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Sorry....one more question about Effexor
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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

Sorry....one more question about Effexor

by imcrazy2, Oct 19, 2006 12:00AM
My doctor just decided to try me on Effexor.....After reading extensively on this forum, I am now terrified to try it.  How common are these nasty "withdrawl symptoms", with the "BRAIN ZAPS"?????!!!!!!? and the side effects?  It seems people post more problems with this drug than others....

Obviously, I am just starting on it, and recognize that I will most likely be on some form of meds for the rest of my life, so coming off of it isn't likely in my near future, but I don't want to start something that is going to make my already troublesome issues worse!!  Do you recommend this drug, or should I ask my doc about another?  Please see my other post for more history.  Thanks!!!!
Doctor's Answer

by Roger Gould, M.D., Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
same question, same answer
Member Comments (18)

by ABCMomof3, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
I think you should give it a try, it worked wonderful for me. I took it for 18 months, I've been off of it for about 9 months now. I had the withdrawl symptoms of the zappy feeling and a little tiredness too. The only other problem I had with effexor was after taking it for 18 months I started feeling kind of sick. I was tired a lot and it raised my blood pressure somewhat. I went off of it alltogether all at once.



I didn't wean off if like most people do or the way you are supposed to; I had missed a couple doses and just decided that since I had missed a couple doses to just continue missing them and go off the effexor since I was wanting to discontinue taking them anyways.



I felt better right away; my fatigue went away and I didn't have that yucky sick feeling anymore. I did, however, have brain zappy stuff happen to me and I got a shakey feeling once in a while, but it's nothing you can't handle, it's not like coming off some illicit street drug like you see on television. All total the withdrawls probably lasted for 2 weeks; and it wasn't a constant thing either, I would get little zappy feelings every once in a while.........and I felt a little sick off, otherwise I was fine and I'm sure you will be too.



Don't think about how the withdrawls will make you feel, think about how much better you are going to feel for having taken it in the first place. I was so relieved that effexor worked so well for me.........it took my depression away really fast and I had no anxiety either. Effexor started working for me within a week and by the end of 2 weeks I was able to tell my dr. that I was no longer depressed and I was back at work like nothing ever happened.



You need to trust your dr and do what your dr thinks is best for you, and don't worry about anything else or what other people say or think (including me) I just wanted you to know that I took it and I am just fine for having done so.



hope you feel better soon and give it a try. It worked miracles for me.

by scaredycat1, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
is it up and downs when it is first working and then by 2 weeks it levels off.  I seem to feel better at night but I take the medicine in the morning and am wondering if it takes all day for it to kick in.

by imcrazy2, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: ABCMom
Thank you so much!!  I was praying someone would tell me it worked for them, instead of all of the bad stuff!!  I feel much better about trying it now.

Scaredy--as far as the question you posted, I actually read that Effexor has a VERY short half-life...only a few hours, so it is actually more likely that you are feeling better at night for a different reason--that might be a good question for you to post for the doc, though, as far as what time of day your body needs you to take it for max results

by sparkeler, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
You should try it.  Everybody responds to medication differently, especially anti depressants.  I was on Effexor for a year or so before switching to Lexapro.  I just didnt feel like it worked *that* well for me, but it wasnt awful.  I've actually heard that it works well for some.  You may have to go through a lot of medications before finding the one that works best for you.  I recommend that you should be on a benzodiphine, like a xanax or kalonopin, while making a transition and while your finding a medication that will work for you.  It can take up to 6 weeks to feel the full benefits of an anti depressant.  Good luck and hang in there!

by imcrazy2, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: Sparkeler
Thanks, hon!

I have my trusty "security blanket" of Ativan, that I keep with me at all times, though I almost never use it...but I will try the Effexor, and you guys will probably be seeing me a bunch on here when I freak out about it, since one of my major triggers is new medication of any sort(afraid of side effects, and allergic reactions--which is absurd, since I am not allergic to any meds, LOL)

by imcrazy2, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: PS!!!
My doc says I can switch directly from PaxilCR to Effexor with no tapering---is that OK??????

by sparkeler, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: imcrazy
Possibly.  He may mean taking both at the same time for a while.  A lower dosage of Paxil while starting you on a low dose of Effexor before stopping the Paxil alltogether.  I remember I was on both on Effexor and Lexapro for a while when I made the switch.  I think it's so your mind and body wont go in to a complet tailspin.

by scaredycat1, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
sparkeler, glad to see you still make it back to the site, it is really reassuring to hear from someone who has been there and made it out.  Actually I saw your entry from back in august and it really helped me. your right we do expect to feel better right away, because we want it so bad.  you also said that because it was a restart that it is common for the anxiety to increase which is what is happening to me, but it is good to know htis is not uncommom.  I am on lexapro though but probably same idea, just getting impatient with it like you said I want to feel better right away. I too am afraid to take the xanax, afraid I won't know when I don't need it anymore, took it once it did really calm me down and let me think a tliitle more rational I have only been on the meds for a week and a half though it feels like forever, just want to be me again.  thanks for listening, it helps to talk to someone who understands.  you are doing well?

by scaredycat1, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
sparkeler, glad to see you still make it back to the site, it is really reassuring to hear from someone who has been there and made it out.  Actually I saw your entry from back in august and it really helped me. your right we do expect to feel better right away, because we want it so bad.  you also said that because it was a restart that it is common for the anxiety to increase which is what is happening to me, but it is good to know htis is not uncommom.  I am on lexapro though but probably same idea, just getting impatient with it like you said I want to feel better right away. I too am afraid to take the xanax, afraid I won't know when I don't need it anymore, took it once it did really calm me down and let me think a tliitle more rational I have only been on the meds for a week and a half though it feels like forever, just want to be me again.  thanks for listening, it helps to talk to someone who understands.  you are doing well?

by sparkeler, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: scardycat
I'm hanging in there.  I must admit though I do have anxiety and I "treat" myself to my xanax 3 nights a week.  I do monitor myself b/c it is a controlled substance.  But my anxiety can cause me to have chest pains so thats why I like the xanax.  And like you said, it makes me think more rationally as well.  I find it amazing.  If only my mind worked like that normally, I would have an easier life!:)

by imcrazy2, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: sparkeler
no, my doc said I could just stop the paxil today, and start the effexor tomorrow......that makes me nervous--is it possible that she said that because they are similar enough for them to be used interchangeably?

by sparkeler, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
Probably.  I think she knows what she is talking about.  Follow her instructions.  Your in good care.  Relax.

by ABCMomof3, Oct 20, 2006 12:00AM
In case you're interested, I took ativan too. I took one every night to help me sleep and I took them religiously for the 18 months that I took effexor. I liked how the ativan made me feel relaxed enough to get a good nights sleep but not too tired when I woke up in the morning. I highly recommend effexor and ativan and I would take them both again if I ever need to.



Keep your chin up.

by imcrazy2, Oct 27, 2006 12:00AM
To: UPDATE
I just wanted to say to anyone else afraid of Effexor because of all of the horror stories, that so far I LOVE IT!!!

7 days, and no anxiety, much more energy, and NO APPETITE!!!!!

(YAY)

by scaredycat1, Oct 28, 2006 12:00AM
glad to hear you are doing better, I am still trying not sure the lexapro is working dr. is talking about switching me to zoloft.   glad to hear there is hope though maybe with a switch.  keep us posted, nice to hear from someone who has gotten better.  it gives us hope

by christadawn, Oct 30, 2006 12:00AM
just started effexor today is day 3...everything i have read online is scarying me:(

got a few side effects but i seem to be causing myself more stress and anxiety by reading comments all over the web about this drug.. i just need to know i am doing the right thing

by Jillopop, Nov 07, 2006 12:00AM
I just wanted to say that Effexor worked GREAT for me.  I was on 75mg for over a year for anxiety and the only reason I am off of it now is because of trying to conceive a second child and have a safe as possible pregnancy.  I felt so normal and like myself the wole time I was on it. The only side effect I really even noticed while on it was night sweats