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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 7:24:53
My doctor is pressuring me to use Effexor xr for hot flashes. She says one of the side effects is that it relieves symptoms of menopause. I have mild anxiety but I'm highly functional and told her I'm reluctant to get on some drug for life or to suffer withdrawal.
Someone posted suggesting that EFF can cause a person to drink more alcohol. I'm interested in any experiences members have had with this. Also, where do I find confirmation and data on liver damage that more than one of you has experienced and that you attribute to Eff? From all the testimony here, I'm just at a loss as to how this drug is out there.
After reading the problems posters have had with this drug, I've made up my mind not to take it. Thanks you so much for your sharing your experiences
Posted by jujube on December 22, 2004, at 8:18:31
In reply to doctor pressure to use effexor xr, posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 7:24:53
Based on my own 6 month experience with Effexor, I am not sure that it is really all the effective for hot flashes. During the time that I used Effexor, I actually developed severe night sweats and irregular periods. My doctor actually thought I was in perimenopause because of this. Once I stopped the Effexor, the night sweats and other problem went away. I have a friend that has been using Effexor for hot flashes, and is planning to stop because it has not helped at all, and she has said they have actually gotten worse while she has been on it. If you are not depressed and anxious, I don't think you should be allowing yourself to be pressured into using Effexor. It is a powerful drug, and the withdrawal when you chose to stop using it can be brutal for some.
There are more appropriate solutions for dealing with hot flashes. Perhaps you need to get a second opinion, or do some research on the web for alternate, natural solutions. I recently started using Vitex (Chasteberry), which is supposed to be a very good hormone balancer. If I am remembering correctly, I think it may also be somewhat effective for relieving menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes.
Good luck to you. I know from my friend what a pain the hot flashes can be. Hang in there.
Tamara
> My doctor is pressuring me to use Effexor xr for hot flashes. She says one of the side effects is that it relieves symptoms of menopause. I have mild anxiety but I'm highly functional and told her I'm reluctant to get on some drug for life or to suffer withdrawal.
>
> Someone posted suggesting that EFF can cause a person to drink more alcohol. I'm interested in any experiences members have had with this. Also, where do I find confirmation and data on liver damage that more than one of you has experienced and that you attribute to Eff? From all the testimony here, I'm just at a loss as to how this drug is out there.
>
> After reading the problems posters have had with this drug, I've made up my mind not to take it. Thanks you so much for your sharing your experiences
Posted by Dan Perkins on December 22, 2004, at 8:42:22
In reply to Re: doctor pressure to use effexor xr » learner, posted by jujube on December 22, 2004, at 8:18:31
Be sure to read this article on Effexor before deciding to follow your doctor's advice (perhaps even print out a copy for your doctor).
http://www.forbes.com/technology/ebusiness/feeds/ap/2004/12/06/ap1694586.html
Here is an exerpt from the article:
"Efexor, which is marketed as Effexor in the United States, may cause irregular heart rhythms, withdrawal symptoms and have a higher rate of death from overdose than similar drugs, British regulators said. The anti-depressant is the Madison, N.J.-based pharmaceutical company's best-selling drug.
The agency is recommending that only specialists prescribe Efexor and that patients should be continually supervised. The drug should also not be prescribed to patients with heart problems, the agency said."
Posted by Bill LL on December 22, 2004, at 8:54:03
In reply to doctor pressure to use effexor xr, posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 7:24:53
I have never taken Effexor, but I do know from doing tons of reading that it is a very safe drug and that it is great for both anxiety and depression.
But like some other antidepressants, it has sexual side effects that are sometimes severe. It can also cause tiredness. If I were you I would probably try something else since you do not suffer from depression and only have mild anxiety.
> My doctor is pressuring me to use Effexor xr for hot flashes. She says one of the side effects is that it relieves symptoms of menopause. I have mild anxiety but I'm highly functional and told her I'm reluctant to get on some drug for life or to suffer withdrawal.
>
> Someone posted suggesting that EFF can cause a person to drink more alcohol. I'm interested in any experiences members have had with this. Also, where do I find confirmation and data on liver damage that more than one of you has experienced and that you attribute to Eff? From all the testimony here, I'm just at a loss as to how this drug is out there.
>
> After reading the problems posters have had with this drug, I've made up my mind not to take it. Thanks you so much for your sharing your experiences
Posted by dawnfawn on December 22, 2004, at 8:57:09
In reply to doctor pressure to use effexor xr, posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 7:24:53
Using an AD for hot flashes is an acceptable method. Usually the AD is used in teeny, tiny amounts. If you don't want Effexor ask for Paxil or Pamelor. By the way I used HRT for 5 years and have been off for eight months it is horrible my hot flashes are maybe keep your fingers crossed finally fading. The amount of AD for this use as I said before is small but the problem is when you stop the hot flashes return. I have been told that you just have to deal with it. In a sense that is true they will wear off eventually.
Posted by ed_uk on December 22, 2004, at 9:37:34
In reply to doctor pressure to use effexor xr, posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 7:24:53
>My doctor is pressuring me to use Effexor xr for hot flashes. She says one of the side effects is that it relieves symptoms of menopause. I have mild anxiety but I'm highly functional and told her I'm reluctant to get on some drug for life or to suffer withdrawal.
Hi,
Unless your symptoms are severe I wouldn't take Effexor.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by Dan Perkins on December 22, 2004, at 12:30:27
In reply to Re: doctor pressure to use effexor xr, posted by Bill LL on December 22, 2004, at 8:54:03
Then perhaps you should read the dozens and dozens of posts on this message board from people who have taken Effexor and consider it anything but safe.
Before you agree to take Effexor, take a few minutes to type "Effexor" in the search function towards the top of the main Psycho-Babble page and read some of the horror stories that people report about taking Effexor.
> I have never taken Effexor, but I do know from doing tons of reading that it is a very safe drug and that it is great for both anxiety and depression.
Posted by linkadge on December 22, 2004, at 12:42:26
In reply to Re: doctor pressure to use effexor xr Bill LL, posted by Dan Perkins on December 22, 2004, at 12:30:27
There are other alternatives which won't cause you the rollercoaster that effexor will. Using effexor is a rollercoaster, probably much worse that the rollercoaster of menapause.Linkadge
Posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 12:45:07
In reply to Re: doctor pressure to use effexor xr Bill LL, posted by Dan Perkins on December 22, 2004, at 12:30:27
I went to that section and did read the horror stories. One question I have is about a couple of claims that effexor can lead to increased alchohol consumption. I'd also like to know the specifics of liver damage. For some reason original message didn't include my entire post. I thanked the folks on here for sharing their stories (horror mostly) and said that I've decided that no way will I take this drug. It makes me wonder how it ever got on the market in the first place!!
Posted by linkadge on December 22, 2004, at 13:40:21
In reply to Re: doctor pressure to use effexor xr Bill LL, posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 12:45:07
You have to be presistant with your docotor as they will take any information you gained from the internet with a grain of salt.
The liver dammage may/may not have been through effexor alone, it may have been through the combination with alcohol.
Effexor may increase the cravings for addictive substances since effexor will lower overall dopaminergic neurotransmission. Many people notice stronger cravings for cigarettes, drugs, and alchohol while taking effexor as they may restore the dopamine/serotonin ballence.
Linkadge
Posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 14:28:20
In reply to Re: doctor pressure to use effexor xr Bill LL, posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 12:45:07
Again-- I want to thank all of you who posted on here. I can't tell you what a help this has been to me. It confirmed my own instincts and has given me the incentive to give these boxes of Effexor samples back to my doctor. I tend toward an addictive personality anyway and I don't need any boosts in that direction from a drug associated with horror stories, brutal withdrawal and a host of other side effects-- especially when I don't need it in the first place! thank you thank you!
Posted by Dan Perkins on December 22, 2004, at 14:58:43
In reply to Re: doctor pressure to use effexor xr Bill LL, posted by learner on December 22, 2004, at 14:28:20
As for your hot flashes, you may want to check out mercola.com for information on alternative treatments. Very informative website w/tons of information on everything.
Best of luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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