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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by patty Gates on October 13, 1999, at 7:48:53
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, posted by Becky on October 2, 1999, at 21:37:31
My niece called yesterday and said that her doctor is having her begin taking Paxil after having taken Effexor for about a month. Considering she is going to be on a different AD, should she be concerned about withdrawal syptoms from the Effexor?
Posted by Noa on October 13, 1999, at 17:37:59
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, posted by patty Gates on October 13, 1999, at 7:48:53
I think it is usually a good idea to taper off, not stop cold turkey.
Posted by Marilyn on May 17, 2000, at 18:00:02
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, posted by Noa on October 13, 1999, at 17:37:59
I had been on Effexor at a high dose (225mg) for several years. It took me 3 months of gradual tapering to get off of it; yet I still suffered dizziness, weakness, and nightmare-type physical reactions during sleep (panic?). During the last week of tapering off, I added Prozac. (The idea was to switch from Effexor to Prozac, since the Effexor seemed to have stopped working.) I crashed quite quickly and the MD said to go back up on Effexor and continue with Prozac. Being on Effexor the second time around is horrible: if I don't take it every four hours I immediately get the wierd withdrawal dizzies, heartache and panic. I'm taking the extended release, which should last more than four hours! I'm really suffering, but the doc says keep it up and add more Prozac to the mix. I've been on anitdepressants of some kind for seven years; with short breaks when I've been blessed with hypomanic episodes (mostly harmless). As I get older it seems my depressions are more frequent and more severe, even tho' I'm medicated. THen I change medication and suffer through side effects etc. while waiting for it to work. I hate this life. I'm bipolar II and if anyone has a miracle cure please let me know.
Posted by Orin on May 17, 2000, at 22:35:30
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, posted by Marilyn on May 17, 2000, at 18:00:02
I'm into my third session with venlafaxine, each of the others sessions lasted over six months. The first time it was raising by blood pressure too much. The second time was to try another med. This time, its not affecting my blood pressure, and I'm staying with it.
I had no problems whatsoever in discontinuing venlafaxine. My doc had me reduce the dose by 1/4 every 4 to 5 days. At the same time a replacement med was started at 1/4 of an initial target dose, and was increased by 1/4 every 4 to 5 days.
Posted by johnturner77 on May 18, 2000, at 12:35:37
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, posted by Marilyn on May 17, 2000, at 18:00:02
I saw a study recently that said DHEA levels were low in depressed patients. DHEA drops with age could it be a factor? At least one study showed good antidepressant effects at 60-90mg per day. Its an OTC available from health food stores. However, not much is known about how it interacts with other drugs. Its antidepressant effects may be due to a lowering of cortisol. BTW is it possible that you are tending toward Cushing's as you get older?
I saw a post somewhere OxRx I believe that recommended using benedryl for Effexor withdrawal symptoms. Effexor isn't supposed to interact with Histimine receptors but I wonder if it may have some indirect effects. Some of the effects of it seem like excess histimine to me.
Posted by juniper on May 19, 2000, at 0:05:19
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, posted by johnturner77 on May 18, 2000, at 12:35:37
Aside from the standard Your Mileage May Vary, does anyone out there know why some people have such profound withdrawl effects from effexor while others have none?
(i seem to become very very tired when i go off effexor, but no flu like symptoms.)
juniper
Posted by Cam W. on May 19, 2000, at 0:11:58
In reply to a question about withdrawls, posted by juniper on May 19, 2000, at 0:05:19
> Aside from the standard Your Mileage May Vary, does anyone out there know why some people have such profound withdrawl effects from effexor while others have none?
>
> (i seem to become very very tired when i go off effexor, but no flu like symptoms.)
>
> juniperJuniper - It probably has to do with your neurochenical make-up (eg concentration of different neurotransmitter receptors, different neurosteroids, different hormones, etc.). In other words, all the things that result in "your mileage may vary." - Cam
Posted by Marilyn on May 19, 2000, at 15:43:54
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, posted by johnturner77 on May 18, 2000, at 12:35:37
Thanks John. I'm going to get DHEA and Benadryl today. I'd heard about DHEA before. I thought I was tapering off Effexor slowly but maybe not slowly enough: I have reduced my 225 mg. daily dose by 37.5 and have stayed at that for three days, with no ease in symptoms. I'm lucky to be able to stay at my mom's while I go through with this.
Posted by Faheyshan on August 21, 2000, at 10:40:16
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, posted by patty Gates on October 13, 1999, at 7:48:53
I was on Effexor for about 2 months increasing to 150 mg daily. I quit cold turkey about 10 days ago. I don't know what this stuff does to your head - but I have lasting side effects. I'm extremely dizzy. It's horrible. Today, all I want to do is lay down. I just poped a Xanax - I want to see if this will help. The more I read about this drug, the more I'm concerned. It is new and they don't know how it works or long lasting side effects.
The only problem I had with taking the drug was "lack of orgasms." Being that the catalist to taking it was that I got separated from my husband of a year and a half. Now after 3 months I'm dating (and having great sex with no orgasms). I guess I'm learning that being alittle selfish in bed is important. I'm going to be 30 in a few days and sex is getting better and better - so I couldn't stand this one side effect.
Now I'm dizzy and scared to be alone at night. I've never experienced withdrawl symptoms before - this drug while taking it is ok - removing it from your brain is horrible. Watch out!Shannon hottytotyNJ@aol.com
Posted by LisaDiann on February 23, 2002, at 10:03:47
In reply to Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by Faheyshan on August 21, 2000, at 10:40:16
I was on prozac for about 8 years and felt it wasn't helping with my depression and anxiety so doc put me on effexor. I stopped taking the effexor after a couple months because I was extremely constipated and thought maybe the effexor was causing it. Then the nightmare started...I began getting dizzy spells alot and at the same time of the spell..my heart,fingers on left hand and left leg would also have that tingly feeling. The spells got so bad I went to my doctor and asked if it could be from effexor and he said no that its probably just nerves and sent me to a cardiologist. I'm having heart monitor and stress test next week. I'm sooooo glad I found this web site..I thought I was having a heart attack or a stroke. Now I'm wondering if these withdrawals are from the prozac or the effexor or maybe both...and I can't believe my doctor neverrrrr warned me of this.
Does anybody know how long these withdrawals will last???? Thanks :)
Posted by lola robers on September 29, 2002, at 21:02:29
In reply to Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by Faheyshan on August 21, 2000, at 10:40:16
trying to get off effexor because of high Blood
pressure after year on it--went from 75mg to 37.5 in a week..taking 37.5 for just a week, skipped yesterday altogether--felt awful today--tired,
fuzzy head, weird electrical sensations in head..eyes felt weird, so took another 37.5.
how long will these side effects go on? also, am switching to celexa, do i have to wait until I am completely off effexor/ thanks
Posted by STEPH0725 on October 12, 2002, at 23:26:57
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!! » Faheyshan, posted by LisaDiann on February 23, 2002, at 10:03:47
I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY ILL FOR A WEEK NOW AFTER STOPPING EFFEXOR. I AM SO TIRED, WEAK, DIZZY, AND NAUSTIOUS. MY HOUSE IS THRASHED BECAUSE WHEN I TRY TO CLEAN, I HAVE TO LAY DOWN AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES. I AM A RECEPTIONIST IN A BUSY DOCTORS OFFICE AND THE OTHER RECEPTIONIST IS GOING TO BE OFF ON MONDAY WHICH MEANS I HAVE TO BE THERE TO GREET THE PATIENTS FEELING THE WAY I DO. I FEEL SO HELPLESS! DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN TAKE TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER? I HAVE TO FEEL BETTER SOON BECAUSE I CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS MUCH LONGER. ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE?
Posted by mandakay on October 14, 2002, at 13:59:52
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by STEPH0725 on October 12, 2002, at 23:26:57
Hi, Steph....
I took Chelated Molybdenum to help with the withdrawal symptoms from Effexor. I read about it on another site. An herbalist "prescribed" this for a woman suffering from the same Effexor withdrawal symptoms. She claimed it made a noticible difference with the severity of the symptoms. I have to say that the amount & intensity of the "brainshocks" & dizzy spells I was suffering from were greatly improved when I took this herb. I bought a bottle at the Vitamin Shoppe.
Did u taper down your dosage or just stop cold turkey?? It makes a world of difference if you work your way down....
I was on Effexor for almost 2 years. I have now been completely off for one week now. I tapered down from three 75mg tabs a day to 2 tabs/day, then 1.5 tabs per day, 1 tab per day, .5 tab per day to .25 of a pill every day, then .25 every 2 days, then every 3 days & now nothing! This has been an 8 week process and I am still suffering with major withdrawal symptoms.
I never would have taken Effexor if I knew the hell of going through withdrawal from it. I feel like I'm going crazy sometimes...see things that aren't there out of the corner of my eye, unable to concentrate a lot of the time, am happy, sad, hopeless, then upbeat, postive, encouraged, then happy, sad, hopeless, depressed, etc....Up....down....up....down!!!! I also experienced at least 4 weeks of severe nausea & vomitting, restlessness when trying to sleep,etc.
You know, I would suggest you take Advil or some brand of ibuprofen on a daily basis...this has really helped with headaches & misc. body aches & pains that just kinda appear outta nowhere.
Hang in there...time is the key to getting this "stuff" outta your bod!! Keep your head up, exercise, take a multivitamin, try to refrain from drinking alchoholic beverages, drink lots of water, I remind myself all the time...."IT'S MIND OVER MATTER!!!".....you'll get through this :-)
Posted by wcfrench on October 16, 2002, at 15:35:48
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by STEPH0725 on October 12, 2002, at 23:26:57
>DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN TAKE TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER?
Hey Steph
I think you could take some Effexor to feel better! :)
Seriously though, have you ever considered just taking a little bit [more] to get through an important day? You're right, it's probably best not to go to work like that. Anyway, hoping you make it through OK.
I went through some withdrawal symptoms, but it wasn't really bad. I was only on 75mg... but I did hear the air conditioner get louder in volume spurts and it freaked me out, like a head whoosh. It will be OK soon, and (maybe) take a little bit if it's going to be a tasking day.
See ya,
Charlie
Posted by Tommy62 on September 5, 2003, at 15:10:41
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!! » Faheyshan, posted by LisaDiann on February 23, 2002, at 10:03:47
Friends;
I've never posted here before. I just found the site. Today is Day 9 off Effexor for me. Considering that three weeks ago I was still up to 375 mg a day of the crap, I suppose you would say I have attempted to step down too fast.
But as it is, I'm not going back. Once this evil muck is out of my system, this will be over, I pray, and however long that takes...well, my name is Tommy, and I'll be your laboratory. Next time somebody asks how long withdrawal takes when you do it too fast off too much, you can refer them to me. That's assuming I survive.
I know a lot of you may be offended at my calling this wonder drug evil crap. I don't mean to offend, but I don't take it back either. I've been through too many anti-depressants to speak very charitably about any of them anymore.
Effexor is a hostage-taker. It helped me wonderfully for about three months last year (from about July to October of 2002.) Then it stopped. Up the dosage. No better. Up it again. No better. It's like the drug just did what it felt like doing for three months and then went on strike.
And from then on it was a slavery relationship. I either took it or felt terrible in all the ways people have described - the vertigo, the "zaps", the dizziness, the nausea, the flu-like symptoms, all that and more. I've been enslaved by depression for 25 years. I don't care to be enslaved by one of its treatment drugs too.
It's Day 9. Every time I stand up it feels like when you zoom downhill on a rollercoaster and all the blood in your butt rushes to your head.
I'm not asking how long this will last. I've already scoured the website for that answer. A week to two weeks, I read. I will tell you all this, though (whoever's reading, whoever cares), once this pharaceutical sewage is out of my body, I'm never touching it again.
You feel this way and you want it to be somebody's fault. You want to wring somebody's neck. And there's nobody to sue. Heck, the doctors don't know what this stuff is going to do to us! They don't MEAN to hurt us. If Physics is "maybe it works this way", then Medicine is "let's give 'em this and write down what happens". That's all it is. And nobody suffers for that M.O. more than depressives do. Nobody.
There's no more point to this. I'll stop wasting your time. But I'll say that Doctors should wake up about drugs like Effexor. A warning like "You could potentially be enslaved by this medication." would be nice. I wouldn't call it an 'addictive' drug, like a narcotic or an opiate. That would be too high of praise. At least with those sorts of drugs, you get something for your dose every time. With Effexor, it can just stop working, but if you don't keep taking (and paying for) it, it'll hurt you bad. There's something fundamentally immoral about that.
Tommy 62
Posted by misyfitz on September 18, 2003, at 8:41:58
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by Tommy62 on September 5, 2003, at 15:10:41
I am on my 6th day of my life AFTER EFFEXOR XR!! I feel lost, sad, shakey, hostile and I am at times, suicidal. I am not this person!!! I am usually not a severally depressed person. I was miss diagnosed and on the wrong types of medication for the last year. I finally went to a PHD and asked him what the heck is wrong with me? After many visits and several written and verbal tests he said, YOUR ADD!! I had thought over the years that I had alot of the symptoms of ADD and when I went to my Dr. he said I was suffering from sever depression.(I have never been depressed and never had signs before) I was, but because of the frustration of dealing with ADD all of my life, and feeling like a total idiot because of my lack of get up and go, and organization. My mother always told me I was DUMB!! I felt like I was very dumb but most of the time I was able to figure out a math problem well above my grade level, I did go back to college at 27 yrs of age and I now have a degree in Electronics and had a GPA of 3.8 but man, I tell you it was rough. Im sorry, please forgive my getting off of the main subject, thats another issue Im having with this withdrawl. I also gained 30 lbs on effexor, I was told its because I eat badly, but I eat fruit and veggies most of the day and I have always been a very healthy (thinish) person. I wonder why I feel like I want to just get up...run out the door and run like a wild woman down my street, seriously I get so overwhelmed since this withdrawl kicked in and I just feel like running from life. If anyone has any input for me, I sure would appreciate it. Im feeling very alone right now, and my family can not relate with me at all. THANK YOU missysham@hotmaail.com
Posted by pixygoth on September 22, 2003, at 8:27:26
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by misyfitz on September 18, 2003, at 8:41:58
Lots of sympathy from me. I'm pretty definitely a depressive, but I'm coming off Effexor (did you see the news abbout it getting banned for "adolescents and children" in UK?) and I feel pretty cruddy.
I'm even jumpier than usual, and your words "lost, sad, shakey, hostile and I am at times, suicidal. " seem very familiar. I'm actually at the point where I don't know if I was worse or better before I started taking it.
Good luck, though... the stuff will clear out of your system eventually.
S xxx
Posted by cubic_me on September 24, 2003, at 6:29:39
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by pixygoth on September 22, 2003, at 8:27:26
I'm getting the dizzy, headshock, numbness withdrawal symtoms of efexor even when I miss a dose by an hour or so. Efexor issnt helping with my depression so I'm going to have to come off it all together sooner or later and I've already had trouble coming off Zoloft.
Has anyone here had trouble when its coming up to time to take a dose? I'm only on 75my split into two doses and my pdoc says that Efexor doesnt have withdrawal effects and wont take me seriously.
I dont want to be stuck on this stuff for ever.
Posted by misyfitz on September 24, 2003, at 6:38:58
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by cubic_me on September 24, 2003, at 6:29:39
Its amazing to me how they can give us these drugs to help us, and actually know so little about them. My Dr. said the same thing and I have to say, when I look at all of the posts from board to board and I see REAL people having REAL withdrawls, and now I myself have had the most awful withdrawl experience from EFFEXOR XR (and still am) I want to just look at my theropist and ask him, "ARE YOU REALLY A PHD"? I think you might want to do the same thing Im doing, find a new DR. I know that my side effects have been, vomitting, bathroom issues, nasuea, headaches, flu-like feelings, crying spells, anger, anxiety, sleeplesness, you name it and it has been felt. Im sorry things are hard for you, I was told that because I was only on 75 mg a day, there would be no way I would feel withdrawl symptoms. Good Luck to you, I know that what we are dealing with is real, and is the hardest thing I have ever done. STAY STROONG :)
Posted by pixygoth on September 24, 2003, at 13:31:38
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by cubic_me on September 24, 2003, at 6:29:39
It depends on how I am in general, but if I miss a dose by a few hours I can definitely feel it, yes. And that's now, when I'm on 75mg/day, as well as when I was on 225mg/day. The worst is the when-you-move-your-eyes-weird-brain-thing ("dizziness"). On the other hand, as I've been reducing the dose, the worst effect has been a bit of loss of the control over my moods that Effexor did seem to give me. Hopefully I can get that back non-chemically. Anyone else feeling that?
Posted by msdibbs on September 25, 2003, at 20:00:37
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by pixygoth on September 24, 2003, at 13:31:38
I too am so glad I found this site. I was only using 75 mg a day for the past 8 months and feeling better than I have been in years. I too don't like to be chemically dependant and thought it was time to try it without the Effexor. I'm down to 37.5 every second day, and it's been hell. Today at work I broke down in tears over the fact that I feel worse now than I did before I began this treatment. I know that it's only the withdrawal, but I was told by my Doc that it shouldn't be this bad (all in my messed up head I suppose)....yeah right....thank God for you other people out there who make me feel sane. I have hope this yukiness will pass, it has too.........
Posted by loopie on September 26, 2003, at 23:40:31
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!!, posted by msdibbs on September 25, 2003, at 20:00:37
Yuk!!! is putting it mildly! I had such a horrific time with withdrawls from Effxor! I was a raw nerve! All of my sences went crazy. My sence of taste, touch, smell. What I once liked to eat, I no longer liked. Smells that I once liked, I couldn't stand. I was a wreck. Loud noises, made me want to jump out the window! I may be an extream, but perkaset that I had left over from a tooth extraction was what got me through it! I am not recommending this to anybody. The perks didn't make me feel great. But, it masked the other symptoms. It was that or go to the hospital. I chose what I thought was best. By all means this is not advise for anybody. It is just to let you know that sometimes some doctors don't tell you how bad it can get, and sometimes, even if you do tell them, they don't listen.
Posted by pixygoth on September 27, 2003, at 12:59:34
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawls - Yuk!!! » msdibbs, posted by loopie on September 26, 2003, at 23:40:31
Funny thing - today I'm feeling fairly up, but my ears seem really sensitive. I know my father talks loudly anyway, but last night every word waslike a hammer... and even the keyboard is making my head nip a bit.
Is your hearing included in the weirdness?
Posted by brainshock on January 15, 2004, at 13:56:59
In reply to effexor withdrawls, posted by nissa on August 31, 1999, at 8:55:54
I was given effexor without any prior warning of the fact that I was going to be practically stuck on it due to the horrible withdrawl symptoms. What I want to know is that if I can bring some sort of legal action against either the doctor that gave them to me or the pharmaceutical company.
Posted by jake97tx on January 17, 2004, at 2:45:33
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawls, posted by brainshock on January 15, 2004, at 13:56:59
From all the research I've gathered, these are the two 'big guns' when it comes to withdrawal. There are quite a few Paxil withdrawal sites (complete with advice, support, chat, etc...) Is there such a board for Effexor? If not, is it because Paxil withdrawal may be more severe? More common? Just curious. Take care!
This is the end of the thread.
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