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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cutewheels on April 17, 2001, at 13:12:05
hi everyone. it's so nice to see others on this med. i am new to the world of anti-depressants and am finding myself alarmed to read of all the negativity surrounding this drug. for one, i am an avid cyclist, and terribly concerned at the prospect of weight gain...those of you who have experienced it, is it because your appetite has spectacularly increased? is it that you feel you are less motivated to be active? both of these concern me, needless to say. a weight problem on top of the depression could not help... conversely, have any of you found it doesn't affect your weight at all?
i have only been on effexor for about 5 days (37.5mg, to be increased to 75 later this week). i feel a bit spacey, a bit tired, and a bit wired when i'm trying to sleep. also, my dreams are a bit strange...but i will also say that i find that i cannot focus very well on any one topic for long, leading me to believe that this is why i am not feeling so sad this week...i simply can't focus on the darkness. i don't know. any thoughts?
thanks everyone.
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 17, 2001, at 16:15:57
In reply to new user with questions, comments, posted by cutewheels on April 17, 2001, at 13:12:05
Give the Effexor a 6-week trial anyway, because:
*It has the possibility of affecting serotonin, norepinephrine, _and_ dopamine--more chemicals--thus increasing your chances for relief.
*Weight gain is reported less than with SSRIs.
*It has no anticholinergic side-effects.
*Sexual disturbances are reported less than with SSRIs.
*It has gained the acceptance of psychiatrists worldwide in less than 8 years of U.S. FDA approval.
*It has few significant interactions with other medications.
*The idea of it being addicting due to withdrawal effects is unfounded; if it had any chance of being addicting, it would have been labeled a Schedule IV substance by the U.S. DEA.I myself took Effexor XR up to 375 mg. The only side-effects I had were sexual in nature, and these were remedied by mirtazapine.
Posted by vlvtelvis on April 17, 2001, at 23:28:48
In reply to new user with questions, comments, posted by cutewheels on April 17, 2001, at 13:12:05
No medication is going to effect every person who takes it the same way, so just because effexor has been hell for some people, don't assume it will be for you.
As a rule of thumb, it's best to give any medication a month to six weeks before giving up on it. Most anti-depressants take a while to get into your blood. Sometimes initial side effects will go away after a couple of months as well. Give it some time then decide. If you look too hard for effects, positive or negative, you will find somthing or another. Try as much as possiable not to think about having taken anything.
Good luck with it.
> hi everyone. it's so nice to see others on this med. i am new to the world of anti-depressants and am finding myself alarmed to read of all the negativity surrounding this drug. for one, i am an avid cyclist, and terribly concerned at the prospect of weight gain...those of you who have experienced it, is it because your appetite has spectacularly increased? is it that you feel you are less motivated to be active? both of these concern me, needless to say. a weight problem on top of the depression could not help... conversely, have any of you found it doesn't affect your weight at all?
> i have only been on effexor for about 5 days (37.5mg, to be increased to 75 later this week). i feel a bit spacey, a bit tired, and a bit wired when i'm trying to sleep. also, my dreams are a bit strange...but i will also say that i find that i cannot focus very well on any one topic for long, leading me to believe that this is why i am not feeling so sad this week...i simply can't focus on the darkness. i don't know. any thoughts?
> thanks everyone.
Posted by cutewheels on April 18, 2001, at 8:28:48
In reply to new user with questions, comments, posted by cutewheels on April 17, 2001, at 13:12:05
thanks to both of you for responding. points regarding trying this for a month or so are well-taken. i suppose that since the drug world is new to me (apart from various recreationals), i need to give it a chance. i do feel much brighter already, haven't cried since i started taking it (and feel i may not be able to at all, which i suppose is part of the whole thing). i just feel less fragile. i am also a bit concerned with the sexual side effects, but hope that they won't be severe. are there other non-Rx things to try for that? i fear anorgasmia. maybe i'm just paranoid, and the whole side-effect thing is a little self-fulfilling...
Posted by Gbear on April 19, 2001, at 9:51:51
In reply to Re: new user with questions, comments, posted by cutewheels on April 18, 2001, at 8:28:48
I've been on Effexor for over a year. It seems to have helped for everthing I began taking it for. I really hope you take some time on the lower dose before upping it.
As to your question about sexual side effects. I did feel a bit disconected and unfeeling at first. After a few months though, my mind seemed to relax and sensation seemed to return (mind and body). Actually, things were pretty bad before medication because I was so stressed about EVERYTHING! Good Luck to You!
Gbear
> thanks to both of you for responding. points regarding trying this for a month or so are well-taken. i suppose that since the drug world is new to me (apart from various recreationals), i need to give it a chance. i do feel much brighter already, haven't cried since i started taking it (and feel i may not be able to at all, which i suppose is part of the whole thing). i just feel less fragile. i am also a bit concerned with the sexual side effects, but hope that they won't be severe. are there other non-Rx things to try for that? i fear anorgasmia. maybe i'm just paranoid, and the whole side-effect thing is a little self-fulfilling...
This is the end of the thread.
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