Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 8, 2003, at 23:17:57
Does anyone out there experiance electric shocks while actually taking effexor, or do they just experiance it while coming off of it? My aunt says she feels it when on it and it got worse when she was coming off. I don't know if what i feel is electric shocks, so if someone could explain it as well, I would be grateful.
Posted by Smeegle on September 9, 2003, at 11:45:55
In reply to Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 8, 2003, at 23:17:57
I would describe it more like brain zips. It is definitely a very odd sensation and certainly not pleasant. I have been on Effexor XR for going on two years now and I only get them when I miss a dose or two. It reminds me really fast not to forget. It typically goes away shortly after I remember and take my dose.
Posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 9, 2003, at 13:01:53
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by Smeegle on September 9, 2003, at 11:45:55
I understand. That happens to me to. It bothers me that the one medication that has worked for me gives me such side effects if i am an hour or 2 late when taking a dose. I also get these "zaps" at night when I am trying to go to sleep. It seems that my body wants more or something. I tend to twitch really bad right after the zap, and sometimes the zaps are so bad that I feel like I am about to go into a seizure. I know that there is nothing wrong inside my head physically since I have had severe migranes since I was ten and just a month ago had my second MRI. My only thought is that the Effexor is causing these feelings, and that scares me. It scares me that most doctors deny that these zaps even exist.
Posted by EscherDementian on September 9, 2003, at 17:11:13
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor » Smeegle, posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 9, 2003, at 13:01:53
Among the side-effects i felt while on effexor, was the feeling of chewing tin-foil on metal tooth fillings.
>I also get these "zaps" at night when I am trying to go to sleep. I tend to twitch really bad right after the zap, and sometimes the zaps are so bad that I feel like I am about to go into a seizure.
>i got EXACTLY these 'zaps' and twitches before falling asleep 20 years ago when i did too much 'speed'. As did my friend. Our assumption was that it had to do with brain-electrical nerve --> muscle firings being out of whack by the chemical. It stopped when we pulled back. And also supplimented calcium/magnesium for the muscle twitches, pantothenic for my adrenals, and tended to my electrolytes.
Those zaps & twitches freaked me out. i wonder what the connection with Effexor could be? Hmmmmmm...
Hope this help you,
Escher
Posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 10, 2003, at 10:02:28
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by EscherDementian on September 9, 2003, at 17:11:13
My question now is, are these zaps safe? SHould I continue on this medication if I keep experiancing this and doctors deny this side effect exsists?
Posted by EscherDementian on September 10, 2003, at 16:31:12
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 10, 2003, at 10:02:28
Scroll up to:
_Re: a thought of my own_ SF24 9/8/03
It's a very good posting IMHO, and i found it extremely pertinant ...
Posted by jegulzz on September 11, 2003, at 11:04:33
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor » cherleadnchipmnk, posted by EscherDementian on September 10, 2003, at 16:31:12
> Scroll up to:
>
> _Re: a thought of my own_ SF24 9/8/03
>
>
> It's a very good posting IMHO, and i found it extremely pertinant ...
>
>I have been taking effexor for over a year and a half. I noticed on NUMEROUS occassions that if I missed a dose or was late, that these electrical shocks occurred. It was VERY irritating, scary and disturbing. It was just a reminder that I needed to take my dose again.
Well now, I am trying to quit completely. It is VERY difficult. I was up to 225mg a day. I lowered my doses by 75mg every 4 weeks, down to 37.5mg for the last 4 weeks. I have now had NO effexor for 4 days. The electical shocks started after the 2nd day. They are terrible!! I feel so "weird". My vision is blurred, my hands are tingling and go numb. My brain is mis-firing. It is upsetting and extremely unpleasant. I am on my 3rd day of this. So far, the 2nd day was the worst of it. I am hoping it will eventually stop. It is scary, however I feel I need to go off of this drug, because I eventually want to have children and my OB GYN told me that effexor has had VERY bad side effects on unborn children. And has caused severe birth defects as well as high still born rates. I am toughening it out, but it is not fun.
I will say, I did not have side effects while taking it, other than weight gain of about 15-20 pounds. I VERY much hope that weight will come off, once the drug is out of my system.
Good luck to all.
Posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 11, 2003, at 12:38:49
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by jegulzz on September 11, 2003, at 11:04:33
I am thinking that I want off this medication now, so that later on when my husband and I decide to try for kids I won't have to go off of it then. I decided that while I am being switched on medications, because I will still need to be on one, I will admit myself to a hospital because I am alone most of the time and don't want anything to happen when no one else is home. Does this sound like a good idea to anyone who has gone off of this medication before?
Posted by jegulzz on September 11, 2003, at 14:38:37
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 11, 2003, at 12:38:49
that's really up to you if you want to go to that extreme. I also live alone ALL of the time and I feel ok. The hard part is going to work. I am unable to concentrate for long periods of time. In addition, the numbness in my hands causes me to "jump" and shake my hands, like when your foot or hand falls asleep.
If you are worried about being alone, then by all means check into a hospital. I just wish I knew how long this was going to last. I am getting very sick of it already!! This is day 4 for me of withdrawal.
Posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 11, 2003, at 20:13:50
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by jegulzz on September 11, 2003, at 14:38:37
Well, last summer I was admitted for suicide watch while being changed from paxil to effexor, and I would be kind of scared of what might happen to myself if i stayed at home during the change, i just wanted a little extra input from others who have been there and can tell me some of what to expect, since it is different with every person.
Posted by tacky1 on September 11, 2003, at 23:14:40
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by jegulzz on September 11, 2003, at 14:38:37
> that's really up to you if you want to go to that extreme. I also live alone ALL of the time and I feel ok. The hard part is going to work. I am unable to concentrate for long periods of time. In addition, the numbness in my hands causes me to "jump" and shake my hands, like when your foot or hand falls asleep.
>
> If you are worried about being alone, then by all means check into a hospital. I just wish I knew how long this was going to last. I am getting very sick of it already!! This is day 4 for me of withdrawal.
>
>
Hi there, just thought I'd share my experience of Effexor XR withdrawals. I have been off the meds for about 2 wks now. I too was home along during most of this. There were several nights with nightmares and anxiety attacks, but nothing too major, for me anyway. I can tell you that it does get much, much better!!!! When I was about where you are now I had no idea what was wrong with me. I joked to my husband that I thought I had a neurological disorder. Then thank heavens I found this web site! Anyway, long story short, went to family doc for withdrawal symptoms, he prescribed Reglan, for the constant nausea, and he informed me that my symptoms should go away by about 2 weeks off meds. He was pretty much on the nose, so far, Yeah! :) Let me know if you would like more specifics on the withdrawal symptoms that I experienced. They were absolutely awful and plentiful.Good Luck, and Hang tough. It does get better!
Posted by ant on September 12, 2003, at 0:13:38
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by tacky1 on September 11, 2003, at 23:14:40
tacky1
How long were you on EFFEXOR and how much did you take ?
Thanks Ant
> > that's really up to you if you want to go to that extreme. I also live alone ALL of the time and I feel ok. The hard part is going to work. I am unable to concentrate for long periods of time. In addition, the numbness in my hands causes me to "jump" and shake my hands, like when your foot or hand falls asleep.
> >
> > If you are worried about being alone, then by all means check into a hospital. I just wish I knew how long this was going to last. I am getting very sick of it already!! This is day 4 for me of withdrawal.
> >
> >
> Hi there, just thought I'd share my experience of Effexor XR withdrawals. I have been off the meds for about 2 wks now. I too was home along during most of this. There were several nights with nightmares and anxiety attacks, but nothing too major, for me anyway. I can tell you that it does get much, much better!!!! When I was about where you are now I had no idea what was wrong with me. I joked to my husband that I thought I had a neurological disorder. Then thank heavens I found this web site! Anyway, long story short, went to family doc for withdrawal symptoms, he prescribed Reglan, for the constant nausea, and he informed me that my symptoms should go away by about 2 weeks off meds. He was pretty much on the nose, so far, Yeah! :) Let me know if you would like more specifics on the withdrawal symptoms that I experienced. They were absolutely awful and plentiful.
>
> Good Luck, and Hang tough. It does get better!
>
>
Posted by oeps7 on September 12, 2003, at 13:57:44
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by ant on September 12, 2003, at 0:13:38
> tacky1
>
> How long were you on EFFEXOR and how much did you take ?
>
> Thanks Ant
>
> > > that's really up to you if you want to go to that extreme. I also live alone ALL of the time and I feel ok. The hard part is going to work. I am unable to concentrate for long periods of time. In addition, the numbness in my hands causes me to "jump" and shake my hands, like when your foot or hand falls asleep.
> > >
> > > If you are worried about being alone, then by all means check into a hospital. I just wish I knew how long this was going to last. I am getting very sick of it already!! This is day 4 for me of withdrawal.
> > >
> > >
> > Hi there, just thought I'd share my experience of Effexor XR withdrawals. I have been off the meds for about 2 wks now. I too was home along during most of this. There were several nights with nightmares and anxiety attacks, but nothing too major, for me anyway. I can tell you that it does get much, much better!!!! When I was about where you are now I had no idea what was wrong with me. I joked to my husband that I thought I had a neurological disorder. Then thank heavens I found this web site! Anyway, long story short, went to family doc for withdrawal symptoms, he prescribed Reglan, for the constant nausea, and he informed me that my symptoms should go away by about 2 weeks off meds. He was pretty much on the nose, so far, Yeah! :) Let me know if you would like more specifics on the withdrawal symptoms that I experienced. They were absolutely awful and plentiful.
> >
> > Good Luck, and Hang tough. It does get better!
> >
> >
>
>Hi what were some of your withdrawal symptoms - I am almost 2 weeks off effexor and the withdrawal comes and goes - sometimes its horrible nausea and dizziness, sometimes anxiety and achy joints. You are starting to feel better?
I am having a difficult time concentrating at work, I keep forgeting things. Does all of this sound familiar?
Thanks,
Mary
Posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 12, 2003, at 15:03:38
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by oeps7 on September 12, 2003, at 13:57:44
Wow, I am so glad that I found this site, everywhere else that I ask questions, no one ever responds. It's great to know that there are people out there that are going through what I am and what I will soon be. I think that I might have enough courage now to stay at home through the withdrawls, and I've heard it's easier if you are being stepped up on a new med while you are getting off of the old one. I had no withdrawl symptoms going off of paxil and onto effexor since they were lowering the paxil and raising the effexor at the same time. Hopefully the withdrawls will be minimized if I do the same thing. I thank everyone on here for the support and the advice, I can't express how much it means to me.
Tamera
Posted by oeps7 on September 12, 2003, at 15:43:24
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by cherleadnchipmnk on September 12, 2003, at 15:03:38
> Wow, I am so glad that I found this site, everywhere else that I ask questions, no one ever responds. It's great to know that there are people out there that are going through what I am and what I will soon be. I think that I might have enough courage now to stay at home through the withdrawls, and I've heard it's easier if you are being stepped up on a new med while you are getting off of the old one. I had no withdrawl symptoms going off of paxil and onto effexor since they were lowering the paxil and raising the effexor at the same time. Hopefully the withdrawls will be minimized if I do the same thing. I thank everyone on here for the support and the advice, I can't express how much it means to me.
> TameraTamera,
Hi, I am 2 weeks off effexor but also on a small dose of zoloft 50mg - I think this helped a lot. I also need to take about 1 benadryl a day for the nausea and dizziness - the benadryl also seems to take away your flu symptoms it works - talk to your doctor first though to make sure you can take it. The drawback is I get soooo tired.Cheers,
Mary
Posted by almondjoy on September 12, 2003, at 23:49:47
In reply to Re: Electric shocks while on Effexor, posted by Smeegle on September 9, 2003, at 11:45:55
I had the same sensations...electric shocks when i was withdrawing. i got arrested (uh....it was dumb) and they never gave me meds (for 8 days until i was transferred to the hospital). the jails shrink they sent to ask me what i needed, i found out later, wrote down from my descriptions it might be exhibiting psychosis...when actually i hadn't had my meds for days and i was in f**king jail. BUT nothing really bad happened to me bcos of the withdrawl, thats not to say that it couldn't. for most meds i think its usually best to taper. good luck
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