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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by robinyyz on April 21, 2005, at 15:13:32
Hi all...I have been on 75mgs of Effexor XL on and off for over a year. I find the medication helps but I have some strange side effects. First of all, when I'm on the medication, I seem to snap, yell and generally get angry with people for the stupidest reasons. Also, I get urges to smoke, when normally I don't. Anyone else get these side effects?
Posted by jessers11581 on April 21, 2005, at 16:52:56
In reply to Effexor, Snapping and Smoking, posted by robinyyz on April 21, 2005, at 15:13:32
> Hi all...I have been on 75mgs of Effexor XL on and off for over a year. I find the medication helps but I have some strange side effects. First of all, when I'm on the medication, I seem to snap, yell and generally get angry with people for the stupidest reasons. Also, I get urges to smoke, when normally I don't. Anyone else get these side effects?
>I feel similarly on Cymbalta (you can read my post above for more details). Wellbutrin also did this to me when I tried to use it in the past, only it was ten times worse! I'm pretty sure it has something to do with increasing norepinephrine and dopamine. If either of these get too high, they can lead to aggressivness. I spoke with my pshychiatrist about it several minutes ago, and she confirmed that this is true. She suggested for me to decrease my Cymbalta dose for a while. SSRI's are the least likely (in my experience) to cause irritability. They work only on serotonin, which promotes a calm, peaceful feeling. The only drawback is that it can make you TOO calm, and then you don't get anything accomplished. Oh, the joys of anti-depressants!
P.S. Smoking can actually boost serotonin levels in your brain, so feeling more addicted to cigarrettes probably means that you're low in serotonin. I know that this is the case with me, and I've been smoking like a chimney lately! I hope this helps!
Posted by jessers11581 on April 21, 2005, at 16:54:04
In reply to Re: Effexor, Snapping and Smoking, posted by jessers11581 on April 21, 2005, at 16:52:56
> I feel similarly on Cymbalta (you can read my post above for more details). Wellbutrin also did this to me when I tried to use it in the past, only it was ten times worse! I'm pretty sure it has something to do with increasing norepinephrine and dopamine. If either of these get too high, they can lead to aggressivness. I spoke with my pshychiatrist about it several minutes ago, and she confirmed that this is true. She suggested for me to decrease my Cymbalta dose for a while. SSRI's are the least likely (in my experience) to cause irritability. They work only on serotonin, which promotes a calm, peaceful feeling. The only drawback is that it can make you TOO calm, and then you don't get anything accomplished. Oh, the joys of anti-depressants!
>
> P.S. Smoking can actually boost serotonin levels in your brain, so feeling more addicted to cigarrettes probably means that you're low in serotonin. I know that this is the case with me, and I've been smoking like a chimney lately! I hope this helps!
>
>
>
I told you to see my post above, but it's actually below yours. Sorry!
Posted by The Professor on May 9, 2005, at 18:11:21
In reply to Effexor, Snapping and Smoking, posted by robinyyz on April 21, 2005, at 15:13:32
Robinyyz,
Shortly after going on Effexor (150mg/day) I began to have cravings for tobacco. Quite bizarre I thought since I quit smoking cold-turkey in 1977 on my nineteenth birthday. Last August I finally succumbed to the urges and purchased a pack of Marlboro Menthol cigarettes —the brand I originally smoked. On a few rare occasions (perhaps once every five years) prior to August I had similar urges, but either failed to act upon them or simply bummed a solitary smoke from someone. Prior to Effexor, it was a one and done deal —I had no real desire to smoke another cigarette. After Effexor, the story was completely different. I knew from the very first draw that I was in trouble. The sensation and pleasure I derived from that initial cigarette made me realize that I had just made a huge mistake. I have been smoking ever since (roughly ten cigarettes/day). I have managed to only go a record eight days since August without one. This past winter, I contracted some upper respiratory virus coupled with my annual sinus infection that needed no further exacerbation, so quit until I felt better.
Two things of importance to note:
1.) I underestimated the power of nicotine.
2.) I overestimated my resolve to quit.Lastly for what it’s worth, I switched to Effexor after being on Paxil (10mg/day) since 1996. Paxil had numerous side-effects of which I no longer desired —hence the switch. While on Paxil I gained fifty pounds and craved anything high in carbohydrates. I began to regularly consume alcoholic beverages while on Paxil —something I rarely partook of prior to my beloved SSRI.
After discontinuing Paxil, I no longer desired alcohol. My once favorite beers and wines no longer tasted the same.
Go figure —I traded one vise for another.
I will keep you apprised of any new developments. I hope this answers your question although it may not be the answer you were looking for.
This is the end of the thread.
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