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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1288 to 1312 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by triedit on August 18, 2001, at 22:25:22
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Cam W. on April 12, 2000, at 19:27:33
Hi All-- Here is my story. In 1987 I was diagnosed bipolar and put on Lithium and Xanax. Lithium is a salt, NOT a narcotic, by the way. Anyway, it crystalized in my gall bladder and I had to have surgery. A few years later I divorced my alcoholic abusive husband and voila! No more anxiety, depression, or mania. I credit psychotherapy.
Four years later I had a bout of real chemical depression. My (new) doctor put me on prozac and I felt amazing. I quit smoking, lost 100 pounds (which I desperately needed to do) and it was amazing. Until I realized the prozac was causing anorexia and that is why I was losing the weight. The doc took me off the prozac and I did well on nothing at all for about 3 years. Again, I credit the therapy because I learned what depression is and what the warning signs are and what I can do.
Then I injured my back and the doctor put me on Morphine or something (I dont even remember what, but it knocked me WAY out for a LONG time) and when I finally convinced the Workers Compensation folks I needed another doctor, the new doc put me of Vioxx and Xanax and Paxil. Yep all at once. I had to have the vioxx to get out of bed. I took the xanax for about a week then stopped it. About three weeks later I forgot my dose of Paxil. I ended up in the ER needing CT scans because I had no short-term memory whatsoever. My fiance was terrified. I knew who he was and where we were but I couldnt even remember the drive to the hospital. Needless to say I never took another dose.
Last month one of our dear friends, starting his third week of Paxil, suddenly pulled his car off the road and jumped off a highway bridge, killing himself.
I had a baby in February and the post-partum depression really was tough. But because I knew what it was, I survived. Well Im now tired of just surviving. I know what feeling 'right' feels like and this isnt it. So yesterday I started the Effexor XR. Already I'm tired and weak, but I know that psych meds will pretty much all do that for awhile. So I will stick to it because I don't want to feel grouchy and anxious and scared all the time.SOooooo...In My Humble Opion....
Don't take any psych meds without first going to therapy UNLESS you are in a dangerous place (wanting to hurt yourself or others)
Don't start or stop or alter doses AT ALL without talking to your doctor.
Don't take anything--I mean not even advil--without talking to at least your pharmacist about interaction.
Don't give up
Don't blame anyone or anything--just get what you need for you and grow
Don't let yourself feel inadequate or stupid or ugly or whatever because you have to take drugs. Diabetic need drugs and depression is a chemical problem too!Ok that's all for me.
Robin
Posted by ksc on August 20, 2001, at 7:25:23
In reply to Re: How Long?, posted by mila on August 17, 2001, at 13:18:34
My doc told me that I needed to give it a full year long commitment (in combination with counseling). Unfortunately I had to stop after about 8 months because the side affects were too much for me. I spent about a month wiening myself down from a 112.5mg dosage. That was about a month ago, and I'm now starting to feel a lot better, as long as I get enough rest. I had to use a sleep aid for a while, because my body was having serious trouble with the dreams, but a few weeks of sleep aids allowed my body time to catch up. I'm now off the sleep aids and can sleep through "most" of the night. I'm thinking another month or so, and I should be right as rain.
ksc.
Posted by nwysca on August 21, 2001, at 5:04:29
In reply to Re: How Long?, posted by ksc on August 20, 2001, at 7:25:23
Hi everyone!Is it true that if you drink more than 2 beers a week, Effexor loses its effectiveness?
What about caffeine? weed? sugar? Anything?!?!
Hope someone can help,
nwysca
Posted by Marie on August 21, 2001, at 21:21:42
In reply to Re: Fear Factor? » Richster, posted by alec on August 11, 2001, at 12:14:20
> > I have been using Effexor on and off for at least 3 years for depression. I had tried many other meds including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Wellbutrin unsuccessfully. I have tapered myself off at least twice and probably went "cold turkey" at least once. Although I found the withdrawal effects striking (mild to moderate lightheadedness and/or dizziness, very mild headache), actually I considered them an annoyance and they subsided relatively quickly. By the posts on this board I can see that the side effects of use/withdrawal of this (and likely all) drug(s) varies greatly from patient to patient.
> >
> > I took myself off of Effexor for nearly one year, hoping to be drug-free. However, I decided that my symptoms of depression outweighed any side effects of Effexor I had experienced. In fact, my side effects ON Effexor are almost zero. I should state that on initiating the med, I did experience some mild to moderate sexual dysfunction (including abnormal ejaculation which someone else had mentioned) but which subsided within I would say 2 weeks. I now have no problems with respect to sexual function. The only symptoms that I do experience are if I miss a dose, then after several hours I do begin to experience mild lightheadedness or dizziness. I have never had any sleep-related side effects. Interestingly, one side-effect of Effexor use that I have noticed is significant appetite suppression and/or weight LOSS. Fortunately for me this has not been an issue.
> >
> > Effexor has really allowed me to cope with my depression and really lessens the "lows". I still absolutely feel like "myself" and have never ever felt like "a zombie" or "unable to feel normal emotions". Without question if I ever felt that way on any medication I would stop.
> >
> > I decided to post my experiences in the hope of providing some balance in view of the (many!) fear-inducing reports I have read on this board and hopefully to reduce the fears of persons looking for solutions for their depression who may, like me, have tried other medications without success.
> Thanks for that post! I have types 2,3,& 5 adult ADD. I have been on effexor XR 10 days now. Day1 37.5 mg, day2, 75mg , day3, 112.5mg, and since then 150mg per day. Within 8 hours my anxiety and depressive tendancies were gone! It was amazing. I have never had the ability to experience life without the ever present anxiety, anxiousness, and depression (not all at the same time)that influenced my every thought and action. My side effects so far are the following. Dry mouth, supressed apetite,sweating easier than usual,and sexual disfunction as described by all you other guys. Also I had been sleepy during the day but at night I have never slept better.I felt somewhat numb and cloudy and had a long visit with my doctor two days ago. He is a specialist in Behavioral Disorders and the first thing I told him was "Please don't let me go back to the way I was".We spoke at length about my first week on this stuff, side effects etc. My doctor wants me to stay with 150mg effexor XR every morning and asked me to start taking Wellbutrin SR 100mg. once in the morning and once late in the day if I think I need it. He told me that it should relieve me of that cloudy-foggy feeling and should help the sexual disfunction.This is my third day with the Wellbutrin and it seemed to start working the first day.Yesterday I was a little disoriented when driving and don't know why but maybe the new medication had a little to do with it.I really am feeling a lot clearer today and I think I am getting back my get up and go.There are certain aspects of my behavior that I think will have to be RE-Learned,For example,My motivation or drive to get things done,(including exercise)was always initiated by what I think was an abnormal anxioness or worry that I have to get this thing done (hope this makes sense).I seem to have lost my drive to get things done because those feelings that drove me have all but disapeared. I feel different than I have ever felt in my life, I feel good pretty much all the time and think I may be able to be like some people I have admired for their ability to take life "With a grain of salt" and not let the "small stuff get to them" I think I will have to find a more "normal" motivation to get things done like maybe "I like doing it ", now there is a novel idea! any way I need to fill all of you on what is going on with me and my course of treatment. I for one am very grateful to my doctor and the drug companies that make this stuff. I am sorry about the people that have had all those nasty side effects and want to run out and get a lawyer but it works for me, hope it lasts....any questions,comments ?.....AlecHi...I started taking effexor XR 150mg 3weeks ago for major depression. I tried celexa for 2 weeks and had nose bleeds with severe migraines, couldn't do that one, migraines are a problem for me as well as seizures (topamax 200mg daily). When I began taking the celexa it wasn't for depression it was to help with the migraines/seizures (bad idea)in the mean time I didn't realize I was depressed and me and my life were out of control. I was in therapy but still not really seeing what was wrong until I hit my emotional bottom. My therapist referred me to a outpatient hospital I began seeing a psychiatrist, he started me on effexor XR 150 mg and I have told you all this to let you know that because of effexor XR...I have my life back, I am now playing with my children again, I haven't screamed, yelled, cussed or fussed in the weeks that I have been taking effexor XR...I have not thrown a temper tantrum like a 3 year old and I'm 36 years old. I was way out of control and I for one am very grateful for this medication I've read so many of these threads from as far back as 1999 since yesterday (8/20/2001) only because I just happened to inquire about effexor and this site came up...I am more informed, however, no one has convinced me to stop taking effexor XR. I have experienced several of the side effects, dry mouth, vivid dreams, sleepy during the day and insomnia at night...but to be able to play with my kids, for them not to be afraid I'm going to explode at the slightest thing or at nothing at all, to be able to smile/laugh again, to just have my life back...those side effects are bearable. Effexor XR makes my life worth living!
Posted by jml on August 22, 2001, at 15:06:54
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've had pretty good luck on Effexor. I started taking it a year ago for
moderate depression with symptoms including crying spells, no
appetite, and feelings of hopelessness. I had some somewhat distressing
side effects during the first two to three weeks on the medication (37.5
mg per day for one week and then to 75 mg per day). The side effects
included insomnia, drowsiness during the day, and hearing a buzzing noise
in my head. These side effects went away, except for the drowsiness,
which I continued to experience to some extent. I went up to 150 mg/day
(taken in the morning) after about 5 months of being on Effexor due to
some of my symptoms coming back (although they were less severe than
before I began Effexor). I decided in May of this year that I wanted to
see if I still needed to be on an antidepressant. My doctor advised me
about how best to discontinue my use of Effexor. I decreased my dosage very gradually and
also took 10 mg of Prozac while I was decreasing my Effexor dose. I didn't experience very
many side effects while I was decreasing my dosage (some slight nausea),
but I did find that I didn't feel very well for about a week after I took
my last dose. I felt kind of nauseous and tired and a
little bit dizzy at times. I was able to go to work and get done what I
needed to despite these withdrawal symptoms. I was off of the medication
for about 2 months when I started to get the symptoms back in full force.
I really believe this is due to my chemical make-up (and family history of
depression) rather than to getting off of Effexor. I decided to go back
on Effexor. I began taking 37.5 mg again and worked up to 150 mg. I
think at this time I just need an antidepressant, although I do hope that
at some point I will be able to go off of the medication again. Overall,
I would recommend Effexor since I have found it extremely helpful for
depression symptoms, and I have not been bothered by the side effects or
the withdrawal symptoms.
> Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
>
> Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> to have a lot of success...
>
> please share your thoughts on this.
Posted by Kristie on August 22, 2001, at 15:22:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jml on August 22, 2001, at 15:06:54
I just got off of Effexor XR 75 mgs after about a year and it really helped me alot. Today is my first day off and I feel like crap! My head feels really heavy and I can't think straight. I will never again try an anti-depressent/anti-anxiety for my problems. I cannot stand the side effects from withdrawal. But then again some people need medicine to help them; my depression and anxiety wasn't as bad as some people have. If at all possible I would recommend other alternatives instead of medicine to help deal with depression just because they are very easy to become dependent upon. If someone knows of something to help me deal with these withdrawal symptoms please let me know. Thanks!
> I've had pretty good luck on Effexor. I started taking it a year ago for
> moderate depression with symptoms including crying spells, no
> appetite, and feelings of hopelessness. I had some somewhat distressing
> side effects during the first two to three weeks on the medication (37.5
> mg per day for one week and then to 75 mg per day). The side effects
> included insomnia, drowsiness during the day, and hearing a buzzing noise
> in my head. These side effects went away, except for the drowsiness,
> which I continued to experience to some extent. I went up to 150 mg/day
> (taken in the morning) after about 5 months of being on Effexor due to
> some of my symptoms coming back (although they were less severe than
> before I began Effexor). I decided in May of this year that I wanted to
> see if I still needed to be on an antidepressant. My doctor advised me
> about how best to discontinue my use of Effexor. I decreased my dosage very gradually and
> also took 10 mg of Prozac while I was decreasing my Effexor dose. I didn't experience very
> many side effects while I was decreasing my dosage (some slight nausea),
> but I did find that I didn't feel very well for about a week after I took
> my last dose. I felt kind of nauseous and tired and a
> little bit dizzy at times. I was able to go to work and get done what I
> needed to despite these withdrawal symptoms. I was off of the medication
> for about 2 months when I started to get the symptoms back in full force.
> I really believe this is due to my chemical make-up (and family history of
> depression) rather than to getting off of Effexor. I decided to go back
> on Effexor. I began taking 37.5 mg again and worked up to 150 mg. I
> think at this time I just need an antidepressant, although I do hope that
> at some point I will be able to go off of the medication again. Overall,
> I would recommend Effexor since I have found it extremely helpful for
> depression symptoms, and I have not been bothered by the side effects or
> the withdrawal symptoms.
>
>
> > Hi there,
> >
> > Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> > "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> > Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
> >
> > Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> > to have a lot of success...
> >
> > please share your thoughts on this.
Posted by DGHIFI on August 22, 2001, at 22:52:05
In reply to Foods/Alcohol/Weed Depression, posted by nwysca on August 21, 2001, at 5:04:29
>
> Hi everyone!
>
> Is it true that if you drink more than 2 beers a week, Effexor loses its effectiveness?
>
> What about caffeine? weed? sugar? Anything?!?!
>
> Hope someone can help,
>
> nwysca
Been on EFXR for a few months now, a 'sub-thereputic' 37.5 is doing the trick for me. I'm a big fan but I am aware that, for me, I have to watch my partying. I just don't enjoy getting real wasted like before. I have a couple of theories; first, as my depression has lifted, I just don't feel the need to numb myself out like I used to. I also do think the EFXR has an interaction effect like the often-mentioned caffiene sensitivity (switching to 25% decaf in the mix took care of that problem)and I feel really crappy the next day of I over-indulge. I have just about never drank to the excess of being hung-over (well, maybe a few times back in college 25 years ago!)but if I drink more than a couple of glasses of wine I'll feel a bit crummy the next day. Mix it with a joint and it's not so good. I guess moderation is best for me; I'm trying to see if sticking to only smoking or only drinking in any given evening is easier on me. Remember that alcohol is a depressent so it stands to reason that if we're all trying to rid ourselves of mental depression we should try and avoid ingesting depressing alcohol.
Posted by Andrew Glass on August 25, 2001, at 16:29:16
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Andrea on January 9, 2001, at 23:07:59
I must say that to read your comments not only have they concerned me but saddened me. I must say that I have been on Effexor XL since May and I have stopped and started them without any side effects what so ever. Maybe, it's just a case that I got used to the side effects or never really thought about them. I have been off them for two weeks now and there have been no side effects. I have however had to restart taking them as suicidal thoughts have been bouncing around my head. The doctor started me off on 75mg a day however this was no help what so ever, so I am now on 150mg and have been since June except for the two week break I had in July. To be perfectly honest though I don't really see them as any help at the moment, maybe a larger dose is needed, or maybe I dont need them at all??
Posted by colin on August 25, 2001, at 22:01:16
In reply to Re: How Long?, posted by ksc on August 20, 2001, at 7:25:23
> My doc told me that I needed to give it a full year long commitment (in combination with counseling). Unfortunately I had to stop after about 8 months because the side affects were too much for me. I spent about a month wiening myself down from a 112.5mg dosage. That was about a month ago, and I'm now starting to feel a lot better, as long as I get enough rest. I had to use a sleep aid for a while, because my body was having serious trouble with the dreams, but a few weeks of sleep aids allowed my body time to catch up. I'm now off the sleep aids and can sleep through "most" of the night. I'm thinking another month or so, and I should be right as rain.
>
> ksc.I have been on effexor for almost a yr now, the dose has varied from 150 to 75....I am now holding on 75. To be honest i have been trying to come off it, but the side effects are horrendous, drowsiness, electrical buzzing in my brain, teeth numb, headaches and just downright feeling awful! I actually got down to 37.5(with great difficulty, but as I said am back up to 75. I have actually felt worse taking this stuff than any mild depression i may have suffered. Any advice for kicking this stuff.???
Colin.
Posted by colin on August 26, 2001, at 17:36:18
In reply to im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by nico on July 9, 2000, at 0:14:29
> ive been taking 225mg of effexor xr for about a year now, and im trying to get off of it. so far it has been hell. i tried to decrease my dose to 150, but i couldnt do it. its too much of a decrease. i couldnt even get out of bed.
> i had to go back to 225mg. i told my dr. i was haveing trouble, so he me gave 37.5mg pills.
> so i decreased my dosage by 37.5 mg. i tried it for a week, i ended up in the emergency room, because i thought i was going die.
> so they upped my dose again and im back at 225 mg.
> i dont know what to do now.
> 37.5mg is the lowest dose they have. but its not low enough.
> how can i get off this med, without losing my mind?What a find this website is!!!!!! I was prescribed this drug by my doctor with no mention of the possible side effects when coming off it. I am incredibly angry for not being properly informed by either my doc or the pharm who makes this stuff. I was on 150 when I attempted to come off it( my doctor had mentioned that it was similar to Prozac, and as I had come off prozac 1 yr earlier with no real side effects I thought that there would be no problem!!) How wrong I was!!! I was on it for less than a yr when I decided to come off it......everything previously mentioned in this site about electrical shocks, dizziness,zeep zeep noises is all true. I have never felt so awful...I really did think that I was going mad!!!!! I have made the transition to 75, but still feel pretty awful, numbness,slow thinking etc... Does the prozac idea really work? I dread the thoughts of the withdrawal symptons...to be honest my depression was mild and effexor has just made me feel worse than any depression I may have suffered! A warning!!!!!! Please think carefully before you agree to taking effexor!!
Posted by Teri on August 27, 2001, at 10:34:01
In reply to Re: im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by colin on August 26, 2001, at 17:36:18
Hi I just got off of Effexor XR about a week ago. It made me so sick to be on it and then I was really sick getting off of it. My doctor gave me Xanax and there were some days that I had to take two to just get through the day. We were going to see Eric Clapton one night and the withdrawals that caused incredible anxiety, nausea, dizziness was so bad that I took two Xanax that day and stayed in bed then had to take another half just to get through the concert. It was aweful. I feel like I lost a few weeks of my life. I tried to take the capsules of 37.50mg and divide them and that helped some but still needed the Xanax to get through the effects. I finally went to a psychiatrist since I was doing all of this through my internist and he suggested since I was doing half of the 37.50mg for about 5 days to just stop and take 10mg of Celexa plus Klonopin. It helped so much!! I hardly felt the withdrawals after that. I've stayed on the Celexa and am now up to 20 mg and 2mg of Klonopin a day. The side effects of the Celexa are nothing like the hell of Effexor. I was weaning off of only 75mg but it was enough to make me really sick. I just couldn't handle the stuff. Maybe your doctor can add Celexa and Klonopin while you're weaning. I've also read on this site that some people have added small doses of Prozac to help with the withdrawal situation. Good luck to you! Teri
Posted by Kristie on August 27, 2001, at 11:21:57
In reply to Re: im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by Teri on August 27, 2001, at 10:34:01
I've been off of the Effexor for almost a week now. I'm doing a lot better, but my head still feels heavy and it feels weird when I turn my head. But at least I can drive better now! I was scared I was going to wreck the other day! But hopefully this will all be over soon. Originally I wanted some other medicine, but I decided not to get any since I don't want to become dependant on that too. Hopefully my system will get cleaned out of this crap sooner or later. Good luck to everyone else out there dealing with this; and I hope you guys wish me luck too!
> Hi I just got off of Effexor XR about a week ago. It made me so sick to be on it and then I was really sick getting off of it. My doctor gave me Xanax and there were some days that I had to take two to just get through the day. We were going to see Eric Clapton one night and the withdrawals that caused incredible anxiety, nausea, dizziness was so bad that I took two Xanax that day and stayed in bed then had to take another half just to get through the concert. It was aweful. I feel like I lost a few weeks of my life. I tried to take the capsules of 37.50mg and divide them and that helped some but still needed the Xanax to get through the effects. I finally went to a psychiatrist since I was doing all of this through my internist and he suggested since I was doing half of the 37.50mg for about 5 days to just stop and take 10mg of Celexa plus Klonopin. It helped so much!! I hardly felt the withdrawals after that. I've stayed on the Celexa and am now up to 20 mg and 2mg of Klonopin a day. The side effects of the Celexa are nothing like the hell of Effexor. I was weaning off of only 75mg but it was enough to make me really sick. I just couldn't handle the stuff. Maybe your doctor can add Celexa and Klonopin while you're weaning. I've also read on this site that some people have added small doses of Prozac to help with the withdrawal situation. Good luck to you! Teri
Posted by Amelie on August 27, 2001, at 17:39:11
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Brenda on March 15, 2000, at 10:02:21
> > 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.
> > >
>
> Louise - I went directly from Paxil to Effexor. I stopped the Paxil because of constipation problems and sedation. It did help with the panic though. The effexor was the wrong med for me. I was extremely agitated - even on a low dose. I only took it for a few weeks, so I don't know about panic. I was too agitated to notice any panic. I am currently on 100 mg. of Zoloft and have no weight gain, lessened panic (not completely, but almost gone) and NO agitation. My depression is currently under control and I feel 100% better.
> Good luck to you. B.Louise -
I had the exact same experience as you. On Paxil, I gained approximately 45 pounds. I was fairly sedate, no longer super depressed, but as I had an eating disorder previously, it didn't help to gain 45 pounds. I was switched on to Effexor about 6 months later, and immediately lost appetite, or should I say, regained a normal appetite - and lost all the weight, then some. My anxiety was gone. But as we all know who have been through this, different meds work differently for different people!
My question is this one - I am now going off Effexor for the third time - I just really want to be off meds for good and to regulate things with diet and exercise - but I am CONSTANTLY HUNGRY. I lowered my dose by 1/2 and went off over a period of 1.5 weeks. Now, though, I have regained 10 pounds and am always hungry.Has anyone else had this experience? Does this appetite problem go away, or is it just that I've been on Effexor for so long, I don't remember what it's like to be really hungry? This is one of the reasons that I wanted to go off of meds - you begin to question what is real and what you are being made to feel.
Thanks in advance - I know that i should probably see a doctor (just moved and haven't gotten in yet) - and after reading some of y'all's posts, am thinking to go back on until I can get a doctor's advice. But I'd love to know what you think. Thanks!
Posted by nwysca on August 27, 2001, at 20:25:53
In reply to Re: Effexor vs. Paxil - weight gain - new question, posted by Amelie on August 27, 2001, at 17:39:11
Hi there,
i started effexor a month ago and my appetite hasn't increased in general, but my appetite for 'bad' foods and sweets has gone berserk!!!! i was so health conscious before, watching every thing i ate, and now i eat anything & everything. i'm scared it's gonna catch up to me fast! is this because effexor? i dont know, maybe it's just that i'm not as freaked out about being perfectly healthy anymore. any comments??
nwysca
> > > 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.
> > > >
> >
> > Louise - I went directly from Paxil to Effexor. I stopped the Paxil because of constipation problems and sedation. It did help with the panic though. The effexor was the wrong med for me. I was extremely agitated - even on a low dose. I only took it for a few weeks, so I don't know about panic. I was too agitated to notice any panic. I am currently on 100 mg. of Zoloft and have no weight gain, lessened panic (not completely, but almost gone) and NO agitation. My depression is currently under control and I feel 100% better.
> > Good luck to you. B.
>
> Louise -
> I had the exact same experience as you. On Paxil, I gained approximately 45 pounds. I was fairly sedate, no longer super depressed, but as I had an eating disorder previously, it didn't help to gain 45 pounds. I was switched on to Effexor about 6 months later, and immediately lost appetite, or should I say, regained a normal appetite - and lost all the weight, then some. My anxiety was gone. But as we all know who have been through this, different meds work differently for different people!
> My question is this one - I am now going off Effexor for the third time - I just really want to be off meds for good and to regulate things with diet and exercise - but I am CONSTANTLY HUNGRY. I lowered my dose by 1/2 and went off over a period of 1.5 weeks. Now, though, I have regained 10 pounds and am always hungry.
>
> Has anyone else had this experience? Does this appetite problem go away, or is it just that I've been on Effexor for so long, I don't remember what it's like to be really hungry? This is one of the reasons that I wanted to go off of meds - you begin to question what is real and what you are being made to feel.
>
> Thanks in advance - I know that i should probably see a doctor (just moved and haven't gotten in yet) - and after reading some of y'all's posts, am thinking to go back on until I can get a doctor's advice. But I'd love to know what you think. Thanks!
Posted by Rebecca C on August 29, 2001, at 23:56:24
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR, my side effects, anyone else?, posted by Cindy W on August 28, 2000, at 21:57:24
I'm on Effexor XR has anyone had problems with yawning alot on it?? and feeling shaky after a while?
> > I started out at 35mg, then after 4 pills, I moved up to 75mg. I have been taking my dose early in the morning and by 8pm, I can not stop yawning. Do I need my doc to up my dose? Some other side effects that I have been experiencing, after 10 days on Effexor are headaches, strange dreams (inludes waking up laughing my head off), first 5 days of everything I ate tasting like metal, and losing 5 lbs. in 2 weeks with no desire to eat still. Has anyone else experienced these side effects. Do they ever go away? Is it better to take my med at night or in the morning?
>
> Kara, I started at 37.5 mg/day, and am up to 375 mg/day. I've never had side effects except for occasional headaches (when I first started Effexor-XR) and occasional dizziness. Talk to your pdoc and ask if what you are experiencing are likely to be transitory side effects. Good luck to you! BTW, I take all the Effexor-XR in the morning, and actually have some trouble sleeping, rather than yawning and fatigue!
Posted by afatchic on August 30, 2001, at 21:02:42
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR, my side effects, anyone else?, posted by Rebecca C on August 29, 2001, at 23:56:24
My first couple of weeks on Effexor I experienced severe nausea and shaky feelings. I've been on the meds for 2 months now and I'm feeling fine. The nausea was so bad that I went to a store and drank Mylanta straight from the bottle in the aisle. Now, I don't even need to take it with food. I'm still not very hungry and I'm continuing to lose weight but for me that's a good thing :-) I find that Effexor works better for anxiety than any other AD.
> I'm on Effexor XR has anyone had problems with yawning alot on it?? and feeling shaky after a while?
>
>
> > > I started out at 35mg, then after 4 pills, I moved up to 75mg. I have been taking my dose early in the morning and by 8pm, I can not stop yawning. Do I need my doc to up my dose? Some other side effects that I have been experiencing, after 10 days on Effexor are headaches, strange dreams (inludes waking up laughing my head off), first 5 days of everything I ate tasting like metal, and losing 5 lbs. in 2 weeks with no desire to eat still. Has anyone else experienced these side effects. Do they ever go away? Is it better to take my med at night or in the morning?
> >
> > Kara, I started at 37.5 mg/day, and am up to 375 mg/day. I've never had side effects except for occasional headaches (when I first started Effexor-XR) and occasional dizziness. Talk to your pdoc and ask if what you are experiencing are likely to be transitory side effects. Good luck to you! BTW, I take all the Effexor-XR in the morning, and actually have some trouble sleeping, rather than yawning and fatigue!
Posted by tobycat on August 31, 2001, at 0:07:15
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR, my side effects, anyone else?, posted by Rebecca C on August 29, 2001, at 23:56:24
The yawning went away for me after about four weeks. It still comes back every once in awhile but seems to happen about 12 hours after the dose and lasts only a short time. It helped me to realize that the yawning didn't really mean I was tired. That let me just ignore it and get on with my day. Good luck with it and I hope that it also subsides for you! I'm glad I stuck with it because once I adjusted, I've had a great response on Effexor XR -- greatly improved mood, more energy, increased desire for social interaction, and reduced anxiety.
> I'm on Effexor XR has anyone had problems with yawning alot on it?? and feeling shaky after a while?
>
>
> > > I started out at 35mg, then after 4 pills, I moved up to 75mg. I have been taking my dose early in the morning and by 8pm, I can not stop yawning. Do I need my doc to up my dose? Some other side effects that I have been experiencing, after 10 days on Effexor are headaches, strange dreams (inludes waking up laughing my head off), first 5 days of everything I ate tasting like metal, and losing 5 lbs. in 2 weeks with no desire to eat still. Has anyone else experienced these side effects. Do they ever go away? Is it better to take my med at night or in the morning?
> >
> > Kara, I started at 37.5 mg/day, and am up to 375 mg/day. I've never had side effects except for occasional headaches (when I first started Effexor-XR) and occasional dizziness. Talk to your pdoc and ask if what you are experiencing are likely to be transitory side effects. Good luck to you! BTW, I take all the Effexor-XR in the morning, and actually have some trouble sleeping, rather than yawning and fatigue!
Posted by tobycat on August 31, 2001, at 0:18:49
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Kristie on August 22, 2001, at 15:22:39
The discontinuation effects of anti-depressent medications are well known. For Effexor, they tend to be more pronounced for people who take it for a long time, at higher doses, and who stop abruptly. Tapering off slowly is the key to minimizing the effects. For some people that may mean going down to the 37.5 mg dose for a few weeks from the 75mg. Others go down even lower or take the dose every other day for awhile before totally stopping. Another tip I have read about is taking an SSRI with a longer half-life (like Prozac) at the very end to help ease the withdrawal symptoms. Good luck with the symptoms. If you are in serious discomfort be sure to tell your doctor about it. He/She should be helping you deal with the discontinuation effects. Hang in there.
> I just got off of Effexor XR 75 mgs after about a year and it really helped me alot. Today is my first day off and I feel like crap! My head feels really heavy and I can't think straight. I will never again try an anti-depressent/anti-anxiety for my problems. I cannot stand the side effects from withdrawal. But then again some people need medicine to help them; my depression and anxiety wasn't as bad as some people have. If at all possible I would recommend other alternatives instead of medicine to help deal with depression just because they are very easy to become dependent upon. If someone knows of something to help me deal with these withdrawal symptoms please let me know. Thanks!
>
>
>
> > I've had pretty good luck on Effexor. I started taking it a year ago for
> > moderate depression with symptoms including crying spells, no
> > appetite, and feelings of hopelessness. I had some somewhat distressing
> > side effects during the first two to three weeks on the medication (37.5
> > mg per day for one week and then to 75 mg per day). The side effects
> > included insomnia, drowsiness during the day, and hearing a buzzing noise
> > in my head. These side effects went away, except for the drowsiness,
> > which I continued to experience to some extent. I went up to 150 mg/day
> > (taken in the morning) after about 5 months of being on Effexor due to
> > some of my symptoms coming back (although they were less severe than
> > before I began Effexor). I decided in May of this year that I wanted to
> > see if I still needed to be on an antidepressant. My doctor advised me
> > about how best to discontinue my use of Effexor. I decreased my dosage very gradually and
> > also took 10 mg of Prozac while I was decreasing my Effexor dose. I didn't experience very
> > many side effects while I was decreasing my dosage (some slight nausea),
> > but I did find that I didn't feel very well for about a week after I took
> > my last dose. I felt kind of nauseous and tired and a
> > little bit dizzy at times. I was able to go to work and get done what I
> > needed to despite these withdrawal symptoms. I was off of the medication
> > for about 2 months when I started to get the symptoms back in full force.
> > I really believe this is due to my chemical make-up (and family history of
> > depression) rather than to getting off of Effexor. I decided to go back
> > on Effexor. I began taking 37.5 mg again and worked up to 150 mg. I
> > think at this time I just need an antidepressant, although I do hope that
> > at some point I will be able to go off of the medication again. Overall,
> > I would recommend Effexor since I have found it extremely helpful for
> > depression symptoms, and I have not been bothered by the side effects or
> > the withdrawal symptoms.
> >
> >
> > > Hi there,
> > >
> > > Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> > > "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> > > Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
> > >
> > > Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> > > to have a lot of success...
> > >
> > > please share your thoughts on this.
Posted by Firebabe on August 31, 2001, at 8:58:52
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR, my side effects, anyone else?, posted by Rebecca C on August 29, 2001, at 23:56:24
I also lost weight on effexor. My side effects were kinda like i was on a caffiene high, but felt like a zombie. lots of sweating, shaking, headaches. I have never been on a drug that took sooooo LONG to adjust to!!! But everyone says its worth it. I started at 37.5 too and after a 8 weeks am now on 225mg. Have had side effects every time my doc ups the dosage. She also is starting me on remeron for sleep and anxiety. I take my effexor in the morning too, but the remeron at night. Good luck, and dont give up too early!!
Posted by Firebabe on August 31, 2001, at 8:59:15
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR, my side effects, anyone else?, posted by Rebecca C on August 29, 2001, at 23:56:24
I also lost weight on effexor. My side effects were kinda like i was on a caffiene high, but felt like a zombie. lots of sweating, shaking, headaches. I have never been on a drug that took sooooo LONG to adjust to!!! But everyone says its worth it. I started at 37.5 too and after a 8 weeks am now on 225mg. Have had side effects every time my doc ups the dosage. She also is starting me on remeron for sleep and anxiety. I take my effexor in the morning too, but the remeron at night. Good luck, and dont give up too early!!
Posted by Firebabe on August 31, 2001, at 9:01:35
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR, my side effects, anyone else?, posted by Rebecca C on August 29, 2001, at 23:56:24
I also lost weight on effexor. My side effects were kinda like i was on a caffiene high, but felt like a zombie. lots of sweating, shaking, headaches. I have never been on a drug that took sooooo LONG to adjust to!!! But everyone says its worth it. I started at 37.5 too and after a 8 weeks am now on 225mg. Have had side effects every time my doc ups the dosage. She also is starting me on remeron for sleep and anxiety. I take my effexor in the morning too, but the remeron at night. Good luck, and dont give up too early!!
Posted by Absinthe on September 1, 2001, at 0:14:49
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR, my side effects, anyone else?, posted by Firebabe on August 31, 2001, at 9:01:35
Hey everyone.
I thought I was crazy. I thought it was me, and that to blame Effexor was a cop-out. Reading through this has really opened my eyes.
I've been off Effexor for nearly a month. I spent a year on 150 mg--and it was relatively pain free. After the first time I forgot to take a pill, and I felt those horrible side-effects, I took it religiously. Felt fine--better than I had in over 6 years. I actually felt normal for the first time since my youth.
This summer I took myself off. I tried going down to 75 mg, but after week, I cracked. The side effects were simply too much. My family doctor wasn't enough any more, and I went to a psychiatrist.
By the time I got to this new guy, I was a wreck. Over the last year, the way my mind works has changed. You can call it anxiety, depression, dizziness, nausea. To me, those words fall short. This psychiatrist started me going down by 37.5 mg, and gave me 25 mg of Seroquil to ease the nightmares.
Seroquil, for those of you, who haven't heard of it, is an anti-psychotic. This psychiatrist put me on it for NIGHTMARES. If anyone tries to do the same to you, think carefully. It made me crazy. I hallucinated. I questioned reality. It was a hundred times worse than anything I'd ever imagined before.
So, I stopped taking Seroquil after 3 days. Started going off the Effexor with a little Valerian Root (sleep). I know, I know--herbal sounds crazy. But it felt like the only option left to me. The Valerian root helped a little--enough that I made it through the month of weaning.
I found another psychiatrist--this one's not much better than the first, but at least she doesn't hand out mind-altering drugs like candy. I got off the Effexor, and made it a week. Of course there was the dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, jarbled speech. But the frightening part was the depression/anxiety (if you can call it that). I spent a week off of drugs, mostly lying in bed, wondering if I would be able to take another breath. It was so hopeless, that I felt I would die any moment. I could imagine the barrel of a gun to the back of my head, and I was waiting for that imaginary finger to pull that imaginary trigger.
I'd never been suicidal before. Depressed, yes. Suicidal...no. But, this wasn't suicidal. I think...if someone was suicidal, and fought it for years without getting better, they might feel the way I did, that week after I got off of Effexor.
Now I'm on 20 mg of Prozac and it's stabilized me. I can function now, like everyone else, but I'm dying to get off. the only thing holding me back is the fear that I'll go through similar weaning experiences.
I hope people find this site before they start Effexor. My doc didn't mention the trouble with weaning...in fact everyone seemed to think I was making it up. I started to believe them, instead of myself.
Effexor worked for the year I was on it, but I'm in a far worse state now than I was before. This drug may be a miracle for some. For me it was a summer pass to the mental ward. I'm not exaggerating. Please, be careful with Effexor.
Posted by Absinthe on September 1, 2001, at 0:29:01
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by Moni on July 18, 2000, at 18:30:25
I'm off Effexor now, but I had problems with libido, or the nonexistence thereof.
I hadn't had an orgasm for over 3 years, and believe me, I'd tried everything. Then I realized, that between various medications, I hadn't had a clean slate in...3 years!
I got off effexor, and suddenly I didn't have a problem anymore. For a few weeks, I had my libido, my orgasms, and everything was great...sexually. Depression was another matter. I'm on 20 mg of Prozac now, and once again my orgasms have gone. It is somewhat reassuring to know that this is a side effect of antidepressants, but for goodness sake, aren't all the others enough??
> Hi.. this is my first time posting, following up, etc. I have been on effexor xr for the past 10 weeks. I am up to a 75mg and a 37.5mg together. My doctor didn't want to put me at 150mg yet. I have to call next week to let him know how this works out. I understand what you mean about your libido. I have the same problem. It's definitely almost impossible for me to have an orgasm and the feeling of wanting to have sex is nearly gone. My doctor told me to relax more. I tried that.. I have an orgasm rarely. I'm trying to balance out in my mind that I could be worse off. I don't know if this is the right medicine but it has helped me with the depression a great deal. I'm more social, less angry at everyone, no crying, stopped all the excessive worrying, eating and sleeping again. But yes, as you stated.. no libido. Is this the price we have to pay for being sane?? It may be.
>
>
> > > I have never posted to any bulletin board, but I really feel alone on this one. I took Prozac 40mg for nearly 8 years for depression. About six months ago, I decided that it was time to try and "be normal" and stop taking the medicine. These past six months have been awful and I have been very depressed.
> > >
> > > I finally took my wife's advice and went to a Psychiatrist to get re-evaluated. He said that Effexor was "the answer" and dropped a sample box into my lap. I have been taking it for about 3 weeks and am up to 150mg a day. So far I can say it has made an improvement, but I can't say it is the answer for what is going on with me right now.
> > >
> > > My concern is that I stumbled onto this sight and it seems like a bunch of people have had a bad time with this medicine, both taking it and getting off of it. I have always struggled with psych meds because I feel I lose some of my control of how I truly feel about things being masked in the medicine's "cloak of apathy" so to speak. I am worried that I might be taking this stuff for life and that just isn't how I would like to see myself forever.
> > >
> > > I am also finding a rather embarrassing side effect. It seems my libido has taken a vacation and doesn't know when it is coming back. Also, the literature talks about "abnormal ejaculation". My experience is it's very hard to have an orgasm with this medicine. Has anyone else experienced this? I am serious about this and it is starting to become problematic.
> > >
> > > Hi Todd! This is my first time posting a follow up, but have been reading the messages here for a couple of weeks now. I started taking Effexor Xr a couple of weeks ago and was very scared at first but now I am very comfortable with it. I take 150mg a day too. The only side affect I can complain about is the sweating. But with all the good things that have been happening to me I just bear with it. And just like you I am scared that I will need this medication forever. But the thing that reasures me that if I do need it forever is that at least I feel like a normal person again. I am not crying over nothing or angry at all the wrong people. I just started seeing a psychiatrist so I don't really know what my future holds for me as far as taking anti depressants but just have some patience. I definately don't feel "numb" or emotionless on this medication. In fact, I swear that I have developed a back bone. I noticed myself not being so passive when I normally was and on the flip side I am easier going with people who I used to be sort of aggitated with (especially at work!). I also don't dwell on the things don't need to be worried about like before. I have found that my libido is not what it should be too, but I feel more affectionate than I did- so go figure. Best of luck to you and thanks to all the people who post messages here-they have really helped me!!!
Posted by Shiloh on September 2, 2001, at 0:35:28
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR, my side effects, anyone else?, posted by Firebabe on August 31, 2001, at 9:01:35
Effexor does have many side effects when you d\c it all at once. Someone mentioned the zing zing the way your brain seems to feel, and your right about another thing they never tell you the adverse effects. It makes no since to me. The sweats, They tried to say were hormonal, the shakes they say must be from anxiety, (lets give her Xanax, The zings were all in my head. My mind is O.K. because I know they are real. Night sweats Anyone?? Headaches from God only knows. I feel like I have been through enough that they should come out with an easier drug.
Posted by Jayce on September 3, 2001, at 10:02:23
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR, my side effects, anyone else?, posted by Shiloh on September 2, 2001, at 0:35:28
I am a normal person, because of Effexor XR!! (And I can speak for a few other people who would say the same thing.) I have been on several antidepressants since I began experiencing severe PMS symptoms, coupled with multiple losses that caused situational depression. Effexor XR is the best drug for me. The others, Paxil and Zoloft, made me sleepy and unmotivated, not to mention caused weight-gain. I think that most people who need help altering their brain chemistry should expect some minor side-effects. The question you need to ask yourself is, "Does this medicine make my life better, regardless of the side-effects?" All medicines have side-effects whether noticeable or not. Luckily, there are many good alternatives out there for depression and other problems that people, especially women, experience. Find a doctor who will work with you to find the medicine that is right for you. And educate yourself on the causes for your personal situation. If it's related to PMS, there are other things that you can do, in conjuction with taking an antidepressant, that can help ease your symptoms. Good Luck!
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