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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Waydizzy on October 26, 2000, at 11:14:47
I just quit effexor, depakote, klonopin, and ambien cold turkey. I am going crazy. I am so dizzy I can't see straight. Obviously this is some strong stuff (scary what I'll do on a doctor's word!!). I am assuming it is the effxor because my doc said that quitting the others is not really a problem. The problem is he said don't quit any of them and wouldn't give me any advice or lesser doses. Thus, all I have is 75mg XRs and just want off. Am I better taking one of those a day for a while? I was up to three a day and seeing little results in my mind. These withdrawls are a nightmare. I feel like cuttig my head off to stop the spinning (not literally). Is it peoples experience this gets better over time even though it may take a long time or do the side effects just stop as fast as they start? Does anythging help? Caffeine, St. John's, Prozac, Buspar, excercise, certain foods? HELP!!!
Posted by stjames on October 26, 2000, at 12:11:36
In reply to effexor withdrawls, The Horror, posted by Waydizzy on October 26, 2000, at 11:14:47
Stopping the klonopin and ambien, if you took them for a while, is really a bad idea. Expect problems with them, too. They are both addictive
so of course you will have problems.james
Posted by Racer on October 26, 2000, at 13:14:34
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, The Horror, posted by stjames on October 26, 2000, at 12:11:36
And the Effexor is really bad when it comes to withdrawals. Taper it off, don't try to quit cold turkey, because by about day three or four, you're going to wish for the spinning to come back. I've run out for a few days, and the result is such ungodly pain that I can't do much more than lie in bed, cry and vomit periodically.
I'm curious, though: if your doctor says not to stop them, why are you stopping them? Do you think they're not working? If so, how long have you been on them? Maybe they haven't had a chance to work yet?
Whatever your reason for stopping your meds, don't try it cold turkey. Taper them down, a little at a time, and the withdrawal won't be so bad. Plan to spend about a week at each lowered dose, more if you don't feel 100% perfect at each level.
Posted by lala on October 26, 2000, at 14:03:40
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, The Horror, posted by Racer on October 26, 2000, at 13:14:34
i know the hell you speak of. i was only withdrawing from the effexor though, not all the others. you could be experiencing problems from stopping the other meds, as mentioned before, but i firmly believe the majority of it is the effexor.
it took me a total of 2-3 months to effectively wean off effexor. you do need to taper off, but don't kid yourself into believing that you won't experience any of this even if you wean off. the only advice i can give you is good luck. i wanted to die. i finally "successfully" weaned off the effexor when my doc added celexa while i weaned off. it was the easiest way to go. i might suggest holding on to the klonopin while you go through this, it helped take the edge off and prevented me from killing someone.
i also had someone suggest to me to get some type of herbal cleansing at a health store. i hear it helps to get the poison out of your system quicker.
again, good luck.
angela
Posted by Waydizzy on October 26, 2000, at 14:55:24
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, The Horror, posted by Racer on October 26, 2000, at 13:14:34
I don't want to be on meds is one reason. Also, I have lost all social life. The doc said I can't drink on effexor or depakote and so I can't go out with my friends because it is like what the hell is up with you. I use to drink every weekend, not a lot, but I was pretty social. I know real friends would understand, but I am not comfortable telling them. Plus, some are co-workers and you know how word spreads. I have been all this crap a while. I started the Effexor about six months ago and the depakote and klonopin 3. I think they were doing something but not that much. My depression/bi-polar problem (assuming the doc was right) is not that pronounced. I want to switch to Buspar and take that. I feel it is more anxiety I have that builds up and I either blow or get down. I am convinced I can beat this without the heavy drugs. I may be deceiveing myself, but right now I am going through a depression about having to be medicated.
Posted by JohnL on October 26, 2000, at 16:19:31
In reply to effexor withdrawls, The Horror, posted by Waydizzy on October 26, 2000, at 11:14:47
In Dr Bob's tips section, one doctor mentions Benadryl was helpful when quitting Effexor. When I had the same experience as you when stopping Paxil, I found taking a small dose once every other day or so was just enough to get me through the nightmare and be able to tolerate it without going nuts.
John
Posted by stjames on October 27, 2000, at 0:44:44
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, The Horror, posted by lala on October 26, 2000, at 14:03:40
> i also had someone suggest to me to get some type of herbal cleansing at a health store. i hear it helps to get the poison out of your system quicker.
>James here....
It is not a poison and Effexor is totally out of your system in a
few days.james
Posted by Racer on October 27, 2000, at 12:41:40
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, The Horror, posted by stjames on October 27, 2000, at 0:44:44
>
> > i also had someone suggest to me to get some type of herbal cleansing at a health store. i hear it helps to get the poison out of your system quicker.
> >
>
> James here....
>
> It is not a poison and Effexor is totally out of your system in a
> few days.
>
> jamesIn fact, that's exactly why the withdrawal is so bad! There is no residual Effexor in your system after only a few days, which is usually when the withdrawal comes on.
Be very careful in listening to the claims of 'herbal medicines', since, while they may have been used safely for years, they are not well regulated now. There's no one to say that the claims of the kid behind the counter have any relevance, nor that the amounts of the herbs are similar each time you buy it. Read carefully, and don't believe everything they say.
Posted by Waydizzy on October 27, 2000, at 12:57:50
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, The Horror, posted by Racer on October 27, 2000, at 12:41:40
I only partake in one type of natural cleansing: water. I am very doubtful about any herbal claim. As for my withdrawls, not much has changed in the last three days. I continue to be very dizzy. The only other weird thing is, is that I am extremely hungry. I thought stopping the depakote would help with the moderate weight I had gained, but I guess during withdrawls nothing really works normally or as expected. I have stayed cold turkey and haven't had the terrible experiences some of you have expressd. I count my blessings for that and just fear they are around the corner. If dizziness is as bad as it gets I'll be fine. My wife returns home tomorrow after a week's vacation with her family and I'll have to break it to her I quit the meds. This could lead to all new problems. She is the one that insists on the meds because in the past when I got down, I could mask it at work and then it came out at home as a no fun hubby. Wish me luck that my next chat room isn't for divorcees. By the way, has anyone tried Yoga or accupuncture to deal with depression/emotional issues?
This is the end of the thread.
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