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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by consie on January 2, 2005, at 17:33:01
I just started Effexor on Friday and have been having tight chest, shortness of breath and rapid resting heartrate (about 88). I have had two very restless nights waking up every two to three hours, taking 45 to 1 hour to go back to sleep. I feel worse than any anxiety attack that I've had to take Xanax for. After reading these posts, I don't feel that the risks are worth the feeling I am having from the meds. I am only on 37.5. I am not chronically depressed. I am seeing a therapist due to my feelings about my husbands chronic illness. Any advice
Posted by Dan Perkins on January 2, 2005, at 17:53:02
In reply to Effexor side effects, posted by consie on January 2, 2005, at 17:33:01
Have you read the dozens and dozens of posts on this message board about severe negative effects people have had from Effexor? There are multiple threads on this page alone which address this topic and are worth reading if you are considering staying on Effexor. From everything I have read so far (and from my brief experience w/Effexor) this is a dangerous drug. It's not a drug you want to take unless you have exhausted all your other options.
And here again is the link to an article from Forbes magazine about the dangers of Effexor:
http://www.forbes.com/technology/ebusiness/feeds/ap/2004/12/06/ap1694586.htmlThere is a risk of severe heart problems as a result of taking Effexor, so if you are feeling heart problems already on such a low dose, I think it's time to stop and move on.
Posted by consie on January 2, 2005, at 19:36:27
In reply to Re: Effexor side effects, posted by Dan Perkins on January 2, 2005, at 17:53:02
Yes, Dan, that's what made me more concerned about taking it. My mother was on it for a year when her husband was hospitalized and then later passed away. She didn't have any problems and suggested I ask the dr. for it when I had my breakdown over my husbands condition last week. I talked to my therapist who feels we can work through my problem within a month or two and feels I shouldn't need the drug. My husband has also had no headache now for 3 days, first time in 3 years. That alone has me walking on air. I am a somewhat hyper person anyway, so maybe the extra seratonin isn't the plan for me. I assume,since I am on the lowest dose and only 3 days in that there isn't a way to taper off, except just to stop?
Posted by Dan Perkins on January 2, 2005, at 20:12:51
In reply to Re: Effexor side effects, posted by consie on January 2, 2005, at 19:36:27
Yes, I think the best thing to do is just to stop. You could probably do a very slow taper, but since you are on such a low dose and since you have only been taking the Effexor for a few days, it is probably best to just not take any more pills and leave it at that.
Best of luck to you and keep us posted . . .
Posted by anneL on January 2, 2005, at 20:53:25
In reply to Re: Effexor side effects, posted by Dan Perkins on January 2, 2005, at 17:53:02
Dan,
Other than the Forbes article, is there any other information that you have read that you can share that indicates "There is a risk of severe heart problems as a result of taking Effexor".
This is a frightening thought, however, has this claim been substantiated by any research data?
Please advise.
anneL
Posted by Dan Perkins on January 2, 2005, at 21:14:13
In reply to Re: Effexor side effects » Dan Perkins, posted by anneL on January 2, 2005, at 20:53:25
I am less concerned about research data then I am about the dozens and dozens of people who have complained on this very message board about horrible experiences they have had with Effexor, including heart problems.
There is, of course, a stigma to finding health information on the internet and from message boards such as this (and this is by no means the only source that I reference, I always look at the original studies themselves on PubMed), but I find these to be the most reliable sources available and I think all of the recent scandals in the pharmaceutical industry show how flawed research studies funded by the very companies that profit off of a drug's approval and wide-spread use can be.
But to answer your question specifically about studies that back up my claim that Effexor can cause sever heart problems, the study refferenced in the Forbes article notes "irregular heart rythms" as a problem with Effexor. Irregular heart rythms can be deadly and they are very much a "severe heart problem." This is one study, and others on this board may be able to point to more. I don't think I am being alarmist in pointing out how dangerous a drug Effexor can be.
> Dan,
>
> Other than the Forbes article, is there any other information that you have read that you can share that indicates "There is a risk of severe heart problems as a result of taking Effexor".
>
> This is a frightening thought, however, has this claim been substantiated by any research data?
>
> Please advise.
> anneL
Posted by anneL on January 2, 2005, at 21:44:19
In reply to Re: Effexor side effects, posted by Dan Perkins on January 2, 2005, at 21:14:13
Dan,
Thank you for clarifying your point. I agree that certain heart arrhythmias can be dangerous (or even fatal). I have not read of any deaths due to Effexor-induced heart problems in people with normal heart function or even patients with enlarged hearts (cardiomyopathy).
I have read and experienced discontinuation syndrome and just the thought of having to go through this over and over again is enough to cause a heart attack! Effexor is not on my personal best medication list! :) anneL
Posted by consie on January 3, 2005, at 7:50:08
In reply to Re: Effexor side effects, posted by Dan Perkins on January 2, 2005, at 20:12:51
Dan, I decided last night to do that as of this a.m. It would only be my fourth day. I was so wound up last yesterday and last night, I felt like I was on speed. I can't even take things like metabolife without becoming extremely hyper. I only slept about 2 hours last night and keep getting a hot spot on my chest and sweats all night. I woke up still hyper, even though I prayed all night for some sleep. I hate it! I will call my doctor this a.m. and let him know I am stopping it.
Thanks for your support, Connie
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