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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by DustBuster on November 18, 2004, at 21:01:43
In reply to Re: I quit taking Effexor too! » DustBuster, posted by MKB on November 17, 2004, at 2:13:42
> I think the terrible, sad, worthless feeling is the effect of the Effexor withdrawal. Is it not worse than you felt before you started?
I don't know. Maybe. Probably, a little worse. I completely forgot how bad it feels to be this depressed.
I joined a depression support group at meetup.com, and went to the monthly meeting last night. Nobody else showed up, so I went to my favorite bar and got drunk instead. This city sucks.
I yelled at my two sweet kitty cats last night, for no reason other than I was upset (and drunk) and angry and wanted to make sure they stayed away from me. This morning, I just laid in the recliner, staring at the ceiling for a couple hours, thinking about nothing. One of the cats jumped onto my chest, trying to get some attention, but I just couldn't be bothered to move a muscle to pet her. I can't believe that was just this morning. Seems like days ago, already.
Weighed myself, and was shocked to see I've gained back 5 lbs since last weekend (I'm horribly obese, but had been losing 1-2 lbs per week over the past four months). Of course it's most likely due to the fact that I haven't exercised once since stopping the effexor. The only time I've even been outside of the house all week was to pick up the mail, and to drive 60 miles round trip to that stupid non-existent "support" group meeting.
I really want to go back on AD meds, I don't want to feel like this anymore. This just really sucks. I'd rather feel nothing, like I did on effexor. But I cancelled my appt with my pdoc, and I know I won't be able to get another one for at least another three weeks. Besides, I don't know if I trust him anyway. Psychiatrists just seem to be pill pushers nowadays. Here's your script, that'll be $150, now go away, but first make another appt in a month so I can get paid then too!
I am just so confused. I probably shouldn't have stopped taking the effexor, and I definately shouldn't have cancelled my pdoc appt. I probably wouldn't have quit if I hadn't joined this damned message board.
I feel like such an frickin idiot, I'm even afraid to call up my sister, who has been such a kind listener lately. I just don't want to bother her anymore with my problems. I don't even want to hit "submit" here, since I'm so obviously just searching for attention from anyone.
Patrick
Posted by Jiggitykid on November 18, 2004, at 21:29:35
In reply to Re: withdrawl? Not sure, but I AM depressed again, posted by DustBuster on November 18, 2004, at 21:01:43
Patrick, you need some help that goes beyond a message board. Many folks here have recommended taking Prozac to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms (one of which was despair for me, for a while). Personally, I would call my doctor and tell him/her that this is an emergency and get in that office. They can work you in. You already know that adding alcohol to the mix was not healthy. Alcohol is a depressant.
Your cats will forgive you :-). Mine did.
Perhaps you wouldn't have stopped taking the Effexor had you not found this board RIGHT NOW, but you would have had to quit eventually. Effexor has a tendency to plateau, and you need more and more for it to work. With me, the higher the dosage, the more anxious and detatched I became. Quitting wasn't an option. Had I been warned about the withdrawal, I wouldn't have swallowed the first pill. There are so many ADs available right now.
Sounds like the support group you found isn't the right one. Perhaps your local hospital or social services could recommend a real, reliable support group?
As for the weight, I gained 20 lbs on Effexor. I'm significantly overweight, too, so this was a real blow. I've not lost any of it, but, I've not been able to really get into the exercise. I have inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia, and now that evil Merck has recalled Vioxx, I'm in more pain and it hurts to exercise. Yes, my blood pressure has gone down (again, no information about risks until the last few weeks before the recall, and I had been taking it for six years), but I've got no real alternative for anti-inflammatory treatment. I'm looking, looking, looking :-). I know it might sound trite, but let your weight be the LAST worry right now for you. You've got to get your mind and emotions healthy first, before you can think about anything else. During the first weeks of being effexor-free (cold turkey from 275 mg), I didn't give a darn about much of anything. This lifted for me after the second week. I suppose perhaps I had a blessing in not knowing how long the withdrawal would take, so I wasn't counting the minutes until the two-week mark.
Please, call your doctor first thing in the morning. Someone once said, "Never accept a no from someone who has no authority to give a yes." In other words, get past the receptionist and get the doctor to hear you. Call and get in there. Perhaps a low dosage of Prozac would help you the way it has helped others here. You need support. Don't go this alone. If I had not had support, I don't know how I would have made it. They were my light.
Please, call your doctor. Call your sister, too. She doesn't mind listening. Clearly she loves you. Direct her to this site and help her understand what you are going through. Maybe she could come stay with you for a while?
Hang in there. Come here and vent all you want. We've been there and we care. We know what you are going through, and we know how lonely it is. Take care!!!!!
Posted by DustBuster on November 19, 2004, at 1:31:11
In reply to Re: withdrawl? Not sure, but I AM depressed again » DustBuster, posted by Jiggitykid on November 18, 2004, at 21:29:35
Posted by MKB on November 19, 2004, at 1:51:22
In reply to Re: withdrawl? Not sure, but I AM depressed again, posted by DustBuster on November 18, 2004, at 21:01:43
Try L-Tryptophan. Some doctors are prescribing it now, but you don't need a prescription. It's natural and effective for mild depression and anxiety. It helps to produce serotonin, while most antidepressants only recycle it. Read more about it at www.healthrecovery.com. You can also purchase from this site. (I'm not a salesman and I don't get a commission.)
Posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 1:58:57
In reply to Re: withdrawl? Not sure, but I AM depressed again » DustBuster, posted by Jiggitykid on November 18, 2004, at 21:29:35
Oh you guys, I don't even know what to say! I was feeling sorry for myself cause still have major stomach dramas (traumas) that I'm sure are Effexor related, and that horrible pain that goes up the center of my back to my neck to my head and makes it hard to get stuff done; the kind that affects your whole nervous system. It's been nearly two months since I've stopped taking Effexor, and I feel so much better better than what I did, but mostly I still feel pretty bad. Then I read all these posts, and I was kind of ashamed for feeling bad cause I know I'm near the end of it and wish I could help someone else. Maybe we all can one way or another.
I wrote an email to my doctor with the page of signatures in the body of the email so that he can read the complaints for himself. I was at his office yesterday, and his staff tells me that he doesn't prescribe Effexor anymore -- well, I mean, they said he hasn't been writing new prescriptions --progress!! -- and that is before he even opened my email. He also even mentioned to me that Paxil was just as big a problem. I'm so proud of him for following up on my sometimes over-enthusiastic griping. He knows that I am a likely reputable source of information -- at least I think he does though I will be the first to acknowledge that not everyone has as difficult discontinuation symptoms as I have...though a lot of us do, huh?
Today I wrote to one of my attorney clients and advised him of the situation. I told him what had happened to me, and he felt bad and offered to send me to someone that he thought could help me, not something I needed nor wanted him to do as I know plenty of lawyers. But when I emailed him the link to the signatures on the petition, his tone changed. I got the impression that he was very suprised at the number of people that had been harmed by Effexor and remarked that it had to be a quite dangerous drug for so many people to react that strongly.
I should also add that my own internist even asked if there had been a class action filed yet. I told him that I didn't think that there had been and asked him if he could think of any reason why we should protect Effexor, if there was anyone that was being helped by this drug as opposed to some other alternative to Effexor. Oh, I'm sure there are tonsafolks that will disagree and scream and rant and rave and holler...but he just didn't think there was a good reason to not say how -- let me keep this in the first person -- I have been harmed by Effexor.
I say this to you because I guess I'm curious to know how anyone else feels about filing a lawsuit against the company that makes this drug. I know that I have gone back and forth on the subject, because I don't want to be bothered with it; on the other hand, I get the feeling that somene has kept the extreme dangers of Effexor top secret for a long time. Goodness knows, I had absolutely know idea.
If anyone sees this, would you let me know what you think?
Posted by jujube on November 19, 2004, at 9:28:45
In reply to Re: withdrawl? Not sure, but I AM depressed again » DustBuster, posted by Jiggitykid on November 18, 2004, at 21:29:35
I have inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia, and now that evil Merck has recalled Vioxx, I'm in more pain and it hurts to exercise.
Jiggitykid,
In the most recent edition of Prevention, Dr. Weil recommends a natural anti-inflammatory called Zyflamend. It is a natural antiflammatory which combines ginger and turmeric with other herbs. I am thinking of ordering some from www.iherb.com for my aunt who also was on Vioxx and, after doing some research, is not willing to go on Celebrex.
Tamara
Posted by Jiggitykid on November 19, 2004, at 9:58:39
In reply to the nightmare of effexor, posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 1:58:57
I have been very interested in joining a lawsuit for quite some time now. I've not found one yet. I'm not a litigious person and I don't think suing should be a knee-jerk reaction; however, in this case, NO ONE IN THE DRUG COMPANY, THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND IN THE FDA ARE LISTENING. I don't know of any other way to get their attention except to sue. Merck needs to see the light, now.
Posted by sunny10 on November 19, 2004, at 10:03:07
In reply to Re: withdrawl? Not sure, but I AM depressed again, posted by DustBuster on November 18, 2004, at 21:01:43
quick note. My T counselled me, after I chose to come off EfexxorXr, that she had had other patients stop this drug. She warned me that I might experience a "rebound effect" for up to a month after stopping it. And that did occur with me- I just kept my head down and trudged- with great difficulty.
The pain in my back, shoulders, and neck have not subsided, yet, but the severe depression has lifted. It has been two months since I quit EfexxorXR, if that helps.
Posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 10:03:50
In reply to Re: withdrawl? Not sure, but I AM depressed again » DustBuster, posted by Jiggitykid on November 18, 2004, at 21:29:35
I'd also like to suggest something that I have sub'bed in for pain and tiredness, strictly for fibro-like symptoms, completely natural. I just got this from my integrative medicine internist the day before yesterday; so I'm not going to swear by it yet. I'm pretty sure that the formualation is relatively new and this should be post on the alternative board...but since you mention it: Physician Therapeutics Sentra AM and Sentra PM. They are the same people that make Theramine, which seams to help. I haven't been taking it long enough to give you a strong recommendation, though, but I personally felt the kind of high expense was worth a try.
I think you can find this by doing an online search, but if you are totally desperate, let me know and I will turn you on to my M.D.'s website.
Posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 10:05:45
In reply to Re: withdrawl? Not sure, but I AM depressed again, posted by sunny10 on November 19, 2004, at 10:03:07
helps me :-) it's nice to know that someone has the exact same symptoms.
Posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 10:17:51
In reply to Re: the nightmare of effexor » dancingstar, posted by Jiggitykid on November 19, 2004, at 9:58:39
I will let you know what my client says, though I feel as though I want to be certain that I get this into exactly the right hands if I do anything, the hands that will be sure to do the most to protect the public or help me to do that as that is my goal. Some tangible good has to come out of it, or even I can't get involved. At least he will check it out to see if there are any potential suits in the pipelines and get back to me today.
I don't think that Merck is the manufacturer of Effexor, but I'm not positive. Isn't it Wyeth?
How do I give you an email to write to me at? I know that it isn't okay to post one. Maybe the babblemail thing will be okay. If you are intereted in this, maybe you should send me a babble-mail until we decide something. I am just hoping that it is okay to talk about this here and that Bob doesn't send me away before we figure anything out as I don't want anyone to get in trouble.
Posted by jubilee on November 19, 2004, at 11:01:25
In reply to Re: the nightmare of effexor, posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 10:17:51
Hello Dr Bob and thanks so much for your board and how much it has supported me in comming down off effexor xr. I cannot get through ,but get error boards when I try to get new messages replys off my e mail. Can you please stop noticies now for me as they fill up my box. Thanks so much and God bless you so.
I am doing well on a very slow reduction of effexor and still at it since August. God Bless , Jubilee
Posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 12:03:24
In reply to To Dr Bob, posted by jubilee on November 19, 2004, at 11:01:25
Jubilee,
I'm so glad that you are feeling better. Try the second link at the bottom of your email page. I think you have to sign in when you get to the page, and I'm not sure if you have to do this more than once, probably so, with each thread that is checked to send you notices.
Hope it works for you :-)
Posted by sexylexy on November 19, 2004, at 22:12:02
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms! » bbly78, posted by MKB on November 17, 2004, at 11:49:08
Hi All,
I know this is strange, but I got off of Lexapro about a month ago. I have taken a few pills now and then (I think 3 times) when my anxiety has been bad. The last time I took one was maybe last Friday.
On Sunday, I started having what I can only describe as the feeling that my brain shakes. I can "feel" it in the same place where I could "feel" my depression.
They have been here for close to a week, not getting worse, just really starting to scare me ( I have a lot of anxiety and am finding myself convinced I am having a stroke). Anyones help would be EXTREMELY appreciated.
Lexy
Posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 22:20:34
In reply to Delayed Withdrawl???, posted by sexylexy on November 19, 2004, at 22:12:02
before anything else, go buy and take some Benadryl and see if it helps relieve your symptoms. I don't know anything about that drug, but if it is similar to the others, the Benadryl was the last thing that I tried and ultimately the most effective. Once that's in your system, you can flip back through the posts and see what the rest of us have been taking to see if you think any of those things could help you. They probably will. I thought I would die, too, but I haven't yet :-)....honest. k? (oh, i bought Benadryl for little kids cause i'm really sensative to the stuff.)
Posted by Wanda C on November 20, 2004, at 10:47:35
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by deon on November 18, 2004, at 9:11:44
I have been on effexor for about four and a half years now, but lately I have been having alot of episodes so my doctor switched me to prozac. OH MY GOD!!!!! I thought I was dying. Are these withdrawl symptoms or from prozac? I freeze all night but I have to change two or three times because I sweat through my clothes to my sheets. I was throwing up foam because I couldn't eat, shaking uncontrolably, it felt like I had a fiftey pound weight sitting on each temple, my dreams are extremely gorry, I can hardly see straight, sometimes it feels like someone is jolting my brain, I just wanted to crawl out of my skin, I couldn't stop crying. I put this in somewhat past tense because I got right back off the prozac and started taking my effexor again. I am starting to feel a little normal, but not completely. My doctor prescibed me some adavan to help calm me down and that really helped, it helped me get a little better rest in. I also take depakote, but my doctor didn't take me off that, he uped my dose. But now I am on what I started at but more depressed because of all the pain I endured from all this. I do not want to be on meds the rest of my life so how does someone avoid all of this havoc caused from effexor? Someone PLEASE HELP!! This is probably the closest I have come to wanting to seriously die since I have had children, I don't ever want to feel that way again!
Posted by dancingstar on November 20, 2004, at 10:58:20
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Wanda C on November 20, 2004, at 10:47:35
I promise that you are not dying. It is the same thing that happened to me. It is withdrawal from the Effexor. If anything terrible should happen to anyone, it should happen to the makers of Effexor. The doctors don't realize how sick we have been. It starts to get better, but you won't make any friends along the way. Get some Benadryl, even a very small dose works. Read all these posts if you can. I've got to get dressed and out.
Hang in there!!! You will live, your stomach may not. Eat light foods, you won't keep them in anyway, but keep eating and take vitamins. Read, read, read so you know what to do. If some doctor really knows how to get us through this, I wish they would chime in...maybe a true detox person could help. I had a massage yesterday, and it helped. Lots and lots and lots of water, and all the other supplements are really helpful, too. Maybe I should find an NA meeting. Those folks could help, I'll bet. The first month is the worst.
Posted by ecatz on November 20, 2004, at 12:26:34
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by dancingstar on November 20, 2004, at 10:58:20
I have been on effexor at 75 mg/day for about 18 months. I have recently decided to discontinue use, as I feel I am not "really here". The medium in my emotions that it has caused has successfully eliminated my depression and most of the anxiety, as well as serious motivation and happiness.
I am so glad I found this site! I feel more prepared to start the weaning and better in general about this decision. I am not going to take any more drugs; I feel confident that I can handle the GAD and depression alternatively.
i just wanted to thank all of you for providing so much info. . .will let everyone know how it goes.
Posted by bbly78 on November 20, 2004, at 12:35:49
In reply to Re: To Dr Bob, posted by dancingstar on November 19, 2004, at 12:03:24
I just wanted to let everyone know that after only 3 days of my new meds that the awful withdrawal of effexor seems like only a bad dream.. I still have occasional numbness in my hands and arms.. but nothing like it was.. I had no choice but to stop cold turkey.. my advice to those coming off.. wean or have your Dr give you something in place of it.. these withdrawals have been a nightmare.. literally.. thanks for all the input.. it has been greatly appreciated.. ill still update from time to time and see how all is doing
Posted by Jiggitykid on November 20, 2004, at 15:01:58
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Wanda C on November 20, 2004, at 10:47:35
Welcome to Effexor Withdrawal!!! You'll need about two weeks of feeling bad before things get "normal." The fact that you are taking Prozac should help alleviate some of the worst symptoms. Effexor is a drug straight from hell, and it tries to take you there with it when you quit ingesting it. Some doctors don't know this yet, some don't care, and some don't believe it.
You are going to be fine. Don't trust your emotions for a while. Err on the side of common sense. Don't drive at night if you are having vision disturbances (one of the last symptoms to leave). Help your family understand what you are going through and have them visit this board (search the archives) to read what others (including myself) have gone through.
Please take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing!
> I have been on effexor for about four and a half years now, but lately I have been having alot of episodes so my doctor switched me to prozac. OH MY GOD!!!!! I thought I was dying. Are these withdrawl symptoms or from prozac? I freeze all night but I have to change two or three times because I sweat through my clothes to my sheets. I was throwing up foam because I couldn't eat, shaking uncontrolably, it felt like I had a fiftey pound weight sitting on each temple, my dreams are extremely gorry, I can hardly see straight, sometimes it feels like someone is jolting my brain, I just wanted to crawl out of my skin, I couldn't stop crying. I put this in somewhat past tense because I got right back off the prozac and started taking my effexor again. I am starting to feel a little normal, but not completely. My doctor prescibed me some adavan to help calm me down and that really helped, it helped me get a little better rest in. I also take depakote, but my doctor didn't take me off that, he uped my dose. But now I am on what I started at but more depressed because of all the pain I endured from all this. I do not want to be on meds the rest of my life so how does someone avoid all of this havoc caused from effexor? Someone PLEASE HELP!! This is probably the closest I have come to wanting to seriously die since I have had children, I don't ever want to feel that way again!
Posted by Jiggitykid on November 20, 2004, at 15:04:38
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by ecatz on November 20, 2004, at 12:26:34
Take care of yourself!! I'm much, much better after getting effexor out of my system. I've been "clean" for about a year, and I tell you, I'd rather walk through fire than take that horrible drug again. I zombied out, I gave up on life and my marriage was nearly destroyed. Praise God, I found this site and it helped me understand what I was going through was not my fault and that I would get better. It also helped my husband understand that none of this was my doing - and he waited patiently for "me" to come back.
Take care!
Posted by Jiggitykid on November 20, 2004, at 15:07:14
In reply to Re: To Dr Bob, posted by bbly78 on November 20, 2004, at 12:35:49
Good for you!! I cold-turkeyed it, with NOTHING to replace it. It was truly, as you said, a nightmare for two weeks, with things finally turning around after a month. It was this time last year. I'm so ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, because I feel like I missed them last year. It took that long for me to "come back."
I can't wait to see the makers of Effexor have to eat this stuff - IMO, each and every one of them should have to go on a dose of 275 for three months, then have it stopped cold turkey and see how THEY feel. We'll then see how many of them are squawking that this is a "noisy minority," thing!
> I just wanted to let everyone know that after only 3 days of my new meds that the awful withdrawal of effexor seems like only a bad dream.. I still have occasional numbness in my hands and arms.. but nothing like it was.. I had no choice but to stop cold turkey.. my advice to those coming off.. wean or have your Dr give you something in place of it.. these withdrawals have been a nightmare.. literally.. thanks for all the input.. it has been greatly appreciated.. ill still update from time to time and see how all is doing
Posted by jubilee on November 21, 2004, at 0:37:23
In reply to Delayed Withdrawl???, posted by sexylexy on November 19, 2004, at 22:12:02
From effexor withdrawal too fast I had blurred vision and was dizzy 3 days as I started craming them back down me , but I didn't know if I was going to be able to stop it in time. Got taken off vallium real fast and survived 4 small strokes that took me 6 months to recover from. Nausea, blured vision , sounded drunk, nkunb hand, dizzy , blured vision. I only suggest going off very very slow. I personally would take myself down real slow as I was still on it as its taken me months already and I have about 2 months to go. On 300 and now on 37 mg a day. Must cut down every 3 weeks very small amount as I almost died twice. I am convinced Drs really dont want to know. Thank God I decided while I hadjust gotten a large boittle. The closer I am getting to thie lowest dose I feel the wierdest, sweats, irratable, cant sleep at this time at all hardly, where last week I slept all week. Extreem fibro pain last week. Nausea. Go slow please, thats just what I would do if I was to do it again and had ins to pay for it or even if I could afford it. I was told 4 months , but its more like 5 or more months from 300. God bless all. Also I heard about 7 days of prozac after I totally qiite. Anybody know about wellbutrin?? Got to go off thsat now?? God Bless you all, Jubilee
Posted by jubilee on November 21, 2004, at 0:58:54
In reply to Re: Advice for the weary?, posted by jiggitykid on November 21, 2003, at 8:27:40
Started first of Aug from 300. Down to t half 37's a day. Felt wierd all week and felt like I dont know who I am since last drop. Cant sleep. Confused and getting fearful so started taking some inderal for panic attack as I just don't get scared . Sure glad for Dr Bob and the awsome people on this board and how we get to share and encourage each other. I suggest slow . Cant sleep and wierd thoughts and dreams. Get phycodic cause cant sleep so I am taking some seriquil I have , but hardly works. Oh yea, inderal is the old fashioned panic attack pill. Its a heart med. God Bless you all. Still excited I will be getting life back soon. Must go down to just a few pebbles even I know. Look to him, Jubilee
Posted by Wanda C on November 21, 2004, at 12:10:07
In reply to Re: Delayed Withdrawl???, posted by jubilee on November 21, 2004, at 0:37:23
Wow, this all sounds so familiar to me. I just posted a fraction of my details on 11/20 and it is amazing how all of our stories are the same. Why is this pill legal and why haven't doctors found something for us to help with the withdrawls, it is obvious we all have them. I thought effexor was supposed to help us feel better, I wanted to seriously DIE when I tried to get off. My doctor tried to just switch me over to prozac and quit effexor all together. I was on 225 of effexor and the prozac was 20mg twice a day. I couldn't even make it to my second day, my fiance had to rush me to the hospital, actually drag me because I wanted to just lay in bed and die. I threw up the entire way there with uncontrolable shaking and twitching. Thank god my doctors office is there. He put me right back on my effexor upped the dose to 300 and gave me adavan. Adavan is what saved me. Doctors are leary about prescribing adavan because it is habbit forming, but it only took me three. Not all at the same time, but it sure took the anxiety edge off and actually let me sleep without sweating.
To the person who I am replying to, I tried wellbutrin but it gave me a seizure and I have never had one before. It sounds like it wouldn't be safe for you since you already have had medical difficulties. That is just my opinion though.
I do know however, I am extremely thankful I found this web sight, it has helped me because I thought I was going crazy, but come to find out its not me it is the medication making me like that. It has also helped my fiance becasue of corse he was so scared to see me like that and this web site gave him an inside look at what I am going through. I wish everyone that has written to this web site and to the ones who don't know about it yet, best of luck and health. We deserve it and so do our families.
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