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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Alesa on August 13, 2004, at 13:33:34
I've been reading all the posts on side-effects and withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. All of the symptoms that people are describing I had BEFORE I took Effexor, and I was NOT on any sort of anti-depressant or medication. (I tried Paxil two years ago, but had severe side effects and went off it after only three days). After that, I didn't take anything until now.
Before I was on Effexor, I had brain zaps, the electic shock feeling, shaking images, dizziness, feeling like I was on an elevator, nightmares, panic attacks and diarrhea and nausea often. And I was not coming off of any meds or anything and I don't drink and have hardly used street drugs in my lifetime! I used to smoke a bit of pot once in awhile, tried hash and ecstasy once in my life, but all of that was six years ago! I stopped using them because I'd get severe panic attacks while on them, and my heart would race out of control. I haven't touched any drugs for years, and barely drink alcohol anymore.
When I started Effexor, all of the above symptoms went away, and I had very few side effects. I had a tiny bit of insomnia, which went away after one night, and jaw tension and shaking, but that's it! I felt numb and high for the first week, but it felt good and light, not bad. I feel alot calmer, and I'm not depressed or in constant emotional pain like I was before. I haven't cried since I've been taking it (two weeks. I sleep well, and don't feel panicky at all. I don't have a bad stomach either.
Has anyone else felt this way? Effexor is not a "poison". So far, it seems to have helped immensely. Different meds work for different folks.
Also, what's so bad about always having to be on meds? I have to take a birth control everyday so I don't get pregant. If schizophrenics don't take their meds, they can't function at all, and same with bi-polars. If depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and meds help you function, what is so bad about being reliant? Depression is an illness, and like alot of other illnesses, people have to take medication to live and have a better quality of life. It's better to take a pill than to go off of it and let depression make you sick. My mother died because she was so depressed. Her depression affected her physical health, and studies have shown that depression, especially in women, can lead to heart disease and other illnesses, not to mention not taking care of one's self, or suicide. I would have rather seen my mother on anti-depressants for life and have had her live a happier life than to die so sad. The body needs help, and there is nothing wrong with having to be dependant on something if it helps your overall well being and health.
If you have problems with meds, than of course you have to go off of them, and the side effects are horrible. My heart goes out to all of you that are suffering. But alot of you are saying you feel great on meds, but want to go off just because you don't want to be dependant, and that is my point.
Posted by questions on August 13, 2004, at 13:44:15
In reply to Some thoughts on Effexor, posted by Alesa on August 13, 2004, at 13:33:34
Speaking from the perspective of someone who is living with someone who was on Effexor, I can't relate directly. Hwoever, my Fiancee' went on Effexor about 9 months ago. She was depressed before, and at first started doing much better. After a while though, she became an insomniac, and stopped showing up for her job because sh e couldn't get up in the mornings. The house was always a mess when I got home, and she would yell at me all the time. Yet if I ever even said anything back that she took the wrong way, it got even nastier. Basically I was in trouble either way. This was while she was still on Effexor!
About a month ago she finally took her last does after being weaned off. She immediately got better, however, now she gets EXTREMELY depressed at night time only. The rest of the day she is fine. However, between 8 and 10 pm, it is just awful. She sounds like the world is coming to an end. I don't know what to think anymore. Effexor can definetly helps some people, but it has only led to more confusion for us. She can't go back on that, it made her life worse. For some though, it is a miracle drug.
Posted by Colleen D. on August 13, 2004, at 14:00:02
In reply to Some thoughts on Effexor, posted by Alesa on August 13, 2004, at 13:33:34
And I'm having a similar experience with Effexor: many of my physical problems before taking it are listed as common side effects of taking it. I'm very pleased with the results other than the insomnia, but I can function so much better on less sleep now. Before Effexor, I always felt exhausted. I'd much rather feel this way as long as I can and if I need to move on to something else at some point in time, so be it. I can say that I feel "NORMAL," something I've missed out on for a long time
Good luck!
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD
Posted by Alesa on August 13, 2004, at 17:06:08
In reply to Re: Some thoughts on Effexor, posted by questions on August 13, 2004, at 13:44:15
That's too bad that she hasn't found something to help her. I hope she can find something soon. Being depressed is just awful, draining, and not understood by alot of people.
I was always angry and irritable before taking Effexor, and it has helped calm those feelings too. I feel normal for the first time ever, since I was a kid! My boyfriend has noticed a considerable difference in me too (he lives with me). I hope it stays this way and doesn't take a turn for the worst like it did for some people. Funny, I used to be a clean freak and now messes don't bother me. But I don't yell at anyone about it-things just don't bother me as much. Boy, little teeny tiny insignificant things would bother me before, and I would blow things way out of proportion and obsess over things like crazy. I feel much more balanced now.
> Speaking from the perspective of someone who is living with someone who was on Effexor, I can't relate directly. Hwoever, my Fiancee' went on Effexor about 9 months ago. She was depressed before, and at first started doing much better. After a while though, she became an insomniac, and stopped showing up for her job because sh e couldn't get up in the mornings. The house was always a mess when I got home, and she would yell at me all the time. Yet if I ever even said anything back that she took the wrong way, it got even nastier. Basically I was in trouble either way. This was while she was still on Effexor!
>
> About a month ago she finally took her last does after being weaned off. She immediately got better, however, now she gets EXTREMELY depressed at night time only. The rest of the day she is fine. However, between 8 and 10 pm, it is just awful. She sounds like the world is coming to an end. I don't know what to think anymore. Effexor can definetly helps some people, but it has only led to more confusion for us. She can't go back on that, it made her life worse. For some though, it is a miracle drug.
Posted by KaraS on August 13, 2004, at 17:20:23
In reply to Some thoughts on Effexor, posted by Alesa on August 13, 2004, at 13:33:34
> I've been reading all the posts on side-effects and withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. All of the symptoms that people are describing I had BEFORE I took Effexor, and I was NOT on any sort of anti-depressant or medication. (I tried Paxil two years ago, but had severe side effects and went off it after only three days). After that, I didn't take anything until now.
>
> Before I was on Effexor, I had brain zaps, the electic shock feeling, shaking images, dizziness, feeling like I was on an elevator, nightmares, panic attacks and diarrhea and nausea often. And I was not coming off of any meds or anything and I don't drink and have hardly used street drugs in my lifetime! I used to smoke a bit of pot once in awhile, tried hash and ecstasy once in my life, but all of that was six years ago! I stopped using them because I'd get severe panic attacks while on them, and my heart would race out of control. I haven't touched any drugs for years, and barely drink alcohol anymore.
>
> When I started Effexor, all of the above symptoms went away, and I had very few side effects. I had a tiny bit of insomnia, which went away after one night, and jaw tension and shaking, but that's it! I felt numb and high for the first week, but it felt good and light, not bad. I feel alot calmer, and I'm not depressed or in constant emotional pain like I was before. I haven't cried since I've been taking it (two weeks. I sleep well, and don't feel panicky at all. I don't have a bad stomach either.
>
> Has anyone else felt this way? Effexor is not a "poison". So far, it seems to have helped immensely. Different meds work for different folks.
>
> Also, what's so bad about always having to be on meds? I have to take a birth control everyday so I don't get pregant. If schizophrenics don't take their meds, they can't function at all, and same with bi-polars. If depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and meds help you function, what is so bad about being reliant? Depression is an illness, and like alot of other illnesses, people have to take medication to live and have a better quality of life. It's better to take a pill than to go off of it and let depression make you sick. My mother died because she was so depressed. Her depression affected her physical health, and studies have shown that depression, especially in women, can lead to heart disease and other illnesses, not to mention not taking care of one's self, or suicide. I would have rather seen my mother on anti-depressants for life and have had her live a happier life than to die so sad. The body needs help, and there is nothing wrong with having to be dependant on something if it helps your overall well being and health.
>
> If you have problems with meds, than of course you have to go off of them, and the side effects are horrible. My heart goes out to all of you that are suffering. But alot of you are saying you feel great on meds, but want to go off just because you don't want to be dependant, and that is my point.
I couldn't agree more. We're only here on this earth a short time so we need to try to make the most of it. Once it's all over no one will care whether you lived your life on meds or not. All that will matter was the kind of life and quality of life that you led. There's no sense in beating yourself up or depriving yourself because you weren't born with perfect genes or brain chemistry.
Posted by carriejane on August 14, 2004, at 1:57:33
In reply to Some thoughts on Effexor, posted by Alesa on August 13, 2004, at 13:33:34
Hello, Can I askyou how long it took to feel good on effexor and what dose? Im on my 19th day, i started at 75 and for the last 2 days 150. Thankyou
Posted by starlight on August 14, 2004, at 10:22:16
In reply to Some thoughts on Effexor, posted by Alesa on August 13, 2004, at 13:33:34
I experienced all the side effects that people have mentioned when I came off of wellbutrin. I AM happy to stay at my current dose but am not scared of a withdrawl period if I have to go through one since I know what it's like. The only thing is the rebound depression sucks. I wonder if that eventually dissipates over time.
starlight
Posted by Alesa on August 16, 2004, at 10:42:17
In reply to Re: Some thoughts on Effexor » Alesa, posted by carriejane on August 14, 2004, at 1:57:33
Only two weeks on 37.5 mgs.
> Hello, Can I askyou how long it took to feel good on effexor and what dose? Im on my 19th day, i started at 75 and for the last 2 days 150. Thankyou
Posted by Starlight on August 16, 2004, at 12:37:15
In reply to Re: Some thoughts on Effexor, posted by Alesa on August 16, 2004, at 10:42:17
It took me about 3 weeks to feel the depression really lift. I felt the anti-anxiety component right away, but had trouble sleeping at first too. Luckily I haven't had the sweat side effect.
starlight
Posted by carriejane on August 17, 2004, at 5:15:22
In reply to Re: Some thoughts on Effexor, posted by Starlight on August 16, 2004, at 12:37:15
Thanks guys, im just over 3 wks, not doing too badly x
This is the end of the thread.
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