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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 21 to 45 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by Nancyk on January 24, 2001, at 22:15:02
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Alli on January 24, 2001, at 18:35:19
Hang in there Alli!! Perhaps you should go back to your doctor and tell him/her how you are feeling. I don't know what the solution is, but you shouldn't have to feel the way you do with all of the medical tech. out there. Please let me know how things go.
nancyI just read in a book last night that dosage should be reduced by 10% for a week at a time. This is hard to do with Effexor at 37.5 mg. pills, I know. Yesterday was supposed to be my last day of taking 37.5 mg., and the way I feel I know that I can't do it. I'm going to cut a 37.5 mg. in half and see if that can help a bit. Alli.
Posted by Missy on January 26, 2001, at 21:38:04
In reply to Effexor withdrawal and dreams/nightmares, posted by janey on November 15, 1998, at 17:42:58
Hello. I decreased my Effexor dose from 150 to 112.5mg because all I did was sleep. Even at the lower dose I was exhausted. I was having the craziest dreams. Sometimes when I woke up I would think the events actually happened. Now that I am down to 75mg I don't have the dreams anymore or the tiredness. I can't help but wonder if it is really working. My doctor suggested I take 112.5mg Mon, Wed, Fri and 75mg the other days.
When I missed 2 days I thought I was either 1)Giving myself anxiety over not having taken the med with me or 2) Really losing my mind. I was short of breath, heart racing and rocking back and forth when I wasn't walking or pacing.
Posted by Denise R. on March 30, 2001, at 0:12:04
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal and dreams/nightmares, posted by Missy on January 26, 2001, at 21:38:04
Hello everyone,
I have been taking Effexor on and off now for the past 3 years. It does wonders for my depression, but coming off it is no fun at all! My doctor had slowly weaned me off it, and I am still vomiting and experiencing real vivid dreams...not bad ones, but I sometimes have a hard time telling whether or not it was a dream, or it really happened.
By the way...the reason I have stopped effexor this time was because I was experiencing terrible body twitches from it. Has anyone else experienced this? Please let me know.
Denise
Posted by Diane J. on March 31, 2001, at 21:34:49
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal and dreams/nightmares, posted by Denise R. on March 30, 2001, at 0:12:04
> Hello everyone,
> I have been taking Effexor on and off now for the past 3 years. It does wonders for my depression, but coming off it is no fun at all! My doctor had slowly weaned me off it, and I am still vomiting and experiencing real vivid dreams...not bad ones, but I sometimes have a hard time telling whether or not it was a dream, or it really happened.
> By the way...the reason I have stopped effexor this time was because I was experiencing terrible body twitches from it. Has anyone else experienced this? Please let me know.
> DeniseDear Denise,
I have taken Effexor for three years also, and I am going through the withdrawal process. I am at 75mg right now. I am trying to get off the drug because I don't think I need it anymore.I have also experienced some strange side effects in the past. Many times when I went to bed at night my muscles in my legs could not relax and I kept having to stretch and move because I was so uncomfortable. Not until extreme exhaustion set in was I able to fall asleep. I have also had insomnia whenever my dose was adjusted. I would have to take Trazadone so I could get to sleep.
The twitching is also something I have felt; however, I do drink a lot of Diet Coke, and I think the caffeine may intensify this side effect.
I have also had weird dreams! I think that is common. It is even mentioned on the package insert as a possible side effect.
That is too bad about the vomiting. I have felt a little peculiar, but nothing too unpleasant. I hope things will work out okay for you.
Diane J.
Posted by Bobina on April 7, 2001, at 22:38:31
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal and dreams/nightmares, posted by Diane J. on March 31, 2001, at 21:34:49
I decided to taper off Effexor after 1.5 years (with my MD's help). Tried this morning for the first time to decrease from 75 to 37.5mg. Within 4 hours my head felt fuzzy and light and I couldn't concentrate on anything. My heart was racing. I put up with it for about 4 hours then took another 37.5mg capsule. I had failed cold turkey in the past with the same symptoms & was praying the tapering would help. I am so scared I will never be able to get off of it. I want to have a baby in the next few years and don't want to be on these meds. Any advice on how to taper successfullY???????
Posted by Cindylou on April 8, 2001, at 12:26:51
In reply to Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Bobina on April 7, 2001, at 22:38:31
Bobina,
I am also tapering off Effexor, and it is TOUGH. But I did make it past 37.5 -- I'm down to 25 mg. now, and feeling pretty rotten, but at least I'm getting there.Anyway, I too had a very hard time going from 75 to 37.5, so my doctor prescribed 25 mg. tablets for me. I started taking one 37.5 pill plus a 25 mg pill, making it 62.5. I did that for a week or so, and then went to 50 mg. for a couple of weeks. After that, I did okay with the 37.5 -- felt a little lousy for one day, but not too bad. Then I was fine and stayed on 37.5 for a couple weeks.
By the way, the 25 mg. are not sustained release, so when I was taking 50 mg., I took one at night and one in the a.m. Now, I am taking a half pill at night and a half in the a.m.The jump to 25 has been a little rockier, but somewhat manageable. I've only been at this level for about 4 or 5 days.
I hope this helps a bit ... Good Luck!
- cindy> I decided to taper off Effexor after 1.5 years (with my MD's help). Tried this morning for the first time to decrease from 75 to 37.5mg. Within 4 hours my head felt fuzzy and light and I couldn't concentrate on anything. My heart was racing. I put up with it for about 4 hours then took another 37.5mg capsule. I had failed cold turkey in the past with the same symptoms & was praying the tapering would help. I am so scared I will never be able to get off of it. I want to have a baby in the next few years and don't want to be on these meds. Any advice on how to taper successfullY???????
Posted by Davey on June 4, 2001, at 2:41:02
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Cindylou on April 8, 2001, at 12:26:51
Hi
I was on 450mg of Effexor a day supposed to be a treatment for fibromyalgia in conjunction with other drugs including pindolol & lithium!!! However, I had no real benefit & found that I was getting depressed taking effexor...work that out. Anyway it did nothing for me apart from wreck my liver. I went to a new GP & he found out that my hormone levels were totally out of whack & wa below the lowest acceptable limit. I have been cycling down from effexor for 8 weeks & came off the last pill a slow release 150mg over the las 4 days. It has been pure hell!!! if hell can be pure!! I never want to go on to effexor again. I have never smoked drunk much or ever tried "illicit" drugs & if this is the sort of feeling that you have when coming off these substances I can really feel for any of you who are trying to give up smoking or trying to get off other substances. I can hardly even type this at the moment as my head is spinning. Don't know I will go at work tomorrow.
Posted by Mattie on June 4, 2001, at 9:20:05
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Davey on June 4, 2001, at 2:41:02
Specifically, what kind of hormone testing did you have done? Did the med contribute to this or does your doctor think this existed prior to the med?
Posted by Mattie on June 4, 2001, at 9:20:16
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Davey on June 4, 2001, at 2:41:02
Specifically, what kind of hormone testing did you have done? Did the med contribute to this or does your doctor think this existed prior to the med?
Posted by louisi on June 9, 2001, at 8:09:14
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Davey on June 4, 2001, at 2:41:02
I too am experiencing horrible dizziness. No one warned me about stopping. I stopped three days ago and am getting worse and worse. I can not get an appointment so I will have to tough it out but am glad to know what is causing this.
Posted by slazart on June 13, 2001, at 17:42:22
In reply to Effexor Withdrawl , posted by louisi on June 9, 2001, at 8:09:14
> I am currently tapering off effexor and 'OH MY GOD!' i have done such a gradual taper and am in a panic. I feel manic one minute & then like crying, I feel like I am going nuts and can't explain the inner turmoil to my family. I fight minute by minute to appear even somewhat level headed and not chew someone's butt. Outwardly I say 'you shouldn't add to the situation if you don't understand what is happening' (while smiling of course) inside I want to bellow out 'you inconsiderate piece of crap shut up and don't butt in where you don't belong!!" My head is dizzy, I have the 'electric feeling' and especially when I move my head or eyes, I am anxious and feel like jumping from one thing to another as long as it doesn't require my brain or a decision which is impossible because I own my own business. I can't seem to take a deep breath. I feel feverish and shivery but my body temp is only 97. I went from 75 mg to 37.5 2x/day then spread the time out between doses to eventually get to 37.5 1/day then began half doses of the 37.5 2x/day spreading that time until I was to once a day. Now I cut the 37.5 to taper in the same way and am even still having psychotic difficulty breaking free. I took my last half of a half of a half, Monday at noon and can barely take it anymore. I want to take a small dose to make it all go away but am trying to get over the hump and stick with it? How much longer?????? I am a basket case (and I didn't even mention the nightmares every 10 minutes.
Posted by Sean Swanson on June 14, 2001, at 2:06:47
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by slazart on June 13, 2001, at 17:42:22
I am currently going through withdrawals from the Effexor I was taking. My wife read somewhere that the withdrawal symptoms can last up to eight weeks. My last dose was May 1st (after slowly tapering for over a month) and I'm still suffering the after effects. The symptoms were quite severe at first to the point of nearly going back for another dose. I felt as though I would go crazy or be rendered physically helpless while off the medication. It took about a week before the withdrawals finally began to taper. I figured another week or so and I'd be back to normal. Boy, was I ever wrong! I've been on a terrible roller coaster ride ever since! I start feeling better and then it all comes back again. I described it to the doctors as a feeling of an electrical current running through me accompanied with a distant buzzing sound (kind of like a bug zapper) and visual disturbances with each jolt. My face feels numb during the "attack" and with the more severe ones I also experience numbness in my arms. If I try to do anything during an attack, the symptoms are magnified ten-fold. They're also very physically draining. On days with the more severe attacks, I can't make it through without a long nap. I also have shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea, difficulty urinating, hot and cold spells, difficulty concentrating, confusion, amnesia, hostility, abnormal speech, frequent skin rashes, urinary incontinence, weight gain, etc.
The previous paragraph was all about the withdrawal symptoms from the Effexor. While taking the Effexor, I had bizarre dreams and constant nightmares as well as extreme urinary difficulties, suicidal ideation, extreme insomnia, anxiety, feeling very cold with no relief, blurred vision, etc.....
Posted by rosalinda on June 14, 2001, at 2:21:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by slazart on June 13, 2001, at 17:42:22
Slazart--that was exactly what happened to me--I thought tapering gradually would help, but it didn't.
See my query on this board regarding using Prozac to ease the withdrawal. Apparently this works for some people; someone said that taking St. John's wort helped, too (it didn't help for me, but St. John's wort didn't work as an antidepressant for me, either). The theory is that the withdrawal symptoms are caused by Effexor's very short half life. Prozac, in contrast, has a very long half life, so if you switch to Prozac for a few days it stabilizes your serotonin levels. When you stop taking the Prozac your brain won't freak out the way it is right now because the drug will leave your system more slowly; you'll have more time to adjust. (I hope that somebody who knows more about brain chemistry will jump in and correct the errors I am no doubt making!) I haven't tried switching to Prozac yet because I resent the fact that I have to take another drug to get off the stuff I was taking, but I think I'm going to give in and give it a try.
Hang in there and try not to freak out too much. For me, the worst of the withdrawal was over within about 5 days--I still felt crummy after that (it's been almost 3 weeks now, and I still feel pretty bad), but the really intolerable, nerves-being-yanked-out-of-your-body feeling had largely abated. I relied rather heavily on Nyquil to get me through the nightmares & sleep problems, I'm afraid...
Do talk to your doctor and see if the Prozac thing might help you. Your doctor is the one who prescribed this stuff to you in the first place, so he/she should help you get off it. Or if you don't want to see him/her, go to a different doctor as soon as possible--I definitely think this is too hard a thing to go through alone. (Maybe you should encourage your family to read some of the posts on this board--they might get a better idea of what you're going through!)
I hope you feel better soon. Let us know how it goes...Sympathetically, Rosalind
Posted by slazart on June 14, 2001, at 9:56:15
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by rosalinda on June 14, 2001, at 2:21:51
Thank you Sean and Rosalind for your quick and thoughtful postings. I needed it.
>
I am trying to get in to see my doctor today. I called late in the afternoon to see what I should do and the on-call doctor told me I better take a very small dose just to stabilize until I could see my regular GP who knows me. I will bring these posts with me and mention Prozac to ease the withdrawal. He gave me Doxepin in 10 mg doses to begin right away upon my last effexor but I didn't know which effects came from which and I wasn't sure if I could take them at the same time so I did not take one last night after I restarted my effexor. St John's wort never helped me with anxiety/depression so I doubt it would here either. Kava Kava would help me cope in the evenings at times or I would nibble on a Klonopin (a whole made me too drowsy) and managed to make 15 tablets last well over a year. I am not sure I understand the term 'half-life'. I was on Celexa before and in every way it was wonderful except one. It took away my sex drive and having a very healthy relationship with my husband and a good sex life was something I wasn't willing to give up. As Sean said, the effects are innumerable, and I did try to rush the tapering a bit and now am finding that to be a huge mistake. I was supposed to "Ride the Rockies" next week (cycling)and had to drop out but I will still accompany my hubby as he tackles it. I feel like I am going to need to go on vacation to do this or keep taking it unitl I find a time best to handle it.
Sad to say, I did take another mini dose last night and felt better within an hour and normal (what's that?) within 2. Now I am frustrated because I erased the 3 days off it that I already had under my belt. I play softball, ride my bike everyday and hate the poor coordination both on it and the severity of it in withdrawals. I am very afraid to start this all over again. I am going to need to schedule this with my family (or at least my hubby) because I am going to need back-up. The lack of concentration and as Sean put it confusion, in additon to speach calamity and inability to focus on a customer's needs and take care of tasks will make it very important for me to choose a timely departure from this nightmare!! and all the other nightmares that will come for awhile. I just don't want to be self destructive or harm my loved ones because of bitter and anxious feelings. This isn't their fault and I want to minimize the effect on them.
I too had the other withdrawals such as urgent bowel mvts (not quite diarrhea)but they were welcome since while on it I had bad constipation. More w/d's exteme electricity-like feeling, nerves completely on-edge, major heart palpatations, again the nightmares, and feelings of obsessively wanting to run (mostly away), stretching or completely tensing up my body to where the nerves go shooting around in my head and cause an adrenaline rush (I was hoping this would expedite my bodies expulsion of this drug or lack of)and when I try to talk.. with every word comes a rush and I have all I can do to hear and concentrate. I also felt violent like I wanted to beat on something (thankfully inanimate objects)or just slap myself to wake up from the strangeness. Just a constant fight. With the w/d's so severe it is too tempting to stay on it! however, I want OFF! because while on it I had insomnia so bad that I worked straight around the clock on a few occasions and never went to bed or even tried... Also included dehydration, pain in joints in a.m. especially hands/feet, very unusual sense of smell & taste changes, change in eyesight (blur), coordination problems (clumsy), bruising, muscle spasms/cramps, some anxiety and since that was something I was wanting rid of...The best thing??? That I am not alone. Thank you so much for your postings because I know I am not going nuts and the many things going on will be easier to deal with knowing more about it. It also makes sense to taper off as slowly as possible. I was joking around about crushing a half of the 37.5 and counting granules but I am finding that this is no joke.
Thanks to all of you who posted responses and my sympathy to those of you going through the w/d's.
sincerely;
Sharon
Posted by Zo on June 16, 2001, at 20:35:22
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by slazart on June 14, 2001, at 9:56:15
Sharon, I'm sorry to hear the withdrawal is going so tough for you, and hope by the time you read this, it has eased off. I am back on Effexor now, and have been for several years, it seems to be my foundation/mainstay. . . but when I stopped cold, I had true mania for a few weeks. ..and then a mammoth crash. Good luck to you!
Zo
Posted by louisi on June 17, 2001, at 7:58:40
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by Zo on June 16, 2001, at 20:35:22
I changed my Effexor SR (150 twice a day) to once a day on June 6. I saw my internist on the 11th because the dizziness, blurred vision, headache, shock-like feelings in my limbs, dry mouth, etc etc was so bad I couldn't stand it. I explained about the effexor but he still believes it's inner ear related. At any rate, he gave me antivert (mecliven) for the vertigo. That has helped tremendously. I got my first good night's sleep on the 11th after taking the antivert. I also began taking mega vitamins and supplements. I am drinking gallons of water to flush out my system as well.
As of today, I am doing well. The feelings we've all desribed have subsided and a mild version comes and goes but responds to the antivert. I am looking forward to weeks ahead in the future when I don't have to take any of this stuff. I am sick of medications, pills and doctors. I have no support person but I think it is better this way.
Posted by dave_fox on June 17, 2001, at 10:07:30
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by slazart on June 13, 2001, at 17:42:22
I seem to remember that Effexor has a very short half-life and that it will wash out of the system quite quickly leading to withdrawal effects.
A friend who did come off it by going very slowly said it was still very hard to do.
Good luck!
Dave F
Posted by JOHN R. HIRST on June 17, 2001, at 15:01:24
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by dave_fox on June 17, 2001, at 10:07:30
I too am withdrawing from effexor xr. I was on just 150 mg for about a year after being on prozac for about 3 years. I wanted to get off since I was soooo tired and could not get through a day. My joints and muscles ached every day and I could not hardly exercise, which has been very important to me over the years. I think effexor has truely changed my life and not for the better. I totally lost my personality, i had no motivation and my job performance greatly declined. I dont want to blame everything on meds, but I really believe it was a big factor. Now I have been totally off for 14 days after just tapering for 2 weeks(it should have been longer as I am now reading).
This has been a nightmare with all the effects (or effexors as I call them) that others have posted about. I thought it was better after a week and then I saw it get even worse. The last 2 days have been unbearable with constant shock like sensations and dizziness. I was sick, fatigued, weak, muscles ache. I can totally not function. I went to half days at work and even this was too much. I work with people with mental illness and it is totally hard to recommend meds to them now. I feel for all of you going through this.
I am just so afraid that this will not pass soon enough. My boss at work just does not understand and I am taking most of my days off. I feel I will need more and dont know how we are going to pay bills. My wife has been great, but it is very hard for her. How can one medication cause so much turmoil? I will pray for all of you and I need your prayers also. With God only,John H.
Posted by Zo on June 17, 2001, at 15:46:16
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by JOHN R. HIRST on June 17, 2001, at 15:01:24
Tough as the situation is, let's not lose perspective and demonize Effexor -- or any med. The important thing to remember is how wildly variable the effects of medications are, for each of us. . .And I think this is knowledge we can take away from this board and bring to disbelieving docs. How astonishingly individual we are. My pdoc has over 300 patients whose needs and reactions to all these drugs is so idiosyncratic, he happens to thrive on that. . .and I think what we can do is support each other. I'm amazed and really sorry to hear of the bad effects Effexor is having on some of you, I know how awful a med can be that doesn't work for one. Lamactil about drove me over the edge. . .
Love to all,
Zo
Posted by Andy123 on June 17, 2001, at 16:26:35
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by slazart on June 13, 2001, at 17:42:22
I'd like to add my two cents to this effexor withdraw topic. I had been on effexor for 7 or so months (I have a long history of being on antidepressants.) It is troubling to be so dependent on a medication so I stopped taking effexor without tapering with pretty bad results. I was feeling really terrible and went back on it. I again stopped and am now so "out of it" that I am doing very odd things. I can't remember things and my hygeine is declining. The effexor had significantly suppressed my libido. All of my latent sexual thoughts and urges must have been stored somewhere during my treatment because in the past 2 weeks i've had 7 months worth of sexual motivation. I have gone into my old cabinet to try to find things to help me deal with this withdrawal and i have taken prozac 20 mg 2X. Today I have taken d-amphetamine 2X with some improvement in the "undirectedness" and hypotension.
There are some positive sides to this withdrawal... finally an end to the mushed down affect, when i get down to work I have had some really intense periods of enjoyment and productivity, exercise is easier, and the hypersexuality hasn't been all bad. The worst part of the withdrawal has been a return to very intense feelings of shame. I had that as a major symptom before I ever took antidepressants and it is very difficult to deal with. Its like I think about something embarassing I have done and think about it over and over (very OCD.)
Posted by Seraphim on June 17, 2001, at 18:02:36
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by slazart on June 13, 2001, at 17:42:22
> > I am currently tapering off effexor and 'OH MY GOD!' i have done such a gradual taper and am in a panic. I feel manic one minute & then like crying, I feel like I am going nuts and can't explain the inner turmoil to my family. I fight minute by minute to appear even somewhat level headed and not chew someone's butt. Outwardly I say 'you shouldn't add to the situation if you don't understand what is happening' (while smiling of course) inside I want to bellow out 'you inconsiderate piece of crap shut up and don't butt in where you don't belong!!" My head is dizzy, I have the 'electric feeling' and especially when I move my head or eyes, I am anxious and feel like jumping from one thing to another as long as it doesn't require my brain or a decision which is impossible because I own my own business. I can't seem to take a deep breath. I feel feverish and shivery but my body temp is only 97. I went from 75 mg to 37.5 2x/day then spread the time out between doses to eventually get to 37.5 1/day then began half doses of the 37.5 2x/day spreading that time until I was to once a day. Now I cut the 37.5 to taper in the same way and am even still having psychotic difficulty breaking free. I took my last half of a half of a half, Monday at noon and can barely take it anymore. I want to take a small dose to make it all go away but am trying to get over the hump and stick with it? How much longer?????? I am a basket case (and I didn't even mention the nightmares every 10 minutes.
Hang in there! I have been experiencing EXACTLY the same. I started tapering from 300mg three and a half months ago. I am finally on day 15 with absolutely no Effexor. I am still experiencing many of the withdrawal effects. Dizzy, nauseau, mood swings, nightmares, etc... BUT it has been getting better and the glimpses of optimism, determination, waking up feeling like I want to accomplish something and succeed at work, have been coming more frequently and lasting longer and longer. I had the worst withdrawal effects tapering down from 37.5, once I got there. I finally broke down and went to my doctor. He gave me the original 25mg. Effexor tablets, which I broke in half in order to continue tapering and stretching out the dosages. I also took Prozac Weekly(the new once a week dose) for three weeks (Dr. gave me samples). It did help tremendously with the withdrawal effects, although my libido died almost immediately. But at least it was a little easier to get through the day without having periods where I want to jump out of my skin, jump down someone's throat or just jump off a bridge to make the withdrawal go away. And the nightmares aren't coming every night anymore (for a while it was really bad and affecting my waking life. Now I only have nightmares once or twice a week) Like I said, I am now on day 15 without ANY meds. I have also been drinking gallons of water, taking vitamins, making sure to eat only the healthiest foods, and forcing myself to get even a little exercise every day(very hard to do, but is definitely helping). Today I feel good, in fact really good and that's what I'm focusing on; each day, sometimes just each hour. I told a friend, that I met on this board a few months ago(she has provided invaluable support), that when I looked at pictures from a few years ago and then looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but cry for the person I lost. Now I see her coming back. I'm not there yet, but am very determined. Hang on to your determination, no matter what! Feel free to stay in touch.
Seraphim
Posted by AD on June 20, 2001, at 6:39:21
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl » slazart, posted by Seraphim on June 17, 2001, at 18:02:36
> > > I am currently tapering off effexor and 'OH MY GOD!' i have done such a gradual taper and am in a panic. I feel manic one minute & then like crying, I feel like I am going nuts and can't explain the inner turmoil to my family. I fight minute by minute to appear even somewhat level headed and not chew someone's butt. Outwardly I say 'you shouldn't add to the situation if you don't understand what is happening' (while smiling of course) inside I want to bellow out 'you inconsiderate piece of crap shut up and don't butt in where you don't belong!!" My head is dizzy, I have the 'electric feeling' and especially when I move my head or eyes, I am anxious and feel like jumping from one thing to another as long as it doesn't require my brain or a decision which is impossible because I own my own business. I can't seem to take a deep breath. I feel feverish and shivery but my body temp is only 97. I went from 75 mg to 37.5 2x/day then spread the time out between doses to eventually get to 37.5 1/day then began half doses of the 37.5 2x/day spreading that time until I was to once a day. Now I cut the 37.5 to taper in the same way and am even still having psychotic difficulty breaking free. I took my last half of a half of a half, Monday at noon and can barely take it anymore. I want to take a small dose to make it all go away but am trying to get over the hump and stick with it? How much longer?????? I am a basket case (and I didn't even mention the nightmares every 10 minutes.
>
> Hang in there! I have been experiencing EXACTLY the same. I started tapering from 300mg three and a half months ago. I am finally on day 15 with absolutely no Effexor. I am still experiencing many of the withdrawal effects. Dizzy, nauseau, mood swings, nightmares, etc... BUT it has been getting better and the glimpses of optimism, determination, waking up feeling like I want to accomplish something and succeed at work, have been coming more frequently and lasting longer and longer. I had the worst withdrawal effects tapering down from 37.5, once I got there. I finally broke down and went to my doctor. He gave me the original 25mg. Effexor tablets, which I broke in half in order to continue tapering and stretching out the dosages. I also took Prozac Weekly(the new once a week dose) for three weeks (Dr. gave me samples). It did help tremendously with the withdrawal effects, although my libido died almost immediately. But at least it was a little easier to get through the day without having periods where I want to jump out of my skin, jump down someone's throat or just jump off a bridge to make the withdrawal go away. And the nightmares aren't coming every night anymore (for a while it was really bad and affecting my waking life. Now I only have nightmares once or twice a week) Like I said, I am now on day 15 without ANY meds. I have also been drinking gallons of water, taking vitamins, making sure to eat only the healthiest foods, and forcing myself to get even a little exercise every day(very hard to do, but is definitely helping). Today I feel good, in fact really good and that's what I'm focusing on; each day, sometimes just each hour. I told a friend, that I met on this board a few months ago(she has provided invaluable support), that when I looked at pictures from a few years ago and then looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but cry for the person I lost. Now I see her coming back. I'm not there yet, but am very determined. Hang on to your determination, no matter what! Feel free to stay in touch.
>
> Seraphim
I can't believe how many people are experiencing the same withdrawal effects that I am coming off of effexor. It's good to know I'm not alone. Does anyone know how long these side effects last?? I just about can't take it anymore.
Posted by Janelle on June 24, 2001, at 1:13:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl » slazart, posted by Seraphim on June 17, 2001, at 18:02:36
Wow - I had the SAME experience (and man was it frightening) doing what turned out to be getting of PAXIL waaaaaaay too fast. I was soooo sick, it was horrible. My doctor did the tapering schedule for me, so SHE learned too, just how GRADUALLY and SLOWLY one has to taper off these kinds of meds. Good luck.
Posted by AD on June 24, 2001, at 7:44:21
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by Janelle on June 24, 2001, at 1:13:51
> Wow - I had the SAME experience (and man was it frightening) doing what turned out to be getting of PAXIL waaaaaaay too fast. I was soooo sick, it was horrible. My doctor did the tapering schedule for me, so SHE learned too, just how GRADUALLY and SLOWLY one has to taper off these kinds of meds. Good luck.
Well I have been off of Effexor for almost 7 days - the symptoms are much better, I have to admit. Still having the electric "shocks". but not as often. Please, please listen to me that it is soooo important to GRADUALLY wean off these anti-depressants. I have now been on Wellbutrin for 3 days and am starting to have less and less depressive episodes. The Xanax (3 tims a day) seems to lessen the anxiety I have felt going off the Effexor. If and when I go off the Wellbutrin, it will be a slow process. Hang in there all - the crisis always ends.
Posted by AnimalRescue on June 24, 2001, at 20:12:00
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl » Janelle, posted by AD on June 24, 2001, at 7:44:21
Sappy as it sounds, thank heavens for this board because I would have thought I'd gone insane if I hadn't read what everyone else has gone through. I'm "off" Effexor XR now - about 2 weeks - but I still don't feel myself. Because of what I read here, I requested Prozac from my pdoc to help with the withdrawal, which she was fine with. She had first suggested Wellbutrin to help with withdrawal, but since I had been on Prozac before, and had never tried Wellbutrin, we went for Prozac. Made it tolerable. I did resort to opening up a capsule of the 37.5 mg. and dividing it into two smaller doses (it was so pathetic - I had to divide the pellets into sizes and then divide each size...) But, taking the smaller dose about three days apart did help.
My real question/problem is regarding lasting effects. Does the residual EVER go away? Anxiety is back (which is why I went on it), but now I am also ANGRY all the time. True, I've had a lot of crap happen to me lately, but my anger is constant and exaggerated. I am always mad. It was happening while on Effexor, too. Then, and while I was tapering, I was virtually psycho - lash out with nasty emails to coworkers. Stuff I know better than doing.
Has anyone else had these anger problems? Do they go away? Has Wellbutrin been a better choice for some than Prozac? Also, pdoc just prescribed BuSpar and low dose of Xanax until that kicks in. But I am so reluctant to get on another drug. Anyone have any thoughts on BuSpar? I did have to start taking a 1/4 tab of Lorazepam (Ativan) in order to sleep, which is why I think the pdoc gave me the Xanax instead.
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