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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by TKaz on September 30, 2006, at 10:06:13
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by bon on September 29, 2006, at 22:40:54
I have been following this post since my doctor put me on Effexor about 3 weeks ago. The first two weeks were weird, I was in a zombie state for the first few days, but then I got my energy back and things started to get better. I was dizzy for a few days, nothing major. The only thing I have now is slight dry mouth, which is fine because I need to drink more water anyway. I have also lost weight which is always a good thing for me. But the most important thing is that I feel SO MUCH BETTER! I believe I have what is termed "surgical menopause", which means my hormones are out of whack. The HRT did not help but caused more problems. The Effexor seems to be working well and I am going to stick with it until it doesn't. To all those who are just starting like me, I say keep taking it and give it time to work. Not everything works for everyone, and when you feel like you need to try something else, see your doctor again and talk to him about it. For depression and anxiety disorders, it helps to have someone to talk to who is going through similar things, because people who don't have this issue or won't admit to it will try to tell you to snap out of it or as I was told, "we've got to fix your life so we can get you off those things quickly." Don't they know they can't "fix" my life? My life is great, my hormones and brain waves are off! I thank God for the good sense to see my doctor and get professional assistance!
Posted by corafree on September 30, 2006, at 11:24:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by bon on September 29, 2006, at 22:40:54
Some others here have had reflux w/ Effexor-XR. I hope they'll offer you some remedies.
bestwishes, cf
Posted by corafree on September 30, 2006, at 11:35:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TKaz on September 30, 2006, at 10:06:13
I'm supposing U read my post where went to GYN re: hot flashes and he muttered sort of at the wall, 'well Effexor-XR works good for that'. I'm surgically menopaused also. I'm not on an AD now, but should need arise again, would prob' go back on the big E. Also, I too, at a good weight, maintained it. Glad you're feelin' well.
bestwishes, cf
Posted by prasnhym on September 30, 2006, at 11:47:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » bon, posted by corafree on September 30, 2006, at 11:24:51
I have been on and off of effexor er 75's and am now on my second round for about 5 months now. I started it to deal with the stress of taking care of my sister with cancer for 19 months. She passed on the 30th of August. She was 43 and i am 46. This last month i have been really struggling with depression and i am shakey alot and do not sleep, I have the buzzing-cricket like sound continuously in my head like i had when i quit the first time. I quit cold turkey half way thru her disease thinking i could do without the meds. With all of the post here i am afraid to go up to a higher dose, i really want to get off instead but councelors counsel against that at this time and say wait for 6 months or everything about her illness and death will "hit" me when i quit the effexor...i do not know what to do except to wait it out...
Posted by bon on September 30, 2006, at 13:01:05
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by prasnhym on September 30, 2006, at 11:47:23
Why do you want to try staying off the effexor is it was helping? I got over the feeling of not wanting to be on a antidepresent a few years ago. If you had diabetes you would stay on meds if they controlled that disease wouldn't you? If it helps you get through it stay with it. I know it sucks to be on anything, that is what found me at this site. I am 4 weeks into effexor at 75 plus 37.5 mg daily. If taking these meds were like taking a vitamin it wouldn't be that bad. Its the side effects and the fact that some of the other meds stop working. Don't consentrate on getting off the meds right now. Just consentrate at feeling good. I have found that going off meds just after i really started feeling good threw me back into the same sh*t. Hope this helps.
Posted by gabbie on September 30, 2006, at 14:40:06
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
okay so it's my second day. yesterday i was in a really good mood, i don't know if the medicine kicked in, or if i was just happy for no reason. today i'm feeling crappy. my mouth has been really dry and i yawn occasionally... other than that, i just feel normal. two weeks and 5 more days to see if this works. if not. i'm screwed.
Posted by prasnhym on September 30, 2006, at 19:54:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by bon on September 30, 2006, at 13:01:05
I wrote...last month i have been really struggling with depression and i am shakey alot and do not sleep, I have the buzzing-cricket like sound continuously in my head like i had when i quit the first time...my point was if i am having depression and the other symtoms now on the effexor, i may not be as bad as i would be off the drug, but why take it when i feel like i do? and i do not want to go to a higher dose which will be even harder to get off of...i know the feelings of grieving the loss of a very close sister will be a process to get thru and i eventually will...but this getting thru is hell! I will not stay on a mind/mood altering chemical for the rest of my life... it does for now help me not to cry all of the time or sit and wring my hands, but i hate this constant buzzing/ringing in my head...and i do not know what to do- but keep walking thru.
Posted by sunloverrob on September 30, 2006, at 20:49:13
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by prasnhym on September 30, 2006, at 19:54:36
I love my medication. For over a year now, I've been on Effexor. My blood pressure has DROPPED; yes I have the ringing in my ears, but not enough to affect my lifestyle.
The bottom line is - I have more good days than bad. And that, my friends, is something I can live with, :-)
Posted by prasnhym on September 30, 2006, at 21:01:14
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by prasnhym on September 30, 2006, at 19:54:36
I am sorry i sound like i am dissing effexor, it has helped me get thru a very bad time in my life. The side effects did not last long for me and the good effects were a blessing... i had the buzzing sound for a couple of weeks when i quit the first time and new it was a withdrawal symptom, i feel now that it may mean i am so stressed lately that i need a higher dose and i dont want to go there dreading the withdrawal of getting off again eventually....i know this grieving process will just take time...
Posted by pinkpink on October 1, 2006, at 15:45:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by prasnhym on September 30, 2006, at 19:54:36
The ringing in the ears may respond to an herbal remedy...check with a good healthfood store and ask someone who works there..they probably know how to direct you..Good luck...I'm praying for you in your time of loss...
Posted by oledicky on October 1, 2006, at 19:08:59
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by gabbie on September 29, 2006, at 12:01:03
This stuff kills my appetite and not sleeping much at all. Just my third day-does it get better/I sure hope so!
Posted by BB1969 on October 1, 2006, at 19:40:13
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by prasnhym on September 30, 2006, at 11:47:23
I'm sorry for your loss and pray God will give you comfort and strength. As I have stated before, Effexor may be a wonderful med for those with SEVERE depression, those seeking psychiatric help, etc., but beware of the side effects. I wound up on 6 different medicines to counteract the side effects of diabetes, restless legs and so on.
Posted by carls on October 1, 2006, at 19:52:41
In reply to Re: Poop-out -Cam? » willow, posted by Cam W. on March 25, 2001, at 12:38:49
Posted by DORA on October 1, 2006, at 20:02:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by oledicky on October 1, 2006, at 19:08:59
MY DOC JUST TOOK ME OFF OF LEXAPRO BECAUSE IT CAUSED ME TO HAVE SEIZURES. THAT WAS REALLY SCAREY!THE LEXAPRO REALLY WAS WORKING TOO...SO THAT SUX. I DIDN'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR A MONTH SO MY KIDS AND HUSBAND WERE MISERABLE. NOW I HAVE TAKEN THIS EFFEXOR FOR THE 4TH NIGHT TONIGHT AND IT DOES WORK QUICK! I'VE BEEN GRITTING MY TEETH A BIT AND KINDA SLEEPLESS...THE FIRST NIGHT I WAS WAYYYY NAUSIOUS...EWWW...BUT ITS GETTING BETTER. AND IM LOSING WEIGHT WOOHOO! I LIKE IT SO FAR. THANK GOD!
Posted by prasnhym on October 1, 2006, at 23:17:29
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by BB1969 on October 1, 2006, at 19:40:13
> I'm sorry for your loss and pray God will give you comfort and strength. As I have stated before, Effexor may be a wonderful med for those with SEVERE depression, those seeking psychiatric help, etc., but beware of the side effects. I wound up on 6 different medicines to counteract the side effects of diabetes, restless legs and so on.
Thank you for your response,,,,I have been struggling with restless legs and not sleeping because of it - i was thinking that it was maybe from low calcium, could it be from the effexor? And thank you for your prayers...i do not see professional help except for a councelor who is working with my 5 year old daughter, who was abused while i was taking care of my sister, the counselor is who told me to get the effexor because i was dealing with so much at once, which i did from my family doctor...
Posted by prasnhym on October 1, 2006, at 23:25:22
In reply to SO FAR SO GOOD, posted by DORA on October 1, 2006, at 20:02:36
> MY DOC JUST TOOK ME OFF OF LEXAPRO BECAUSE IT CAUSED ME TO HAVE SEIZURES. THAT WAS REALLY SCAREY!THE LEXAPRO REALLY WAS WORKING TOO...SO THAT SUX. I DIDN'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR A MONTH SO MY KIDS AND HUSBAND WERE MISERABLE. NOW I HAVE TAKEN THIS EFFEXOR FOR THE 4TH NIGHT TONIGHT AND IT DOES WORK QUICK! I'VE BEEN GRITTING MY TEETH A BIT AND KINDA SLEEPLESS...THE FIRST NIGHT I WAS WAYYYY NAUSIOUS...EWWW...BUT ITS GETTING BETTER. AND IM LOSING WEIGHT WOOHOO! I LIKE IT SO FAR. THANK GOD!
Hey Dora, i didnt grit my teeth when i first started but i did clench them alot, i sometimes thought that was a reflex for the nausea...both of those side effects went away pretty quickly...i had a problem with the sleep in the beginning but it helped when i switched taking my dose in the am and did it about 6 pm...my stress level has gone up tho so i am having alot of trouble sleeping now...good luck to you.
Posted by corafree on October 2, 2006, at 7:41:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by prasnhym on September 30, 2006, at 19:54:36
There have been at least four times in my life when I really needed Effexor-XR. I had some awful IRL events it helped me through.
But now, years later, I don't feel the ... hmmm, .. I almost want to call it 'addiction'; but no, 'the need', for Effexor-XR.
I personally believe there will come a time in your life when you won't need it, and you'll get off it, even if it's hard, and there you'll be, free of Effexor-XR, and you'll be okay.
bestwishes, cf
Posted by prasnhym on October 2, 2006, at 8:03:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » prasnhym, posted by corafree on October 2, 2006, at 7:41:40
> There have been at least four times in my life when I really needed Effexor-XR. I had some awful IRL events it helped me through.
>
> But now, years later, I don't feel the ... hmmm, .. I almost want to call it 'addiction'; but no, 'the need', for Effexor-XR.
>
> I personally believe there will come a time in your life when you won't need it, and you'll get off it, even if it's hard, and there you'll be, free of Effexor-XR, and you'll be okay.
>
> bestwishes, cf
Thank you corafree - that is exactly how i feel also...best wishes back at you!
Posted by corafree on October 2, 2006, at 13:58:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?..corafree, posted by prasnhym on October 2, 2006, at 8:03:21
You're very welcome.
bestwishes, cf
Posted by dkl on October 2, 2006, at 18:37:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?..corafree, posted by prasnhym on October 2, 2006, at 8:03:21
Just found this board today, after taking my first dose of EffXR 37.5
So far I am noticing the dry mouth, and possibly a few other things, but it seems hard to believe there would be a single dose effect, so I am going to wait and see.
Posted by Jrfan on October 3, 2006, at 0:03:55
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?..corafree, posted by dkl on October 2, 2006, at 18:37:40
I just found this site, too. I've been on 300 mgs. of Effexor XR for about 8 or 9 months. I've been on Wellbutrin for about five years, and Strattera for about three years. Effexor kept me awake the first several nights I took it, until I got used to it. My personality isn't quite as "free spirited" as it used to be, which I miss, but at least I'm not crying all the time. I've been reading a lot about weaning myself off of it, but the stuff I've read sounds pretty scary. Has anyone tried to wean themselves off? And was it as bad as some of the stuff I've read and heard about? I hope I didn't mess this up and delete corafree's post!
Posted by tonya tarter on October 3, 2006, at 7:26:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?..corafree » dkl, posted by Jrfan on October 3, 2006, at 0:03:55
hi, yes i started weaning myself off effexor in jan, i took about 10 beads out of the capsules every 3 days till i was done, it took about 2 months but i had no withdraw. none, nada....i had panic disorder and SAD so sense it is fall thinking about starting it up again, one thing i noticed when i took a 37.5 was that my heart beat really hard the first night i tried to sleep, and i just couldnt hardly sleep at all that night. its been so long that i forgot if that is a normal thing with this med, any ideas??? thanks tonya
Posted by gabbie on October 3, 2006, at 8:45:57
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
i can't take this. i don't understand how this could work for people the 4th day? today is my 5th day taking the 75 mg and i don't feel better at all. i am getting more scared then ever thinking i'll never be okay again. i will always worry and always look into things and scare myself out of living a normal life. i'm not super bad, but i just want to be able to calm the anxiety down. i want to be able to talk to people and not be thinking they won't like me. this is ridiculous. i'm sure this isn't going to work for me if i already was on it 35mg for 2 weeks and 75mg for 4 and it did nothing. maybe i should just switch onto something else... i don't want to try prozac or zoloft... lexapro i heard worked, but i was on that for 2 weeks and i didn't take it long enough to see... i don't want to be on something that has nothing but complications. or maybe i should just wait this out... but i doubt it's going to help. ah. i don't have much of an appetite because my stomach feels kinda nauseas which before i just didn't want to eat as much, but my stomach was fine. and the dry mouth is still bad and the yawning as died down. please give me tips... i don't want to make the wrong decision... today is a hopeless day for me.
Posted by Bon on October 3, 2006, at 22:39:41
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by gabbie on October 3, 2006, at 8:45:57
Sorry to hear you are having a bad day. I am on effexor for about 5 weeks now. I am up to 75mg plus 37.5 whatever that adds up to. I have anxiety and depression and some SAD. I just was taken off lexapro after being on it for several years. It just kinda stopped working. It also make me extremely tired around 1 or 2 in the afternoon. It was getting hard to function. I am feeling good on the Effexor now, but I have heard that the more effective dose is 150mg. I first experienced some not so good side effects like bad constipation, dry mouth and stomach upset. nausea too. It seems to be getting much better. I hope my body is adjusting. I know how you feel about wanting to feel good. It is a hard road sometimes. Please give this med a chance. Try to keep a positive attitude and smile even if you don't feel like it. Sometimes it makes you fell better. I joke with my sister about some of this crap i deal with with the meds etc. I tell her I'm riding the crazy train! Try some meditation maybe, it really seems to help. Relaxing breathing etc.
Good luck, my thoughts are with you. Bon
Posted by Carolyne on October 4, 2006, at 8:20:23
In reply to Effexor and Hives, posted by vanni on September 20, 2006, at 10:43:53
Hi Vanni,
Yes I am experiencing the same thing. I have had then for the last three weeks every morning. I am starting to connect the effexcor xr. I have found posting of people who start hives any where from 5 months to 5 years. I have seen my doctor three times and she hasn't made the connection yet. I am going back to see her next week and will demand she take me of these. I am not sure what is worst, anxiety or hives! let me know if your gettting better
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