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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 15:12:00
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by patarie on October 18, 2003, at 4:17:45
hi i just found this site, and wow...pretty cool, i think...but i have been on effexor er for about three weeks, started at 37.5mg for three days, then up to 75mg per day, which i usually take in the middle of the day...anyway, i have been having most of the side effects/withdrawal symptoms listed here for about a week. actually, i may have had symptoms for longer than that, but i had been taking klonopin and phrenilin also, and i ran out of both of them...so now i am noticing that i cannot get to sleep very well, have violent muscle twitching when i do sleep, vivid dreams/nightmares, wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble going back to sleep, little "shocks" of muscle twitching when awake, no appetite, confused thinking...so i want to get off of this stuff before i get more used to it. i only have the 75mg capsules...so how do i go down on the dosage? i have been reading lots of the posts, but i haven't found that out yet, so would like some help from anyone please...!
Posted by zinya on October 18, 2003, at 21:30:02
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 15:12:00
hi melbob,
my first check-in for several days and lo and behold a question right up my alley...
You can open the capsules and divide them up to ease yourself down gradually. You haven't been on too long but possibly your body - from the sound of sleep/twitch problems (you're sure there's no additional factor of klonopin withdrawal? geez, i once had half the smallest dose of klonopin and it immediately felt like daggers behind my eyes - never again -- but as we all learn here, each one of us is unique and no way can you predict your reaction to any of these drugs nor withdrawal from them...
I spent 3 months on effexor, working up very gradually (given sensitivities to every other a-d i'd ever tried) and was at 150 when i decided i just couldn't tolerate the SEs any longer, which for me were constant inordinate sweating day and night plus a way too rapid heartbeat that got scary...
I started tapering down Sept 2 and i'm down to 25 mg now (75 divided by 3 -- i open a capsule into 3 little glass custard cups and divvy up the granules as equally as possible and then put back into empty capsules saved from downing some nights without the capsule itself) ... From reports here (anecdotal), it seems the last stages are the roughest so i'm particularly planning slow further phase out from here - to 19.75 (1/4 of a 75) then to 10 mg., then probably to 10 mg every other day (i take mine at night on full stomach after dinner) and then to 10 mg every 3rd day and then probably quit.
There is an issue one person finally raised after i started out asking the same Q as you here - one user who noted that the granules in the capsules are coated to slightly different degrees which is what determines the time-release nature, and on my way "up" i did quit dividing capsules after hearing that pov but i never had a single problem yet from divvying granules in terms of making for erratic SEs or drug effects during 24 hr period.
So i think it's quite safe to divvy the granules - and i'd stay at least several days at each lower dose before proceeeding...
good luck,
zinya
Posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 22:25:49
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS » melbob, posted by zinya on October 18, 2003, at 21:30:02
hi zinya...
thanks so much for the quick response...i just went and bought some benadryl, feeling a bit weird, as i haven't taken any effexor today at all...if i don't feel better soon, i guess i will try opening up the capsule; i was hoping that perhaps i could just stop cold-turkey, but that may not be a great idea, huh?! i will let you know how it goes...i do not like this weird feeling of "not being here"; and those twitches are no fun either (and i only took the klonopin short-term, so i don't think it is that; though anything is possible!); am also having muscle pains for no discernible reason...
thanks again...
melbob
Posted by zinya on October 19, 2003, at 1:09:40
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 15:12:00
I just got 'hit' this past week with a severe bout of carpal tunnel - something i had 3 yrs ago but had cured it in a month or so that time... I learned then that hormone imbalances (estrogen in particular) play a role in carpal tunnel. And suddenly tonight it occurred to me that the fact i'm going off Effexor might have had some role in why i suddenly got this again now - it wouldn't be such a stretch that Effexor level changes could be messing with and triggering the carpal problems ... not unlike the way some direct estrogen level changes triggered it 3 yrs ago.
Anyone else have any such experience or linkage?
Posted by zinya on October 19, 2003, at 1:18:43
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS » zinya, posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 22:25:49
Melbob,
I've been reading people's Effexor experiences here long enough to URGE you, no matter how much you are tempted to cold turkey -- seriously, melbob, do not do it. People who try cold turkey systematically regret it , big time. It can be nightmarish. You've got the capsules. Open one and take half and taper off gradually. This isn't the kind of drug to think you can be cavalier about. Really. Take a half capsule.
good luck,
zinya
Posted by omegon on October 19, 2003, at 1:29:08
In reply to RE EFFEXOR-DID ANYONE HAVE TINNITUS SYMPTOMS, posted by Nurtureman on October 17, 2003, at 16:38:36
Tinnitus? Oh yeah. I just (2 days ago) went up to 150mg/day efexor MR (75 twice a day, 'cos it's less of a rollercoaster) and the very mild tinnitus I used to have has got louder.
Efexor is doing a lot to improve my mood, though, and the ringing doesn't bother me much (especially with music, traffic noise etc. to distract me) so I'm happy. Ish. Better than paroxetine, anyway. (sweat, shake, squint, wobble, etc)
> Did not know until recently that the ringing in my ears was probably due to 225mg daily dose of Effexor-XR I've been taking for nearly a year. Prior to this, I was on a 150mg daily. The ringing in my ears has worsened since dosage was increased but my doctor never made the connection. After nearly five years on an anti-depressant, I'm coming off Effexor gradually starting today.
Posted by lovemybabies on October 19, 2003, at 7:44:56
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 15:12:00
The effects you're having at the beginning DO go away. Well, the dreams for me have remained VERY vivid and bizarre. Sometimes hilarious. Not violent, though. Every other side effect is gone...even the decreased libido. I'm worried, too about stopping. I thing a really slow taper down is the way to do it. I cracked up reading about people who remove a few GRANULES from the capsule every day...but now I'm considering trying it. Good luck in what you decide.
Posted by lovemybabies on October 19, 2003, at 7:50:07
In reply to anyone get carpal tunnel during Effexor?, posted by zinya on October 19, 2003, at 1:09:40
Holy cow. Yes, yes, yes. I don't know if there is a direct link but after about 2-3 months on Effexor my MD sent me to a neurologist to rule out any 'neuromuscular diseases.' I was having tingling, numbness in both hands/fingers. Well, my anxiety skyrocketed even ON Effexor :)---turns out is is just Carpal Tunnel. I wore wrist splints at night for a while. Now it's much better. I still get tingling at night but no pain. Wacky, huh?
Posted by melbob on October 19, 2003, at 8:46:49
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS » melbob, posted by zinya on October 19, 2003, at 1:18:43
hi zinya...
thank you...well, i made it thru the night...no serious jerking problems, just little twitches...the benadryl does help...i stayed up until after midnight, and slept until almost daylight. the weird dreams were still coming, but not scary this time, just weird and very vivid and long. i just realized how constipated i had been while taking effexor; i hadn't noticed that i wasn't "moving", since i hadn't really been eating, either...have lost about 15 pounds in about 3 weeks, just no appetite...hmmmm, not worth the SEs to lose a few pounds! but i will keep my effexor with me in case i start feeling really bad, and i will certainly not allow myself to suffer if taking some of it will help. so thank you again for the suggestions...and i have noticed that i am having some pain in my wrists while typing, which is unusual for me...hmmmm.
anyway, thank you, zinya, will keep y'all posted.
melbob
Posted by melbob on October 19, 2003, at 8:51:10
In reply to Re: RE EFFEXOR-DID ANYONE HAVE TINNITUS SYMPTOMS, posted by omegon on October 19, 2003, at 1:29:08
hi...
i live in the country, where there is no noise at all, just the chickens and ducks (who can be pretty noisy at times!)...anyway, i was on (until yesterday) 75mg per day for 3 weeks or so...and i have noticed ringing a little; mainly, though, i hear beeping (like when a big truck backs up); but only when it is quiet here...
melbob
Posted by melbob on October 19, 2003, at 9:08:08
In reply to Re: AT MY WITS END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!soccermom and » J9, posted by zinya on September 12, 2003, at 9:52:54
WOW! you go girl! you are right on-target about all that. thank you.
melbob
Posted by awatts on October 19, 2003, at 9:41:33
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Effexor XR is working for me. I feel much better on 150mg/day. However, my blood pressure is now up to 140/95. Anybody else have this problem with effexor?
Alan
Posted by zinya on October 19, 2003, at 10:54:42
In reply to RE EFFEXOR-DID ANYONE HAVE TINNITUS SYMPTOMS, posted by Nurtureman on October 17, 2003, at 16:38:36
Just one suggestion to at least check out: A friend of mine who was on Effexor for over a year was pretty convinced she had tinnitus and related to Effexor, but she just recently went to an ENT and discovered that it wasn't tinnitus but rather hardened wax on her eardrum that had to be removed, which has made all the difference. You might try getting an ENT appt. at least to rule out this possibility. I know from my mom's experience, that with age, wax buildup -- in ways that are actually worsened by use of q-tips -- does become a regular maintenance problem for some (my friend and I are both in 50's, which is decidedly *not* old, mind you!!!, but still these processes *do* begin already) ...
i've had *some* ringing in ears increase on effexor but it's been very sporadic, usually just when i re-enter the house from being out driving, and it seems the contrast in sound levels leaves my ears ringing for some time but it goes away... I too should have an ENT appt though...
If it can cause symptoms of ringing in ears, as it had for my friend, then it's even more worth the effort to check it out...
good luck,
zinya
Posted by 20-something on October 19, 2003, at 14:15:31
In reply to Re: RE EFFEXOR-DID ANYONE HAVE TINNITUS SYMPTOMS » Nurtureman, posted by zinya on October 19, 2003, at 10:54:42
I have just found this site and have been reading all the posts. I thought that maybe if I gave you guys my background, it might give you some ideas for questions you should be asking you Dr.s
I am 25 and have been suffering from depression most of my life -it runs in my family (grandmother, father, sister, cousin). I wasn't diagnosed until I was 20 because I was good at pretending and our culture was filled with so much disbelief. I spent a few years on various doses of zoloft, with annoying side effects like teeth grinding, nausea, and headaches, before it stopped helping at all. My doctor then put me on effexor xr, which had been working well for my sister. The only side effect my sister warned me about was that she had trouble sleeping if she took it too late in the day. I have been taking 225 mg of effexor er for over a year and a half, while at the same time I have had a number of frustrating health problems.
After reading all your posts, I realize now that a lot of the discomfort and symptoms I have been going to doctors for could be related to the effexor. I was very irritated when my doctor didn't take these seriously, as I have not felt healthy and productive in a long time.
SEDATION -I have experienced more tiredness and fatigue than when I had mono. The falling asleep for several hours during the day -I even have tried to go out for walks when I felt good, and then ten minutes later been so tired that I wanted to laydown on the sidewalk and pass out. I've always had that with the depression, but never figured that the effexor was making it worse. I haven't had the energy for a social life, or any of my hobbies in a long time.
RINGING IN THE EARS -All the time. I have seen doctors about this, but they insist it's not a big deal as long as my blood pressure is normal. Never mind that it drives me crazy!
WIERD IMPULSES - Hearing this from others really opened my eyes because I hadn't even focused too much at how my behavior has changed, and how I periodically have a short fuse that I never had before. And it is a wierd curiousity kind of thing -not necessarily ill will. I have it someimes when I'm driving, and all of a sudden I just think about driving off the side of the highway, or something totally insane.
WEIGHT GAIN - About the time I switched to effexor I put on 50 pounds fairly quickly, and I have not been able to lose it. I have always been athletic and have studied nutrition for a long time. I have undergone all kinds of tests to see what was causing this problem, and nothing seems to be conclusive. I have every single symptom for hypothyroidism, yet my bloodwork did not show a problem with my thyroid. My Dr. never mentioned weight gain as a possible side effect of effexor, and I haven't ever read that before. It's very interesting to me that others mentioned this, because 50 pounds is a lot of weight. I can't fit into my clothes, and it's awful to work so hard to lose weight and not see any results.
TREMORS/ SPASMS - I have weird twitching in various muscles all the time. It's kind of like my whole body jerks out of nowhere.
HEADACHES/ DISORIENTATION -When I have forgotten to take a dose for a day, I definitely notice after about 24 hours because I become a little disoriented, the weird impulses become more frequent and intense, I get irritable and anxious, and I get wierd headaches combined with nausea. I start to feel like I'm losing control.
SUICIDE IDEAS - I am not suicidal, nor do I think I ever could kill myself, but I can't stop the idea of it from popping into my head. They've done research on children who were perscribed effexor for depression, and determined that the drug was actually increasing the occurence of their thoughts of suicide. It's not a good way to go about your daily life, and sometimes it makes me get down on myself for thinking such things.Has anyone else had problems with mentally zoning out and/or brain fog? I literally feel like my IQ has dropped ten points in the last year. As a young person trying to get started in a career, this has really hurt my productivity, initiative and confidence.
I have long been exploring options of getting off of effexor mainly because of the cost. My Dr. helped me apply for a free 3 month supply in May because I was unemployed and didn't have health insurance, and effexor was costing me $200 a month, which I definitely don't have. Now I am anxious to see if I can eliminate my other health concerns by going off effexor, but I have read articles about people that have not been able to stop taking it because the side effects of withdrawal would not go away, and were too painful(even when very gradually reducing dosage). I know that I need someway of managing my depression because I tried going off zoloft when I felt better, and then just ended up back at the beginning, and I have to say that even with some really low times, effexor has been more effective than zoloft was. But, now I have doubts that it is worth it.
I'm sorry that this post is a kind of long, but I hope it gives you some things to think about if you have concerns about effexor.
-20-something
Posted by melbob on October 19, 2003, at 20:16:32
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS » melbob, posted by zinya on October 19, 2003, at 1:18:43
hi all...
day 2 without effexor. started out pretty rough; however, i got a few klonopin from my soon-to-be sister-in-law...that really helped the agitation and paranoia...and i just ate my first real meal in a week. also, i found that ice cream sandwiches help me! and listening to bob dylan (my favorite, don't know why i didn't think of it sooner). and truthfully, reading all y'alls posts is very helpful, just knowing i am not alone. still having neck pain, shoulder pain, but just got rid of my headache (combination of benadryl, tramadol, tylenol, naproxen)...so i feel pretty normal at the moment, which is of course subject to change at any moment. i go to see my gp tomorrow at 2p, then my therapist (who recommended the effexor in the first place) on tuesday at 2p...believe me, they will both be hearing a very long story from me; hopefully, it will help the next person who comes along.
i will check in tomorrow...thank you for letting me share...
melbob
Posted by cookie on October 20, 2003, at 0:08:52
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.
Hello. I am thankful for Effexor. I will not lie and say I have not had any side effects. When my dose was upped to 150 mg, I began having difficulty reaching orgasm. However, that too has subsided.
Posted by slinky on October 20, 2003, at 9:54:45
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by lovemybabies on October 19, 2003, at 7:44:56
Well ain't it great!!
Only 75mg of niceypill efexor to go now.
Apart from a permanent sore throat,discovering the relief of cutting , I feel I'm evolving into a very nasty person.
I sleep to escape myself.
Anyone seen my broomstick?
vile evil vile evil
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 20, 2003, at 14:41:22
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Does anyone have high cholesterol because of taking Effexor?? I had mine checked last week and just got my results this morning and they are through the roof. My triglycerides are at 533 (normal being below 150). I wonder if this has anything to do with being on Effexor??? I have to go back to the doc tomorrow to see what they want to do. I will probably take medication to lower it temporarily and than have to make some changes in my diet. I am only turning 30 in December and can't believe I am faced with this already.
Posted by MamaCindy2000 on October 20, 2003, at 16:17:50
In reply to eeeFFexor FFlipp-out, posted by slinky on October 20, 2003, at 9:54:45
IVE BEEN FLIPPING OUT EVER SIENCE I STARTED EFFEXOR XR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last week my pdoc lowered my dose of effexor xr FROM 225 mg TO 175 mg And increased my Wellbutrin FROM 100 mg TO 200 mg.
CAN I EXPIERENCE WITHDRAWLS? Ive been twitching more than usual. And been having SEVERE crying spells. I almost didnt make it back to work after lunch today. I have no idea how Im keeping it together right now. Ice cubes on my eyes helps reduce puffiness after crying.
Posted by slinky on October 21, 2003, at 3:37:05
In reply to Re: eeeFFexor FFlipp-out, posted by MamaCindy2000 on October 20, 2003, at 16:17:50
> IVE BEEN FLIPPING OUT EVER SIENCE I STARTED EFFEXOR XR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> Last week my pdoc lowered my dose of effexor xr FROM 225 mg TO 175 mg And increased my Wellbutrin FROM 100 mg TO 200 mg.
> CAN I EXPIERENCE WITHDRAWLS? Ive been twitching more than usual. And been having SEVERE crying spells. I almost didnt make it back to work after lunch today. I have no idea how Im keeping it together right now. Ice cubes on my eyes helps reduce puffiness after crying.Yes, I can't stop crying , can't work out if it's withdrawals or prozac-that reduced withdrawal but not enough anymore.
I'm trying to keep away from this site cause of my anger bursts.
Posted by Francois on October 21, 2003, at 18:08:01
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello all,
I am going through the Effexor Withdrawal's absolutely insane dizziness (and related) and have found this most interesting community.I happen to own an internet company and spend half of my life or more online ;-) ... and have also found in my web research a lawfirm in NY City that seems to be putting together a class-action lawsuit via their "Defective Medicine" Legal Division (on behalf of Effexor users).
Although they seem to be interested in younger adults (due to higher suicidal ideation caused by Effexor in younger adults and children), I believe it would be most important for ALL of us to contact this firm and make them aware of this community and its population of distressed Effexor users.
Here is the info:
LAW FIRM: PARKER & WAICHMANNhttp://www.yourlawyer.com/practice/overview.htm?topic=Effexor
ALSO:
MANHATTAN OFFICE
80 Maiden Lane
12th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212.267.6700LONG ISLAND OFFICE
111 Great Neck Road
Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: 516.466.6500
Fax: 516.466.6665NEW JERSEY OFFICE
One Gateway Center
Suite 2500
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973.297.1020
I hope to see a good response by many of you.Sincerely,
Francois - Toronto, Canada.
Posted by yawnbob on October 21, 2003, at 22:24:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by lovemybabies on October 18, 2003, at 1:46:49
I've had very good luck with Effexor. I was taking 150mg daily and life was good. It didn't start that way; it took me probably four weeks to get over the headaches and dizzyness. You name a SE, I had it. Eventually my body adjusted and I felt better than I had in years. No more depression or suicidal thoughts, none. I was also a very angry, pessimistic person before Effexor, during Effexor most of that attitude was curbed. One side effect I had was an occasional lack of ability to acheive an orgasm. The wife never complained about that one much. At one point I declared Effexor a miracle drug.
Now here I am reading these posts because I've stopped taking it and suffering some withdrawal. Hummmm, much like what I was feeling while starting the drug!
I cut down my dosage to 75mg for several weeks and then stopped altogether. It's been two days now and I do a lot of sleeping during the day and sleeplessness at night.
So, why have I stopped taking the "miracle drug"? Lack of concentration. My job depends on my ability to read and constantly process new information. When I try to read I find myself reading the same sentence over and over and still never processing anything. I also find myself skipping words when I write, something I never did before. I thought I would try going without for a while but the withdrawal is tough enough that I don't think I'll start using the drug again.
We'll see. If the "old me" comes back I'll have to weigh a career change vs. life without Effexor.
Posted by john b stevens on October 21, 2003, at 22:54:40
In reply to Class-action Lawsuit / Lawfirm Name, posted by Francois on October 21, 2003, at 18:08:01
This is the kind of thing that makes the world a sorry place. I'm glad to see Canadians can be as annoying as Americans. STOP your complaining you CRYBABY. Effexor did not work for you. You had some withdrawal--boo hoo. Deal with it. Don't screw up the world for the rest of us, those of us who have had great success with Effexor. The world ain't perfect; suing someone isn't going to make it better. Next time work more closely with your doctor: take 3 months to get off of it.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 22, 2003, at 0:23:57
In reply to Re: Class-action Lawsuit / Lawfirm Name, posted by john b stevens on October 21, 2003, at 22:54:40
> I'm glad to see Canadians can be as annoying as Americans. STOP your complaining you CRYBABY.
Please be sensitive to the feelings of others and don't post anything that could lead them to feel accused or put down, thanks.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by omegon on October 22, 2003, at 0:29:29
In reply to Re: Class-action Lawsuit / Lawfirm Name, posted by john b stevens on October 21, 2003, at 22:54:40
It has to be said though that with over $2 billion annual sales, any lawsuit probably isn't going to make much of a dent. (at least, once it's gone through numerous appeals and they actually have to PAY it...)
> This is the kind of thing that makes the world a sorry place. I'm glad to see Canadians can be as annoying as Americans. ...[whinge whinge]... Don't screw up the world for the rest of us, ...[whinge]...suing someone isn't going to make it better. ...[whinge]
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