![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 6159 to 6183 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Salty_Dog on January 20, 2004, at 19:05:37
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations, posted by Madigan on January 20, 2004, at 17:55:18
> Hi TR,
>
> Good point. Kim's "brain zaps" do give me pause, but not enough to keep me from at least talking to my doctor about it. I have clinical depression (had it most of my life), situational depression (father passed away), and severe PMS or PMDD. A friend suggested Effexor, thought it might help me. So far, SSRIs have been ineffectual or intolerable. I'm wary, but open to at least talking to the doc about it.
>
> Thanks for your input!
>
> MadiganMadigan,
You may have better success with remeron or it's counterpart imipri???(I don't have a clue on how to spell that one - and I don't have first hand knowledge of it). These drugs don't get you all up in a bunch before you know which way is up. I group Effexor (XR) in the same category as Xanax in terms of physical dependancies, don't go there for the fun of it - You may end up going on to higher doses (225 - 300 mg) and before you know it - your stuck. The ramp up time on Effexor XR is long enough (Manufacture's samples) to hook your mind into a problem zone in terms of forgetting what you set out to do.Here is a good web site:
http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illness/About_Treatments_and_Supports/About_Medications/Default798.htmIt's a non-profit (not supported by the drug manufactures) source on info. concerning many mental health issues.
Of course, it you are bored, try Effexor XR - your life will never be the same (good or bad).
Sorry for the long winded posting but I do not recomend Effexor XR to any one I love or like. It works, but, ........... the side are hell going on and getting off.
P.S. I am still at the 600mg taper down to 300mg - it is a difficult at the top range as it is at the bottom range ( 75 to 0 mg).
Posted by Gummybear on January 20, 2004, at 20:21:52
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » ZAPPA, posted by KimRN73 on January 19, 2004, at 18:12:37
> Hey there....
> I am so sick of these "zaps" or whatever also !!
> I describe them to doctors and they look at me like I dont know what I'm talking about. I am NOT on Effexor XR, I take the regular tablets. I tend to take them with food around 9am, feel funny in my head approx. 6 hrs later. I also get the feeling that my ears need to pop, and I feel so "out of it"...anyone else???? I hope Im not going nuts!!!!!!!! :) Would like to know if anyone else has similar symptoms. Im on 75mg twice a day. Have tried to switch to XR but I go SOOOOOOOOOOOOO DIZZY. AND im afraid to get off of Effexor.....maybe if i start taking something else WHILE im tapering off?? any ideas anyone??????
> I am going to my doctor tomorrow to talk about all this CRUD !!! :) thanks.....KimHey Kim,
Don't worry your totally NOT alone, the first three weeks when I was on Effexor XR I also felt like my ears needed to be popped. It was so wierd, I wasn't sure if I was imagining or not - but now that you mention it... I remember thinking that maybe I had an ear infection or that it was from altitude... couldn't figure it out.
And I was also really dizzy too, I still get dizzy sometimes. Every second day or almost every day after work at around 4pm or so I start feeling totally out of it and get a REALLY BAD headache, my heart starts beating fast, and I get disoriented...... is that like you??? I'm not sure if it's from my anxiety or the med... but it sucks. I start feeling totally out of it and can barely keep it together - can barely hold a conversation or even watch a tv show.I'm been on Effexor XR 75mg once a day between 3pm-5pm for over 6 weeks now.
help... anyone else feel like this??
G. Bear.
Posted by Madigan on January 20, 2004, at 21:57:41
In reply to Re: Electric shock -like sensations » Madigan, posted by Salty_Dog on January 20, 2004, at 19:05:37
Major, major food for thought, Salty Dog. I'll *definitely* have a long look at the NAMI site and read all I can about Effexor before I consider taking it. I'll also have a close look at Remeron and Imipri (not sure what it is either, but I'll check). Withdrawing from Xanax several years ago was difficult and scary; thanks very much for the warning. If I end up going on Effexor after all, and something goes wrong, I certainly won't be able to say I was underinformed.
Thanks again,
Madigan
Posted by Caligula on January 20, 2004, at 23:46:26
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I just started the 37.5mg XR this morning. I hadn't slept for a couple days because I was out of trazadone. Now, with 40mg of celexa, .5mg of xanax, and 50mg of trazadone on top of the Effexor, I can't sleep at all. I am not tired. I have heartburn. My jaw is really tight. I think my vision is less blurry. My head feels (painlessly) like it's going to explode. So, um, usual start-up fun, really. I'll post back in a couple weeks when I have a better idea.
Posted by KimberlyDi on January 21, 2004, at 8:53:51
In reply to Re: Electric shock -like sensations » Madigan, posted by Salty_Dog on January 20, 2004, at 19:05:37
> You may have better success with remeron or it's counterpart imipri???(I don't have a clue on how to spell that one - and I don't have first hand knowledge of it). These drugs don't get you all up in a bunch before you know which way is up.
Imipramine. I'm on 100mg and I have to take it at night because of drowsiness. Zero side effects so far though I'm on a low dosage. It seems to help SOME with anxiety but my depression is still running amok.
Posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 9:07:06
In reply to using sleep for withdrawal » Salty_Dog, posted by omegon on January 19, 2004, at 14:33:57
I also like to just sleep through my life. I do this as much as I possibly can. But, with 2 young children and a military-deployed husband - I can't do as much sleeping as I want.
My dreams are incredibly textured - my fingers sometimes tingle from remembered feelings. I can remember smells and tastes. It's really bizarre and definately frightening when the dreams are the stuff of which nightmare are made.
I've discovered that depression is a very selfish disease....it's all about what I do and don't want. I hate that.
anyway....sorry for the rambling...just some thoughts.
Posted by KimberlyDi on January 21, 2004, at 11:13:23
In reply to Re: using sleep for withdrawal, posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 9:07:06
depression is a selfish disease. that's an interesting perspective. i hope you put the negative aspect on the disease and not yourself. if you were diagnosed with terminal cancer, i believe that you would be equally self-absorbed. depression colors your life with dismal shades of gray. it's a heavy shroud that you wear every day. is it selfish to want to live free of that burden?
Depression turns a good nights sleep into a luxury. It makes you eat too little or too much. Your own laughter can startle you because you haven't laughed in so long. Depression is selfish because it consumes all aspects of your life. Go easy on yourself. :)
KDi in TX
> I also like to just sleep through my life. I do this as much as I possibly can. But, with 2 young children and a military-deployed husband - I can't do as much sleeping as I want.
>
> My dreams are incredibly textured - my fingers sometimes tingle from remembered feelings. I can remember smells and tastes. It's really bizarre and definately frightening when the dreams are the stuff of which nightmare are made.
>
> I've discovered that depression is a very selfish disease....it's all about what I do and don't want. I hate that.
>
> anyway....sorry for the rambling...just some thoughts.
>
>
Posted by Katies1 on January 21, 2004, at 13:16:02
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » ZAPPA, posted by Mercedes on January 19, 2004, at 20:50:41
Well, I have been on Effexor for about 4 years. I have been on 37.5 for the last 2. Lately I decided to take myself off of it. I just want to be free of medication and don't want to get pregnant on it. I am a registered nurse so I read up on it and decided to get off this stuff. I have been on it for anxiety. I started taking it everyother day for about 2 months and the every two or three days. I am on day 6 of nothing. Feeling a little weird, nauseated in the morning, anxious, mainly a really odd feeling. My husband is a doc (not a psychiatrist) so he has been a great support. I guess I am really scared of not being on it anymore. I have been dreading the discontinuation symptoms for a long time. I just had to do it. I would recommend having a doc monitor you during the withdrawal. I don't have one right now so I am just watching myself. I biggest fear is the risk of seizures when stopping. I hope the is on really high doses. Anyways, I just needed to get this out. I hope someone who has been through this can give me some encouragement. I know God will get me through. Thanks.
Posted by cicciopsych on January 21, 2004, at 13:57:59
In reply to discontinuing Effexor, posted by Katies1 on January 21, 2004, at 13:16:02
Hi Katies1. I can relate entirely to your wish to discontinue your use of Effexor. I too did a gradual step down from 75mg every day to once every other day and beyond. I am now on day five without anything and fully experiencing the withdrawal effects of which you had spoken. The nauseau seems to be the worst, though I seem to have an almost transparent feeling the moment I get up to walk out of my office; almost as though I am not fully conscious. I truly pray that with the conclusion of this week some of the symptoms will subside and I will again be able to feel normal.
I actually began taking Effexor a bit over a year ago when I finally got up the nerve to tell someone about the eating disorders and depression that had been running my life for two years. I just got married four months ago and to be honest my wife is better support and help than the medicine ever has been. I myself am a psychologist, so I know a good bit about what to expect; somehow it is always a bit different when you are experiencing it yourself though.
I think the biggest encouragement I recieved from your post came in the final line when you said, 'I know God will get me through.' In all truth, with that knowledge and faith, you are already well ahead of the crowd. These disorders are no more than challenges that God has given us so that we might lean more heavily upon Him for support. I will be adding you to my prayers tonight. Keep that faith, stay strong, and remember that you are in control of your destiny. Blessings and regards.
Posted by AreMedsGood on January 21, 2004, at 16:39:05
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by Moni on July 18, 2000, at 18:30:25
I have been taking Effexor XR for about two years and feel the same way you do about it. It is comforting to know that others are going throught the same experience. The first thing I noticed, after starting the med was that my sleep changed. I had strange dreams and was sort of panicking in my sleep, because I was not used to the clogged up feeling, and the drowsyness associated with the drug. I always take it with food at about the same time everyday.
Posted by Katydid50 on January 21, 2004, at 16:51:48
In reply to Re: Long-term effects, posted by stjames on July 8, 2000, at 23:15:07
I left town for a long holiday weekend with everything except my Effexor XR 75 mg..(Initially prescribed for panic attacks)I had no intention of stopping, it just happened by accident. Despite being a registered nurse, I had no knowledge of the withdrawal symptoms and their severity. Less than 48 hrs without the med, I was as sick as I've ever been in my life. I had visual distortions that bordered on hallucinations, sense of unreality, positional vertigo,flu-like nausea and headache. Not since the 60's had I ever experienced a trip like this. In trying to analyze my symptoms, withdrawal seemed a likely bet. I called another nurse, who researched this topic for me and then I knew I was in trouble. And I felt so stupid, too! I should have known better. I called the physician on call and begrudgingly was prescribed 3 tablets; enough to get me through until I returned home. He had heard of this with Paxil but, not Effexor. After one dose, and approx 4 hrs I was starting to feel better. Then, I knew I had become physically addicted. I confronted my doctor with 2 inches of printed materials on the withdrawal syndrome & possible tapering programs using replacement drugs. His response was to just "take half of your usual dose". He tried to convince me that I should not come off it; eventually gave me 2 prescriptions: one for 75 mg & another for 37.5 mg and basically said to let him know how it was going,whatever I decided to do. I need to find an appropriate physician to help me set up a withdrawal program; it seems Prozac is the weaning drug of choice--longer half life. It's not easy to find physicians who know the protocol. I'm going to find a psych doc & keep my fingers crossed.
Posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 19:02:33
In reply to Re: using sleep for withdrawal » sasha71, posted by KimberlyDi on January 21, 2004, at 11:13:23
Thanks KimberlyDi -- that was probably one of the most helpful notes I've ever read.
It is hard to be negative towards the disease and not myself. Because I see myself as the one
with the behaviors. And I am but it's difficult to remember that there is Something helping pull
the puppet strings of my life.I hate this feeling of selfishness - it's not me. But then again, maybe it is. I don't know
anymore.I know this is something that will be with me for the rest of my life. I can deal with that. I just
wish I could deal with it more gracefully.
Posted by katies1 on January 21, 2004, at 19:14:44
In reply to Re: discontinuing Effexor, posted by cicciopsych on January 21, 2004, at 13:57:59
cicciopsych-Thanks for the message. I really appreciate your support. Did you ever wean yourself down to 37.5 mg? I was on that for a long time and was able to function fine. I feel much better later on in the day. The mornings are worse with the nausea. I worked out at the gym today and felt so much better afterwards - natural hormones being released! I feel like I am about a second behind when looking at things and them registering. I also have been been short-tempered and unable to focus on anything any period of time. Do you relate? I don't want to try the Prozac thing - I hate taking medications! I do feel relieved that I am no longer attached to Effexor. It did it's purpose now it is time to move on. I realized something earlier today. I have been searching for answers all day in the internet, in books, journals, the PDR, etc trying to figure out what I can do to make the symptoms go away. Then it hit me. I never asked God to take them away. He has been right here all this time just waiting for me to ask Him. I hope you will ask Him and I hope everyone who reads this post asks for His guidance. It is so much better than what the medical society can give us. Anyways, it was great to talk with you about what is going on. I appreciate your honesty and hope all will get better for you. By the way, I too have only been married for 4 months! You will be in my prayers.
Posted by becka on January 21, 2004, at 19:58:38
In reply to Re: using sleep for withdrawal » KimberlyDi, posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 19:02:33
I am having horrible, graphic nightmares. Why is this? All of these posts have completely scared me to death. I am on 75mg once a day. How long is the average that this is not enough? So far I am feeling better. I am taking this for anxiety. I still feel that sometimes my throat feels "open" and I take 1/2 of a xanax. I don't want to depend on xanax. Are the withdrawls as bad as previous posts describe when coming off of 75mg? I really don't have a problem taking this if it continues to work. I am just terrified to have to go up in dosage and then the withdrawls. Any comments that could help me?
Posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 20:10:19
In reply to Nightmares, posted by becka on January 21, 2004, at 19:58:38
I talked to my dr. about some of these issues and basically his response was: every person is
different and responds differently to medications. If these things I am reading, upsets me, then quit
reading. Otherwise, take it as "possibilities" and be prepared, learn more, and make intelligent choices.I've been on 225mg Effexor XR for almost 2 years. As long as I stay on it, don't forget a dose, and all that, it's great.
It gets me to my level playing field where I can get out of bed and function.
The nightmares and other side effects seem to become a problem when I forget to take my meds - which makes sense if you think about it.
I don't have any plans in the foreseeable future to come off Effexor. So I may end up being a guinea pig for those missing long-term studies. That's
fine with me. Because for now, it works. I accept that I will be on medication for my depression probably for the rest of my life along with therapy and
lots of support from friends and family. That's the combination that works for me. I take one away, and the rest can't seem to make up the difference.I see lots of people who start taking AD with the attitude of "it's only temporary". And for them, it might be. But unfortunately, about the time it's beginning to
really make a difference for them, they decide they don't need it anymore. And then they cry about the withdrawal effects. Imagine withdrawing from insulin. Or blood
pressure medication. Or glaucoma meds. When a medicine is doing its job, your body needs it and when you tell it to do without - there are going to be
repercussions. Especially cold-turkey.Anyway, just some thoughts.
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2004, at 20:52:01
In reply to Re: Nightmares » becka, posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 20:10:19
I couldn't agree more.
I've had NO, make that NO withdrawal symptoms when coming back down to 75mg of Effexor XR fro 225mg. NONE.
I think like was said above, it depends greatly on the individual.
TR
Posted by Zellie on January 21, 2004, at 20:59:40
In reply to Re: Nightmares » becka, posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 20:10:19
I feel as though I could "ditto" your posting. I, too, will be on an antidepressant the rest of my life....gratefully. After having lived for 42 years with major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and ADHD, I find that the depression has been the most debilitating. To now be on Effexor and find myself for the first time in my life feeling that the horrible, heavy ball-and-chain has been finally taken away, is beyond words to describe. I am so grateful.
I agree that the medication alone, is not the answer. Yet the other strategies without the medication were not sufficient to remove the ball-and-chain either. It is, indeed, the combination of medication, talk therapy, support group sessions, close friendships and a deep relationship with God that work all together to make the difference for me.
Incidentally, I have been a very committed Christian for 15 years, striving with all my heart and soul to love and to live for God. I am deeply protective of my relationship with God, and find great peace in it. Yet, even in all my deep love for God, there has always been the ball-and-chain weight of depression that has followed me. God has been there with me through it all, but he has not miraculously corrected the chemical imbalance in my body that causes the depression...the medication has corrected that. Yes, God is with me even as I take my medication.
I share this to say that, people who say that those who are depressed are just lazy, or they are just selfish, or they just need God in their life, or they just need to get over it, or they just need to get grateful for the good things they have in their life...they have no idea what they are talking about. I have always been an extremely grateful person for all that I have. But the gratitude didn't remove the ball-and-chain, because it's not circumstantial depression that I suffer from, but rather, a chemical imbalance in my brain.
The ball-and-chain are finally gone (well, a few days a month I still feel it somewhat, but that's unbelievably more bearable than previously having to deal with the weight 365 days a year, all my life).
I am now on Wellbutrin, too (100mg) in addition to the Effexor XR (150mg), in hopes of further reducing symptoms of my ADHD and reducing some of the sexual side-effects of the Effexor. I plan on asking my pdoc when I next see him, whether we could up the Wellbutrin a little, and down the Effexor a little, in hopes of further curtailing the problem of the delayed or even non-existent climax that the Effexor has caused. We'll see...
I'd rather, however, put up with whatever I can and must in the way of side-effects, than to ever return to the horrible depression that I am finally free of now.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> I talked to my dr. about some of these issues and basically his response was: every person is
> different and responds differently to medications. If these things I am reading, upsets me, then quit
> reading. Otherwise, take it as "possibilities" and be prepared, learn more, and make intelligent choices.
>
> I've been on 225mg Effexor XR for almost 2 years. As long as I stay on it, don't forget a dose, and all that, it's great.
>
> It gets me to my level playing field where I can get out of bed and function.
>
> The nightmares and other side effects seem to become a problem when I forget to take my meds - which makes sense if you think about it.
>
> I don't have any plans in the foreseeable future to come off Effexor. So I may end up being a guinea pig for those missing long-term studies. That's
> fine with me. Because for now, it works. I accept that I will be on medication for my depression probably for the rest of my life along with therapy and
> lots of support from friends and family. That's the combination that works for me. I take one away, and the rest can't seem to make up the difference.
>
> I see lots of people who start taking AD with the attitude of "it's only temporary". And for them, it might be. But unfortunately, about the time it's beginning to
> really make a difference for them, they decide they don't need it anymore. And then they cry about the withdrawal effects. Imagine withdrawing from insulin. Or blood
> pressure medication. Or glaucoma meds. When a medicine is doing its job, your body needs it and when you tell it to do without - there are going to be
> repercussions. Especially cold-turkey.
>
> Anyway, just some thoughts.
>
>
Posted by BH on January 21, 2004, at 21:34:11
In reply to Re: Nightmares » becka, posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 20:10:19
I have just been switched over to effexor (DEC)for Prozac which just wasn't working anymore(started @ 37.5- up to 75. then a trip to emergency led them to up to 150mg + some adivan for the time being.)
I wanted to talk about the nightmares... I have had some horrible, horrible graphic nightmares and I wake up not knowing if they are real or just a dream. I was really hoping that this medicine was for me, but I am getting just a bit freaked out. Any comments?
Posted by PoohBear on January 22, 2004, at 10:24:03
In reply to Re: Nightmares » sasha71, posted by BH on January 21, 2004, at 21:34:11
I have some comments...
First to the issue of nightmares:
I've had exactly the kind of dreams you're speaking of, but mainly when just starting out and ramping up in doseage (on Effexor XR). All of my dreams for the last three months have been far more graphic and colorful, sometimes unpleasant, than I can ever remember having in my life. And, when you think about it, it really makes sense: You're providing the brain a chemical that enables it to make neural connections that have either been missing or impaired, so an increase in activity in this area, at least in my mind is to be expected.
All of the drugs I've tried have done this, especially Trazadone for sleep. It did nothing for my sleep but everything for uncomfortable dreams. But again, this makes sense: Trazadone is an antidepressant and would have the effect described above.
To Zellie:
What a wonderful post! You made my day!
I too am a Christian who has wrestled with many of the same issues as you, and at 46 am just now really trying to put this piece of the puzzle in place. I appreciate your candor and willingness to share your experience and feelings.
Thanks!
TR
Posted by ZAPPA on January 22, 2004, at 23:44:25
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » ZAPPA, posted by Mercedes on January 19, 2004, at 20:50:41
> Zappa,
> I cannot beleive, well yes I do, that your doc told you to stop cold turkey.
>
> I too was on 300 mgs of Effexor and weened myself down. If I remember right, cause my memory was affected too, I went down to 225 for a week then 150 for two weeks, then 75 for a week, maybe two, don't remember, then 37.5 for two weeks, then nothing. Each decrease from the 150 had the brain zaps, with eye movement, even typing, was a brain zap with each keystroke.
>
> Then the REAL zaps and dizzyness and confusion and.... started and it took me 5 weeks to finally be free of Effexor. That was my experience in weening down.
>
> Good luck and push your doc to research what you're feeling. That's why he/she get's paid.
>
> Mercedes>I spoke to my therapist regarding this web site and how other people are also experiencing these so called "brain zaps". He immediately spoke to my psychiatrist. The doc put me on Lexapro 10 mg. per day. The "zaps" stopped the next day and I have not had one since (it has been three days now). I feel human once again! I can actually drive my car for the first time since I discontinued the Effexor XR. I will keep you posted.
Thanks....ZAPPA
Posted by ZAPPA on January 23, 2004, at 0:26:59
In reply to Just started, posted by Caligula on January 20, 2004, at 23:46:26
> I just started the 37.5mg XR this morning. I hadn't slept for a couple days because I was out of trazadone. Now, with 40mg of celexa, .5mg of xanax, and 50mg of trazadone on top of the Effexor, I can't sleep at all. I am not tired. I have heartburn. My jaw is really tight. I think my vision is less blurry. My head feels (painlessly) like it's going to explode. So, um, usual start-up fun, really. I'll post back in a couple weeks when I have a better idea.
It really helps to keep a daily diary of how you feel or if you feel "wierd" or different (good or bad) in any way. Never discount how you feel, and always talk to your pdoc about any changes. I say this in hindsight. I did not realize that some of the things that I was experiencing was directly related to the meds that I was taking.
Good Luck....ZAPPA
Posted by ZAPPA on January 23, 2004, at 1:02:48
In reply to discontinuing Effexor, posted by Katies1 on January 21, 2004, at 13:16:02
> Well, I have been on Effexor for about 4 years. I have been on 37.5 for the last 2. Lately I decided to take myself off of it. I just want to be free of medication and don't want to get pregnant on it. I am a registered nurse so I read up on it and decided to get off this stuff. I have been on it for anxiety. I started taking it everyother day for about 2 months and the every two or three days. I am on day 6 of nothing. Feeling a little weird, nauseated in the morning, anxious, mainly a really odd feeling. My husband is a doc (not a psychiatrist) so he has been a great support. I guess I am really scared of not being on it anymore. I have been dreading the discontinuation symptoms for a long time. I just had to do it. I would recommend having a doc monitor you during the withdrawal. I don't have one right now so I am just watching myself. I biggest fear is the risk of seizures when stopping. I hope the is on really high doses. Anyways, I just needed to get this out. I hope someone who has been through this can give me some encouragement. I know God will get me through. Thanks.
Dear Katies1,
In my darkest hours I felt that God had lost me. I felt so alone, even with my family surrounding me with love and compassion. More often than not their support made me feel worse because I could not explain why I could not be the wife, mother, sister or daughter that I felt they wanted me to be. Would I have felt this way if I was suffering from an illness that manifested itself more apparently such as, God forbid, cancer, etc. I really don't think so. I just knew that I had to fight this illness any way that I could. My resolve was reinforced by the support from my family. So I did fight and I am still fighting. I have hit a few snares but my husband says that I am like a -diamond in the rough- the more it is rubbed, the brighter it shines. As for God loosing me, no way. It is his light that now shines through me!
Hang in there....I will keep a good thought for you! ZAPPA
Posted by PoohBear on January 23, 2004, at 10:29:58
In reply to Re: discontinuing Effexor, posted by ZAPPA on January 23, 2004, at 1:02:48
> In my darkest hours I felt that God had lost me. I felt so alone, even with my family surrounding me with love and compassion. More often than not their support made me feel worse because I could not explain why I could not be the wife, mother, sister or daughter that I felt they wanted me to be. Would I have felt this way if I was suffering from an illness that manifested itself more apparently such as, God forbid, cancer, etc. I really don't think so. I just knew that I had to fight this illness any way that I could. My resolve was reinforced by the support from my family. So I did fight and I am still fighting. I have hit a few snares but my husband says that I am like a -diamond in the rough- the more it is rubbed, the brighter it shines. As for God loosing me, no way. It is his light that now shines through me!
> Hang in there....I will keep a good thought for you! ZAPPAZAPPA:
Interesting that you should post this, as I faced some of the same issues this week. I wonder the same thing, because my wife DOES have cancer: she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer the same week that I started treatment for depression. (She's on chemo and doing okay...).
The point is this:
We had an argument the other day because I picked up ANOTHER prescription, and because of our deductible, had to pay nearly full price, even with insurance. She went off on why did I need another prescription, how many more was I going to need, etc. My answer was AS MANY AS IT TAKES TO GET IT RIGHT.
I'm in this for the long haul. I WANT TO BE WELL. What she doesn't understand is that i have a disease that can be just as DEADLY as her cancer. The only reason it hasn't resulted in death so far is my faith, though this doesn't work for everyone.
I'm not minimizing the seriousness of her illness, but I want her to give mine the same consideration, not the same short shift is gets from most of society because mental illness is "out of sight, out of mind".
I hope to be able to explain in-depth what my PDoc and I are trying to achieve tonight when we have some time without the teens around.
Funny, my 17 year-old daughter understands perfectly, but my 51 year-old wife doesn't get it...
Best Wishes,
TR
Posted by Lokisdream on January 24, 2004, at 14:49:51
In reply to Re: How long would these withdrawal symtoms last?, posted by readingboy on January 14, 2004, at 23:35:36
>
> Wow. It's good to find a group to discuss these issues with. I couldn't imagine going what I went through without finding these posts.
>
> I've had a difficult time with my psychiatrist and decided to stop seeing him and find another. Previously, he prescribed Effexor XR and I've gradually gone to 150 mg. dosage, which did wonders for my depression and pain through my break up and divorce (a couple years ago). I stopped going to my psychiatrist recently, thinking that I'd find another soon enough. It hasn't happened and my prescription ran out yesterday morning.
>
> Holy Mother of God! -- brain-flashes, dizziness, a slight nausea, and my skin began to feel electrified. I wasn't warned about these being side effects (not that I remember several years after being prescribed it), but knew it was Effexor withdrawal. It came on struck increasingly over a few hours. I didn't notice at first, the main is the dizziness and brain flashes, which happened when I'd move. When it really began to hit, I had to excuse myself from work. There wasn't any way I could be in public feeling like this.
>
> I went home, found the phone number, asked my former psychiatrist for help telling him what I was experiencing, got a refill, and several hours later I'm recovered from the symptoms. It really scared me. I couldn't last a day of normal life with the intensity of the effects when they hit full force. I don't understand how I made it to the pharmacy and back (I walked since I couldn't trust myself driving).
>
> I'm so glad to see others are working their way off with success. Really, finding this board helped immensely. I think with my divorce passed and things in my life beginning to look better, I'm probably ready to try life without Effexor XR. I will find another psychiatrist and ask to be taken off this medicine. To be fair, Effexor helped lift my depression and allowed me to live my life at a time when I was worried I couldn't. But now that things have improved, I don't want to stay on this drug forever, but the withdrawal symptoms are startlingly bad for me. If there was no way to get off but go through days of that, I would be taking Effexor for the rest of my life.
>
> I now see that lowering the dosage gradually (it wasn't clear about the dosages and length of times though) along with taking mini-dosages of Prozac as needed is helping some work their way off it. I will definitely suggest this to my new psychiatrist if he or she is unaware of the process.
>
> Thank you all for posting. And thanks Dr. Bob for putting this site up. You all have made a frightening episode much less scary in posting and explaining a lot of things.
>
> -- readingboy
>
>
> Ye Gods! So many people with such similar problems with the same stuff. I have 2 brothers-1 is a GP and the other is a counselor. A family has to have a black sheep so here I am. I am an epileptic taking Dilantin and Neurontin with mild tinnitus and slightly bad knees. I cracked when I found out my wife of less than 6 mos. was sleeping around and left me. Bro.#2 hooked me up with a nut who's answer for everything seemed to be take another Effexor. The tinnitus got almost unbearable but I didn't know what was causing it. My depression was still present but I just can't feel it-or much else-and I have open wounds that wouldn't heal because I couldn't feel them. I told Bro#1 that I didn't think it was doing any good and he said 'you don't know what you've got till it's gone.' Understatement. So I kick it and almost immediately start having seizures,every nerve ending felt scraped raw,at times have had trouble remembering my name,and ringing so loud can't hear much,needless to say, sleeping is out of the question. But, I can feel the pain, and life is nothing but different kinds of pain. It's our choice, hopefully. I have no ultimate answer. Just a warning-be very careful, esp if you have a seizure disorder or any form of tinnitus. It could be very unhealthy for your dr. LOKISDREAMp.s. There may be an upside to this-I've dropped 35+ pounds in around 3 months(gets kinda fuzzy back around Oct.) from forgetting to eat-I didn't feel hungry.
Posted by vilkas on January 25, 2004, at 0:22:56
In reply to Be VERY careful with Effexor Re: » readingboy, posted by Lokisdream on January 24, 2004, at 14:49:51
Hi all.
I just thought I'd throw in my experiences with effexor xr. Have just started being treated for depression. by just started, I mean probably 3 or 4 months. Anyway, I was on effexor xr for probably close to 3 months, and dose was ramped up to 375mg.
I couldn't say I saw too many positive effects. Intensity of suicidal thoughts *did* decrease, but at the same time my motivation and concentration was worse than ever. On a positive note, I was having plenty of weird dreams, which I always enjoy. But I just found that I really wasn't getting any better on these pills, and decided with my pdoc to try fluoxetine hcl (aka prozac). After reading about other's withdrawal experiences, I was interested to see what would happen. So, on day 1 of withdrawal, I cut back to 225mg, day 2 150, days 3+4 75mg, days 5+6 Nothing, then started on 20mg of fluoxetine on day 7. I know that I wasn't going completely off the drugs, but I will say that I really didn't have any bad times during the switch. Maybe it's because effexor really didn't do anything for me to begin with. I have had some strange auditory hallucinations, late at night, but that's OK.
One thing I will say, though, coming off the effexor, i feel much more motivated, and less sleepy, and have much less brain fog. When I was on effexor, I just felt like a zombie. I was breathing and sometimes eating, and that was about it. But, as we know, one drug is not going to benefit 100% of the population...
we'll see what the fluoxetine does.take care,
vilkas
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