencing the brain shivers. What a strange feeling. Thank goodnes there's another woman here who takes Effexor, she gave one of hers. I hope it helps. I take 150 and hers are only 75. Anyone know how long before these weird feelings subside?
>
>
Posted by sly on April 15, 2003, at 12:37:55
In reply to What about life AFTER withdrawl?, posted by Paco on April 12, 2003, at 20:32:57
I've been off Effexor for about 2 months now and I have no lingering withdrawal or side effects. I feel great in fact, I think I was depressed and then medicated for so long I forgot what it feels like to just be me.
Posted by baracuda on April 16, 2003, at 0:41:46
In reply to Re: Alcohol??, posted by Katia on April 14, 2003, at 14:23:10
i self medicated too with alcohol, and i cant help but think that drinking was sooo much more effective than any medication ive been on. unfortunately, drinking hurts my stomach now, and that is the only reason why i stopped and turned to AD for depression relief.
i miss it so much - it worked way better than any pill my doc gives me
:(
Posted by melley on April 16, 2003, at 7:22:33
In reply to Re: 8 Week Update » humbly72, posted by jack smith on April 10, 2003, at 15:04:12
Hello,
Was wondering how you were doing in the tiredness department? Have you upped your amount?
Melissa
Posted by XiaoMafan on April 16, 2003, at 10:58:12
In reply to Re: What about life AFTER withdrawl? » Paco, posted by SpaceKace on April 12, 2003, at 23:43:44
I have been off Effexor XR for 13 days and on Wellbutrin and I am still experiencing brain shivers. I have to take 37.5mg every three days or I just can't function with the feeling of 'dizzy' and feel like I am going to pass out...it has been HORRIBLE.
Posted by Jack Smith on April 16, 2003, at 16:38:11
In reply to update » jack smith, posted by melley on April 16, 2003, at 7:22:33
> Hello,
>
> Was wondering how you were doing in the tiredness department? Have you upped your amount?
>
> MelissaThanks for caring, still pretty tired but haven't upped the dose yet. I can't see my pdoc for another couple of weeks but was wondering if I could split a 150 tab by taking out half its contents to go up to 225? Wonder if anyone knows?
Posted by SpaceKace on April 16, 2003, at 21:42:08
In reply to Re: What about life AFTER withdrawl?, posted by XiaoMafan on April 16, 2003, at 10:58:12
I'm curious...How much were you taking before you went off and how long were you on it? I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through but if you can get out of it, I think the sooner, the better. I'm considering it myself but I'll probably wait until I can take some time off of work to deal with it. I was also wondering if anyone's concentration has been affected...I have been making a lot of mistakes at work (clerical) and I've been doing this kind of work perfectly for years. It makes me wonder if these brain shivers are causing some sort of brain damage. Good luck to you, I hope you get past this and please let me know if you do.
Posted by ladylight57 on April 17, 2003, at 5:13:49
In reply to Re: What about life AFTER withdrawl?, posted by SpaceKace on April 16, 2003, at 21:42:08
Hi
I hope you don't mind my Chiming in. But I thought I'd share my experience with Effexor. This constant search for a medication that works with minimal side effects is endless isn't it? I've about given up.
I had much relief from my depression with the Effexor and was on 225mg for about 3 years. I agree with you about the confusion and forgetfulness. I too found myself making a lot of stupid little mistakes and this was very out of charactor for me.
Back in October I decided to start weaning off of the Effexor and dropped down to 150 and then 75mg. The side effects seemed to be outwieghing the benefits at this point and I didn't see a reason to stay on any longer. I also had read a lot about the withdrawal effects and just decided I didn't want to be on it any longer
I spent nearly 5 months at the 75mg level as I was sort of inbetween P-docs. (these managed health care plans are the pits). In March, I was finally able to drop down to 37.5 and then make the final decent to nothing. That was of course the most difficult step for me and I had a lot of the typical withdrawl symptoms. I have heard that going form one med to another often helps to alleviate the symptoms, but I decided to just push right through them. I was really "sick" with them for about a week. I actually got some anti-vertigo medicine from my PCP and that helped me through the worst of it.I think coming off when you have some time off from work would be a good plan. But if you are wanting to taper off, be sure to give your self plenty of time before the final dose. Though I experienced some mild dizziness and nausea with the first two step downs, they were nothing compared with the final withrawl. You will most likey be able to manage the first couple decreases while working, save that vacation time for the last step.
On an up note, the mental confusion and mistakes seem to have eased up, so I don't think the meds did any lasting damage.
I'm currently not on any medication because I can't seem to find a Psychiatrist that I can trust. Called a therapist yesterday, but she didn't return my call...*sigh*. Am going to try a regemin of diet and exercise and prayer and hope that works for me, because the side effects from the meds are just too costly. Good luck with what ever you decide to do. Beth
Posted by melley on April 17, 2003, at 8:03:28
In reply to Re: update » melley, posted by Jack Smith on April 16, 2003, at 16:38:11
> > Hello,
> >
> > Was wondering how you were doing in the tiredness department? Have you upped your amount?
> >
> > Melissa
>
> Thanks for caring, still pretty tired but haven't upped the dose yet. I can't see my pdoc for another couple of weeks but was wondering if I could split a 150 tab by taking out half its contents to go up to 225? Wonder if anyone knows?I don't think you can do that. My therapist was suggesting doing that for me to decrease my dose but then we were thinking you probably could not because of it being a contents-type of a pill. If it wasn't you could break it in half. Did you try it?
Posted by Napaba on April 17, 2003, at 8:35:02
In reply to Re: What about life AFTER withdrawl?, posted by SpaceKace on April 16, 2003, at 21:42:08
I had problems with concentration the first 3 weeks. After that my memory seemed to return to normal. Just an additional note, I had this problem when my dose was increased from 75 to a 150 as well.
I'm curious...How much were you taking before you went off and how long were you on it? I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through but if you can get out of it, I think the sooner, the better. I'm considering it myself but I'll probably wait until I can take some time off of work to deal with it. I was also wondering if anyone's concentration has been affected...I have been making a lot of mistakes at work (clerical) and I've been doing this kind of work perfectly for years. It makes me wonder if these brain shivers are causing some sort of brain damage. Good luck to you, I hope you get past this and please let me know if you do.
Posted by Katia on April 17, 2003, at 15:39:28
In reply to Re: Alcohol??, posted by baracuda on April 16, 2003, at 0:41:46
> i self medicated too with alcohol, and i cant help but think that drinking was sooo much more effective than any medication ive been on. unfortunately, drinking hurts my stomach now, and that is the only reason why i stopped and turned to AD for depression relief.
>
> i miss it so much - it worked way better than any pill my doc gives me
> :(Yep, totally understood. I can understand why I went to alcohol b/c I needed to cope and survive and it's familiar to me, like a security blanket. And it does feel good to go there; but I know now that it only adds to the problem in the end.
good luck finding healthy means to cope!
katia
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