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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by tacky1 on August 30, 2003, at 22:46:51
In reply to Re: Withdrawals from Effexor....., posted by michelle29 on August 27, 2003, at 22:44:23
I am so happy that I accidentally found this message board. Effexor XR worked great for me, but I felt it was time to go off the medications. I was unaware of any withdrawal symptoms! My dose was gradually decreased from 150mg to 75mg for 1 week, then 37.5mg for 1 week. I didn't even realize what I was experiencing were withdrawals. I actually joked about having a serious neurological disorder or something. My symptoms were as follows: Headaches, light-headedness, uncoordination(loss of balance occassionally), insomnia, mental fogginess(unable to make sense of things or vocalize thoughts properly), nausea, cough, fatigue, really bad PMS, irritability, tender breasts, emotionally sensitive. I actually thought I might be pregnant or something, I felt so crappy.
If there is anyone else out there with these symptoms let me know. Hopefully my problems can help someone else out there.
It is really comforting to know that other people have experienced similar reactions. I thought there was something really wrong with me! The only question I have now it how long until these horible symptoms subside?!
Posted by Helaine on August 31, 2003, at 10:46:54
In reply to Re: Withdrawals from Effexor..... » michelle29, posted by tacky1 on August 30, 2003, at 22:46:51
Dear Michelle29:
I had all those symptoms and more minus the sore breats while taking effexor!! My kids would say that their mom has 24-7 PMS..even I could not stand myself. SO I too stopped taking the effexor xr 37.5 mg weaning off little by little. I did feel jittery and my mind was a little foggy while I stopped. But, thats how I felt while i was on it .
Now 2 weeks after weaning off and no effexor I feel GREAT..No withdrawels left (I hope I'm out of the woods)
Like I have said before...when i started the effexor my dr mainly gave it to me for depression and MENopause. Having taken it..I now feel that what I was suffering before effexor was NOTHING, as compared to how awful it made me feel when I was on it. So, in a ironic kind of way effexor did make me better! It made me feel worse when taking it to realize I was better off before.
My pount is..hang in there..the withdrawels will become less in time. However, if they are bothersome maybe you should tell your MD.
Good luck I wish you well.
Helaine
Posted by sufferfromeffexor on August 31, 2003, at 10:50:25
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Last night while searching other areas on the effects and withdrawls of Effexor, I ran into an online petition that I signed. Supposedly it is being sent to the makers of Effexor to let them know about withdrawls etc...if anyone is interested, the website is
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/effexor/
Posted by zoobie on August 31, 2003, at 18:17:16
In reply to Re: Online Petition!, posted by sufferfromeffexor on August 31, 2003, at 10:50:25
Thank you so much for the link, I went to the site and "signed" immediately.
Posted by Angelina on August 31, 2003, at 18:21:27
In reply to Re: Withdrawals from Effexor....., posted by michelle29 on August 27, 2003, at 22:44:23
Does anyone know of ANYTHING that helps combat the WITHDRAWAL(not "discontinuation symptoms")? Any vitamins or supplements or ANYTHING to help this???
Posted by sufferfromeffexor on August 31, 2003, at 21:09:50
In reply to Re: Online Petition! » sufferfromeffexor, posted by zoobie on August 31, 2003, at 18:17:16
You are so very welcome! It's all about taking baby steps and this is a start to get awareness out there. =)
> Thank you so much for the link, I went to the site and "signed" immediately.
>
Posted by Johnlund on August 31, 2003, at 22:56:44
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor » Johnlund, posted by sufferfromeffexor on August 30, 2003, at 6:59:34
>
> Well excuse me, but I am not talking about having side effects while ON the medication...I realize they all have some, what I am talking about is the lack of education on the withdrawls coming OFF the medicine. I have been trapped on this medicine for 8 years ONLY because the withdrawls are so severe when stopping this medicine. That is NOT fair. I wished I would have been told of these things before taking it so I could have made a better decision to take it. I don't mind experiencing a minor withdrawl or two when coming off the medication, but I do mind that it has totally STOPPED my life until they are over with. I don't have a job because of the symptoms, I wouldn't be able to function...I shouldn't have to put my life on hold or stay on something for 8 years because of the fear of stopping a medication. This is what I am angry about and I have that right! So what works for you is great and more power to ya, but wait until you stop this medication...Good luck to you!Thanks for the feedback. I hope you find a way off the medication. There has got to be some way off of Effexor that can be tolerated while you find a better AD that works for you. Actually, I have stopped taking Effexor for a while and experience all the withdrawl symptoms. It is not fun, so I went back on Effexor. So I have pretty much consigned myself to the fact that I will be on Effexor, or a better AD when it comes along. My point is that it should not be taken off the market, and you are probably right that the termination side-effects should be laid out better. But I would still take it even if ending the drug meant I would die. A pretty drastic statement, but it has given me a pretty close to normal life, and for that I believe it is worth the price, Also, I hope you get better and find a job. Never give up.
Posted by Maeve on September 1, 2003, at 14:11:37
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Johnlund on August 31, 2003, at 22:56:44
> >
> > Well excuse me, but I am not talking about having side effects while ON the medication...I realize they all have some, what I am talking about is the lack of education on the withdrawls coming OFF the medicine. I have been trapped on this medicine for 8 years ONLY because the withdrawls are so severe when stopping this medicine. That is NOT fair. I wished I would have been told of these things before taking it so I could have made a better decision to take it. I don't mind experiencing a minor withdrawl or two when coming off the medication, but I do mind that it has totally STOPPED my life until they are over with. I don't have a job because of the symptoms, I wouldn't be able to function...I shouldn't have to put my life on hold or stay on something for 8 years because of the fear of stopping a medication. This is what I am angry about and I have that right! So what works for you is great and more power to ya, but wait until you stop this medication...Good luck to you!
>
> Thanks for the feedback. I hope you find a way off the medication. There has got to be some way off of Effexor that can be tolerated while you find a better AD that works for you. Actually, I have stopped taking Effexor for a while and experience all the withdrawl symptoms. It is not fun, so I went back on Effexor. So I have pretty much consigned myself to the fact that I will be on Effexor, or a better AD when it comes along. My point is that it should not be taken off the market, and you are probably right that the termination side-effects should be laid out better. But I would still take it even if ending the drug meant I would die. A pretty drastic statement, but it has given me a pretty close to normal life, and for that I believe it is worth the price, Also, I hope you get better and find a job. Never give up.
>
>************************************************ I just wanted to add a side-bar here... I hope you don't mind....I had the same problem coming off of Paxil.
My doctor at the time (15 years ago) did not believe me... The electrocuting head buzz. So. I took time off of work, unplugged the phone, had my long suffering BF stop in from time to time to check on me, ate or drank nothing but water and chicken broth, shut the draps, and went cold turkey. It was pure hell.
It took about two and a half weeks. When it was over, I thanked every known god and my dad for handing down a very high tolerance for pain.
I've been on Effexor a while and I'm pretty sure it's gonna do the same damned thing.
They say women handle pain better than men. We have babies after all. Squirting out a watermellon is not painless, but I also think its a state of mind too.
Go to a chinese hypnotist, tell him what you are planning, then suck it up, and go cold turkey.
Unless you have a seizure disorder or something that can land you in the hospital, then you should check with your Doc first (who is not listening to you anyway...) cold turkey is the way to go.
I mean, does anyone stay on the same drug 8 years??!! Not in the psych world anyway... And I also think you nead a more compassionate head shrinker who will listen & work with you in feeling better.
It's all about you baby. Don't let 'em sell ya a bridge.
This is not some casual head buz - it's scary and can be a sign of TIA's..... ahhh hmm - so now that I've said all this stuff..... get thee to a new Doctor post-haste young man! Yeah - I'd feel better if you went that route first.
Take care - many thoughts, prayers and good wishes sent you! :)
Posted by harlie on September 1, 2003, at 18:48:19
In reply to Re: Online Petition! » sufferfromeffexor, posted by zoobie on August 31, 2003, at 18:17:16
Effexor has worked very very good for me-I am on my 4'th week and after months of not working I am back to my old self.I am on 300mg a day-It is a miracle.I am going to write a letter to the manufacture to thank them.Thank God-Give it a try and take the bad stuff you read here with a huge grain of salt.No side effects after the first week.
Posted by MOE1 on September 1, 2003, at 18:48:28
In reply to JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by TANYA on January 14, 2000, at 10:48:44
> Hi, I have just started taking effexor xr and I have only been on it for 3 days. I had been suffering from mild depression and sleeplessness. My dr. has also given me tryodozone for sleeping at night. it really helps and I wake up feeling refreshed after sleep. I don't have much of an appetite which to me feels good because I need to loose some weight. The only concern that I have is that I get severely tired during the day when taking the effexor xr the dr. said he wants me to take it during the day so that it will give me energy, but i haven't experienced that yet. I know it's only been 3 days, but am worried that I don't want to feel this exhausted during the day while taking it. Did anyone else experience this and if so how long before it went away?
> thanks,
> tanyaHey Tanya - I read your resonse and i as well am taking effexor xr - my main trouble has always been sleep - i read you took a med called TRYODOZONE - i looked it up on the net and could not find any info on it - do u have any further info on this med -
Posted by Angelina on September 2, 2003, at 6:29:59
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by MOE1 on September 1, 2003, at 18:48:28
> > Hi, I have just started taking effexor xr and I have only been on it for 3 days. I had been suffering from mild depression and sleeplessness. My dr. has also given me tryodozone for sleeping at night. it really helps and I wake up feeling refreshed after sleep. I don't have much of an appetite which to me feels good because I need to loose some weight. The only concern that I have is that I get severely tired during the day when taking the effexor xr the dr. said he wants me to take it during the day so that it will give me energy, but i haven't experienced that yet. I know it's only been 3 days, but am worried that I don't want to feel this exhausted during the day while taking it. Did anyone else experience this and if so how long before it went away?
> > thanks,
> > tanya
>
> Hey Tanya - I read your resonse and i as well am taking effexor xr - my main trouble has always been sleep - i read you took a med called TRYODOZONE - i looked it up on the net and could not find any info on it - do u have any further info on this med -I think Tanya might mean Trazadone?
Posted by tacky1 on September 2, 2003, at 10:38:51
In reply to Re: Withdrawals from Effexor..... » michelle29, posted by Angelina on August 31, 2003, at 18:21:27
> Does anyone know of ANYTHING that helps combat the WITHDRAWAL(not "discontinuation symptoms")? Any vitamins or supplements or ANYTHING to help this???
That's a very good question. I am going to see my doctor today and will ask. Not that he will know much more about this drug than I do. If I don't get anywhere with him, I will talk to my pharmacist. They can be more helpful when it comes down the the medications. I'll keep you all posted.
Posted by lianne on September 2, 2003, at 12:15:55
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by MOE1 on September 1, 2003, at 18:48:28
Hey Tanya,
I suffered the same fate when I started taking Effexor XR and I could hardly stay in the office for longer than two hours a day. However I decided to take my medication between 6.00 and 7.00P.M everyday. The result is that the tiredness comes at night. I sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed, thus preventing the need to take the sleep medication that my doctor prescribed. You might wanna try this and save yourself some money by not taking the sleep aid and reducing the number of pills you take each day. I hope my suggestions helps. Good luck
Lianne
Posted by BJL on September 2, 2003, at 12:34:07
In reply to Effexor is a Great Drug!Online Petition!, posted by harlie on September 1, 2003, at 18:48:19
> Effexor has worked very very good for me-I am on my 4'th week and after months of not working I am back to my old self.I am on 300mg a day-It is a miracle.I am going to write a letter to the manufacture to thank them.Thank God-Give it a try and take the bad stuff you read here with a huge grain of salt.No side effects after the first week.
>
>
What time of day do you take your Effexor?
Posted by Maeve on September 2, 2003, at 14:04:40
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Angelina on September 2, 2003, at 6:29:59
> > > Hi, I have just started taking effexor xr and I have only been on it for 3 days. I had been suffering from mild depression and sleeplessness. My dr. has also given me tryodozone for sleeping at night. it really helps and I wake up feeling refreshed after sleep. I don't have much of an appetite which to me feels good because I need to loose some weight. The only concern that I have is that I get severely tired during the day when taking the effexor xr the dr. said he wants me to take it during the day so that it will give me energy, but i haven't experienced that yet. I know it's only been 3 days, but am worried that I don't want to feel this exhausted during the day while taking it. Did anyone else experience this and if so how long before it went away?
> > > thanks,
> > > tanya
> >
> > Hey Tanya - I read your resonse and i as well am taking effexor xr - my main trouble has always been sleep - i read you took a med called TRYODOZONE - i looked it up on the net and could not find any info on it - do u have any further info on this med -
>
> I think Tanya might mean Trazadone?>>>>>>Yup - she means Trazadone - and it's fantastic for sleepytime action hands down!
But I've never heard of anyone getting sleepy on the Extended Release Effexor.
Call your doc and ask him or his nurse what the deal is.
Posted by Angelina on September 2, 2003, at 15:06:23
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Maeve on September 2, 2003, at 14:04:40
Three things today. First, to the person who was going to check with their doctor/pharmacist regarding anything to combat the withdrawal, please please let us know if you hear anything.
Second, to the person who commented that the negative comments on this board should be "taken with a grain of salt", I find that offensive. I'm very happy that this medication is working for you and you're not experiencing side effects. But, please don't dismiss the THOUSANDS of us that are not doing well on this medication, and are fighting like crazy to get off of it. Finally, taking trazadone for sleep seems extreme to me. This is NOT simply a sleep aid. Please read all side effects before taking it.
Posted by BJL on September 2, 2003, at 15:17:54
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Angelina on September 2, 2003, at 15:06:23
> Three things today. First, to the person who was going to check with their doctor/pharmacist regarding anything to combat the withdrawal, please please let us know if you hear anything.
> Second, to the person who commented that the negative comments on this board should be "taken with a grain of salt", I find that offensive. I'm very happy that this medication is working for you and you're not experiencing side effects. But, please don't dismiss the THOUSANDS of us that are not doing well on this medication, and are fighting like crazy to get off of it. Finally, taking trazadone for sleep seems extreme to me. This is NOT simply a sleep aid. Please read all side effects before taking it.
I don't think the comment to "take it with a grain of salt" was meaning to disregard those having problems with Effexor. I think it was just to state that not everyone has bad experiences, and we don't hear as much about the good things that Effexor can do. After all, it was when I experienced "withdrawals" from Paxil that I found this board, searching for help. It wasn't because I was coming on to rave about a medication.That having been said, I wanted to say something about trazodone. Yes, it really does help you sleep. I would only take 1/2 tablet and would sleep like a rock. Problem was that I was groggy all day the next day, even on 1/4 tablet. I refuse to take it because of that.
I also feel drowsy on the Effexor XR, and my psych had specifically told me to take it in the a.m. because he felt it would "wind me up." I'm gradually moving my dose to later in the day so that I can function better. Does anyone have experience with this?
Posted by sufferfromeffexor on September 2, 2003, at 15:56:01
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor » Johnlund, posted by Maeve on September 1, 2003, at 14:11:37
Thanks so much for the advice and for your story! I just saw my doc again this morning, after having some terrible breakdowns this weekend. He really didn't tell me anything new and just told me to decrease by another 37.5 for this week and alternate it next week...and to call him if I absolutely can't handle it. Gee Thanks! I know I should see a new dr. but it is such a pain in the you-know-what!! I am dropping from 75 to 37.5 tomorrow, so wish me luck and I wish all of you luck and continued success.
PS...I don't know if you realize, but I am a woman. hahahaha I noticed you made reference to a man at the end of your post. =)
PPS...really...who stays on one med for 8 continuous years...only because I was terrified to go through the withdrawls and they didn't care, just kept giving me more prescriptions. He also didn't not believe any of my withdrawl symptoms...what makes them think they know more about what we go through than our selves???
Posted by sufferfromeffexor on September 2, 2003, at 15:59:08
In reply to Effexor is a Great Drug!Online Petition!, posted by harlie on September 1, 2003, at 18:48:19
Again, I don't think any of us are talking about side effects while TAKING the medicine. We are describing what it is to try and stop the medicine. I don't disagree that it worked initially for me, but after 8 years everything about me was just dulled and I had no feelings either way. I don't want to live like that. So again, we are not saying it didn't do its job at first, but I never prepared for what it is like to just stop it when I no longer want to take it.
> Effexor has worked very very good for me-I am on my 4'th week and after months of not working I am back to my old self.I am on 300mg a day-It is a miracle.I am going to write a letter to the manufacture to thank them.Thank God-Give it a try and take the bad stuff you read here with a huge grain of salt.No side effects after the first week.
>
>
Posted by sufferfromeffexor on September 2, 2003, at 16:04:08
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Maeve on September 2, 2003, at 14:04:40
I have been taking Effexor xr for many years and my biggest complaint was lack of energy and motivation. I guess it wasn't that I was so sleepy (although I did like naps) as it was being really lethargic. Is there a difference?
> > > > Hi, I have just started taking effexor xr and I have only been on it for 3 days. I had been suffering from mild depression and sleeplessness. My dr. has also given me tryodozone for sleeping at night. it really helps and I wake up feeling refreshed after sleep. I don't have much of an appetite which to me feels good because I need to loose some weight. The only concern that I have is that I get severely tired during the day when taking the effexor xr the dr. said he wants me to take it during the day so that it will give me energy, but i haven't experienced that yet. I know it's only been 3 days, but am worried that I don't want to feel this exhausted during the day while taking it. Did anyone else experience this and if so how long before it went away?
> > > > thanks,
> > > > tanya
> > >
> > > Hey Tanya - I read your resonse and i as well am taking effexor xr - my main trouble has always been sleep - i read you took a med called TRYODOZONE - i looked it up on the net and could not find any info on it - do u have any further info on this med -
> >
> > I think Tanya might mean Trazadone?
>
> >>>>>>Yup - she means Trazadone - and it's fantastic for sleepytime action hands down!
>
> But I've never heard of anyone getting sleepy on the Extended Release Effexor.
>
> Call your doc and ask him or his nurse what the deal is.
>
>
Posted by Nay16 on September 2, 2003, at 17:31:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Kev on January 4, 2000, at 21:32:43
Well, i am on effexor xr again. I took it for 5 months before and had great success with anxiety and panic attacks. I decided to stop taking it because i wanted to do it on my own. Well that worked for 6 months, with occasional problems, but then it go horrible.
My first time i dropped 15 pds, lost any craving for meat. Everytime i tried to eat it, got sick. When i went off it, gained the weight back and had my appetite. In all, the medication has been great and I realize when i need it. I had no problems stopping it.
As for zoloft, i had such a bad experience, it took me 2 weeks to recover from 4 pills. I didnt leave my house, didnt sleep, didnt eat, and made everyone's life miserable!
Posted by Rickey on September 2, 2003, at 21:07:47
In reply to Re: Withdrawals from Effexor..... » Angelina, posted by tacky1 on September 2, 2003, at 10:38:51
I have been withdrawing for about two weeks. I was taking 75mg daily. Teh went every two days and a week ago stopped. Had usual problems mostly sleeping. Main problem I had was when rising and laying down I felt like I was going to pas out. Anyone else having this problem? Seems a little better today.
Posted by harlie on September 2, 2003, at 21:23:42
In reply to Re: Effexor is a Great Drug!Online Petition!, posted by BJL on September 2, 2003, at 12:34:07
> > Effexor has worked very very good for me-I am on my 4'th week and after months of not working I am back to my old self.I am on 300mg a day-It is a miracle.I am going to write a letter to the manufacture to thank them.Thank God-Give it a try and take the bad stuff you read here with a huge grain of salt.No side effects after the first week.
> >
> >
> What time of day do you take your Effexor?
>I take it in the AM.I am not as tired as I was when I started but I still need a coffee to get going a little.
Posted by ghh on September 2, 2003, at 23:55:07
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Angelina on September 2, 2003, at 6:29:59
I am now 45 and first had anxiety symptoms at 23.
I started with Effexor in 1996 and either it is a great coincidence or it changed my life. Since then, I have changed jobs three times (all for the better), have had three children and live the life I had before this mess all started. At times, the anxiety is bad, but I remember that it goes away and the good times vastly outnumber the bad. I have thought of trying to go off the medicine ( I take 75mg) but think if it works why even bother?
If diabetics can take insulin, those of us pre-disposed toward anxiety/depression should have no remorse over taking medication.
The best to all.
Posted by loolot on September 3, 2003, at 2:21:47
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor » Maeve, posted by sufferfromeffexor on September 2, 2003, at 15:56:01
I have been withdrawing from effexor, too. I read in the archive that someone had success taking benedryl to curb the horrible nausea/shocks.
I tried it and it definitely helped.
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