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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Hayduke on October 2, 2004, at 18:27:31
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been on Effexor 150mg for about a month and half now, and can unequivicably say that it has helped me.
Some background info: I am a biology doctoral student who has suffered from depression on and off for about ten years. Soon after entering grad school a year and a half ago, I went into the most severe depression of my life. I completely lost interest in my research, and came very close to getting kicked out of grad school because of an inability to do my work. I resisted going on meds because I had previously found non-pharmacological ways to help myself, but out of desperation I finally went to the health center at my university and was prescribed Effexor. To be honest, I wasn't expecting it to be very helpful, due to the lack of effect of a few SSRIs that I tried ten years ago.
Well, the last few weeks have been absolutely amazing for me. I keep asking myself if it is just the placebo effect, but I've concluded that there is simply too stark a difference to be that - it's like night and day. I have regained the confidence, clearheadedness, and interest in life that has been lacking for over a year.
I seem to have avoided many of the side effects that other people experience. The only side effects for me have been jitteriness (which has subsided somewhat, though not completely), dehydration, and the sexual stuff (not a complete inability to orgasm - it just takes longer). I am also having the most vivid dreams of my life!
I know I sound like a walking advertisement for Effexor, but I have read so many disaster stories about it on this website that I just wanted to add my own positive experience.
Posted by terrics on October 2, 2004, at 19:59:36
In reply to nausea problems, posted by maa on October 2, 2004, at 5:02:13
Hi Maa, I found the nausea eventually just went away. If it doesn't tell your MD. terrics
Posted by terrics on October 2, 2004, at 20:14:37
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasm » terrics, posted by sunny10 on October 1, 2004, at 11:54:08
Sometimes it is hard to tell which drugs are doing what because I take so many, probably too many, But I do know that the wellbutrin bettered my outlook and sex life. I think I said in my last post that 75% of persons taking wellbutrin have greater libido ( and as I said better orgasms). terrics good luck in your choices.
Posted by ShannonC on October 3, 2004, at 8:31:13
In reply to Effexor and pregnancy, posted by ChristinaG on October 23, 2000, at 16:10:39
I was up to 275 mg of Effexor XR when I found out I was pregnant. My doctor took me off the medication because there haven't been enough tests proving that it does not cause harm to the baby, yet. Here's a link to what they DO know: http://www.perinatology.com/exposures/Drugs/Venlafaxine.htm ... If the only thing stopping you from switching to a safer drug (my doctor put me on Sertraline) is that you are scared of the withdrawal effects, I will tell you, my dear, that the pregnancy effects can MORE than mask the withdrawal effects. About 50% of pregnant women experience nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, and so on and so forth, and I was and still am among the lucky 50% that experience(d) this. So, even though I quit my Effexor XR cold turkey, I was already too nauseous to care. I would recommend getting a "second opinion" on whether you should keep using Effexor XR. I can understand that your doctor feels your depression is too severe to warrant taking you off of Effexor, but I do feel that with proper supervision (IF you have not already gone through all the other medications and found they were NOT succesful), you may get more PEACE OF MIND switching to a drug that you can rest assured is not potentially harming the baby. This is all in my humble opinion, though, and only applies if you are planning on continuing the pregnancy. If you are planning to terminate the pregnancy, then there is no problem with you staying on the Effexor.
Posted by Jubilee on October 3, 2004, at 17:45:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
> I too have had problems with depression for the last 7 years. Crying for no reason, could not sleep, couldn't eat, feeling out of control of my life, turning mole hills into mountains.
>
> I first on Zoloft for about a year was just fine, then quit (thought I could handle life without "having to take drugs" and slowly went down hill over the next 6 months.
>
> Went back on and was on it for a couple more years, felt great and decided I was all better and went off of it and crashed again- this time in 3 months. Tried Zoloft again, this time-no relief. Then tried Wellbutrin for a month, felt a little better, but not like before. Then tried Efferox XR.
>
> Started slow and built up to 150mg per day. Wonder drug! I love it! Have been on it over a year. No side effects to speak of. During the last 9 months I have managed to survive a move from Indiana to Austria (no kanagroos here) for a 3 years ISP assignment with my husband's company. We had to sell our house, cars, leave family, friends, my job and our horse behind with less than a 2 month notice. Stranger in a strange land and they don't speak much English in these parts. Yes I have had to learn German. Sprechen sie Deutsch?
>
> I have survived! Have had some down days over the last 9 months that I attributed to more of loneliness and boredom and winter blahs than from depression. Summer's here and I am great!
>
> Work with your doctor for the right level- give it time to build up in your system- a month prehaps and you should see positive results as I have.
withdrawal;you can do
Its me, Jubilee just saying slow is the way to go . Almost died last time from a stroke going too fast. I posted on another thread a "You can do" and I dont know my way around here too good as I just joined. Had plenty in reserve as was always cutting back which gave me enough to go off slow. I save all I pour out and use a cap for a measurment now with all my extra. Went from 300 to a 75 am and a 37.5 PM in 2 months and a ways to go. Few side affects and also ended up with 60 prozacs witch I take for 5 days every time I drop a dose. Trying to drop every 3 weeks. Going to make it last long as possible. Going for 5 months. Take it easy and don't forget to pray.Jubilee
Posted by lisataho on October 3, 2004, at 20:47:42
In reply to I gained 20 pounds BLAH, posted by Kazza on February 26, 2001, at 1:01:00
Hi. I'm having a terrible time & a wonderful time on Effexor XR. I do feel better. I don't cry all the time & I deal with life better than before. I am also very upset about the 30 lbs. I've gained in the last 2 1/2 years. I have no idea what to do. Sometimes I overeat, but mostly I just eat as I always have. I'd appreciate any advice or comments. Thanks
Posted by Sondi on October 4, 2004, at 0:49:11
In reply to Re: I gained 20 pounds BLAH » Kazza, posted by lisataho on October 3, 2004, at 20:47:42
I am coming off effexor after taking it for only about 2 months. It was originally prescribed to me to help me sleep better because I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. However, it didn't really help, so I decided I would prefer to not be on medication since it wasn't doing anything for the fatigue. Anyway, now that I am coming off it, I am starting to feel suddenly very depressed and unmotivated (I wasn't depressed before starting this drug!) Also, I feel extremely dizzy and woozy most of the time. Does anyone know.....is this normal and will it pass?
Thanks.
Posted by S.Bartel on October 4, 2004, at 3:04:08
In reply to Re: Long-term effects, posted by stjames on July 8, 2000, at 23:15:07
I have been taking Effexor for seven years and it seemed like a miracle drug. Now I have fatty liver disease, high cholestrol (345),and high triglycerides (470). I have only been taking 75mg. all this time. I have just found out that this can be one of the side effects. Anyone else have this problem??
Posted by Shyla on October 4, 2004, at 9:13:03
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasm, posted by Napolis on October 1, 2004, at 13:23:59
I am having exactly the same problem as you, only I'm a girl. I have tried many things to offset this frustrating side effect, but so far no success. I'm not giving up however. But what I learned, most SSRIs have this effect. Wellbutrin is considered the one with the least side effect. But I have added that to my Effexor XR and no difference. Do your own research, and talk to your doc. That's very important. Good luck.
Posted by catheirne on October 4, 2004, at 19:11:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
Effexor XR has made such a wonderful change in how I feel. I have only been on it for 11 days however I feel better every day. I am @ 75mg and I added 37.5 today. My Dr. wants me up to 150 however I feel good at 75. Any suggestions about dose? I don't take any other medication...if 75mg is working and it has been less than 2 weeks why should I increase? Thanks for any input.
Posted by fork on October 4, 2004, at 20:57:06
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by catheirne on October 4, 2004, at 19:11:32
I have been on effexor for just over a month at 75mg and also feel great.I am seeing my MD tomorrow and dont anticipate any increase in dosage. It couldn't hurt to question your Dr. why you should increase the dose. I will let you know what happens with my visit to the Dr. reguarding dose increase. Good Luck..Fork
Posted by Jubilee on October 4, 2004, at 21:37:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Jubilee on October 3, 2004, at 17:45:11
Obviously I misinturpreted your title as one going off effexor !!!Yes , I can vouch that it is a good anti-depressant, but the side effects have disrupted my life the last 4 years on it. It has cost me my eyesight , made me an insomniac, hypermanic and agitated and anxiety and I did almost die the last time i tried to go off of it. Just want to suggest , you checking out the latest on effexor after long term results on http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/ God Bless,Jubilee
Posted by Jubilee on October 4, 2004, at 22:07:40
In reply to Re: Long-term effects, posted by S.Bartel on October 4, 2004, at 3:04:08
> I have been taking Effexor for seven years and it seemed like a miracle drug. Now I have fatty liver disease, high cholestrol (345),and high triglycerides (470). I have only been taking 75mg. all this time. I have just found out that this can be one of the side effects. Anyone else have this problem??
Good Lord, I have changed glasses perscription 3 times in less than a year. It destroys your vision and I've had hypermania for 4 years and an insomniac. I was loosing my memory. Go to effexor petition for alot of side affects. I have the address if you need. Jubilee
Posted by S.Bartel on October 4, 2004, at 23:23:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Jubilee on October 4, 2004, at 21:37:03
> Obviously I misinturpreted your title as one going off effexor !!!Yes , I can vouch that it is a good anti-depressant, but the side effects have disrupted my life the last 4 years on it. It has cost me my eyesight , made me an insomniac, hypermanic and agitated and anxiety and I did almost die the last time i tried to go off of it. Just want to suggest , you checking out the latest on effexor after long term results on http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/ God Bless,Jubilee
Thank you Jubilee. I have tried to get off effexor many times and now know why I could'nt. Wish me luck I'm going to my Dr. and see if he can help me 'cause I can't do it myself. God bless you too. Sammi Bartel
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 5, 2004, at 9:24:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! » Jubilee, posted by S.Bartel on October 4, 2004, at 23:23:10
I have been on Effexor at different levels for the past year. It never has really helped. This past July my Psy doc. added Remeron and I felt much better for about six weeks then I started to feel worse so she increased the Effexor up to 225 mg..Within a week I felt worse than ever, my depression was off the deep end, apathy, no energy,very agitated, I was ready to give up..so I have started to wean myself off on my own (we all know calling the psy doc for unscheduled appointments is next to impossible)...I am down to sorting out the micro capsules in 75mg. So I am down to about probably 1/2 or less of 75 mg...I don't feel as depressed, able to exercise,, but my anxiety is going thru the roof, thank goodness for Klonopin. I am hoping to stop the Effexor in the next 7 days. What it will lead to who knows, I could never tolerate Paxil, Zoloft, etc.
And Yes my weight went up 25 lbs and stayed...and I exercise and am almost a vegan...and I just had a physical and my cholesterol has skyrocketed.......
You know...this just isn't any fun!
Posted by Sondi on October 5, 2004, at 10:44:49
In reply to Effexor Success - NOT!, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 5, 2004, at 9:24:00
I agree.....I was on effexor XR and it never did ANYTHING positive for me. Doing much better without it. For those of you who it works for, great! Everyone is different and I'm glad it works for some, for those of you who it didn't work for, I hear ya and sympathize!
Posted by sunny10 on October 5, 2004, at 12:23:23
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasm » sunny10, posted by terrics on October 2, 2004, at 20:14:37
Well, I spoke to my pdoc today and am switching to Wellbutrin XL.
In case anyone wants to know how the VagiFem worked out- it didn't. I had horrible abdominal cramps and cried a lot. Pdoc said that it was a good thing to try- rather like a female version of Viagra- he was sorry it didn't work for me. Blah, blah, blah... we all know somethings work well for some and completely the opposite way for others by now!
Anyway, wish me luck on Wellbutrin!
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 5, 2004, at 13:50:46
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasm, posted by sunny10 on October 5, 2004, at 12:23:23
Good Luck, Effexor and others Meds take away so much, depression and anxiety is bad enough without loosing libido. Being on Effexor, I most definately lost all drive, desire and more often than not ability to perform. Which of course none of that helps depression. I even quit dreaming about sex, and that really was quite a strange change. Good Luck on Wellbutrin. I have heard some people have had success. I could not handle it as it made my skin crawl and made me a lot more anxious. Good Luck!
Posted by Louoicu81 on October 5, 2004, at 15:16:25
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Jubilee on October 4, 2004, at 21:37:03
Hey, everyone! I have a stupid question. Is there a way that the docs can test your brain chemicals to see if you have a chemical imbalance? If so, can any doc do it or just a pdoc? Please let me know asap so I can get this done before insurance runs out. Thank you!
Linda
Posted by corafree on October 5, 2004, at 16:12:27
In reply to Question for anyone, posted by Louoicu81 on October 5, 2004, at 15:16:25
Hi L! If you get an answer to this particular, very particular, question, I'd be elated! All I know of is hormone levels, thyroid levels, and MRI head for any structural anomalies. I pray someone knows more. cf
> Hey, everyone! I have a stupid question. Is there a way that the docs can test your brain chemicals to see if you have a chemical imbalance? If so, can any doc do it or just a pdoc? Please let me know asap so I can get this done before insurance runs out. Thank you!
>
> Linda
Posted by Jubilee on October 5, 2004, at 21:27:44
In reply to Effexor Success - NOT!, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 5, 2004, at 9:24:00
Hi Invisi...
That sounds pretty fast to be going down on effexor and I can only share my experience as one who suffered with severe agitated depression for way over ten years. I was put on elivil (amatripaline) as I am from the old days , and except fore weight gain I believe the Lord interviened in my life with the safest drug . All these new drugs caused me nothing but mania, and insomnia and horrible withdrawels. wish you the best,Jubilee
Posted by Jubilee on October 5, 2004, at 21:49:41
In reply to Question for anyone, posted by Louoicu81 on October 5, 2004, at 15:15:52
Hi Linda, That was my first question too in around 1987 !!! I suggest looking up symptoms of depression in a book or on the internet as they are too long to list. They just go by symptoms. Oh heck. I had agitated depression . I was suisidal easily over issues, could'nt sleep, but then others sleep all the time!!! I called mine "doom and gloom." SaD AND CRYING EASILY AND ALOT. I am also a "nearly recovered" Multiple Personality, and I had alot of pretty nice personalities, but most of them came with their own set of mental illnesses . I thank God for the healing process he began and all the disorders he has delivered me from, starting from 7-7-02. I acted Bi-Polar , but lithiam never worked and I was a rapid cycler as well. Boy, would a blood test be nice!!!!! I took elivil and it worked great for me , but its an old drug nobody can make alot of money on so they don't like to perscribe it. Hope this helped God Bless, Jubilee
Posted by Jubilee on October 5, 2004, at 22:06:00
In reply to Re: Question for anyone » Louoicu81, posted by corafree on October 5, 2004, at 16:12:27
Hi Corafree,
I answered this question already so just clic in Jubilee for my response. Basiclly, I asked the same question in 1987, and they can only go by symptoms. Maybe check the internet for info on symptoms for , depression, Bi-polar or manic -dep., Boarderline Personality, Multiple Personality and skitzophrinia and don't go by my spelling!Ha. Be more specific and maybe I will have an experience I can share about it! Ha. God Bless, Jubilee
Posted by Organicgrll on October 6, 2004, at 10:37:59
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by fork on October 4, 2004, at 20:57:06
Hi Everyone! I have been reading your message board for a few days and decided to register and post my own. I am in the process of withdrawing from Effexor XR and boy does it suck! However, I am more determined than ever after reading some of the health effects that many of you have suffered. I have been on it since July 2002. It definitely saved my life (At that point, I had given up on life and was planning death by my own hand) but I would have appreciated a fuller disclosure of the health effects and withdrawal difficulties associated with Effexor XR.
During the course of my treatment and withdrawal from Effexor XR, I have suffered electrical "shock" sensations in my muscles and brain, "jiggly eyeballs", nausea, vertigo, anorgasmia (which really disturbed me), lack of interest in sex (very bad), muscle and joint pain and weakness, and a general feeling that everything around me was moving too fast - like my brain could not process everything quickly enough to keep up. The side effects would go away after a few weeks at a new dose. Of course, now they are back as withdrawal continues.
I was up to 225 mg/day and tapered to 37.5 mg/day over a period of three months. I took my last dose on Thursday, September 30th. Right now, I feel like I have been hit by the crazy train. I had to miss work today and I feel terrible about it. But, I have a one hour commute and cannot safely drive with these "eyeball jiggles" and muscle tremors. In addition, I can go from pissed off, homicidal rage to hysterical crying in a nanosecond! Not helpful when trying to interact with co-workers and supervisors (AKA "normal people"). I have seen that it is hard for someone who has never been exposed to or experienced depression to understand. They just think I can "snap out of it". If only they knew that the only thing I want to snap at the moment was their neck!
Can anyone give me hope as to when these withdrawal symptoms may ease up or end? It hasn't even been a week yet and I don't want to miss more work. I am single and only have one income so I need my job!
Also, I wonder if any of you that have had persistent, repetitive depressive episodes over a long period of time (12 years) have ever been diagnosed as bipolar. My newest Psychdoc (with health insurance the way it is - it is hard to keep the same doc for very long) has suggested it to me as a possibility as to why I can never fully remiss from depression. She wants me to take Lamictal - an epilepsy drug that has apparently been found to help bipolar disease. Any feedback? Anyone taken this med because I am definitely more wary of prescriptions due to my experiences with Effexor XR.
Thanks for reading this long post and best of luck in pursuit of health and happiness to everyone!
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 6, 2004, at 12:25:41
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Organicgrll on October 6, 2004, at 10:37:59
Hey, don't stop now. I to am trying to get off and hope to get support from my Psy doc. next week. I have been as high as 300mg, to this summer at 225mg, after having horrible depression related side effects and thoughts of doing some pretty bad things..I knew it was time..I went down to 150 for a week, the 75 for a week, then half the microcapsules for a week, then I am going to try 0 and hope for the best. I think my trusty Klonopin is helping with side effects and I really feel that forcing myself to exercise is helping to relax and get my focus off meds and side effects. I am doing pilates and power walking. I think exercise should be on everyone's prescription list..though I have been thru the days and weeks of not getting out of bed and not walking further than the bathroom.....Good Luck!
E
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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