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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SLS on April 18, 2006, at 10:28:37
In reply to Repairing sex life, posted by Bumble on April 17, 2006, at 14:02:21
> Hi there,
>
> My partner started Effexor a couple of months ago. Since then, he has had little or no sex drive. Is there something I can do to alleviate this situation? He is just as frustrated as I am.Wellbutrin is often used to improve libido. It makes a good combination with Effexor, as it often improves the quality of the antidepressant response. Buspar is another drug often mentioned.
If anorgasmia is a problem, taking Periactin an hour prior to sexual activities can be helpful. Yohimbine is another drug that can be used this way. It heightens arousal.
- Scott
Posted by saj on April 23, 2006, at 9:35:52
In reply to My experience with Effexor XR, posted by Creed on April 7, 2006, at 8:38:34
I started March 9 & am now at 75 mg. I find it to be a miracle drug - I feel like a new person & have no side effects except some wacky dreams. I was taking Norpramine & Topamax, from which I had bad side effects, & am still taking Luvox for the OCD end of my depression but my doc thinks I will be able to taper off Luvox now. This is working wonders for me. -saj
Posted by CWN266 on April 23, 2006, at 12:16:59
In reply to Re: My experience with Effexor XR, posted by saj on April 23, 2006, at 9:35:52
26 days off Effexor, and now that the withdrawal side effects are gone, I feel like a new man. My head is out of a fog for the first time in 4 years. Good Riddance!!
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 24, 2006, at 18:09:11
In reply to Re: My experience with Effexor XR, posted by CWN266 on April 23, 2006, at 12:16:59
> 26 days off Effexor, and now that the withdrawal side effects are gone, I feel like a new man.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding withdrawal to Psycho-Babble Withdrawal. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060412/msgs/636644.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 29, 2006, at 1:52:31
In reply to Re: Effexor results so far » unknown_usr, posted by detroitpistons on April 13, 2006, at 13:40:16
> > After a week and a couple of days on the 75mg I have no energy. I can barely drag my butt out of bed and my moods have gone down the tube. I left a message for my Doc and everything, but i wonder if anyone else had this experience, and if it got better.
> >
>
> I'm on Effexor for the second time. The first doctor who put me on it told me specifically that things "might get worse before they get better." Any antidepressant trial should last at least six weeks before making a determination. In fact, the research shows that there is evidence of significant improvement in a relatively large percentage (forgot what the percentage is) of patients between the 6th and 8th weeks.
>
> > I find it weird that I am tired and depressed. On the 35.5mg with the 150mg of Welbutril I was feeling great. I even had insomnia for 2 days. But now I am completely drained. At least my appetite is still low.
> >
>
> Many people get wired on Effexor, but many people also get tired and lethargic. I was probably tired and lethargic the first time around, but I think that was mostly due to the depression itself. I gradually went up to 225mg. That's when I started feeling better. Keep in mind that if it takes you 4 weeks to get up to your dosage, it may take another 4 weeks to feel better after you've titrated up to that dosage. The insomnia is rather common with Effexor, and so is a fast heartbeat. This will go away. For the insomnia, many doctors prescribe a sleep aid for about a month until you have gotten used to the meds. Let your doctor know if you have insomnia. If it's a bad problem, just give him a call and he will just call a prescription in to the pharmacy. Trazadone is a good one. That's what I take.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just started taking Effexor XR a little over 2 months ago, and I had some problems. I was on Celexa (which worked for awhile, but then stopped working) and my doctor switched me to Effexor. I started with 1 37.5 effexor and half my dose of celexa (20mg), then 2 37.5 effexor and no celexa, then 3 37.5 effexor, and then 1 150mg effexor. This transition was over about a month. I was okay, but then after almost exactly 2 months, I started having serious problems sleeping, and it made me feel "high" and my heart was pounding out of my chest. My doctor didn't perscribe a sleep aid, but he lowered my dosage to 1 37.5 mg tablet twice a day. That has been working for me so far. I just thought I'd mention that your doctor might try a lower dosage for awhile, at least until that dosage isn't working anymore. So far so good for me, but I know I'm not out of the woods. Also, when I first starting taking Effexor, it made me extremely tired, but that went away after about two weeks. I have to be medicated, because I have tried not to take meds and it was a mess. I have GAD and probably depression too, but the GAD is diagnosed. I've been taking meds since I was 18. I started on BuSpar, which made everything a lot worse, then I took Paxil which worked extremely well but made me gain weight and made me lose my sex drive. So I switched to Celexa, and that was okay for awhile, but then it just didn't work anymore. If I don't take any meds, I can't leave my house without freaking out. I inherited this problem, and no amount of counseling will make it go away. Hang in there and communicate with your doctor is the only advice I have for anyone with these kind of problems.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 29, 2006, at 2:00:25
In reply to Re: Pregnancy and Effexor XR? » grandma, posted by antigua on March 13, 2006, at 20:15:52
> I had a safe pregnancy on Effexor. My baby was born prematurely, but totally healthy. He's eight now and shows no ill effects. Prematurity was early labor, NOT the Effexor.
> antiguaI like reading success stories. I'm not pregnant nor trying yet, but I will in the next year or so, and I am afraid of reactions with the medication and my baby. Although, there are many unhealthy babies born to very healthy people that never use medications, and many healthy babies born to very unhealthy people that use and abuse drugs all the time. So, it seems like a crapshoot. But, the success stories make me feel a little better. BTW, obviously, I'm on Effexor. Thanks for the personal success story.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 29, 2006, at 2:09:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by TinMan on March 17, 2006, at 18:11:37
> > Losing your inhibitions is also a sign of mania.
> >
> > I was on Effexor for 8 months and I was up around 600mg a day. It caused me to go into rapid-cycling mood swings, with the worst manic episodes that I have EVER experienced
> >
>
> Whoa! Cin-666,
>
> You were on 600 mg of Effexor a day? That is almost 2x the recommended daily dose. I am wondering whose care you were under...a MD or a Psychiatrist?
>
> I had an MD prescribe a too high dose of Paxil for me for several months. I am still cleaning up the mess.
>
> Now Effexor takes away my Generalized Anxiety but certainly not my inhibitions. I do things now without the usual anxiety and second thoughts. I like that!
>
> ~TinMan
>I've noticed Effexor helps me to be more social for certain. I can smile at strangers now, when before I felt like they would think I'm weird or I'd be crushed when they don't return the smile. I'm a lot more secure in that sense now that I'm on effexor, and I'd have to say, it doesn't exactly take away my inhibitions. It does take away that social inhibition I had that made people think I wasn't a nice person.
-Bonnie
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on April 29, 2006, at 16:44:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Bonnie_CA on April 29, 2006, at 2:09:08
I have found out that my pdoc is known for pushing the limits on the drugs that he prescribes. He believes that if a drug isn't working for you than you're not on a high enough dose. I'm still with him, but now I control my doses and the drugs that I get him to prescribe for me. This is only a temperary solution until I can find a new pdoc. Now that I'm in control though I've been doing a lot better than I ever was when he was controlling my meds and doses.
I just worry about the other people under his care that could be suffering in the same way, or worse. It's something that I feel needs to be looked at by the other professionals in the mental health care system.
I was also told about another one of his patients that he tripled the recommended dose on (not effexor), and she ended up with some severe side effects that can't be reversed.
We have a new magazine in Canada now called "BP Canada", I'm thinking about sending them a letter with all of my information to see if they can bring any light to the situation.
So if your pdoc is pushing your dose up faster than you think is safe, remind them that it takes time for these drugs to take full effect on your body. I know I will!
Posted by LisaH817 on April 30, 2006, at 8:06:25
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by demon_child_cin-666 on April 29, 2006, at 16:44:23
I’ve been weaning off Effexor for 5 weeks now. I was on 150mg, dropped down to 112.5mg for 2 weeks, then 75mg for 2 weeks, and now I’ve been on 37.5mg for about 8 days. The first reductions went pretty well, only minimal withdrawal symptoms, but this last dose, it’s actually feeling like it’s getting worse as the days go by. I only have 6 doses left of this and am pretty damn worried about how much worse it’ll get once I’m down to nothing and how I am going to get through work, etc. I told my doctor I did not want to be on anything permanently, so why would she put me on this? But then again, I’ve read the literature that came with the drug and gone on the website and nowhere does it mention the severe withdrawal. I thought it was a great help when I needed it and went on it at first, now I am so sorry I did and think it’s dangerous!
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 1, 2006, at 17:44:42
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by LisaH817 on April 30, 2006, at 8:06:25
> I’ve been weaning off Effexor for 5 weeks now...
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding weaning off Effexor to Psycho-Babble Withdrawal. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060412/msgs/638889.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by mollyb on May 3, 2006, at 22:22:07
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by CG on July 11, 2000, at 20:39:00
I've been on 150mg of Effexor for 2+ years. Couldn't stop crying for months after my dad passed. It was the answer for sure. Just going off for the last two days...not weening, just cold turkey as I've been gainning too much weight! I loved it and wish everyone could take it. I think the world would be a much nicer place.
Posted by gnetsurpher on May 5, 2006, at 23:00:10
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by texasangel32 on April 4, 2006, at 23:09:05
> I have been on effexor xr 75 mg's for 1 week now, and has anyone out there on this medication seemed to have lost taste?I cant taste anything anymore,I have lost my appetite (which is a good thing) but was curious to see if anyone has the symptom as well..I also feel very withdrawn in my own world, is this normal?
I just was put on effexor for anxiety. I have a question related to anxiety. Everyone I know sees me as very laid back. However, in interactions with my wife, she sees me as anxious, quick to anger, and getting upset about small things. I also multitask, always keeping busy, watching tv and playing a game at the same time. If I go around the corner of a room and my wife is coming around it from the opposite side, it give s me a start because I don't expect to see her right there at that moment so I give a little "OH!" Like I was just a little startled. Is that a sign of a disorder? The psychiatrist says that effexor will help with my general anxiety disorder. I just dont understand how I can have this problem only with one person and not with everyone else. Does this make sense? Are those things I listed signs of a disorder? I think everyone has anxiety to some degree right?
I'm only on 37.5 right now, and I keep feeling sick every few minutes like im going to throw up. I guess thats normal but does it ever go away? One of my friends think i should get a second opinion but I don't know. I think my wife would get upset because it might seem like I am not acknowledgeing I have a problem. I'm not sure what to do.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 0:45:01
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid » unknown_usr, posted by detroitpistons on March 29, 2006, at 14:47:00
>
> Don't be scared off by the horror stories. Keep in mind that there are also plenty of people who have come off of Effexor without incident, but you don't hear about those people. Don't let this kind of stuff hold you back from a possibly effective treatment.You know, I wish those people would post. I'm on Effexor for GAD, so I read the horror stories and I get freaked out.
Posted by Elroy on May 6, 2006, at 12:22:45
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 0:45:01
>
> >
> > Don't be scared off by the horror stories. Keep in mind that there are also plenty of people who have come off of Effexor without incident, but you don't hear about those people. Don't let this kind of stuff hold you back from a possibly effective treatment.
>
> You know, I wish those people would post. I'm on Effexor for GAD, so I read the horror stories and I get freaked out.
Bonnie-CAI had NO problem coming off of Effexor. But then I was only on it for about a week. I too was / am suffering from GAD when I was put on Effexor. Not only did I develop fairly immediate "prostatitis like symptoms" that were very painful (one of the male side effects less heard about), but my anxiety levels went through the roof. By the end of the week it was unbearable. So I was taken off of it and put back on Xanax XR (1mg daily). Which helped a light amount.
A few months later I was then put on Cymbalta. Being very similar to EDffexor, I had the SAME reactions - it just took about 3 weeks too become unbearable instead of 1 week. Then back to Xanax XR only dose increased to 1 mg twice a day. (Which helped a bit more but still didn't seem to deal with the background anxiety completely - nor do hardly anything for the periodic spikes of sharp anxiety).
I was then at NIH Hospital for 2 weeks of testing in December (this last year) and part of my "Team" of doctors including a couple of psychiatrists.
They absolutely could not believe that there are doctors out there prescribing SSNRIs like Effexor and Cymbalta for any type of anxiety disorder. Both increase the circulating levels of norepinephrine and higher NE translates into higher anxiety levels. Even if your NE leves are tested at low, that low level is what your body / brain has adjusted to and "boosting" those levels causes severe anxiety.
They weren't even too enthusiastic about using SSRIs in anxiety situations, though they did say that certain ones did help mildly in certain types of anxiety.
Their medication of choice with most anxiety situations was Benzos. They specifically felt that for my condition that I was " severely under medicated" and recommended that my daily dosage be increased to 4 mg daily and then 6 mg daily. They also found out at NIH that my P450 enzymatic system - which metabolizes many things, including Xanax - was very much more efficient than the norm and as a result I was excreting the Xanax XR out of my bloodstream quicker than normal, so recommended that I go to 2 mg of Xanax XR three times a day. So far, my background anxiety is completely gone about 90% of the time and my "spikes" of severe anxiety are not only much less severe, but less shorter time periods and are further apart.
The theory expressed by NIH is that my anxiety is caused by my HPA Axis being hyperactive and dysfunctional (not reading feedbackl that I have plenty of cortisol so sending signals to produce more cortisol - and in a vicious cycle, the elevated cortisol levels cause increased anxiety which further hypers the HPA Axis). By being medicated at appropriate dosage levels, it should (hopefully) allow the HPA Axis a chance to rest and then re-set itself so cortisol secretions return to normal. Once we're sure that has happened and there has been no more anxiety, then we startt tapering off the Xanax XR. They were adamant if mental or physical symptoms of anxiety return that those are NOT withdrawal symptoms, it's just a sign that you're still not ready to come off of the Xanax XR. If you are ready to come off the Xanax (i.e., the anxiety is all gone), then the withdrawl will go smoothly. In fact, they felt that a good 50% of individuals taking even higher level therapeutic levels of Xanax can stop "cold turkey" and experience not one bit of withdrawal.
In fact, one of the psych docs specially mentioned at one point that she has patients who have much, much moer problems withdrawing from Effexor than she ever has had with withdrawing from Xanax.
So much for the horror story myths about Benzo withdrawals (where one thinks that anyone who ever took even the smallest dose of a Benzo has become an addict for life and will go through hellish withdrawal... maybe those rumors were started by Pharmaceutical company salesmen back when they first started pushing Prozac and other anti-depressants as also being good for anxiety!).
Elroy
Posted by detroitpistons on May 6, 2006, at 13:51:50
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 0:45:01
Bonnie,
> You know, I wish those people would post. I'm on Effexor for GAD, so I read the horror stories and I get freaked out.
You don't see many people on boards like this that don't have issues with medication. Yes, Effexor is known for bad withdrawal, but it doesn't necessarily have to effect you. Now that you're already on it, it's pointless to worry about it if it's working for you. That's the most important thing. You'll cross that withdrawal bridge when you come to it.
I have a friend who has been on Effexor off and on, and he has had no problem getting off. I'm on Effexor for the second time. The first time I went off, I transitioned to Paxil, so I didn't have any issues. The problem is that a lot of people go it alone, and don't seek their doctor's help in withdrawing. I'm not saying the doctor's help will automatically make everything better, but he/she can do things for you like prescribing you Prozac for a couple weeks to make the withdrawal almost non existent....I have not used this technique, but it seems to be very effective.Marc
> >
> > Don't be scared off by the horror stories. Keep in mind that there are also plenty of people who have come off of Effexor without incident, but you don't hear about those people. Don't let this kind of stuff hold you back from a possibly effective treatment.
>
> You know, I wish those people would post. I'm on Effexor for GAD, so I read the horror stories and I get freaked out.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 15:28:44
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid » Bonnie_CA, posted by Elroy on May 6, 2006, at 12:22:45
>In fact, one of the psych docs specially >mentioned at one point that she has patients who >have much, much moer problems withdrawing from >Effexor than she ever has had with withdrawing >from Xanax.
Elroy,
I haven't heard of anyone having trouble coming off of Xanax. I have heard people say that coming off of Paxil is worse than Effexor, and I've done that before... it was unpleasant but not so much that I had to be hospitalized. You sound like you've had a lot of trouble finding the right medication. I hope things get better for you!
-Bonnie
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 20:36:23
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.
> >
>I gained like 20 pounds on Paxil, and it is forever immortalized in my wedding photos. Then I switched to Celexa, and I lost all the weight. Now I'm somewhere between my original weight and my Paxil weight. When I gained weight on Paxil, I did NOTHING different. I didn't eat any more than I did before, I didn't exercise any less than before, and I gained all the weight in a month. Also, I didn't gain weight from it until I had been on it a year. Weird, huh? I always hear that Paxil is the worst for weight gain. They may be right. I stopped taking it because it impaired my sexual function (that's a problem for a newly married person LOL), but it worked the absolute best. I wish I could find something that worked as well as Paxil without those side effects.
Anyway, now I'm taking Effexor since the Celexa stopped working, and so far I haven't had weight gain or loss, but I've only been on it for three months. I'll keep ya posted.
-Bonnie
Posted by FredPotter on May 7, 2006, at 16:24:28
In reply to Re: Repairing sex life, posted by SLS on April 18, 2006, at 10:28:37
My pdoc said Wellbutrin isn't used anymore (here in NZ). I'm on Effexor and suffer great tiredness as well as loss of sexual feelings
Posted by Phillipa on May 7, 2006, at 20:38:16
In reply to Re: Repairing sex life, posted by FredPotter on May 7, 2006, at 16:24:28
What's that? I forgot!!!!!!Love Phillipa
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 8, 2006, at 22:34:24
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid » Bonnie_CA, posted by Elroy on May 6, 2006, at 12:22:45
>So I was taken off of it and put back on Xanax XR (1mg daily).
I just called my doc today about being taken off of Effexor, so I'll be posting on new stuff soon I'm sure... I just wanted to tell you, I've taken Xanax XR before and it straight up just put me to sleep. I'm glad it works for you... well, it works for me too, just too well. :D -Bonnie
Posted by prasnhym on May 9, 2006, at 12:21:15
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by CWN266 on April 2, 2006, at 17:46:24
I started my second round on effexor 75mg 3 weeks ago. I was on it for about 5 months last year. I am caring for my sister in the last stage of cancer and had to have something to deal with it all. The effexor worked wonderfully for me after i got past the beginning side effects of nausea and a little sweating. I noticed i slept better too the first time on it. I took the pill in the evening about 6 pm because that was when i got the perscription. I just decided one day i wanted to make it on my own and quit cold. It was quiet bad for about 2 or 3 weeks with mood swings and roaring/buzzing in my ears and tense anxiety or something.
After about 3 or 4 months things have gotten worse for my sister and i so i started back on it. I am having the same initial side effects except for insomnia now. I started back on it taking it in the am so yesterday i switched it back to about 6 pm and was sleepy for the first time in a long time tho my mind wouldnt let me sleep for awhile. I know the effexor helps me not to cry all the time or rant and rave in stress and i do feel better on it. And do not feel "drugged" in any way. I only plan on staying on it thu this crisis in my life but learned not to go cold turkey off again. I will do as i have seen on this site and wean off with something. I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth and maybe help someone else here....
Posted by saj on May 10, 2006, at 7:50:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by prasnhym on May 9, 2006, at 12:21:15
I have been on effexor xr a couple months (now at 75 mg) & have actually lost a few pounds. Altho I was not significantly overweight (the same 10-15 lbs as every other 48-year-old woman), I have noticed that on the effexor I have a lot more control over my eating. In particular, I am able to stop eating when full. I am now tapering off the other drug I've been taking, luvox, & will soon be on effexor only. -saj
Posted by LBL on May 10, 2006, at 17:32:19
In reply to Re: effexor weight gain, posted by saj on May 10, 2006, at 7:50:02
I'm curious how you and/or your doctor knew it was necessary to up your dosage from the 37.7 to something higher. I'm on 37.5(XR)for 3.5 weeks now and my doctor just wrote a scrip for another month's worth of the same dose. I feel great, but I'm just beginning to wonder if my afternoon headaches have something to do with the Effexor wearing off. (I just started taking it at bedtime)
Posted by saj on May 10, 2006, at 22:18:03
In reply to Re: effexor weight gain » saj, posted by LBL on May 10, 2006, at 17:32:19
To LBL - I believe my doc said 75 was the minimum therapeutic threshold, so I took the 37.5 for 4 days & then went to 75. I think you can go much higher but I'm doing very well at this dose. If you're taking the XR version of effexor, it's a time-release so shouldn't wear off during the day. (I take my entire dose in the morning.) I think headaches can be a side effect that is supposed to go away. Glad you feel better though!
Posted by LBL on May 11, 2006, at 6:04:37
In reply to Re: effexor weight gain » LBL, posted by saj on May 10, 2006, at 22:18:03
SAJ Thanks- I am definately going to ask about that.
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Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Script revised: February 4, 2008
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