![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 5387 to 5411 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Mercedes on October 7, 2003, at 15:07:26
In reply to Just curious...., posted by willie on October 7, 2003, at 6:34:58
Hi Willie,
It is the drug - Effexor. I took 37.5 mgs for about a year then another pdoc said it was a low dose and started my increase to finally get to 300mgs. During the 1st increase, 75mgs, I started with the insomnia, only 4 hrs per night, and lasted all the way thru 300mgs. I'm on the decrease now, and still have the 4 maybe 5 hrs of sleep. During the time I was taking it, I would simply fall asleep any time of day, extreemly lathargic. I'm quiting effexor due to so many other SE's. Vision, Tennitus, High Blood Pressure, Lack of Concentration, No Memory, Comprehension problems, you name it, I got it... Going down to 37.5 tomorrow and for a week or so, then OFF completely. Sorry but it's Effexor.
Mercedes
************************************> The past week I've been waking up during the night and I have a lot of trouble getting back to sleep. These past few nights have been much worse, I'm maybe averaging 4 - 5 hours of sleep per night. Last night I actually got out of bed and watched TV for a few hours because I was wide awake. I've read postings of people having trouble sleeping when taking effexor. I've been on it for almost a year and had never experienced this.
> I was wondering if these people experienced the insomnia right away after starting effexor or had it become a problem after taking the drug for a while? It's so easy to point the finger at the drug and I don't want to do that unless others have experienced the same result. Look forward to any responses...Willie
Posted by Mercedes on October 7, 2003, at 15:37:16
In reply to Re: joining the withdrawal thread, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 7, 2003, at 9:17:57
Me too. Get the electric shocks on any sudden noise. I just took a drink from my water bottel and after I set it down, it made a crakling noise and yep, the electric shock like needles coming out of my body affect. AND the worse part is I am also taking xanex and still get the shocks. I just don't know anymore. Not working, Can't work, can't think, feeling desperate.
Thanks for calling. Will you pls share the #.?
Just a FYI, as I know it, it's the manufactures like Wyeth that starts the process. They test it and then they have their sales people push it on to the PDocs, give them samples, etc. They, along with the Distribution co's get together and pay for the advertising of the drug. The pharmacies get rebates ($$) from the dist. co's., for every prescription they fill, the pharmacies pay the dr's a percent for every prescription they write. Everyone makes money and they are very happy. Well, my blurred vision is getting worse, better stop while I'm ahead.
Mercedes> I don't know who I am mad at anymore...or should I say most mad at...the manufacturer or the actual doc that prescribes it and doesn't fulfill his duties by monitoring you while you are on it??? Hmmmm! I did call Wyeth this morning and just as I figured, they couldn't give me any information. They said they don't know the exact mechanism that causes the electric shocks only that they assume it is the brain chemicles rebalancing themselves again. I asked specifically if there were reports of permanent damage from these and they told me no! Other than that I didn't learn anything knew and nothing enlightening. I hate not being able to get answers from people!
Posted by lioness on October 7, 2003, at 22:43:37
In reply to Re: joining the withdrawal thread » Sufferfromeffexor, posted by Mercedes on October 7, 2003, at 15:37:16
> Me too. Get the electric shocks on any sudden noise. I just took a drink from my water bottel and after I set it down, it made a crakling noise and yep, the electric shock like needles coming out of my body affect. AND the worse part is I am also taking xanex and still get the shocks. I just don't know anymore. Not working, Can't work, can't think, feeling desperate.
>
> Thanks for calling. Will you pls share the #.?
> Just a FYI, as I know it, it's the manufactures like Wyeth that starts the process. They test it and then they have their sales people push it on to the PDocs, give them samples, etc. They, along with the Distribution co's get together and pay for the advertising of the drug. The pharmacies get rebates ($$) from the dist. co's., for every prescription they fill, the pharmacies pay the dr's a percent for every prescription they write. Everyone makes money and they are very happy. Well, my blurred vision is getting worse, better stop while I'm ahead.
>
> Mercedes
>
> > I don't know who I am mad at anymore...or should I say most mad at...the manufacturer or the actual doc that prescribes it and doesn't fulfill his duties by monitoring you while you are on it??? Hmmmm! I did call Wyeth this morning and just as I figured, they couldn't give me any information. They said they don't know the exact mechanism that causes the electric shocks only that they assume it is the brain chemicles rebalancing themselves again. I asked specifically if there were reports of permanent damage from these and they told me no! Other than that I didn't learn anything knew and nothing enlightening. I hate not being able to get answers from people!
>
>
I started taking 10 mg of prozac to help me with the withdrawal symptoms and I no longer get the brain zaps. I am still on 75 mg of effexor, and because I have the flu, I will not wean until I feel better. Once in a while, I think I am going to get a brain zap, but it does not seem to happen. Hope this helps.
Lioness
Posted by loolot on October 8, 2003, at 9:26:17
In reply to Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by kcg33 on October 4, 2003, at 6:58:59
I hated effexor. Still having problems from the withdrawal , also.
That having been said, Im not sure lawsuits are the best way to go, simply because this drug is still helping a lot of people, and what if it was recalled and those people could no longer take it?
Thats how I feel about a lot of the dopaminergic ADs which have been recalled. Those drugs could have turned my life around.
I DO think we should try and force the makers of effexor to document the withdrawal and side effects in a more outright manner. They definitely are masking that stuff.
Posted by lioness on October 8, 2003, at 10:51:41
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by loolot on October 8, 2003, at 9:26:17
I agree with you, loolot. I know people who have had great success with effexor. I also know people who have taken it after chemotherapy to help eliminate some of the side effects from their treatment. Not everyone has the terrible withdrawal symptoms. I wish I had known before how difficult the weaning process COULD be. I am thankful to have found this board, as I no longer feel crazy from my symptoms.
Posted by Salty_Dog on October 8, 2003, at 11:52:22
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by loolot on October 8, 2003, at 9:26:17
I don't mean to be an a*&$#@, but the manufacture has specific indications for stopping Efexor-XR printed in the product information sheet found in the bottle. The Pharmacist is responsible for consuling the patient about the side-effects of both starting and stopping any medication they give the patient. Here it is in print:
Discontinuation of EFEXOR-XR: Discontinuation symptoms have been assessed both in patients with depression and in those with anxiety. Abrupt discontinuation, dose reduction, or tapering of venlafaxine at various doses has been found to be associated with the appearance of new symptoms, the frequency of which increased with increased dose level and with longer duration of treatment. Symptoms reported included agitation, anxiety, confusion, dry mouth, fatigue, paresthesias, vertigo, hypomania, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, diarrhoea, sleep disturbance, insomnia, sweating and nervousness. Where such symptoms occurred, they were usually self-limiting, but in a few patients lasted for several weeks. Discontinuation effects are well known to occur with antidepressants. There is also a report of a withdrawal syndrome, confirmed by two challenges in a 32 year old woman who had received venlafaxine 300 mg daily for 8 months. It is therefore recommended that the dosage of EFEXOR-XR be tapered gradually and the patient monitored. The period required for discontinuation may depend on the dose, duration of therapy and the individual patient (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
None of the Medical professionals seem to have the time or interest in thoroughly reading the manufactures info.
The Pharmacist who fills the prescription has been trained to consult patients on all aspects of the medications they dispense. They see more of the side-effects and deal with more prescriptions for any given product than any Dr.
I think you need to chose your Pharmacist very carefully and ask questions when a new prescription is filled.
Posted by BJL on October 8, 2003, at 11:59:57
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by Salty_Dog on October 8, 2003, at 11:52:22
I guess I'm still stuck on the fact that the lowest dose is 37.5 mg, and it really requires lower doses to avoid withdrawals. We shouldn't have to "break pills" to get lower doses. It should be provided. Every post that I have seen has people going off of Effexor 37.5. Some are on that dose for months, some weeks, and even some for just days before quitting. Pretty much all of these people have intense withdrawals. When is the manufacturer going to disburse smaller doses? I think it's essential!
Posted by Salty_Dog on October 8, 2003, at 12:30:20
In reply to Re: joining the withdrawal thread, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 7, 2003, at 9:17:57
I think a more tolerable method of withdrawl is to tapper down in 4-7 day steps (no more than a 75 mg reduction) and when you are confortable with stopping, spread out the time between doses from 24 hours to ~36 hours, ~48 hours and finally ~72 hours, making the changes when you feel confortable and be willing to step up again if it becomes too much. This method should give the brain time to adjust it's own production of neurotransmitters.
As I have read in past postings, many people are jumping off after tappering down and having bad side effects.Instead of putting blame on various Profesionals, the focus should be on what has worked for others. I keep reading postings where everyone is encouring some unfortunate sole to be "on the wagon" which could spell disaster.
In the old days when an Alcoholic needed to stop drinking, AA members (working in pairs - same sex) would 12 step the indivigual and would carry a pint of vodka to assist the indivigual in detoxing. One or two shots would be given when certain physical manifestions occured. Alcoholics can not be detoxed without close monitoring. Currently some patients have to be given valuim to stop seizures which could be fatal.
Currently, none of the Detox centers I know of will assist a person who is trying to stop Efexor, which is a crying shame. The Detox centers can not get money from the insurance carrier and the Detox centers are not always trained for AD withdrawl. I have come across a few which realy know how to help patients stop taking a wide range of drugs, but it still comes down to money.
Posted by lioness on October 8, 2003, at 12:45:26
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by BJL on October 8, 2003, at 11:59:57
You can get a 25 mg tablet of effexor. It is not extened release, but you can break them in smaller pieces as you taper off. That is what my doctor and I plan to do, as I need to titrate down VERY slowly.
Posted by djmmm on October 8, 2003, at 13:13:04
In reply to Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by kcg33 on October 4, 2003, at 6:58:59
> Working on this, as soon as I have the name of the firm and the number to give you, I will post it.
>
> BJL, Lioness and Mercedes, my thoughts EXACTLY. No energy, low metabolism, night sweats, MIGRAINES, sensitivity to the sun, visual problems, and no sex drive whatsoever. And this is just while TAKING the drug - and the horror quadruples when you try to get off of it! There will be Liberty and Justice for All in the end.
Unfortunately all of those side-effects are listed in Effexor's monograph, so (again unfortunately) a lawsuit based on side-effects published and provided by Wyeth Ayerst with the medication is unlikely to hold up in any court.
Posted by kcg33 on October 8, 2003, at 13:34:37
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by djmmm on October 8, 2003, at 13:13:04
You are probably right, although, I PERSONALLY did not receive any warnings, no cute little piece of paper with the prescription bottle, not even a sticky note on the bottle itself describing any effects whatsoever, however, as time-consuming as it would be to find enough people who feel the way I do about this situation, I would gladly just be happy to settle with getting off and away from this medication and feeling normal again.
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 8, 2003, at 15:36:41
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by Salty_Dog on October 8, 2003, at 11:52:22
Where such symptoms occurred, they were usually self-limiting, but in a few patients lasted for several weeks. HAHAHAHA can I laugh at that?? A FEW patients and SEVERAL weeks, I think not. I am personally only running into all these people that keep asking the same question I do...how long will this last and responses aren't a couple of weeks. First of all, if I have read right, I don't think this was even enforced until the year 2000...I was on this for much longer than that-where was my warning than???? Where was my warning when I first took the drug???? I don't mean to be rude either but I think that is crap. Secondly, and I know I will get backlash for this, but who really reads these warnings??? They are printed on everything (including vitamins etc...) but the chances of getting a bad reation to something common may be few and far between...I seem to think that these happen QUITE more frequently than the manufacturers let people believe, why do they hide it? I agree that the docs are quite responsible when they start prescribing this crap and aren't educating their patients but I don't know if I could blame a pharmacists who is only filling a prescription and doesn't know the customer from anything. Sure they could answer questions, but are they gonna really put out huge warnings? I doubt it. I don't mean to wish to argue with anyone on this board, I really don't...it is just this gets me so worked up, especially because I am living the withdrawals as we speak and have been doing so for the past 11 days.
> I don't mean to be an a*&$#@, but the manufacture has specific indications for stopping Efexor-XR printed in the product information sheet found in the bottle. The Pharmacist is responsible for consuling the patient about the side-effects of both starting and stopping any medication they give the patient. Here it is in print:
>
> Discontinuation of EFEXOR-XR: Discontinuation symptoms have been assessed both in patients with depression and in those with anxiety. Abrupt discontinuation, dose reduction, or tapering of venlafaxine at various doses has been found to be associated with the appearance of new symptoms, the frequency of which increased with increased dose level and with longer duration of treatment. Symptoms reported included agitation, anxiety, confusion, dry mouth, fatigue, paresthesias, vertigo, hypomania, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, diarrhoea, sleep disturbance, insomnia, sweating and nervousness. Where such symptoms occurred, they were usually self-limiting, but in a few patients lasted for several weeks. Discontinuation effects are well known to occur with antidepressants. There is also a report of a withdrawal syndrome, confirmed by two challenges in a 32 year old woman who had received venlafaxine 300 mg daily for 8 months. It is therefore recommended that the dosage of EFEXOR-XR be tapered gradually and the patient monitored. The period required for discontinuation may depend on the dose, duration of therapy and the individual patient (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
>
> None of the Medical professionals seem to have the time or interest in thoroughly reading the manufactures info.
>
> The Pharmacist who fills the prescription has been trained to consult patients on all aspects of the medications they dispense. They see more of the side-effects and deal with more prescriptions for any given product than any Dr.
>
> I think you need to chose your Pharmacist very carefully and ask questions when a new prescription is filled.
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 8, 2003, at 15:46:38
In reply to You are probably right, posted by kcg33 on October 8, 2003, at 13:34:37
What about the people that took this medication before the year 2000??? Correct me if I am wrong, please...but I thought I read on the FDA website that it wasn't enforced for them to put these fancy pamphlets in the cute little paper bags that the prescription comes in until around Feb. 2000? Also, I am concerned with the lack of emphasis on these warnings. They have them listed, just as a gallon of milk would list, yet there are so many signs that these withdrawals happen WAY more frequently than they make it seem. That is what concerns me. I know it is our own fault if we don't take head to the pretty little warning, but in todays society who has the time and energy to worry about those warnings (because I believe most are put on there based on very FEW cases)...but with Effexo I don't believe it to be that rare...why can't they just say more than likely you WILL experience dreadful withdrawals? Why can't they say that...oh maybe because someone might actually think twice about taking it if they knew the real warning? Just my opinion of course.
> You are probably right, although, I PERSONALLY did not receive any warnings, no cute little piece of paper with the prescription bottle, not even a sticky note on the bottle itself describing any effects whatsoever, however, as time-consuming as it would be to find enough people who feel the way I do about this situation, I would gladly just be happy to settle with getting off and away from this medication and feeling normal again.
Posted by loolot on October 8, 2003, at 17:23:04
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by Salty_Dog on October 8, 2003, at 11:52:22
> None of the Medical professionals seem to have the time or interest in thoroughly reading the manufactures info.>>Yeah, I agree. I actually think Doctors need to read these things. Pharmacists are too damn busy and am too embarassed to talk to them about meds sometimes. DOCTORS need top tell us this outright
Posted by lioness on October 8, 2003, at 17:49:12
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by loolot on October 8, 2003, at 17:23:04
I think what I have learned from this whole experience is that I need to ask more questions. I never thought to ask about possible side effects ( although I tend to get all the adverse effects of medications!). I will not forget from now on!
Posted by kcg33 on October 8, 2003, at 18:15:44
In reply to Re: You are probably right, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 8, 2003, at 15:46:38
What about the people that took this medication before the year 2000??? Correct me if I am wrong, please...but I thought I read on the FDA website that it wasn't enforced for them to put these fancy pamphlets in the cute little paper bags that the prescription comes in until around Feb. 2000? Also, I am concerned with the lack of emphasis on these warnings. They have them listed, just as a gallon of milk would list, yet there are so many signs that these withdrawals happen WAY more frequently than they make it seem. That is what concerns me. I know it is our own fault if we don't take head to the pretty little warning, but in todays society who has the time and energy to worry about those warnings (because I believe most are put on there based on very FEW cases)...but with Effexo I don't believe it to be that rare...why can't they just say more than likely you WILL experience dreadful withdrawals? Why can't they say that...oh maybe because someone might actually think twice about taking it if they knew the real warning? Just my opinion of course.
SufferfromEffexor: I totally agree with you. I don't believe there is any room for doubt for anyone that reads these posts how I feel about this situation. I will continue to make my case against Wyeth. I recognize that not all folks agree with me, and that is okay, because everyone is entitled to their own opinion in things. The only pharmacy that I have ever been to that actually places a slip of paper in the bag with the medication bottle is Walmart. Otherwise, both of the local pharmacies here do not do that. My pill bottle was a regular brown prescription bottle with a label taped to the side that said "Take one pill daily". That's all I had to go by. I had no warning, no advice, no counsel from my pharmacist, my doctor, NOBODY.
From the number of signatures on the Petition against Wyeth already in progress, (well over 3500 at this point), I would say I am not the only person outraged by this lack of counsel.
It is not and never was a desire of mine to get rich from this misery, my purpose in bringing a complaint to Wyeth is simply to force them into making the effects of this drug known. There are several ways this could be done, first of all, they could sell the drug only in the original bottles as some name brand drugs are sold, which have the little "piece of paper" inside instead of allowing the pharmacists to package scripts in the brown bottles and not counsel on the effects. The FDA could play a better role here by making it mandatory that to dispense this drug, any doctor or pharmacist should counsel the patient on the side effects before the script is filled.
Oh, by the way, did I mention that when FDA approved this drug, according to their study, the test consisted of a little over 300 people in one group and about 280 people in the placebo group? From this test, they decided they had all the side effects figured out and passed the drug through FDA approval. Now years later, we are all telling them that their little "study" was somewhat OFF, but there is still not movement toward a new study or warning people that there are many more side effects, and some pretty severe, than their handouts discuss.
This whole thing enrages me just as it does you and many other people out there. I personally feel like with all medications come some small percentage of adverse reactions in a very small number of people, but when the adverse reactions are the rule and not the exception in the greater majority of people taking a medication, it seems to me to beg the question "What's wrong here?"
My life in hell with Effexor has written my opinion of it in stone.
k
Posted by Emme on October 8, 2003, at 18:22:22
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by loolot on October 8, 2003, at 17:23:04
The docs don't need to just tell patients about withdrawal symptoms. They need to coach them through it. It took me 4 weeks to get off Effexor and it wasn't fun. My pdoc reminded me that I could slip in as small a dose as I wanted to keep the taper super slow. At one point I was chopping up the tablets and taking something like 6 mg. It helped. We all know this is a tough drug to get off of. The doctors need to have strategies to suggest to help people with the symptoms. I'm not up on this, but are there other drugs that can help ease the withdrawal? It seems to me that there's enough clinical experience out there now that they should be able to help patients get off this drug. The focus should be on finding the best ways to manage the withdrawal problem. Would a lawsuit really accomplish that end? This is a drug that's helped many people. I ramble.
>
> > None of the Medical professionals seem to have the time or interest in thoroughly reading the manufactures info.>>
>
> Yeah, I agree. I actually think Doctors need to read these things. Pharmacists are too damn busy and am too embarassed to talk to them about meds sometimes. DOCTORS need top tell us this outright
Posted by Gayle on October 8, 2003, at 19:42:11
In reply to Re: Anyone want to talk about the violent dreams?, posted by 07shel27 on September 18, 2003, at 12:16:47
> Dreams and Effexor. When I was just on the Effexor with a sleeping pill (Ambien) I didn't dream at all but I was lucky if I would get 2 hours of sleep. I am now on Trazadone and Effexor and sleeping like a baby, but I do have dreams and a lot of dreams, sometimes I dream all night long. Nothing violent though. It is just that is goes on all night. But I am still sleeping and that is a blessing. I really hated the Ambien and I now think that it is an evil drug. I will never take it again.
I take 150mg of Effexor and I have horrible nightmares and I have gained weight on it. I was also taking 25mg of amitriptyline at night to make me sleep, however the amitriptyline has made me want to eat ALL the time and it makes me tired all day, so I stopped taking it 5 days ago and was wondering how you like the trazidone? I have fibromyalgia and need something to sleep but don't want anything that is going to make me for worse all day and gain weight. Please help
Posted by dylsmom on October 8, 2003, at 22:40:31
In reply to Re: Anyone want to talk about the violent dreams? » 07shel27, posted by Gayle on October 8, 2003, at 19:42:11
I had horribly violent dreams while on Effexor XR. I woke up my 18 month old child one time because I screamed so loud.
I never took a sleeping aid as I had a hard enough time wanting to take anything.
> > Dreams and Effexor. When I was just on the Effexor with a sleeping pill (Ambien) I didn't dream at all but I was lucky if I would get 2 hours of sleep. I am now on Trazadone and Effexor and sleeping like a baby, but I do have dreams and a lot of dreams, sometimes I dream all night long. Nothing violent though. It is just that is goes on all night. But I am still sleeping and that is a blessing. I really hated the Ambien and I now think that it is an evil drug. I will never take it again.
>
> I take 150mg of Effexor and I have horrible nightmares and I have gained weight on it. I was also taking 25mg of amitriptyline at night to make me sleep, however the amitriptyline has made me want to eat ALL the time and it makes me tired all day, so I stopped taking it 5 days ago and was wondering how you like the trazidone? I have fibromyalgia and need something to sleep but don't want anything that is going to make me for worse all day and gain weight. Please help
Posted by kcg33 on October 9, 2003, at 5:31:01
In reply to Re: Anyone want to talk about the violent dreams? » Gayle, posted by dylsmom on October 8, 2003, at 22:40:31
> I had horribly violent dreams while on Effexor XR. I woke up my 18 month old child one time because I screamed so loud.
> I never took a sleeping aid as I had a hard enough time wanting to take anything.
> > Dreams and Effexor. When I was just on the Effexor with a sleeping pill (Ambien) I didn't dream at all but I was lucky if I would get 2 hours of sleep. I am now on Trazadone and Effexor and sleeping like a baby, but I do have dreams and a lot of dreams, sometimes I dream all night long. Nothing violent though. It is just that is goes on all night. But I am still sleeping and that is a blessing. I really hated the Ambien and I now think that it is an evil drug. I will never take it again.
> > I take 150mg of Effexor and I have horrible nightmares and I have gained weight on it. I was also taking 25mg of amitriptyline at night to make me sleep, however the amitriptyline has made me want to eat ALL the time and it makes me tired all day, so I stopped taking it 5 days ago and was wondering how you like the trazidone? I have fibromyalgia and need something to sleep but don't want anything that is going to make me for worse all day and gain weight. Please help
>
Now that I am reduced down to 1/3 pill (25 mg) a day, the nightmares are not as frequent. I had some pretty bad ones for a long time. I almost dreaded going to sleep because of the anxiety of knowing some really freaky and horrible scenario would be playing itself out in my sleep. Tylenol PM is how I got to sleep and it never failed me.
Posted by lioness on October 9, 2003, at 14:54:33
In reply to Re: Anyone want to talk about the violent dreams?, posted by kcg33 on October 9, 2003, at 5:31:01
I am SOOOOO relieved to hear that my horrific dreams were due to the effexor weaning!!! I was having such disturbing dreams for a couple of weeks, that I could not get the images out of my head. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Lioness
Posted by Music on October 9, 2003, at 16:57:31
In reply to Re: Anyone want to talk about the violent dreams?, posted by lioness on October 9, 2003, at 14:54:33
Today I went to my PsyDoc and she wants me to gradually switch to Wellbutrin SR because of the sexual SE's that Effexor XR has. Has anyone successfully had luck with Wellbutrin SR for sexual SE's? If so, please comment. Also wondering if Wellbutrin SR works just as good as Effexor XR does? I am on 300mg per day of Effexor XR and it finally works really good for me and now my PsyDoc is changing my meds. I am kind of scared. Any suggestions for me would help. Thank you thread...
Music
Posted by BJL on October 9, 2003, at 17:24:28
In reply to Question for thread, posted by Music on October 9, 2003, at 16:57:31
Music, I am on wellbutrin SR, which I was also on while on Effexor. I don't know that it "helped" sex-wise, but going off Effexor must be, because I actually have desire after just two weeks off the Effexor. Be warned, however, that you will dream on wellbutrin. I haven't had nightmares, just the goofiest dreams in the world, and it's every single night. I don't feel my sleep is actually being disrupted. In fact, after feeling good the last four days, without withdrawal symptoms, I feel better than I have for a very, very long time.
For anyone who has withdrawals from the Effexor, hang in there! It's tough, but you'll be okay. My mood was awful for the last week, emotional, even wishing I could just die (and not just because I was sick, I was soooo depressed), and for the last two days, I don't feel that. I feel like a normal person. I'm not saying I want to go off wellbutrin yet, but I'm feeling stable right now, and that's a wonderful thing. A little liposuction would be better yet, but they won't remove 1/3 of your body at a time, so I guess I won't be doing that (oh yeah, and it's not free either, empty checkbook).
Remember, Music, go off the Effexor s-l-o-w, and I mean very slow. I'll be thinking of you. Good luck! -Bobbi-
Posted by OliviaD on October 9, 2003, at 18:20:18
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Jonathan on June 19, 2000, at 5:36:38
Re: withdrawing from effexor. I was taking (and now have resumed taking) 600 mg of effexor sr per day, along with 300 mg of wellbutrin (I am a rather slight woman so this is a rather heavy dosage). Without complete awareness of how difficult withdrawal could be, I stopped both meds cold turkey (when I gave up illegal drugs) but found that in order to bear it I needed a beta blocker, and so was prescribed clonazepam (which I prefer to Xanax because it is longer acting and less addicting). This really and truly made going off the Effexor much easier than it had been. What also helped: I took five capsules of Tyrosine, B6 and whatever else it's usually potentiated with three times a day, as per the late Dr. Atkins nutriet formula for depression (phenalylanine is actually supposed to be even better). Anyway, the Tyrosine kept my depression semi- at-bay for quite some time, but due to terrible family situation and job loss I ended up deeper in the hole than ever and have resumed Effexor, Wellbutrin and clonazepam (plus Trazedone to sleep). I'm already feeling better after slightly over a week, but wondering whether the year or so I spent off of Effexor will be long enough to nullify the two-year poop-out tendency of this drug.
God bless and take care, you all!
> > I am supposed to be switching over to Prozac again but don't want to put another pill in my mouth until this withdrawal stuff stops. From other responses, I am getting the idea it takes two weeks for this to stop. I am so angry that these side effects were not listed in anything from the cmpany that made this disgusting pill. Not only did it make me worse than I was before I switched to it but to get it out of my system I have to put up with this. I thought this would be easing up just a little since I have been without it for four days but I guess not. I wish I had a good lawyer who could help me get the pharmacutical for the nightmare I have been through for six weeks. I guess we have to do what they call "hang in there."
>
> Lee,
>
> I understand you not wishing to start any new medication yet, but Prozac is probably the best drug there is for alleviating Effexor withdrawal symptoms.
> Since you're planning to switch to Prozac anyway, you'll feel better much faster if you start taking the Prozac immediately.
> I hope it does help you to get over the Effexor soon: I went through the same a few weeks ago and it was vile.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Jonathan.
>
>
Posted by lioness on October 9, 2003, at 20:28:59
In reply to Re: withdrawal from Effexor: what made mine easier, posted by OliviaD on October 9, 2003, at 18:20:18
> Re: withdrawing from effexor. I was taking (and now have resumed taking) 600 mg of effexor sr per day, along with 300 mg of wellbutrin (I am a rather slight woman so this is a rather heavy dosage). Without complete awareness of how difficult withdrawal could be, I stopped both meds cold turkey (when I gave up illegal drugs) but found that in order to bear it I needed a beta blocker, and so was prescribed clonazepam (which I prefer to Xanax because it is longer acting and less addicting). This really and truly made going off the Effexor much easier than it had been. What also helped: I took five capsules of Tyrosine, B6 and whatever else it's usually potentiated with three times a day, as per the late Dr. Atkins nutriet formula for depression (phenalylanine is actually supposed to be even better). Anyway, the Tyrosine kept my depression semi- at-bay for quite some time, but due to terrible family situation and job loss I ended up deeper in the hole than ever and have resumed Effexor, Wellbutrin and clonazepam (plus Trazedone to sleep). I'm already feeling better after slightly over a week, but wondering whether the year or so I spent off of Effexor will be long enough to nullify the two-year poop-out tendency of this drug.
> God bless and take care, you all!
> > > I am supposed to be switching over to Prozac again but don't want to put another pill in my mouth until this withdrawal stuff stops. From other responses, I am getting the idea it takes two weeks for this to stop. I am so angry that these side effects were not listed in anything from the cmpany that made this disgusting pill. Not only did it make me worse than I was before I switched to it but to get it out of my system I have to put up with this. I thought this would be easing up just a little since I have been without it for four days but I guess not. I wish I had a good lawyer who could help me get the pharmacutical for the nightmare I have been through for six weeks. I guess we have to do what they call "hang in there."
> >
> > Lee,
> >
> > I understand you not wishing to start any new medication yet, but Prozac is probably the best drug there is for alleviating Effexor withdrawal symptoms.
> > Since you're planning to switch to Prozac anyway, you'll feel better much faster if you start taking the Prozac immediately.
> > I hope it does help you to get over the Effexor soon: I went through the same a few weeks ago and it was vile.
> >
> > Good luck,
> >
> > Jonathan.
> >
> >
> You can start taking the prozac while still weaning off of the effexor. It may make a world of difference...it did for me!
>
Lioness
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