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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 chimo on July 16, 2001, at 15:20:23
Hello. I just started this product about a week ago. The side effects initially were pretty bad, but seem to be going away.
Has anyone had success from this product in the past?
Effexor XR
Posted by AKC on July 16, 2001, at 15:29:01
In reply to Just Started Effexor XR, posted by chimo on July 16, 2001, at 15:20:23
> Hello. I just started this product about a week ago. The side effects initially were pretty bad, but seem to be going away.
> Has anyone had success from this product in the past?
> Effexor XRPersonally, I have had great success with Effexor XR. I have been on it for close to 2 years. When I started on it, I was suffering from suicidal depression that nothing else was treating and have only been that low once since then. I am on a fairly low dose - I have to be careful with the anxiety producing effects because I am bipolar II, but otherwise, I am a huge believer (in the minority I believe on this board).
AKC
Posted by Janelle on July 16, 2001, at 19:46:06
In reply to Just Started Effexor XR, posted by chimo on July 16, 2001, at 15:20:23
I'm sorry to be a voice of gloom, but I started EffexorXR awhile ago, based on a strong recommendation of its helpfulness for anxiety, and it seems to be doing the opposite for me - makes me jittery, feel caffeinated (see thread further above), too stimulated, shaky. ALl this on just half the therapeutic dose - I had to cut back because the higher the dose, the worse I felt.
On a positive note, however, EffexorXR did lift my depression somewhat.
Good luck; I hope it works for you!
-Janelle
Posted by SalArmy4me on July 16, 2001, at 19:48:45
In reply to Just Started Effexor XR, posted by chimo on July 16, 2001, at 15:20:23
I take 600 mg of Effexor at bedtime, and I still don't have any side-effects:
Effexor is a viable option for you because:
*It has the possibility of affecting serotonin, norepinephrine, _and_ dopamine--more chemicals--thus increasing your chances for relief.
*It has no anticholinergic side-effects.
*Sexual disturbances are reported less than with SSRIs.
*It has gained the acceptance of psychiatrists worldwide in less than 8 years of U.S. FDA approval.
*It has few significant interactions with other medications.
*The idea of it being addicting due to withdrawal effects is unfounded; if it had any chance of being addicting, it would have been labeled at least a Schedule IV substance by the U.S. DEA.
Posted by Willow on July 16, 2001, at 22:44:20
In reply to Re: Just Started Effexor XR, posted by SalArmy4me on July 16, 2001, at 19:48:45
AKC is not in the minority I believe. As Janelle stated when first started it can make you physically jittery. This was the first AD to help me and even after months I was still seeing improvement, mostly with memory. I guess the sort of anxiety that it has helped me with is very generalized.
BEST WISHES
Willowps i think people just get tired of repeating themselves AK
Posted by rmshed on July 17, 2001, at 17:41:03
In reply to Just Started Effexor XR, posted by chimo on July 16, 2001, at 15:20:23
> Hello. I just started this product about a week ago. The side effects initially were pretty bad, but seem to be going away.
> Has anyone had success from this product in the past?
> Effexor XRI have been on Effexor XR for almost 5 weeks. I started at 37.5 mg and increased to 75 mgs. I felt some side effects. They seem to pass for the most part. I found that taking this medication about an hour before bed with food works really well for me. Try and take the medication at the same time each day, and be patient.
I am very happy that I took a chance with effexor. I almost resisted because of what others experienced on the drug. I found that I needed to find out what it would do for ME.
Good Luck.
Becky
Posted by girlie on July 25, 2001, at 8:37:43
In reply to Just Started Effexor XR, posted by chimo on July 16, 2001, at 15:20:23
> Hello. I just started this product about a week ago. The side effects initially were pretty bad, but seem to be going away.
> Has anyone had success from this product in the past?
> Effexor XR
I have had great success with Effexor XR and have been on it for 5-1/2 years. I'm weaning off now because I want to get pregnant. It helped tremendously with anxiety, more than I thought anything could. My advice would be to push past the side effects (I suffered from periods of unbelievable drowsiness for a few days each time I increased my doseage) and give it a chance to see if it works for you.girlie
Posted by Else on July 27, 2001, at 6:15:37
In reply to Re: Just Started Effexor XR, posted by SalArmy4me on July 16, 2001, at 19:48:45
I've read a lot about Effexor and based on what I know (about) GAD and ADD it would seem like an ideal drug for me. But I was never able to tolerate it. It's always given me stomach pains that kept me awake all night and I always felt like I had had way too much coffee. These effects didn't go away over time and I took the drug for several months. At the time, I didn't even think the Effexor was causing this, I thought I had an ulcer or something like that. I don't know if combining it with something else would have taken care of these symptoms. I did try Zantac at some point but it was no help. I also tried Gravol (Dramamine) which did work but made my thoughts quite blurry even at very low doses (12.5mg). I didn't really notice any improvements since I felt so bad from the stomach pains and the insomnia. It's frustrating because I see that those of you who can tolerate it seem to find it very effective.
> I take 600 mg of Effexor at bedtime, and I still don't have any side-effects:
>
> Effexor is a viable option for you because:
>
> *It has the possibility of affecting serotonin, norepinephrine, _and_ dopamine--more chemicals--thus increasing your chances for relief.
> *It has no anticholinergic side-effects.
> *Sexual disturbances are reported less than with SSRIs.
> *It has gained the acceptance of psychiatrists worldwide in less than 8 years of U.S. FDA approval.
> *It has few significant interactions with other medications.
> *The idea of it being addicting due to withdrawal effects is unfounded; if it had any chance of being addicting, it would have been labeled at least a Schedule IV substance by the U.S. DEA.
Posted by rmshed on July 27, 2001, at 18:30:53
In reply to Re: Just Started Effexor XR /another believer » chimo, posted by girlie on July 25, 2001, at 8:37:43
> > Hello. I just started this product about a week ago. The side effects initially were pretty bad, but seem to be going away.
> > Has anyone had success from this product in the past?
> > Effexor XR
>
I have been on Effexor XR for 6 weeks. I have some minor side effects. They seem small compared to how much better I feel mentally and emotionally. I started out on 37.5 mgs and increased to 75 mgs that is where I am. The side effects seem to decrease with time. If I think about them too much it makes them worse. I am concerned about withdrawl, but then I take xanax also and that is also another hard medication to get off of. If it wouldn't have been for medication, I would have killed myself many years ago. Therapy helped me until the next crisis came up and I was without the help of a professional. I was becoming to dependent on therapy and was letting others make my decisions. I now make my own. Therapy can be very beneficial for some, I think if you have a good relationship with your therapist, then you may get more out of the sessions.Good Luck.
Becky
>
> I have had great success with Effexor XR and have been on it for 5-1/2 years. I'm weaning off now because I want to get pregnant. It helped tremendously with anxiety, more than I thought anything could. My advice would be to push past the side effects (I suffered from periods of unbelievable drowsiness for a few days each time I increased my doseage) and give it a chance to see if it works for you.
>
> girlie
Posted by CathyG on July 28, 2001, at 13:25:58
In reply to Just Started Effexor XR, posted by chimo on July 16, 2001, at 15:20:23
I have been on EffexorXR for about 2 months now and after a rough start...doc dropped me off Paxil cold turkey and started Effexor!...and a dose increase of 75mg twice a day, I am doing fairly well. I am always afraid to get too comfortable with feeling good though...have had too many disappointments in the past. I also recommend taking dose at approximately the same time of day...it keeps things consistant and you are less likely to forget to take it. The only problem I am having now is some jaw clenching and it seems to be getting less as time goes on. Good luck and hang in there!!!
> Effexor XR
Posted by SalArmy4me on July 30, 2001, at 23:46:26
In reply to Re: Just Started Effexor XR, posted by CathyG on July 28, 2001, at 13:25:58
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Bruxism-from-SSRIs-and-sti.html
This is the end of the thread.
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