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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 881 to 905 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by worm on May 11, 2004, at 10:45:17
In reply to Question, posted by caleb96 on May 11, 2004, at 10:20:37
> Will someone please tell me what the heck "(nm)" means? The only thing I can figure is it's an abbreviation for(new message). But the context it's used in doesn't always make sense to me.
>
> CalebIt means "NO message" that means that the subject line IS the message, and it referes to the previous message that it was in reply to. I personnally find it confusing, as I don't always read the subject lines, because they frequently are copied from teh previous post, adn bear little resemblance to the current subject - JMHO (just my humble opinion)
Posted by TanyaJean on May 11, 2004, at 11:49:50
In reply to Re: Question » caleb96, posted by worm on May 11, 2004, at 10:45:17
> > Will someone please tell me what the heck "(nm)" means? The only thing I can figure is it's an abbreviation for(new message). But the context it's used in doesn't always make sense to me.
> >
> > Caleb
>
> It means "NO message" that means that the subject line IS the message, and it referes to the previous message that it was in reply to. I personnally find it confusing, as I don't always read the subject lines, because they frequently are copied from teh previous post, adn bear little resemblance to the current subject - JMHO (just my humble opinion)**HAHA! Thanks for clearing that up. I was scratching my head.
Posted by caleb96 on May 11, 2004, at 12:18:05
In reply to Re: Question » caleb96, posted by worm on May 11, 2004, at 10:45:17
Thank you worm, that makes more sense. That (nm) was starting to drive me crazy (ha,ha--no pun intended!).
You're exactly right about the subject lines. I could respond to the original 1998 message for this thread with a comment that has nothing to do with it. Unless we start to make an effort to enter a subject that is relevant to our messages, the subject line will continue to be meaningless in most cases.
Regards,
Caleb
Posted by finelinebob on May 11, 2004, at 12:36:15
In reply to Thanks worm for your answer, posted by caleb96 on May 11, 2004, at 12:18:05
BTW, you can also find the answer here: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html
If there are a few things in Babbleland that have you puzzled, the FAQ is a good place to go!
flb
Posted by caleb96 on May 11, 2004, at 13:38:14
In reply to Just the FAQs... re: [nm] et al., posted by finelinebob on May 11, 2004, at 12:36:15
Hi flb:
You're a pretty interesting guy. That FAQ page looks interesting and I'm gonna read through it later today. Dr. Bob is a pretty cool guy. If I had the opportunity to meet any two people, they would be Brian Wilson and Dr. Bob. Just a random though.
Thanks again flb,
Regards,
Caleb
Posted by Morgaine on May 12, 2004, at 3:00:32
In reply to Alternative Therapies, posted by maxziggy2002 on May 9, 2004, at 15:34:25
> It's starting to become clear to me that the dominant personalities on this board are not interested in hearing about alternatives to dangerous anti-depressants and seem vested in shooting down anyone who tries to offer them.
>
> This seems odd. Don't you want people to get better? Just because drugs like effexor have "saved" some people's lives doesn't mean that all of us should be taking them. They are notoriously over-prescribed for mild and situational "depression", which nowadays applies to almost anything.
>
> I was on effexor for 18 months and I hated it. It took me almost 6 months to detox from it. And yes I tapered. And all this I went through without the support of any doctor. They all thought I was crazy because they believed the lying drug company. I wasn't nor am I crazy.
>
> Since then, I relapsed into "depression" when I lost my job. I survived it on my own and decided that I was the one who needed changing. I was overweight and lethargic. So I changed my lifestyle, beginning with diet. I gradually phased out sugar and complex carbs and found my energy level soar. So, I got off the couch and started exercising. And go figure, my mood, motivation, and concentration improved. And I lost 30 pounds.
>
> After going out for pancakes one morning and feeling sleepy, cloudy, and lazy not too long afterwards, I searched "depression" and "sugar" on the net and found several sites referring to "sugar sensitivity", most inspired by Kathleen Desmaisons.
>
> I don't eat the potato--I don't need it. However, I found that my lifestyle changes corresponded to Desmaisons 7 steps.
>
> I've never felt better in my entire life. Was I ever "depressed" in the first place? Or did I suffer from extremely poor nutrition, like most North Americans? Did my doctor ever bother to find out? No, she just put me on a quick-fix and sent me on my way.
>
> The attitudes of doctors and "scientists" are irresponsible. None of us knows what these drugs really do to our physiology. Cocaine used to be prescribed to fight "depression". Would you support that today?
>
> There is no miracle cure for depression. YOU need to look at yourself, and YOU need to fix yourself. But so long as you cling to these drugs, you'll be powerless to do so.
>
> Good luck to all of you. I only wish you the best life you can have.I wish the best life can offer for you too. Be grateful everyday that you
do not have 'clinical depression' or any depression for that matter.
Of course you should have never been prescribed this drug! A psychiatrist
prescribed it, not your primary care, this is truly scary, my condolences.
Posted by jennm on May 18, 2004, at 15:16:08
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal & side effects, posted by Dave K. on November 28, 1998, at 12:58:34
I have lived with major depression for all of my life, however, about 5 years ago, after coming very close to suicide, my therapist tried me on Wellbutrin SR which works wonderfully for me.
I recently had a baby (she is 7 1/2 months old now) and was suffering with severe depression again despite taking the maximum dose of Wellbutrin SR daily (200mg bid). So, my doctor tried adding 75mg of Effexor daily. It seemed to help a little (I think?), but I also experienced the "anorgasmia" side effect which was a bother(to say the least) and didn't feel like it was worth the money or the side effects to continue taking the Effector. So I decided to wean myself off of it(I didn't consult my dr though which I am sure isn't adviseable), and I am now experiencing some troubling symptoms. I had only been taking it for about a month, maybe two, so I really didn't think it would be that hard to quit taking it.
There is some significant mental illness in my family so I always panic when I feel like I am going nuts which doesn't help, and I have also been under a lot of stress lately which I am sure isn't helping anything either. Anyway, I have been feeling that pseudo-dizzy feeling, anxiousness, irritability--basically feeling like I am experiencing really bad PMS + dizziness. Does anyone have any advice? How long is this going to last? It has only been about a week and a half since I stopped taking it all together and like I said I was only taking 75mg a day. I really wasn't expecting to be this impacted by it! What is going on here???
Thanks for any help any of you have to offer--
Posted by ku4ns on May 18, 2004, at 15:27:04
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by jennm on May 18, 2004, at 15:16:08
It seems that you should be nearing the last effects of the effexor, but there is a lower dose you could use 37.5mg. Personally I used Prozac 20mg to rid myself of the effexor which has worked very well. I hope this helps. John
Posted by annesand on May 19, 2004, at 7:31:13
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by ku4ns on May 18, 2004, at 15:27:04
I agree. I took one 20mg Prozac (which takes 3 weeks to ease out of your system) and the dizziness disappeared.
Posted by winifred on May 19, 2004, at 11:05:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by ku4ns on May 18, 2004, at 15:27:04
> It seems that you should be nearing the last effects of the effexor, but there is a lower dose you could use 37.5mg. Personally I used Prozac 20mg to rid myself of the effexor which has worked very well. I hope this helps. John
My doc refused to prescribe a small dose of prozac to help with the withdrawl. I am weaning from 450 a day of effexor. This isn't the first time I have attempted to get off of this terrible drug. Today is my first day going cold turkey. I feel awful! The doctor said he thought the "brain shiver" vertigo feeling is all in my head and offered xanax for anxiety. I am going to try this drug free I guess. I hope the withdrawl ends soon. I want my pre effexor life back!
Posted by ku4ns on May 19, 2004, at 12:22:52
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by winifred on May 19, 2004, at 11:05:44
I can't say enough about the use of the prozac, since this was my second time attempting to stop effexor. I remember the first time trying to stop and when I had the "brain shiver" my blood pressure was elevated enough to be treated for high bp. Using the prozac I did not experience one withdrawal symptom as I had previously. John
> > It seems that you should be nearing the last effects of the effexor, but there is a lower dose you could use 37.5mg. Personally I used Prozac 20mg to rid myself of the effexor which has worked very well. I hope this helps. John
>
> My doc refused to prescribe a small dose of prozac to help with the withdrawl. I am weaning from 450 a day of effexor. This isn't the first time I have attempted to get off of this terrible drug. Today is my first day going cold turkey. I feel awful! The doctor said he thought the "brain shiver" vertigo feeling is all in my head and offered xanax for anxiety. I am going to try this drug free I guess. I hope the withdrawl ends soon. I want my pre effexor life back!
Posted by jennm on May 19, 2004, at 14:58:00
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by jennm on May 18, 2004, at 15:16:08
Thanks for the responses. It is so good to know that I am not the only one out there with this problem! I am still experiencing the withdrawl symptoms, but I think I will give it another week or so before consulting my doctor for further help. Hopefully you all are right and it is almost over. I really think they should tell you about the terrible withdrawl symptoms BEFORE you start taking it!
Thanks for the help-
Posted by hugo on May 19, 2004, at 22:49:56
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by winifred on May 19, 2004, at 11:05:44
Two 20 mg caps of prozac, one at night and one in the AM, took the edge off effexor withdrawal for me. Perhaps you need a more sympathetic pdoc?
Posted by Morgaine on May 20, 2004, at 2:20:18
In reply to Re: Alternative Therapies, posted by Morgaine on May 12, 2004, at 3:00:32
RE: "ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES" 'POSTED BY MORGAINE':
COULD SOMEONE, ANYONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
I NEVER POSTED THE ABOVE REFERENCED MESSAGE. THIS
HAPPENED BEFORE WITH ONE TITLED "IF WISHES WERE HORSES"
NOW IT HAS BEEN CORRECTED(?) AND BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO
A 'HARRY P'. WHY IS 'MORGAINE'S' NAME BEING PUT
NEXT TO POSTINGS MORGAINE DID NOT POST? AM I NOT
UNDERSTANDING SOMETHING BASIC HERE ABOUT HOW THIS
COMMUNICATING, SHARING METHOD WORKS? I AM NOT AFRAID
OF BEING CALLED STUPID, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS! AGAIN....
WHASSUP?????
Posted by Morgaine on May 20, 2004, at 2:37:17
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by winifred on May 19, 2004, at 11:05:44
> > It seems that you should be nearing the last effects of the effexor, but there is a lower dose you could use 37.5mg. Personally I used Prozac 20mg to rid myself of the effexor which has worked very well. I hope this helps. John
>
> My doc refused to prescribe a small dose of prozac to help with the withdrawl. I am weaning from 450 a day of effexor. This isn't the first time I have attempted to get off of this terrible drug. Today is my first day going cold turkey. I feel awful! The doctor said he thought the "brain shiver" vertigo feeling is all in my head and offered xanax for anxiety. I am going to try this drug free I guess. I hope the withdrawl ends soon. I want my pre effexor life back!WHAT'S YOUR DOCTOR TRYING TO DO TO YOU? 450MGS. THIS
'AIN'T RIGHT, TRUST ME. i'M GETTING SCARED NOW. BYE - THIS MESSAGE
WAS POSTED BY MORGAINE.
Posted by Morgaine on May 20, 2004, at 2:42:46
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects winifred, posted by hugo on May 19, 2004, at 22:49:56
> Two 20 mg caps of prozac, one at night and one in the AM, took the edge off effexor withdrawal for me. Perhaps you need a more sympathetic pdoc?
mAN! I PRAY I DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS STUFF!
GETTING ON PROZAC TO GET OFF OF EFFEXOR, DOES ANYONE
ELSE SEE THE IRONY IN THIS?
Posted by roomy on May 20, 2004, at 7:07:26
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects winifred, posted by Morgaine on May 20, 2004, at 2:42:46
> mAN! I PRAY I DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS STUFF!
> GETTING ON PROZAC TO GET OFF OF EFFEXOR, DOES ANYONE
> ELSE SEE THE IRONY IN THIS?oh It's ironic alright. I tried several times to get off effexor. I am FINALLY effexor free. Have been since January 1st this year. Actually I am drug free of anykind. I could have taken prozac or wellbutrin to help with the side effects of effexor withdrawl. My doctor too recommended it. I thought the same way you did. Drugs to get OFF drugs?? No thank- you. Thinking back....yeah I should have had some prozac. If I had to do over, I would have taken the prozac. However, if you insist on getting off the effexor Rx free, there are some things to help but remember you are just MASKING the withdrawl symptoms. The meds that make you sleepy so you pass out work great, if ya wanna be sleepy! Benedryl and anti-vert. (any over the counter motion sickness drug will do) But I had two jobs and a three-yr-old. I couldnt take the 'sleepy drugs' and still function. I DID find that a PMS drug helped some and the "fake energy" tabs helped alot. Around these parts we have, Stingers, No-doz, mini-thins, stay-awake tabs. etc. I am not sure if it was just me since I have never had anyone else on here post about those drugs helping out but for me they worked great. I would take half a tab of the anti-dizziness drug and a no-doz and feel great for a bout 4 hours anyway.
anyway....hang in there. it gets better.
-Roomy
Posted by winifred on May 20, 2004, at 9:20:35
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by Morgaine on May 20, 2004, at 2:37:17
> > > It seems that you should be nearing the last effects of the effexor, but there is a lower dose you could use 37.5mg. Personally I used Prozac 20mg to rid myself of the effexor which has worked very well. I hope this helps. John
> >
> > My doc refused to prescribe a small dose of prozac to help with the withdrawl. I am weaning from 450 a day of effexor. This isn't the first time I have attempted to get off of this terrible drug. Today is my first day going cold turkey. I feel awful! The doctor said he thought the "brain shiver" vertigo feeling is all in my head and offered xanax for anxiety. I am going to try this drug free I guess. I hope the withdrawl ends soon. I want my pre effexor life back!
>
> WHAT'S YOUR DOCTOR TRYING TO DO TO YOU? 450MGS. THIS
> 'AIN'T RIGHT, TRUST ME. i'M GETTING SCARED NOW. BYE - THIS MESSAGE
> WAS POSTED BY MORGAINE.Believe me I agree, I can't understand why I was at 450 mg. I never questioned him and now I am paying the price. I can't take time off of work right now so I come to the office feeling dizzy, weepy and sick to my stomach just to name a few. I just want my life back. The crazy thing is they prescribed effexor for depression (I was suicidal) but getting off of it has made me more suicidal. I am tired, I am sick and there are days the light at the end of the tunnel is invisible.
winifred
Posted by annesand on May 20, 2004, at 9:24:13
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by winifred on May 20, 2004, at 9:20:35
Hang in there. And find a dr. who will give you some Prozac. Yes, it's counterintuitive to take one pill to help you go off another, but there are good reasons why it works, and you won't have to take it for long.
Posted by worm on May 20, 2004, at 12:23:16
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by winifred on May 20, 2004, at 9:20:35
> The crazy thing is they prescribed effexor for depression (I was suicidal) but getting off of it has made me more suicidal. I am tired, I am sick and there are days the light at the end of the tunnel is invisible.
> winifredWinifred, it is very ironic. I was never suicidal when I was depressed, but on 150 mg of Effexor, I was suicidal. (on 75, I was fine, but my doctor wanted to raise the dose) and while getting off, I was suicidal also. I'm sure Effexor is helpful to many people, and it WAS helpful to me, only at a lower dosage. I am just trying to go it alone, drug free, to see if I can "kick" this depression by myself. It is not severe. I know people who have switched from one to another antidepressant, and they all work a little differently. Some do fine on Zoloft, others on Paxil, others have stopped getting effectiveness from one after a while and have switched to another. Everyone's chemical makeup is a little bit different.
JMHO
Posted by TanyaJean on May 20, 2004, at 12:30:53
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by winifred on May 19, 2004, at 11:05:44
>
> My doc refused to prescribe a small dose of prozac to help with the withdrawl. I am weaning from 450 a day of effexor. This isn't the first time I have attempted to get off of this terrible drug. Today is my first day going cold turkey. I feel awful! The doctor said he thought the "brain shiver" vertigo feeling is all in my head and offered xanax for anxiety. I am going to try this drug free I guess. I hope the withdrawl ends soon. I want my pre effexor life back!**I think you need a doctor who listens to you. A lot of people on here try "5-htp" and said it really helped them. Going off 450mg cold turkey would be very harsh on the body, I think. I'm glad I never went up that high. Anyway, you can find 5-htp on the internet or at a supplement store. I take the "Yarrow" brand just because it was recommended to me.
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 21, 2004, at 6:49:23
In reply to Re: Alternative Therapies, posted by Morgaine on May 20, 2004, at 2:20:18
> I NEVER POSTED THE ABOVE REFERENCED MESSAGE...
I'd like to redirect follow-ups about this issue to Psycho-Babble Administration. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040307/msgs/346668.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by husschick on May 21, 2004, at 9:20:51
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by worm on May 20, 2004, at 12:23:16
I am extremly concerened about all of these side effects you all are talking about. I have taken 7 different meds before effexor xr and I have felt over all pretty good on this med. Do you think that mabye some of the withdrawl side effects are in your head?
Posted by worm on May 21, 2004, at 9:36:13
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by husschick on May 21, 2004, at 9:20:51
> I am extremly concerened about all of these side effects you all are talking about. I have taken 7 different meds before effexor xr and I have felt over all pretty good on this med. Do you think that mabye some of the withdrawl side effects are in your head?
I believe I posted before about this, that a lot of the side effects are "suggestable", and some are so vague that they could be attributed to many things. For example, I had body aches, and when I saw that on the list, I attributed them to the Effexor. Unfortunately, several months after quitting the Effexor, I still have some body aches, so that is an issue for my doctor. But the "brain zings" are definitely real. The appetite could be real, could be a manifestation of the depression, and the brain fogginess is subjective, although I DO feel that my brain is getting sharper, even though I never noticed that I was so foggy - I just noticed I was having trouble finding the right words, and names of people I have known for years were eluding me. I just kind of thought I was getting older.
Does that answer your question? Clear as mud, huh?
Posted by husschick on May 21, 2004, at 11:12:00
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal side effects, posted by worm on May 21, 2004, at 9:36:13
worm, thanks for the response. I agree. I know that when I see side effects listed on the paper you get when you pick it up at the pharmacy, I am like waiting for that to happen. mabye part of my anxiety , whoi knows. anyway thanks for the input.
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