Re: Effexor XR and addiction

[Guest guest]

I hate to disagree with you however.... It is not an ADDICTION per se as much as

your body gets used to it.... The time release factor seems VERY POTENT with

this particular medication and yes, simply missing one dose CAN cause

" withdrawl " symptoms HOWEVER.... It is not a drug you can become addicted to....

It is an antidepressant and works like any other antidepressant. You WILL have

to taper up and taper down gradually.

When it stopped working for me after my gastric bypass, I was a mess however I

would never tell anyone NOT to take it. It works..... and even 3 years later I

MISS IT.... *sgh*

*~ Kami ~*

RE: [ ] Effexor XR

I will warn anyone thinking about taking this medication that you WILL

become addicted to it, and that can happen quickly also. It is next to

impossible to get off of it. If I forget a dose, within 24 hours I am a

crying, hysterical mess, just like a heroin addict. When this happened the

first time, I did a lot of research on it, and even brought it up to my

doctor. I discovered that this is a well-known effect of this med. My doctor

just snickered, like he also knew getting off of it can be impossible. To

even lower your dosage must be done extremely slowly. Some people can never

completely stop the medication because of the extreme side effects.

I would not go on this medication easily. Unless you have no other choice

and absolutely cannot live with whatever it is being prescribed for, DO NOT

TAKE IT!

.

[Guest guest]

I have been on this XR for over a year. I have the insurance that makes me

reorder thru the mail and I always forget until I am completely out. Usually I

have a 6 or 7 day period of having no effexor. While I can feel the difference,

I have never cried hysterically or overreacted to events around me. My biggest

complaint would be dizziness. I feel " off " a little, but not like I would

imagine withdrawal to be like.

btw, I take 75mg once daily.

[Guest guest]

It really should be taken in doses higher than 150 mg per day to effect

pain. It really doesn't hit norepinephrine receptors very well until 225 mg/day.

It also is not so great for arthritic pain but neuropathic pain.

Sorry about your pain level.

Abby

In a message dated 8/5/2008 3:36:31 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

shihtzumom1@... writes:

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

**************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget?

Read reviews on AOL Autos.

(http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000017

)

[Guest guest]

I missed 2 days of it once, and became emotional as well.  Cried at everything,

and I am a chronic masker of my feelings and never cry in front of my doctors or

my family.  I can feel a downward spiral of moods if I miss a dose.  I don't

know if this means addiction though I did describe what happened to my doctor. 

Doctors worry the same about Xanax and many won't prescribe it.  In my case, it

is the only thing that works to stop my attacks and decrease them.  Many say its

addictive but I can take 7mgs (my prescribed dose) and if my CBT is going well

and the attacks are under control, I stop the medication or take 1mg unless I

have a relapse (which has happened once a year thus far)

From: JULIE LALIS <drack2@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

Date: Monday, August 4, 2008, 11:23 PM

I have been on this XR for over a year. I have the insurance that makes me

reorder thru the mail and I always forget until I am completely out. Usually I

have a 6 or 7 day period of having no effexor. While I can feel the difference,

I have never cried hysterically or overreacted to events around me. My biggest

complaint would be dizziness. I feel " off " a little, but not like I would

imagine withdrawal to be like.

btw, I take 75mg once daily.

[Guest guest]

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened (it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

I'm coming in late on this thread, but fwiw, I do hear from patients (I'm a

psychologist) that Effexor has a long wash out period and they experience

withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue the medication. They describe having

" brain zaps " that can be tough to tolerate and they need a very slow, long,

taper regimen. If Effexor has been helpful, consider including a slo-mo taper

regimen if you need to stop for any reason. Also regular Effexor is cheaper

than Effexor XR. Drugs in the SNRI class also include Wellbutrin and Cymbalta.

Cymbalta is still pricey, but regular Wellbutrin is a generic and might be worth

a conversation with a prescriber.

RE: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened (it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

HMMM, I didn't know there was a regular Effexor. That's probably what I

should be taking, because I had gastric bypass and we don't absorb extended

release meds very well. Maybe I could get down to 75mg of regular Effexor if

I were actually absorbing it. Thanks for that info. I'll talk to my doctor

about it.

Re: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I'm coming in late on this thread, but fwiw, I do hear from patients (I'm a

psychologist) that Effexor has a long wash out period and they experience

withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue the medication. They describe

having " brain zaps " that can be tough to tolerate and they need a very slow,

long, taper regimen. If Effexor has been helpful, consider including a

slo-mo taper regimen if you need to stop for any reason. Also regular

Effexor is cheaper than Effexor XR. Drugs in the SNRI class also include

Wellbutrin and Cymbalta. Cymbalta is still pricey, but regular Wellbutrin

is a generic and might be worth a conversation with a prescriber.

RE: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened (it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

I SOOOOOO TOTALLY AGREE WITH KAMI!! IT'S NOT ADDICTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS

ON IT FOR A YEAR OR SO & I GOT OFF OF IT JUST LIKE THAT..... GOD BLESS,

MELYNDAGAMEZ 8/5/08 6:44P.M.CST

RE: [ ] Effexor XR

  I will warn anyone thinking about taking this medication that you WILL

  become addicted to it, and that can happen quickly also. It is next to

  impossible to get off of it. If I forget a dose, within 24 hours I am a

  crying, hysterical mess, just like a heroin addict. When this happened the

  first time, I did a lot of research on it, and even brought it up to my

  doctor. I discovered that this is a well-known effect of this med. My doctor

  just snickered, like he also knew getting off of it can be impossible. To

  even lower your dosage must be done extremely slowly. Some people can never

  completely stop the medication because of the extreme side effects.

  I would not go on this medication easily. Unless you have no other choice

  and absolutely cannot live with whatever it is being prescribed for, DO NOT

  TAKE IT!

 

  .

 

[Guest guest]

I was on Effexor XR for about a year and I was never told that it

would help w/ pain. I was prescribed it for depression; but I also

know that alot of docs prescribe anti-depressants for fibromyalgia.

I am not on it anymore, but I was taking it 3x a day (I forget the

dosing). I hope you feel better, I would call your rheumy tomorrow

and see if he/she can prescribe you a medrol dose pak. I know that

helps me alot if I am having a really bad flare.

If your already on a predisone regimne, I would still call your

rheumy and see what they can do. FEEL BETTER!!

>

> It really should be taken in doses higher than 150 mg per day to

effect

> pain. It really doesn't hit norepinephrine receptors very well

until 225 mg/day.

> It also is not so great for arthritic pain but neuropathic pain.

>

> Sorry about your pain level.

>

> Abby

>

>

> In a message dated 8/5/2008 3:36:31 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

> shihtzumom1@... writes:

>

> If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

> horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with

150mg per

> day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain

specific to

> RA, or what?

>

>

>

>

> **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your

budget?

> Read reviews on AOL Autos.

> (http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?

ncid=aolaut00050000000017 )

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi !

I know Effexor XR isn't a medication I would choose to be put on for pain

either.  I see a psychiatrist who prescribed mine specifically for Depression

but more importantly for my anxiety disorder, panic disorder and agoraphobia. 

It hasn't even taken away my anxiety but its helping to manage things somewhat. 

In my case, I was taking Cymbalta which many rheumatologists find helpful in

FMS.  I had to stop taking that because after taking it for 2 years at 300mgs

and even trying to reduce the dosage, I became extremely agitated, had severe

dibilitating depression and it was worsening into suicidal ideation.  So we cut

the Cymbalta out fairly quick even though I had been on it for so long.  My

doctor stated that the Effexor XR was for my panic disorder but that it worked

on the same chemicals that Cymbalta did for the brain for Fibromyalgia.  I've

never taken an antidepressant for my inflammatory arthritis, but some have been

studied and have been

found to be effective in FMS.  They did state Effexor XR is not as effective as

Cymbalta for FMS...so if it was given a choice, I wouldn't choose it.  I'm 36

and have severe nightsweats and hot flashes during the day, this happened before

Effexor XR and it hasn't helped make mine better or go away.

From: shihtzumom <shihtzumom1@...>

Subject: RE: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 6:35 PM

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened (it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

I meant to mention in my post to ..if you ever don't have coverage for

a medication, I found a really good online discount drug card! I am disabled and

have Medicare and they wouldn't cover my xanax even with letters from three

doctors.  I was paying $96 a month for the dosage I take and with the free card

that I take into the pharmacy whenever I need a refill, it is only $14!!!

From: shihtzumom <shihtzumom1@...>

Subject: RE: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 7:21 PM

HMMM, I didn't know there was a regular Effexor. That's probably what I

should be taking, because I had gastric bypass and we don't absorb extended

release meds very well. Maybe I could get down to 75mg of regular Effexor if

I were actually absorbing it. Thanks for that info. I'll talk to my doctor

about it.

Re: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I'm coming in late on this thread, but fwiw, I do hear from patients (I'm a

psychologist) that Effexor has a long wash out period and they experience

withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue the medication. They describe

having " brain zaps " that can be tough to tolerate and they need a very slow,

long, taper regimen. If Effexor has been helpful, consider including a

slo-mo taper regimen if you need to stop for any reason. Also regular

Effexor is cheaper than Effexor XR. Drugs in the SNRI class also include

Wellbutrin and Cymbalta. Cymbalta is still pricey, but regular Wellbutrin

is a generic and might be worth a conversation with a prescriber.

RE: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened (it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

I started the thread about Effexor and I have neuropathy. My gyn thought it

might help with that pain in addition to helping hot flashes. Between the

neuropathy and RA, I do get depressed and I believe that anyone with a

chronic illness suffers from depression of some sort whether it be mild or

extreme.

I do, however, think that prior to prescribing this, all doctors should

inform the patients of the difficulty stopping the medication. Mine did not

do that nor did any of the other doctors I spoke to mentioning that I was

going to start taking it. I will discuss it with ALL of them as I see each

one.

If the possibility exists for someone that they may not have the resources

to continue buying the RX, that is something that should be discussed with

their doctor. Each pharmaceutical company has programs that make

medications available at no cost or reduced cost to patients meeting income

guidelines. If the medication makes such a dramatic improvement in the

wellbeing of the patient, I think that they should make every effort to

continue on that medication. If a patient has high blood pressure, would

he/she stop the medication because they could no longer afford it? I don't

know if it is so in this case, but there are generics available at lower

costs for many medications.

Perhaps having the doctor prescribe twice the daily dose would stretch the

medication. If you take 100 mg per day, for instance, ask the doctor to

write the script for 200 mg per day. You may have to cut the pills in half,

but a month's supply will actually last 2 months.

Just my opinion and I do hope that the Effexor does alleviate the hot

flashes and help somewhat with the pain and mild depression.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of getcoffee@...

Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 6:54 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

It really should be taken in doses higher than 150 mg per day to effect

pain. It really doesn't hit norepinephrine receptors very well until 225

mg/day.

It also is not so great for arthritic pain but neuropathic pain.

Sorry about your pain level.

Abby

[Guest guest]

A friend described the brain zaps to me. I have suffered from neuropathy

for going on 3 years now....I know what the electrical shock sensations feel

like. They are uncomfortable and very strange.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Fair

Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 7:11 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I'm coming in late on this thread, but fwiw, I do hear from patients (I'm a

psychologist) that Effexor has a long wash out period and they experience

withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue the medication. They describe

having " brain zaps " that can be tough to tolerate and they need a very slow,

long, taper regimen. If Effexor has been helpful, consider including a

slo-mo taper regimen if you need to stop for any reason. Also regular

Effexor is cheaper than Effexor XR. Drugs in the SNRI class also include

Wellbutrin and Cymbalta. Cymbalta is still pricey, but regular Wellbutrin is

a generic and might be worth a conversation with a prescriber.

[Guest guest]

and Group

I took prozak once for a long time. I just stoped it and thought I

don't need it anymore. About a few days later I felt weird. I went

to the ladies room and begin to cry uncontrollably. Some one came in

and said what's wrong hon. I said I don't know. I can't stop crying.

She called a health care worker in. I was in an health building.

I told her I was on prozak for depression. But I am not taking it

anymore. She asked me why. She told me never go off a medication

till I talk with my doctor. She said thats probably why you are

crying. Stopping the medicine all at once.

Now I am on effexor. I wont stop it suddenly unless my doctor does

it.

hug gently

Clora

>

> I am the person who wrote the original post that many people

disagreed with.

> I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has

another name

> besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely

horrible way

> I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict

without

> her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I

took Prozac

> a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

>

> I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it

can do for

> us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225

mg per

> day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to

one

> tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks

started coming

> back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of

it, and

> having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again

would be

> worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like

to use)

> to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I

would be

> without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety

attacks?

> Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

> medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had

happened (it

> was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance

and I could

> not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off

of it.

> Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband

begged me

> before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was

part of the

> reason for his decision to put off retirement.

>

> I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot

flashes

> needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I,

personally, do not

> think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a

difficult drug to

> discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes.

Hmmmmm, may

> that's because of the Effexor?

>

> If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

> horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with

150mg per

> day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain

specific to

> RA, or what?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If anyone is interested in what people who are actually trying to get off

Effexor have to say, here is a site to look at:

http://www.doctorslounge.com/psychiatry/forums/backup/topic-1013.html

[Guest guest]

,

I would talk to your surgeon as well as your PCP about extended release meds. I

had an isue with the Effexor XR and the first thing my doctor did was place me

on REGULAR Effexor and well.... It just did NOT cut it. I then went on Lexapro

for a while and then Cymbalta.

*~ Kami ~*

RE: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened (it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

My doc put me on Effexor XR because the Prozac I had been taking for many

years(3 per day) wasn't working well anymore. I was getting panic attacks

and beginning agoraphobia. I would still go out at times, but I didn't want

to and I would be very anxious when I did. I even hated going to the

doctor's office for visits. I just wanted to stay home. I made a lot of

excuses to stay home from parties, appointments, etc.

The Effexor did help. I admit that. As a matter of fact, I have now

completed two semesters of college courses at a local college. I would never

have been able to do that the way I felt before the Effexor. But after

experiencing the withdrawal symtoms, I sure hope I am never required to go

off it completely, and definitely not quickly. It took me months to wean

down from 225mg to 150 mg per day. If I start to feel like the anxiety is

returning, I take a third now and then. I don't do that very often though.

There are other side-effects to the SSRIs and SNRIs also, low-libido, loss

of creativity, loss of focus or concentration, memory loss, and probably

others as well.

I'd just tell anyone thinking about this drug to weigh the pros and cons

first. It definitely isn't like popping an aspirin. But if you really NEED

it, it does work. And for me, I don't see any difference in pain level with

the Effexor. I don't remember any difference on 225mg per day either. But

maybe I would be in even more pain without it. Who knows. I have

osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia (well, I was

diagnosed with fibro, but my rheumy just says fibromyalgia covers all the

pains that aren't covered in the other two. Doesn't sound like a legitimate

diagnosis for a condition (fibromyalgia) to me. But he claims that

fibramyalgia is any pain that doesn't have a particular cause. So, under

that definition, I have fibromyalgia also.

RE: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 6:35 PM

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened (it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

That is fantastic. Could you send me that information please?

Shihtzumom1@...

Re: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I'm coming in late on this thread, but fwiw, I do hear from patients (I'm a

psychologist) that Effexor has a long wash out period and they experience

withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue the medication. They describe

having " brain zaps " that can be tough to tolerate and they need a very slow,

long, taper regimen. If Effexor has been helpful, consider including a

slo-mo taper regimen if you need to stop for any reason. Also regular

Effexor is cheaper than Effexor XR. Drugs in the SNRI class also include

Wellbutrin and Cymbalta. Cymbalta is still pricey, but regular Wellbutrin

is a generic and might be worth a conversation with a prescriber.

RE: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened (it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

and Group

OMG OMG, I am taking effexor xr. Had no idea about being able to

quit was that messed up. I am not interested in quitting anyway. I

have had depression problems since I was 14 years old. I give up on

trying to quit as depression is a serious problem for me. It must be

a chemical immballance. I just don't know. I am so glad the effexxor

is helping me. I was very depressed to the point of suicide. It has

helped me basically to want to live.

Gentle hugs everyone

Clora

PS I have about 10 more posts to go. lol . I cant shut up even in

silence haaaaaaaaaaaa.

>

> If anyone is interested in what people who are actually trying to

get off

> Effexor have to say, here is a site to look at:

> http://www.doctorslounge.com/psychiatry/forums/backup/topic-

1013.html

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My 75mg per day helps tremendously with my pain. I've been thru 2 neck

surgeries, tons of narcotics and over the counter anti-inflamatories, steroids,

and prescription anti-inflammatories. I've also endured weeks of unsuccessful

pain management therapy, epidural injections, etc. The only thing that helps

with my nerve pain radiating from my neck down my arm is the effexor. Yes I

still feel the pain but it is completely bearable and I have to take only 1

other prescription (non narcotic) pain medication!

So, no I don't necessarily have arthritis pain (I have poly...something

arthritis) but for me, this is the right therapy for me. It took 3 years to

find what works and I'm sticking with it!

getcoffee@... wrote:

It really should be taken in doses higher than 150 mg per day to

effect

pain. It really doesn't hit norepinephrine receptors very well until 225 mg/day.

It also is not so great for arthritic pain but neuropathic pain.

Sorry about your pain level.

Abby

In a message dated 8/5/2008 3:36:31 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

shihtzumom1@... writes:

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

**************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget?

Read reviews on AOL Autos.

(http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000017

)

[Guest guest]

Hi stephanie:

What you describe does not sound like addiction to me. It does sound like

physical dependence, and there definitely is a difference.

--

Dodge

Truly blessed to serve in E.M.S!

---- stephanie <stephieann2@...> wrote:

=============

I missed 2 days of it once, and became emotional as well.  Cried at everything,

and I am a chronic masker of my feelings and never cry in front of my doctors or

my family.  I can feel a downward spiral of moods if I miss a dose.  I don't

know if this means addiction though I did describe what happened to my doctor. 

Doctors worry the same about Xanax and many won't prescribe it.  In my case, it

is the only thing that works to stop my attacks and decrease them.  Many say

its addictive but I can take 7mgs (my prescribed dose) and if my CBT is going

well and the attacks are under control, I stop the medication or take 1mg unless

I have a relapse (which has happened once a year thus far)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kami,

I tried Lexapro before, and it didn't do the job. I have not tried Cymbalta.

Did the Effexor XR help you when you were on it? Just wondering if there is

a significant difference between the regular and the XR, other than how

often you need to take it.

Re: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

,

I would talk to your surgeon as well as your PCP about extended release

meds. I had an isue with the Effexor XR and the first thing my doctor did

was place me on REGULAR Effexor and well.... It just did NOT cut it. I then

went on Lexapro for a while and then Cymbalta.

*~ Kami ~*

RE: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed

with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took

Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do

for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started

coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would

be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened

(it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I

could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of

the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do

not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug

to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific

to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

Again, I wouldn't call that addiction, but rather physical dependence. As far

as the drug being used for the treatment of pain, yes, it has had limited

success in treating Fibro pain. I will go through my Continuing Education

literature that I got from paramedic school and see if I can find it, but I

believe it is more nerve pain and Fibro pain than anything else. I know

Cymbalta is also similar. My doc tried me on both for pain...with no luck.

Thank the Lord he came to his senses.

As for taking Effexor for hot flashes, yeah, I wouldn't go there either, but

that's just me. For one thing, I don't have to deal with that, and for another,

the physical dependence that can occur with the med is not worth the benefit it

could provide.

While dependence is not addiction, it is something that can be quite serious. I

have transported several people to hospitals who were on either Effexor or

other anti-depressants SSRIs or SNRIs, who were quite ill, some near death.

Never, and I mean *never* just stop this med. Taper down if you feel like

stopping. But then, it sounds like you did that.

--

Dodge

Truly blessed to serve in E.M.S!

---- shihtzumom <shihtzumom1@...> wrote:

=============

I am the person who wrote the original post that many people disagreed with.

I said you will become addicted to Effexor XR. Maybe it has another name

besides addiction, I don't know. All I know is the absolutely horrible way

I feel if I miss a dose. Within 24 hours I am like a heroin addict without

her heroin. It's like nothing I have ever experienced before. I took Prozac

a long time, and went off of it with no problem.

I agree, that each of us has to weigh this risk with the help it can do for

us. I did not go totally off the Effexor XR, but I did go from 225 mg per

day to 150mg per day. I had gotten down (over many months time) to one

tablet (75MG) per day, but the depression and anxiety attacks started coming

back, so I remained at 150mg per day. WHY? Because going off of it, and

having those symptoms of depression and anxiety attacks back again would be

worse to me than being " addicted " (or whatever term you would like to use)

to it. I made the choice to save my children from the person I would be

without it. Does Effexor XR work for depression and anxiety attacks?

Absolutely! But what happens if all of a sudden you can't get the

medication? My husband was thinking about retiring. If that had happened (it

was only postponed a while), we would have no medical insurance and I could

not possibly pay for the Effexor XR. That's why I tried to get off of it.

Because of the state I was in when trying to stop it, my husband begged me

before the first day was over, to please take it again. That was part of the

reason for his decision to put off retirement.

I felt that the person who asked about taking Effexor XR for hot flashes

needed to know the extremely bad effects of this drug. I, personally, do not

think hot flashes are a sufficient reason to go on such a difficult drug to

discontinue. I admit, however, that I do not get hot flashes. Hmmmmm, may

that's because of the Effexor?

If Effexor is supposed to help with pain, then I must really be in

horrendous pain, because my arthritis is quite painful even with 150mg per

day of Effexor XR. Is it supposed to help all pain, or only pain specific to

RA, or what?

[Guest guest]

,

If you don't mind, could you please post the site for the free card?

My daughter has fibro and no medical assistance at all. Thank God

the pain center only charges $100 for her monthly visit but then

with her meds added on to that and my co-pays every month I am

pretty strapped. This month will be at least $400 and I don't know

what else I may have to get filled yet. I still have two more

medical appts this month. If only her disability would come through.

Someone posted one before, but none of her meds were covered.

Thank you so much.

Shirley

>

> I meant to mention in my post to ..if you ever don't have

coverage for a medication, I found a really good online discount

drug card! I am disabled and have Medicare and they wouldn't cover

my xanax even with letters from three doctors.  I was paying $96 a

month for the dosage I take and with the free card that I take into

the pharmacy whenever I need a refill, it is only $14!!!

[Guest guest]

I agree totally.

I think that physiologically, there isn't much difference in my mind. The

difference is more a mental one. A physical dependence happens in both

cases.

Dependency develops when your body requires the med, but addiction occurs

when your mind still requires the med past when the physical symptoms have

ended. That is why so many people addicted to drugs go back even after

detoxing and being without the drug for periods of time.

Just my opinion,

Dorothy

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Dodge

Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 11:07 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Effexor XR and addiction

Hi stephanie:

What you describe does not sound like addiction to me. It does sound like

physical dependence, and there definitely is a difference.

--

Dodge