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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Janie on March 24, 2001, at 19:29:09
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by Pamela on March 24, 2001, at 18:20:46
>
> Dear Dr. Bob,
> You are absolutely correct and I apologize, once again yet another side effect popping out. ANGER and AGRESSION. I am very grateful for your site
> and I will not respond to a Janie or anyone else in this fashion again. It's really my style anyway.
> Thanks for the scolding and thanks to Leo as well.
> Sincerely,
> Pamela
__________With all due respect to Dr. Bob and Pamela,
I also agree that things did get a BIT out of hand. I fell onto this site by accident one day while doing some research on Effexor. It appeared to be an interesting discussion of the drug, and I had the initial impression that posters were not emotionally skewed, either pro or con toward its usage. Some things in life we learn the hard way.I was placed on Effexor in June of 2000 secondary to "hitting the wall' after spending 10 years in one of America's most violent and busy emergency rooms, working behind metal detectors and beside armed security guards. My problem was not depression, but anxiety resulting from day-after-day attempts to care for as many as 120-130 patients simultaneouly with nursing shortages and life and death on the line about every 45 minutes. I do believe I live in the real world; the real world is my problem.
I have made a sincere effort in my posts to clarify my position on Effexor usage and withdrawal, the patient's right to refuse further treatment secondary to adverse side effects, as well as the patient's responsibility to take charge of his/her life. Hopefully, some of my remarks have been useful and informative.
And now for an evening of J.S. Bach...the greatest Elixir of all.
PEACE and Be Well
Janie
Posted by Justineb on March 24, 2001, at 19:57:42
In reply to 7 WEEKS--EFFEXOR FREE, posted by Leo on March 19, 2001, at 18:06:54
I've been on Effexor (75mg) for about a year and until the medication stopped working two months ago, I was very happy with it. I have previously taken Lithium, Paxil, and Zoloft on a daily basis as well as Clonapin and Trazadone on an as needed basis. I have NEVER experienced the horrifying withdrawel symptoms I experienced trying to get off Effexor when I stopped any of the before mentioned drugs (even Paxil, notoriously hard to get off of didn't affect me the way Effexor did).
Blackouts, siezure, brain-buzzing and headache, slurred speech, inability to concentrate. After four days of this my psych put me back on the Effexor at a half dose and I have been weaning down by the incredibly slow method of succesively reducing my intake of the medication by one granule per day. In the mean time, I am so stressed out that I have hives! and am fearful of taking any other medication. I can't believe that some folks are taking up to 300mg. I keep thinking - how in the hell are they going to get off of it?
Posted by Justineb on March 24, 2001, at 20:11:40
In reply to McGuyver - A Breath of Fresh Air, posted by Cam W. on March 23, 2001, at 8:45:15
Dear Friend,
Effexor is awesome while it works. I took 75mg for a year before it lost its effectiveness and it was the best damn year of my life. It's been common for me to have to change anti-d's about every other year or so. I seem to build some kind of tolerance and upping the dose only brings out massive side effects in me (I'm pretty drug-sensitive I guess). There were no complaints from my corner about being on the drug, it was getting off of the drug that was loony. I was (underline, italicize, exclamation) Strung Out! My psych was completely flabbergasted. She had no idea that Effexor could produce withdrawl symptoms that bad. If she had known (ie; if the company that makes this drug had told her) she could have spared me a lot of pain. She would never have taken a patient on benzodiazapenes off of their meds cold turkey. Effexor withdrawl is so similair to benzodiazopene (controlled substance) withdrawl in some people that doctors and patients really need to be informed before they make the decision to take the drug. I know I would have thought twice about it.
Posted by Sammy Shuford on March 24, 2001, at 22:17:10
In reply to Re: 7 WEEKS--EFFEXOR FREE, posted by Justineb on March 24, 2001, at 19:57:42
I am now 1 week free, dropped from 150mg to ZERO. Major headaches, vertigo, sinus type problems, and a little hot headed. All signs that I NEED to be free of this drug. No real depression. My depression stopped after my blood sugar dropped from 300mg/dl to normal 85-90. But the "good" doc insisted that we increase, it s good stuff.
Ha
Posted by Sammy Shuford on March 24, 2001, at 22:33:34
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by jeanette on April 14, 2000, at 6:58:11
For the past year or so, I have had many of the side effects of Effexxor (withdrawel) while exercising (weight training and cycling). Is this common? What about bleeding sinus problems?
Thanks, and fell free to email me!
Posted by willow on March 25, 2001, at 10:29:16
In reply to Re: Effexor for Life! Cam? » willow, posted by Cam W. on March 24, 2001, at 15:05:41
"There is a risk of poop-out, but I doubt that it is as common as with the SSRIs."
Will upping the dose counter-act this?
Posted by Cam W. on March 25, 2001, at 12:38:49
In reply to Poop-out -Cam?, posted by willow on March 25, 2001, at 10:29:16
> "There is a risk of poop-out, but I doubt that it is as common as with the SSRIs."
>
> Will upping the dose counter-act this?Willow - Usually upping the dose can counter Effexor poop-out. You don't see poop-out with Effexor, that often, but because you get more antidepressant effect as you increase the dose of Effexor (unlike SSRIs whose effect eventually plateaus). An increase in dose probably can be done, before a change in med. - Cam
Posted by willow on March 25, 2001, at 12:43:13
In reply to Re: Real or Mindset - Janie, posted by Pamela on March 24, 2001, at 13:22:17
"How can you be psychosomatic if you have no idea what the side effects are."
I'm no doctor but have done some reading on this topic because literally this is my diagnosis. From what you are describing I think it is more along the lines of having hypochondriatic symptoms. eg. Excessive worrying that one may have an illness. What I think some of the people may be having with the withdrawal from effexor are symptoms of somatisation, which is internalising their emotions. Everyone does this. eg. When nervous palms begin to sweat.
"I went to the emergency room thinking I was dying.... the second day off of Effexor."
You were probably experiencing anxiety and often anxiety is an emotion accompanied by physical symptoms. eg. pounding heart and/or nervous stomache As I said earlier, I have a somatisation disorder and the symptoms people are describing match what I have lived with for the past five years.
"I had no idea it was that and had no idea what the "STATED" side effects were."
The physcial symptoms are not imagined but worsened or heightened with emotional stress. And these physcical symptoms that are affected by emotions are the same for all people, thus the stated side effects. You may want to read about "generalized anxiety disorder."
I hope this is understandable.
Whispering Willow
Posted by willow on March 25, 2001, at 12:50:03
In reply to A Very Interesting Forum................, posted by Leo on March 24, 2001, at 16:27:24
Leo
Very well put!
thanks for taking the time ...
Willow
Posted by Pamela on March 25, 2001, at 17:47:59
In reply to Re: 7 WEEKS--EFFEXOR FREE, posted by Sammy Shuford on March 24, 2001, at 22:17:10
> I am now 1 week free, dropped from 150mg to ZERO. Major headaches, vertigo, sinus type problems, and a little hot headed. All signs that I NEED to be free of this drug. No real depression. My depression stopped after my blood sugar dropped from 300mg/dl to normal 85-90. But the "good" doc insisted that we increase, it s good stuff.
>
> HaDear Sammy,
I don't knowh ow youa e doing it going from 150mg to zero. I went from 75 mg to 37.5 then to alf that and half that etc. When I finally went completely off, all of the symtoms you describe (except the sinus) plus dizziness (severe) and pain (incredible). I wish you well and I totally agree, read my Back to the Urgent Care thread if you're interested in our wonderful doctors. If you get too bad I would suggest going at least to 37.5 for awhile, I found keeping at least a little bit in my system for a short period of time, helps. I know i wanted to quit cold turkey too, thinking the weaning was about depression coming back, Yeah I am drepressed allright..... because I feel physically terrile.
Prayers are with you,
Pamela
Posted by Pamela on March 25, 2001, at 17:48:17
In reply to Re: 7 WEEKS--EFFEXOR FREE, posted by Sammy Shuford on March 24, 2001, at 22:17:10
> I am now 1 week free, dropped from 150mg to ZERO. Major headaches, vertigo, sinus type problems, and a little hot headed. All signs that I NEED to be free of this drug. No real depression. My depression stopped after my blood sugar dropped from 300mg/dl to normal 85-90. But the "good" doc insisted that we increase, it s good stuff.
>
> HaDear Sammy,
I don't knowh ow youa e doing it going from 150mg to zero. I went from 75 mg to 37.5 then to alf that and half that etc. When I finally went completely off, all of the symtoms you describe (except the sinus) plus dizziness (severe) and pain (incredible). I wish you well and I totally agree, read my Back to the Urgent Care thread if you're interested in our wonderful doctors. If you get too bad I would suggest going at least to 37.5 for awhile, I found keeping at least a little bit in my system for a short period of time, helps. I know i wanted to quit cold turkey too, thinking the weaning was about depression coming back, Yeah I am drepressed allright..... because I feel physically terrile.
Prayers are with you,
Pamela
Posted by Pamela on March 25, 2001, at 17:52:13
In reply to Re: 7 WEEKS--EFFEXOR FREE, posted by Sammy Shuford on March 24, 2001, at 22:17:10
> I am now 1 week free, dropped from 150mg to ZERO. Major headaches, vertigo, sinus type problems, and a little hot headed. All signs that I NEED to be free of this drug. No real depression. My depression stopped after my blood sugar dropped from 300mg/dl to normal 85-90. But the "good" doc insisted that we increase, it s good stuff.
>
> HaDear Sammy,
I don't knowh ow youa e doing it going from 150mg to zero. I went from 75 mg to 37.5 then to alf that and half that etc. When I finally went completely off, all of the symtoms you describe (except the sinus) plus dizziness (severe) and pain (incredible). I wish you well and I totally agree, read my Back to the Urgent Care thread if you're interested in our wonderful doctors. If you get too bad I would suggest going at least to 37.5 for awhile, I found keeping at least a little bit in my system for a short period of time, helps. I know I wanted to quit cold turkey too, thinking the weaning was about depression coming back, Yeah.. I am drepressed allright..... because I feel physically terrible.
Prayers are with you,
Pamela
Posted by Seraphim on March 25, 2001, at 21:20:48
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Pamela,
Please tell me more, and update me on your progress. I've gone from 300mg - 150mg in two weeks. I'm having a very hard time maintaining. I too thank God I found this site. I decided to get the Effexor out of my system after a few nightmare days of unintentional withdrawal. I'm trying to work, continue to be Mom and Wife, and maintain some semblance of normalcy. I've never been so sick and tired, I am living in a constant state of discomfort, nausea and abdominal pain. I know many out there have spoken of taking other medications to help counteract the symptoms of this one, but I'm having a real hard time trying to justify putting more drugs into my system and having to think about the potential side effects and withdrawal symptoms from the new ones. It does help to hear that I'm not alone. No one else in my life understands what I'm going through, and to tell you the truth, I'd rather they not. Probably a little pride speaking there. Anyway, I would like to hear more from you. Thanks.
Seraphim
Posted by willow on March 25, 2001, at 21:22:24
In reply to Re: Poop-out -Cam? » willow, posted by Cam W. on March 25, 2001, at 12:38:49
> > "There is a risk of poop-out, but I doubt that it is as common as with the SSRIs."
> >
> > Will upping the dose counter-act this?
>
> Willow - Usually upping the dose can counter Effexor poop-out. You don't see poop-out with Effexor, that often, but because you get more antidepressant effect as you increase the dose of Effexor (unlike SSRIs whose effect eventually plateaus). An increase in dose probably can be done, before a change in med. - Cam
Posted by kckboxgrl on March 25, 2001, at 23:15:03
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi everyone! Just starting effexor xr, 37.5 mg. Up to 75 next week. I've read some really horrible things about side effects and withdrawl, has anyone had positive results? Also, since starting the effexor, i've had a headache (of migraine proportions) every morning--does anyone know if this is a side effect?
Thanks for any help!
Lisa
Posted by noodlesinstrudle on March 26, 2001, at 1:50:42
In reply to Re: 7 WEEKS--EFFEXOR FREE, posted by Pamela on March 25, 2001, at 17:52:13
i just stopped effexor after a yr and a half stint with paxil and effexor. my god. i feel like i have lost my mind. its only been three weeks and i am speaking highly about this "comin back to reality", but my iq seems to have been slaughtered. i was premed, but now i have the worst time studying. cant concentrate. but on the flip side i nearly through a party when my bowels were finally consistent for once in a while. aside from that, i get those brain freezes, and i shake out of nowhere. before i quit effexor 300 ml, i would sweat at 72f for no reason. and i thought i was crazy because my doc's (plural) didnt believe me of my symptoms. and then i found this forum. im not alone. its so wonderful to see im not alone. (but all of you i wish never went through this horrible painstaking experience). i cant wait for my brain to be able to do simple division. i predict 10 weeks with added exercise, but who the hell knows.
Posted by vanroni on March 26, 2001, at 7:06:27
In reply to Re: beginning to wean hopefully losing weight » goofy, posted by cjf on March 22, 2001, at 20:47:24
> > The way I was able to do it was as follows: I was on 75.mg for 1 yr. when I decided to quit because of the side effects. I went to 37.5 for 10 days. 18.75 for 5 days, 9.375 for 5 days. 4.68 for 5 days, then i went off the drug. It has been 12 days and I feel great. I opened the capsules and divided the contents as previously suggested by some of these posts. I want to thank you all because IAM NOW EFFEXOR FREE and I did not have to go to another drug to help withdrawl from this horrible drug.
> > goofy
>
> >goofy
> i'm glad to hear how it worked for you- very encouraging.... i've been on 37.5xr for 5 days now & feel soo good.... a few side effects the first couple of days but not too bad... i'm going to try to 18.75 as you had done today & see what happens... i just want it out of me!
V-
Posted by Seraphim on March 26, 2001, at 9:24:29
In reply to effexor side effects/withdrawl, posted by kckboxgrl on March 25, 2001, at 23:15:03
Lisa,
I too had daily headaches, starting the meds and now getting off. I had occasional migraines previous to the medication, though. My doctor prescribed Midrin, which helped a little. Other migraine meds can raise your blood pressure, which I had started having trouble with. The daily headaches went away after a few weeks. Effexor did help me for a while, although I had to keep upping the dose. If you read these postings, then I hope you will be very careful with Effexor. Good luck.
> Hi everyone! Just starting effexor xr, 37.5 mg. Up to 75 next week. I've read some really horrible things about side effects and withdrawl, has anyone had positive results? Also, since starting the effexor, i've had a headache (of migraine proportions) every morning--does anyone know if this is a side effect?
> Thanks for any help!
> Lisa
Posted by Seraphim on March 26, 2001, at 9:39:27
In reply to ihavefoundsanity, posted by noodlesinstrudle on March 26, 2001, at 1:50:42
I'm coming off 300mg, also. The sweating at cool temps. has been terribly embarassing at times. Sweating through a meeting is the worst. I'm down to 150mg and have been experiencing itchiness, which is starting to drive me crazy. Suddenly I will feel itchy all over, and I'll start looking for ants or mosquitoes, but of course it's just me. Itching and sweating is not doing great things for my career. Did you experience this also? I'm praying it will go away soon. My concentration has been shot. Please update me, I'm hoping for the best for you, and all of us.
> i just stopped effexor after a yr and a half stint with paxil and effexor. my god. i feel like i have lost my mind. its only been three weeks and i am speaking highly about this "comin back to reality", but my iq seems to have been slaughtered. i was premed, but now i have the worst time studying. cant concentrate. but on the flip side i nearly through a party when my bowels were finally consistent for once in a while. aside from that, i get those brain freezes, and i shake out of nowhere. before i quit effexor 300 ml, i would sweat at 72f for no reason. and i thought i was crazy because my doc's (plural) didnt believe me of my symptoms. and then i found this forum. im not alone. its so wonderful to see im not alone. (but all of you i wish never went through this horrible painstaking experience). i cant wait for my brain to be able to do simple division. i predict 10 weeks with added exercise, but who the hell knows.
Posted by Seraphim on March 26, 2001, at 10:00:30
In reply to A Very Interesting Forum................, posted by Leo on March 24, 2001, at 16:27:24
Leo,
Thank you. I agree wholeheartedly.
I am hoping I can somehow get the information you have compiled. Things just keep getting worse and the wear and tear is really starting to show. I'd like to present the information I have come across, my horrid experiences, and the material you have gathered to my doctors and also to my husband. He has only the vaguest notion of what I have been going through. The worst of all of this is having those closest to me, and my doctors (family physician and psychiatrist) pretty much dismiss the symptoms and ailments I have been presenting. My family physician kept telling me I must have some recurring, resistant flu-like virus. My psychiatrist just nods his head, takes notes and sends me on my way. I'm not a hypochondriac and never have been. I used to be the picture of health. I look at pictures from three years ago and cry for the person I have lost. I'm hoping if I can present proof of some type, it will help. Anything would be appreciated at this point. Thanks.
Posted by Pamela on March 26, 2001, at 11:54:22
In reply to Re: Effexor Free--Pamela, posted by Seraphim on March 25, 2001, at 21:20:48
> Pamela,
>
> Please tell me more, and update me on your progress. I've gone from 300mg - 150mg in two weeks. I'm having a very hard time maintaining. I too thank God I found this site. I decided to get the Effexor out of my system after a few nightmare days of unintentional withdrawal. I'm trying to work, continue to be Mom and Wife, and maintain some semblance of normalcy. I've never been so sick and tired, I am living in a constant state of discomfort, nausea and abdominal pain. I know many out there have spoken of taking other medications to help counteract the symptoms of this one, but I'm having a real hard time trying to justify putting more drugs into my system and having to think about the potential side effects and withdrawal symptoms from the new ones. It does help to hear that I'm not alone. No one else in my life understands what I'm going through, and to tell you the truth, I'd rather they not. Probably a little pride speaking there. Anyway, I would like to hear more from you. Thanks.
>
> SeraphimHi Seraphim,
Well I ended up in ER yesrerday morning again, day six. they kept me for 3 1/2 hours, ran every test in the world and then said I had an inner ear infection. YEAH RIGHT!!! Oh and the pain, headaches abdominal pain, shortness of breath is a virus.
It just happend to start the day after I stopped taking the Effexor. I haven't been sick in years. I have always been a health nut until the depression. Though it was circumstantial and did not last long, I am afraid it might come back along with the withdrawals. I hate this!
I would give anything for "doctors" to come into the new age of people knowing alot more about their bodies than in the old days. Let go of their God complex and listen to the patient.
I left the ER telling the doctor that I am absolutely convinced it is the Effexor. I then said what if I still have these symptoms in a week, He said you won't, it will all be out of your body by then. Boy would I love to believe that, so I will for now. Positive thinking !
I will keep you posted and plese don't hesitate to e-mail me if you need to talk. [email protected]
God Bless, I'll keep you in my prayers.
Pamela
Posted by McGuyver on March 26, 2001, at 11:54:40
In reply to effexor side effects/withdrawl, posted by kckboxgrl on March 25, 2001, at 23:15:03
Ignore all the horrible stories and make up your own mind. I wish you luck. Check out some of these posts but as I said, take it with a grain of salt. I wrote one about the side effects I first had, and the use of caffine a while ago. P/L check it out, it could be your use of it. Yes, I did have side effects, not as bad as it seems. Again, I wish you luck. And to whomsever else, (Blazer, Noddie, etc..), how do we start a new post for people like us?
McGuyver
> Hi everyone! Just starting effexor xr, 37.5 mg. Up to 75 next week. I've read some really horrible things about side effects and withdrawl, has anyone had positive results? Also, since starting the effexor, i've had a headache (of migraine proportions) every morning--does anyone know if this is a side effect?
> Thanks for any help!
> Lisa
Posted by Leo on March 26, 2001, at 12:02:46
In reply to Re: A Very Interesting Forum................ » Leo, posted by Seraphim on March 26, 2001, at 10:00:30
I will post all that I have compiled up to this point when I get a chance. I think we will all find it very interesting as well as enlightening.
Be reassured that you are not going crazy. Try not to deal with the past. Going back only keeps you from going forward. Assess where you are now and focus on getting better. Eat right and start getting some exercise. Excercising is going to be the tough part. I printed out quite a few of the posts, as they related to me, and let those around me that didn't understand why I was "acting" the way I was, read them. It helped them to understand what I was experincing. In the meantime, drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. This will help you to void the drug from your body. When the withdrawal becomes incapacitating, lay down if you can. This is the hard part, but laying as still as you can helps to lesson the effects of the withdrawal. You will get through this. Not overnight, but it will subside. I am now eight weeks away from this horrific drug and its effects. I am still dealing with the fatigue issue. Moderate to severe. My thinking is extremely clear and my mental state is beyond fantastic. None of the depression or anxiety that I was experincing while on the drug now exists. I had an incident yesterday where I experinced what I would classify as a severe "flashback" of the withdrawal symptoms. I called my doctor, who is a good friend of mine. I described what was going on and he had me meet him at the hospital. I asked him why and he said that it sounded like I was having a stroke only without the numbness. I had to have my daughter do the driving because I couldn't. (She was lovin life, she just got here license)When we got there, I was examined and he immediately sent me up for a CT. I hate CT's.
To make a long story short.....there was no evidence that I had had a stroke. While at the hospital, I was still experienced extreme dizziness, light headedness and slurred speech. Nobody at the hospital could give me a medical answer as to why this was occuring. The "falshback" lasted for about 7 hours and then subsided. Today, I feel like I have the flu. Especially the aching muscles. Otherwise, I feel fine.Hang in there. You'll get through this. Start working on a plan to rehab your physical body. That will make a difference. It will help improve your state of mind. Be aware of what's going on through the withdrawal process so you can identify the longterm effects that seem to be rearing their ugly heads with a large number of ex-effexor users.
Posted by goofy on March 26, 2001, at 13:15:19
In reply to Re: beginning to wean hopefully losing weight, posted by vanroni on March 26, 2001, at 7:06:27
> > > The way I was able to do it was as follows: I was on 75.mg for 1 yr. when I decided to quit because of the side effects. I went to 37.5 for 10 days. 18.75 for 5 days, 9.375 for 5 days. 4.68 for 5 days, then i went off the drug. It has been 12 days and I feel great. I opened the capsules and divided the contents as previously suggested by some of these posts. I want to thank you all because IAM NOW EFFEXOR FREE and I did not have to go to another drug to help withdrawl from this horrible drug.
> > > goofy
> >
> > >goofy
> > i'm glad to hear how it worked for you- very encouraging.... i've been on 37.5xr for 5 days now & feel soo good.... a few side effects the first couple of days but not too bad... i'm going to try to 18.75 as you had done today & see what happens... i just want it out of me!
> V-
V
Iam glad you are doing well. I also had a few side effects for a couple of days after I decreased my dose. Thankfully they were tolerable. I still feel a little fuzzy and have not lost any of the weight but hopefully this will change. It amazes me how a drug that seemed to work fine in the begining could all of a sudden have all of these wiered side effects. I am glad the effexor is working fine for other people on this site but iam glad to be off with the side effects of just feeling a little fuzzy and fat.goofy
Posted by kckboxgrl on March 26, 2001, at 15:31:34
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
McGuyver,
Thanks for you message, I appreciate not being deluged in positive or negative information. Although I respect everyone's opinions, I know I need to figure out how it will work for me, specifically, and I suppose with that comes the responsibility of dealing with both the wanted and possible unwanted effects. The headaches are gone now, but I was exhausted today. I'm still not sure if it's b/c i took it in the am or b/c my sleep has been disturbed for a few days since starting the effexor. I plan to stick with it at least a few months, at which time we'll see if the negatives outweigh the positives. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again!
-Lisa
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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