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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by simone on September 2, 2002, at 8:59:45
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
>
> Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> to have a lot of success...
>
> please share your thoughts on this.Effexor XR eased my depression/anxiety but I gained nearly 15 pounds in eight months, was always constipated and tired. With the help of my doctor I decided to discontinue Effexor XR. I tapered off the medication gradually following my doctor's instructions. Two days after my last dose I developed severe anxiety, flu like symptoms, vivid dreams and basically I felt more depressed than before I ever started taking Effexor XR. This drug worked for me, but the withdrawls of this medication was hell. I never experienced this with other antidepressants. Good luck to all thinking about taking Effexor XR.
Posted by andrearenee on September 2, 2002, at 16:29:42
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Alara on September 2, 2002, at 6:24:12
Hi, first I'm Bi-Polar, I 've been taking a high dose of this very addictive medication (I wish I would have known in the beginning). And basically...I feel like I'm going to die.
After complaining to my ECT doctor and reducing my dose twice, it's been about a week with no Effexor. I'm starting to feel fine but now, a few days later I feel worse (HORRIBLE). I went into a 2-day terrible depression, and it has been at least 8 months, since I have been that depressed.
I've had all of your same withdrawal symptoms; nausea, irritability, head spinning, body pains, nightmares, sweating, worse than any flu I've had, so bad that I just cry. I hope I lose weight like some of you, heh. I wish you all the luck! If you've never taken Effexor before, then research it before you take it. There are no words for the "sick" feeling that a person could feel. Good Luck!
Andrea
Posted by Kat on September 2, 2002, at 18:08:56
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by andrearenee on September 2, 2002, at 16:29:42
I've been on Effexor for about 3 years. I tried to wean myself off 2 times, going down to a 37.5 mg's every other day. It took over 4 months. But I get so sick, and the swishing in my head is a nightmare. I was totally off Effexor for 6 weeks, and the swishing or electrical current that runs through my head every coupls seconds, never stopped. I talked to my doctor about it, and I think she thought it was crazy to have that noise. I guess the company that puts this stuff out, failed to let docors know this. 2 weeks ago I went back on the Effexor just so the noise would stop. If I miss a dose, it all starts up again. Does anyone else have the same problem? I really want to get off this stuff.
Posted by rumbera on September 2, 2002, at 18:40:36
In reply to Re: I gained 20 pounds BLAH » Kazza, posted by MarkinBoston on February 26, 2001, at 12:50:04
> I was on Effexor Xr for about a year. This was my last choice after trying every SSRI out there. At first I loved it I thought I found the right medication. My panic attacks decreased and my depression was lifted. That was until I gained 25 pounds very quickly. I was bothered since I was always very thin ,but suprisingly not as bothered as my friends and family were. Then I noticed after a few months the intial high that I felt decreased into a almost sedated mode. I was sleeping more and tired all the time. I also cared less about things. I knew that this is not what I wanted but felt content not having the panic attacks and was scared to death of withdrawl. Well last week I went to the doctor and he advised me to go from my 150 daily(which I told him for the last month I was taking every other day against his advise) to 37.5 every day for a week and then that is it. This is my fourth day and I feel okay. I have the almost electrical sensations in my head and some of my anxiety has returned but I have been keeping a positive attitude and hoping to lose some of my effexor weight. If anyone has lost all of their weight please let me know.
Posted by Mr.Scott on September 2, 2002, at 20:25:16
In reply to Re: I gained 20 pounds BLAH, posted by rumbera on September 2, 2002, at 18:40:36
Your experience is probably standard rather than unique. It certainly mirrors mine and many others I know. Psychiatric drugs generally suck.
Posted by Angel1 on September 3, 2002, at 15:15:55
In reply to Re: I gained 20 pounds BLAH » rumbera, posted by Mr.Scott on September 2, 2002, at 20:25:16
i weaned myself off of Effexor against my Dr.'s
knowledge because of the exact same things you have experienced. The weight gain was less than
25lbs., but I am just now(six months later) feeling back to normal. I too became very sedated and all I did was sleep and work. The sedation doesn't help with the weight gain at all.
With perseverence and regular exercise, it will come off slowly. I'm sorry you had to go through this. My Dr. told me hardly anyone gains weight with Effexor. They just don't get it!
Posted by DebraA. on September 3, 2002, at 16:39:34
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares » Seraphim, posted by Bob ,RN on August 28, 2002, at 13:18:52
Anyone out there remember how long it took to get past the awful withdrawal from effexor? I finally went cold turkey 3 days ago and feel close to psychotic. Will this ever end?
Posted by johnlund on September 3, 2002, at 21:44:43
In reply to I can't stop sweating - can anyone help?, posted by sly on August 28, 2002, at 8:17:26
> In the last month or so I've developed a new side effect. During the day I'm fine, but at night I sweat like crazy, I wake up several times a night soaked, even my sheets are wet, it's disgusting.
>
> I've never experienced this before, I know it's not the air temperature, it's cool outside at night and I have air conditioning, I sleep practically naked with only a top sheet. Both my family doc and my psyc say it's the medication, but neither has any remedies - did anyone else have this problem and have any suggestions?
I have night sweats, and I also sweat during the day, and when I excercise. I do not consider it a big deal. Just a curious side effect. I have also noticed it with other ADs beside Effexor. I think sweating is good for a persoon anyway. It cleans out the pours.
John
Posted by rumbera on September 3, 2002, at 22:43:21
In reply to beginning to wean hopefully losing weight, posted by vanroni on March 21, 2001, at 20:37:32
In response to V,
I know it has been over a year since the post but I really want to know if anyone has lost the weight after witdrawing from effexor. I have gained 25 pounds as well. I hope all the widrawl is worth it. I have never felt so horrible. I too have the "brain shivers" and every time I would tell my doc they looked at me like I was crazy. I am glad to know that I am not the only one with these symptoms. I just wish there were an easier way.
Posted by DebraA. on September 4, 2002, at 7:59:40
In reply to Re: beginning to wean hopefully losing weight, posted by rumbera on September 3, 2002, at 22:43:21
>Yesterday was the worst day for those "brain shivers" since I went cold turkey 4 days ago. I'm glad to report that I finally slept okay for the first time in a week. Before going cold turkey, my shrink had me stepping down slowly from the Effexor. But, it felt like slow death. So, I decided to go ahead a make it "sudden death" instead.
I'll let you know if I drop any weight. It's highly likely because I've been so nauseated. I've also had diarrhea. I'm also pissed that Effexor packed on a few pounds for me, not to mention it KILLED my libido too.
I hope you're doing okay today. I'm still doing the brain shiver thing, but it seems more mild today (so far anyway).
Posted by DebraA. on September 4, 2002, at 8:12:07
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Kat on September 2, 2002, at 18:08:56
>I too have the swishing sound that accompanies the brain freezes. I feel like I'm in a Frankenstein experiment. If anyone had told me that I would face this sort of withdrawal if I were to go on this drug, I'm not sure I would have taken it. One thing is for sure, I would never have believed it would be this bad. I sure hope this ends soon. I do know for sure that I'll never put this drug back into my system!
Posted by DebraA. on September 4, 2002, at 8:18:29
In reply to Re: I can't stop sweating - can anyone help?, posted by johnlund on September 3, 2002, at 21:44:43
I did a bunch of night sweating from time to time while on this drug. My doctor said I was starting menopause (which I'm not because I've had everything tested!). I'm pretty sure that it was the Effexor acting up in my system. I work out often and I've noticed that I was sweating more (I'm a big sweater anyway) than usual. So, I think you're right on about the drug causing all this extra sweating.
Posted by Kat on September 4, 2002, at 9:35:19
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by DebraA. on September 4, 2002, at 8:12:07
When I talked to my doctor about the brain buzz or swishing, she too thought I was crazy. I'm thinking it could be nerve damage. Ater 6 weeks off Effexor, no change, so I went back on it just to stop the swishing. Now, I trying to find another way to get off, for good!
Posted by sly on September 4, 2002, at 11:51:50
In reply to Re: I can't stop sweating - can anyone help?, posted by DebraA. on September 4, 2002, at 8:18:29
My doctor told me the symptoms were similar to menopause, something to do with the extra serotonin, my body thinks it's cold so it overheats to compensate - I wonder why it happens at night, I take my pill around noon, what time do you take yours?
Actually, I've had a revisit of my insomnia, for the past week I haven't been able to sleep (due to work-related stress, not depression), so sweating isn't a problem, it only seems to happen when I'm asleep. It's weird and annoying, but I guess I can live with it, all my other symptoms disappeared over time.
Posted by rumbera on September 4, 2002, at 11:55:59
In reply to Re: I can't stop sweating - can anyone help?, posted by DebraA. on September 4, 2002, at 8:18:29
You know I am tired of docs blaming things on you instead of saying the truth (you going thru menopause) my doc said that the weight gain that i got from effexor was probably the fact that i have a glass or two of wine with dinner a couple of times a week. First of all I would have to drink a whole lot for that to happen and second 25 pounds in the first few months of beginning weight i also must have eaten cheeseburgers every day if that were the case.
I am so upset at my doc he also took me from a dose of 150 to 37.5 for a week and to then completly discontinue. From what I read and heard that is if he wanted me to suffer. This is my 4th day of the 37.5 dose and last night I had nightmares and nightsweats. I cannot imagine what it will be like to be completly off it.
Posted by jannbeau on September 4, 2002, at 11:58:41
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Kat on September 2, 2002, at 18:08:56
> During withdrawal from Effexor XR (150 mg/day) I, too, had this swishing (or "swooshing")in my head accompanied by what appeared to be a momentary disconnection between my eyes and my brain, a sort of "dizziness" that seemed to occur when I turned my head; It seems associated with the balance mechanism in the inner ear or 7th cranial nerve (auditory nerve) or something. I also had a major increase during Effexor XR treatment of my ongoing tinnitus (my rt ear seems very sensitive to ANY medication that causes tinnitus or ringing in the ear). I figured this was the "brain shivers" or "brain zaps" I had read about. The swooshing effect only seemed to occur during discontinuation while I was tapering (tapered for about one month from 150 to 75 to 37.5 to 0. Stayed on 37.5 for two weeks, then discontinued) and disappeared within (if I can remember correctly) about one week of complete discontinuation of Effexor. I suffered only mild discontinuation syndrome, perhaps because I am older and already was dealing with some balance problems. I was able to stop rather easily. I stopped because I could NOT tolerate the side effects associated with taking the medication - namely, my total inability to stay alert and to do my job, no matter when I took my medication or how much or little I took. I took Effexor for only six or seven months before stopping. I was sorry to have to dc this med because I took it to control intractable pain and it definitely decreased my pain, even at low doses.
I've been on Effexor for about 3 years. I tried to wean myself off 2 times, going down to a 37.5 mg's every other day. It took over 4 months. But I get so sick, and the swishing in my head is a nightmare. I was totally off Effexor for 6 weeks, and the swishing or electrical current that runs through my head every coupls seconds, never stopped. I talked to my doctor about it, and I think she thought it was crazy to have that noise. I guess the company that puts this stuff out, failed to let docors know this. 2 weeks ago I went back on the Effexor just so the noise would stop. If I miss a dose, it all starts up again. Does anyone else have the same problem? I really want to get off this stuff.
Posted by jannbeau on September 4, 2002, at 12:09:09
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Kat on September 4, 2002, at 9:35:19
>Kat, how fast did you discontinue the Effexor? I somehow get the impression that going off too quickly (that is, reducing your dose too rapidly over too short a time) might extend the time you suffer from a condition some call "discontinuation syndrome" which may be what you are experiencing. Maybe if you discontinue very slowly the next time you can avoid suffering the "zaps"--?? I am not a physician nor do I know much about pmeds, but I've read a lot of these posts and have come up with this thought from what I've read here and other places. BTW, drug companies do seem to recognize and mention a "discontinuation syndrome" for various pmeds, seemingly most often the SSRI's (???).
Cheers,
JannbeauWhen I talked to my doctor about the brain buzz or swishing, she too thought I was crazy. I'm thinking it could be nerve damage. Ater 6 weeks off Effexor, no change, so I went back on it just to stop the swishing. Now, I trying to find another way to get off, for good!
Posted by Kat on September 4, 2002, at 13:08:49
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by jannbeau on September 4, 2002, at 12:09:09
I tapered off this very slowly, over 4 months. I was on 75mg's 3 times a day. Towards the end, I was taking 37.5mg about 1 every 3 days. The buzz wouldn't go away. I certainly don't want to continue taking Effexor. Over the past 15 years, I've tried probably 5 different medications. This has been, so far, the worst antidepressant to get out of my system. It's like my body is so addicted, and the doctors don't understand.
Posted by Rusty Shackleford on September 4, 2002, at 14:08:23
In reply to Effexor ER and Zoloft combination, posted by butterfly58 on August 30, 2002, at 8:30:58
> Has anyone taken both Effexor ER and Zoloft together. Have you had success and what have you found in the way of side effects?
> My doctor prescribed both Effexor ER and Zoloft to be taken together. Zoloft by itself did not seem to help so he added Effexor ER 75mg. After over 2 weeks on effexor I don't feel any better but I have many side effects. I have Insomnia, difficulty waking up, extreme tiredness, "spacy" feeling shakiness, dry mouth, vision disturbances, absolutly no motivation, sometimes hyperness and other minor symptoms. Will these side effects go away? Actually I feel worse than before the meds. I feel no anxiety but I don't feel life is worth living.
>I have taken similar combinations.. I dont know what kind of mental problem you have though. If its basiclly panic attacks and the panic attacks and phobias are what is making you depressed then I would suggest you get a new doctor.
I personally go to Abbot Lee Granoff I can see him over the phone from out of state and hes the best doctor I have ever been to. I was about hopless until I ran across doctors like him.
http://www.drgranoff.com
Posted by DebraA. on September 4, 2002, at 14:34:49
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Kat on September 4, 2002, at 9:35:19
Sounds like we're all onto something with this brain stuff - swishing, freezing, buzzing - you can bet that if I could EVER prove that some sort of permanent damage has been done, I'll be the first in line to sign up for a class action suit. I can't believe that the other person still has it after 6 weeks! I've had it for four days and I feel like I'm losing it - six weeks? No way. I am so angry that I was not warned about this and I'm angry that doctors have the CONTINUAL NERVE to dismiss what's going on with me. How the hell would he or she know anyway? And do you think the medical company is going to step up to the plate on this stuff if it means paying out $$ to people, or losing future prescriptions? And what doctor is going to even get close to anything that might smell like a malpractice claim!
I know for sure that I've NEVER experienced anything like this coming off a drug - not even a powerful one like nicotine! I've been on prozac, wellbutrin, and serzone (and even one of the ancient drugs that was a precursor to all of these) and I have never experienced this. You can bet your $$ that if I continue to feel like this for 6 weeks, someone is going to hear about it.
I'd also like to say, that weight management is impossible on Effexor. I have gained some weight, and no matter what I do, it will not come off while I'm on this drug. Drinking or not drinking a glass or two of wine in the evening makes no difference.
Sorry if this sounds like I'm irritated, but after 4 days of hell getting off this drug, I am VERY IRRITATED!!!
Posted by DebraA. on September 4, 2002, at 14:44:48
In reply to Re: I can't stop sweating - can anyone help?, posted by sly on September 4, 2002, at 11:51:50
I used to take 375 mg of Effexor, 300 in the a.m. and 75 mg at night. If you scan down and look at the other messages, you'll see that I'm one of those people commiserating about my withdrawal ordeal with this drug.
Thanks for the heads up on the sweating though. I also noted that I would sweat more when I was conversing with someone - I'd get a little hyper and sweaty when the discussion got going.
My doctor ended prescribing Trazadone for me to take at night because I could never get to sleep. The whole four years I've been on the stuff I've had to take the Trazadone to get me to sleep at night. So I think that's just another side effect of the drug in your system for sure. Trazadone's okay, but it takes quite a while in the morning to shake the drugged-out effect from taking it. Have you ever taken some of that Tylenol p.m. stuff and felt woozy in the a.m.? Trazadone has the same effect.
Effexor is really weird stuff in my opinion.
Posted by butterfly58 on September 4, 2002, at 15:35:18
In reply to Re: Effexor ER and Zoloft combination, posted by Rusty Shackleford on September 4, 2002, at 14:08:23
The Effexor & Zoloft combination was for anxiety (not panic attacks) and depression. Zoloft by itself didn't work. Adding Effexor worked but I had all those side effects and I had no motivation to do anything. Right now I quit taking the zoloft and most of the side effects went away. I think I have a serotonin overload or something like that. I was reading about that when I decided that maybe I didn't need both meds.
When I stopped taking Zoloft, almost all of the side went away. I still have some , but nothing like I had. I am also thinking about not taking the effexor because of all the talk about withdrawl on this site. I have only been taking 75mg for about 3 weeks and I figure that is not long enough to have all the withdrawl effects. There must be a better med out there somewhere.
Posted by rumbera on September 4, 2002, at 23:54:45
In reply to Re: I can't stop sweating - can anyone help?, posted by rumbera on September 4, 2002, at 11:55:59
A follow up on my situation I have been down to 37.5 mg for the fourth day now. This morning I woke up and felt feverish and also very anxious of course I felt the "brain shivers" today and it does not matter that I get them every day I will never get used to it. Anyway I called my doc and told her my symptoms and she said I need to see a general practioner because I might have a virus that the ONLY withdrawl that I should have is some diarrhea and nausea. When I told her about the "brain shivers"(as I call it for a lack of a better word) she told me she never heard of that before and to get a complete physical and make sure that there was nothing going on that was preexsisting. I was outraged ,but now I know that I am not alone and that I am not the only one with these withdrawl symptoms. One positive that has come out of all this is that I have discovered my own strenght and I am going to overcome this. I would love to hear from someone who has gone thru this and can show me the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks
Posted by Alara on September 5, 2002, at 4:02:40
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by DebraA. on September 3, 2002, at 16:39:34
> Anyone out there remember how long it took to get past the awful withdrawal from effexor? I finally went cold turkey 3 days ago and feel close to psychotic. Will this ever end?>
I'm sorry about the long response, but I am hoping that sharing my experience might help some of you to get through the agony of withdrawal:Firstly, it will pass. I felt psychotic for around 3 days. For the first 48-72 hours I was having borderline paranoid auditory hallucinations. (Of course, I was terrified and never told a soul.) I even thought that I was developing paranoid schizophrenia - until I researched Venlafaxine Withdrawal Syndrome on the net and read the posts on this forum about Effexor withdrawal! Add to that the sweats, shivers, severe nausea, electric shocks, nightmares, lack of balance, nerve jabs, and countless other phenomena, and I wasn't a pretty picture.
A few days later, my psychological state progressed to one of moderate anxiety; a few days after that I felt only a little anxious. The paranoia was completely gone and I was amazed to discover my true self again.
It has been just over 2 weeks for me without Effexor and I am now feeling 100% normal. I'll admit to the odd inner convulsion/shock sensation, but even these are becoming less troublesome and more infrequent. I am sure that these will eventually subside.
My wit and intellect are also returning. (Well, at least I like to think so. :-) ) I have stopped sleeping for 18 hours a day, have a little more energy, and feel more motivated about solving my problems and finding a job. The most wonderful thing of all is that I cry at soppy movies again. I LOVE a good movie weep.
I have rediscovered the person who I was before antidepressants entered my life.
Effexor is an unusual drug. I wouldn't say that it is entirely bad - because there was a time that it actually pulled me out of a severe depression. It gave me the confidence to get on with my life at when I was at my very bottom. Yet it took away a part of my soul. When I look back at the person who was on 75mg a day of Effexor for almost 4 years, I don't entirely recognise myself. I was PARTLY myself. But another part of me was asleep.
Another thing happened to me while I was on Effexor: I became progressively dependent upon alcohol. At one point I was drinking 1-2 litres of wine every night and had little or no motivation to stop. I don't blame my alcohol problem on Effexor. But an interesting thing happened as soon as I came off the Effexor: I lost my desire to drink alcohol. While part of that was surely due to the flu-like withdrawal symptoms, I find it odd that I remain free of alcohol cravings 2 weeks after coming off the drug. Last night I was offered a glass of champagne and I took an hour to drink it. That was the only glass that I drank. And I wasn't even making an effort to control my intake.
Of course, my life hasn't become perfect over night. I now have to face the world again as a person who can be little too shy and sensitive for her own good at times. But thanks to the psychotherapy I've had and, in part, to the Effexor, I have developed the inner confidence to face the world on my own terms.
Yes, that's right. I said: "Thanks to the Effexor." You see, if I had continued to limp through life as crippled by social anxiety as I was, I doubt that I would be the confident person that I am today. The Effexor helped to take away my fear for long enough to help me to develop healthier interractions with the world. For me, that's the paradox. Is the drug good or evil?
I have taken a very long detour here, but hopefully my story illustrates the point: What you're experiencing is not particular to you; it has more to do your body's reaction to withdrawal from the drug. The withdrawal aspect will get better. Have faith in your ability to survive. If you hang in there for long enough, you just might rediscover your true, healthy self.
Posted by Alara on September 5, 2002, at 4:23:39
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by Alara on September 5, 2002, at 4:02:40
One more comment (if that's OK): After reading some of your posts, I realise that I was luckier than most in that my withdrawal recovery was a relatively speedy one. Yes, I came as close to hell as I have ever been, but thankfully I didn't have to stay there for long.
I completely sympathise with anyone who is coming off a larger dose and hope that your recovery is as painless and quick as possible. Keep your faith. :-)
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