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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Pamela on March 24, 2001, at 11:25:44
Hi,
I have been on Effexor for 7 months. It has been a great drug and I have now been weaning off for 2 months (very sensitive system). 5 days ago I stopped totally after going below the 37.5 mg. for awhile. I have been on the couch or in bed every since. I am so dizzy,nauseous,achy, tired, headaches that I cannot stand up. Everytime I eat I get really sick. I have gained 10lbs while on Effexor and 8 more in the last 5 days. My eating habits are the same as they have always been and in the last few days I have really watched my intake, but the scale just keeps going up. I am miserable and literally cannot fit into any clothing (other than sweats) My doctor said it is just water and will go away, but 18lbs???? This morning I took a 37.5 mg pill to verify the symptoms and I need to get some things done, within 2 hours I am feeling pretty okay. I want off but I cannot be incapacitated for weeks. Anyone know how long this might last?
Any info greatly appreciated.
PG
Posted by Alli on March 24, 2001, at 13:48:40
In reply to Effexor withdrawal, posted by Pamela on March 24, 2001, at 11:25:44
Pamela ~ Just from personal experience, I would say you have a l-o-n-g road ahead of you. I weaned myself the first week of January, and pretty much wrote off all of January and most of February. I went from flu-like symptoms to 10 days of a continual racing heart and inability to catch my breath (anxiety/panic attack). My doctor prescribed Serzone, but after researching it (which I didn't do with Effexor), I decided not to take it (supposedly, it's has hallucinogenic tendencies -- which my brother said is correct, but mild). So... now I'm BuSpar for the anxiety. The racing heart is gone (but that was probably just another withdrawal symptom), but I'm still down in the dumps, and a large part of this is because I'm still just really, really tired all the time and have no motivation to do ANYTHING. I'm blaming it on the weather for now, but even on a Springlike day, I'm not seeing/feeling/enjoying the day. Another strange thing is that I can't think/speak clearly. I know my hubby probably wants to run out of the room when I begin to tell him something, because my thoughts are all jumbled and the words jump around. Many times I say, "Never mind."
So anyway, I think you will, day by day, get a little better. But who's to say if we'll ever be the "same" (not talking depressed) as we were before Effexor. Time will tell.
And as far as "Real or Mindset" goes, I was never told about any withdrawal symptoms by my doctor. I simply wanted to go off because of weight gain, and he said to go ahead, start skipping days, add Kava-Kava and SJW. So I dreamed up all of the withdrawal symptoms and they just happen to be ones shared by many? I didn't find this website until I was in the midst of withdrawal and curled up in the fetal position with nausea and chronic diarrhea day after day and had no where to turn. So I agree with you that it's REAL! Had it not been for the weight gain, I would still be on it, and it DID work for me, darn it! Alli
Posted by ItsJustMe on March 24, 2001, at 14:20:00
In reply to Effexor withdrawal, posted by Pamela on March 24, 2001, at 11:25:44
I went from 450 mg/day to 300 mg/day cold turkey with no problems. A week later, I went to 150 mg/day with no problems. Then I went from 150 mg/day to nothing cold turkey and did not experience any problems.
It seems like everyone is jumping on the "Effexor is evil" bandwagon lately. I imagine a lot of symptoms people are feeling are all in their head (as in not real) simply because of the hysteria that has been going on with this board and Effexor.
Just my theory.
> Hi,
> I have been on Effexor for 7 months. It has been a great drug and I have now been weaning off for 2 months (very sensitive system). 5 days ago I stopped totally after going below the 37.5 mg. for awhile. I have been on the couch or in bed every since. I am so dizzy,nauseous,achy, tired, headaches that I cannot stand up. Everytime I eat I get really sick. I have gained 10lbs while on Effexor and 8 more in the last 5 days. My eating habits are the same as they have always been and in the last few days I have really watched my intake, but the scale just keeps going up. I am miserable and literally cannot fit into any clothing (other than sweats) My doctor said it is just water and will go away, but 18lbs???? This morning I took a 37.5 mg pill to verify the symptoms and I need to get some things done, within 2 hours I am feeling pretty okay. I want off but I cannot be incapacitated for weeks. Anyone know how long this might last?
> Any info greatly appreciated.
> PG
Posted by Denny on March 24, 2001, at 18:15:04
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal, posted by ItsJustMe on March 24, 2001, at 14:20:00
> No, Effexor isnt EVIL, just some of the withdrawl symptoms FEEL like punishment for doing evil though! My brother also did'nt experience any withdrawl symptoms or harsh side effects either;but that dont mean the symptoms are psychsomatic like that fool named "ItsJustMe" suggests for other users!
Posted by Christina on March 26, 2001, at 9:39:54
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal, posted by Alli on March 24, 2001, at 13:48:40
I'm withdrawing from ADs (currently titrating doses of Celexa, but I was on Effexor at the beginning of the year). I was able to go four days with no meds, but I finally had to take 1/4 dose to alleviate some of the dizziness and headache.
But I have the same problem with struggling to find words. My husband does this annoying thing with his hands when I'm trying to talk and can't find the right word. He waves his arms like he's trying to direct a plane into the jetway.
Whatever.. I think I'll write on a little notepad until this crap is over.
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 27, 2001, at 2:14:43
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal, posted by Denny on March 24, 2001, at 18:15:04
> that fool named "ItsJustMe"
Calling people names isn't very civil...
Bob
PS: Follow-ups, if any, regarding this should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration, thanks.
This is the end of the thread.
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