![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 801 to 825 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by seeknsolace on May 2, 2004, at 14:56:46
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs » TanyaJean, posted by SLS on May 2, 2004, at 14:51:17
Scott your so cute, still havent answered my question tho! Yes, I'm wacky.. that goes without saying! :) Tanya, if its any encouragement, I took my first dose of 5-htp last night, from what I understand, its some herbal thing that comes from africa, so its natural and less then ten bucks for a months supply, anyways, I feel in some ways better today even after just one dose, the down side is, woke up with a head cold so cant say how I truly feel, been more functional today, but also feeling a bit cloudy.. a fair compromise. Maybe give it a shot.. you been suffering too severly for too long, I know it takes time, but four months is just too damn long.
> Regarding the discontinuation of Effexor:
>
> > > "The period required for tapering may depend on the dose, duration of therapy and the individual patient.”
>
> > I would have thought 4+ months of tapering and being on a low dose for over a month would be sufficient enough to not have all the side effects listed.
>
> Me too.
>
> How much were you taking during that last month before you discontinued it? How much did you take as your very last dose? How would you describe your experience during those several months that you were tapering?
>
> > Then I can assume the thought is that my body was just not creating seratonin
>
> Well, actually, the reverse might have been true. There might have been a temporary increase in the production and release of serotonin. However, being exposed to artificially elevated concentrations of serotonin through reuptake inhibition can lead to a decrease in the sensitivity of receptors along the cell membrane. Neurons try to regulate themselves by changing the settings of their "thermostats". I really don't know what the dynamics are that produce the withdrawal syndrome and which variables take precedence in producing it.
>
> If, while looking up at the stars in a planetarium, someone were to shine a bright flashlight in your eyes, you would no longer be able to see the stars immediately after the light is removed. The sensitivity of your eyes has been decreased in response to having been exposed to the bright light. In order to see the stars again, either the planetarium projector would have to make the stars shine brighter or one would need to allow the passage of a certain amount of time before the eyes adjust to the dark again. The variables would be things like how bright were the stars, how bright was the flashlight, how long was the flashlight on for, and how much time it takes for the sensitivity of the eyes (rods and cones of the retina) to adjust.
>
> If you are unfamiliar with planetariums, then just substitute the planetarium with a dark night sky and the projector with God. :-)
>
> Cast of characters:
>
> stars = serotonin
> retina = postsynaptic neuron (receiver) membrane
> rods and cones of the retina = serotonin receptors
> flashlight = reuptake inhibition (Effexor)
> projector = presynaptic neuron (sender) serotonin synthesis and release
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on May 2, 2004, at 15:03:16
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs, posted by seeknsolace on May 2, 2004, at 14:56:46
> Scott your so cute, still havent answered my question tho!
:-)
No. <flattered and embarrassed>
- Scott
Posted by seeknsolace on May 2, 2004, at 15:07:03
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs » seeknsolace, posted by SLS on May 2, 2004, at 15:03:16
> > Scott your so cute, still havent answered my question tho!
>
> :-)
>
> No. <flattered and embarrassed>
>
>
> - Scott
>aww embarrassed.. that makes you even more cute! ;)
Posted by TanyaJean on May 2, 2004, at 17:04:52
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs » TanyaJean, posted by SLS on May 2, 2004, at 14:51:17
"How much were you taking during that last month before you discontinued it? How much did you take as your very last dose? How would you describe your experience during those several months that you were tapering?"
By the way, the planetarium analogy was excellent. Made total sense.
I had been up to 150 mg but didn't take that for long (I was taking EFFEXOR XR). The last 4 months, I was taking...what was it, 75 mg? After 1 month of taking the 75, I broke the capsule in half and would dump out the "dots" and count them. So basically I was taking 37.5 mg for 1 1/2 to 2 months. Then I would half that. So I took half of 37.5 for about a month and then every day would lessen the dose and lessen the dose. I didn't realize that's what a lot of people were doing, at least from what I've read on here. I came searching for information because I was so sick 1 week after I completely stopped.
When I was down to the 37.5 and then the half of that, I would feel fine during the day and about 5PM, I would start to feel really lousy. That lasted the entire time I was on the low dosages. 5pm rolled around and I was on the couch feeling dizzy and nauseous. The awful sound in my ears was there a lot even when I was still on the EFFEXOR. As if a small helicopter was following me around the house. It was hard to hear. I have 3 daughters and the 9 and 10 year old were wondering what in the world was wrong with me. They still wonder. I have to wonder if it's something to do with the Rheumatoid Arthritis. Before I was diagnosed, and was JUST on EFFEXOR, I had the exact symptoms if I missed a dose (dizzy, nauseous). There were times I didn't have the money for my copay and would miss 3 days. That was the worst.
I've probably written this too many times. My physician thought that because I was chronically in pain, that I was probably depressed, even though I didn't feel that way. I've had depression in my early 20's and my head just didn't have that depressed feeling. He also thought the anti-depressant would help control the pain issue. It never did. On or off it, there is no difference.
Scott, are you a student or psychologist or teacher? I missed it if you've ever said.
Posted by TanyaJean on May 2, 2004, at 17:10:10
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs, posted by seeknsolace on May 2, 2004, at 14:56:46
"I took my first dose of 5-htp last night, from what I understand, its some herbal thing that comes from africa, so its natural and less then ten bucks for a months supply, anyways, I feel in some ways better today..."
I'm glad you're feeling better! Very sorry about the cold!! I had read a few weeks ago about 5-htp for something entirely different. A few weeks ago someone wrote about "Nux Vomica" and the name makes me want to do just that. It sort of helps. I guess. I can't stand to even look at the name. So I don't take them that often. I had taken Dramamine at the beginning of all this because I had the same feeling as with motion sickness. It took a slight edge off.
Posted by seeknsolace on May 2, 2004, at 21:01:01
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs » seeknsolace, posted by TanyaJean on May 2, 2004, at 17:10:10
I'm feeling more icky and whiney about my cold then I am about the withdrawals.. it just sucks just a simple head cold always turns into some head/chest infection and I have no health insurance, but anyways, I had diff things on 5 htp too.. both good and bad. I thought maybe its just a matter of adapting and level of dosage, so by trial and error. Maybe it will work, maybe it wont.. but worth a shot (i'm speaking for myself.) Life wasnt very beautiful the first few weeks of being on effexor either, took time to adjust, but with this.. there shouldnt be the severity of the withdrawals.
One remarkable difference I noticed since taking it, my body didnt hurt even half as much today as it did all the days prior.
I did the dramamine too, I'm not sure if it helped.. maybe a little. I think the best medicine is rest, but having children we need to take care of, esp at the pre-teen rebelious stage, who can rest. I know I felt better this weekend (doing nothing) then as I did all last week while working and having unnecessary tension. I also notice when 'tension triggers' happen, I feel at my worst then too.. maybe something to all that..
>
> I'm glad you're feeling better! Very sorry about the cold!! I had read a few weeks ago about 5-htp for something entirely different. A few weeks ago someone wrote about "Nux Vomica" and the name makes me want to do just that. It sort of helps. I guess. I can't stand to even look at the name. So I don't take them that often. I had taken Dramamine at the beginning of all this because I had the same feeling as with motion sickness. It took a slight edge off.
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 3, 2004, at 3:04:33
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs }} S » TanyaJean, posted by chemist on May 2, 2004, at 0:06:14
> doug's vendetta
> if you take a drug for 5 years ... and post 3 messages to enjoin a person in proceeding with legal action ... you are being asked to be part of a money-making scheme. and that is all there is to it.
I appreciate all the information and support you provide here, but but I also need to ask you please not to post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down. Just because something may make someone some money doesn't mean that's all there is to it.
If you have any questions or comments about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
or redirect a follow-up to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by chemist on May 3, 2004, at 3:10:59
In reply to Re: please be civil » chemist, posted by Dr. Bob on May 3, 2004, at 3:04:33
done....my opinions got the better of me...all the best, chemist....no more bashing....
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 3, 2004, at 3:20:45
In reply to Re: please be civil » Dr. Bob, posted by chemist on May 3, 2004, at 3:10:59
Posted by seeknsolace on May 3, 2004, at 6:01:27
In reply to Re: please be civil » Dr. Bob, posted by chemist on May 3, 2004, at 3:10:59
hey chemist, just seeing if you're doing alright, your posting time was 3 something am. I'm not sure what time zone your in or what time zone this board is set for. Seeing the time reminded me of the good old days of NOT SLEEPING. Before I knew I was bipolar/depressed.. just a few yrs ago. I had insomnia for 2 freakin yrs. I would wake every 15 mins to half hour, fully awake and alert. And that was waking to panick attacks and crying bouts, just to wear myself out then would go back to sleep.. fun times I tell ya! I didnt know that I was so ill, I thought it was just me.. how I am, tho I woke in tears with cause.. heartache.. (dam men!) I do know the heartache only manifested the root of the problem.
I went thru therapy to learn to sleep, to learn to love myself enough to relax and allow myself to sleep.. just took alot of strength to do this. Now, even still being bipolar, I dont suffer any more from insomnia. I look at the clock and tell myself I'm gonna sleep because I dont wanna feel like crap.. feel like I once felt. I dont know where your at, but hope you can get something out of this. Most of the time, I cant even stay awake during a nine o'clock movie!
Today is day 2 of being on 5-htp, woke with more mental clarity, still sick tho.. took some otc medicine last night, use to cause me to go into anxiety mode, but it didnt, so maybe getting better.
If I'm annoying anyone with writing too much.. good, I'm just gonna write even more! ;) I am a woman after all :P
Posted by SLS on May 3, 2004, at 10:09:27
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs » SLS, posted by TanyaJean on May 2, 2004, at 17:04:52
Hi TJ.
> Scott, are you a student or psychologist or teacher? I missed it if you've ever said.
Car salesman. :-)
That sounds so funny, but it's true. I was a straight A student through my sophomore year of college, where I was working on a biology major. At that point I could no longer read, learn, and remember. I had to quit. After that, I floundered from job to job. Not pretty, but not unique. There are so many stories like that here. I had such a passion for medicine. I had to give up on that calling once I realized that even if I were brought into remission, medication breakthrough relapse was almost a certainty with the stresses of medical school and internship. I couldn't afford to take that chance.
I don't know how to account for the difficult time you had coming off of Effexor. It reminds me of what it felt like to discontinue Klonopin. But even that did not involve residual symptoms beyond one week. To come off of Effexor, I dosed myself as many times during the day as was necessary to stave off withdrawal symptoms. I would swallow a few grains here and a few grains there. I would purposely wait for symptoms of withdrawal to return and manifest briefly before taking a dose to alleviate them. It made sense to me intuitively that this would encourage the system to change by exposing it to the stimulus of withdrawal. I was able to go longer and longer periods of time before needing to dose again. To dose only once a day in the morning would not allow me to prevent a withdrawal syndrome from appearing by evening. I simply dosed whenever I needed to. I kind of did it by "feel". I know that I am susceptible to Effexor discontinuation withdrawal syndrome because I had to experience it several times prior to my using this flexible dosing schedule. I find that I can now get off of Ativan and Paxil the same way when necessary. I would like to think that this method of discontinuation would work for everyone, but I guess that is just wishful thinking. What you and some others describe as long-term residual effects of Effexor is scary. I don't know if a flexible dosing taper would prevent it.
- Scott
Posted by omi1 on May 3, 2004, at 12:49:48
In reply to Does it ever end? When?, posted by seeknsolace on April 30, 2004, at 5:33:17
I have been on and off effexor several times. I find coming off it to be like having a flu for a couple weeks-- nothing compared to the psychological agony of depression. Thats just my experience, which I thought I should add to the debate.
Posted by chemist on May 3, 2004, at 13:20:19
In reply to Re: please be civil » chemist, posted by seeknsolace on May 3, 2004, at 6:01:27
> hey chemist, just seeing if you're doing alright, your posting time was 3 something am. I'm not sure what time zone your in or what time zone this board is set for. Seeing the time reminded me of the good old days of NOT SLEEPING. Before I knew I was bipolar/depressed.. just a few yrs ago. I had insomnia for 2 freakin yrs. I would wake every 15 mins to half hour, fully awake and alert. And that was waking to panick attacks and crying bouts, just to wear myself out then would go back to sleep.. fun times I tell ya! I didnt know that I was so ill, I thought it was just me.. how I am, tho I woke in tears with cause.. heartache.. (dam men!) I do know the heartache only manifested the root of the problem.
>
> I went thru therapy to learn to sleep, to learn to love myself enough to relax and allow myself to sleep.. just took alot of strength to do this. Now, even still being bipolar, I dont suffer any more from insomnia. I look at the clock and tell myself I'm gonna sleep because I dont wanna feel like crap.. feel like I once felt. I dont know where your at, but hope you can get something out of this. Most of the time, I cant even stay awake during a nine o'clock movie!
>
> Today is day 2 of being on 5-htp, woke with more mental clarity, still sick tho.. took some otc medicine last night, use to cause me to go into anxiety mode, but it didnt, so maybe getting better.
>
> If I'm annoying anyone with writing too much.. good, I'm just gonna write even more! ;) I am a woman after all :Phey, thanks for checking! i am a bit of a nightcrawler, my work schedule (consulting) allows me to sleep late and stay up late....getting a full night's worth of sleep - although i have not been so fortunate in the past - but aside from the not-to-healthy offset of my ``day,'' things are just fine.....again, i appreciate you checking in! all the best, chemist
Posted by annesand on May 3, 2004, at 14:29:11
In reply to Re: Does it ever end? When?, posted by omi1 on May 3, 2004, at 12:49:48
Wonder when I'll stop being so irritable. Or maybe this is just the real me!
Posted by seeknsolace on May 3, 2004, at 15:59:48
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs » TanyaJean, posted by SLS on May 3, 2004, at 10:09:27
> Hi TJ.
>
> > Scott, are you a student or psychologist or teacher? I missed it if you've ever said.
>
> Car salesman. :-)
>
> That sounds so funny, but it's true. I was a straight A student through my sophomore year of college, where I was working on a biology major. At that point I could no longer read, learn, and remember. I had to quit. After that, I floundered from job to job. Not pretty, but not unique. There are so many stories like that here. I had such a passion for medicine. I had to give up on that calling once I realized that even if I were brought into remission, medication breakthrough relapse was almost a certainty with the stresses of medical school and internship. I couldn't afford to take that chance.
>
> I don't know how to account for the difficult time you had coming off of Effexor. It reminds me of what it felt like to discontinue Klonopin. But even that did not involve residual symptoms beyond one week. To come off of Effexor, I dosed myself as many times during the day as was necessary to stave off withdrawal symptoms. I would swallow a few grains here and a few grains there. I would purposely wait for symptoms of withdrawal to return and manifest briefly before taking a dose to alleviate them. It made sense to me intuitively that this would encourage the system to change by exposing it to the stimulus of withdrawal. I was able to go longer and longer periods of time before needing to dose again. To dose only once a day in the morning would not allow me to prevent a withdrawal syndrome from appearing by evening. I simply dosed whenever I needed to. I kind of did it by "feel". I know that I am susceptible to Effexor discontinuation withdrawal syndrome because I had to experience it several times prior to my using this flexible dosing schedule. I find that I can now get off of Ativan and Paxil the same way when necessary. I would like to think that this method of discontinuation would work for everyone, but I guess that is just wishful thinking. What you and some others describe as long-term residual effects of Effexor is scary. I don't know if a flexible dosing taper would prevent it.
>
>
> - ScottScott, I like car salesmen btw! :) What make/model cars do you sell (plz say imports!!) Hey you wanna buy my car and get me in something new?? What are pals for?? :)
Posted by seeknsolace on May 3, 2004, at 16:01:59
In reply to Re: please be civil » seeknsolace, posted by chemist on May 3, 2004, at 13:20:19
So your a computer nerd, I like nerds, provided youre a male :P Glad to hear your doing well!
> > hey chemist, just seeing if you're doing alright, your posting time was 3 something am. I'm not sure what time zone your in or what time zone this board is set for. Seeing the time reminded me of the good old days of NOT SLEEPING. Before I knew I was bipolar/depressed.. just a few yrs ago. I had insomnia for 2 freakin yrs. I would wake every 15 mins to half hour, fully awake and alert. And that was waking to panick attacks and crying bouts, just to wear myself out then would go back to sleep.. fun times I tell ya! I didnt know that I was so ill, I thought it was just me.. how I am, tho I woke in tears with cause.. heartache.. (dam men!) I do know the heartache only manifested the root of the problem.
> >
> > I went thru therapy to learn to sleep, to learn to love myself enough to relax and allow myself to sleep.. just took alot of strength to do this. Now, even still being bipolar, I dont suffer any more from insomnia. I look at the clock and tell myself I'm gonna sleep because I dont wanna feel like crap.. feel like I once felt. I dont know where your at, but hope you can get something out of this. Most of the time, I cant even stay awake during a nine o'clock movie!
> >
> > Today is day 2 of being on 5-htp, woke with more mental clarity, still sick tho.. took some otc medicine last night, use to cause me to go into anxiety mode, but it didnt, so maybe getting better.
> >
> > If I'm annoying anyone with writing too much.. good, I'm just gonna write even more! ;) I am a woman after all :P
>
> hey, thanks for checking! i am a bit of a nightcrawler, my work schedule (consulting) allows me to sleep late and stay up late....getting a full night's worth of sleep - although i have not been so fortunate in the past - but aside from the not-to-healthy offset of my ``day,'' things are just fine.....again, i appreciate you checking in! all the best, chemist
Posted by chemist on May 3, 2004, at 16:14:54
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by seeknsolace on May 3, 2004, at 16:01:59
yes, a male computer nerd, big time! thanks for checking in (and validating nerd-status as cool!)..all the best, chemist
> So your a computer nerd, I like nerds, provided youre a male :P Glad to hear your doing well!
>
> > > hey chemist, just seeing if you're doing alright, your posting time was 3 something am. I'm not sure what time zone your in or what time zone this board is set for. Seeing the time reminded me of the good old days of NOT SLEEPING. Before I knew I was bipolar/depressed.. just a few yrs ago. I had insomnia for 2 freakin yrs. I would wake every 15 mins to half hour, fully awake and alert. And that was waking to panick attacks and crying bouts, just to wear myself out then would go back to sleep.. fun times I tell ya! I didnt know that I was so ill, I thought it was just me.. how I am, tho I woke in tears with cause.. heartache.. (dam men!) I do know the heartache only manifested the root of the problem.
> > >
> > > I went thru therapy to learn to sleep, to learn to love myself enough to relax and allow myself to sleep.. just took alot of strength to do this. Now, even still being bipolar, I dont suffer any more from insomnia. I look at the clock and tell myself I'm gonna sleep because I dont wanna feel like crap.. feel like I once felt. I dont know where your at, but hope you can get something out of this. Most of the time, I cant even stay awake during a nine o'clock movie!
> > >
> > > Today is day 2 of being on 5-htp, woke with more mental clarity, still sick tho.. took some otc medicine last night, use to cause me to go into anxiety mode, but it didnt, so maybe getting better.
> > >
> > > If I'm annoying anyone with writing too much.. good, I'm just gonna write even more! ;) I am a woman after all :P
> >
> > hey, thanks for checking! i am a bit of a nightcrawler, my work schedule (consulting) allows me to sleep late and stay up late....getting a full night's worth of sleep - although i have not been so fortunate in the past - but aside from the not-to-healthy offset of my ``day,'' things are just fine.....again, i appreciate you checking in! all the best, chemist
>
>
Posted by Morgaine on May 3, 2004, at 17:59:01
In reply to Re: TELL OPRAH YOU HATE EFFEXOR, posted by Camille Dumont on April 29, 2004, at 13:08:42
> If this were to push for better information, I would jump in but trashing a medication because it doesn't work for you or some people have bad side effects is like saying that the forecast guy on tv is always wrong ... which is not true but you tend to remember teh times that he is wrong more than the 97% of the time when he is right.
>
> Effexor needs more info on quitting side effects but its still a good medication ... its just not for everybody.
>
> Without it, I would probably be 6 feet under right now.Me too. I think generalizing the effect of effexor like this is very
irresponsible, as everyone's individual chemistry's
is just that 'individual'. For me personally, it has saved my life twice. I went off
of it for 6 months, reducing my dosage gradually, then seamlessly thbegan on Welbutrin
sr, then the new one and had a harrowing experience with that, severe all over body rash/itch, dizziness,
nausea and agitation, so of course I went off of them. I'm not trashing Welbutrin though because my experience with it was less
than positive, it just wasn't right for my chemistry. After 4 months of not being on anything except my trazodone for sleep, I had a relapse
of my clinical depression and put myself back on effexor on March twenty-ninth. I am only taking 75mgs and
don't feel the need to increase the dosage. I only know that after only 7 days I really could feel how it was helping
me cope with day to day living. If it's true that because I suffer from clinical depression I may have to
be on something most of the time anyway, this could be part proof. It
helped me before the first time and is doing it again a second.
Making glittering generalities about anything does a great disservice to the
'inquiring minds that want to know'. Peace
Posted by seeknsolace on May 3, 2004, at 18:28:05
In reply to Re: Does it ever end? When?, posted by omi1 on May 3, 2004, at 12:49:48
> I have been on and off effexor several times. I find coming off it to be like having a flu for a couple weeks-- nothing compared to the psychological agony of depression. Thats just my experience, which I thought I should add to the debate.
Good point. Depression is the reality of our existance, being drugged makes life surreal, yet it is real, but when the drug is taken away, we return to our core being.. but the hope is that maybe somewhere along the way, we learn to fight, be strong, have strength, have peace and laugh, understanding the essence of the life given to us, and find some goodness and joy from the fruit that it bares, with the aid of medication and even without.
We all are in different seasons, some are just beginning, others are weathered and worn but yet have the strength of their experience and learn to turn it to joy and peace. The longer we go on this road, the closer we come to understanding whats been handed to us, for some it brings joy, for others sorrow, but even in sorrow there does no need to be in despair, it's only that we are arriving, embracing the uniqueness of our life. Just another step closer in becoming aware of who we are.. which brings freedom, a release, that we may continue on yet another day.
Posted by harryp on May 4, 2004, at 3:36:08
In reply to Effexor XR Story and my opinion 25 F mother of 1, posted by Sinaminika on March 23, 2004, at 10:57:49
I'm very sad to hear about your awful experience.
This has been posted before, but I wanted to let withdrawal sufferers know that fluoxetine (Prozac) is commonly prescribed to relieve the symptoms of going off Effexor.
The great thing is that fluoxetine is generic now, so it should be much, much cheaper than Effexor. (And in my opinion, fluoxetine is still the best SSRI)
You can get specific advice on using Prozac for withdrawal in the archives, or better yet, find a psychiatrist who has experience getting people off Effexor.
Posted by harryp on May 4, 2004, at 3:52:01
In reply to I don't think she cares. But I agree I hate it., posted by Carlos C on May 2, 2004, at 1:40:51
Since 1959...
The ORIGINAL and BEST...
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The biochemical PROTOTYPE for ALL MODERN ANTIDEPRESSANTS!
GENUINE...
MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS!
Parnate -- Nardil
Strict (but reasonable) attention to diet and medication interactions essential!
(Make sure your local emergency center has your chart and phentolamine in stock in the event of a hypertensive crisis.)
UNMATCHED EFFICACY (except by ECT) for TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION!
***
MAOI's aren't magical, whatever their users may tell you, but I think many lives would be saved if psychiatrists were more willing to prescribe them to patients who were unresponsive to modern AD's.I strongly recommend looking into them (and tricyclics as well) if you have tried the modern AD's without success.
Posted by Zarry on May 4, 2004, at 8:52:13
In reply to Re: 4 weeks since Effexor, posted by Vasterling on January 20, 2004, at 11:33:42
Vasterling,
Your post sounds like it would be something that I would type - the lack of emotions and then getting off, here comes all the emotions. The biggest problem I'm having with my marriage is that my husband can't handle my mood swings and I can't deal with his changing back and forth with statements he makes - it's like he's throwing in a wrench into the cog while I'm trying to cope with a regular marriage.
Posted by annesand on May 4, 2004, at 9:10:50
In reply to Re: 4 weeks since Effexor, posted by Zarry on May 4, 2004, at 8:52:13
Amen to that, Zarry. Today in the car on the way to work, my mood was swinging like a monkey. It varied with the tempo of the music I was listening to. Happy finger-snapping during "It's a Beautiful Day," sobbing during "Stay," and everything in between. And all during the same U2 CD! But I would rather feel my feelings than be in that gray, flat Effexor place. I would rather deal with reality than have it muted for me. Hang in there.
Posted by PoohBear on May 4, 2004, at 10:12:27
In reply to Re: 4 weeks since Effexor, posted by annesand on May 4, 2004, at 9:10:50
It's good to see some responsible posts to the "Oprah" rant and rave...
I have had an overall good experience with Effexor; not perfect, but good. Considering some of what has been written here:
1. Lack of emotion? I have ALL of my emotions with Effexor. I can laugh and I can fully empathize with others. What I DON'T have is the terrible LOWS I had with my depression, when nearly anything sad could bring me to the point of tears. I'm a guy and not afraid to cry, but really...
2. Sleep? Effexor DOES "effect" my sleep in a negative way, but my pDoc and I are still trying to come up with the right med that can help with that. It may end up being something as simple as melatonin or valerian...
3. Side effects? Most of the side effects I experienced have gone away completely or moderated with time. I still have shaking hands, but I've always had that... The sexual side effects have also gone away: no more anorgasmia. For some reason my glans (the head of the penis) is more sensitive now and my orgasms are much more intense. That's a good thing for a 47 year-old ;)
4. Withdrawal. What can I say? I haven't experienced this yet, but plan on continuing some sort of drug therapy for the rest of my life. I worry about missing a dose of Effexor, but try to be aware and methodical about taking it: ie, develop the habit of taking it at the same time every day in the same routine.
I don't deny that SOME have had a bad experience with getting off this POWERFUL medication, AND I will NOT deny that many doctors give the stuff out because a pharmacutical rep told them it was the latest wonder drug and they haven't researched the side effects.
NEVERTHELESS...
This drug has saved many, many lives. Even though I don't believe I was personally in danger of suicide, I still had suicidal thoughts continually and Effexor has given me back my LIFE, and most importantly: control of my own mind.
I keep posting because there is a preponderance of negative input regarding Effexor on these boards and not enough positive. However, I participate on MANY bulletin boards and this one is no different: most of the time, it'll be the negative aspects of whatever that gets the most posts.
There.
Tony
Posted by TanyaJean on May 4, 2004, at 11:29:03
In reply to Re: relative efficacy of Effexor to the SSRIs » TanyaJean, posted by SLS on May 3, 2004, at 10:09:27
"Car salesman. :-)
>
> That sounds so funny, but it's true. I was a straight A student through my sophomore year of college, where I was working on a biology major. At that point I could no longer read, learn, and remember. I had to quit."
That would be hard to have to quit. I'm worried about going back to school that I won't be able to read, learn and rememeber.I don't know that flexible dose tapering would work. I know exactly what you mean about going by "feel". I kept minimizing and minimizing until I was off totally....didnt' do it exactly like you did though. It seems like it would do this to me no matter what.
Yesterday, went to the doctor to have them give me a shot of phenagran (<--sp?) to help me stop vomiting. Was fine the previous day, then the next I got up and just kept getting sick (No pregnancy). It seems so unlikely that the Effexor withdrawal-like symptoms would be going out close to 6 weeks, but I don't know what else would be causing it. I feel the same as I did when I was going on week 2 off EFFEXOR. Anytime I stopped EFFEXOR I felt this type of lousy.
Nothing else is going on with me aside from being off EFFEXOR. That is the only change.
Don't know. Shouldn't totally blame the EFFEXOR, I just assume it's that because since I've been off, I've felt lousy.
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