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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Alli on February 3, 2001, at 9:40:41
In reply to quitting effexor, posted by helena on February 1, 2001, at 10:33:10
Helena ~ I'm right where you're at right now. This is Day 6 with no Effexor at all. I've been weaning myself slowly since Jan. 8th. The *diarrhea* and *overwhelming tiredness* are getting old, not to mention the occasional dizziness where it seems the floor is moving all of a sudden. I'm hoping that this isn't permanent. Every morning I wake up thinking that I will feel better, but then I find myself racing to the bathroom (as if getting up in the night isn't enough). I will read your follow-ups! Good luck! And I'm hoping some of the weight will come off too! Alli.
Posted by helena on February 3, 2001, at 18:03:51
In reply to quitting effexor, posted by helena on February 1, 2001, at 10:33:10
> > -
Hi this is Helena-thanks to all who responded-just when I think that my head and eyes are on the same page the world goes swishy again. It is worse when I am trying to work on the computer! I have already dropped some weight! that makes me happy and I am having "normal" emotions again-didn't realize how dead I was until I started coming down of this sh**. I think Id rather be depressed that go on this medication rollercoaster again. can any one tell me how long to expect these very annoying and almost dangerous (driving) withdrawl symptoms? weeks/months YEARS!!!!
Helena
Posted by Erika on February 4, 2001, at 21:07:50
In reply to Re: quitting effexor-follow up » helena, posted by helena on February 3, 2001, at 18:03:51
> > > -
> Hi this is Helena-thanks to all who responded-just when I think that my head and eyes are on the same page the world goes swishy again. It is worse when I am trying to work on the computer! I have already dropped some weight! that makes me happy and I am having "normal" emotions again-didn't realize how dead I was until I started coming down of this sh**. I think Id rather be depressed that go on this medication rollercoaster again. can any one tell me how long to expect these very annoying and almost dangerous (driving) withdrawl symptoms? weeks/months YEARS!!!!
> Helena>Helena,
I attemped withdrawl last Monday and made it until Thursday until I gave up and called a reputable psychiatrist, since my regular MD who prescribed it knew nothing about withdrawal.
This was after 4 days of the hell you are in- clicking in the ears, constant nausea, nightmares, sweating/exhaustion, dizziness. I went from 150 mg down to 75 mg for a week, then cold turkey. The psychiatrist immediately assured me that I wasn't crazy and here's the options he presented me:
-Continue to stay clean and experience side effects for up THREE MORE WEEKS< BEST CASE SCENARIO.
-Get back on at a really low dose- 37.5 mg and taper off over next three weeks.
-Take low dose of Effexor and combine w/ low dose of Prozac.
I was so exhausted and terrified at the time I went for the low dose Effexor option. I HATED doing this but at least I was able to get out of bed, eat and sleep well within 3 hours of taking it again.The only bright note is that yes, my jeans that were retired last year are kinda starting to fit again. Yahoo! But seriously, bulimia must be gentler way to lose weight than this!
Seriously friend, consider going on low dose and talking to decent psychiatrist! No one should have to go through the symptoms you are having. I might be on it again, but really think it's terribly unsafe and a cruel trick to play on the delicate soul that wants to venture out into the game again. Whoever approved this stuff at the FDA needs to be flogged!
I am seeing Psych. tomorrow and will report back on his master plan to get me off, perhaps this helps.
Regardless of what you decide, I wish you all the best.
Blessings,
Erika
Posted by JL on February 5, 2001, at 18:27:43
In reply to Re: quitting effexor-follow up, posted by Erika on February 4, 2001, at 21:07:50
Two weeks off of Effexor - an ADDICTING DRUG. I'm still "swimming" but the withdrawals are starting to be less severe. One thing for sure - I'll NEVER go on this ADDICTING drug again. The constant dizziness is living Hell. BTW, has anyone else had problems with the dizziness getting worse when you do ANY type of physical activity? I can only do very limited work, each day, before I have to call it quits due to the dizziness. A relative asked her doctor about Effexor withdrawals (because of the problems I've been having) - that doctor (in addition to what mine has told me) also said that it would take a LEAST three weeks for this Hell to stop.
Posted by Kara on February 6, 2001, at 10:39:39
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Well, after trying to get myself off of Effexor XR for only two days, i realized that it was not a great idea to get off of this med cold turkey. I missed two days of work, could not get out of bed, any movement was a shock to my head and I could not walk without support from the wall. When the third day came around, tears began to fall and I couldnt believe the feelings I was having due to the withdrawl effects so I decided to give in and take a pill. The symptoms of withdrawl subsided after 6 hours. So I have been back on this drug while seeking medical advice. I saw my med doc and she gave me the start up package for Effexor to gradually get off of it. I am now down to 75mg per day and feeling better. In four days I will be down to 35mg and my doc gave me Paxil samples to start taking while I am on that small dose. Has anyone ever been on Paxil? I have done some research and I am reading that there is withdrawl effects also with this drug and I have even read that you should NOT take Paxil with any other anti-depressants. So now I am going to my psychiatrist and informing her of what my med doctor wants me to do. I will update all of you on this tomorrow. I just want to get off of all anti-depressants and I am upset that I have to take another med to get off of Effexor. I also suffer from migraines and that is another reason why I am being put on Paxil. I also have a catscan scheduled for next Monday to see why I am getting these migraines which have gotten worse since being put on Effexor XR. I hate this and I hate myself for doing this to my body and I wish all everyone would be smart enough to do some research and think about the possible effects that anti-depressants can cause. Wish me luck and I will update you all. Please email me or post a follow up regarding the Paxil. Thanks!
Posted by Lizfromphoenix on February 6, 2001, at 13:55:54
In reply to Withdrawl from Effexor XR and now Paxil!, posted by Kara on February 6, 2001, at 10:39:39
> Please email me or post a follow up regarding the Paxil. Thanks!
*************************************************Yes, I did take Paxil (read my post Oct 20, 2000).
I found it very beneficial. I too had migraines before the Paxil. The headaches, completely subsided with the medication. Migraines and depression seem to go hand in hand, and one can bring on the other.As I mentioned in the earlier post, I was on Paxil for 5 years. I had stopped cold turkey on two occasions for pregnancies with barely noticeable side effects. Upon my final quitting of Paxil (due to side effects) I was weaned off it while i introduced Effexor XR over a period of 2 weeks. I had no negative withdrawal side effects.
I wish you luck with the Paxil, sometimes it is difficult to sleep with the paxil and I took seroquel( only 1/2 of a 25mg tablet, helped me sleep like a baby) Everybody is different, but I think you doc is right with this one for your headaches.
Posted by Tee on February 6, 2001, at 14:51:21
In reply to Re: Possible withdrawal agony scares me » riverrock, posted by SLS on July 9, 2000, at 16:06:18
My dad recently got on this and we have noticed a huge difference in his personality. He tends to want to snap at people. Is this common with some people. Please post to this board asap so that I can come back and see if anyone is experiencing family members on this that are snapping at them or maybe you are on it and may want to share experiences. I need for him to know that this may be the cause of his personality change. Thanks to all.
Posted by Fan on February 6, 2001, at 17:22:39
In reply to Withdrawl from Effexor XR and now Paxil!, posted by Kara on February 6, 2001, at 10:39:39
I've been taking Effexor for about four months now
and I believe I've been experiencing some wierd
side effects. When I stare off or maybe zone out, I often feel as if my legs are slowly floating and or moving beneath me. At other times I get a jumpy sort of tick thing going on with my legs. Has anyone else had sensations like these?
Posted by kane on February 7, 2001, at 15:00:48
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I came across a post at a message board last night that scared me, I think everyone on Effexor should read these following sites that were givin by this person.
Matt stated he had done quite a bit of research over the past few years,since his wife was prescribed Effexor with devastating conseqences on his family.He suggest the following sites and will be posting some more info in a couple days,he is getting messages daily from people who are being permanently damaged. He welcomes any e-mails also.
www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
www.breggin.com
and the e-group toxic psychiatry and drug awareness.
Posted by Bronwyn on February 7, 2001, at 15:10:41
In reply to Withdrawl from Effexor XR and now Paxil!, posted by Kara on February 6, 2001, at 10:39:39
> Well, after trying to get myself off of Effexor XR for only two days, i realized that it was not a great idea to get off of this med cold turkey. I missed two days of work, could not get out of bed, any movement was a shock to my head and I could not walk without support from the wall. When the third day came around, tears began to fall and I couldnt believe the feelings I was having due to the withdrawl effects so I decided to give in and take a pill. The symptoms of withdrawl subsided after 6 hours. So I have been back on this drug while seeking medical advice. I saw my med doc and she gave me the start up package for Effexor to gradually get off of it. I am now down to 75mg per day and feeling better. In four days I will be down to 35mg and my doc gave me Paxil samples to start taking while I am on that small dose. Has anyone ever been on Paxil? I have done some research and I am reading that there is withdrawl effects also with this drug and I have even read that you should NOT take Paxil with any other anti-depressants. So now I am going to my psychiatrist and informing her of what my med doctor wants me to do. I will update all of you on this tomorrow. I just want to get off of all anti-depressants and I am upset that I have to take another med to get off of Effexor. I also suffer from migraines and that is another reason why I am being put on Paxil. I also have a catscan scheduled for next Monday to see why I am getting these migraines which have gotten worse since being put on Effexor XR. I hate this and I hate myself for doing this to my body and I wish all everyone would be smart enough to do some research and think about the possible effects that anti-depressants can cause. Wish me luck and I will update you all. Please email me or post a follow up regarding the Paxil. Thanks!
>I have gone from Paxil to Effexor XR and had some crossover with both meds in my system. I did not have any problems with doing that.
Posted by Bronwyn on February 7, 2001, at 15:19:13
In reply to Please read Dad personality is changing Effexor XR, posted by Tee on February 6, 2001, at 14:51:21
> My dad recently got on this and we have noticed a huge difference in his personality. He tends to want to snap at people. Is this common with some people. Please post to this board asap so that I can come back and see if anyone is experiencing family members on this that are snapping at them or maybe you are on it and may want to share experiences. I need for him to know that this may be the cause of his personality change. Thanks to all.
>I was snapping at my spouse for the first month or so on Effexor. Once it is in the system snapping stops and mood swings stop. At least it did for me. Hope this helps.
Posted by Sulpicia on February 7, 2001, at 16:19:06
In reply to Permanently damaged!!!!!!!!!, posted by kane on February 7, 2001, at 15:00:48
> I came across a post at a message board last night that scared me, I think everyone on Effexor should read these following sites that were givin by this person.
> Matt stated he had done quite a bit of research over the past few years,since his wife was prescribed Effexor with devastating conseqences on his family.He suggest the following sites and will be posting some more info in a couple days,he is getting messages daily from people who are being permanently damaged. He welcomes any e-mails also.
>
>
> www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
> www.breggin.com
> and the e-group toxic psychiatry and drug awareness.Hi Kane --
I can honestly say that I am unfamiliar with the extent of Matt's research and can only extend my sympathies.
I must, however, respectfully point out that www.breggin.com IS NOT a reliable source of information on meds or psychiatry. This man is not a researcher, he does not have privileges at any hospital; he is simply an anti-psychiatry crusader.I came across him when I was researching treatment for my Attention Deficit Disorder. His articles on this disorder are untrue, unfounded, and only focus on hype and sensationalism to further his agenda of bashing accepted and well-studied treatments [in the case of ADD/HD].
I cannot comment on the other sites as I've not seen them but Breggin is NOT a legitimate source of information.
I would suggest the following strategies to Matt [which he may already have done so please don't be offended.
Go to the FDA homepage and search the adverse drug reaction data-base.
Search pubmed for all the trials of the drug in question -- trials generally have to include ALL side effects, especially if it's early on in the drug's appearance on the market.
Search pubmed for the drug per se -- it will generate a ton of stuff but you can sort thru it fairly quickly.
This will generate the sort of scientific info that will make the scientific community take notice if there is a recuring problem with this med.No educated person or member of the scientific community would take anything Breggins says as valid data. In fact, association with him will hurt Matt's cause. If there is a problem, find hard data.
Good luck,
S.
Posted by Simon P on February 7, 2001, at 17:53:59
In reply to Re: im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by RL on August 19, 2000, at 23:34:36
Hi !
I read your messages and that get me a bit scared.
I'm 17 years old and I'm a very good student.
About 95% in all courses.Last year, I had several problems in my life. I found out my "ex" was cheating me. I found out my friends were not really my friends.
My head was going at 150 mph searching to understand the life. I discover the world at 17 years somes say !
Having my head constantly thinking got me into a kind of psychological burn-out. I'm experiencing memory problems, concentration problems and fatigue.
Now, I "understand the life" and know what to take and what to let pass but, the physical effects are always there.
I sleep and sleep. I'm always tired.
I saw a psychiatre and after few weeks, he gives me Effexor XR.
I began yesterday and i'm experiencing side effects.
Now is my question: My troubles were due to a situation. Now, I'm okay in my head and I need a little help to get back on feet with my physic.
I read all of you who tried a lot of drugs. Who cannot live without drugs.If I begin to take Effexor XR to help me getting back on feet, will I be stick with it forever ? or after I will be OK, my life will continue like it was ?
I never experienced problems like that and I always had a good mood even in my depress periods. I laugh. I'm joking and talking to people. Never had black thoughts.
Short, all my life long, I was like everybody.
Thank you all,
Simon P
P.S: Sorry if my english contains some mistakes, I'm a french canadian ;)
Posted by DBW on February 7, 2001, at 18:08:23
In reply to Please read Dad personality is changing Effexor XR, posted by Tee on February 6, 2001, at 14:51:21
> My dad recently got on this and we have noticed a huge difference in his personality. He tends to want to snap at people. Is this common with some people. Please post to this board asap so that I can come back and see if anyone is experiencing family members on this that are snapping at them or maybe you are on it and may want to share experiences. I need for him to know that this may be the cause of his personality change. Thanks to all.
>In my own experience with depression, snapping at the people around me--odd as it sounds--has been a sign that the depression is lifting. I think I begin to move from having no fight in me whatsoever, to being a bit more energetic and irritable, then to becoming myself again. Your dad's personality might not be changing; he might just be getting better.
Posted by willow on February 7, 2001, at 18:35:38
In reply to Will I get back normal?, posted by Simon P on February 7, 2001, at 17:53:59
Simon
Your English is excellent! Are you in Ontario? As a teenager you would be able to receive counselling through an agency for no charge or minimal.
Have you taken any anti-depressants before?
PS From my understanding effexor is becoming the next prozac. It's probably helping a lot of people, but the ones that are needing help are looking for answers. (eg experiencing side effects)
Posted by Simon P on February 7, 2001, at 19:52:33
In reply to Re: Will I get back normal?, posted by willow on February 7, 2001, at 18:35:38
Hi,
I'm from Québec.
No, I didn't take anti-depressants before.
I didn't ever take antibiotics before. I've always been in excellent health.
Posted by willow on February 7, 2001, at 20:55:09
In reply to Will I get back normal?, posted by Simon P on February 7, 2001, at 17:53:59
Simon
My depression started when I was 15-16. I too never really experienced sad moods. Now I am having fatigue and concentration problems. The effexor has helped for them, though it took four months. Talk to your psych about your concerns and if you are not satisfied with his answers or want a second opinion ask your family doctor and a pharmascists.
Hope this helps! And no it doesn't mean that you'll need medication all your life. Oh I envy you your youth! Enjoy life!
Posted by Simon P on February 7, 2001, at 21:25:37
In reply to Re: Will I get back normal?, posted by willow on February 7, 2001, at 20:55:09
Hi,
The sources of my problems were very "situational".
Even now, I'm don't experiencing mood problems.
I'm happy. I love the life. And my problems are now gone.I take this drug to helping me getting over my body who don't seems to be able alone.
I don't have a "depress mood".
Simon P
Posted by Lynn V on February 11, 2001, at 0:19:23
In reply to Permanently damaged!!!!!!!!!, posted by kane on February 7, 2001, at 15:00:48
Has anyone heard of myalgic (fibromyalgia) starting AFTER taking Effexor? Or if you did have fibromyalgia before, did it get worse with Effexor?
Posted by willow on February 11, 2001, at 1:04:38
In reply to Re: Permanently damaged!!!!!!!!!, posted by Lynn V on February 11, 2001, at 0:19:23
"Has anyone heard of myalgic (fibromyalgia) starting AFTER taking Effexor? Or if you did have fibromyalgia before, did it get worse with Effexor?"
Effexor could make the pain worse because it disturbs sleep.
Posted by welch on February 12, 2001, at 10:35:22
In reply to Re: RE: Insomnia on Effexor., posted by leckroj on January 17, 2001, at 15:38:58
>
Does the insomnia ever go away" I am on 37 of Effexor for energy problems and for anxiety. Does Effexor help with thee problems. Is it better to take at night or am. My doc did not say when?
Posted by Alex on February 12, 2001, at 10:36:42
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> Hi there,
I'm doing so well on Effexor XR that I wonder if it is possible
to ween off. Anyone have any experience?
Posted by NMichele on February 12, 2001, at 12:56:27
In reply to Re: Anyone try to ween off of Effexor XR?, posted by Alex on February 12, 2001, at 10:36:42
> > Hi there,
> I'm doing so well on Effexor XR that I wonder if it is possible
> to ween off. Anyone have any experience?I am now beginning my 5th week coming off of effexor xr. The first three were gradual declines of the medicine. I am STILL feeling many withdraw symptoms. It is beginning to get better each day but it is not an easy process. Just be sure you are really ready when you decide to go off of Effexor XR
Posted by Shell on February 12, 2001, at 22:36:03
In reply to Re: Anyone try to ween off of Effexor XR?, posted by Alex on February 12, 2001, at 10:35:29
> > Hi there,
> I'm doing so well on Effexor XR that I wonder if it is possible
> to ween off. Anyone have any experience?If you are doing well on Effexor, why do you want to discontinue it? If it is because your depression (or whatever condition for which you are taking it) is gone, it is usually recommended that you continue on the medication for at least 6-9 months after resolution in order to prevent relapse. I would hope that you wouldn't consider weaning yourself from any antidepressant without your doctor's recommendation. If you do so too early, your depression could return.
Can you wean yourself from Effexor? Absolutely. Many here (me too!) have done so. Again, it is best done only under your doctor's guidance. Effexor is notorious for the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms most (but not all) users suffer. It is best to decrease the dosage very slowly and be prepared for symptoms which include nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Your doctor can also help you through this process by prescribing medication that will help with your transition.
I guess what I am trying to say is, yes it is possible, make sure your doctor thinks it is a good idea first, and don't do it on your own.
Shell (been there, done that)
Posted by Kathleen on February 12, 2001, at 23:40:43
In reply to Re: Permanently damaged!!!!!!!!!, posted by Lynn V on February 11, 2001, at 0:19:23
Hi willow, tried to post just after your note about effexor and pain and it did not work. Anyway, I have had biofeedback training and took elavil for 14 years. went to a psychologist and he did not help much. Of course I am depressed, I hurt all the time. I am not by nature a depressed person, just from the constant pain. Thanks for writing back. Kathleen
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