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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2007, at 19:18:05
In reply to Re: After 10 years on Effexor XR, posted by KristiVegas on December 14, 2007, at 0:09:14
Thanks Kristi as I was on 60mg of cymbalta for about three months time. Was never tired but I'm a very anxious person. And I know about the aches and pains as when I stopped cymbalta there were aches and pains I never knew I had. So good for you. How's your depression? Isn't there more norepenephrine in cymbalta than effexor? Phillipa
Posted by KristiVegas on December 15, 2007, at 16:17:56
In reply to Re: After 10 years on Effexor XR » KristiVegas, posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2007, at 19:18:05
I don't feel the "weight" of the depression near as much on Cymbalta as I did on Effexor. I had so many side effects that I was constantly agitated about them all the time as well as having a very angry demeanor most of the time. I didn't "play well" with others and pretty much alienated everyone because I felt so weighted down with all the issues. My shoulders aren't as heavy with Cymbalta and my muscles have relaxed and I'm not as tense as I was. My body was so tense all the time that I ached constantly and never felt rested. I think now that I was on too much Effexor and it "backed up" on me. I've not spent any time reading up on the chemical amounts in the med and don't really understand all that but it's something I need to discuss with my doctor as I'm curious about how all that works in your brain and body. I do believe that our bodies build up a tolerance to these meds and their effectiveness lessens over time (sometimes years) so I can understand how people change meds frequently. Plus, there are always new meds coming out that are better and we need to pay attention to that. I hope you get the right med and/or combo of meds. Living with this is not pleasant but tolerable with the right doctor and medication. Good luck to you and let me know how you're doing.
KRISTI
Posted by cookie_gal on December 31, 2007, at 1:01:05
In reply to Re: After 10 years on Effexor XR, posted by clcty on October 10, 2007, at 23:13:08
I'm not sure if the original poster of this message is still reading responces, so I will just put this information up for anyone who is having unexplained lactation also.
I have been on Effexor for over 11 years and I now have a pituitary tumor. What you have is called prolactinoma... it causes you to lactate.
This means that you have a tumor. As far as I am concerned, Effexor doesn't just cause lactation, it causes tumors in the pituitary.
At this point, there are so many women who have been on Effexor for as long as we have and one by one, pretty soon it is going to hit the media that Effexor causes pituitary tumors!!!
Most doctors don't know about pituitary tumors or cushings. Reading about it on the Internet is sometimes the only way to find out.
Posted by binarywoman on January 22, 2008, at 9:18:32
In reply to Re: Doc wants me to try Effexor XR, posted by Cindy W on July 5, 2000, at 23:51:14
Really, it helped your OCD??
My son has OCD which flared up recently. He's obsessed with Mad Cow Disease and found out the the capsules his clomipramine were in were made of beef gelatin and stopped taking it rather abruptly.
I read that Effexor can be a good adjunct with OCD. It's good to hear that it helped your symptoms.
Posted by binarywoman on January 22, 2008, at 9:19:54
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Stan F. on July 6, 2000, at 23:32:44
Effexor XR only comes in a capsule but Effexor comes in a tablet.
Posted by binarywoman on January 22, 2008, at 9:24:11
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by Cindy W on July 8, 2000, at 11:41:37
I've been on that OCD website and found they have some very peculiar ideas.
I saw a post in particular by Michael Jenike, MD about bipolar that was just flat out wrong.
Posted by binarywoman on January 22, 2008, at 9:28:07
In reply to im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by nico on July 9, 2000, at 0:14:29
It's been my experience that taking it slow makes things a lot better.
We've been considering Effexor for my son who has bipolar I, Aspergers, and OCD. I've been concerned about the withdrawal.
What about switching to regular Effexor that comes in tabs and you can split them anyway you like?
Posted by maxie on January 22, 2008, at 19:41:49
In reply to Re: im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by binarywoman on January 22, 2008, at 9:28:07
> It's been my experience that taking it slow makes things a lot better.
>
> We've been considering Effexor for my son who has bipolar I, Aspergers, and OCD. I've been concerned about the withdrawal.
>
> What about switching to regular Effexor that comes in tabs and you can split them anyway you like?
>
>
> I have just started trying it, it sounds like I may regret it?
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 23, 2008, at 3:26:58
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by binarywoman on January 22, 2008, at 9:19:54
> Effexor XR only comes in a capsule but Effexor comes in a tablet.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding withdrawal to Psycho-Babble Withdrawal. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20070929/msgs/808462.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by jenii on February 26, 2008, at 3:08:40
In reply to Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Anne on April 23, 2000, at 17:26:10
I don't know if you have gotten a response from anyone yet, but i successfully took myself off of a 150mg daily dose of effexor xr. reading your post i was glad to see someone knew what i was talking about when i went off of it i felt the same shock. it lasted i believe about a week... but after that, i had no more problems. i have been off of effexor now for 7 months, and havent had any symptoms. i don't suggest you do it on your own though, make sure you have someone who is there to keep an eye on you, according to my old psychiatrist there can be rather big problems if you stop taking it, but my mother did it, i did it, and neither of us had a problem with quitting, other than that annoying shock... good luck!
Posted by KarenRB53 on February 26, 2008, at 19:54:00
In reply to SSRI induced hypomania, posted by kalyb on May 17, 2003, at 9:15:29
> What is SSRI induced hypomania?
>
> Could my apparent "immediate" response to Effexor be this?? If it helps any, I noticed some kind of immediate effects with Prozac and Celexa as well.
>
> Please enlighten me!!
I know this is an old posting but the same thing has happened to me with Prozac. Have you stopped taking the Effexor and what are you taking now if you don't mind my asking?
Thanks, Karen
Posted by R. -T. V. 52y on February 27, 2008, at 10:21:34
In reply to Re: Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by jenii on February 26, 2008, at 3:08:40
hi
i got efex when i was depressed, it was 2 yrs ago,
i had 150 and then 75,
now when i got sero (see other messages of mine), i of course quit efex simultaneously,
it is a good medicine for me when i am depressed, not when i am beginning to be manic,
yours chris
Posted by rina on February 27, 2008, at 14:17:23
In reply to Re: Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by R. -T. V. 52y on February 27, 2008, at 10:21:34
effexor is one of the most difficult meds to stop taking but can be done. i did it a year ago and it was hell. the best way is to taper slowly. I had to stop abruptly because of becoming manic. I was bed ridden for three weeks due to brain zaps,fever chills,dizzy spells,vommiting etc. so my advice to you is take it slow, very slow but it can be done. good luck.
Posted by AMY II on February 27, 2008, at 20:57:32
In reply to Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Anne on April 23, 2000, at 17:26:10
I was pregnant and took 150mg of effexor and he is 10 months old now and ALL GOOD! No probs whatsoever. So smart and doing everything he is suppose to be.
I quit effexor because I had huge heart problems with it. Extreme irregular heartbeat, etc. I took myself off of it under a doctors direction and took zanax while coming off. This helped. The withdrawal symptoms suck but do go away. I had the electrical shocks going through my head, floaty feelings in my head, etc. I just came off of it slowly. It took me a little over a month. I just dropped down slowly. It gets better. Hope this helps.
Posted by clcty on April 1, 2008, at 19:33:56
In reply to Re: After 10 years on Effexor XR, posted by clcty on October 10, 2007, at 23:13:08
Thanks for everyone's response to my first post. I was unable to get off Effexor completely; however, I am at 75 mg which I can live with for now. I have a different doctor now and she has sent me for a CT scan. I go the results today and I have a prolactinoma. It's not lethal and I'm going to be fine; however, my doctor did mention that Effexor may be linked to prolactinomas. Anyway, now I'm taking Bromocriptine for the next five weeks to see if it brings my prolactin levels down and if it does hopefully I can get pregnant in about six months to a year. I've tried progesterone and it did not bring my period back which after having the CT scan, my doctor said that the progesterone would not help and that I have to take the bromocriptine (Parlodel) to try and regain my sex drive, ovulation etc. I hope it works. My husband is extremely concerned and I can't say I'm not a little either. If the bromocriptine does not work, the doc said she may take me off Effexor and try something else. Don't go getting all excited about Effexor. It may be linked to prolactin problems such as prolactinoma; however, it is a relatively new drug and I knew that when I started taking it. Thanks again for listening to all my issues and posting your responses. I will keep you all updated as to my situation.
Posted by Sigismund on April 6, 2008, at 3:14:29
In reply to Re: After 10 years on Effexor XR, posted by clcty on April 1, 2008, at 19:33:56
I read somewhere that Hydergine in relatively high doses (9mg/d) can reverse the prolactin thing.
Posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent , posted by annj on February 27, 2001, at 15:37:01
Hi, I have been taking Effexor XR on and off for about 8 years, and have experienced side effects before when I discontinued it. I am trying to get off this medication for good now, and I NEVER WANT TO TAKE IT AGAIN! I thought going off any anti-depressant made you feel this way. Obviously I didn't have a clue! I now know that Effexor is the anti-Christ of ant-depressants! When I started taking it several years ago, it was recommended to me by my therapist. I was seeing her for depression. It seemed to help back then. I have gone off it before, and always eventually felt like I needed it again, because I would get depressed again. I had my dosage increased to 75mg from 37mg about 3 months ago, and within a month or two felt more depressed w/ no energy or drive to do anything! My husband was getting frustrated w/ me. I decided to try Wellbutrin, because I have heard so many good things about it. So far so good w/ that, but I am now in the process of weaning off of Effexor too, and I am so dizzy, and nauseous, and again my husband is getting frustrated w/ me. I know he doesn't understand, and I think he thinks I'm making this up. It seems I always have some "issue" lately. I HATE feeling this way, and it is not me at all! I am normally very outgoing. Not that I was ever a fireball of energy, but this is ridiculous. I am so scared after reading posts on the internet, that this is going to haunt me forever, or at least a while. I also gained weight while taking this medication, and again had no clue this was a possible side effect. For at least 2 years now, I have been SO FORGETFULL, I also didn't know this was a side effect. I wish I had never taken this medication. My current MD told me to take 37.5mg for a week, then take it every other day for a week, then every 3rd for a week, and then every 4th day for a week. You get the picture. I am now on every 4th day, and this is HELL. annj (previous post) describes most of my symptoms to a T. I don't want to take another pill, because I am so scared of prolonging this agony. I am due to take one today, and have been putting it off. HELP!
Posted by clipper40 on June 22, 2008, at 16:31:39
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
You really don't need to go through hell getting off of this medication. You just need to add in or substitute a little of a longer acting sertonergic medication. Prozac works the best for this. I got off of Effexor without a problem as have many others here at Babble.
In terms of your husband, have you tried printing out any information from the Internet about the withdrawal syndrome from Effexor? If not done right, this withdrawal can be such a nightmare. He needs to realize that you are not the only one having this experience.
Posted by clipper40 on June 22, 2008, at 16:32:18
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
You really don't need to go through hell getting off of this medication. You just need to add in or substitute a little of a longer acting sertonergic medication. Prozac works the best for this. I got off of Effexor without a problem as have many others here at Babble.
In terms of your husband, have you tried printing out any information from the Internet about the withdrawal syndrome from Effexor? If not done right, this withdrawal can be such a nightmare. He needs to realize that you are not the only one having this experience.
Posted by 49er on June 25, 2008, at 20:06:15
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
Jenna,
My blood boils big time when I hear advice like what you were given.
Telling you to take meds every other day is putting you into withdrawal big time, since Effexor has one of the shortest half lives.
A safe taper means to take 10% of the current dose every 3 to 6 weeks. With Effexor, it is going to be more like every 6 weeks.
To have more options, you need to switch to regular Effexor and you can reduce using these options.
1. Buy a digital scale on Ebay and weigh your dose. You can take beads out of Effexor, right?
2. Ask your psychiatrist to write a prescription for a compound pharmacy who can make the med in the dose you need. Insurance issues might be a problem so that is why I prefer the first option.
I think substituting Prozac for Effexor is very iffy. Many people have tried to do that with Paxil and found it didn't work.
A slow taper is the key. It just frustrates me greatly that many psychiatrist don't seem to understand this even though I am sure their intentions are good.
49er
Posted by clipper40 on June 26, 2008, at 6:53:29
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by 49er on June 25, 2008, at 20:06:15
I have never known of anyone who took some Prozac or another SSRI to help get off of Effexor, who didn't receive a lot of help from it and I've read a lot of posts on this board on the topic. However, I do believe you that you know of some people it didn't work for with Paxil.
I also wanted to add that I was not advocating that people should take Prozac instead of tapering off of Effexor. I think they should do both. I did a VERY SLOW taper and didn't have any problems until I stopped the medication completely. At the point of discontinuation, I was only taking a small fraction of a 37.5 mg. pill. I didn't expect to have any problems but then all hell broke loose. I couldn't believe how sick I felt. That's when I took a small amount of another longer acting SSRI instead. I felt so much better very quickly. I continued to take this SSRI for a few more days and then stopped that as well. I had a few brain shakes after that (when I'd lay my head down on my pillow at night) but for the most part I felt great.
Posted by Jenna611 on June 26, 2008, at 7:53:14
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » 49er, posted by clipper40 on June 26, 2008, at 6:53:29
Hi,
Thank you for your advice. I have decided to just suffer through the dizziness, and nausea. I do not want to take one more of those effexor pills! I definately feel it is prolonging this withdraw/agony. I listened to my MD/GP, and tried to do her recommended taper. I was taking 37.5 mg every 4 days. I am done! No more! I think if I just ride this out, and hang in there, I'll feel better soon, and be done with this med.! I really do believe that people should be told how bad it is to stop this medication BEFORE they start taking it. I wish I had known more about it. I don't really want to take anything, but I know I need to for now. I am taking Wellbutrin now, so I really don't want to add Prozac to the mix too. But thanks for your advice. Does anyone know how long I can expect to feel this way? Or is it different for everyone?
Posted by Jenna611 on June 26, 2008, at 7:53:48
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » 49er, posted by clipper40 on June 26, 2008, at 6:53:29
Hi,
Thank you for your advice. I have decided to just suffer through the dizziness, and nausea. I do not want to take one more of those effexor pills! I definately feel it is prolonging this withdraw/agony. I listened to my MD/GP, and tried to do her recommended taper. I was taking 37.5 mg every 4 days. I am done! No more! I think if I just ride this out, and hang in there, I'll feel better soon, and be done with this med.! I really do believe that people should be told how bad it is to stop this medication BEFORE they start taking it. I wish I had known more about it. I don't really want to take anything, but I know I need to for now. I am taking Wellbutrin now, so I really don't want to add Prozac to the mix too. But thanks for your advice. Does anyone know how long I can expect to feel this way? Or is it different for everyone?
Posted by laserguy on July 15, 2008, at 21:53:56
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 26, 2008, at 7:53:48
> Hi,
> Thank you for your advice. I have decided to just suffer through the dizziness, and nausea. I do not want to take one more of those effexor pills! .....Hi Jenna, I,ve been off of Effexor xr for 5 days now. From 150 mg for 5 months, tappered down to 75 mg for 2 weeks then to 37.5 for 2 like the doc suggested. Had to get off of it, it worked to well for me. Felt and acted like i was 21 again, partying like a rock star. A week ago I went home from work at noon not feeling well, hour later went to a local bar and started drinking. Went home 2 hours later. wife took the keys away from me. (new corvette and vodka doesnt mix). I decided i didnt party enough so i took my 4 wheeler back to the bar...nice! Dont remember anything after that. After reading about alcohol and effexor now, I would have done things different. Sorry about the rant but I found this thread below and it explains exactly how I've/we've felt the last 4 days but my ears are ringing LOUDLY also and couldn't get out of bed for 3 days. I thought of taking just one to make me sane for a day but know that it will just prolong it! I wish I knew this before i started taking it, but at that time i would've tried anything.
>>>In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Cam W. on April 12, 2000, at 19:27:33
BUT I have found - from missing doses - that the
withdrawal effects are real. For me, they have
included strange effects in my brain. A feeling
of electricity or shocks, also vertigo when I move my head from side to side or up and down. Then it feels like my head has moved too fast and my eyes take a few seconds to catch up. This prohibits driving, makes me dizzy and feels very bizarre.
Muscular tension and knots in my leg and hip -
where I previously had bursitis - GREATLY
increased when I decreased my dosage from 325 mg
back to 150mg od.Same here with the pain also, stomach hurts from throwing up. Cant sleep, hot/cold flashes and weird dreams all the time!
Stick with it! I know ill never take it again, the pain isnt worth the gain, but it felt great to be half my age again! My doc said it could take up to 2 weeks for withdrawls to be gone. I hope this helps other people,I know this thread has helped me! Thought I was going crazy! feel free to email me. Good luck to all!
Posted by Jenna611 on July 16, 2008, at 7:43:45
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » Jenna611, posted by laserguy on July 15, 2008, at 21:53:56
I have good and bad news.... The good news is: I am finally feeling better! I still have a tiny amount of dizziness, but I can actually function normally again! I didn't feel like doing ANYTHING before! It's hard to explain that to your over-active/achiever OCD husband though. He tried to understand, but he is always moving and doing, so when I felt like sitting and doing nothing, I felt like a lazy under-achiever compared to him. Anyway, the bad news is...it took me a good month to be free of the HORRIBLE withdraw side effects of Effexor! I just wanted to let anyone else reading this know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I promise! It just sucks that you have to put your life on hold for a month (or more), until you feel better again. I personally will NEVER take effexor again. I am now taking 150mg Wellebutrin, and it seems to be working. I might have the doctor increase it to 300, but part of me is afraid to be too dependant on these chemicals/drugs. After seeing what effexor did to me, I am almost tempted to go it alone, without anti-deppressants. We'll see. I was SO forgetful on effexor, I started thinking I was losing my mind! I am only 35, I think that is a little premature for the amount of forgetfullness I was expieriencing. I hope Wellebutrin is different. I can't stand feeling like a mental midget! If I don't write it down, I don't remember it! I didn't know that was a side effect of Effexor, until I found this post. So Thank you for that! I started thinking it was peri-menapause. I'm guessing now it was just that nasty little effexor. Good Luck to all who have decided to stop taking this drug. You will feel better again, just give yourself time. And, Thank you Dr. Bob for this post. It does help to know your not alone.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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