![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 6870 to 6894 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by LynnM. on July 1, 2004, at 18:12:56
In reply to Going off of Effexor, posted by livingjuliet on June 30, 2004, at 3:06:05
> Has anyone had the experience of being hungrier than normal when going off of Effexor? I feel a little sick because I haven't taken the medicine in a week (I've been gradually reducing the dosage the past few months), and so it makes me feel slightly sick. Well, eating makes that sick feeling that I know is because of withdrawal go away, so I have found myself eating a LOT more than usual. I hate this... I'm hoping it goes away SOON.
I am gradually coming off Effexor, too. My appetite has decreased some, I'm finding. Which is really good, because I was REVENOUS while taking it! I've also found I do get a little sick to my stomach lately, but I know that's a withdrawal side effect. Haven't eaten anymore, have actually eaten less!
I'm telling y'all...this has been the best info. source for talking with others who have had same problems with Effexor/anti-depressants as me. I'm almost out of my last bottle of Effexor, and I'm stretching it out as long as I can, taking about 37 mg. every 4 days. Brain zaps and everything!: :-)
Posted by lorily on July 1, 2004, at 18:39:50
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by LynnM. on July 1, 2004, at 18:12:56
I can't understand why you would be taking Effexor every 4 days. I think you would be prolonging your withdrawals rather than getting off of them. I've read several people's posts about it and this is the first I've heard of it.
I'm at 37.5, started there, then went up to 75 last Sept when I was having great things happen and had no reaction to them. 4-5 weeks ago cut it down, I've stopped taking depakote since Sunday night and very nervous about stopping Effexor.
As for anyone with the sexual side effects problem, my doctor prescribed viagra (yes I'm female) and it does work. It increases the flow of blood to the genitals, making us more sensitive. My problem was not lack of desire, but lack of response. I hope this helps everyone.
Posted by KaraS on July 1, 2004, at 19:10:54
In reply to Re: Help-any ideas from anyone, been around the block, posted by Shyla on July 1, 2004, at 8:31:17
> > > Kara, I have been on Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Remeron, now Effexor. It does take patience, and a willingness to give each med a chance to really find out if it works, and what the side effects are, and if you can live with those side effects. I have been on 75 mgs. of Effexor for 7 mos. now. I like it because it has greatly reduced my anxiety, stabilized my moods, and is really helping me enjoy life and laugh again. I don't take things so seriously. The couple of side effects I do experience are trouble sleeping, but Gabatril and Ambien have taken care of that, and sexual side effects. I'm now experimenting with a day off of Effexor coupled with Wellbutrin on a day of anticipating lovemaking. It has seemed to help part of the time, not always. So, the long and the short of it is that I'm overall happy with Effexor. I am very open and upfront with my doctor about my experiences and concerns, and together we experiment with alternatives to improve things. I hope this helped.
> >
> >
> > Shyla,
> > I have been on many meds for adequate periods of time but unfortunately none has been great for me so far. The tricyclics have helped me sleep and totally gotten rid of my panic disorder/agoraphobia several years ago but none of these meds has adequately addressed my depression. Effexor has been the best so far (with virtually no side effects) but I know that I could be doing a lot better. I feel that I'm moving in the right direction though. I know that I need some serotonin assistance to protect against panic attacks but mostly I need NE and dopamine for energy, motivation and zest for life. My quest for the right medication or combination of medicines is at least going to be more intelligently targeted going forward.
> >
> > I hope you have continued success on the Effexor. Have you tried Ginkgo for the sexual side effects? A lot of people have had great success with that!
>
> Kara, no I haven't tried Ginkgo, but I will. Do you know how many mgs. are effective? Thank you for the suggestion. Have you tried Wellbutrin in combination with Effexor for the dopamine and engergy boost?
> >
> >I'm not sure how much Ginkgo you should take. (It's not a good idea to take if you're on any kind of blood-thinning medication or if you take aspirin regularly.) You could post over on the Pscyho-Babble Alternative board. There are some incredibly knowledgable people over there who would be able to give you the details.
I tried Wellbutrin but unfortunately I had an allergic reaction to it. I was really disappointed because I thought that might be a really good combo for me too.
Posted by gbtbag on July 1, 2004, at 19:17:44
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects, posted by megamufn on March 14, 2003, at 6:12:47
i want to come off Effexor XR as well, as i feel it's no longer helping me when it comes to reducing anxiety.
i'm very aware that there is a tendency to expect too much from these drugs. then again, only we can tell whether or not we're really getting any benefit. for me, as it did with Prozac, Effexor doesn't work anymore.
i tried increasing the dosage from 150mg to 225mg but all it did was worsen the side effect i detest, which is excessive sweating.
i'm hoping to get my County psychiatrist to switch me to something i haven't tried--Welbutrin, perhaps--as Prozac and Effexor are the only drugs i've been able to tolerate so far. Paxil, Serzone and Zoloft all had real downsides or just plain didn't work.
Posted by esskay on July 1, 2004, at 21:49:41
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by lorily on July 1, 2004, at 18:39:50
I'm day 5 coming off Effexor 75mg. I was on it for about a year-- I went on because I was trying to balance law school and wedding planning across state lines and family. My main problem was sleep, which was cured by 25mg of trazadone, but then the doctor wanted to put me on the Effexor as well, which didn't make any difference. I also have "fibromyalgia" which no one believes in, and I'm supposedly atypical because I push right through the pain and get on with things-- sleep is my main concern, which, if I don't get it, gives rise to anxiety about not sleeping. The trazadone has fixed this for me. I think maybe the doctor thought that the Effexor would help the pain, but it is not clear what links it has with helping the fibromyalgia [as an aside, I've found that good old exercise is a great help].
So: I've graduated from school a month ago and have been booted from the insurance and my doctor. I cannot afford the $100+ per month of the Effexor nor could I get a response from the doctor who put me on the med, since I was no longer a university patient. Also, being without insurance for the time being, I cannot afford to "get to know" a new doctor to come up with a new game plan that will include going off Effexor.
So I figured I'd take matters into my own hands and just didn't pick up my refill. I had been without for a few days at a time before and would feel dizzy, with upset stomach, electric shock sensations and a thrushing/wooshing sound in my ears. So, I bravely (stupidly? not sure) just quit to see if I could brave it and see how long the withdrawal lasts.
An aside: this is a terrible medication. It was improperly prescribed for me I'm sure becuase after 5 days I'm having no anxiety, no mood swings that worry me, no sleep problems. It is terrible to prescribe a drug to people that is so hard to come off of, especially in the university setting where people are transient and may not be able to have consistent monitoring because of breaks, graduation, etc.
Anyway, on day 5 I'm no longer sick to my stomach. I'm having great dreams (colorful) although I've read from others' postings that nightmares are common. I still have occasional thrushing in my ears and the electric shock sensataions are less frequent.
I've read that those who go off higher dosages have worse trouble, but those that prolong the tapering feel the withdrawal effects just as much.
Does anyone know of any clinical trials that have tracked this withdrawal? In terms of how long the weird side effects are "supposed to" last and/or how lng they actually do when coming off 75mg?
Posted by Corafree on July 2, 2004, at 1:29:14
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by esskay on July 1, 2004, at 21:49:41
See page 40 @ http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2003/20699se1-022_Effexor_lbl.pdf
Posted by LynnM. on July 2, 2004, at 1:55:27
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by lorily on July 1, 2004, at 18:39:50
> I can't understand why you would be taking Effexor every 4 days. I think you would be prolonging your withdrawals rather than getting off of them. I've read several people's posts about it and this is the first I've heard of it.
I'm trying to get OFF of Effexor. I don't want to just quit cold turkey. I'm gradually slowing down to decrease intensity of the withdrawal symptoms I'm experiencing: headache, nausea, brain zaps, sporadic itching.
Posted by lorily on July 2, 2004, at 6:06:46
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by LynnM. on July 2, 2004, at 1:55:27
I am also a recovering addict. I know that when you consistly wean yourself off of substances(bringing the daily dose lower and lower) your body adjusts to the lower levels, slowly eliminating the substance from your body until you are able to do without it.
Now, going 4 days without anything, your body is withdrawing, going through your torture, then you feed it a mega dose of the substance it's craving, bringing the dependancy right back. And then you torture it again for 4 days instead of letting your body heal. I'm sure that each day you feel a little better then the last, that's your body getting better, getting used to it not being there, then you jump it up again. Effexor has a short half-life, that's why we feel the withdrawals so severely, it's leaving quickly, so I can't understand why you would torture yourself over and over again.
I'm not a doctor, but I know all about phsyical dependancy. I'd really talk to your doctor about this method you're using.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2004, at 16:03:27
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by LynnM. on July 1, 2004, at 18:05:34
Posted by donna0099 on July 2, 2004, at 20:05:18
> my dr is taking me off paxil but i think it is being done to fast i took 1/2of 20mg for ten days then had to take 1/2 of 20 every second day then none for a week then he 's gonna put me on a trial drug "duloxetine" anyone heard of it? but the withdrawal is pretty brutal nausea diareeha, sleep disturbanced, zaps are beyond , crying spells , i have to come off paxil becuase i've gained alot of weight on it and i now have type 2 diabetes and very high cholesterol so paxil makes me eat and it has to go in order for me to get my health back . i am 44 year old female but i feel 90 .... and fat
Posted by KaraS on July 3, 2004, at 20:13:33
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation « donna0099, posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2004, at 16:03:27
That does seem like a short time to try to get off of Paxil. These doctors have no clue what we go through trying to withdraw from some of these meds! Adding in another med with serotonergic effect can help a lot. Duloxetine has some of that so maybe your doctor will allow you to start on it before you're completely off of the Paxil. You are lucky that he/she is going to start you on that drug. Many people, including lots of posters on this board, are waiting for that drug to come out. It's brand name is Cymbalta and you will find several posts here about it. Please let us know what your experience is with it.
Posted by theo on July 4, 2004, at 7:47:35
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation « donna0099, posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2004, at 16:03:27
Please let me know how the duloxetine works for you. It's supposed to finally be out to the public in September but would be interested to here your experience since you get to try it before its release.
Posted by donna0099 on July 4, 2004, at 16:45:24
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by KaraS on July 3, 2004, at 20:13:33
> That does seem like a short time to try to get off of Paxil. These doctors have no clue what we go through trying to withdraw from some of these meds! Adding in another med with serotonergic effect can help a lot. Duloxetine has some of that so maybe your doctor will allow you to start on it before you're completely off of the Paxil. You are lucky that he/she is going to start you on that drug. Many people, including lots of posters on this board, are waiting for that drug to come out. It's brand name is Cymbalta and you will find several posts here about it. Please let us know what your experience is with it.
Hi thanks for replying! Why do you say i'm lucky he is suggesting Cymbalta, i am in Canada and it has not been approved here yet... i very nervous about taking it, but i know i must come off the paxil can you enlighten me on the Cymbalta , has it been available for awhile anywhere, i am going to participate in a study,,, ( with duloxetine ) feel like a guinea pig.
Posted by KaraS on July 4, 2004, at 18:47:25
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by donna0099 on July 4, 2004, at 16:45:24
> > That does seem like a short time to try to get off of Paxil. These doctors have no clue what we go through trying to withdraw from some of these meds! Adding in another med with serotonergic effect can help a lot. Duloxetine has some of that so maybe your doctor will allow you to start on it before you're completely off of the Paxil. You are lucky that he/she is going to start you on that drug. Many people, including lots of posters on this board, are waiting for that drug to come out. It's brand name is Cymbalta and you will find several posts here about it. Please let us know what your experience is with it.
>
> Hi thanks for replying! Why do you say i'm lucky he is suggesting Cymbalta, i am in Canada and it has not been approved here yet... i very nervous about taking it, but i know i must come off the paxil can you enlighten me on the Cymbalta , has it been available for awhile anywhere, i am going to participate in a study,,, ( with duloxetine ) feel like a guinea pig.Cymbalta (duloxetine) is not available anywhere yet to my knowledge but a lot of people in the U.S. (and probably elsewhere) have been anxiously awaiting its approval. It has the potential to be a very powerful antidepressant because it equally effects serotonin and NE (noradrenaline). The only other antidepressant (not counting any APs) that is approved in the U.S. that can do that now is Effexor but only in the higher dosage range and even then it is still more of a serotonergic medication.
Posted by Ruth Dennis on July 6, 2004, at 10:50:49
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by KaraS on July 4, 2004, at 18:47:25
I am working with my doctor to wean me off of Effexor XR after being on it for 8 years. The effect this drug has on your sex life is not worth it, and I would like to let others know the side effects of stopping or switching anti-depressants. The doctor asked me to keep a daily journal on the effects. He took me from 75mg to 37.5 mg for 2 weeks. This was not too bad. I had night sweats, some nervousness and irritability. Then for the next two weeks I had to take the 37.5mg every other day. That is where the real trouble started. I was nauseous all the time - day and night....I lived on gingerale, saltine crackers and chicken broth. I could not sleep at all. I was so tempted to go back on it full tie just to feel normal again. Now I am on 37.5mg every third day, and still feel like hell. I don't know what it is not to feel nausea all the time. It is like morning sickness all day. I am hoping that on my next visit he will go ahead and put me on Wellbutin to get back to normal. My advice to all of you is do not stop this medication without help from a doctor.
Posted by Shyla on July 6, 2004, at 11:05:07
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by lorily on July 1, 2004, at 18:39:50
Lorily, you have got me very interested in your experience with Viagra. My libido is almost non-existent. I hate it! It sounds like you have libido, but have difficulty climaxing. Is this correct? I suffer from both issues. But if Viaga helps with one, that's a 50% improvement, as far as I'm concerned. Would you mind giving me more information? Thanks.
Posted by lorily on July 6, 2004, at 11:19:15
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor » lorily, posted by Shyla on July 6, 2004, at 11:05:07
> Lorily, you have got me very interested in your experience with Viagra. My libido is almost non-existent. I hate it! It sounds like you have libido, but have difficulty climaxing. Is this correct? I suffer from both issues. But if Viaga helps with one, that's a 50% improvement, as far as I'm concerned. Would you mind giving me more information? Thanks.
Shyla, this is what I posted on another thread:
I do want to mention though, if it doesn't work the very first time, don't worry. It took 2 or 3 tries for me. Since my blood pressure normaly is low all my life and the orginal clinical trials for viagra was for high blood pressure (yes, this miracle drug was an accident the doc told me) I was only prescribed 25mg didn't work, I tried 50mg and works. I do get a light-headed sensation, not unpleasant (could also just be arousal I'd gotten used to not being familiar with-lol) And the info packet does say that it may not work the first time for men, too. It's supposed to last for 4 hours, but doesn't for me, like I wrote earlier it takes 20-30 mins, then lasts for 1-1-1/2 hours. I'm glad this info helps. Glad I brought it up to the doc, and it was only because of my b/f taking a job with rotten hours that made sex a weekend only thing, so I had to make it count!!!!!!!!!
Good news is that job has changed and I am getting off the other meds so haven't had to use it in a while.
Posted by lorily on July 6, 2004, at 11:26:58
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by Ruth Dennis on July 6, 2004, at 10:50:49
This sounds so strange to me to be taking effexor after not taking it for days. I've researched trials that clearly state that effexor must be withdrawn from your system gradually and DAILY, not every 2 or 3 days. Some people posting how they open up the capsule and divide them make soooooooo much more sense than pushing yourself to do without it, detoxing, then giving your body a full dose and bringing the dependancy right back. That must be torture!!!!!!!!!
Posted by husschick on July 6, 2004, at 11:34:44
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by lorily on July 6, 2004, at 11:26:58
I am a big sceptic when it comes to beleiving things when I myself have not experienced them first hand. Over the weekend I went out of town for the 4th of July, I forgot to take my Effexor xr with me. I didnt take it for 3 days, and on the second day I felt like I needed to go to the emergancy room due to how awful I felt. I felt dizzy and my head felt really funny I cant even describe it. I thought that I had something awful wrong with me. But now that I am back on my normal routine I am slowly but surly starting to get better.
Posted by Shyla on July 6, 2004, at 14:48:01
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by lorily on July 6, 2004, at 11:19:15
Lorily, thank you so much for this lead. I'm going to give it a try! You have given me hope. I'll be in touch and let you know how it goes for me. S
Posted by calico cat on July 6, 2004, at 16:27:58
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by lorily on July 2, 2004, at 6:06:46
Hi everyone. I lost touch during my last weeks of withdrawal and then stopped getting follow-ups.
I finally got off effexor the Tuesday before Memorial Day. I just couldn't take the headaches and inertia from taking 37.5 every other day. So I just went off. It took 10-14 days of misery (and this on 300 mg of wellbutrin). I never thought I would feel good again. I know that I never want to feel that withdrawal again.
I feel badly for any of you going through the withdrawal stage. I know how hard it can be. It's just a day to day existence. Good luck.
Posted by Rowdy Redhead on July 6, 2004, at 17:40:31
In reply to Re: Everyone's different, but... » dusty534, posted by LynnM. on June 19, 2004, at 19:08:12
> Being on Effexor made me VERY sleepy, and I was only on 75 mg. I wanted to sleep all the time! I love naps, but on Effexor my naps sometimes lasted 3 hours. Had no energy, either.
>
> I'm withdrawing slowly from it, and I'm feeling brain zaps now (I'm on 37.5 mg. every other day). Also hot flashes. BUT, my appetite has suppressed somewhat. While on full dosage Effexor, I couldn't wait until the next meal. Food never tasted so good.
>
> For me, Effexor turned into the med. from He**. Lord knows, I can't see myself continuing to take Effexor and some other ADs to curb the withdrawal symptoms!WELL! this settles it..I am going off this stuff. I have been thinking about it for a while, as I am as depresssed as before, if not more so, no motivation, just slugbait, and hungry all the time.
What are these brain zaps, and how do I deal with them??
( AND BOY AM I SO TICKED OFF at my MD who NEVER told me my continuing night swaets could be from Effexor and not return to menopause!)
I am not sleeping either..and she just prescribed Trazadone for that..a pill on top of a pill....I swore I would never do that...
Now I don't know if I will have what I need inside of me to quit..
Posted by KaraS on July 7, 2004, at 0:00:28
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by Ruth Dennis on July 6, 2004, at 10:50:49
You shouldn't have to be so sick!!! Can't you ask your doctor to let you go slower in withdrawing from the Effexor or to at least prescribe Prozac for you so you don't have such awful withdrawal symptoms? There are plenty of posts here about Prozac's usefulness for this purpose. It gives your neurons what they're craving in the short-term. Then going off of the Prozac is very easy because of its long half-life. Wellbutrin isn't going to help any as it isn't a serotonergic. I'm going off of Effexor VERY SLOWLY and I've had mimimal problems so far. There's just no need to suffer as much as you are.
Posted by Corafree on July 7, 2004, at 9:41:45
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Yes, I am having success with it, after a bit of changing the dosage regimen. Upon first starting, I took my initial 75mg upon waking and took a followup of 37.5 at bedtime. I was experiencing side effects, mainly anxiety, from around 4-5p until bedtime. I now take the follow-up dose of 37.5mg approx. 5 hours after taking my waking dose, and have virtually no anxiety or side effects, and it lasts all day! I can truly say it is the best drug I have ever been on, and I've been on all the SSRIs. I am what is called a 'POOR METABOLIZER'. Many factors go into the pharmacokinetics of a drug, making the dosage regimen individual to individuals. There are EXTENSIVE METABOLIZERS (normal metabolizers) and, like me, POOR METABOLIZERS. Some factors which go into deciding which you are, are: 1) hepatic drug clearance (low intrinsic clearance - the effect can be increased by giving a second liver enzyme boosting agent, and hepatic blood flow - how much is initially gobbled up by the liver, because the slower the flow, the higher the extraction, and vice-versa; 2) protein binding (drugs get stuck and can't go anywhere); and 3) ionization (highly ionized drugs cannot cross lipid membranes and basically can't go anywhere.) So, dosage regimens should depend upon whether you are a low metabolizer or an extensive (normal) metabolizer. It took me a while to realize I was a low metabolizer and that I would actually need more of a drug. Anyway, now I'm doing very well with Effexor-XR, and I think probably better than I did on regular Effexor tablets. I am interested to learn more about a new drug on the horizon called Cymbalta. Is Effexor going to have a competitor in its now stand-alone category?
Posted by lorily on July 7, 2004, at 16:36:35
In reply to Re: Everyone's different, but..., posted by Rowdy Redhead on July 6, 2004, at 17:40:31
Well, whatever you do, don't just stop cold, work with your doctor on the effexor. Trazadone is an antidepressant afterall and may help with your depression. Since it's generally too sedative to only take as an AD, it's given as a sleep aide and you don't HAVE to take it--at least for me-- when I start waking up too grogy, I lower the dosage or stop taking it. that lets me know my body doesn't need it so much, when I start having trouble sleeping again, i resume use. But the effexor, reading all these threads, I'm scared, I'd never have started taking it if I knew it was so difficult to stop. Weeks ago I tapered to 125 of depakote and now for the past couple weeks, none. My effexor was lowered to 37.5 1-1/2 mos ago and I've been this past week feeling side effects, maybe since i'm no longer taking the depakote. today I divided the effexor in half ang feel fine so far (actually better) and think I will continue to do that, lowering it gradually and hopefully I will not be hit so bad with withdrawals (which I've read are clinically called "discontinuation syndrome" because we are not really addicted to effexor for it to be called withdrawals.
Posted by KaraS on July 9, 2004, at 2:46:04
In reply to Re: Everyone's different, but... » Rowdy Redhead, posted by lorily on July 7, 2004, at 16:36:35
A rose by any other name...
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.