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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by dancingstar on December 14, 2004, at 12:21:19
In reply to Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta), posted by absolute on December 14, 2004, at 0:55:30
go to wyeth.com where you can read more completely about the side effects, as I was advised to do; but in answer to your question, one of us has severe liver damage as a direct result of taking effexor.
because of my personal experience that i only became aware of after discontinuing effexor, i think that it is a horrid choice of drugs...though i'm not sure of a better one.
i'm leaning towards pharmaceutical grade tryptophan which you can now purchase at the vitamin shop. i am not sure of the interaction of tryptophan and alcohol, though, but i will bet it is safer than any of the AD's. Please continue to do your homework on this before taking anything.Blessings.
Posted by HappinessPie on December 14, 2004, at 15:20:17
In reply to I've had to come off it after 6 weeks, posted by tuckerj on December 11, 2004, at 10:26:41
I was only on it for about 10 weeks total, including ramping up and down. I weaned myself off 150 mg (XR) but it was the last step (from 18 mg to 0) that was the worst.
I am so glad to be off it; it's been 8 days and my brain shivers are nearly gone. I just get one every several hours or so instead of every 5 minutes. The nausea is almost gone too!
Good luck to everyone else coming off it; it is most unpleasant (to put it mildly).
(PS I went off it because of weight gain, flat emotions / dispassion, nausea, & memory issues)
Posted by corafree on December 14, 2004, at 19:10:06
In reply to Re: My experience after 5 mths.-death? » jubilee, posted by dancingstar on December 11, 2004, at 15:51:24
I understand the L-tryptophan helped w/ anxiety feelings, correct? just me cf
Posted by moms4elmo on December 15, 2004, at 9:28:46
In reply to Re: for jp Effexor vs SR, posted by jo on October 27, 1999, at 11:05:39
Effexor XR is a pretty potent drug. I am on 75mg/day. I have no major side effects, luckily. My doctor very clearly informed me that if I wanted to try another drug, I needed to come down off of the effexor first. I have mild OCD/depression and take no other drugs. I recommend listening to your doctor and taking it slow.
Posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:05:35
In reply to Re: Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta), posted by dancingstar on December 14, 2004, at 12:21:19
I end up erasing titles because I dont know any other way to start new subject....sorry.
I wanted to share for those who want to gt off effexor but can't bare the thought of slipping back into the doom and gloom that I suffered with for 19 years of depression.
I would go down on my elivil( which the least harmful of all I am convinced and was actually discovered for people with TB, and they were all comming out of depressions . ) It was very popular back in my day , I'm 52 , for when people got depression , though there were others around, and maybe asking for an older drug might help.These new drugs are from hell in my opinion as they are trying to fix everything like weight gain, dry mouth etc I feel.. My daughter-in-law wants a particular one that is Topamax, which she has been on and off several times with no problem , that helps for people who especially have weight problems that runs in her family and she lost lots of weight , plus I assume it helped with depression.
I am only sharing some things I am aware of and certainly not giving any advice , but the doom and gloom would hit strong in 3 days for me and going back on my elivil could pull me back out of it in 2 or 3 days. Believe me , I tried it many times, and the worst I gained in the 18 years I was on it was was 50 lbs. Never went over that , and didnt discipline myself on sweets !
I just wanted to say I know there are many facing the hell of depression to go off effexor which did work well for me also..
I am going too write on another subject on the horrors of withdrawals of effexor now under a new title. Jubilee.
Posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:24:55
In reply to Hope for depression, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:05:35
I have been one of those lucky ones that went down slow on effexor (5 mths)because I happened to have a large bottle and was on 300mgss when I found out the dangers and got hope in going off slowly. Well , the personality changes it has put me through as I have not had to deal with vomiting over 3 times but it has cost me friends and I believe opened me up to demons like any drug and its affect can do as any drug addict knows. I have said things and offended many and lost family members that are no longer speaking to me . I have said things totally uncalled for and felt 100% right when saying it. I look back a month later and wonder what the hell my problem was . My advise for those who have the luxery of going off slowly is to limit your communications and if I could do it over I surely would have. I would have locked myself away or not taken calls for 6 months as all I know is that yesterday was my last day and I dont care if I peuk or what, I cannot justify as a christian putting this drug into my system another day. ( I feel fine now and handled my problem in a Christian way) Maybe people who go cold turkey don't have this problem that comes so sutbtily as they are too sick physically to be or think so rudely. So for those who go slowly remember it will affect your personality and thinking. God bless to all, and I pray I have not offended any here. With effexor there is going to be a price to pay , it seems. ( if you can get and take tranqulizers , I highly suggest you do) Jubilee
Posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:40:03
In reply to Re: My experience after 5 mths.-death? » jubilee, posted by dancingstar on December 11, 2004, at 15:51:24
> Jubilee,
>
> I picked up some Tryptophan at the vitamin shop last night. I mean, MKB has been telling us to get this stuff for how long now? I guess I figured that with the 5HTP and everything else I was taking that I just didn't want to add anything else cause I am spending more money on supplements -- way more -- than on food or clothes or shelter at this point, but it calmed my stomach a wee bit after the first dose. I mean, don't exceed the recommended doseage or anything to hurry it along cause I doubt that's gonna help. But it is worth a trying the Tryptophan, I think. I couldn't believe that it really helped. ;-)....stubborn, I am, I guess, and burned out from feelins so bad for so long, too. My joints have been hurting so badly...and then they just stop hurting when my stomach stops hurting. It says right on the label, though, to be sure to take with some carbohydrate and to make sure to take good quality B vitamins during the day.
>
> I hope this helps you a little....
>
> Just thought that I would reinforce what she was saying cause it really helped relieve that anxious feeling, and I think it could or it might help you too.
>
> Many prayers!!
>
> Bebe
Hi Bebe, Been trying to get you from home but always getssent back. Thanks for the advise, but when your ready to kill your husband and the TV DISH person, but you can't reach through the phone, as you are screaming "it's really not personal" ya see ,I'm just comming off this med...... Well I think I will stick with the Xanex for now , and I mean this seriously and jokingly and at least hope it made you laugh !
The Dr just offered me the Xanex from when I got it when my son died and I said ok, Ill call it in , when he has no idea what I am going through as I said nothing about effexor , and what I did mention he just scratched his head in ignorance....I don't know why God does so much for me , when I'm such a brat. Thanks Bebe, Jubilee
Ps , I would like to get involved with Weyth or whoever they are and help support you and Sammi. Please get my address from Sammi.
Posted by corafree on December 16, 2004, at 14:40:29
In reply to A whole new hell , I discovered, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:24:55
Your plan is something I'm thinking of doing, guess ya' know. I have said things 'incorrectly and harshly, and in a manner that I don't like', while on Eff-XR. I agree that sometimes the older meds were the best meds. I never gave Elavil a chance; was given one long ago, but think it was after being on the newer ADs. I'm the same age as you. Docs used to prescribe Elavil after the loss of a spouse; quite a few elderly people are on it and doing fine. They are able to go on and be happy w/ just themselves ... after such a loss. cf
Posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:42:37
In reply to Re: I've had to come off it after 6 weeks, posted by HappinessPie on December 14, 2004, at 15:20:17
> I was only on it for about 10 weeks total, including ramping up and down. I weaned myself off 150 mg (XR) but it was the last step (from 18 mg to 0) that was the worst.
>
> I am so glad to be off it; it's been 8 days and my brain shivers are nearly gone. I just get one every several hours or so instead of every 5 minutes. The nausea is almost gone too!
>
> Good luck to everyone else coming off it; it is most unpleasant (to put it mildly).
>
> (PS I went off it because of weight gain, flat emotions / dispassion, nausea, & memory issues)
Oh yea.....I forgot my name a couple times Ha111
I started thinking I was 92 not 52 . Jubilee
Posted by MKB on December 16, 2004, at 14:57:25
In reply to A whole new hell , I discovered, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:24:55
I completely understand, Jubilee. I went through the same thing, but things are OK now. You'll feel 100% better in a month or so.
Posted by corafree on December 16, 2004, at 16:10:19
In reply to Re: I've had to come off it after 6 weeks, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:42:37
Jubilee - Yep, flat emotions and memory loss. I am beginning to think I have Alzheimer's. Just today confused an appt w/ tomorrow .. it was important too. cf
Posted by eeyorena on December 16, 2004, at 16:20:49
In reply to Re: I've had to come off it after 6 weeks, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:42:37
Jubilee--
You have my sympathies. I came off of Effexor in 2001, before there was a lot of documenation (nothing from Wyeth) that there was any kind of withdrawal effect from Effexor.
My withdrawal was so bad that they thought I had Multiple Sclerosis. Those were just the physical symptoms. I put my poor husband through hell. It is so unbelievable to me now that I felt SO badly that I became raging from the pain.
You will feel better in a month. And then better after that. And then better after that. I'm working on my third year of still trying to regain the competencies I had before the Effexor withdrawal. Along with the fainting, seizures and pain, I also had major memory and processing problems. I would mix up the words in sentences or forget certain words entirely. It was easier for me to watch AND listen to people talk or just read notes from them. Listening to someone on the phone was impossible. It didn't given me a way to process or slow down.
I've always had a bit of distrust of the FDA (I used to administer benefits in the Fortune 100), but now I despise it.
I do think that these drugs may have slightly different effects on different people. So anyone else reading this shouldn't necessarily be afraid of Effexor. Just, please, be cautious. For those who repond poorly too it, the redponse can be increibly poor.
ee
http: //hapynothappy.blogspot.com
Posted by als1972sd on December 17, 2004, at 0:52:20
In reply to A whole new hell , I discovered, posted by jubilee on December 16, 2004, at 14:24:55
I have been on Effexor for 3.5 years at 300mg per day. This drug was the magic bullet for curing a lifetime of chronic depression (dysthymia). I highly recommend it to anyone who has had poor results with SSRIs (I tried prozac, wellbutrin, paxil first). Effexor is generally well tolerated, but side effects can become apparent at higher doses. I experienced slightly elevated heart rate and blood pressure and some constipation, but it was not clear that the elevated heart rate was not due to my lethargic body being reanimated by the medication. To anyone starting this medication, I suggest spending several months evaluating your dose.
When I made it to 300mg/day I found myself sweating excessively during exercise and while sleeping. My doc suggested this might be due to being out of shape and indeed, after a physical traing program and having reduced some of the stress associated with the recovery process the sweating went away. I did find that the elevated blood pressure, heart rate and constipation did not go away however, so a new doctor recently suggested I try Lexapro. Lexapro is reported to have the lowest magnitude of side effects (esp intestinal), so it seemed like a good idea. I started my change over by lowering Effexor to 150mg/day and taking 10mg lexapro/day. I continued this for a week and had no withdrawl symptoms other than a very very slight flu like feeling on day one. At the end of the first week I stopped the Effexor entirely, continuing with 10mg/day Lexapro. During week two I experienced some insomnia and a funny electrical sensation when I walk that is like suddenly becoming aware of your nerve transmissions as they run along your limbs. It is a strange sensation but not painful or disabling at all. My mood has not changed for the worse and I have felt more of an antianxiety effect than I did on Effexor. I have read that Lex is great for anxiety.
I think my experience demonstrates the wisdom of taking a SSRI while discontinuing Effexor even if you do not plan on staying on it long term.
Another thing I found really helpful in treating depression was omega-3 fatty acid supplements. These are used as a natural treatment for depression in Europe and made me feel noticeable more stable emotionally even while on Effexor.
Hope this was useful,Aaron
Posted by Wildflower on December 17, 2004, at 11:43:21
In reply to Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta), posted by absolute on December 14, 2004, at 0:55:30
Anyone know the definition of moderate versus heavy drinking?
Posted by ed_uk on December 17, 2004, at 12:31:56
In reply to Effexor: I love you, but all good things must end, posted by als1972sd on December 17, 2004, at 0:52:20
Hi,
Welcome to babble! You must be new because you have a 'green thing' by your name.
Antidepressants all make me sweat, especially Paxil. If it's hot I get soaked and it can be embarrasing :-(
I'm glad you were helped by Effexor. You seem to have posted 'I love Effexor' in the 'I hate Effexor' thread! Personally, Effexor wasn't any more effective than Paxil but some people do find it more effective. The withdrawal is worse though! Prozac is often useful for Effexor withdrawal because it helps to block the withdrawal symptoms while being easier to stop than Effexor itself. I hope the Lexapro treats you well :-)
Ed.
Posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 13:15:34
In reply to Re: I've had to come off it after 6 weeks, posted by eeyorena on December 16, 2004, at 16:20:49
eeyorena,
You are one of the few people that I've read about that has had as hard a time as I have had with the withdrawal from Effexor. I stopped taking it three months ago. I'm better...but still icky.
The pain is often unbearable, and it's too bizarre that Benadryl take it down a notch. I'm working on finding a good products liability lawyer for all of us. Even my regular attorney has had trouble finding someone to take Wyeth on, mostly because our symptoms are "subjective" rather than "objective," i.e. we didn't break our arms. Our symptoms are not concrete and can possibly be attributed to other causes and may not be "permanent."
I don't know about you, but if I had any idea that it was possible to feel this badly, I would never have taken this stupid stuff. It has damaged my health dramatically.
> Jubilee--
>
> You have my sympathies. I came off of Effexor in 2001, before there was a lot of documenation (nothing from Wyeth) that there was any kind of withdrawal effect from Effexor.
>
> My withdrawal was so bad that they thought I had Multiple Sclerosis. Those were just the physical symptoms. I put my poor husband through hell. It is so unbelievable to me now that I felt SO badly that I became raging from the pain.
>
> You will feel better in a month. And then better after that. And then better after that. I'm working on my third year of still trying to regain the competencies I had before the Effexor withdrawal. Along with the fainting, seizures and pain, I also had major memory and processing problems. I would mix up the words in sentences or forget certain words entirely. It was easier for me to watch AND listen to people talk or just read notes from them. Listening to someone on the phone was impossible. It didn't given me a way to process or slow down.
>
> I've always had a bit of distrust of the FDA (I used to administer benefits in the Fortune 100), but now I despise it.
>
> I do think that these drugs may have slightly different effects on different people. So anyone else reading this shouldn't necessarily be afraid of Effexor. Just, please, be cautious. For those who repond poorly too it, the redponse can be increibly poor.
>
> ee
>
> http: //hapynothappy.blogspot.com
Posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 14:02:31
In reply to Effexor: I love you, but all good things must end, posted by als1972sd on December 17, 2004, at 0:52:20
I wonder what happens if you stop taking Lexapro and don't take anything at all? Will you take these drugs for the rest of your life?
With regard to "reported side effects," meaning no disrespect, I have come to understand that no one tells the truth about these sorts of things.
Posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 17:37:57
In reply to Hello Aaron!, posted by ed_uk on December 17, 2004, at 12:31:56
Okay; so here's the deal. I called the FDA, and all 6,000 plus people on the petition really should be filling out the form from the FDA website so that we can make some headway.
Maybe someone can turn this into a link for me. Please, if you are grumpy about the problems that you have had with Effexor, do us all a favor and let the right people know that the drug causes more harm than good. Believe me, no one will be injured by not taking Effexor in the first place. They will find safer ways of helping people with depression, and that can only be a good thing. Spare others from what we have been through by encouraging the FDA to get this drug off the market.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Blessings!Bebe
Posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 17:39:01
In reply to Trouble with Effexor? - Please let them know!, posted by dancingstar on December 17, 2004, at 17:37:57
wow, it is a link...just like that :-)
Posted by kinglear on December 18, 2004, at 14:40:14
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have had amazing success with Effexor, and I was very reluctant to try another antidepressant having used tricylics earlier in my life (too sedating, zoned out) and then prozac (stopped working after one year). Based on a psychiatrist friend's advice I finally tried to get treatment again. After a lengthy history was taken, my psychiatrist recommended Effexor XR. I began at 37.5 mgs for one week, in which I felt a little bit of jittery new energy, but after a week I felt fine. Then as I increased dose at 2 weeks to 75 mgs, I felt no additional symptoms and began to feel "anxiety" was lessened tremendously. I understand this is early to see effects but I did notice reduction of anxiety very soon and realized finally after 20+ years that anxiety has been at the root of my depression and inability to live a joyful life. After 6-8 weeks I have noticed tremendous improvement and more ability to discuss my feelings with my psychotherapist without so much extreme emotion and overeaction to those feelings. I still feel feelings though, and she has advised that it is good to stay at a level of medication that allows this. I have not had any other side effects other increased dreaming and lighter sleep - no sexual side effects at all : ) I am so happy with Effexor XR and I wanted to post this experience because I did a lot of internet research and personal research before I tried it and was very concerned about side effects. I cannot speak about withdrawal symptoms, because I have only been on the medication for 2 months but at this point I will definitey say that for me, and I emphasize this, for "Me", Effexor has proven to be a miracle drug. I want to encourage everyone who is having trouble with depression to keep trying to find an effective treatment, it may not be Effexor but there are many treatments and providers of treatment. Find a psychiatrist who will listen, and take a thorough history. Ask questions. Get good psychotherapy from a recommended therapist. Keep trying. Do not give up. This comes from a person who previously believed there was no hope for getting effective treatment! Ask trusted friends for referrals, keep seeking help. It is possible to feel better.
Posted by S. Bartel on December 18, 2004, at 22:17:42
In reply to Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta), posted by absolute on December 14, 2004, at 0:55:30
I know nothing of cymbalta, but can tell you that effexor can cause liver damage, because it has done that for me. Irreversible and I will die from it. I was only on 75mg a day for 7 yrs. and I don't drink at all, however the doctor said not to drink while on it when he gave it to me. I can't say this will happen to everyone who takes effexor but who would want to take the chance knowing this. As far as withdrawls go, I have never gone through anything like this in my life and I'm 56. The side effects I had while on it were just as bad, although I did'nt realize the cause for years and they just kept getting worse. I have been off about 9 wks. now and I don't think some of the side effects will ever go away. At least I don't live in a fog now and I don't have to stay in bed all the time. I am embarrassed that I praised this drug so highly for so long and recommended it to so many people, even my own daughter. Thank God she saw what it had done to me and did'nt listen. I agree with dancingstar and hope they will take it off the market. It's a miracle drug when you first start taking it and then it turns into a monster. It's a dangerous drug and I can't say that enough.
Sammi> Speaking of side effects- I've compared Eli Lilly's drug Cymbalta to Effexor XR. Cymbalta can damage your liver if you are a moderate to heavy drinker. I've never found any information on that being true with Effexor. In fact, my doctor says it does not.
>
> Do SNRI's increase the likelihood of liver damage when combined with alcohol, or is this side-effect limited to Serzone & Cymbalta?
>
> It's possible that no one really knows for sure.
Posted by dancingstar on December 18, 2004, at 23:17:15
In reply to Re: Side Effect- Liver Damage (Effexor Cymbalta) » absolute, posted by S. Bartel on December 18, 2004, at 22:17:42
In the tons of reading that I've been doing I believe they actually do account for liver damage as a possible side effect.
Posted by Gia on December 20, 2004, at 13:54:24
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 15:39:55
I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and don't let your depressing get in the way of enjoying your holidays!!
Love Gia
Posted by hez on December 20, 2004, at 14:33:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by kinglear on December 18, 2004, at 14:40:14
Ok, so, Effexor XR worked (is working) for me. I was on the 75mgs for a few months and then had a "relapse" of emotion and anxiety and decided to increase to 150mgs. Let's just say, for me, Effexor works so good that I feel like I am not on medication. It makes me feel so normal that I can't even believe it is working. (I know, duh).
A few things tho, once I increased the dosage to 150mg BAM! I gained 15 lbs. SO not happy about that since I have a past with an eating disorder and my body perception is a huge part of my unhappiness. As someone has written once on this board before, "I would rather be thin and miserable, than fat and happy."
Second side effect: I cannot go to the bathroom to save my life. And I was an every morning type of gal, and now even Smooth Move tea does NOTHING.
Third side effect: I get these weird body jerks, (not unlike a muslce spasm) but only when I am relaxing.
Fourth side effect: It totally interfered with my alcohol intake! (this is a joke kinda) I am not a big drinker, but a few times went out with friends (and had first dates...ugh) and drank my normal range of drinks. (Between 3 and 4) over the course of an evening.) I would be fine, mildly buzzed, having fun and then BAM! I was completely trashed. I wasn't falling down drunk, but manic and just crazy. Needless to say, my first date never called me back.
Once the dosage was upped, I lost my awesomely vivid dreams (no more alien, barbarian invaders!), and my brain zaps (or what I call, Electric Head).
That said, I decided to get the hell off of the 150mg dose and told my doctor. She suggested that I come off it in 6 month increments. 75 for 6 months than 37.5 for another 6 months. I started to do that but then found myself VERY melancholy, or mildly depressed EVERYDAY. I was completely anti-social and would rather go home and put my PJ's on and watch movies, than see friends.Being that I feel I am in a pretty good situation in my life to support me coming off this drug, I decided to come off it sooner, in 6 months rather than 12. My rational is, I'd rather be really miserable for a month than mildly miserable for 6 months.
ANYWAY, I got the flu and my perscription ran out and I was so sick I couldn't get the refill for 4 days and I thought I might just go cold turkey...uhh, word of advice. Don't do that. I WAS CRAZY. I was manic and unfocused and had these awesome twitches. I felt like I was a second behind myself for 4 days. This was right before Thanksgiving and I tried to food shop (and get my refill) the night before and couldn't find a parking spot and literally lost it in the Safeway parking lot. I just totally screamed in my car and shook my head and hands around. It was really funny. I mean, I can find the humor in it. I really needed the drug but I so couldn't deal. So I just drove home. HAHAHA. I did get it the next day and scarily, within 2 hours was back to "normal."
Soooo, I am coming off the drug. My Doctor is supportive but a little clueless on withdrawal side effects. She was like, "If we see that you have break through depression, than we will know that you still need to be on it." I was like, Hello! that is a major withdrawal side effect! duh.
Overall, it really helped me. It got me up off the floor during the most trying/depressing time of my life and kept me from crying every two seconds. It worked! I curse the weight gain, but I am in the gym everyday and working hard.
Posted by dancingstar on December 20, 2004, at 15:14:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by kinglear on December 18, 2004, at 14:40:14
It worked well for most of us in the beginning. Most of us had no idea that the changes in our bodies were in any way related to our taking Effexor until after we had stopped taking it.
You are in a better place because you have already read about the possible side effects and so you know what to watch out for. Just be careful to monitor your own body for possible changes from three months onward as that seems to be when most of us began to notice negative changes in our bodies that would seem as though they would not be related to Effexor if so many others had not experienced them too, and you can always check to see if they are mentioned at www.wyeth.com to test the validity of your experience.
Good luck to you, and I hope you continue to feel better.
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