Effexor XR

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Effexor It Is Ruining My Life I don't even remember how long I have been on Effexor, but I know the day the doctor gave me samples, he said that this is a new medication that I want you to try and see if it doesn't help you more than the others we have tried. HA! That is the joke of the century. I also take sinemet and requip for restless legs syndrome. Little did I know that you are not supposed to mix the medications. Now my body, mind and brain are addicted to all three. I want nothing more than to be off all this medication. I have an appointment tomorrow with my doctor to discuss this option, however, with all I have read, I am almost too scared to try it. I have had the shakes, the electric shocks or short circuit issues in the brain and everything I have heard talked about. It is a shame to think that if my body reacts this way from not taking the medication, what the heck is the medication doing to my body when I take it? I am a fifty eight year old woman with two grandchildren whom I adore and they feel the same toward me. I want so much to see them grow up and see their children, but if things continue as they are now, I just don't know. I have gone to bed many nights not knowing if I would wake up in the a.m. from the electric shocks. They are scary as hell. I realize that all of us have to die sometime, but the good Lord knows that I would like to hang out awhile and see Him come back. H$ELP!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!! Tue, 3/27/2007 7:42:11 PM Monday, 2/8/2010 9:51:28 PM  11 Replies

Effexor Xr To Wellbutrin And Pristiq Due to weight gain and dwindle effect, my doctor switched my anti-depressant from Effexor XR. He told me to stop the Effexor XR immediately and start the Wellbutrin XL. He said to take the Wellbutrin XL for one week then start the Pristiq. FOr those of you who have stopped Effexor you probably know what I'm going to say next. It started with dizziness, rhythmic pulsating in my head, nausea and generally feeling like a slug. It's like my brain had a severe case of the flu. It was horrible. Now, I'm having with the dizziness and throbbing in my head, what feels like a hot flash but my face gets flushed and very hot. I feel as though I want to throw up. I called the doctor and stopped the Wellbutrin right away after about 3 days. I also called the pharmacist and he told me to try stopping the Wellbutrin and the side effects should be gone within 3-4 days. With that in mind i had a fear of bottoming out going cold turkey with no anti-depressant. Never the less, I stopped it all. The doc told me to start the Pristiq for a week then add the Wellbutrin XL. I know I'm rambling but that is part of the withdrawal symptoms, too. Has anyone out there stopped an anti-depressant and immediately started another? Also, has anyone had any luck switching from Effexor XR to Pristiq? Friday, 11/20/2009 4:21:39 PM  1 Reply

Effectiveness Of Effexor Xr I began Effexor XR when it was first introduced to the US market. Prior to that I took just plain, old Effexor, which was more difficult to tolerate, and had to be taken several times a day. Effexor XR has been the only antidepressant to have some effect on lessening my depressive symptons, which are treatment resistant. It has by no means been ideal. i.e., it has not been able to crack the code of my depression, and free me of symptoms. It's been adequate at best. And although it is not recommended for Bipolar Disorder (I have Bipolar II) because of its ability to propel some individuals into mania or hypomania, my doctor, in frustration, said he would rather see me hypomanic, than chronically depressed. And, I agree with that position. I have also experienced it's menacing withdrawal symptoms—just a few times—when I ran out of medication and began showing shifts in mood, appetite, body aches, and crying spells (I am not the kind of person who cries easily.) So I always caution anybody who is considering taking this drug, to carefully consider the withdrawal symptoms. I've been on Effexor XR for 10 years now... and currently am not on a mood stabilizer (we've been through all of them too. And they too were either too cumbersome because of the side-effects, or failure to produce any balance or stability of moods.) So far, NOTHING has worked to crack this lifelong engagement with Depression... Except for recently. After adding up the number of failures over a period of 15 years, I decided—just for the heck of it—I mean, what did I have to lose, after all?—to try marijuana in conjunction with Effexor XR and Ropinirole, and to the amazement of ALL who have known me over the years, and to my amazement as well, my depression finally cracked, and I was free of depressive symptoms for the first time in my life. Not only that, but the side-effects were non-existent for me. I have repeatedly argued my case with my doctor who feels uneasy about my use of marijuana. When I asked him what was his major objection to my use... the only thing he could say was its potential effect on my lungs. I practically laughed out-loud when I heard him say this. I urged him to support the effort to study this drug more carefully, as it has shown positive effects on others who suffer from other diseases. But he said, if he were to do such a thing—or any other neuropsychiatrist—it would be the kiss of death, insofar as their medical career was concerned. However, it is difficult for him to deny the testimony of a patient. And that is his burden to carry, not mine. Friday, 10/2/2009 7:27:48 AM  2 Replies

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Coping with Depression: First Meditate then Medicate by Ellie Zarrabian,Ph.D. Depression is the number one mental disorder in the United States. It is a devastating epidemic in our culture and many people are suffering in silence because most people who are depressed do not get any help for it. It is clear that antidepressant medications help many people find relief from an otherwise very debilitating disease. However, they do not work for everybody all the time. Other forms of therapy that are shown to be very helpful in treating depression are yoga and mindfulness meditation practices, acupuncture and herbs. Lifestyle changes like adopting a healthy diet and exercising regularly are also beneficial. Regardless of the route taken, it is important to educate yourself about the various treatment options available. Furthermore, it is very important to work with a trusted professional...

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