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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by d.g. on April 30, 2003, at 17:56:42
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor » d.g., posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 21:21:13
> It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
>
> If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
Hi -My migraines don't seem to be affected by alcohol at all. I don't drink at all, I get them; I drink wine and beer and everything else, I get them. In fact, I haven't been able to pinpoint any trigger. My grandmother had them and my mother has them - so I guess I inherited this problem.
Someone else (I can't find the post) expressed suprise that Effexor would be prescribed as a migraine preventative; well, all I know is it has worked. I do still get migraines, but only once a month or so. Before I went on Effexor + BuSpar, I had a continuous migraine that lasted about four months straight. :( No kidding.
Posted by melley on April 30, 2003, at 19:45:36
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor, posted by d.g. on April 30, 2003, at 17:56:42
> > It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
> >
> > If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
>
>
> Hi -
>
> My migraines don't seem to be affected by alcohol at all. I don't drink at all, I get them; I drink wine and beer and everything else, I get them. In fact, I haven't been able to pinpoint any trigger. My grandmother had them and my mother has them - so I guess I inherited this problem.
>
> Someone else (I can't find the post) expressed suprise that Effexor would be prescribed as a migraine preventative; well, all I know is it has worked. I do still get migraines, but only once a month or so. Before I went on Effexor + BuSpar, I had a continuous migraine that lasted about four months straight. :( No kidding.
That was me, and I feel very sorry for you with the migraines. What an awful thing! I thought I was going to die...nothing helped til it went away on its own. I can't imagine four months. You must be a strong person to have gotten through that....mel
Posted by Snoozy on April 30, 2003, at 20:07:14
In reply to MIGRAINES, posted by dde on April 30, 2003, at 17:26:53
I was a little bit younger than your daughter is now when I started having migraines. When I was a teenager, I also started having daily tension-type headaches - this went on for about 10 years. My doctors told me to stop any type of analgesic/painkiller because they thought the daily tension headaches were actually rebound headaches from the meds. About 4 years ago I did stop taking any painkillers, and my daily tension headaches were pretty much gone. Today if I take tylenol for a muscle ache, I do get a rebound headache. I still have migraines, but that's a whole other kettle of fish :)
I just posted something about this yesterday - earlier this year I saw a segment on 20/20 about analgesic rebound headaches and about the same time there was an article in the New York Times magazine about it. I tapered my painkillers over time, just did it on my own. If your daughter does try to stop the medications, be careful about tapering off caffeine (Excedrin). People with migraines tend to be very sensitive to caffeine withdrawl.
Did your daughter get any of the triptan rescue medications? When I do caffeine withdrawl, I make sure I have plenty on hand!
She's lucky there are now good treatments available for migraine. I'm somewhat lucky I suppose, as I only had to suffer through about 5 years of no migraine relief.
Good luck to her, and if you guys have any questions about my experience, I'd be happy to answer them!
> > It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
> >
> > If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
> >
> > > Hi all - been reading through the messages and I just thought I'd put in my two cents as a three-year Effexor user, which is fairly long-term I suspect. My dosage is fairly light, 75mg per day, although I'm about to go to 150mg per day due to an increase in the frequency of my migraines.
> > >
> > > I was prescribed Effexor XR as a preventative for my migraines and also because of some mood irregularities possibly associated with the migraines. I had the side effects almost immediately after taking my very first dose - sweating, felt extremely hyper, etc. But that faded quickly and I haven't felt a side effect since unless I miss consecutive doses (more about that later.)
> > >
> > > Effexor has helped me a lot - in tandem with BuSpar, my migraines are well under control, and my mood swings less frequent. I probably don't help matters by drinking alcohol liberally and frequently; for the first year I took Effexor I wasn't drinking at all, the second I was drinking lightly and lately I've been partying down and I can really tell the difference. I'm going to stop drinking again as I've also been prescribed an antiepileptic.
> > >
> > > Anyway, the only time I have had side effects is when I have missed more than a day's dose. If I miss two days' doses, I'm f***ed, plain and simple. Brain shivers, electric shock sensations, cottonmouth, extreme depression, you name it. The thing is, I can tell it's the drug and not me going mad. It's like an amazingly bad LSD trip, kind of, only it doesn't go away quickly like LSD does. My advice to anyone just starting out with this drug, is to hold back a pill or two from each batch, just in case you ever get in a situation where you can't get your script refilled as quickly as you need it.
> > >
> > > No one should be too scared of this drug, but definitely go into it with your eyes open. Good advice for any of these very powerful psychotropics.
> >
> >
>
> About the alcohol and migraines: I had my oldest daughter into a neurologist YESTERDAY about dibilitating migraines. He told her to drink only Vodka....very funny considering she is only 18. He also said she was having rebound headaches from taking tylenol and excedrine for the migraines....said noone tells us in America that these meds can be addicting and/or cause rebound. I was impressed. Best of luck, de
Posted by jtc on April 30, 2003, at 22:42:01
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor, posted by melley on April 30, 2003, at 19:45:36
> > > It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
> > >
> > > If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
> >
> >
> > Hi -
> >
> > My migraines don't seem to be affected by alcohol at all. I don't drink at all, I get them; I drink wine and beer and everything else, I get them. In fact, I haven't been able to pinpoint any trigger. My grandmother had them and my mother has them - so I guess I inherited this problem.
> >
> > Someone else (I can't find the post) expressed suprise that Effexor would be prescribed as a migraine preventative; well, all I know is it has worked. I do still get migraines, but only once a month or so. Before I went on Effexor + BuSpar, I had a continuous migraine that lasted about four months straight. :( No kidding.
>
>
> That was me, and I feel very sorry for you with the migraines. What an awful thing! I thought I was going to die...nothing helped til it went away on its own. I can't imagine four months. You must be a strong person to have gotten through that....
>
> melHi, That is interesting that Effexor helped migraines. I think it also helped my migraines. But I am now off of effexor for about a month and I am starting to get more frequent tension and migraine headaches so I think effexor was good for headaches. My PCP suggested taking an antidepressant for headaches. I worry about a lot of things and have a lot of held in anger at my husband. It is a long story but I think that is part of my prolem with headaches. I take Imitrex and fioricet for the migraines but my doctor suggested I try topamax but I am a little afraid to try it. Oh well I will see how I do off the effexor. I am finding that I am extremely depressed and irritable and moody but I don't think I would take effexor again. Anyway keep us posted about migraines. Good luck with your migraines.
jtc
>
Posted by pamina on May 1, 2003, at 11:23:45
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor, posted by jtc on April 30, 2003, at 22:42:01
I had to stop Effexor suddenly because I ran out when my new (mail order) prescripton plan didn't get refills to me on time. I called the inaptly named "customer service line," and went through a whole voice mail thing. By the time I got to the part where I was supposed to leave a message, I was sobbing hysterically -- couldn't speak. I called my doctor, but could not get past her tigress of an office manager, who would NOT let me speak to the doctor, because it was a "prescription problem." She kept transferring me to the "pharmacy refill line" -- more voice mail. Meanwhile, I was sick to death with vertigo and headaches, and could hardly use the phone because I could hardly stop crying. I didn't have the wherewithal to keep fighting. I was so overwhelmed and helpless. Luckily, my sister happened to call me that afternoon and recognized that I was a basket case. She got her husband, an orthopedist, to call in an Effexor prescription to a local pharmacy.
I managed to drive to the pharmacy, where they told me they didn't fill it because my insurance company (the ^@#$!! pharmacy benefit manager)wouldn't cover it. I clenched my fists, gritted my teeth, and vowed not to cry in public, but of course within seconds tears were rolling down my face. (As embarrassing at this was, it had its advantages in that they filled it right away, and "allowed" me to simply pay for it myself.) Effexor withdrawal has the added burden of making it overwhelmingly hard to get help for your Effextor withdrawal! I shudder to think what kind of shape I would have been in today if my sister hadn't called.
Posted by cmcdougall on May 1, 2003, at 13:21:55
In reply to Another Effexor withdrawal issue, posted by pamina on May 1, 2003, at 11:23:45
Hi all,
I have tried many things (triptans, neuontin, topomax, and many ADs) for my migraines and nothing helped until Zonegran. I have been taking 200mg each night for the past 3 months for prevention. My headaches decreased in frequency and for the past 2 months I have not had a single migraine. I used to have 7 or 8 a MONTH. No cognitive deficit with the Zonegran either.
Zonegran has changed my life!
One thing that used to help abort a migraine when I would start to feel that "burpy" malaise feeling that let me know one was coming - a shot of Southern Comfort! I don't know why... I would even keep a flask in my purse. My husband told me I was becoming a lush, but my neurologist laughed and said the flask was too small to turn anyone into a lush ;-)
Good luck!
Carly
Posted by Scorch on May 1, 2003, at 13:27:50
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor » d.g., posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 21:21:13
Has anyone else been prescribed Effexor for anxiety and panic disorder? I was hospitalised Sept 2002 and put on 150mg, which was then raised to 225mg in January. It never got rid of the anxiety enough to give me a fully functional existence. I've just had to reduce to 150mg because of side effects (excess sweating, hot flushes etc). Should I give up and get another antidepressant? Is there any chance I'll get any better at this dose? I've been on Seroxat (Paxil), Prozac and loads of various tricyclics and even an MAOI. I'm getting desperate. I've not been able to function for 2 YEARS - I have no concentration span and have taken 5 years (so far) to complete a 3 year PhD. Any advice would be helpful.
Posted by cruzandfamily on May 1, 2003, at 14:09:52
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor » d.g., posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 21:21:13
I have been hospitalized four or five times because of panic attacks. I have been on 150 mg of effexor for one year. I have no problem as long as I remember to take it. If you really want help, REMEMBER to take it!!! I was also just put on 25mg of topamax. I take zanax for emergencies. My doctor just told me the only real way I can get over my anxieties is to get psychotherapy. I am not sure I can afford it. I cannot even really work a full week. Everything is just happening fast right now. Where can I get help?
Posted by lovemybabies on May 1, 2003, at 18:12:40
In reply to effexor and anxiety-panic attacks, posted by cruzandfamily on May 1, 2003, at 14:09:52
There's a great book I got off the Dr. Laura website--THE ANXIETY BOOK. I can't remember the author.(yes, I'm too lazy to run upstairs). It deals with the different types of anxiety(generalized, social, etc.) and ways to overcome them. It's very well-written. It has helped me a great deal, as I'm too busy with two small children and a husband who works 60 hours/week to see a counselor.
Good luck!
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 1, 2003, at 22:28:58
In reply to Re: effexor and anxiety-panic attacks, posted by lovemybabies on May 1, 2003, at 18:12:40
> There's a great book I got off the Dr. Laura website--THE ANXIETY BOOK.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Ritch on May 1, 2003, at 23:10:20
In reply to Effexor and Anxiety, posted by Scorch on May 1, 2003, at 13:27:50
> Has anyone else been prescribed Effexor for anxiety and panic disorder? I was hospitalised Sept 2002 and put on 150mg, which was then raised to 225mg in January. It never got rid of the anxiety enough to give me a fully functional existence. I've just had to reduce to 150mg because of side effects (excess sweating, hot flushes etc). Should I give up and get another antidepressant? Is there any chance I'll get any better at this dose? I've been on Seroxat (Paxil), Prozac and loads of various tricyclics and even an MAOI. I'm getting desperate. I've not been able to function for 2 YEARS - I have no concentration span and have taken 5 years (so far) to complete a 3 year PhD. Any advice would be helpful.
You didn't mention any benzodiazepines or anticonvulsants. Sometimes Depakote, Neurontin, Topamax, Tegretol, etc. work for treatment-resistant panic when antidepressants fail. Sometimes combinations of TCA+SSRI, MAOI+TCA, anticonvulsant+TCA or SSRI or MAOI are found to work.
Posted by Scorch on May 2, 2003, at 16:32:15
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety » Scorch, posted by Ritch on May 1, 2003, at 23:10:20
I have never forgotten to take my meds. I'm really fastidious about it. I took Librium (chlordiazepoxide?)for emergencies before, but it stopped working becuase I'd been using it for 6 years. Then I was given Diazepam, but that was appalling. I got really severe depressive episodes as the drug wore off, which ended up with a visit to the ER and 10 stitches. Apparently this abreaction is common. I'm now on Lorazepam. It works OK in an emergency but, as with the other benzos, I can't take it as a daily thing because it makes my head fuzzy. I was given an antipsychotic called Perfenazine (Fentazin) but the side effects were bad. I've just had another day of misery and I don't know what to do. My doctor is unavailable for the 3 day weekend, and when I go to the ER they lecture me for wasting their time: "There are REAL sick people out there you know..."
Posted by magic potion on May 2, 2003, at 19:25:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by soulfly on April 29, 2003, at 9:24:27
I tried Effexor a few years back. Fortunately, it made me puke. I'm glad I didn't stick with it considering all this withdrawal talk.
Prozac was a nightmare; Zoloft is for zombies; Paxil...well, I can't remember why I stopped taking that one.
Psychologically challenged people should really hold the drug companies to the fire. You can get better drugs on the street.
They change an existing drug a bit, give it a new name, repackage it, announce it to the world, watch their stock rise...all the while wining and dining the docs so they'll pump it down our throats. Free samples!
The relationship between doctors and these sleazy drug reps presents a complete conflict of interest.
Meanwhile we're all just guinea pigs (sic?).
I have a prescription for Lexapro in my pocket. I don't think I'll use it. I wanted Well-Butrin but apparently my head injury precludes me from taking it. (Note to self, don't tell the next psych about the car accident until AFTER you have the prescription in hand.)
I think I'm going to try cocaine...at least then I'll have a reason to get up in the morning.
Posted by aleks on May 2, 2003, at 19:41:17
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety » Scorch, posted by Ritch on May 1, 2003, at 23:10:20
I started taking Effexor XR for anxiety in November of 2001.I started at 37.5, then 75, then 150, but 150 was too much... I felt sleepy all the time. The anxiety was greatly reduced in a very short time after the very first dose(I felt positive effects within hours, even though the shrink I work with tells me this doesn't happen.)Besides considerable relief from the anxiety, I also experienced delayed orgasm and intense and realistic dreams that stayed with me after waking (I rarely remembered my dreams on awakening before Effexor.) None of these effects were unpleasant. For the first several months I would be somewhat sleepy for an hour or two after taking it in the AM, but this was well worth it. A friend of mine had some unpleasant side effects coming off of Effexor and warned me to come off slowly. I started coming off in February and took 37.5 for 4 weeks. 48 hours after my last dose I became very dizzy and disconnected... also strange electrical sensations in my head and face. I then took 37.5 approximateley every 2 to 3 days when the effects became almost unbearably severe. My last dose was 5 days ago and I can tell you that the last 72 hours have been hell (my wife would agree.) I have been extremely irritable, moderately depressed with near suicidal dips at times. I have experienced more road rage today than I have in the last several years. But little to no anxiety... perhaps Effexor has converted my anxiety over to anger:) I am determined to get through this to see what life is like on the other side. My hope is that this is all just withdrawal effects and I will pull out of it soon. I really don't want to be dependent on medication, but I don't want to live like this either.
Posted by Paco on May 2, 2003, at 20:11:10
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety, posted by aleks on May 2, 2003, at 19:41:17
Let us know how it goes in a couple of weeks, Ritch. I posted here a while back asking people about life AFTER withdrawl, but all of the responses I got were from people talking about what they had experienced or are experiencing DURING withdrawl. I just want to hear from a few people about what happened to them after the withdrawl was over for them, but apparently no such person posts on this site.
Thanks,
Paco===========================================================
> I started taking Effexor XR for anxiety in November of 2001.I started at 37.5, then 75, then 150, but 150 was too much... I felt sleepy all the time. The anxiety was greatly reduced in a very short time after the very first dose(I felt positive effects within hours, even though the shrink I work with tells me this doesn't happen.)Besides considerable relief from the anxiety, I also experienced delayed orgasm and intense and realistic dreams that stayed with me after waking (I rarely remembered my dreams on awakening before Effexor.) None of these effects were unpleasant. For the first several months I would be somewhat sleepy for an hour or two after taking it in the AM, but this was well worth it. A friend of mine had some unpleasant side effects coming off of Effexor and warned me to come off slowly. I started coming off in February and took 37.5 for 4 weeks. 48 hours after my last dose I became very dizzy and disconnected... also strange electrical sensations in my head and face. I then took 37.5 approximateley every 2 to 3 days when the effects became almost unbearably severe. My last dose was 5 days ago and I can tell you that the last 72 hours have been hell (my wife would agree.) I have been extremely irritable, moderately depressed with near suicidal dips at times. I have experienced more road rage today than I have in the last several years. But little to no anxiety... perhaps Effexor has converted my anxiety over to anger:) I am determined to get through this to see what life is like on the other side. My hope is that this is all just withdrawal effects and I will pull out of it soon. I really don't want to be dependent on medication, but I don't want to live like this either.
Posted by cruzandfamily on May 2, 2003, at 20:12:28
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety, posted by aleks on May 2, 2003, at 19:41:17
Are there that many people really on effexor? If there are so many side effects, why are the docs giving it out? Why aren't you guys bringing copies of these threads to them?
I love effexor,...except when I miss it. I know I have to stay on it until I learn to control my panic attacks. I know I am not ready to do this alone. I know I need support groups, therapy, knowledge, and a combo of good-working drugs,.....for now. You have to use trial and error until you figure what works for you. When you are in a decent state of mind, jot down feelings in a journal. Have your spouse do the same thing. They see differences in you that you won't recognize.
See, it's 9pm, and I am in a decent state of mind. Three hours ago, forget it. I had to pop a Xanax. Now, I will go home and take my topamax.
Does anyone have messenger? It would be wonderful to have someone to chat with when going through a rough time. My email is cruzandfamily@hotmail.com. Thanks.
Posted by Paco on May 2, 2003, at 20:14:31
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety, posted by aleks on May 2, 2003, at 19:41:17
...Oops...I meant Aleks, not Ritch.Anyway, any posts about life after withdrawl would certainly be welcome.
Paco
Posted by Paco on May 2, 2003, at 20:37:20
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety, posted by cruzandfamily on May 2, 2003, at 20:12:28
I think that there are potential side effects to any antidepressant. Not everyone experiences all of them. Some of us experince few or none of them. I had terrible side effects with Prozac, and pretty much no side effects with EXR. I think that this board makes it seem like everyone that takes EXR has nightmarish side effects, but I believe that it is partially because when people are having difficulties with a med, they are more prone to seek out more information about it. If they are doing fine, why bother with the research? I came to this site when I was having some side effects during my first couple of days on EXR. Now I no longer have the side effects, and I come to this site less often because I have less use for it - in fact it kind of brings me down reading all of the complaints and horror stories. I also find that when I respond to other people's posts, I'm repeating myself, so my posts are starting to all sound the same..."no side effects", "talk to your doctor", "I actually like EXR", "delayed ejaculation went away after 5 weeks", "Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil were horrible for me, but they may work for you - so might EXR", "wait a couple of weeks and give it a chance", "keep trying and find the right drug for you - don't give up". Pick any 2 or 3 of the above and you'll have all of my posts. This redundancy in my posts makes me think I've made my point and it's about time to move on. I've trolled for positive comments and asked about experiences after withdrawl, but it appears that noone here has any information or desire to provide such information.
Oh, well. I have learned some things here.
I'll be back.
Paco
==========================================================
> Are there that many people really on effexor? If there are so many side effects, why are the docs giving it out? Why aren't you guys bringing copies of these threads to them?
>
> I love effexor,...except when I miss it. I know I have to stay on it until I learn to control my panic attacks. I know I am not ready to do this alone. I know I need support groups, therapy, knowledge, and a combo of good-working drugs,.....for now. You have to use trial and error until you figure what works for you. When you are in a decent state of mind, jot down feelings in a journal. Have your spouse do the same thing. They see differences in you that you won't recognize.
>
> See, it's 9pm, and I am in a decent state of mind. Three hours ago, forget it. I had to pop a Xanax. Now, I will go home and take my topamax.
>
> Does anyone have messenger? It would be wonderful to have someone to chat with when going through a rough time. My email is cruzandfamily@hotmail.com. Thanks.
Posted by magic potion on May 2, 2003, at 21:27:01
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety » cruzandfamily, posted by Paco on May 2, 2003, at 20:37:20
Paco,
The thing is, you probably won't find tons of positive comments in a board like this, simply because people come here looking for help. Commiserating.
People who are doing well probably don't have the desire (or the time) to look back.
People are here for help. Sometimes you have a side effect and when you tell the doc, he or she insists that it isn't related. It's good to actually talk to people who have taken the drug.
Newsflash to doctors: just because you didn't read it in a textbook, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Well, hope you find info about the "after withdrawal" phase!
Magic Potion
Posted by Maureen17 on May 2, 2003, at 23:17:24
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety, posted by aleks on May 2, 2003, at 19:41:17
Bravo to you!!!
I'm now taking 1/2 of the 37.5ml dose every day for maybe two weeks then I'll try every other day and so on 'til my last dose is done. So far it seems to be working with the only side effect being pain in my hips and neck. Memory seems to be working better than when I was taking normal dose everyday.
Good luck on withdrawl...
Keep us all posted on progress, please.
Mo.
Posted by Maureen17 on May 2, 2003, at 23:22:25
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety » aleks, posted by Paco on May 2, 2003, at 20:14:31
Hey Paco,
Give me a couple of weeks and I'll let you know.
Have a good one!
Mo
Posted by pamina on May 3, 2003, at 7:09:11
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety, posted by aleks on May 2, 2003, at 19:41:17
Aleks -- There is info on this site (not the message board) about the use of Prozac and/or Benadryl to treat the symptoms of Effexor withdrawal. I know how you feel! and hope its over soon.
Posted by pamina on May 3, 2003, at 7:18:21
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety, posted by magic potion on May 2, 2003, at 21:27:01
Effexor withdrawal was nightmarish, but I don't think it should be taken off the market or anything. It has helped me enormously. I only wish I had known the hazards of skipping a few days. A warning would have been nice -- "If you miss a dose, your brain will disconnect from its moorings and start sliding around inside your head. You will wish you were never born." I am also interested in the long term effects of withdrawal, in case I ever have to go off it. I wish I didn't have depression, just like I wish I didn't have asthma, but I do, so I'm glad there are meds to control them.
Posted by cruzandfamily on May 3, 2003, at 8:18:27
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety » cruzandfamily, posted by Paco on May 2, 2003, at 20:37:20
Ok-but I am new to this site,and I don't know your whole story. I know what you mean about it being depressing reading all this sometimes, but it is also helping. It can also hurt. For those that worry all the time, they may start to worry that they will get some of the side effects posted here. Yesterday my eyes were burning, and all I could think was, "how will I know if I have glaucoma?" (a side effect of topamax)
This is the first site that I have found though, that gives so much info, and first hand experience. I have been looking for a year. I didn't want textbook crap, I have read it. I wanted real life experiences. But, how come no one uses messenger? Thanks!
> I think that there are potential side effects to any antidepressant. Not everyone experiences all of them. Some of us experince few or none of them. I had terrible side effects with Prozac, and pretty much no side effects with EXR. I think that this board makes it seem like everyone that takes EXR has nightmarish side effects, but I believe that it is partially because when people are having difficulties with a med, they are more prone to seek out more information about it. If they are doing fine, why bother with the research? I came to this site when I was having some side effects during my first couple of days on EXR. Now I no longer have the side effects, and I come to this site less often because I have less use for it - in fact it kind of brings me down reading all of the complaints and horror stories. I also find that when I respond to other people's posts, I'm repeating myself, so my posts are starting to all sound the same..."no side effects", "talk to your doctor", "I actually like EXR", "delayed ejaculation went away after 5 weeks", "Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil were horrible for me, but they may work for you - so might EXR", "wait a couple of weeks and give it a chance", "keep trying and find the right drug for you - don't give up". Pick any 2 or 3 of the above and you'll have all of my posts. This redundancy in my posts makes me think I've made my point and it's about time to move on. I've trolled for positive comments and asked about experiences after withdrawl, but it appears that noone here has any information or desire to provide such information.
>
> Oh, well. I have learned some things here.
>
> I'll be back.
>
> Paco
>
> ==========================================================
>
> > Are there that many people really on effexor? If there are so many side effects, why are the docs giving it out? Why aren't you guys bringing copies of these threads to them?
> >
> > I love effexor,...except when I miss it. I know I have to stay on it until I learn to control my panic attacks. I know I am not ready to do this alone. I know I need support groups, therapy, knowledge, and a combo of good-working drugs,.....for now. You have to use trial and error until you figure what works for you. When you are in a decent state of mind, jot down feelings in a journal. Have your spouse do the same thing. They see differences in you that you won't recognize.
> >
> > See, it's 9pm, and I am in a decent state of mind. Three hours ago, forget it. I had to pop a Xanax. Now, I will go home and take my topamax.
> >
> > Does anyone have messenger? It would be wonderful to have someone to chat with when going through a rough time. My email is cruzandfamily@hotmail.com. Thanks.
>
>
Posted by melley on May 3, 2003, at 13:42:38
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety » aleks, posted by Paco on May 2, 2003, at 20:11:10
I was on effexor about 5 years ago for a year, then went off. I went through about a week of withdrawal, flu-like symptoms and very shaky and paranoid. Then they went away. No lasting effects. Then last year I started getting major panic attacks and since I already had depression, the dr put me back on effexor (which apparently is one of two meds that tackles both). So, there is life after withdrawal. There:)
> Let us know how it goes in a couple of weeks, Ritch. I posted here a while back asking people about life AFTER withdrawl, but all of the responses I got were from people talking about what they had experienced or are experiencing DURING withdrawl. I just want to hear from a few people about what happened to them after the withdrawl was over for them, but apparently no such person posts on this site.
>
> Thanks,
> Paco
>
> ===========================================================
>
> > I started taking Effexor XR for anxiety in November of 2001.I started at 37.5, then 75, then 150, but 150 was too much... I felt sleepy all the time. The anxiety was greatly reduced in a very short time after the very first dose(I felt positive effects within hours, even though the shrink I work with tells me this doesn't happen.)Besides considerable relief from the anxiety, I also experienced delayed orgasm and intense and realistic dreams that stayed with me after waking (I rarely remembered my dreams on awakening before Effexor.) None of these effects were unpleasant. For the first several months I would be somewhat sleepy for an hour or two after taking it in the AM, but this was well worth it. A friend of mine had some unpleasant side effects coming off of Effexor and warned me to come off slowly. I started coming off in February and took 37.5 for 4 weeks. 48 hours after my last dose I became very dizzy and disconnected... also strange electrical sensations in my head and face. I then took 37.5 approximateley every 2 to 3 days when the effects became almost unbearably severe. My last dose was 5 days ago and I can tell you that the last 72 hours have been hell (my wife would agree.) I have been extremely irritable, moderately depressed with near suicidal dips at times. I have experienced more road rage today than I have in the last several years. But little to no anxiety... perhaps Effexor has converted my anxiety over to anger:) I am determined to get through this to see what life is like on the other side. My hope is that this is all just withdrawal effects and I will pull out of it soon. I really don't want to be dependent on medication, but I don't want to live like this either.
>
>
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