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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by itisme on July 24, 2001, at 11:06:27
Anxiety began 1 year ago and man.. you just get depressed when you are nervous all the time and can't seem to do what you used to you know? I just got off of paxil and began effexor a week and a half ago. It was a very tough week, to say the least, but I know I will recover, I just don't know when or how.
This is my second time posting. I'm not too sure what I think about this site yet because whenever I read negative things it makes me a little nervous.
I have tried the following:
ritalin
wellbutrin
pazil
Zyprexa
Celexawow.. I never noticed how many I've tried...
And now I'm just starting Effexor. Basically the others didn't work wonderfully for me and some were pretty bad, but if someone were having a good response, I would never say anything to persuade them to change.
Something that really helps me feel an occasional sense of peace is hope that things will get better.
I haven't really had many side effects besides very intense dreams.... and for now it is okay.
I would like to hear from you who have had positive experiences with Effexor. I am going to be on the XR, but am currently taking the regular until we know the dosage which is best. Just some supportive thoughts would be nice. I don't want to remain ignorant of the side effects of course. I hope you all understand what I'm trying to say and I appreciate your help.
I really want to love life the way I used to...... to feel life again. At moments I can and it is wonderful.
Thanks in advance....
Posted by pellmell on July 24, 2001, at 14:05:59
In reply to Effexor and positive responses (encouragement)...., posted by itisme on July 24, 2001, at 11:06:27
> I really want to love life the way I used to...... to feel life again. At moments I can and it is wonderful.
> Thanks in advance....I felt the antianxeity effects of Effexor XR within two weeks of taking it (one week on 37.5 and another on 75). I don't know how common an early response like this is; maybe Effexor and my brain are just a lucky match.
Its antidepressant effect in me, though, is still insufficent even after a month at 150mg. Still, it's been enough (combined with its antianxeity effects) to improve my life significantly. My girlfriend, who's been with me through a few changes in my drug diet, sees a profound change for the better in me. It's helped our relationship enormously.
Still, it's not perfect. I feel slow-witted, and I'm not sure whether that's a side-effect of the Effexor or a lingering symptom of depression. And while it's given me my libido back (I didn't know how much my pscyhopathology had supressed it!), it hasn't done anything good for my potency. Fortunately, taking 120-180mg/day of ginkgo biloba seems to be reversing this. I see my pdoc today, and I'm going to tell him everything I've said here.
So there you are. Good luck, and keep us posted.
-pm
Posted by DebbieLynn on July 27, 2001, at 6:55:41
In reply to Effexor and positive responses (encouragement)...., posted by itisme on July 24, 2001, at 11:06:27
> Anxiety began 1 year ago and man.. you just get depressed when you are nervous all the time and can't seem to do what you used to you know? I just got off of paxil and began effexor a week and a half ago. It was a very tough week, to say the least, but I know I will recover, I just don't know when or how.
>
> This is my second time posting. I'm not too sure what I think about this site yet because whenever I read negative things it makes me a little nervous.
>
Hello,
I know what you mean. There are sooo many negative threads on Effexor. I take Effexor XR 225mg, and yes, when I first started I had a lot of side effects, BUT when I reached the 225mg level of about 4 weeks I felt 150% better. I have GAD and prolonged postpartum depression. I feel great on Effexor XR and do not intend stopping it any time soon. There are a lot of thread on Effexor withdrawal, and that too makes me nervous, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Everyones body chemistry is different and I have learned NOT to let the negative bother me. I do read everything with an open mind however.> I have tried the following:
> ritalin
> wellbutrin
> pazil
> Zyprexa
> Celexa
>
> wow.. I never noticed how many I've tried...
>
> And now I'm just starting Effexor. Basically the others didn't work wonderfully for me and some were pretty bad, but if someone were having a good response, I would never say anything to persuade them to change.
>
> Something that really helps me feel an occasional sense of peace is hope that things will get better.
>
> I haven't really had many side effects besides very intense dreams.... and for now it is okay.
>
> I would like to hear from you who have had positive experiences with Effexor. I am going to be on the XR, but am currently taking the regular until we know the dosage which is best. Just some supportive thoughts would be nice. I don't want to remain ignorant of the side effects of course. I hope you all understand what I'm trying to say and I appreciate your help.
>
> I really want to love life the way I used to...... to feel life again. At moments I can and it is wonderful.
> Thanks in advance....
For me, Effexor XR has been wonderful. I did cross many hills and valleys getting to the dose I am at (225mg) but it was worth it. I think the worst was dry mouth and anxiety (in the beginning) but I took xanax to help that. I drank gallons of water and it finally past. I had insomnia for awhile, but took Trazadone to help with that. These are all minor things considering the MAJOR benefits I feel now!Good Luck, and HANG IN THERE!!
Debbie (Hope this is some encouragement)
Posted by itisme on July 27, 2001, at 8:39:49
In reply to Re: Effexor and positive responses (encouragement)...., posted by DebbieLynn on July 27, 2001, at 6:55:41
> Hello,
> I know what you mean. There are sooo many negative threads on Effexor. I take Effexor XR 225mg, and yes, when I first started I had a lot of side effects, BUT when I reached the 225mg level of about 4 weeks I felt 150% better. I have GAD and prolonged postpartum depression. I feel great on Effexor XR and do not intend stopping it any time soon. There are a lot of thread on Effexor withdrawal, and that too makes me nervous, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Everyones body chemistry is different and I have learned NOT to let the negative bother me. I do read everything with an open mind however.
Thank you so much Debbie.During the last two days I have gone from "I'm going to taper down some" to "I'm going off Effexor" to "I'm going to give it a try for a while."
I saw my doc yesterday and have decided to stay on it for a while and try to get through the anxiety it is causing. He also gave me alprazolam which seems to help. I only use it when I need it though. I'm really sensitive and .25 mgs is enough. So we'll see. The mind is very powerful and if I focus on hope and the positive things I believe the chances of me improving are much better. I've read the bad stuff and am no longer ignorant to it, but I've made my decision and I'm not going to read it anymore.
Thanks again. :)
This is the end of the thread.
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