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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by KimberlyDi on July 7, 2003, at 9:49:42
In reply to I'm back, drove by myself, 1st time in 6 yrs!, posted by mercedes on July 5, 2003, at 4:14:51
Mercedes!!! Glad you are back. Glad you conquered you fears!!!! whoooohooooo!!! Thanks for the laugh this morning re: doggy sleeping instead of keeping you awake. I bet doggy helped just by being there. I realized I flew over my hurdle also. Over a month ago I was falling apart. I made a plan, find a p-doc, therapist, and take AD's again to keep from ending up in hospital again because of stress at fiscal year end inventory time. I followed my plan, and I'm through with inventory and feeling great. I'm loving Effexor and all you psycho-babblers right now!!!
> First I want to thank Brian, Cher, Zinya and Kimberly for your prayers and thoughts. I left Saturday 21st of June and returned Tues. July 1st. I only drove 3 hours and stayed with a friend overnight. Next day I proceeded to drive the other 2 1/2 hours to my sons house. I made it! I wasn't scared going up but coming back, I was very nervous and sleepy. I took my effexor at around 10:00 am but spent some time in the sun. I think this made me sleepy. I was going to drive the 5 hours straight. Not a good idea but I made it home. I had my pekingnese with me so I kept telling him not to sleep, talk to me, wake me up. But he ignored me, slept like a doggy.
>
> Anyway, my grandaugher weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz. She is healthy and beautiful. I spent time in the hospital with my daughter-n-law as she had to have some blood transfusions. All in all, everything went well. I drove around to see some freinds, I even took the diamond lane once. A year ago, no one could pay me enough to get on a diamond lane. I don't really know what happened ....yes I do. I prayed to God to heal me of this fear driving and of leaving my "safe place". I also was tired of being in this prison, unable to travel anywhere, asking people to take me places for fear of having an anxioty attack. I did it and will hopefully drive more now. Well, I'm still a little scared but will take my baby steps. However this drive was a huge giant step in my life. I truly think that getting on this psycobable also helped me immensly. Just knowing I was not alone in feeling the way I do.
>
> Thank you all for your comments, support, inquiries and for being there for me. I will try to do the same for you. Luv you all and take care.
>
> Mercedes
Posted by zinya on July 8, 2003, at 13:23:41
In reply to I'm back, drove by myself, 1st time in 6 yrs!, posted by mercedes on July 5, 2003, at 4:14:51
hi mercedes!
welcome back from what sounds like a wonderful turning-point trip. Your granddaughter is, it seems, giving *you* life, reason to re-commit to facing down fears and thus living more fully! Which makes her, in a sense, your son's "gift" to you too :))We are happy and inspired observers and supporters of your new conquests!
Maybe your doggy was important in both giving you someone to talk to more than needing him to respond and also being a vivid display of what lack of anxiety looks like! :)) with his total confidence in you at the wheel! Nothing like a passenger who can fall asleep to tell you someone trusts you!
with hugs and joy for you!
zinya
Posted by zinya on July 8, 2003, at 20:30:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Dreams........., posted by mercedes on July 6, 2003, at 22:25:24
Hi Mercedes, again...
once more with feeling... I wrote a reply to your dreams post hours ago, hit submit just as the phone was ringing and one thing led to another... I sometimes forget that this system requires a second 'submit' to confirm the post and this isn't the first time i've forgotten and now just lost the of-course *brilliant* post i had written ... aargh. . I'll see what i can drum up as a substitute (unless, as my mom's mom used to tell her, she said, when you forget something you meant to say, it must have been a lie - !?!? a bit of folk wisdom i never quite bought into :)
I guess i started out wondering if you were open to hearing a completely off-the-cuff unsolicited "interpretation" of your dream??
If not, stop reading :) If so, here goes -- just what came to me as i read your dream and knowing your current state of ongoing progress in dealing with anxiety.
It seemed to me that the dream was about anxiety, about worrying about things that might have been done differently in the past, symbolized by your dad's death and whether something could or should have been done differently -- whether about your dad or whether that was representing something more generic (One theory of dreams is that the people in our dreams actually represent parts of ourselves at least as much or more than the people themselves -- and plausibly we choose them in our dreams cuz they echo that part of ourselves the dream is dealing with)
And it occurred to me that perhaps Effexor is getting your dreams to take over some of our anxiety focus and thereby "relieving" you in your waking life to move beyond those anxieties?? (Another theory of dreams being that they are efforts to deal with unresolved bits of our waking lives that have nagged at us etc)
Maybe?? :)) Well, the phone's ringing again - let's hope i remember to confirm submit this time ...
hugs,
zinyap.s. I'm *sure* my original post was much more brilliant :)), but alas lost to the ages, this is my humble substitute :)
Posted by HeatherR on July 9, 2003, at 13:44:21
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My Dr. prescribed Effexor and had me increase the dose triple within three days! I felt horrible. My pupils were huge, I couldn't eat, I couldn't even barely talk. I felt like a zombie. My husband even told me I looked like a monster. I have since found a new Dr. and started taking Zoloft. Things are much better now! I think the success of a med depends a lot on the Dr. sometimes.
Posted by theo on July 9, 2003, at 15:11:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by HeatherR on July 9, 2003, at 13:44:21
The starter dose for Effexor XR is 37.5mg for 7 days and then to 75mg standard. This is the way they come in the starter pack. Yes, switching doctors may be a plus. I started 7 days ago on 37.5mg and my doctor even prescribed 37.5 for a month, then will see if I want to stay, increase or discontinue.
Posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 16:02:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by HeatherR on July 9, 2003, at 13:44:21
i can't believe any doc would increase any AD that quickly. Like the others have said, usually you go up every 7 days until you are at a therapeutic level for You.The level for each person can be very different depending on a lot of factors. I find effexor to be great for me. good luck on the zoloft, keep us informed on your progress. kimmie
Posted by theo on July 9, 2003, at 16:07:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » HeatherR, posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 16:02:09
What dose are you currently taking??
Posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 16:30:20
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » KimmieM., posted by theo on July 9, 2003, at 16:07:23
I am currently taken 150 mg effexor xr. I have been on it for about 6 months. I had a few side effects at the beginning but I am ok now. How about you?
Posted by zinya on July 9, 2003, at 17:15:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » theo, posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 16:30:20
So does this mean you have not found a "habituation" at the same dose (150) which required you to up the dose, I take it? (Some have suggested here that they felt they had to keep upping beyond 150 over time to get the same effect.)
Secondly, did you notice the alleged second-system effects which are supposed to kick in at 150 mg? Namely, an impact on the adrenal system (Supposedly below 150 mg, the effects are only on SSRI). If you did notice a whole other level of effects at 150, could you describe them? Increased energy?
I'm currently at 75 mg, having taken the world's slowest path to building up due to prior bad side effects on a-d's, which you may know if you've read my prior posts here, but I started the last week of May at 19 mg (splitting 37.5 granules in half), then to 37.5, then to 56, and last week up to 75. Part of me is eager (or desperate?) to get to 150 given the reported extra adrenal effects, which is the reason my md. thought Effexor woudl be best for me, but I also feel a need to keep moving up very slowly (meaning next to 100, then 125, before moving to 150) because my system has been so sensitive in the past. It does seem that each stage now gives me fewer side-effect problems than the previous one. (Main ones still be big increase in sweating and dizziness)
thanks,
zinya
Posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 17:24:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » KimmieM., posted by zinya on July 9, 2003, at 17:15:10
Hi Zinya, Just in the past few days I feel I may need a slightly higher dose. Some family problems which I have been able to deal with are a little overwhelming at the moment. I am going to give it a little more time just to see, before I contact doc.
About the 150 mg dose. yes I did feel some different aspects. I had mentioned at that time to doc, that I felt like I was on "uppers" of which I had previous experience with in my teens.
I was constantly babbling,was hyper and the biggest feeling was that I just wanted to hug everybody and tell them that I loved them. That is so unlike me. I am not a "hugger" These feelings did pass in about 2 weeks, and all has leveled off. I have also forgotten to take effexor for a day or 2 and no bad side effects from that. But remember, everybody's system reacts differently. It's basically adjusting and finding the right dose and med. It is good you are starting off slowly. As long as you are feeling some improvement in symptoms, take it slow.
Posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 17:28:30
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Zinya, or anyone else, I have to go out to get my daily exercise, but i will be back on later tonight. if you hve any other questions I will be glad to give my opinion....lol see you guys soon
Posted by theo on July 10, 2003, at 9:06:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » theo, posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 16:30:20
I am only taking 37.5mg for one month then maybe up the dose to 75mg.
Posted by JayJr on July 10, 2003, at 15:39:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » KimmieM., posted by theo on July 10, 2003, at 9:06:57
I started Effexor XR at 37.5 for a 4 days, then up to 75mg for a while but I got totally scared because I was completely exhausted all the time, didn't want to eat, was nauseous in the morning, and felt more depressed... I think that some of the side effects were just making me more depressed which was making me not want to eat and nauseous.. its hard to discern between symptoms of depression and side-effects. There IS some trauma involved when starting on this kind of medication, and when you're depressed the trauma is amplified...
After a few weeks I started feeling a little better, started eating food with the meds, and a week later had myself at about 150mgs. So its been a total of 5 weeks for me and I THINK its starting to help somewhat.
I still have lack of appetite and less sex drive. The sex drive part is ok because my live-in girlfriend is totally unintimate never wants to have sex anyway (which is a major problem and probably helped push me to depression!).
Anyway:
You gotta stick with the Effexor for 6 weeks or so, if the side-effects are just too much, or you feel no benefit, then you need a new drug.My doctor calls my dose (150mgs) a therapeutic dose, I guess because I'll be doing therapy with her as well. But, I still feel pretty crummy most of the time and will be upping my dose anyway.
Thanks for listening : )
Jay
Posted by KimmieM. on July 10, 2003, at 15:50:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by JayJr on July 10, 2003, at 15:39:52
Hi Jay, my appetite was diminished also, for
about 3 weeks, I lost 10 lbs, but it is back to almost normal now. I eat regularly, but in smaller portions( which is healthier). The lack of sex drive is still affecting me. When that opportunity arises, sometimes it is just not possible to have an "O". That to me is the worst side effect. Apparently from what I have experienced and read, this doesn't change for a lot of people. Keep trying, jay 5 weeks is good but give it some more time before switching. you just need to get through the SE and find YOUR therapeutic level. Good Luck, Keep posting. Kimmie
Posted by KimmieM. on July 10, 2003, at 15:52:20
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » KimmieM., posted by theo on July 10, 2003, at 9:06:57
How are you finding it effect you? Have you been on anything previous and if so how long have you been diagnosed with "dep"?
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 10, 2003, at 17:06:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by JayJr on July 10, 2003, at 15:39:52
If lack of sex caused your depression then why would Effexor work for you?
KimberlyDi
> I started Effexor XR at 37.5 for a 4 days, then up to 75mg for a while but I got totally scared because I was completely exhausted all the time, didn't want to eat, was nauseous in the morning, and felt more depressed... I think that some of the side effects were just making me more depressed which was making me not want to eat and nauseous.. its hard to discern between symptoms of depression and side-effects. There IS some trauma involved when starting on this kind of medication, and when you're depressed the trauma is amplified...
>
> After a few weeks I started feeling a little better, started eating food with the meds, and a week later had myself at about 150mgs. So its been a total of 5 weeks for me and I THINK its starting to help somewhat.
>
> I still have lack of appetite and less sex drive. The sex drive part is ok because my live-in girlfriend is totally unintimate never wants to have sex anyway (which is a major problem and probably helped push me to depression!).
>
> Anyway:
> You gotta stick with the Effexor for 6 weeks or so, if the side-effects are just too much, or you feel no benefit, then you need a new drug.
>
> My doctor calls my dose (150mgs) a therapeutic dose, I guess because I'll be doing therapy with her as well. But, I still feel pretty crummy most of the time and will be upping my dose anyway.
>
> Thanks for listening : )
>
> Jay
Posted by CherC68 on July 10, 2003, at 18:28:58
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » JayJr, posted by KimberlyDi on July 10, 2003, at 17:06:39
I think that Jay means his girlfriend not wanting intimacy/sex has hurt him and has contributed to his depression. On top of the fact that his libido is now gone and that he is having problems in that area it is intensifying his depression.
(I'm having the same problem at this exact time so I see Jay's point)
Take Care,
Cher
Posted by noa on July 10, 2003, at 18:48:31
In reply to I'm back, drove by myself, 1st time in 6 yrs!, posted by mercedes on July 5, 2003, at 4:14:51
Congratulations! Both for the new grandchild AND getting back behind the wheel. That is a success story, and you should be proud.
Posted by KimmieM. on July 10, 2003, at 21:51:55
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » KimberlyDi, posted by CherC68 on July 10, 2003, at 18:28:58
cher, how long has the problem been for you ( the libido) did you notice it immediately or after awhile?
Posted by zinya on July 11, 2003, at 1:13:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » zinya, posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 17:24:53
hi Kimmie,
thanks much for your response... i've been sooooo low energy the past few days that i'd give my eye teeth for some of that hyper stage or mania you described for your (though I don' t mean to dismiss what mania is like for people who have to deal with that either). But gosh i'm getting so so so sick of having no energy, haven't for eons... So it was VERY encouraging to hear your report that gives me hope. Of course, i realize it might not work for me the same, but it's good to hear stories that inspire.thanks! z
Posted by mercedes on July 11, 2003, at 2:32:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » KimmieM., posted by zinya on July 11, 2003, at 1:13:30
Hi Kimmie and Zinya. Effexor has so far been the best thing for me. I was on 37.5 for about a year, Dr. never changed my dose, although I was taking other meds too. I moved, and found a new pdoc. He stated that 37.5 was near nothing. He increased me weekly (although sometimes I stayed on the same dose a few days longer,out of fear). When I finally reached 300mgs, I finally felt more happy and more like my old self however I did have down days too.
As far as energy, I too felt useless, no energy, worthless, just thought alot about the things I needed to do but didn't do them. Then I decided that if I didn't clean house, dusted, mopped the floor....WHO CARES. I was depressing myself more because I've always placed great emphasis on how people judge me. It was then, and on 300 mgs., that I was going to do things ONLY if I felt like it. Not for anybody else. I have burst of energy somedays, and go work in the yard for three days straight. Then I'll have no energy and sit around for a two or three days watching TV or just sitting. On those days, sometimes I make a list of things to do when I finally have the energy. I'm sick and until I'm 100%, I can't be blaming myself for not being as productive as I'd like. That's my reasoning....today anyway.
Mercedes> hi Kimmie,
> thanks much for your response... i've been sooooo low energy the past few days that i'd give my eye teeth for some of that hyper stage or mania you described for your (though I don' t mean to dismiss what mania is like for people who have to deal with that either). But gosh i'm getting so so so sick of having no energy, haven't for eons... So it was VERY encouraging to hear your report that gives me hope. Of course, i realize it might not work for me the same, but it's good to hear stories that inspire.
>
> thanks! z
Posted by mercedes on July 11, 2003, at 2:53:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by JayJr on July 10, 2003, at 15:39:52
Not to rush you or anything, but before effexor XR, and reaching my 300mgs, my sex drive went for a drive and never returned. At that time I was also taking Depakote, cuz my neorologist tried to treat my panic dosorder as seizures. Was tested for seizures and came out clean. My pdoc took me off the depakote and increased my Effexor. I've had a good reaction to Effexor. Although I don't have a permanent sex partner at this time, I have my libido back. My last visit with my pdoc, he wanted to take me off effexor, cause I keep having these panic attacks. (I'll describe in my next note cause I had a bad one yesterday). Anyhow, I asked him not to cause it's doing me good, feeling's, anyway. I do remember when I could not feel...anything. That was a terrible time for me. Later
Mercedes
Posted by mercedes on July 11, 2003, at 3:26:16
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » JayJr, posted by mercedes on July 11, 2003, at 2:53:26
I had a terrible panic, anxioty, siezure, mild stroke, whatever?.. yesterday. My attacks have mostly been diagnosed by my pdoc as PTSD and I suffer from depression also. These attacks started almost 7 years ago. Has anyone ever had this? I've read some people here refer to "brain freeze". Anyway, this is what happens to me.
Yesterday, was fine in the a.m., had my coffee & cig. and decided to work in my garden early, before it got hot. This was around 8:30 a.m. It was going to be 105!
Anyway, I grabbed my coffee cup and ZAP! My vision get's stuck. I feel it mostly in my left eye and I see two of everything. I can't get myself out of it. I sat down, looked around for about 5 minutes with that dble vision, sorta one up higher than the other. Anyway, after about 20 min. or so, I cld. my brother and left a message. I can't see the keypad on the phone but I've learned the keys by touch. He didn't call me back so I fell asleep or passed out, don't know. My sis-n-law cld me around noon, asked if I was ok, and I just remember telling her "I fell asleep" about 3 times. my speach was slurred or slow, and I didn't make sense she told me later. My bro. cld me around 3 p.m. I still was talking nonsense, told him I didn't need anything, just needed to sleep. I was talking to him but do not remember anything else I said. He would ask me something and I babbled off and didn't remember what he'd ask me. During this time, I was unsteady while walking and my head hurt real bad, left side.
A month ago I had up to six of these one week and the next week 7. Then, I won't have one for a month or so. Remember, I'm the one that finally drove by myself in 6 years. I don't drive when I have these "attacks". I take Xanex for these symtoms and Effexor for my depression. Oh, I cld my primary care phys. so she could see what happens to me and she wouldn't see me, sd I had to see my pdoc. I cried, felt like I'll never ever be rid of these attacks and felt rejected by my primary doc. which made me depressed.
Anyone ever have something like this? HELP !
Mercedes
Posted by JayJr on July 11, 2003, at 7:46:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » JayJr, posted by KimberlyDi on July 10, 2003, at 17:06:39
> If lack of sex caused your depression then why would Effexor work for you?
>
> KimberlyDiWell I've been sort of 'down' for years, but not depressed... I really can't say that lack of sex Caused my depression but the lack of sex and intimacy (not that there is none) among a few other issues might have pushed me to depression. I mean, the Effexor is good because it has slightly lowered my sex drive which helps me cope with not getting it all time. Its more of an issue of insecureness than 'sex' I think. Anyway, I used to want sex like twice a day or more, but now I can deal a little better with a much lower frequency. So in that respect its helping. But mainly, I'm hoping it will help me just feel generally ok most of the time as apposed to generally crummy, and help with some social-anxiety that I have.
Jay
yahoo IM: jayjr_26
Posted by JayJr on July 11, 2003, at 7:50:49
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » KimberlyDi, posted by CherC68 on July 10, 2003, at 18:28:58
Cher, yeah thats more accurate.. Right ON even! Well not completely right on because I still want sex and can orgasm with some difficulty, though maybe only once a day now (hehe, I have twice the sex drive normally!).
Jay
yahoo IM: Jayjr_26
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