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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 12 to 36 of 36. Go back in thread:
Posted by lucky on January 13, 2003, at 20:00:20
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and alcohol » lucky, posted by lynnads on January 12, 2003, at 23:43:25
LynnPerley, same thing for me. If I have more than 2 drinks i tend to stay up late. Last night 1:00am, night before 2:00am. I'm no spring chicken at 36yrs old. thanks again for you comments.
Lynnads, what is your current dosage? I just can't (i can) stop the craving for beer I've been been having 2+ drinks on the average of 5 days a week???? not good. Anyway, i was just curious how much you are taking, since you mentioned that effexor seems to be working for you.
Thanks Lynns!
Posted by lynnads on January 13, 2003, at 22:03:02
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and alcohol LynnPerley, Lynnads, posted by lucky on January 13, 2003, at 20:00:20
> LynnPerley, same thing for me. If I have more than 2 drinks i tend to stay up late. Last night 1:00am, night before 2:00am. I'm no spring chicken at 36yrs old. thanks again for you comments.
>
> Lynnads, what is your current dosage? I just can't (i can) stop the craving for beer I've been been having 2+ drinks on the average of 5 days a week???? not good. Anyway, i was just curious how much you are taking, since you mentioned that effexor seems to be working for you.
>
> Thanks Lynns!Hey Lucky,
I too have been having strange cravings for beer! I could easily have one or two beers a night (as a matter of fact, I am getting the craving right now :| ). I never used to be this way. Luckily, my neighbor is always stocked up. :) Anyway, I am on 150 mg and since starting, it takes more beer for me to feel any effect. Where as on past meds, I would feel the effect of the alcohol almost imedately. The alcohol doesn't seem to cause me to be any more depressed than otherwise, but I do assume the combination of the two aren't too good for the liver.
Can I ask how long you have been taking Effexor and what kind of side effects you have endured if any? I am pretty new to this med and not so sure I like the side effects I am having. Not to mention that after reading different posts from people trying to come off of Effexor, it worries me a bit.
Thanks!
Posted by lucky on January 13, 2003, at 23:50:24
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and alcohol LynnPerley, Lynnads » lucky, posted by lynnads on January 13, 2003, at 22:03:02
Sure thing- I started taking eff. XR beginning of october of 2002 and i have worked my way up to 150mg's. I was on this dose for 1 1/2 months before i went to my doc last week and told him that the anxiety and mild depression was kicking in again, so he suggested to work up to 225mg's (currently taking 187.5) and see how that goes. In terms of side effects, I think mine are fairly common (yawning, feeling tired, spacey) these seemed to only occur when i first started the meds and when i jumped from 75 to 150. That's been about it.
I would say for the past month or so, i've been feeling unmotivated and easily overwhelmed/short tempered.
I'm not sure if this is a side effect or just caused by normal day-to-day events, but in any case this is what spurred the drinking. Having a few (sometimes 4-5) drinks would calm me down and take the edge off. But as you know from reading on this board everyone reacts differently to these meds and i find it difficult for me to determine if my actions or lack of actions are natural or caused by a side effect of taking effexor. I do know that for awhile i had some positive experience on effexor, so with that said, i am going to work my way up to 225mg's and see if that helps.
I was also concerned about the side effects associated to weaning off, but i'm on it now, so I will follow everyone elses advice and wean off slowly. BTW- this is the first AD i've ever taken, although i believe i've been fighting GAD and depression for 20 years or so. Anyway, this is still fairly new to me and i've learned alot from other posters. One thing i have learned is that it may take some time to find the right med or combination, so i'll continue to search if the effexor doesn't work out. How about you? what side effects are you having? Have you tried anything else? Well that's my story, hope you can get something out of it. :)
Posted by lynnads on January 14, 2003, at 3:03:28
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and alcohol LynnPerley, Lynnads, posted by lucky on January 13, 2003, at 23:50:24
I do like to hear what other people experience with Effexor XR so I do thank you, Lucky. It lets me know that there are quite a few other people who are having similar occurances to mine and I am not the only one. Although often times, I do wish it was just me (I hate having to see other people deal with anxiety and depression).
Anywho, this is the third AD I have been prescribed. After my 10 year battle with depression, since my early teenage years, I figured it was time to do something. My doctor first prescribed me Celexa 1 1/2 years ago, and compared to how I had been feeling, the relief from Celexa seemed like it was an answer to prayer.
Well the initial effect wore off and my doctor then prescribed me 20mg of Prozac. Which was soon booted up to 40 mg which soon again in early December of this year brought me to Effexor. I loooooooooove Effexor XR, but the side effects can tend to be a bit ruthless with everything from intense sweating, heart palpitations, and decreased libido (as if you wanted to hear that) to the feeling of complete numbness (emotionally) and plain old exhaustion.
I am considering asking my doctor about Wellbutrin, but I am scared even that is going to mess with me in some way...that and I am afraid to come off Effexor. Some days I even consider going off the ADs altogether, but like your latest dealings with feeling unmotivated and overwhelmed, I have that problem AAAAAAAAALL the time(even right now).
Which again brings me to another concern...are these pills supposed to help with motivation? Because when given the opportunity, I don't accomplish a thing. I would just assume sleep most the day then make it to my couch in time for the 5:00 news. Shower, eat dinner and go back to bed. In the back of my head I know I should be getting up to clean my house or run errands, but it doesn't seem important enough to get up for, and then nothing ever gets done. I am not necessarily sad, just not motivated.
Anyway, now that I have shared my long winded story, I wonder if anyone else feels that way as often as me. Is it a case where I need to up my dose or go on something altogether different, or what? Any advice or suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for anyone's input!
Posted by LynnPerley on January 14, 2003, at 18:43:35
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and alcohol LynnPerley, Lynnads » lucky, posted by lynnads on January 14, 2003, at 3:03:28
I've been taking effexor xr since March 2002. I gradually went to 150 mg and stayed there for 6 mos. The side effects got bearable, but I had that unmotivated feeling etc. I bumped up to 225 mg and it was almost too much because I got kind of wired and a few side effects came back temporarily. However, I'm glad I'm on that dose because I am going through a lot of added stress right now. I'd say to both of you to give the med a few more months.
Posted by jae on January 16, 2003, at 0:29:21
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and alcohol, posted by lucky on January 9, 2003, at 19:04:51
Just curious after reading some messages that some other people who take efexor xr have experienced an increase in alcohol craving...i was wondering if anyone else has experienced this ?
Posted by JESSsMom on January 16, 2003, at 13:26:29
In reply to could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by jae on January 16, 2003, at 0:29:21
> Just curious after reading some messages that some other people who take efexor xr have experienced an increase in alcohol craving...i was wondering if anyone else has experienced this ?
I am definitely craving alcohol (beer) more than ever and I'm only on 75mg./day of Effexor XR. If you look at my other posts below you will see how the XR's side effect of excessive sweating is ruining this GAD reducing med for me : (((((
I, like Lynn and Lucky also feel totally unmotivated. It's almost as if now that the anxiety's mostly gone, who cares about anything anymore?
JM
Posted by Noa on January 16, 2003, at 15:42:02
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by JESSsMom on January 16, 2003, at 13:26:29
Hmm..I don't know about alcohol cravings, but if it is specifically for beer, that sounds like the carbo cravings some people have reported (myself included).
Posted by JESSsMom on January 16, 2003, at 18:13:49
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by Noa on January 16, 2003, at 15:42:02
> Hmm..I don't know about alcohol cravings, but if it is specifically for beer, that sounds like the carbo cravings some people have reported (myself included).
That makes a lot of sense. I didn't even think about it that way.
Thanks,
JM
Posted by Hawk on January 17, 2003, at 2:38:10
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by JESSsMom on January 16, 2003, at 18:13:49
I have a couple of thoughts for you guys. First, if you are wanting to go off Effexor you might ask your Doc to place you on Prozac ( or something similar) Then you can frequently come off the Effexor and after a while, he will wean you off of Prozac. Much less hassles that way.
There might also be a difference between how Effexor and Effexor XR are affecting you. You get much higher peak blood levels on Effexor.
I have found that something (whether sex or food or whatever) that I did before I had the depression treated changed drastically after I was no longer depressed. A lot of those habits may have been the only thing that brought any pleasure (brief reprieve from the depression).
I think that is why sex is so impacted at first by Effexor. It usually works out in the next six to twelve months but may feel very different.
Posted by 2em on June 20, 2003, at 22:08:49
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by Hawk on January 17, 2003, at 2:38:10
I am a brand new poster to this board so please
excuse if this thread is dead. I was very happy to find these posts through good old google as I
have struggled with alcohol and other substances
for a couple decades now and was just recently
prescibed effexor about a month and a half ago.
I thought I had suddenly become a full blown alcoholic since may propensity to drink too much beer has definitely increased since taking this
med. I may still be a good candidate for AA memnership but since reading these posts and acknowledging my increased levels of stress
(impending surprize first child and need/desire
to buy my first house) I think I may not be succumbing to alcoholism so much as dealing with increased anxiety. I was prescibed eff. for GAD
after first trying a different anti-anxiety med whose name I have already forgot. The first was
just acting on serotonin but not as a reuptake inhibitor. I have found eff. to be much more effective though not so much in controlling my anxiety as in enhancing my mood, perhaps acting
as an anti-depressant more than remedy for anxiety. My diagnosis is somewhat speculative
since my symptoms are not really clear cut (more
of an combo of anxiety and depression than one or the other.
I have definitely found that I am able to drink more with less impairment where as the previous meds really curtailed my drinking urge more than anything else. Now the urge to drink is stronger
but the effects are less at least untill the next morning. My drinking is a bit more bingefull
than others on this thread and I don't drink as regularly but am prone to downing a 12 pack if given the oppoutunity. The morning after a 12
pack night is fairly unbearable for the fist 4
hours of the work day but I am still able to perform my work duties adequately, if not outstandingly. The negative are bad feeling of listlessness and sometime dizziness. I am intriqued by the notion of cabo craving but in sobriety I have found eff. to really kill my
appetite.
Posted by LynnPerley on June 20, 2003, at 22:57:37
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by 2em on June 20, 2003, at 22:08:49
What dosage of effexor xr are you taking and for how long?
Posted by 2em on June 21, 2003, at 15:11:10
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings? » 2em, posted by LynnPerley on June 20, 2003, at 22:57:37
> What dosage of effexor xr are you taking and for how long?
75 once a day for a month, 75 twice a day
for 2 weeks and just today I started on
150 once a day.
Posted by featherchickie on July 27, 2003, at 3:46:11
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by 2em on June 20, 2003, at 22:08:49
i know that this is a very old thread but i came across it to find out why my dr keeps telling me not to consume alcohol while on effexor xr. ive been on effexor xr for 2.5 months and i was brought up to 225mg within the first month (which, by reading the responses in this thread, must be quite fast). i was put on effexor xr for the depression that I've had ever since i was 6, with a first suicide attempt at 9. i was also put on effexor xr for gad but i found that eff increased my anxiety to the point where i would have panic attacks which i've never had before. now to take care of the panic attacks, i've been put on gabitril. i've only been on gabitril for 1.5 weeks and i'm at 8mg (4mg morning and 4mg evening). I'm also on Revia which was prescribed to me so that i wouldn't cut myself or have the urges to do so. i would've been on it for close to two months now if i didnt stop taking it--i thought that i didnt need it anymore when i stopped having the urges to cut myself. then when i started cutting myself, it wasnt until the third location that i said anything about it mainly because it was my most severe self mutilation. no it wasn't a suicide attempt and i dont think it was an attention thing either because i get embarrassed when people ask how it happened. i think i was just trying to punish myself for not being good enough. --also like several others who have written here, im finding less motivation to do anything, especially during my week of drunkeness. see, my first time drinking was this june and i got drunk on the first night but that was after 2 beers and 9 shots of different drinks (vodka, whiskey, tequila). im not sure if the eff made my tolerance higher or if the fact that alcoholism runs in my family has anything to do with the high tolerance. anyways, i loved the way i was feeling when i was drunk. i wasn't so smashed that i got sick or forgot what happened--it was a really great buzz. after that, it seemed like all i wanted to do was get drunk again like i had that first night. so in a 5 day period, i drank 4 of those nights. the last of which i got completely wasted. i had 4 shots of tequila before going to a party. when i got there, i had 2 shots of 100proof southern comfort and then 2 beers following that. by that point, i was pretty well off smashed. when i attempted to get back inside the house from the backyard, i just started puking my guts out. next think i know, i'm inside leaned up against a wall and i hear a guy saying "well she's getting more color in her face now, i think she'll be fine" --that freaked me out that i was so drunk that i dont remember what happened from being outside to being inside and the whole color of my face as well. even after that though, the next week a friend mentioned going out to get drunk and i was all gung ho about it. i said "i would never pass up a chance to get drunk" so we went out to a friend's place and i only had 4 shots before one of my friends started freaking out and demanded to go home. i was so mad at the time. i was just then beginning to get a buzz after the 4th shot and all i could think about on the ride home is how i could've had more to drink and how i could've gotten drunk again. (see i'm 18 so i can't just go out and buy alcohol whenever i want). unfortunately, she wasn't the only friend of mine who had a problem with my drinking habits, how within 2 weeks i had turned into nearly an alcoholic from a person who was scared to even try alcohol for the fear of exactly what happened--enjoying it waaaay too much and wanting to get drunk any time i could. i dont know if thats the eff or my genetic alcoholism or possibly both. since then, i haven't had nearly as much alcohol... in fact only two drinks since june 25th, one on the 2 year birthday of the improv company i work for and one just this last week when a waitress was dumb enough to give me a shiner without asking for my ID. the former we each had a small glass of champagne. after that small glass i could feel myself getting rather tipsy... and only after one glass! with the shiner, however, i couldn't feel any effects of the alcohol.
i know that i wrote a lot on a thread that hasn't been active for a month, but even if nobody reads this, it feels good to tell my story and reflect upon what has happened in hopes that when someone does read my story, that maybe they will learn something from what has happened to me.
as for the overall effectiveness of the eff, i can't really say whether or not its been good for me. this is my first AD and i've only been on it for two and a half months. within those months i have had the best of times as well as the worst of times leading me to cut a chunk out of my wrist one week ago today... i would like to say that it has been a miracle to me but as of now, its really hard to tell. maybe my psychiatrist will up my dosage yet again. i know that i have to up my dosage during PMS week because otherwise i get completely bitchy and depressed. if anyone has any comments, i would love to hear them--myself being rather new to this whole AD thing and within these two and a half months, being put on 3 different medications--it kind of freaks me out into wondering "how many drugs must i take before i can be sane? before i can become who i used to be? how can i tell when i'm 'who i used to be' when i've been depressed since i was 6? will this even work or am i hopeless?" however, having coped with depression and gad almost my entire life, having attempted suicide 3 times, having tried everything from eating disorders to self mutilation to overdosing on over-the-counter drugs, i dont think i will stop at anything until i'm cured.. no matter how many drugs it takes to make me sane, no matter how many drugs it takes to prevent me from hurting myself, to give me motivation, to have me actually believing that there is something worth living for and that something being life itself--i wont quit until i'm well. i hate being depressed, i hate crying for no reason, i hate feeling alone, i hate feeling like i have no self worth, i hate not being motivated, i hate feeling as though i have nothing to live for---i hate it all. being depressed sucks and i've lived my entire life this way... i think its about time that i should enjoy life every day, every week, every month, every year. (with the exception of the common downs in life that everyone deals with)
all right, now that i have psycho babbled enough (and i know that i have done my fair share of babbling and from reading this, you can plainly see that i'm psycho because i'm obviously not completely sane) i think it's time for me to go to bed. wow, almost 4am--amazing. i took a 4 hour nap this afternoon though after working from 8-12m (my job can be very exhausting)
so until i hear back from anyone, ciao
Posted by Nissy on July 27, 2003, at 13:50:05
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by featherchickie on July 27, 2003, at 3:46:11
For me I have been on Effexor XR for about 5 years and I noticed that having one drink is like having two. The effects of the alcohol kick in very quick. I haven't felt that it makes me crave it though. Maybe for you since you just discovered it, it is a new escape?
Hugs to you,
Nissy
Posted by zalle on July 27, 2003, at 19:44:38
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by featherchickie on July 27, 2003, at 3:46:11
when i was on effexor xr i found that when i drank it did increase my cravings for alcohol and at the same time it decreased my tolerance. unlike yourself i've been socially drinking for years and i found that when i started on effexor xr it really changed the way alcohol affected me. like yourself....my friends "freaked out" when i got drunk around them because i tended to really lose control. someone once said to me that i appeared strange when i drank because i seemed sober in appearance ie i could walk and stand straight and i didn't slur my speech but mentally i seemed really "far away". its a pretty scary experience because i found after only a few drinks i would crave more and i wouldn't know when to stop. before i was on effexor i still had cravings to drink more alcohol (i think this is mormal for such an addictive drug) but i always felt under control.....i never had "black out" experiences and i never vomited. while on effexor xr i often had memory loss when drinking (even 2-3 drinks) and i also often vomited.
although it is difficult the best thing i found was to stop drinking altogether ....it was really difficult but i found not touching it at all was better than having small amounts and then not knowing when to stop.
effexor xr is a mind altering drug and along with alcohol and the other medication you are taking i think its a really dangerous cocktail.
Posted by featherchickie on July 27, 2003, at 23:58:54
In reply to Re: alcohol and effexor xr, posted by zalle on July 27, 2003, at 19:44:38
yea, i found myself wanting more and more alcohol even after i knew i was totally wasted. for some reason, i felt like i needed more alcohol.
i barely drink at all anymore. only two drinks within the last month though going off to college this fall may change that. im sure it doesnt make for a good cocktail with the 3 prescriptions im on.
dang i'm just glad that someone read my post. that was my first post on here and i didnt know if anyone would really reply to it. sometimes i just wonder if these drugs will really work. i want to believe that they will but when i still get depressed and when i still cut myself and when i still think about how easy it would be to kill myself... i get worried that nothing will work to cure my depression and my many other problems that i seem to have. my psychiatrist can't even diagnose me anymore--he can't seem to figure out WHAT to diagnose me with.
(sighs) off to sleep. then off to working a double shift. at least its at a vet clinic where i can play with puppies and kitties.
anyone with advise for me, please share your thoughts
Posted by Lynnads on July 29, 2003, at 13:51:25
In reply to Re: alcohol and effexor xr » zalle, posted by featherchickie on July 27, 2003, at 23:58:54
Oh honey,
I'm not too much older than you and I find that you and I have many similar issues, but if there is one thing I can't stress enough is to BE CAREFUL when you go off to college. There are so many different things to become involved in, so many holes to fall into, that you need to make sure you stick to your guns and stay on the straight and narrow!
It pains me to hear your story and wish I could give you some uplifting advice, but if that was the case I probably wouldn't be here in the first place.
Just be careful with the alcohol. I am sure the reason you crave it is like the last person said, you are relatively new to it, and you haven't really experienced any sensations like that before. Drinking is fun, yes, but sometimes it's just best to keep away, especially if there is history of alcolholism in your family.
I hope you your future decisions are the right ones. Best of luck in college!!!! ...but just be careful not to have too much fun! ;)
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 29, 2003, at 14:41:24
In reply to Re: could efexor xr increase alcohol cravings?, posted by featherchickie on July 27, 2003, at 3:46:11
Hey sweetie,
Effexor, for me, doesn't increase alcohol cravings. In fact, Effexor decreases the anxiety that triggered my cravings. Of course, I'm a full-fledged card-carrying alcoholic, been there, done that, didn't buy the t-shirt BUT wasted my life from age 18-33 because of alcohol.facts,
1) people die mixing meds with alcohol. it's common.
2) alcohol is a depressant and counter-affects what an anti-depressant can do. Makes that Effexor worthless, and the others ones worse than worthless.
3) your youth is going to count against you. at best, you may waste the best part of your life, like I did, before you finally make your health a priority. Worst case, you'll be like Abilena, a beautiful troubled young teen I went to treatment with. She was kicked out because she kept drinking, and taking illegal drugs. I was devastated to see her obituary less than a month later. I had a bad case of survivors guilt with her.I don't believe Effexor increases alcohol cravings. If your first attempts with drinking resulted in this being such an issue with you, not wanting to give it up, then you very well could be an alcoholic. I remember my first drink, took to it like a fish to water, always thought of how to get my next one. Even when my body was dying.
Be smart. Be good to yourself.
Best wishes,
KDi in Texas
> i know that this is a very old thread but i came across it to find out why my dr keeps telling me not to consume alcohol while on effexor xr. ive been on effexor xr for 2.5 months and i was brought up to 225mg within the first month (which, by reading the responses in this thread, must be quite fast). i was put on effexor xr for the depression that I've had ever since i was 6, with a first suicide attempt at 9. i was also put on effexor xr for gad but i found that eff increased my anxiety to the point where i would have panic attacks which i've never had before. now to take care of the panic attacks, i've been put on gabitril. i've only been on gabitril for 1.5 weeks and i'm at 8mg (4mg morning and 4mg evening). I'm also on Revia which was prescribed to me so that i wouldn't cut myself or have the urges to do so. i would've been on it for close to two months now if i didnt stop taking it--i thought that i didnt need it anymore when i stopped having the urges to cut myself. then when i started cutting myself, it wasnt until the third location that i said anything about it mainly because it was my most severe self mutilation. no it wasn't a suicide attempt and i dont think it was an attention thing either because i get embarrassed when people ask how it happened. i think i was just trying to punish myself for not being good enough. --also like several others who have written here, im finding less motivation to do anything, especially during my week of drunkeness. see, my first time drinking was this june and i got drunk on the first night but that was after 2 beers and 9 shots of different drinks (vodka, whiskey, tequila). im not sure if the eff made my tolerance higher or if the fact that alcoholism runs in my family has anything to do with the high tolerance. anyways, i loved the way i was feeling when i was drunk. i wasn't so smashed that i got sick or forgot what happened--it was a really great buzz. after that, it seemed like all i wanted to do was get drunk again like i had that first night. so in a 5 day period, i drank 4 of those nights. the last of which i got completely wasted. i had 4 shots of tequila before going to a party. when i got there, i had 2 shots of 100proof southern comfort and then 2 beers following that. by that point, i was pretty well off smashed. when i attempted to get back inside the house from the backyard, i just started puking my guts out. next think i know, i'm inside leaned up against a wall and i hear a guy saying "well she's getting more color in her face now, i think she'll be fine" --that freaked me out that i was so drunk that i dont remember what happened from being outside to being inside and the whole color of my face as well. even after that though, the next week a friend mentioned going out to get drunk and i was all gung ho about it. i said "i would never pass up a chance to get drunk" so we went out to a friend's place and i only had 4 shots before one of my friends started freaking out and demanded to go home. i was so mad at the time. i was just then beginning to get a buzz after the 4th shot and all i could think about on the ride home is how i could've had more to drink and how i could've gotten drunk again. (see i'm 18 so i can't just go out and buy alcohol whenever i want). unfortunately, she wasn't the only friend of mine who had a problem with my drinking habits, how within 2 weeks i had turned into nearly an alcoholic from a person who was scared to even try alcohol for the fear of exactly what happened--enjoying it waaaay too much and wanting to get drunk any time i could. i dont know if thats the eff or my genetic alcoholism or possibly both. since then, i haven't had nearly as much alcohol... in fact only two drinks since june 25th, one on the 2 year birthday of the improv company i work for and one just this last week when a waitress was dumb enough to give me a shiner without asking for my ID. the former we each had a small glass of champagne. after that small glass i could feel myself getting rather tipsy... and only after one glass! with the shiner, however, i couldn't feel any effects of the alcohol.
> i know that i wrote a lot on a thread that hasn't been active for a month, but even if nobody reads this, it feels good to tell my story and reflect upon what has happened in hopes that when someone does read my story, that maybe they will learn something from what has happened to me.
> as for the overall effectiveness of the eff, i can't really say whether or not its been good for me. this is my first AD and i've only been on it for two and a half months. within those months i have had the best of times as well as the worst of times leading me to cut a chunk out of my wrist one week ago today... i would like to say that it has been a miracle to me but as of now, its really hard to tell. maybe my psychiatrist will up my dosage yet again. i know that i have to up my dosage during PMS week because otherwise i get completely bitchy and depressed. if anyone has any comments, i would love to hear them--myself being rather new to this whole AD thing and within these two and a half months, being put on 3 different medications--it kind of freaks me out into wondering "how many drugs must i take before i can be sane? before i can become who i used to be? how can i tell when i'm 'who i used to be' when i've been depressed since i was 6? will this even work or am i hopeless?" however, having coped with depression and gad almost my entire life, having attempted suicide 3 times, having tried everything from eating disorders to self mutilation to overdosing on over-the-counter drugs, i dont think i will stop at anything until i'm cured.. no matter how many drugs it takes to make me sane, no matter how many drugs it takes to prevent me from hurting myself, to give me motivation, to have me actually believing that there is something worth living for and that something being life itself--i wont quit until i'm well. i hate being depressed, i hate crying for no reason, i hate feeling alone, i hate feeling like i have no self worth, i hate not being motivated, i hate feeling as though i have nothing to live for---i hate it all. being depressed sucks and i've lived my entire life this way... i think its about time that i should enjoy life every day, every week, every month, every year. (with the exception of the common downs in life that everyone deals with)
> all right, now that i have psycho babbled enough (and i know that i have done my fair share of babbling and from reading this, you can plainly see that i'm psycho because i'm obviously not completely sane) i think it's time for me to go to bed. wow, almost 4am--amazing. i took a 4 hour nap this afternoon though after working from 8-12m (my job can be very exhausting)
> so until i hear back from anyone, ciao
Posted by 2em on August 3, 2003, at 12:20:47
In reply to Re: alcohol and effexor xr » zalle, posted by featherchickie on July 27, 2003, at 23:58:54
I recently discussed the effexor and it's
seeming effect of increasing my cravings
for and the effects of alcohol with my PDOC.
He was surprized to hear about it. Essentially
Eff and alc. should not be metabolically
reactive in the body, so the compounds in their
form in the bloodstream should not be effecting
each other. This, along with the variety of
experiences reported here made me think that it
is not the eff that is effecting alcohol but
perhaps other changes in body chemisty perhaps
indirectly linked to eff. Perhaps even changes
in serotonin and norepinephrine which I belive
eff works on. Basically it seems that humans have
a wide range of metabolic reactions to alcohol
such that some can down a 6 pack with out even
slurring speech while others are wasted after
2 drinks. Given differing tolerances for alcohol
it seems natural that after other changes in
chemistry our reactions to alcohol should differ
even if these changes are not directly caused by
eff (or other drugs). Teasing out the exact links
of cause and effect is probably not possible
especially on an individual basis. I think as others have said the best thing to do is be
careful. There are things to be learned by pushing
limits but when it comes to your brain and body
chemistry there are real dire consequences to be
aware of, some like death which can be sudden, and
some like alcoholism which you have to deal with
all your life.
Posted by Nuncio on April 23, 2004, at 14:25:03
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and alcohol LynnPerley, Lynnads » lucky, posted by lynnads on January 14, 2003, at 3:03:28
> I do like to hear what other people experience with Effexor XR so I do thank you, Lucky. It lets me know that there are quite a few other people who are having similar occurances to mine and I am not the only one. Although often times, I do wish it was just me (I hate having to see other people deal with anxiety and depression).
> Anywho, this is the third AD I have been prescribed. After my 10 year battle with depression, since my early teenage years, I figured it was time to do something. My doctor first prescribed me Celexa 1 1/2 years ago, and compared to how I had been feeling, the relief from Celexa seemed like it was an answer to prayer.
> Well the initial effect wore off and my doctor then prescribed me 20mg of Prozac. Which was soon booted up to 40 mg which soon again in early December of this year brought me to Effexor. I loooooooooove Effexor XR, but the side effects can tend to be a bit ruthless with everything from intense sweating, heart palpitations, and decreased libido (as if you wanted to hear that) to the feeling of complete numbness (emotionally) and plain old exhaustion.
> I am considering asking my doctor about Wellbutrin, but I am scared even that is going to mess with me in some way...that and I am afraid to come off Effexor. Some days I even consider going off the ADs altogether, but like your latest dealings with feeling unmotivated and overwhelmed, I have that problem AAAAAAAAALL the time(even right now).
> Which again brings me to another concern...are these pills supposed to help with motivation? Because when given the opportunity, I don't accomplish a thing. I would just assume sleep most the day then make it to my couch in time for the 5:00 news. Shower, eat dinner and go back to bed. In the back of my head I know I should be getting up to clean my house or run errands, but it doesn't seem important enough to get up for, and then nothing ever gets done. I am not necessarily sad, just not motivated.
-------------------------I understand what you are saying... I've been on Effexor XR 75mg for a short while and just recently upped it to 150mg... I do have slightly more energy, but I am also experiencing heightened anxiety. It is usually quite difficult for me to want to do much of anything except go home, drink, and go to bed fairly early because the alcohol and Effexor act like a sedative for me. I don't really feel sad or frightened, but I am just unmotivated. I feel numb emotionally, as though things I would normally care about are just not significant anymore. Prior to taking Effexor I was on Lexapro for about 8 months, and for awhile that helped with the mild lack of energy I was experiencing. The feelings I am experiencing with Effexor are new to me and at this stage, I feel much worse than I did a year ago before I started taking any meds. However, I'm afraid to get off the meds because of how the withdrawls might hit me.
Posted by Lynnads on May 1, 2004, at 22:06:48
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and alcohol LynnPerley, Lynnads, posted by Nuncio on April 23, 2004, at 14:25:03
>
> I understand what you are saying... I've been on Effexor XR 75mg for a short while and just recently upped it to 150mg... I do have slightly more energy, but I am also experiencing heightened anxiety. It is usually quite difficult for me to want to do much of anything except go home, drink, and go to bed fairly early because the alcohol and Effexor act like a sedative for me. I don't really feel sad or frightened, but I am just unmotivated. I feel numb emotionally, as though things I would normally care about are just not significant anymore. Prior to taking Effexor I was on Lexapro for about 8 months, and for awhile that helped with the mild lack of energy I was experiencing. The feelings I am experiencing with Effexor are new to me and at this stage, I feel much worse than I did a year ago before I started taking any meds. However, I'm afraid to get off the meds because of how the withdrawls might hit me.
>YES! Everything you stated above was basically exactly what I had experienced on Effexor. The thing that got to me most was the intensity of the numbness I had been experiencing. My Dr. put me on 150mg and, I kid you not, I was so emotionally numbed, my entire family could have been eaten by a pack of wolves and I would have just shrugged it off and continued whatever I was doing.
Sometimes that numbness is better than whatever else it is that you were feeling, but I got to the point where I felt like a well oiled machine, mindlessly carrying out the everyday activities that were necessary to survive.
I got tired of not being able to feel and decided to ween myself off of Effexor. That was a terrible experience ranging from migraine headaches to heart palpitations and even to hearing my eyes move(????). I am thinking I didn't ween myself off slow enough though, cuz my friend who was taking Effexor had no problems. A couple weeks later, when all the weird withdrawl effects did finally subside and after experiencing a strange period of near euphoria, I was content with my decision...and a year later still am.
I think perhaps if you aren't completely content with Effexor, you should go back to your DR and see what else can be prescribed for you (if you want to continue on ADs). There are so many ADs out there, something is bound to work better... but they will all have their pros and cons as well.
Good luck to ya. I hope all works out.
Posted by husschick on May 14, 2004, at 11:19:43
In reply to Re: alcohol and effexor xr, posted by zalle on July 27, 2003, at 19:44:38
would love some advice! I have socially drank for years and I have been on some form of ad for years while drinking. I started effexor xr 75 mg once a day about a month ago. I have yet to go out and have a drink. I have a bachlorette party saturday and wouls love to be able to have a few drinks, but I am scared. any advice
Posted by ku4ns on May 14, 2004, at 12:34:24
In reply to Re: alcohol and effexor xr, posted by husschick on May 14, 2004, at 11:19:43
I was drinking 3 or 4 beers a day up to the point of starting effexor. After starting effexor I no longer had the taste or desire to have a beer. Occasionally, friends would drop by and I would drink a few beers to be sociable. No problems, at the time my dosage was 150mg a day. Now i'm off of effexor (switched to prozac) and generally have a couple of beers a day without any problems. John
Posted by Nuncio on May 14, 2004, at 15:29:22
In reply to Re: alcohol and effexor xr, posted by husschick on May 14, 2004, at 11:19:43
I am up to 150mg of Effexor now, and have been taking it for about three months. I no longer experience the feeling of nausea that was once associated with taking the med. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol with this medicine used to make me very drowsy, but now I can drink a fair amount of wine, beer, liquor, etc. without any noticable effects. Now that my system has adapted to the Effexor, the two do not really seem to interact.
This is the end of the thread.
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