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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on November 25, 2003, at 23:06:11
In reply to Re: What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help, posted by rbeck on November 25, 2003, at 18:53:06
Hi All,
Well, it's Day 6 without the Effexor. My last dose of 225 mg was last Tuesday and each day has been an improvement over the last.
I want to clear up a few things...
I'm not off of meds entirely, my GP switched my meds from Effexor to Remeron. So, while I may not agree with my GP's idea of switching me so quickly like that, it is actually working so far...after those horrible first few days!!!
I am going to continue with treatment, but Effexor was not the right drug for me. I was actually feeling worse on it than I did before I began taking. So I need to find something that works for me, and Effexor wasn't it. It made me more irritable, hostile, and agitated than I have ever been.
I'm not anti-Effexor in general...I'm anti-ffexor for me and my body. It has not been a good experience for me...I'm hoping that the Remeron, twice weekly counselling sessions, my naturopath, massage therapy and continued excersize will all be a part of improving my condition. I may never get off of meds, I've been off and on dozens for over 15 years, but what happened to me while on Effexor and what's happened now while trying to get off of it has not been positive.
Phyically, I'm still feeling a bit dodgy from the withdrawal. Emotionally, I feel more like myself than I have in the entire year I was on Effexor...so far, the Remeron has seemed to be a positive experience...but if not, then I try and try agai to find what will work for me.
I refuse to give up.
Posted by Melissa1 on November 26, 2003, at 13:03:07
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
I appreciate everyone's feedback on this site so much. It has helped me get through the worst of Effexor withdrawal. At least I knew I wasn't going crazy. I was on 150 mg xr Effexor for about 4 years. It worked fairly well during that time. I also took Remeron at night to help me sleep. However, the Effexor started to have negative effects like exhaustion and anxiety, so I went off of it. The withdrawal is horrendous. You feel like you're having a nervous breakdown. It took about a month of slowly weaning off (very slowly) before I felt like I could function. Between the nausea, the inability to think or have any coordination and the tremendous mood swings, I think things have gotten better. I still have mild effects, but nothing like in the beginning. If you have not started this medicine, I would suggest you try something else. If you have to wean off, I would suggest another antidepressant in the meantime to avoid the radical serotonin and norepinephrine drop off. Effexor is nasty stuff and I am not surprised there are class action lawsuits against it. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. It does get better with time. Thank God.
Posted by Enderkin on November 26, 2003, at 14:08:41
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Melissa1 on November 26, 2003, at 13:03:07
> I appreciate everyone's feedback on this site so much. It has helped me get through the worst of Effexor withdrawal. At least I knew I wasn't going crazy. I was on 150 mg xr Effexor for about 4 years. It worked fairly well during that time. I also took Remeron at night to help me sleep. However, the Effexor started to have negative effects like exhaustion and anxiety, so I went off of it. The withdrawal is horrendous. You feel like you're having a nervous breakdown. It took about a month of slowly weaning off (very slowly) before I felt like I could function. Between the nausea, the inability to think or have any coordination and the tremendous mood swings, I think things have gotten better. I still have mild effects, but nothing like in the beginning. If you have not started this medicine, I would suggest you try something else. If you have to wean off, I would suggest another antidepressant in the meantime to avoid the radical serotonin and norepinephrine drop off. Effexor is nasty stuff and I am not surprised there are class action lawsuits against it. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. It does get better with time. Thank God.
I decreased my dosage from 225 to 75 in a week. I had horrible brain zaps that literally stopped me in my tracks. They have been getting better each day.I have rushes of depression. It's because I haven't been dealing with lifes trials. I have been dependant on this drug since April. I am not taking another antidepressant while I get off of this. Transferring dependancy is not something I want to do. I don't need to end up in the same boat again. In the mean time, I am hanging in there with patience and prayer.
Do yourself a favor and keep your stress levels down by being as responsible as possible. Neglecting yourself or your responsibilities is going to make things worse and can throw you into a tailspin. If you go to church but haven't been going, go back. It helped me more than effexor ever could.
Posted by John2222 on November 26, 2003, at 17:56:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Enderkin on November 26, 2003, at 14:08:41
I was taking Effexor XR 112.5 each day for about a year. My approach to reducing with minimized agony was SLOW.
1. Reduce no more than 37.5 each time and stay at any new level for 2 weeks.
2. Or alternate 112.5 and 75 every other day for a week or two and then go to 75.
3. Then stay at 75 for a week or two.
4. Then reduce to 37.5 for two weeks (again alternating 75 and 37.5 if necessary)
5. Then go to heal food store and buy a bag of empty gel caps (they are cheap).
6. Put one half of the 37.5 in one gel cap and one half in the other.
7. Then reduce to 18.75 (approx) for two weeks.
8. Then alternate 18.75 one day and nothing the next day for two weeks.
9. Then either stop or alternate one day on and two days off for awhile.Seems like a long process, but the staggering really helped me.
The reason I stopped taking Effexor was that I felt much better and the higher levels of Effexor just made me want to sleep/nap all the time, although I must say it really really helped with anxiety and depression together.
Good luck. I personally think it is/was a good drug for me, but it is definately hard to tape off without discomfort.
John
Posted by hook on November 27, 2003, at 1:04:06
In reply to Re: What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help » pala, posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on November 22, 2003, at 16:40:34
I have been on Effexor for a year and am down to 37.5 mg every other day. When you talk about "brain zaps", what do they feel like? I told my doctor I have this feeling in my brain that I would liken to a short in an electrical circuit. For just a milisecond, it feels like my brain turns off. (She looked at me like I had two heads). After two days of not taking the Effexor I have to take it again, because what I believe are brain zaps, won't subside unless I take the Effexor. If I suck it up, and don't take the Effexor, will they get worse but eventually get better? How long does it take them to eventually go away?
Hook
Posted by John2222 on November 27, 2003, at 9:06:35
In reply to Help with Effexor withdrawl symptoms? , posted by hook on November 27, 2003, at 1:04:06
Hook, I've found through several trials that the 3rd day of decreasing Effexor XR is the one that is the worst.
Why don't you dump out 1/2 of the 37.5 XR beads and take just 19 mg per day? Do that for a couple weeks, then every other day, and you may be off in a month! Good luck. I know exactly how you feel (I think).
John
> I have been on Effexor for a year and am down to 37.5 mg every other day. <snip> After two days of not taking the Effexor I have to take it again, because what I believe are brain zaps, won't subside unless I take the Effexor. If I suck it up, and don't take the Effexor, will they get worse but eventually get better? How long does it take them to eventually go away?
>
> Hook
Posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on November 27, 2003, at 9:37:40
In reply to Re: Help with Effexor withdrawl symptoms? » hook, posted by John2222 on November 27, 2003, at 9:06:35
Hey There Hook :-)
What you're describing is what has come to be known as "brain shivers". If you're doctor is looking at you like you have two heads when you talk about this, then your doctor (like mine until I told her to do a little research online) has not yet done their homework about this drug.
I can honestly say that since I discontinued my Effexor those brian shivers first got worse (day 3 to 5) and now on are almost gone (today is day 8).
I didn't taper off, I went cold turkey and just pushed my way through the vile and nasty withdrawal effects. I will not give advice on which is better - tapering or cold turkey - because I think it is different for everyone. Even on this board you'll find people who insist that tapering is the way to go, while others are proponants of cold turkey withdrawal. Either way, what I've noticed is that it does not seem to matter which method you choose, you will still experience some degree of withdrawl symptoms.
I am 8 days post-effexor, having gone cold turkey and switched to Remeron (so far so good) and my own experience was that day 1 & 2 were barely noticeable in terms of withdrawal symptoms, day 3 was like the withdrawal scene in the movie Trainspotting (very nasty), day 4 & 5 were a big improvement on day 3, and from day 6 on there has been a HUGE improvement and the brain shivers are almost completely gone and so mild that when they do happen they are barely noticeable.
Whatever way you choose to get off of Effexor, I wish you the best and just like all the wonderful posters on here told me when I didn't understand what was happening....this too shall pass!
Hang in there :-)
Bliss
Posted by pala on November 27, 2003, at 13:19:20
In reply to Re: Help with Effexor withdrawl symptoms?, posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on November 27, 2003, at 9:37:40
This is pala
These brain zaps, dizziness will be there for at least 4 to 5 months, but life will be different after that, believe me, again depends upon how long you are on these Ads, I was on all kinds of ADs for 6 years and it took 6 months for me to completely get rid of all the side effects, I still do have little dizziness and fatigue, that may be attributable to some other reasons.
As somebody mentions in this thread, hang in there, one more thing which worsened my symptoms was deep
breathing, people say deep breathing is good but it makes you more dizzy and brain zaps will become more
intenseYou should not do intense exercise during this time this is my experience as the heart rate goes up, you will
fee these symptoms proportionately increases, do mild exercise take vitamins, please no coffee or soda
with caffeine this certainly makes matter worse,Even in my worst brain zaps time, I never missed one day going to my office, but my productivity was low but I was able to function.
One more thing, I was not taking that high dosage
Again tapering and getting rid of it totally is an excellent idea.
Good luck
Posted by Suzy on November 28, 2003, at 9:31:25
In reply to why are u people going off effexor?, posted by Peter03 on November 12, 2003, at 6:36:37
Thank you all. Am withdrawing and was scared that these symptoms might be TIA's or something. I have hard time putting into words what is happening to my brain. I am a very focused person and right now my office and house are a disaster as I go from one project to another. Thanks for the help, I was scared.
Posted by Alexs on November 30, 2003, at 19:48:53
In reply to Re: why are u people going off effexor?, posted by Suzy on November 28, 2003, at 9:31:25
Wouldn't 20mg of Prozac every few days help with the withdrawl symptoms. The idea being effexor has a SHORT half life and Prozac has a LONG half life. I know it wont help with the other neuro transmitter but something is better than nothing.
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 1, 2003, at 10:37:21
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - my approach, posted by John2222 on November 26, 2003, at 17:56:44
Great advice John
Amazing how the staggering approach (or what I called 2 steps forward, 1 back) works! It really helps with the withdrawal symptoms. I no longer get sick and the dizziness lowered to a level I could tolerate and still work. I agree with the 37.5 limit decreases but I was more impatient with the length of time to stay on each level. I went 1 week. 2 weeks would definately make it easier.
Try it people!!! Why go through that agony?
Happy Late Turkey Day EVERYONE!!!
KDi in TX :)> I was taking Effexor XR 112.5 each day for about a year. My approach to reducing with minimized agony was SLOW.
>
> 1. Reduce no more than 37.5 each time and stay at any new level for 2 weeks.
> 2. Or alternate 112.5 and 75 every other day for a week or two and then go to 75.
> 3. Then stay at 75 for a week or two.
> 4. Then reduce to 37.5 for two weeks (again alternating 75 and 37.5 if necessary)
> 5. Then go to heal food store and buy a bag of empty gel caps (they are cheap).
> 6. Put one half of the 37.5 in one gel cap and one half in the other.
> 7. Then reduce to 18.75 (approx) for two weeks.
> 8. Then alternate 18.75 one day and nothing the next day for two weeks.
> 9. Then either stop or alternate one day on and two days off for awhile.
>
> Seems like a long process, but the staggering really helped me.
>
> The reason I stopped taking Effexor was that I felt much better and the higher levels of Effexor just made me want to sleep/nap all the time, although I must say it really really helped with anxiety and depression together.
>
> Good luck. I personally think it is/was a good drug for me, but it is definately hard to tape off without discomfort.
>
> John
>
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 1, 2003, at 10:51:47
In reply to Re: why are u people going off effexor?, posted by Suzy on November 28, 2003, at 9:31:25
I'm going off only because it increased my blood pressure. I went through a period of hating Effexor because of withdrawal symptoms. Now, I've stumbled onto a withdrawal method that let's me control the withdrawal symptoms, instead of the withdrawal controlling my life.
Effexor is getting such a bad reputation because most doctor's do NOT warn anyone about what to expect when you quit. It's scary.
KDi in TX
> Thank you all. Am withdrawing and was scared that these symptoms might be TIA's or something. I have hard time putting into words what is happening to my brain. I am a very focused person and right now my office and house are a disaster as I go from one project to another. Thanks for the help, I was scared.
Posted by Mandy D on December 1, 2003, at 19:17:07
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
I am sitting here in tears reading these posts. I had been on Effexor,225mg for a year now. I am now on 8 days of quitting cold turkey. I am in hell. I have nausea,dizziness,light-headed, and what i call "slosh-brained" it is where it literally feels like my brain is moving and my eyes cant keep up. I hate these feelings, someone please please tell me how long before i feel "normal" again.
Posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on December 1, 2003, at 19:25:36
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mandy D on December 1, 2003, at 19:17:07
Hi Janey,
I have just gone through exactly what you are going through. Right down to the dose of Effexor that I was on.
I quit 225mg cold turkey and yes, the withdrawal was horrible. It sounds as though I may have moved through slightly quicker than you have but I absolutely understand and extend a heartfelt virtual hug to you.
You will get through this.
I have two questions:
1.) Are you replacing the Effexor with a different AD?
2.) Have you spoken to your doctor since you ended your Effexor?If you have not contacted your doctor since your wihdrawal symptoms began, please do. I have read many times on this board, and have talked to several people who have quit cold turkey. They all say ask your doctor for 1 (one) dose of Prozac. A single dose of Prozac can releave almost all of the withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing.
You've already made it 8 days, so I do not suggest you go back on to your Effexor and then taper off. Try the single dose of Prozac first. If that does not work, you may have to resume Effexor and use the tapering off method to stop taking it.
Again, you are not alone. If you like, e-mail me at [email protected] with the subject babble-board and we can talk further.
Hang in there!!!
Posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on December 1, 2003, at 19:27:02
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on December 1, 2003, at 19:25:36
OOops...I said "Hi Janey" I meant
Hi Mandy :-)
Posted by Mandy D on December 1, 2003, at 19:41:39
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on December 1, 2003, at 19:25:36
I have talked to my doctor but he didnt mention a single dose of Prozac. I do have Prozac here from my daughter being on it. Im wondering if i should take a dose of it? And what dosage is normal. Thank you for the hug. Its been rough!
Posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on December 1, 2003, at 20:01:32
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mandy D on December 1, 2003, at 19:41:39
I spoke with my doctor almost 2 weeks after discontinuing my 225mg of Effexor. She told me that had she realized I was going through withdrawal symptoms she would have given me 1 (one) 20 mg capsul of Prozac.
There are quite a few posts on this board that also indicate that was prescribed by their doctors to beat the withdrawal symptoms.
Don't take any medication without the advice of a physician, but I know how uncomfortable you are. If you can, get your doctor on the phone and let them know what is happening and what you'd like to do about it.
I really hope you can hang in there, I know how crummy I felt, I am sorry to hear of anyone else feeling that crummy too.
Tomorrow will be 14 days cold turkey for me, and honestly, I feel almost like me again. Still ocassional dizziness, and the odd brain shiver but it is so mild that it's almost unnoticable.
Hugs!!!
Del
Posted by Mandy D on December 1, 2003, at 21:15:28
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Blissful_Girl_NOT on December 1, 2003, at 20:01:32
I count the days knowing that soon i will feel good again. Its nice to know that there are other people going through the same things that i am!
Posted by JESSsMom on December 2, 2003, at 12:38:37
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mandy D on December 1, 2003, at 19:17:07
Effexor is nasty--makes you sweat and then when you taper it makes you cry rivers.
It helped initally with early morning panic but at such a price!
Like I said, it helped in the beginning but SO much shaking, crying, calling people b/c you are so desperate when tapering. Ugh, God.
JM
Posted by Mandy D on December 2, 2003, at 16:30:54
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JESSsMom on December 2, 2003, at 12:38:37
I also sweat ALOT! I finally got my doctor to prescribe a single dose of prozac. The withdrawal seems to be easier some. The major symptoms---the slosh-brain,dizzyness and so on have eased some. I managed to get some things done today. It seems that i am better in the morning but as the day wears on it gets worse.
Posted by pala on December 2, 2003, at 17:36:06
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JESSsMom on December 2, 2003, at 12:38:37
A small dose of Prozac is a great idea to beat the withdrawal symptoms, believe the brain zaps will not lost long, my experience with this Prozac for beating the withdrawal symptoms was my temper reached roof, it was extremely jittery for good 4 hours then slowly situation used to improve
I gave up on Prozac and now absolutely no medication not even for headache, many of PDs don't know what they talk because of their shear inexperience with the medication, you always have to take their words with a grain of salt.
Good luck and hang in there.pala
Posted by Enderkin on December 3, 2003, at 13:33:55
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Mandy D on December 1, 2003, at 21:15:28
> I count the days knowing that soon i will feel good again. Its nice to know that there are other people going through the same things that i am!
God wants us to share with others the knowledge that things will get better. It's good to share hope and courage with others. You never know when they are just about to give up. > I count the days knowing that soon i will feel good again. ME TOO!!!!!
And I am so glad that I am not giving up. It's not worth it to just say you've had enough. Everyone goes through hard times. It's only TEMPORARY.
Posted by loni on December 3, 2003, at 14:41:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Enderkin on December 3, 2003, at 13:33:55
Hang in there Effexor W/D'ers! It will pass! I promise!
I was on Effexor for 3 years. The first years was grand and then, ever so slowly, the drug began losing its effectiveness for me over two years. I gained 45 points (on my 135 frame, that is a lot) from self-medicating with carbs.
I tapered through Effexor W/D and my pDoc approved it. He couldn't believe what I was going through (no literature)...these boards and one other put me in touch with other W/D "Survivors". Try to cut back on work schedule and stress in life if you can for 4-5 weeks. Have doctor write you a note, anything. I don't know to how long you took Effex or at what dose, but my symptoms were severe. They mimicked MS or a small stroke. I was helpless and desperate. I couldn't speak on the phone because I couldn't follow the conversation. I couldn't concentrate or read for long periods of time. I had trouble walking sometimes or remaining steady on my feet. I went back and forth on digestive issues. I felt overwhelmingly tired and anxious at the same time. I had to sit on the floor of the shower while my husband helped me bathe. It was an extremely humbling experience for a newlywed and a terrifying one for him. Bless him, he did not give up.
After the longest 4-5 weeks of my life, I just...felt...better. And then better. 1.5 years later, I still have small issues that I am rehabilitating from, but am functioning and happy.
It will pass. It will pass. It will pass.
Posted by jeenobeano on December 3, 2003, at 16:31:40
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JESSsMom on December 2, 2003, at 12:38:37
I've been on Effexor XR at 75 mg for nearly 2 years now. Hubby and I have recently decided to try and have a baby, so I've decided to go off the medication. But I'm so scared! I've heard such horrible things about withdrawal, both here and from frirends that have experienced it.
Does EVERYONE suffer so horribly from the w/d symptoms?! I want to have a baby but I don't want to go thru agony....
Thanks in advance.
Posted by Mandy D on December 3, 2003, at 16:44:00
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by jeenobeano on December 3, 2003, at 16:31:40
Good Luck on having a baby!! I am currently on 10 days of withdrawal and i can truthfully say that days 4-8 were pure hell, but every day is getting a little better! So if you decide to go off of it it will turn out OK!!
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