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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 0:27:24
I'm just trying to get a general idea here as to whether or not people posting on this website have experienced problems with either fatigue and/or weight gain since they first started taking Effexor/XR.
Thanks in advance for any insights that you can provide.
Bebe
Posted by sammie on January 22, 2005, at 2:04:42
In reply to Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 0:27:24
Yes, all of the above. Wow, never knew I could talk about this with other people....I'm the only one ever dealing w/ this and all....I have gained weight, had "electric" shocks when "overdue" OMG, gotta take at same time everyday!, called 911 because I thought I was having a stroke when I was first on it, (2 1/2 years now) and turned out to be hyper-ventillation and anxiety because I forgot it the night before! I'm tired ALL the time, and can't lose weight no matter what I do....Scared to get off, because I feel "normal" and "happy", just like I used to, but wake up soaking wet and still "worry" just like I used to. God, will I ever be "me" again????
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 9:52:29
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by sammie on January 22, 2005, at 2:04:42
Yes, Sammie, you will be you again. Are you still taking Effexor?
I stopped taking it because I gained weight and couldn't lose any no matter how hard I worked out. But it was prescribed to me for fatigue. I had no idea until I stopped taking it and my fatigue vanished that it was actually causing it, and I am just curious to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.
You will be normal again, I am postive, no more nightsweats, day sweats, nothing!!!
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 9:54:42
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by sammie on January 22, 2005, at 2:04:42
Also...I lost all of the weight, it just vanished. Probably had something to do with my having starved myself for three years.
Posted by becci on January 22, 2005, at 10:13:07
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain? » sammie, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 9:54:42
Me to me to me to!!! there is a reasdon for my wieght gain after all! thanks guys.. 3 years ago I lost 85 lbs with extensive exercise and dieting... then I started taking efrfexor and no matter hot had I treid I can't lose ANY wieght, i just gain uncontrollably. I am happy to hear there are others. I have cuyrrently gained about 75 lbs in the past year and a half. I am going off of the drug and lets hope I can lose the wieght! thanks much
Becci
Posted by becci on January 22, 2005, at 10:32:52
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by sammie on January 22, 2005, at 2:04:42
> Yes, all of the above. Wow, never knew I could talk about this with other people....I'm the only one ever dealing w/ this and all....I have gained weight, had "electric" shocks when "overdue" OMG, gotta take at same time everyday!, called 911 because I thought I was having a stroke when I was first on it, (2 1/2 years now) and turned out to be hyper-ventillation and anxiety because I forgot it the night before! I'm tired ALL the time, and can't lose weight no matter what I do....Scared to get off, because I feel "normal" and "happy", just like I used to, but wake up soaking wet and still "worry" just like I used to. God, will I ever be "me" again????
THere are other drugs out there, they may work to bring back the old "you" again. just be carful weening yourself off of effexor, side effects are nasty. hang in there! I am now on day three without it and still struggling to get rid of side effects.. you can do it!
Posted by not2late4u on January 22, 2005, at 15:14:46
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by becci on January 22, 2005, at 10:32:52
Bebe, this is NOT even what we've been debating. This "survey" is not my debate. I am not sure that you understand what I have been saying or others, like Faith, have been saying. We HAVE NOT denied side effects or withdraw symptoms, did you read our posts? MY DEBATE IS: you say things as factual for ALL OF US and its NOT factual for ALL of us. Please, please, please understand this. Renee
Posted by becci on January 22, 2005, at 15:39:37
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain? » becci, posted by not2late4u on January 22, 2005, at 15:14:46
hey there, this is becci, not bebe.. just so your not confused....
Posted by not2late4u on January 22, 2005, at 15:44:47
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by becci on January 22, 2005, at 15:39:37
becci, sorry, I must have replied to the last post instead of repling to dancingstars. Sorry about that! Renee
Posted by FaithT on January 22, 2005, at 21:46:40
In reply to Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 0:27:24
Wow Bebe~
What a great idea, a survey. Well lets see, in answer to your questions, I thankfully gained back the 10 lbs. that I lost from being so depressed and was practically anorexic. Effexor made me feel so much better that I did gain 5 more. However, I stabilized after that and that was 2 1/2 years ago. I will gladly hold onto those 5 lbs. in exchange for having my life back again.
Fatigue? I have all the energy in the world. I LOVE Effexor!
Good luck with your survey. Maybe you can take it with you to Congress.
Faith~
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 22:05:53
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by becci on January 22, 2005, at 10:32:52
Thank you guys! Just so there is no misunderstanding, I was curious and wanted to know myself how other people felt about this.
I personally feel much better without Effexor, but I don't know if that will be true for someone else or not. I think that will depend on each person. At the time I was taking it, though, I didn't know that there was anything at all wrong. It wasn't until after I stopped taking it that I figured out that all of my medical problems didn't really exist. But that is what happened to me, and I don't know about anyone else...kind of why I asked the question.
Posted by laurie_lu on January 23, 2005, at 0:52:09
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by sammie on January 22, 2005, at 2:04:42
I was on Effexor XR 150mg. I gained 15 pounds and became very lazy and tired all the time. I weaned myself off of it and feel much better. I've been 4 months clean.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on January 23, 2005, at 19:04:01
In reply to Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 0:27:24
> I'm just trying to get a general idea here as to whether or not people posting on this website have experienced problems with either fatigue and/or weight gain since they first started taking Effexor/XR.
I took Effexor for about two years and it helped a lot with my depression, but pooped out toward the end. I didn't have a problem with fatigue, but a *little* bit with apathy, maybe, or feeling a little "flat." (I'm having that a little now, too, on Cymbalta. Seems to be a common SE of SSRIs and SNRIs?)
I gained weight while I was on Effexor, BUT that was a COINCIDENCE as I was also taking DEPAKOTE at the same time, and it is known to definitely cause weight gain!
I don't remember having discontinuation or withdrawal problems going off Effexor, but I did switch to another AD at the time.
Posted by Colleen D. on January 23, 2005, at 21:34:30
In reply to Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 0:27:24
I took 150mg for about 5 months and I've lost almost 30lbs, which is a GOOD thing. I found this med very energizing. I was told to take it at bedtime, but midday ended up being the best for me. My house hasn't been this clean in years - LOL!
:-) Colleen
Posted by FaithT on January 24, 2005, at 4:04:43
In reply to Re: Survey - Effexor/EffexorXR - Fatigue? Weight Gain?, posted by Colleen D. on January 23, 2005, at 21:34:30
Colleen~
I'm happy that Effexor is working so well for you, too.
Hugs, Faith~
Posted by Smeegle on January 24, 2005, at 20:47:17
In reply to Re: Thanks for the POSITIVE post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » Colleen D., posted by FaithT on January 24, 2005, at 4:04:43
Effexor worked as a great AD for me...for a long time. I was on it for 3+ years topping out at 300mg. I noticed after the first year that my dosage needed to be increased every few months due to breakthru depression. The usual discontinuation side effects still eight weeks off it (slowwwwww taper).
To answer your survey...yes, I had EXTREME fatique while on Effexor. I was initially told when I started it that it "should" give me an energy boost. NOT! Was sleeping 18 hours a day and wanting more. Falling asleep if I sat down for five minutes, missed a whole lot of work cuz I just couldn't wake up. Didn't associate it with Effexor until we ruled out everything else (Thyroid, sleep apnea, etc). I am getting my energy back now that I am off. As far as weight gain...nope. My weight remained stable the entire three years I was on it. Amazing considering that I had zero energy and/or motivation to do anything at all. Very emotionally flat. But as far as AD's go, it kicked a$$ at getting rid of my depression.
Smeegs
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