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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Hoping to be normal on August 6, 2004, at 16:34:41
Hi, my doctor just started me on Effexor XR. I was on Zoloft before this, and absolutly hated the side effects of it....Can someone tell me if I'm going to experiance any of the sexual or emotional side effects that I did with Zoloft?
Posted by sha on August 11, 2004, at 16:10:48
In reply to Just starting on effexor, posted by Hoping to be normal on August 6, 2004, at 16:34:41
i was on effexor for one year and it helped me with my depression as for the sexual side effects well they tend to lower your sex drive but you get used to it and you can learn to cope and hopefully deal with it in time. It is just like anything else. as for emotionally i feel it helped me. However i was feeling very tired and it contributed to my weight gain i feel but everyone is different you can ask some people and they will tell you it made them lose weight. When i took it ten years ago i was 21 and i lost weight at 30 i gained on it i guess it all depends. Anyway i wanted to start trying to have a baby so i went off and have been off for 2 weeks and three days. It is hard but i am dealing the best i can. I see a therapist which helps too. I hope i helped i am new on this site as well and needed some moral support coming off the medication. Why are you on any specific reason? Write back we could chat
Posted by karlak13 on August 20, 2004, at 22:38:41
In reply to Re: Just starting on effexor, posted by sha on August 11, 2004, at 16:10:48
I am on 300mg of effexor for depression and anxiety. I have gained alot of weight because of it but it does so much for me.
Posted by ants on September 29, 2004, at 15:27:32
In reply to Re: Just starting on effexor, posted by karlak13 on August 20, 2004, at 22:38:41
I just wanted to post my beginning effexor experience and see if others have similar thoughts.
I've been on 37.5mg for one week. Next week I go to 75mg, where I will stay, or come back down to 37.5 because I really feel that its enough. We shall see. So far, I love it. I feel happy and nice. My boyfriend says I am way less irritable and moody and I have not wanted to just sit and cry as I usually do.
I have been sleeping great-I used to clench my jaw and wake up sore and annoyed, but now I sleep well all night with no anxiety symptoms.
Negatives:
1. It is really hard to get up in the morning...I sleep very soundly...maybe too much? I feel like i am really a zombie until I take my meds in the morning. Anyone else feel like this?2. Sex drive sucks, which is too bad because now that I am "nice" I actually enjoy spending time with the boyfriend, but I have no desire to have sex, which is making him nuts! But at least I don't snap at him!
thats all. The first few days I had no appetite, now its back. I hope I don't gain weight...I have heard that happens.
let me know how you all are doing!
Posted by DustBuster on October 29, 2004, at 20:39:39
In reply to Re: Just starting on effexor, posted by ants on September 29, 2004, at 15:27:32
I also just started taking Effexor XR 37.5mg four days ago, as treatment for severe depression. This is the first time I've seen a psychiatrist about my problems, which have existed (untreated) for quite a number of years.
I am seeing many of the "normal" side effects, but nothing too bad. The worst was two days with hardly any sleep, but today I was able to get some. Sweats, foggy thinking, lots of extra energy. On the other hand, I really haven't felt bad or had any dark thoughts since.
I've been researching this drug on the net for the past two days, luckily found this site, and am now worried by all the negative comments, in particular about horrible withdrawl symptoms.
My next psych appt isn't for another 2 weeks, but I'm supposed to go to 75mg next week, the same day as my second appt with the therapist. I've been told to go to 150mg the following week (which will be before the dr appt).
I think I made a big mistake taking this med without researching it first. I guess I trusted the doctor (too much). I'm not sure what the best next step would be. Maybe I ought to quit now, and ask the dr if we can try a different SSRI first. Maybe I should just keep taking the meds and call him on Monday. Maybe I should find another doctor. Considering part of my depression is difficulty making decisions, this is a really, really tough one for me.
A couple things bothered me about the visit to the dr. First off, after nothing more than an hour's visit, he's giving me 3 weeks worth of drugs (effexor xr sample packs). He never once explained the seriousness of side effects or that I may have to take these drugs for life (even though I'm paying out of pocket, not using insurance). The second dr appt being 3 weeks after the first seems a little long, especially considering all the published warnings about closely monitoring blood pressure and other side effects. Lastly, when the therapist wrote down the titles of a couple of books to read, it was on green "Effexor XR" branded type post-it pad.
Posted by DustBuster on November 4, 2004, at 13:02:28
In reply to Re: Just starting on effexor, posted by DustBuster on October 29, 2004, at 20:39:39
> I've been researching this drug on the net for the past two days, luckily found this site, and am now worried by all the negative comments, in particular about horrible withdrawl symptoms.
>I'm not sure what the best next step would be.Just a followup, in case anyone else is researching effexor like I was. I called and spoke with my psychiatrist Monday. I told him that I was concerned by all the negative comments I'd read and would not be taking any more of the Effexor XR. He said that in his experience, very few people had any problems with Effexor, but if I felt that strongly, that was fine, and we'd discuss this and alternatives at our next appointment.
I also talked the situation over with my psychologist at my appointment on Tuesday, and came to the decision (on my own) that I'd put my trust in my doctor, and keep taking the meds.
Meds affect different people in different ways. Some people become sleepless, others sleep all the time. Some lose weight, others gain weight. It seems that most of the people who post on the main psycho-babble board have issues with their meds. The folks who don't are probably not looking for assistance and information online. They're off living their lives!
After a week, and stepping up from 37.5mg to 75mg a day, most of the side effects have disappeared. I've had a slight headache each of the past two days, but tylenol resolves that, and I do seem to be eating more, but that may be due to all the exercise I'm getting this week, and not the meds.
Oh, and I slept the whole night through last night, which was great! First time in months.
Patrick
Posted by MKB on November 9, 2004, at 7:47:18
In reply to Re: Just starting on effexor, posted by DustBuster on November 4, 2004, at 13:02:28
Glad to hear you are doing better. I hope it works well for you. However, I had a bad experience and am not convinced the benefits outweigh the negative effects for anyone. I went to a psychiatrist for the first time yesterday. Had to fill out forms on a big clipboard that had "Effexor" across the top. Almost walked out, but thought better of it. Just as the Dr. called me in, I noticed an Effexor rep sitting in the waiting room with a huge bag full of Effexor samples. I had to fight the urge to attack her. (No, I wouldn't really do that.) The doctor just smiled and waved to her like she was his best friend. My session went well, but I started off mentioning my Effexor experience. He just said, "Well, I guess we won't give you Effexor. Don't believe everything you read on the Internet." I don't believe everything I read on the Internet. But I do believe what I've experienced myself.
Posted by juliette on November 9, 2004, at 15:48:34
In reply to Re: Just starting on effexor, posted by ants on September 29, 2004, at 15:27:32
HEY ANTS I JUST STOPPED THE EFFEXOR 3 DAYS AGO NO NEED TO SAY I FEEL LIKE CRAP BUT I HAD THE SAME SIDE AFFECTS YOU DO HOPEFULLY YOURS GOES AWAY GOOD LUCK
Posted by copperhair_1 on November 15, 2004, at 10:55:59
In reply to Just starting on effexor, posted by Hoping to be normal on August 6, 2004, at 16:34:41
Hi all,
I am brand new here and came across this board because I was searching for information on Effexor after having an interesting experience with it the other day. I came today and wanted to post when I saw this thread, so thought I would just jump right in. I hope you don't mind.
I have Bipolar disorder that tends to keep me very depressed most of the time. I have never had a psychosis with a manic episode as manic for me is being very productive, sleeping less and losing weight. I have though, been so depressed (when I failed to seek treatment) that I had psychosis with severe almost comatose depression. I live in the mid-west, am a Wellness Recovery Action Planning Facilitator, Worked as a consumer/provider at our local mental health agency until about a month ago, have my own support board somewhere across the net, have two grown sons (one headed to Iraq shortly) a wonderful grandson and a cat.
I have struggled for years with my illness and how best to deal with it. For many years when I was younger I simply failed to deal with it and had my whole life fall apart several times. I am determined that this will not happen to me again. I worry about the fact that had I dealt with my illness effectively, I would probably have a better prognosis now, but I can't go back and change the past. I am thankful that we are able to get on the Internet and get information and support now, as hopefully fewer people will have to wander around without the knowledge that they need to manage their illness.
Anyway, I came to the board the other day via a search engine. I had forgotten to take my medication the day before and was experiencing some distressing (what I would call neurological) symptoms. I read through quite a few posts on Effexor and was grateful for the information.
Even though I am aware that this medication can cause some distressing symptoms, I am also aware that it is what is keeping me alive. I have been on most all antidepressants and am currently taking both Effexor and Wellbutrim xr. I have found that my response to medications is my response alone. They usually effect me differently than they do others taking the medication, so I generally listen to others input but have to see for myself what they will actually do. I have spent years at times searching for a medication that will help, so feel that a few side effects are not too much a price to pay for a medication that allows me to lead a normal life. I don't think there is any perfect medication, although I am sure that we are all looking for it. :)
I doubt that I will ever stop taking Effexor unless it stops working for me. At that point I will slowly taper off and hope for the best. When my doctor gave me the medication, she told me that it was very, very strong and that back in the day of long hospital stays they would only put you on it while you were in the hospital. Now that admissions are way down, they are allowing folks to go on it at home. The first few weeks that I was on it, I did have a lot of headaches (normally never get one). That did pass with time. Now, I have the occasional dizzy spell, but unless I don't take it at all, I seem to do fine.
Having worked at the agency, I can tell you that it does not surprise me that the doctor is using an Effexor pad to write notes on. I have a purse full of drug company pens as we speak. I doubt though, that the doctor would be swayed by the fact of that notepad when it comes time to write a prescription. I am sure he also has a pad for Lexapro, Wellbutrim, Zoloft, etc. It is just part of the way that drug companies do business and is taken with a grain of salt. The really valuable thing they do though, is give those drug samples. Again, I doubt that would sway the doctor about what drug to prescribe, but it does allow them to give someone a sample of whatever they do prescribe to try out before they spend a bunch on a thirty day prescription. Those samples also tend to find their way into the hands of folks who have a crisis and are unable to afford their medication that month. So, that makes me feel really friendly toward those drug reps as I have taken samples before. I do want to point out also that the doctor also no doubt has samples of every other medication known to man that they would like to prescribe, so I doubt that it would affect their decisions much. What is a concern to me is when the drug company comes around to do training's for the doctors to allow them to keep their continuing education credits up to date, as that is something more "swayed" that I wish were done in a manner that was less biased. They generally don't talk about specific drugs though, as they do "classes" of drugs. I guess that the drug companies are the ones who are willing to pay for those research studies into medications though and until someone else wants to, things will probably continue on as they have. I also know that the physicians are as aware of how the system works as I am. (Also, the drug companies do "programs" if you can't afford your drug so for the person who is concerned, you may want to talk to your doctor about that.)
Anyway, thanks for letting me introduce myself and give an opinion. My suggestion would always be to research, talk to your doctor, try a medication and see what works for you. You are an individual and even the doctor can not always predict what will and won't work for you. They do, however, have much more experience with knowing about a medication with a specific set of symptoms and can probably then make a better judgement. I know that without my doctor and my medications I would not be here right now. If I had a life threatening cancer I would not hesitate to take something that might make me sick or cause side effects. I feel that I have a life threatening psychological illness, so am willing to pay the price for life......not just life, but quality of life I guess.God Bless,
JC
Posted by ambreprn on November 23, 2004, at 14:06:53
In reply to Brand new here and Effexor, posted by copperhair_1 on November 15, 2004, at 10:55:59
Hi, I just started taking Effexor xr 37.5mg 5 days ago for major depression. I start on the 75mg tomorrow. Just wondering if anyone could tell me how long it took to experience the effects of this drug. I realize everyone is different. I'm just curious, as I absoulutly feel nothing yet. Thanks!
Posted by Jai Narayan on November 23, 2004, at 20:46:56
In reply to Re: Brand new here and Effexor, posted by ambreprn on November 23, 2004, at 14:06:53
Have you visited the meds board yet?
they might have some good information for you.
Good luck and welcome to psychobabble
jai
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