Question:

Can anyone tell me if Pulmicort is as effective as I have heard from people? Side effects?  I am currently on intal, becloforte and singulair but my asthma is not completly controlled. Thanks Scott

Response:

Dear Scott, Pulmicort is approximately the same potency as Becloforte.  The most significant difference between them is that Becloforte is a traditional spray inhaler and Pulmicort is a dry powder inhaler without aerosol propellant.  Some people find that dry powder inhalers are much easier to use than an aerosol.  Many people find it difficult to inhale from spray front moving at more than 100 kilometers per hour.  For such people, switching to Pulmicort (or a comparable dry powder inhaler like Flovent Diskus) can improve asthma control.  If patients can use an aerosol inhaler and a dry powder inhaler with equal ease, Becloforte and Pulmicort will generally produce similar clinical benefit.  Has your doctor, pharmacist or other caregiver watched you using your inhaler to be sure that you can use it adequately? Your treatment regimen seems a bit confused.  Most asthma experts find that there is little benefit from adding Intal to a high concentration inhaled steroid like Becloforte.  Is your asthma being monitored by a specialist? Good luck. — Kenneth Chapman Director Asthma Centre of The Toronto Hospital Professor of Medicine University of Toronto

Response:

I have moderate asthma and have been on Pulmicort since 2/98.  I used to take Flovent 220mcg.  I was switched to Pulmicort as it did not have the systemic steroid side effects as Flovent. I have found Pulmicort to be very effective in controlling my asthma.  It has been used in europe for years prior to being approved for use here in the States.

Response:

One thing that is important is the way you take the medication. Do not tip the inhaler upward when delivering a dose.  It is easier to tip you head back slightly to open the airway and inhale the medication. It take a little time to get used to using this inhaler versus the propellant type inhaler we where all used to taking.  Good Luck!  

Response:

Can anyone tell me if Pulmicort is as effective as I have heard from people? Side effects?  I am currently on intal, becloforte and singulair but my asthma is not completly controlled. Thanks Scott If you would like current and past scientific research material, then I

suggest you refer to the internet site http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/freemedl.html and then click on INTERNET GRATEFUL MED and enter in the Query Terms: pulmicort, side effects, and efficacy, which should result in 17 articles you can look up in your nearest health science library or you can get an overview of the information by reading the abstracts. Budesonide, generic for Pulmicort,  is the first corticosteroid dry powder inhaler for the maintenance treatment of asthma that is used in prophylactic drug therapy. The usual dosage is 2-3 puffs per day in which there is 200mcg/puff. The drug should improve nighttime symptoms and reduce the dependence on direct beta-2-agonist bronchodilators such as albuterol sulfate. The most common associated side effects are respiratory infection, headache, orad candidiasis, dysphonia, and pharyngitis, but inhaled corticosteroids are relatively safe and effective anti-inflammatory medications. However, as with any medication, your doctor should monitor your drug therapy and any switches/add-ons to your current medications. Also, a common consumer complaint is that the drug is very fine so you might not see the drug inhalation. Intal, a mast cell stabilizer, and Singulair, a leukotriene modifier, act on different steps of the body’s reaction asthmatic attacks. There are other internet sites available to consumer such as http://www.rxmed.com and http://www.fda.gov that provide helpful new and past drug information, including clinical trial information, dosage available, drug interactions, and contraindications. If you click on http://www.pslgroup.com/ASTMA.HTM, there are over 50 internet sites that are linked including the American Lung Association and more discussion groups available. Also, http//www.publinet.it/pol/cmol/steroids/htm has individual drug monographs available on other asthma drug medications. Finally, Pulmicort should be more effective then your current medications, and if you use it chromically, it should help you to control the asthma to improve your quality of life.                                                         Bly I hope the information I suggested will be helpful to you, but I cannot make any guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or relevance to your particular situation. There is no substitute for having an ongoing, two-way dialogue with a licensed health professional whom you know and trust. Good luck.

Response:

Can anyone tell me if Pulmicort is as effective as I have heard from people? Side effects?  I am currently on intal, becloforte and singulair but my asthma is not completly controlled. Thanks Scott If you would like current and past scientific research material, then I

suggest you refer to the internet site www.nlm..nih.gov./databases/freemedl.html  then click on INTERNET GRATEFUL MED and enter in the Query Terms: pulmicort, side effects, and efficacy, which should result in 17 articles you can look up in your nearest health science library or you can get an overview of the information by reading the abstracts. Budesonide, generic for If you would like current and past scientific research material, then I suggest you refer to the internet site Pulmicort,  is the first corticosteroid dry powder inhaler for the maintenance treatment of asthma that is used in prophylactic drug therapy. The usual dosage is 2-3 puffs per day in which there is 200mcg/puff. The drug should improve nighttime symptoms and reduce the dependence on direct beta-2-agonist bronchodilators such as albuterol sulfate. The most common associated side effects are respiratory infection, headache, orad candidiasis, dysphonia, and pharyngitis, but inhaled corticosteroids are relatively safe and effective anti-inflammatory medications. However, as with any medication, your doctor should monitor your drug therapy and any switches/add-ons to your current medications. Also, a common consumer complaint is that the drug is very fine so you might not see the drug inhalation. Intal, a mast cell stabilizer, and Singulair, a leukotriene modifier, act on different steps of the body

Question:

writes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks! Denice Hi Denice: I was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  Last year was the first time I ever got a flu injection.  My GP and allergist insisted I get one.  Your immune system is already damaged and coming down with the flu could be fatal.

I don’t think my immune system is damaged – I don’t get any more of the general run of coughs & colds than anyone else in the office (possibly less in fact) – but if I *do* get them I will often be iller. Good Luck, Maria

– Surfer!

Response:

If you can’t get the flu from the shot, then how come I always get sick for two or three days after I get the shot? You CANNOT get the flu from the flu shot. Possible answers: 1A.  Coincidence.  You would have gotten sick anyway.

One of the funniest things that ever happened to me:  About 4 years ago, I was standing in a long line of folks to receive a flu shot.  And guess what–the nurse who was doing the shots was herself sneezing and coughing and blowing her nose from a bad cold!  The medical office didn’t realize that those of us who were trying to avoid the flu were probably not too interested in catching a bad cold either.  :-) Needless to say, I washed my hands and arms thoroughly afterward.  But I wonder what happened to the others who weren’t that fastidious.  :-) — Steven D. Litvintchouk                   Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein             are not those of my employer.

Response:

Your dr. is correct. The most common side effect of the flu shot is soreness at the injection site (hardly a sign of the flu), although occasionally people feel flu-like joint soreness and fatigue. Get the shot – the flu can literally kill susceptible people, the shot just makes you a bit uncomfortable. – tg (an RN w/ asthma) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks! Denice

Response:

The only thing to watch out for (at least with the UK version) is allergy to eggs.  They always ask me before putting the needle in.  Now that reminds me – it must be time to make that appointment. Real flu (lots of people call a bad cold flu) is a debilitating illness at best, and quite dangerous for the elderly, and those with chronic lung, heart or kidney problems or diabetes.  All these groups can get free flu jabs in the UK – apparently the government has about 10,000,000 shots lined up. My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks! Denice

– Surfer!

Response:

I was wondering, what are oral steriods?  I mean, can someone give me an example?  I always get the different types of medications all mixed up.  There are so many of them!!!  I’m on Flovent, Singulair, and Provental, are any of those oral steroids?

Oral steroids come in pill form.  These medications are the ‘big hammer’ used to get the asthma back under control fast during times when your normal medications are not working.  (For example, if you get the flu your doctor is probably going to put you on oral steroids.) Flovent is an inhaled steroid.  This medication has a huge advantage over oral steroids in that it uses a dosage that is somewhere around 1/30th of that of the oral version.  The disadvantage is that this medication works slowly over time. Singulair is a leukotrine receptor antagonist.  This medication blocks the receptor sites for a chemical that is crucial to the inflammation process that drives asthma symptoms. Proventil is a beta-agonist.  This medication activates the beta receptor sites in the airways causing the muscles to relax and open the airways. "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

None of those are oral steroids. Predisone, prednisolone, pediapred, prelone, dexamethasone, decadron are all steroids.  Check out my web site at www.ibabydoc.com for a discussion on all asthma meds. Dr. Michael Bornstein, M.D. F.A.A.P. www.ibabydoc.com

Response:

If you can’t get the flu from the shot, then how come I always get sick for two or three days after I get the shot?

Because your immune system thinks you have the flu.  The idea here is to trick the body so that it produces the appropriate antibodies. (BTW, if the immunization makes you feel bad – think of what the real disease will do to you.) "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks! Denice I have never had a flu shot, neither has my DH or either of our kids. We

looked at the number of viruses out there, the very small number covered by this shot, and the possible reactions to it and opted not to have them. During the last 12 years, I have had a mild flu once.  DH & the kids never have.

Response:

My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks! Denice

Hi Denice: I was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  Last year was the first time I ever got a flu injection.  My GP and allergist insisted I get one.  Your immune system is already damaged and coming down with the flu could be fatal. Good Luck, Maria

Response:

I have always heard it gives you a ‘touch’ of the virus so your body can build up resistance to it.

Response:

If you can’t get the flu from the shot, then how come I always get sick for two or three days after I get the shot?

Maybe because the flu shot covers only a few small varieties of the flu, and there are many more out there.  You may be susesptible to a variety that its not expected many people will be suspectible to and wasn’t incluced in the shot.  Or maybe it was a cold, not the flu; there are hundreds of cold viruses. The flu shot is not a panacea for all illness.  Its simply a highly probable prevention for a small few.

Response:

If you can’t get the flu from the shot, then how come I always get sick for two or three days after I get the shot?

You CANNOT get the flu from the flu shot. Possible answers: 1A.  Coincidence.  You would have gotten sick anyway. 1B.  Coincidence.  The flu shot alters your immune response and so you get sick with a critter that perhaps you wouldn’t have gotten as sick with. 2.  You caught Something Evil from the sick people visting your doctor’s office when you got the flu shot. 3.  Your immune system responds to the vaccine with: "wow! dead critters!  better wage biochemical warfare *just* to be sure!!"; kind of like how it goes "wow! pollen!  time to wage biochemical-thermonuclear war to protect this body from the Evil Invader!!"…

Response:

If you can’t get the flu from the shot, then how come I always get sick for two or three days after I get the shot? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would definitely get the flu shot. You cannot catch the flu from it and it will prevent some pretty serious illness in an asthmatic. Dr. Michael Bornstein, M.D. F.A.A.P. www.ibabydoc.com

Response:

My daughter, who has asthma, got the flu last January, type A and B and was hospitalized for seven days.  It was pretty severe and she was on oxygen for five of those days.  Although she was young, 13 months, the consequences of asthmatics with the flu at any age can’t be a good combination.

Response:

I would definitely get the flu shot. You cannot catch the flu from it and it will prevent some pretty serious illness in an asthmatic. Dr. Michael Bornstein, M.D. F.A.A.P. www.ibabydoc.com

Response:

I say do it. I have gotten them for over 10 years and i am thankful. Flu’s with asthma don’t go over well..

Response:

<~ I’m on Flovent, Singulair, and Provental, are any of those oral steroids? ~ I think Singulair is.

Response:

<~ I’m on Flovent, Singulair, and Provental, are any of those oral steroids? ~ I think Singulair is.

None of these are.  Flovent is an inhaled steroid.   Examples of oral steroids would be : prednisone, medrol or decadron

Response:

My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks!

I get the flu shot the moment it is available.  Last year I and few other people who got the shot were the only people at work who were not out sick for several days.   "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

I was wondering, what are oral steriods?  I mean, can someone give me an example?  I always get the different types of medications all mixed up.  There are so many of them!!!  I’m on Flovent, Singulair, and Provental, are any of those oral steroids? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My daughter, who has asthma, got the flu last January, type A and B and was hospitalized for seven days.  It was pretty severe and she was on oxygen for five of those days.  Although she was young, 13 months, the consequences of asthmatics with the flu at any age can’t be a good combination. Well, I’m in my forties, but even at my age, asthma and flu just don’t mix!  Therefore I get the flu shot every year. You *CANNOT* contract flu from a flu shot.  The only problem is if you’re on oral steroids.  These drugs can depress the immune response to the flu vaccine, so it won’t give you the immunity. — Steven D. Litvintchouk                   Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein             are not those of my employer.

Response:

I have had a flu shot every year since about 1970, and I have ONLY had any reaction whatever once. I had a mild feeling of malaise for about four hours the next afternoon. I did have the flu once about 12-15 years ago — a different virus from the vaccine — and was sick for weeks. I do everything possible to avoid risking a recurrence of that experience. Emily – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks! Denice

Response:

My daughter, who has asthma, got the flu last January, type A and B and was hospitalized for seven days.  It was pretty severe and she was on oxygen for five of those days.  Although she was young, 13 months, the consequences of asthmatics with the flu at any age can’t be a good combination.

Well, I’m in my forties, but even at my age, asthma and flu just don’t mix!  Therefore I get the flu shot every year. You *CANNOT* contract flu from a flu shot.  The only problem is if you’re on oral steroids.  These drugs can depress the immune response to the flu vaccine, so it won’t give you the immunity. — Steven D. Litvintchouk                   Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein             are not those of my employer.

Response:

My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks! Denice

Asthmatics are in the high risk group for whom flu shots are especially recommended. See: http://www.kaiserpermanente.org/locations/midatlantic/newsroom/vaccin… Kaiser Permanente launches annual flu vaccination campaign "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser  Permanente particularly recommend flu vaccinations for those  who are at special risk for adverse flu reactions. As part of  its campaign, Kaiser Permanente has sent flu shot reminders  to more than 115,000 local members in high-risk  categories. Those considered at "high-risk" for flu  complications include those who:  Are 65 or older;  Have a chronic illness such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease,  or have a family member with a chronic illness;  Have a weakened immune system, such as from HIV or cancer;  Interact with a lot of people in school, work, or leisure settings; and  Are pregnant and will be in the second or third trimester during  the flu season, or are planning to become pregnant during the  flu season. For additional information, members and others should visit  the Kaiser Permanente web site at            www.kaiserpermanente.org  " Ellis

Response:

My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks! Denice

Response:

My Pulmonologist has suggested getting the flu shot this year and would welcome any advice for or against.  I’m still trying to get stablized with my medication and sure don’t want any complications or even a mild case of the flu right now.  The doctor assured me that they inject a dead vaccine and not the live one given years ago….. but am still very leery since vacation is pretty close for me.  Would welcome any advice?  Thanks! Denice

First flu shots were in 1942 I believe.  I got it in the army.  Had a two-three day mild fever and aching arm from the shot.  Have had many since including during periods of fairly severe asthma.  Never more than an mildly aching arm for a day.  Most  times not even that.  My experience is that they are a pretty trivial experience any more. A respiratory infection on top of asthma could get pretty nasty.  Think you should listen to your doctor.

Response:

If any of you can and want to get the flu shot, get it now!  I was putting it off, I normally get it around the end of October.  However, I ended up with the flu the last couple days.  Terrible headache (I thought my head was going to explode) and a high fever and nausea.  I was sick for a couple days and am still sick.  GET IT NOW!!!  You don’t want this, trust me! Darcy

Response:

i have found that my immune system has been badly affected  due to colitus and then crohns.  a flu shot is no longer something that i can take. it affects me differently than normal people. i get sick almost immediately and it takes me longer to get over it than most people. on a lighter side ,i try to stay away from small children and sneezing coughing adults. hehe mary? merry? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone get this?  Last time I had one, was at work and started to get a reaction and the nurse about scared the crap out of me.  I know the vaccine contains eggs, which I was allergic to when growing up, but grew out of it. With all these new bugs, was thinking about trying it again, but going to my doc for it instead.  Has anyone else experienced problems with it? Thanks. Julie

Response:

a flu shot is no longer something that i can take. it affects me differently than normal people. i get sick almost immediately and it takes me longer to get over it than most people.

I thought I was the only one!  My doc told me that the shot would make me sicker than it was worth!  I used to get them every year, but no more!   Margie

Response:

I got my Fly shot, I am afraid as hell that if I get the flu, it will kill me. I get i every year and have never regretted getting it.

Have you seen "The Fly"?  If so, you know what you’re in for!  :=} Kathi

Response:

They still use eggs to incubate the vaccine. We have been told by the Health Dept. that we have to make sure we ask if a person is allergic to eggs before we can give them the injection. From what I have been given to understand they are incubating it in other tissue now as well but it is going to cost more.   Cathy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Darcy) writes: Don’t know if they still use the egg product in it though, I know something was changed with the shot, you need to ask! No, they don’t use egg anymore. Kathi

Response:

Hi, I have a shot each winter but my doctor makes sure he weans me down to a lower dose of Pred. before I have the shot and then starts building them up again about a week later.  I feel a bit off color for a few days but listening to "healthy people"  they suffer too.  I think it is worth the effort.  The shot does not have the full effect I had a mild flu this winter (I was off work for a week, flu for 4 days and 1 day resting and having B12 shot and iron supplements at Docs.) some people in the office were away for 3 weeks!!! Keep well, Luv Michelle ( in the Southern Hemi.) — — Michelle Wilhelm 21A Dinton Street, Christchurch 8004, New Zealand Phone: +64 3 342 7877 —-

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Julie, I have been on Prednisone for over 2 years, currently on 15mg, started on Imuran 50mg 2 months ago, and now on 100mg.  I consulted with both my GI and PCP about getting a flu shot being on the immunosuppressants, and both recommended that I get one, even after hearing that I almost always get the flu after getting the shot (got them for 7 years in the military). After talking with both doctors and thinking about it, I would rather be sick for a week now than several times through the winter. My cousin is allergic to eggs and also has Crohn’s but he can’t take the flu shot as he reacts to it and one time it was rather serious.  So I would definitely check with your doctor and maybe an allergist to be tested to see if you are allergic to eggs.  As a child I had lots of allergies, and I still have some, but outgrew quite a few of them. Hope this helps. Ken — CD Class of 97 http://www.augustweb.com/~kjakin/ Does anyone get this?  Last time I had one, was at work and started to get a reaction and the nurse about scared the crap out of me.  I know the vaccine contains eggs, which I was allergic to when growing up, but grew out of it. With all these new bugs, was thinking about trying it again, but going to my doc for it instead.  Has anyone else experienced problems with it? Thanks. Julie

Response:

(Darcy) writes: Don’t know if they still use the egg product in it though, I know something was changed with the shot, you need to ask!

No, they don’t use egg anymore. Kathi

Response:

Gooniebird ???? I have always had problems but I got one last week in the hospital and it went okay.  They are different now anyway.  My Doctor insists that any of his high risk patients get one especially this year since it is suppose to be really bad.  Do it Goonie. jstew — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

Julie,     I have Crohn’s and allergic to eggs. I’ve been on Pred since last week of August, currently I’m on 30mg…..My primary dr, doesn’t reccommend that I have the flu shot Tania

Response:

I’ve had the flu shot two years in a row (recommended by my GI) and have my appt for this years.  Have been on pred each time, and was never told not to have it because of that.  It has sure saved me from that nasty flu so far… Tracy

Response:

Julie – I have gotten the flu shot for the last 5 years and also had the pneumonia shot last year at the recomendation of my GI doctor.  It has helped me to not get sick with the flu at all.  The first year I had a reaction to it, just minor flu (side effect) other than that, nothing.  I have had CD for 8 years now!  I will also be getting it this year, it is recommended for anyone with a chronic disease/autoimmune system problems.  Don’t know if they still use the egg product in it though, I know something was changed with the shot, you need to ask! Have a great day and keep smiling! Darcy

Response:

Julie, I have been on Prednisone for over 2 years, currently on 15mg, started on Imuran 50mg 2 months ago, and now on 100mg.  I consulted with both my GI and PCP about getting a flu shot being on the immunosuppressants, and both recommended that I get one, even after hearing that I almost always get the flu after getting the shot (got them for 7 years in the military). After talking with both doctors and thinking about it, I would rather be sick for a week now than several times through the winter. My cousin is allergic to eggs and also has Crohn’s but he can’t take the flu shot as he reacts to it and one time it was rather serious.  So I would definitely check with your doctor and maybe an allergist to be tested to see if you are allergic to eggs.  As a child I had lots of allergies, and I still have some, but outgrew quite a few of them. Hope this helps. Ken — CD Class of 97 http://www.augustweb.com/~kjakin/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone get this?  Last time I had one, was at work and started to get a reaction and the nurse about scared the crap out of me.  I know the vaccine contains eggs, which I was allergic to when growing up, but grew out of it. With all these new bugs, was thinking about trying it again, but going to my doc for it instead.  Has anyone else experienced problems with it? Thanks. Julie

Response:

Julie, In addition to my last post, One of the doctors I work with told us yesterday afternoon that they now are incubating the vaccine in tissue as well as eggs. He thought the vaccine is probably more expensive. This vaccine is for those who are allergic to eggs. Cathy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone get this?  Last time I had one, was at work and started to get a reaction and the nurse about scared the crap out of me.  I know the vaccine contains eggs, which I was allergic to when growing up, but grew out of it. With all these new bugs, was thinking about trying it again, but going to my doc for it instead.  Has anyone else experienced problems with it? Thanks. Julie

Response:

Does anyone get this?  Last time I had one, was at work and started to get a reaction and the nurse about scared the crap out of me.  I know the vaccine contains eggs, which I was allergic to when growing up, but grew out of it. With all these new bugs, was thinking about trying it again, but going to my doc for it instead.  Has anyone else experienced problems with it? Thanks. Julie

Julie,     I got mine about 2 weeks ago, and I had a huge welt on my arm from the shot for several days and it hurt like crazy, but it was worth it – the flu I had last winter was brutal!  But I’ve never been allergic to eggs … Sioux — * Remove the word "froggies" from our "reply-to" address (reply to * * http://www3.sympatico.ca/lilypad **

Response:

Does anyone get this?  Last time I had one, was at work and started to get a reaction and the nurse about scared the crap out of me.  I know the vaccine contains eggs, which I was allergic to when growing up, but grew out of it. With all these new bugs, was thinking about trying it again, but going to my doc for it instead.  Has anyone else experienced problems with it? Thanks. Julie

Response:

If you have been on Prednisone in the past year you should inform the nurse, according to the information I have from my pharmacist.  In fact, if you are on any drugs for IBD or otherwise, I’d disclose that information. Related: when I was in the hospital, they mentioned something about TB vacination, but I do not recall the details.  I think the statement was in reference to pred and reduction in immune system response.

: Does anyone get this?  Last time I had one, was at work and started to : get a reaction and the nurse about scared the crap out of me.  I know : the vaccine contains eggs, which I was allergic to when growing up, but : grew out of it. With all these new bugs, was thinking about trying it : again, but going to my doc for it instead.  Has anyone else experienced : problems with it? : Thanks.

Response:

Julie, I was allergic to eggs as a child and thought I outgrew it. My doctor gave me a skin test with the vaccine and I developed a huge hive at the sight of the injection. He told me not to get the vaccine. This was a number of years ago so I had never tried again. When I started working at a clinic there was a doctor who said that if a person is allergic to eggs they can take 1/10 of a cc intradermally and still get up to 80% immunity. I have been doing this for the past 4 years and it has worked out quite well. I still get a giant hive on my arm but feel it is a small price to pay. You could ask your doctor about this. Cathy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone get this?  Last time I had one, was at work and started to get a reaction and the nurse about scared the crap out of me.  I know the vaccine contains eggs, which I was allergic to when growing up, but grew out of it. With all these new bugs, was thinking about trying it again, but going to my doc for it instead.  Has anyone else experienced problems with it? Thanks. Julie

Response:

My drs always strongly recommended the flu shots for me no matter what I was on. Linda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you are, or have been recently, on any Prednisone or immunosuppressant drugs, you should definately check with your doctor first before receiving *ANY* immunizations.  You could get really sick and maybe even die. Thanks, Mike That is scarey.  I’m supposed to get my flu shot tomorrow, and now I’m concerned.  I asked the Dr at CCFA.COM and he said it’d be ok but I didn’t tell him I was on prednisone and 6mp.  I also take asacol. Now I don’t know what to do. Elise

Response:

Linda- I believe you are supposed to go to the doc within 24 to 48 hours of the onset.  I suppose the sooner you feel it coming on and can start the meds… the sooner it will get you feeling better.  Hope this helps. Be well- Tracy CD class of ‘98 my homepage: http://home.talkcity.com/ParadiseDr/goodboie/index.html  : )  smile – it makes people wonder what you’re up to!

Response:

Elise- I was on pred when I got my flu shot.  Two years ago, I was on Asacol, Imuran (similar to 6mp) and Pred.  I haven’t had any adverse reactions.  But if you are unsure, call your doc. Be well- Tracy CD class of ‘98 my homepage: http://home.talkcity.com/ParadiseDr/goodboie/index.html  : )  smile – it makes people wonder what you’re up to!

Response:

It all depends on whether the vaccine contains live or dead virus. I think the flu vaccine is dead strains so it’s safe, but by all means ask your dr. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you are, or have been recently, on any Prednisone or immunosuppressant drugs, you should definately check with your doctor first before receiving *ANY* immunizations.  You could get really sick and maybe even die. Thanks, Mike That is scarey.  I’m supposed to get my flu shot tomorrow, and now I’m concerned.  I asked the Dr at CCFA.COM and he said it’d be ok but I didn’t tell him I was on prednisone and 6mp.  I also take asacol. Now I don’t know what to do. Elise

Response:

I thought we had overactive immune systems that is why we take stuff like 6mp to supress our immune systems? I had the flu shot last week no problems. But you are right each person should research it on their own. Rachael – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not a chance!!  I’ll never take a flu shot again. Last week in the Vancouver Paper headlines were 20 deaths linked to the flu shot. Us IBD’ers already have a weakened immune system I’m not about to throw a flu shot at it also.I haven’t taken a flu shot since I started researching nutrition. Your best bet is to keep on researching it yourself and decide from there.. whether you want to have them or not..Weigh all the pros and cons. Hi there, Have any of you been able to get the flu shot?  I have CD and was wondering if it is an option.    I did catch the flu last year and it was pretty bad. Thank you. Pam

Response:

If you are, or have been recently, on any Prednisone or immunosuppressant drugs, you should definately check with your doctor first before receiving *ANY* immunizations.  You could get really sick and maybe even die. Thanks, Mike

That is scarey.  I’m supposed to get my flu shot tomorrow, and now I’m concerned.  I asked the Dr at CCFA.COM and he said it’d be ok but I didn’t tell him I was on prednisone and 6mp.  I also take asacol. Now I don’t know what to do. Elise

Response:

Elise, I am on 6MP and received the flu shot.  My GI said I’d be fine to get it and I insisted on talking w/ my allergist on how effective it would be. What convinced me was when he said if it was him he’d get the shot. Talk it over with your GI or regular doctor if you have any doubts.  mgbio CD Class of ‘99 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you are, or have been recently, on any Prednisone or immunosuppressant drugs, you should definately check with your doctor first before receiving *ANY* immunizations.  You could get really sick and maybe even die. Thanks, Mike That is scarey.  I’m supposed to get my flu shot tomorrow, and now I’m concerned.  I asked the Dr at CCFA.COM and he said it’d be ok but I didn’t tell him I was on prednisone and 6mp.  I also take asacol. Now I don’t know what to do. Elise

Response:

Hi Tracy, How soon is soon enough?  It was 3 days before I could get to my doctor and I was crawling from the bed to the bathroom. I don’t think I’ve ever been so sick in my whole life!  Would those three days have been too late?  I’ll definitely remember the inhaler if I become ill with the flu again.  Thanks for the info. Linda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just one more thing to add… if anyone does get the flu, make sure you get to the doc early… there is a drug available (called Relenza, I believe).  My husband got the flu last year, and was able to use this inhaler.  It cut down his time being sick from the average of 7-10 days to 3-4.  But you have to catch it early, or the docs won’t give it to you.  Just a suggestion in case anyone gets hit by it this year. Be well- Tracy CD class of ‘98 my homepage: http://home.talkcity.com/ParadiseDr/goodboie/index.html : )  smile – it makes people wonder what you’re up to!

Response:

i had a flu shot about 6 weeks ago, no problem. pia

Response:

P14, If you are, or have been recently, on any Prednisone or immunosuppressant drugs, you should definately check with your doctor first before receiving *ANY* immunizations.  You could get really sick and maybe even die. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the (SPAM_BLOCKER) from my email address: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi there, Have any of you been able to get the flu shot?  I have CD and was wondering if it is an option.    I did catch the flu last year and it was pretty bad. Thank you. Pam

Response:

Not this year.  Last year I got sick from the flu shot (granted, I was run-down when I got the shot).  I suffered a "mini" flu for seven days (fever, weak). And then when my husband and son got the flu, I got it again!!  This year I got treated homeopathically for the flu (for the first time).  We’ll see how it goes.  Either way, it will be a long time until I get the flu shot again. Diana  CD ‘81

Response:

Pam, I have gotten them every year for a long time except for this year. I got the flu last year in spite of the shot, so this year I am going to wing it and see what happens. I have never had an adverse effect on my IBD from the shot, to answer your question. Mark CD c/o 88

Response:

I got the flu shot in October.  I just can’t risk having it knock me down and out…. Be well- Tracy CD class of ‘98 my homepage: http://home.talkcity.com/ParadiseDr/goodboie/index.html  : )  smile – it makes people wonder what you’re up to!

Response:

Just one more thing to add… if anyone does get the flu, make sure you get to the doc early… there is a drug available (called Relenza, I believe).  My husband got the flu last year, and was able to use this inhaler.  It cut down his time being sick from the average of 7-10 days to 3-4.  But you have to catch it early, or the docs won’t give it to you.  Just a suggestion in case anyone gets hit by it this year. Be well- Tracy CD class of ‘98 my homepage: http://home.talkcity.com/ParadiseDr/goodboie/index.html  : )  smile – it makes people wonder what you’re up to!

Response:

Hi Pam, I’ve been getting a flu shot for years.  I don’t think I’d go without as I came down with it a few yrs back when another strain of flu came out they weren’t expecting.  I don’t think I’ve ever, ever felt so bad in my life!!!  I’d have abdominal surgery before having the flu again.  That case, unfortunately, ended in pneumonia.  Even colds, for me, end up with bronchitis.  I finally was able to get my shot last week at Kroger no less!  My doctor’s office is still waiting for their shipment of vaccines and I was afraid to wait any longer. Linda p.s.  I also had the one time only pneumonia shot a few years ago and would advise others that have trouble with upper respiratory problems to have it too.

Response:

What?! Do you have a link to this article? I haven’t heard anything about any problems expect the shortage. Rebecca

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not a chance!!  I’ll never take a flu shot again. Last week in the Vancouver Paper headlines were 20 deaths linked to the flu shot. Us IBD’ers already have a weakened immune system I’m not about to throw a flu shot at it also.I haven’t taken a flu shot since I started researching nutrition. Your best bet is to keep on researching it yourself and decide from there.. whether you want to have them or not..Weigh all the pros and cons. Hi there, Have any of you been able to get the flu shot?  I have CD and was wondering if it is an option.    I did catch the flu last year and it was pretty bad. Thank you. Pam

Response:

Hi there, Have any of you been able to get the flu shot?  I have CD and was wondering if it is an option.    I did catch the flu last year and it was pretty bad. Thank you. Pam

Hi Pam I got the flu shot 3 weeks ago. My main reason was that i take imuran which supresses the imunesystem, and therefore it takes longer to recover. An ordinary cold takes me 2-3 weeks to recover from. Take care Lars cd class of 98

Response:

Yes, I had the flu shot in oktober, like the last years. It doesn’t give me trouble. But I was the only one at work who has not been sick this year! — Martin The Netherlands http://www.dahlhaus.demon.nl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi there, Have any of you been able to get the flu shot?  I have CD and was wondering if it is an option.    I did catch the flu last year and it was pretty bad. Thank you. Pam

Response:

Not a chance!!  I’ll never take a flu shot again. Last week in the Vancouver Paper headlines were 20 deaths linked to the flu shot. Us IBD’ers already have a weakened immune system I’m not about to throw a flu shot at it also.I haven’t taken a flu shot since I started researching nutrition. Your best bet is to keep on researching it yourself and decide from there.. whether you want to have them or not..Weigh all the pros and cons.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi there, Have any of you been able to get the flu shot?  I have CD and was wondering if it is an option.    I did catch the flu last year and it was pretty bad. Thank you. Pam

Response:

Pam, I got the shot, on the advice of my allergist.  I ran a fever for several days afterwards but my GI and I are not sure if it was due to the shot or the abscess I developed from my fistula (neither of which are related).  mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi there, Have any of you been able to get the flu shot?  I have CD and was wondering if it is an option.    I did catch the flu last year and it was pretty bad.  Thank you. Pam

Response:

Hi there, Have any of you been able to get the flu shot?  I have CD and was wondering if it is an option.    I did catch the flu last year and it was pretty bad.  Thank you. Pam

Response:

I’ve gotten the flu shot every year since I was dxed (in 97 or so). I’ve had no problem with it. My GI believes very strongly in IBD patients getting the shot. I got mine (when there weren’t *any* to be had) at his office. Rebecca

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi there, Have any of you been able to get the flu shot?  I have CD and was wondering if it is an option.    I did catch the flu last year and it was pretty bad. Thank you. Pam

Response:

Question:

My mistake.  As from 1/1/2004 the concessional rate is $3.80 and the general rate is $23.70. "." <asspu…@punkass.com

wrote in message

news:MPG.1adf1ed2a3199a6b989740@news.individual.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Tim Dicinoski wrote… me $2.80 per prescription as a pensioner (it would be $15.60 as a

general

patient. Isn’t it $3.60 and $22.50? — Regards, .

Response:

Yes, I am Australian. "ABroaD" <lhj8…@hanafos.com

wrote in message

news:c52s0m$f10$1@news.hananet.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> are you an australian? > "Tim Dicinoski" <timino…@dodo.com.au

wrote in message

> news:407406f8@news.comindico.com.au… > > I was hospitalised on Christmas Eve after taking 100 paracetamol during a

major psychotic episode with paranoid delusions.  (It’s amazing I still have a functioning liver).  I am now taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) 5mg b.d. and Zoloft (sertraline)100mg b.d., and feel better than I have in years.

The

only side effects I have experienced are dry mouth and (slight) sexual dysfunction.  I was previously on Risperdal (risperidone) which caused

an

extremely unpleasant case of tardive dyskinesia & extrapyramidal disorders. I simply cannot recommend these medications (Risperdal & Zoloft) too highly. And thanks to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, they only cost me $2.80 per prescription as a pensioner (it would be $15.60 as a

general

patient. Tim Dicinoski.

Response:

I was hospitalised on Christmas Eve after taking 100 paracetamol during a major psychotic episode with paranoid delusions.  (It’s amazing I still have a functioning liver).  I am now taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) 5mg b.d. and Zoloft (sertraline)100mg b.d., and feel better than I have in years.  The only side effects I have experienced are dry mouth and (slight) sexual dysfunction.  I was previously on Risperdal (risperidone) which caused an extremely unpleasant case of tardive dyskinesia & extrapyramidal disorders. I simply cannot recommend these medications (Risperdal & Zoloft) too highly. And thanks to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, they only cost me $2.80 per prescription as a pensioner (it would be $15.60 as a general patient. Tim Dicinoski.

Response:

Tim Dicinoski wrote…

me $2.80 per prescription as a pensioner (it would be $15.60 as a general patient.

Isn’t it $3.60 and $22.50? — Regards, .

Response:

Paracetamol is also known as acetaminophen. "Tim Dicinoski" <timino…@dodo.com.au

wrote in message

news:407406f8@news.comindico.com.au… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I was hospitalised on Christmas Eve after taking 100 paracetamol during a major psychotic episode with paranoid delusions.  (It’s amazing I still

have

a functioning liver).  I am now taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) 5mg b.d. and Zoloft (sertraline)100mg b.d., and feel better than I have in years.  The only side effects I have experienced are dry mouth and (slight) sexual dysfunction.  I was previously on Risperdal (risperidone) which caused an extremely unpleasant case of tardive dyskinesia & extrapyramidal

disorders.

I simply cannot recommend these medications (Risperdal & Zoloft) too

highly.

And thanks to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, they only

cost

me $2.80 per prescription as a pensioner (it would be $15.60 as a general patient. Tim Dicinoski.

Response:

How much Risperdal were you taking, that allegedly led to the problems? "Tim Dicinoski" <timino…@dodo.com.au

wrote in message

news:407406f8@news.comindico.com.au… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I was hospitalised on Christmas Eve after taking 100 paracetamol during a major psychotic episode with paranoid delusions.  (It’s amazing I still

have

a functioning liver).  I am now taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) 5mg b.d. and Zoloft (sertraline)100mg b.d., and feel better than I have in years.  The only side effects I have experienced are dry mouth and (slight) sexual dysfunction.  I was previously on Risperdal (risperidone) which caused an extremely unpleasant case of tardive dyskinesia & extrapyramidal

disorders.

I simply cannot recommend these medications (Risperdal & Zoloft) too

highly.

And thanks to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, they only

cost

me $2.80 per prescription as a pensioner (it would be $15.60 as a general patient. Tim Dicinoski.

Response:

are you an australian? "Tim Dicinoski" <timino…@dodo.com.au

wrote in message

news:407406f8@news.comindico.com.au… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I was hospitalised on Christmas Eve after taking 100 paracetamol during a major psychotic episode with paranoid delusions.  (It’s amazing I still

have

a functioning liver).  I am now taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) 5mg b.d. and Zoloft (sertraline)100mg b.d., and feel better than I have in years.  The only side effects I have experienced are dry mouth and (slight) sexual dysfunction.  I was previously on Risperdal (risperidone) which caused an extremely unpleasant case of tardive dyskinesia & extrapyramidal

disorders.

I simply cannot recommend these medications (Risperdal & Zoloft) too

highly.

And thanks to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, they only

cost

me $2.80 per prescription as a pensioner (it would be $15.60 as a general patient. Tim Dicinoski.

Response:

Initially 1 mg b.d., increasing to 3 mg b.d. by week 4.  And the dyskinesia was hardly alleged: people thought I was a spastic. "Cubit" <n…@no.not

wrote in message

news:jm3dc.19516$LG5.13631@newssvr27.news.prodigy.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How much Risperdal were you taking, that allegedly led to the problems? > "Tim Dicinoski" <timino…@dodo.com.au

wrote in message

> news:407406f8@news.comindico.com.au… > > I was hospitalised on Christmas Eve after taking 100 paracetamol during a

major psychotic episode with paranoid delusions.  (It’s amazing I still have a functioning liver).  I am now taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) 5mg b.d. and Zoloft (sertraline)100mg b.d., and feel better than I have in years.

The

only side effects I have experienced are dry mouth and (slight) sexual dysfunction.  I was previously on Risperdal (risperidone) which caused

an

extremely unpleasant case of tardive dyskinesia & extrapyramidal disorders. I simply cannot recommend these medications (Risperdal & Zoloft) too highly. And thanks to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, they only cost me $2.80 per prescription as a pensioner (it would be $15.60 as a

general

patient. Tim Dicinoski.

Response:

I am currently on a very low dose of Risperdal, thank God. —– – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Cubit wrote:

How much Risperdal were you taking, that allegedly led to the problems?

Response:

good! join Madites Intelligence Agency! "Tim Dicinoski" <timino…@dodo.com.au

wrote in message

news:4074fc1e@news.comindico.com.au… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yes, I am Australian. > "ABroaD" <lhj8…@hanafos.com

wrote in message

> news:c52s0m$f10$1@news.hananet.net… > > are you an australian? > > "Tim Dicinoski" <timino…@dodo.com.au

wrote in message

> > news:407406f8@news.comindico.com.au… > > > I was hospitalised on Christmas Eve after taking 100 paracetamol during

a major psychotic episode with paranoid delusions.  (It’s amazing I

still

have a functioning liver).  I am now taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) 5mg b.d.

and

Zoloft (sertraline)100mg b.d., and feel better than I have in years. The only side effects I have experienced are dry mouth and (slight) sexual dysfunction.  I was previously on Risperdal (risperidone) which caused an extremely unpleasant case of tardive dyskinesia & extrapyramidal disorders. I simply cannot recommend these medications (Risperdal & Zoloft) too highly. And thanks to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, they only cost me $2.80 per prescription as a pensioner (it would be $15.60 as a general patient. Tim Dicinoski.

Response:

Question:

hey everyone… my doctor finally switched me off of effexor xr to welbrutrin sr… and now i have little bits of me that keep going numb, of i keep getting little jolts of electricity through my body. although these are not painful they are disconcerting. any suggestions? -will

the jolts of electricity sound like Effexor withdrawal. They will disappear with time. Chip

Response:

:hey everyone… :my doctor finally switched me off of effexor xr to welbrutrin sr… : :and now i have little bits of me that keep going numb, of i keep getting :little jolts of electricity through my body. although these are not painful :they are disconcerting. : :any suggestions? :-will Dear Will, Did you stop effexor cold turkey? Effexor is known for withdrawals. Electric shock type sensations can be withdrawal symptoms. There is also the possibility that this is a side-effect of wellbutrin. It can be hard to know what is causing this being you stopped taking one med and started a new med all at the same time. What dose of wellbutrin did you start at? Why are you taking the wellbutrin, anxiety and/or depression? You might want to give your doctor a call about this, maybe something can be done to alleviate this symptom. Take care! Jackie ~*~Confusion never stops, closing walls and ticking clocks Come back and take you home, I could not stop, that you now know Come out upon my seas, curse missed opportunities Am I a part of the cure, or am I part of the disease~*~      ~Coldplay~

Response:

hey everyone… my doctor finally switched me off of effexor xr to welbrutrin sr… and now i have little bits of me that keep going numb, of i keep getting little jolts of electricity through my body. although these are not painful they are disconcerting. any suggestions? -will

Hi Will –  a lot has been written about Wellbutrin (bupropion) on this newgroup over the years. In general, it’s thought that Wellbutrin is not a good med for treating anxiety disorders. One or two people here have done ok on it, but it’s a stimulating anti-depressant, and it has a lot of side-effects, which include increased anxiety – it sounds as though that might be what you’re experiencing in those symptoms. They could also possibly be related to the switch from Effexor (venlafaxine). Are you taking a benzo? That could help to alleviate the symptoms – but you need to talk to your doctor again, I think. -David-

Response:

hey everyone… my doctor finally switched me off of effexor xr to welbrutrin sr… and now i have little bits of me that keep going numb, of i keep getting little jolts of electricity through my body. although these are not painful they are disconcerting. any suggestions? -will

Response:

Question:

        I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day.         Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive.   Then, came the night.         Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?"             These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven.           Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something.   It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here.             I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line.         Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive. Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?" These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven.   Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something. It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here. I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line. Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

If you punch in "effexor" on yahoo, you will get some links to sites that might offer you some help on xr withdrawal. There is an anti-nausia drug reported to help some patients ease off this drug more effectively. If you have found anymore help for withdrawal, please let us know. More and more people are reporting this same difficulty of going through withdrawal "hell" from effexor xr and have had to return taking it again just to function. Wyeth, the manufacturer knows about this and have posted more info on their site about tapering off this med. Hope this helps. Thanx Steveb

Response:

I’ve had the same experience.  But I have decided to stay on Effexor because it is the best AD out there for my type of depression. — John Lundquist —-

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive. Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?" These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven. Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something. It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here. I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line. Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

Response:

I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive.   Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that…

Other people have reported "shocks" when withdrawing from Effexor and other antidepressants.  I quit Effexor XR 150mg cold turkey 1.5 weeks ago because my blood pressure was dangerously high.  So far I have not experienced ANY withdrawal symptoms.  My blood pressure is a bit lower but it may be because I also laid off most of the caffeine.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day.    Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive.   Then, came the night.    Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?"        These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven.      Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something.   It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here.        I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line.    Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

I was on Effexor XR 150mg for over a year, and suffered no memorable withdrawal symptoms when I d/c’ed.  Of course, I did taper off rather than going cold turkey, so maybe that helped.  Over a year later, I had another run-in with your friend and mine, the big "D", and now I’m on Zoloft 100mg.  From my personal experience, I would recommend either of these ADs to anyone, but would also suggest that they follow their doc’s instructions carefully. Andy

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        Alright guys, I guess I’ve got a lot to think about.  Thanks for your input. -Jon

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in general when stopping medication cold turkey one should expect withdrawal symptoms i have heard a lot of complaints from people who have stopped taking their medication abruptly…. however the simple solution to this is to not stop taking your medication abruptly if anyone has tapered off and still found themselves unable to escape severe withdrawal symptoms, i would like to hear it

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive. Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?" These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven. Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something. It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here. I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line. Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

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I tapered off Effexor XR with what seemed to be an entirely reasonably schedule, from 225 mg/day to 150 for a week, 75 for a week, 37.5 for a week, then half of that for a few days.  Have been experiencing all the symptoms mentioned below ever since, about 2 weeks.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – in general when stopping medication cold turkey one should expect withdrawal symptoms i have heard a lot of complaints from people who have stopped taking their medication abruptly…. however the simple solution to this is to not stop taking your medication abruptly if anyone has tapered off and still found themselves unable to escape severe withdrawal symptoms, i would like to hear it I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive. Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?" These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven. Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something. It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here. I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line. Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

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okay i do feel bad for you… my doc told me to take clonazepam… and it worked wonders maybe you should ask your doc – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tapered off Effexor XR with what seemed to be an entirely reasonably schedule, from 225 mg/day to 150 for a week, 75 for a week, 37.5 for a week, then half of that for a few days.  Have been experiencing all the symptoms mentioned below ever since, about 2 weeks.

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Question:

My jogging results decreased considarably when using an antidepressant. (Forgot the name, started with an i )

Imipramine? Besides that, I slept poor, had problems with shitting (sorry, don’t know a good english phrase), dizzyness when standing up and more.

Yup.  That sounds like imipramine. Imipramine’s common side effects include   sedation   dry mouth   blurred vision   urinary retention   constipation   orthostatic hypotension (dizzyness when standing up)   weight gain (moderate)   myoclonus (involuntary muscle jerks, especially at night)   lowered blood pressure   increased heart rate In my own experience, imipramine puts me to sleep very effectively, but I often wake up after two or three hours, and sometimes have trouble getting back to sleep afterwards. I haven’t heard of any special problems with running, although sedation could be the problem, I suppose. Anyway, if you can’t tolerate the side effects, there are many other antidepressants that don’t have these particular ones.  You should mention the problems to your doctor and ask whether it would be advisable to change drugs. S. suricata

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Hello folks– I’ve been prescribed Effexor XR for just over a month for moderate depression. I started at the lower doses of 37.5 and 75 mg. for two weeks, and I’ve been on the 150 mg. dose (once a day) for nearly 3 weeks.  I’ve had very few of the *customary* side effects and I’m tolerating the 150 mg. dose well, and the medication is really working well at alleviating my depression. However, I think the medication is negatively affecting my harder runs–specifically my recent 5K to 5 mile races, and my tempo/interval workout on Wednesday evenings.  For example, I’ve slowed down about 1:30 for my 5K time (29:15 in mid-November to 30:45 on New Year’s Day), and I’m considerably slower running my interval workout when I take my pill the morning of the workout.  Yesterday I experimented by skipping my pill, and ran my workout great–like before I started on the medication.  However, last nite I had very vivid dreams while sleeping (the second time this has happened), and felt groggy when getting up–which passed after I took my pill after eating breakfast this morning. Does anyone here on the newsgroups know specifically about the cardiovascular effects of anti-depressants?  Will my running/training be compromised for as long as I’m on the medication?  I’ll be mentioning this to my psychiatrist when I see her soon, but I thought I’d ask about it here first.  Since she told me that I could expect to be on medication this time for over a year (this is my 3rd recurrence of depression in 16 years), I’d really like to get this little *wrinkle* straightened out sooner instead of later! Thanks in advance– Jean Barto Newport News, VA — "If you are going through hell, keep going." Winston Churchill

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Venlafaxine (Effexor) has a minor CNS depressant effect that in theory *could* have affected your performance. In general, sports and meds should be kept separate if possible. M99

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My jogging results decreased considarably when using an antidepressant. (Forgot the name, started with an i ) Besides that, I slept poor, had problems with shitting (sorry, don’t know a good english phrase), dizzyness when standing up and more.

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Question:

I am about to go through a divorce and gosh who would have guessed, I have lost about 30 lbs in a month and a 1/2, I am sad when I think how much I will miss my wife and kids and have lost the desire to do many things I normally like. My Neuro-psychiatrist wants me to start taking Effexor XR for my depression. My question is this, who wouldn’t be depressed going through this? Am I really clinically depressed or just temporarily in this state because of my circumstances?? How do you know?? Thanks

Hey John, I went through separation, divorce and depression a few years ago. At the time I was seeing a counselor/therapist who helped me work through a lot of the situational depression I had. She told me time and again that if I ever felt like it was too much for me to handle on my own I could try meds. At that time I had a lot of reservations about it and I turned her down. It was hard, too. I remember feeling like nothing would ever matter again, and why even bother? Eventually though with her help (and I was *very* fortunate to have found such an excellent therapist for me), I realized that what *did* matter was me. I ended up discovering this whole other person inside myself I’d never known was there. The thing was, I don’t think this new me could have come into being without me having spent a lot of time alone. Time alone which left me lonely and sad and wishing for someone – anyone – to be with. I don’t know if the meds would have helped me get through it better than I did on my own, but in the end I proved to myself that I could do it and in many ways have been happier than ever before. Now, two years later, I’m on Effexor XR after being diagnosed with major depression last year. (I know that sounds odd after just saying I’m happier with me than I’ve ever been, but it snuck up on me.) The depression manifested itself so physically this time though that I figured it had to be a checmical imbalance so I tried meds. I’m not too thrilled with how they’ve worked out for me. It’s been nine months since I tried the first one, and I’ve been on three others since then with only marginal relief. Personally, if I was experiencing the frustration and despair I’ve had recently over all the issues surrounding me and meds at the same time I was going through a divorce I’d probably be a freaking wreck. Add to that some of the horror stories I’ve seen on the web regarding Effexor withdrawal (which I have yet to try – not looking forward to that), and I’m very tempted to urge you not to try meds, or at least try something else before Effexor. Especially knowing your depression is situational. With meds, not only does it sometimes take some time to find the right one, but during that time you may deal with some pretty nasty side effects, too. There’s a good chance that with good counseling you could recover from a situational depression faster than it might take to get relief with meds. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever you decide. It does get easier. Take care. Julia

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I am about to go through a divorce and gosh who would have guessed, I have lost about 30 lbs in a month and a 1/2, I am sad when I think how much I will miss my wife and kids and have lost the desire to do many things I normally like. My Neuro-psychiatrist wants me to start taking Effexor XR for my depression. My question is this, who wouldn’t be depressed going through this? Am I really clinically depressed or just temporarily in this state because of my circumstances?? How do you know?? Thanks

What difference does it make?? If you are throwing up blood, and the doctor says you have an ulcer, and he wants you to take some medication that might help you stop throwing up blood.  What should you do??  How does the doctor really know that you have an ulcer.  What if it’s just a reaction to that really bad meal you had last night. Get the point??  While it may be interesting and even important to think about the causes, ramifications, and validity of being diagnosed clinically depressed.  If you are throwing up blood, wouldn’t it make some sense to try a medication that the doctor thinks might help that kind of thing.  Antidepressant medications are symptomatic treatments.  Like asprin, they reduce fever, they don’t prevent colds or speed one’s recovery from a cold.  And as you perhaps intimate, fever can be a biological mechanism for getting rid of an infection, thus asprin can prevent a fever but prolong a cold, the opposite of making one "better". I mean, it’s entirely up to you.  Some people describe a little post-nasal nose bleed as throwing up blood. I personally don’t think every dip in the road should be responded to with ECT any more then I think it should require medication.  Some people have bad reactions to effexor.  It’s not like taking an asprin.  (Did I just mix my asprin metaphors??)  Sometimes feeling down is the appropriate and needed reaction/feeling that is required for one to process and move through their grief.  Only you know your family history, your history, your current pain, where you would like to be, etcetera. Unh, welcome to ASD.  Home of the non-answer answer.   Sincerely Stewart — The Metaphor Man  *and*  The Great Defender of the Self (remove the SPAMBLOCK) Please send me an e-mail copy of your posted response.

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Hi John, Welcome to ASD.  I am by no stretch of the imagination a "professional". However, I was/am in a similar situation.  I’ve been separated for about a year and a half, with the actual divorce in the works now.  Prior to the separation when things were really bad I was diagnosed with "Situational Depression".  I have been taking meds since then and have been doing fine. I hope to get off the meds once all this is behind me.  Hopefully you too are situational and things will get better with time. Sorry I don’t have any magic words but I wanted you to know that you are not alone. Be Well Tom posted and emailed

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I am about to go through a divorce and gosh who would have guessed, I have lost about 30 lbs in a month and a 1/2, I am sad when I think how much I will miss my wife and kids and have lost the desire to do many things I normally like. My Neuro-psychiatrist wants me to start taking Effexor XR for my depression. My question is this, who wouldn’t be depressed going through this? Am I really clinically depressed or just temporarily in this state because of my circumstances?? How do you know?? Thanks Before you buy.

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I do believe you are going through a phase, i was divorced too, and i remember not wanting to do anything. I never saw a DR. but didn’t feel i needed to. It’s a horse that takes some tome to get over it’s kick – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am about to go through a divorce and gosh who would have guessed, I have lost about 30 lbs in a month and a 1/2, I am sad when I think how much I will miss my wife and kids and have lost the desire to do many things I normally like. My Neuro-psychiatrist wants me to start taking Effexor XR for my depression. My question is this, who wouldn’t be depressed going through this? Am I really clinically depressed or just temporarily in this state because of my circumstances?? How do you know?? Thanks Before you buy.

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [...] I also have lingering side effects from Effexor. The ones I have involve the strange internal sensations that some people report while on Effexor: so-called ‘brain shivers,’ the lightning-storm-along-the-nervous-system shock sensations and being out-of-phase with body movement. There is also some synesthesia triggered by hearing which causes physical sensations and odd visual phenomena. All of these effects began with Effexor, intensified while changing the dose, up or down, and have been persistent for over two years since taking the medication. Sometimes I am really pissed-off about it. I wonder about lawsuits. What you are describing is very familiar to me.  I’ve experienced these strange "electric shock" symptoms whenever _withdrawing_ from a trial of a serotonergic antidepressant (i.e. most recently Effexor,  previously the SSRI’s Luvox and Prozac, and long before that the MAOI’s Parnate and Nardil).  Effexor is the worst for producing this due to the fact of its very short half-life compared to other serotonergic antidepressants (i.e. its blood levels fall off rather quickly following the last dose, resulting in withdrawal symptoms even when taking it regularly as prescribed).  Have you tried Effexor-XR (i.e. Effexor in extended release form)?  Though I haven’t tried it myself, I’ve read good reports on the net from people who switched to it from the immediate release form because of side effects (such as this one). [BTW:  My current regimen includes immediate release Effexor (~65 mg/day) plus Luvox (175 mg/day).] Sodah

The roller coaster affect was minimized by the XR form for myself. Effexor is an SNRI. Some basic differences in how it works, compared to SSRI’s. zszszszszszszszsZZZZZZZZIT!!!  (goes my brain as I type)

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Have you tried Effexor-XR (i.e. Effexor in extended release form)?  Though I haven’t tried it myself, I’ve read good reports on the net from people who switched to it from the immediate release form because of side effects (such as this one).

I’ve been on Effexor XR for about a year now, and I still get brain shivers (I call them "Effexor buzzies").  They’re the most pronounced when I’m overtired, late with a dose, or stressed. I also have great difficulty in reaching orgasm.  This has gotten progressively worse over the course of the year.  Last summer I was up to 450 mg/day.  I gradually reduced this to 225 mg/day, but the orgasmic difficulty hasn’t really changed. — Bluebird

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I have been both on the Effxor and Effxor-XR and have had no trouble in the sexual area. I am able to function normally. Maybe this makes me not normal. Oh joy something else to be paranoid about. Dose is 75mg 3 times daily – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I also have great difficulty in reaching orgasm.  This has gotten progressively worse over the course of the year.  Last summer I was up to 450 mg/day.  I gradually reduced this to 225 mg/day, but the orgasmic difficulty hasn’t really changed. — Bluebird

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I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day. Man, are you all right?

Sorta. I spend a lot of time in bed. I doze off pretty quick. Lots of ‘waking’ type dreams though. Those ones where you are dreaming, then ‘wake’ up. Only to find you are only dreaming you are awake? Some people cando that, others can’t. What if the degree of side effects is related to a degree of permanent damage? I had fewer side effects by going down slower, 1/4 pill, ~ 10mg, 9.375 or so.

The electrical firings started when I discontinued Zoloft 4 or so years ago. I figure I’ll have them several times a day for the rest of my life. I’m experiencing ‘electrical flashes’ that come in groups of two but mostly three. They are accompanied with a "sssshhhttt" sound in my ears, an explosive fragmenting of vision ‘behind my eyes’, a metallic taste in my mouth and a total body twitch. They build up very quickly and I have the sensation that my head is about to explode in tremendous pain. But, because of the extreme rapidity, this ‘pain’ can be tolerated. Those are the ‘lightning storms in the nervous system.’

Yah. I also get a very strong ’startle’ reaction with an adrenaline rush when I hear any sudden noise or see something sudden. But, I got those when I was really depressed in the hospital before any meds had really taken effect. Sometimes these flashes spread throughout my body in a nervous chain reaction. Mostly down my left side. They cause me to twitch like the reflex test on knees. If they are strong enough, I lose my balance or drop things. I get about 50 of these a day now. For me, they continued at that level for months following discontinuing the medication. I still get around the same amount but they are far slighter in sensation, like weaker, sort of.

Maybe they’ll go away, eventually. I remember self-medicating with speed back in the late 60’s when it was legal. It took over 5 years to get over the ’speed rushes’ and the ’speed’ smell on my skin when I got angry. The drug DID work. For awhile. But coming down…. yechhhh… bad scene. The main continuous side effect can be described as the feelings you get after an ‘adrenalin rush’. An uncontrollable, internal shaking (vibrating) and an ‘on edge’ feeling. Also moments of ’spaced out’ feelings. A physical disconnection from reality. I notice this the most when driving. Almost hallucinatory. When I realize this happening, I have to consciously force myself back. I got that while on the drug too but after discontinuing that stuff all stopped.

I’ve got it pretty severe now. I just crawl into bed. However, I still get the out-of-phase effect where it feels like some sort of body sense is coming in behind the actual movements of the body, no way to describe it really. I suspect it may be related to what gave the spaced-out and dissociative senses while on the drug.

This sounds kinda familiar. From previous experience, this will take about 3 months to subside to once or twice daily. I’m never going to take that stuff or anything like it ever again in my life.

All in all, my experience with meds in the last 5/6 years has not been good. I suppose they kept me alive. But sort of like a vegetable. Somehow, I lost myself. When I first started getting and reporting the weird side effects, only days after starting the drug at 37.5mg, the ‘expert’ psychiatrist prescribing the shit told me that was normal and that it would go away once I stabilized at a therapeutic level. I listened to the jerk even after the side effects worsened, all the way to 300mg and me being almost unable to function from the goddamn side effects, so then I decided enough was enough, took me months to get down, lowering the dose made the side effects worse. Now I still have some over two years later.

I had a doc that denied that any of these affects could be caused by the meds. I checked it out in the PDR, photocopied it and showed it to him. He just shrugged and said "Oh." I don’t trust the majority of GP’s to have real knowledge of these meds. I suppose they just push the one the latest drug rep was in to see them about. Back to bed….

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect. When on the med I had lost libido and my penis was numb as if someone had given it a shot of novacaine. I could achieve orgasm only after extreme effort and with no good feeling along the way. That’s why I discontinued the med. After two years, I haven’t regained the sensitivity (my penis doesn’t feel totally numb, but it is no more sensitive than let’s say my leg and not in a sexual way at all) and I can only achieve orgasm after much effort, with no good feelinguntil that instant. There is no longer any lustfullness or desire to have sex and no tension or release during. However, I have no problem getting an erection. I received a shot of testosterone from my family doctor which returned everything to normal for several days, but then wore off. My doctor will not give me any more shots because test showed my testosterone level in the normal range, 495 ng/dl, so he thinks it’s in my head which I know it isn’t (even in my darkest depths i could rely on a little sexual activity to make me feeL better). What I would like to ask the group is has anyone had any similar experiences and if so what can be done to help the problem, if anything? I am going to see a urologist on Thursday. A testosterone level of 495 ng/dL is, indeed, in the normal range, but not exceedingly high. The normal range is 300 to 1000. At a level of 300, the desire for sex will happen for most guys about once every two weeks to a month. At 1000, very other day, or even daily. The effects vary. Some men get more libido out of a lower level than others. Testosterone level also varies as much as 100 ng/dL over the course of the day. It is highest in the morning and lowest in the evening. If the blood for your 495 was drawn in the morning, then it is even closer to the lower limit of normal. As for it wearing off, that is normal. Injected testosterone peaks in 2-3 days, then tapers off straight-line over the following two weeks. At the end of two weeks, it is gone. Guys on shots usually have a shot every two weeks. I self-inject, so I give myself half the dosage, but weekly. This way the shots overlap and I get a more even level. My doc says he prescribes testosterone replacement therapy for any patient who tests below 300, and even for a few above that. My advice is to find a different doc. Part of the problem is that your doc is a "family doctor," not a urologist. Family practitioners frquently don’t feel sexual dysfunction problems are worth treating. Sometimes I wish I could let them see what it is like to lose sexual desire. They’d change their tune fast, I bet. A urologist will take your problems seriously. It may be caused by more than just lack of testosterone. A urologist will know more options and therapies. Get to one right away and get your life back. NOTICE: The e-mail address is deliberately incorrect. Make the ISP read "spiritone.com" by adding an "e."

John, thanks for the info. Incidentally, the testosterone test was given in the morning. Hey, Iv’e got another question for you. How much does testosterone cost? Is it much cheaper to self inject and are doctors reluctant to allow their patients to do this? Thanks Mike

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This Effexor sounds like some pretty mean stuff!

Not really, most people do just fine on it. Hardly any side effects at all and any there are clear up shortly after the medication is stopped. People with severe side effects are in the minority; people with long-lasting side effects are rare.

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I received a shot of testosterone from my family doctor which returned

everything to normal for several days, but then wore off. My doctor will not give me any more shots because test showed my testosterone level in the normal range, 495 ng/dl, so he thinks it’s in my head Something’s wrong with the doc. If the shots returned you to normal, this should be looked into. When did he take the test? Your testosterone levels are higher in the AM. I am going to see a urologist on Thursday. Thanks for taking the time out

to read this and thanks for any replies.Mike Good. Please let us know what happens. — Jerry Sturdivant

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day. Man, are you all right? Some people cando that, others can’t. What if the degree of side effects is related to a degree of permanent damage? I had fewer side effects by going down slower, 1/4 pill, ~ 10mg, 9.375 or so. I’m experiencing ‘electrical flashes’ that come in groups of two but mostly three. They are accompanied with a "sssshhhttt" sound in my ears, an explosive fragmenting of vision ‘behind my eyes’, a metallic taste in my mouth and a total body twitch. They build up very quickly and I have the sensation that my head is about to explode in tremendous pain. But, because of the extreme rapidity, this ‘pain’ can be tolerated. Those are the ‘lightning storms in the nervous system.’ Sometimes these flashes spread throughout my body in a nervous chain reaction. Mostly down my left side. They cause me to twitch like the reflex test on knees. If they are strong enough, I lose my balance or drop things. I get about 50 of these a day now. For me, they continued at that level for months following discontinuing the medication. I still get around the same amount but they are far slighter in sensation, like weaker, sort of. The main continuous side effect can be described as the feelings you get after an ‘adrenalin rush’. An uncontrollable, internal shaking (vibrating) and an ‘on edge’ feeling. Also moments of ’spaced out’ feelings. A physical disconnection from reality. I notice this the most when driving. Almost hallucinatory. When I realize this happening, I have to consciously force myself back. I got that while on the drug too but after discontinuing that stuff all stopped. However, I still get the out-of-phase effect where it feels like some sort of body sense is coming in behind the actual movements of the body, no way to describe it really. I suspect it may be related to what gave the spaced-out and dissociative senses while on the drug. From previous experience, this will take about 3 months to subside to once or twice daily. I’m never going to take that stuff or anything like it ever again in my life. When I first started getting and reporting the weird side effects, only days after starting the drug at 37.5mg, the ‘expert’ psychiatrist prescribing the shit told me that was normal and that it would go away once I stabilized at a therapeutic level. I listened to the jerk even after the side effects worsened, all the way to 300mg and me being almost unable to function from the goddamn side effects, so then I decided enough was enough, took me months to get down, lowering the dose made the side effects worse. Now I still have some over two years later.

Sounds a lot like LSD flashbacks (knowledge from my hippy days in the 60’s) -Fred-

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day. Man, are you all right? Some people cando that, others can’t. What if the degree of side effects is related to a degree of permanent damage? I had fewer side effects by going down slower, 1/4 pill, ~ 10mg, 9.375 or so. I’m experiencing ‘electrical flashes’ that come in groups of two but mostly three. They are accompanied with a "sssshhhttt" sound in my ears, an explosive fragmenting of vision ‘behind my eyes’, a metallic taste in my mouth and a total body twitch. They build up very quickly and I have the sensation that my head is about to explode in tremendous pain. But, because of the extreme rapidity, this ‘pain’ can be tolerated. Those are the ‘lightning storms in the nervous system.’ Sometimes these flashes spread throughout my body in a nervous chain reaction. Mostly down my left side. They cause me to twitch like the reflex test on knees. If they are strong enough, I lose my balance or drop things. I get about 50 of these a day now. For me, they continued at that level for months following discontinuing the medication. I still get around the same amount but they are far slighter in sensation, like weaker, sort of. The main continuous side effect can be described as the feelings you get after an ‘adrenalin rush’. An uncontrollable, internal shaking (vibrating) and an ‘on edge’ feeling. Also moments of ’spaced out’ feelings. A physical disconnection from reality. I notice this the most when driving. Almost hallucinatory. When I realize this happening, I have to consciously force myself back. I got that while on the drug too but after discontinuing that stuff all stopped. However, I still get the out-of-phase effect where it feels like some sort of body sense is coming in behind the actual movements of the body, no way to describe it really. I suspect it may be related to what gave the spaced-out and dissociative senses while on the drug. From previous experience, this will take about 3 months to subside to once or twice daily. I’m never going to take that stuff or anything like it ever again in my life. When I first started getting and reporting the weird side effects, only days after starting the drug at 37.5mg, the ‘expert’ psychiatrist prescribing the shit told me that was normal and that it would go away once I stabilized at a therapeutic level. I listened to the jerk even after the side effects worsened, all the way to 300mg and me being almost unable to function from the goddamn side effects, so then I decided enough was enough, took me months to get down, lowering the dose made the side effects worse. Now I still have some over two years later. Sounds a lot like LSD flashbacks (knowledge from my hippy days in the 60’s) -Fred-

Funny ou should say that because I heard somewhere that this stuff is derived from hallucinagenic drugs.

Response:

[...] I also have lingering side effects from Effexor. The ones I have involve the strange internal sensations that some people report while on Effexor: so-called ‘brain shivers,’ the lightning-storm-along-the-nervous-system shock sensations and being out-of-phase with body movement. There is also some synesthesia triggered by hearing which causes physical sensations and odd visual phenomena. All of these effects began with Effexor, intensified while changing the dose, up or down, and have been persistent for over two years since taking the medication. Sometimes I am really pissed-off about it. I wonder about lawsuits.

What you are describing is very familiar to me.  I’ve experienced these strange "electric shock" symptoms whenever _withdrawing_ from a trial of a serotonergic antidepressant (i.e. most recently Effexor,  previously the SSRI’s Luvox and Prozac, and long before that the MAOI’s Parnate and Nardil).  Effexor is the worst for producing this due to the fact of its very short half-life compared to other serotonergic antidepressants (i.e. its blood levels fall off rather quickly following the last dose, resulting in withdrawal symptoms even when taking it regularly as prescribed).  Have you tried Effexor-XR (i.e. Effexor in extended release form)?  Though I haven’t tried it myself, I’ve read good reports on the net from people who switched to it from the immediate release form because of side effects (such as this one). [BTW:  My current regimen includes immediate release Effexor (~65 mg/day) plus Luvox (175 mg/day).] Sodah

Response:

snipped I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day. Why have you stopped the Effexor cold turkey?

Prescription ran out. If your doctor has suggested this, or it’s your own idea, then you are following the advise of a mediocally incompetant idiot! Please seek competent medical avise asap.

I’ve kinda given up on the medical profession. I’ll just weather this out. So far so good. I am not working at the moment so I don’t have to be physically and mentally functioning. Sleep works OK. If it’s your own idea, then you need to re-think this. Apart from the psychological damage this may be causing, there is a risk of physical complications.

Possibly. But right now, all I want is not to have any meds in me. Ian

BTW, I DO NOT recommend doing what I am doing to anyone else.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect. When on the med I had lost libido and my penis was numb as if someone had given it a shot of novacaine. I could achieve orgasm only after extreme effort and with no good feeling along the way. That’s why I discontinued the med. After two years, I haven’t regained the sensitivity (my penis doesn’t feel totally numb, but it is no more sensitive than let’s say my leg and not in a sexual way at all) and I can only achieve orgasm after much effort, with no good feelinguntil that instant. There is no longer any lustfullness or desire to have sex and no tension or release during. However, I have no problem getting an erection. I received a shot of testosterone from my family doctor which returned everything to normal for several days, but then wore off. My doctor will not give me any more shots because test showed my testosterone level in the normal range, 495 ng/dl, so he thinks it’s in my head which I know it isn’t (even in my darkest depths i could rely on a little sexual activity to make me feeL better). What I would like to ask the group is has anyone had any similar experiences and if so what can be done to help the problem, if anything? I am going to see a urologist on Thursday.

A testosterone level of 495 ng/dL is, indeed, in the normal range, but not exceedingly high. The normal range is 300 to 1000. At a level of 300, the desire for sex will happen for most guys about once every two weeks to a month. At 1000, very other day, or even daily. The effects vary. Some men get more libido out of a lower level than others. Testosterone level also varies as much as 100 ng/dL over the course of the day. It is highest in the morning and lowest in the evening. If the blood for your 495 was drawn in the morning, then it is even closer to the lower limit of normal. As for it wearing off, that is normal. Injected testosterone peaks in 2-3 days, then tapers off straight-line over the following two weeks. At the end of two weeks, it is gone. Guys on shots usually have a shot every two weeks. I self-inject, so I give myself half the dosage, but weekly. This way the shots overlap and I get a more even level. My doc says he prescribes testosterone replacement therapy for any patient who tests below 300, and even for a few above that. My advice is to find a different doc. Part of the problem is that your doc is a "family doctor," not a urologist. Family practitioners frquently don’t feel sexual dysfunction problems are worth treating. Sometimes I wish I could let them see what it is like to lose sexual desire. They’d change their tune fast, I bet. A urologist will take your problems seriously. It may be caused by more than just lack of testosterone. A urologist will know more options and therapies. Get to one right away and get your life back. NOTICE: The e-mail address is deliberately incorrect. Make the ISP read "spiritone.com" by adding an "e."

Response:

snipped I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day.

Why have you stopped the Effexor cold turkey? If your doctor has suggested this, or it’s your own idea, then you are following the advise of a mediocally incompetant idiot! Please seek competent medical avise asap. If it’s your own idea, then you need to re-think this. Apart from the psychological damage this may be causing, there is a risk of physical complications. Ian Phobias:  Carnophobia- Fear of meat.

Response:

I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day.

Man, are you all right? Some people cando that, others can’t. What if the degree of side effects is related to a degree of permanent damage? I had fewer side effects by going down slower, 1/4 pill, ~ 10mg, 9.375 or so. I’m experiencing ‘electrical flashes’ that come in groups of two but mostly three. They are accompanied with a "sssshhhttt" sound in my ears, an explosive fragmenting of vision ‘behind my eyes’, a metallic taste in my mouth and a total body twitch. They build up very quickly and I have the sensation that my head is about to explode in tremendous pain. But, because of the extreme rapidity, this ‘pain’ can be tolerated.

Those are the ‘lightning storms in the nervous system.’ Sometimes these flashes spread throughout my body in a nervous chain reaction. Mostly down my left side. They cause me to twitch like the reflex test on knees. If they are strong enough, I lose my balance or drop things. I get about 50 of these a day now.

For me, they continued at that level for months following discontinuing the medication. I still get around the same amount but they are far slighter in sensation, like weaker, sort of. The main continuous side effect can be described as the feelings you get after an ‘adrenalin rush’. An uncontrollable, internal shaking (vibrating) and an ‘on edge’ feeling. Also moments of ’spaced out’ feelings. A physical disconnection from reality. I notice this the most when driving. Almost hallucinatory. When I realize this happening, I have to consciously force myself back.

I got that while on the drug too but after discontinuing that stuff all stopped. However, I still get the out-of-phase effect where it feels like some sort of body sense is coming in behind the actual movements of the body, no way to describe it really. I suspect it may be related to what gave the spaced-out and dissociative senses while on the drug. From previous experience, this will take about 3 months to subside to once or twice daily.

I’m never going to take that stuff or anything like it ever again in my life. When I first started getting and reporting the weird side effects, only days after starting the drug at 37.5mg, the ‘expert’ psychiatrist prescribing the shit told me that was normal and that it would go away once I stabilized at a therapeutic level. I listened to the jerk even after the side effects worsened, all the way to 300mg and me being almost unable to function from the goddamn side effects, so then I decided enough was enough, took me months to get down, lowering the dose made the side effects worse. Now I still have some over two years later.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect. When on the med I had lost libido and my penis was numb as if someone had given it a shot of novacaine. I could achieve orgasm only after extreme effort and with no good feeling along the way. That’s why I discontinued the med. After two years, I haven’t regained the sensitivity (my penis doesn’t feel totally numb, but it is no more sensitive than let’s say my leg and not in a sexual way at all) and I can only achieve orgasm after much effort, with no good feelinguntil that instant. There is no longer any lustfullness or desire to have sex and no tension or release during. However, I have no problem getting an erection. I received a shot of testosterone from my family doctor which returned everything to normal for several days, but then wore off. My doctor will not give me any more shots because test showed my testosterone level in the normal range, 495 ng/dl, so he thinks it’s in my head which I know it isn’t (even in my darkest depths i could rely on a little sexual activity to make me feeL better). What I would like to ask the group is has anyone had any similar experiences and if so what can be done to help the problem, if anything? I am going to see a urologist on Thursday. Thanks for taking the time out to read this and thanks for any replies.Mike

Hi Mike: Well, here is an oppinion, but I have done alot of research on Effexor before I had been put on it. I had been on, then off it..horrible side effects..then on it as of last month, and will most likely be coming off of it due to a notice in weight gain after longer term use. Out of all the research I did on Medline, I found no studies indicating a "permanent" problem with sexual dysfunction. I had combed through well over hundreds of studies. I had also checked all of the archives of dejanews, and never came across this effect. Your best bet, as you said, would be to see a urologist. I know it took me some time to get my sexual "urge" back after I went off it the first time, and even much of that was "physical". You are right..sex and even the "urge" are wonderful things..and you have every right to get it back. Odds are, with some help, you will get back to "normal" no problem at all. Best of luck… James — Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.     —Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, D.C. Neurosis is simply THE human condition; some just haven’t realized it yet. Anon

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect. I also have lingering side effects from Effexor. The ones I have involve the strange internal sensations that some people report while on Effexor: so-called ‘brain shivers,’ the lightning-storm-along-the-nervous-system shock sensations and being out-of-phase with body movement. There is also some synesthesia triggered by hearing which causes physical sensations and odd visual phenomena. All of these effects began with Effexor, intensified while changing the dose, up or down, and have been persistent for over two years since taking the medication. Sometimes I am really pissed-off about it. I wonder about lawsuits.

I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day. I’m experiencing ‘electrical flashes’ that come in groups of two but mostly three. They are accompanied with a "sssshhhttt" sound in my ears, an explosive fragmenting of vision ‘behind my eyes’, a metallic taste in my mouth and a total body twitch. They build up very quickly and I have the sensation that my head is about to explode in tremendous pain. But, because of the extreme rapidity, this ‘pain’ can be tolerated. Sometimes these flashes spread throughout my body in a nervous chain reaction. Mostly down my left side. They cause me to twitch like the reflex test on knees. If they are strong enough, I lose my balance or drop things. I get about 50 of these a day now. The main continuous side effect can be described as the feelings you get after an ‘adrenalin rush’. An uncontrollable, internal shaking (vibrating) and an ‘on edge’ feeling. Also moments of ’spaced out’ feelings. A physical disconnection from reality. I notice this the most when driving. Almost hallucinatory. When I realize this happening, I have to consciously force myself back. From previous experience, this will take about 3 months to subside to once or twice daily.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect. I also have lingering side effects from Effexor. The ones I have involve the strange internal sensations that some people report while on Effexor: so-called ‘brain shivers,’ the lightning-storm-along-the-nervous-system shock sensations and being out-of-phase with body movement. There is also some synesthesia triggered by hearing which causes physical sensations and odd visual phenomena. All of these effects began with Effexor, intensified while changing the dose, up or down, and have been persistent for over two years since taking the medication. Sometimes I am really pissed-off about it. I wonder about lawsuits. I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day. I’m experiencing ‘electrical flashes’ that come in groups of two but mostly three. They are accompanied with a "sssshhhttt" sound in my ears, an explosive fragmenting of vision ‘behind my eyes’, a metallic taste in my mouth and a total body twitch. They build up very quickly and I have the sensation that my head is about to explode in tremendous pain. But, because of the extreme rapidity, this ‘pain’ can be tolerated. Sometimes these flashes spread throughout my body in a nervous chain reaction. Mostly down my left side. They cause me to twitch like the reflex test on knees. If they are strong enough, I lose my balance or drop things. I get about 50 of these a day now. The main continuous side effect can be described as the feelings you get after an ‘adrenalin rush’. An uncontrollable, internal shaking (vibrating) and an ‘on edge’ feeling. Also moments of ’spaced out’ feelings. A physical disconnection from reality. I notice this the most when driving. Almost hallucinatory. When I realize this happening, I have to consciously force myself back. From previous experience, this will take about 3 months to subside to once or twice daily. This Effexor sounds like some pretty mean stuff!  It also sounds like you shouldn’t be driving with side effects like those you describe. Have you talked to your doctor about this? -Fred-

I’ve only driven a few times in the last three months and not far. Best way to describe the feeling is I’m like a passenger and the driver is gradually crossing the line without seeming aware. After a time, I realize he isn’t going to turn so I have to reach over and turn the wheel for him. Yes, I’m staying off the roads right now. hehe I’ve given up on the pdoc/doc thing. Just obtained the repeats for the meds in the last 2 months. None left now. I’m thinking of going it alone like I have most of my life. Long, involved story here and I don’t really want to get into it on the ng. The effexor was effective in lifting me off the 2 lowest steps of a 10 step ‘depression’ continuum. But it left me stranded on the 8 th. for 6 months. Right now I have the emotions of a rutabaga. Very flat. (Still kept my humour though. It’ll stay with me to the end… even if it is gallows humour… hehehe) I’m sleeping about 16 – 18 hours a day in 2 to 4 hour segments now to get over the worst of the effects.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day. <snip <snip A physical disconnection from reality. I notice this the most when driving. Almost hallucinatory. When I realize this happening, I have to consciously force myself back.

This is extremely dangerous from what I know. My pdoc told me that Effexor has the strongest withdrawal symptoms on the market! You should ALWAYS wean yourself down slowly. To go from 300mg to nothing cold-turkey is very dangerous! I was taking 450mg/day and my pdoc had me reduce my dosage very slowly….decreasing by 75mg every 3 or 4 days. PLEASE be careful and check with your doctor…I can’t believe that he or she would have told you to quit cold turkey! K "x-no-archive: yes" followed by a blank line: tells some newsgroup archiving websites like DejaNews to not archive posts. This statement at the top of the post helps to protect people’s privacy.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect. I also have lingering side effects from Effexor. The ones I have involve the strange internal sensations that some people report while on Effexor: so-called ‘brain shivers,’ the lightning-storm-along-the-nervous-system shock sensations and being out-of-phase with body movement. There is also some synesthesia triggered by hearing which causes physical sensations and odd visual phenomena. All of these effects began with Effexor, intensified while changing the dose, up or down, and have been persistent for over two years since taking the medication. Sometimes I am really pissed-off about it. I wonder about lawsuits. I’m in my third day of effexor withdrawal, cold-turkey from 300mg/day. I’m experiencing ‘electrical flashes’ that come in groups of two but mostly three. They are accompanied with a "sssshhhttt" sound in my ears, an explosive fragmenting of vision ‘behind my eyes’, a metallic taste in my mouth and a total body twitch. They build up very quickly and I have the sensation that my head is about to explode in tremendous pain. But, because of the extreme rapidity, this ‘pain’ can be tolerated. Sometimes these flashes spread throughout my body in a nervous chain reaction. Mostly down my left side. They cause me to twitch like the reflex test on knees. If they are strong enough, I lose my balance or drop things. I get about 50 of these a day now. The main continuous side effect can be described as the feelings you get after an ‘adrenalin rush’. An uncontrollable, internal shaking (vibrating) and an ‘on edge’ feeling. Also moments of ’spaced out’ feelings. A physical disconnection from reality. I notice this the most when driving. Almost hallucinatory. When I realize this happening, I have to consciously force myself back. From previous experience, this will take about 3 months to subside to once or twice daily.

This Effexor sounds like some pretty mean stuff!  It also sounds like you shouldn’t be driving with side effects like those you describe. Have you talked to your doctor about this? -Fred-

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect. When on the med I had lost libido and my penis was numb as if someone had given it a shot of novacaine. I could achieve orgasm only after extreme effort and with no good feeling along the way. That’s why I discontinued the med. After two years, I haven’t regained the sensitivity (my penis doesn’t feel totally numb, but it is no more sensitive than let’s say my leg and not in a sexual way at all) and I can only achieve orgasm after much effort, with no good feelinguntil that instant. There is no longer any lustfullness or desire to have sex and no tension or release during. However, I have no problem getting an erection. I received a shot of testosterone from my family doctor which returned everything to normal for several days, but then wore off. My doctor will not give me any more shots because test showed my testosterone level in the normal range, 495 ng/dl, so he thinks it’s in my head

   When a doctor says "it’s in your head", that’s your cue to say, "*You* are just bullshitting me with that crap because you don’t know what my problem is or how to solve it, but still want to collect a fat consultation fee for not doing anything. Fuck off, and have a rotten day."    Find another doc. which I know it isn’t (even in my darkest depths i could rely on a little sexual activity to make me feeL better). What I would like to ask the group is has anyone had any similar experiences and if so what can be done to help the problem, if anything? I am going to see a urologist on Thursday. Thanks for taking the time out to read this and thanks for any replies.Mike

 innate need of most humans to have an Alpha leader tell them what to do.  They like the idea of creating one via an "election". It’s a vicarious,  Frankenstein-esque dependancy enablement syndrome. — Bill Kasper =====

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P.S. I let another pdoc to prescribe it anyway and lasted 2 weeks with the effects. Yuck. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"  Thomas Jefferson.

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I had a pdoc say he did not want to put me on it because studies are showing "permanent" rises in blood pressure. I do not have high blood pressure now. I hope that is not "permanent" condition with you. major bummer. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"  Thomas Jefferson.

Response:

Hi, I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect.

I also have lingering side effects from Effexor. The ones I have involve the strange internal sensations that some people report while on Effexor: so-called ‘brain shivers,’ the lightning-storm-along-the-nervous-system shock sensations and being out-of-phase with body movement. There is also some synesthesia triggered by hearing which causes physical sensations and odd visual phenomena. All of these effects began with Effexor, intensified while changing the dose, up or down, and have been persistent for over two years since taking the medication. Sometimes I am really pissed-off about it. I wonder about lawsuits.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect. When on the med I had lost libido and my penis was numb as if someone had given it a shot of novacaine. I could achieve orgasm only after extreme effort and with no good feeling along the way. That’s why I discontinued the med. After two years, I haven’t regained the sensitivity (my penis doesn’t feel totally numb, but it is no more sensitive than let’s say my leg and not in a sexual way at all) and I can only achieve orgasm after much effort, with no good feelinguntil that instant. There is no longer any lustfullness or desire to have sex and no tension or release during. However, I have no problem getting an erection. I received a shot of testosterone from my family doctor which returned everything to normal for several days, but then wore off. My doctor will not give me any more shots because test showed my testosterone level in the normal range, 495 ng/dl, so he thinks it’s in my head which I know it isn’t (even in my darkest depths i could rely on a little sexual activity to make me feeL better). What I would like to ask the group is has anyone had any similar experiences and if so what can be done to help the problem, if anything? I am going to see a urologist on Thursday. Thanks for taking the time out to read this and thanks for any replies.Mike

Dear Mike, I’m sorry to hear about this. That is – literally – no fun at all. I haven’t heard this before about Effexor but I know that with Paxil there is this possibility that side effects like  anorgasmia or libido-loss may stay for an indefinite amount of time after the med is stopped. I have nothing to say about this except that I hope it will pass. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Hi, I am a 32 year old male in good physical shape who was on the antidepressant effexor for about a year on a dosage of 75 mg per day. I have been off the medication for about two years now, but I have had to deal with a lingering side effect. When on the med I had lost libido and my penis was numb as if someone had given it a shot of novacaine. I could achieve orgasm only after extreme effort and with no good feeling along the way. That’s why I discontinued the med. After two years, I haven’t regained the sensitivity (my penis doesn’t feel totally numb, but it is no more sensitive than let’s say my leg and not in a sexual way at all) and I can only achieve orgasm after much effort, with no good feelinguntil that instant. There is no longer any lustfullness or desire to have sex and no tension or release during. However, I have no problem getting an erection. I received a shot of testosterone from my family doctor which returned everything to normal for several days, but then wore off. My doctor will not give me any more shots because test showed my testosterone level in the normal range, 495 ng/dl, so he thinks it’s in my head which I know it isn’t (even in my darkest depths i could rely on a little sexual activity to make me feeL better). What I would like to ask the group is has anyone had any similar experiences and if so what can be done to help the problem, if anything? I am going to see a urologist on Thursday. Thanks for taking the time out to read this and thanks for any replies.Mike

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Question:

  I usually wake up after 4 or 5 hours (usually to go to the bathroom), and can*t get back to sleep.  My doctor has me on Zoloft for anxiety and Trazadone for insomnia.  These help, but I don*t think he can find anything else wrong with me (I exercise, there*s no stress in my life, I don*t work shifts, I don*t do drugs, I feel great, etc).  Sometimes my mind races, and I can*t shut it off.  I*m afraid of more powerful drugs.  I*ve tried relaxation, but thought it was dumb.  My (ex)psychologist suggested computerized biofeedback.  (I*m dealing with the insurance now)  I D E A S ? T H A N K S

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I tend to do that a lot too, but when I take a xanax before bed, I never wake up before I’m supposed to, and I have many very clear dreams that I always remember.  It’s a huge difference.  YMMV. -deb

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You just explained me to a TEE, unfortunately. I am on the Trazodone for day #3 now, and Zoloft for 3 years. I thought the Trazadone would be alot easier on me than it is. I am EXHAUSTED! I dont know whether my body is just making up for all the sleep deprivation all of this time or what, but I cannot wake-up all this weekend. I feel like I have been weighted down with bricks…I am questioning which is the lesser of two evils: staying up all night, having nightmares and twilight sleep when I can sleep, or this damned Trazadone. I am ready to call it quits to everything! Geesh! I find myself angry with everyone right now. I keep thinking my counsellor is good, helpful, knowledgeable… Okay, so why cant I seem to get better? Two and a half years ago of Zoloft I was about 90% panic free. Now, I am upping dosages, taking more meds, feeling like I am crazy, taking my frustration out on anyone within shouting distance (Including the jerk who had the AUDACITY to steal my parking spot!). I feel like I am on this constant spiral downward lately, and no matter how much I want to believe I am going to be on the "up" side, it doesnt happen. I had one small success recently, and even that isnt enough to help me. I am depressed, I cry at the drop of a hat… Tonight was so bad any slightest noise went straight for my spine and reverbarated (SP?) the whole way. Hard to have peace and quiet with little ones running aorund…My kids jokingly call me the grump now. It isnt funny any more. I dont enjoy anything, I dont want to go anywhere, I sit and cry, and that is all… Why bother going out? RIght now it is better to hide, which is scary- been there, done that– told myself I would never go down to that level again. My husband was always my biggest support person and now even he is losing his patience with me,… I dont understand how other people seem to handle this. Whats worse, the depression, the panic, the combonation of the two?… I am sick of hearing myself moan groan and complain. I find myself always apologising for being such a broken record….Good Lord, how much is my family supposed to take of me?? I dont know the answer to your question about stronger meds. I wanted to try something like Xanax or Ativan, but I was told no, they were too habit forming… What are we to do?? I havent a clue! When you find an answer, be sure to let me in on the secret, wont you???? Wishing you the best of luck!! — Miriam The Complainer    (These opinions are mine and mine alone… YMMV) It’s hard to make a comeback when you haven’t been anywhere.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I usually wake up after 4 or 5 hours (usually to go to the bathroom), and can*t get back to sleep.  My doctor has me on Zoloft for anxiety and Trazadone for insomnia.  These help, but I don*t think he can find anything else wrong with me (I exercise, there*s no stress in my life, I don*t work shifts, I don*t do drugs, I feel great, etc).  Sometimes my mind races, and I can*t shut it off.  I*m afraid of more powerful drugs.     I*ve tried relaxation, but thought it was dumb.  My (ex)psychologist suggested computerized biofeedback.  (I*m dealing with the insurance now)  I D E A S ? T H A N K S

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  I usually wake up after 4 or 5 hours (usually to go to the bathroom), and can*t get back to sleep.  My doctor has me on Zoloft for anxiety and Trazadone for insomnia.  These help, but I don*t think he can find anything else wrong with me (I exercise, there*s no stress in my life, I don*t work shifts, I don*t do drugs, I feel great, etc).  Sometimes my mind races, and I can*t shut it off.  I*m afraid of more powerful drugs.  I*ve tried relaxation, but thought it was dumb.  My (ex)psychologist suggested computerized biofeedback.  (I*m dealing with the insurance now)  I D E A S ? T H A N K S

I think, if it were me, I’d go back to my doctor and have a complete review of my treatment. You don’t say whether it has been effective for your anxiety but, assuming it has been, there must be more effective sleeping aids s/he could give you. This ‘racing mind syndrome’ is something I suffer from too and it’s a swine, I know. I do find that a benzo knocks it right out, but I’m not sure whether I’d be willing to use one to do that on a very regular basis. Then again, sleep does seem to be quite dependent on patterns and habits so might it be that if you could re-establish a new sleeping pattern with occasional use of a benzo, that might help? Just a thought, FWIW — Gary Cooper

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I know how you feel.  I had the same problem for two months.  I have two pieces of advice for you. 1. set up a normal sleep time and stick to it. go to bed and wake at the same time every day.  I found this a real pain, since I would sometimes find myself lying in bed somewhere between asleep and wide awake for a couple of hours.  2.  Keep your house as cool as possible, this one really helps me.  It sucks when you get the electric bill, but I find the extra money worth it.  I believe the book that I read said between 60 and 70.  I keep mine at 70, at night. I am not saying that you still wont wake up to go to the bathroom (when you gotta go you gotta go!). What I am saying you should get a little more consistent about falling back to sleep. of course YMMV and IMO. This took me about a month or so, but it really helped. Good luck d – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I usually wake up after 4 or 5 hours (usually to go to the bathroom), and can*t get back to sleep.  My doctor has me on Zoloft for anxiety and Trazadone for insomnia.  These help, but I don*t think he can find anything else wrong with me (I exercise, there*s no stress in my life, I don*t work shifts, I don*t do drugs, I feel great, etc).  Sometimes my mind races, and I can*t shut it off.  I*m afraid of more powerful drugs.     I*ve tried relaxation, but thought it was dumb.  My (ex)psychologist suggested computerized biofeedback.  (I*m dealing with the insurance now)  I D E A S ? T H A N K S

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  I usually wake up after 4 or 5 hours (usually to go to the bathroom), and can*t get back to sleep.  My doctor has me on Zoloft for anxiety and Trazadone for insomnia.  These help, but I don*t think he can find anything else wrong with me (I exercise, there*s no stress in my life, I don*t work shifts, I don*t do drugs, I feel great, etc).  Sometimes my mind races, and I can*t shut it off.  I*m afraid of more powerful drugs.  I*ve tried relaxation, but thought it was dumb.  My (ex)psychologist suggested computerized biofeedback.  (I*m dealing with the insurance now)  I D E A S ? T H A N K S

Used to have this problem until I started taking Klonopin (3mgs per day) and Xanax (.25 to 1 mg. per day) Now, I sleep very well. I rarely wake up before I am "supposed to". I alos no longer have nocturnal panic attacks, which had plagued me since I was 16 (38 now). The other benefit is that I was diagnosed withfibromyalgia a few years back. The symptoms are worse with interrupted sleep. I no longer have symptoms since being on the meds. I also have no side-effects from the meds. Best Wishes, Jen

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I’m afraid I can’t offer much advice but I can empathize with your experience. I sometimes wake up in the middle night with my stress meter fully pegged. It doesn’t sound like much, but I have found that if I concentrate on asking myself why I would need to feel so stressed I am able to eventually ease back down. josh   I usually wake up after 4 or 5 hours (usually to go to the bathroom), and can*t get back to sleep.  My doctor has me on Zoloft for anxiety and Trazadone for insomnia.  These help, but I don*t think he can find anything else wrong with me (I exercise, there*s no stress in my life, I don*t work shifts, I don*t do drugs, I feel great, etc).  Sometimes my mind races, and I can*t shut it off. — Gary Cooper

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In article <   I usually wake up after 4 or 5 hours (usually to go to the bathroom), and can*t get back to sleep.  My doctor has me on Zoloft for anxiety and Trazadone for insomnia.  These help, but I don*t think he can find anything else wrong with me (I exercise, there*s no stress in my life, I don*t work shifts, I don*t do drugs, I feel great, etc).  Sometimes my mind races, and I can*t shut it off.  I*m afraid of more powerful drugs.     I*ve tried relaxation, but thought it was dumb.  My (ex)psychologist suggested computerized biofeedback.  (I*m dealing with the insurance now)  I D E A S ? T H A N K S

This person’s an idiot-"I DONT DO DRUGS" – of course you do!-ZOLOFT/coffee and who knows how many wines/beers a week they consume, much less cigarettes!!!

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Excellent response. I really wish someone had given me this advice before I got into it. SNIP Many to totally stupid and embarassing  things in public.

That would be me. This may get you taked about but not in a light you would like.

And how. The danger is that you don’t know what will happen.  For damn sure don’t have to plan on driving.  I went into a corn field one night on two Vodka martinis, sound asleep at the wheel.  They check for the level and it was only .15.  But the combination of that and my BP pills knocked my but out.

Okay, are you sure you mean .15? Legally drunk is .10, you know… Just checking. G. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -SNIP

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While on ADs, the effects of alcohol on my system are unpredictable. I

The effects of alcohol on bipolar people, on AD or not, is unpredictable. |Home page:http://reality.sgi.com/employees/chokshi_clubfed/ |Silicon Graphics, Inc., voice: (301) 572-1678, fax: (301) 572-8778 |—Mortal, why doth thou live like thou art immortal?

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Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

Well, Zoloft is an antidepressant. Alcohol is a CNS depressant. Your call. Danny

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Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant; alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, so the expectation would likely be that drinking while depressed would not be helpful to recovery. This is not to say that an occasional sip of alcohol would hurt, but it is always wise to speak with your own physician about these drinking while on psychiatric medications. I no longer drink while taking medications. I used to. Didn’t help at all to drink, in fact made it worse, so I quit. -jim

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Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers? Well, Zoloft is an antidepressant. Alcohol is a CNS depressant. Your call. Danny

It is possible to have seizures and also strokes when combining alcohol and zoloft. TheDelser

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: Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.       The term "depressant", when used in reference to alcohol, means that it slows you down, NOT that it causes the condition known as "depression". Alcohol *CAN* be dangerous with zoloft; it can make you MUCH drowsier/drunker than you expect, and long term alcohol use *CAN* cause depression (not because it’s a "depressant", but because of other changes that heavy use of alcohol causes in your body)      But light drinking is fairly safe.  The reason you’re told to avoid alcohol on zoloft is because you don’t have carte blanche freedom to drink as much as you want.

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: It is possible to have seizures and also strokes when combining alcohol : and zoloft.      Strangely, this is NOT mentioned in any of the literature on zoloft. Care to substantiate this claim, oh ignoble bullshitter?

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John, Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. Amazing tho that may seem. Carma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.       The term "depressant", when used in reference to alcohol, means that it slows you down, NOT that it causes the condition known as "depression". Alcohol *CAN* be dangerous with zoloft; it can make you MUCH drowsier/drunker than you expect, and long term alcohol use *CAN* cause depression (not because it’s a "depressant", but because of other changes that heavy use of alcohol causes in your body)      But light drinking is fairly safe.  The reason you’re told to avoid alcohol on zoloft is because you don’t have carte blanche freedom to drink as much as you want.

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Zoloft affects Serotonin, while alcohol affects GABA transmission and recption.  Unless there’s effects we’re not aware of.

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John, Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. Amazing tho that may seem.

From the evidence of my eyes and memory, a lot of depressed people don’t. The information is probably news to someone reading it, old hat though it was to you. —          The opinions given above may be mine. They might also            just be what I feel like saying right now, okay?

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: John, : Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart : enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. : Amazing tho that may seem.      Why, then, didn’t you use the term "depressant" correctly in the following post that you made? : : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.

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OUCH! nothing more to say…;)

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: OUCH! nothing more to say…;) : I’ve taken Zoloft for 3 years and drank for 3+ years.  Zoloft has helped, and has been therapeutic.  I no longer take Zoloft, but I still have my beers. will

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Well let’s see perhaps it is just I’ve been studying the wrong books but the last time I checked all forms of ETOH were listed as major central nervous system depressants and the formula 1 CNSD + 1 CNSD still looks like too drugged to cogitate properly let alone breath. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : John, : Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart : enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. : Amazing tho that may seem.      Why, then, didn’t you use the term "depressant" correctly in the following post that you made? : : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.

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Hi all,  I’d like to mention an additional danger besides the one listed. Zoloft (as do ALL antidepressants) tends to lower the seizure threshold (i.e. make it easier to have a seizure) as does alcohol.  For most people this might not be a problem, but if you’re borderline seizure oriented, or especially overtired, be VERY careful of this combination.  I’d remind people as well, that this being cough/cold season, LIQUID nyquil is 50 proof or 25% alcohol.  Email welcome.  John Abeel — John Abeel, R.P.H. http://www.servtech.com/public/rxman " He who hath no scruples isn’t worth a dram " – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : John, : Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart : enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. : Amazing tho that may seem.      Why, then, didn’t you use the term "depressant" correctly in the following post that you made? : : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.

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Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

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Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft. Carma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

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Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

You may get drunk a LOT faster. Then again, you may not. Charlie’s Sneaker Pages: http://sneakers.pair.com/ Best Value in Airplanes: http://www.boeing.com/

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