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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DP on August 15, 2001, at 21:25:18
I did it, I FINALLY did it after seeing my bottle of Effexor on the table for nearly a week not touching it. I brought it to work with me and took it with my bagel this morning.
OMFG, I thought I was going to lose my mind. Hard to believe that a small 37.5mg pill can do so much damage. I started out sweating, which turned into dizziness which ultimately turned into extreme nausea. I finally had to take an empty office and just lay down. After not feeling any better and the fear of "losing it" became more eminent, I decided to take the Lorazepam (0.5mg) the doctor also gave me (for those time I feel a panic attack coming on).
Eventually I was able to get up, but I could not shake the slight nausea I still had and I was very UNsocial. Couldn't laugh, couldn't get pissed off, couldn't have ANY emotions, but I just wanted to be left alone. Had NO appetite whatsoever either.
Call me a baby, call me a whimp, but I picked up the phone and dialed my doctor because what I was feeling didn't feel right. He told me to come in on my lunch break which I did. I explained everything and he said just stick it out for a week. If not, he'll prescribe something called Buspar (sp?) if things don't improve. He explained that everyone goes through this while adjusting to the med.
I'm FINALLY at home now (whew, what a long day). I am drinking a glass of wine and am starting to feel somewhat back to normal. I feel hungry now so I think I'll go eat something.
I hope to get some input from people who had to adjust to Effexor. I need some good news at this point.
Thanks in advance for your help, guys!
Jimmy
Posted by AnneL on August 15, 2001, at 22:02:01
In reply to Adjusting to Effexor - anyone want to share experi, posted by DP on August 15, 2001, at 21:25:18
>
Hi Jimmy,
Your day today sounds very much like mine when I first started Effexor at the end of March. Nausea is one of the most common side effects, but should pass once your body gets used to it. I experienced anxiety attacks during the initial "start-up" on Effexor and took Klonopin which totally took away the anxiety. One of the regulars on this board told me that the anxiety is actually "activation". In other words, in some people Effexor can be very activating and you will get over that as well. I believe that I am the biggest wimp that ever existed when it comes to taking medications and I started with that little 37.5 mg. capsule and worked my way slowly to 225 mg. and Effexor works great for me!
Ride it out, use the lorazepam as directed or perhaps Klonopin which is a little longer acting may also be an option. Always remember to let your doctor know how you are feeling and let him help you with the start-up side effects. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Anne :)
Posted by Janelle on August 15, 2001, at 22:05:04
In reply to Adjusting to Effexor - anyone want to share experi, posted by DP on August 15, 2001, at 21:25:18
GOOD FOR YOU! Pat yourself on the back. I remember feeling similarly when I took my first a-d years ago.
Yep, Effexor(XR) sure is a potent little pill, even the 37.5 mg. I did not have what you experienced, but was lightheaded, jittery, felt way over caffeinated, and my legs felt "rubbery." I knew that it can cause nausea so I took it immediately after EATING a hardy breakfast. It has also had a "numbing" effect on me, but that is actually "good" for me (I'm very high strung)
I titrated all the way to 150 mg of EffexorXR and got worse as I did, so my pdoc backed me down to 75mg/day. And then I found out on this wonderful message board that at 75 mg EffexorXR works mainly on Serotonin (which is what I happen to need), but at the higher doses it works more on Norepinephrine (which I have problems with!)
I would say to stick it out if with Effexor if you can because your initial symptoms may indeed subside. I can only speak for myself but my jitteryness, feeling over caffeinated and "rubbery" legs from EffexorXR WENT AWAY after about 3-4 weeks. The lightheadedness is also almost gone. However, I do plan to get off the stuff soon because I can tell it is not the right a-d for me. It's still too activating for my anxiety.
You are NOT a "baby" or a "whimp" but rather you did the RIGHT thing by calling your doctor because what you were feeling didn't feel right. And how wonderful that he was available and had you come in ASAP on your lunch break.
I've heard of Buspar (and have asked about it on here) - it's for helping anxiety, is mild, with few side effects.
Good luck with your adjustment to Effexor. I made it through to at least what is the dose for me (even though overall Effexor is too strong for me), so you will probably get through this initial period okay. If it intensifies and is really scary or impossible to handle, by all means call the doctor again.
Good luck and please update us on your progress.
-Janelle
Posted by afatchic on August 16, 2001, at 10:14:39
In reply to Re: Adjusting to Effexor - anyone want to share experi » DP, posted by Janelle on August 15, 2001, at 22:05:04
While on my first week on 37.5 mg of Effexor, I couldn't decide whether to throw up or not. My nausea and acid reflux were so bad, I drove to a store, found the Mylanta and started drinking from the bottle right there in the aisle. After two months, I'm at 75mg a day with no nausea and the activating, super-caffeinated feeling is gone. I feel much more positive now and I'm laughing a lot more these days.
> GOOD FOR YOU! Pat yourself on the back. I remember feeling similarly when I took my first a-d years ago.
>
> Yep, Effexor(XR) sure is a potent little pill, even the 37.5 mg. I did not have what you experienced, but was lightheaded, jittery, felt way over caffeinated, and my legs felt "rubbery." I knew that it can cause nausea so I took it immediately after EATING a hardy breakfast. It has also had a "numbing" effect on me, but that is actually "good" for me (I'm very high strung)
>
> I titrated all the way to 150 mg of EffexorXR and got worse as I did, so my pdoc backed me down to 75mg/day. And then I found out on this wonderful message board that at 75 mg EffexorXR works mainly on Serotonin (which is what I happen to need), but at the higher doses it works more on Norepinephrine (which I have problems with!)
>
> I would say to stick it out if with Effexor if you can because your initial symptoms may indeed subside. I can only speak for myself but my jitteryness, feeling over caffeinated and "rubbery" legs from EffexorXR WENT AWAY after about 3-4 weeks. The lightheadedness is also almost gone. However, I do plan to get off the stuff soon because I can tell it is not the right a-d for me. It's still too activating for my anxiety.
>
> You are NOT a "baby" or a "whimp" but rather you did the RIGHT thing by calling your doctor because what you were feeling didn't feel right. And how wonderful that he was available and had you come in ASAP on your lunch break.
>
> I've heard of Buspar (and have asked about it on here) - it's for helping anxiety, is mild, with few side effects.
>
> Good luck with your adjustment to Effexor. I made it through to at least what is the dose for me (even though overall Effexor is too strong for me), so you will probably get through this initial period okay. If it intensifies and is really scary or impossible to handle, by all means call the doctor again.
>
> Good luck and please update us on your progress.
> -Janelle
Posted by AnnieDonia on August 18, 2001, at 11:13:01
In reply to Adjusting to Effexor - anyone want to share experi, posted by DP on August 15, 2001, at 21:25:18
Jimmy,
I hope you stuck with it. I started Effexor IR 6 weeks ago. The nausea was horrific but only lasted 2 days. Within 5 days I was feeling the welcome AD effect. I chose Effexor BECAUSE it works so quickly for me and the side effects subside after the first few days. It was, literally, a lifesaver for me at a time when my depression and anxiety were the worst in 10 years, ECT only made things worse, and my ability (and desire) to survive was severely tested. I am hopeful now that I can make it until the Selegiline patch (the closest I've gotten to "normal") is available. Good luck with Effexor.
Annie> I did it, I FINALLY did it after seeing my bottle of Effexor on the table for nearly a week not touching it. I brought it to work with me and took it with my bagel this morning.
>
> OMFG, I thought I was going to lose my mind. Hard to believe that a small 37.5mg pill can do so much damage. I started out sweating, which turned into dizziness which ultimately turned into extreme nausea. I finally had to take an empty office and just lay down. After not feeling any better and the fear of "losing it" became more eminent, I decided to take the Lorazepam (0.5mg) the doctor also gave me (for those time I feel a panic attack coming on).
>
> Eventually I was able to get up, but I could not shake the slight nausea I still had and I was very UNsocial. Couldn't laugh, couldn't get pissed off, couldn't have ANY emotions, but I just wanted to be left alone. Had NO appetite whatsoever either.
>
> Call me a baby, call me a whimp, but I picked up the phone and dialed my doctor because what I was feeling didn't feel right. He told me to come in on my lunch break which I did. I explained everything and he said just stick it out for a week. If not, he'll prescribe something called Buspar (sp?) if things don't improve. He explained that everyone goes through this while adjusting to the med.
>
> I'm FINALLY at home now (whew, what a long day). I am drinking a glass of wine and am starting to feel somewhat back to normal. I feel hungry now so I think I'll go eat something.
>
> I hope to get some input from people who had to adjust to Effexor. I need some good news at this point.
>
> Thanks in advance for your help, guys!
>
> Jimmy
Posted by DP on August 18, 2001, at 17:22:14
In reply to Adjusting to Effexor - anyone want to share experi, posted by DP on August 15, 2001, at 21:25:18
Day 4 on Effexor and things are NOT getting any better. I know it takes a few weeks, but I don't know if these side effects are worth it.
Not only that, but my anxiety is worse on this drug and I've had a few panic attacks as well.
Jimmy
> I did it, I FINALLY did it after seeing my bottle of Effexor on the table for nearly a week not touching it. I brought it to work with me and took it with my bagel this morning.
>
> OMFG, I thought I was going to lose my mind. Hard to believe that a small 37.5mg pill can do so much damage. I started out sweating, which turned into dizziness which ultimately turned into extreme nausea. I finally had to take an empty office and just lay down. After not feeling any better and the fear of "losing it" became more eminent, I decided to take the Lorazepam (0.5mg) the doctor also gave me (for those time I feel a panic attack coming on).
>
> Eventually I was able to get up, but I could not shake the slight nausea I still had and I was very UNsocial. Couldn't laugh, couldn't get pissed off, couldn't have ANY emotions, but I just wanted to be left alone. Had NO appetite whatsoever either.
>
> Call me a baby, call me a whimp, but I picked up the phone and dialed my doctor because what I was feeling didn't feel right. He told me to come in on my lunch break which I did. I explained everything and he said just stick it out for a week. If not, he'll prescribe something called Buspar (sp?) if things don't improve. He explained that everyone goes through this while adjusting to the med.
>
> I'm FINALLY at home now (whew, what a long day). I am drinking a glass of wine and am starting to feel somewhat back to normal. I feel hungry now so I think I'll go eat something.
>
> I hope to get some input from people who had to adjust to Effexor. I need some good news at this point.
>
> Thanks in advance for your help, guys!
>
> Jimmy
Posted by kid47 on August 20, 2001, at 11:27:09
In reply to Adjusting to Effexor - anyone want to share experi, posted by DP on August 15, 2001, at 21:25:18
Hi. Sorry you had a rough time with Effexor. I assume you r taking the XR version. After two years of different med trials, FXR XR was the first AD to relieve my severe depression & anxiety. I took 225-300mg & felt better than I had in years. Unfortunately the fxr raised my blood pressure so I decided to wean myself off it-which I did with no problems. Is this your first experience with AD's? Side FX unfortunately are very common with most AD's. What illness was the FXR rx'd for? If you can hang in there for a bit, usually the side fx will subside. A trial of at least six weeks is recommended for most AD's so if you can give the fxr some time to work you might find that it is worth the hassle. Good Luck. Take care.
kid
> I did it, I FINALLY did it after seeing my bottle of Effexor on the table for nearly a week not touching it. I brought it to work with me and took it with my bagel this morning.
>
> OMFG, I thought I was going to lose my mind. Hard to believe that a small 37.5mg pill can do so much damage. I started out sweating, which turned into dizziness which ultimately turned into extreme nausea. I finally had to take an empty office and just lay down. After not feeling any better and the fear of "losing it" became more eminent, I decided to take the Lorazepam (0.5mg) the doctor also gave me (for those time I feel a panic attack coming on).
>
> Eventually I was able to get up, but I could not shake the slight nausea I still had and I was very UNsocial. Couldn't laugh, couldn't get pissed off, couldn't have ANY emotions, but I just wanted to be left alone. Had NO appetite whatsoever either.
>
> Call me a baby, call me a whimp, but I picked up the phone and dialed my doctor because what I was feeling didn't feel right. He told me to come in on my lunch break which I did. I explained everything and he said just stick it out for a week. If not, he'll prescribe something called Buspar (sp?) if things don't improve. He explained that everyone goes through this while adjusting to the med.
>
> I'm FINALLY at home now (whew, what a long day). I am drinking a glass of wine and am starting to feel somewhat back to normal. I feel hungry now so I think I'll go eat something.
>
> I hope to get some input from people who had to adjust to Effexor. I need some good news at this point.
>
> Thanks in advance for your help, guys!
>
> Jimmy
Posted by DP on August 20, 2001, at 12:07:08
In reply to Re: Adjusting to Effexor - anyone want to share experi » DP, posted by kid47 on August 20, 2001, at 11:27:09
Hi Kid!
Thanks for your reply. I looked on the bottle and didn't see any reference to an XR (I take it that XR stands for eXtended Release). I'm still on the 37.5mg's a day - terrified of upping it to 75mg's which I should be on by now.
I've been diagnosed with a serious eating disorder which is what my doctor prescribed the Effexor for (He determined that my panic attacks came from long term use of Ephedrine found in the diet pills I was taking).
Jimmy
> Hi. Sorry you had a rough time with Effexor. I assume you r taking the XR version. After two years of different med trials, FXR XR was the first AD to relieve my severe depression & anxiety. I took 225-300mg & felt better than I had in years. Unfortunately the fxr raised my blood pressure so I decided to wean myself off it-which I did with no problems. Is this your first experience with AD's? Side FX unfortunately are very common with most AD's. What illness was the FXR rx'd for? If you can hang in there for a bit, usually the side fx will subside. A trial of at least six weeks is recommended for most AD's so if you can give the fxr some time to work you might find that it is worth the hassle. Good Luck. Take care.
>
> kid
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> > I did it, I FINALLY did it after seeing my bottle of Effexor on the table for nearly a week not touching it. I brought it to work with me and took it with my bagel this morning.
> >
> > OMFG, I thought I was going to lose my mind. Hard to believe that a small 37.5mg pill can do so much damage. I started out sweating, which turned into dizziness which ultimately turned into extreme nausea. I finally had to take an empty office and just lay down. After not feeling any better and the fear of "losing it" became more eminent, I decided to take the Lorazepam (0.5mg) the doctor also gave me (for those time I feel a panic attack coming on).
> >
> > Eventually I was able to get up, but I could not shake the slight nausea I still had and I was very UNsocial. Couldn't laugh, couldn't get pissed off, couldn't have ANY emotions, but I just wanted to be left alone. Had NO appetite whatsoever either.
> >
> > Call me a baby, call me a whimp, but I picked up the phone and dialed my doctor because what I was feeling didn't feel right. He told me to come in on my lunch break which I did. I explained everything and he said just stick it out for a week. If not, he'll prescribe something called Buspar (sp?) if things don't improve. He explained that everyone goes through this while adjusting to the med.
> >
> > I'm FINALLY at home now (whew, what a long day). I am drinking a glass of wine and am starting to feel somewhat back to normal. I feel hungry now so I think I'll go eat something.
> >
> > I hope to get some input from people who had to adjust to Effexor. I need some good news at this point.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for your help, guys!
> >
> > Jimmy
This is the end of the thread.
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