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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SalParadise on December 29, 2004, at 20:56:43
In reply to effexor xr withdraw » dancingstar, posted by beppe on December 22, 2004, at 3:25:22
I'd been on effexor for about 9 months & am just now getting off it. I've got the same "head in my chest" deal you do & found my self crying 2 days ago while listening to a Stephen King audio book (of all things!).
I'm actually angry that my doctor gave me this stuff. Psychological addiction is fine, I can understand it & get over it - but this stuff is actually physcially addictive, which is a whole other thing. I hate this stuff to no end & would tell anyone who asks to stay far away from it. If you're on it now & in a good mental place - get off it while you can - even with declining dosages , you're in for at least a week of great physcial discomfort coupled with emotional swings.
Posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 4:13:06
In reply to Re: my Effexor experience » not2late4u, posted by corafree on December 29, 2004, at 16:08:01
Hi Corafree~
Today is day 5 tapering off from the 225 mg. When I woke up I was in such a great mood! Then later in the day I started to feel tired, felt a bit of anxiety while in the store, a little shaky on the inside, thought I might be getting a headache, that head twingy thing, but it all passed (but the head twingy thing). Its now almost 2am and I feel fine.
Here's the tapering from 225mg to date:
Day 1 = 187.50 (saturday)
Day 2 = 150
Day 3 = 150
Day 4 = 150
Day 5 = 112.50 (wednesday)So far its been doable, I've allowed myself to sleep and not work as much since its the holiday season, so I've been able to give myself what I need, that may be a helpful factor, I dont know. Lets see what the next few days is like. Renee
Posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 4:14:38
In reply to Pros get paid; Cons take it (nm), posted by just plain jane on December 29, 2004, at 16:53:43
Just plain jane~ I dont get it....Renee
Posted by dancingstar on December 30, 2004, at 5:55:45
In reply to Re: my Effexor experience, posted by not2late4u on December 28, 2004, at 19:59:24
Renee,
If your shrink speaks at Wyeth, I think I might like to speak with your shrink. No kidding. My lawyer is in Washington perhaps she can speak with him or something.
If anyone can get off this drug safely, without having any problems at all, it should be you as I would think you have access to all possible inside information about E. Please let us know how you are doing. Thanks and good luck to you!!!
Bebe
bebe0217@aol.com
Posted by FaithT on December 30, 2004, at 7:38:59
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » MKB, posted by dancingstar on December 5, 2004, at 2:32:41
Hi everyone~
I'd like to share my story with you...I was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma in July of 2002, right after my baby turned a year old. I fell into a very deep black hole of depression and severe anxiety. I thought of death constantly,and was so scared. I began seeing a psych., and was prescribed Effexor and xanax. (We tried Paxil first,and I hated it) Effexor did wonders for me.
I took the Effexor for 1 1/2 years, and I thought that because I felt so good, I was past all of the fear etc. So, I made the decision with my Dr. to wean off of it. Yes, the withdrawl was a nightmare,and I posted about it on this board, but I did it.
For about 2 months this past summer, I was Effexor free, and things were o.k. Then, the depression and anxiety came back with a vengence. I was literally crying from morning till night, convinced that I was dying. I asked my Dr. if I could try Wellbutrin...that was definately the wrong med. for me. I got worse.
My psych. and I made the decision together that I would go back on the Effexor, because it worked so well before. For me, the diagnosis of Malignant Melanoma triggered clinical depression, and I know that for the sake of having a life, I need to remain on this med.
It took a long time for the Effexor to kick in the 2nd time around. As my psych. explained, when you interupt treatment, you can become resistant to the meds. Finally, after about 8 weeks, it was like a light went back on, and I was alive again.
Having gone through the withdrawl myself, I know all about this med., BUT it is what allowing me to function, care for my son and not cry all day. Seeing what I am like off of it, I will never, ever do that again.
I think that every circumstance is different, and for me Effexor is allowing me to live through my fear of cancer returning. I am very grateful.
Best wishes to all of you,
Faith~
Posted by dancingstar on December 30, 2004, at 13:33:46
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by FaithT on December 30, 2004, at 7:38:59
Hi Faith,
I am really sorry to hear that you have had such serious health problems at what should be the happiest time of your life, and my prayers are with you.
There are times when Effexor might be the right drug for some people. I have to wonder, though, why so many of us could possibly be allowed to take it on a whim? Why are internists and gynos handing this stuff out like candy in lieu of hormones as being a safer alternative when we know that it isn't the least bit safer?
In a case like yours, it seems as though you are missing something in your own body that E might honestly help you to replace. In someone like me, the drug itself literally put me to sleep and in pain for an entire three years. I would sleep for maybe -- oh, I don't know. Let's change that. I couldn't stay awake more than maybe 6 hours a day. Really. I can't believe what it feels like to be pain free and healthy again, except for my stomach, but essentially I'm fine. Last night I got out of bed to do some work at 4:30 in the morning, something I never could have done before.
My life is in a bit of shambles, though, because I let so much go fo so long and need to take care of it all now. Without a pdoctor no one was there to analyze whether this was truly the right choice or a potentially harmful drug, and the side effects went unnoticed because I had no idea that they even existed, even though I saw my internist regularly because I certainly knew that something was very wrong. No one could tell me what it was wrong, nothing showed up in my bloodwork, and I just thought I was getting old and probably wouldn't live.
I understand why you need Effexor and why others in a similar situation should have access to it, just like morphine or demerol, but I still feel that its use needs to be limited to prevent doctors from prescribing it to people like me. Right now it seems like the medical community, for the most part, thinks that Effexor is a perfectly safe drug that causes no harm whatsoever. They do not even realize that it causes weight gain. If they do, they don't really acknowledge it. The very serious side effects and withdrawal syndrome need to be brought into the spotlight and the use of Effexor needs to be restricted to use under special circumstances or by certain types of physicians. I feel very strongly about this. If Wyeth has such a big problem with this, then let them own up to the problems with Effexor and come up with blood test to find out who the drug is right for and who isn't. That will solve all of the problems. They even do that before people have collagen injections. I don't think that I'm out of line. I'm trying to spare millions of others from a lot of pain. The right people will still get the drug that they need.
God bless you and keep you safe...and happy!
Bebe
Posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 21:44:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by FaithT on December 30, 2004, at 7:38:59
Hi Faith,
Im glad that you've been able to find a medication that will help you to live your life happily. I too didnt do that well with Paxil. But others do. Sounds like you have a good doctor to help you with your medication, effexor or otherwise. Also, sounds like you are cancer free, praise God for that! Renee
Posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 22:01:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
copied this from the Wyeth.com website. Lots of info there too:
What happens when I stop using EFFEXOR XR?
Symptoms are known to occur when people stop using EFFEXOR XR, especially when they suddenly stop therapy.
When people suddenly stop using EFFEXOR XR, they can get symptoms from stopping the medicine too fast. Some of these symptoms include
Agitation
Anxiety
Confusion
Diarrhea
Dizziness or vertigo
Dry mouth
Fasciculation (muscle twitching)
Headaches
Hypomania
Impaired coordination
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Nervousness
Nightmares
Sensory disturbances (including electric shock sensations)
Somnolence (sleepiness)
Sweating
Tinnitus
Tiredness
Tremor
Unpleasant mood
Vomiting
Do not stop taking EFFEXOR XR without talking with your doctor first. Your doctor may want to slowly decrease your dose of EFFEXOR XR to help avoid these kinds of symptoms.
Posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 22:05:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long) » FaithT, posted by dancingstar on December 30, 2004, at 13:33:46
Just had to post this from the wyeth.com website. I have to wonder if the prescribers are the ones who are mostly negligent. Renee.
Wyeth wishes to inform you about an update to the prescribing information for EFFEXOR® (venlafaxine HCl) Tablets and EFFEXOR® XR (venlafaxine HCl) Extended-Release Capsules. Please download and review these important safety information updates.
Health Care Professional Letter – June 3, 2004Health Care Professional Letter – August 22, 2003
IMPORTANT TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONSEFFEXOR® XR (venlafaxine HCl) is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). EFFEXOR XR should not be used in combination with an MAOI or within at least 14 days of discontinuing treatment with an MAOI because of potential for serious adverse reactions. Based on the half-life of EFFEXOR XR, at least 7 days should be allowed after stopping EFFEXOR XR before starting an MAOI.
Both adult and pediatric patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) can experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior, whether or not they are taking antidepressants. Patients treated with antidepressants should be observed closely for clinical worsening and suicidality, especially at the beginning of drug therapy, or at the time of increases or decreases in dose.
Anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, akathisia, hypomania, and mania have been reported in patients taking antidepressants. Discontinuation or modification of therapy should be considered when symptoms are severe, abrupt in onset, or not part of presenting symptoms.
Treatment with venlafaxine is associated with sustained increases in blood pressure (BP) in some patients. Three percent of EFFEXOR XR patients in MDD studies (doses of 75 to 375 mg/day), 0.5% in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) studies (doses of 37.5 to 225 mg/day), and 1.4% in social anxiety disorder (SAD) studies (doses of 75 to 225 mg/day) had sustained BP elevations. Experience with immediate-release venlafaxine in MDD studies showed that sustained hypertension was dose related, increasing from 3% to 7% at doses of 100 to 300 mg/day, to 13% at doses above 300 mg/day. Regular BP monitoring is recommended.
Abrupt discontinuation or dose reduction has been associated with discontinuation symptoms. Patients should be counseled on possible discontinuation symptoms and monitored while discontinuing the drug; the dose should be tapered gradually. See the Precautions section of the Prescribing Information.
The most common adverse events reported in EFFEXOR XR short-term placebo-controlled MDD, GAD, and/or SAD trials (incidence >10% and >2x that of placebo) were anorexia, asthenia, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, ejaculation problems, impotence, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, somnolence, and sweating.
As with any psychotropic drug, EFFEXOR XR may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills; patients should be advised to exercise caution until they have adapted to therapy.
© Copyright 2004, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.
All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
Posted by dancingstar on December 30, 2004, at 22:39:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 22:05:24
Yes...and most of us wouldn't have taken it if we only knew; right?
Thank you, Renee.
Bebe
Posted by dancingstar on December 30, 2004, at 22:45:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by dancingstar on December 30, 2004, at 22:39:38
Oh, Gosh, I just read all of your posts! I don't know why I keep thinking that because you've got that great shrink you will be pain free. You will be pain free; right????? Tell me that someone can get off this crap scott free. Please, I'm being civil, I'm just upset. This time for you.
Posted by dancingstar on December 30, 2004, at 23:56:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 22:05:24
In order to read this link, you might have to register for the New York Times online, which is free. A portion of the article indicates something about requiring the companies that make anti-depressants, like Wyeth, to be more "open" about their research and how they are resistant to doing this because of the costs involved.
Gee, you mean that they haven't been open with all of their research? I would sure like to see that unpublished research.
If you are having trouble with Effexor, please don't forget to report your symptoms to the FDA. Nothing to do with this article, but I've got a feeling that someone is beginning to hear us, and they are not at all happy. Please make sure your voice is heard, but I hope that I don't need to add...only if what you are saying is honest.
Here's the FDA link again so that you don't have to struggle to find it. Though it is nice that it is there, the petition to Wyeth won't do us as much good as it will if you file a claim w/the FDA if you have a problem with a drug.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Thanks,
Bebe
Posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 0:04:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 22:05:24
The most common adverse events reported in EFFEXOR XR short-term placebo-controlled MDD, GAD, and/or SAD trials (incidence >10% and >2x that of placebo) were anorexia, asthenia, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, ejaculation problems, impotence, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, somnolence, and sweating.
As with any psychotropic drug, EFFEXOR XR may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills; patients should be advised to exercise caution until they have adapted to therapy.
Herein lies my biggest gripe. It's those "short-term studies." I believe there is some truth to the short-term studies. It's what happens to people after eight and 12 weeks that I am looking for stats on. I can't really find anything on that. I have some more places to look though, but I doubt they're going to be sitting online, waiting for me to search them out. We'll see.
Posted by FaithT on December 31, 2004, at 0:54:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 0:04:07
I guess that I've been lucky, as far as Effexor benefiting me, with honestly no real side effects while on it. I have my blood checked regularly, and it's fine. I gained a little weight on it, but only 5 lbs. or so, in the total 2 1/2 years since I began taking it.
As I said, I did wean off of it for that brief period, and I do agree that the withdrawl is horrid. I have a great psych.,and he knows what the withdrawl is like. Effexor is a very powerful drug, and probably one that should be given as a last resort if others fail or if the situation prevails...such as mine.
I could never imagine not being monitered by a psych. while on any anti-depressant. My insurance doesn't allow my g.p. to treat depression. I had to contact their Mental Health Dept. and they gave me options on who to go to for treatment. I believe that you must be monitered and prescribed these meds. by a specialist. If you get a good psych., they know the pros and cons of the meds, and see you on a weekly basis while you're unstable...atleast mine did.
As far as one long term study..(me)..after 2 1/2 years on the drug, I can only thank the drug manufacturer. I do hope to remain cancer free, but the fear will always be with me. Effexor allows me to do what I can't on my own..."Live" through the fear.
Best wishes to you all,
Faith~
Posted by foxy420 on December 31, 2004, at 1:28:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by FaithT on December 31, 2004, at 0:54:37
Posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 1:41:33
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 22:01:24
Agitation
Anxiety
Confusion
Diarrhea
Dizziness or vertigo
Dry mouth
Fasciculation (muscle twitching)
Headaches
Hypomania
Impaired coordination
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Nervousness
Nightmares
Sensory disturbances (including electric shock sensations)
Somnolence (sleepiness)
Sweating
Tinnitus
Tiredness
Tremor
Unpleasant mood
VomitingI'll be -- those are exactly my symptoms. Sure wish I'd known that this was possible before I decided to stop -- or start taking Effexor. You mean you guys that stopped slowly didn't have this stuff happen to you?
Posted by Jeff Guider on December 31, 2004, at 13:44:12
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Cindy S. G., posted by dancingstar on December 21, 2004, at 12:15:58
all of you that have had these severe withdrawls........how long had you been taking the Effexor?
Posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 13:45:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Jeff Guider on December 31, 2004, at 13:44:12
I took it for three years.
Posted by Jeff Guider on December 31, 2004, at 13:51:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 13:49:22
ive been on it for 5 days at 37.5.....supposed to go up to 75mg tomorrow.......not sure what to do
Posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 14:19:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Jeff Guider on December 31, 2004, at 13:51:45
After reading hours and hours...and hours of information from all sides, I'd say that you should do all the research first. The doctors don't seem to have done a good job of this, and Wyeth may be withholding some information from us. Did you read the article that I posted in the NY Times?
Did you read the side effects that not2late4u posted that were just revised as of 2004? Here is a link that will show you that Wyeth has known of those side effects since 1996 but that they didn't publish them. Read the whole thing and then read the very last paragraph, the conclusion.
http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/9425vfx.htm
Some people think that this is a valuable drug. If you are extremely depressed with no alternative available or nothing else that will work, then by all means, you might want to consider taking it because it is likely that you will survive the drug's reactions as most of us have. Truthfully, during the time that I took it I had no idea that it caused me harm. Had I not stopped taking Effexor, I would never have known that I didn't have chronic fatigue nor fibromyalgia; that I don't spend my days tired, in pain or feeling hazy and drugged. It didn't happen right away either. At first it gave me more energy, just as it was prescribed to do. I even lost weight at first. It wasn't until months went by that I became tired, achey, gained weight and slowly became almost completely unable to do much of anything for more than an hour or two at a time for about two and a half years...not even work, think, drive...live. I know others that this has happened to as well. It happens so slowly that we don't know it. Something just changes. I became sad, lonely, incapable of doing all the things that people do.
Three months after I've stopped taking Effexor, though I feel as though I may have a bit of colitis, I'm happy, essentially healthy, clear thinking -- the world is truly a wonderful place to be for the first time in years. Thing is, I wasn't clinically depressed when I took Effexor and it shouldn't have been given to me...and probably millions of others, but I can't speak for you. For you all I can say is that if you don't really need it, it is a very, very powerful drug that has the potential to be dangerous to some people. You need to evaluate all the data very carefully and make a decision that you think is right for you. Some people have said, as you have read, that it has saved them from the depths of depression. If you are clinically depressed with no other alternative, this could be true for you, too.
Best of luck to you in your journey. I'm sure you will find the right answers. They're out there. You have to do the research for yourself, though, and not take mine or anyone else's suggestion because each person's health is a different situation.
Bebe
Posted by eeyorena on January 1, 2005, at 21:44:19
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by dancingstar on December 31, 2004, at 0:04:07
The short term studies are most definitely a problem. It is my understanding that the FDA does not require longer term studies NOR does it require "post market" studies (i.e. studies to continue after the drug is released). If any problems occur later, the drug company can keep gathering anecdotal information without making that information available to the public. Until their risk in NOT releasing information "tips" the scales, or a PR event occurs, a lot of post market data does not get released to the general public.
Hurts stock prices.
Posted by dancingstar on January 1, 2005, at 21:55:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by eeyorena on January 1, 2005, at 21:44:19
Yup. That's why I'm asking everyone to please fill out the FDA's online form if they have had any problems associated with their having taken Effexor. It will not only help us but perhaps save millions of others from taking this drug without knowing how dangerous it is. I truly think that someone is beginning to hear us. If it really happened to so many of us, let's flood the lines and see what happens. (One report per person, please.) :-)
Posted by eeyorena on January 1, 2005, at 22:05:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR...yes.(long), posted by not2late4u on December 30, 2004, at 22:05:24
Actually, Wyeth posting that information and attaching it to their print advertising for Effexor is relatively new.
I know, because I am a researcher who searched high and low for evidence of Effexor withdrawal effects during the summer of 2002. Two doctors (my meds doc and my primary care physician) also searched. We all came up empty.
I was having so many problems getting off of Effexor (I had been on it for 3 years) and the symptoms were so bad that these two doctors and one other plus specialists thought that I might have multiple sclerosis or a neurological problem that was showing up coincidentally during the time of my withdrawal. After all, there was no information from Wyeth about withdrawal symptoms and my symptoms were extremely intense.
I was so desperate, I even wrote a rough draft of a letter for my psych to forward to Oliver Sacks, if we could get him. That's how extreme and unusual this case was. I was newly married (my husband is amazing) and completely despondent because I could not envision living with the physical pain I was in. I could stand the seizures, but not the pain.
After CAT scans and an MRI and tilt table tests and blood tests (et al.), I found some anecdotal evidence that other people were having problems withdrawing from Effexor. In discussing it on a message board, we took a LOT of heat from other patients who just loved the drug. Those were hard days to make it through.
In 2003, I saw the first Effexor print ad with any kind of "official" withdrawal information attached. My psych doc and I felt betrayed. (He's a very good and wise person.)
I don't think that prescribers are all negligent. I think that the drug companies don't make this information easy to find, there are many promises sold to medical providers about the benefits of drugs, insurance companies are pushing drugs versus therapy (it's cheaper), doctors are overwhelmed with a mountain of new drug information every year.
And no one wants to see their patient in pain or severely depressed.
My primary care physician has already stopped prescribing any drug which has not been out for at least 1 year. She is one of the most conservative doctors I have. But my problems ON Effexor didn't start until 1.5 years after starting it. And it was so new, few patients had gone off of it.
Now I'm on an MAOI (which has been absolutely terrific) but I'm still trying to get off of Neurontin and Ativan, both of which have been adversely affecting my sleep effectiveness and memory.
I'm hoping that the chronic pain I suffer, at age 38, after being an active climber and hiker for most of my life, is temporary and that someday I can resume my very active life again. I can't tell you if it is related to any drug I've taken. But the timing between the beginning of problems with effexor and the onset of my chronic pain problems (even though I have been off of it for 2.5 years now) is too convenient.
I'm frustrated and want to get back to my career and school and social life. I want my life back.
Posted by dancingstar on January 1, 2005, at 22:35:20
In reply to Doctors are not all negligent..., posted by eeyorena on January 1, 2005, at 22:05:08
Please let me know how your pain is doing. Mine is nearly completely gone since I stopped taking Effexor. Not 100 percent, but at least 80 - 90 percent. What a surprise it was for me. Good luck! Thank you for your post!!
Bebe
Bebe0217@aol.com
Posted by sickcheck on January 1, 2005, at 23:08:37
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I must be among the few who have had great success with effexor xr. My problem when on it long enough ( and seeing my Psych ) I fall to the belief I'm getting better and stop taking them. YOU GOT IT! Stopped. Not once but twice, cold turkey. Not a withdrawl at all. Considering I was (and not back on again) taking 225 mg per day. 2 in am & 1 in PM all @ 75 mg. Honestly folks. You are your best advocate on what does and what does not work. Been on Depekote & had the hellish feelings some have mentioned of Effexor. Bottom line is, YOU need to tell your Dr if you need to get on another med. If you need them, why deny it? But don't trust the MD or PHD behind their names to know better than you on the effects. KNOW THYSELF
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