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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by kcgordon on July 27, 2005, at 18:25:53
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » wintermoon, posted by angelbean on July 16, 2005, at 2:21:37
I'm just starting on my way 'down' from 375 mg, dropped to 300 last week and this week started on 225. I've been on 375mg of Effexor for a couple of years and got to a point a few months ago where it 'quit'--my depression was yoyoing up and down and I started getting side effects like mild Tardive Dyskinsia, some skin sensitivity etc.
So far, nothing very noticeable during withdrawal--just a little aching and headache. I've had one or two shooting pains in my head. I'm looking for advice about the later stages of withdrawal. Is it recommended to go down by 37.5mg instead? Do most people experience problems and if so, are these at the lower doses? Finally has anyone ever tried acupuncture to address and minimize side effects? Thanks.
Kath
Posted by canadiangirl3 on July 28, 2005, at 12:49:38
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by maxwella on July 17, 2005, at 18:02:39
My advice to you is don't rush it. I tapered withdrawal of Effexor with Prozac. I felt pretty good once I stopped the Effexor and just continued with Prozac. Once i stopped the Prozac all those symptoms hit me again. This went on for about three months even though I was not ingesting any anti depressant. I just had to ride it out. Finally, about early July sometime, i woke up one morning and forgot I ever had any w/d symptoms. Be patient and know that in time you will be back to your old self.
D.
Posted by teradoo on August 6, 2005, at 19:55:14
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by canadiangirl3 on July 28, 2005, at 12:49:38
I read that canadiangirl3 had withdrawal for 3 months from Effexor. I am on day 35 of Cymbalta w/d (seems to be same symptoms/effects) and still having a really rough time of it. Even though the physical effects are clearing up pretty well, the mental and emotional issues are seeming to get worse. Depression, anxiety, dissociation. I can't keep from crying every day.
I am seeing an acupuncturist, a cranio-sacral therapist and my cognitive therapist that I've seen for about a year now.
Did you have these mental/emotional problems? What did you do? Thanks for any help someone can give at this point...
Tera
Posted by canadiangirl3 on August 23, 2005, at 11:34:34
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » canadiangirl3, posted by teradoo on August 6, 2005, at 19:55:14
Hi there,
I am sorry that you are having a rough time. Go easy on yourself. It will pass. I didn't have crying bouts so much as bursts of anger and looking to pick a fight with just about anyone. You might just have to hibernate for a while. I am a BIG proponent of acupuncture and cranio sacral therapy. So it seems to me that you are doing all the right things. Just don't beat yourself up about it and you will be back to your old self in time! good luck. My thoughts are with you.
Posted by pinkfiona on August 24, 2005, at 2:13:34
In reply to Just starting Effexor withdrawal--advice?, posted by kcgordon on July 27, 2005, at 18:25:53
Withdraw SLOWLY. as slow as you can. SLS (Scott) has some good advice on withdrawal. I came off Effexor a few years ago and I had to take 2 weeks off work with dizziness and all sorts. This was on top of two weeks off for depression and one week for flu. i didn't keep the job for much longer. be careful. When I withdrew i only tapered for a week because that was the only advice I was given. Take your time. Best of luck. I've just finished withdrawal from Zispin (Remeron) and it was horrible. give yourself a little space to feel bad for a while. These drugs affect our very beings and they are not aspirin!
Posted by ed_uk on August 24, 2005, at 13:53:50
In reply to Re: Just starting Effexor withdrawal--advice?, posted by pinkfiona on August 24, 2005, at 2:13:34
Zispin..... me thinks you live in the UK ;-)
~Ed
Posted by badfish37 on September 17, 2005, at 15:58:52
In reply to Effexor and Tiredness?, posted by Ezra666 on September 11, 2005, at 22:41:52
I have been trying to get off Effoxor for 4 days, which was directed by my doctor. I went off of it gradually and now I feel like a crack addict missing my drug. I have been having these hollow headaches that I'v had before when I forgot to take my med, I have been throwing up and I have panic attacks. I'm freaking out and they seem to get worse everyday. I cant call my doc cause its Saturday and hes not in till Monday, but I cant handle these side effects anymore. I dont know what to do about it, if anyone has any feedback let me know, cause I seriously am thinking about taking them just to ease the pain and I know I shouldnt.
Posted by wildcard on September 17, 2005, at 15:58:55
In reply to cant get off this effexor!!!, posted by badfish37 on September 17, 2005, at 3:41:22
i was VERY fortunate when i quit effexor cold, i had no s/e but i do know some babblers have had to take a dose of effexor while tapering off b/c the s/e were so severe. if ur doc does not have an after hour #, i see no harm in taking the minimum dosage of effexor to help the w/d u are having UNLESS ur doc wants u to discontinue the med. for a serious health reason. that is only my opinion and i am not by any means a doc.. hope u feel better soon and if u google effexor, u will find some threads where people have had the same w/d as u are. take care
Posted by Nervous Rob on September 17, 2005, at 19:32:58
In reply to cant get off this effexor!!!, posted by badfish37 on September 17, 2005, at 3:41:22
> I have been trying to get off Effoxor for 4 days, which was directed by my doctor. I went off of it gradually and now I feel like a crack addict missing my drug. I have been having these hollow headaches that I'v had before when I forgot to take my med, I have been throwing up and I have panic attacks. I'm freaking out and they seem to get worse everyday. I cant call my doc cause its Saturday and hes not in till Monday, but I cant handle these side effects anymore. I dont know what to do about it, if anyone has any feedback let me know, cause I seriously am thinking about taking them just to ease the pain and I know I shouldnt.
When I was having withdrawal from Cymbalta, my doc told me to empty a half of a capsule in some orange juice and take some that way. I did that for two days and the side effects were eliminated.
The most important thing you should do is call your doc on an emergency. That's why they get the big bucks. Your doctors don't want you to suffer and will tell you better than anyone here how to deal with it since they know your background and history. If you can't get your doc on the phone and your symptoms are getting worse, call any doctor you go to and ask for help. Someone will help you. Good luck.
Posted by graceneeded on September 18, 2005, at 7:08:06
In reply to Re: cant get off this effexor!!!, posted by Nervous Rob on September 17, 2005, at 19:32:58
Had the same promlem. Take some less drowsey Dramaphine and one Benedryl and most of the seasickness and hangover stuff will leave. Tapper off the Effexor till every other day for about a week at 34mg. If you get real sick take another Effexor. You are comming off too fast. I did the samething at first then my doctor listened to me and am coming off much better now. 4 more days till Effexor free. Its a good med with bad side affects and worse withdrawels. Danny
Posted by youdontouchme on September 22, 2005, at 10:01:12
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by bruin on February 21, 2005, at 21:21:44
I am so glad I found this site. I have been searching on line for info on effexor since I started taking it. I am "Effexor Free" for 6days now. I tapered off by myself because my psych and my therapist would not supprt me in stopping this med. IT WAS AWFUL! I would rather spend the rest of my life sobbing than feel like I did on that drug. This site has helped me SO MUCH! Thank you all for sharing your stories!!
Posted by graceneeded on September 23, 2005, at 18:15:00
In reply to had to up the dose after withdrawal, posted by HelenR on September 21, 2005, at 20:54:00
i AM OFF AFTER BEING ON IT FOR FOUR YEARS. WILL THE WITHDRAWAL SIDE AFFECTS EVER STOP. STILL FEELING SEA SICK AND CAN HEAR MY EYES MOVE. i WENT FROM 225 TO 0 IN 5 WEEKS. I WILL BE GLAD WHEN THE WITHDRAWEL AFFECTS LEAVE SO I CAN SEE HOW I AM REALLY DOING WITH OUT MEDS!
Posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 17:59:07
In reply to had to up the dose after withdrawal, posted by HelenR on September 21, 2005, at 20:51:23
I have been on Effexor XR 150 mg's for around 8 years for anxiety/depression. I must say that Effexor saved my life, and its a good drug compared to others I have tried. But I will also say it IS A DRUG. And getting off of it was hard. Ive been off of it for around 3 weeks now. I tapered off over 2 weeks, and the hardest part was the first week on zero. HOWEVER, it is do-able. Everyone is different, and will detox differently. I did want to take more, even considered licking the pills, when it got bad. But I didnt, and it worked. The side effects are gone! There is a lot of advice and specifics that Id love to share if anyone wants it. Oh, and I am not fixed, or cured. I am starting the process of seeking help. Anxiety is a son of a b*tch, and it haunts me still.
Posted by graceneeded on September 24, 2005, at 17:59:09
In reply to Actually seems to be working, posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 1:54:35
I have been effexor free since Monday. Please share your experience. I still have the buzzing and seasickness. I feel drugged, dull and hard to concentrate. Am looking forward to see if all the stuff I have learned over the past 15 years really works without meds. You are so right about it being a process. The good part is we are trying and walking out the process. Keep in touch.
Danny
Posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 17:59:10
In reply to Re: Actually seems to be working, posted by graceneeded on September 24, 2005, at 6:43:49
I think the worst part for me was the neausea. It lasted for about 2 weeks. The brain zapps slowly left, around 2 weeks off. I took a lot of hot baths, drank a lot of gatorade and hot vegetable broth. Eating seemed to make me sick, so the broth really helped. Eat bland foods, but healthy. I kept a journal of my symptoms. It helped me to try and look at it like a science project. And I took benedryl/tylenol pm at night. You could take dramamine, too for the seasickness. I took that a few times. You have to try and not be worried about taking other meds. For whatever reasons, I didnt want to take other stuff. But I did, and it helped. And dont be under the assumption that your problems are gone. They probably arent. We just have to try and be strong enough now to overcome them. So for the first week-2 off meds, dont go to work, or schedule anything. Lay around, watch movies, let yourself recover. I got really emotional, too! I cried at every movie I watched, even 'The Rescuers Down Under'! Id say the physical detox is pretty much done, though I am still experiencing period problems, sour stomaches, and insomnia. But all the major stuff is gone, and the 5th of this month is my first clean day. The stuff is just like hard drugs. The detox is similar to heroin, at least it was for me.
Posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 17:59:12
In reply to Re: Actually seems to be working, posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 16:38:43
oh, and the hardest part for me was after I was on zero effexor. So dont be too worried if it gets harder. It WILL pass...
Posted by wildcard on September 24, 2005, at 17:59:13
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor, posted by TinMan on September 24, 2005, at 7:50:18
>Wellbutrin caused my heart to beat very fast when i took it alone a couple years back. I had increased energy and a sex drive that wldn't stop(which is why i have a 9 month old..lol). Effexor has *helped* the depression to where the *bad* thoughts are gone but i have NO energy so i am going to ask my Pdoc about combining the two. U take care ; )
Posted by wildcard on September 24, 2005, at 17:59:14
In reply to Re: Actually seems to be working, posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 16:40:50
> i quit 225mg of effexor xr cold(NOT RECOMMENDED) and had NO withdrawal or s/effects??? I did good for about 45 days and once again, crashed and burned. I am now on 300mg a day but am going to ask my Pdoc about the effexor/wellbutrin combo. I am so sorry to hear the hell u all are going through coming off this med.. (((((hugs)))) I truly hope u feel relief soon.
Posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 17:59:16
In reply to I dont know why but, posted by wildcard on September 24, 2005, at 17:06:23
You are very lucky to not have had any of the withdrawls! But I do believe it is mind over matter, and I wouldnt be shocked to find out I made myself sick. One thing that really supports that idea was that if I didnt take Effexor at the same time daily, like within a 1/2 hour, I started to feel the brain zapps, and other things. Whereas my best friend could forget a dose and never know the difference! That always amazed me. What is/was it like with you? Do you take it at the same time?
Posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 17:59:17
In reply to Actually seems to be working, posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 1:54:35
check out this comic:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php?date=2005-09-07&res=l
Posted by wildcard on September 25, 2005, at 2:10:38
In reply to Re: I dont know why but, posted by rory on September 24, 2005, at 17:46:11
Hey! I am one of the MOST stubborn people and truly thought i could go w/o AD's w/ the mind over matter theory but like i mentioned, hit bottom after 45 days. :~{ I do not feel any different at all regardless when i take the Effexor XR. I cld. take it in the evening and still sleep just fine. I take 225mg between 10:30am and 1pm and nap w/ my baby for two hours(after a pot of coffee also). When we wake up i take the other 75mg. I do however know that my sister in laws entire immediate family take effexor and if not taken at a certain time, they act completely out of character(this is what she has told me). I have never had s/e to meds., so i am grateful w/ all i have read. Be glad to help in any way i can ; )
Posted by SLS on September 25, 2005, at 8:52:50
In reply to I dont know why but, posted by wildcard on September 24, 2005, at 17:06:23
> > i quit 225mg of effexor xr cold(NOT RECOMMENDED) and had NO withdrawal or s/effects??? I did good for about 45 days and once again, crashed and burned. I am now on 300mg a day but am going to ask my Pdoc about the effexor/wellbutrin combo.
I know a few people whom profit greatly from this combination. I wish you luck.
- Scott
Posted by youdontouchme on September 26, 2005, at 10:51:17
In reply to OFF EFFEXOR AS OF LAST MONDAY, posted by graceneeded on September 23, 2005, at 12:37:38
I love this list! Your stories and comments are helping me SO MUCH! Today is my 10th day "Effexor free" and I feel HORRIBLE!! I tapered off slowly (over 6 weeks) and I feel WORSE now that I did 2 weeks a ago. I saw my psych on Friday, I confeesed to her that i had done this against her advice. She was actually very nice about it and warned me that I could still "Deep6" and advised me that I might try another kind of drug. I said "NO WAY, I would rather live my life a sobbing mess than eve feel like this again!" She thenn suggested that I remain in active therapy as often as possible.
Thank you all for sharing!!
Posted by rory on September 27, 2005, at 15:10:22
In reply to Re: OFF EFFEXOR AS OF LAST MONDAY, posted by youdontouchme on September 26, 2005, at 10:51:17
What are you feeling exactly? Is it the withdrawls or the 'root' of the problem that made you get on the meds? Maybe I can help?
Posted by youdontouchme on September 27, 2005, at 17:54:32
In reply to Re: OFF EFFEXOR AS OF LAST MONDAY, posted by rory on September 27, 2005, at 15:10:22
> What are you feeling exactly? Is it the withdrawls or the 'root' of the problem that made you get on the meds? Maybe I can help?
It is the physical symptoms that are bothering me the most. A horrible headach is the worst of it. I sem to be over the dizziness, nightmares, wierd sleep and sobbing or raging. I am depressed again, but I would rather be depressed than deal with ever going off meds again!! I DO feel a sense of success and victory at getting this far.
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