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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Bessie on August 5, 2005, at 22:05:54
In reply to Re: Effexor, posted by 4WD on August 5, 2005, at 20:59:21
I have been taking Effexor XR for about 7 weeks. Lately I have been sleeping longer and later every day. Have any of you experienced this? Is this common? This may be the rest my body has been craving. In 16 months, I have battled ovarian cancer, (surgery, chemo),the loss of both my precious parents, 2 other surgeries and the loss (5 mos) of my dear husband's job. He's working now - and the late sleeping seems to have increased. Any suggestions/comments are so appreciated. Blessings, Bessie
Posted by canuck22 on August 6, 2005, at 1:42:26
In reply to Re: Effexor and wellbutrin, posted by julish on August 3, 2005, at 11:55:42
> That's great to hear! May I ask what dosages you are taking?
Hi, I logged on to this website when I first started taking Effexor and frankly it scared me to death and it was the best decision of my life not to listen to anyone on hear and do what was best for me and I encourage everyone else to do the same. the side effects on whatever drugs you are taking are different for every person and I just wanted someone reading this site to know that despite all the complaints on here, Effexor does work for some people and it worked for me. It gave me my life back, I have been on it for 5 months (75mg) in combination with Wellbutrin (200mg) per day and the difference is truly amazing..I feel like a different person and I wonder why I lived the way I did for so long! I now have the energy to exercise 6 days a week and have got my normal life back and many people have commented on the change in my personality despite the fact they never knew I had depression. The only side effect I had was insomnia for the first little while, but it eventually went away once your body gets used to the medication...YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TIME TO WORK!! Even with the insomnia fort the first time I could truly tell the difference between being tired from lack of sleep and the tired I felt before taking the medication...it doesn't even compare. So please if you are considering takihng Effexor or Wellbutrin and are hesitant because of this website, try it for yourself and see if it works, it may give you your life back...just becasue it didn't for most on this site, doesn't mean the same will be true for you...there is hope!!
Posted by PamA on August 6, 2005, at 8:24:37
In reply to Re: Effexor, posted by 4WD on August 5, 2005, at 20:59:21
Thank you all so very much. I haven't had so much support ever. No one I know gets it, and now I tell all my friends I'm not taking AD. As far as needing someone to talk to, Oh YES do I ever. I am so happy to have found this board. I don't see a psyciatric (sp?) doctor only my GP. My depression and anxiety started after the birth of my 4th child. We both almost died. The placenta tore loose and I went into shock due to lose of blood. It was not pleasant. Anyway the out come was amazing, my daughter is fine a little spoiled probably because we almost lost her but otherwise fine. My first panic attack was after she was born and here I am now, 5 years and 4 months later.
Sorry to ramble. My doctor has already call my prescription in to the pharmacy so I think I'll pick it up and start today. I've been off zoloft since Wednesday night.
Thanks so much and I'll keep you updated.
Pam
Posted by TinMan on August 6, 2005, at 9:32:00
In reply to Re: Effexor and wellbutrin, posted by april8 on August 4, 2005, at 11:39:40
Yes, most definitely...what works for me may not work for others. I have been on Zoloft, but only for a short period. I got increasingly depressed and suicidal. Not the results I was looking for. When I moved to another state, I stopped taking a low dose of Prozac without consulting any Dr. DO NOT DO THIS! Do not take or stop taking any prescription drug without the benefit of your MD, or psychiatrist. I was on Paxil for quite a while (almost 2 years) and when I was having problems with it, my general MD and therapist decided I just needed "more" Paxil. I was on a ridiculously high dose.
Personally, I recommend that if you are on an SSRI and/or AD, that you see a Psychiatrist. It is their specialty.
Now, I am on 225 mg. of Effexor and 7.5 mg of Remeron (to sleep). After making the change from Paxil to Effexor, many people commented on how much more calm and how I looked "better". It took a while for some of the side effects to wear off, but some of that was getting off the Paxil. Now, I am a much less anxious person. I think clearer as my thoughts are not so scattered. I am happier than I have been in a long while. Yeah, I battle the weight gain, the sexual side effects and the dreaded constipation. But I "feel" better.
So to all of you new to Effexor XR, do what is right for YOU. Paxil was not good for me; I drank too much and became "mean". But Paxil may work for someone else. While on Effexor, monitor yourself. Make sure that your Dr. is aware of what is going on. Ask friends and those near to you for support. Keep reading and posting to this website. It is a great resource!
Because no one or thing is "perfect" and will someone please define "perfect"?
The TinMan
Posted by wildcard on August 6, 2005, at 10:11:09
In reply to Re: Effexor, posted by Bessie on August 5, 2005, at 22:05:54
Goodness u have been through a lot!!!! Your body and mind must be over exausted. To your question, yes-while on effexor xr i slept more than what was usual for me. i also had decreased energy, well fatique and apathy. effexor wasnt right for me but everyone is different. with all you have been through, DEFINATELY talk w/ ur doc. about this. it could be that you need a change in med.(doseage,combo,etc..) or that you are becoming more depressed(for me, effexor was able to hide emotions, including feeling depressed..?) it wont hurt to ask, especially w/ all that you have been through! let us know and take care of yourself right now-you deserve it.
Posted by julish on August 6, 2005, at 10:50:30
In reply to Re: Effexor and wellbutrin, posted by canuck22 on August 6, 2005, at 1:42:26
Thanks Canuck22! Your post was encouraging! I just began (today) adding Wellbutrin (150)to my Effexor (150). I'm looking forward to feeling better soon!!
And, I totally agree.... everyone responds in their own way to the medication. You just have to see how your own body will respond. However, I do think it's good to see what others experiences have been, as well. It's just disheartening when most people will generally hurry to post undesireable effects, rather than successes! I, for one, can say Effexor has helped me--I just need an extra boost, and that's where I'm hoping Wellbutrin will help.... as upping the dose of Effexor wasn't beneficial.
Julie
Posted by TraWay on August 6, 2005, at 11:03:56
In reply to Re: Effexor » Bessie, posted by wildcard on August 6, 2005, at 10:11:09
This is my first time to this site, and it is interesting to read all of the different effects people have on Effexor. I was on Paxil years ago and with in two years I gained 65 pounds my dr thought it was time for a change and put me on Effexor, this was better with fewer side affects but of course I didn't lose any weight. I decided to taper off of of it to see if I can function without it and give my body a "break". I also have high blood pressure and was told that Effexor could worsen this. My symptoms of my panic disorder has returned and I was recently put back on. I have experienced an evening of severe panic attacks, the kind that send you to the ER thinking that you are having a heart attack, and was concerned that this is going to continue with this medication.
Has anyone experienced this before?? Please let me know it would help to know someone else has experienced the same thing.
Posted by Hellkat on August 6, 2005, at 12:27:54
In reply to Re: Effexor, posted by TraWay on August 6, 2005, at 11:03:56
Effexor (150)worked great for my depression but the side effect was that I did not sleep. I had to take sleeping pills to go to sleep and provigil to stay awake in the daytime.
Withdrawal was a bitch. Migrain headaches, dizzy spells. Plus, while on the meds, if I was late or missed a day, I felt it.
Posted by gadman on August 8, 2005, at 13:43:54
In reply to Re: Effexor and wellbutrin, posted by julish on August 3, 2005, at 11:04:31
I am currently on this combo with great success.
I was on Effexor 75 mg for 5 years and although it was working pretty well, I felt spacey at times and had alot of weight gain.
My Doc thought we would try Wellbutrin to supplement the E (per my recommendation from reading this forum) and it has helped cut down my appetite quite a bit... I can't say that it has done much for the spaciness, but if Weight gain or sexual dys is your problem, you might give it a try.
I even thought that once it started working I could cut back my E... I tried it for a short while, but it didn't work... At 37.5 mg of E and 150 mg of W my Anxiety was back full force...
So I increased my E and cut back the W and am doing much better... Still not perfect but we keep trying :-)
gadman
I am now back
Posted by haddsl on August 8, 2005, at 14:03:57
In reply to Re: Effexor, posted by Hellkat on August 6, 2005, at 12:27:54
I have just noticed a side effect I must be getting. A couple weeks ago I took my dose before I ate but I ate right after. The whole rest of the day I kept getting hot flashes and feeling ill until I finally threw up in my trash can at work (a LITTLE embarrassing). My skin was bright red and I was sweating horribly. That has NEVER happened to me before. I thought it was just some weird fluke thing. But, it happened today again... not so severe, and I made it to the bathroom... YEAH! Anyways... has anyone else noticed this? Very strange!! Anyone?
Posted by wildcard on August 8, 2005, at 14:43:09
In reply to Effexor strange side effect?, posted by haddsl on August 8, 2005, at 14:03:57
hey girl-when i was on effexor i honestly dont remember having that effect at all, but each person has had so many different s/effects w/ effex. that i'm sure som1 has. effexor has so far been the most complex(in RE: to effects) med. that i have been on yet and thats a longggg list. i sure hope it gets better!
Posted by haddsl on August 8, 2005, at 14:46:41
In reply to Re: Effexor strange side effect? » haddsl, posted by wildcard on August 8, 2005, at 14:43:09
Hello, I hope it gets better too. I have never had it until now, and only when I don't eat before taking anything. Just trying to find out if there is someone else? It is crappy when it does happen.
> hey girl-when i was on effexor i honestly dont remember having that effect at all, but each person has had so many different s/effects w/ effex. that i'm sure som1 has. effexor has so far been the most complex(in RE: to effects) med. that i have been on yet and thats a longggg list. i sure hope it gets better!
Posted by wildcard on August 8, 2005, at 14:58:52
In reply to Re: Effexor and wellbutrin, posted by gadman on August 8, 2005, at 13:43:54
if i go back on effexor that combo may be for me. alone the effex. wasnt working(but i lost my appetite and weight?) wellbutrin boosted my energy and sex life but i had terrible angry outbursts and my anx. intensified so the doc took me off years ago. i quit effexor cold turkey 3+ weeks ago and so far so good. un4tunately, depression can stay mild or even *disappear* but for me, in 13 years it always finds a way back :( i knew at a very early age i felt *sad* so now in my 20's i can get the help i need and know the signs in advance. thanx 4 ur input!
Posted by wildcard on August 8, 2005, at 15:04:15
In reply to Re: Effexor strange side effect?, posted by haddsl on August 8, 2005, at 14:46:41
just a ? but have u wondered if u cld. be pregnant? none of my beezwax but it popped into my head!?
Posted by haddsl on August 8, 2005, at 15:08:34
In reply to Re: Effexor strange side effect? » haddsl, posted by wildcard on August 8, 2005, at 15:04:15
Oh... well... I hope not! Too much going on right now for that. I was just in the doctor's office for this hernia thing and they took a urine sample, I would hope they would tell me if I was pregnant. I really just think my stomach is too sensative for the Effexor without food first.
> just a ? but have u wondered if u cld. be pregnant? none of my beezwax but it popped into my head!?
Posted by wildcard on August 8, 2005, at 15:29:13
In reply to Re: Effexor strange side effect?, posted by haddsl on August 8, 2005, at 15:08:34
okie dokie-just wanted to mention it. if u have the duplicate copy from when u checked out, it sometimes shows the box checked off if they tested for that. u know, now that i think about it, when i took effexor on an empty stomach i felt really sick. i just felt so icky i didnt eat for a while after taking it. matter of fact,1 of my doc's prescribed REGLAN which is for a wide variety of things but it helped w/ nausea w/o the sleepiness that phenergan causes. just FYI !!!
Posted by haddsl on August 8, 2005, at 15:34:55
In reply to Re: Effexor strange side effect?, posted by wildcard on August 8, 2005, at 15:29:13
I will have check if they tested for that. I am pretty sure it is the empty stomach thing. I have just never seen my skin turn that red before, then sweating... weird!
> okie dokie-just wanted to mention it. if u have the duplicate copy from when u checked out, it sometimes shows the box checked off if they tested for that. u know, now that i think about it, when i took effexor on an empty stomach i felt really sick. i just felt so icky i didnt eat for a while after taking it. matter of fact,1 of my doc's prescribed REGLAN which is for a wide variety of things but it helped w/ nausea w/o the sleepiness that phenergan causes. just FYI !!!
Posted by PamA on August 8, 2005, at 16:28:01
In reply to Re: Effexor strange side effect?, posted by wildcard on August 8, 2005, at 15:29:13
I started Effexor on Saturday. I was amazed at how fast it took the zombie feeling away. I had tapered off 100mg zoloft and had had none since Wednesday. My stomach has been upset and haven't been eating nearly as much plus I have a strange taste in my mouth. Nothing gross but a sweet taste. For example, when I drink water it tastes as sweet as a coke, it's not the water it tastes normal to everyone else.
Pam
Posted by rayn26 on August 9, 2005, at 8:44:17
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 for 3 weeks (75mg)--It seems to be working --my only side effects have been yawning constantly and jaw tension--The yawning seems to be tapering down, but I am concerned about the jaw tension because this was one of my physical symptoms of anxiety and Effexor seems to be prolonging it. Has anyone had this symptom and does it go away (the yawning too)?
Posted by haddsl on August 9, 2005, at 9:18:20
In reply to Jaw tension yawning, posted by rayn26 on August 9, 2005, at 8:44:17
OHHHHH YEAH! have I had that! The yawning goes away at least for me! The jaw thing is another story, I have had tense jaw AND grinding my teeth horribly in my sleep. That has not gone away, and still is bad enough to sound like I am crunching up teeth in my sleep. It get's worse when I am Anxious as well. I am going in for surgery on Friday and the past 2 nights I have been grinding like crazy. This happened before the Effexor so not really a big deal. But I would still like some relief. let me know if you find something that works for you.
- Haddsl> I have been on Effexor for 3 weeks (75mg)--It seems to be working --my only side effects have been yawning constantly and jaw tension--The yawning seems to be tapering down, but I am concerned about the jaw tension because this was one of my physical symptoms of anxiety and Effexor seems to be prolonging it. Has anyone had this symptom and does it go away (the yawning too)?
Posted by rayn26 on August 9, 2005, at 14:45:39
In reply to Re: Jaw tension yawning, posted by haddsl on August 9, 2005, at 9:18:20
For people who lost weight on Effexor, was it due to a decreased appetite? Did this happen right away or did it take time to kick in?
Posted by wildcard on August 9, 2005, at 14:55:32
In reply to Weight loss/appetite, posted by rayn26 on August 9, 2005, at 14:45:39
for me, i lost my appetite right away but not weight b/c since i wasnt eating, my metabolism shut down. i had to force myself to eat ex: a granola bar or poptart in the am or even a lean csn and then something for dinner but when i saw the weight specialist, he said eat something small every 3 hours (i thought he was crazy) but it worked and actually that same thing was just on the news. they call it the 3 hour diet and it's working for a lot of people. u may be able to do a search and find it. it was a msn video no more than 2-3 weeks ago. ok-i got wayyy of topic-sorry :(
Posted by 4WD on August 9, 2005, at 22:01:07
In reply to Weight loss/appetite, posted by rayn26 on August 9, 2005, at 14:45:39
> For people who lost weight on Effexor, was it due to a decreased appetite? Did this happen right away or did it take time to kick in?
Hi. I didn't really lose weight but Effexor did decrease my appetite. I was bulimic and Effexor decreased my appetite enough that I was able to get into remission. It took about two weeks to have that effect.
Marsha
Posted by 4WD on August 9, 2005, at 22:01:59
In reply to Weight loss/appetite, posted by rayn26 on August 9, 2005, at 14:45:39
> For people who lost weight on Effexor, was it due to a decreased appetite? Did this happen right away or did it take time to kick in?
Hi. I didn't really lose weight but Effexor did decrease my appetite. I was bulimic and Effexor decreased my appetite enough that I was able to get into remission. It took about two weeks to have that effect.
Marsha
Posted by PamA on August 10, 2005, at 7:13:26
In reply to Weight loss/appetite, posted by rayn26 on August 9, 2005, at 14:45:39
I started effexor on Saturday and have "GAINED" 5lbs and have had NO appetite. However, I have felt more human. I've been swimming in the lake 2x's and have been riding my bike every evening with my son. You'd think I would have lost weight with the exta exercise and less eating. Oh well, I feel better and that's what matters. I'm actually SHOCKED at how fast this has worked for me.
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