Anyone take Effexor?
#241658 - 01/25/06 09:51 PM
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I saw my doctor today and he thinks that I have some form of generalized anxiety disorder and I am inclined to agree with him. Years ago, I had some personal trauma in my life and was on Zoloft for about a year. I did okay on it, but it caused some more D at times and I gained weight on it. I also tried Amitryptaline about a year and a half ago and it didn't do much for me after a while. I also gained weight on it.
My doc now wants me to try taking Effexor. I am really hesitant after reading about how difficult withdrawal can be. AND (biiiiig AND) I heard it can cause weight gain. I simply do not want to take something again that will cause me to gain weight. I have worked really hard to get where I am and feel wonderfully fit.
So, just wondering..does anyone take it? What side effects did you experience? Is the weight gain thing true?
Thanks so much:)
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I personally don't belive in anti-depressants anymore. I was moved from one to another as a kid and as I grew older, I eventually just quit taking them altogether. There were no changes. I've never had a problem with weight gain while on them, though. I noticed that I ended up losing a lot of weight while I was on them.
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Used to take it. I was actually tapered off it within a few days and had NO side effects at all. Effexor is one of the ones that AREN'T suppposed to cause weight gain - but of course I did. I think it depends on the person. When I was on Paxil I didn't gain. It might surprise you. You may not gain at all. A special benefit for me being on effexor - my IBS TOTALLY disappeared.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Alicia??
#241725 - 01/26/06 08:40 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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If it's not too personal, why aren't you taking Effexor anymore if it was helping your IBS so much?
Are you taking something else now? Hope the new drug helps your IBS too.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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See, that makes me wonder if the weight gain I experienced, wasn't caused so much by the meds, but by other things. For example, when I was on the other ADs I felt better and could eat more. I wasn't excercising much at all either  . But, then again, I heard that ADs slow your metabolism, so that could be a cause.
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Umm, I think 300 mg? Does that sound right? 150 in the morning and 150 at bedime. I did a couple days at one dose of 150 and then a couple days of 100 and then nothing. Mind you, at the same time I was being introduced to another antidepressant.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Not personal at all, sweetheart. I was taken off the effexor because it wasn't doing the job for my OCD and at the time was just diagnosed with bipolar. Remember my little hospital visit? That's when all this happened.
So now they have me on luvox for the OCD (an antidepressant) and Epival (mood stabilizer) for the bipolar. Hope this helps. And yes, it sucks they don't help the IBS but I'd much rather deal with that without meds and medicate depression and OCD.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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I was wondering what you took for your OCD. I wonder why my doc has never tried luvox on me.  I can't handle Anafronil and the Prozac doesn't help it much either. Maybe I'll ask about Luvox.
Thanks Alicia. I wish your meds helped you with your IBS...but at least you are able to manage that with diet. I don't seem to be able to do that either.  Maybe one day? 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Hugs, sweetie. I hope maybe you'll find a med that helps both!!! Maybe see if you can talk to your Doc about trying another. You never know. It might actually help with the IBS!!!
I'm always here for you, dearest. E-mail me anytime.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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You're so nice to me!  Could you please tell me what SFS you are on? I never see you mention one and I'm just curious.
Thanks!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Has your doctor mentioned the anti-anxiety medication Buspar/Buspirone? This is typically used to treat GAD, but not severe cases of anxiety or panic. It has few side effects (no weight gain!), takes about a few weeks to work, and won't cause withdrawal as w/ other ADs. Also, it's not a benzodiazepene, so you won't become dependent on it and it does not cause sedation. There's been some discussion in the medical community about it possibly be using for IBS-related pain.
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No, he didn't mention that to me. I talked with his nurse today and she said that I should try the Effexor for at least a few weeks and see how it goes. She told me he prefers to start with it since he seems to have a high rate of success with IBS relaed pain and anxiety with it. I'm on a very low dose apparently (37.5mg once daily) so she said my side effects should be next to nothing and withdrawal shouldn't be an issue. She also said most people either lose weight or don't change weight on Effexor.
Gosh, so many things to think about. I just feel so overwhelemed. Thanks so much for your support
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Hm, now I'm thinking of switching from Buspar to an AD, since ADs seems to be more helpful with severe anxiety and panic. Thanks for explaining how it compares to other ADs! It does sound worth trying. If you go for it, good luck and best wishes. 
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Thanks Maria! I'll keep you posted as to what happens to me. I also posted this in the Living Room and have gotten some feedback you may wanna check out. Apparently, some people have a hellish time getting off the meds. Something to think about I guess. I am willing to try it if it's got such a good success rate with my Dr's other patients, though.
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Speaking of you gotta do what you gotta do, have you gotten
and taken your Buspar yet?! Hmmm.... -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Yep, I finally got the script filled and have been on it about a week now. No side effects at all. But it hasn't touched the IBS pain either. I'll hang there with it though. Maybe after some time, hopefully, I start feeling a little effect on my IBS pain.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Alicia, Oh she did and he did, Buspar. It's just that that bad
girl hasn't gone out and gotten it yet. -Bob
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I think it does take a little while to kick in. Good to hear
you got it! Is it just one a day in the morning? -Bob
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