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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gabmeister on June 17, 2006, at 12:23:22
Several years ago when I was first diagnosed with depression, my doc was also concerned about the fact that I was no longer leaving the house except to go to work (and that was extremely traumatic every day). Went on the Effexor and was seeing not only family-doc but psycho-doc.
My problem is not that I am afraid to leave the house, I just don't wanna go outside. Come home from work Friday nite and don't leave the house til Monday morning. Just sit in (and am quite content to do so). Poor hubby has to do everything alone. A week holiday? Stay in the house each and every day. Seem to have noooo motivation. I'm just flat.
Anyone else? Any suggestions? I don't want to simply sit in front of the t.v. for the rest of my life. The ONLY thing that gets me out is work and that's only 'cause it's an evil necessity.
Supposed to go our our eldest daughter's tomorrow for Father's Day. I'm already trying to figure out how to get out of going. Thinking of faking a really bad headache. Kinda wanna go BUT it's just so much effort. Just don't feel like putting that much energy into anything (even though I love my hub dearly).
Help.
Posted by elsie_girl on June 30, 2006, at 2:20:06
In reply to I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna...., posted by gabmeister on June 17, 2006, at 12:23:22
Hi gabmeister, was just reading this previous post. I know that depression makes you less social, but I think that the Efexor made me far less motivated to do anything. Even washing dishes was an effort. I would sit up until 2am watching TV and I was also sleeping 10-12 hours a day and sometimes that even wasn't enough. I did not realise that it was the meds until I went off them a few weeks ago.
While I know that it is difficult, I feel (for myself) that I have to make the effort to do things and go places, because you can really end up in a rut if you don't. It's hard for our family to understand sometimes, my hubby didn't and he also has depression. But if it is any consolation I can empathise. Let me know how it is going. I think life is worth the effort - even if it is difficult. Good luck.
> Several years ago when I was first diagnosed with depression, my doc was also concerned about the fact that I was no longer leaving the house except to go to work (and that was extremely traumatic every day). Went on the Effexor and was seeing not only family-doc but psycho-doc.
>
> My problem is not that I am afraid to leave the house, I just don't wanna go outside. Come home from work Friday nite and don't leave the house til Monday morning. Just sit in (and am quite content to do so). Poor hubby has to do everything alone. A week holiday? Stay in the house each and every day. Seem to have noooo motivation. I'm just flat.
>
> Anyone else? Any suggestions? I don't want to simply sit in front of the t.v. for the rest of my life. The ONLY thing that gets me out is work and that's only 'cause it's an evil necessity.
>
> Supposed to go our our eldest daughter's tomorrow for Father's Day. I'm already trying to figure out how to get out of going. Thinking of faking a really bad headache. Kinda wanna go BUT it's just so much effort. Just don't feel like putting that much energy into anything (even though I love my hub dearly).
>
> Help.
>
Posted by over 55 on June 30, 2006, at 10:39:22
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna.... » gabmeister, posted by elsie_girl on June 30, 2006, at 2:20:06
Hi Elsie and Gabmeister,
Just wanted to add to the "no motivation" factor with Effexor. I would lay there on the couch (and still do, but it is getting better) and think about getting up and going to do something that I had originally wanted to do. Well, I can talk myself out of it very easily, especially in the prone position. The output of energy just wasn't worth the perceived input from the activity. I have to literally make myself get up. It has been very easy to put it all on "getting older" as I am 58, but that can't be all it.....I know it's not. I also know that dragging this 60 lb "extra woman" I have grown on my butt is not helping. I am pulling two people around ( : My engine is just about "caput"!!
There is a country song "MY Give a Darn's (not really the word) Busted" that fits me perfectly. Soemthing is broken and I need to find a way to fix it. I quess for me I know I am not taking very good care of myself heathwise and they say you reap in your body what you did to it 20 years before so wow the "40" were a bummer!!! I better work on the "80"s now. got a whole lot of livin' yet to do. I love to travel and don't want them to have to load me on the bus!
I am completely off Effexor now and will say for anyone going off; do it slowly and I found Prozac to really help while weaning and I had minimal withdrawal symptoms. I took Omega 3 too.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 2, 2006, at 13:06:40
In reply to I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna...., posted by gabmeister on June 17, 2006, at 12:23:22
> My problem is not that I am afraid to leave the house, I just don't wanna go outside...
Sorry if it's confusing here, but I'd like to redirect this thread to the main Psycho-Babble board. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060701/msgs/663543.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by elsie_girl on July 4, 2006, at 4:48:25
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna...., posted by over 55 on June 30, 2006, at 10:39:22
Hi all! I have posted elsewhere as well, but thought this might be of interest. I was recently told that Efexor was designed mostly for people in institutions to keep them calm - in check. Don't know the truth in this, but after coming off it, I wouldn't be surprised if this was true. Apparently, our local drug rep could sell ice to Eskimos and when Efexor first came out it was very popular. I still find it amazing what these drugs do to us.
Was also told by the same person that they were at a party in New York at Christmas time and that Prozac was being handed around like a lolly - a party drug to make you feel better. Strange isn't it, here we are trying our best to be 'normal' and I have to wonder where these people's heads are?
Even though I have been sick lately, I have now been 5 weeks off the Efexor - am now on Lovan (equivalent to Prozac I think)- and am feeling more energetic, motivated, clear-headed etc.
Hey, Over 55 have you found the same? Are you feeling any more motivated off the Efexor? Or are you still coping with the change over? Are you still on Prozac or have you weaned off it too?
Keep in touch - look forward to your posts. Cheers Elsie :)
> Hi Elsie and Gabmeister,
>
> Just wanted to add to the "no motivation" factor with Effexor. I would lay there on the couch (and still do, but it is getting better) and think about getting up and going to do something that I had originally wanted to do. Well, I can talk myself out of it very easily, especially in the prone position. The output of energy just wasn't worth the perceived input from the activity. I have to literally make myself get up. It has been very easy to put it all on "getting older" as I am 58, but that can't be all it.....I know it's not. I also know that dragging this 60 lb "extra woman" I have grown on my butt is not helping. I am pulling two people around ( : My engine is just about "caput"!!
>
> There is a country song "MY Give a Darn's (not really the word) Busted" that fits me perfectly. Soemthing is broken and I need to find a way to fix it. I quess for me I know I am not taking very good care of myself heathwise and they say you reap in your body what you did to it 20 years before so wow the "40" were a bummer!!! I better work on the "80"s now. got a whole lot of livin' yet to do. I love to travel and don't want them to have to load me on the bus!
>
> I am completely off Effexor now and will say for anyone going off; do it slowly and I found Prozac to really help while weaning and I had minimal withdrawal symptoms. I took Omega 3 too.
Posted by over 55 on July 5, 2006, at 11:48:45
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna.... » over 55, posted by elsie_girl on July 4, 2006, at 4:48:25
> Hi all! I have posted elsewhere as well, but thought this might be of interest. I was recently told that Efexor was designed mostly for people in institutions to keep them calm - in check. Don't know the truth in this, but after coming off it, I wouldn't be surprised if this was true. Apparently, our local drug rep could sell ice to Eskimos and when Efexor first came out it was very popular. I still find it amazing what these drugs do to us.
>
> Was also told by the same person that they were at a party in New York at Christmas time and that Prozac was being handed around like a lolly - a party drug to make you feel better. Strange isn't it, here we are trying our best to be 'normal' and I have to wonder where these people's heads are?
>
> Even though I have been sick lately, I have now been 5 weeks off the Efexor - am now on Lovan (equivalent to Prozac I think)- and am feeling more energetic, motivated, clear-headed etc.
>
> Hey, Over 55 have you found the same? Are you feeling any more motivated off the Efexor? Or are you still coping with the change over? Are you still on Prozac or have you weaned off it too?
>
> Keep in touch - look forward to your posts. Cheers Elsie :)
>
>
> > Hi Elsie and Gabmeister,
> >
> > Just wanted to add to the "no motivation" factor with Effexor. I would lay there on the couch (and still do, but it is getting better) and think about getting up and going to do something that I had originally wanted to do. Well, I can talk myself out of it very easily, especially in the prone position. The output of energy just wasn't worth the perceived input from the activity. I have to literally make myself get up. It has been very easy to put it all on "getting older" as I am 58, but that can't be all it.....I know it's not. I also know that dragging this 60 lb "extra woman" I have grown on my butt is not helping. I am pulling two people around ( : My engine is just about "caput"!!
> >
> > There is a country song "MY Give a Darn's (not really the word) Busted" that fits me perfectly. Soemthing is broken and I need to find a way to fix it. I quess for me I know I am not taking very good care of myself heathwise and they say you reap in your body what you did to it 20 years before so wow the "40" were a bummer!!! I better work on the "80"s now. got a whole lot of livin' yet to do. I love to travel and don't want them to have to load me on the bus!
> >
> > I am completely off Effexor now and will say for anyone going off; do it slowly and I found Prozac to really help while weaning and I had minimal withdrawal symptoms. I took Omega 3 too.
>
>
Hi Elsie girl,Thanks for thinking of me. Yes, I am doing better and am about one week totally off Effexor (after a wean down with Prozac). Tried cutting downon Prozac but wasn't as sucessful. Original plan was to go to Prozac per Dr, but as I felt better and better getting off the Effexor I wanted to get off it all. Not quite so sucessful at that yet, but still have hopes that it can be done. I do have some energy returning and have cleaned places in my home that I had forgotten I'd stuffed "stuff"....so I am doing much better. I am trying to do some lifestyle changes at the same time (eating and exercising) as I know to do that is good; but just was satisified to eat and sleep before. Truly things are gettinb better so am grateful I found this site for the encouragement I needed!!!
Posted by elsie_girl on July 5, 2006, at 21:02:30
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna...., posted by over 55 on July 5, 2006, at 11:48:45
Hi Over 55! Sounds like we had some things in common with the Efexor. You still did not say if you are still on the Prozac? Am interested to know because as I was coming off Efexor I too felt like I did not want to go onto anything else initially - until the madness set back in (irritability, agitation etc.). I feel like am normally fairly calm (probably the Efexor), so these symptoms were distressing. Went to see my psychologist today and she thinks that a lot of my physical problems at the moment (bad muscular pain) is psychosomatic (spelling???), which is not a lot of help to me. If this is the case I don't know how I am going to get out of this rut. She thinks it's because I am not facing up to problems with my marriage.
All this just when I thought my head was starting to feel normal again. I too like you have started a cleaning regime (despite feeling unwell) - I even had the carpets cleaned this week. Not a good thing to do when you aren't feeling well physically because we all had to remove excess items from our bedrooms - and then return them. Crazy isn't it - why we do these things to ourselves. But at least I have the satisfaction of knowing the carpet is clean now at least. I sort of got everyone else motivated for a while at least through Efexor withdrawal. This is the cleanest my house has been for a while.
Hope to hear from you soon. Elsie girl :)
Posted by over 55 on July 6, 2006, at 9:10:51
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna.... » over 55, posted by elsie_girl on July 5, 2006, at 21:02:30
Hi...again.
Even though I would like to NOT be on anything; I felt too crabby (to put it politely!!) to continue to try it with nothing; so have been taking 20mg of Prozac every other day. I have a Dr appt Fri and plan to talk to him about my "plan" to hopefully get off everything. I am OK with taking the Prozac as I have such an "anger/rage" that I don't trust myself to handle it. That's one of the things that got me into trouble before.Almost all the physical symptoms from withdrawal are gone except for minor headaches, which I rarely get headaches so am not used to. I highly recommend the Prozac to wean off Effexor as I know from missing a few days of Effexor how very sick you can feel. I can't imagine doing it alone.
I really am feeling quite well and better than I have in a couple of years. My head feels clearer each day and last night I did not take a nap after work (a first since withdrawing off Effexor) so hopefully the terrible fatique is lifting. My house is cleaner too than in a long, long time. Probably no one else would see the difference, but I know what lurked in those corners and drawers and other hiding places. Sometimes I would feel like my hands were so weak I just couldn't even scrub the sink all that well. I feel stronger emotionally and physically. I have been getting up and doing my usual "yoga routine" so I can walk without hips and back hurting and now have added 15 minutes on the health walker machine. Doesn't sound like much, but for me it is a big deal. '
My colon cleanse package should arrive today...so I will try to clean the corners (ha ha ) out in there too. I am feeling pretty optimistic and hopeful that I can handle life without a lot of medication and get to feeling better.
It is really funny that a month ago I approached the Dr about going to a generic of Prozac to save money. My insurance paid some of the Effexor, but I was picking up about $100 a month of it and thought if there is something out there that is cheaper (and boy is Prozac generic cheaper), I wanted to try it. My first prescription of generic cost $2.12 so what a difference. Maybe that is why I feel better.....more shopping/fun money!!!
My main goal was to get more energy as I felt so lethargic all the time. Sometimes I would just sit on the couch and kind of fall over and curl up and go to sleep at any time of the day. I would justify it by saying to myself "I must have needed that"......but felt like a real "slug" for being so weak. I want to feel excited about life again; not just "trudging through". I think it is possible. I just have to get healthy again!!! Thanks for writing and take care of yourself. Keep in touch.....the journey is long!!
Posted by elsie_girl on July 7, 2006, at 5:04:13
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna...., posted by over 55 on July 6, 2006, at 9:10:51
Hi Over 55! You sound like you are in exactly the same position as me. I was initially going to change to another AD because of side-effects from Efexor, but as I was reducing the dose I felt better and better and I too decided that I would like to have tried to not be on anything at all. But, alas the irritability, agitation etc. started in so for the moment I am on Lovan20 (equivalent to Prozac 20mg) daily and feeling OK. I have also been waiting to see a psychiatrist to get my meds straight. The worse part of withdrawing has not being given the medical support I needed. My doc was not up on it and was too busy to see me.
I did mention before, I picked up what I thought was a virus during the withdrawals (last few weeks)but am still sick and have not been coping. I have previously had RSI etc. and the pain has been so severe that it has been almost unbearable. Yesterday I went to my psychologist and she reckons that a lot of it was my emotional condition - I don't agree. I know I did not cope well but the docs seem to be too eager to blame everything on depression. Do you find that too? Anyway, have an appointment with a rheumatologist in a few weeks so I will see what he says - probably nothing. Seems like I am in the 'too hard' basket. It would be much easier if I had a broken leg - at least I think they would be bothered to do something to help me then.
Even though I have been sick I too generally feel much better in the head and fatigue-wise. Have not been sleeping as much (even though I haven't been well) and the dishes are getting done every day. I really feel Efexor was responsible for a lot of the fatigue etc. I also had the carpet cleaned, the yard cleared and the house is generally much tidier. A lot of that just seemed too hard when I was still on Efexor. I think it's frightening what the drug can do to you - still I think it has it's place don't you?
I am glad that you are getting yourself in better shape physically - I know that I will eventually get there too. I haven't been able to work either. I am a casual relief teacher and had to knock back work the last few weeks of term - and this is the busiest time of the year (winter & flus etc.). I have to reapply for teaching approval because of medical probs and this has been a real set-back for me. I only finished my teaching degree 2 years ago so I haven't been teaching for long. My doc says at the moment that she would not give me a certificate to say that I am fit for work so that has been very disappointing, but on the other hand I don't feel like I could cope either physically or mentally anyway. Teaching really is quite exhausting both physically and emotionally.
It's always good to get a boost financially - enjoy your shopping!
It has been so good to have had this interchange, this bulletin board has really helped me at a time when I couldn't find help anywhere else. It's hard to share with people who do NOT understand, but much easier when you can share with people who DO.
Good luck to you. Hope we both continue to improve. Please keep posting and let me know how you are going.
Regards
Elsie_girl :)Hi...again.
> Even though I would like to NOT be on anything; I felt too crabby (to put it politely!!) to continue to try it with nothing; so have been taking 20mg of Prozac every other day. I have a Dr appt Fri and plan to talk to him about my "plan" to hopefully get off everything. I am OK with taking the Prozac as I have such an "anger/rage" that I don't trust myself to handle it. That's one of the things that got me into trouble before.
>
> Almost all the physical symptoms from withdrawal are gone except for minor headaches, which I rarely get headaches so am not used to. I highly recommend the Prozac to wean off Effexor as I know from missing a few days of Effexor how very sick you can feel. I can't imagine doing it alone.
>
> I really am feeling quite well and better than I have in a couple of years. My head feels clearer each day and last night I did not take a nap after work (a first since withdrawing off Effexor) so hopefully the terrible fatique is lifting. My house is cleaner too than in a long, long time. Probably no one else would see the difference, but I know what lurked in those corners and drawers and other hiding places. Sometimes I would feel like my hands were so weak I just couldn't even scrub the sink all that well. I feel stronger emotionally and physically. I have been getting up and doing my usual "yoga routine" so I can walk without hips and back hurting and now have added 15 minutes on the health walker machine. Doesn't sound like much, but for me it is a big deal. '
>
> My colon cleanse package should arrive today...so I will try to clean the corners (ha ha ) out in there too. I am feeling pretty optimistic and hopeful that I can handle life without a lot of medication and get to feeling better.
>
> It is really funny that a month ago I approached the Dr about going to a generic of Prozac to save money. My insurance paid some of the Effexor, but I was picking up about $100 a month of it and thought if there is something out there that is cheaper (and boy is Prozac generic cheaper), I wanted to try it. My first prescription of generic cost $2.12 so what a difference. Maybe that is why I feel better.....more shopping/fun money!!!
> My main goal was to get more energy as I felt so lethargic all the time. Sometimes I would just sit on the couch and kind of fall over and curl up and go to sleep at any time of the day. I would justify it by saying to myself "I must have needed that"......but felt like a real "slug" for being so weak. I want to feel excited about life again; not just "trudging through". I think it is possible. I just have to get healthy again!!! Thanks for writing and take care of yourself. Keep in touch.....the journey is long!!
>
Posted by wacky on July 24, 2006, at 19:11:41
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna.... » over 55, posted by elsie_girl on July 7, 2006, at 5:04:13
This thread is amazing. I thought my lethargy was caused by the depression! Now I think it's the Effexor! I am on 450 mg and my next appointment I'm gonna insist that I start weaning off this sh*t.
I've been suffering with sweating or goose bumnps or both at the same time for months - and my entire body's heat regulation is totally botched up. I think it's all the Effexor. I had a real heatstroke for the first time in my life about a month ago - and fortunately was around people who knew what to do so I was okay. But I've been heat tolerant my entire life - and relatively fit - so why now?
The more I read here about other's experiences, the more convinced I am that my problems are NOT depression related!
Thanks to everyone!
Posted by elsie_girl on July 24, 2006, at 22:11:39
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna...., posted by wacky on July 24, 2006, at 19:11:41
Hi Wacky! I have posted previously about excessive sweating on Efexor. I was on a dose of 375mg and every time I exerted myself physically would drip perspiration. To wash the dishes I would have to wrap a towel around my neck. It was one of the reasons why I eventually decided to go off the Efexor. Mind you, I always have been a sweaty person (perspire easily), but it was excessive.
I am now on Lovan and am not experiencing the profuse sweating which I suffered on Efexor. I don't think Efexor suited me. My husband has been on Lexapro and his body thermostat has altered also. In the winter time he used to walk around with a padded jacket inside the house - now he wears a long-sleeved shirt. It seems that maybe AD's have this capability (I might be generalising) of altering many body mechanisms.
Having said all that I do think that lethargy comes hand in hand with depression, although not to the extent I felt on Efexor. So bear in mind that you need to be realistic about your expectations of feeling super energetic on lower doses. I was almost manic and hyperactive the few weeks I was not on anything, but have settled down again now. Still, I am tired - but I also have other physical problems (which the doctors previously have all blamed on depression). It's easy to get tarred with 'that' brush - 'you're depressed' so we will blame it all on that.
My only advice to you is that you know your own body better than anyone else - be guided by that and good luck. Let us know how you are travelling if you can.
> This thread is amazing. I thought my lethargy was caused by the depression! Now I think it's the Effexor! I am on 450 mg and my next appointment I'm gonna insist that I start weaning off this sh*t.
>
> I've been suffering with sweating or goose bumnps or both at the same time for months - and my entire body's heat regulation is totally botched up. I think it's all the Effexor. I had a real heatstroke for the first time in my life about a month ago - and fortunately was around people who knew what to do so I was okay. But I've been heat tolerant my entire life - and relatively fit - so why now?
>
> The more I read here about other's experiences, the more convinced I am that my problems are NOT depression related!
>
> Thanks to everyone!
>
Posted by over 55 on July 25, 2006, at 8:28:36
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna...., posted by wacky on July 24, 2006, at 19:11:41
The heat regulation thing is definitely an issue. Sometimes I'd feel like my head was going to pop off I'd get so hot. And sweat from the top of my head would just pour off. In this Kansas heat that was not a good thing.
Just a warning on weaning off though, if that is what you decide to do. Please go back and read some of the older posts and even go to the "alternative" site BEFORE you request to wean off. At 450mg you are at a significant gh dose and "withdrawal" could be difficult or not for you depending on YOU. My experience was relatively minor compared to others, but better to be prepared than caught off guard. I would suggest from expereience to not go off Effexor too fast. Just wean down and certainly, if your Dr suggests, take something to help along the way. I was prescribed Prozac at the same time as weaning to help and it certainly did for me. On the alternative site I found Omega 3 suggestions and also took that and still do even after getting off Effexor. Then I weaned off Prozac, even though I was mentally prepared to stay on it, if needed. I won't suffer from depression needlessly again.
So far so good for me. I have been off everything for over two weeks now and only symptom left is "fatique", but I am trying to deal with that by some alternative methods and starting to feel better already.So....I want to encourage you in your journey, but just be "mindful" it is your journey and unlike any you read here. Take what "fits" and use it. Your body is unique and meant to function at peak performance; but in our own ways we sabatoge it at every turn. I wish you well and hope this is a way for you to return to your "best self". I think everyone on this site is just wanting to be the best we can be with as little chemical dependence as possible.
Good luck and keep posting on your progress. We help one another here just by being real about our experiences.
Posted by wacky on July 31, 2006, at 12:52:28
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna...., posted by over 55 on July 25, 2006, at 8:28:36
Thanks for everyone's input. I see my pdoc on Aug 8th and that's when I'll start the taper. Can't wait to get rid of the sweating.
This is the end of the thread.
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