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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 9858 to 9882 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by renecoston on July 19, 2006, at 16:16:49
In reply to Effexor Ex, posted by CrimsonClover on July 19, 2006, at 15:11:53
I feel for you - and I've been there, except with Paxil and not Effexor. My doctors decided a few months back after I'd been off meds for some time and had gone through AWFUL DEBILITATING withdrawals from Paxil that Effexor would be great for me to try and that, no, it didn't cause withdrawals like Paxil. HAH! I looked up info online and found this board. It warned me. I can say I never would have researched it had I not already gone through hell on Paxil. I wish more people were told the real truth, not a faction of it that the doctors and the drug companies tell us. They want to make money, and that's that. It is sad. If you need someone to talk to, you can always email me. renecoston@yahoo.com
I'll pray for you....
-Rene
Posted by buzzy on July 21, 2006, at 23:47:18
In reply to Re: Effexor Ex, posted by renecoston on July 19, 2006, at 16:16:49
I have been on effexor for a year. I have been as high as 225MGs. It is great for stopping the Hampster in the wire wheel. Erections were pretty damn good. At 225 I was too drugged up. Too fogged up. Can't remember crap or names that happened 5 minutes ago. Began to think my mind wasn't working right. Went to 150 the wheel was stopped but my brain was still mush and my mood wasn,t getting any better so I decided to stopp and try something else. NOW THE SH*T STARTS,BEWARE<BEWARE BEWARE. Went down to 75 and took Prilosec for the heartburn at the same time as my dosage in the am which shut down my absorption to zero. I became extremely agitated, screamed at my M.D. in his office that he was worthless and he should never put his patience on this sh*t. This was the day after i was in the ER With Chest pains (2x). As soon as I told them I was depressed they sent for a psych social worker and the suggestion for ECT was made. Now I,m really spooked.Next day see my GP bring in all my meds he looks at them says nothing of course i am biting his head off and he tells me to see my psychai. I get squeezed in tell him whats going on he looks at my meds and immediately catches the Prilosec and has me take my diff. meds 12 hrs apart. It worked. Be CAREFUL with other meds and XR.NOW on 75mg I start to get the shocks once in a while. Go to 75 every other day. The shocks get a little more frequent. Got down to 37.5 daily, more shocks. 37.5 every other day more noticable shocks Feel my body and brain are not co-ordinated. WENT TO ZEROmg body shocks and buzzes every 5 sec. Went backi to 37.5 daily PLUS 5 mg Lexapro Weaned myself down again off the ER to 5mg Lex to zero. The ER or the Lex will stop the shocks/buzzes/rushes but I have been off all for 2 days and I am a buzzin' away. BOTTOM LINE-----THIS SH*T IS A BITCH TO GET OFF. May see neurogist and typing this has been a real bitch cause my brain wont speel for crap.
Posted by AAA88 on July 22, 2006, at 21:28:23
In reply to Just wondering if the Doc prescribed correctly, posted by BiPolar Mama on July 17, 2006, at 23:41:51
sorry i cant answer the first 2, but i can try to help you come up with an answer to the third. im just not sure what you are trying to understand about what youre going through. do you mean symptoms and why youre experiencing it?
i understand it could be difficult to put into words exactly what youre feeling. if you went through the same stuff as me, you must have experienced a lot of little and big things which seemed very strange, making it tough to explain in words to someone else or even in your own mind.
try to take time to think about the symptoms you feel and why you might be feeling certain things. if you can do that, then just keep asking why and dig deeper until you cant figure out more. that should help your own understanding of what is going on and will be easier to explain to someone else, if youve already explained it to yourself.
if you cant figure anything out, the internet is a great research tool plus we can work together on this forum, as some of us must have similar experiences.
> Good evening,
> I have now been on Effexor XR for a lil over 3 weeks. At first I was having leg spasms that were incredibly intense. I would wake up screaming. Now those have stopped. I am continuing the Low Carb/ No Carb diet prescribed by my physician. I am slowly losing weight. I was still having panic attacks that would cause me to lose hours of work. The "dark" thoughts were just on the verge of my mind. Last week my doctor upped my Effexor XR to 75 mg instead of 37.5 mg 1x per day. I don't know if this is what they call the "placebo' effect but I have had a WONDERFUL day today! This was the best I have felt since March when I was diagnosed. She also put me on 2.5 mg of Klonopin 1x daily. Those are both taken together at 8am. My Nighttime meds are : 200 mg Zoloft & 3 mg Melatonin.
> I have 3 really important questions if anyone would care to answer me. *I notice my first question went completely unanswered*.
>
> 1) What are the effects of Caffeine and Nicotine on the drugs I am taking? I am a coffee drinker and smoker.
>
> 2) Does any know of anyone that has taken this combination of drugs for BiPolar/Agoraphobia? Was it successful?
>
> 3) How do you make someone else understand what you are going through such as a boss or spouse, when you can't explain it to yourself?
>
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by stargazer on July 22, 2006, at 22:00:03
In reply to Re: Just wondering if the Doc prescribed correctly » BiPolar Mama, posted by AAA88 on July 22, 2006, at 21:28:23
BPMama: Those meds seem unusual for BiPolar, usually you would be on a mood stabalizer (Lamictal, Lithium, Depakote) and perhaps either Effexor or Zoloft, not both, especially with Bipolar. Many people with BP can't take an AD since it causes them to get too energized so some of your symptoms may be related to that. I can't recall the all of the symptoms of Serotonin syndrone (SS) but spasms may be from too much Serotonin in your system from both Effexor and Zoloft. Look up Serotonin Syndrone see what the side effects are and see if spasms are listed. Is your MD a psychiatrist? If not, I would not mess around with someone other than a psych MD who can manage BP properly.
Good luck.
SG
Posted by stargazer on July 22, 2006, at 22:44:31
In reply to Meds do not sound correct to me/ Anyone else?, posted by stargazer on July 22, 2006, at 22:00:03
http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/serotonin-syndrome.htm
This explains Serotonin Syndrome and your symptoms sound like you may have it. Call your MD and say that's what you think you have and if she won't see you immediately, you may have to go to the ER. The condition can be life threatening. And you should not be increasing your medication no matter what your MD says. If she says that, I would find a new MD ASAP!
I took both Effexor and Zoloft (separately) years ago and one of the 2 made my depression worse (suicidal). Even though my doctor said it was not a side effect and was my depression I refused to increase the dosage like he said to do. Today we know that suicide is a side effect of many of the AD's.
SG
Posted by SmSpts on July 23, 2006, at 2:16:49
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have just started taking Effexor XR 75 mg once
a day with food and 50mg of Zoloft. It's been
about four days since I started and I have
noticed I tend to get really hot and sweat a
lot. Also have felt dizzy twice. I still feel
anxiety, haven't seen much of a change with that.
Posted by SLS on July 23, 2006, at 5:37:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by SmSpts on July 23, 2006, at 2:16:49
Sweating is not an unusual side effect of Effexor.
Were you taking Zoloft before you started Effexor?
Good luck!
- Scott
> I have just started taking Effexor XR 75 mg once
>
> a day with food and 50mg of Zoloft. It's been
>
> about four days since I started and I have
>
> noticed I tend to get really hot and sweat a
>
> lot. Also have felt dizzy twice. I still feel
>
> anxiety, haven't seen much of a change with that.
Posted by soma on July 24, 2006, at 12:05:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » SmSpts, posted by SLS on July 23, 2006, at 5:37:57
I've been on Effexor XR for about a month and I feel wonderful.The terrible anxiety is gone,the sense of hopelessness has lifted but best of all I don't feel like maybe today I will kill my self.
I have a lot more energy and interest in things I used to enjoy.
Side effects? A bit zoomy and I've lost about 15 lbs,which is not a bad thing.
Posted by Flamesfire on July 24, 2006, at 13:56:16
In reply to Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Anne on April 23, 2000, at 17:26:10
I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for about a year. I had no noticable side affects at first but am now experiencing severe headaches, shaking hands, dizziness, passing out, high blood pressure, severe sensitivity to lights and sounds, and nausea. I have been to my pmd for the severe side affects such as passing out the headaches and he has ruled out everything through different tests so the only thing i have left to point the finger at is this medicine. I have tried to stop taking it only to find the withdrawls are worse than the side affects. Any suggestions?
Posted by detroitpistons on July 24, 2006, at 14:33:25
In reply to Re: Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Flamesfire on July 24, 2006, at 13:56:16
> I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for about a year. I had no noticable side affects at first but am now experiencing severe headaches, shaking hands, dizziness, passing out, high blood pressure, severe sensitivity to lights and sounds, and nausea.
Have you added any other medications? Some of your symptoms are consistent with serotonin syndrome. How long has this been happening? Even taking cold medications in combination with an antidepressant can cause serotonin syndrome.>I have been to my pmd for the severe side affects such as passing out the headaches and he has ruled out everything through different tests so the only thing i have left to point the finger at is this medicine.
It's odd that you're getting these side a year later. I would guess that the Effexor is only partially responsible or not responsible at all.>I have tried to stop taking it only to find the withdrawls are worse than the side affects. Any suggestions?
Did you try to quit all at once? You have to taper. With most people, going down by 37.5 mg/ week is very tolerable, but once you go from 37.5 mg to 0 is when you'll most likely have problems.
Taking Prozac for a week or two when you are going from 37.5 to 0 can be very helpful, and may make withdrawal totally unnoticeable and smooth. The reason is that Prozac has a very long half life...It will smooth the transition that your brain makes when you stop taking an AD. If you're seeing a PMD though, he probably won't know about this technique.
Posted by BVD on July 24, 2006, at 18:19:05
In reply to Re: Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Flamesfire on July 24, 2006, at 13:56:16
My doctor advised me that Effexor can cause an increase in blood pressure 12 to 18 months after you first start taking it. You may want to return to your MD for some advice on the issue.
Best of luck.
> I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for about a year. I had no noticable side affects at first but am now experiencing severe headaches, shaking hands, dizziness, passing out, high blood pressure, severe sensitivity to lights and sounds, and nausea. I have been to my pmd for the severe side affects such as passing out the headaches and he has ruled out everything through different tests so the only thing i have left to point the finger at is this medicine. I have tried to stop taking it only to find the withdrawls are worse than the side affects. Any suggestions?
Posted by Jason1972 on July 24, 2006, at 23:47:58
In reply to Re: Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Flamesfire on July 24, 2006, at 13:56:16
> I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for about a year. I had no noticable side affects at first but am now experiencing severe headaches, shaking hands, dizziness, passing out, high blood pressure, severe sensitivity to lights and sounds, and nausea. I have been to my pmd for the severe side affects such as passing out the headaches and he has ruled out everything through different tests so the only thing i have left to point the finger at is this medicine. I have tried to stop taking it only to find the withdrawls are worse than the side affects. Any suggestions?
I have been taking effexor for aprox 3-4 years. Recently I have developed severe prostatitus. I told my doctor I wanted to come off of it and he cut me down from 75 mg to 35 mg a day. I did that for about a month and now I am taking 35mg every two days. My next step is to quit completely. I had a few days where I felt heavy and dizzy as well as anxious and emotional. It seams to have passed. I have also been taking vitamin b as I am trying to come off of effexor.
Good luck
Posted by Jason1972 on July 24, 2006, at 23:48:28
In reply to Re: Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Flamesfire on July 24, 2006, at 13:56:16
> I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for about a year. I had no noticable side affects at first but am now experiencing severe headaches, shaking hands, dizziness, passing out, high blood pressure, severe sensitivity to lights and sounds, and nausea. I have been to my pmd for the severe side affects such as passing out the headaches and he has ruled out everything through different tests so the only thing i have left to point the finger at is this medicine. I have tried to stop taking it only to find the withdrawls are worse than the side affects. Any suggestions?
I have been taking effexor for aprox 3-4 years. Recently I have developed severe prostatitus. I told my doctor I wanted to come off of it and he cut me down from 75 mg to 35 mg a day. I did that for about a month and now I am taking 35mg every two days. My next step is to quit completely. I had a few days where I felt heavy and dizzy as well as anxious and emotional. It seams to have passed. I have also been taking vitamin b as I am trying to come off of effexor.
Good luck
Posted by Jason1972 on July 24, 2006, at 23:58:56
In reply to Re: effexor and drinking, posted by Lorissa on July 5, 2006, at 15:04:29
Personally I would be very carefull drinking while on effexor. I have been taking effexor for the last several years. 1 or 2 drinks are probably not the end of the world, but I wouldn't go to far beyond that.
My anxiety started from heavy drinking and smoking. Years ago I had a 3 week binge of a 26er a day + beer + 40-60 ciggarettes a day. I was having a great time until I thought I was having a heart attack. Turns out I gave myself a panic attack which turned into anxiety disorder, which led me to adivan and eventually effexor.
Keep the drinking to a minimum and get better...
Jason
Posted by MaggieATL on July 29, 2006, at 9:53:09
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've read most of the posts on this thread and have become concerned that my doctor started me on Effexor before trying anything else. I have had mild depression that was treated with therapy in the past but recently, it's been so bad that I can't keep my emotions in check in simple situations. Since starting 37.5 mg, I've noticed I feel like I can't hear as well or multitask as well as I could prior to starting this medicine.
Thank you for all your responses, it's amazing support here!
Maggie
Posted by HeatherH on July 30, 2006, at 22:08:31
In reply to Just started Effexor XR 7/26/06?, posted by MaggieATL on July 29, 2006, at 9:53:09
I was on effexor for 5 years. When i started taking it,i was on 75mg of effexorXR once a day. What a wonderful drug!! So i thought...It worked within a matter of days,I felt like I was untouchable,on top of the world,IN my own little world,free from mental anguish forever. After 2 and a half years,it stopped working and my doctor doubled it,I was then on 150mg of effexorXR. I gained a massive amount of weight. I was once very thin and very cute,I gained over 80 pounds. I didn't even care! I had no regrets of any decisions or actions I made. I got OCD something terrible collecting PETS of all things!! I had a zoo. I hurt and pushed away alot of good people in my life,and even the love of my life. I didn't even care,I had no conscience what so ever. I stopped taking it cold turkey back in January of this year,and OH MY GOD the side effects were of biblical proportions. I couldn't stand,I couldn't walk,I had severe tremors,cold sweats,hot flashes with severe sweating,nausea out of this world,diarrhea,I couldn't eat,when I talked my teeth chattered like one of those hop along wind up sets of plastic teeth. These lasted a week. A WHOLE 7 DAYS. I was given celexa 30mg to start taking after 3 days of effexor withdrawal,and by the grace of God,at day 8 the side effects went away. The physical ones,that is...I started hearing voices,people were calling my name from the corners of every room I was in. I got extremely violent,I talked to people like I was posessed. At work,a vendor had his stock in the aisle I just happened to be walking down,and all of the sudden I just thought he needed to be ran over with it,so I grabbed it and proceeded to run him over with a skid of his own stock. I could have been fired. I hated the world,I said ALOT of hurtful things and did alot of things I would never ever do in the sane frame of mind I am in now. I stopped taking celexa after two weeks of my own free will. Once it started wearing off,I stopped eating and stared at the floor in this room,not moving for two months. I wanted to die. I was going to kill myself. I sought professional help,and mounds of bills later,I am free and clean from antidepressants. Before effexor I was on paxil and prozac,ten years worth of trying drugs and experimenting,ending in nothing but a ruined life. When the drugs were out of my system,every feeling I pushed away in my head was still there,and it ALL came out at once. I would never wish that on my worst enemy. I encourage people to be strong,feel the hurt and sadness,and work to make it better. Sometimes you just have to do away with everything that makes you sad,even if you know it will be a hard decision and adjustment. It DOES get better. I had to learn the hard way,that covering up sadness and feeling depressed with drugs only makes things worse in the end. NOTHING will kill you,it will only make you a stronger person. I ruined my life trying to supress something I could have just made go away by not being afraid to make the leap and take a stand to make my life happy. I encourage everyone to learn from my mistakes. Be brave,make your life the way you want it to be,and you will feel like life is worth living.
Posted by AAA88 on August 2, 2006, at 0:08:06
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR 7/26/06? » MaggieATL, posted by HeatherH on July 30, 2006, at 22:08:31
> I was on effexor for 5 years. When i started taking it,i was on 75mg of effexorXR once a day. What a wonderful drug!! So i thought...It worked within a matter of days,I felt like I was untouchable,on top of the world,IN my own little world,free from mental anguish forever. After 2 and a half years,it stopped working and my doctor doubled it,I was then on 150mg of effexorXR. I gained a massive amount of weight. I was once very thin and very cute,I gained over 80 pounds. I didn't even care! I had no regrets of any decisions or actions I made. I got OCD something terrible collecting PETS of all things!! I had a zoo. I hurt and pushed away alot of good people in my life,and even the love of my life. I didn't even care,I had no conscience what so ever. I stopped taking it cold turkey back in January of this year,and OH MY GOD the side effects were of biblical proportions. I couldn't stand,I couldn't walk,I had severe tremors,cold sweats,hot flashes with severe sweating,nausea out of this world,diarrhea,I couldn't eat,when I talked my teeth chattered like one of those hop along wind up sets of plastic teeth. These lasted a week. A WHOLE 7 DAYS. I was given celexa 30mg to start taking after 3 days of effexor withdrawal,and by the grace of God,at day 8 the side effects went away. The physical ones,that is...I started hearing voices,people were calling my name from the corners of every room I was in. I got extremely violent,I talked to people like I was posessed. At work,a vendor had his stock in the aisle I just happened to be walking down,and all of the sudden I just thought he needed to be ran over with it,so I grabbed it and proceeded to run him over with a skid of his own stock. I could have been fired. I hated the world,I said ALOT of hurtful things and did alot of things I would never ever do in the sane frame of mind I am in now. I stopped taking celexa after two weeks of my own free will. Once it started wearing off,I stopped eating and stared at the floor in this room,not moving for two months. I wanted to die. I was going to kill myself. I sought professional help,and mounds of bills later,I am free and clean from antidepressants. Before effexor I was on paxil and prozac,ten years worth of trying drugs and experimenting,ending in nothing but a ruined life. When the drugs were out of my system,every feeling I pushed away in my head was still there,and it ALL came out at once. I would never wish that on my worst enemy. I encourage people to be strong,feel the hurt and sadness,and work to make it better. Sometimes you just have to do away with everything that makes you sad,even if you know it will be a hard decision and adjustment. It DOES get better. I had to learn the hard way,that covering up sadness and feeling depressed with drugs only makes things worse in the end. NOTHING will kill you,it will only make you a stronger person. I ruined my life trying to supress something I could have just made go away by not being afraid to make the leap and take a stand to make my life happy. I encourage everyone to learn from my mistakes. Be brave,make your life the way you want it to be,and you will feel like life is worth living.
--------------------------------------------------thanks for posting that here. if it makes anyone decide on staying off the drugs and helping themselves, that could be a great thing coming from a paragraph of text. ive been going through something similar the past month (not the withdrawals, have never taken meds) and decided to hold off from starting effexor. i realized ive been taking things for granted too often and really need to put more effort into helping myself be the way i really want. even doing things that seem small can sometimes make some great impacts, like this could on someone reading through these posts.
ive never experienced anxiety and depression as bad as i did this past month. usually it wouldnt bother me enough to think about getting help other than from myself. i would have my free will in my mind and it wouldnt be too difficult to notice things (emotion affecting my actions and thoughts) and work on changing them. but this past month it would get to the point where the heavy effects would make it seem like my free will in my mind was clouded way in the back somewhere and that i had lost my mind. plus there were all the symptoms that seemed like my thoughts had no control over (at least not immediately).
the past couple weeks havent been so bad but i can still get episodes of weak to heavy symptoms, just not as bad or as often. it also seems easier to control with my mind. but im wondering, if i achieve the things that i think would make and keep me happier, would it really rid me of the symptoms that make it seem like i have no control over? im thinking that my immediate thoughts have no control over them because its long-term actions and thoughts that will shift my sub-concious mind and/or body into changing whats need to be done in order for those symptoms to vanish.
ive started working on changing my ways and my life and like i said, the past couple weeks havent been as bad. so i think it might be proof to me that my experiences up to now left me this way and doing things without meds really could make me less prone to experiencing these effects.
Posted by Little8angels on August 2, 2006, at 22:51:23
In reply to Just started Effexor XR 7/26/06?, posted by MaggieATL on July 29, 2006, at 9:53:09
I would think twice about starting Effexor, I started taking Effexor XR when my son left for Iraq. I was on it for about 3 Years @ 150mg daily. It really seemed to work for the first year, but then I started having several different unexplained medical problems. I am still going through tests because of electrical shocks, dizziness and severe abdominal distention that comes on and makes me look like I am 9 months pregnant, I never had any medical problems until after I started taking effexor. When I decided to quit taking effexor my NIGHTMARE began! I could not function! I had tremors, nausea,electrical shocks that went through my entire body,dizziness and sweats. I could not get out of bed because it felt like my brain was doing flip flops, my chest hurt so bad I thought I was having a heart attack! I was such a mess I started taking it again to relieve the withdrawls. I ask my dr about the withdrawls and she said it should be out of your system in 24 hours. That was a joke! It took me almost a year to get it out of my system! but I had to suffer through a lot of these withdrawls for months. I have been off of effexor for about a year now, but I think it has done irreversible damage to my body. I still have the electrical shocks and dizziness and the abdominal distention! drs do not realize what this antidepressant does to the body and they arent aware of how hard it is to get off of it. I took copies of e-mails from 100s of people who experienced bad side effects and withdrawls to my dr, so she could see that i wasnt crazy. she could not believe it, and she had no clue that effexor did this to people. she and I have been researching this for quite awhile and almost everyone we have talked to has had the same problems with this medicine. I would not reccomend effexor to anyone. I just want people to be aware about this drug before they start taking it. anyone who needs any info on how to get off this drug, please post and ill help you all i can. This is a wicked drug!
Posted by corafree on August 3, 2006, at 12:06:39
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR 7/26/06? » MaggieATL, posted by Little8angels on August 2, 2006, at 22:51:23
Hi. I'm so glad you took the Effexor-XR info and 'showed it to your doc'.
<she said it should be out of your system in 24 hours.>
I should, all should, do more of this, as I agree a lot of docs are really in the dark about what I call 'rebound' when you d.c. a med. I'm glad your doc was receptive. I have a couple that would say 'I don't care what you've found on the net' or something like that, and I think that's when it's time to look for a new doc. I'm thinking of changing from a PCP (Currently my PCP is family medicine.) to an Internal Med doc. W/ my health plan, you can select either a family doc or an internal med doc for your PCP.
Discontinuing a strong med like Effexor-XR, or in my case, cutting down on a strong narcotic for pain management, which my body has become accustomed to, is 'freaking out my physical system', not to mention of course .. emotional.
Then, on top of that, 'the added stress' of having a doctor that doesn't understand or is not supportive of the 'sort of physical withdrawal' you're going through, makes it A LOT WORSE.
I've had a lot of 'abdominal problems'. My insides were accustomed to a property (chemical) at a certain level for many years, and now that level is being cut down. W/ a narcotic, there are mental and physical manifestations, but none of my 'physical docs' have been supportive! My body is reacting in a sort of 'shock'.
I've been on Effexor-XR about four times in the past and I recall that need to get back on it after discontinuing it! Glad you're sticking w/ it.
I hope your medical self (as well as mine) adjust to 'their new chemical state'.
I understand your worry that maybe some permanent damage has been done. This morning I awakened feeling really well. Yesterday I awoke feeling awful. There is a lot of 'having a supportive environment' going on behind the scenes here, I think. Hope your doc stays w/ you and helps you with these physical changes.
bestwishes, cf
Posted by HeatherH on August 4, 2006, at 9:03:50
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR 7/26/06? » HeatherH, posted by AAA88 on August 2, 2006, at 0:08:06
I still have a really hard time every day with depression,but it's not as bad as it was when I started taking Effexor. So I guess I CAN admit,being on effexor and having really bad things happen to me,showed me that it wouldn't kill me and I would survive,all the wiser,to wake up to a new day. My panic attacks are totally gone,because when I was on Effexor I had a really bad attitude,like "*F* it,bring it on." That's the only thing good that came from it. But as the old saying goes,hindsight is 20/20. I could have taken care of what troubled me by just changing my life. I dealt with and lived with a life of misery and treated it with medicine because I was too scared to shake things up. Things eventually shook up on their own,I am alive,and I'm glad it happened because it changed me.
On the other hand,I lost the best thing I had going for me ever in my life. The attitude I had and the way I would abruptly withdraw from any worrisome situation ruined the relationship I had with the love of my life. He is managing to talk to me again lately,but I completely ruined our relationship because I was in my own little world. I lost alot of good friends,too. I let alot slip away because I didn't care. Even my mother said she thought I didn't love her anymore. So in retrospect,it did make my panic attacks go away forever,but it ruined my life because I just didn't care about much of anything. If I could go back and do it all over,I'd never be on any drug to make my sadness go away. I'd deal with it,learn to manage the feelings like I am now,and I'd probably have a great life. Right now I don't have much of anything except a few good friends who say I seem alot happier now and less withdrawn. My mother and I talk every day if I can help it,and I'm working really hard to make things better for myself. It's a long hard road,every day is a struggle. It makes you feel good about yourself every day you're drug free and complete a productive day. I'm working for a better life,and I will have it,on my OWN.
Posted by Too Trusting on August 5, 2006, at 10:55:41
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR 7/26/06? » MaggieATL, posted by Little8angels on August 2, 2006, at 22:51:23
I have taken effexor xr for 6 yrs until two days ago. I originally was gradually increased over a 4 month period to 375 mg. I now know this is above the recommended max dose. I was not having panic attacks any longer at that dose. Of course I wasn't having anything but sleep and using the bathroom. I told the M.D. That this was worse than the intermittant anxiety attacks. I was slowly decreased to 75 mg in the A.M. and 75 mg in the P.M. I was ok for about 6 months then the intermittant panic atttacks resumed slowly. The answer was to increase the effexor by 75 mg. I would get sleepy then the dosoage would be dropped. Each time the doseage was dropped I would feel what I now know are withdrawel symptoms. I was prescribed a xanax .5 prn to help control my panic attacks. Not once was the subject of withdrawel symptoms discussed. By the way, I have put on 105 pounds since starting the medication. I slowly reduced the effexor to 75 mg per day and stayed at that doseage for almost 2 yrs. there were periods of 3-4 days where the doseage was increased to 150 mg to help with what my psychiatrist referred to as bad times. I would decrease to 75 mg and try to resume life.
The trouble is the lethargy and bad dreams at higher doses and the virtual ineffectiveness at the lower doses made effexor useless for me. So with the help of my primary care M.D. I began to wean off of the medication. I was at 37.5 for 7 days and then stopped.
What a frightening experience. I have had three ambulance rides and three very frustrating E.R. stays during the 10 days following the "weaning" of the medication. The looks of utter disbelieve and the cruel abatement of my chief complaints by the E.R. staff was frustrating to say the least. Every body seemed completely indifferent to my problems. I finally started looking for answers of my own. The local pharmacist and primary care physician, who are good friends and fishing buddies would recite the manufactured responses posted by the effexor xr pharmaceutical companies. They assurred me that the symptoms were probably not from the reduction of the medication since it should take weeks for it to effect the levels of seritonin.
Wrong!!! I have read threads and posting over the last 12 hours which have enlightened me. I am not the only one who feels the "shocks" or "Zaps" in the head and extremities. The dizziness, nausea, feelings of being disconnected, inapropriate crying and periods of anger. These are the very symptoms they refferred to as panic attack related while going through dose changes. They can occur and did occur within 12 hrs of a missed or lowered dose.
I am now at 50 hrs effexor free and I am miserable. Low intermitant doses of nirivam
(xanax administered sub-lingually) and liquid children's Benedril help some with these withdrawel symptoms. The knowledge that I am not alone helps more than anything else. I have never read or participated in online discussions before. I am embarassed to say, I used to think it was the reserved for whiners and psycotics who could not face the real world. Boy was I wrong. It is amazing how humbling experiences like this can be, and how actually reading the posts and listening to what others have to say can be comforting.It is imperative that anyone considering taken this medication inform themseleves. The majority of the M.D. population hasn't the foggiest clue what a nightmare this drug is.
I am posting this to add my voice to others who may be in a similar situation. To appologize for my previous impression of those who participate in these types of threads. Finally, to Thank God for allowing me to find so much comfort in the words and similar experiences of others.
You are not alone. Inform yourself. I hate this terrifying and bumpy road I am on right now.
Posted by dancing fool on August 7, 2006, at 8:35:36
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR 7/26/06? » Little8angels, posted by Too Trusting on August 5, 2006, at 10:55:41
Thanks for the info,
it helped. I've been on Effexor XL for a few years now (I'm 46 and diagnosed depressive about 15 years ago). Started at 75, bumped up to 150mg a little over 6 months ago. I was noticed too late (on vacation) that I was running low on pills. Unfortunately, my doctor is on vacation as well ... boy, do I feel it now :-)((((. Vertigo, zaps, loss of memory, cannot focus, sweats - almost passed out. I will get pills in a few hours, but I can tell anyone who wants to know: cold turkey for this drug is a BAD IDEA. I hope I'm back on track soon.
PS I have been on other antidepressants before, and Effexor XL has worked best. Only thing that scared me a little is I have a shorter fuse. (I was in a fight, not really something I do). Also, I've noticed that my ears ring in the morning - annoying, but nothing more.
cheers
dancing fool
Posted by dancing fool on August 7, 2006, at 8:56:38
In reply to Re: This is scarier than I thought , posted by Noa on April 26, 2000, at 13:21:51
Hi Noa,
a bit of a late reply, I know. I'm considering staying on effexor for a longer time - possibly the rest of my life, because it's worked for me, simple as that. Other antiDs left me lethargic, without libido, no deep valleys but no high peaks anymore either. With effexor my personality is more the "real me" (whatever that is ;-).
So anyway, how have you been? Are you still on effexor? Do you experience side effects? Do you plan to continue the treatment? ... I'm writing you to ask how you are out of pure selfishness, sorry 'bout that.
cheers
dancing fool
Posted by lakebandit on August 7, 2006, at 9:16:39
In reply to Re: This is scarier than I thought » Noa, posted by dancing fool on August 7, 2006, at 8:56:38
> Hi Noa,
>
> a bit of a late reply, I know. I'm considering staying on effexor for a longer time - possibly the rest of my life, because it's worked for me, simple as that. Other antiDs left me lethargic, without libido, no deep valleys but no high peaks anymore either. With effexor my personality is more the "real me" (whatever that is ;-).
>
> So anyway, how have you been? Are you still on effexor? Do you experience side effects? Do you plan to continue the treatment? ... I'm writing you to ask how you are out of pure selfishness, sorry 'bout that.
>
> cheers
> dancing foolI just happened to find this site. Glad to see there are still active posts. I just started taking Effexor XR and have had some of the side effects mentioned. Any way to get rid of the itching? Do some of the other effects go away after time?
Posted by dancing fool on August 7, 2006, at 9:30:17
In reply to Re: This is scarier than I thought, posted by lakebandit on August 7, 2006, at 9:16:39
Hi Lakebandit,
the side-effects went away after about 3 weeks of taking 75mg/day. I have been on 75mg/day for over a year - stopped 9 months - started again at 75 and upped to 150 (last period about 1 year). I have to say that the withdrawl is no picknick, but I did OK for about 9 months without any medications at all. I asked my doctor to start again with effexor after I noticed I was slowing down (usually prelude to a really dark period with me).
so in reply to your Q: the side effects diminish - but I don't know anything about really long treatments
hope this helps
cheers
dancing fool
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