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Gonna Try Effexor------ where's Tammy?

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Posted 11/12/2007 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Just got home from my MD----he and I decided that I would like to try another anxiety med, but since Celexa and Lexapro didn't work---we'd try Effexor---start with a small dose---(37.5mg)--eventually go to 75 mg---for a while--not indefinetly.  I will also take the Klonopin (.5 mg) while starting the Effexor---BUT I AM SCARED!!!!!

I talked w/ MD about starting it AFTER thanksgiving (which he is fine with)----but, I am so scared of experiencing the same things I did with Celexa and Lexapro!

Tammy---I think you are in a similar situation as me---and am wondering if you started with your Effexor yet?  How is it going?

Also, those o fyou on Effexor----please tell me good things about it?  I am scared of  meds!  Thanks! 

Laurel :-)

Posted 11/12/2007 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there Laurel...I haven't started the Effexor yet. I go back on the 15th, which is Thursday, and she said by then she will be comfortable that I am weaned off the Lexapro enough to start the Effexor. I will tell you what happens when I get back on the 15th. I am on Klonopin as well right now...and plan to stay on that for awhile, cuz it really makes me feel closer to "normal" than I have felt in ages. But yea, I will definately update you on Thursday, and see what is going on, and then update you as to how my first few days are. I am scared of meds too...I know how you feel!
Posted 11/12/2007 8:36 PM (GMT 0)

Hi there,

I want both of you to know how normal you are! I am afraid  of meds too as it is so hard starting them to know what is my anxiety and what is a real side effect of the med. eyes

I wish you both good luck on your med changes.  I have been down that path many times.  Please know that I care and post away on here your fears as well as your good feelings about the meds.

Hugs

Kitt

Posted 11/12/2007 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Aw, thanks Kitt! I will probably be posting often---LOL! You know me---"long winded" when I am in an anxious mood! ;0)

Laurel!
Posted 11/13/2007 12:18 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Hope and Tammy,

I take effexor 150mg, i started on 75mg, after taking cipramil 10mg for 6 months and found them no help at all, before i started on Effexor i was scared of taking them after i searched the web and found a huge list of side possible side effects, but found that most of them were very small and others very very rare.

I was told to take them after food at night, so i would take it after dinner, and found myself feeling somewhat euphoric (really in a comfort zone) and a little tired, but that wore off after a few weeks of adjusting to them, after about 1 1/2 months i was able to feel confident enough to start going outside in the backyard for short periods of time,with time the time periods increased but i still didnt really want to venture outside the front of my house, my doctor was on holidays so my father had to talk to the fill in doctor who specialised in depression and anxiety, and she said i needed a stronger dose, so my doctor put me on 150 mg, within a few weeks i found i wanted to do more and didnt find things to be a chore, i actually wanted to go outside for a walk, and after 3 months of taking 150mg, 2 days ago i went for the biggest walk ive been on in 12 months.

Sorry for he long post, just trying to explain how Effexor has helped me, as for side effects i havent had any other than feeling a little nausious if i dont take them with food, and no sex drive what so ever, (but i've got 4 kids so its no big problem for me..lols) so all in alla small price to pay for the success ive had so far..

But as everyone is different and im far from being a professional, this is my personal experience, but starting on a low dose (37.5mg) is a good way to start..

Hope they help you as much as they have helped me.. :-)

((((((((HUGS)))))))) to all.. :-)

Posted 11/13/2007 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Liquid---

thank you so much for your input! I hope it does work--but, I hope my libido doesn't tank! LOL! I am glad it is working for you-----and that you are able to go for a walk---and have the energy to want to do things! Great job!

If anyone else would like to tell you story about Effexor---please do! ;)

Laurel
Posted 11/13/2007 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, Liquid, thanks for your story...good to hear what is going on with other people when starting a new drug...eventhough everyone is different!!! I will DEFINATELY be here talking about things when I start Effexor XR...that is the one my pdoc wants, is the XR.
Posted 11/13/2007 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
I will have to see if my Effexor is "XR"----hmmm.......;)

Laurel
Posted 11/13/2007 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Liqued for posting your experiences with this med ............

It is great to have you always in here supporting ppl

Take care my friend

LYN
Posted 11/13/2007 10:50 PM (GMT 0)

Only too happy to help where i can,

Yes there is another effexor i think it is Effexor EX but not certain, but i do know it is taken in a different dosage format, and not sure if it is present as the venaflaxine as Effexor XR is.

And Hope, ill prayyour libido dosent tank on you..lols.... :-) :-) :-)

((((((((HUGS)))))))) to all... :-)

Posted 11/14/2007 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
I'm going to my doctor tomorrow in hopes of getting off Effexor or lowering my dose....I'm currently on 300mg a day. I do remember at one point be completely and totally happy on them. I think I was at the 75mg at that time. It truly was the best I ever felt. I still had a sex drive and it seemed nothing "got" to me.

My mother began battling cancer again (she survived, twice) and I spiraled downhill quickly. Went to 300mg. I lost my sex drive and felt numb. I weaned myself back down and was successful at 75mg again, but never regained the libido.

The only other side effect I suffer with Effexor is a dizzy all over feeling if I haven't eaten. I think it's called vertigo. I can't stand it. If I move to quick or turn around, I get that feeling like I just slammed into a wall. I also experience this if I miss a dose.

Oh yeah, one more side effect...night sweats. Especially if I miss a dose or if my dose is incorrect. I wake up drenched in sweat.

I hope you have better luck than me, but I have been on it for 5 years. I think once your dr suggests a dose past 150mg, consider an alternative b/c 300mg feels bad.
Posted 11/14/2007 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
I'm awful at visiting this board and admit that I absolutely take you guys for granted considering all the wonderful support. So, I'm hoping this will help someone!

So far I've taken Celexa, Effexor, and now Lexapro. I tried each for at least 6 months.

Since my diagnosis is dysthymia (chronic depression) and GAD I might be a bit different, since I don't really know what it's like to feel particularly good. but...

Celexa did help the depression part of me, and certainly helped me not feel so sad. Though, overall it felt like a stabilizer and not an improver as it were. I experience minor side effects, most notably vertigo for the first 2 weeks. Then I was fine. Libido was not great, but then I wasn't seeing anyone so it didn't matter. (much)

Effexor was in an attempt to improve my mood. Again, still felt like a stabilizer, though again did help with the depression. I did experience a few slight side effects. A little bit of tingling in the arms and if I forgot a dose I would have CRAZY dreams and wake up exhausted. The reason i stopped taking it was because it tended to make me a bit edgy. And by edgy I don't mean jump off a cliff, but more like I felt like I had to be the energizer bunny. (which isn't me) By the by, getting off Effexor was not the horror that those stories paint (at least not for me). Granted it wasn't fantastic, but I didn't experience extreme physical or mental affects, just a bit of the same side effects as before, mostly just tired.

Now on Lexapro, similar to Celexa, with a side of wellbutrin. I've found that this combination while not the awe-inspiring solution (think singing birds and rainbows) is working well enough. I still get anxious, I still get sad. But most importantly I've noticed when I'm not on it, I'm a bit of a recluse and hermit.
Posted 11/14/2007 2:24 AM (GMT 0)

Ahhh yes i forgor the night sweats, but thats nothing really new to me as i used to sweat profusely (hope i spelled that right ..lol) but that was just the alcohol, and  i do also get a bit of vertigo also but only if i get up too quickly or im gardening and i stand too fast..

Posted 11/14/2007 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Oh no! don't say vertigo---or night sweats--or crazy dreams! Because, I have always been the person that gets car sick, sick on rides that spin, etc..... and I hate that feeling! Also, I have weird dreams anyway---so, I would hate to have crazy dreams! Night sweats? Haven't experienced them---but OY! I don't want those either!

Now I am really scared!
Laurel
Posted 11/15/2007 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Laurel,

Don't be scared. If you dose gradually you should experience only the mildest of these effects.

My vertigo was extremely mild, and only temporary and NOT all day.
My crazy dreams weren't scary, just very fast. I had one where I dreamed I was in a super fast race car.

If you shower in the morning the night sweats are nothing.
Posted 11/15/2007 1:29 AM (GMT 0)

Theres nothing to be scared of Laurel,

My vertigo only last a few seconds, and not everyone gets the effects, most people i know who are or have taken Effexor havent had any effects, and my night sweats are mainly due to the humidity where i live, it's quite humid here most of the year..

To be totally honest i have nothing but good things to say about effexor, its helped me out no end, and since my increased dosage, i find myself doing more than i imagined i would be able to do at this stage, Actually a very close friend called me last night and after we were talking for a while he said "Wow the old darren is coming back", and i said yes but without the dependancies i used to have, so thats a real plus for me, and the Effexor has played a big part in it, so nothing to be afraid of, just great results... :-)

Posted 11/15/2007 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Today, in about 2 hours actually, I am meeting with my pdoc. Today is the day we decide on Effexor XR or not. I feel more comfortable about it now, after reading all of the above. Side effects are to be expected with any drug, but I guess my biggest fear, as I have said before, is the hike in blood pressure. I don't care much about anything else...except, well, I am wrong...sexual side effects scare me, and so does weight gain! I guess we will see what my pdoc is thinking, along with what I am thinking, and I will post you all as to what goes on, especially you, Laurel!!! Many hugs to you all!
Posted 11/15/2007 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Laurel

Hi there
Plz do not be afraid of taking this med some ppl have different reactions as you know by reading the forum....

I have heard and seen so many great things and changes with ppl on this med as well some that cannot take it .........Give it a shot and see what happens

liqued has come along way as we that read all posts know ........


Tammy hoping you and Laurel keep us posted on your journey with Effexor

Luvs
LYN
Posted 11/15/2007 10:22 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Tammy,

 good luck with your pdoc, but personnaly i believe you will do fine, and i havent heard of any increase in blood pressure or wieght gain whilst on Effexor, But as ive said many times everyone is different and im no professional, just trying to help with your worries..

((((((((HUGS)))))))) to all.. :-)

Posted 11/15/2007 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hope, I'm sorry if I scared you...but I also wanted you to know of the side effects I incurred. The vertigo is only if I forget to take my pills and it's not an all day feeling. Same with the night sweats, only when I don't take the correct dose. I too have crazy dreams without medications but by far Remeron will give you extra crazy dreams, not Effexor.

I"m here with you while you switch, I'm switching to Prozac starting today.

As for the blood pressure, mine never changed and again I've been on it for 5 years...also, my cholesterol was never effected either.

Again, sorry if I scared you.
Posted 11/15/2007 11:38 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Tammy.  I have been on Effexor for two years and it has totally given me my life back.  I am on 75 mg which I take in the morning so I sweat a bit more in the mornings - just in the summer - it is no big deal.  I have gone from a miserable, anxious, shaking mess who laid on the sofa hardly eating and not being able to sleep to a busy lady living life to the full, even being able to return to work part time.  The drug is not perfect - I get strange head sensations (I had them when I was ill too).  I was only nauseous when I first started taking them.  I am TOTALLY TERRIFIED of any new drug and it took me ages to pluck up courage to take the Effexor (Lyn will remember!).  Thank goodness I did.

I wish you all the luck in the world.

 

 

Posted 11/16/2007 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys for the support.... Laurel, I do hope you stick with me on my journey, as I will keep you updated, then, after Thanksgiving, if you do start the Effexor, you can keep us going with your journey. As I said in my other post, I literally just took my 1st Effexor, just now. We will see how it goes!!! I will be fine, and Laurel, you will too!!! (((((HUGS)))))
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