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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:53:50
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
> Susan, Yes! I do understand what you are feeling. I had that too when I started to wean myself off of effexor and decided that since I did well going from 150 to 75mg that I would try skipping a day. Not a good idea. I immediately took a capsule. I am down to 37.5 right now and next week I am planning to try skipping a day.
What dose are you on?
Renee
Posted by Maria Warren on February 20, 2002, at 14:24:24
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:53:50
> > Susan, Yes! I do understand what you are feeling. I had that too when I started to wean myself off of effexor and decided that since I did well going from 150 to 75mg that I would try skipping a day. Not a good idea. I immediately took a capsule. I am down to 37.5 right now and next week I am planning to try skipping a day.
>
> What dose are you on?
>
> Renee
Susan,
Yes, I remember those. Someone around here called them "brain farts"! they can be unerving especially if you dont know what they are. I also call them "CNS Hiccups" . Evidently, depending on when and where they happen (fatigued, sitting up, concentrating vs relaxing) strange little things can happen. Like once we were eating and my arm just flipped my fork up! Usually though it's all internal. These too shall pass. Maria
Posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 17:25:00
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:53:50
Renee, I have the 75 mg capsules which I decided were too difficult to split. So with the advice of my doc, I have gone from one a day to one every other day, then every three and so on. Today would have dropped me to one every fourth day but it seems crazy to give myself a dose of 75mg then nothing for four days so I think I am off altogether now. I would have prefered to take daily doses at decreasing amounts but the doc (nurse actually) said this would work the same. Not so sure, but here I am. If only I could stop the twirlies but they are survivable, just disconcerting. Thanks for your input.
Posted by Lorraine on February 20, 2002, at 22:12:25
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by JAG on February 18, 2002, at 11:45:56
sophie
Posted by Maria Warren on February 21, 2002, at 6:05:58
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by Lorraine on February 20, 2002, at 22:12:25
> sophie
Susan,
Can you get your pdoc to prescribe a low dose of Prozac, like 10mgm? I have not tried this but have heard that it works. Maria
Posted by Reneeb on February 21, 2002, at 11:13:20
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 17:25:00
> Susan, why didn't your pdoc lower your dose to 37.5mg?
Renee
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 21, 2002, at 15:51:35
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
Oh yeah, I get this.. like that vertigo feeling when you miss a step?? I get this as the first sign of withdrawal...
Nikki
Posted by SusanG on February 21, 2002, at 15:59:51
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by Reneeb on February 21, 2002, at 11:13:20
> > Susan, why didn't your pdoc lower your dose to 37.5mg?
>
> ReneeRenee, I think because I use 75 mg capsules which are hard to split. It's my gyn who put me on this and perhaps she is not as familiar the best withdrawl method. She did initially suggest splitting the pills but when I told the nurse I use capsules, I was told to do the alternating days routine. When I questioned it, I was told it would work just the same. Not sure that was true but I went ahead with it. I'm still getting the twirlies pretty strong but doing ok otherwise.
Posted by IsoM on February 21, 2002, at 16:02:42
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by NikkiT2 on February 21, 2002, at 15:51:35
Just jumping into the middle of your thread, if you don't mind.
That vertigo feeling? I found the brain zaps worse but this strange vertigo is one symptom that has never left me even a couple of years after stopping Paxil. I now must live with it.
While I really do hate it, it's more of a highly disliked "bęte noir" (black beast, the French idiom for our too tame pet peeve) than a full-blown problem. I need to be careful of how fast I whip my head about (which is hard as I'm ADHD & normally move very fast) particularily looking over my shoulder for traffic when I change lanes or turn a corner. Got to be careful too of not straightening up too fast from bending over.
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 21, 2002, at 19:19:35
In reply to Re: weird symptom » NikkiT2, posted by IsoM on February 21, 2002, at 16:02:42
Yeah.. the brian zaps are a nightmare.. when i did cold turkey from 300mg though I think that was the least of my worries!!! The vertigo was continuous and it was like i was really sea sick.. I start getting it within 12 hours of a missed dose.. I'm down to 75mg and scared to knowck that on the head!!!
Nikki
> Just jumping into the middle of your thread, if you don't mind.
>
> That vertigo feeling? I found the brain zaps worse but this strange vertigo is one symptom that has never left me even a couple of years after stopping Paxil. I now must live with it.
>
> While I really do hate it, it's more of a highly disliked "bęte noir" (black beast, the French idiom for our too tame pet peeve) than a full-blown problem. I need to be careful of how fast I whip my head about (which is hard as I'm ADHD & normally move very fast) particularily looking over my shoulder for traffic when I change lanes or turn a corner. Got to be careful too of not straightening up too fast from bending over.
Posted by Reneeb on February 21, 2002, at 20:45:44
In reply to Re: weird symptom » NikkiT2, posted by IsoM on February 21, 2002, at 16:02:42
> Oh Boy, do I know what you are talking about!!I get that vertigo feeling a lot. What is really strange is a week before my period I get it for at least 2 or 3 days in a row.
Renee
Posted by Shanti on February 21, 2002, at 21:07:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
i have been taking paxil for the last 2 years with ok results but not enough durning my 2 week cycle of pms as some like to put it but for me it is much more than that and paxil wasn't helping. what i would like to know after reading different posts. what is your opinion about starting on 75mg AT ONCE (not broken down to 37.5mg like most have wrote about). my dr. said it was comparable to the 20mg of paxil i had been taking daily and the only thing to do for the transition is to stop the paxil for 2 days and then start with the Effexor. One other query, any women out their who experiencing their anxiety/depression during your menstural cycle? look forward to responses!
Posted by sid on February 21, 2002, at 21:40:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shanti on February 21, 2002, at 21:07:11
In the past couple of years I've been suicidal about 3 day per month. Not much else (!) in terms of PMS, but if I hadn't though of looking at the calendar, I'd have killed myself.
I'm on Effexor XR for long-standing dysthymia and anxiety now, and I'm on the pill (monophasic, 84 days in line, then 1 week off) to control my cycle-related symptoms.
Posted by birdy on February 22, 2002, at 2:21:07
In reply to Re: MARTHA Effexxor Side Affect - Horrible!!, posted by Mark H. on September 14, 2000, at 18:35:34
Am weaning from 225 to 37.5 (in steps) and can't sleep! After nine days of this, got put on 2.5 mm. (very low dose) of olanzapine - an anti-psychotic drug with potential horrid side effects! I feel like medication is making me crazy -- my shrink thinks I'm minor-leagie bipolar, which could very well be, but I'm afraid all this drug soup is going to do worse damage than my own depression. Opinions, please!
Posted by Maria Warren on February 22, 2002, at 7:17:03
In reply to is effexor making me crazy????, posted by birdy on February 22, 2002, at 2:21:07
> Am weaning from 225 to 37.5 (in steps) and can't sleep! After nine days of this, got put on 2.5 mm. (very low dose) of olanzapine - an anti-psychotic drug with potential horrid side effects! I feel like medication is making me crazy -- my shrink thinks I'm minor-leagie bipolar, which could very well be, but I'm afraid all this drug soup is going to do worse damage than my own depression. Opinions, please!
Birdy
You seem to have been responding to an old post and sort of popped up in the middle of this one. I think I got that straighteded out, but I am not as seasoned at helping as some others might be. One possibility is sometimes a low dose or Prozac. Anyone else out there able to help? Also you don't say HOW gradually you are cutting from one dose to another? Maria
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 22, 2002, at 12:35:12
In reply to Re: is effexor making me crazy????, posted by Maria Warren on February 22, 2002, at 7:17:03
OK... So I've been singing and dancing about how good my withdrawal is going.. but past 3 days I;ve been feeling increasingly pukey... just uncomfortable tummy, slight upset tummy, and just ickyness...
Down to 75mg a day (taking it in morning)... will try it at evening I think and see how that goes!
Nikki
Posted by Shanti on February 22, 2002, at 13:45:59
In reply to Re: is effexor making me crazy????, posted by Maria Warren on February 22, 2002, at 7:17:03
> > Am weaning from 225 to 37.5 (in steps) and can't sleep! After nine days of this, got put on 2.5 mm. (very low dose) of olanzapine - an anti-psychotic drug with potential horrid side effects! I feel like medication is making me crazy -- my shrink thinks I'm minor-leagie bipolar, which could very well be, but I'm afraid all this drug soup is going to do worse damage than my own depression. Opinions, please!
>
>
> Birdy
> You seem to have been responding to an old post and sort of popped up in the middle of this one. I think I got that straighteded out, but I am not as seasoned at helping as some others might be. One possibility is sometimes a low dose or Prozac. Anyone else out there able to help? Also you don't say HOW gradually you are cutting from one dose to another? MariaBirdy
Do you or anyone else out there agree that we have to do A LOT of mental work as well to even begin to feel what one calls "normal" in this world, that is one of the hardest things for me to work at especiallly during my menstural cycle but if i manage to keep upbeat i usually get through with only 2-4 days of wanting to scream, yell,short tempered, etc.
i start my med's tomorrow and am looking forward to it after my 2 years with paxil and i truly hope it is an easy transition - i will defenitely post my experience!
i do have to say i stumbled upon this website and wow! this is very theraputic to read that other people in this world experience the same things as me (yes, at different levels - i'm like someone else who wrote i'm a mild bi-polar if you can call it that
before i sign off i want to tell a short story that happened to me a few months ago.
i recently had a baby (4 months ago) and about 1 month later i went out with my sister for the first time in a long time to a bar. while at the bar she kept telling people that i had just had a baby and they commented on how good i look - the weight just fell off (i am very skinny to begin with and subconcisouly i am anorixca - i don't purposely strave myself - food just doesn't appeal to me but i agree with my therapist that it is a way of me not liking myself so i do this even if i don't really "think" about). After about the 5th time i finally looked at her and said if i could trade my mental illness in for some extra weight and what society considers to be fat i would in a second because i think that would be a lot easier to deal with than what i have now
gotta go - i'm from Canada and the men's hockey team is playing right now - go canada go!! right now it is 2-1 for canada
peace!
Posted by LisaDiann on February 22, 2002, at 20:05:55
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by shelia on February 20, 2002, at 13:47:10
Oh my....I can't believe I found this site!! I was on Prozac for about 8 yrs and went off it a couple months ago..doctor put me on effexor because I felt Prozac wasn't helping me with my depression and anxiety. After a couple months of taking Effexor I started getting the brain zaps like what you people are talking about except I also have a strange feeling in my legs, arm and fingers at the same time of the zap in my brain. It happens anytime..standing, sitting, laying...turning head..moving eyes. I also became severly constipated and breasts very tender. I went off the effexor even tho doctor told me he really doubts it is related to the medication...some days are worse than others. I even went to the emergency room thinking I was having a stroke! I had a complete hysterectomy a few years ago so the same time he switched me from prozac to effexor he also switched my Premarin l.25 to vivelle patch and estrotest...maybe the breast tenderness is from the patch or estratest, I don't know. My doctor sent me to a cardiologist for the "zapping feelings" and had heart monitor on for 24 hrs and am scheduled for stress test next week...he also sent me for barrium enema. Yesterday I took my estrogen patch off and went back on Premarin to see if that was my problem for these feelings. I haven't got results back yet from any of the tests. I can't tell you how happy I am to find others that are experiencing some of the same symptoms. I've been doing research on the heart and stroke...thinking thats what is wrong with me. I'm amazed my doctor didn't mention others having same side affects as me. I'm definately finding another doctor after these tests are complete. I'm wondering if these "zaps" are from the prozac I was on for 8 yrs or the effexor I was on for only 2 months. Anybody else experiencing the tingling feelings in their arm, fingers or legs along with the brain zaps? They all happen at the same time. Thank you so much !
Posted by Allen F. on February 22, 2002, at 23:34:05
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by LisaDiann on February 22, 2002, at 20:05:55
I was on Prozac for twelve years prior to switching to Effexor last September. I also feel the tingling in my fingers, legs, and toes. There is a constant ringing in my ears.
I talked to the counselor I have been seeing and he said these are just symptoms of depression. He said I should get with my Pdoc and switch to something else. My Pdoc doesn't share the same opinion.
I am really struggling with what to do, what Effexor is really doing to me, what Prozac may have done to my system.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks
Posted by SusanG on February 23, 2002, at 1:26:37
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by Allen F. on February 22, 2002, at 23:34:05
I have one more random comment: my dad recently told me that he had been on Effexor for a little while but discontinued it. He told the nurse at the clinic where he is treated for migraines that he had been on it and she laughed and said, "We call that 'Side-Effexor' and don't prescribe it anymore".
Posted by Shanti on February 23, 2002, at 9:22:05
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by Allen F. on February 22, 2002, at 23:34:05
Allen:
do you really believe the ringing in your ears is depression?(remember this is my opinion) maybe the dr needs to be on something!
peace
Posted by marlene on February 23, 2002, at 10:10:01
In reply to effexor making poopy!!!, posted by NikkiT2 on February 22, 2002, at 12:35:12
Just a quick update, three weeks since cold turkey from 300 mg effexor, all symptoms are gone. Have decided to go back on Zoloft, low dose, to deal with depression. Also have appointment with PCP to see if I have Fibromyalgia, hope I am spelling that right. Thanks Launie for link to FM, just reading for now, till I have diagnoses either way. So, just wanted everyone to know that there is a end to this. Hope all is well with everyone and I do believe everyone is unique, this way worked for me.
Posted by LisaDiann on February 23, 2002, at 10:19:19
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by Allen F. on February 22, 2002, at 23:34:05
I'm wondering if maybe the Prozac or effexor has harmed my body also. I don't see others with posts about tingling in the arms, fingers, legs.
When I have the "brain zap" my heart and leg feels tingly at the same time...then it immediately goes away. I'm trying to stay off all medications now except my estrogen...hopefully these are all withdrawal symptoms !?
Posted by m3 on February 23, 2002, at 13:57:38
In reply to Re: cold turkey, day 21, posted by marlene on February 23, 2002, at 10:10:01
Just posting my story for the benefit of other people who are going through/contemplating going through withdrawing from Effexor.I was at 300mg/day, like marlene, for about a year and a half. It had taken me about six months to hit that dosage after starting at 75mg. When I first started I didn't really have any side effects and it seemed to help a lot. Moving up to 150mg also produced a noticeable improvement in mood, but the next couple of dose increases didn't do much, and I eventually felt the Effexor wasn't doing anything at all, so I decided to come off. My pdoc suggested Serzone as a replacement.
That was about ten days ago. My pdoc gave me a schedule for ramping down the Effexor (-37.5mg every other day, then stop) and for starting the Serzone (the standard starter pack). I was to start tapering the Effexor and start taking the Serzone at the same time (right away).
I found I got the zaps at each decrease of Effexor, but they weren't too bad, nothing compared to the times when I'd run out of pills and missed multiple doses (1-4 doses at a time).
It was only when I stopped taking any Effexor at all that I got the full-blown withdrawal syndrome: zaps, vertigo, can't get warm but sometimes sweaty, uncontrollable shivering, uncontrollable crying, tinnitus. I also feel a rampant dread and don't trust myself to find my way back home if I go out (though I did today without any problem; don't worry, I was walking, not driving). I notice lots of people have had insomnia; I've had some in the evening but the Serzone generally knocks me out before it's too much of a problem. In fact, the Serzone is causing pretty serious hypersomnolence (like 11-14 hours of sleep several days in a row), but that discussion belongs elsewhere.
This is really no fun, but I'm trying to stick it out, partly due to reading posts here. (Thank you, brave souls who went before and lived to post about it.) I do have some 37.5 mg capsules left and I might eventually give in and take one, but I feel like I'd just be extending the agony.
I guess I have a question for those who have gone before, if they're still reading: *would* it actually be better to take a 37.5mg capsule every couple of days for a while?
Anyway, that's my story. I'll post a follow up when I feel better or in a few days, whichever comes first.
m3
Posted by Reneeb on February 24, 2002, at 21:07:14
In reply to just another coming-off-fxr story, posted by m3 on February 23, 2002, at 13:57:38
>
> Just posting my story for the benefit of other people who are going through/contemplating going through withdrawing from Effexor.
>
> I was at 300mg/day, like marlene, for about a year and a half. It had taken me about six months to hit that dosage after starting at 75mg. When I first started I didn't really have any side effects and it seemed to help a lot. Moving up to 150mg also produced a noticeable improvement in mood, but the next couple of dose increases didn't do much, and I eventually felt the Effexor wasn't doing anything at all, so I decided to come off. My pdoc suggested Serzone as a replacement.
>
> That was about ten days ago. My pdoc gave me a schedule for ramping down the Effexor (-37.5mg every other day, then stop) and for starting the Serzone (the standard starter pack). I was to start tapering the Effexor and start taking the Serzone at the same time (right away).
>
> I found I got the zaps at each decrease of Effexor, but they weren't too bad, nothing compared to the times when I'd run out of pills and missed multiple doses (1-4 doses at a time).
>
> It was only when I stopped taking any Effexor at all that I got the full-blown withdrawal syndrome: zaps, vertigo, can't get warm but sometimes sweaty, uncontrollable shivering, uncontrollable crying, tinnitus. I also feel a rampant dread and don't trust myself to find my way back home if I go out (though I did today without any problem; don't worry, I was walking, not driving). I notice lots of people have had insomnia; I've had some in the evening but the Serzone generally knocks me out before it's too much of a problem. In fact, the Serzone is causing pretty serious hypersomnolence (like 11-14 hours of sleep several days in a row), but that discussion belongs elsewhere.
>
> This is really no fun, but I'm trying to stick it out, partly due to reading posts here. (Thank you, brave souls who went before and lived to post about it.) I do have some 37.5 mg capsules left and I might eventually give in and take one, but I feel like I'd just be extending the agony.
>
> I guess I have a question for those who have gone before, if they're still reading: *would* it actually be better to take a 37.5mg capsule every couple of days for a while?
>
> Anyway, that's my story. I'll post a follow up when I feel better or in a few days, whichever comes first.
>
> m3m3, I have weaned myself from 150mg to 75mg to 37.5mg. Starting tonight I am going every other day. I have had no problems so far. I am praying that it works out okay. My opinion is you have already began the journey if you can stick it out.
Good Luck,
Renee
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