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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2717 to 2741 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by kwm9999 on October 8, 2002, at 22:05:11
In reply to help - terrifying side effects, posted by legallybrunette on October 2, 2002, at 9:39:48
legallybrunette-
please let us know how you are now....i just got a prescription for 75mg of Effexor today and am wondering should i begin it or not****give me an update on your side effects***If anyone else has an opinion on why i should/shouldn't start this med, please give it-
kwm> i've only been on e-xr (37.5) for 3 days now, have
> already experienced some scary side-effects &
> don't know if i should continue.
> can someone give me some input on this?
>
> last night as i watched tv, every muscle in my body
> started to tense and twitch. i knew it was the
> effexor settling in, so i just let it happen, w/o
> too much panic.
> but then when i got up - and the only way i can
> describe this is when i had a horrible acid trip
> (sorry folks) when i was a teenager - my mind
> was completely disassociated from my body and all
> my movements were in 'a tunnel' and in extreme slo-
> mo. my heart was racing and i thought for SURE i
> was going crazy. this lasted for about 2 hours.
>
> when i was able to function again, the only
> solution for me was to go down to my
> basement gym and do some extreme working out - part
> of me thought i may have been having an anxiety
> attack (but doubtful)and that it was best to keep
> moving & not focus on the sensations.
>
> eventually it passed, but i'm really wary about
> continuing on w/ the meds. i was so 'grateful' for
> waking up feeling 'normal' this morning, i'm afraid
> to lose that again if i pop another pill!
>
> has anyone experienced this particular kind of s.
> effect? if so what did you do?
> do s.effects tend to repeat themselves, or could
> this just've been a 1-shot deal?
>
> i really need to get myself out of this stupid pit
> of depression & i'd hate to quit now, but if this
> would considered a 'major' side-effect, i'd rather
> stop. anyway, any help would be appreciated!
>
Posted by marolync on October 8, 2002, at 22:43:52
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent , posted by Kym on April 3, 2001, at 21:32:43
I've recently moved to New York City. Because I haven't yet found a job, I'm going to be without insurance for a little while, so I'm planning to polish off the last of my Effexor this month. I've been taking 75 mg daily for about 9 months to alleviate depression after breaking off my engagement to a beloved man/disappointing potentail life partner. I'm coping with that more rationally now.
At the end of September, I started taking my dose every other day, and am able to do that with minimal side effects. However, since the beginning of October, I have been experimenting with taking the dose every three days, and on the third day, I have a number of the side effects, most notably the body's a jet, head's a slug dissociation at maddeningly varriable intervals. However, by staying calm and observing, but not panicking, over these side effect events, I've been able to endure them tollerably.
I'm not really in a position to incur any expense as far as getting some Prozac for the transition--everything I've got right now is dedicated to November rent already. So, essentially, I'm asking for any insight into how to manage this. I don't have any of the 35 mg capsules, and don't think I'll get a very predictable dose from divvying up my capsules. I wonder if I am just prolonging my symptoms, and should try going off altogether and getting it over with. My additional motivation in all of this is to try to be off the medication by the time I'd begin working, because I really don't want to begin my new job distinguishing myself by being incapacitated for a coupla weeks.
I have noticed some abatement in the severity of the side effects on the third day now. At first, I felt really nauseous, like I could feel my brain turning and tipping slowly in its cranial fluid, and headachey, and wanted to stay in bed all day. The first time I just threw in the towel and took my dose sometime in the afternoon, then not again for another coupla days.
Anyone else out there ever heard anyone try it like this before? I'd welcome any advice.
Posted by Sioux on October 8, 2002, at 23:22:22
In reply to uninsured withdrawal advice, posted by marolync on October 8, 2002, at 22:43:52
> At the end of September, I started taking my dose every other day, and am able to do that with minimal side effects. However, since the beginning of October, I have been experimenting with taking the dose every three days, and on the third day, I have a number of the side effects,
This is what I'm trying to do. I'm on only 37.5 mg and started trying to get off of it after being on for only a month but I experienced everything you're experiencing and so went back to 37.5/day. I'm really pissed about it. I have Addison's Disease (no adrenal glands) and went into crisis from the heat in August. Part of Addison's crisis is irritability, confusion, and depression. (It clears right up with corticosteroids in adequate dose.) Instead, for nine days, they gave me this frigging drug "for pain" and now I'm stuck with it.
I'm seeing a real doc tomorrow and hope he'll help me.
Posted by Jonboy on October 9, 2002, at 0:11:24
In reply to Re: uninsured withdrawal advice, posted by Sioux on October 8, 2002, at 23:22:22
I stopped taking Effexor by opening up my 75mg capsules and dumping out half. I did this for about 4 days, and figured I'd be cool. The first day without it since May, I felt amazing. But as the day wore on, I felt this strange sensation where my body would feel asleep for a split second whenever I moved. Somebody else described this as feeling their brain move inside of their cranium, and that description seems to work for me, too. It sucks.
I talked to the GP who prescribed it, and he said NOTHING about any withdrawal effects, and nothing about my homemade method of quitting the drug. However, as my symptoms are worsening, so is my anger toward this son of a bitch who prescribed a psychoactive drug without ANY useful knowledge of it, besides what the manufacturer is shoving up his ass. If anyone has any suggestions for dealing with withdrawal symptoms (besides other drugs) or can let me know how long to expect these feelings, I would appreciate it. As a college senior, this is sort of important. Thanks, doc. Thanks, Wyeth.
Posted by marolync on October 9, 2002, at 11:49:50
In reply to Re: uninsured withdrawal advice, posted by Sioux on October 8, 2002, at 23:22:22
I've read a few more of the earlier postings about people who tried dividing their 75 mg capsules into half doses with some success. I've decided to take half doses daily for a week, and then to try to go to every other day, and then to every third day. The postings on attempting to just ditch effexor with impunity look like exercises in humility, for the most part:)
I don't know how useful it is to become so angry at the drug companies and even doctors. We are all pretty fallibly human, but in general, I've felt that people were doing their best all around me. If you are going through life without that feeling, I would think that would make a person really angry, and that anger is a great signpost for you to look into for your healing! Good luck, and don't sidetrack yourself projecting the same anger on yet another target--look at the anger itself!
As far as self-care, there's no substitute for doing your best for yourself, and staying patient and humble when that process is time-consuming and confusing. I tried effexor after a period in which I was diagnosed with a hyperactive thyroid gland, initiated a number of big life changes, and suffered some setbacks and losses. Effexor worked well for me during a period when I was very overwhelmed.
It is clear that this complicated constellation of causes and effects is difficult even for me to stay patient with, much less for me to find someone else with expertise which would make my sifting through all of this a cakewalk. I did the "talking cure" for a number of months in addition to the medication, which was a big part of why I think I'm ready to come off it now. Also, this therapist was EXTREMELY supportive of my reconnecting with my Catholic faith during this process. My experiences of loss and change made me listen with new ears to the ideas of original sin (we are all striving to do our best, but we just necessarily fall short in this world), faith, and especially abandonment. I found that giving up on the things I am genuinely NOT in control of--and there are SO MANY of these things--yet maintaining the faithful posture that it's not just entropy out there, has given me peace. Also, because the effexor prescription coincided with the end of a relationship, I was able to enjoy an unfrustrating period of celibacy, which also had unexpected benefits, quiet, and gave me a lot of free time.While I am not wild about some of these withdrawal symptoms, they are far more tolerable than the abject sorrow which led me to explore a medication in the first place. I am looking forward to a peaceable, if somewhat dinosaur-brained, few weeks of exploring whether and how I can now be ok without the medicine in my system.
Posted by jannbeau on October 9, 2002, at 13:13:49
In reply to Withdrawal blows even for small doses, posted by Jonboy on October 9, 2002, at 0:11:24
> Hello, Wyeth:
I think I may have described the "brain zaps" as my brain moving inside my head so I thought I'd try to answer your question about how long the discontinuation syndrome lasts. For me, it was was about THREE WEEKS.
I agree with you about prescribing practices, too. I got NO information about side effects or effects of discontinuation.
The most interesting thing I've noticed about Effexor is that the best of the therapeutic effects seem to last well beyond discontinuation of the medication. Although I have been off Effexor for several months, my anxiety, depression and obcessive-compulsive ruminations have not yet returned. Although I would not recommend Effexor to most people and I would NOT wish to regularly take it again (it is tempting at times because Effexor immediately relieved the pain for which it was prescribed), Effexor seems to have helped me in the long run.
Cheers,
JannbeauI stopped taking Effexor by opening up my 75mg capsules and dumping out half. I did this for about 4 days, and figured I'd be cool. The first day without it since May, I felt amazing. But as the day wore on, I felt this strange sensation where my body would feel asleep for a split second whenever I moved. Somebody else described this as feeling their brain move inside of their cranium, and that description seems to work for me, too. It sucks.
>
> I talked to the GP who prescribed it, and he said NOTHING about any withdrawal effects, and nothing about my homemade method of quitting the drug. However, as my symptoms are worsening, so is my anger toward this son of a bitch who prescribed a psychoactive drug without ANY useful knowledge of it, besides what the manufacturer is shoving up his ass. If anyone has any suggestions for dealing with withdrawal symptoms (besides other drugs) or can let me know how long to expect these feelings, I would appreciate it. As a college senior, this is sort of important. Thanks, doc. Thanks, Wyeth.
Posted by jannbeau on October 9, 2002, at 13:16:21
In reply to Withdrawal blows even for small doses, posted by Jonboy on October 9, 2002, at 0:11:24
> OK, so you are NOT Wyeth, but Jonboy!!! Missed that until I re-read your post--ugh!
Jannbeau
I stopped taking Effexor by opening up my 75mg capsules and dumping out half. I did this for about 4 days, and figured I'd be cool. The first day without it since May, I felt amazing. But as the day wore on, I felt this strange sensation where my body would feel asleep for a split second whenever I moved. Somebody else described this as feeling their brain move inside of their cranium, and that description seems to work for me, too. It sucks.
>
> I talked to the GP who prescribed it, and he said NOTHING about any withdrawal effects, and nothing about my homemade method of quitting the drug. However, as my symptoms are worsening, so is my anger toward this son of a bitch who prescribed a psychoactive drug without ANY useful knowledge of it, besides what the manufacturer is shoving up his ass. If anyone has any suggestions for dealing with withdrawal symptoms (besides other drugs) or can let me know how long to expect these feelings, I would appreciate it. As a college senior, this is sort of important. Thanks, doc. Thanks, Wyeth.
Posted by jannbeau on October 9, 2002, at 13:26:31
In reply to Re: uninsured withdrawal advice, posted by marolync on October 9, 2002, at 11:49:50
> Hi, Marolync,
Dividing worked for me. The dose doesn't have to be exact; if you just divide the little "balls" inside of the cap into two relatively similar piles, that seems to work.
Thank you for your comments. Well said!
Jannbeau
I've read a few more of the earlier postings about people who tried dividing their 75 mg capsules into half doses with some success. I've decided to take half doses daily for a week, and then to try to go to every other day, and then to every third day. The postings on attempting to just ditch effexor with impunity look like exercises in humility, for the most part:)
>
> I don't know how useful it is to become so angry at the drug companies and even doctors. We are all pretty fallibly human, but in general, I've felt that people were doing their best all around me. If you are going through life without that feeling, I would think that would make a person really angry, and that anger is a great signpost for you to look into for your healing! Good luck, and don't sidetrack yourself projecting the same anger on yet another target--look at the anger itself!
>
> As far as self-care, there's no substitute for doing your best for yourself, and staying patient and humble when that process is time-consuming and confusing. I tried effexor after a period in which I was diagnosed with a hyperactive thyroid gland, initiated a number of big life changes, and suffered some setbacks and losses. Effexor worked well for me during a period when I was very overwhelmed.
>
> It is clear that this complicated constellation of causes and effects is difficult even for me to stay patient with, much less for me to find someone else with expertise which would make my sifting through all of this a cakewalk. I did the "talking cure" for a number of months in addition to the medication, which was a big part of why I think I'm ready to come off it now. Also, this therapist was EXTREMELY supportive of my reconnecting with my Catholic faith during this process. My experiences of loss and change made me listen with new ears to the ideas of original sin (we are all striving to do our best, but we just necessarily fall short in this world), faith, and especially abandonment. I found that giving up on the things I am genuinely NOT in control of--and there are SO MANY of these things--yet maintaining the faithful posture that it's not just entropy out there, has given me peace. Also, because the effexor prescription coincided with the end of a relationship, I was able to enjoy an unfrustrating period of celibacy, which also had unexpected benefits, quiet, and gave me a lot of free time.
>
> While I am not wild about some of these withdrawal symptoms, they are far more tolerable than the abject sorrow which led me to explore a medication in the first place. I am looking forward to a peaceable, if somewhat dinosaur-brained, few weeks of exploring whether and how I can now be ok without the medicine in my system.
Posted by sjb on October 9, 2002, at 14:49:25
In reply to Re: Decreased Athletic Perform- Strength Endurance » sjb, posted by jannbeau on October 8, 2002, at 15:14:40
Actually, it may not have been that high. I do know it was over the maximum daily dosage recommended in the PDR,etc. I've been on so many different meds, I forget the dosage. My PDoc is not afraid to go high, though.
Am I ok now? Depends on who you ask. My cats' think I'm ok, esp. when I feed them.
The fact that I still lurk here is telling, I guess.
Posted by Starwatcher on October 10, 2002, at 15:24:41
In reply to Re: uninsured withdrawal advice » marolync, posted by jannbeau on October 9, 2002, at 13:26:31
> > Hi, Marolync,
>
> Dividing worked for me. The dose doesn't have to be exact; if you just divide the little "balls" inside of the cap into two relatively similar piles, that seems to work.
>
> Thank you for your comments. Well said!
>
> Jannbeau
>
> I've read a few more of the earlier postings about people who tried dividing their 75 mg capsules into half doses with some success. I've decided to take half doses daily for a week, and then to try to go to every other day, and then to every third day. The postings on attempting to just ditch effexor with impunity look like exercises in humility, for the most part:)
> >
> > I don't know how useful it is to become so angry at the drug companies and even doctors. We are all pretty fallibly human, but in general, I've felt that people were doing their best all around me. If you are going through life without that feeling, I would think that would make a person really angry, and that anger is a great signpost for you to look into for your healing! Good luck, and don't sidetrack yourself projecting the same anger on yet another target--look at the anger itself!
> >
> > As far as self-care, there's no substitute for doing your best for yourself, and staying patient and humble when that process is time-consuming and confusing. I tried effexor after a period in which I was diagnosed with a hyperactive thyroid gland, initiated a number of big life changes, and suffered some setbacks and losses. Effexor worked well for me during a period when I was very overwhelmed.
> >
> > It is clear that this complicated constellation of causes and effects is difficult even for me to stay patient with, much less for me to find someone else with expertise which would make my sifting through all of this a cakewalk. I did the "talking cure" for a number of months in addition to the medication, which was a big part of why I think I'm ready to come off it now. Also, this therapist was EXTREMELY supportive of my reconnecting with my Catholic faith during this process. My experiences of loss and change made me listen with new ears to the ideas of original sin (we are all striving to do our best, but we just necessarily fall short in this world), faith, and especially abandonment. I found that giving up on the things I am genuinely NOT in control of--and there are SO MANY of these things--yet maintaining the faithful posture that it's not just entropy out there, has given me peace. Also, because the effexor prescription coincided with the end of a relationship, I was able to enjoy an unfrustrating period of celibacy, which also had unexpected benefits, quiet, and gave me a lot of free time.
> >
> > While I am not wild about some of these withdrawal symptoms, they are far more tolerable than the abject sorrow which led me to explore a medication in the first place. I am looking forward to a peaceable, if somewhat dinosaur-brained, few weeks of exploring whether and how I can now be ok without the medicine in my system.
>
>I've read that Benadryl and St. John's Wort seem to help ease withdrawals, though I've never tried to withdraw myself. Benedryl is an over the counter antihistamine widely used for allergic reactions that you can get without prescription. It tends to make some people drowsy, though. St John's Wort I think also stimulates the production of serotonin in the brain, and is an herb you can buy almost anywhere. I've seen several postings that people have stated that these two relatively inexpensive, easily obtainable substances have helped them eliminate or decrease the side effects of Effexor withdrawal.
Posted by LynnPerley on October 10, 2002, at 21:46:42
In reply to Re: Feeling spacey, posted by Noorah on October 6, 2002, at 18:30:48
I felt the same way on Effexor for at least the first month, maybe 6 weeks. I knew it was helping, but I would zone out. I think it was after week 8 suddenly the clouds cleared. Then they came back for a while, then after I upped my dosage to 225 it went away. Now, from time to time, I think 225 is too much, and from time to time I wonder if it's even working. The majority of the days are definitely much better. Hang in there, and stick it out.
Posted by pregnant on October 11, 2002, at 23:53:51
In reply to uninsured withdrawal advice, posted by marolync on October 8, 2002, at 22:43:52
>I had the same symptoms as you. I truly tell you there is no easy way. I am off effexor now after being on 300 mg for 6 months. I had to take the 37.5 for a week, and then I cut it in half for a week and then I stopped. The withdrawal effects were not as bad as when I tried to just stop, but I still had the nausea, headache feeling, dizziness, and brain zips for another 3 weeks at least. Right now when I awaken from sleep I still get the brain zips sometimes. I also feel impatient and just not so happy. I am so mad that I ever started taking this. I hope that prepares you some. Pregnant.
I've recently moved to New York City. Because I haven't yet found a job, I'm going to be without insurance for a little while, so I'm planning to polish off the last of my Effexor this month. I've been taking 75 mg daily for about 9 months to alleviate depression after breaking off my engagement to a beloved man/disappointing potentail life partner. I'm coping with that more rationally now.
> At the end of September, I started taking my dose every other day, and am able to do that with minimal side effects. However, since the beginning of October, I have been experimenting with taking the dose every three days, and on the third day, I have a number of the side effects, most notably the body's a jet, head's a slug dissociation at maddeningly varriable intervals. However, by staying calm and observing, but not panicking, over these side effect events, I've been able to endure them tollerably.
> I'm not really in a position to incur any expense as far as getting some Prozac for the transition--everything I've got right now is dedicated to November rent already. So, essentially, I'm asking for any insight into how to manage this. I don't have any of the 35 mg capsules, and don't think I'll get a very predictable dose from divvying up my capsules. I wonder if I am just prolonging my symptoms, and should try going off altogether and getting it over with. My additional motivation in all of this is to try to be off the medication by the time I'd begin working, because I really don't want to begin my new job distinguishing myself by being incapacitated for a coupla weeks.
> I have noticed some abatement in the severity of the side effects on the third day now. At first, I felt really nauseous, like I could feel my brain turning and tipping slowly in its cranial fluid, and headachey, and wanted to stay in bed all day. The first time I just threw in the towel and took my dose sometime in the afternoon, then not again for another coupla days.
> Anyone else out there ever heard anyone try it like this before? I'd welcome any advice.
Posted by h20surfer1 on October 12, 2002, at 22:04:26
In reply to Re: Decreased Athletic Perform- Strength Endurance, posted by sjb on October 9, 2002, at 14:49:25
I am back to comment on athletic performance.
I work out 6 times a week, weight lift 3 days, mountain bike 2 days, and surf in between and sometimes double up surfing with the other activities. I also actively dirt bike ride this time of year.
I have had no adverse effects in my athletic performance. I would even venture to say that I have improved in strength and endurance.
I am now on 225 mg/day and feel great. I have been taking Effexor since July. I just took a depression test and passed with flying colors.
I sure hope the rest of you have the same positive experience taking Effexor that I have had :-)
Posted by h20surfer1 on October 12, 2002, at 22:22:38
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME! » Moni, posted by dde on October 8, 2002, at 21:28:38
Another follow up.
For those of you having Libido problems you might want to ask your doc about "mixing" in one of the following meds with Effexor: Wellbutrin; Buspar; or Remeron. My doc told me that these can help in this area.
I have not tried them so I cannot comment on their effectiveness. My doc told me that if I choose to I can try one of the three and that they tend to help in Libido. He also told me that Libido has a tendency to return, maybe not to previous levels, as time goes on with Effexor.
Posted by butterfly58 on October 13, 2002, at 18:17:56
In reply to Re: Decreased Athletic Perform- Strength Endurance, posted by h20surfer1 on October 12, 2002, at 22:04:26
I am glad to hear that your strength and enduance hasn't been affected. I truely believe that it was the Effexor. I used to work out 7 days a week for 2 to 3 hours a day. When taking the Effexor, at first, I didn't even want to work out but I pushed myself to do at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours of cardio and weights a day. I noticed that I couldn't run as fast and my leg muscles would fatigue quickly. I also noticed that gradually, I could not lift as heavy weights. I would gradually have to reduce my weight when lifting. After I stopped taking Effexor, my strength appeared to return gradually. However it still is not where it used to be but it is returning. Unless something else is wrong with me, I attribute it to the Effexor.
I am back to comment on athletic performance.
>
> I work out 6 times a week, weight lift 3 days, mountain bike 2 days, and surf in between and sometimes double up surfing with the other activities. I also actively dirt bike ride this time of year.
>
> I have had no adverse effects in my athletic performance. I would even venture to say that I have improved in strength and endurance.
>
> I am now on 225 mg/day and feel great. I have been taking Effexor since July. I just took a depression test and passed with flying colors.
>
> I sure hope the rest of you have the same positive experience taking Effexor that I have had :-)
>
Posted by h20surfer1 on October 13, 2002, at 20:46:03
In reply to Re: Decreased Athletic Perform- Strength Endurance, posted by h20surfer1 on October 12, 2002, at 22:04:26
Butterfly,
Sorry to hear that you had this experience on Effexor. Everyone is different and the reactions to these AD's can vary between individuals.
I am glad to be having a good experience with the med. I wish you and others the best of luck in whatever treatment ends up working for you.
Posted by Mrs. M on October 13, 2002, at 22:37:33
In reply to discouraging bunch of mssgs, posted by legallybrunette on September 29, 2002, at 11:30:53
I have been taking effexor for a year. The doctor put me on effexor after I was not able to tolerate several other ADs. It has helped some with the depression and like many others I have just learned to deal with some of the side effects. However, for months I have had problems with severe "head pain". It isn't a headache; I know only to well what a throbbing headache feels like. This is more of an eye pain or a feeling of pressure behind my eyes. Sometimes there is a feeling of pressure in the top of my head - not really like the "brain zaps" some have spoken of. One time I read a message here from someone who used the term "eye headaches". That somewhat describes what I experience. When I brought this up to the doctor, he told me he didn't believe it could be caused by the effexor - it must be some other problem. I don't know what to think. All I know is that I find myself having to live my life around this pain. Has anyone had any similar experiences? Can anyone give me any information? Could this really be a side effect of effexor? Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by marolync on October 14, 2002, at 10:03:19
In reply to need info on side effects - help, posted by Mrs. M on October 13, 2002, at 22:37:33
I know what you mean about eye headaches, but your doc may be right, that these are not directly attributable to the effexor. It could be that in your previous state of emotional distress, you were not able to feel some physical pains in your body which you can now attend to.
I found that having professional, theraputic massages helped me so much to figure out some things about how I "metabolize" stresses in the muscles of my body. For me, there were a lot of connections between head, eye, jaw, neck, and upper back tensions. For a while, I focused on giving myself gentle massages to my eye sockets, and was stunned to find little hard spots in there which produced exquisite pain when they were first rubbed even gently. Don't try this while driving, I found that when I had been massaging these spots for a while, I couldn't focus that eye for some time! However, while you are driving is a great time to do jaw massage for yourself. I found spots which were unbelievably tight, and when I had been working on them a while to relieve them, there were referred areas of great pain behind my ears, or up into my temples, which sometimes persisted for weeks. It is important to get plently of sleep and drink LOTS of water as you do this.
Finally, if you can find a yoga class which is offering a comprehensive class of more than one hour in length, which includes breathing exercises, warm up asanas, and a full series of postures including inversions and forward and backward bends, RUN, do not walk, to two or three classes a week there. You may find that your hips, or your elbows will open up, thereby making it clear why your shoulders or back also cannot open up, which is why your head is so congested.
I have found that yoga class is really good for some of the withdrawal symptoms, counterintuitive as that may seem. When I am really symptomatic, my headstands are pretty wobbly, and sometimes I skip them. But overall, yoga helps alleviate the side effects.
Posted by Sioux on October 14, 2002, at 11:45:40
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by marolync on October 14, 2002, at 10:03:19
Using Yoga and massage to relieve side effects.
Marilyn, your post was very informative and helpful. Thank you!
Posted by jannbeau on October 14, 2002, at 12:40:41
In reply to need info on side effects - help, posted by Mrs. M on October 13, 2002, at 22:37:33
>Hi, did your doctor do anything to diagnose the pain? No new pain should go without diagnosis. This pain could very well have nothing to do with the Effexor, but it is not appropriate to assign a psychological cause to undiagnosed pain. If the doctor is a pdoc, this isn't unusual. If it was your PCP or GP, I might consider getting a different doctor.
Good Luck,
JannbeauI have been taking effexor for a year. The doctor put me on effexor after I was not able to tolerate several other ADs. It has helped some with the depression and like many others I have just learned to deal with some of the side effects. However, for months I have had problems with severe "head pain". It isn't a headache; I know only to well what a throbbing headache feels like. This is more of an eye pain or a feeling of pressure behind my eyes. Sometimes there is a feeling of pressure in the top of my head - not really like the "brain zaps" some have spoken of. One time I read a message here from someone who used the term "eye headaches". That somewhat describes what I experience. When I brought this up to the doctor, he told me he didn't believe it could be caused by the effexor - it must be some other problem. I don't know what to think. All I know is that I find myself having to live my life around this pain. Has anyone had any similar experiences? Can anyone give me any information? Could this really be a side effect of effexor? Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by Noorah on October 14, 2002, at 13:22:15
In reply to need info on side effects - help, posted by Mrs. M on October 13, 2002, at 22:37:33
Mrs.M
I had the same reaction to the effexor and I know that it is from the effexor. I have never had such pain before. It is a pressure and heaviness behind the eyes. I had this the first 3 days on effexor and now after 2 weeks on effexor I relatively side effect free. I don't however feel completely relieved of my depression and most certainly not my anxiety.Don't ever let any doctor tell you it is in your head or just dismiss you. Maybe you should get a 2nd opinion or maybe just a new doctor.
Posted by Mrs. M on October 14, 2002, at 15:34:15
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by Noorah on October 14, 2002, at 13:22:15
Thanks so much for informative and supportive responses. I'm sure there is certainly something to be said for the involvement of stress and tension. I am interested to hear that someone has experienced similar head/eye pain, but you said it went away after a few weeks - mine has gone on for months. I am sorry that the effexor has not helped your depression and anxiety. I know how frustrating it can be. The doctor I asked if the effexor could be causing the head pain was a psychiatrist, however I have seen my GP and a ear, nose, and throat specialist. None of them seem to be able to come up with an answer. I see the ear, nose, throat doc again in a couple of weeks. I guess I'll see what happens then. I'm just getting so frustrated and discouraged. No pain relievers or sinus medication give me any relief at all. However, I become concerned at the thought of going off effexor as well when I read all the messages of the horrors of withdrawal.
Posted by kitkat on October 14, 2002, at 16:18:09
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by Mrs. M on October 14, 2002, at 15:34:15
Good to hear you're seeing an ENT doc...I had the same eye pain and after seeing a specialist and getting a C/T scan it was found that acute chronic sinusitis and an abnormality in one sinus cavity was causing it. I know get to decide whether to get my sinusses scraped & drained or have surgery to correct cavity.
In the meantime, since none of the RX sinus drugs work for me, and only one of the OTC drugs (Actifed and generics thereof), I'm subsisting on those and they do seem to help. I'm also trying to eliminate allergens in my home, tho with 2 cats and a smoker this is easier said than done!
I also got my eyes checked, pretty sure there's more than one eye problem that can cause such pain.
I have friends who suffer from migraines, in a way this type of eye pain sounds like some of their symptoms?
Keep pushing for answers, it sounds like you're on the right track and if everything else is ruled out then it would seem that Effexor could be the culprit.
p.s. I've been on Effexor for 8 years, and once or twice stopped just cause I was tired of being drugged. Maybe I'm the exception, but I didn't have any of the types of symptoms of withdrawal that I read about on this board. My only problem was that my depression returned quickly, so I went back on.
Posted by jannbeau on October 14, 2002, at 16:27:03
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by Mrs. M on October 14, 2002, at 15:34:15
> Hello, Mrs.M,
Re the "horrors" of going off Effexor: I didn't find tapering off Effexor-XR so very bad. I had few prolems-- some "brain zaps"-the feeling that my brain was moving inside my head at "warp speed" when I changed head positions-is the only way I can describe these "brain zaps"-- and slight nausea for the first day or two with each step-down of the medication. I just tackled the next lower dose as I felt able and if it was too much, I went back up for few days, then tried again. I think it probably took me less than a month to discontinue Effexor.
To determine if Effexor is responsible for your pain, you may find it necessary to stop the med (sometimes just decreasing the dose will stop a side effect while maintaining the therapeutic effect)to know. If the effect goes away when the med is discontinued, the next step may be to "re-challenge" with the medication to see if the effect returns. Sometimes, re-challenge is not feasible; in some instances, even if rechallenge is possible, a patient will not wish to return to the medication. Usually, there is some other med that will work for you without causing intolerable side effects.
Also, have you considered interactions between Effexor and other meds you may be taking, if any?
Posted by Starwatcher on October 14, 2002, at 17:54:12
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help » Mrs. M, posted by jannbeau on October 14, 2002, at 16:27:03
I did something inadvertently this weekend. I took off and went out of town for my ex-sister-in-law's funeral - and forgot to bring most of my meds ( including Effexor) with me! I was without Effexor from Friday - Sunday (37.5 mg. ea. night) I didn't have any withdrawals from what I can tell. Yes, I did wake up with a headache on Saturday morning - but that always happens anyway, and I was able to get rid of it.
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