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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Larry on September 6, 2000, at 19:15:33
I am fairly new to Effexor and prior to this had never taken such a medication. It was prescribed after months/years of terrible explosions I was having at work in a high stress position. The last one had almost caused me to throw everything to the wind. The medicine has made a positive difference and I also know that I am not "stuffing" anything or postponing any underlying issues that need to be dealt with. That's important to me. Life is a constant tradeoff and so it is with medication; the side effects of occasional dry mouth or impotence mean nothing to me versus the improvement in my temperament at work. The latter is more important. Often on this website I am disappointed to read so many negative comments. Right now I am going to be thankful there has been such a change and should the day come when I feel otherwise, well, then I will deal with it at that time. This may never be read, but if it is, I hope that many other people are doing just fine with their medication.
Posted by Cindy W on September 6, 2000, at 23:44:38
In reply to New to Effexor, posted by Larry on September 6, 2000, at 19:15:33
> I am fairly new to Effexor and prior to this had never taken such a medication. It was prescribed after months/years of terrible explosions I was having at work in a high stress position. The last one had almost caused me to throw everything to the wind. The medicine has made a positive difference and I also know that I am not "stuffing" anything or postponing any underlying issues that need to be dealt with. That's important to me. Life is a constant tradeoff and so it is with medication; the side effects of occasional dry mouth or impotence mean nothing to me versus the improvement in my temperament at work. The latter is more important. Often on this website I am disappointed to read so many negative comments. Right now I am going to be thankful there has been such a change and should the day come when I feel otherwise, well, then I will deal with it at that time. This may never be read, but if it is, I hope that many other people are doing just fine with their medication.
Larry, i think Effexor-XR has helped me, although right now, with my mom terminally ill, i've been messing up and it just isn't enough. i have had practically no side effects (although i got kind of dizzy today, when i forgot to take it and didn't notice until i got home). so i went from 375 mg/day to 0 today, with some dizziness and forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating; if that's the worst that happens if i ever need to stop it, i can live with that.
am glad it's working out for you. people are all different. if it works, that's what counts!
--Cindy W
Posted by Cam W. on September 7, 2000, at 6:56:04
In reply to New to Effexor, posted by Larry on September 6, 2000, at 19:15:33
Larry - The main problem with Effexor™ (venlafaxine) is when you stop the drug. This must be done very slowly. It can be stopped easily over a 4 week period by most people, but some have a problem with that last, small dose. There are ways to ease this. The most successful that I have seen is using Prozac™ (fluoxetine) 10mg daily on the final low Effexor dose for 2 weeks and stopping the Effexor after the first week.
The popular press has picked up the withdrawl symptom issue (eg 20/20) and has ran with it, sensationalizing it more than need be. Although a very uncomfortable experience for some people, with proper management and compliance, stopping Effexor can be done fairly easily (for a vast majority of people).
Hope this helps - Cam
Posted by elizabeth777 on September 7, 2000, at 20:17:09
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by Cindy W on September 6, 2000, at 23:44:38
> > I am fairly new to Effexor and prior to this had never taken such a medication. It was prescribed after months/years of terrible explosions I was having at work in a high stress position. The last one had almost caused me to throw everything to the wind. The medicine has made a positive difference and I also know that I am not "stuffing" anything or postponing any underlying issues that need to be dealt with. That's important to me. Life is a constant tradeoff and so it is with medication; the side effects of occasional dry mouth or impotence mean nothing to me versus the improvement in my temperament at work. The latter is more important. Often on this website I am disappointed to read so many negative comments. Right now I am going to be thankful there has been such a change and should the day come when I feel otherwise, well, then I will deal with it at that time. This may never be read, but if it is, I hope that many other people are doing just fine with their medication.
>
> Larry, i think Effexor-XR has helped me, although right now, with my mom terminally ill, i've been messing up and it just isn't enough. i have had practically no side effects (although i got kind of dizzy today, when i forgot to take it and didn't notice until i got home). so i went from 375 mg/day to 0 today, with some dizziness and forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating; if that's the worst that happens if i ever need to stop it, i can live with that.
> am glad it's working out for you. people are all different. if it works, that's what counts!
> --Cindy W>Larry, I have been on effexor xr for three months and I love it I read a lot of negative things about it in these post as well and it does scare me a little to think of the withdrawls I may have trying to get off it. But it is working great for me now I feel better now then I have in nine years.I take a pretty low dose of 150mils. a day and it seems to be working great.
Beth
Posted by alicefranklin on September 7, 2000, at 21:15:21
In reply to Re: New to Effexor » Larry, posted by Cam W. on September 7, 2000, at 6:56:04
No need to blame the messenger. Just look at the comments on this board about withdrawal from Effexor. The fact that 70% of antidepressants in this country are being prescribed by GPs, and the fact that even those doctors specifically trained in psychiatric drugs are often unaware of the side-effects and withdrawal effects of these drugs is scary enough! Why attack those who try to offer a counterpoint ? You might as well blame an informative board like this one as blame the "popular press".
The notion that an honest discussion of the potential side-effects of drugs may "prevent those who need them from taking them" is paternalistic and condescending. Give us the full story,warts and all, allow us to decide. (Certainly the benefits have been given plenty of airtime, adtime, doctor-prescription time.) Information is what this board is all about. Let's not shut out any source of information available.
Posted by Tracy on September 8, 2000, at 6:50:58
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by alicefranklin on September 7, 2000, at 21:15:21
I do think one has to be wary of the source of the information. Shows like 20/20, Dateline, and others live to produce shows that "reveal" some major scandalous story.
I also think that one must also be critical of what is posted here, too. A person who has been suffering from Depression for a while, who is frustrated with the lack of results may be unfairly hyper-negative in their posting. Further, I have read plenty of messages here that say, "well, Effexor didn't work, I stopped cold turkey, and geez I feel terrible, I wonder why?" The new person on the board might be like, ooohh what a terrible drug -- when in fact for many people the drug works, and for many people they are successful in getting off of it --- if they follow dr's advice -- and sensible board info.
As for commercial advertisement of drug benefits -- without that, many people would not have had the information they needed to suggest a conversation with their dr. about a new option.
People need to take an active role in their heathcare, and seek information. Not everyone knows everything, and it is a patients responsibility to become informed -- if they take a passive role and expect everything to come to them through osmosis or through their dr. who may be new to the treatment too -- then they have no one to blame but themselves. A Pt/Dr. relationship is a partnership.
Posted by alicefranklin on September 9, 2000, at 7:30:14
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by Tracy on September 8, 2000, at 6:50:58
>
> I also think that one must also be critical of what is posted here, too. A person who has been suffering from Depression for a while, who is frustrated with the lack of results may be unfairly hyper-negative in their posting.>True, but on the other hand, positive reports may be equally subjective. Grains of salt all around!!
Posted by JohnB on September 10, 2000, at 13:50:47
In reply to New to Effexor, posted by Larry on September 6, 2000, at 19:15:33
I have recently started Effexor also. I did so even though I have read countless horror stories on this board about withdrawing from Effexor. I looked at a lot of studies and information before starting it. I know that messages on this board are weighted towards those who are having problems with their medications. Those who are having good results either tend not to come to this board, or do not post. However, I am glad to have any information I can get on Effexor, negative, positive, or especially "how to" such as Cam's prior message.
Posted by elizabeth777 on September 10, 2000, at 17:41:10
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by JohnB on September 10, 2000, at 13:50:47
> I have recently started Effexor also. I did so even though I have read countless horror stories on this board about withdrawing from Effexor. I looked at a lot of studies and information before starting it. I know that messages on this board are weighted towards those who are having problems with their medications. Those who are having good results either tend not to come to this board, or do not post. However, I am glad to have any information I can get on Effexor, negative, positive, or especially "how to" such as Cam's prior message.
> >Johnb I have been on effexor xr for three months and I love it 150 mils a day and it is the best thing for me. I have very few side effects. Some mild sweating I have lost 25lbs but thats a good thing. I feel better then I have in nine years. So here is that positive post on effexor for ya.
beth
Posted by noa on September 24, 2000, at 14:27:50
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by elizabeth777 on September 7, 2000, at 20:17:09
Larry, effexor for me isn't perfect, but it is working. I take it in combo with serzone. Keep in mind that some meds work, but cause some annoying negative effects, in which case it is often possible to take a lower dose, and combine it with another med to achieve a better effect.
I agree with cam I think most of the negative posts about effexor have been about withdrawal.. There is also weight gain issues for some people.
Others complain about sleepiness, while for others, like me, it causes exactly the opposite--restlessness and insomnia.
So, remember that each of us responds differently to these meds.
Good luck.
Posted by elizabeth777 on September 25, 2000, at 18:52:52
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by noa on September 24, 2000, at 14:27:50
> Larry, effexor for me isn't perfect, but it is working. I take it in combo with serzone. Keep in mind that some meds work, but cause some annoying negative effects, in which case it is often possible to take a lower dose, and combine it with another med to achieve a better effect.
>
> I agree with cam I think most of the negative posts about effexor have been about withdrawal.. There is also weight gain issues for some people.
>
> Others complain about sleepiness, while for others, like me, it causes exactly the opposite--restlessness and insomnia.
>
> So, remember that each of us responds differently to these meds.
>
> Good luck.> > >This is Beth elizabeth777 I did not write this post I do not take serzone. I am currently on
Effexor xr 150 mils for the past three months.
It is working fine for me and has very few side effects. I sweat mildly and I was sleepy when I first started taking it. My doctor said I could take them at night before I went to bed and that has worked.
This is the end of the thread.
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