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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kickink on April 18, 2002, at 18:44:51
I was thinking back to one time I tried to stop the EffexorXR 150 cold turkey. I had a few "high" days before crashing into terrible withdrawal- Has this happened to anyone else... I'd love to hear.
Posted by jaime on April 19, 2002, at 0:53:12
In reply to Manic after stopping, posted by kickink on April 18, 2002, at 18:44:51
Yes! This has happened to me (the "high" days after stopping cold turkey). Over the past year or so I have tried various ADs (Effexor, Zoloft, Celexa) in combination with Wellbutrin (to "augment" the Wellbutrin because I have had only a partial response to it). I stopped each one for various reasons (I couldn't tolerate the side effects, they weren't helping, they made me feel worse in some ways). But like you, for about 2 - 3 days after stopping (no taper, because I never even made it up to a high dose), I felt soooo good, better than I have felt in years!!! Not depressed at all, lots of energy - almost too much - kind of a revved up feeling, motivated, social...why couldn't that have lasted??? Then by the 3rd or 4th day I was back to my old depressed, hopeless, unmotivated, lethargic self...coupled with some withdrawal symptoms (only from the Effexor). I don't understand why this happens...does anyone know? I wish I could take those 2 - 3 days and make them last forever!
Posted by kickink on April 19, 2002, at 1:10:21
In reply to Re: Manic after stopping, posted by jaime on April 19, 2002, at 0:53:12
That is very interesting. I too was quite "BUBBLY"! Full of energy, positive thoughts, non-stop. What misery it was to crash so hard into anger, untriggered crying spells, even suicidal thoughts afterword. This was from Effexor, Hopefully I will have better luck as I switch to Prozac.....
Posted by Marie416 on April 19, 2002, at 15:58:51
In reply to Re: Manic after stopping, posted by kickink on April 19, 2002, at 1:10:21
Yeah,
I have felt that way too when I stopped serzone especially. the others i was only on 1 to 2 weeks. I just thought I wasn't feeling those drugged out tired feelings like when I was on it so I felt I had more energy.
Posted by delna on April 21, 2002, at 2:00:29
In reply to Re: Manic after stopping, posted by Marie416 on April 19, 2002, at 15:58:51
I had a similar experience. i tapered effexor off slowly from 300mg to 0 over a month and had a 'hypomanic' episode. it was initially great. i was really productive and felt amazing. this lasted for a week or two and then i crashed badly into depression mixed with agression.
i once read a post here about something similar and someone had said that this 'high' kind of thind happens because the drugs supress dopamine and when u stop u get a sudden surge of it. anyway i have no idea if that is true.
my doc felt that this reaction (and various others) point to bipolar illness not depression. so now i am on a mood stabaliser as well.
Posted by jaime on April 21, 2002, at 3:15:42
In reply to Re: Manic after stopping, posted by delna on April 21, 2002, at 2:00:29
Delna,
Mind if I ask what mood stablizer you are on and if it is helping? Are you on an AD as well? Also, besides your reaction to tapering off Effexor, what other things pointed to bipolar?
Thanks,
Jaime
Posted by delna on April 21, 2002, at 5:08:11
In reply to Re: Manic after stopping » delna, posted by jaime on April 21, 2002, at 3:15:42
i'm trying topomax. have tried the other ones like lithium and valproate, lamotrogine etc and i ususally cannot tolerate the sedating effects of these. i am also on ritalin 10mg for ADHD and prozac 20mg.
i have just started the mood stabaliser so i hope it helps.
other indicators according to my doctors are
1. hypomanic episodes upon starting ad's or increasing doses
2. hypersexuality even during depressive episodes
3. number of episodes of psychotic depressive episodes
4. presence of co morbid ocd and bdd symptoms
5. onset of symptoms before 10 years
the list goes on and on
i have just been so resistant to taking mood stabalisers as they make me feel so sick. i know i need one and also i know that ritalin makes me too hyper and unstable but i feel more 'alive' on it than off it.
Posted by sjb on April 24, 2002, at 14:03:43
In reply to Manic after stopping, posted by kickink on April 18, 2002, at 18:44:51
Yes, coming off of Effexor and Parnate included days of high energy and uncontrollable giggles. Of course, the days of vice-like headaches were another story.
Posted by kickink on April 24, 2002, at 15:40:08
In reply to Re: Manic after stopping, posted by sjb on April 24, 2002, at 14:03:43
> Yes, coming off of Effexor and Parnate included days of high energy and uncontrollable giggles. Of course, the days of vice-like headaches were another story.
Hi. I'm not familiar with Parnate, can you fill me in a little.??
Also to update any of you that heard me ehining about my horrid withdrawal from the effexor: Update is I am down to 75 mg. Effexor and on 10 mg of Prozac. Plan to go down to 37.5 Eff next Monday and up to 20 mg. Prozac.... we'll see....
Wish me luck.
Posted by sjb on April 25, 2002, at 12:05:23
In reply to Re: Manic after stopping--- update to withdrawal , posted by kickink on April 24, 2002, at 15:40:08
kinkink,
I do wish you good luck on your regimin. I'm not the best one to advice about Parnate, not an expert like some on this board and was not on it for long. I must add, I was not on Parnate and Effexor at the same time, obviously, I guess, but thought I should add that.
I found that Parnate was kinda weird for me. I had incredible insomnia at night and then would nod off in my office around 3/4 pm. I was fairly manic during the initial faze and was up for like 3 days straight doing stuff.
However, as it went on, it was difficult to work out at my gym because getting up and down on various equipment made me dizzy. Also, I became very scared driving as my reaction time and perception seemed noticebly impaired. I craved gooey/chewy sweets
I tried it for 6 weeks and that was enough. I guess it helped my depression, I can't remember. The side effects were so bothersome that was all I can remember.
I'm glad you are on the Prozac to help the Effexor withdrawal. I did not do that and I heard it helps with the headaches a lot.
Again, good luck!
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