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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by clipper40 on June 22, 2008, at 16:31:39
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
You really don't need to go through hell getting off of this medication. You just need to add in or substitute a little of a longer acting sertonergic medication. Prozac works the best for this. I got off of Effexor without a problem as have many others here at Babble.
In terms of your husband, have you tried printing out any information from the Internet about the withdrawal syndrome from Effexor? If not done right, this withdrawal can be such a nightmare. He needs to realize that you are not the only one having this experience.
Posted by clipper40 on June 22, 2008, at 16:32:18
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
You really don't need to go through hell getting off of this medication. You just need to add in or substitute a little of a longer acting sertonergic medication. Prozac works the best for this. I got off of Effexor without a problem as have many others here at Babble.
In terms of your husband, have you tried printing out any information from the Internet about the withdrawal syndrome from Effexor? If not done right, this withdrawal can be such a nightmare. He needs to realize that you are not the only one having this experience.
Posted by 49er on June 25, 2008, at 20:06:15
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
Jenna,
My blood boils big time when I hear advice like what you were given.
Telling you to take meds every other day is putting you into withdrawal big time, since Effexor has one of the shortest half lives.
A safe taper means to take 10% of the current dose every 3 to 6 weeks. With Effexor, it is going to be more like every 6 weeks.
To have more options, you need to switch to regular Effexor and you can reduce using these options.
1. Buy a digital scale on Ebay and weigh your dose. You can take beads out of Effexor, right?
2. Ask your psychiatrist to write a prescription for a compound pharmacy who can make the med in the dose you need. Insurance issues might be a problem so that is why I prefer the first option.
I think substituting Prozac for Effexor is very iffy. Many people have tried to do that with Paxil and found it didn't work.
A slow taper is the key. It just frustrates me greatly that many psychiatrist don't seem to understand this even though I am sure their intentions are good.
49er
Posted by clipper40 on June 26, 2008, at 6:53:29
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by 49er on June 25, 2008, at 20:06:15
I have never known of anyone who took some Prozac or another SSRI to help get off of Effexor, who didn't receive a lot of help from it and I've read a lot of posts on this board on the topic. However, I do believe you that you know of some people it didn't work for with Paxil.
I also wanted to add that I was not advocating that people should take Prozac instead of tapering off of Effexor. I think they should do both. I did a VERY SLOW taper and didn't have any problems until I stopped the medication completely. At the point of discontinuation, I was only taking a small fraction of a 37.5 mg. pill. I didn't expect to have any problems but then all hell broke loose. I couldn't believe how sick I felt. That's when I took a small amount of another longer acting SSRI instead. I felt so much better very quickly. I continued to take this SSRI for a few more days and then stopped that as well. I had a few brain shakes after that (when I'd lay my head down on my pillow at night) but for the most part I felt great.
Posted by Jenna611 on June 26, 2008, at 7:53:14
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » 49er, posted by clipper40 on June 26, 2008, at 6:53:29
Hi,
Thank you for your advice. I have decided to just suffer through the dizziness, and nausea. I do not want to take one more of those effexor pills! I definately feel it is prolonging this withdraw/agony. I listened to my MD/GP, and tried to do her recommended taper. I was taking 37.5 mg every 4 days. I am done! No more! I think if I just ride this out, and hang in there, I'll feel better soon, and be done with this med.! I really do believe that people should be told how bad it is to stop this medication BEFORE they start taking it. I wish I had known more about it. I don't really want to take anything, but I know I need to for now. I am taking Wellbutrin now, so I really don't want to add Prozac to the mix too. But thanks for your advice. Does anyone know how long I can expect to feel this way? Or is it different for everyone?
Posted by Jenna611 on June 26, 2008, at 7:53:48
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » 49er, posted by clipper40 on June 26, 2008, at 6:53:29
Hi,
Thank you for your advice. I have decided to just suffer through the dizziness, and nausea. I do not want to take one more of those effexor pills! I definately feel it is prolonging this withdraw/agony. I listened to my MD/GP, and tried to do her recommended taper. I was taking 37.5 mg every 4 days. I am done! No more! I think if I just ride this out, and hang in there, I'll feel better soon, and be done with this med.! I really do believe that people should be told how bad it is to stop this medication BEFORE they start taking it. I wish I had known more about it. I don't really want to take anything, but I know I need to for now. I am taking Wellbutrin now, so I really don't want to add Prozac to the mix too. But thanks for your advice. Does anyone know how long I can expect to feel this way? Or is it different for everyone?
Posted by laserguy on July 15, 2008, at 21:53:56
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 26, 2008, at 7:53:48
> Hi,
> Thank you for your advice. I have decided to just suffer through the dizziness, and nausea. I do not want to take one more of those effexor pills! .....Hi Jenna, I,ve been off of Effexor xr for 5 days now. From 150 mg for 5 months, tappered down to 75 mg for 2 weeks then to 37.5 for 2 like the doc suggested. Had to get off of it, it worked to well for me. Felt and acted like i was 21 again, partying like a rock star. A week ago I went home from work at noon not feeling well, hour later went to a local bar and started drinking. Went home 2 hours later. wife took the keys away from me. (new corvette and vodka doesnt mix). I decided i didnt party enough so i took my 4 wheeler back to the bar...nice! Dont remember anything after that. After reading about alcohol and effexor now, I would have done things different. Sorry about the rant but I found this thread below and it explains exactly how I've/we've felt the last 4 days but my ears are ringing LOUDLY also and couldn't get out of bed for 3 days. I thought of taking just one to make me sane for a day but know that it will just prolong it! I wish I knew this before i started taking it, but at that time i would've tried anything.
>>>In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Cam W. on April 12, 2000, at 19:27:33
BUT I have found - from missing doses - that the
withdrawal effects are real. For me, they have
included strange effects in my brain. A feeling
of electricity or shocks, also vertigo when I move my head from side to side or up and down. Then it feels like my head has moved too fast and my eyes take a few seconds to catch up. This prohibits driving, makes me dizzy and feels very bizarre.
Muscular tension and knots in my leg and hip -
where I previously had bursitis - GREATLY
increased when I decreased my dosage from 325 mg
back to 150mg od.Same here with the pain also, stomach hurts from throwing up. Cant sleep, hot/cold flashes and weird dreams all the time!
Stick with it! I know ill never take it again, the pain isnt worth the gain, but it felt great to be half my age again! My doc said it could take up to 2 weeks for withdrawls to be gone. I hope this helps other people,I know this thread has helped me! Thought I was going crazy! feel free to email me. Good luck to all!
Posted by Jenna611 on July 16, 2008, at 7:43:45
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » Jenna611, posted by laserguy on July 15, 2008, at 21:53:56
I have good and bad news.... The good news is: I am finally feeling better! I still have a tiny amount of dizziness, but I can actually function normally again! I didn't feel like doing ANYTHING before! It's hard to explain that to your over-active/achiever OCD husband though. He tried to understand, but he is always moving and doing, so when I felt like sitting and doing nothing, I felt like a lazy under-achiever compared to him. Anyway, the bad news is...it took me a good month to be free of the HORRIBLE withdraw side effects of Effexor! I just wanted to let anyone else reading this know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I promise! It just sucks that you have to put your life on hold for a month (or more), until you feel better again. I personally will NEVER take effexor again. I am now taking 150mg Wellebutrin, and it seems to be working. I might have the doctor increase it to 300, but part of me is afraid to be too dependant on these chemicals/drugs. After seeing what effexor did to me, I am almost tempted to go it alone, without anti-deppressants. We'll see. I was SO forgetful on effexor, I started thinking I was losing my mind! I am only 35, I think that is a little premature for the amount of forgetfullness I was expieriencing. I hope Wellebutrin is different. I can't stand feeling like a mental midget! If I don't write it down, I don't remember it! I didn't know that was a side effect of Effexor, until I found this post. So Thank you for that! I started thinking it was peri-menapause. I'm guessing now it was just that nasty little effexor. Good Luck to all who have decided to stop taking this drug. You will feel better again, just give yourself time. And, Thank you Dr. Bob for this post. It does help to know your not alone.
Posted by jmmny on September 10, 2008, at 7:33:29
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on July 16, 2008, at 7:43:45
I have been taking effexor for about 8 years. I originally was prescribed effexor to slow down how quickly i would explode if i was mad. It works great for that. Now the detox issue. I have tried MANY times over the past 8 years to get off my 300MG/day dose. If I miss it even for a day, within 18 hours of my last dose i feel dizzy/vertigo, nausea and (i know this one will sound crazy) i can even hear in my head when my eyes move. I simply feel SO DAMN SICK from even missing one dose. I am happy to speak/coordinate with anyone who is looking to go after the manufacturer of this drug.
Posted by Polarbear206 on September 11, 2008, at 11:37:41
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » Jenna611, posted by jmmny on September 10, 2008, at 7:33:29
> I have been taking effexor for about 8 years. I originally was prescribed effexor to slow down how quickly i would explode if i was mad. It works great for that. Now the detox issue. I have tried MANY times over the past 8 years to get off my 300MG/day dose. If I miss it even for a day, within 18 hours of my last dose i feel dizzy/vertigo, nausea and (i know this one will sound crazy) i can even hear in my head when my eyes move. I simply feel SO DAMN SICK from even missing one dose. I am happy to speak/coordinate with anyone who is looking to go after the manufacturer of this drug.
Jenna,Many people have success with adding prozac while trying to get off a SSRI/SNRI that has a short half-life. Prozac has a long half-life, up to 3 weeks or more. Have you tried to wean off as low as 37.5mg at a time?
Posted by TightRope on September 13, 2008, at 6:50:24
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Sassy on January 17, 2000, at 17:34:07
> Hi,
>
> After the second week for me, that tireness went away and now, I don't recognize any effects at all.
>
> By the way, I really am pleased with the results.
>
> Sassy
> > Hi, I have just started taking effexor xr and I have only been on it for 3 days. I had been suffering from mild depression and sleeplessness. My dr. has also given me tryodozone for sleeping at night. it really helps and I wake up feeling refreshed after sleep. I don't have much of an appetite which to me feels good because I need to loose some weight. The only concern that I have is that I get severely tired during the day when taking the effexor xr the dr. said he wants me to take it during the day so that it will give me energy, but i haven't experienced that yet. I know it's only been 3 days, but am worried that I don't want to feel this exhausted during the day while taking it. Did anyone else experience this and if so how long before it went away?
> > thanks,
> > tanya
> Two weeks and three days...Very tired and lethargic and headache...I started 150mg three days ago...SHOULD I HANG IN THERE??? FOR HOW LONG? WILL THIS PASS?/
>
Posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2008, at 21:23:32
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by TightRope on September 13, 2008, at 6:50:24
If your're new to babble would like to welcome you and I'm sure you will get some great answers. Again welcome Phillipa
Posted by Fletcher on September 17, 2008, at 18:45:41
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » Jenna611, posted by jmmny on September 10, 2008, at 7:33:29
I had this same issue when trying to get off of Effexor XR. I tried weening off of it by opening the capsule and taking fewer and fewer of the granules inside, but to no avail. I was couch-ridden when the prescription ran out.
I didn't actually connect what the cause was at the time-- another doctor told me I had allergies.. thanks.
Anyway, a friend suggested something that sounded crazy, but it sorted me out. I just had to take a single dose of Celexa and I was up and around in about twenty minutes and the symptoms did not return. Someone else mentioned Prozac. I would venture it might work with any other "traditional" SSRI.
Posted by mmx on September 21, 2008, at 20:26:29
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
For more info on withdrawal and what Effexor and other psych meds do to your body, Google "Effexor Withdrawal" and check out labelmesane.com and theroadback.org I have nothing to do with those sites, but I am going to withdrawal using one of them. My first attempts at withdrawal using my doctors way of stepping down one week at a time put me in the hospital with dangerous side effects. I had to go back on Effexor, but will get off if it's the last thing I do. I want my life back. Good luck!
Posted by boltsdraggin on September 21, 2008, at 22:23:52
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by mmx on September 21, 2008, at 20:26:29
I'm not new to psychobabble, but it's been a long time since I posted.
I don't pretend to know a helluva lot about meds - however, I am an RN, and I pay close attention to the meds I administer, and take myself, on a daily basis. I read this site to educate myself on side effects that I may be missing.
I just started Effexor, currently taking 75/daily and will start 150 XR as soon as the prior authorization goes through. Currently am having some insomnia that I've been killing with a small dose of Zyprexa. However, the Zyprexa is doing nothing now but increasing my girth. Is there another combo-safe med I could use to induce sleep without drugging me out the next day?
Posted by laserguy2 on September 22, 2008, at 15:41:18
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by boltsdraggin on September 21, 2008, at 22:23:52
It breaks my heart to hear all the pain we've gone through coming off this drug. Not everybody will be the same. Polarbear206, Your not crazy, I had the same thing happen to me with my eyes also. It took me two weeks before i could even go to work. I took Effexor for 8 months and can't imagine being on it for mutiple years. It did work for me,actually to well, and i acted like a 18 year old.(wife didn't approve of that) I've been diagnosed Bi-polar and now on meds that actually work well!
I was lucky in that i own the company and could come and go as i please. I followed the withdrawl thread, so i was prepared for the pain. I created a spread sheet for 2 weeks for every feeling i felt while coming off of it. I put it a scale of 0-100 for every feeling. i must admit it was the darkest part of my life, and yes, my beautiful wife had the common sense to lock all my guns and keep the keys. I wish all the best to anyone coming down from this drug. If anybody is interested, you can e-mail me at effexor@laserformllc.com and i can send the spreadsheet to you in excel or PDF format. This helped me understand the pattern that i've been going through the past years. It also helps the new doc see how i feel. Just put in the subject "send me a pdf" or "send me a xls" and i will send you the file, no questions asked. I wish we could attach files on this thread. Any doctors interested are also welcome to e-mail me.
BTW my old name was laserguy - i forgot the password and started a new logon name.Once again, good luck to all.
Posted by junegem on October 5, 2008, at 16:02:05
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » boltsdraggin, posted by laserguy2 on September 22, 2008, at 15:41:18
> It breaks my heart to hear all the pain we've gone through coming off this drug. Not everybody will be the same. Polarbear206, Your not crazy, I had the same thing happen to me with my eyes also. It took me two weeks before i could even go to work. I took Effexor for 8 months and can't imagine being on it for mutiple years. It did work for me,actually to well, and i acted like a 18 year old.(wife didn't approve of that) I've been diagnosed Bi-polar and now on meds that actually work well!
> I was lucky in that i own the company and could come and go as i please. I followed the withdrawl thread, so i was prepared for the pain. I created a spread sheet for 2 weeks for every feeling i felt while coming off of it. I put it a scale of 0-100 for every feeling. i must admit it was the darkest part of my life, and yes, my beautiful wife had the common sense to lock all my guns and keep the keys. I wish all the best to anyone coming down from this drug. If anybody is interested, you can e-mail me at effexor@laserformllc.com and i can send the spreadsheet to you in excel or PDF format. This helped me understand the pattern that i've been going through the past years. It also helps the new doc see how i feel. Just put in the subject "send me a pdf" or "send me a xls" and i will send you the file, no questions asked. I wish we could attach files on this thread. Any doctors interested are also welcome to e-mail me.
> BTW my old name was laserguy - i forgot the password and started a new logon name.
>
> Once again, good luck to all.
>I've been on Effexor XR at 225mg for almost five years and recently decided to wean off from it. I reduced by 75 mg, at a time, for two weeks at a time and, other than really weird bad dreams for several nights after the initial reduction, everything was going okay until I decided to stop completely. Now, after two days of flu-like symptoms (severe body aches, chills), dizziness, headache, nausea, panic attacks, weepiness and severe irritability, I split a 75mg capsule open and divided the granules in half to take what I hope is 37.5mg. I'm still waiting for it to take effect as I write this message.
The effexor helped my depression tremendously; however, my cholesterol was up and I thought that after five years, I am finally ready to try to live without it [the drug]. BUT - if the side effects don't get better, I fear I will go right back up to 75mg just to have a good quality of life and get rid of these annoying side effects!
I've not yet experienced the brain zaps and I hope I never do.
As other posters have mentioned, if I'd known the withdrawal would be so bad, I think I would've opted for another drug; but, it worked well on the depression.
I've got my fingers crossed that the half capsules will work okay for the next two weeks, after which I will then try to stop taking it all together.
UGH!!! Hopefully, my husband won't divorce me as I go through this!!! The irritability is awful - I just can't stand him talking to me! I just want to be alone in this! Thank you to all who responded about the withdrawal symptoms as it helps me to know that I may be able to overcome them, eventually!
Posted by Homemommy on January 7, 2009, at 13:53:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
Effexor works great for me but I am scared of the long term side effects of the drug. I dont like the weight gain or the being nausious if I take it a few hours later than usual. I also don't like that I cannot drink on it. I occasionally like to have a few drinks. If you ever get off of it beware of the terrible side effects. I am afraid if I am ever successful in getting off of it that my body will need whatever drug it has in it to live.> I too have had problems with depression for the last 7 years. Crying for no reason, could not sleep, couldn't eat, feeling out of control of my life, turning mole hills into mountains.
>
> I first on Zoloft for about a year was just fine, then quit (thought I could handle life without "having to take drugs" and slowly went down hill over the next 6 months.
>
> Went back on and was on it for a couple more years, felt great and decided I was all better and went off of it and crashed again- this time in 3 months. Tried Zoloft again, this time-no relief. Then tried Wellbutrin for a month, felt a little better, but not like before. Then tried Efferox XR.
>
> Started slow and built up to 150mg per day. Wonder drug! I love it! Have been on it over a year. No side effects to speak of. During the last 9 months I have managed to survive a move from Indiana to Austria (no kanagroos here) for a 3 years ISP assignment with my husband's company. We had to sell our house, cars, leave family, friends, my job and our horse behind with less than a 2 month notice. Stranger in a strange land and they don't speak much English in these parts. Yes I have had to learn German. Sprechen sie Deutsch?
>
> I have survived! Have had some down days over the last 9 months that I attributed to more of loneliness and boredom and winter blahs than from depression. Summer's here and I am great!
>
> Work with your doctor for the right level- give it time to build up in your system- a month prehaps and you should see positive results as I have.
Posted by llong on January 27, 2009, at 18:25:49
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on July 16, 2008, at 7:43:45
I have been only taking 35.7 mg of effexor for the past two years. i seem to be functioning well now and has niot had a visit to the emergency ever since. However, even at such a dmall dose, I have tried weaning off effexor by halfing my capsule, and even trying to take one whole capsule every other day. But the withdrawl effects are much to great such as the brain zaps, nausea,fatigue, migrains, and my panic attacks reoccure. I told this to my psychiatrist and she stated that I was not suffering from withdrawl symtoms and that my anxiety, panic, and depresson was returning. So can anyone please tell me if you have ever heard of this this. Because I fell better now, plus I have been only taking 37.5 mg once a day and nothing more and I would really like to stop takong this medication because I have gained lots of weight and have chronic constipation non stop.
Posted by Ceres on January 28, 2009, at 16:59:12
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Homemommy on January 7, 2009, at 13:53:52
Wow, that sounds intense.
I'm usually very sensitive to drugs & have to take it slow, but Effexor didn't do much for me. I didn't have noticeable side effects, nor withdrawal. It did nothing for my depression.
At the time, I had an obsessive doctor who kept patients on drugs as long as possible, just in case it would eventually kick in, so I was on it almost a year.
Good luck finding & maintaining a good balance of meds.
Posted by Garnet71 on January 28, 2009, at 21:09:21
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by llong on January 27, 2009, at 18:25:49
I just find it interesting that a doctor can claim that they know what is going on inside your brain and bodily chemistry from merely talking to a person for 5 minutes.
Posted by llong on January 29, 2009, at 8:21:48
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Garnet71 on January 28, 2009, at 21:09:21
That is right, but furthermore, i was informed to continue taking the low dose of effexor since its hard for me to wean off so iam, but i really do wish there was an easier way to get off without the horrible side effects, is there????
Posted by laserguy2 on January 29, 2009, at 8:48:48
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by llong on January 29, 2009, at 8:21:48
llong, The only thing i've seen on this post is being prescribed a small dose Paxall from your doc to ease the withdrawls because it has a short half life. I'm not sure about this, but once again your using a bandaid to fix another problem. Cold turkey will suck for the first 3 days. It gets better after that. Good luck!
Posted by parkscat on January 29, 2009, at 9:25:42
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by llong on January 29, 2009, at 8:21:48
I used Benadryl and Dramamine less drowsy to get off of it. Danny
Posted by laserguy2 on January 29, 2009, at 9:28:51
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by parkscat on January 29, 2009, at 9:25:42
Everybodys different, Dramamine didn't work for me. I ended up puking it out.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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