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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by 2beornot2benuts on February 5, 2004, at 10:34:41
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello, I haven't been here in a while, I'm currently taking 150mg of zoloft and I'm afraid that I might have to increase the dose. If anybody out there has had a similiar situation, please post!!
Posted by PoohBear on February 5, 2004, at 11:42:44
In reply to Re: anyone needing up dose due to w/d like symptoms? » lupern, posted by semi-conscious on February 5, 2004, at 7:26:37
You should speak with your doctor about this. Do NOT allow him or her to initimidate you: this is about YOUR health and happiness, not THEIR'S...
I presented the same symptoms you did at higher doses of Effexor, though we were titrating up to find the right doseage, not because the drug had leveled off.
My doctor recognized the symptoms right away as an overdose and we titrated gradually back down to where I am now at 75mg per day.
It sounds like two things are happening:
1. You're showing signs of over-dose on Effexor
2. You're not getting relief of your depression and need to find an alternate treatment.Explain to your doctor what your going through, exactly as you did in your post. Write it out if necessary so that if you're intimidated, you won't forget something important.
Good luck!
Tony
> When I first started taking Effexor it wasn't great, but it was okay, then it seemed to level off and we upped the dose. That happened twice. Now I'm going through major depression again with weakness and sadness, so I guess I have to go back and up the dose. I'm already on 175mg Effexor SR. Having a drug level off because you've gained a tolerance to it and having to take more then finding out that it has a terrible withdrawal and leaves your system within 12 hours, instead of having a half live like the other SSRI's, and then you go through hell for weeks, this sounds almost like a narcotic. How is it the DR.'s didn't inform the patients of this? This is a very addictive drug. It's my own fault for not asking enough questions. But my meds prescriber is a little intimidating. If I even mention that I learned something about a particular med on the internet, he says the internet is a bunch of bunk. I guess I'm going to have to up the dose. But what happens when I level off again? You can only go up to 300mg. I guess when you level off again, that's when you have to go off and go through the withdrawal. I'd rather do it now and get it over with. It's time to try a different anti-depressant. One not quite so addicting. I guess I've been a little long winded. It's just that I'm frustrated and want a competent Dr. who knows his stuff and actually cares about the patient, to him I'm just a series of records needed to be completed by the book for the HMO. They run us through that clinic like cattle. What are your symptoms? I'm experiencing depression, apathy, profound sadness, crying and don't get off the couch for a week at a time. I have blurred vision, weakness, shakiness and tremor like symptoms. This is all while taking the drug, along with 3 other nighttime anti-depressants for sleep. I'm afraid to go off. This meds situation makes me sad too. I had such high hopes and expectations in the beginning. Sorry for rambling on so long. Thank you for letting me vent. If there is anything I can do or if you need someone to talk to, just respond to this post. I hope I didn't scare you too bad. Not everyone reacts to the drug the same way. Goodluck Taylor
Posted by on-the-wave on February 5, 2004, at 13:22:27
In reply to Re: anyone needing up dose due to w/d like symptoms? » semi-conscious, posted by PoohBear on February 5, 2004, at 11:42:44
This is the first time i have heard of overdosing and at levels most docs assume acceptable.
This is new to me. Is there more info on this somewhere.
Posted by PoohBear on February 5, 2004, at 14:15:43
In reply to Re: anyone needing up dose due to w/d like symptoms? » PoohBear, posted by on-the-wave on February 5, 2004, at 13:22:27
I'm going off what my PDoc (whose specialty is pyscho pharmachology) told me of what I went through. Not everyone's bodies tolerate the larger doses. Mine for instance, is very sensitive to small doses.
Tony
Posted by KimRN73 on February 5, 2004, at 17:09:16
In reply to Re: anyone needing up dose due to w/d like symptoms? » on-the-wave, posted by PoohBear on February 5, 2004, at 14:15:43
Okay, I have also experienced the "swooshy/lightheadedness" from 150mg daily of Effexor, which i have been on maybe almost 2 yrs.
It has just started happening since last summer.
I noticed mainly starts about a week or week 1/2 before I'm supposed to start my period. How can someone be having symptoms of overdose all of a sudden when i used to tolerate that dosage just fine.?!?!?! Maybe its cuz i turned 30 and my body is changing !!!!!! AHHHHH :)
I wanna wean off this med but im too scared.
Kim :)
Posted by Sad Panda on February 5, 2004, at 23:14:13
In reply to Re: anyone needing up dose due to w/d like symptoms? » PoohBear, posted by on-the-wave on February 5, 2004, at 13:22:27
> This is the first time i have heard of overdosing and at levels most docs assume acceptable.
>
> This is new to me. Is there more info on this somewhere.5 to 10 percent of caucasians have a gene which makes them poor metabolizers of drugs metabolized by the liver enzyme CYP2D6. Roughly 25% of all drugs are metabolized by this enzyme. Not having enough of this enzyme makes you blood level of the drug much higher than it would be for average people.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by delna on February 6, 2004, at 10:18:53
In reply to Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by KimRN73 on February 4, 2004, at 12:04:47
Hi
Coming off effexor is a problem and it was very hard. But I did it eventually with as the least amount of suffering as possible.I came off 300mg after 3 years.
I too did what you are planning to and yes it worked. But the very last piece- I had to wean myself off that slowly. I mean I couldnt just get rid of it, i had to take little bites daily, and slowly made them smaller till it was negligeble. then every second day for a while. so there was no sudden shock of totally No effexor.
That is the only thing that worked for me. I had been trying to come off it for months.
So my only point is that (for me) it was that last piece that made all the difference. Thats when you need to go so slow, slower than ever. i took a month to get off that.
good luck
d
Posted by sheri on February 7, 2004, at 1:26:00
In reply to Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by KimRN73 on February 4, 2004, at 12:04:47
HI: a friend just called because he is miserable and has been crying all day. his doctor told him it was fine to go off effexor cold turkey!! he was also surprised to learn that effexor is not an SSRI? I suggested that maybe some of crying could be part of the withdrawal. does this make sense to anyone? what else can I tell him? can anyone explain to me what effexor is if it is not an SSRI? he says he can not taper off because his effexor is in caps that he can not break apart. does that sound right? thank you!!! Sheri
Posted by 4peace on February 7, 2004, at 10:22:30
In reply to Re: Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by Alittle Lost on January 30, 2004, at 21:38:48
First time I found this site. Lots of interesting comments. I went through a major episode, tried Zolof, Wellbutrin and then finally Effexor which worked like a dream. I do know that 24 hours if I accidently skip a dose, brings on nausia, headache, etc.
Now we want to try to have a second child, but I am REALLY scared of going off Effexor, from the side effects, other drugs I might take and if it will be ok while pregant (Dr rec,s Zolof also while breastfeeding).
Anyone out there been down this road or have some advice?
Thanks
Posted by jpmjcem on February 7, 2004, at 11:13:19
In reply to Going off Effexor to get Pregnant? Advice?, posted by 4peace on February 7, 2004, at 10:22:30
> First time I found this site. Lots of interesting comments. I went through a major episode, tried Zolof, Wellbutrin and then finally Effexor which worked like a dream. I do know that 24 hours if I accidently skip a dose, brings on nausia, headache, etc.
> Now we want to try to have a second child, but I am REALLY scared of going off Effexor, from the side effects, other drugs I might take and if it will be ok while pregant (Dr rec,s Zolof also while breastfeeding).
> Anyone out there been down this road or have some advice?
> ThanksPlease do not take Effexor when you are preg. I just had my baby in July of this past year and the doctors told me it was safe to take while preg and it was not. At all safe. My baby got dehydrated in the womb and had horrible withdrawl symptoms after he was born. He was failing to thrive and we almost lost him. Please please please do not take that med when preg! I went through ultimate hell with this.
If you want to email me for more info- jpm_jcem@direcway.com
Posted by justjustine on February 7, 2004, at 11:17:34
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by sheri on February 7, 2004, at 1:26:00
your friend's doctor doesn't have the proper experience in dealing with withdrawal from effexor.
please tell your friend to log in here and search the old posts - effexor withdrawal is a hellride, especially if you have rebound depression on top of the physical symptoms.
i was sick for a month and took vicodin to get through it. another person wrote here the other day they were taking lortab - that's how bad it can be.
also try this search engine www.vivisimo.com and search for venlafaxine withdrawal taper and other info.
if his effexor is the caplets, he only needs to get a razor blade and start shaving them down. save what he shaves off, for cost effectiveness. i had capsules and opened them up and poured it off.
but please emphasize to him that this is real and won't get better until it gets worse for at least a week or two. in fact, if he's only one day off, the withdrawals are only beginning to hit and aren't even close to peaked.
i'm praying for him!
> HI: a friend just called because he is miserable and has been crying all day. his doctor told him it was fine to go off effexor cold turkey!! he was also surprised to learn that effexor is not an SSRI? I suggested that maybe some of crying could be part of the withdrawal. does this make sense to anyone? what else can I tell him? can anyone explain to me what effexor is if it is not an SSRI? he says he can not taper off because his effexor is in caps that he can not break apart. does that sound right? thank you!!! Sheri
Posted by justjustine on February 7, 2004, at 11:24:21
In reply to Re: Going off Effexor to get Pregnant? Advice?, posted by jpmjcem on February 7, 2004, at 11:13:19
this is so sad, and i am so sorry you and your baby and family had to go through that. i just got off effexor, and thought that my opinion of this drug was as low as it could get. i was wrong.
what a nightmare. i know this drug helps some people, but i still don't see that outweighing the harm it does.
just my opinion...
> Please do not take Effexor when you are preg. I just had my baby in July of this past year and the doctors told me it was safe to take while preg and it was not. At all safe. My baby got dehydrated in the womb and had horrible withdrawl symptoms after he was born. He was failing to thrive and we almost lost him. Please please please do not take that med when preg! I went through ultimate hell with this.
> If you want to email me for more info- jpm_jcem@direcway.com
Posted by 4peace on February 7, 2004, at 11:42:23
In reply to Re: Going off Effexor to get Pregnant? Advice?, posted by jpmjcem on February 7, 2004, at 11:13:19
I certainly do not plan to be on Effexor when pregnant nor when breastfeeding, and all my Dr's have certainly made this clear to me. But is there anyone who has gone off to get pregant and took something else considerd "safe" like Zolof, which my Dr's are recommending. My therapist also says that the hormal changes may also keep me feeling better.
Any more thoughts....keep them coming...
Posted by sheri on February 7, 2004, at 12:30:51
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by justjustine on February 7, 2004, at 11:17:34
THANK YOU!! your message was really helpful. his brother is with him now so I think he is ok, and I read your message to his brother over the phone along with some other info I found based on your suggestions. Yet, he is hesitant to take a bit more effexor so he can then taper off without the approval of his doctor. so he has call into his doctor. he is going to ask his doctor about opening up the capsuls and taking some in order to tapper off. i guess he still sort of trusts this doctor for some reason, but is interested in finding a new doctor. but how does he find a new doctor? do you know of any web pages where people recommend doctors in different cities?? thank you again!! sheri
> your friend's doctor doesn't have the proper experience in dealing with withdrawal from effexor.
>
> please tell your friend to log in here and search the old posts - effexor withdrawal is a hellride, especially if you have rebound depression on top of the physical symptoms.
>
> i was sick for a month and took vicodin to get through it. another person wrote here the other day they were taking lortab - that's how bad it can be.
>
> also try this search engine www.vivisimo.com and search for venlafaxine withdrawal taper and other info.
>
> if his effexor is the caplets, he only needs to get a razor blade and start shaving them down. save what he shaves off, for cost effectiveness. i had capsules and opened them up and poured it off.
>
> but please emphasize to him that this is real and won't get better until it gets worse for at least a week or two. in fact, if he's only one day off, the withdrawals are only beginning to hit and aren't even close to peaked.
>
> i'm praying for him!
>
> > HI: a friend just called because he is miserable and has been crying all day. his doctor told him it was fine to go off effexor cold turkey!! he was also surprised to learn that effexor is not an SSRI? I suggested that maybe some of crying could be part of the withdrawal. does this make sense to anyone? what else can I tell him? can anyone explain to me what effexor is if it is not an SSRI? he says he can not taper off because his effexor is in caps that he can not break apart. does that sound right? thank you!!! Sheri
>
Posted by noa on February 7, 2004, at 13:17:33
In reply to Re: Going off Effexor to get Pregnant? Advice?, posted by 4peace on February 7, 2004, at 11:42:23
This is something I've discussed hypothetically with my pdoc. He has recommended in vitro fertilization to minimize the amount of time off the med--ie, eliminate the trying-to-get-pregnant period of time. But to get off the med, he says it would be a matter of tapering off. I had asked him about using Prozac to wean off, and he said he wouldn't recommend that for me but there are other strategies.
Posted by justjustine on February 7, 2004, at 13:57:15
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by sheri on February 7, 2004, at 12:30:51
regarding getting a new doctor - i don't know his financial or insurance situation, but i would just start calling around. look for a doctor who has dealt specifically with effexor withdrawal - or if they've dealt with paxil withdrawal they probably know enough.
i also got good results with an acupuncturist i knew who had experience dealing with other kinds of drug withdrawal.
anyway, i'm glad i could help - and i'm glad you guys are there to help your friend!
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 7, 2004, at 14:32:52
In reply to ODE TO A LITTLE RED HEN, posted by on-the-wave on February 5, 2004, at 8:57:40
> she neither stopped to look about her, nor to investigate the cause of the dull throbbing sensation in her head. She ... ran blindly along the path... The other animals, not being well educated in the ways of the world and want to believe any story that would make them feel important and unique in the large forest, concurred with her story.
Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel put down. I've asked you to be civil before, so now I'm going to block you from posting for a week.
If you have any questions about this or comments about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways to express yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
or email me, or redirect a follow-up to Psycho-Babble Administration after your block is over. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by EFFEXED on February 7, 2004, at 14:59:08
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My DR gave me zyprexa to help me sleep and to kick up the effexor a bit I am on 75 of effexor he wants to up me to 150 but I said no due to all the poast I have read here about getting off the effexor I only take 2.5 of the zyprexa or well I break the 5mg pill in half I take it at night to help me sleep but in the morning I am soooooo tired it kicks my but so I am not sure how long I will take it as for the effexor I have been verry happy with the results I for the moast part dont even notice any effects any more I feel normal again all but the sleep part but thats the depression still keeping me up but I wont up my dose no matter what well got to go.
thanks cindy in TX
Posted by dms777smd on February 7, 2004, at 17:20:23
In reply to anyone used zyprexa with effexor to help sleep?, posted by EFFEXED on February 7, 2004, at 14:59:08
I have a friend that was on zyprexa and celexa but he was on the zyprexa cause he's schizophrenic.lol,,,,he seemed to do good on it,but if it's just depression your dealing with(I don't mean that depression isn't hell,I've been there and it really sucks) than I don't think your doc should be giving you zyprexa to sleep,,it's a major tranquilizer(antipsychotic)and it has a lot of bad side effects,,,especially when you've been on it for a while.Have you tried Benadryl?Or valerian root,,,that's seemed to help me sleep.If you have tried it than your doc needs to give you something else to sleep.Not Zyprexa,you're not a schitzo,,,,right?But anyway,I take Atarax for my anxiety and it makes me really tierd so I can't really take it during the day(at work)I just take it after work.50-100mg of atarax will make you sleep and it doesn't make me really tired in the morning like other stuff i've taken.You could even try 10-25mg of it if you are sensitive to drugs and the doctors seem to not be so stingy with it(like they are with benzos)because it's just an antihistamine,,,,but it doesn't give me a real tired or hangover feeling in the morning like benadryl does to me.You should try it,,,,it helps me sleep.
Posted by EFFEXED on February 7, 2004, at 17:43:53
In reply to Re: anyone used zyprexa with effexor to help sleep? » EFFEXED, posted by dms777smd on February 7, 2004, at 17:20:23
no not a schitzo dont know why he would give me something so strong he did say it would up the effect of the effexor dont realy know much about this kind of stuff this is the first ad I have ever been on and dont know any one who has been through this before kind of in the dark on things guess I am puting all my faith in my dr when maybe I shouldnt.
thanks cindy
Posted by catala on February 7, 2004, at 18:13:17
In reply to flylady info, posted by Lyrical13 on January 7, 2004, at 19:45:55
mail address, Crazy Lady & co. 670 N 610 E Alpine UT, 84004 1-800-789-8004
I have one it is great This address was correct at the time I bought my planner
Posted by Clayton on February 7, 2004, at 21:43:52
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by sheri on February 7, 2004, at 1:26:00
Effexor is not an SSRI because, bedises affecting serstonin, it also blockks the reuptake of norepinehine, Therefor, techanically, it is an SSNRI.
I have have not aken this medicine bit have read many post by folks who had cuccefffully split up a single capsile.
Best of lock!
Posted by lacey2001 on February 8, 2004, at 1:25:05
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med? » sheri, posted by Clayton on February 7, 2004, at 21:43:52
I posted earlier about wanting to get pregnant and coming off of Effexor. I had a Dr appointment with someone new...just moved here from another city. I told her my story of being on 75 mg for only three months. She said 75 mg will be easy ( I am skeptical but anyway)
She looked at my meds and said it isn't the kind you can break so she she gave me samples of one week's worth of 37.5. After the one week I am too stop completely. My question is what if I have bad withdrawls from this and does they seem okay? I don't have the white capsules but the caplets I think they are called with the medication loose inside. Anyone break those and pour a few grains out to help with withdrawls? She told me I cannot break them but I have heard good stories in here about perhaps doing so if needed?
I also have completely lost my appetite and that is another reason to get off of them. I am down to 109 lbs. Does this sound familiar to someone else in here? But this isn't my main reason for quitting.
Bottom line is I would rather have mild depression while pregnant than take any chances so I will be gratful once I am completely off of them.Tanya
Posted by redmaryjane on February 8, 2004, at 8:01:44
In reply to Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by KimRN73 on February 4, 2004, at 12:04:47
I went off Effexor XR within two days...I was on the highest dose and needed to get on Paxil asap (in my mind). I actually felt better coming off of the Effexor because being *on* it was affecting me in such a strange way. I was becoming increasingly hypomanic and would rarely eat on effexor. A quite dangerous combination!
Anyway, it went well and Paxil has worked much better for me.
Good luck. I would go slow but not freak out too much about it. I think having some sort of benzo. helps, also ibruprofen or something for headache if needed.
Posted by justjustine on February 8, 2004, at 10:11:34
In reply to Help Please! I need advice., posted by lacey2001 on February 8, 2004, at 1:25:05
yes, open them up and pour some of it out. it helps if you have a little scale and can measure more accurately. if you have hard pills, you just shave them down with a razor. save the scraps and spills in case you need them later!
i went from 150 down to 75 very gradually by myself, then my doctor decided i could go to 37 for a week then 0. big bad painful mistake.
good luck!
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