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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Aim on April 7, 2006, at 13:39:08
In reply to My experience with Effexor XR, posted by Creed on April 7, 2006, at 8:38:34
I HAD ALL OF WHAT YOU ARE REPORTING AND ALSO A "SPEEDY" FEELING...TEETH GRINDING/CLENCHING, HEADACHES...I also requested to remain at 37.5. After about 1 week or so my side effects went away. I am still at 37.5 and have been on it for about 2months or so. My doctor was surprised I felt good after the first few days, and didnt think that remaining at 37.5 was advisable, but I stuck it out and still feel good.
I started a log to see what side effects I was feeling each day and noticed that eventually they were getting better. YOU have to be the judge, if you feel really uncomfortable dont hesitate to call your doctor, but stick it out a bit and they should subside. Remember your body is adjusting to the meds.
BEST OF LUCK!
> Hi everyone. I just want to tell you about my short time with Effexor XR. I felt like it was working for me within the first week but that could have been the placebo effect! Every side effect that I have is tolerable except for the heart palpatations. I went back to the doctor and asked him if I could stay at 37.5 until the palpatations subside a little more. He agreed. How long will the palpatations last?? The other side effects from taking Effexor are: I found myself talking alot and fast (I'm normally a pretty quiet person), my feet are constantly on the move, insomnia, heart palpatations and my pupils are dialated. I have read many of the posts and no one has said anything about thier pupils being dialated?? Is this normal??
>
> Thank, Creed
Posted by digger on April 7, 2006, at 15:33:10
In reply to effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on February 23, 2006, at 13:18:21
> One more question, I have read lots of information on effexor and everything seems to state: Avoid Alcohol, with no further explanation.
>
> Does anyone have experiences to share about this?
>
> I going out occassionally and will have a few drinks with friends, or going out to dinner, etc.
> I wanted some insight on what AVOID alcohol actually MEANS....
>
> Is it that the drug increases the effects of the alcohol, you could get very sick, what?
>
> Any help/thoughts would be appreciated. I am going out this weekend with some friends to a local bar/restaurant and would like to know what to expect...I am looking through old postings for info on Effexor XR and found your question about alcohol and Effexor. I may be way late in getting this to you but here ya go.....I'm taking 75mg and had two bears one evening within a couple of hours had a horrible migraine/like headache. I don't know if it is because of the mixing or because it flushed the Effexor out of my system and I was experiencing the dreaded withdrawal that I am reading about on this thread. Just so you know I have learned to like N/A beer (and I like to drink) I think this stuff could be a cure for an alcoholic if it consistently results in the headache I had....I wouldn't risk it...but then not everyone has the same effects from this drug or it's withdrawal.
Posted by Aim on April 10, 2006, at 14:10:45
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol » Aim, posted by digger on April 7, 2006, at 15:33:10
> > One more question, I have read lots of information on effexor and everything seems to state: Avoid Alcohol, with no further explanation.
> >
> > Does anyone have experiences to share about this?
> >
> > I going out occassionally and will have a few drinks with friends, or going out to dinner, etc.
> > I wanted some insight on what AVOID alcohol actually MEANS....
> >
> > Is it that the drug increases the effects of the alcohol, you could get very sick, what?
> >
> > Any help/thoughts would be appreciated. I am going out this weekend with some friends to a local bar/restaurant and would like to know what to expect...
>
> I am looking through old postings for info on Effexor XR and found your question about alcohol and Effexor. I may be way late in getting this to you but here ya go.....I'm taking 75mg and had two bears one evening within a couple of hours had a horrible migraine/like headache. I don't know if it is because of the mixing or because it flushed the Effexor out of my system and I was experiencing the dreaded withdrawal that I am reading about on this thread. Just so you know I have learned to like N/A beer (and I like to drink) I think this stuff could be a cure for an alcoholic if it consistently results in the headache I had....I wouldn't risk it...but then not everyone has the same effects from this drug or it's withdrawal.THANKS FOR GETTING BACK TO ME! I DRINK LESS FREQUENTLY. I HAVE FOUND THAT DRINKING IN MODERATION IS FINE FOR ME. A FEW BEERS HERE OR THERE.
I USED TO HAVE BEER CRAVINGS MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY AND I DEFINITELY THINK IT WAS TO HAVE THAT "HAPPY BUZZ" DUE TO THE INTERNAL GLOOM I WAS FEELING...BUT, NOW NOT SO MUCH...
I GO OUT WITH FRIENDS AND HAVE THE OCCASSION BEER OR SO, BUT I HAVE YET TO EXPERIENCE ANY HORRIBLE THINGS LIKE THE OTHERS HAVE SAID...
IT MIGHT BE B/C I AM ONLY ON 37.5MG OF EFFEXOR XR OR IT RESPONDS TO MY BODY DIFFERENTLY, WHATEVER THE CASE IS, I AM TAKING IT ALL IN STRIDE,,,
BUT AGAIN THANKS!
Posted by bart on April 11, 2006, at 17:14:53
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on April 10, 2006, at 14:10:45
VERY SIMPLE, DON'T DRINK A LOT IN EFFEXOR
IF YOU DO YOU WILL FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS
Posted by unknown_usr on April 13, 2006, at 13:10:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by CWN266 on April 2, 2006, at 17:46:24
So far I started with staying on the Welbutrin and taking 37.5mg. Then I went to every other day with the Welbutrin and went to 75mg of Effexor. After a week and a couple of days on the 75mg I have no energy. I can barely drag my butt out of bed and my moods have gone down the tube. I left a message for my Doc and everything, but i wonder if anyone else had this experience, and if it got better.
I find it weird that I am tired and depressed. On the 35.5mg with the 150mg of Welbutril I was feeling great. I even had insomnia for 2 days. But now I am completely drained. At least my appetite is still low.
Posted by detroitpistons on April 13, 2006, at 13:40:16
In reply to Re: Effexor results so far, posted by unknown_usr on April 13, 2006, at 13:11:07
> After a week and a couple of days on the 75mg I have no energy. I can barely drag my butt out of bed and my moods have gone down the tube. I left a message for my Doc and everything, but i wonder if anyone else had this experience, and if it got better.
>I'm on Effexor for the second time. The first doctor who put me on it told me specifically that things "might get worse before they get better." Any antidepressant trial should last at least six weeks before making a determination. In fact, the research shows that there is evidence of significant improvement in a relatively large percentage (forgot what the percentage is) of patients between the 6th and 8th weeks.
> I find it weird that I am tired and depressed. On the 35.5mg with the 150mg of Welbutril I was feeling great. I even had insomnia for 2 days. But now I am completely drained. At least my appetite is still low.
>Many people get wired on Effexor, but many people also get tired and lethargic. I was probably tired and lethargic the first time around, but I think that was mostly due to the depression itself. I gradually went up to 225mg. That's when I started feeling better. Keep in mind that if it takes you 4 weeks to get up to your dosage, it may take another 4 weeks to feel better after you've titrated up to that dosage. The insomnia is rather common with Effexor, and so is a fast heartbeat. This will go away. For the insomnia, many doctors prescribe a sleep aid for about a month until you have gotten used to the meds. Let your doctor know if you have insomnia. If it's a bad problem, just give him a call and he will just call a prescription in to the pharmacy. Trazadone is a good one. That's what I take.
Posted by detroitpistons on April 13, 2006, at 13:43:22
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by bart on April 11, 2006, at 17:14:53
> VERY SIMPLE, DON'T DRINK A LOT IN EFFEXOR
> IF YOU DO YOU WILL FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENSThis also goes away after about 1-3 months. At least it does for me.
Posted by TinMan on April 13, 2006, at 18:50:16
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol » bart, posted by detroitpistons on April 13, 2006, at 13:43:22
It has been almost a year for me on 225 mg of Effexor. I am still lethargic. My moods are almost "gone". Last night, I laughed out loud but that was the first time in many months. Sigh.
I don't want to be wired, tired, sexless, constipated, "drugged" out. Is there something else that will help with my depression and moodiness? Adding Wellbutrin did not help. I absolutely Love, Love Effexor for what it does for me with GAD and SAD. Anything else like that out there?
I have found this Board to be one of the best as far as recommendations and different things to try.
Thanks!
~TinMan
"Cuz Oz never did give nothing to the TinMan that he didn't, didn't already have..."
Posted by jacobs on April 13, 2006, at 22:55:04
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by TinMan on April 13, 2006, at 18:50:16
hi all, well im about off effexor now. have cut down to about 50 beads in a 37.5 capsule. thats about 1/2. and i have my sex drive back and feeling much better.i was also given it for GAD. and my anxiety is up a little but im working on cognative therapy for that and making headway there. also if it gets to bad i just take a 1/4 of a xanax. anway i am going to be done with the effexor in 6 days. so will let you all know how that goes. so far withdraws from 75 to what im taking now has been very low to neel because i cut back slowly. have a good one! tonya
Posted by renecoston on April 14, 2006, at 7:36:50
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by jacobs on April 13, 2006, at 22:55:04
I'm done with effexor - not worth the risk to me as I've been through the Paxil withdrawel (last year) and it was NOT an easy ride. I'd rather deal with my issues in other ways.
Posted by renecoston on April 14, 2006, at 7:37:04
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by jacobs on April 13, 2006, at 22:55:04
I'm done with effexor - not worth the risk to me as I've been through the Paxil withdrawel (last year) and it was NOT an easy ride. I'd rather deal with my issues in other ways.
Posted by SLS on April 14, 2006, at 8:15:21
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by renecoston on April 14, 2006, at 7:37:04
> I'm done with effexor - not worth the risk to me as I've been through the Paxil withdrawel (last year) and it was NOT an easy ride. I'd rather deal with my issues in other ways.
Drugs don't deal with issues. People do. However, some people do need to have their depression or anxiety mitigated in order to process their issues optimally.
How do you plan to deal with your issues?
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by renecoston on April 14, 2006, at 9:16:11
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol » renecoston, posted by SLS on April 14, 2006, at 8:15:21
My doctor seems to think that I am depressed every time I tell him something hurts or something just doesn't feel right. They are quick to prescribe and are not truthful about the medications the give you. I was never told about the problems a lot of people have trying to stop Paxil, and when they gave me the Effexor I specifically asked them if it had any of the same withdrawel issues that Paxil had, and the doctor's exact words were, "oh, no, this is a completely different medication and has not given anyone those problems." Hmmmmmmm, yah, okay.
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on April 16, 2006, at 20:34:59
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by renecoston on April 14, 2006, at 9:16:11
> My doctor seems to think that I am depressed every time I tell him something hurts or something just doesn't feel right. They are quick to prescribe and are not truthful about the medications the give you. I was never told about the problems a lot of people have trying to stop Paxil, and when they gave me the Effexor I specifically asked them if it had any of the same withdrawel issues that Paxil had, and the doctor's exact words were, "oh, no, this is a completely different medication and has not given anyone those problems." Hmmmmmmm, yah, okay.
Print out some of these and ask your dr the same question.
Posted by Bumble on April 17, 2006, at 14:02:21
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi there,
My partner started Effexor a couple of months ago. Since then, he has had little or no sex drive. Is there something I can do to alleviate this situation? He is just as frustrated as I am.
Posted by Crazy Horse on April 18, 2006, at 9:38:43
In reply to Repairing sex life, posted by Bumble on April 17, 2006, at 14:02:21
> Hi there,
>
> My partner started Effexor a couple of months ago. Since then, he has had little or no sex drive. Is there something I can do to alleviate this situation? He is just as frustrated as I am.Hello,
I think only 3 things may work:
1. Lowering his dose.
2. With time the problem could go away on its own, this could be a long time ( 1 yr. or longer is my guess ) Unfortunately, it might never go away as long as he is on this med.
3. Stopping the Med. I don't recommend this especially if it's helping him.
- Crazy Horse
Posted by SLS on April 18, 2006, at 10:28:37
In reply to Repairing sex life, posted by Bumble on April 17, 2006, at 14:02:21
> Hi there,
>
> My partner started Effexor a couple of months ago. Since then, he has had little or no sex drive. Is there something I can do to alleviate this situation? He is just as frustrated as I am.Wellbutrin is often used to improve libido. It makes a good combination with Effexor, as it often improves the quality of the antidepressant response. Buspar is another drug often mentioned.
If anorgasmia is a problem, taking Periactin an hour prior to sexual activities can be helpful. Yohimbine is another drug that can be used this way. It heightens arousal.
- Scott
Posted by saj on April 23, 2006, at 9:35:52
In reply to My experience with Effexor XR, posted by Creed on April 7, 2006, at 8:38:34
I started March 9 & am now at 75 mg. I find it to be a miracle drug - I feel like a new person & have no side effects except some wacky dreams. I was taking Norpramine & Topamax, from which I had bad side effects, & am still taking Luvox for the OCD end of my depression but my doc thinks I will be able to taper off Luvox now. This is working wonders for me. -saj
Posted by CWN266 on April 23, 2006, at 12:16:59
In reply to Re: My experience with Effexor XR, posted by saj on April 23, 2006, at 9:35:52
26 days off Effexor, and now that the withdrawal side effects are gone, I feel like a new man. My head is out of a fog for the first time in 4 years. Good Riddance!!
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 24, 2006, at 18:09:11
In reply to Re: My experience with Effexor XR, posted by CWN266 on April 23, 2006, at 12:16:59
> 26 days off Effexor, and now that the withdrawal side effects are gone, I feel like a new man.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding withdrawal to Psycho-Babble Withdrawal. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060412/msgs/636644.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 29, 2006, at 1:52:31
In reply to Re: Effexor results so far » unknown_usr, posted by detroitpistons on April 13, 2006, at 13:40:16
> > After a week and a couple of days on the 75mg I have no energy. I can barely drag my butt out of bed and my moods have gone down the tube. I left a message for my Doc and everything, but i wonder if anyone else had this experience, and if it got better.
> >
>
> I'm on Effexor for the second time. The first doctor who put me on it told me specifically that things "might get worse before they get better." Any antidepressant trial should last at least six weeks before making a determination. In fact, the research shows that there is evidence of significant improvement in a relatively large percentage (forgot what the percentage is) of patients between the 6th and 8th weeks.
>
> > I find it weird that I am tired and depressed. On the 35.5mg with the 150mg of Welbutril I was feeling great. I even had insomnia for 2 days. But now I am completely drained. At least my appetite is still low.
> >
>
> Many people get wired on Effexor, but many people also get tired and lethargic. I was probably tired and lethargic the first time around, but I think that was mostly due to the depression itself. I gradually went up to 225mg. That's when I started feeling better. Keep in mind that if it takes you 4 weeks to get up to your dosage, it may take another 4 weeks to feel better after you've titrated up to that dosage. The insomnia is rather common with Effexor, and so is a fast heartbeat. This will go away. For the insomnia, many doctors prescribe a sleep aid for about a month until you have gotten used to the meds. Let your doctor know if you have insomnia. If it's a bad problem, just give him a call and he will just call a prescription in to the pharmacy. Trazadone is a good one. That's what I take.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just started taking Effexor XR a little over 2 months ago, and I had some problems. I was on Celexa (which worked for awhile, but then stopped working) and my doctor switched me to Effexor. I started with 1 37.5 effexor and half my dose of celexa (20mg), then 2 37.5 effexor and no celexa, then 3 37.5 effexor, and then 1 150mg effexor. This transition was over about a month. I was okay, but then after almost exactly 2 months, I started having serious problems sleeping, and it made me feel "high" and my heart was pounding out of my chest. My doctor didn't perscribe a sleep aid, but he lowered my dosage to 1 37.5 mg tablet twice a day. That has been working for me so far. I just thought I'd mention that your doctor might try a lower dosage for awhile, at least until that dosage isn't working anymore. So far so good for me, but I know I'm not out of the woods. Also, when I first starting taking Effexor, it made me extremely tired, but that went away after about two weeks. I have to be medicated, because I have tried not to take meds and it was a mess. I have GAD and probably depression too, but the GAD is diagnosed. I've been taking meds since I was 18. I started on BuSpar, which made everything a lot worse, then I took Paxil which worked extremely well but made me gain weight and made me lose my sex drive. So I switched to Celexa, and that was okay for awhile, but then it just didn't work anymore. If I don't take any meds, I can't leave my house without freaking out. I inherited this problem, and no amount of counseling will make it go away. Hang in there and communicate with your doctor is the only advice I have for anyone with these kind of problems.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 29, 2006, at 2:00:25
In reply to Re: Pregnancy and Effexor XR? » grandma, posted by antigua on March 13, 2006, at 20:15:52
> I had a safe pregnancy on Effexor. My baby was born prematurely, but totally healthy. He's eight now and shows no ill effects. Prematurity was early labor, NOT the Effexor.
> antiguaI like reading success stories. I'm not pregnant nor trying yet, but I will in the next year or so, and I am afraid of reactions with the medication and my baby. Although, there are many unhealthy babies born to very healthy people that never use medications, and many healthy babies born to very unhealthy people that use and abuse drugs all the time. So, it seems like a crapshoot. But, the success stories make me feel a little better. BTW, obviously, I'm on Effexor. Thanks for the personal success story.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on April 29, 2006, at 2:09:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by TinMan on March 17, 2006, at 18:11:37
> > Losing your inhibitions is also a sign of mania.
> >
> > I was on Effexor for 8 months and I was up around 600mg a day. It caused me to go into rapid-cycling mood swings, with the worst manic episodes that I have EVER experienced
> >
>
> Whoa! Cin-666,
>
> You were on 600 mg of Effexor a day? That is almost 2x the recommended daily dose. I am wondering whose care you were under...a MD or a Psychiatrist?
>
> I had an MD prescribe a too high dose of Paxil for me for several months. I am still cleaning up the mess.
>
> Now Effexor takes away my Generalized Anxiety but certainly not my inhibitions. I do things now without the usual anxiety and second thoughts. I like that!
>
> ~TinMan
>I've noticed Effexor helps me to be more social for certain. I can smile at strangers now, when before I felt like they would think I'm weird or I'd be crushed when they don't return the smile. I'm a lot more secure in that sense now that I'm on effexor, and I'd have to say, it doesn't exactly take away my inhibitions. It does take away that social inhibition I had that made people think I wasn't a nice person.
-Bonnie
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on April 29, 2006, at 16:44:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Bonnie_CA on April 29, 2006, at 2:09:08
I have found out that my pdoc is known for pushing the limits on the drugs that he prescribes. He believes that if a drug isn't working for you than you're not on a high enough dose. I'm still with him, but now I control my doses and the drugs that I get him to prescribe for me. This is only a temperary solution until I can find a new pdoc. Now that I'm in control though I've been doing a lot better than I ever was when he was controlling my meds and doses.
I just worry about the other people under his care that could be suffering in the same way, or worse. It's something that I feel needs to be looked at by the other professionals in the mental health care system.
I was also told about another one of his patients that he tripled the recommended dose on (not effexor), and she ended up with some severe side effects that can't be reversed.
We have a new magazine in Canada now called "BP Canada", I'm thinking about sending them a letter with all of my information to see if they can bring any light to the situation.
So if your pdoc is pushing your dose up faster than you think is safe, remind them that it takes time for these drugs to take full effect on your body. I know I will!
Posted by LisaH817 on April 30, 2006, at 8:06:25
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by demon_child_cin-666 on April 29, 2006, at 16:44:23
I’ve been weaning off Effexor for 5 weeks now. I was on 150mg, dropped down to 112.5mg for 2 weeks, then 75mg for 2 weeks, and now I’ve been on 37.5mg for about 8 days. The first reductions went pretty well, only minimal withdrawal symptoms, but this last dose, it’s actually feeling like it’s getting worse as the days go by. I only have 6 doses left of this and am pretty damn worried about how much worse it’ll get once I’m down to nothing and how I am going to get through work, etc. I told my doctor I did not want to be on anything permanently, so why would she put me on this? But then again, I’ve read the literature that came with the drug and gone on the website and nowhere does it mention the severe withdrawal. I thought it was a great help when I needed it and went on it at first, now I am so sorry I did and think it’s dangerous!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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