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Natika
post Nov 1 2009, 03:36 PM
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So I'm a little different than most. I have been on Pristiq for just over a year and it stopped working. It worked wonders with me in the beginning but than just kind of fell short in the end. It didn't cause weight gain but lately I have been fixated on food. I knew if I didn't stop before long I would have a substantial weight gain. I didn't really experience a lot of side effects until about 5 months into it. I had horrible jaw clenching that drove me nuts. It finally stopped after about 3 months.
So it was time for me to refill my script for Pristiq and I needed to see the doctor for a refill. I told her my "get up and go had got up and went" and I would like a new AD med. She switched my to the Effexor XR. I did kind of hint that I thought it was going generic the first of the year when my co-pay goes back to $6000.00 and the Pristiq is $150 a month.
I have yet to start the Effexor because she gave me a sample pack of Pristiq because I was already in pretty bad w/d's from missing 2 days of it.

Here is my question....Am I totally nuts to switch to the Effexor? I hear the weight gain is horrible and that is really a deep, dark, fear for me. I am 42yr and have worked all my life to stay with in a normal BMI to stay healthy. I'm freaked that the med might not work and all I'll have to show is a expanded waist line. I kind of feel like I may be taking a step back changing but the Pristiq just stopped working.

Any thoughts on my rambling's would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Natika
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Trace
post Nov 2 2009, 03:49 AM
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Hi and Welcome Natika

If you are worried about weight gain, eating healthy food and getting enough exercise should help you to keep in shape and help with your depression as well.
I would say give it a try and if you are not comfortable with it, then go back to the doc.

Trace


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Listen in deep silence. Be very still and open your mind.... Sink deep into the peace that waits for you beyond the frantic, riotous thoughts and sights and sounds of this insane world. - A course of miracles.

True beauty must come, must be grown, from within.... - Ralph W Trine.

Faith is the true belief we have in hope and hope is the thing that keeps us going to have faith
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kat43
post Nov 2 2009, 08:31 AM
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QUOTE (Natika @ Nov 1 2009, 03:36 PM) *
So I'm a little different than most. I have been on Pristiq for just over a year and it stopped working. It worked wonders with me in the beginning but than just kind of fell short in the end. It didn't cause weight gain but lately I have been fixated on food. I knew if I didn't stop before long I would have a substantial weight gain. I didn't really experience a lot of side effects until about 5 months into it. I had horrible jaw clenching that drove me nuts. It finally stopped after about 3 months.
So it was time for me to refill my script for Pristiq and I needed to see the doctor for a refill. I told her my "get up and go had got up and went" and I would like a new AD med. She switched my to the Effexor XR. I did kind of hint that I thought it was going generic the first of the year when my co-pay goes back to $6000.00 and the Pristiq is $150 a month.
I have yet to start the Effexor because she gave me a sample pack of Pristiq because I was already in pretty bad w/d's from missing 2 days of it.

Here is my question....Am I totally nuts to switch to the Effexor? I hear the weight gain is horrible and that is really a deep, dark, fear for me. I am 42yr and have worked all my life to stay with in a normal BMI to stay healthy. I'm freaked that the med might not work and all I'll have to show is a expanded waist line. I kind of feel like I may be taking a step back changing but the Pristiq just stopped working.

Any thoughts on my rambling's would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Natika


I have taken Effexor XR for many years (switched to Pristiq recently) and when I was on the Effexor, I always lost weight. I am having a similar reaction to Pristiq, although I don't know how long I will be on it b/c my mind is racing too much, can't nap at all during the day, clenched jaw, etc. I do completely understand your concern about weight gain. I am somewhat obsessed with my weight - not as bad as I used to be, though. I overate for years, then switched to smoking, then quit that 3 1/2 months ago, so now I am facing the "feelings" of life. So, for me, even going off of the Pristiq worries me - will I gain weight?? I think what Trace said is true. Exercise and eating right are the things that will keep the weight off and are good for the depression. I have to remember that myself. I was exercising quite a bit this summer, but have slacked off with the colder weather and some additional depression. Anyhow, I wish you luck with any med you decide to take and hope that all is well with you today. Best,


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Natika
post Nov 2 2009, 11:53 AM
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I just took my first Effexor a few minutes ago. Normally I would take it at night but I chose to take it in the A.M. to check the side effects. I've had the h1n1 flu for the last 7 days and I was weary of adding anything new to the ol'body!

I don't eat meat but people who don't eat meat aren't always healthy. We tend to eat processed garbage. When I'm depressed I go for quick effortless foods. As for working out to stay in shape...if I did feel like doing that I probably wouldn't need the meds.

So I'm curious, does AD slow your metabolism down and you gain weight or do you tend to over eat while on them?
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Natika
post Nov 3 2009, 03:34 PM
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So I thought since I was on Pristiq for over a year the side effects of Effexor xr would be very mild. Boy did I think wrong! I feel like I just drank 4 Red Bulls and not in a good way. My jaw pain is back. I feel yucky!
I started at 75mg xr. We(dr & I) thought we would start me at the 75 instead of th 37.5mg because of the Pristiq stare.gif Wrong-oh! Will I get used to it?

I do hate a very fickle relationship with AD's!

This post has been edited by Natika: Nov 3 2009, 03:36 PM
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kat43
post Nov 4 2009, 05:22 PM
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QUOTE (Natika @ Nov 2 2009, 11:53 AM) *
I just took my first Effexor a few minutes ago. Normally I would take it at night but I chose to take it in the A.M. to check the side effects. I've had the h1n1 flu for the last 7 days and I was weary of adding anything new to the ol'body!

I don't eat meat but people who don't eat meat aren't always healthy. We tend to eat processed garbage. When I'm depressed I go for quick effortless foods. As for working out to stay in shape...if I did feel like doing that I probably wouldn't need the meds.

So I'm curious, does AD slow your metabolism down and you gain weight or do you tend to over eat while on them?


My AD (the Effexor and now the Pristiq) speeds up my metabolism so I lose weight and tend to not want to overeat on them.


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kat43
post Nov 4 2009, 05:23 PM
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QUOTE (Natika @ Nov 3 2009, 03:34 PM) *
So I thought since I was on Pristiq for over a year the side effects of Effexor xr would be very mild. Boy did I think wrong! I feel like I just drank 4 Red Bulls and not in a good way. My jaw pain is back. I feel yucky!
I started at 75mg xr. We(dr & I) thought we would start me at the 75 instead of th 37.5mg because of the Pristiq stare.gif Wrong-oh! Will I get used to it?

I do hate a very fickle relationship with AD's!


I got used to the Effexor xr over time and the side effects, for the most part, went away. I hope you are doing well with it all today. Best,


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Natika
post Nov 5 2009, 02:51 PM
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I'm better today since I cut out my morning coffee.
It kind of bites because I love that morning cup but it increases the jitters and that's not fun. I am still clenching my jaws pretty bad. I'm never hungry. Hopefully that side effect stays around for a while wub.gif
I am sleeping much better and I have lost the night sweats the Pristiq was causing.
My get up and go is still "Got up and went" but I hope that will improve.
The weird side effect that I had in the beginning with Pristiq was breast tenderness. It went away after several months but now with the effexor it's back!
Anyone else have a weird, undiscussed side effect?
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