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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2005, at 22:36:58
In reply to Weaning off Effexor - logistics » SLS, posted by winddancer on March 18, 2005, at 22:25:22
Dr. Bob is away for a week and has left others in charge. It will be interesting to see if this gets redirected there. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by SLS on March 19, 2005, at 6:50:34
In reply to Weaning off Effexor - logistics » SLS, posted by winddancer on March 18, 2005, at 22:25:22
Here we are...
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050228/msgs/472740.html
- Scott
Posted by Ship on March 19, 2005, at 14:19:05
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been on 37.5 effexor xr for 10 days now. At the 5 day mark i called my dr and complained of feeling wired, sweating, dry eyes, clenching of jaw and not sleeping well-even after taking 1 Ambien! She said to keep on it for 14 days. So now I'm on day 10 and feel that side effects are still there, but subsiding. BUT now I've started spotting! Is this a side effect too? I weigh 124 pds and stayed on the 37.5 rather than increase to 75 for now.
Posted by fritzy on March 19, 2005, at 19:04:41
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
i am so happy with effexor...i take it for anxiety and it works like a dream. i have my life back after a year of barely being able to get off the couch! i have 3 friends that are on it as well and they are all equally as happy with it as me. i've heard about all these withdrawal symtpoms but i don't care because i'm living in the moment and i've had no side effects on this so far at all. i'll deal with the withdrawal then, if i ever go off it at all. I was worried i wouldn't be the same person on medication like this, but i am exactly the same, just more free and happy. if you decide to try it i hope you find it the same!!
Posted by ed_uk on March 19, 2005, at 19:15:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » jp, posted by fritzy on March 19, 2005, at 19:04:41
Hi!
How long have you been taking Effexor? What dose are you on?
Ed.
Posted by crazycanadian_27 on March 30, 2005, at 14:25:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » jp, posted by fritzy on March 19, 2005, at 19:04:41
i've just started taking effexor XR and was wondering what side effects are really common? i know there are several side effects, some of which i've already been having prior to taking Effexor Xr because of my depression.
does anyone know of a good online support group that i could join as well? i have gained alot of weight battling with my depression and its getting to the point of being unhealthy so it would be great to have some support dealing with things.
thanx
Posted by kateandjake on March 31, 2005, at 10:20:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » fritzy, posted by ed_uk on March 19, 2005, at 19:15:39
I dont know about success but..
I have only been on Effexor 2 weeks..I was on Elavil but gained 40 pounds and so far some of the weight MAY be coming off and I dont feel so bloated but this is my problem..I itch..here and there- off and on- I have no rash. has anyone experienced this( I have read it is a side effect) and if so does it ever end? Is there something that will relieve or ease the itching?
I cant deal with the weight gain from Elavil even tho that was the only problem I had with it.
Posted by txgal on April 1, 2005, at 23:54:26
In reply to Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Louise on March 14, 2000, at 23:35:34
> Just got sample of Effexor XR. I've been on Paxil 20mg. for 1 yr. I feel great and my panic attacks are gone. BUT --- I keep gaining weight. I told my dr. to give me something else. Did anyone gain weight on this stuff? Does anyone use this for panic attacks. My dr. told me I could go right from Paxil to Effexor XR, stopping one and starting the other with no withdrawl symptoms. ANyone try it. Thanks for any input.
> >
> Hi. I tried Effexor xr and I felt so much better. I was singing in the morning and felt like a new person. It was great. I wasn't on it for long and for some reason I was put on Paxil. It didn't work for me at all and I was switched back to Effexor xr. It just didn't seem to work like it did before. So the Dr. increased to double. (150) The days that I missed it I felt soooo tired and sleepy. As soon as I figured this out, I didn't miss any doses. I gained alot of weight on this. I don't know how. (But I went back to 75 mg) I also take thyroid rx for my hypothyroidism and also took a low dose of blood pressure medicine for my headaches that I got often. I always had a hard time getting up in the morning and a hard time falling asleep. I've always had scary dreams, so that was nothing new. Actually haven't had them in a long time. I have also not had my period in over a year. I also have a tendency to clench my teeth and have an upset stomach alot. I also noticed that at work when I wasn't busy ( I cut hair) and sat in my chair for more that 30 minutes I was dozing off. I always seemed to be tired. So I increased my thyroid rx to double and it seemed to take care of that. I also heard about the weight gain from depression medicine and wanted to get off it. I tried to stop cold turkey and only lasted 2 days. I was crying and a wreck and very dizzy and tired and emotional. I went to my Dr. today and he gave me some half doses to ween myself off Effexor. He told me that it makes you gain weight. He also gave me some other kind of medicine for my hormones so I can have a period and help my face to clear up. I did go to GNC and get some natural hormone stuff and I think that it is working as seeing as I kinda started a men. cycle. Very light. (Sorry guys) I'll start taking the lower dose tomorrow and hope that I'll do ok. It's hard to figure out if the depression was cause by the hypothyroidism or because of marital problems. I wish I had never stopped taking it the 1st time when it was working so great. It just never seemed to work good again. Same with the synthroid I took when I first found out about that problem. It worked great. Then I quit taking it for armour. Didn't work. Then they put me back on synthroid and didn't feel good like before and so they doubled....then test said it was too high. One of the t's was I think. Hopefully getting off the Effexor I will be able to lose the weight and still feel somewhat ok.
If anyone else has had the problem of no periods, I heard on the news the other night that when you go a long time without a period your body thinks that your are going into menopause and that's when you gain weight. That was good to know. There is a medicine to take that makes you have one but it was too costly. Anyway...I'll update to let you know how it goes.
Posted by garnet on April 2, 2005, at 20:25:48
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I just started taking effexor xr. Has anyone occurred a loss of appetite? I tend to only eat when I am real hungrey and eat twice a day. I also had a panic attack at school, which never happened even when I was depressed. I don't know if it was me or the medication.
Posted by Corafree on April 2, 2005, at 21:04:39
In reply to loss of appetite?, posted by garnet on April 2, 2005, at 20:25:48
Hi garnet. I did have a loss of appetite when I was taking Eff-XR. I wasn't sure though that it didn't have something to do w/ no more cooking for fam', as they all flew the coop! I'm sorry you had a panic attack. I think that sometimes the actual extension (XR - extended release) of the drug is different due to different metabolization. I had to take two a day, when I was on it. It would be out of my system in mid to late afternoon. Around that time I'd take a second dose. If didn't, would have anxiety or panic. It is also around that time that sundowning occurs for people. How long after what dose did you have the panic attack?
bestwishes, cf
Posted by garnet on April 3, 2005, at 11:42:09
In reply to Re: loss of appetite? » garnet, posted by Corafree on April 2, 2005, at 21:04:39
> Hi garnet. I did have a loss of appetite when I was taking Eff-XR. I wasn't sure though that it didn't have something to do w/ no more cooking for fam', as they all flew the coop! I'm sorry you had a panic attack. I think that sometimes the actual extension (XR - extended release) of the drug is different due to different metabolization. I had to take two a day, when I was on it. It would be out of my system in mid to late afternoon. Around that time I'd take a second dose. If didn't, would have anxiety or panic. It is also around that time that sundowning occurs for people. How long after what dose did you have the panic attack?
>
> bestwishes, cfHey cf
My doctor gave me a sample packet of it, in ways it is helping my thoughts have not consumed me entirely, but he said it would take time to work. I was on the 37.5 mg for 5 days. I have had panic attacks before, but just never at school which scared me a bit.
Posted by Corafree on April 3, 2005, at 13:48:47
In reply to Re: loss of appetite? cf, posted by garnet on April 3, 2005, at 11:42:09
Yeah, would be a drag having panic attack when out in any 'social/educational setting.' I'm so used to putting on the 'I'm o.k.' mask, still probably would have run for cover! Keep in touch w/ your psychiatrist that prescribed it for you. Don't EVER feel like your probs' re: medication are not important enough to warrant his/her ASAP attention!!! In the meantime, keep posting. cf
Posted by alexrose on April 3, 2005, at 19:15:38
In reply to Re: is effexor making me crazy????, posted by Maria Warren on February 22, 2002, at 7:17:03
I have been on effexor XR for quite sometime and it was all good for awhile, but now with my boyfriend and others I find myself very short tempered. I know deep inside that he didn't do anything intentional or something worth me making a fit about yet I get immediately infuriated at him. I just want to scream, but I hold inside because I know that he truely didnt do anything wrong, yet i tend to stay mad at him and ignore him for awhile for the feeling to go away. I never experienced temper this bad till i started using this drug.. anyone have this?????
Posted by Rhonda Jo on April 5, 2005, at 17:38:06
In reply to is effexor making me angry???, posted by alexrose on April 3, 2005, at 19:15:38
I have had the same anger problems also but I did scream! I thought it was just me until I read you email. I guess it could be the effexor. I have been on it since 2002. I lost weight at first and did not sleep well or feel very well but I rode it out and started feeling better. then I thought I did not need it. My husband is a scuba diver, I took lessons and we went to Cozumel for a week. Had 14 dives. Jumped right in and even saw a shark or 2 but it was so beautiful, I know what Heaven must feel like. I felt so much better by mid 2003
I quit taking the meds. Went to Hawaii, jumped off the boat- had a major anxiety attack in the water. Had to be pulled out. Made second dive but was nervous. next day samething happend, next day samething. Came home I was a b^*%#%(&! Had some rough times. My husband SENT me back to the doctor
I was on 75 then went to 150. Now I am going to school to get my real estate license. can't finish a book, can't study. My 10 year old is ADD/IA - not hyper-his meds were changed and I had 60 pills of Ritalin...I took 2. Oh my goodness. someone should have done something like this a long time ago. I have been able to study for long periods of time and I am reading for the first time in my life. I am 44. I am a calmer person. before I would have a day off and 20 things to take care of ,yes 20, I have a large family, and not know where to start. Today I was getting things done and not beating myself up for going in circles and thinking about how I will never get it together. I have it together. Now I just have to tell my doctor what I have done. Tomorrow I have an appointment with him.........
Posted by Liz1977 on April 7, 2005, at 12:14:58
In reply to loss of appetite?, posted by garnet on April 2, 2005, at 20:25:48
Hello, I was on Effexor for 10 months. I lost my appetite right away and lost 30 pounds. I also had lots of hot flashes (not menopause I'm only 27 :)) if I cried I would get these major pains in my head. But I hardly cried cause Effexor made me pretty damn happy. I also had a bit of my ocd come back that I had as a child). I'm feeling quite BLAH lately(actually blah for about 10 month and really bad, I am always sad and never want to do anything) though and going to see my doctor about trying it again. I tried Zoloft but that didn't work for me. I know Effexor had worked for me and at least I know the side effects I may get again. OH and I also talked a mile a minute on it. Hmm I think I'm talking myself out of it again. Anyone else have these or simular side effects? Also do you think these side effects would be worth it to go through again knowing I would be happier? Would like some opinions. Such a hard decission figuring out if medication is the right way to go. I'm too scared to take something I'm not familiar with. Thank YOu in advance.
Posted by geno69 on April 8, 2005, at 9:11:52
In reply to Re: loss of appetite? cf » garnet, posted by Corafree on April 3, 2005, at 13:48:47
Hello all, this is my first post. I recently started taking effexor and Ambien. Has anyone else taken these two medications together and if so, how did they interact with each other? I have only been on them for 2 days so I really do not know what to expect. One more question, I was wondering if I should tell my employer I have been diagnosed with Depression? Any help would be appreciated
Posted by Maxime on April 8, 2005, at 10:30:40
In reply to Re: loss of appetite? cf, posted by geno69 on April 8, 2005, at 9:11:52
Ambien can be taken with just about anything. Of course you shouldn't take ambien with another sleep med. Ambien is also not meant to be taken every night. You should only take it for a couple of nights until your normal sleep pattern returns.
DON'T TELL YOUR EMPLOYER! There is still too much stigma attached to depression. They are not allowed to discrimate against you but they will. I once told an employer and then I had to go into hospital for two weeks. When I returned I was dopey from my new meds. My employer had HR write up a letter saying that I showed signs of being unstable ... I was really just stoned from a new med. Anyhow they put me on sick leave without pay so I had to quit.
Now had I been feeling better I would have fought it. But I was still working out a new meds etc.
Just don't say anything. I hope one day there stigma will be gone, but until then just don't tell anyone.
Maxime
> Hello all, this is my first post. I recently started taking effexor and Ambien. Has anyone else taken these two medications together and if so, how did they interact with each other? I have only been on them for 2 days so I really do not know what to expect. One more question, I was wondering if I should tell my employer I have been diagnosed with Depression? Any help would be appreciated
>
Posted by Maxime on April 8, 2005, at 10:36:28
In reply to Re: loss of appetite?, posted by Liz1977 on April 7, 2005, at 12:14:58
Hi, Effexor did the same thing to me. Well it made me hypomanic which is what it sounds like you were. Effexor also raises your blood pressure which is why you would get the headaches. Your doctor should have been monitoring your BP. With all the other meds out there, it might be best to try something else. Maybe Cymbalta would work? You just have to try and see.
I hope you feel better.
Maxime
> Hello, I was on Effexor for 10 months. I lost my appetite right away and lost 30 pounds. I also had lots of hot flashes (not menopause I'm only 27 :)) if I cried I would get these major pains in my head. But I hardly cried cause Effexor made me pretty damn happy. I also had a bit of my ocd come back that I had as a child). I'm feeling quite BLAH lately(actually blah for about 10 month and really bad, I am always sad and never want to do anything) though and going to see my doctor about trying it again. I tried Zoloft but that didn't work for me. I know Effexor had worked for me and at least I know the side effects I may get again. OH and I also talked a mile a minute on it. Hmm I think I'm talking myself out of it again. Anyone else have these or simular side effects? Also do you think these side effects would be worth it to go through again knowing I would be happier? Would like some opinions. Such a hard decission figuring out if medication is the right way to go. I'm too scared to take something I'm not familiar with. Thank YOu in advance.
>
Posted by geno69 on April 8, 2005, at 10:41:30
In reply to Re: loss of appetite? cf » geno69, posted by Maxime on April 8, 2005, at 10:30:40
Thanks Maxime for the info. I have been reluctant to tell anyone about this. I am hoping this forum will help me talk with others about depression and understanding it.
Posted by Liz1977 on April 8, 2005, at 14:59:01
In reply to Re: loss of appetite? cf, posted by geno69 on April 8, 2005, at 10:41:30
Hi, Thanks for the recomendation Maxime. I actually found a very helpful forum on taking St' John's Wort and there's other herbal remedies there that seem to be working great for people. I really don't want to go thru the symptoms again of the Antidepressants so I'm trying the herbal way. Worth a shot!
Doctor's here in Canada don't monitor you very well if at all. If you don't make an appointment and keep it they won't even call you. I'm sure there are some that might but for the most part they have too many patients and just don't. When you're living alone and dealing with this on your own it's probably not a great idea to be trying all sorts of these drugs. When I was on Effexor I was living with someone at the time. Which was good because I fainted a few times, once in the shower!
ANyway I agree not to tell your employer! People don't really get what it is.. the less people that know is better for you. Always good for people close to you to know but not everyone as they will treat you funny maybe :)
Posted by Maxime on April 8, 2005, at 15:55:24
In reply to Re: loss of appetite? cf, posted by Liz1977 on April 8, 2005, at 14:59:01
You don't have to tell me about the state of health care here in Canada, let alone mental health care. I was lucky when I lived in Calgary because I had a pdoc who cared and took the time to do things right. She was overly cautious, but I appreciated it. When I was on effexor she checked my BP every week. It ended up making me manic so that was the end of that med. She knew I lived on my own and a couple of times she called me at home to tell me that I was going to get better and to hang in there. I didn't get better but it was nice of her to call. :-)
Maxime
>
> Hi, Thanks for the recomendation Maxime. I actually found a very helpful forum on taking St' John's Wort and there's other herbal remedies there that seem to be working great for people. I really don't want to go thru the symptoms again of the Antidepressants so I'm trying the herbal way. Worth a shot!
> Doctor's here in Canada don't monitor you very well if at all. If you don't make an appointment and keep it they won't even call you. I'm sure there are some that might but for the most part they have too many patients and just don't. When you're living alone and dealing with this on your own it's probably not a great idea to be trying all sorts of these drugs. When I was on Effexor I was living with someone at the time. Which was good because I fainted a few times, once in the shower!
> ANyway I agree not to tell your employer! People don't really get what it is.. the less people that know is better for you. Always good for people close to you to know but not everyone as they will treat you funny maybe :)
>
Posted by Rhonda Jo on April 9, 2005, at 18:53:22
In reply to Re: loss of appetite? cf » geno69, posted by Maxime on April 8, 2005, at 10:30:40
> Ambien can be taken with just about anything. Of course you shouldn't take ambien with another sleep med. Ambien is also not meant to be taken every night. You should only take it for a couple of nights until your normal sleep pattern returns.
>
> DON'T TELL YOUR EMPLOYER! There is still too much stigma attached to depression. They are not allowed to discrimate against you but they will. I once told an employer and then I had to go into hospital for two weeks. When I returned I was dopey from my new meds. My employer had HR write up a letter saying that I showed signs of being unstable ... I was really just stoned from a new med. Anyhow they put me on sick leave without pay so I had to quit.
>
> Now had I been feeling better I would have fought it. But I was still working out a new meds etc.
>
> Just don't say anything. I hope one day there stigma will be gone, but until then just don't tell anyone.
>
> Maxime
>
>
>
> > Hello all, this is my first post. I recently started taking effexor and Ambien. Has anyone else taken these two medications together and if so, how did they interact with each other? I have only been on them for 2 days so I really do not know what to expect. One more question, I was wondering if I should tell my employer I have been diagnosed with Depression? Any help would be appreciated
> > hi there,
I take effexor and sometimes I take ambien. I have no problem with the two. I have ebeen on effexor since 02 -150mg- and it works well but almost took my body a year to get used to it. now I am feeling good but I was still a scatter brain and could not sit and read a book or study -real estate-so now I take ritalin. This has changed my life. I am on top of the world and getting things done, reading all the books that I have bought and I am able to study. You have to give effexor a while. My doctor explained how it has to build factories and then start to work.......
good luck to you and it is none of your employers business!rj
Posted by Liz1977 on April 9, 2005, at 20:57:48
In reply to Re: loss of appetite? cf » Liz1977, posted by Maxime on April 8, 2005, at 15:55:24
Awwe what a great Doctor! Nova Scotia isn't so blessed! :)
Posted by geno69 on April 10, 2005, at 10:58:18
In reply to ADD, posted by Rhonda Jo on April 9, 2005, at 18:53:22
Thanks RJ, I believe that I can already feel the difference since taking the effexor.I know it has only been 4 days but I have more energy and not as irritable. Taking Ambien Friday night I got the best sleep I had in Years. I have had problems with talking to my self in my head all the time so it felt like I never slowed down. I am working on stopping that. I found a few good web sites that gave me some ideas to try. Thanks again. http://www.lessons4living.com/mindstorms.htm
Posted by BarbaraD on April 13, 2005, at 9:03:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Noa on May 7, 2000, at 12:11:34
I have been on Wellbutrin, prescribed for depression (150MG once a day in the A.M.) for the last 5 years. A year or so ago, my doc prescribed Effexor XR to treat menopausal irritability and anxiety attacks. He wants me to continue taking the Wellbutrin along with the Effexor XR to (supposedly) help with decreased sexual appetite. After being on Effexor XR (75MG once a day in the A.M.)nearly all of my side effects are gone...the fuzziness in concentration and overall view of the world around me; the uncontrollable yawning; the constant thirstiness. My anxiety attacks are gone and my mood is very stable. In addition, the pain I had most of the time as the result of a damaged disc in my lower back nearly disappeared. Figured that the Effexor eliminated stress. This is Great!!! Still sweating often but I contribute that to menopause. Two things are still bothering me...still no desire for sex (I'd rather sleep but my body responds well once my husband and I get started) and REALLY disturbing and vivid dreams. I often wake up my husband (and the cats) by yelling and flinging my arms around. The doc gave me Temazepan (15MG) to help me sleep but it looks like that dose is too low now. I sure don't want to increase it but I find myself waking up unrested and need a nap in the afternoon. Not to mention the somewhat depressed mood I wake up with as an aftereffect of the bad dreams. I'd love to get off of "something" to go back to restful sleep but don't know if it's possible. Has anyone else found a solution to the "bad dreams" issue? I hate this need to take meds to counteract the side effects of other meds. Where does it all end?
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