![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 5585 to 5609 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Clayton on November 9, 2003, at 8:58:21
In reply to Re: For Music » music, posted by KimberlyDi on November 6, 2003, at 12:44:42
Be careful with those two drugs you are using to help get off this demonic antidepressant, Effexor that I am reading so much about. They are both "Dumb Drugs". You know how there is this class of drugs called "smart drugs" - like piracetem - known as nootropics? Their efficacy is controversial. But there are also "dumb drugs" and those are two classics. I never tried Imipramine, but it is the most infamous of all. I've taken amitryptylan and I know it impairs my cognitive functioning, slows my thinking (a lot!)and kills my memory. As a tempoary expediant to withdraw from Effexor, it's probably worth it...as long as your job doesn't demand unrelenting analytical acuity like mine does. Just watch out. You have already discovered that every drug with beneficial effects - especially psychotropics - have a dark side. Beware of the dark side.
I've been on Paxil, Prozac and Remaron. No real bothersome side-effect (EXCEPT!!! - my libido vanishes - poof! It's like, "I can't quite recall but didn't I used to find women attractive and exciting in some way??"). Thank God no doc ever put me on Effexor. Just reading about peoples' personal experiences is a nightmare!
Kindest Regards & Peace Be With You
Posted by Mercedes on November 9, 2003, at 22:16:08
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Gina bobit on November 9, 2003, at 2:48:09
Please don't worry too much....you will wake up.
You were on Effexor for 4 yrs. What was your highest dosage? Mine was 300mgs. Did you withdraw by decreasing the dosage amount? Did doc give you anything to help with the withdrawals? I was given paxil, but the SE's of paxil were not good for me ALTHOUGH it did help when I was titrating down to my lowest dose of Effexor 37.5 plus 25mgs of Paxil.However I had to quit paxil (only took for about 2 weeks) and still had the Effexor withdrawals.
I'm now off Effexor since Oct 14th, and off paxil since Oct 29th. Let's see, what's today..Ok, Nov 9th....still having the withdrawals but not as bad. When the zaps got real bad, I broke a tablet of paxil and took 1/4 of it, per Pdoc instructions. It really helped even though I didn't want anything to do with Effexor or Paxil again. I only took that 1/4 twice and live with the withdrawals, dizzyiness, uncorridinated and the porcupine needles going thoughout my body. And I'm still waking up.
So please don't worry. I suffered insomnia for over a year while on effexor, only sleeping 3 or 4 hrs a night. Now I'm sleeping 7-8 hrs.... finally. However, sometimes I just want to get out and drive like crazy, and also go through crying episodes, anger episodes... but I don't feel depressed. My General Practictioner says it's my sugar fluctuating(?) Don't know if there is a connection w/Effexor. Blood sugar/effexor???? I'm not diabetic.
What withdrawals are you feeling?
Hope you feel better soon. It will pass. Unfortunatly, in some people (like me) it takes longer.
Mercedes********************************************
> I am now going through the withdrawals from effexor. I am afraid to go to sleep, because the way I feel right now, I may not wake up...
> I have been taking effexor for 4 years. At the time it was prescribed for me, I thought the diagnosis was correct due to several deaths in my family, but now I think it was all wrong!!
> I believe that I should have been diagnosed with Hypo-Thyroidism.....Often missed diagnosed as depression..
> I have all the systems of hypothroidism, dry skin,dry brittle hair,low sex drive,weight gain,and MULTI THYROID NODULES...
> I have been to several doctors and I am going to a new one again this week. The withdrawals from effexor are very frightening!! I don't know how long they will last. I have been off for only 5 days now.. I am really scared!!!
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 9, 2003, at 23:28:51
In reply to Re: For Music, posted by Clayton on November 9, 2003, at 8:58:21
> this demonic antidepressant, Effexor
Please don't exaggerate or overgeneralize.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration, thanks.
Posted by Harlock on November 10, 2003, at 8:58:18
In reply to Effexor and mood swings, posted by Aphid 1 on November 8, 2003, at 16:40:28
This doesn't help you much, but I started the 37.5 mg dosage about 6 days ago. I gotta admit, I feel "pretty" good. I'm feeling MUCH better than I was before I started taking it, but this also conicides with some life events that recently improved. I find it hard to believe the meds had an effect this soon.
Did you have the dark thoughts before the meds or only now that you are on them? I've had those for years. It's actually a coping skill of mine.. most likely an unheathly one. I'd explain what I mean by that, but intentionally leave out the details. ;) All I'll say is they are "revenge fantasies". They seem to make me feel better. I've had them for well over 10 years. I do and do not want to get rid of them. Hard to explain...
I'm also on Lorazepam. I just took my first dose now. Just took 1 pill for now, to see how it affects me. I feel kinda mellow, which is the exact opposite of my severe type-a personality. So far so good. If it kicks in more, I really hope I can avoid abusing them. I'm sick of fighting everything all the time. I want to learn how to just "let it go" and no obsess over these things (work stuff, driving rage, etc). I want to be at peace.
Jeez, I've rambled horribly again. Good luck to you.
> Just want to know of the persons who've expierenced mood swings with effexor xr what seemed to help , ( incereasing dosage, or taking another med, etc?). i have been on effexor for almost 4 months and the past 3 weeks my attitude has gone to hell. most of the time i generally feel better, but i seem to get mad easily over stupid things, and have ALOT of dark, scary thoughts i don't like. my doc perscribed that i take Alesse ( a birth control pill, with low levels of estrogen and progestern), but i am hesitant to start this as for one i don't need birth control as my tubes are tied, and two i do not want to bleed for no months then only to bleed continously for ??? ever when i stop the Alesse,(as i heard is a common side effect with birth control pills). i do want something to control my anger and mood swings and am also perscribed Lorazepam, but am not sure if this is going to make me go down to a low which in turn would create an opposite high of mood. i just want a stabilizing "normal" range of functioning, whatever that is...
> any comments, suggestions, help, ??
Posted by Harlock on November 10, 2003, at 8:59:07
In reply to Effexor and mood swings, posted by Aphid 1 on November 8, 2003, at 16:40:28
This doesn't help you much, but I started the 37.5 mg dosage about 6 days ago. I gotta admit, I feel "pretty" good. I'm feeling MUCH better than I was before I started taking it, but this also conicides with some life events that recently improved. I find it hard to believe the meds had an effect this soon.
Did you have the dark thoughts before the meds or only now that you are on them? I've had those for years. It's actually a coping skill of mine.. most likely an unheathly one. I'd explain what I mean by that, but intentionally leave out the details. ;) All I'll say is they are "revenge fantasies". They seem to make me feel better. I've had them for well over 10 years. I do and do not want to get rid of them. Hard to explain...
I'm also on Lorazepam. I just took my first dose now. Just took 1 pill for now, to see how it affects me. I feel kinda mellow, which is the exact opposite of my severe type-a personality. So far so good. If it kicks in more, I really hope I can avoid abusing them. I'm sick of fighting everything all the time. I want to learn how to just "let it go" and no obsess over these things (work stuff, driving rage, etc). I want to be at peace.
Jeez, I've rambled horribly again. Good luck to you.
> Just want to know of the persons who've expierenced mood swings with effexor xr what seemed to help , ( incereasing dosage, or taking another med, etc?). i have been on effexor for almost 4 months and the past 3 weeks my attitude has gone to hell. most of the time i generally feel better, but i seem to get mad easily over stupid things, and have ALOT of dark, scary thoughts i don't like. my doc perscribed that i take Alesse ( a birth control pill, with low levels of estrogen and progestern), but i am hesitant to start this as for one i don't need birth control as my tubes are tied, and two i do not want to bleed for no months then only to bleed continously for ??? ever when i stop the Alesse,(as i heard is a common side effect with birth control pills). i do want something to control my anger and mood swings and am also perscribed Lorazepam, but am not sure if this is going to make me go down to a low which in turn would create an opposite high of mood. i just want a stabilizing "normal" range of functioning, whatever that is...
> any comments, suggestions, help, ??
Posted by Mercedes on November 10, 2003, at 13:13:58
In reply to Class-action Lawsuit / Lawfirm Name, posted by Francois on October 21, 2003, at 18:08:01
Francois, I'm going back to some posts and found your post quite interesting as I too am going through the Effexor withdrawals (for almost a month now). I can surely identify with the dizzyness.
It's unfortunate that you found "this most interesting community" and were critizized harshly by another poster. He/She obviously hasn't experienced the withdrawals and hopefully won't ever, and I totally agree that Effexor is good for some, and not for other's.
I emphathize with you and feel ashamed that I didn't write sooner, but my blurred vision (side effect of Effexor) prevents me from being on the computer very long. One good thing about getting OFF effexor is that the blurred vision doesn't last as long as it used to after using the computer. However I do need my 5th pair of glasses (in one year!), changed one more time, but will wait till the effexor get's completly out of my system. Oh, I have been to an opthalmalogist and there is nothing wrong with my eyes...so my vision problems are effexor related.
I agree that we need to make someone "aware ...... of distressed Effexor users". Thank you for your efforts to make this known and imo, it's not about filing a law suit for money. I beleive it's to make the manufactures aware of the SE's and to help future users of the "good things" regarding Effexor and/or of the severe side effects and withdrawal effects as evidenced here by many user's. I can't imagine losing a son or daughter to suicide due to Effexor. Again, winning a class action law suit will not bring their children back. It's the principle, and future prevention imo.
Personally, I liked Effexor for my depression until "I" had to stop due to the high blood pressure side effect. I also suffered confusion, comprehension, memory loss, word finding problems, attention deficit, suicidal ideation, amoung other things like anger/rage for no apparent reason other than the Effexor? My withdrawls have also included the above with more emphasis on anger/rage, suicidal ideation, wishing to drive at dangerous speeds, etc. I would never, ever hurt anyone though. I question how many of these side effects are permanent however and this is where "I"/we need help.
Also hope to hear from you and your progress or non progress, whichever. I haven't seen any other posts from you after the response you received from a 'someone who has had great success with Effexor' and I don't blame you.You also say you spend alot of time on the internet, did you perhaps find another "user freindly" site????
Distressed Effexor user.****************************************
Hello all,
I am going through the Effexor Withdrawal's absolutely insane dizziness (and related) and have found this most interesting community.
I happen to own an internet company and spend half of my life or more online ;-) ... and have also found in my web research a lawfirm in NY City that seems to be putting together a class-action lawsuit via their "Defective Medicine" Legal Division (on behalf of Effexor users).
Although they seem to be interested in younger adults (due to higher suicidal ideation caused by Effexor in younger adults and children), I believe it would be most important for ALL of us to contact this firm and make them aware of this community and its population of distressed Effexor users.
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 10, 2003, at 14:09:16
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor » Gina bobit, posted by zinya on November 9, 2003, at 3:30:38
Listen to Zinya, she knows! HI ZINYA!!! This isn't like heroin or alcohol and even if it were... in rehabs they switch you to a similar-type drug (methadone or librium) and decrease your dosage on that until withdrawal symptoms are gone. It's all about tapering. If the withdrawal is unbearable, you're quitting too quickly.
Be kind to yourself
KDi in TX
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 10, 2003, at 15:39:39
In reply to Re: blocked for week » Clayton, posted by Dr. Bob on November 9, 2003, at 23:28:51
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration, thanks.
Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031008/msgs/278280.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Mercedes on November 10, 2003, at 17:10:18
In reply to Re: For Music, posted by Clayton on November 9, 2003, at 8:58:21
Clayton, when you get back, I'd like to hear more on your experiences with the AD's. Effexor made me "stupid" for lack of a better word. I should have been saying "impairs my cognitive functioning" (your words, thanks). I have to write them down, as I still have memory problems from the Effexor.
I withdrew from Effexor, Paxil and Topamax within a month, under Dr's guidance I must say. Well, Paxil imo, caused me to have heart pains, so I only took it for m/b 2 weeks? yea, I'm the one that has to carry nitro now, just in case. But that's neither here nor there.
I too, have had very demanding, analytical jobs....25 yrs worth, and suffered greatly with the meds affecting my intellect, among other things.
Anyway, w/b interested in what AD finally worked for you and how you are progressing. I apologize if you've written it before and I missed it or just "forgot" it. The withdrawals have at times put me in that dark side, but I won't go into details now.
See ya soon and Peace to you too,
Mercedes
***********************************************I've taken amitryptylan and I know it impairs my cognitive functioning, slows my thinking (a lot!)and kills my memory. As a tempoary expediant to withdraw from Effexor, it's probably worth it...as long as your job doesn't demand unrelenting analytical acuity like mine does. Just watch out. You have already discovered that every drug with beneficial effects - especially psychotropics - have a dark side. Beware of the dark side.
I've been on Paxil, Prozac and Remaron. No real bothersome side-effect (EXCEPT!!! - my libido vanishes - poof! It's like, "I can't quite recall but didn't I used to find women attractive and exciting in some way??"). Thank God no doc ever put me on Effexor. Just reading about peoples' personal experiences is a nightmare!
Kindest Regards & Peace Be With You
Posted by Mercedes on November 10, 2003, at 19:05:00
In reply to Effexor tapering isn't like falling off the wagon » zinya, posted by KimberlyDi on November 10, 2003, at 14:09:16
I agree KDi somewhat, however, my experience with the withdrawals have been like "falling off the wagon" in some ways. Even with Dr's advice, I've gone through what probably most drug addicts go through, whithout the help of the rehab place. I'm glad I never used "those" kinds of drugs, and even as I type, I'm getting the brain & body zaps, porqpine needles exiting my body.
What i'm trying to say is that going off Effexor or any other kind of potent AD should be closely monitored by a doctor, like rehab places do. My feeling is that the Pdocs are not paying attention to the patients complaints and/or are just giving another drug to offset that drug and then when we get like high blood pressure, they give you another drug and pretty soon you are on 5 to 10 efn medications!
Never mind...my brain is zapping and I don't know what I'm saying, except that I feel for all of you that are going through withdrawals. Hang in there and keep writing, cause it helps just to jot it down sometimes and hopefully we won't need the meds anymore.
"Mind over matter" is what a good freind told me. I have to find my "Mind" first and then the answer to "what's the Matter"? Sorry, bad joke.
LUV,
Mercedes
> Listen to Zinya, she knows! HI ZINYA!!! This isn't like heroin or alcohol and even if it were... in rehabs they switch you to a similar-type drug (methadone or librium) and decrease your dosage on that until withdrawal symptoms are gone. It's all about tapering. If the withdrawal is unbearable, you're quitting too quickly.
>
> Be kind to yourself
> KDi in TX
Posted by Nunaka on November 10, 2003, at 19:36:49
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello, I have been taking Effexor xr for about 2 weeks for depression and anxiety. I took the 37.5 for a week and then started on the 75. I am feeling much better, energized, happier, than I was on Zoloff. I have a couple of concerns. My interest in sex has dropped off drastically. I am a 50 year old, just married 3 years and I hope this is just temporary. I have been having terrible problems with insomnia and I manage to keep up the pace of the day, but I am really tired. I hope these effects are temporary. Today all the sudden I noticed a lot of background noise. I thought it was in my office,
but then I realized it was in my head. It is kind of like high pitched ear ringing or the chirping of a thousand crickets and it has been going on for a couple of hours. It is bad enough in this work environment, but I can't imagine what it will be like when I try to go to sleep in my quiet bedroom. Has anyone experienced this? If it continues tomorrow, I guess I should call my doctor, because it could really drive me up a wall. I have lost a little weight and that is a good thing, but for the most part, until today, it has really put me in a much better frame of mind. Please give me your imput. Thanks
Posted by Marlena on November 10, 2003, at 22:58:08
In reply to Re: Effex. Withdrwl - How R U doing? Concerned.. » Francois, posted by Mercedes on November 10, 2003, at 13:13:58
I totally agree. And I am so glad I found this site. I "accidently" went cold turkey with Effexor when I ended up with a stomach virus and couldn't keep anything down -- including the Effexor. I was only off for 2 days, but I am stunned at the side effects I have had. I have been so dizzy. Also I had nightmares that were the worst I have every had. They were more like hallucinations and I couldn't wake up! NOt to mention the nervous shakes, crying spells and hot flashes. I talked to my doctor. I was hoping that I would not have to go back on it because the power that it has had on me frightens me. She said I have to get back on it now, but I am going to try to work my way back off and change meds. I have tried several others and have never had withdrawal like this. And for ME, the benefits have not been any better than other drugs. It's too "mind-altering" for me!
I wish I had know about the side effects BEFORE I started this drug.
Posted by Zellie on November 11, 2003, at 3:01:14
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Nunaka on November 10, 2003, at 19:36:49
I have been on Effexor XR since May. Titrated up slowly, and have been at 150 mg for about 3 months.
I read in the beginning that climax would cease but would resume after 6 weeks to 3 months, and it did. However, it is only about once a week or once every 2 weeks that I desire to climax. My husband of almost 20 years has been used to our making love 3-4 times a week, with both of us always having climaxed. At first he didn't like that I wasn't climaxing. I have been at peace with it, though. We are still making love as frequently, but most of the time I am very content just to give to him. When I do climax, it is nice, but I am happy that he does not pressure me to climax. I have had to reassure him that I am not missing out, since I feel no sexual tension (i.e. desire to climax) most of the time. Whenever I do feel it, I let him know, so both our needs are gettting met when I do and when I don't climax.
I am very grateful for the help the medication is giving me with the depression. I also have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)and ADHD, and the Effexor XR has helped dramatically in all areas.
Lately, I've begun having the voracious appetite I've heard so many acquire while on the med, so I've decided to buy and prepare tons of fresh fruit and veggies and dip, so I can gorge my appetite on healthy stuff...whole grain foods, with the use of fructose (this is NOT fruit sugar) instead of regualar sugar whenever sweetening is needed, to keep the level of sugar in my blood low (helps prevent weight gain if glycemic index is kept low). I am considering stopping coffee, since I suspect it may be making me more hungry. I love coffee! :(
Anyway, the Effexor has taken away the ball-and-chain that I have had to drag around all my life, that weighed me down so miserably. I am enjoying life for the first time ever, at 42 years of age. I have an amazing pyshician, who is a psychiatrist specializing in these areas. I love my G.P., but I do not want to be under the care of someone who is not expert in the treatment of Major Depression, GAD, OCD, ADHD, etc. etc.
By the way, tried Concerta with the Effexor to help with the ADHD, but it raised my anxiety level again, so I came off it again. It was worth the try, but sure enough, is not for people with GAD.
P.S. When titrating up with the Effexor, I found that at certain dosage levels I actually felt more depressed, until I got to the optimum level. It worked on the anxiety first, so with that lowered, the depression really took over, which was why I felt worse. But once the dosage was increased a couple of more times up to my current dose, I began feeling much, much better.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> Hello, I have been taking Effexor xr for about 2 weeks for depression and anxiety. I took the 37.5 for a week and then started on the 75. I am feeling much better, energized, happier, than I was on Zoloff. I have a couple of concerns. My interest in sex has dropped off drastically. I am a 50 year old, just married 3 years and I hope this is just temporary. I have been having terrible problems with insomnia and I manage to keep up the pace of the day, but I am really tired. I hope these effects are temporary. Today all the sudden I noticed a lot of background noise. I thought it was in my office,
> but then I realized it was in my head. It is kind of like high pitched ear ringing or the chirping of a thousand crickets and it has been going on for a couple of hours. It is bad enough in this work environment, but I can't imagine what it will be like when I try to go to sleep in my quiet bedroom. Has anyone experienced this? If it continues tomorrow, I guess I should call my doctor, because it could really drive me up a wall. I have lost a little weight and that is a good thing, but for the most part, until today, it has really put me in a much better frame of mind. Please give me your imput. Thanks
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 11, 2003, at 11:36:13
In reply to Sexual side-effects » Nunaka, posted by Zellie on November 11, 2003, at 3:01:14
Posted by on-the-wave on November 11, 2003, at 13:11:14
In reply to Thanks. The good needs to be heard also (nm) » Zellie, posted by KimberlyDi on November 11, 2003, at 11:36:13
I have been on effexor at 300mg for ±3 years and have just had a break through in therapy in which i have recovered from about 20 years of depression. I am very anxious to ween myself off the effexor asap. I am worried that my GP will not know how to do this effectively because:
i. During taking the medication when I missed taking it in the morning, by the evening i would have headaches, dizziness, mood swings, etc.
ii. I tried to discontinue on my own about 12 months ago by reducing to 150mg for 1 week and 75mg for 3 days (75mg by approximating half a 150mg capsule)and experienced severe mood swings, feelings of total invincibility, elation, depression, anger, etc. This continued for about 10 days before i relented and continued the medication with almost immediate recovery to my medicated normalcy.
My current side effects are reduced sexual interest, not being able to urinate for long periods, impotence plus very vivid dreams.
Is there a strategy for tapering the effexor which i can refer my GP to.
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 11, 2003, at 14:59:03
In reply to Withdrawal from venlafaxine, posted by on-the-wave on November 11, 2003, at 13:11:14
I would taper from 300mg to 225mg for at least a week or until you feel ok again. Then go to 150, or an in-between dose. I think you need to plan your own withdrawal schedule, and be able to adjust it as needed.
KDi in TX
Posted by Zellie on November 11, 2003, at 18:10:42
In reply to Withdrawal from venlafaxine, posted by on-the-wave on November 11, 2003, at 13:11:14
It is my understanding that the longer a person has had a history of depression, and the earlier the onset in life, the more likely they will benefit from continuing the medication therapy indefinitely.
Apparently there are people who have episodes of depression once or twice in their life, who can successfully go on and then off of anti-depressants, without recurring episodes. However, the greater the number of recurrences of episodes a person has had, the greater the likelihood that they will continue to occur.
I have suffered from major depression for as long as my memory goes back...4 years old perhaps. I have seen numerous physicians, including psychiatrists, psychologists, G.P.s, psychotherapists, etc, beginning back in the sixties. Back then, there were no answers. Even in the eighties there was little help in the way of medicine (valium, imiprimine).
Now that I have finally found a drug that gives me relief, hope, emotional stability, and peace, I have no desire to come off of it, so long as the benefits of it continue to outweigh the side effects.
My point is, most physicians seem very eager to wean their patients off anti-depressants as soon as possible, and the patients sometimes begin again to suffer depression. So I have to ask, why the urgency to go off the meds? If side-effects are unbearable, then I can easily see why. Otherwise, if there is a long history of continual or repeated depression, why stop the meds arbitrarily?
Moreover, I have also read in several places that if the patient returns to taking the anti-depressant later, the drug's efficacy may be substantially reduced, compared to the prior occassion of being on it.
Regarding sexual side-effects, if they do not ease up with time, then apparently viagara (for use by both men AND women)can be helpful. Also, apparently Wellbutrin has been used, taken a couple of hours prior to sex, with some success. Of course, this eliminates sponteneity, but, in my estimation, it is better than discontinuing the anti-depressant.
If you are resolved to go off the Effexor, then doing so extremely slowly is necessary. Others in this thread have posted methods they've discovered that can ease symptoms. Everyone is different, so you must find what works with your body chemistry, and you must weigh out the pros and cons.
Kindest regards,
Zellie> I have been on effexor at 300mg for ±3 years and have just had a break through in therapy in which i have recovered from about 20 years of depression. I am very anxious to ween myself off the effexor asap. I am worried that my GP will not know how to do this effectively because:
>
> i. During taking the medication when I missed taking it in the morning, by the evening i would have headaches, dizziness, mood swings, etc.
>
> ii. I tried to discontinue on my own about 12 months ago by reducing to 150mg for 1 week and 75mg for 3 days (75mg by approximating half a 150mg capsule)and experienced severe mood swings, feelings of total invincibility, elation, depression, anger, etc. This continued for about 10 days before i relented and continued the medication with almost immediate recovery to my medicated normalcy.
>
> My current side effects are reduced sexual interest, not being able to urinate for long periods, impotence plus very vivid dreams.
>
> Is there a strategy for tapering the effexor which i can refer my GP to.
Posted by Samadhi on November 11, 2003, at 21:09:47
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I was put on Effexor XR after trying various other Anti D's (ie: Zoloft, Aurorex, as well as Diazepam for anxiety and Tamazepam for sleep disturbance) and following the sudden and unexpected death of my Mother when I was 22 (just over a year ago). I went to my trusted GP and requested I be put on an Anti D again, and one I hadn't tried before. She suggested Effexor XR, told me it was a relatively new drug and she'd heard positive things about it, and I accepted her suggestion gratefully and without a second thought.
Well, my first week on Effexor was HELL. Shaking. Sweating. Insomnia. Nausea. Severe leg and other muscles spasms. Headaches. Confusion. Vivid dreams that stayed with me all day and felt real and disturbing and disorienting. No appetite. Emotions all over the place. But I stuck with it, thinking "it HAS to get better than this". And it did. And for a period of time it really helped me - it no doubt got me through my Mum's death and my subsequent year of deep depression and trauma.
But the side effects were ALWAYS strong (particularly the sweating, shaking, dreams, twitches) and scary, and it has now reached the point where the side effects so outweigh the benefits that I am weaning myself off. I was on 225mg and reduced to 150mg for a few weeks. No severe withdrawals, but I definitely noticed mood disturbances and a bit of nausea and increased sweating and vagueness - as well as extreme absent mindedness and memory issues.
Anyway, after a few weeks at 150mg I reduced again to 75mg, 2 days ago. Obviously it's too soon to say how that will affect me, so far I feel ok, a little "out of it" and lethargic, still sweaty, but otherwise standard. Nothing like the horror stories I have read on here (which helped me a lot, by the way, as I knew to decrease slowly) and none of the "brain zaps" or "porcupine needles" I have read about here. But I'll wait and see and won't speak too soon.
This board has been so helpful to me during my time on Effexor. I have experienced so many side effects and had so many foreign things occurring in my brain and body that I would have been terrified and confused about had I not been able to see other's experiences matched mine. Thankyou all!
Posted by Mercedes on November 12, 2003, at 5:40:29
In reply to Effexor XR Experiences, Withdrawals and Thoughts, posted by Samadhi on November 11, 2003, at 21:09:47
Samaldi? Sorry if the sp is wrong. First, my sincere condolences on the death of you mother. I lost my mom 3 yrs ago, and still miss her so much.
Your description of being on effexor, are exactly how I felt when I started. And always thinking, "it's got to get better". And it did. My worst titration up was when my Pdoc took me up from 300mgs to 350 and I started hallucinating. that's when I said Whoa, so I went back to 300.
It sounds like you are doing fine as you decrease you dosages. You are definatly going slower than me and please keep doing that. The one thing I learned is that all the side effects going up the ladder of effexor, I got the same SE's going off effexor.
I'm off completly now but had I to do it over agian (the decrease that is), I would have stayed on the lowest dose...37.5 at least three weeks, not one, like I did. And then, even after 3 weeks, go a 4th, even a 5th week and take your lowest dose by skipping a day till the side effects are gone. But this s/b monitored by your doctor. Unfortunatly, they don't take the drug.
Keep us posted ok. Your experience may be helpful to other future withdrawer's?
One good thing, is that the mental alertness is getting better for me, but I still have the zaps and the porqupine needles. And it's weird cause one day I'll have them real bad, then another day nothing, then again like today...Yikes!! Zaps and very unco-ordinated. They don't realy scare me anymore though. I just know I'm having withdrawals. What's funny is that when I was titrating up...I would read these posts about zaps and had no idea what people were refering to. Now I know. I reeeallly KNOW.
My blood pressure going haywire on me does scare me though. But you seem to be doing it right. Get off effexor slooooowly.
Good luck,
Mercedes
**************************************> I was put on Effexor XR after trying various other Anti D's (ie: Zoloft, Aurorex, as well as Diazepam for anxiety and Tamazepam for sleep disturbance) and following the sudden and unexpected death of my Mother when I was 22 (just over a year ago). I went to my trusted GP and requested I be put on an Anti D again, and one I hadn't tried before. She suggested Effexor XR, told me it was a relatively new drug and she'd heard positive things about it, and I accepted her suggestion gratefully and without a second thought.
> Well, my first week on Effexor was HELL. Shaking. Sweating. Insomnia. Nausea. Severe leg and other muscles spasms. Headaches. Confusion. Vivid dreams that stayed with me all day and felt real and disturbing and disorienting. No appetite. Emotions all over the place. But I stuck with it, thinking "it HAS to get better than this". And it did. And for a period of time it really helped me - it no doubt got me through my Mum's death and my subsequent year of deep depression and trauma.
> But the side effects were ALWAYS strong (particularly the sweating, shaking, dreams, twitches) and scary, and it has now reached the point where the side effects so outweigh the benefits that I am weaning myself off. I was on 225mg and reduced to 150mg for a few weeks. No severe withdrawals, but I definitely noticed mood disturbances and a bit of nausea and increased sweating and vagueness - as well as extreme absent mindedness and memory issues.
> Anyway, after a few weeks at 150mg I reduced again to 75mg, 2 days ago. Obviously it's too soon to say how that will affect me, so far I feel ok, a little "out of it" and lethargic, still sweaty, but otherwise standard. Nothing like the horror stories I have read on here (which helped me a lot, by the way, as I knew to decrease slowly) and none of the "brain zaps" or "porcupine needles" I have read about here. But I'll wait and see and won't speak too soon.
> This board has been so helpful to me during my time on Effexor. I have experienced so many side effects and had so many foreign things occurring in my brain and body that I would have been terrified and confused about had I not been able to see other's experiences matched mine. Thankyou all!
Posted by camel on November 12, 2003, at 7:21:44
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from venlafaxine » on-the-wave, posted by Zellie on November 11, 2003, at 18:10:42
Zellie......I agree with you whole heartedly. I weaned myself off Paxil several months ago (after 3 years) as the side effects were beginning to get out of control but also because my husband urged me to try to get back to "normal". I never thought of myself as being depressed but after the death of my father ( a very slow and emotionaly draining experience) I realized I had to get help. The paxil was a dream come true...I was my "old" self again, the person I had been 20 years ago! After weaning myself off the paxil within 3 weeks I knew I had to go back to something...my GP recommended Effexor and so far so good. I accept the fact that I may need these the rest of my life, and with time and research I hope the drug companies can make further progress in finding a drug with less severe s/e.
Posted by Zellie on November 12, 2003, at 17:48:24
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from venlafaxine, posted by camel on November 12, 2003, at 7:21:44
Has anyone on Effexor had mucous retention cysts show up on the inside of their mouth, generally the lower lip area??? Curious.
The cyst is small, clear, and when it breaks open (since the bump makes you bite your lip often!) clear, salty fluid comes out. It heals over, and builds fluid again. Aparently it is a saliva gland that goes haywire for some reason. They do not yet know what causes them. The only way that the cysts generally go away is with surgery.
A friend of mine on Effexor XR had a mucous cyst appear during the summer, and had it removed in September. She had never had one before (she is in her 50s). Then I had the same thing appear, in the same location (inside bottom lip), and had it removed in October (I have never had one before in my 42 years). Just curious whether the "dry mouth" side effect that can occur with Effexor might also cause a cyst to occur. It's just odd that both she and I have never had this (and don't even know of anyone else who has), and then, within months of each other, we both developed a cyst in the same location. She began Effexor in the late winter, I in the spring.
Anyone have anything similar?
Kindest regards,
Zellie
Posted by Samadhi on November 12, 2003, at 19:21:00
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Experiences, Withdrawals and Thoughts » Samadhi, posted by Mercedes on November 12, 2003, at 5:40:29
Thanks Mercedes. It's day 3 of 75mg now, and those withdrawals are sure kicking in. You're absolutely right about the same SE you get titrating up, you get them going down too. When I went from 225mg to 150mg, no extreme side effects. But I think I now know what a "zap" is...was lying in bed last night and thought I saw a flash of light. It startled me, so I looked towards my window, thinking it must have come from there. Then suddenly a massive "zap" of light hit me again and I realised it was in my head and eyes, not external. It scared the hell out of me and left me looking around confusedly. Am I on track here - have I finally felt the infamous "zap"? I still don't have porcupine needles though, touch wood.
As for hallucinating, yep, I've had that too, on 225mg only though. I actually heard a woman's voice whisper loudly to me "I'm going to eat you" in an empty room. That was when I decided to wean myself off. I've heard voices and hallucinated whilst on the higher dose. The "zap" experience last night was a bit like that, like an internal rapid hallucination of light followed by fear and confusion and exhaustion. Ugh. Gotta love it, eh? Can't wait to get off.
I don't know about my blood pressure...I have had heart palps since being on Effexor...but not sure if it has affected my blood pressure itself. I have always had low blood pressure anyway - maybe it's actually balanced that out for me!!!
Oddly, I am feeling very happy today. Cheerful and positive to the extreme. Very unusual and not what I would expect to be feeling on day 3 of withdrawals. Good, though!
Woke up in the early hours of the morning bathed in sweat and trembling from the dark dreams. But I knew it was just withdrawals, so I'm handling it.
This board is invaluable to deal with this process!!!
xxx
> Samaldi? Sorry if the sp is wrong. First, my sincere condolences on the death of you mother. I lost my mom 3 yrs ago, and still miss her so much.
>
> Your description of being on effexor, are exactly how I felt when I started. And always thinking, "it's got to get better". And it did. My worst titration up was when my Pdoc took me up from 300mgs to 350 and I started hallucinating. that's when I said Whoa, so I went back to 300.
>
> It sounds like you are doing fine as you decrease you dosages. You are definatly going slower than me and please keep doing that. The one thing I learned is that all the side effects going up the ladder of effexor, I got the same SE's going off effexor.
>
> I'm off completly now but had I to do it over agian (the decrease that is), I would have stayed on the lowest dose...37.5 at least three weeks, not one, like I did. And then, even after 3 weeks, go a 4th, even a 5th week and take your lowest dose by skipping a day till the side effects are gone. But this s/b monitored by your doctor. Unfortunatly, they don't take the drug.
>
> Keep us posted ok. Your experience may be helpful to other future withdrawer's?
>
> One good thing, is that the mental alertness is getting better for me, but I still have the zaps and the porqupine needles. And it's weird cause one day I'll have them real bad, then another day nothing, then again like today...Yikes!! Zaps and very unco-ordinated. They don't realy scare me anymore though. I just know I'm having withdrawals. What's funny is that when I was titrating up...I would read these posts about zaps and had no idea what people were refering to. Now I know. I reeeallly KNOW.
>
> My blood pressure going haywire on me does scare me though. But you seem to be doing it right. Get off effexor slooooowly.
>
> Good luck,
> Mercedes
> **************************************
>
> > I was put on Effexor XR after trying various other Anti D's (ie: Zoloft, Aurorex, as well as Diazepam for anxiety and Tamazepam for sleep disturbance) and following the sudden and unexpected death of my Mother when I was 22 (just over a year ago). I went to my trusted GP and requested I be put on an Anti D again, and one I hadn't tried before. She suggested Effexor XR, told me it was a relatively new drug and she'd heard positive things about it, and I accepted her suggestion gratefully and without a second thought.
> > Well, my first week on Effexor was HELL. Shaking. Sweating. Insomnia. Nausea. Severe leg and other muscles spasms. Headaches. Confusion. Vivid dreams that stayed with me all day and felt real and disturbing and disorienting. No appetite. Emotions all over the place. But I stuck with it, thinking "it HAS to get better than this". And it did. And for a period of time it really helped me - it no doubt got me through my Mum's death and my subsequent year of deep depression and trauma.
> > But the side effects were ALWAYS strong (particularly the sweating, shaking, dreams, twitches) and scary, and it has now reached the point where the side effects so outweigh the benefits that I am weaning myself off. I was on 225mg and reduced to 150mg for a few weeks. No severe withdrawals, but I definitely noticed mood disturbances and a bit of nausea and increased sweating and vagueness - as well as extreme absent mindedness and memory issues.
> > Anyway, after a few weeks at 150mg I reduced again to 75mg, 2 days ago. Obviously it's too soon to say how that will affect me, so far I feel ok, a little "out of it" and lethargic, still sweaty, but otherwise standard. Nothing like the horror stories I have read on here (which helped me a lot, by the way, as I knew to decrease slowly) and none of the "brain zaps" or "porcupine needles" I have read about here. But I'll wait and see and won't speak too soon.
> > This board has been so helpful to me during my time on Effexor. I have experienced so many side effects and had so many foreign things occurring in my brain and body that I would have been terrified and confused about had I not been able to see other's experiences matched mine. Thankyou all!
>
>
Posted by Mercedes on November 13, 2003, at 2:07:48
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Experiences, Withdrawals and Thoughts » Mercedes, posted by Samadhi on November 12, 2003, at 19:21:00
Sorry Sahmadi....I don't think you've had the infamous "zaps" yet. However the light thing you describe seems to be a hallucination, similar to what I also experienced.
One of my "weird" hallucinations was in the middle of the day, I was on my reclyner watching TV, and I saw...don't laugh ok...these 3 little skinny ET looking creatures in my perifial vision. They were black in color, and had very skinny arms and long poiny fingers. Only saw them from the waist up and for a moment. I even drew them on a peice of paper and showed the drawing to my Pdoc. I had the most vivid memory of what they looked like. Another was when my occilating fan, suddenly had a face. Another was a faceless bald man with outstreached arms as if he was going for my throat. He had no legs though. My pdoc said that could be from my PTSD. That's when he lowered my dose of effexor from 350 to 300, T.G. And I stayed on 300mgs for about 10 months maybe.
Some of the things I constantly complained to my Pdoc about was my inablility to concentrate, comprehend, retain info, short term memory loss, migranes, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, etc. while on Effexor. Fortunatly some of the SE's are disapearing slowly the longer I'm off Effexor. It will be one month on the 14th!
THE question I have is...are any of the SE's I've listed above going to be permanent???? No one will answer that. I really feel my IQ has suffered.
I didn't start getting the "zaps", or as some people call them "electric shocks" until I was off Effexor completly. OH.....MY.....GOD!
But then again, I was on my lowest dose, 37.5 mgs for only one week, then quit Effexor completly. I shuda stayed on 37.5 for at least 2-3 weeks. So please do spend longer on your lower doses....then again, some people here have stated that they didn't have any withdrawals whatsoever. I guess it affects everyone differently?
Yesterday I had the zaps really bad accompanied with lack of co-ordination, dizzyness, and today none....go figure.
Anyway, I enjoyed your stories. Makes me feel "not-so-weird". Oh, did I mention I've never ever done illegal drugs? So these hallucinations were very new and scary to me.
Keep us posted.
Mercedes***************************************
> Thanks Mercedes. It's day 3 of 75mg now, and those withdrawals are sure kicking in. You're absolutely right about the same SE you get titrating up, you get them going down too. When I went from 225mg to 150mg, no extreme side effects. But I think I now know what a "zap" is...was lying in bed last night and thought I saw a flash of light. It startled me, so I looked towards my window, thinking it must have come from there. Then suddenly a massive "zap" of light hit me again and I realised it was in my head and eyes, not external. It scared the hell out of me and left me looking around confusedly. Am I on track here - have I finally felt the infamous "zap"? I still don't have porcupine needles though, touch wood.
>
> As for hallucinating, yep, I've had that too, on 225mg only though. I actually heard a woman's voice whisper loudly to me "I'm going to eat you" in an empty room. That was when I decided to wean myself off. I've heard voices and hallucinated whilst on the higher dose. The "zap" experience last night was a bit like that, like an internal rapid hallucination of light followed by fear and confusion and exhaustion. Ugh. Gotta love it, eh? Can't wait to get off.
>
> I don't know about my blood pressure...I have had heart palps since being on Effexor...but not sure if it has affected my blood pressure itself. I have always had low blood pressure anyway - maybe it's actually balanced that out for me!!!
>
> Oddly, I am feeling very happy today. Cheerful and positive to the extreme. Very unusual and not what I would expect to be feeling on day 3 of withdrawals. Good, though!
>
> Woke up in the early hours of the morning bathed in sweat and trembling from the dark dreams. But I knew it was just withdrawals, so I'm handling it.
>
> This board is invaluable to deal with this process!!!
>
> xxx
Posted by on-the-wave on November 13, 2003, at 13:15:20
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Experiences, Withdrawals and Thoughts » Samadhi, posted by Mercedes on November 13, 2003, at 2:07:48
Mercedes, Samadhi
Thanks for your discussion, I was supposed to kick off reducing my dose today, but lost the courage after reading all the stories. I unfortunately cancelled my appointment, so have to wait till next apointment to get a prescription.
Is 300 to 225 ok for the first drop. While depressed i tried dropping to 225 and all the benefits of the effexor evaporated into hopelessness, mood swings, anger, lack of control, etc.
I think i am passed the mood swings, anger, lack of control, etc., as a result of progress with emotional/depression issues (I hope).
I also experienced all the physical SE that you describe on first taking effexor, however after months of trying another drug i was so relieved to experience some reaction i didn't mind the SE (night sweats, dizzyness, confusion, lack of concentration, etc, etc.) After almost 3 years on 300mg i dont have many SE (or don't notice them as much) other than sex drive and inability to pee unless i concentrate (sometimes for 10-15mins).
Thanks
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 13, 2003, at 15:36:33
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Experiences, Withdrawals and Thoughts, posted by on-the-wave on November 13, 2003, at 13:15:20
otw:
I made the 300 to 225 drop at the beginning of October 2003. I noticed the difference by the 4th day. During almost all my drops, my moodiness has increased and waves of depression wiped me out. Then things would even out and I would feel better.
I think the mood swings have nothing to do with coping skills learned during the "drug vacation" from depression. The brain's flow of chemicals will have to adjust, and every adjustment will probably mess with our emotions.
Bummer!300 to 225 is probably safe but unpleasant. I think 37.5mg a week drops would be the easiest to manage if you had the luxury of taking 2-3 months to withdrawal.
Don't be too afraid. I'm down from 300mgs to 75mgs a day so far. I've kept my sanity (i think!).
:) KDi in TX
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