![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KellBell on August 22, 2005, at 21:50:57
In reply to Horrible Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Iceofire on April 10, 2003, at 12:27:56
> I have been slowly getting off Effexor for about a month. I started getting withdrawal symptoms the other day. They're horrible! I feel like i have all of the symptoms of a fever without a fever. I have chills, nightsweats, shakes, nausea, dizziness, bodyaches... I also fell into a deep sleep yesterday. I couldnt wake up for the longest time. These symptoms are driving me crazy. I can't wait till they end.
I have been going off Effexor for almost 3 weeks with the same symptoms. I thought I had the flu the other day they were so bad and I am tired all the time now. does anyone know how long they are supposed to last? I am slowly tapering but I dont want to have to deal with this the next 5-6 weeks.
Posted by Jiggitykid on August 22, 2005, at 21:50:57
In reply to Re: Horrible Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by KellBell on August 21, 2005, at 15:39:09
I hate to tell you, but you're in it for a while. I've been effexor-free for nearly two glorious years :-), but it took weeks for me to feel anything near normal. The WORST symptoms, like the flu-like symptoms, were over in two to three weeks, but it was a couple of months before I felt my "real" self coming back. My vision never cleared up. I don't want to be a downer for you, but you need to know that this is normal for withdrawal, that you aren't crazy and most likely aren't sick. Of course, you could have the flu, but odds are it is the effexor. Your doctor probably won't know or won't tell you - most folks here got little or no help from physicians because most physicians were/are unaware of the withdrawal and others deny that it exists. My best advice to you is to read through the archives here (go back several years - there is a TON of info). You'll see how people who went through this before you were able to cope.
Please send any "important" people to this site, too, to have them read and understand what you are going through. You are going to need patience for a while, and they need to know that you are going to be like this for a while. Give yourself time. That's what it takes. I'll be praying for you!!
BTW, I went cold-turkey. Worked best for me with my personality. Tapering would never have worked. It seemed to stretch out the symptoms. However, I DO NOT endorse it, as it can cause quite a shock to your system. Some folks have taken a low dose of prozac, to ease the withdrawal symptoms, too.
> I have been going off Effexor for almost 3 weeks with the same symptoms. I thought I had the flu the other day they were so bad and I am tired all the time now. does anyone know how long they are supposed to last? I am slowly tapering but I dont want to have to deal with this the next 5-6 weeks.
>
>
Posted by willyee on August 22, 2005, at 21:50:58
In reply to Re: Horrible Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by KellBell on August 21, 2005, at 15:39:09
Effexor was my first drug ive ever taken in my life,ever at the age of 18.All i was told was it would make me feel better.When it caused problems my doc told me over the phone to just stop it cold and wait till our next visit in 2 weeks.
Well u can imagine what happened,i dident know about drug withdrawals and i went quite mad,first it was mania i rember ripping pages out of a magazine to qwell this hoorable energy,then it was horrable depression where i held a knife to my neck,and i NEVER to this day had sucidal thoughts,that was not me that day holding the knife it was someone else.
Last i became flat line,brain dead,i felt like my mind was a dark cold grey sheet of paper,i literaly thought i was brain dead.
I honestly contribute some permanent damage i FEEL i have due to effexor.I cant prove it of course but i just have this tinkling.
How at 18 not knowing what was happening to me i made it,well i dont know.But i did.
I dont say this to scare anyone,but i think this is a very very serious medication and the W.D need to be addressed i mean there is a consistent thread on this topic i wish someone had the power to do something here,DR Bob??
Posted by psi-chick on August 22, 2005, at 21:50:58
In reply to Re: Horrible Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by willyee on August 22, 2005, at 2:03:52
Yes, there are many withdrawal symptoms but I promise they don't last forever. I slowly weened myself, cutting dosage by half, and then opening capsules and taking grains at a time - over a two month period. Do not recommend cold turkey!
My therapist told me that Effexor has a half-life - meaning it takes awhile for it to get out of your system, and the withdrawal is delayed.
I have now been Effexor free for five months, and feel much better off of it than I did on (five years).
Nutrition is important. I've discovered what a huge role sugar has in my depression and anger. I've been doing a wellness/nutritional program that has made a HUGE difference for me, and helped me drop 20 pounds of the 40 I put on while on Effexor. (I'd be happy to share about this off this list).
Heartfelt blessings- Julia
Posted by canadiangirl3 on August 23, 2005, at 11:52:22
In reply to Re: Horrible Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by psi-chick on August 22, 2005, at 14:15:49
Hey Psi-chick, (great handle by the way)
I've been Effexor free since June and I've never looked back. Have had a great summer and am feeling good. I also put on 30 pounds (very quickly) on the drug and have developed plantar faciitis ( a very painful foot condition) as a result of taking up running to lose the weight. I'm having a tough time even losing one pound. Feels like Effexor messed with my metabolism. Can you share some of what you've done to drop 20. Congrats on that! What program are you following?
Once I get back to my original weight, i really will be back to my "old" self!
d.
This is the end of the 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.