![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 502 to 526 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by justjustine on February 5, 2004, at 23:22:52
In reply to Re: someone help, posted by fastblackZZR on February 5, 2004, at 11:26:15
best of luck to you! i found the taper from 37 to 0 was too abrupt. i was on 150mg for a bit over a year, and got very, very sick from the withdrawals.
i've been off effexor for one month now, and it wasn't until this past weekend that i saw any real difference in my physical withdrawal symptoms.
the beauty is that now i am so much better every day!
still, i recommend that you stretch out your tapering as you find you need it to be.
my doctor did not/does not know what is best for me - i have to work to figure that out with them. and if i didn't do that work they would have me on all sorts of crap. please don't disregard how crucial your own input is in deciding your medications and dosages! no one can make you take anything.
thanks! and i'm wishing you all the best. the mountain does have another side...
> > Your best bet is to go back to the dose you were taking three days ago. Then go see your doc and get a proper schedule for tapering.
> >
> > From 300mg, i went 2 weeks 225mg, 2 weeks 150mg, 2 weeks 75mg, 1 week 37.5mg. I have been off completely now for 10 days. Today is the first day i am starting to feel reasonably "normal". Still some SE but generally feeling better.
> >
> > I "designed" my own schedule based on my personal reaction to the tapering. But your Dr should know best.
>
> thank you for your response. i was trying to "do it my way" which is a dead giveaway to my faults.
> what i did wrong was NOT do what my doctor told me in the tapering schedule. i went too quickly because i felt i could do it. i have resumed the dose i took 3 days ago and will taper VERY slowly. i had no idea this medication was such a demon. i am so proud of your 10 day accomplishment. i long to be in your place so my children can see me "normal" again. i feel like a failure as a mom... again, much appreciation for your quick response and for your concern. this board is such a blessing.
>
Posted by fastblackZZR on February 6, 2004, at 6:28:45
In reply to Re: someone help, posted by justjustine on February 5, 2004, at 23:22:52
i felt better yesterday evening after having taken the 37.5 around lunch. no nightmares last night. i woke up about 15 minutes ago feeling pretty refreshed. (of course i have several people praying really hard for me right now, so i attribute much to that.)i understand now that this will be a long process - longer than my doctor thought, as he had me on a 2 week discontinuation process - i tried to do it in one week - we were BOTH wrong.
Posted by Althea8869 on February 6, 2004, at 9:37:20
In reply to Re: someone help, posted by fastblackZZR on February 6, 2004, at 6:28:45
Well just hang in there - as I had said in an earlier post you really should talk to your doctor about adding prozac or similar to smooth the decline. Wont make what your feeling go away, but I can tell you from expereince that this WAS the key for me. Im actually kind of surprised that with all the bad press on effexor withdrawl that there isnt some 'best practice' method recommended for stopping. The titrating method of course works, but the cost in pain and suffering is immeasurable. In fact I would be willing to bet you that one of these drug companies will come up with a pill specifically designed to aid in the withdrawl off effexor and some of the other really bad ones like paxil etc. If they do, buy stock in that company and we'll both retire very rich. That said, chin up - it'll pass. What I found was not a gradual decline in withdrawl symptoms every day, but rather no improvement for a few days and then a very noticeable change. Then that continued for a few days with no improvement and then again a noticeable change....that type of thing. Good luck and keep posting on progress.
Posted by fastblackZZR on February 6, 2004, at 9:56:18
In reply to Re: someone help, posted by Althea8869 on February 6, 2004, at 9:37:20
i began wellbutrin XL the day i began tapering off of effexor. i'm taking 300 mg. of the wellbutrin. i am guessing it's helping. you know how different we all are - i don't tolerate prozac well. it changes my personality for the worse. i agree with your comment on the drug companies.
when you were tapering the effexor and then not taking it at all, did you experience intense feelings of doom and uncontrollable crying?
Posted by Althea8869 on February 6, 2004, at 12:18:28
In reply to Re: someone help, posted by fastblackZZR on February 6, 2004, at 9:56:18
> i began wellbutrin XL the day i began tapering off of effexor. i'm taking 300 mg. of the wellbutrin. i am guessing it's helping. you know how different we all are - i don't tolerate prozac well. it changes my personality for the worse. i agree with your comment on the drug companies.
> when you were tapering the effexor and then not taking it at all, did you experience intense feelings of doom and uncontrollable crying?
The emotional symptoms I had were not nearly as bad as the physical/mental ones I had - the "brain shock" as theyre often referred to as were really debilitating. Emotionally I simply did the best I could to rationalize the situation. Just a sidbar here, but I have found that happiness, to some extent, can be found in knowing that there is something to look forward to. Just try to concentrate on anything and everything that you have to look forward to(im sure that despite the way you feel, there are many things - not the least of which is feeling better - which you will - trust me).Incidentally, how is the wellbutrin working for you, i think thats the drug Im going to try next. Im on remeron right now and it hasnt done a thing for me except to help me sleep, which seems to be tru of many who take it, I think its like trazodone in that way, great for sleep, not widely effective for depression. Speaking of wellbutrin, I found an excellent article on it online, I'll see if I can find it and post you.
Hang in there.
Posted by fastblackZZR on February 6, 2004, at 13:26:56
In reply to Re: someone help, posted by Althea8869 on February 6, 2004, at 12:18:28
i think the wellbutrin is helping. it's the XL form. it provides a good bit of energy, so i take it in the mornings. i take ambien to sleep at night. eventually i want to be to the point where i can sleep sound and peacefully without anything.
Posted by justjustine on February 6, 2004, at 16:44:14
In reply to Re: someone help, posted by Althea8869 on February 6, 2004, at 9:37:20
my experiences were similar - plateaus between improvements. i'm just past 4 weeks, and have finally started to cut back on the vicodin this week. in fact i'd be off it altogether if i hadn't gotten a nasty head/chest cold and can't get in to the doctor until tuesday. i don't need it to mask my withdrawal symptoms anymore! yay!!
and mentally i feel quite good. that's actually atypical for me - in the past whenever i've been physically ill, i've had emotional trouble to complement it.
i'm wishing you all the best.
> Well just hang in there - as I had said in an earlier post you really should talk to your doctor about adding prozac or similar to smooth the decline. Wont make what your feeling go away, but I can tell you from expereince that this WAS the key for me. Im actually kind of surprised that with all the bad press on effexor withdrawl that there isnt some 'best practice' method recommended for stopping. The titrating method of course works, but the cost in pain and suffering is immeasurable. In fact I would be willing to bet you that one of these drug companies will come up with a pill specifically designed to aid in the withdrawl off effexor and some of the other really bad ones like paxil etc. If they do, buy stock in that company and we'll both retire very rich. That said, chin up - it'll pass. What I found was not a gradual decline in withdrawl symptoms every day, but rather no improvement for a few days and then a very noticeable change. Then that continued for a few days with no improvement and then again a noticeable change....that type of thing. Good luck and keep posting on progress.
Posted by fastblackZZR on February 6, 2004, at 16:50:43
In reply to Re: someone help, posted by justjustine on February 6, 2004, at 16:44:14
i have been taking lorcet. it's been helpful in that i have had some pretty bad lower back pain since the effexor withdrawal began, but like you, i want to eventually be free from it all.
it made me feel good to know i'm not alone in that either. i'm so glad you've been posting.
Posted by bmwonice on February 10, 2004, at 9:29:42
In reply to Re: someone help, posted by justjustine on February 5, 2004, at 23:22:52
Wow, I had no idea that this problem is so prevalent.
I just went through Efexxor withdrawal and am amazed to find all of the symptoms listed by various people.
For what its worth, my nurse practitioner sister recommends the following. She has a lot of experience with SSRIs.
Dosage reduction should be in steps of 2 week duration. Typically cut dose by half in each step. If symptoms appear immediately return to previous dose and give it another week before trying to reduce on less of a dosage reduction.
With XR, once you get to 37.5mg, you switch to regular tablets twice a day and cut the evening pill in half, then after two weeks cut the morning pill in half, then after 2W, eliminate the evening pill, etc. THis takes a long time but is worth it to not have to go through the horrible withdrawal symptoms.
NOT weaning yourself gradually can result in very high blood pressure and increased chances of a heart attack and stroke.
Good luck
Posted by Raggy on February 15, 2004, at 11:03:31
In reply to Sad story of Effexor gone wrong, posted by Roomy on January 30, 2004, at 6:18:03
> I apologize ahead of time for this lenghthy story but I need to share it to make myself feel better.
> My sis-in-law, her hubby, and their two children lived only 1/2 hr away. Our girls are 4 months apart in age so they are close cousins and we all spend alot of time together. Boyde, a very kind man, hard worker, overly loud and friendly (after a few drinks esp,) became withdrawn, paranoid, and downright angry in only a few short months. His personality changed so much that he even told his wife to not leave him home alone with the kids for fear that he may harm them. Long story, short, he shot and killed himself one year ago. The family moved away so as to not live in the same house. Not too far away, so we still get together quite often. About 2-3 weeks ago, she came to me with a question. This was at the peak of my Effexor withdrawl. I had been on the drug for about 7 years. Her question to me was, "You have been on an anti-depressant, give me some advise as to which drug to get my son on. He has gone to a doctor and started up one but I want to know your opinion. Is it a good one?" I was afraid to ask. Yep! Effexor!!!! When I asked her WHY? Why Effexor of all the drugs out there? She told me that when the police gave her back all of Boyd's personal belongings about 6 months ago, after all the police investigations, one of the things they gave her was his partially used bottle of Effexor. She didnt even know he was on it. She doesnt know why the doctor would put her son on it, since it OBVIOUSLY didnt work for Boyd. My question is, WAS he taking it and stopped??? Was it the withdrawl that made him kill himself? It certainly explains the nightmares I have been having over and over. The same stupid voice, chanting and laughing "ya should have talked to him! ya should have talked to him!!! hahahahaha" <- thats just sick and wrong. The same voice. Any dream, every dream, the voice is always there and always says that same thing! It's making me lose my mind! Now I have to figure out a way to get my nephew off Effexor.
> -I have been drug free for one month exactly. I feel better now. If the voice in my dreams would go away, I would be downright perfect!!!
> -Thanks for reading along. I just had to vent this.
> -RoomyRoomy, you have my sincere sympathy. I too am going through losing someone who had taken this terrible drug. It has been almost 5 months now and it doesn't seem to get any better, she was so young, only 31 and so full of life.
Does ANYONE know what we can do to help warn others of the effects of withdrawal of this drug, as it seems that WYETH is only putting the warning out for children up to 18. I know there are alot of over 18, who have had more depression and are suicidal from trying to get off this drug. HOW DOES ONE FIGHT A DRUG COMPANY WHO MAKES 2.1 BILLION on this drug alone. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.
Posted by fastblackZZR on February 15, 2004, at 14:29:36
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on February 15, 2004, at 11:03:31
i took effexor for 4 weeks at the most - i think it was less than that - and i am almost a month into withdrawl and STILL tapering. it makes me have overwhelming feelings and thoughts of doom and despair.i cry at the drop of a hat and i have never been a crier. i can barely function. i am so angry that i was on it such a short period of time and am having to suffer for WEEKS to get this trash out of my system.
Posted by BJlass on February 15, 2004, at 15:55:47
In reply to Re: Effexor: Long Term Effects, posted by Aubrey13 on January 18, 2004, at 2:08:08
I'll ask again as no one answered my question but added other interesting info. Has anyone had a weird "spacey" sensation in their forehead after being off Effexor for at least 6 months or more? It's hard to explain-- it's a definite physical sensation.
I think the Effexor has done something permanent to my brain! My doctor (new) says I could have a brain scan but that wouldn't show any damage to neurotransmittors.
Is there any way to find out if this drug has caused change or damage to brain neurotransmittors?
Posted by BJlass on February 15, 2004, at 16:00:02
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by fastblackZZR on February 15, 2004, at 14:29:36
As far as the "zinging" "dizzy" effects of Effexor withdrawl, they WILL go away! Trust me. They're temporary. It seems like you're "doomed" to it, and you'll even feel MORE depressed, but trust me, they will stop.
What I am concerned about is long-term damage to my brain! I have a weird, "prickly" sensation in my forehead I'm concerned about! I've been off Effexor more than a year!!! And I have a hard time concentrating.
I'm not taking 10 mg. of Lexapro but it doesn't give me the "high" of Effexor at all. I've read that Effexor is actually a lot like cocaine. I've never taken drugs (except as prescribed by dr's.)
I wish we could all meet in person to talk about this horrid drug, Effexor!
Posted by BJlass on February 15, 2004, at 16:00:46
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by fastblackZZR on February 15, 2004, at 14:29:36
Sorry, I AM taking Lexapro now -- 10 mg.
Posted by bristol on February 15, 2004, at 16:06:35
In reply to Re: Effexor: Long Term Effects!!!, posted by BJlass on February 15, 2004, at 15:55:47
I read your question about the physical pain. Seems odd as a reaction related to Effexor. Have you asked your doctor? Sounds more like something you would get from other drugs like Topomax or Lamictal or Depakote.
Posted by BJlass on February 15, 2004, at 16:12:29
In reply to Re: Effexor: Long Term Effects!!! » BJlass, posted by bristol on February 15, 2004, at 16:06:35
Yes, I have asked him. It's not pain, just a weird prickly sensation. He said I could have a neurologist look at me but probably wouldn't show much.
I think it's damage to neurotransmittors which won't show up on any diagnostic tests they have now.
Posted by cpallen79 on February 16, 2004, at 10:22:51
In reply to Re: Effexor: Long Term Effects!!!, posted by BJlass on February 15, 2004, at 15:55:47
Hello, I do believe that Effexor may have long withdrawal syndrome symptoms that are not yet fully understood. I myself have been off the med for about 3 months, but recently suffered from a horrible series of anxiety attacks that continue even now, making it difficult for me to function. My first reaction was that I was suffering from an anxiety disorder. However, upon reading and listening to other people's stories, I've been hearing that often times there seems to be a "rebound effect" (just like benzos, i.e. Xanax) with SSRI's and SSNRI's that is part of the long term withdrawal process which shows up a couple months after you've tapered off or stopped. My brother for example, went through the exact same thing I did a couple months ago. He's been med free for about 4 to 5 months now, but also gets the "spacy" sensations you mentioned, though his anxiety has been alleviated for the most part. I don't think the meds have a permanent effect on the brain (then again I'm not a doctor)... I think it's just the brain rewiring itself after being coaxed into doing something that it doesn't do on its own... suddenly the brain is "confused" so to speak and needs to adjust. I'm hoping this happens soon because uncomfortable would be an understatement to describe how i'm feeling now!
> I'll ask again as no one answered my question but added other interesting info. Has anyone had a weird "spacey" sensation in their forehead after being off Effexor for at least 6 months or more? It's hard to explain-- it's a definite physical sensation.
>
> I think the Effexor has done something permanent to my brain! My doctor (new) says I could have a brain scan but that wouldn't show any damage to neurotransmittors.
>
> Is there any way to find out if this drug has caused change or damage to brain neurotransmittors?
Posted by aimeeb on February 16, 2004, at 11:46:28
In reply to effexor withdrawal - what i did, posted by fastblackZZR on February 4, 2004, at 13:43:51
I've been on 150mg of Effexor for maybe 4 or 5 months now. I've been on and off several different meds for years now and I want to get off of the Effexor. I want to be able to see if I can be a functioning adult without this crap. So far I haven't taken the Effexor since Thursday. I've been feeling rather weird. It's a fuzzy feeling, somewhere between feeling numb and dizzy. It starts shortly after I wake up in the morning and lasts all afternnon. By evening I feel pretty decent. I actually feel good for awhile in the evening. It's like a glimmer of the old me for a couple hours. Then by 10:00 I'm exhausted and need to crash. I was wondering if anyone has been able to get off this stuff cold-turkey? The reason why I decided to do it without tapering is because I don't want to make these withdrawal symptoms last longer than they have too. Am I setting myself up for disaster by trying it this way?
Posted by Raggy on February 16, 2004, at 11:53:00
In reply to Has anyone gone cold-turkey?, posted by aimeeb on February 16, 2004, at 11:46:28
Do NOT get off this drug cold turkey.
Posted by aimeeb on February 16, 2004, at 12:19:00
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on February 16, 2004, at 11:53:00
> Do NOT get off this drug cold turkey.
WHY? Is there really any difference other than prolonging the symptoms?
Posted by baddog55 on February 16, 2004, at 16:17:37
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by aimeeb on February 16, 2004, at 12:19:00
ABSOLUTELY! You will never be more miserable if you don't taper. I am in my 3rd month of tapering, having tried cold turkey. I only started at 75 mg, then went to 37.5, then to 18 3/4, now on 9. Tried to go with none after the 18 3/4, and the brain zaps came back. Even on 9, they are under control. If I have to, I will taper to 1 mg to get off. I'll keep you posted, but there's no reason to torture yourself during the process by going cold turkey.
> > Do NOT get off this drug cold turkey.
>
> WHY? Is there really any difference other than prolonging the symptoms?
Posted by Raggy on February 16, 2004, at 17:16:09
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by aimeeb on February 16, 2004, at 12:19:00
> > Do NOT get off this drug cold turkey.
>
> WHY? Is there really any difference other than prolonging the symptoms?It does say if you stop this drug, without tapering off you get more depressed and suicidal. My daughter in law stopped without tapering, on doctors orders because she was having seizures on it, became more depressed and took her life. Please follow the directions. Am keeping all of you in my prayers and also praying they can stop giving out this drug to so many without more trials on it.
Posted by BJlass on February 16, 2004, at 18:55:57
In reply to Re: Effexor: Long Term Effects!!!, posted by cpallen79 on February 16, 2004, at 10:22:51
Some interesting info at the link. I do realize some people who read this message board really do NOT want to hear the "bad" things about drugs including Effexor. So... my advice is: Don't read it if all you want to hear is "good" stuff. But it's not good to live your life sticking your head in the sand or in denial. There are powerful sources who would probably love to shut down this wonderful website of Dr. Bob's. :)
Posted by cpallen79 on February 16, 2004, at 20:17:52
In reply to Re: Effexor: Long Term Effects!, posted by BJlass on February 16, 2004, at 18:55:57
That link was EXCELLENT!!! A msut read for those taking any type of anti depressant
> Some interesting info at the link. I do realize some people who read this message board really do NOT want to hear the "bad" things about drugs including Effexor. So... my advice is: Don't read it if all you want to hear is "good" stuff. But it's not good to live your life sticking your head in the sand or in denial. There are powerful sources who would probably love to shut down this wonderful website of Dr. Bob's. :)
>
> http://www.power-surge.com/transcripts/shipko3.htm
Posted by jayt243 on February 17, 2004, at 14:44:26
In reply to Re: Effexor: Long Term Effects!, posted by cpallen79 on February 16, 2004, at 20:17:52
Ok everyone's talking about Effexor withdrawal... I'm interested in upping my dose ;-) I've been on 37.5mg for about 2.5 months and when I first started for about 3 weeks it made me really really tired so I just wanted to lie in bed all day. I started taking it at night to help with that, and now that the side effects are wearing off I'm having trouble falling asleep. I was thinking of going back to taking it in the morning, but wondering if i go up to like 75mg will the side effects come back? Any input is appreciated.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.