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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cecelia on May 31, 2001, at 19:01:51
Hi Everyone, I have been reading other testimonials about the horrible withdrawals from this drug. I stopped taking Effexor almost a month ago. I had been on 75 mg for about a year. The Effexor helped my depression initially, but after several months I began to experience twitching in my left eye, arm & leg. I also gained alot of weight 30 - 40 lbs in less than one year. I seemed to crave carbohydrates constantly. also, a scary hysterical edge seemed to appear a few months into taking the drug. Now,, after one month of discontinuing this drug, I feel so sick, I can barely function. terrible depression (worse than any I had before I went on the drug) My joints are swollen so bad just walking hurts. I am exhausted, and still have to work a full time job and take care of a family. I am commited to getting through this by natural means, and I hope something gets better very soon here. Is there anyone else out there who reovered from this horrible drug without having to go back on it, or another one like it?
I really need some help.
Posted by Helen Church on May 31, 2001, at 19:54:51
In reply to My Effexor Nightmare, posted by Cecelia on May 31, 2001, at 19:01:51
Hey Sweetie
I have just started Effexor, and hearing what you're going through makes me not want to take it. I've been on Zoloft for two years. I have gained 30lbs and have no sex drive left. I didnt gain the weight from over-eating. I didn't want to eat. The sex part?(My boyfriend got up in the middle of lovemaking and told me it was over - "You're not the same anymore" he said.)
I don't know what to tell you. I was put on Zoloft for depression and bulimia. I felt good on Zoloft. No longer depressed, didn't need to binge and barf, life coasted by and I had no flare-ups of anger. In return, I got happy, fat, laid back and sexless. Where's the balance?
My dear, I just want you to know I'm here for you. I wish I could make you, all of us feel better.
Helen Church
Posted by JAMMER on June 1, 2001, at 8:49:26
In reply to My Effexor Nightmare, posted by Cecelia on May 31, 2001, at 19:01:51
>Is there anyone else out there who reovered from >this horrible drug without having to go back on >it, or another one like it?
> I really need some help. - CeceliaCecelia, I've been off Effexor about 1 month (no easy task ending use),after over a year of use, and my mood is up and down. I'm in talk therapy which helps alot, EMDR returned very positive results. Yoga and meditation is also a new and positive experience for me. I too am committed to go without AD's if possible, too many side effects, even though the drug did what it was suppose to do...
I havn't experienced any new pain syndromes other than what I've had for years, DDD in cervical spine, and related nerve impingement induced pain.
What I'm learning is to increase activity that is pleasing and fun, and just try to run on "automatic" during the unpleasant aspects of life's responsibilities. Easier said then done. Ending or reducing activities that are known negatives, or triggers inducing anxiety or depression should be worked at, after identifying them.
Exercise is a great way to naturaly increase good feelings, walking being the first choice as it gets me outside, fresh air, sky and earth all around. Yoga and meditation relieves my anxiety very well. But still...
I think being committed to improvement (not just getting by), and doing the things that I enjoy and feel better by, and ending, reducing, or modifying negatives activities, is the only advise I can offer.Best wishes,
James
Posted by lissy on June 1, 2001, at 8:53:38
In reply to Re: My Effexor Nightmare, posted by Helen Church on May 31, 2001, at 19:54:51
> Hey Sweetie
>
> I have just started Effexor, and hearing what you're going through makes me not want to take it. I've been on Zoloft for two years. I have gained 30lbs and have no sex drive left. I didnt gain the weight from over-eating. I didn't want to eat. The sex part?(My boyfriend got up in the middle of lovemaking and told me it was over - "You're not the same anymore" he said.)
>
> I don't know what to tell you. I was put on Zoloft for depression and bulimia. I felt good on Zoloft. No longer depressed, didn't need to binge and barf, life coasted by and I had no flare-ups of anger. In return, I got happy, fat, laid back and sexless. Where's the balance?
>
> My dear, I just want you to know I'm here for you. I wish I could make you, all of us feel better.
> Helen ChurchIt has been about 7months since I had been off effexor. I too had gained a tremendous amount of weight from being on Paxil first, then gained some more on effexor. I would say it took between 6-8 weeks before I felt back to normal. You should start feeling better w/in a few weeks. I felt horrible withdrawing from it too and my neck would get this horrible stiffness that I could not turn it. I felt like I had the flu all the time and I was very angry and irritable all the time. Just stick w/what you are doing and you will make it. Don't go back on it now, you are almost there!
Posted by sl on June 1, 2001, at 9:13:39
In reply to My Effexor Nightmare, posted by Cecelia on May 31, 2001, at 19:01:51
Um. I get the impression you stopped cold turkey. And are miserable because of it.I stopped slowly, and I'm okay. Not fabulous, but okay.
You may want to consider going back on and SLOWLY going off it.
For specifics on what I mean, see this post...http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010530/msgs/64996.html
sl
> Hi Everyone, I have been reading other testimonials about the horrible withdrawals from this drug. I stopped taking Effexor almost a month ago. I had been on 75 mg for about a year. The Effexor helped my depression initially, but after several months I began to experience twitching in my left eye, arm & leg. I also gained alot of weight 30 - 40 lbs in less than one year. I seemed to crave carbohydrates constantly. also, a scary hysterical edge seemed to appear a few months into taking the drug. Now,, after one month of discontinuing this drug, I feel so sick, I can barely function. terrible depression (worse than any I had before I went on the drug) My joints are swollen so bad just walking hurts. I am exhausted, and still have to work a full time job and take care of a family. I am commited to getting through this by natural means, and I hope something gets better very soon here. Is there anyone else out there who reovered from this horrible drug without having to go back on it, or another one like it?
> I really need some help.
Posted by lissy on June 1, 2001, at 9:36:42
In reply to Re: My Effexor Nightmare, posted by sl on June 1, 2001, at 9:13:39
>
> Um. I get the impression you stopped cold turkey. And are miserable because of it.
>
> I stopped slowly, and I'm okay. Not fabulous, but okay.
>
> You may want to consider going back on and SLOWLY going off it.
> For specifics on what I mean, see this post...
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010530/msgs/64996.html
>
>
>
> sl
>
> > Hi Everyone, I have been reading other testimonials about the horrible withdrawals from this drug. I stopped taking Effexor almost a month ago. I had been on 75 mg for about a year. The Effexor helped my depression initially, but after several months I began to experience twitching in my left eye, arm & leg. I also gained alot of weight 30 - 40 lbs in less than one year. I seemed to crave carbohydrates constantly. also, a scary hysterical edge seemed to appear a few months into taking the drug. Now,, after one month of discontinuing this drug, I feel so sick, I can barely function. terrible depression (worse than any I had before I went on the drug) My joints are swollen so bad just walking hurts. I am exhausted, and still have to work a full time job and take care of a family. I am commited to getting through this by natural means, and I hope something gets better very soon here. Is there anyone else out there who reovered from this horrible drug without having to go back on it, or another one like it?
> > I really need some help.
SL, I tapered off and still had a horrible time w/it.
Posted by SLS on June 1, 2001, at 10:13:56
In reply to Re: My Effexor Nightmare, posted by sl on June 1, 2001, at 9:13:39
>
> Um. I get the impression you stopped cold turkey. And are miserable because of it.
>
> I stopped slowly, and I'm okay. Not fabulous, but okay.
>
> You may want to consider going back on and SLOWLY going off it.
> For specifics on what I mean, see this post...
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010530/msgs/64996.html
>
>
>
> sl
>
> > Hi Everyone, I have been reading other testimonials about the horrible withdrawals from this drug. I stopped taking Effexor almost a month ago. I had been on 75 mg for about a year. The Effexor helped my depression initially, but after several months I began to experience twitching in my left eye, arm & leg. I also gained alot of weight 30 - 40 lbs in less than one year. I seemed to crave carbohydrates constantly. also, a scary hysterical edge seemed to appear a few months into taking the drug. Now,, after one month of discontinuing this drug, I feel so sick, I can barely function. terrible depression (worse than any I had before I went on the drug) My joints are swollen so bad just walking hurts. I am exhausted, and still have to work a full time job and take care of a family. I am commited to getting through this by natural means, and I hope something gets better very soon here. Is there anyone else out there who reovered from this horrible drug without having to go back on it, or another one like it?
> > I really need some help.
Hi.Using Prozac as a substitute to help with Effexor discontinuation is a popular and effective strategy. I have seen a few different ways to go about this. Cam W. would have a better idea than me as to which of them is better. Basically, one substitutes Effexor with Prozac and then tapers and discontinues the Prozac. Much of the withdrawal effects associated with Effexor involve the abrupt loss of the serotonin reuptake inhibition it produces. Because Prozac is also a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, it prevents the withdrawal syndrome. The reason it is easier to discontinue Prozac than Effexor or Paxil is that Prozac leaves the body very slowly and smoothly. In fact, Prozac and its active metabolite (norfluoxetine) have a half-life of about a week as compared to the 5 hours of Effexor. Prozac therefore provides an almost built-in smooth taper schedule.
- Scott
Posted by Amy Blue on June 1, 2001, at 10:37:15
In reply to My Effexor Nightmare, posted by Cecelia on May 31, 2001, at 19:01:51
I was on Effexor for about 2 months and HATED it. I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks. I couldn't sleep or eat - LITERALLY. My whole body felt like I was hooked up to an electrical outlet. I had muscle spasms and twitched so badly I could not drive, write or type on the computer. I had severe pain in my head, neck and back. I slowly tapered off, advised by my pdoc.
Then I had to take a leave of absence from work to get thru the withdrawals. I found that taking Xanax helped the withdrawal very much - I took .5 mgs 2-3 times/day or as needed. I agree that it will be about 8 weeks before you feel back to normal.
Good luck!
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