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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Diane J. on April 7, 2001, at 17:20:16
I am withdrawing from Effexor, and yesterday I began taking the 37.5mg capsules. During the afternoon I began feeling sort of uncomfortable. I was experiencing chest pain, plus I would alternately have chills and hot flashes. I have a mitravalve prolapse, but I was a bit concerned because the pain was more intense than usual. I wondered if this had anything to do with my Effexor withdrawal, so I called my psychiatrist.
When he returned my call he said that ' "people usually report flu-like symptoms." ' Beyond that that gem of information he had nothing else to offer. Finally I decided I was having the extra pain because I had moved some large pieces of furniture earlier in the day. My back and my chest both were hurting.
Anyway, this really disgusted me. Shouldn't the psychiatrist who prescribed the medication know something about it? I'll bet he hasn't even read the package insert. People on this forum know way more than my doctor! (ex-doctor, that is.) I really appreciate reading everyone's experience with their meds.
Posted by stjames on April 7, 2001, at 18:39:13
In reply to The Clueless Psychiatrist!, posted by Diane J. on April 7, 2001, at 17:20:16
> I am withdrawing from Effexor, and yesterday I began taking the 37.5mg capsules.
You can try any of these:
1) Up the dose of Effexor and continue to taper, just go slower (the best answer)
2) Try some Atavinjames
Posted by Kathi on April 8, 2001, at 19:41:05
In reply to The Clueless Psychiatrist!, posted by Diane J. on April 7, 2001, at 17:20:16
> I am withdrawing from Effexor, and yesterday I began taking the 37.5mg capsules. During the afternoon I began feeling sort of uncomfortable. I was experiencing chest pain, plus I would alternately have chills and hot flashes. I have a mitravalve prolapse, but I was a bit concerned because the pain was more intense than usual. I wondered if this had anything to do with my Effexor withdrawal, so I called my psychiatrist.
>
> When he returned my call he said that ' "people usually report flu-like symptoms." ' Beyond that that gem of information he had nothing else to offer. Finally I decided I was having the extra pain because I had moved some large pieces of furniture earlier in the day. My back and my chest both were hurting.
>
> Anyway, this really disgusted me. Shouldn't the psychiatrist who prescribed the medication know something about it? I'll bet he hasn't even read the package insert. People on this forum know way more than my doctor! (ex-doctor, that is.) I really appreciate reading everyone's experience with their meds.>
>Hi Diane,
That is about all my psychiatrist said too. I have had all the intense withdrawl symptoms and I was only on 37.5 a day. Going cold turkey is DEFINATELY not the answer. It needs to be done VERY slowly. After going every other day, I broke down the capsule and took have with lots of water(a little messy, but doable). My psychiatrist than gave me a perscription for prozac 10 mg a day for 1week without any effexor. It has helped but the symptoms are still there. I am almost at the end of the week. Hoping it will work!!
Would love to hear how you are doing. By the way, I also have a heart murmer(Mitrovalve prolapse) and for me anyhow I have had a lot of fluttering and joint pains etc. which do have to do with the effexor withdrawl. I have made 3 previously unsuccesful attempts to get off it. I would let your physician now so he/she can monitor it just ot be on the safe side. It could be just a tele. call or mabey a quick visit, but better safe.
Let us know how you are doing....Kathi (karen)
Posted by Diane J. on April 9, 2001, at 18:10:02
In reply to Re: The Clueless Psychiatrist!, posted by Kathi on April 8, 2001, at 19:41:05
> > I am withdrawing from Effexor, and yesterday I began taking the 37.5mg capsules. During the afternoon I began feeling sort of uncomfortable. I was experiencing chest pain, plus I would alternately have chills and hot flashes. I have a mitravalve prolapse, but I was a bit concerned because the pain was more intense than usual. I wondered if this had anything to do with my Effexor withdrawal, so I called my psychiatrist.
> >
> > When he returned my call he said that ' "people usually report flu-like symptoms." ' Beyond that that gem of information he had nothing else to offer. Finally I decided I was having the extra pain because I had moved some large pieces of furniture earlier in the day. My back and my chest both were hurting.
> >
> > Anyway, this really disgusted me. Shouldn't the psychiatrist who prescribed the medication know something about it? I'll bet he hasn't even read the package insert. People on this forum know way more than my doctor! (ex-doctor, that is.) I really appreciate reading everyone's experience with their meds.
>
> >
> >Hi Diane,
> That is about all my psychiatrist said too. I have had all the intense withdrawl symptoms and I was only on 37.5 a day. Going cold turkey is DEFINATELY not the answer. It needs to be done VERY slowly. After going every other day, I broke down the capsule and took have with lots of water(a little messy, but doable). My psychiatrist than gave me a perscription for prozac 10 mg a day for 1week without any effexor. It has helped but the symptoms are still there. I am almost at the end of the week. Hoping it will work!!
> Would love to hear how you are doing. By the way, I also have a heart murmer(Mitrovalve prolapse) and for me anyhow I have had a lot of fluttering and joint pains etc. which do have to do with the effexor withdrawl. I have made 3 previously unsuccesful attempts to get off it. I would let your physician now so he/she can monitor it just ot be on the safe side. It could be just a tele. call or mabey a quick visit, but better safe.
> Let us know how you are doing....Kathi (karen)
Dear karen,
Thank you for your kind letter. I guess I felt as if Dr. R should have been able to support me a liitle bit. I was kind of scared while I was having the chest pain and I had hoped he could explain it, or if he didn't know then maybe he would suggest someone who did.I have only 3 more Effexor XR capsules (37.5mg) left. Then I will be at 0. You have mentioned that you took the 10mg Prozac and a few other people on the forum made some recommendations, too. My psychiatrist told me to "just hang in there." Somehow that isn't very comforting.
I haven't had too much trouble beyond what I have described (that was enough!), but what I have noticed is I have to be very careful when it comes to my thoughts. It feels a bit as if I am walking on a line in the middle of the street and if the wind blows just right I will fall off. Feeling sad is always close by. So is getting angry.
That was interesting to hear about your joint pain, because sometimes I feel as if my knees are killing me! I had no idea this had to do with Effexor withdrawal.
I do want to withdraw from Effexor, I just wish it didn't seem as if my doctor was so uninvolved. It makes me think that because I'm not taking the medication anymore I don't qualify as a patient to him. I am lucky, though, in that I have a therapist who I really like. I'm going to talk to her about possible p-doc referrals. Thank you again for your letter.
Diane
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