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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Cybele on August 26, 2004, at 13:38:57
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by Evita on August 25, 2004, at 17:36:01
> Yeah, I have gained 10 pounds since starting Effexor 150mg in May. I have NEVER had a weight problem, I was usually considered underweight. I have been taking very good care of myself, Yoga, cardio and healthy eating. I quit cold turkey 6 days ago. Does anyone know what causes the weight gain? I can understand feeling better and wanting to eat but I wonder if the drug slows the metabolism?
I'm pretty sure it causes carb cravings for some of us. I have gained 10 pounds in my 2 months on Effexor XR 75mg, and I do think I've eaten about 500-600 extra calories a day in that time. I've been eating like a hobbit (breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon...). My metabolic rate seems to be unchanged, and I do exercise a lot. However, for many people (especially women), depression and weight gain may be due to untreated hypothyroidism. Be sure your doctor has checked your TSH.
Posted by Cybele on August 26, 2004, at 14:00:22
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by Evita on August 25, 2004, at 17:36:01
On the other hand...
Dr. Goldberg has observed a 15-20% reduction in basal metabolic rate when many patients are on ADs. See the link below. So maybe my own weight gain is 1/2 that, and 1/2 carb cravings. HTH!
Posted by lorily on August 26, 2004, at 14:54:25
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee... » Evita, posted by Cybele on August 26, 2004, at 13:38:57
Good point about the Hypothyroidism. My TSH was sky high when I found out I had it. When I got the thyroid under control the endo suggested I discontinue the ADs. At the time I thought she was nuts herself, I had never felt so good. That was a bit over a year ago. At the present time I no longer take anything, stopped the depakote, stopped the effexor, and recently stopped the trazadone (within a week) I've been sleeping great, too. I also stopped smoking almost 2 weeks ago and am using the patch 24 hrs a day and still am sleeping. I haven't done that on my own for years, each time I'd try to cut out the traz,, I'd have to get back on in a couple/three days. I think anyone with depression should definately have their thyroid levels checked, SOOOOOOOO many people I know depressed have a thyroid problem!!!!
Posted by corafree on August 27, 2004, at 14:39:46
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by lorily on August 26, 2004, at 14:54:25
Hi. I have hypothyroidism too. Could you share your strength of med pls? TGIF cf
Posted by lorily on August 27, 2004, at 15:00:00
In reply to Hypothyroidism. » lorily, posted by corafree on August 27, 2004, at 14:39:46
Currently I am on 100 mg or mcg - whichever it is I'm not positive of Synthroid. I was up to 125 for a period and may be going down to 75 soon if all is going well. Just had the blood work done last week.
Posted by dianehbc on August 28, 2004, at 2:12:03
In reply to Suffering and looking for answers, posted by Smileyjil on August 21, 2004, at 19:37:20
I was on Effexor XR 300mg for about a year and went off of it mainly because of the weight gain. It works great on my depression but has alot of side effects such as weight gain, stomach problems/Hearburn, insomnia, night sweats and my legs bothering me when I sleep and will wake me up now and then. About a month ago I went off the Effexor because of the weight and went on Lexapro. I made a big mistake doing that. First the withdrawl symptoms were unbearable but only lasted about 3 or 4 days. The Lexapro did nothing for me I was on 20mg and I was withdrawn and not myself, I noticed it and so did my friends. So needless to say I went back on Effexor XR starting over at 75mg about 2 weeks ago and am feeling better again except for the side effects.
Posted by jennyb on August 28, 2004, at 12:35:13
In reply to Re: In need of advice » Louoicu81, posted by lorily on August 16, 2004, at 7:59:25
Did anyone lose significant weight after getting off of effexor xr. This med has ruined my life. I weigh now, after being on the drug for almost a year, more than I ever have in my life, and NOTHING seems to help me lose the weight.
Posted by dianehbc on August 29, 2004, at 20:48:32
In reply to Re: In need of advice, posted by jennyb on August 28, 2004, at 12:35:13
I have been on the Effexor XR for a year myself and tried to get off of it for that reason. The doctor put me on Lexapro. I tried it for 3 months and did not lose any weight in fact I gained more weight and was more depressed than ever. So I went back on the Effexor. I rather be overweight than be depressed!!! And now that I am back on it I am myself again. Also it has lots of side effects and like I said I would rather deal with them and be happy then be misarable and depressed.
Posted by tinkerbell on August 30, 2004, at 2:08:17
In reply to Re: In need of advice » jennyb, posted by dianehbc on August 29, 2004, at 20:48:32
I just ran out and ins bumped me temporarily, can't afford effexor. Nobody told me not to stop cold turkey. I have tried several ADs and quit with few problems. Now I am up at 2am, worse than b4. Insomnia, shocks, jimmy legs, claustrophobia, headache, shakes, depression, screaming monkeys in my brain. I quit heroin with fewer withdrawls. Isn't there a law?
Posted by tablasco1 on August 30, 2004, at 10:45:39
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by Californiakc on August 25, 2004, at 15:54:28
I have been experiencing withdrawal effects from Effexor XR for about 3 months now. I have had withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, dizziness, blurred vision, and now depression. I went off of Effexor (as well as Paxil and Zoloft within the past year or so) because I was having similar symptoms on the drugs. I have had much fear about what I am feeling and even though I have been through therapy, much of what I have been feeling doesn't make sense. I am thinking of starting back on Effexor once again after 3 months of withdrawal to soothe the withdrawal symptoms as well as help with my depression. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Posted by tinkerbell on August 30, 2004, at 11:22:00
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by tablasco1 on August 30, 2004, at 10:45:39
I have only been off Effexor for 2.5 days and the withdrawls are horrendous. Nobody told me this would happen. Based on my experience I would suggest having your doc or shrink (he's the 1 that gave me effexor) start you back on it slowly and wean much more slowly than they suggest. Tell him or her about your withdrawls. If they try to blow you off make them listen, you know your body better than they do. Good luck.
Posted by owensmar on August 30, 2004, at 14:16:53
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by tablasco1 on August 30, 2004, at 10:44:56
> I have been experiencing withdrawal effects from Effexor XR for about 3 months now. I have had withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, dizziness, blurred vision, and now depression. I went off of Effexor (as well as Paxil and Zoloft within the past year or so) because I was having similar symptoms on the drugs. I have had much fear about what I am feeling and even though I have been through therapy, much of what I have been feeling doesn't make sense. I am thinking of starting back on Effexor once again after 3 months of withdrawal to soothe the withdrawal symptoms as well as help with my depression. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
>
You know, I've read that withdrawal symptoms show up at once and at first but that when/if you have depressive symptoms again after *months* it's your depression returning - not withdrawal.I don't know if this is true but in my experience I've gotten through Effexor withdrawal several times and done okay for a month or two and then lapsed back into severe depression. Then again, I've also lapsed into severe depression within two weeks of stopping meds abruptly. I don't know how helpful this is...
Marsha
Posted by lorily on August 30, 2004, at 14:48:30
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by tinkerbell on August 30, 2004, at 11:22:00
This is where I was on my own and took the advice from this chart at day 47, that's at that level:Reduction of Venlafaxine from 1 x 75 mg capsule per day
Page 2
Date/day dosage
47 am 3/4 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 1x 37.5 mg tab
48 am 3/4 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 3/4 of 37.5 mg tab
49 am 3/4 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 3/4 of 37.5 mg tab
50 am 3/4 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 3/4 of 37.5 mg tab
51 am 1/2 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 3/4 of 37.5 mg tab
52 am 1/2 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 1/2 of 37.5 mg tab
53 am 1/2 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 1/2 of 37.5 mg tab
54 am 1/2 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 1/2 of 37.5 mg tab
55 am 1/4 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 1/2 of 37.5 mg tab56 am 1/4 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 1/4 of 37.5 mg tab
57 am 1/4 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 1/4 of 37.5 mg tab
58 am 1/4 of 37.5 mg tab
pm 1/4 of 37.5 mg tab
59 am 0
pm 1/4 of 37.5 mg tab
0I followed as best I could with the capsules, did have side effects, NOTHING as bad as I've read here.
Posted by louiseC on August 31, 2004, at 13:06:53
In reply to Suffering and looking for answers, posted by Smileyjil on August 21, 2004, at 19:37:20
I'm new to this board but have been reading if for some time because of problems with taking Effexor. I have been on it for almost 4 years and it did okay but nothing great. I gained a lot of weight 35-40 pounds, which in itself made matters worse. I felt very tired, unfocused, brain zaps while on 150 mgs. I wanted to get off but I was really scared to try because of how I felt just missing a dose by a few hours. Now with my doc's help I am on day 8 on 75 mgs. She is suggesting I take 2 weeks on 75mgs and then 2 weeks on 37.5mgs The brain zaps arent' as bad as I thought and my mood acrtually improved on the lower dose. But I have felt like I have the flu, body pain, chest pain, headache, no energy. I haven't been to work in a week.
I wanted to try the Lexapro, so I was sorry to hear your experience wasn't good. I will probably try it anyway because we are all different.
To those who did gain weight, when you got off if it were you able to loose it? I feel like my metabolism is ruined because of this drug.
I will keep reading
louise
Posted by corafree on August 31, 2004, at 15:48:39
In reply to Re: In need of advice, posted by jennyb on August 28, 2004, at 12:35:13
No increase in weight at all on a high dose. What else are you on? cf
> Did anyone lose significant weight after getting off of effexor xr. This med has ruined my life. I weigh now, after being on the drug for almost a year, more than I ever have in my life, and NOTHING seems to help me lose the weight.
Posted by jennyb on September 2, 2004, at 12:02:51
In reply to Re: In need of advice » jennyb, posted by corafree on August 31, 2004, at 15:48:39
I am not on anything else...in fact, as I sit here typing I am going through horrible withdraw...I have taken matters into my own hands and have stopped effexor cold turkey...I know I will be in hell for a few days...but I refuse to stay on a med that makes me hate myself more than I did before it.
Posted by bubblehead on September 2, 2004, at 21:32:44
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by jeanette on April 14, 2000, at 6:58:11
>
>Those of you that were unaware of the withdrawl troubles you were faced with may be interested in these sites: http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/effexor.pl?#4729
http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/effexor.pl?read=4623
http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/petition.htmlYou are not alone in this terrible battle.
Posted by Ima Pe Ach on September 7, 2004, at 11:27:22
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by bubblehead on September 2, 2004, at 21:32:44
In answer to regarding withdrawal, I started Effexor XR in April of 2000. In about 2 months my Docter had me up to 300 mg a day and a year later 375 a day. In May of 2004 I wanted to get off of it because I was having mild tremors every day. My Docter advised me to back off 75 mg a week. I took longer than that and took what I thought would be my last dose of 37.5 mg on August 17. In 3 days I started vomitting everything I ate or drank. It got so bad I even vomitted the Malox I had taken to coat my stomach. I lost strength and weight quickly and became extremely depressed, contemplating death and considering ending it. I cried for 2 days straight. I had muscle spasms. One was so bad I had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Needless to say, my Docter put me back on it at 225 mg a day and said he would wean me off much more slowly this time. Now I am feeling and acting completely normal but it is like I am physically adicted to the drug like a heroin addict only instead of being stoned and incoherant from taking a drug, I am that way if I don't take it. This is not a very stable life style. I understand that there is a Class Action Law Suit going on against the company that makes Effexor and I am going to contact thir attornies to see if I qualify. I am now living in fear of that if I don't take Effexor I will die in one way or another.
Posted by hilton on September 12, 2004, at 5:08:21
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by Evita on August 25, 2004, at 17:36:01
have been finding these postings really interesting and helpful. i am on 75 mg xr/ day i have also been gaining weight but hadn't linked the two till now.i have never really had any probs with weight and thought it was my age! think it must be the medication though, as also got very rough itchy patches on my legs although the dr said these werent a medical rash. good to be able to get information on actual personal experience on a website like this cos gps cant be expected to have that much specialised knowlege on each drug they prescribe. not looking forward to coming of it- the withdrawal symptoms is also news to me! :( The drug is helping me a lot though so i am going to persevere with it for a while and get over the withdrawal hurdle and lose the weght at a later stage.
Posted by dusty534 on September 12, 2004, at 11:38:04
In reply to Re: In need of advice, posted by jennyb on August 28, 2004, at 12:35:13
I took Effexor for almost a year...and gained about 20lb. Against my dr's advice, I weaned myself off of it....but not slowly enough. I've had many of the symptoms that have been mentioned, but will never go back on it again. The worst effect it had on me was the extreme lack of energy. I couldn't even make myself get out of my chair for a long time.
After quitting Effexor, I went on the South Beach Diet and lost 15lbs pretty fast. I've been on a plateau of not losing for awhile, but am so glad that I lost that much.
I went to a Health Food Store...and have been taking 5-HTP for my depression. I still have bad days when I cry a lot...but this supplement has helped a lot.
Also since I've stopped taking estrogen (had hysterectomy), I've been using progesteron cream. The combination of these two products have helped me tremendously.
Hope this helps you, too.
Posted by scruff on September 12, 2004, at 15:33:07
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by juanantoniod on February 8, 2003, at 22:11:31
> I took Effexor for a while until it stopped working. Like a previous poster, I would accept the side effects for the benefit without question. Withdrawal occurs (mostly) when it is stopped abruptly. When ramped down slowly, there should be no problem.
>Sadly, this is just not true.
> FWIW YMMV
If it helps anyone, great. But it seems there will be withdrawal of some sort from this drug.
Well I had been on Effexor for nearly a year. It was completely unsuccessfully on its own and only marginally successful with the use of supplementals such as seroquel and ativan.
I have finally switched to Wellbutrin and have been very careful about 'ramping down carefully' form the effexor.
The above posting is just plain incorrect. My withdrawal from effexor has been worse than the depression itself. The symptoms of brain shivers, terrible sleep disturbances and extreme agitation have continued fully one week after I took my last tab of effexor.
This has not been an unmanaged withdrawal. I see a psychiatrist weekly.
The drug did next to nothing positive for me and now that I've finally stopped taking it, it persists in hounding me with 'withdrawal'.
I have a hard time finding any mention of ANY withdrawal effects in the pharmaceutical's paraphernalia.
It has been a an arduous journey to come OFF of a drug that is supposed to help depression.
I have had to switch form several other anti-depressants including Zoloft and Paxil. Not only did I NOT have any withdrawal form these medications, I have read/seen little information on anyone who has.
It is clear that the process of withdrawal from any psychotropic drug needs to be studied much more carefully. As for Effexor , perhaps removing it form the market until real study of its withdrawal effects have been made is in order.
I'm all for that.
Posted by 4WD on September 12, 2004, at 16:03:02
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by scruff on September 12, 2004, at 15:33:07
> > I took Effexor for a while until it stopped working. Like a previous poster, I would accept the side effects for the benefit without question. Withdrawal occurs (mostly) when it is stopped abruptly. When ramped down slowly, there should be no problem.
> >Sadly, this is just not true.
> > FWIW YMMV
> If it helps anyone, great. But it seems there will be withdrawal of some sort from this drug.
> Well I had been on Effexor for nearly a year. It was completely unsuccessfully on its own and only marginally successful with the use of supplementals such as seroquel and ativan.
> I have finally switched to Wellbutrin and have been very careful about 'ramping down carefully' form the effexor.
> The above posting is just plain incorrect. My withdrawal from effexor has been worse than the depression itself. The symptoms of brain shivers, terrible sleep disturbances and extreme agitation have continued fully one week after I took my last tab of effexor.
> This has not been an unmanaged withdrawal. I see a psychiatrist weekly.
> The drug did next to nothing positive for me and now that I've finally stopped taking it, it persists in hounding me with 'withdrawal'.
> I have a hard time finding any mention of ANY withdrawal effects in the pharmaceutical's paraphernalia.
> It has been a an arduous journey to come OFF of a drug that is supposed to help depression.
> I have had to switch form several other anti-depressants including Zoloft and Paxil. Not only did I NOT have any withdrawal form these medications, I have read/seen little information on anyone who has.
> It is clear that the process of withdrawal from any psychotropic drug needs to be studied much more carefully. As for Effexor , perhaps removing it form the market until real study of its withdrawal effects have been made is in order.
> I'm all for that.I have to agree. I've been on Effexor about 5 years. Every time I tried to switch to another drug (because of side effects and because the Effexor just didn't help with motivation, energy or anhedonia) I found I couldn't switch and had to go back to Effexor. I didn't have any of the physical symptoms (like nausea) except for the brain zaps so I thought I wasn't having Effexor withdrawal; I just thought the other drugs were causing me to have extreme anxiety. Even now when I am tapering Effexor slowly while going on Cymbalta, I'm having panic attacks every few days and heightened anxiety the rest of the time. I hate this drug and I am furious at the idea that I and other people have been forced to stay on it longer than we wanted because getting off it is next to impossible.
Marsha
Posted by josephine20 on September 13, 2004, at 22:35:43
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by louiseC on August 31, 2004, at 13:06:53
this website is REALLY helpful...I have been on Effexor XR for about 2 years, taking 225mg per day. Seems to have been working well until lately. In the last couple of weeks I have begun to have extreme nightmares, every night, not just bad dreams but scary, wake up screaming dreams, has this happened to anyone else? After reading the other postings I did link my weight gain to about the time I started taking the drug too. Am really thinking of trying to switch to something else since I have not had a good night sleep in at least 10 days...The effexor no longer seems to have any effect on my energy level and sometimes seems to make me more tired (before the nightmares started)
Posted by helpless on September 13, 2004, at 22:49:23
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by tablasco1 on August 30, 2004, at 10:45:39
My husband started this drug in Novenber for reoccuring depression. At the advice of family members on it and the doctor he saw once he took it for 7 months. He decided after 7 months he was so happy for the first time he was "cured" so he seceretly stopped taking it. 2 weeks later he left me and our 9 and 6 year old. He makes no sence anymore and can't even think rationally. We have been married and been best friends for 14 years. Please find out more about this drug and others like it before you try them. It made him feel so much better we never stopped to ask or think about side effects of missed doses or stopped usage. We were only one of a statistic but our lives are over now. PLEASE be careful.
Posted by 4WD on September 14, 2004, at 13:14:04
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by josephine20 on September 13, 2004, at 22:35:43
> this website is REALLY helpful...I have been on Effexor XR for about 2 years, taking 225mg per day. Seems to have been working well until lately. In the last couple of weeks I have begun to have extreme nightmares, every night, not just bad dreams but scary, wake up screaming dreams, has this happened to anyone else? After reading the other postings I did link my weight gain to about the time I started taking the drug too. Am really thinking of trying to switch to something else since I have not had a good night sleep in at least 10 days...The effexor no longer seems to have any effect on my energy level and sometimes seems to make me more tired (before the nightmares started)
That's why I wanted to quit Effexor. I was exhausted all the time. Completely lethargic, no interest or motivation. I wasn't sleeping very well any more either. I didn't gain weight but I keep a really close watch on my intake (eating disorder type, here). No nightmare, though.Marsha
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