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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Fathe on January 16, 2005, at 21:13:36
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by June8002 on January 16, 2005, at 16:15:09
I am not an expert but something tells me that Effexor is not the medication for your husband's body chemistry. His symptoms sound like me right now on withdrawal but not while I was on Effexor. He probably should see his doctor and maybe be switched to another anti-depressant. It does not make sense for the two of you to suffer with the explosive behavior when I would bet a change in medication would do the trick. Good luck and my thoughts are with you both.
Posted by Accent on January 20, 2005, at 17:36:33
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by dancingstar on January 11, 2005, at 13:32:02
I don't understand how the FDA could let such a drug come to be without testing the withdrwl affects. I am suffering now with all the sam as I read here. I tried to wean myself off 75mg back in October and I couldn't get out of bed. I thought I was dying. Severe nausea, headaches, light sensitivity, the "shocks." Are these doctors insane?? The pharmasutical companies must be selling a dream of a story. I want so bad to get off this medication but I am afraid. Am I on heroine?? Doesn't the withdrwls make you feel like your addicted to some really horrible drug...or an acid trip?? I filled out the form for the FDA. Mort of us need to do this so that they can get a clue!!!
Posted by dancingstar on January 20, 2005, at 18:18:57
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Accent on January 20, 2005, at 17:36:33
http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/9425vfx.htm
Wyeth did the testing, and has known about these problems since 1996, but if you read the last paragraph, this is what they concluded:
"Discontinuing Efexor: No definitive withdrawal syndrome has been observed with Efexor. During clinical trials, symptoms reported on abrupt discontinuation of Efexor from daily doses of 150mg or more included fatigue, nausea and dizziness and one episode of hypomania. Discontinuation effects are well known to occur with antidepressants; therefore, when Efexor has been administered for more than one week and is then stopped, it is generally recommended that the dose be reduced gradually over a few days and the patient monitored in order to minimise the risk of discontinuation symptoms. Patients who have received Efexor for six weeks or more should have their dose reduced gradually over at least a one-week period."
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 11:49:41
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Accent on January 20, 2005, at 17:36:33
> I don't understand how the FDA could let such a drug come to be without testing the withdrwl affects. I am suffering now with all the sam as I read here. I tried to wean myself off 75mg back in October and I couldn't get out of bed. I thought I was dying. Severe nausea, headaches, light sensitivity, the "shocks." Are these doctors insane?? The pharmasutical companies must be selling a dream of a story. I want so bad to get off this medication but I am afraid. Am I on heroine?? Doesn't the withdrwls make you feel like your addicted to some really horrible drug...or an acid trip?? I filled out the form for the FDA. Mort of us need to do this so that they can get a clue!!!
You are not on heroine; you are not ADDICTED to Effexor, rather, your body is DEPENDENT on the new chemical balance provided by the medication.
I was thinking about this distiction last night as I was tossing and turning trying to get to sleep with one shoulder out of commission...
You are not alone in what you're feeling. Try taking Benedryl to help eliminate the swooshy/brain zap feelings in your head. Advil can help with the aches. Peppermint will help to calm your stomach.
Drug companies are in business to make MONEY. If they were all altruistic, there would be no innovation and no new meds; no incentive.
That said, it's obvious from what many have suffered from Effexor and other drugs, that the drug companies tend to gloss-over the negative side effects of the drug in question. Effexor isn't alone; it simply stands out more.
I am personally about 1 month into Effexor cessation and yesterday had my worst day. I have been taking Prozac from the start as recommended to replace Effexor during the weaning process and continuing AFTER I stopped taking Effexor after ten days.
I ran out of Prozac last Friday and wasn't able to take it again 'til Tuesday. I thought, "this isn't bad, maybe I can stop?"
WRONG!
I'm felt very crumby yesterday, like I was getting sick. Today there is the standard brain swooshiness every time I move my head and loud noises hurt.
I think I figured out what went wrong.
The reason why Prozac helps in withdrawal from Effexor is that in comparison to Effexor, it has a relatively LONG half-life in your system. That's what got me, that three days without the drug caught up with me yesterday because the Prozac needs to build back up to a *normal* level.
Sooooooooooooooooo...
Be encouraged, others are facing the same thing. Get some Prozac and Benedryl. Avoid loud noises. It takes time, but you WILL get better. My Pdoc eventually wants me off everything.
I've flushed all my meds down the toilet, except for the Prozac, Seroquel and Ambien. Straterra was the first to go. After seeing a commercial for Straterra last night and the list of side effects at the end of the commercial, why bother?
Take care,
Tony
Posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 14:10:56
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by JGE on January 8, 2005, at 17:10:40
I have been taking effexor for about 8mos. now. At 300mg. it was too much, got it lowered to 150mg. with no problem for the last 5mos. Side effects are not worth the little bit of relief I get with this drug, I'm still depressed- just not suicidal. I lost all sex urges, and never feel like myself anymore, I sweat all the time, and my memory is very affected. I decided 4 days ago to discontinue this drug, now I am experiencing the withdrawl symptoms everyone here describes. I think I will go back on the drug so I can prepare myself better for this uncomfortable event. Mind you, I have successfully kicked narcotics, benzos, barbituates, and amphetamines in the past on different occasions... all cold turkey... this is just something I was not prepared for! I will be researching the best way to kick this garbage, and the pdoc will be following my directions this time as she obviously doesn't know what she is doing. The sad part is that I already have my sex drive back and I really feel better except for the withdrawl. It's a good thing that I stumbled onto this site, I was about ready to go to the ER because of the numbness in my feet and hands- everybody seems to have the same symtoms. Well, I guess I'll go pop 150mg. and plan for my next attempt. I am new here, I think that I will continue to post- any feedback will be appreciated. Peace, Medhed.
Posted by TrinityX1 on January 21, 2005, at 17:04:06
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 14:10:56
MedHed ..
Listen ... I know that the withdrawl really really STINKS with a capitol "S" but ... seriously ... stay off it and just let the withdrawl happen becasue you are going to have to go through it anyway .. regarldess of how you decide to stop the RX. I was only taking 150mg a day and my stmptoms STUNK as much as the people who were preseribed a higher dose. Just hang in there, my symptoms took about 5 weeks ro fully go away and I hated every minute of it BUT ... every day the symptoms were more tolerable until they were gone. Trust me on this one .. you will be fine .. just keep reminding yourself that they withdrawl symptoms will get better every day and you will get yourself through it. This site was GREAT for me too .. lots of positive information and helpful people.
I totally agree with you that the minimal releif from the Effexor is totally NOT WORTH the withdrawl from it.
Hang in there ... I want to be able to read your SUCCESS post in a few weeks. Just like the rest of us :) Take care .. you can do it. :)
Posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 17:07:14
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 14:10:56
3 or 4hrs. later and my strange sickness is gone. I guess I'll have to keep popping the pills, I'm sure the drug company will be happy...and possibly my pdoc will get another pen from Wheyth.
Posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:28:00
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Accent, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 11:49:41
Hi Tony,
So...you are finding a huge difference with the Prozac than when it was gone????
Thanks for the info....Bebe
Posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:33:12
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Accent, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 11:49:41
Tony,
Also, sometime way back there when I first stopped taking this icky drug, weren't you a big supporter of it? Don't I remember you being one of the people that thought I was exaggerating my symptoms???? I wasn't. Some of us just get it worse than others, I think. Wish they'd tell us which ones of us were bad candidates for this crap in advance, huh?
Posted by Jenna Starrett on January 21, 2005, at 17:41:13
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 14:10:56
> I have been taking effexor for about 8mos. now. At 300mg. it was too much, got it lowered to 150mg. with no problem for the last 5mos. Side effects are not worth the little bit of relief I get with this drug, I'm still depressed- just not suicidal. I lost all sex urges, and never feel like myself anymore, I sweat all the time, and my memory is very affected. I decided 4 days ago to discontinue this drug, now I am experiencing the withdrawl symptoms everyone here describes. I think I will go back on the drug so I can prepare myself better for this uncomfortable event. Mind you, I have successfully kicked narcotics, benzos, barbituates, and amphetamines in the past on different occasions... all cold turkey... this is just something I was not prepared for! I will be researching the best way to kick this garbage, and the pdoc will be following my directions this time as she obviously doesn't know what she is doing. The sad part is that I already have my sex drive back and I really feel better except for the withdrawl. It's a good thing that I stumbled onto this site, I was about ready to go to the ER because of the numbness in my feet and hands- everybody seems to have the same symtoms. Well, I guess I'll go pop 150mg. and plan for my next attempt. I am new here, I think that I will continue to post- any feedback will be appreciated. Peace, Medhed.
Medhead, Hi! I got off of Effexor in December (what a way to spend the holidays!) Anyhow... I went off cold turkey and started taking Allegra D that someone mentioned in one of the postings. It has helped me so much I can function as normal and feel no side effects. I accidently ran out of Allegra a few weeks ago and all of the Effexor side effects came back, so I may be on Allegra D for a while (oh well I feel really good and it also helps with my allergies :) Take care and hang in there! Jenna P.S It takes some hours to get into your system at first.
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 17:48:21
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » PoohBear, posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:33:12
OUCH!
I still maintain that for some people it may mean the difference between life and death. I have never thought you were exagerating. All of these drugs have side effects.
Tony
>Tony,
>
> Also, sometime way back there when I first stopped taking this icky drug, weren't you a big supporter of it? Don't I remember you being one of the people that thought I was exaggerating my symptoms???? I wasn't. Some of us just get it worse than others, I think. Wish they'd tell us which ones of us were bad candidates for this crap in advance, huh?
Posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:58:45
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 17:48:21
I agree that it should be "available" to people that truly need it. My contention is only that Wyeth has underplayed the problems with the drug, and because they have been less than forthcoming with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, too many of us have been prescribed a dangerous drug that we should never have received in the first place. Most of our docs wouldn't have done this if they had only known that any of these problems were possible.
I apologize. I didn't mean that at all in a harsh way. It was a truly honest inquiry. I was literally asking you 'cause I didn't remember from who all I was fending off blows (besides my own body). Wishing nothing but peace and a speedy recovery. Please let me know if I can be f service to you in any way....
Bebe
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 18:01:10
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » PoohBear, posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:58:45
Bebe:
No problem.
Tony
> I agree that it should be "available" to people that truly need it. My contention is only that Wyeth has underplayed the problems with the drug, and because they have been less than forthcoming with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, too many of us have been prescribed a dangerous drug that we should never have received in the first place. Most of our docs wouldn't have done this if they had only known that any of these problems were possible.
>
> I apologize. I didn't mean that at all in a harsh way. It was a truly honest inquiry. I was literally asking you 'cause I didn't remember from who all I was fending off blows (besides my own body). Wishing nothing but peace and a speedy recovery. Please let me know if I can be f service to you in any way....
>
> Bebe
Posted by ShayNJ on January 21, 2005, at 19:25:13
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » dancingstar, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2005, at 18:01:10
Hi. I am trying to prepare myself to phase this deadly sh*t out of my life. I'm definitely nervous: being even an hour late in taking my meds starts a host of symptoms that make me want to rip my own head off. What amount of Allegra-D/ Benadryl have most people found helpful? I have a bottle left of XR,; should I take out the little 'pellets' to wean myself off slowly? (I know I should be asking a doctor about this- but I'm temoprarily without health insurance) Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help!
Posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 19:28:47
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - how to stop taking XR? HELP!, posted by ShayNJ on January 21, 2005, at 19:25:13
I didn't do it that way, so I can't answer that question, but as far as the Benadryl goes, I took the smallest possible dose, and even that worked for me.
Posted by TrinityX1 on January 21, 2005, at 19:38:17
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - how to stop taking XR? HELP!, posted by ShayNJ on January 21, 2005, at 19:25:13
To be honest about the withdrawl ... it really stinks but there has not been one of us who has not felt they were better off without the Effexor then with it .... even with the SUCKY withdrawl symptoms. I just stopped my daily dose cold turkey and I am not going to lie to you ... I felt it !!! But I can stand here today and honestly let you know that I am SO HAPPY being off of it and as I look back at the withdrawl ... if it is what I had to go through to get off the JUNK .. then so be it and ... I got through it and so can you. Perhaps cutting your dose in half will help reduce these effects .. but just remember ... all the withdrawl symptoms WILL PASS, it does get better and easier .. you have to have faith in yourself and know that you will make it through the crying jags, the weird body jolts, the frantic thoughts and all the other scary stuff just as all of us have done that have gone before you. You can do it ... I can promise you that. Im not going to lie to you ... the symptoms really stick but they do go away .. just like the pain of a new cut hurts the most on the 1st day and then as it heals it gets less painful ... that is how the withdrawl worked for me. Every day gets easier ... just get yourself off the junk and you will be much better off ... just relax and give yourself a few days to take care of yourself. I used benadryl but it made me excited and I could not sleep, but some people have had success with it. Hey it cant hurt to try it ... there are NO withdrawl symptoms with Benadryl. :) :)
You will be fine, Il bet $$$ on it. Beem there done that :) :)
Posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 20:32:21
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - how to stop taking XR? HELP!, posted by TrinityX1 on January 21, 2005, at 19:38:17
I think this drug might be very good for some people, some people swear by it, but I'm not sure if it's worth the risk (pdoc should make the patient aware and should try other drug therapies first) for mild or moderate depression. I,m running out of options, looking for cocktails of meds for treatment resistant depression. I guess it was worth a try, but I wish my dr. would have listened to me 5mos. ago when I told her it was a worthless drug to me, she just kept pushing it and I get sick of arguing too. Oh well, spilled milk- what do I do now, you know? I really don't want ECT since I was able to avoid it for about 25yrs. now! Also, I'm involved in one on one therapy for 15yrs. now, this helps ALOT. I will keep posting my experience, it should get interesting... Bye.
Posted by becci on January 21, 2005, at 23:00:37
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - how to stop taking XR? HELP!, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 20:32:21
my mom has treatment resistant depression and has tried everything.. for her what worked was a very old and basic med. try looking into those. I can't remember the name of it, but it makes you very tired so she takes it at night. it has worked wonders! we are all thankful
Posted by Jenna Starrett on January 21, 2005, at 23:57:50
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - how to stop taking XR? HELP!, posted by ShayNJ on January 21, 2005, at 19:25:13
> Hi. I am trying to prepare myself to phase this deadly sh*t out of my life. I'm definitely nervous: being even an hour late in taking my meds starts a host of symptoms that make me want to rip my own head off. What amount of Allegra-D/ Benadryl have most people found helpful? I have a bottle left of XR,; should I take out the little 'pellets' to wean myself off slowly? (I know I should be asking a doctor about this- but I'm temoprarily without health insurance) Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help!
Hello...
I am almost positive that it is all the same dose, however they have plain Allegra (no D- not sure if this works the same). I went to the drug store and found the box that said Allegra D tablets, and it comes in 12 hour or 24 hour tablets. I have taken both of these and it seems to work better taking the 12 hour (for me) because the 24 hour started to wear off before 24 hours. I just take a 12 hour in the am and one in the pm. I did run out a few weeks ago and did not take the Allegra D. I began to feel the side effects from the Effexor again and immediately went and got some more Allegra D. It did take about 6 hours to start making me feel better again. Note: I went from 300mg to 150mg in about 2 weeks, then a few days later got off it all together. I did not start to feel the side effects from Effexor XR until about 2-3 days after getting off of it. The Allegra D helps me IMMENSELY. I'd much rather take allergy medicine (that helps my allergies as an added bonus)than one more day of Effexor XR ("rat poison"). I hope this helps but as you know, everyone is different. God Bless, Jenna
Posted by snakeadelic on January 22, 2005, at 2:09:55
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
> I don't know if Effexor has a shorter half life than the SSRIs, or really what the withdrawal side effects might be for those,
> but Victor brought up a good point. Whenever I have missed more than 2-3 doses of my Effexor, whether the regular sort or the XR, the withdrawal is terrible.*Part of the problem is that therapeutically, according to the last counselor I saw, Effexor is about SIX major drugs combined into one. Hence the withdrawals are MAJOR and ugly.*
>
> In my experience, I have had a kind of numbness in my extremeties (this is such a wierd sensation, I don't even know if numbness is good description!), nausea, headache, extreme tearfulness, can't focus or make decisions, anorexia, and hot and cold chills just to name a few.*Sounds JUST like what my mother went through (did you fall down & throw up or have clinical migraines?) AND what my partner is still dealing with (he stutters, now, too), although the numb/strange feeling in his fingers stopped about two weeks or so after he was totally weaned. He still has decision-making issues, and increased social anxiety :( *
>
> One question for the docs here. I hate this about myself, but why do I forget whether I took my medicine or not a lot of the time? I feel like an old lady having to put my pills in a little day-of-the week pill box. ~laughing~*I'm only taking one med daily at this time, and believe me, if it's more than one I can't remember either. I think short-term memory fog is a side effect of being human!
snakeadelic
Posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 8:05:06
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by miniowner on January 1, 2005, at 21:53:52
Hi all,
I am suffering what I think are withdrawal symptoms from Effexor XR. I was on 75 mg for about 6 months and was doing GREAT! The only side effect I had was in the sex department. It was bugging me so my doctor suggested I get off Effexor and onto Wellbutrin. I did a week of 37.5mg Effexor and 150mg Wellbutrin. I was fine. Then when I stopped the effexor I went on 300mg Wellbutrin. On the second day of just Wellbutrin I started feeling dizzy and nauseous. Today is my 4th day on just Wellbutrin and I just vomited. I feel light headed and occasionally get really hot.. and then my stomach is upset. I also have been on the verge of crying.
Just wondered how long this will last. I might just go back on Effexor because it's hard to work 40 hrs a week and deal with my family this way. On the other hand, maybe I should put up with it so I don't have to go back on the Effexor and someday go through this again if I stop it.
Suggestions? Thoughts? -Kathy
Posted by TrinityX1 on January 22, 2005, at 8:57:08
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 8:05:06
Good Morning ...
I know for me that crying jags and vomiting were some of my symptoms as well. That lasted for me for around 3-4 days, some other symproms lasted longer. I would suggest NOT taking any Effexor at all !!! Just hang in there the symptoms will go away. I hear that Wellbutrin works much better then Effexor and less side effects. The withdrawl from Effexor really stinks but it does get better daily and eventually all of the symptoms will be gone. I can attest to that. Like I said, hang in there .. take a nap, watch a funny movie, try to eat some soup. You will be fine. :)
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 9:14:57
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by snakeadelic on January 22, 2005, at 2:09:55
...you may be right. I'd forgotten that when I went to the physical therapist for my neck, I do have some numbness in my fingers...and decisions, ickes. I never had that before either. I'm trying to pack to move, and I can't even figure out which box to use. It shouldn't be this complicated for goodness' sake. Surely that's not a "side effect," is it? Seriously, though, I can't decide anything...anything...at all. I do know how to make decisions, I think...I thought...I know. I'm going to go take a shower now, I think, or well, after I make some coffee. No, I think I'll go back to bed. I need to think about this.
You don't think I have a problem, do you? :-)
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 9:41:24
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 8:05:06
> Hi all,
>
> I am suffering what I think are withdrawal symptoms from Effexor XR. I was on 75 mg for about 6 months and was doing GREAT! The only side effect I had was in the sex department. It was bugging me so my doctor suggested I get off Effexor and onto Wellbutrin. I did a week of 37.5mg Effexor and 150mg Wellbutrin. I was fine. Then when I stopped the effexor I went on 300mg Wellbutrin. On the second day of just Wellbutrin I started feeling dizzy and nauseous. Today is my 4th day on just Wellbutrin and I just vomited. I feel light headed and occasionally get really hot.. and then my stomach is upset. I also have been on the verge of crying.
>
> Just wondered how long this will last. I might just go back on Effexor because it's hard to work 40 hrs a week and deal with my family this way. On the other hand, maybe I should put up with it so I don't have to go back on the Effexor and someday go through this again if I stop it.
>
> Suggestions? Thoughts? -KathyWyeth says in their most current information that the longer you take Effexor and the higher the dosage, the more likely you will have difficult or long-lasting withdrawal.
Six months at 75 mg. MAY not last all that long, but it's so hard to say. It sounds like everyone is having a tough time. The symptoms that you are having are definitely the same ones that I had when I stopped taking Effexor.
That said, here are some of the things that helped: The Benadryl or Claritin or any old fashioned antihistamine and Prozac are said to help the symptoms, but I wouldn't know cause I only took Benadryl. I did take SAMe, 5HTP, B-Vitamins, Rescue Remedy, St.John's Wort -- but a lot of people cannot take it, and you can't take it at all if you are taking Prozac -- Omega3s, exercise, lots of water, Calcium/Magnesium, Pepcid. Those are the things that I can think of that helped me get through the withdrawal. I'm sure there are more. Please know that I am not a medical professional, and I am just telling you the things that helped me. You should check with your own doctor because some things are good for some of us and really bad for others. You're feeling bad enough as it is. Just be really careful what you take to help you feel better cause what worked for me may not be what's right for your body.
I hope you feel better really soon.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 10:43:46
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period? » Kathyba, posted by TrinityX1 on January 22, 2005, at 8:57:08
>> That lasted for me for around 3-4 days, some other symproms lasted longer. I would suggest NOT taking any Effexor at all !!!<<
So why is everyone so much against Effexor? It did wonders for me other than the fact that I had a difficult time with sex. WHy is it all that bad? And if it is, why do doctors use it?
Thanks, Kathy
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