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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ShayNJ on January 10, 2005, at 22:21:37
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » alexis, posted by msemilyemily on October 29, 2001, at 17:03:50
I am so happy to have found this site!!! After becoming convinced that I was experiencing frontal lobe seizures (twitching, stuttered incoherant speech, etc.) I NOW find that what I'm really experiencing is Effexor withdrawals. If I am even an hour late taking my meds, I experience terrible side effects. I would desperately like to wean myself off of these meds. I am without insurance as I have recently changed jobs, and will not be able to afford a doctor's assistance. I have a little less than 100 pills left (Effexor XR 75 mg.) that my doctor kindly prescribed me prior to my insurance ending. I take one pill per day, and have been for nearly 10 years now. Is it safe for me to open these time released capsules to fade my dosage? ANY RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thank you all so much.
Posted by dancingstar on January 10, 2005, at 23:26:36
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - Please Help!, posted by ShayNJ on January 10, 2005, at 22:21:37
Gee, you guys, I didn't know that you all landed here at the same time. Shay, you have time to contact Wyeth at www.wyeth.com. They have some kind of low cost program for getting Effexor. Maybe you can stock up so that you don't feel so crunched about cuttng back.
I quit 150 cold turkey, and I haven't seen anyone have it worse than I did on this site...yet, and I'm sort of okay four months later :-). Maybe you can begin to cut back to every other day or two days on and miss one day, just to get your body acclimated to the idea that you will be giving them up sometime soon.
If you read all of my posts and get past the rants, mostly the ones closer to November probably have all of the things that I took to help me feel better...but remember that I have no medical background. It's just things that I picked up or tried. Benadryl helped the most, but I really needed all of the other things, too.
Whatever you decide, best of luck to you! I know that I've probably answered most questions here somewhere or other :-), but you can ask anything you need to if you want.
If you look back in time at all the posts, there are people that broke the capsules down and took little pieces of them to try to drag the whole process out. I don't have any idea if it works or not or how the whole time release thing works, whether certain beads are set for one time and others are set for another. It doesn't sound like a great idea to me.
Bebe
Posted by dancingstar on January 10, 2005, at 23:34:10
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JGE on January 8, 2005, at 17:10:40
I don't think that a lot of the doctors, especially if they aren't pdocs, know how bad the withdrawal is. My internist was really surprised to see me decomposing in his office on the sixth day I had stopped taking Effexor, and he was quite sure it would be over any minute...so I guess I was, too. We were both shocked that it just kept on going, and the symptoms kept coming back over and over again.
Thing is, though, that doesn't happen to everyone; so it's kind of confusing, and Wyeth really hasn't let doctors know how bad the withdrawal can be. It's only now that so many of us want off of Effexor and only now that we are showing up in the doctors' offices; so I don't entirely blame them. They're learning...quickly, but the wool has been pulled over their eyes, too.
Posted by Jenna Starrett on January 11, 2005, at 13:22:21
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » JGE, posted by dancingstar on January 10, 2005, at 23:34:10
I have been off since Dec 15th or so...I quit cold turkey. The very best thing for me is Claratin-D either 12 or 24. 12 seems to work better because I just take it in the am and then in the pm with no wear offs in between. The 24 seems to wear off around 22-23 hrs. I quit taking Claratin about 2 weeks ago to see if I was over the withdrawals from Effexor, and it was a big mistake. It all came back... and once I took a Claratin it took about 8-10 hours for the side effects (sweating, disoriented, headache, volts, nausea, crying, impatient/aggitated) to go away again. I have also experienced the "angriness" even a little with Claratin... I just had to take it easy (nest on the couch) and let close ones know I wasn't feeling myself. It may also help to let them read these messages too? To let them know your not the only one, and that it will be over soon!!!
Posted by dancingstar on January 11, 2005, at 13:32:02
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Jenna Starrett on January 11, 2005, at 13:22:21
I only used Benadryl, but I take tiny doses at a time, and even I have to take them after stopping in September. My rants -- can we spell a-n-g-e-r -- can be witnessed all over this board, as much as I'd like to deny it ;-)
The electric shock things just started getting worse last week, then went away. Same thing with all the symptoms. They go away. They're gone, I think....Then zappo. They're all back again. Only each time they aren't as bad. I wonder how many months it can possibly go on. Even that thing where you lie in bed and your brain clicks, like when you are having your eyes tested at the optometrist's office still happens in the morning. Until I came to this board, I just thought there was something wrong with me. I didn't know it was from the drug. But the thing is that I stopped taking the darn drug...in September. Now, though, the symptoms don't disrupt my life like they did before, they are just a reminder of how bad it was, they don't let me forget and move on completely.
Posted by Willyee on January 11, 2005, at 23:02:38
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JGE on January 8, 2005, at 17:10:40
> Hi people, this all makes interesting reading.
> These side effects are amazing. I was on such a low dose (75mg) that my doctor told me to stop and not wean off. Day 3 and the "volts" started with the dizziness. Day 4 worse and now wanting to cry at the slightest sad instance (movie etc.). I am out of Effexor but if I had some I would take it because this is unbearable.
> By the way, I DID wean myself. I had half my prescribed dose for 1 week and then stopped. This is very difficult to write!
> It's Saturday today, I'm calling my doctor on Monday.
> Maybe I'll have someone get some claritin for me.
> Good luck everyone. If there is light at the end of this I don't see it.Effexor was the first DRUG i was put on in my life,given to me at complaints of minor depression.It was new to me,and almost everyone then.
I was very young,and i never knew about withdrawal,but i went through it,i remeber going mad,pacing rooms,sitting in the middle of my room ripping pages from a magazin non stop,i rember a blank mind,as in a blank page,i rember a numbed personality,a firm depression.I was so scared i wwas young,i did not know what i was dealing with,i rember leaving a pleaded message on the voice mail of my doc,to have him never return my call.
Upon my next visit,scheldued 2 weeks later i was a mess of a young man,so much so my father demenaded to go with me since he dident know who his son had become.
My doc in his very neat,comfortable office,sat there very relaxed,with the most unconcerned look upon his face,as i sat there in a ball of fire.
He continously downplayed my pleas,and to my nieve father made a smurky remark,at that point i snapped at him.
For this he refused to see me anymore,and thus started my life of misery.
I believe that med did the initial damage to my brain,i rember going to sleep at 8pm christmas eve with a house full of family and friends.I often get the urge to go to his office still to this day and face him with what i know now,ask him why he decedied to put me on such a drug,why he so easly put me on it,then offered zero help,askhim if he knows i came near to sucidal in part to him,i would never however cause i know he prob still posesses the same attitute lots of them do,hey the med will either work,or wont,nothing more,any worsening if the paitnets fault,and the med simply not working.
BS,those meds most certainly play a role in a depressed patients state of mind.I only wish i had klonopin then because when i think back on the pain,i am amzed and at a loose to where an 18 kid found the strentgh to deal with loosing his mind,and not knowing why,or what to do.
Posted by Raggy on January 11, 2005, at 23:21:53
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Willyee on January 11, 2005, at 23:02:38
Please, more of this has to be reported to the FDA. Saw this show on nightline, one of those shows and nothing is done unless people report thses problems.
Please go to this site, alot of info there.
www.woodymatters.com
All the info to let your senators know.
The word has to get out about the withdrawal of this drug.
Please, help others, so they dont become a victim also.
Tell them your story, all of you.
Bless you all and may God give you all, the strength you need to get through this.
Posted by dancingstar on January 12, 2005, at 0:08:38
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 11, 2005, at 23:21:53
Thanks, Raggy.
I've posted it often, but in case someone new wants it, here is the direct link to the FDA's online site for problems that you've had with medications:
Posted by June8002 on January 16, 2005, at 16:04:09
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by dancingstar on January 12, 2005, at 0:08:38
My spouse started taking taking Effexor XR about 6 weeks ago. We have been married for 12 years, I don't know who I'm married to anymore. He has become so angry and violent on this medicine. I am so worried about him. He recv this medicine from a doctor (not our GP) and I don't understand why this medicine is prescribed by a general physician. I had to ask him to move out b/c I can't take the angry and violent episodes. I don't know how to help him. Any feedback would be great, Thank you
Posted by Fathe on January 16, 2005, at 21:13:36
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by June8002 on January 16, 2005, at 16:15:09
I am not an expert but something tells me that Effexor is not the medication for your husband's body chemistry. His symptoms sound like me right now on withdrawal but not while I was on Effexor. He probably should see his doctor and maybe be switched to another anti-depressant. It does not make sense for the two of you to suffer with the explosive behavior when I would bet a change in medication would do the trick. Good luck and my thoughts are with you both.
Posted by Accent on January 20, 2005, at 17:36:33
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by dancingstar on January 11, 2005, at 13:32:02
I don't understand how the FDA could let such a drug come to be without testing the withdrwl affects. I am suffering now with all the sam as I read here. I tried to wean myself off 75mg back in October and I couldn't get out of bed. I thought I was dying. Severe nausea, headaches, light sensitivity, the "shocks." Are these doctors insane?? The pharmasutical companies must be selling a dream of a story. I want so bad to get off this medication but I am afraid. Am I on heroine?? Doesn't the withdrwls make you feel like your addicted to some really horrible drug...or an acid trip?? I filled out the form for the FDA. Mort of us need to do this so that they can get a clue!!!
Posted by dancingstar on January 20, 2005, at 18:18:57
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Accent on January 20, 2005, at 17:36:33
http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/9425vfx.htm
Wyeth did the testing, and has known about these problems since 1996, but if you read the last paragraph, this is what they concluded:
"Discontinuing Efexor: No definitive withdrawal syndrome has been observed with Efexor. During clinical trials, symptoms reported on abrupt discontinuation of Efexor from daily doses of 150mg or more included fatigue, nausea and dizziness and one episode of hypomania. Discontinuation effects are well known to occur with antidepressants; therefore, when Efexor has been administered for more than one week and is then stopped, it is generally recommended that the dose be reduced gradually over a few days and the patient monitored in order to minimise the risk of discontinuation symptoms. Patients who have received Efexor for six weeks or more should have their dose reduced gradually over at least a one-week period."
Bebe
Bebe0217@aol.com
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 11:49:41
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Accent on January 20, 2005, at 17:36:33
> I don't understand how the FDA could let such a drug come to be without testing the withdrwl affects. I am suffering now with all the sam as I read here. I tried to wean myself off 75mg back in October and I couldn't get out of bed. I thought I was dying. Severe nausea, headaches, light sensitivity, the "shocks." Are these doctors insane?? The pharmasutical companies must be selling a dream of a story. I want so bad to get off this medication but I am afraid. Am I on heroine?? Doesn't the withdrwls make you feel like your addicted to some really horrible drug...or an acid trip?? I filled out the form for the FDA. Mort of us need to do this so that they can get a clue!!!
You are not on heroine; you are not ADDICTED to Effexor, rather, your body is DEPENDENT on the new chemical balance provided by the medication.
I was thinking about this distiction last night as I was tossing and turning trying to get to sleep with one shoulder out of commission...
You are not alone in what you're feeling. Try taking Benedryl to help eliminate the swooshy/brain zap feelings in your head. Advil can help with the aches. Peppermint will help to calm your stomach.
Drug companies are in business to make MONEY. If they were all altruistic, there would be no innovation and no new meds; no incentive.
That said, it's obvious from what many have suffered from Effexor and other drugs, that the drug companies tend to gloss-over the negative side effects of the drug in question. Effexor isn't alone; it simply stands out more.
I am personally about 1 month into Effexor cessation and yesterday had my worst day. I have been taking Prozac from the start as recommended to replace Effexor during the weaning process and continuing AFTER I stopped taking Effexor after ten days.
I ran out of Prozac last Friday and wasn't able to take it again 'til Tuesday. I thought, "this isn't bad, maybe I can stop?"
WRONG!
I'm felt very crumby yesterday, like I was getting sick. Today there is the standard brain swooshiness every time I move my head and loud noises hurt.
I think I figured out what went wrong.
The reason why Prozac helps in withdrawal from Effexor is that in comparison to Effexor, it has a relatively LONG half-life in your system. That's what got me, that three days without the drug caught up with me yesterday because the Prozac needs to build back up to a *normal* level.
Sooooooooooooooooo...
Be encouraged, others are facing the same thing. Get some Prozac and Benedryl. Avoid loud noises. It takes time, but you WILL get better. My Pdoc eventually wants me off everything.
I've flushed all my meds down the toilet, except for the Prozac, Seroquel and Ambien. Straterra was the first to go. After seeing a commercial for Straterra last night and the list of side effects at the end of the commercial, why bother?
Take care,
Tony
Posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 14:10:56
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JGE on January 8, 2005, at 17:10:40
I have been taking effexor for about 8mos. now. At 300mg. it was too much, got it lowered to 150mg. with no problem for the last 5mos. Side effects are not worth the little bit of relief I get with this drug, I'm still depressed- just not suicidal. I lost all sex urges, and never feel like myself anymore, I sweat all the time, and my memory is very affected. I decided 4 days ago to discontinue this drug, now I am experiencing the withdrawl symptoms everyone here describes. I think I will go back on the drug so I can prepare myself better for this uncomfortable event. Mind you, I have successfully kicked narcotics, benzos, barbituates, and amphetamines in the past on different occasions... all cold turkey... this is just something I was not prepared for! I will be researching the best way to kick this garbage, and the pdoc will be following my directions this time as she obviously doesn't know what she is doing. The sad part is that I already have my sex drive back and I really feel better except for the withdrawl. It's a good thing that I stumbled onto this site, I was about ready to go to the ER because of the numbness in my feet and hands- everybody seems to have the same symtoms. Well, I guess I'll go pop 150mg. and plan for my next attempt. I am new here, I think that I will continue to post- any feedback will be appreciated. Peace, Medhed.
Posted by TrinityX1 on January 21, 2005, at 17:04:06
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 14:10:56
MedHed ..
Listen ... I know that the withdrawl really really STINKS with a capitol "S" but ... seriously ... stay off it and just let the withdrawl happen becasue you are going to have to go through it anyway .. regarldess of how you decide to stop the RX. I was only taking 150mg a day and my stmptoms STUNK as much as the people who were preseribed a higher dose. Just hang in there, my symptoms took about 5 weeks ro fully go away and I hated every minute of it BUT ... every day the symptoms were more tolerable until they were gone. Trust me on this one .. you will be fine .. just keep reminding yourself that they withdrawl symptoms will get better every day and you will get yourself through it. This site was GREAT for me too .. lots of positive information and helpful people.
I totally agree with you that the minimal releif from the Effexor is totally NOT WORTH the withdrawl from it.
Hang in there ... I want to be able to read your SUCCESS post in a few weeks. Just like the rest of us :) Take care .. you can do it. :)
Posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 17:07:14
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 14:10:56
3 or 4hrs. later and my strange sickness is gone. I guess I'll have to keep popping the pills, I'm sure the drug company will be happy...and possibly my pdoc will get another pen from Wheyth.
Posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:28:00
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Accent, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 11:49:41
Hi Tony,
So...you are finding a huge difference with the Prozac than when it was gone????
Thanks for the info....Bebe
Posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:33:12
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Accent, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 11:49:41
Tony,
Also, sometime way back there when I first stopped taking this icky drug, weren't you a big supporter of it? Don't I remember you being one of the people that thought I was exaggerating my symptoms???? I wasn't. Some of us just get it worse than others, I think. Wish they'd tell us which ones of us were bad candidates for this crap in advance, huh?
Posted by Jenna Starrett on January 21, 2005, at 17:41:13
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 14:10:56
> I have been taking effexor for about 8mos. now. At 300mg. it was too much, got it lowered to 150mg. with no problem for the last 5mos. Side effects are not worth the little bit of relief I get with this drug, I'm still depressed- just not suicidal. I lost all sex urges, and never feel like myself anymore, I sweat all the time, and my memory is very affected. I decided 4 days ago to discontinue this drug, now I am experiencing the withdrawl symptoms everyone here describes. I think I will go back on the drug so I can prepare myself better for this uncomfortable event. Mind you, I have successfully kicked narcotics, benzos, barbituates, and amphetamines in the past on different occasions... all cold turkey... this is just something I was not prepared for! I will be researching the best way to kick this garbage, and the pdoc will be following my directions this time as she obviously doesn't know what she is doing. The sad part is that I already have my sex drive back and I really feel better except for the withdrawl. It's a good thing that I stumbled onto this site, I was about ready to go to the ER because of the numbness in my feet and hands- everybody seems to have the same symtoms. Well, I guess I'll go pop 150mg. and plan for my next attempt. I am new here, I think that I will continue to post- any feedback will be appreciated. Peace, Medhed.
Medhead, Hi! I got off of Effexor in December (what a way to spend the holidays!) Anyhow... I went off cold turkey and started taking Allegra D that someone mentioned in one of the postings. It has helped me so much I can function as normal and feel no side effects. I accidently ran out of Allegra a few weeks ago and all of the Effexor side effects came back, so I may be on Allegra D for a while (oh well I feel really good and it also helps with my allergies :) Take care and hang in there! Jenna P.S It takes some hours to get into your system at first.
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 17:48:21
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » PoohBear, posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:33:12
OUCH!
I still maintain that for some people it may mean the difference between life and death. I have never thought you were exagerating. All of these drugs have side effects.
Tony
>Tony,
>
> Also, sometime way back there when I first stopped taking this icky drug, weren't you a big supporter of it? Don't I remember you being one of the people that thought I was exaggerating my symptoms???? I wasn't. Some of us just get it worse than others, I think. Wish they'd tell us which ones of us were bad candidates for this crap in advance, huh?
Posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:58:45
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 17:48:21
I agree that it should be "available" to people that truly need it. My contention is only that Wyeth has underplayed the problems with the drug, and because they have been less than forthcoming with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, too many of us have been prescribed a dangerous drug that we should never have received in the first place. Most of our docs wouldn't have done this if they had only known that any of these problems were possible.
I apologize. I didn't mean that at all in a harsh way. It was a truly honest inquiry. I was literally asking you 'cause I didn't remember from who all I was fending off blows (besides my own body). Wishing nothing but peace and a speedy recovery. Please let me know if I can be f service to you in any way....
Bebe
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 18:01:10
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » PoohBear, posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:58:45
Bebe:
No problem.
Tony
> I agree that it should be "available" to people that truly need it. My contention is only that Wyeth has underplayed the problems with the drug, and because they have been less than forthcoming with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, too many of us have been prescribed a dangerous drug that we should never have received in the first place. Most of our docs wouldn't have done this if they had only known that any of these problems were possible.
>
> I apologize. I didn't mean that at all in a harsh way. It was a truly honest inquiry. I was literally asking you 'cause I didn't remember from who all I was fending off blows (besides my own body). Wishing nothing but peace and a speedy recovery. Please let me know if I can be f service to you in any way....
>
> Bebe
Posted by ShayNJ on January 21, 2005, at 19:25:13
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » dancingstar, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 18:01:10
Hi. I am trying to prepare myself to phase this deadly sh*t out of my life. I'm definitely nervous: being even an hour late in taking my meds starts a host of symptoms that make me want to rip my own head off. What amount of Allegra-D/ Benadryl have most people found helpful? I have a bottle left of XR,; should I take out the little 'pellets' to wean myself off slowly? (I know I should be asking a doctor about this- but I'm temoprarily without health insurance) Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help!
Posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 19:28:47
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - how to stop taking XR? HELP!, posted by ShayNJ on January 21, 2005, at 19:25:13
I didn't do it that way, so I can't answer that question, but as far as the Benadryl goes, I took the smallest possible dose, and even that worked for me.
Posted by TrinityX1 on January 21, 2005, at 19:38:17
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - how to stop taking XR? HELP!, posted by ShayNJ on January 21, 2005, at 19:25:13
To be honest about the withdrawl ... it really stinks but there has not been one of us who has not felt they were better off without the Effexor then with it .... even with the SUCKY withdrawl symptoms. I just stopped my daily dose cold turkey and I am not going to lie to you ... I felt it !!! But I can stand here today and honestly let you know that I am SO HAPPY being off of it and as I look back at the withdrawl ... if it is what I had to go through to get off the JUNK .. then so be it and ... I got through it and so can you. Perhaps cutting your dose in half will help reduce these effects .. but just remember ... all the withdrawl symptoms WILL PASS, it does get better and easier .. you have to have faith in yourself and know that you will make it through the crying jags, the weird body jolts, the frantic thoughts and all the other scary stuff just as all of us have done that have gone before you. You can do it ... I can promise you that. Im not going to lie to you ... the symptoms really stick but they do go away .. just like the pain of a new cut hurts the most on the 1st day and then as it heals it gets less painful ... that is how the withdrawl worked for me. Every day gets easier ... just get yourself off the junk and you will be much better off ... just relax and give yourself a few days to take care of yourself. I used benadryl but it made me excited and I could not sleep, but some people have had success with it. Hey it cant hurt to try it ... there are NO withdrawl symptoms with Benadryl. :) :)
You will be fine, Il bet $$$ on it. Beem there done that :) :)
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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