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dr wants me to try this?
what do you all think?
any reviews?
what do you all think?
any reviews?
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Oregon
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Re: Effexor
Fri, February 8, 2008 - 5:35 PMI've been on Effexor XR, which is probably what your doc would prescribe, for a couple of years now. I don't know what kind of dosage he's thinking of. Mine was really high, which--unfortunately--was the right dosage for me. But at high doses, there can be some unpleasant side effects. Nothing dangerous or anything like that; just unwanted. So, we're trying me at a slightly lower dosage to see how that works. (From 300mg/day to 225mg/day.)
But, that didn't really address your question much, did it? If you are having problems with depression, Effexor is probably the best med out there, imo.
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Re: Effexor
Fri, February 8, 2008 - 11:38 PMHi,I Hated it.It made my body hurt.But I was told I was having a reverse reaction to it.So,they took me off of it..Thank God..Buut it may work for you.Because it has worked for others...I hate starting new meds because we never know how they will react.I hope it goes well for you...
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Re: Effexor
Sat, February 9, 2008 - 10:50 AMDONT TAKE THIS SHIT .
It's full of side effects ...
Take wellbutrin ...
If you're female, you wont be able to orgasm and so on
If male, no erections ...
and electric sensations in skin and muscles ...
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Re: Effexor
Sat, February 9, 2008 - 10:32 PMI think that's just a tad extreme. The side effects vary from one person to another, as well as from one dosage to another. At the 300mg/day dosage, I did have some problems. But, at 225mg/day, I don't. I'm sorry if your experience was that bad, but I don't think you can make such a blamket statement that these extreme reactions WILL happen to everyone who uses Effexor. I was on Wellbutrin, which I had problems with. Rhe Effexor has been great for me. We're all different. -
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Re: Effexor
Sun, February 10, 2008 - 8:10 AMempress,
I would have to agree meds and their side affects vary from person to person, though there are some more established common side effects with each drug, the only way you are going to find out is to try it and see how you do. I myself have been through at least a dozen antidepressants, my experience with Effexor was not so hot, but you have people that it works great for. A great resource that hasn't been pointed to in awhile is crazymeds.us This site has a plethora of both factual and antidotal information on all the psych meds and a great forum to ask questions or to peruse to get more insight. Who knows this might just be the one for you.
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Re: Effexor
Sun, February 10, 2008 - 10:46 AM"Blamket?" Did I say blamket?!
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Unsu...
Re: Effexor
Wed, June 4, 2008 - 4:45 PMIf you have major anxiety/panic attacks, Paxil and Effexor XR are your best shots. I've been on over 15 meds, with nothing really working. Paxil worked a bit for the panic attacks...but it pooped out. I just started Effexor XR, and got up to 225 mg a few weeks ago. I'm super-sensitive, but have no side effects. Nothing good yet, but no side effects either. Klonopin is my life-saver. I used to have 20 panic attacks a day, 2 hours sleep etc. I know Benzo's suck for many reasons, but sometimes...
Have you ever looked into DBT? Dialectical Behavioural Therapy? It's very specifically for people with extreme emotions and anxiety. It's skills-based, and I've been helped more in 6 months of this than my previous 20 years of regular talk therapy. -
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Re: Effexor
Wed, June 4, 2008 - 5:16 PMonly thing i agree with there is that Klonopin is a life saver ... miracle drug, p.c. or not ... and i dont take it daily , just as needed when things get too in my face ... -
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Re: Effexor
Tue, June 10, 2008 - 12:46 AMHi,
I don't want get off topic from the OP, but I'm wondering about this Klonopin thing. I usually take Xanax (VERY small amount) when I'm facing a tough situation that usually induces panic. I'll often still have panic attacks, but I'm better at handling them. I'm trying to use as little medication as possible to overcome panic and *accept* anxiety.
However, I'm so scared to fly across country, or anywhere. I want to have adventures, but I'm so damn scared. Everyone tells me, "Just take a Klonopin. It'll knock you right out!" But I get so nervous! I've never taken one before. What if it doesn't work, and then I can't take anything else or even have a drink on the plane because I've already taken a heavy duty drug!
Again, I don't want to go off topic, but if anyone has any smidge of advice or experience on this one...? -
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Re: Effexor
Tue, June 10, 2008 - 10:48 AMYeah Erin - i've taken it since 1993 , therefore I suspect I have some knowledge of it as well as having known many others who've been on it ....
It's a 'better' anti-anxiety pill than Xanax for sure ... for me, for lots of folk that I mention ... longer lasting ... more comprehensive in its effect ...
Would be a great med. for airflight anxiety, surely ...... and everything else .... anxiety/panic-wise ......
I don't take it daily or even every other day ... just "as needed" and my doc. is happy and comfortable with that ... as a lot of psych. docs are trying to get people off all benzos.(a mistake if you ask me ) ...
Alcohol will help in the very short-term but can/will leave you with anxiety and melancholy as it is metabolizing and the next day, of course .... I don't recommend anyone drink alcohol, especially not to excess of course....
But, yes... definetly see if your doc. will let you have a trial of it to see if it works better for you than xanax ...
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Re: Effexor
Tue, June 10, 2008 - 12:11 PMThanks synergy-
I'll look into it more. -
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Re: Effexor
Tue, June 10, 2008 - 11:19 PMHi, Erin,
Again, everyone is different. I *think* I did a bit better on the Xanax than I do with Klonopin, but I can't be sure, since it's been at least a year since I switched. Xanax is more easily addictive, which was why I had to change. I had become "dependent" on the Xanax, but I don't think that would happen at the low dosages you're taking. Deffinetly, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each.
As for air travel--yeah, that's a toughy for me, too. What I have founf that works really well is Rescue Remedy, a Homeopathic "med." which you should be able to get at any natural foods store. Also, there should be someone there who can tell you all about it. I like that I'm not just putting more drugs in my system; also, with Rescue Remedy, you can take it as often as needed.
Also about flying, the recommendations I have heard and tried are as follows. Do not drink alcohol for 2-3 days before a trip. Eat lightly at the same time, and drink lots if water. All these things do seem to really help with both jet-lag and that feelong that part of you hasn't physically caught up with you yet. Do you understand that kind of "feeling only half-way there" thing I'm talking about? Any way, these have been things that I have found helpful. -
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Re: Effexor
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 5:43 AMthat's a myth, the folklore that xanax is more addicting ... nah ... dont believe the hype ...
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Re: Effexor
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 10:30 AMIs this dr a psychiatrist? that's my only immediate concern, because the one time I took psych meds the way my pcp (or internist) told me to I almost ended up in the hospital because she didn't understand or know dosage and put me on the full dose from day 1 instead of gradually getting me to the intended dosage like a person who knows these drugs would. I was so sick. As a matter of fact, that was Effexor...but i really don't think the drug made me sick...i think her putting me on 200mg/day from day 1 did that. -
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Re: Effexor
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 10:32 AMi should point out that i am talking about the first effexor that came on the market about 12 years ago and NOT the new stuff mostly prescribed today.
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Re: Effexor
Thu, June 12, 2008 - 7:24 PMYeah, M. I haven't experienced anything as bad as what you're talking about, but then, there have been so many advances in knowledge of mental health care in the past 12 years. But, I (and my family dr.!) agree that psychotropic meds are best prescribed by a psychiatrist. There are so many meds for different conditions out there, so much for a dr. to try to keep fresh on. If psychiatry isn't a doctor's field, s/he isn't as likely to keep up to date with the most current treatment options, etc., as a doctor whose sole focus is psychiatry.
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Re: Effexor
Wed, April 1, 2009 - 9:41 AMI had mixed feelings about Effexor. I took it for a year and the one thing that was great is it did NOT make me tired. Almost everything else I've taken has done that. (Do I want to be anxious and useless - or sleepy and useless? HM.) Unfortunately I lost medical insurance when I changed jobs and was forced to stop cold turkey. It was horrible, I got suicidal and unable to control my anger...but I couldn't afford to get a stepped-down dose (or pay for the psych visit either) and of course they are gelcap things you can't cut. The dependence on Effexor was really strong, at least for me. I could tell if I forgot to take it, even if only for half a day. But I would still take it again if I was assured I would not have to stop it suddenly.
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Re: Effexor
Sun, June 14, 2009 - 6:23 PMWhen I was first diagnosed with major depression and general anxiety disorder at the age of 18, zoloft just wasn't strong enough for me and I was switched to effexor. I don't remember my dosage, but we gradually increased it until I was managing great, and I know it was a rather high dose. Anyway, it worked fantastic for me and helped me finish college and start on my own. Eventually it was too strong and I've been on and off zoloft since then. Goes to show that different drugs at different times can work for the same person.
If your doctor suggested it I would give it a chance, all meds start out with side effects that should taper off, and any that stick around, if they make you uncomfortable, then discuss it with the dr and try something else. This drug didn't affect my sex life at all, btw, the only side effect I had was dry mouth, so I drank water often, which isn't a bad habit to start anyway. I do suggest anyone taking this does NOT skip doses or forget them. It's a very strong drug and missing doses made me feel awful, cloudy headed and my hands would shake. I ALWAYS made sure to have my refills on time, and took my pills everywhere so I had my meds. This is definitely not a drug to stop cold turkey.
Good luck and hope you find the right med for you.
