Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 371721

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Effexor withdrawal survey

Posted by cpallen79 on July 28, 2004, at 15:45:57

I thought I'd come up with a little survey for effexor w/d sufferers (i've been there) feel free to answer the questions...

1)How much were you taking?

2)How long?

3) How did you withdraw?
a) I took pellets out of the capsules
b) I quit cold turkey!
c) I tapered dose by dose (i.e 75 - 37.5)

4) How long did your w/d symptoms last?

5) did you have protracted w/d symptoms?
(i.e problems other than the original
depression/anxiety)

6) How long did they last?

7) How did you counter them? (i.e another SSRI)


Feel free to answer, I'll answer myself later.
Chris

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal survey

Posted by Kacy on July 29, 2004, at 19:02:52

In reply to Effexor withdrawal survey, posted by cpallen79 on July 28, 2004, at 15:45:57

1) How much were you taking?

150, then 225, back to 150, down to 75, up to 112.5, and now 75.


2) How long?

Approx: 5 months, then 1 month, then 1 year, then 1 month, then eight months, and now a year and a half at 75–which only works at such a low level with Strattera. I went off completely for one month after one month of Strattera.


3) How did you withdraw?

I tapered dose by dose. From 112.5, I tapered to 75 for two days, and then to 37.5 for two more, and then went off.


4) How long did your w/d symptoms last?

A week.


5) Did you have protracted w/d symptoms?

Some very light nausea late afternoon. Light zaps in the morning, usually in the first hour after getting up. Dragginess most of the week.

This was entirely unlike missing a dose. When I missed doses, I had electrical zaps and flu symptoms starting about seven or eight hours after missing and getting increasingly worse until I took the pill. Depending on how long passed before I took the pill, it took a half hour to four hours to get over the withdrawal symptoms. If I stayed on my stomach with my head to one side and flat on the bed, and didn’t move at all, I felt okay. Any movement and the symptoms started again.

The symptoms after missing one while taking 225 mg. were in a class of their own. The only way to describe it is as an interruption of the visual feed, like an old movie with pieces of it cut out: the scene jerked to a new one. It was so fast, I just knew it after it happened. The scene shift was tiny, but it was there. My brain wasn’t receiving (or wasn’t translating) what my eyes were seeing. I never got the flu symptoms, but maybe they were coming. It happened about ten hours after missing a dose. I didn’t miss any more, and then dropped back to 150.


7) How did you counter them?

Waiting them out. Next time, I’ll start another ssri as I quit Effexor.

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal survey

Posted by cpallen79 on July 29, 2004, at 19:53:17

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal survey, posted by Kacy on July 29, 2004, at 19:02:52

1) How much were you taking?
37.5 mgs XR

2) How long?
About 13 months

3) How did you withdraw?
By taking half of the pellets out of the capsule for 3-4 weeks then quitting cold turkey.

4) How long did your w/d symptoms last?
Months- I had typical w/d symptoms for a good month and then slipped into an agitated depression. I'm not sure if the effexor w/d had anything to do with it (perhaps rebound?) or if it was just me...

5) Did you have protracted w/d symptoms?
I believe so but cannot be sure. My initial problems came back worse than before in my opinion. Also had brain "snaps" which I still get, then again I've tried other meds lately and it could be that or something else, who knows.

7) How did you counter them?
By going on different medications and just kind of waiting them out. I've been off of Effexor for about 8 months.

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal survey

Posted by Camille Dumont on July 30, 2004, at 9:58:18

In reply to Effexor withdrawal survey, posted by cpallen79 on July 28, 2004, at 15:45:57

I thought I'd come up with a little survey for effexor w/d sufferers (i've been there) feel free to answer the questions...

1)How much were you taking?

300mg Effexor XR + 20mg Celexa

2)How long?

I've been on it for a little more than two years

3) How did you withdraw?

Went cold turkey of the Celexa adn Effexor at the same time but then the WD was too strong so I started the Celexa again ... but not the Effexor.

4) How long did your w/d symptoms last?

5 days ... basically until I took the Celexa

5) did you have protracted w/d symptoms?

At first I felt dizzy, then the constant migranes started, then the nightmares adn the insomnia and then the nausea and inability to keep food coupled with such a strong hunger that not eating made me nauseaous as well. Shaking, fever-like symptoms ... self-injury ideation and urges.

Weird food cravings as well : wanting to eat meat and very acid-tasting things while feeling a strong aversion towards anything sweet. Pickle sandwiches became my friends.

6) How long did they last?

Five days ... when the suicidal urges became too strong, I started the Celexa again. No withdrawal effects since then.

7) How did you counter them? (i.e another SSRI)

Taking the SSRI I was taking before quitting cold turkey.

 

Effexor withdrawal survey

Posted by pablo1 on July 30, 2004, at 12:53:56

In reply to Effexor withdrawal survey, posted by cpallen79 on July 28, 2004, at 15:45:57

75mgxr for 7 weeks
cold turkey
It's been three weeks, still not completely gone but wasn't that unpleasant anyways, just wierd. I like having feelings/energy back and feel better, think it was good to try, I liked the antianxiety effect while medicated also.

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal survey

Posted by rolie12 on August 2, 2004, at 20:09:33

In reply to Effexor withdrawal survey, posted by cpallen79 on July 28, 2004, at 15:45:57

1. 300 mg
2. 5 1/2 months
3. 300 mg to 150 mg for one day and cold turkey.
4. Day 12 and some zaps, but definetly going away. First three days, vomiting and extremly sick.
5. I don't think other problems, as of yet.

> I thought I'd come up with a little survey for effexor w/d sufferers (i've been there) feel free to answer the questions...
>
> 1)How much were you taking?

>
> 2)How long?
>
> 3) How did you withdraw?
> a) I took pellets out of the capsules
> b) I quit cold turkey!
> c) I tapered dose by dose (i.e 75 - 37.5)
>
> 4) How long did your w/d symptoms last?
>
> 5) did you have protracted w/d symptoms?
> (i.e problems other than the original
> depression/anxiety)
>
> 6) How long did they last?
>
> 7) How did you counter them? (i.e another SSRI)
>
>
> Feel free to answer, I'll answer myself later.
> Chris

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal survey

Posted by Trying on August 4, 2004, at 12:48:37

In reply to Effexor withdrawal survey, posted by cpallen79 on July 28, 2004, at 15:45:57

Hello all -

Glad to find this discussion group, and these threads on Effexor w/d...I really have been at a loss to explain what I was going through to my wife. Sad/glad to say I broke down in tears when I found these threads, it released an terrible appreciation for what I am going through to hear the difficult experiences of so many. I'm in midst of it, even writing this is hard, and many others are too -- may we all get through it, thanks to those who have who've provided their feedback and encouragement.

> 1)How much were you taking?

Most recently I was up to 375mg, but started (I think) at 150mg a while back, slowly increased, and then bumped it up

> 2)How long?

About 3 years on Effexor...since 1994 I've been treated for depression using Paxil for many years, then Celexa for a couple of years.

>
> 3) How did you withdraw?

Tapered dose -- dropping by 75mg every three days, and meanwhile ramping up Buproprion (sp? aka Welburtrin, again, sp?...sorry I don't have energy/patience at this very moment to find the exact spellings)

> 4) How long did your w/d symptoms last?

I'll get back to you on this, and the final questions, as I'm in the midst of it, so here is what I'm experiencing, for sake of others trying to figure this out:

= brain-shorts/electrical/visual wackiness...it is really intense, frequent, and totally disturbing, but I can't help thinking about Walt Whitman's title: 'I Sing the Body Electric'...or the phrase 'electron wind' that describes the microscopic damaging effect in small circuitry...or the pixelated image when a digital satellite TV signal breaks up momentarily. And of course I'm torn between pondering what strange/magical/complex organism human beings we are, and quoting D.Byrne/Talking Heads: 'My God, What Have I Done?'

This is the 3 day of no Effexor and I'm am conscious of the above effect about 75% of the time (so far today). I remember noticing it periodically as I was tapering off, but last night (2nd day w/o any) it started cooking full time.

Additional things at the moment:
- I do feel a more physical mild-chronic-fever-but-without-a-temperature sensation that is more of a nusiance, like a mild flu, early on can be.
- Dreams - I have always have had vivid dreams that I remember nightly, but the past week I have noticed some stranger plots -- nothing really terrifying compared to what I usually conjure, but definitely curious, even while I'm in them...for example, I became conscious of dreaming in one of them and was convinced it would be make a great book/movie and I should remember it. Of course upon waking up and thinking of it now, it is just plain wacky.

Some random thoughts: I agreed to the switch from Effexor over the phone (I had previously discussed with dr. the this possibility...namely to see if there was a better match to what I realize may be 'atypical' depression). The Dr. mentioned that there can be some notable withdrawal symptoms...which I took in stride as par-for-course for any meds. Of course it gave me pause when the last thing she said before hanging up was 'good luck'

The other question/worry, especially when reading about lingering w/d effects, is whether there is a permanent change in our brains as a result of taking Effexor. I remember staying way far away from LSD while others I knew imbibed, always scared of the much feared 'flashbacks' many years later while driving down the highway with the future family/kids in tow. This w/d effect feels like I've realized that fear if it doesn't entirely go away.

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal survey » Trying

Posted by KaraS on August 4, 2004, at 16:08:03

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal survey, posted by Trying on August 4, 2004, at 12:48:37

I don't know if you've read any of my posts on this yet but I'm also in the process of withdrawing from Effexor. The key is to go VERY SLOWLY once you get to the 37.5 mg. level. I didn't have much trouble going from 75 mg. to 37.5 but you really need to go especially slowly once you're on the last leg of the trip. I am now cutting back by quarters of a pill and then staying at each level for about 3-4 weeks. I'm probably too cautious here but I have had minimal problems so far.

The other key is that there are other things that can help you. Prozac is known to be the best of the lot. It takes over giving your neurons what they're looking for but it has a very long half-life so that it very slowly leaves your body and you don't get the withdrawal symptoms. Then when you stop the Prozac, no problemo. (You only take that when you're on a low dose of Effexor so as not to produce serotonin syndrome.)

Other things that people on this board have said helped them are Ginkgo, Benadryl, Celexa and St. John's Wort. Again you'd only want to take the Celexa or SJW when you're on a small amount of Effexor. I take one capsule of SJW at night for a night or two when I'm decreasing dosage (once I was at the 37.5 mg. level and less) I think it has helped.

Good luck. (Don't you wish your pdoc had warned you about the withdrawal?)

Kara

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal survey

Posted by KimberlyDi on August 4, 2004, at 16:45:03

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal survey, posted by Camille Dumont on July 30, 2004, at 9:58:18

> I thought I'd come up with a little survey for effexor w/d sufferers (i've been there) feel free to answer the questions...
>
> 1)How much were you taking?
>
300mg Effexor XR
>
> 2)How long?
>
I had been on it for a little more than five months. P-Doc wanted me off when my blood pressure sky-rocketed.
>
> 3) How did you withdraw?
>
1st time, Tried to switch to Lexapro. 1st week 150mg of Effexor & 10mg of Lexapro. 2nd week just 20mg of Lexapro. Didn't work, I was incapacitated at that rate of withdrawal the first week. Went back onto Effexor at 300mg.

2nd time, got a calender and determined a very detailed schedule of dosage decreases (yes, down to counting the little dots). It was a schedule of alternating dosages. Flipping back from old dosage to lowered dosage each day, but increasing the days of lower dosages inbetween, until I was comfortable at the lower dosage. Then I would begin with a new lower dosage. It took me weeks but it was successful. Plus, I felt in control instead of feeling that Effexor was controlling me.

> 4) How long did your w/d symptoms last?

Going to lower dosage would provoke mild w/d symptoms for about 10 days, or less.

> 5) did you have protracted w/d symptoms?

Even when I was finally off Effexor, the dizziness, tingling hands, and shocks continued for a few months.

> 6) How long did they last?

Months, with decreasing severeness.

> 7) How did you counter them? (i.e another SSRI)

I was used to the feeling by then.

 

Effexor withdrawal day 5 - what's up, what's down

Posted by Trying on August 6, 2004, at 11:49:05

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal survey, posted by Trying on August 4, 2004, at 12:48:37

Wanted to post an update - sort of a travelogue for my Effexor w/d, now at day 5 of 0mg.

Things are improving a bit: instead of having the 'brain shivers' 75% of the time during the day, I would say its down to 50%, at least that's how I'm able to perceive the frequency of that strange effect. More on the w/d effects I've had below.

As noted, I've phased in Buproprion/Welburtrin, and based on what I've read on this and other discussions, I've decided to simply gut it out, rather than asking for specific new meds to counteract what appears to be w/d of the old meds.

That said I'm trying some specific tactics to try to moderate things, some of this gleaned from sites dealing with other types of w/d. I realize some may be totally placebo, but it at least feels like I'm exerting some degree of control over the situation and may in fact be responsible for helping.

1. Deep breathing - I learned this one as a youngster dealing with anx.attacks, and it does help calm the mind/body.

2. Drinking lots of water - okay I realize this sounds a bit silly, but going on the assumption that my body is having some sort of reaction to something, might as well pump in the universal solvent to see if it can wash out something toxic along the way can't hurt.

3. Exercise - I will try to take a short run today at lunch...not sure how I will feel if my mind/visual starts shaking too much, but I trust most of the chemicals my body produces more than the pills I've been popping/stopping, and running is a way I've always been able to get a surge in these going. Of course...getting the motivation to actually take the first shuffle may be the trick.

4. Acceptance - one thing I;ve not seen much on this board in dealing w/d is the spiritual component, and I'm no holy roller (I'm Unitarian/Universalist, which I think feel off the left side of the Christian spectrum) but much of my recent reading (Tolstoy, A.Heschel) speaks to the universal truth that life, with the myriad of physical limitations of our body (not to mention the chaos of the greater world), is that this reality is a horribly difficult place at times -- suffering is inseparable from being human. Mental illness (for me, other family members) has been the largest boogey-man in my life over many years...and in context of understanding that the pain of it, including the relatively mundane/logistical challenge of phasing off a specific med like I'm doing now, ties me to something larger, a dimension that cannot be fully articulated, but felt in the stillness of night or the laughter of a child through an open window. Okay, this is a long winded way of saying I'm persevering through this w/d phase by trying transcend it on a spiritual, as opposed to physical or psychological, tactic.

5. Dramamine. Another post discussed using dramamine (and benadryl) to help knock down the brain-shakes. I've taken 2 pills (the standard daily recommended dosage) yesterday and took 1 this morning, planning to take 1 in afternoon.

6. There's also a bit of naming-of-the-evil aspect -- just knowing that these symptoms are not just me, and not originating as a result of some new mental health problem, is comforting...at least it reduces the stress/anxiety of worrying that there is something new and bad. So when i do feel the brain-shake/shiver, I have a word for it...I can label it quickly its not scary anymore. Sort of like turning on the light in the bedroom to determine that the hulking shadowy beast is just the laundry piled on the ironing board. This is akin to a factoid I learned years ago re: anxiety -- that much anxiety is caused over fretting about the anxiety itself...so I learned even when going through a wacky=scary disassociative effect of anxiety attack, rather than freak out, just say 'oh, here's one of those attacks again', and wait it out...that at least kept my adreneline level down, which then made the attacks diminish.

So...all this has me feeling a somewhat reduced level of those brain-shake problems, allows me to go and function at work, more or less, and keeps me looking ahead to a day when the w/d is over. last night my wife was out and I was able to give both kids baths, read books, and do a couple of house-chores. Perhaps this was overdoing it -- by near the evenings end I was in a low-grade anxiety attack...the sensation that I was not quite in my own reality, different from the brain-shakes, but got to sleep okay, had some very vivid, a bit funky dreams, and woke at regular time.

Curious -- does anyone have any idea of how many people experience the brain-shake w/d effect? It is so uniquely unsettling to have a psychotropic/delic w/d effect as a result of treatment for a mental health condition -- it seems doubly worse...and in some I could see it pushing folks to new lows or harming themselves. I read how Eliot Spitzer (NY AG, who's taken on the excess in corporate America of past several years) is charging at the drug manufacturers over non-disclosure of critical research findings...no mention of Effexor, but I may drop a note to his office, at least put my name on a list, or start a new one, in the event that there is enough of a critical mass of people like us to warrant any action/inquiry.


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