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Mental Health  (Expert Forum)
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Effexor
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Effexor

by BonnieH, Feb 05, 2006 12:00AM


   Allmost Three weeks ago, I had elective cosmetic surgery. About 4-5 weeks prior I had  to gradually go off my 75mg.of Effexor because the surgeon said it could cause bleeding. I started back on the Effexor Jan. 19, and I was on 37.5 for a couple of days, and then just went back to 75mg. until February 3rd. because my doctor said I was raising up too fast, because I am very anxious,adjitated, and depressed. I feel horrible. He also has me take .o5 xanax am and pm ( I also take ambien ) Is there anything that would help me better. A friend told me to check to see if Klonapin would help me  instead of the xanax. How long does it take before the effexor starts to help again ? The xanax is only tempoary until the effexor kicks in, but can't xanax cause more depression ? I feel very alone even around people, and I don't even want to go anywhere, but i also don't want to be alone because I feel so scared. Is the normally the way this medication works, I been on it for about 7 years, after breast cancer. Please let me know, I need words of encouragement. When will I feel good again ?   Thank you for your quick response. Bonnie
Doctor's Answer

by Roger Gould, M.D., Feb 09, 2006 12:00AM
If you did well before surgery, you should do just as well after surgery on Effexor. You might ask your doctor about klonopin because it is longer acting and less problematic than xanax.  The combination of klonopin and Effexor should do the job quickly, given the timetable you mentioned, you should be feeling much better within days going forward.
Member Comments (35)

by AlexF, Feb 07, 2006 12:00AM
Xanax is a type of benzodiazepine, I've never tried it though. It is an anti-anxiety. My doctor gave me Klonopin (also a benzo) when I switched antidepressants, I had to wait 2 weeks before starting the new antidepressant. Klonopin is also useful when starting Paxil, which causes really bad anxiety for the first 2 weeks. I remember asking the doctor about the merits of taking a tranquiliser (a downer!) when depressed, but he said it reduced the occurance of the depressive thoughts. I wasn't put on a high taking the tranquiliser, but I wasn't sad either. I'm sure your Effexor will kick in soon. (it does take a few weeks,  the SSRIs can take 3 months to reach there full effect)

by BonnieH, Feb 07, 2006 12:00AM
Thanks, I know I have to push myself through this as well, it's just very tough. I guess being patient, and trying to work through this is the hardest part. It's such an alone feeling when you go through this, and you just wat to feel better fast .   Tahanks again, Bonnie

by Aruba417, Feb 17, 2006 12:00AM
I've been taking Effexor and Xanax together for about a year. I take the Effexor every day and the Xanax only when needed (most of the time it's only maybe twice a week). I've been doing fine on this combination, and although everyone is different, I think with the stress of the surgery and the anxiety of just getting off the Effexor in the first place might be why you're feeling the way you are. Just keep doing as the doctor has instructed and hopefully you should be feeling good again soon. And yes, it will probably take the Effexor a good 2 weeks before you start feeling better again. Good luck.

by JamesR79, Feb 19, 2006 12:00AM
I was on anti depressants for 8 years but I felt like I got more mood swings, weight gain, and loss of sex drive on everyone of them. Finally I was on effexor for 3 years and I decided to come off because I felt like they were doing worse than better for me. I've been off of effexor for 23 days now and I wake up EVERY morning at the same exact time, sweating, nautious, anxious, and I run to the bathroom with loose bowels. I've been starting every morning like this every day since I came off. Is there any hope that things will get better? I feel like I'm stuck like this because I've been working on an anxiety/depression program, but I feel like something is physically wrong. I've learned how to prevent panic for the most part. I just don't know how to stop the mornings. I've been to 3 different hospitals in the past 6 months and I feel like the whole doctor thing just made me feel so much more under pressure. I can definitely feel the relief in that area of stress but I'm still sick physically every day. I could even talk to myself positively and keep myself occupied but I'm so anxious and I don't want to want to go back on this medicine. This is where all of my panic is coming from now. I can't stop crying and I'm not exercising. I don't know what to do. I've learned a lot about separating psychological and physiological and how they work in unison, but I feel like the only reason why this is so mentally stressful is because I don't know where it's coming from this time and I'm scared and stuck. Please, someone help me

by BonnieH, Feb 20, 2006 12:00AM
I'm wondering if most people on Effexor, have a problem with sleeping, when they first are taking it ? I've been on 75 mg. for over 4 weeks, and an ambien at night would help me sleep. My docter upped me to 150 mg about three days ago, and even with taking  with Klonapin ( temporarily ) and ambien, I'm still restless, especially my legs, and cannot sleep. Does this generally subside after a few weeks, or is this dose too much for me ? My depression is 100% better with the higher dose. Anyone have any comments or experience with this ? Thanks so much for your input. Bonnie

by BonnieH, Feb 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: James
I felt EXACTLY how you feel after having been off my Effexor 75mg for 5weeks. I had to be weaned off, and then completely off two weeks before a surgery. I'm with you, it was hell. The worst part was I've been back on it now since Jan. 19, after the docter doubled my dose, and am finally feeling better. All I did was cry, and felt so alone and scared. I have been on antidepressant most of my life, because I definitely suffer from clinical depression and anxiety. Maybe you dose is too high or too low. Check with your doctor, or find a new docter who understnads and can help you. Don't give up. I tried paxil, zoloft, prozac,serzone, and several others, and eventually the efffexor worked for me. After I'm on the 150 mg for several weeks, I'm cutting back a little more so I can determine the right dosage again that works for me with the least amount of side effects. Right now, I cannot sleep with this higher dose and am adjectated. Don't give up, Let me know how youre doing,    Bonnie

by Lionness, Feb 24, 2006 12:00AM
I have read the closed forum headed "Withdrawal Symptons from Effexor XR" to see if other's are/have experiences when stopping Effexor.  



I have gone 'cold turkey" which I know I should not have after only taking a small dose of 75mg in the morning along with 2 Ritalin for about 2 years (before that taking 150mg).  I had forgotten to get my script and I thought I should try to see if I could do without the Effexor.  I have been diagnosed with Adult ADHD and depression which I probably have had all my life and am now going through menopause.  It did take me awhile to find the right medication mix as I did react to some until this combination seemed good for me.



This is my fifth day and after very little sleep I am very tired and like a zombie.  I have taken 2 Ritalin each morning for a couple of days which didn't do much for the weird withdrawal symptoms. I took a Zanax which has helped a bit during the day today. Earlier in the week I was experiencing dizziness, difficulty in concentrating and to focus on doing things, very strange in my head, teary, sweats etc etc. Not nice but after reading everyone's comments I am not alone.  The dizziness/light headedness is still there and especially when you try and read or do an email that needs your concentration like right now.



I would like to continue without the Efexor to see how I cope but it is a worry that this medication can be so difficult to stop.  I can't complain about it as it has helped me whilst I have been on it but I have got to the stage of wanting to know who I am again as other's see me now with very little motivation especially my husband who is against all these types of drugs. I know I am more disorganised than I ever used to be but at least I don't worry like I did.



I hope there is no long term damage. I suppose something that stablises the brain chemistry with each dose must have some reaction in the brain when you stop taking it.  It is interesting to read that Efexor is used for other conditions like migraines.



I thought anyone reading this maybe able to relate to it as well.  I wonder if the drug manafacturers take the time to read these medical forums as there seems to be a lot of unhappy people experiencing these withdrawal symptoms.



Regards, Lionness

by Lionness, Feb 24, 2006 12:00AM
After a better night's sleep and probably more able to think properly I thought I would add these comments.



You must expect withdrawal symptoms if the SSRI's like Efexor can take up to 3 months to get the right dosage building up gradually and probably having to take something else like Zanax initially to help you cope to get you to that point.



When I got diagnosed, I do recall earlier (late 2002/2003) when trying to get the meds right how I hated the feeling of separatedness from everyone else and being very quiet and listening to everyone rather than joining in as I seemed to have to concentrate on what they were saying.  This was totally opposite to the person I was.  I took Solian for a short time to control the ruminating which is very unpleasant. Once I got to using just the 1 x 75mg Efexor and 2 Ritalin (a big difference to the 2 x 5 times a day prescribed dosage) I was good. This was my own choice not my doctor's. Of course, drinking lots of water, fish oil plus other natural supplements are to be taken.



I do wonder though whether I really needed any of all this - during my life when a crisis occurs is when I have the inability to cope.  Maybe I will be better now.



It is good to be able to comment like this. We have to expect withdrawal's unfortunately and we tend to forget that when you are desperate to find a quick fix for your depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts you will take anything.  When your brain/thoughts are not coping it is terrible and 'mental illness' still has that stigma to it and hard to explain and for your loved one's to understand and help you let alone try and hold down a job.  It is not like a sore that you can just put a bandaid on.  As my husband says, you just have to deal with it. It is just as well the drug companies develop the drugs they do as it would be terrible not having them at  desperate times.



Regards

Lionness

by BonnieH, Feb 28, 2006 12:00AM
To: Lioness
I agree with you whole heartily. I know  now though after being back on my Effexor, that I definitely need it. I realize how it really does help me, even though I don't like the side effects. Especially sleeplessness, but that has always been a problem for me anyway. I also take ambien every night. Oh well, you got to do what you think is best for you. Good Luck, I hope you're doing better. By the way, Effexor works wonders for hot flashes, I was initially put on Effexor after breast cancer, and all my doctors do agree it difinitely helps menopause symtoms. Let me know how your doing. Take care, BonnieJ