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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by zinya on July 24, 2003, at 23:58:14
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:07:52
hi nineveh,
yeah, from what i've digested here, i'd encourage you to taper off too even from 37.5. Some people go to 37.5 every other day and then every third day. I tapered upwards by opening the capsule and divvying up the granules in half and started at 19 mg which you could go down to for a few days or a week and then even to 12 and then off maybe. Seems to me it's better safe than sorry in terms of risking withdrawal effects, which seem unpredictable but have really hit home big time for some.
good luck!
zinya
Posted by willie on July 25, 2003, at 7:41:39
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I'm doing fine. The stress level is not so high today as I am on vacation as of 4 o'clock (EST). The stressors are still here at work but this is where I'll leave them, something I've never been able to do before. I'll deal with it when I get back (then I'll be freaking out). That is one thing about effexor xr that I'm most gratefull for. I use to litterally cry or my stomach would get so sore from anxiety that I'd be doubled over. Not a good look in front of your co-workers.
I work 37.5 hrs a week and I do find that working does help eleviate depression. Even if you work a few hours a week, I believe it would be beneficial. I lost my previous job due to them relocating the office so I was unemployed for about 3 months. I found myself slipping deeper into depression during that period. I need to work..even if it comes with stressors...not all stress is bad in my mind.
I drink decaffinated coffee which doesn't help as effexor makes you drowsy but I try to stay away from the caffine so I'll sleep at night. My husband can't figure out why I'm so tired all the time but If I told him it was because of effexor, he'd probably want me to come off.
Anyway..I'll be off the thread until August 6th so I wanted to let you all know so you don't think I went off my wagon. You'll all be in my thoughts and I'll touch base when I get back from Las Vegas!!
Hugs from Canada
Willie
Posted by zinya on July 25, 2003, at 10:46:04
In reply to Re: Hey everyone, posted by willie on July 25, 2003, at 7:41:39
Gosh, Willie, i hear and take joy in your sense of progress!
Have a wonderful vacation! We'll miss you. You so quickly have become such a real treasure here!
wishing you safe and happy travels
love and hugs,
zinya
Posted by catachrest on July 25, 2003, at 11:22:25
In reply to Re: Pssstt......., posted by Dinah on July 25, 2003, at 11:09:03
Hi everyone,
I have a question about side effects with Effexor. I'm acquainted with what they generally are, but I'm curious as to why the medication does this. What are the chemical processes that allow an antidepressant to make me tired, or shaky, or lose my appetite? Just curious.
Susan
Posted by NThompson on July 25, 2003, at 13:18:14
In reply to Re: Effexor - what do u mean by imposter?, posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 14:00:54
Hi there Daph,
I have been away for a few days and just saw your post. You shouldn't feel like an imposter here. This is a place for support. I have been able to say things to people here that I can't tell some friends and family. And the stregth of the RXs isn't what's important. Right now I'm only on 75mg of Effexor and 25mg of Paxil, I do take 50mg of Trazadone at night. But what works for one person doesn't for another. There are people on here who have been battleing depression for years and some for months. Some have gone farther than others, I actually tried suicide and I don't recommend it, but all of us need help and support from people who actually understand what we are all feeling.
So hang in there and feel free to talk about anything hear. We are all here in support for each other, so that we all get better!
Good luck,
Nyia
Posted by zinya on July 25, 2003, at 14:48:23
In reply to Re: Side Effects: why? (For you scientific types), posted by catachrest on July 25, 2003, at 11:22:25
Well, i'm no physiologist but i'll take a stab: I think it's because the drug is a chemical that targets our serotonin, an essential catalyst or something in our daily functioning and presumably, i guess, if in fact we need a serotonin-related drug to "correct" an imbalance we may have, that imbalance is probably one our body has adapted to over a long period of time, and because it -- like hormones too -- affects so much throughout our bodies, things that have adapted to getting by sort of 'on crutches' trying to compensate for a deficiency (of serotonin-processors?), our bodies can react in different ways as it tries to readjust back to normal. In some cases, the same side effects could be because the person didn't really have a serotonin problem and the body may be trying to reject it. I think that's why you have to wait a while (days or weeks) to see over time if the body adjust in a positive way and we start to feel better or if we just keep feeling only the bad side effects.
Similarly, Effexor also works on norepinephrine as well as serotonin, so there's two different systems in our bodies making adjustments though apparently at the beginning it's mostly the serotonin effects we feel first. But then, if i understand correctly, the norepinephrine affects our adrenal system, and obviously adrenalin levels affect all kinds of reactions in our bodies too.
Well, that's about all i can take a stab at, and maybe this isn't what you meant. If somebody knows better or has another idea, please speak up!
:)
zinya
Posted by theo on July 25, 2003, at 16:27:03
In reply to Re: Scooter and anyone who's afraid of upping dose » Scooter1, posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 12:19:22
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 25, 2003, at 19:57:05
In reply to Redirect: Resurect'g Pleasers w/men who are Cont, posted by Dr. Bob on July 24, 2003, at 19:28:04
> Psychological Babble is about psychology and psychological treatments, Psycho-Social-Babble is for general support and "just" being social
And as Dinah mentioned, Psycho-Babble Administration concerns the operation of this site. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20030508/msgs/245292.html
Bob
Posted by yankeegirl on July 25, 2003, at 20:28:36
In reply to Redirect: posting policies, posted by Dr. Bob on July 25, 2003, at 19:57:05
Hi Ladies, (I think you are all ladies)
Sigh. There haven't been many posts this afternoon. What are we all thinking? I actually had a SECOND post not show up. Am I doing something wrong? I know I am on the Effexor thread, I get the message that says "your message was posted", I refresh, even log off and log on, and 2 messages did not show up. They were long ones too! Do I have to copy to word as a backup from now on? I'm entering now to see if this posts. Yankeegirl
Posted by Dinah on July 25, 2003, at 21:02:22
In reply to Re: Effexor Club - what do we do now?, posted by yankeegirl on July 25, 2003, at 20:57:07
Dr. Bob just moved them all to Psycho-Social Babble, as is his custom. And the others to Psycho-babble Administration.
And he made a very nice apology to you on Psycho-Social Babble. That alone should be worth a trip there. :)
Thanks for the kind words, Yankeegirl.
Posted by mercedes on July 25, 2003, at 21:15:28
In reply to Effexor Club - what do we do now?, posted by yankeegirl on July 25, 2003, at 20:28:36
YankeeGirl, glad to see you are still here. I've been looking for that other site and other than Susy's post, which was histerical, I've had a bad day with this but as Cher said, we are licking our wounds once again. But we are survivors or at least trying to survive which is what led us to this EFFEXOR site. (I'm on 300mg of Effexor XR just for the record.) However even if I wasn't on medication, I would still have this chemical imbalance in my brain and would like to hear from other's who are having difficulties with dealing with their problems and offer my support If I can. My happyness can go away in an instant which happened today as I was hashing out my anger and guilt within myself and feeling depressed that I may have lost my support group.
Nice to hear from you and glad you're back.
And I'm still here.
Mercedes
Posted by zinya on July 25, 2003, at 21:39:27
In reply to Re: Effexor Club - I'm still here » yankeegirl, posted by mercedes on July 25, 2003, at 21:15:28
hi all
I wrote a long post too earlier today - it was a response to mercedes but to anyone else as well - it also got moved.
I'm just writing to let you all know that mine as well as several others from various ones of us got moved in a lump sum over to the Psycho-Social Babble. They're all together under one post called "Redirect..." and it says it's from Dr. Bob but what it really is is all of our posts from here one after the other inside one big post.
So you can go there to see what we wrote here earlier today which is now no longer permitted on this site unless it's only about Effexor. Anything about the rest of our lives is getting moved to the other site. Look for us there and/or write to Cher's e-mail as she suggested in her post to Yankee and we could also all exchange e-mails too if we wind up preferring...
It's been a very unexpectedly disruptive day to the sense of security and groupness, so some of us have just kind of petered out for a while
love and hugs,
zinya
Posted by NThompson on July 25, 2003, at 22:08:50
In reply to Effexor Club - what do we do now?, posted by yankeegirl on July 25, 2003, at 20:28:36
Good Evening Yankeegirl,
Sometimes I have problems with that. I have to go all the way out of the website and then go back in. When I do that I see the posts I have sent. I hope your day is going well.
Hope that works,
Nyia
Posted by zinya on July 25, 2003, at 23:35:36
In reply to Re: Trying to understand, posted by Susy on July 25, 2003, at 22:59:26
Daph,
How are you doing? Dosage going okay?
Your last post, you expected to be back today (Friday) but something must have come up. Well, it turned out to be quite a day here - of upheaval.
In addition to the post above which I replied to your last post (still on the 24th), there are two other posts in particular you should read to know what happened to us... We've been transplanted...
These following two posts (which you will find above here) give different aspects of where we are now and what happened:
* Re: what do we do now? » yankeegirl CherC68 7/25/03
* Yankee, Kim, Nyia, Willie, Merc, Cher, Susy et al zinya 7/25/03
hope to hear from you soon, somewhere, via Cher or on other site or both...
love and hugs,
zinya
Posted by migrainegirl on July 26, 2003, at 10:46:56
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal IS FINE » jtc, posted by KimberlyDi on June 27, 2003, at 12:32:20
I'm brand new to this site and just increased my dose of Effexor to 375. I've just entered menopause, my first-born is headed off to college and I just moved my dad 600 miles from his home to a nursing home near me. I cry constantly and can't seem to cope with the most minor problem. Do you think this much Effexor will help?
Posted by Helaine on July 26, 2003, at 11:04:26
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I had a hysterectomy at age 42 and am going through menopause. My doctor put me on Effexor xr 37.5 mg once a day. He told me he see's wonderful
results from many women that are going through the "changes" Has anyone heard of this and if so is it helping? My family is tired of wearing garlic around their necks from my mood swings..not to mention I'm not thrilled of the way I feel as well.
I have taken my 4th dose today..so far I don't feel much like eating (A GREAT THING) and I do feel as though my energy level and coping skills are slowly returning!! Any comments..would be appreciated!!!!! However I am still getting hot flushes..but he said give it 2 weeks!
Posted by yankeegirl on July 26, 2003, at 13:03:12
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal IS FINE, posted by migrainegirl on July 26, 2003, at 10:46:56
> I'm brand new to this site and just increased my dose of Effexor to 375. I've just entered menopause, my first-born is headed off to college and I just moved my dad 600 miles from his home to a nursing home near me. I cry constantly and can't seem to cope with the most minor problem. Do you think this much Effexor will help?
Hi Migrainegirl,
I just upped my dose of Effexor to 150. (I only enter this because now posts under "effexor" have to actually be about effexor...)
I am one of about 7 of us who have been posting here a lot in the last month. We also have evolved past the dosages and wanted to talk more about the issues which made us depressed in the first place. We all felt safe with each other and as we started to share innermost thoughts and secrets, Dr. Bob 'redirected' all our posts to the other section "psycho-social" because we were being 'social' and not talking about effexor any more, and he wants 'psycho-babble' to be only about medications and not as a support group.
That put us into a total turmoil, and we spent all day yesterday trying to figure out where to meet. Some of us just don't like the 'social' and it seems less safe emotionally. Some of us have been emailing each other instead until we all agree on what to do.
I think we are all coming back to here, "effexor", to see what is happening, and to maybe pick up new members for our email club (!?!?!?) -- other posters who have been on Effexor for a while and for whom side effects and dose levels are not as much of an issue. If you would like to join us,
(and anybody else reading this who feels the same) then respond to this post.People need to be more careful about giving out their email addresses, so I don't know how many would want to share theirs with you right away. As I said, we are just starting to figure out what to do. Yankeegirl
Posted by yankeegirl on July 26, 2003, at 13:30:22
In reply to Effexor XR for Menoapause, posted by Helaine on July 26, 2003, at 11:04:26
> I had a hysterectomy at age 42 and am going through menopause. My doctor put me on Effexor xr 37.5 mg once a day. He told me he see's wonderful
> results from many women that are going through the "changes" Has anyone heard of this and if so is it helping? My family is tired of wearing garlic around their necks from my mood swings..not to mention I'm not thrilled of the way I feel as well.
> I have taken my 4th dose today..so far I don't feel much like eating (A GREAT THING) and I do feel as though my energy level and coping skills are slowly returning!! Any comments..would be appreciated!!!!! However I am still getting hot flushes..but he said give it 2 weeks!Hi Helaine,
I've been reading posts here for a month, probably a thousand of them, and I don't remember anybody being prescribed Effexor distinctly for menopause. Many people have taken Paxil or Zoloft and many other things for depression, but typically people who take Effexor have it because of depression PLUS anxiety. It can also help with OCD.
When you mention having increased energy and coping skills, I would hazard to say that that is a placebo effect (which isn't bad either) because the effexor builds up in your brain slowly and it takes at least 2 weeks to start to feel a difference, at least that is what psychiatrists and most posters say. I didn't really feel any change over even a month. Right away I did feel 'less overwhelmed' but I think that is because I finally found a kind dentist. I still did not have energy to do things until yesterday, I started my first dose of 150, up from 112, and had 2 iced teas, and last night and today my brain is just jumping! To some people, caffeine really magnifies the anti-depressant effect. Also, some people get the opposite reaction to drinking alcohol, the next day, you feel slow and unenergetic again, as if the alcohol wiped out the antidepressant for the next 2 days.
I don't see how Effexor will help you with hot flashes because MANY posters here have a side effect of mucho sweating. Others dont. Some take their effexor in the morning so they can sleep at night, some take it at night so they wont be tired all day.
I dont' know how many people have NO side effects, because they have no reason to really come here to find out about it. I, myself, have noticed no side effects, except for really feeling awake during the day for a change.
Are you seeing a family doctor or psychiatist? From reading so many posts, I would say that family doctors have to know about so many things, they only know a little about everything - jack of all trades, master of none. So they do not know that there are bad withdrawal effects unless you taper off VERY slowly, some people who know they are really sensitive even go so far as opening capsules and dividing into halves, thirds, and quarters! If you forget to take it one day, you may get very bad side effects too. And some keep their patients at the beginning 37.5 dose without increasing. Psychiatrists know more about each different drug and the subleties of when to use what and how to change dosing to minimize side effects.
Other posters are on Effexor during menopause, but it is not BECAUSE they are in menopause.
That is all my own opinion gleaned from reading the posts that I have read. Hope that gives you a start... Yankeegirl
Posted by Helaine on July 26, 2003, at 14:32:32
In reply to Re: Effexor XR for Menoapause, posted by yankeegirl on July 26, 2003, at 13:30:22
Dear Yankeegirl:
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.Just a foot note I love the yankees too!
My family dr. prescribed it to me but I am also seeing a psychologist as well. I was very confused when he told me it will help my hot flashes seeing one of the side effect are hot flashes. However, he told me not to read the side effects as if I am going to listen to him..ha!However, I did just learn that a counsin of mine was taking effexor for her hot flashes and she said it was a miracle. So, I guess I will have to wait and see.
I do take it 1st thing in the morning because I don't want to have problems sleeping. I think my energy level is going up because I am eating less and that in itself does make me feel better. I also am suffering from depression and was on zoloft,paxil,prozac..you name it I took it! I stopped for many years..but the menopause seems to have brought on all the old feelings again.
Thank you once again!!!!!!!!!
Helaine!
Posted by yankeegirl on July 26, 2003, at 14:54:03
In reply to Re: Effexor XR for Menoapause, posted by Helaine on July 26, 2003, at 14:32:32
> Dear Yankeegirl:
> Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.Just a foot note I love the yankees too!
> My family dr. prescribed it to me but I am also seeing a psychologist as well. I was very confused when he told me it will help my hot flashes seeing one of the side effect are hot flashes. However, he told me not to read the side effects as if I am going to listen to him..ha!However, I did just learn that a counsin of mine was taking effexor for her hot flashes and she said it was a miracle. So, I guess I will have to wait and see.
> I do take it 1st thing in the morning because I don't want to have problems sleeping. I think my energy level is going up because I am eating less and that in itself does make me feel better. I also am suffering from depression and was on zoloft,paxil,prozac..you name it I took it! I stopped for many years..but the menopause seems to have brought on all the old feelings again.
> Thank you once again!!!!!!!!!
> Helaine!Hi Helaine,
I can see why your doctor would tell you NOT to read about the SEs (side effects). Many first time posters went 'AAAAAHHHH, I'm afraid to even try it', but that is why I mentioned - we don't know how many people are fine and fabulous on it because they would have no reason to even search the internet for other people with SEs.
Well, if Effexor really does help hot flashes, you have informed all of the people reading this site - cause nobody knew that before, that I know of anyway.
Please update on your progress. Yankeegirl
>
Posted by loja on July 26, 2003, at 16:30:03
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Has anyone had precognitive dreams or noticed more "sensitivity" on effexor?
Since starting on 75mg about 2 months ago, my dreams are wonderfully rich, vivid and positive (for a change) and several have announced events that have gone on to happen. I'm curious if the drug is doing this, or if feeling better is permitting me to experience more sensitivity.
any comments welcome.
thanks.
Posted by yankeegirl on July 26, 2003, at 18:15:28
In reply to Psychic Dreams?, posted by loja on July 26, 2003, at 16:30:03
> Has anyone had precognitive dreams or noticed more "sensitivity" on effexor?
>
> Since starting on 75mg about 2 months ago, my dreams are wonderfully rich, vivid and positive (for a change) and several have announced events that have gone on to happen. I'm curious if the drug is doing this, or if feeling better is permitting me to experience more sensitivity.
>
> any comments welcome.
>
> thanks.Hi,
MANY posters have said they have more interesting, vivid dreams that they really enjoy. I think only one person from past postings had nightmares. A lot of people say they miss the dreams when they go off Effexor.
Noone has said anything about being psychic though. The posts I read were from the beginning in 1999 and since May 2003, probably 1,000 I've read. I did read in a Newsweek cover article about dreams that, they are not so much about something that you have to figure out like Freud believed, but people have to sleep so your brain can heal itself and it goes to all the connections and does repairs, which is why sleep deprivation is a torture, because your brain has not healed from what has happened each day. I guess it makes sense that dreams can be so wierd because all the different memories at the sites being healed are all lumped together in a dream? I'm guessing...
I particularly liked the Effexor dream I had where Bruce Willis was trying to convince me to date him! Hee hee. Yankeegirl
Posted by migrainegirl on July 26, 2003, at 18:16:26
In reply to Re: Effexor XR for Menoapause, posted by Helaine on July 26, 2003, at 14:32:32
Thanks for the info about Effexor being effective for menopause---my psychiatrist prescribed it primarily for depression, but I am finding it indicated for migraines and now menopause as well. Makes me feel better about taking such a high dose (375). You might also try black cohosh, found in Remifemin (over the counter) for your hot flashes. It has really helped me!
Posted by redman on July 27, 2003, at 10:20:31
In reply to Re: Is there anyone else who is only taking 37.5? » willie, posted by zinya on July 18, 2003, at 16:20:00
I was the one who posted the cost of effexor. I'm taking 2, 37.5 a day for some reasone? Instead of one 75.
Posted by redman on July 27, 2003, at 10:35:10
In reply to Going from 37.5 to 75mg, posted by Scooter1 on July 22, 2003, at 8:14:53
I went to 75 from 37.5 a week ago.. noticed no difference at all..
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