![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 76. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mary Dionne on February 21, 2005, at 20:34:21
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JennaStarrett on February 21, 2005, at 18:59:50
> > YOu present a good point. I am 55 and am forgetting names, I'm in the car and forget where I have to go etc; That seems pretty severe to me. Are these just senior moments you think??
>
> Hello,
>
> I just wanted to say that I had terrible forgetfullness while on Effexor. I am usually able to 5 things at once and gradually I began to notice that I would actually forget what I was doing and walk away to do something else. I couldn't remember doing the 1st thing until I went back and saw I had started something. It was driving me crazy. I couldn't even remember if I had taken my medicine or not. I also would drive around and forget where I was going. This is just one of the side effects I had from Effexor (there are many more, and the withdrawal was extremely scary). I am on different meds now and feel much better. I have my memory (and a lot of other things) back. Not sure if this the same as in your case, but It was my experience. Please feel free to pick my brain :) Take care, Jenna
>
>
I went off Effexor XR Friday and was given Prozac for 10 days to ease off. I am sick as a dog. I feel like I have the flu and like I'm going crazy. I'm having brain blips. I'm dizzy. I had HORRIBLE dreams last night. This has got to be the worst. Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In Tennessee
Posted by Si Kottic on February 21, 2005, at 20:34:21
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mary Dionne on February 21, 2005, at 19:09:44
My forgetfullness sounds exactly like yours. It's so scary! I have a million things to do during the day and I can never keep them straight!
Posted by JennaStarrett on February 21, 2005, at 20:34:21
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mary Dionne on February 21, 2005, at 19:09:44
> > > YOu present a good point. I am 55 and am forgetting names, I'm in the car and forget where I have to go etc; That seems pretty severe to me. Are these just senior moments you think??
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I just wanted to say that I had terrible forgetfullness while on Effexor. I am usually able to 5 things at once and gradually I began to notice that I would actually forget what I was doing and walk away to do something else. I couldn't remember doing the 1st thing until I went back and saw I had started something. It was driving me crazy. I couldn't even remember if I had taken my medicine or not. I also would drive around and forget where I was going. This is just one of the side effects I had from Effexor (there are many more, and the withdrawal was extremely scary). I am on different meds now and feel much better. I have my memory (and a lot of other things) back. Not sure if this the same as in your case, but It was my experience. Please feel free to pick my brain :) Take care, Jenna
> >
> >
> I went off Effexor XR Friday and was given Prozac for 10 days to ease off. I am sick as a dog. I feel like I have the flu and like I'm going crazy. I'm having brain blips. I'm dizzy. I had HORRIBLE dreams last night. This has got to be the worst. Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In TennesseeHello again. I went through many of the same things you are going through. I had the "brain zaps", aggitation, severe anxiety, nausea/vomiting, sweating, horrible realistic nightmares, etc. The withdrawal actually landed me in the emergency room because I didn't know what was going on. Then I went to the psych ward voluntarily because I have no family that could have watched me for the days after. I actully found this site after I got out of the hospital. I took Claratin D (someone on the post suggested it) to help with the withdrawals. It helped a lot in my case. Some people try Benadryl (but that makes me more jumpy), Claratin D did not. I would either take the 12 hour or 24 hour. Initially it took about 8 hours to start working, but I continued to take it and I felt much better. Again, this worked for me....and I checked with my doctor to get the OK. It takes a while to get over the withdrawals, but it is WELL WORTH IT! Please hang in there... P.S. It helped me to read some past posts... that's how I found the info on Claratin D. Keep writing and we'll all try to help you through :) Take care, Jenna
Posted by bruin on February 21, 2005, at 21:21:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mary Dionne on February 21, 2005, at 19:09:44
1.Drink tons of spring water. Not the chlorinated junk from the sink
2.Eat a good, healthy diet high in protein. Your brain will need the protein, especially animal protein to heal from the neurotoxin.
3.Exercise-May sound horrid to you, but do what you can. It helps.
4.Benedryl was a good suggestion
5.A good multi-vitamin(not the crap like centrum. Try the liquid kind)
6.Colloidial Trace Minerals, Fish Oil(Carlson's Liquid Brand), Magnesium(do a google for Amino Mag 200-good product. All these things will help you heal
7.Faith-WHen I feel my worst I look to the Lord for strength and guidance. He hasn't let me down yet.Hope this helps
> > > YOu present a good point. I am 55 and am forgetting names, I'm in the car and forget where I have to go etc; That seems pretty severe to me. Are these just senior moments you think??
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I just wanted to say that I had terrible forgetfullness while on Effexor. I am usually able to 5 things at once and gradually I began to notice that I would actually forget what I was doing and walk away to do something else. I couldn't remember doing the 1st thing until I went back and saw I had started something. It was driving me crazy. I couldn't even remember if I had taken my medicine or not. I also would drive around and forget where I was going. This is just one of the side effects I had from Effexor (there are many more, and the withdrawal was extremely scary). I am on different meds now and feel much better. I have my memory (and a lot of other things) back. Not sure if this the same as in your case, but It was my experience. Please feel free to pick my brain :) Take care, Jenna
> >
> >
> I went off Effexor XR Friday and was given Prozac for 10 days to ease off. I am sick as a dog. I feel like I have the flu and like I'm going crazy. I'm having brain blips. I'm dizzy. I had HORRIBLE dreams last night. This has got to be the worst. Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In Tennessee
Posted by SLS on February 22, 2005, at 7:16:10
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mary Dionne on February 21, 2005, at 19:09:44
> I went off Effexor XR Friday and was given Prozac for 10 days to ease off. I am sick as a dog. I feel like I have the flu and like I'm going crazy. I'm having brain blips. I'm dizzy. I had HORRIBLE dreams last night. This has got to be the worst. Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In Tennessee
It seems that Prozac by itself does not substitute 100% for Effexor. I think you would have been better off tapering off the Effexor gradually while taking the Prozac. It takes several days for Prozac to build up in the body, so if you were to stop taking the Effexor and began taking Prozac on the same day, it is almost like you are taking nothing at all. If you don't want to suffer, you might consider adding back the Effexor and taper the dosage while continuing with Prozac. You might not need the full dosage of Prozac to accomplish this. I'm not sure, but you might be able to continue with 10mg while tapering the Effexor.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on February 22, 2005, at 7:23:08
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JennaStarrett on February 21, 2005, at 19:43:08
actully found this site after I got out of the hospital. I took Claratin D (someone on the post suggested it) to help with the withdrawals. It helped a lot in my case.
Which withdrawal symptoms specifically did the Claratin help with?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on February 22, 2005, at 8:21:11
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Mary Dionne, posted by SLS on February 22, 2005, at 7:16:10
> > I went off Effexor XR Friday and was given Prozac for 10 days to ease off. I am sick as a dog. I feel like I have the flu and like I'm going crazy. I'm having brain blips. I'm dizzy. I had HORRIBLE dreams last night. This has got to be the worst. Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In Tennessee
>
> It seems that Prozac by itself does not substitute 100% for Effexor. I think you would have been better off tapering off the Effexor gradually while taking the Prozac. It takes several days for Prozac to build up in the body, so if you were to stop taking the Effexor and began taking Prozac on the same day, it is almost like you are taking nothing at all. If you don't want to suffer, you might consider adding back the Effexor and taper the dosage while continuing with Prozac. You might not need the full dosage of Prozac to accomplish this. I'm not sure, but you might be able to continue with 10mg while tapering the Effexor.
>
>
> - Scott
If you need to taper the Prozac at the end, you can take smaller and smaller amounts every day or take it every other day and then every third day. This is because Prozac has a half-life of about a WEEK. Paxil and Effexor have half-lives that are measured in HOURS, and should never be discontinued by skipping days.
- Scott
Posted by PoohBear on February 22, 2005, at 10:00:38
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mary Dionne on February 21, 2005, at 19:09:44
>Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In Tennessee<
Mary:
I posted this on the other thread, but Dr. Bob redirected it here, so you may not have seen it.
SLS is 100% right: you need to take the Prozac WHILE TAPERING OFF the Effexor. Also, take Benedryl to help with the spacy feeling and brain zaps. Generic Benedryl is okay, one tablet every 4-6 hours.
I tapered off Effexor for 10 days with Prozac before I was on Prozac alone. I'm still on Prozac for now...
Blessings!
Tony
Posted by SamIAm on February 22, 2005, at 11:07:55
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Mary Dionne, posted by SLS on February 22, 2005, at 7:16:10
> > I went off Effexor XR Friday and was given Prozac for 10 days to ease off. I am sick as a dog. I feel like I have the flu and like I'm going crazy. I'm having brain blips. I'm dizzy. I had HORRIBLE dreams last night. This has got to be the worst. Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In Tennessee
>
> It seems that Prozac by itself does not substitute 100% for Effexor. I think you would have been better off tapering off the Effexor gradually while taking the Prozac. It takes several days for Prozac to build up in the body, so if you were to stop taking the Effexor and began taking Prozac on the same day, it is almost like you are taking nothing at all. If you don't want to suffer, you might consider adding back the Effexor and taper the dosage while continuing with Prozac. You might not need the full dosage of Prozac to accomplish this. I'm not sure, but you might be able to continue with 10mg while tapering the Effexor.
>
>
> - ScottFrom everything I've read I believe Scott is right in giving this recommendation. I will probably use Prozac when I get to a lower dosage of Effexor just so I and my family don't suffer so much.
SamIAm
P.S. Scott, you are such a blessing--thank you for encouraging and giving input to us all.
Posted by PoohBear on February 22, 2005, at 20:54:15
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mary Dionne on February 21, 2005, at 19:09:44
> Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In Tennessee<YES!
Take Benedryl. It will help with the brain zaps.
Tony
Posted by Si Kottic on February 22, 2005, at 20:54:15
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Mary Dionne, posted by PoohBear on February 22, 2005, at 9:54:58
What are brain Zaps? I started taking my effexor everyother day and this morning I woke up with a migraine headache. I took a fiorinol with codeine which usually does the trick but it didn't work. I felt really disoriented and took an allegra D. That's the closest I could come to Claritan D. At about 3:00 I started feeling somewhat better. Are these withdrawl symptoms?
Posted by Mary Dionne on February 22, 2005, at 20:54:15
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Si Kottic on February 22, 2005, at 15:18:25
> What are brain Zaps? I started taking my effexor everyother day and this morning I woke up with a migraine headache. I took a fiorinol with codeine which usually does the trick but it didn't work. I felt really disoriented and took an allegra D. That's the closest I could come to Claritan D. At about 3:00 I started feeling somewhat better. Are these withdrawl symptoms?
Brain zaps, by my definition, are hard to describe but they are when the brain just short curcuits for a second. I feels like a "zap."
Posted by ShayNJ on February 22, 2005, at 20:54:15
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mary Dionne on February 22, 2005, at 17:25:21
Well it's been a month and I am still weaning slowly off of the Effexor. I've been removing one little pellet a day, and today I took out 30 pellets from my XR. It may take 9 months for me to get off of this, but it seems to be the only way my body can handle it. I tried once to go off more quickly, and HOLY SH*T, it was a nightmare! Just wanted to check in with you all, and thank you for this board. I read it almost daily...
Posted by SLS on February 23, 2005, at 7:10:28
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Mary Dionne, posted by PoohBear on February 22, 2005, at 9:54:58
Hi Tony.
Did the Benedryl give you dry-mouth? Did you notice any other side effects that you could attribute to Benedryl?
Thanks.
- Scott
>
> > Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In Tennessee<
>
> YES!
>
> Take Benedryl. It will help with the brain zaps.
>
> Tony
>
>
Posted by oilfan on February 23, 2005, at 23:19:00
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Mary Dionne, posted by PoohBear on February 22, 2005, at 9:54:58
>
> > Other than the Prozac and the aspirin I just took, can I do anything else? Dying here In Tennessee<
>
> YES!
>
>> I am currently cutting back my dosage by 25% over the last month. My doctor said it is better to go off the effexor slowly. I still get the headache's and the best remedy bar none! Is MARIJUANA!! It may be illegal but it works. It relax's you and take's away the headache's and I'm not on anything else like another prescription. That's just me, hope you can find something that works for you.>
Posted by oilfan on February 23, 2005, at 23:24:23
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by ShayNJ on February 22, 2005, at 17:55:20
> Well it's been a month and I am still weaning slowly off of the Effexor. I've been removing one little pellet a day, and today I took out 30 pellets from my XR. It may take 9 months for me to get off of this, but it seems to be the only way my body can handle it. I tried once to go off more quickly, and HOLY SH*T, it was a nightmare! Just wanted to check in with you all, and thank you for this board. I read it almost daily...
I have been on a decline in my dosage for about 5 weeks now. I was at 300mg a day. I alternated down by 37.5mg every other day for 2 weeks. Then after two weeks I went down by 37.5 to 262.5 mg a day for 2 weeks. Then I started to alternate down every other day to 225 mg. I am currently at that dose. I have found that smoking marijuana daily .Is keeping the headache's away and with help from the good Lord above I will beat this sh*t.
Posted by oilfan on February 23, 2005, at 23:26:32
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by oilfan on February 23, 2005, at 23:24:23
> > Well it's been a month and I am still weaning slowly off of the Effexor. I've been removing one little pellet a day, and today I took out 30 pellets from my XR. It may take 9 months for me to get off of this, but it seems to be the only way my body can handle it. I tried once to go off more quickly, and HOLY SH*T, it was a nightmare! Just wanted to check in with you all, and thank you for this board. I read it almost daily...
>
>the following message is from oilfan:
> I have been on a decline in my dosage for about 5 weeks now. I was at 300mg a day. I alternated down by 37.5mg every other day for 2 weeks. Then after two weeks I went down by 37.5 to 262.5 mg a day for 2 weeks. Then I started to alternate down every other day to 225 mg. I am currently at that dose. I have found that smoking marijuana daily .Is keeping the headache's away and with help from the good Lord above I will beat this sh*t.
>
Posted by JennaStarrett on February 24, 2005, at 21:51:02
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » JennaStarrett, posted by SLS on February 22, 2005, at 7:23:08
> actully found this site after I got out of the hospital. I took Claratin D (someone on the post suggested it) to help with the withdrawals. It helped a lot in my case.
>
> Which withdrawal symptoms specifically did the Claratin help with?
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott :)
It helped me with pretty much everything... the severe anxiety, sweating, zaps, being aggravated, headaches, nausea and dizziness etc... I went off the Claratin D about 5 weeks after I quit taking effexor and all of the withdrawal symptoms came back... I felt like I was going to come out of my skin. I took another Claratin D and the sypmtoms went away again in about 6 hours. I was also on 150 Wellbutrin at the time. I quit taking the Claratin D about 2 1/2 months and I was finally ok. I'm not sure why this worked but it really helped me.
Take care, Jenna
Posted by SLS on February 25, 2005, at 8:07:08
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JennaStarrett on February 24, 2005, at 21:51:02
Hi Jenna.
Thanks for responding.
> > > actully found this site after I got out of the hospital. I took Claratin D (someone on the post suggested it) to help with the withdrawals. It helped a lot in my case.
> > Which withdrawal symptoms specifically did the Claratin help with?
> It helped me with pretty much everything... the severe anxiety, sweating, zaps, being aggravated, headaches, nausea and dizziness etc... I went off the Claratin D about 5 weeks after I quit taking effexor and all of the withdrawal symptoms came back... I felt like I was going to come out of my skin. I took another Claratin D and the sypmtoms went away again in about 6 hours. I was also on 150 Wellbutrin at the time. I quit taking the Claratin D about 2 1/2 months and I was finally ok. I'm not sure why this worked but it really helped me.
WOW! That is amazing.I am very surprised that the Claritin had such a positive effect on so many symptoms. Unlike Benadryl, Claritin does not travel to the brain or CNS. That would make it a better choice for most people whom don't want to experience the sedation and other side effects that are produced by Benadryl.
Does Claritin D give you dry mouth? What other side effects did it produce?
Had you ever tried the regular Claritin (not "D")?
Claritin D adds pseudoephedrine as a decongestant, which does cross the blood-brain barrier. I wonder how important that might be.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by becks on February 25, 2005, at 23:51:41
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » roobie, posted by PoohBear on February 19, 2005, at 23:08:11
I've been on Effexor XL for so long now that I'm not even sure how many years??? Something like 5 to 8 years. I've tried to go off of it, but the side effects of the withdrawal are horrendous! Dizziness, imbalance, unsteadiness, nausea, etc...
I take 300mg each night before bed, along with 300mg of Trazadone (for sleep).I've talked to my doctor several times about wanting to discontinue taking this Effexor. I've always experienced horrifying nightmares and night sweats. My doctor does not want me to stop, so I'm going to find another doctor.
I'm wondering if anyone has taken an alternative while discontinuing Effexor in order to help with the withdrawl symptoms.
Posted by Cheyenne on February 25, 2005, at 23:51:42
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
Hi everyone,
My boyfriend went off Effexor (150mg)cold turkrey, 4 weeks ago. He has experienced mainly dizziness, irritablity,electric shock sensations. It is so weird, and doesn't seem to have any rhyme or reason, because he can be fairly good for a couple days, and then it comes back. Can anyone tell me, when will the hell totally be gone. I feel so bad for anyone who has been on this nasty drug...which should NOT even be on the market. Thanks for your help.
Posted by Si Kottic on February 25, 2005, at 23:51:42
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Cheyenne on February 24, 2005, at 8:45:43
Getting off this drug is really scaring me - especially after reading all the posts on it. Why aren't the Doctors more informed about this drug. Didn't the AMA cover this drug before it went on the market. I'm now afraid to go off this drug, I'm not sure how I'll react or even when to do it.
shelley
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 25, 2005, at 23:51:42
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by becks on February 24, 2005, at 7:04:14
> I've been on Effexor XL for so long now that I'm not even sure how many years??? Something like 5 to 8 years. I've tried to go off of it, but the side effects of the withdrawal are horrendous! Dizziness, imbalance, unsteadiness, nausea, etc...
> I take 300mg each night before bed, along with 300mg of Trazadone (for sleep).
>
> I've talked to my doctor several times about wanting to discontinue taking this Effexor. I've always experienced horrifying nightmares and night sweats. My doctor does not want me to stop, so I'm going to find another doctor.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone has taken an alternative while discontinuing Effexor in order to help with the withdrawl symptoms.Most use some sort of tapering method. Some people have had luck using Benadryl, of all things. Others have used Prozac. See the Withdrawal board for tips. http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/ Good luck.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 25, 2005, at 23:51:42
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Cheyenne on February 24, 2005, at 8:45:43
> My boyfriend went off Effexor (150mg)cold turkrey, 4 weeks ago. He has experienced mainly dizziness, irritablity,electric shock sensations. It is so weird, and doesn't seem to have any rhyme or reason, because he can be fairly good for a couple days, and then it comes back. Can anyone tell me, when will the hell totally be gone...
Did he quit cold turkey for a life-threatening reason, like a severe allergic reaction or something? Quitting many meds cold turkey can be a very uncomfortable process. He might need to start back up and use a tapering process for a few weeks, or use another AD, like Prozac, to go through the process. See the Withdrawal board for tips.
Posted by Cheyenne on February 25, 2005, at 23:51:42
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Si Kottic on February 24, 2005, at 10:08:22
Shelley..get off the drug ASAP, how long have you been on it. The doctor knows my boyfriend went off cold turkey, gave him some Wellbutrin, but hasn't taken any of it. I also ordered an all natural anti-depressant called ANXIUS, which does help somewhat...I am really curious to know how long it takes for the hell to be over. I feel bad for him and anyone else on the drug. The one nurse practioner at my doctor's said she has stopped prescribing it because it is too hard to get patients off of it.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Withdrawal | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.