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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 jujube on September 12, 2004, at 23:28:30
I have been lurking (I think that is what it is called) on this site looking for information to better understand what I have been going through for the past 6 months since I was given Effexor XR.
For months leading up to my Effexor experience, I had been suffering from fatigue, nausea and lethargy. I have a very good gp (have been going to her for over 8 years) and she tested my blood and found that I was significantly iron deficient (not yet anemic). She started iron supplementation and, after 5 months, I did not respond. Being the impatient person that I am, I decided to go another gp in the hopes that I could speed up my recovery and regain my energy and zest for life. This gp sat with her arms folded across her chest and told me that iron deficiency was not my problem, rather I was depressed and she prescribed Effexor XR. This surprised me, although I do suffer from anxiety. So, I agreed to take the Effexor, starting at 75 mg. A week later the dose was upped to 112.5 mg. I was having side effects (even after weeks on the medication), including no energy and almost convulsions when I was sleeping (Linda Blair would have been jealous of my special effects!). The gp said side effects were typical in the first weeks of treatment (mine actually never went away) and that I would have to deal with it. Although I did not feel depressed before going on Effexor, I was certainly starting to feel very low on it. I went back to my trusted gp. She was not comfortable playing around with the medication. Thankfully, she had an old family friend who happened to be a pdoc and I was able to see him to discuss the Effexor. He increased the dose to 150 mg. My anxiety, which had generally been in check, was getting worse, I was tired and becoming increasingly apathetic. So, another visit to the pdoc to discuss the meds, and the dose was upped yet again to 225 mg. I kept saying that the drug was making me feel terrible. I was becoming extremely apprehensive, didn't feel like doing a darn thing and found myself becoming somewhat agoraphobic. I had had one little anxiety attack in over 8 years (just before going on the Effexor), and I found myself in the "what if" state of mind (go figure). I forced myself to do things (groceries, etc.), but there was no real pleasure in anything (not even shopping. And, as a self-professed shopaholic, this was somewhat discouraging. I mean, even the 50% off the already reduced price sales did not get my blood and adrenaline going! Good lord, now I knew I was in bad shape!). I was like the walking dead - emotionless. So, I reduced my dose of Effexor back down to 150 mg (advised pdoc I was doing so). Didn't make a difference one way or another and luckily I didn't experience any withdrawal in the reduction. Finally, after 6 months on Effexor, I called the pdoc and sent him an e-mail with natural alternatives I wanted to try. I could not go on feeling like a shell of a human being. He wasn't keen on the natural alternatives (Sam-e, Rosavin), but agreed that Effexor was not for me. He prescribed Celexa and I was weaned off 150 mg of Effexor over a two week period (I am on day 4 of no Effexor). I have been exhausted, sick to my stomach, anxious, dizzy. But, at least I am starting to feel again. And, I am actually starting to have a real appetite (for the past 6 months, I really have been eating to survive and because that's what we humans do).
I feel like I have lost 6 months of my life to Effexor. 6 months in an emotionless, lethargic, anxious fog. I know others have had positive experiences on Effexor. For me, it was like being on increasingly higher doses of sedation with moderate doses of stimulants thrown in every now and then just to keep the anxiety levels up. I told the pdoc that I would try Celexa (if only to try to bring me to some sort of normalcy). But, I will not let anyone (gp or pdoc) convince me that I need to "give the drug a chance" for more than 4 weeks again! Sorry for the long-winded message. I just had to get this off my chest and would be intereted in knowing if others have had experiences like mine.
Posted by crazychickuk on September 13, 2004, at 2:47:31
In reply to Effexor XR experience, posted by jujube on September 12, 2004, at 23:28:30
Maybe dont bother with meds.. and trust your gp... have you had all tests? maybe a change in your diet could help?
Posted by jujube on September 13, 2004, at 7:51:48
In reply to Re: Effexor XR experience, posted by crazychickuk on September 13, 2004, at 2:47:31
Everything was checked, and, with the exception of the iron, all was normal. When my gp told me the results of the iron test, she said she was surprised I had actually been able to get up and go to work each day, work the hours I was working and actually be able to focus and concentrate and get things done. For months before she found the iron deficiency, I had been feeling really tired. I thought I was finally succumbing to the effects of a stressful job. I have worked in a fast-paced, high pressure environment for over 15 years, and have always thrived in it. The hours can be long, lunch is sometimes eaten on the run and work is brought home a few times a week. This never affected me before, so, I was surprised when I starting feeling so tired. I am glad my doctor checked my iron. I have since taken a number of months off work to get my strength back. Ended up having to have iron injections, which have elevated the iron to an almost normal level (still below the normal range). Taking time off is so unusual for me. I have probably only been sick four times in the past 9 years (brochitis each time). I have started eating better, I take my vitamins (a multi, B-Complex and C), and I do exercise because I have a dog and take her for at least a half hour walk twice a day. Since I tend to experience increased anxiety the two weeks before my cycle begins, I thought the Effexor would help control it. Well, live and learn. I know things will get better and so will I. I think all this happened for a reason -to teach me to listen to my body, to slow down a bit and be patient, to take time for myself and take care of my needs instead of everybody else's needs. The universe unfolds as it should, and we all have to face our trials and tribulations, both big and small. If this is the worst thing I go through in the next few years, then I am one of the lucky ones. Like a friend of mine said, things happen to us for a reason. Sometimes we have a hard time understanding why, but I think in the long run the things we go through make us better people.
Posted by Bill LL on September 13, 2004, at 8:22:52
In reply to Effexor XR experience, posted by jujube on September 12, 2004, at 23:28:30
Was your thyroid level checked? Do you sleep good? If nothing else works for your tiredness, Provigil might be a good drug for you.
If you do not have depression, but just occasional anxiety (you had a panic attack), then an antidepressant might not be the best choice. You might be better off taking an anxiety pill as needed.
Posted by jujube on September 13, 2004, at 8:45:37
In reply to Re: Effexor XR experience, posted by Bill LL on September 13, 2004, at 8:22:52
Thanks for the response. My thyroid was checked, and it was normal. As for the panic attack, I am not even sure it was a panic attack (or at least it didn't start out as one). I had been suffering with a stomach flu and knew that I was in no shape to go into work that day. I was nauseaus before even leaving the house, but did not want to miss a day of work. I had to keep sitting down when I was getting ready for work to stop the nausea. At the bus stop and the whole way to work on the bus, I kept telling myself that the nausea would pass and that I would not be sick. Eventually what happened was everything just started spinning (nothing else - no pounding heart, no sweating, etc.). But it did freak me out and I got off the bus and went home and back to bed. I guess I imposed a panic attack on myself (who knows). Anyways, nothing like that has happened again. Unfortunately, I can't seem to forget that one incident. I am doing a program to give me the tools to deal with something like that should it happen again. Hopefully it will not only be enlightening but useful.
This is the end of the thread.
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