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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Normal Again on August 9, 2004, at 21:33:24
In reply to feeling anhedonic on effexor?, posted by sageblue on August 8, 2004, at 17:55:12
very normal especially if you are starting at such a high dose. When i first atarted I had very little interest in anything at all, nothing could get under my skin, the bad things or the good. I was concerned at first but my doctor said to stick with it and once i found "my dosage" it went away after a couple of weeks.
Just give it some time, no worries.
N/A
> hey -- i'm just starting up effexor this week. (50 mgs twice a day.) i'm also tapering down depakote from 500 mgs to 0 this week (taking 250 once), and am on ineral la 80 mgs.
>
> this is to control migraines and to a lesser extent anxiety over illness.
>
> the migraine-controlling factor is working great, but i'm feeling like i'm not really 'there,' not really 'into' what's going on around me. i'm socializing with others, or doing my usual things, and i actually feel -less- interest and joy than before.
>
> does this effect go away? am i wrong to blame the effexor?
>
>
Posted by sageblue on August 10, 2004, at 0:26:16
In reply to Re: feeling anhedonic on effexor?, posted by Normal Again on August 9, 2004, at 21:33:24
blah. i meant to say, that i'm on 25 mgs, divided twice a day.
today i played around with timing and took depakote at a different time -- it seems to be the last depakote pills i'm taking this week, probably strengthening the depressive effects of the inderal.
i can definitely tell when the effexor is in me, though. like a buzz to the head.
Posted by wilsonme on August 10, 2004, at 13:43:22
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been on Effexor for a while now and I wanted to go off of it because of the sexual side effects,so my doctor said he would gradually take me off effexor and put me on wellbutrin. After a week of taking 37.5 effexor xr and 300 of wellbutrin, now I am on just 300 of wellbutrin and I am experiencing flu like symptoms. When are they gonna stop?
Posted by Louoicu81 on August 10, 2004, at 21:46:10
In reply to HELP, posted by wilsonme on August 10, 2004, at 13:43:22
If you are not weaned slow enough for long enough amounts of time, then you will feel sick for quite some time. Take it from me...I am still feeling flu-like, nasty sick feelings and I've been trying to get off of Effexor for about three months. It is horrible, but it does go away!---SLOWLY. Maybe you should talk to your doc about getting off slower. I wonder why your doctor doesn't just add Wellbutrin along with your Effexor? I know that when people are experiencing sexual difficulties while on an SSRI, the doc will put them on Wellbutrin, which works on dopamine and enhances sexual arousal too! Effexor is not an SSRI, but shares many of the properties(it works not only on seritonin, but also on norepinephrine). Maybe you could ask him if that is possible??? That's all I can offer.
Linda
Posted by meow71877 on August 11, 2004, at 13:29:13
In reply to Re: feeling anhedonic on effexor?, posted by Normal Again on August 9, 2004, at 21:33:24
I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on quitting effexor cold turkey. I was on effexor 150mg/day for 10 mo and my insurance ran out. So now I am effexor-free for 4 days now and I need some help. I am experiencing hot flashes, these woo-woo things in my head to my fingertips, nervousness, nausia plus more. I don't want to tell my employer what is going on but it is soooo hard trying to get through the day like this. Any advice would be really great!
Posted by crazychickuk on August 11, 2004, at 17:35:32
In reply to Quit Effexor cold turkey, posted by meow71877 on August 11, 2004, at 13:29:13
#Hi i quit cold turkey and experienced the same amount of withdrawl and symptoms as what others did when they went slowely.. as you aint been on it for 4 days then keep it up, it will all subside in a few weeks.. did you go onto something else? are you taking anything else?
Posted by cpallen79 on August 12, 2004, at 0:55:51
In reply to Quit Effexor cold turkey, posted by meow71877 on August 11, 2004, at 13:29:13
Hey there, I think you should get back on effexor and then taper off slowly, it can be difficult and quitting cold turkey is a bad idea... Get soem samples from your doc and take as much time as you need.
> I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on quitting effexor cold turkey. I was on effexor 150mg/day for 10 mo and my insurance ran out. So now I am effexor-free for 4 days now and I need some help. I am experiencing hot flashes, these woo-woo things in my head to my fingertips, nervousness, nausia plus more. I don't want to tell my employer what is going on but it is soooo hard trying to get through the day like this. Any advice would be really great!
Posted by meow71877 on August 12, 2004, at 8:17:34
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877, posted by crazychickuk on August 11, 2004, at 17:35:32
I am still taking 100mg of wellbutrin daily until that runs out but I used to be on 300mg of that so I know the side effects of that which aren't anything like this. I feel a little better today than yesterday so I hope that means it is getting out fast. There were actually 2 times yesterday where I felt "normal" I can't wait until I feel totally normal again!
Posted by lorily on August 12, 2004, at 8:33:35
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877, posted by meow71877 on August 12, 2004, at 8:17:34
Hang in there, all of a sudden one day you'll say "wow, I feel great again"
Posted by wilsonme on August 12, 2004, at 11:15:09
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi, does anyone have any OTC suggestions that will help with the withdrawal from Effexor? I am having terrible headaches and nausea!
Posted by lorily on August 12, 2004, at 17:53:56
In reply to Need help with effexor withdrawal, posted by wilsonme on August 12, 2004, at 11:15:09
I'm still having headaches. Extra strength tylenol. I also used benadryl and dramamine, seemed to help with the equilibrium-nausea
Posted by wilsonme on August 13, 2004, at 9:47:22
In reply to Re: Need help with effexor withdrawal » wilsonme, posted by lorily on August 12, 2004, at 17:53:56
Thanks, I have been taking benadryl and my doctor prescibed something for the nausea. But I am so
MEAN, I am grouchy and just want to cry all the time. I don't want to go back on effexor, but I hope the wellbutrin kicks in.
Posted by sanityplz on August 13, 2004, at 9:59:40
In reply to Need help with effexor withdrawal, posted by wilsonme on August 12, 2004, at 11:15:09
Hi! I've been trying to get off effexor now and I found the only thing that has helped the headaches is Excedrin or a store brand containing the same ingredients. As far as the tingly feeling goes I would love a suggestion on how to get rid of that! So far I have not experience nausea. SanityPlz
Posted by lorily on August 13, 2004, at 10:38:43
In reply to Re: Need help with effexor withdrawal, posted by wilsonme on August 13, 2004, at 9:47:22
The "meanness" goes away. I haven't been taking anything and it still went away. I, too, was scared I'd have to stay on them, that maybe I had made a mistake trying to get off them, and THAT caused some fear which made me meaner, I guess (LOL) but it all went away.
Here's the kicker.....I am planning on quitting those cigarettes!!!!!!!!!!!! I've had the nicoderm cq s sitting on my dresser all ready to go. (by the way, I purchased them through e-bay for half the price) SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO that meanness just may be coming back here and there, but at least I'll know it's only nicotine withdrawal and I can make it through.
I can make it through anything.
Posted by hb on August 13, 2004, at 10:39:02
In reply to Re: Need help with effexor withdrawal » wilsonme, posted by sanityplz on August 13, 2004, at 9:59:40
I recently went off venlazafene after being in a trial study. I had stroke like symptoms (two weeks of agitation, headaches - then slurred speech, difficulty walking, etc) and had to be hospitalized. Has anyone had similar reactions? I was discontinued from the medication cold turkey.
Posted by lorily on August 13, 2004, at 10:44:39
In reply to Re: Need help with effexor withdrawal, posted by hb on August 13, 2004, at 10:39:02
This is just recently?????????? With all they now know about this drug I can't believe they would do that to a human being. that's absolutely disgusting.
Posted by corafree on August 13, 2004, at 13:17:12
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877 » meow71877, posted by lorily on August 12, 2004, at 8:33:35
> Hang in there, all of a sudden one day you'll say "wow, I feel great again"
Hey Lorily. I was wondering why you went on Eff-XR in the first place, if that's not too personal?! And also, when you say 'normal', are you not on anything? I guess it's hard to understand why someone would start a serious drug like Eff-XR, then stop it. Is it because your brain has been taught how to manage it's serotonin by the Eff-XR, and you now no longer need that? best to you cf
Posted by corafree on August 13, 2004, at 13:20:35
In reply to Need help with effexor withdrawal, posted by wilsonme on August 12, 2004, at 11:15:09
> Hi, does anyone have any OTC suggestions that will help with the withdrawal from Effexor? I am having terrible headaches and nausea!
Tigan is a scrip that's good for nausea. Excedrin was always my best eliminator for HAs. There is OTC nausea medication. Maybe you should give a 'flu' OTC med a try. Just some suggestions. cf
Posted by lorily on August 13, 2004, at 14:17:48
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877 » lorily, posted by corafree on August 13, 2004, at 13:17:12
CF I finally agreed to take an AD after years of trying to fight depression on my own. I am also an alcoholic (in recovery) I also have hypothyroidism (which is a major factor in depression) and I was taking depo-provera injections. After my last near-death experience with alcohol I agreed to try an AD, I had heard others experience with how wonderful their experience with it was and took it. At the same time I got my thyroid levels leveled, stopped the depo shots and was finally able to work the program of Alcoholics Anonymous properly. With all of those things in my favor, the desire to be med-free, and not controlled by a substance or a doctor, and the knowledge that depakote has horrible side effects to a fetus and the effects of effexor is unknown, and I am not willing to have an abortion at this point in my life, and the willingness to use another, safer medication if I had to, I decided to give it a try. Maybe I never needed it==maybe the depression was due to my thyroid problems and the depo shots? Who knows?
But I do know that I did the right thing taking it, apparently, hopefully it didn't cause me any harm and I'm free.
Posted by corafree on August 14, 2004, at 3:27:47
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877 » corafree, posted by lorily on August 13, 2004, at 14:17:48
Lorily, I see you have had some difficult decisions to make, and, yeah, think you made the right ones. I have had three children and had DPMS for many years, until I had a TAH-BSO, then just felt somewhat dispondent all the time. I now wear patches for just 'estrogen' replacement. Does Depo-Medrol have estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, and help with the thyroid? I tried an ERT called Estratest (to get the testosterone) and felt stronger, but my face broke out horribly. Last time I saw the doc that did the TAH-BSO, he said 'wish I would have left one ovary', and I thought 'great, now you tell me'! Experienced traumas from age 20 on and just recently my best friend, mentor, my father, and one of only two people in my large family that validate my illness, passed away. I am on, of course, Eff-XR, and Weds. just increased by 75mg to make a total of 187.5mg per day; Sat. added in Neurontin for nerve pain due to my c-spine injury; Trazodone for sleep; a meager 2mg Klonopin for anxiety; generic thyroid med; Endocet (good generic for Percocet); anti-inflammatory; and a muscle relaxer. Now I have had a migraine for 3+ days, which could be break through pain from c-spine injury, the increase of Eff-XR, or possibly, but prob' not, Neurontin. I also had a bit of a seizure today...whole body shaking for about 10m. Called and reported to caseworker; they said call 911; I said no; got appt. for Mon; took my little bit of Klonopin; had not taken my morning dose of Neurontin to see if that was causing the migraine (which didn't help), so took that; and rested it away. We've been crossing paths here and there. Thank you for letting me into a bit into your world. It helps to understand where people are coming from. cf
Posted by Louoicu81 on August 15, 2004, at 18:09:57
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877 » lorily, posted by corafree on August 14, 2004, at 3:27:47
As most of you know, I have been trying to get off of effexor for quite a while now. I am taking 37.5mg every third to fourth day...as long as I can stand the effects. Yesterday and today I had a rummage sale and have been out in the sun. Today, I had a panic attack out of nowhere. It felt like how I felt when I had my nervous breakdown about two years ago. I am doing better now, but still anxious and not feeling too hot. I am getting off of effexor cause I want to have kids soon and I will be off of insurance in October....expensive stuff. Anyone have any advice. Please help.....Linda
Posted by pablo1 on August 15, 2004, at 21:07:22
In reply to In need of advice, posted by Louoicu81 on August 15, 2004, at 18:09:57
I think the common advice is to take a daily dose decreasing a few granules from inside the pill each day. Every three days you are going up & down the roller-coaster by skipping doses, it should be smoother.
Posted by lorily on August 16, 2004, at 7:59:25
In reply to In need of advice, posted by Louoicu81 on August 15, 2004, at 18:09:57
This is the schedule I followed:
I was taking 75 mg until June 1 and changed to 37.5, it was a bit scary for a couple days so I stayed there.
July 7 & 8, I dumped out half the granules
July 9 I dumped out 2/3 (took 1/3)
July 10 I took 1/4
July 11 I took a bit less than 1/4
July 12 & 13 I took nothing and felt like crap, the dizziness and irritability were too much.
July 14 I took about 5 granules and it took the edge off.
July 15 to present NONE!!!!!
Now, I did this on my own, no doctor's directions, although towards the end I did find a good site on venlafexadine (sp?) and their recommendation for getting off it was almost the same. Take your time, 2 months should be enough for you hopefully. Good luck.
Posted by jenn007 on August 16, 2004, at 19:26:03
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877 » lorily, posted by corafree on August 14, 2004, at 3:27:47
the head zaps are really bothering me. i am also very stressed out right now so that is not helping. any suggestions? what about sjw? will that help? is it ok to take with birth control pills? any info would be much appreciated! thanks as always, jenn
Posted by Louoicu81 on August 16, 2004, at 19:44:13
In reply to no effexor - 3 days now!, posted by jenn007 on August 16, 2004, at 19:26:03
I wouldn't take Saint John's Wort. I've worked in the pharmacy for four years now and am going to be a nurse. I have heard nothing good about SJW. I think its risk/benefit ratio is poor and the pharmacists won't recommend it. You need to get off it slow. That's really the only way to do it. I am taking something herbal that my TMJ doctor told me to get for nerves and sleep. It is called TAGAR- I sleep all night and am less nervous now. HEY---all of you who are breaking open the EFFEXOR XR capsules---I asked the pharmacists at work if I could do that and they said absolutely NOT. Each pebble is different in there with different medication release times. Just wanted to let you know that breaking them open is not recommended. Thanks for the advice guys.
Linda
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