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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ST on December 26, 2001, at 3:42:58
Hi-
I'm new to this board and have been reading all these posts over the past few days. It seems Effexor's side effects are HIDEOUS when getting off of it. It also seems that in the beginning, it takes one quite some time to get used to it, i.e., the side effects when starting are hideous as well. So has anyone been on it with success? Anyone feel better, less depressed, more energetic? Do the side effects in the beginning go away? And for those who have stopped taking it, did you taper it off and still feel lousy or just quit cold turkey?
I'm getting off Celexa because I gained 30 pounds in less than three months and have always been trim. Anyone have any weight gain issues with Effexor?
THANKS!
Sarah
Posted by sid on December 26, 2001, at 20:52:53
In reply to Stopping Celexa; starting Effexor.....scared!!, posted by ST on December 26, 2001, at 3:42:58
Hello, I reply below...
> Hi-
> I'm new to this board and have been reading all these posts over the past few days. It seems Effexor's side effects are HIDEOUS when getting off of it. It also seems that in the beginning, it takes one quite some time to get used to it, i.e., the side effects when starting are hideous as well. So has anyone been on it with success? Anyone feel better, less depressed, more energetic?I do and many others have written they do to. "Life-saving" has been used in relation to Effexor. For some people it does not work however... give it time.
> Do the side effects in the beginning go away? And for those who have stopped taking it, did you taper it off and still feel lousy or just quit cold turkey?
Many side effects go away, not all for some people. Some people have stopped cold turkey, but that's a silly thing to do, as with most ADs. You should consult your doctor if you want to stop taking it so you can taper. Not everybody experiences badd effects when they stop taking it - tapering off helps, as well as some other meds ( for example: Prozac, Benadryl, from what I've read on this web site).
> I'm getting off Celexa because I gained 30 pounds in less than three months and have always been trim. Anyone have any weight gain issues with Effexor?
Some people gain weight with Effexor, and some lose weight. One possible side effect of Effexor is decreased appetite. I have experienced it and I have lost weight so far (1 month for about 7lbs - would be more if not for the hollidays !)
> THANKS!
> Sarah
Posted by CincyJack on December 28, 2001, at 9:13:50
In reply to Re: Stopping Celexa; starting Effexor.....scared!! » ST, posted by sid on December 26, 2001, at 20:52:53
Sarah:
I have had good results with Effexor. There are side effects but they have mellowed out with time. My previous experience was with Prozac and I feel more "natural" on Effexor. I do notice a wee bit of visual lag sometimes, vision can seem blurry (but this varies and it sounds like dry eyes), a hint of dizziness from time to time, and my sex drive is not what it used to be. None of these things are showstoppers for me; they are not chronic and just aren't that bad.
As for withdrawal, I accidentally skipped two days and, while I felt like I had a mild flu, I was not slammed like some people are. I am, however, only taking 150 mg. per day. At a higher dose, the withdrawal may be greater.
From what I 've read here, cold turkey is a VERY BAD IDEA and tapering (perhaps with a Prozac supplement) is the way to go. I was concerned about withdrawal, too, but decided to cross that bridge later if I must. For now, I am having good luck with Effexor.
Good luck to you.
Posted by ST on December 28, 2001, at 18:12:51
In reply to Works for Me, posted by CincyJack on December 28, 2001, at 9:13:50
Thanks for the encouragement. It's my third day on 75 mg. and I feel like someone is burning a hole through my stomach. I have a horrible ongoing headache and basically feel like I was run over by a truck. How long did it take for your initial side effects to go away?Thanks!
Posted by sid on December 28, 2001, at 20:41:43
In reply to Re: Works for Me, posted by ST on December 28, 2001, at 18:12:51
With such side effects, you should perhaps go down to 37.5 mg until you get used to the med. For me it took about 5 days for the most incapacitating side effects to subside at 37.5 mg (feelng stone during the day and insomnia at night).
> Thanks for the encouragement. It's my third day on 75 mg. and I feel like someone is burning a hole through my stomach. I have a horrible ongoing headache and basically feel like I was run over by a truck. How long did it take for your initial side effects to go away?Thanks!
Posted by anaya on December 28, 2001, at 22:05:29
In reply to Re: Works for Me, posted by sid on December 28, 2001, at 20:41:43
I started and stopped on half of 37.5mg (so approx. 19mg) and within 4 hours of the first half dose, I felt altered. I even stumbled in the mall where I was shopping.
Insomnia/sleeplessness that night and by day two, I felt drugged. I was twitching, yawning again, had no appetite and felt like I was in another realm.
I was disturbed by these uncomfortable side effects and withdrawal concernsMy physician said take 1/4 of 37.5mg and the side effects would go away in a few days.
But I opted out immediately. And it wasn't until a good workout on day after stopping (day 3), that I felt like myself again.Obviously, this is powerful medicine. This both scares and inspires me. But if I am so sensitive as to need to 1/4 dose, does this seem appopriate for me? Are some of us just too sensitive for this med? How long is too long to wait for the side effects to subside?
> With such side effects, you should perhaps go down to 37.5 mg until you get used to the med. For me it took about 5 days for the most incapacitating side effects to subside at 37.5 mg (feelng stone during the day and insomnia at night).
>
> > Thanks for the encouragement. It's my third day on 75 mg. and I feel like someone is burning a hole through my stomach. I have a horrible ongoing headache and basically feel like I was run over by a truck. How long did it take for your initial side effects to go away?,
Posted by CincyJack on December 29, 2001, at 9:36:04
In reply to side effects really go away?, posted by anaya on December 28, 2001, at 22:05:29
How long I would wait for side effects to diminish depends upon how desperate I am.
I knew from experience with Prozac that I would possibly be a bit spacey for the first couple days, so I waited until Saturday to begin Effexor so I could just take it easy.
Effexor has never upset my stomach. When I started, I ensured that I took it on a full stomach. Since then, I have taken it on an empty stomach with no problem.
I was a wreck when I began Effexor, suffering from depression-related insomnia and a panic attack unlike anything I had ever previously experienced. So, for me, I started getting relief from my insomnia pretty quickly, as opposed to suffering insomnia as a side effect.
If I have to start over some day on a new med, I will give myself at least ~three weeks to see how I react. Unless the side effects are simply unbearable, I want to wait the 4 - 6 weeks to actually benefit fully from the AD quality of the med.
It's all a trade off, I guess. I am taking 150 mg. of Effexor and having good results. I read here of many others who are over the 200 mg. level, so maybe I am more sensitive or responsive.
The side effects of these meds are no fun but I am in a much better place than I was. If you can get through the first month, it might be worth it.
Posted by sid on December 29, 2001, at 12:01:55
In reply to side effects really go away?, posted by anaya on December 28, 2001, at 22:05:29
Starting on a weekend or at the beginning of a vacation is a very good idea. Make sure you don't have to drive inthe first few days. I also felt drugged and had dilated pupils.
Effexor XR has less side effects because it is distributed to your body within 24 hours (XR = extended release), but the lowest dose is 37.5mg. Perhaps it would be better to start with that.
The drugged feeling stopped after 5 days for me. On the 6th day I felt great although the insomnia continued for about a week longer, but less importantly: I woke up less times during a night and could go back to sleep, whereas the first 5 days I would wake up at 4AM and have to get up because of the incredible boost in energy.
> I started and stopped on half of 37.5mg (so approx. 19mg) and within 4 hours of the first half dose, I felt altered. I even stumbled in the mall where I was shopping.
> Insomnia/sleeplessness that night and by day two, I felt drugged. I was twitching, yawning again, had no appetite and felt like I was in another realm.
> I was disturbed by these uncomfortable side effects and withdrawal concerns
>
> My physician said take 1/4 of 37.5mg and the side effects would go away in a few days.
> But I opted out immediately. And it wasn't until a good workout on day after stopping (day 3), that I felt like myself again.
>
> Obviously, this is powerful medicine. This both scares and inspires me. But if I am so sensitive as to need to 1/4 dose, does this seem appopriate for me? Are some of us just too sensitive for this med? How long is too long to wait for the side effects to subside?
>
> > With such side effects, you should perhaps go down to 37.5 mg until you get used to the med. For me it took about 5 days for the most incapacitating side effects to subside at 37.5 mg (feelng stone during the day and insomnia at night).
> >
> > > Thanks for the encouragement. It's my third day on 75 mg. and I feel like someone is burning a hole through my stomach. I have a horrible ongoing headache and basically feel like I was run over by a truck. How long did it take for your initial side effects to go away?,
Posted by ST on December 30, 2001, at 2:23:12
In reply to Re: side effects really go away? » anaya, posted by sid on December 29, 2001, at 12:01:55
< < although the insomnia continued for about a week longer > >
For those of you with insomnia due to side effects, etc., - I have had trouble sleeping since taking the Effexor, but the herb Valerian has been helpful. I've had no trouble sleeping when I've taken one or two capsules. It's all natural - you can find it as an herbal tea or in capsule form. When I've taken "sleeping pills" or Tylenol PM in the past, they've made me feel loopy the next day, but Valerian seems to have no after effect for me.
Posted by jimmygold70 on December 30, 2001, at 11:40:10
In reply to Stopping Celexa; starting Effexor.....scared!!, posted by ST on December 26, 2001, at 3:42:58
WELL, I have been taking all kinds of ADs, and the least side effecting was the high dose Effexor ! Don't get scard, try it. It seems paradoxical, but when you get the Effexor dose beyond 150mg and the noradrenergic effect starts to kick in, it does less side effects, especially for me. Look a the monograph - SE for high dose are different from low dose !
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/venlafax_ad.htm
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