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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SalArmy4me on May 25, 2001, at 23:42:36
Effexor is a viable option for you because:
*It has the possibility of affecting serotonin, norepinephrine, _and_ dopamine--more chemicals--thus increasing your chances for relief.
*It has no anticholinergic side-effects.
*Sexual disturbances are reported less than with SSRIs.
*It has gained the acceptance of psychiatrists worldwide in less than 8 years of U.S. FDA approval.
*It has few significant interactions with other medications.
*The idea of it being addicting due to withdrawal effects is unfounded; if it had any chance of being addicting, it would have been labeled at least a Schedule IV substance by the U.S. DEA.I myself took Effexor XR up to 375 mg. The only side-effects I had were sexual in nature, and these were remedied by mirtazapine.
Posted by Diane J. on May 26, 2001, at 22:33:15
In reply to Effexor: Notable Facts, posted by SalArmy4me on May 25, 2001, at 23:42:36
Hi,
I have taken Effexor for about 3 years. I am at 225mg right now, but I was once at 300mg. I tried to withdraw because I felt I was doing so well that I didn't need it anymore. The withdrawal experience was very difficult, and I felt very ill. I found a site on the Internet which detailed the withdrawal effects, and I was amazed at what I read. (Dr. Bob is on the advisory board for this site on tele-psychiatry.) I also learned through further research that these withdrawal effects were not known until rather recently, and the package insert for the drug had to be ammended to include this information. I do not consider the drug addictive.One of the other reasons I tried to withdraw was because I had become involved with Dr. David Burns and the information he discusses in his book Feeling Good. His list of 10 cognitive distortions continues to be helpful to me. The problem was, Dr. Burns feels that antidepressant use isn't such a good idea. I exchanged several e-mails with him about the use of these drugs. It upset me a bit because not only was I taking an antidepressant, but so was my daughter, and she had been taking Paxil since she was 5 1/2. She had been seeing a child psychologist for a year before we tried the medication, and the effects were nothing short of miraculous. I argued with Dr. Burns quite a bit over this because it made me angry that he would make a blanket statement that would apply to everyone' s situation. Finally I realized that sometimes it is just no use to debate with someone who has already made up his mind. So, what happened is, I tried his way. And it was disastrous. Without the Effexor I was not only feeling ill, but my anxiety was growing and my compulsive symptoms were reemerging with a vengeance. I am now back on Effexor, and I am staying on it.
I still think a lot of what Dr. Burns says is excellent, and it has been very helpful. There are people who can live well without medication. But there are also people who need meds, and my daughter and I happen to be two people who do. I have accepted that.
By the way, I have appreciated your help and insight on this forum.
Diane J.
> Effexor is a viable option for you because:
>
> *It has the possibility of affecting serotonin, norepinephrine, _and_ dopamine--more chemicals--thus increasing your chances for relief.
> *It has no anticholinergic side-effects.
> *Sexual disturbances are reported less than with SSRIs.
> *It has gained the acceptance of psychiatrists worldwide in less than 8 years of U.S. FDA approval.
> *It has few significant interactions with other medications.
> *The idea of it being addicting due to withdrawal effects is unfounded; if it had any chance of being addicting, it would have been labeled at least a Schedule IV substance by the U.S. DEA.
>
> I myself took Effexor XR up to 375 mg. The only side-effects I had were sexual in nature, and these were remedied by mirtazapine.
Posted by DebbieLynn on May 27, 2001, at 11:32:15
In reply to Re: Effexor: Notable Facts » SalArmy4me, posted by Diane J. on May 26, 2001, at 22:33:15
> Hi,
> I have taken Effexor for about 3 years. I am at 225mg right now, but I was once at 300mg. I tried to withdraw because I felt I was doing so well that I didn't need it anymore. The withdrawal experience was very difficult, and I felt very ill. I found a site on the Internet which detailed the withdrawal effects, and I was amazed at what I read. (Dr. Bob is on the advisory board for this site on tele-psychiatry.) I also learned through further research that these withdrawal effects were not known until rather recently, and the package insert for the drug had to be ammended to include this information. I do not consider the drug addictive.
>
> One of the other reasons I tried to withdraw was because I had become involved with Dr. David Burns and the information he discusses in his book Feeling Good. His list of 10 cognitive distortions continues to be helpful to me. The problem was, Dr. Burns feels that antidepressant use isn't such a good idea. I exchanged several e-mails with him about the use of these drugs. It upset me a bit because not only was I taking an antidepressant, but so was my daughter, and she had been taking Paxil since she was 5 1/2. She had been seeing a child psychologist for a year before we tried the medication, and the effects were nothing short of miraculous. I argued with Dr. Burns quite a bit over this because it made me angry that he would make a blanket statement that would apply to everyone' s situation. Finally I realized that sometimes it is just no use to debate with someone who has already made up his mind. So, what happened is, I tried his way. And it was disastrous. Without the Effexor I was not only feeling ill, but my anxiety was growing and my compulsive symptoms were reemerging with a vengeance. I am now back on Effexor, and I am staying on it.
>
> I still think a lot of what Dr. Burns says is excellent, and it has been very helpful. There are people who can live well without medication. But there are also people who need meds, and my daughter and I happen to be two people who do. I have accepted that.
>
> By the way, I have appreciated your help and insight on this forum.
>
> Diane J.
>
>
> > Effexor is a viable option for you because:
> >
> > *It has the possibility of affecting serotonin, norepinephrine, _and_ dopamine--more chemicals--thus increasing your chances for relief.
> > *It has no anticholinergic side-effects.
> > *Sexual disturbances are reported less than with SSRIs.
> > *It has gained the acceptance of psychiatrists worldwide in less than 8 years of U.S. FDA approval.
> > *It has few significant interactions with other medications.
> > *The idea of it being addicting due to withdrawal effects is unfounded; if it had any chance of being addicting, it would have been labeled at least a Schedule IV substance by the U.S. DEA.
> >
> > I myself took Effexor XR up to 375 mg. The only side-effects I had were sexual in nature, and these were remedied by mirtazapine.
THANK GOODNESS
I am so glad there are "GOOD THINGS" said about Effexor. I have beeen on it for about 3 months, starting out at 37.5 mg -- now up to 225mg and feeling great! I am on the XR. I too am experiencing sexual difficulties. Should I ask my pdoc about mirtazapine? What type of drug is it...how does it work? Sorry for all the questions, but I did not know there was something out there for this problem. My family doctor prescribed me Android, which is testosterone. My pdoc disagreed with this and said not to take it. He tells me that this is a common complaint among patients taking AD's. My depression stemmed from having my second child. I suffered terrible postpartum depression that has not completely gone away, and my son is 2 1/2 years old!. I do have a concern however, about eventually coming off of Effexor. I really try not to worry about it, since my life is so much more enjoyable now. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Thanks again for the great information you provided on Effexor XR. Do you have any advise for me?????
Posted by paulk on May 27, 2001, at 23:26:44
In reply to Effexor: Notable Facts, posted by SalArmy4me on May 25, 2001, at 23:42:36
> *Sexual disturbances are reported less than with SSRIs.
I don't think the above statment is true.
Anyway Effexer IS a SSRI that also has a norepinephrine effect if you go up to 150mg/day. As such, it is called a SNRI - but that is a bit missleading.
I think they had to change the PDR listing because there were more sexual side effects than originally thought.
For me, it made sex more enjoyable (closeness lower anxiety) - except I could not reach orgasim most of the time. Kind of a double edged sword.
Posted by DebbieLynn on May 28, 2001, at 9:30:58
In reply to Re: Effexor: Notable Facts, posted by paulk on May 27, 2001, at 23:26:44
> > *Sexual disturbances are reported less than with SSRIs.
>
> I don't think the above statment is true.
>
> Anyway Effexer IS a SSRI that also has a norepinephrine effect if you go up to 150mg/day. As such, it is called a SNRI - but that is a bit missleading.
>
> I think they had to change the PDR listing because there were more sexual side effects than originally thought.
>
> For me, it made sex more enjoyable (closeness lower anxiety) - except I could not reach orgasim most of the time. Kind of a double edged sword.
That is my problem. Cannot reach orgasm. This is extemely frustrating. For me...not to mention my spouse. It is almost like it is **Dead** (lol)
Any suggestions??? Should I talk to pdoc about this. I have told him that my libido has diminished, but that can be overcome, it just takes a bit longer, but just when I feel like actually having sex, I cannot have an orgasm...believe I have tried. HELP!!!!!Thanks for the info
Debbie
Posted by paulk on May 29, 2001, at 12:48:09
In reply to Re: Effexor: Notable Facts, posted by DebbieLynn on May 28, 2001, at 9:30:58
> That is my problem. Cannot reach orgasm. This is extemely frustrating. For me...not to mention my spouse. It is almost like it is **Dead** (lol)
> Any suggestions??? Should I talk to pdoc about this. I have told him that my libido has diminished, but that can be overcome, it just takes a bit longer, but just when I feel like actually having sex, I cannot have an orgasm...believe I have tried. HELP!!!!!
>
> Thanks for the info
> DebbieSometimes lowering the dose a bit can help – going to 50 mg instead of 75 would make it possible – but it might take an hour and a half.
There is a new seritonin blocker for IB that in theory might help. It s called Lotronex (alosetron hydrochlorine). It didn’t help me – but there are reports of it (actually a sister drug given for nausia) helping women over come the sex side effect. Be aware that it may cause the emergent of symptoms and/or other side effects of it’s own.
There are stimulants that help some folks, I think there is an FAQ somewhere on Medline that lists about 10 drugs which have been use in attempts to counter this nasty side effect.
The worst part for me – is once I was on Effexor, my wife suddenly found me attractive and sweet – I could get emotionally close and sex was better than ever except it wouldn’t work. – For you it sounds like you can’t get started. My hunch is that the sexual dysfunction side effect is probably a group of side effects that may interfere in a number of different responses that all have to work correctly for folks to enjoy sex. It is nice of you to be concerned for you husband.
Talk to your doctor about it – I’m going to try an MAOI. Other than the bother with the diet restrictions many people think they have less side effects than the SSRIs. (And many of the restrictions tend to be weight gaining foods so it doubles as a bit of a diet plan< grin >)
This is the end of the thread.
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