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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 jenni mae on February 14, 2005, at 12:33:02
I see alot of people use effexor, I've been on it for one year now and plan to wean off and see how it goes. It has help me so much with depression and premenopausal symptons like mood swings and irrational thinking. However, I wonder if some side affects I'm having are normal. My doctor didn't know. Anyone relate to 20 pound weight gain? Sexual desire dissapearing? Grinding teeth?
Just need to know.
Posted by jen2 on February 14, 2005, at 12:40:15
In reply to effexor xr, posted by jenni mae on February 14, 2005, at 12:33:02
Hi Jenni Mae,
I've not had any weight gain (at least not yet), but I've seen lots of posts from people who have.
Same with the sexual side effects. Lots of people experience this. I still have a healthy libido, but I'm on a relatively low dose (75mg). I do have trouble achieving orgasm, however, as many others do too.
I have noticed recently that my jaw muscles have been sore. Don't know if I'm grinding, however. I remember seeing someone post that they ended up with TMJ while on Effexor, which is a syndrome wherein your jaw muscles get very tense and painful and it sometimes requires surgery, I think. I can't remember exactly - I'm sure you could look it up online.
Hope this is helpful.
Jen
Posted by jenni mae on February 14, 2005, at 15:54:10
In reply to Re: effexor xr » jenni mae, posted by jen2 on February 14, 2005, at 12:40:15
thanks Jen2 this is very reassuring. It's always good to know that you're not alone.
Maybe going down to 75 would help me to, I go to the doc tommorrow and I'll ask about it.
thanks again
Posted by jen2 on February 14, 2005, at 16:28:22
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by jenni mae on February 14, 2005, at 15:54:10
I don't know if decreasing your dosage would make the side effects go away, and it might not be the best idea re: keeping the depression and anxiety at bay (if, indeed, that's why Effexor was rx'd for you - that's why I'm on it).
I'm seriously considering increasing my dose sometime soon because I'm starting to feel really cr*ppy again this last couple of days. But then again, I don't want to increase the dose because I'm afraid of more side effects and of being on too high a dose for too long, and then having to endure even worse withdrawal when the time comes. Yuck. Hate the meds.
Take care,
Jen
Posted by jenni mae on February 14, 2005, at 22:27:57
In reply to Re: effexor xr » jenni mae, posted by jen2 on February 14, 2005, at 16:28:22
thanks
I think I will ask to take me off gradually and see how it goes. are the withdrawels pretty bad?
Jennifer
Posted by jen2 on February 15, 2005, at 8:55:37
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by jenni mae on February 14, 2005, at 22:27:57
Yes, the withdrawal can be pretty bad. Check out the new withdrawal board for info - www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl. And there's lots of info archived from others who have posted about their withdrawal experiences.
Jen
Posted by jenni mae on February 16, 2005, at 11:50:25
In reply to Re: effexor xr » jenni mae, posted by jen2 on February 14, 2005, at 12:40:15
well,
last night i went down to 75 mg. instead of 150 and today, so far, I feel fine. She has me doing 75 for one week then 37.5 for one week, then 37.5 every other day. I hope it's not too bad, it sounds awful on the posts about withdrawels. I'm gonna pray a ton this next three week.
thanks for the support
Posted by jenni mae on February 17, 2005, at 16:50:21
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by jenni mae on February 16, 2005, at 11:50:25
> well,
> last night i went down to 75 mg. instead of 150 and today, so far, I feel fine. She has me doing 75 for one week then 37.5 for one week, then 37.5 every other day. I hope it's not too bad, it sounds awful on the posts about withdrawels. I'm gonna pray a ton this next three week.
> thanks for the supportDay 2 and doing fine so far, praise God. No side affects at all yet. I'm so amazed but I know it could be coming.
Posted by Jen2 on February 17, 2005, at 17:45:52
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by jenni mae on February 17, 2005, at 16:50:21
Hey Jenni Mae,
Good to hear it! Hopefully you will have an easy time of it. I'll keeping lots of good wishes and best thoughts going your way. Make sure to check out the withdrawal board for tips if you need them.
Jen
Posted by katherpoo1 on April 4, 2005, at 11:20:15
In reply to Re: effexor xr » jenni mae, posted by Jen2 on February 17, 2005, at 17:45:52
I wish you the best of luck with it. Not to scare you, but Effexor XR was the *worst* med I have ever been on... 40-lb weight gain in 3 months... withdrawls were awful... but everyone is different and I've heard of people who have loved it and been on it successfully for years so don't let my story discourage you!
If you've had good experiences with SSRIs like Zoloft or Paxil, etc. in the past you have a good chance of going okay on Effexor... they're not exactrly the same but close.
Best-- K
Posted by kenneth75665 on June 26, 2005, at 16:42:19
In reply to effexor xr, posted by jenni mae on February 14, 2005, at 12:33:02
I am on Effexor XR 225mg. and gained 20 lbs. and lost all desire for sex. It has however helped my depression somewhat. Fix one thing break another.
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