Question about meds and IBS
#63838 - 04/22/04 11:10 AM
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amcnally
Reged: 04/22/04
Posts: 11
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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I have IBS-D and have been on Elavil? for several weeks. I can tell a big difference with the D but still having terrible anxiety attacks. Now the Dr wants to put me on Effexor instead to try and control both problems. On top of it I have gained 8 pounds in a week and a half! So that is another thing I want to avoid. Any one else taking Effexor want to share?? I need some advice! I love Heather's site because I don't feel like I am "crazy" any more! HELP!!
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Hi,
I recently starting taking Effexor XR (37.5 mg). I have been on this about 1 month. I never tried any kind of medication before this and was so sick I was willing to trying anything. I'm also IBS-D and this has helped me alot (I will still get an attack if I cheat on my diet though). Also, it does seem to make me feel a little calmer, I was always a nervous anxious panicky person and I don't seem to be as bad on the meds.
When my dr. told me he was going to give me medication I told him I didn't want one with the side effect of of weight gain and since being on the Effexor I have lost about 7-8 lbs (that always makes me happy).
I hope this answer helps you out.
Barbara
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Thanks-I started looking up effexor on line and I think sometimes that is a bad idea! You read everything that could ever go wrong with it. I think I will take it...it will be worth the risk! I can't afford the weight gain! Have you lost most of your appetite?
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Effexor
#63866 - 04/22/04 11:51 AM
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jenX
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA
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my best friend is on this and LOVES it. it made her kinda jittery for the first few days (this repeats when she changes doses). in fact, she was WILD the first 2 days. after the spazzies went away, she's found the meds to be nice and smooth. (lemme tell ya, they work, too, she's a whole new her! in a good way.)
she has lost tons of weight lately (really, a lot!) and didn't want to gain any on the meds. Effexor shouldn't make you gain weight... in fact weight loss is a side effect. (!)
Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant and many of them make you crave carbs and sweets which usually results in a weight gain. i'm on one of these to promote deep sleep (really low doses). i told my doctor i was eating all the time and i didn't like it- she said "it's the medicine."
anyway, good luck. let me know how the Effexor works on the IBS if you try it.... if i need to change meds, that's the next one i want to try! (my best friend doesn't have IBS, so no help there.)
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Oh let me know how the effexor works out for you! My doc wants me to take it but I am hesitant to take pills like that for personal reasons but I am getting to the point where it might be necessary. My anxiety and ibs have totally limited my life and I would like to be a productive member of society again:( I did take Effexor years ago for anxiety(no ibs) but never took it appropriately to get the full effects, it did help some with anxiety. My dad is on it and is a changed person as far as anxiety goes. The thing with it though is NEVER to just stop taking it once you start, I made this mistake and never will again. If you decide to change meds or don't like it talk with your doctor about how to taper off. Good luck.
-Megs
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Hi,
I thought this was worth the risk of taking it. Initially, he wanted to put me on Lotronex and those side effects really scared me, so I figured this was the lesser of two evils.
I really didn't have much an appetite before taking the effexor -- I find I can only eat small amounts at a time. But there aren't any wild cravings with this med thank goodness -- no binging.
I didn't really have any bad side effects -- I little dry mouth in the beginning, jittery the first few days. But my doc said that you have to at least give it 2-3 weeks to really settle in a see a difference and I'm glad that I did. I'm very happy on it.
I think you should give it a try and see if it agrees with you.
Barbara
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The elavil will pack on the pounds, it makes some people crave chocolate, thats what happened to me, I gained an enormous amount of weight on it. I kept telling the doc that I was gaining weight daily, she would not listen to me. It took me searching the internet to understand it all. I am still fighting the weight issue, it has been over 6 years. Good Luck. gayla
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I took Effexor for several years, my weight stabilized on it. I could not and would not loose weight on it, it did not change my IBS smptoms. I am now on Prozac, it has done wonders with my anxiety, and I have lost some weight. good luck. gayla
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I just stopped taking Lexapro, which has a lot of the same chemicals in it that Effexor does. I only stopped it because I want to get pregnant. I liked being on it once my body got used to it. The first 2-3 weeks were rough. I ws real jittery, felt "high" and couldn't concentrate. ALL those side effects went away! It really helped with the anxienty and mood swings. Can't say it really helped with my IBS directly. I did NOT gain weight on it!
Remember when reading info on the side effects of drugs, that they have to list anything anyone ever complained off! Keep in mind most of the side effects stop after a few weeks. If I wasn't trying to conceive, I would still be on it! 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Hypno
#63940 - 04/22/04 01:41 PM
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Kree
Reged: 10/08/03
Posts: 3748
Loc: Northern NY
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This doesn't have to do with meds, but have you thought about trying the hypno program for your anxiety attacks? It's done more for my anxiety than anything else. Just a thought!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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