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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 12:09:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » tlryan21, posted by haddsl on November 10, 2005, at 11:37:08
When I told my doctor about this wonderful site, he was quite pleased that I wasn't just lying around feeling sorry for myself, that I was being pro-active in my own healing and recovery. Instead of acting impatient and put-out with me, he now listens to me and is much kinder and more patient and actually agrees with some of my suggestions or requests. (We'll see how it goes when I make my very first suggestion on my meds.) I can't guarantee every doctor will be that way, but it doesn't hurt to try to develop an open communication with your doctor, no matter how put off he makes you feel. He can't help you if he doesn't know.
Posted by sanny on November 10, 2005, at 12:19:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » tlryan21, posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 12:04:55
I found this site this morning and I've learned more today than I've learned in the past 3 years...y'all rock! I think I'm going to start taking the meds in the mornings and see if it changes the way I feel and my general attitude by the end of the day....I just want to feel normal (whatever that is!!!) ...have enough energy to get through the day and find joy doing so...
Posted by cablegirl on November 10, 2005, at 12:29:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » tlryan21, posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 12:04:55
Sanny,
That's right!!! Everyone is sooo different, you need to take your meds at a time that works best for you! I take my Effexor in the morning, but when I was on Lexapro, I had to take it at night, cuz it made me sooo sleepy!!! My doctor told me to take it at the time THAT WORKS FOR ME!!! So hang in there, and do WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU!!!!!
Take Care
Posted by Graceneeded on November 10, 2005, at 12:34:43
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Graceneeded, posted by tlryan21 on November 10, 2005, at 11:19:37
I was on 225mg of Effexor and was starting to notice some side effects. Constipation, low sex drive, really bad headaches and anxious feelings in my chest. I was feeling good emmotionally so we decided to see how I would do off meds. Big mistake. It took about a month of seasickness from Effexor withdrawels to get to a point of really fealing good. I was great for about a month but had alot of RAGE. Then one day a lot of stressful things happened and it felt like a tent was thrown over my head.
Finnally I started on Lexapro but did not care for it so I went back to Prozac, which I had been off of for about 4-5 years. Within a week I could tell a small difference with the depression and anxiety. Now I am on Symbyax. Danny
Posted by nana on November 10, 2005, at 12:42:21
In reply to Re: Is there an anti-depressnt that WONT make me fat?, posted by tlryan21 on November 10, 2005, at 6:12:43
Thank you!! I thought I was going crazy. I just switched my dose to nighttime to see if that helps. I started last night and today I feel wonderful. So far anyway. I didn't realize until I found this wonderful site that so many people say the med has to be taken at exactly the same time of day. Before I would take it whenever now I have it on a timer to let me know when the dose is due. Hang in there!! If we all keep talking we can help each other thru anything.
Posted by bengi68 on November 10, 2005, at 15:49:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by spierson1253 on November 8, 2005, at 20:40:13
> Okay, I got my come-uppance yesterday. I've been reading what all of you have been writing, and I've been horried at times, of all the other drugs you have to take because of and/or in conjuction with, the Affexor. I was telling the doctor how I could tell when I was close to the next does because anxiety would start to set it. He harrumphed and told me it was time-released, and that the anxiety was not from the that. And he wrote me an additional Rx for Xanax. Which he then informs me is very addictive. I am feeling better on the Effexor, as it doesn't turn me into a veritable zombie by damping all of my emotions. It still allows me to think and feel, but without all the emotional "acting out" (screaming at inanimate objects, crying for hours and hours and hours, feeling under attacke if someone tried to question me about something trifling, etc etc etc). But I still cannot quell the particular anxiety that leads to panic attacks.
>
> I saw an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) person the other day, although I was fired. I wanted to strangle this woman. She was only a trained counselor. I heard things like "now you know, we must live in the now, as yesterday no longer has a hold on us." I finally had to tell me that if she didn't stop talking to me like a pre-school teacher, I'd get up and leave. She complied. It was still a colossal waste of time. There's not anything she can do to assist me. I'm already fired.
>
> They are weaning me off medical marijuana for sleeping. I have such a hard time sleeping, that this really scares me. Chemical sleep aids either work two hours and I'm awake the rest of the night, or the side-effects are worse than the lack of sleep. Marijuana isn't addictive, has no side affects, you can't overdose on it, and I get 4-6 uninterrupted hours of sleep. Pure heaven. But I want to get better, I despise me this way, so I'll do what I have to to get there. If I find that the sleep thing isn't resolving, I'll be going back to the marijuana. You cannot heal emotionally, mentally, or spiritually if your mind is too exhausted all the time.
>
> I went to a psychologist for a psychological evaluation this morning (four exhausting hours!!). As the guys in the little white coats didn't show up to take me away, I'm assuming I'm not totally insane and a danger to others??? I wish they weren't the bubble fill-in types because some of those questions just begged a response. ("Do you consider Hitler to be a hero of the people?") I kid you not. I laughed out loud. There was a guy in there taking his test for the police dept., and he said quietly over his shoulder "I don't blame you."
>
> For right now, I'm trying to figure out a way to keep from sucking my cheeks in and clenching my teeth (this can cause me to chew the inside of my mouth into bleeding sores.) We aren't sure yet what's causing it, as it was really bad before the Affexor. I don't clench them until they lock shut, but I hold my jaw so rigid the muscles will start to spasm and I have to hold my jaw closed to keep from being embarrassed if I'm in public. Any suggestions on that one?
>
let me tell you something. ive self medicated with weed for years and yes it does make you relaxed but it also made me want more and more until i was anxious all the time without it. i needed it day in and day out. i thought it wasnt addicting too until i tried to stop. anything that alters your mind is addicting. once i started the effexor and stopped the drugs things got much better. Their is no magic pill that you can take that will make you 100 percent better. we are broken people to some extent and we will be that way untill we die. Life does get better but you will always have bad days. i think we are wired differently then others. anyway stay on the effexor and maybe a little klonopin at night and lots of old fashioned therapy.just my opinion
Posted by jeminiwmn on November 10, 2005, at 18:44:05
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by Bets43 on November 3, 2005, at 7:58:37
You may have a yucky taste in your mouth I agree. Effexor did tend to energize me from what I remember, but darn if I didn't start "puffing" up like crazy after only about a month. EVERYONE'S CHEMISTRY IS DIFFERNT. I suddenly ended up w/ high cholesterol. I still exercised but couldn't get the weight off. It was obvious to me as well that this and ALL anti-depressants seem to have a negative effect ON ME-especially where weight gain is concerned.
My issue is when the Dr.s deny this and I have know so many people that told me and have seen w/ my own eyes. I easily put on 30+ pounds when on anti-depressants. I don't know what to do anymore-as I'm more depressed w/ the weight on me-I don't want to go out/ let alone get dressed. I'm used to being in shape and pretty thin/not skinny, but thin and this to me, is messed up how it messes w/ your body chemistry to the degree that it affects your libido and your weight among other problems. I know in the beginning I had gastro intestenal problems as well. I think they need to give you a little something to help w/ the weight issue in addition to this drug among manyyyyy others.
Posted by TinMan on November 10, 2005, at 18:48:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Graceneeded on November 10, 2005, at 12:34:43
> I was on 225mg of Effexor and was starting to notice some side effects. Constipation, low sex drive, really bad headaches and anxious feelings in my chest. I was feeling good emmotionally so we decided to see how I would do off meds. Big mistake. It took about a month of seasickness from Effexor withdrawels to get to a point of really fealing good. I was great for about a month but had alot of RAGE. Then one day a lot of stressful things happened and it felt like a tent was thrown over my head.
> Finnally I started on Lexapro but did not care for it so I went back to Prozac, which I had been off of for about 4-5 years. Within a week I could tell a small difference with the depression and anxiety. Now I am on Symbyax. DannyHey Danny ~
Thanks for keeping us posted on how it was to get off of the Effexor. It is good to know how it went for you.Let us know how the combo that you are on now goes for you.
I went off the Wellbutrin as I was getting irritable and edgy. So now I take 150 mg Effexor in the a.m. and 75 mg at night. That seems to help with the lethargy.
Also, if I stand up too fast, move too quickly, I get the woozy, blacking out feeling, too. Weird...
~TinMan
Posted by jeminiwmn on November 10, 2005, at 18:58:22
In reply to Re: Is there an anti-depressnt that WONT make me fat?, posted by nana on November 9, 2005, at 17:37:40
Now that I'm reading this-I'm starting to wonder if I should be BACK on the Effexor-It did give me energy I must say. I went on welbutrin about ahhh a year ago and my energy is sapped=and I didn't loose weight from it either. I hear all this about welbutrin making you loose weight. Now I realize that the only reason I really went off the Effexor was because of the libido problems-I was able to get up in the morning though and have a productive day. Yes the beginning side effects are ugghgh-stomach prblms etc... but they do subside. I think if it's possible-to add a dietary suppliment and I'm sorry but I wish I could post what worked well for me in conjunction w/ the Effexor. FDA took it off the market and has now allowed for some to go back on in certain doses-pending final outcome. I never abused it though-only needed like 1 a day. I never took 6 or 8 thinking I was going to loose more weight that way. I wonder now. I know I can't be on nothing. I'm sorry to say, but MOST anti depressants DO cause weight gain and I'm glad that I'm reading it here to-because my dr. is a little sarcastic when I tell her how upset I am about the 30t+ pounds that I can't get off for the life of me. I wish they would get on some of these boards and just READ-there's an obvious problem here.
Posted by jeminiwmn on November 10, 2005, at 19:05:29
In reply to Re: Is there an anti-depressnt that WONT make me fat?, posted by Gertrude on November 8, 2005, at 19:10:51
Well-I have said my piece on a lot of this. I know it ALL causes weight gain. I don't have a problem w/ overeating for the most part. It seems I have to work out and eat like a diet pro to get this right. I didn't have a weight prblm until I started the anti=depressant cycle. I only gained a lot during my pregnancy a thousand years ago-got it off and stayed thin-until i went on the roller coaster ride. I only know that eventually you do get more energy from the effexor. I know dr.s are doing a lot of "coctail" mixes w/ a little of this and that. Tompomax is supposed to aid in weightloss-NOT FOR ME. It helped mess up my memory though-LOL. I feel like a human guinea pig and my doc is frustrated w/ me because I can't stand the weight issues and I don't know where to turn next.
I hope it works for you-good luck.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 19:10:34
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by jeminiwmn on November 10, 2005, at 18:44:05
My doctor went ballistic when I told him I knew when it was 2 hours before the next dose. He says that's impossible because it's time-released. I wasn't in the mood to argue with him. I'm going to take the link and some prints of things users have said on this site and show them to him. I think we, as patients, sometimes need to educate our doctors.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 19:15:46
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TinMan on November 10, 2005, at 18:48:00
I was taking 75mg at night, and feeling horrible all the next day. So, I had some 37.5mg leftover, and started taking one of those in the morning. It was great. Today was the first time in 3-1/2 weeks that I actually got up and started task AND finished it. I was so proud of myself. I flushed my Xanax down the toilet a little while ago. I hate it. I hate the way I feel when it wears off. He prescribed it for panic attacks, like when I have to drive somewhere. Now you tell me, why would he prescribe something that knocks me out for four hours to take before I drive?
Posted by sanny on November 10, 2005, at 19:31:27
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » jeminiwmn, posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 19:10:34
Darn tootin' you know your own body....I always know when it's near time to take the Effexor...I have those dizzy, weird buzzing feelings in my brain....feel lightheaded, etc...I cannot believe that an "educated dr." would not be able to believe reactions vary from person to person. Is this part of the "too many patients, too little time" syndrome? Do they not want to take the time to listen and do what's best for their patients? I've been lucky that my dr. does listen to me although there are times when I feel like I'm going to feel a giant automated hand push me out of the room because my time is up!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 19:40:35
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by sanny on November 10, 2005, at 19:31:27
Thank you for that mental picture of the big metal hand pushing you out of the exam room. That was a good analogy.
Posted by 4wd on November 10, 2005, at 21:32:38
In reply to Re: Is there an anti-depressnt that WONT make me fat? » tlryan21, posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 11:00:20
>
>
> Something strange that I'm noticing. I quit smoking 3 years ago. And now I crave cigarettes so bad I can hardly stand it. It will get so bad I have to take a Xanax, and that's a guaranteed wasted five hours sleeping it off. Any suggestions anyone?
>No suggestions, but I just wanted to let you know that Effexor turned me from a pack a day smoker to almost two packs a day. Don't let anyone tell you it's all in your head. I smoked a pack a day for 20 years and it was definitely the Effexor that upped the desire for nicotine.
Marsha
> Yes, I know, I'm a mess. And I apologize to you all for sounding so needy. This is all new to me, and I feel like I'm just floundering around helplessly and making no headway.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 22:17:01
In reply to Re: Is there an anti-depressnt that WONT make me fat? » spierson1253, posted by 4wd on November 10, 2005, at 21:32:38
Okay, this may sound strange or completely off the wall to some of you, but please bear with me.
A long time ago, I was addicted to methamphetimines. I am noticing some of the same side effects from Effexor that I had while on meth. Most noticably, as I've already mentioned, is the intense need to smoke. There is also, the jaw clenching and sucking in the sides of my mouth, and even though my heartrate doesn't increase, sometimes I swear it feels like my heart is going to beat itself to death. If I take a Xanax to calm this effect, I have to sleep it off. Is this from too high a dose of Effexor, or will it go away as the dr. ups the dosage (which he did not do my last visit).
Posted by Mim on November 11, 2005, at 7:30:45
In reply to Re: Is there an anti-depressnt that WONT make me fat? » 4wd, posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 22:17:01
None of it sounds strange!
I mentioned to my doctor that since he is experimenting and has up-ed my dossage to 300mg, divided over morning and evening(because it isn't time released),I wake up at 3am (and although I get back to sleep, it isn't ideal). I also said that I have lost my appetite and can go the whole day without eating without really noticing it. He looked it up in his computer and told me that those are not side effects of Effexor, and are probably due to my stress. I didn't even mention the locking of my jaw...which some of you also mention, I assumed that it was also due to my stress....wouldn't it be nice if doctors ever read this! (or do we all have stress-related symptoms which we wrongly attribute to Effexor???). I'm like the girl with the curl from the nursery rhyme: When I am good I am very good, but when I am bad I am horrid. Take care and keep writing
Posted by spierson1253 on November 11, 2005, at 9:55:43
In reply to Educating doctors, posted by Mim on November 11, 2005, at 7:30:45
I don't know why I didn't think of starting an independent thread about educating doctors, but thank you for thinking of it. I have been cutting and pasting comments about all the side effects and I'm taking it to my doctor next week. Doctors can't know everything. They aren't computers. So the more information we provide them with, the better they can help us.
The major problem is that some of them are so arrogant in their [imagined] supremacy, they don't think we can teach them anything. The minor problem is that they are so busy, they don't have the time to take the extended classes to keep them up-to-date with every new medical breakthrough.
Doctors, it appears, are reading old information on Effexor. You know the literature that's given out with the release of a new drug. I was on Strattera and it's so new there's almost no information out there about it. My doctor couldn't help me figure out how to dose it properly for me. Had to figure it out myself.
So, fellow patients, arise! Unite in our efforts to educate our doctors!!! And have a nice day.
Posted by jeminiwmn on November 11, 2005, at 12:12:19
In reply to Educating doctors, posted by Mim on November 11, 2005, at 7:30:45
Horray for you!!!! I thought I was "nuts" even though I'm told I'm not yet these "side effects" are not caused by anti-depressants. LOL-I KNOW MY BODY OK?? I know when it's me and I know when it's the anti-depresants. Is that why my cholesterol went sky high while on anti=dep?? I finally read somewhere and I wish I wrote it down where -years after I was insisting its from the anti dep. The weight gain is because I'm happy and eating more!!! OMG!!!! PLZ!!! Maybe there is something that makes you crave more sugar I don't know, but sometimes you don't evn have to overeat-you just seem to get a "bloated" extra 30 ugly pounds and your body seems disfigured. So they look in a book?? What about what us "live" people have to say. Ummm are you gonna tell me that you are the only patient complaining of this and they don't go to seminars and they don't talk about this info?? Otherwise, i say something is seriously wrong here. Why are they looking in a book at this point on a drug that has been given out for quite some time now. This stuff causes things that they will not admit to-and why? I don't understand. I can only guess, but that's not my place and only my opinion. I just don't like getting "told" how I should feel and that I'm not "complying" because I decide that I don't want to take something I feel is not beneficial to me.
Posted by jeminiwmn on November 11, 2005, at 15:52:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TinMan on November 9, 2005, at 14:56:18
I'm sorry, but you have me a little confused. YOu said the combo seems to be a good mix for you and then you stated that you are having all this negativity? So I'm wondering is it good or not? I was just discussing this combo w/ someone else.
Now I read this and I'm a little confused. Are you saying that you were getting bad and the new combo is making you better???Thanks-and I hope it's all positive for you.
Posted by jeminiwmn on November 11, 2005, at 16:25:52
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » jeminiwmn, posted by spierson1253 on November 10, 2005, at 19:10:34
I have to laugh at this point because I'm glad we are all talking here and possible beginning the see something here. We may suffer from depression, but it doesn't mean we are any less "intellegent" or "ignorant". One thing for sure is I think we may be a little more sensitive, even more so than others and with that, WE KNOW OUR BODIES-HELLLOOOO!!!!
NO-Don't argue w/ your dr. ever-you will insult them-there's a way to politely say things and as you say-copy and paste some of these-just don't give personal info-ie/emails etc...If that's ok w/ this site. I like your idea. I told my psych about "message boards" that are "monitered" and she couldn't disagree w/ me in that many, many people have the same "symptoms" as I have been telling her about for so long. So we may be on to something here. Good luck to you.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 11, 2005, at 17:25:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by jeminiwmn on November 11, 2005, at 15:52:23
Sorry -- the combo worked at first and then I started not feeling well with it. Part of the problem is my reaction to the Xanax. The Effexor is working wonderfully, put I still have the panic attacks when I have to leave the house or deal with something unpleasant. The Xanax worked on the anxiety at first, until the Effexor dose was increased. Now Xanax just knocks me out leaves me with a terrible hangover feeling. I tend to get resistant to drugs really easy, or will start to develop some physical problem with them, my system is that touchy (I'm a Type II diabetic on top of everything else.) Anything upsets my system, and especially drugs.
I only use the Xanax for nights I'm having trouble falling asleep, and I switched from taking the Effexor at night to taking it in the morning. After he doubled the dose, I couldn't sleep, because the higher dose actually energizes me.
We'll see how it's going in another week or two.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 11, 2005, at 17:32:12
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by jeminiwmn on November 11, 2005, at 16:25:52
No, I wouldn't ever use names or addresses. I just want specific statements from different people in their own words, so he can't tell me "it's all in my head" again. I really hate that.
Posted by tlryan21 on November 12, 2005, at 7:13:41
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » jeminiwmn, posted by spierson1253 on November 11, 2005, at 17:32:12
I for one, am happy to comply. I have gotten so tired of hearing that 'these are not side effects of effexor' that i could scream. I now know that is not the case.
I started 2.5 years ago on effexor, slowly, 37.5-75-150. I stopped after 3-4 months because I was so ill and slightly dizzy. I thought that it was because I had just bought a new car and was not used to the difference in views, since I was told that the med was not making me sick. So I was switched to Paxil. This did not work at all for me, so I ended back on effexor with 150mg my top dose, on that for roughly 1.5 years. Twenty five pounds weight gain, and very difficult getting if off. I am now down to a 75mg dose. If I miss a dose, or even take it 6 hours later, I am dizzy, nauseous and am just plain sick-sick-sick. I vomit constantly and am pretty much non-functional. During this time, the world seems very surreal to me and it takes about three days to get back to normal. Someone had mentioned vertigo or seasickness as a comparable feeling. YES IT IS!! I had also experienced severe teeth grinding in the night, and from reading some other entries feel this is a reaction from the med too. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis and take celebrex, methotrexate and plaquenil for that. Every eight weeks I get a dose of Remicade. I had been on these others meds long before the effexor, so no, it's not them. Also, I can not drink coffee anymore, within an hour of having a cup, the seasick feeling comes on.
I still feel that effexor has been a great help to me and don't know where I'd be now without it in my life. My emotions are in check, I still feel things and can actually cry if I need to. I was worried about just being 'happy all the time' which I did not want. I hope this helps and I am also going to talk to my doctor about this, since the entire office seems to think that I am imagining this. They haven't seen me on the side of the road puking my guts out. You can quote me and if you have any other questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them. I am just so glad I am not the only one.> No, I wouldn't ever use names or addresses. I just want specific statements from different people in their own words, so he can't tell me "it's all in my head" again. I really hate that.
Posted by Mim on November 13, 2005, at 8:11:10
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » spierson1253, posted by tlryan21 on November 12, 2005, at 7:13:41
Hello,
I am so glad to hear about the collection of side effects. The little paper in the box has the side effects divided in three categories; ones that occure: often, sometime and seldom(I assume this is world wide, I am writing from Europe). Well, "often" include tense muscles, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness. "Seldom" included "de-regulating cycle" which is a vauge way to mention the menstral cycle...which everyone denies is possible. Well, I have been losing a little blood on and off for ages...no "cycle" whatsoever, and my delightful doctor reccomended I get a scan and find out why. He also told the gynocoligist that I was edgy about the constant loss of blood (like who wouldn't be??). Anyway, thanks for the information and support.
I am in a major dip again and all I can do is keep telling myself that it will pass one of these days. I just have to keep from making any major discisions (do not divorce,do not quite job, do not kill teenaged step-daughers or leave the country...just wait it out). It feels so good to know you understand this.
Please send me cyber patience and thanks for being yourselves!
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