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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NCFelines on April 10, 2003, at 11:11:24
I have been reading this board for a long time, but have not posted before today. I just wanted to first say thanks for all the wonderful information that for some reason is hard to find in the doctor's office. I just tapered myself off Effexor and am on the third day with none. Yesterday I was feeling so dizzy and "bug-eyed" for lack of a better description, and just weak in general that I decided to go to my doctor. My normal blood pressure of 110/80 was 150/99! My doctor very casually stated that this is "classic Effexor withdrawal," and advised me to go back on Effexor at a very low dose for a couple more weeks, or just push through it. I decided to push through. This BP makes me feel very strange, but I am trusting that it will pass. I really wish I had never even started taking this drug. Only after reading forums such as yours, did I realize that this drug was very likely the cause of teeth grinding (had been attributed to stress) that costs me thousands of dollars in root canals and crowns; insomnia that caused me to get up several times every night, leaving me constantly tired; fatigue that caused me to abandon even the most basic of exercise; constant carb. cravings; weight gain; menstrual-like pains; and worst of all symptoms that had my doctor convinced that I had IBS. I stopped Effexor thanks to boards like this. My BP is through the roof, I am dizzy and short of breath, and can feel that same old anxiety coming back for me to deal with, but am glad to be on my way away from this drug. I am going to deal with the anxiety on my own. Yoga, breathing, whatever it takes. I have some weak little clonapin as a back up if it gets too bad. But you know what? I KNOW the anxiety. It is something that I know and can deal with. It is much better than all the unknowns of these anti-depressant drugs, and all the horrid side effects. Already I am sleeping like a baby, am losing weight, and am no longer experiencing the IBS symptoms. I was very close to being on Effexor, constant dose oral contraceptive, AND IBS medication when I decided to jump off the merry-go-round. I am learning more and more that we need to come to each other for knowledge and that doctors (who may or may not be doing their best) have no idea what these drugs do to our bodies. Sorry to ramble. Just wanted to share, and to say THANK YOU!
Posted by Tabitha on April 10, 2003, at 14:44:26
In reply to NO MORE EFFEXOR - WANT TO SAY THANKS AND SHARE EXP, posted by NCFelines on April 10, 2003, at 11:11:24
Good luck with self-managing your anxiety. Sometimes there's no perfect solution-- you just have to pick, symptoms or side effects. There are still other options too, Effexor isn't the only med, if the self-management doesn't work you could try others. Just don't give up til your life really is good enough.
Posted by stjames on April 11, 2003, at 13:49:01
In reply to NO MORE EFFEXOR - WANT TO SAY THANKS AND SHARE EXP, posted by NCFelines on April 10, 2003, at 11:11:24
I am learning more and more that we need to come to each other for knowledge and that doctors (who may or may not be doing their best) have no idea what these drugs do to our bodies.
Why would you go to a doc that knows nothing about how drugs work in your body ? All mine do and if I landed on one that does not and would run
like crazy.
Posted by NCFelines on April 11, 2003, at 15:53:09
In reply to Re: NO MORE EFFEXOR - WANT TO SAY THANKS AND SHARE EXP, posted by stjames on April 11, 2003, at 13:49:01
YOU SAID:
"Why would you go to a doc that knows nothing about how drugs work in your body ? All mine do and if I landed on one that does not and would run
like crazy."Looks like blind faith is working for you with "all your doctors" (How many does it take?) However, I am sure that your doctors do NOT know everything about Effexor and similar antidepressants, as no one does, not even the makers. That is a published, undeniable FACT. Another FACT is that the only people who can share first-hand knowldge of and experiences with these drugs are people like us who are taking or trying to stop taking them. If your doctors are currently taking all the drugs that are discussed on this board, perhaps YOU should be running like crazy. I come here for shared experience, knowledge and support. In the future, when you are reading here, but don't have any of these to add or share, and are more in the mood to try to make yourself look cute at someone else's expense, please save yourself the embarrassment; do everyone else a favor AND KEEP TO YOURSELF FOR THAT MOMENT. :)
Posted by NCFelines on April 11, 2003, at 16:05:42
In reply to Re: NO MORE EFFEXOR - WANT TO SAY THANKS AND SHARE EXP, posted by Tabitha on April 10, 2003, at 14:44:26
> Good luck with self-managing your anxiety. Sometimes there's no perfect solution-- you just have to pick, symptoms or side effects. There are still other options too, Effexor isn't the only med, if the self-management doesn't work you could try others. Just don't give up til your life really is good enough.
Thank you so much, Tabitha. I really appreciate your supportive post. It is tough dealing with the bouts of anxiety. It had been a year without it, you know? I so much just want to try to push through, but am also wrestling with not wanting to be "bull-headed" (as husband says) to my own detriment. It may be that I end up trying a different medication. I really appreciate the people like you and the others on this board who share and help so much. These are not discussions that you can have with just anybody. This board is such a great help.
Posted by stjames on April 11, 2003, at 16:55:50
In reply to To STJAMES, posted by NCFelines on April 11, 2003, at 15:53:09
> YOU SAID:
> "Why would you go to a doc that knows nothing about how drugs work in your body ? All mine do and if I landed on one that does not and would run
> like crazy."
>
> Looks like blind faith is working for you with "all your doctors" (How many does it take?) However, I am sure that your doctors do NOT know everything about Effexor and similar antidepressants, as no one does, not even the makers.Sine you don't know my docs I do not see how you can know what they know. I have been on meds for over 20 years and have learned to be selective
of my docs.
Posted by Dysfunk on April 14, 2003, at 16:13:55
In reply to NO MORE EFFEXOR - WANT TO SAY THANKS AND SHARE EXP, posted by NCFelines on April 10, 2003, at 11:11:24
I absolutely agree with you and also had a very difficult time both with Effexor and convincing my doctor that what I was feeling was side-effects/withdrawals from the medication. It is not until I found this board, started posting about muscle aches and started resceiving responses from people who went through the same thing, that I felt I had "amunition" to confront my doctor and say THIS MEDICINE IS NOT FOR ME!
I feel like the board saved my life, and I thanked everyone and Dr. Bob.
Posted by Dysfunk on April 14, 2003, at 16:16:57
In reply to Re: To STJAMES, posted by stjames on April 11, 2003, at 16:55:50
My doctor is the Directr at a very well-known Psychiatric hospital, and he wasn't totally well-versed in all the side-effects of Effexor, and it had been out for a while. Unless they hear it again and again from patients, they don't consider an usual symptom to be drug-related.
Posted by stjames on April 14, 2003, at 18:49:38
In reply to Re: To STJAMES » stjames, posted by Dysfunk on April 14, 2003, at 16:16:57
> My doctor is the Directr at a very well-known Psychiatric hospital, and he wasn't totally well-versed in all the side-effects of Effexor, and it had been out for a while.
Then, for me, this would be a doc I would not use.
Posted by NCFelines on April 14, 2003, at 19:23:10
In reply to Re: NO MORE EFFEXOR - WANT TO SAY THANKS AND SHARE EXP » NCFelines, posted by Dysfunk on April 14, 2003, at 16:13:55
> I absolutely agree with you and also had a very difficult time both with Effexor and convincing my doctor that what I was feeling was side-effects/withdrawals from the medication. It is not until I found this board, started posting about muscle aches and started resceiving responses from people who went through the same thing, that I felt I had "amunition" to confront my doctor and say THIS MEDICINE IS NOT FOR ME!
>
> I feel like the board saved my life, and I thanked everyone and Dr. Bob.Coming off Effexor is proving quite trying, but (not trying to be corny) I actually feel like I gain strength every time I read something new and helpful here. Your use of the word "ammunition" was brilliant. What a great word choice! I feel that this board gives me ammunition against second-guessing myself, you know? It helps so much to share with other people and realize that the side effects, then withdrawal symptoms are not just "in my head." I feel like I am getting better slowly but surely. For me, the physical symptoms, such as muscle aches and "shock" sensations are tolerable, and are actually made better somehow by Benadryl. (Go figure.) However, the emotional effects are really giving me trouble. Things that would normally bother me some are bothering me ten times worse -- to the point that it makes me feel ridiculous. For example: Today my boss brought his 17-year-old daughter to work with him. Their relationship is really nice. You can just tell. Well, that has always been an extremely sticky issue for me. I lost my father when I was very very young and have few memories of him. Ordinarily in a situation like today's, I would have felt sad, but would have been in control. Well, today, just looking at this man and his daughter made me want to sob hysterically! I actually did just that while driving home, all the while feeling like a complete moron. I am just really really looking forward to getting past this part. Thanks again for the post. I agree with you completely about the board. It really is a life saver.
Posted by Dysfunk on April 23, 2003, at 10:14:20
In reply to Thanks, Dysfunk. : ), posted by NCFelines on April 14, 2003, at 19:23:10
My Inet connection is dead at home, so I didn't get a chance to answer sooner. Sorry you had such an experience with your boss. Maybe you were feeling exaggerated but real emotions. I mean that some meds cut off your senses to your actual feelings. Maybe this medicine made you feel them full strength? Either way, I am sure you needed a good cry.
I am glad you find the board to be helpful. I seem to be stable now and don't feel like I need to read the postings as regularly. I do, however, want to check up on people and unfinished conversations.
Feel Good NC Felines!- Dysfunk
Posted by NCFelines on April 23, 2003, at 10:32:02
In reply to NO MORE EFFEXOR - WANT TO SAY THANKS AND SHARE EXP, posted by NCFelines on April 10, 2003, at 11:11:24
I wanted to post an update, and say thank you once again for you wonderful, helpful people who help me keep my sanity! OK, first of all, the blood pressure has gone back to normal. Yay! Some other positive things are that I feel very much more alive and "interested" in everything, instead of just "calm." The calmness was so good when I was taking Effexor. But now, I feel that I am very much more actively involved in life, if that makes sense. It is not a bed of roses, because I had forgotten how nervous I am naturally. I have also had two panic attacks, which left me feeling very defeated. HOWEVER, I have started a program of evening exercise that seems to help, as my panic attacks are usually at night. Also, when all else fails, I break down and take a .05 mg Clonopin. I would rather not take anything, and am hoping that after a few weeks into a good exercise program I won't have to. Also, I am cutting out ALL caffeine. DUH! Why did that not occur to me? My system just cannot tolerate anything that makes me more nervous. Sigh. I loved Starbucks so... Anyway, I am also reading about any and all "natural" anxiety therapy. So, there is a snapshot of where I am not. I would have to say that I feel I made the right decision to discontinue the Effexor, and do feel a lot stronger now. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AGAIN. I am set up to get e-mails notifications of new posts. So, if you do, I will read it right away. : )
Posted by kashusha on April 23, 2003, at 17:57:43
In reply to NO MORE EFFEXOR - Two Week Update, posted by NCFelines on April 23, 2003, at 10:32:02
I've been taking Effexor for several months. What made you decide you needed to quit? My friend told me it made her feel too level--no downs, no ups. I'm wondering about that, too. I've been feeling kind of "blah", not depressed, just ininterested.
Posted by NCFelines on April 23, 2003, at 23:00:50
In reply to Re: NO MORE EFFEXOR - Two Week Update » NCFelines, posted by kashusha on April 23, 2003, at 17:57:43
I apologize if this turns into a novel. Please forgive me, and feel free to post questions on anything specific. I will always try to answer. :)
OK, through lots and lots of my own research, including reading boards like this and spending hours doing internet searches, I found good reason to suspect that Effexor was causing a lot of side effects in me. Examples: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), teeth grinding, bloating, weight gain, difficulty urinating, unexplained brusing, insomnia, extreme cravings for carbohydrates, and just general fatigue. Specifically, I spent thousands of dollars chasing down suspected utero/intestinal problems with no specific diagnosis. We tried different birth control pills, taking them constantly, taking none, avoiding different foods, various digestive medications...I even underwent a CT scan, an MRI and finally laparoscopic surgery! That was NOT fun. Concerning teeth grinding -- that may not sound like that big of a deal. But during the time that I was on Effexor (about a year), I had to have four root canals and crowns due to broken teeth from teeth grinding. That was not fun, either. The other biggie was insomnia. It seemed that no matter what I did, I found it very difficult to go to sleep, and to stay asleep during the night. So, I was not getting much sleep, and was always tired. In addition to being too tired to do anything, I found that I was not really interested in doing much, either. I did not care to travel, exercise, or even read. I really did not even care about how I looked, beyond just presentable. I mean, I stayed clean and neat, but shopping for new clothes or "fixing up" seemed like too much trouble. Also, I was perfectly happy to come home from work and recline on the couch and watch TV. That does not sound that bad, either. But now that I am off, I have not done that once. I have all my old interests back. I am not grinding my teeth. My clothes fit better... Every time I look down at that laparoscopy scar above my belly button, it makes me MAD, though! I don't feel like, "Oh well, that is OK... la la la." No, I FEEL MAD! I feel betrayed by the medical and pharmaceutical industry that failed me. Why did not one doctor look at my chart and see Effexor and equate it to any of my symptoms?? Oh well, better to be thankful I snapped out of it, I guess, than to waste energy on things that have been done or not done. Quitting Effexor was no walk in the park, but I know now that it was the right decision for me.
Again, though, do what is right for you, which may mean taking Effexor. You may have no side effects and may do very well on it, like others do. I found out the hard way that I cannot take it, but all I really know is my experience. Best of luck, and kudos to you for reaching out and asking questions. I firmly believe that asking these kinds of questions helped to save my "life."I am in no position to give medical advice, but I will try to tell you why I quit without writing a novel. I tend to get a bit wordy when I am sleepy, but just saw my e-mail notification of your post and wanted to get back to you right away. So, I hope this makes sense for you. Feel free to post back to me with any questions. :)
Through lots and lots of my own research, including reading boards like this and spending hours doing internet searches, I found good reason to suspect that Effexor was causing a lot of side effects in me. Examples: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), teeth grinding, bloating, weight gain, difficulty urinating, unexplained brusing, insomnia, extreme cravings for carbohydrates, and just general fatigue. Specifically, I spent thousands of dollars chasing down suspected utero/intestinal problems with no specific diagnosis. We tried different birth control pills, taking them constantly, taking none, avoiding different foods, various digestive medications...I even underwent a CT scan, an MRI and finally laparoscopic surgery! That was NOT fun. Concerning teeth grinding -- that may not sound like that big of a deal. But during the time that I was on Effexor (about a year), I had to have four root canals and crowns due to broken teeth from teeth grinding. That was not fun, either. The other biggie was insomnia. It seemed that no matter what I did, I found it very difficult to go to sleep, and to stay asleep during the night. So, I was not getting much sleep, and was always tired. In addition to being too tired to do anything, I found that I was not really interested in doing much, either. I did not care to travel, exercise, or even read. I really did not even care about how I looked, beyond just presentable. I mean, I stayed clean and neat, but shopping for new clothes or "fixing up" seemed like too much trouble. Also, I was perfectly happy to come home from work and recline on the couch and watch TV. That does not sound that bad, either. But now that I am off, I have not done that once. I have all my old interests back. I am not grinding my teeth. My clothes fit better... Every time I look down at that laparoscopy scar above my belly button, it makes me MAD, though! I don't feel like, "Oh well, that is OK... la la la." No, I FEEL MAD! I feel betrayed by the medical and pharmaceutical industry that failed me. Why did not one doctor look at my chart and see Effexor and equate it to any of my symptoms?? Oh well, better to be thankful I snapped out of it, I guess, than to waste energy on things that have been done or not done. Quitting Effexor was no walk in the park, and I am honestly still working on the best solution for my anxiety. However, I feel better every day and am sure that quitting was the best decision for me.
Again, though, do what is right for you, which may mean taking Effexor. You may have no side effects and may do very well on it, like others do. I found out the hard way that I cannot take it, but all I really know is my experience. Best of luck, and kudos to you for reaching out and asking questions. I firmly believe that asking these kinds of questions helped to save my "life" (quality of life).
Posted by kashusha on April 24, 2003, at 11:06:22
In reply to Kashusa - This is why I quit, posted by NCFelines on April 23, 2003, at 23:00:50
Thanks for your response. Wow. That's a lot to go through! Good luck!
Posted by NCFelines on April 24, 2003, at 13:05:20
In reply to Re: Kashusa - This is why I quit » NCFelines, posted by kashusha on April 24, 2003, at 11:06:22
> Thanks for your response. Wow. That's a lot to go through! Good luck!
Well, it sounds clear now. But at the time, it just seemed that I was a 32-year old stressed out woman with slowing metabolism and hormonal/digestive problems. Now that I am off Effexor, it boggles my mind to know that it was that simple to figure out so many things, but not so simple that any of the "specialists" thought of it.
Good luck to you, Kashusa! :)
Posted by Dysfunk on April 29, 2003, at 10:06:59
In reply to NO MORE EFFEXOR - Two Week Update, posted by NCFelines on April 23, 2003, at 10:32:02
I haven't been on in a while and I am just reading your post now. I am glad you made a decision you are happy with. I hated Effexor, it made me feel so lousy. I also cut down on my coffee intake while on it since I was so tense and jumpy. Keep feeling good.
:^) Dysfunk
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