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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sandbob on May 17, 2004, at 11:24:53
I have been on Paxil for several years, and the only side effect was lack of sexual desire. Just recently my Dr. suggested I try Effexor because of increased stress, and also for hot flashes. I weaned off the Paxil onto the Effexor, and really don't feel any different except for extreme sweats. It seems to make the hot flashes worse. I am concerned about weight gain, and didn't experience that with Paxil. After reading all the posts, I am thinking that I should not continue with the Effexor. I have been on it for two weeks. I am very concerned a about the side effects, mainly the weight gain, and also the withdrawls. I wonder if anyone has had good results, and what do you all think about my switching from Paxil to Effexor.
Posted by partlycloudy on May 17, 2004, at 12:06:56
In reply to Effexor vs Paxil, posted by Sandbob on May 17, 2004, at 11:24:53
I was on Paxil for about 2 years and increasing dosages did not help my depression. When I was dx's as bipolar2, my p-doc put me on effexor xr. I was miserable for the longest time (at least 8 weeks) but the side effects eventually subsided and I must say that this is the best I have felt in a long, long time.
Everyone is different, but for me, it was worth staying in there.
Posted by ParkWood on May 17, 2004, at 14:52:58
In reply to New to Effexor, posted by Sandbob on May 17, 2004, at 11:41:32
I also was on Paxil and switched to Effexor but because of a 20 lb weight gain and lethargy. I am now in the process of weaning off of Effexor and am having many problems, i.e. nervousness, double vision, trouble sleeping, stomach pains, headaches, etc. and I'm not completely off yet. As for the sweats, my doctor had me on 300 mg of Effexor XR and the sweats were horrible. He finally put me down to 187.5, and the sweats got a little better, but I would still wake up in the middle of the night soaken, just not every night like when on 300 mg. You might wanna ask if a decrease in doseage is possible and that might help with the sweats, but if you didn't have any problems with weaning off of Paxil I would stick with that because I'm having nothing but problems and I'm still on 75 mg.
Posted by beatrix34 on May 17, 2004, at 16:18:34
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Paxil » Sandbob, posted by partlycloudy on May 17, 2004, at 12:06:56
I was on Paxil a couple of years ago and have just recently started on Effexor XR. I feel great on Effexor, better than on Paxil, I actually gained weight on Paxil. I am a runner and have been continuing to run while on Effexor...no problems for me on that front yet. The only problems I am finding are the insomnia and lack of sex drive...but I had no sex drive on Paxil either. I also found the side effects coming off Paxil pretty bad...so I guess it's just whatever works best for you.
Posted by Sandbob on May 17, 2004, at 20:16:22
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by ParkWood on May 17, 2004, at 14:52:58
I am on 75 mg daily of the Effexor. I can't stand the sweats. I guess I didn't think I had put on a lot of weight with the paxil, although I did put on some weight over the years. Maybe I would be skinny if I stayed on the Effexor. That's not a bad idea. I did have problems with sexual desire on the paxil, and I also felt as though I had no emotions.
Posted by Sandbob on June 2, 2004, at 22:30:31
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by ParkWood on May 17, 2004, at 14:52:58
I did wean off the Paxil and on to the Effexor without a great deal of discomfort. I did have the sweats, although they have gotten better. I find that I have more energy on the Effexor. I was always tired while on the Paxil, and was getting headaches, which has stopped on the Effexor. I take 75 mg. My worry is the weight gain. I didn't really gain on the Paxil, and I am hoping that I don't gain on the Effexor. Is the possibility of weight gain greater at higher doses?
Posted by Caper on June 2, 2004, at 23:43:51
In reply to Re: New to Effexor » ParkWood, posted by Sandbob on June 2, 2004, at 22:30:31
From what I was told when I was on Effexor, it is more likely to cause a loss of weight than a gain.
My main point in this post, though, is the following:
Be careful of non-prescription drug interactions. I think Effexor could have been good for me but no one warned me not to take decongestants with it, so I started Effexor at the height of allergy season. Took pseudoephedrine based allergy meds and my blood pressure went very high which was enough to sour me on Effexor. Maybe I'll try again someday, but in the meantime- please watch out for those sneaky non-Rx interactions.
Good Luck.
Caper
> I did wean off the Paxil and on to the Effexor without a great deal of discomfort. I did have the sweats, although they have gotten better. I find that I have more energy on the Effexor. I was always tired while on the Paxil, and was getting headaches, which has stopped on the Effexor. I take 75 mg. My worry is the weight gain. I didn't really gain on the Paxil, and I am hoping that I don't gain on the Effexor. Is the possibility of weight gain greater at higher doses?
This is the end of the thread.
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