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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Mattsit on September 11, 2003, at 8:34:41
In reply to Have I got too many side-effects?, posted by cherry on October 17, 2002, at 23:09:03
Hi everyone. I am scared to death. I used to drink a lot 2001-2002....stopped finally last november 2002. In between 2001 and 2002 I was on paxil for anxiety and depression. It worked and i stopped taking it after 4 months on my own.
Well now im going through tough times maybe losing my job, and all my crazy anxiety thoughts and depression returned. I saw a new doctor and told him about my current thoughts and that i needed help but didnt want to take paxil because it caused me to have a foggy head....well lets just say after 4 days of effexor, I feel like im out of my mind. I dont know if its the effexor or the drinking a year ago...it doesnt make sense, i know...but my anxiety has only gone up. My brain is completely fogged out...i cant concentrate or see clearly...blurred vision, slowed vision...sweaty palms and even shakier hands than usual. Is this normal effexor side effects, or am i nuts and brain damaged from drinking????? HELP...i feel completely crazy, like i cant go on...I called the doc and he said to discontinue effexor and see him next week...help.
Posted by oeps7 on September 11, 2003, at 9:25:40
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal-benedryl helps (nm) » psychobunny, posted by loolot on September 7, 2003, at 10:47:21
do you gain weight on the benadryl- it's helping me withdrawals but also increases my appetite ten fold.
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 11, 2003, at 11:37:47
In reply to Effexor and my Foggy Brain, posted by Mattsit on September 11, 2003, at 8:34:41
I'm in the same boat as you, but in a much nicer section than you seem to be in. Effexor works for me wonderfully, but I enjoyed the Immediate Release (IR) instead of the XR version. I could feel the calmness soon after taking it. After 4 days, I don't believe your dosage would be high enough to be a therapeutic level. So either you are having a bad reaction to Effexor, or your stress is unaffected by the low dosage that you might be taking. Be calm, go see your doc. Something will work for you. Things will get better. I came from a very bad place to where I am now. I wish you luck!
Hang in There!
KDi in Texas> Hi everyone. I am scared to death. I used to drink a lot 2001-2002....stopped finally last november 2002. In between 2001 and 2002 I was on paxil for anxiety and depression. It worked and i stopped taking it after 4 months on my own.
>
> Well now im going through tough times maybe losing my job, and all my crazy anxiety thoughts and depression returned. I saw a new doctor and told him about my current thoughts and that i needed help but didnt want to take paxil because it caused me to have a foggy head....well lets just say after 4 days of effexor, I feel like im out of my mind. I dont know if its the effexor or the drinking a year ago...it doesnt make sense, i know...but my anxiety has only gone up. My brain is completely fogged out...i cant concentrate or see clearly...blurred vision, slowed vision...sweaty palms and even shakier hands than usual. Is this normal effexor side effects, or am i nuts and brain damaged from drinking????? HELP...i feel completely crazy, like i cant go on...I called the doc and he said to discontinue effexor and see him next week...help.
Posted by Salty_dog on September 11, 2003, at 12:01:14
In reply to Effexor and my Foggy Brain, posted by Mattsit on September 11, 2003, at 8:34:41
You where getting close to ending the side-effects that most of the people on Psycho-Babble have had. I can't speak for others, but, I have noticed severe side-effects for 4-7 days and then a different set of side-effects (less pronounced) thereafter.
Because you have stopped drinking recently, you are going to go through 1-2 years of withdrawl mentally, physically and emotionaly.
I know whence you come from. Hang in there. Don't drink and go to meetings. Wellbutrin will probably be a better choice if you need an anti-depressant. but, try to remember that the depression will pass with time as long as you don't drink. I you are experiencing highs and lows then it is defantly the alcohol dance, and anti-depressants may be a waste of time and Wellbutrin can be abused.
Once again, Hang in there, go to meetings and don't drink. If you drink, depression gets worse.
Posted by loolot on September 11, 2003, at 12:07:12
In reply to Bad psychiatrists...., posted by sufferfromeffexor on September 10, 2003, at 19:19:11
I can relate to your situation. I just went off effexor about three weeks ago, and I have plunged back into a deperate depression, crying, sleeping, and completely unable to function.
I called my doc a few time leaving messages, then paging him. His secretary called back saying he would just talk to me on my appt in week.
I felt so abandoned with nowhere to turn for help.
I am so sorry you are feeling bad. The effexor withdrawal was awful but I started taking benedryl for the queasiness and it really helped.
I dont think these doctors are very well trained in relating with their patients, unfortunately.
Posted by Mattsit on September 11, 2003, at 12:52:52
In reply to Re: Effexor and my Foggy Brain » Mattsit, posted by Salty_dog on September 11, 2003, at 12:01:14
Salty Dog,
I need some advice from you...Having been an abusive drinker for that year and a half, I stopped last november...I had a rough time until about march, and gradually felt better and better. Now I think my depression/anxiety/hopeless thoughts are more related to unsure job security...I might be getting canned, im looking, but the economy is so horrible!
Anyway, have other people on here had my side effects 4 days into Effexor? The foggy head was absolutely the worst...I feel like the sides of my head are squeezed at the top. I definately was also dizzy, chills, sweaty hands, and nasuea.
Posted by Salty_dog on September 11, 2003, at 13:08:14
In reply to Re: Bad psychiatrists...., posted by loolot on September 11, 2003, at 12:07:12
I think they(PhyDr) know exactly what they are doing.
1) They don't get paid for a phone call.
2) They know that withdrawl is hell and the only solutions either take to long or the quick solutions are addictive (Xanax, ...)
3) Because of #2 above, they avoid talking to you unless you are making them look bad (showing up at the emergency ward with suicidal tendicies which you told the PhyDr. about) in the public's eye.
I think the bottom line is Hell if you do and Hell if you don't. If you manage to get some help from a Dr. it may prolong or delay the enviable.
My best wishes are with you.> I can relate to your situation. I just went off effexor about three weeks ago, and I have plunged back into a deperate depression, crying, sleeping, and completely unable to function.
> I called my doc a few time leaving messages, then paging him. His secretary called back saying he would just talk to me on my appt in week.
> I felt so abandoned with nowhere to turn for help.
> I am so sorry you are feeling bad. The effexor withdrawal was awful but I started taking benedryl for the queasiness and it really helped.
> I dont think these doctors are very well trained in relating with their patients, unfortunately.
>
>
Posted by Salty_dog on September 11, 2003, at 13:11:25
In reply to Salty Dog-Effexor and my Foggy Brain, posted by Mattsit on September 11, 2003, at 12:52:52
I need to do some errands now and I will return to give you an answer after about 5pm EDT. Hang in there.
Posted by Music on September 11, 2003, at 13:21:51
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
A,
I hope you have a good time with your mom. I went to my PsyDoc today and she upped my Effexor XR to 300mg a day. 150mg in the AM and 150 mg at 3:00 p.m. I told about the dark thoughts and all. She told me that I should be going to therapy at least once a week and to never go without therapy for 3 weeks like I did these past weeks. I told her that my therapist mom died and I had no choice. She said come and see her if my therapist can't fit me in next time. Anyway, post me when you get back. My support group meeting went well last night, it was deep very deep but went well. Keep in touch.
Music
Posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 13:50:59
In reply to Effexor and my Foggy Brain, posted by Mattsit on September 11, 2003, at 8:34:41
hi Matt,
your pdoc sounds wise. Best to talk to him/her in depth about your symptoms -- Write them down while they're still fresh - like a daily journal of what you felt each of the first 4 days to be able to give him a concrete picture of what happened when --
and what time you took meds, whether on full stomach etc...
What dose are you at? Even if you're at 37.5 but especially at 75, I think most of us here would encourage you not to stop cold-turkey though most doctors don't warn about this - but even after just 4 days, some people have had bad reactions to cold turkey. Either open up an XR capsule and divide the grains in half per day and then 1/3 or 1/4 per day OR go to taking one every other day and then after 3 days before quitting...
You COULD, if part of you is frustrated at not having it work and giving up too soon, try a couple days more at your current dose first but changing the time of day or taking it on an even fuller stomach than you currently are to see if it makes any difference and THEN taper off... But if you're glad the pdoc said to quit, then just taper off now...
my 2c worth
and good luck,
zinya
Posted by loolot on September 11, 2003, at 14:17:12
In reply to anyone had weight gain?, posted by nocalmaggie on July 23, 2003, at 10:39:59
Posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 14:17:13
In reply to Re: Effexor and my Foggy Brain » Mattsit, posted by KimberlyDi on September 11, 2003, at 11:37:47
Hi Kim,
long time no write... How ARE you? From this post, it sounds like things are still 'cooking' for you on Eff, which is great...
I reached a decision that i had to quit and started tapering down a week ago... Three main reasons plus hopefully finding an alternative...
First, they say on the pharm. blurb that 2% of Effexor users quit due to sweating. Well, of all the reasons, that's tied for top reason so i guess i'm one of those 2%... I started having sweating excesses way back in June at just 37.5 (when i went up from 19 mg) ... and i kept hoping it would phase out like other SE's but alas, no... Just got stronger by 150 mg, and I literally could not go outside in the shade to prune a few branches for 5-10 minutes without becoming clammy, sweaty, having to rip off clothes and take a shower again and it often obliged me to miss a social outing cuz i was so sweaty and body temp so overheated that i couldn't stand getting dressed... I've never been a sweat-er my whole life and this came as a really out-of-control intolerable SE after 2 months of it or more... Oh, also waking up in the middle of the night with nightshirt and sheets somewhere between damp and sopping wet ... just crazy... not every night but too many nights...
Second, and it took me longer to come to terms with and face the reality of this one: Gardening is not supposed to be an aerobic exercise. But my weekly gardening -- about 1-1/2 to 2 hours, enough to fill usually about 3 huge bags worth and thus fill a municipal refuse container for pickup each week. By the time i stopped that amount of gardening - and sometimes long before finishing, i would sit down with a heart pounding like crazy - just from reaching, pulling, cutting, pruning, etc. And then getting in the shower afterwards -- with of course my clothes from the nonstop sweating being so wet head to toe you could wring them out and getting "winded" even while shampooing ... It took a while before i realized just what a bad sign it was... And realized i actually was afraid to try real exercise like swimming or much walking -- the kind of thing that <i>would</i> normally have my heart beating -- cuz i might have a heart attack... I had to postpone my last md. appt cuz my car was broken and so i didn't get my BP measured, but i didn't need to in order to know this combo was just too much.
The third factor was that even after about 5 wks at 150, there was never any sustained energy that should have started kicking in from the norepinephrine effects ... And the thought of an md. saying "Go higher" given the SE's i was already having seemed crazy...
With all that, suddenly out of the blue came the news 2 weeks ago of the new study showing that Omega-3 (1 gram / day) had significantly improved depression in people who had found no help from Prozac, etc... AND the study found that the reason was Omega-3 plays a direct role on serotonin. Well, that was enough to make me head for my Trader Joe's and buy a bottle of 500 mg pills ... I've been a fish eater, but it has to be salmon or a few other specific things and getting 1 gram a day every day seemed preposterous so got the capsules... The first one had an unexpected effect - TOTALLY clearing out my Effexor-aggravated problem with constipation, so much so that its aftermath felt more like a little queasy ... And that was only on 500 mg Omega-3, thinking i'd take one at night with Effexor and another in the a.m. (At that point, i wasn't yet thinking of quitting the Effexor)
Then i laid off the Omega for a couple days just thinking i should give my system a rest from the GI clearout, and resumed the Omega at just 500 mg per night again, and by a week later, suddenly i was feeling sustained energy levels that were like going from about a '1' on a scale of 0-10 up to about '5' almost on a dime... And it persisted ... Such that i think i've been at about a '6' or so on energy level and doing things i hadn't been able to do for a year energy-wise...
So that added to my conviction that the Effexor and its SE's just had to go... I started tapering down to 100 mg (2 capsules of 150 split into 3 roughly equal granule portions) a week ago - tonight will be the last of 9 such nights and then i plan to go down to 75 ... I've been so far (knock on wood) pleased to have quite tolerable withdrawal effects... A bit woozy or something the first day or two -- weird head feeling ... but then that passed and wasn't serious anyway. ALREADY though the sweating has diminished considerably and my heart didn't beat like crazy after this week's gardening for the first time in months... since June (having started Eff. in late May) ...
SO, that's my update... I'm tapering off... and planning to double my Omega-3 up to 1 gram at some point ... Plus another person also grieving a parent now swears by Spirulina for both energy and depression which i bought to try too but am waiting til off Effexor and not wanting to only change one thing at a time...
our e-mail group has been on overdrive of late which has been consuming all my cybertime and i haven't made it back here -- mostly to say Hi to you and Willie (is she still posting?) -- but i will keep periodically checking in...
with best wishes!
zinya
Posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 14:58:35
In reply to Re: 4 Wks off Effexor-/joint pain , posted by oeps7 on September 9, 2003, at 13:56:10
To any of you who've commented on this -- I'm tapering off now, as reported earlier today, and i'm wondering about your joint pain ...
Have you tried taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin? I wonder if that would help.
These are joint pains you DIDN"T have before going on Effexor??
Posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 15:10:10
In reply to Re: Message for Angelina, posted by Angelina on September 9, 2003, at 17:09:12
dear Angelina,
sending you compassionate hugs ... I lost my mom a year ago August 3 and it's taken 13 months for me to begin to start feeling like i'm genuinely on an uphill path now... Be good to yourself (which means honoring your feelings and letting them be).
thinking of you <i>especially</i> today and having a real sense of the grief that is surely feeling overwhelming... It certainly did for me for months... Know that you have people to hear you (although i learned myself the hard way that Dr. Bob soon boots these non-Effexor-related posts over to the Social forum, just to warn you it may happen)...
i haven't been a regular here lately, but i will check back periodically...
wishing you comfort and someone you know you can cry with and talk to... here if not physically near you...
zinya
Posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 15:24:31
In reply to Message for Angelina, posted by Music on September 11, 2003, at 13:21:51
Hi Music,
i've been offline for a couple of weeks and just back in posting my update earlier here, and i've read several of your recent exchanges with Angelina... Forgive me for possibly 'barging in' but hearing your angst and understanding at least some of what it seems you're going through... I thought i'd offer the one thing in particular that came to mind as i read an earlier post of yours...
I'm sensing that a core problem might be feeling a sense of no control over your life, given your circumstances... And this can often lead to 'dark thoughts' when people sense at the end of their options to find ways of some sort of control over some -- at least one -- gratifying aspect of their lives. I think every human needs that and its lack is sooner or later depression-inducing if not devastating.
Without wishing to sound simplistic by any means, I would encourage you to think about -- despite the things you can't control like the frequent moves and the need to work to support your family, to think either back or forward to something that brings you satisfaction or pleasure that you could reintroduce into your life as much for a sense of 'control' over some aspect of your daily life that would be a beginning place. I thought Angelina's suggestions were good but also thought they might seem like "too much" to imagine tackling yet, and even something seemingly 'small' and very realistic could be a key step...
wishing you well and sending compassionate hugs to you, Music,
zinya
Posted by oeps7 on September 11, 2003, at 15:28:05
In reply to Re: 4 Wks off Effexor-/joint pain » oeps7, posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 14:58:35
Zinya,
Hi, I didn't have the joint pain until I started tapering off the effexor - it's a general flu like feeling - benadryl seems to work. Do you take a multi vitamin?
Mary
Posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 15:47:44
In reply to Re: Effexor down the hatch » zinya, posted by KimberlyDi on August 22, 2003, at 17:39:47
hi again Kim,
I just worked my way back through posts to your reply here to my last previous post, and i'm sorry i disappeared for so long... I've updated you in my earlier post, but just want to add how sorry i am to hear how distressed things were becoming and i will be interested to hear what your pdoc said about meds etc..
sending you Texas-size hugs :)
zinya
Posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 15:53:58
In reply to Re: 4 Wks off Effexor-/joint pain, posted by oeps7 on September 11, 2003, at 15:28:05
yes... and, as per earlier updating today in another post, now Omega-3 ... plus extra vitamin E and Glucosamine-Chondoitrine but not as faithfully on the latter as i should...
If it gets bad and nothing helps, and you're willing to try another drug for it, Celebrex might be something to talk to your doc about as well...
For me, my problems predated Effexor and i haven't been sure if the level is overall any better or worse, although another poster got worse joint point after starting Effex... I think it's yet another S-E which seems to work binary fashion ... Some people go one direction on Effex, while others go the opposite direction... Kind of amazing and hard to generalize from...
wishing you well,
zinya
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 11, 2003, at 16:01:53
In reply to Re: Effexor and my Foggy Brain » Mattsit, posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 13:50:59
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 11, 2003, at 16:15:07
In reply to Re: HI Kim... Going off Effexor...on Omega-3 » KimberlyDi, posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 14:17:13
Glad you are out and about continuously trying to find what works for you. Hope you reach that 10 energy level status. With Strattera taking away the Effexor fuzziness to my thinking, i'm feeling as close to normal as i've ever been. I've been searching since 1997 for something that works right for me, and finally found it, and finally found myself.
I do have some heart palpitations occassionally. From Effexor? I dunno, I've experienced them before. I only ONCE experienced the sweating. I had one severe crying jag that scared the you-know-what out of me and I was feeling some depression settle back down on me. Since adding Strattera to my mix, my spirits seem to have lifted some.
Take care and hope to see you around more.
KDi in Texas
Posted by Angelina on September 11, 2003, at 16:28:58
In reply to Re: Message for Angelina » Angelina, posted by zinya on September 11, 2003, at 15:10:10
> dear Angelina,
>
> sending you compassionate hugs ... I lost my mom a year ago August 3 and it's taken 13 months for me to begin to start feeling like i'm genuinely on an uphill path now... Be good to yourself (which means honoring your feelings and letting them be).
>
> thinking of you <i>especially</i> today and having a real sense of the grief that is surely feeling overwhelming... It certainly did for me for months... Know that you have people to hear you (although i learned myself the hard way that Dr. Bob soon boots these non-Effexor-related posts over to the Social forum, just to warn you it may happen)...
>
> i haven't been a regular here lately, but i will check back periodically...
>
> wishing you comfort and someone you know you can cry with and talk to... here if not physically near you...
>
> zinya> Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your kind words made me cry, but that's okay. Making it through each day...
Angelina
Posted by Angelina on September 11, 2003, at 16:33:40
In reply to Message for Angelina, posted by Music on September 11, 2003, at 13:21:51
> A,
>
> I hope you have a good time with your mom. I went to my PsyDoc today and she upped my Effexor XR to 300mg a day. 150mg in the AM and 150 mg at 3:00 p.m. I told about the dark thoughts and all. She told me that I should be going to therapy at least once a week and to never go without therapy for 3 weeks like I did these past weeks. I told her that my therapist mom died and I had no choice. She said come and see her if my therapist can't fit me in next time. Anyway, post me when you get back. My support group meeting went well last night, it was deep very deep but went well. Keep in touch.
>
> Music
> Music,
Thanks again for sending along your kind thoughts. I'm so glad you saw your doctor; it sounds like she's taking you seriously, which is great. I'll be back Sunday, so I'll look for your posts then.
Hope you're able to do something fun this weekend!
Angelina
Posted by ShelbyLane on September 11, 2003, at 19:51:06
In reply to Re: Doc wants me to try Effexor XR » neecy1014, posted by quilter on July 6, 2000, at 22:40:03
Hi everyone :)
Two days ago my doctor prescribed effexor for panic attacks, we think ...(?) and for depression and a large amount of stress! I am a little scared about the side effects as I am a single mother, holding down two jobs. I have no time to be stressed or depressed, my children are very young 9 and 5, and i am a legal assistant who has to help others. I also waitress on the weekends, and have to be able to approach people. Plus i have been feeling really dizzy lately, the doc said it may be attributed to the panic attacks. I asked for a miracle and wanted something that was going to help me right away. However,she said that i must start on 37.5 mg per day. I will say that i was much calmer today, and able to "cope" much better than i had in the past. I haven't really noticed many side effects other than the calmness, and i think i can deal with that just fine. lol.
I guess basically my worry is the side effects, and how long it will take to notice an great change. Is this medication prescribed as prozac has been in the past, and is it similiar, I apoligize for the questions, however, this site is the first one i found with any info on effexor.
Thanks to all for any replys:)
Shelby
Ontario, Canada
Posted by pkls on September 11, 2003, at 20:50:48
In reply to Recently started taking Effexor xr, posted by ShelbyLane on September 11, 2003, at 19:51:06
Hi!
My doctor prescribed Effexor when I was under alot of stress helping my son through depression. That was about 8 months ago. I remember calling him the first week, wanting to "jump out of my skin", and he said "Stick with it". I am at 150mg, which I did gradually, and know I will have to gradually go off. Right now, it makes me "more normal"...I react to situations rationally instead of being agressive or crying or some other polarity. I really don't like to be on medication, but for now, I am having the best professional year I have had in a long time (as a teacher)and things at home are working out, and I am there for my kids and hubby.
Am I scared about going off Effexor?...you bet...but I have to admit its made a heck of a difference in my mental state.
Getting on and off is kind of like the takeoff and landing on a plane...hold on, cuz its a rough one.
Good luck...these drugs effect everyone a bit differently, and none are for everyone. Tweaking is a big word with my son's therapist, and its true...and you have to keep monitoring it.
> Hi everyone :)
>
> Two days ago my doctor prescribed effexor for panic attacks, we think ...(?) and for depression and a large amount of stress! I am a little scared about the side effects as I am a single mother, holding down two jobs. I have no time to be stressed or depressed, my children are very young 9 and 5, and i am a legal assistant who has to help others. I also waitress on the weekends, and have to be able to approach people. Plus i have been feeling really dizzy lately, the doc said it may be attributed to the panic attacks. I asked for a miracle and wanted something that was going to help me right away. However,she said that i must start on 37.5 mg per day. I will say that i was much calmer today, and able to "cope" much better than i had in the past. I haven't really noticed many side effects other than the calmness, and i think i can deal with that just fine. lol.
>
> I guess basically my worry is the side effects, and how long it will take to notice an great change. Is this medication prescribed as prozac has been in the past, and is it similiar, I apoligize for the questions, however, this site is the first one i found with any info on effexor.
> Thanks to all for any replys:)
> Shelby
> Ontario, Canada
Posted by J9 on September 11, 2003, at 20:51:31
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor Yesterday, posted by J9 on September 10, 2003, at 14:45:53
Someone help, PLEASE!!!!!!!! I am at my wits end. I am so melancholy, so tired, all the time. Just stopped Celexa, 3rd day on Efexor XR 37.5mg. I have no libido, hubby does not understand. He is ready to leave me. I feel that I cannot go on. Can't make it another day.
Have to go now. Not sure what do to or where to go. I try so hard to make a happy life for my husband and our 2 kids, but nothing seems to work. All I want to do for the past year is sleep. I want to sleep forever. To stop the pain and frustration.
My husband does not understand any of these feelings. He thinks I can just "get over it". He thinks I am not attracted to him and says that he will have an affair if things do not get better (in the bedroom). Can anyone help me? Or do I just go off on my own?
Please I need support.
J9 (Janine)
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