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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Wanda C on January 21, 2005, at 18:51:17
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 7:55:45
This all sounds so familiar. Reading your story sounds like reading mine. There are a few of us who do keep in contact with each other, because you will come to find out we all need eachothers support to get through this. My dose was 275mg for a couple years and I felt this medicine was doing more harm then good, so my pdoc took me right off effexor and told me to take 20mg of prozac. The withdrawals kicked in by the end of the evening and by the next day I was ready to just die. I went through everything you explained,and what's weird about that is, when I try to describe it to someone like my doc who has never experienced it before, they look at me like I am crazy. My pdoc actually said he has never seen that kind of withdrawal happen to somebody off of a anti-depressant. So he immediately told me to stop taking the prozac and start taking my effexor. But now he moved me up to 300mg. So in the mean time while my body was trying to recover from the shock, he gave me 10 1mg adavan to help with the sleeplessness and everything else. Adavan is addicting, so I only get five for the month when I go see my pdoc.
I guess what I am trying to say is, we are here for you.
Good Luck!
Wanda C
Posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 20:03:21
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » medhed, posted by Wanda C on January 21, 2005, at 18:51:17
Thank you,
I'm interested in your herbal approach. If you can direct me to more info or explain your own experience I would be grateful. I am now taking this med again and I feel 'OK'. I will be planning for my next attempt and talking to the doc. I will need to try new meds after I get off effexor to prevent relapse. I also take welbutrin 300mg.XR for about 6 years now.
peace.
Posted by David55 on January 23, 2005, at 22:28:23
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 20:03:21
Martin - your withdrawal symptoms are very similar to the ones I experienced. I was especially interested to hear of your loss of libido and its return after stopping Effexor. I completely lost my libido and anything resembling a normal orgasm several years ago while on Effexor. I even weaned myself from Effexor a year or two ago to see if it would return. When it didn't, I blamed the lack of libido on a lower back problem I also have (L5-S1 spondylolisthesis) and went back on Effexor. This time I went cold-turkey off Effexor because I was fed up with feeling tired all the time and being in a bit of a fog mentally. I've been off Effexor for 31 days now and am generally delighted with the turn-around in my life. The icing on the cake is that my libido seems to be making a gradual comeback. I'm very hopeful at this point. I'm guessing that I didn't give my body enough time the first time I stopped taking Effexor. The side-effects of this drug are really insidious. I'm just glad I'm off.
Don't worry about not being able to kick it cold-turkey. There's no shame in that. It's better to stay safe and sane and get off Effexor more slowly than to hurt yourself or others in the process.
The one lingering withdrawal effect I have is that I'm still awfully irritable and impatient. Otherwise, life is good.
Best wishes to you and everyone else trying to deal with their Effexor "addiction".
Posted by medhed on January 24, 2005, at 0:36:07
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » medhed, posted by David55 on January 23, 2005, at 22:28:23
i was in working order again in 2 days, that may be because i was only taking med for 8mos.
now day 2 back on and the same disagreeable side effects again. i will be patient with myself and the pdoc gettig off this med. right now i just can't post much- effexor has got me again and i feel like i can't acomplish much...sooo apathetic.
Posted by Jiggitykid on January 24, 2005, at 7:36:09
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » medhed, posted by David55 on January 23, 2005, at 22:28:23
Yes, "stuff," does return to normal :-). My husband is very happy that I quit taking effexor. I stopped cold-turkey about a year ago because I knew that weaning would not work for me. I don't have the patience and I also would have been more likely to, "just take a little more," so that I would feel better. The nightmare of withdrawal was so bad, I couldn't imagine extending it. A year ago, there weren't as many experiences shared here as there have been now, so the tips were not as numerous. I'm so grateful for this board so that others who are experiencing this hell have somewhere to go to get support and to find out how to deal with it from folks who have, truly, been there, done that.
The irritability, unless it is a legit part of your personality ;-), will go away. It took several months for my emotions to settle down. The effexor has an insidious grasp on your body and brain, and it takes a long while for your system to get back to normal. I'm frankly glad I didn't know how long the recovery would take; that forced me to take it day-to-day and not put a time limit or time expectation on it. I suppose that's just the way I am. I suggest that, even though there are general time frames posted, everyone coming off of this stuff remembers that each person is an individual and recovery times are personal.
> Martin - your withdrawal symptoms are very similar to the ones I experienced. I was especially interested to hear of your loss of libido and its return after stopping Effexor. I completely lost my libido and anything resembling a normal orgasm several years ago while on Effexor. I even weaned myself from Effexor a year or two ago to see if it would return. When it didn't, I blamed the lack of libido on a lower back problem I also have (L5-S1 spondylolisthesis) and went back on Effexor. This time I went cold-turkey off Effexor because I was fed up with feeling tired all the time and being in a bit of a fog mentally. I've been off Effexor for 31 days now and am generally delighted with the turn-around in my life. The icing on the cake is that my libido seems to be making a gradual comeback. I'm very hopeful at this point. I'm guessing that I didn't give my body enough time the first time I stopped taking Effexor. The side-effects of this drug are really insidious. I'm just glad I'm off.
>
> Don't worry about not being able to kick it cold-turkey. There's no shame in that. It's better to stay safe and sane and get off Effexor more slowly than to hurt yourself or others in the process.
>
> The one lingering withdrawal effect I have is that I'm still awfully irritable and impatient. Otherwise, life is good.
>
> Best wishes to you and everyone else trying to deal with their Effexor "addiction".
Posted by Jiggitykid on January 24, 2005, at 7:39:08
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » David55, posted by medhed on January 24, 2005, at 0:36:07
I know you aren't feeling well (I'm sorry!), and I hate to bother you, but I'm a little confused by the last post. Are you saying that you quit effexor and started back? If you were in "working order," why did you start back on? Just wondering if I'm reading your post correctly. Thanks!
> i was in working order again in 2 days, that may be because i was only taking med for 8mos.
> now day 2 back on and the same disagreeable side effects again. i will be patient with myself and the pdoc gettig off this med. right now i just can't post much- effexor has got me again and i feel like i can't acomplish much...sooo apathetic.
Posted by dancingstar on January 24, 2005, at 11:03:47
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » David55, posted by Jiggitykid on January 24, 2005, at 7:36:09
Hi Guys,
This is a truly annoying interruption, but please check out my link about rethinking Benadryl. I'm a little concerned that if you are taking both Prozac and Benadryl or Claritin or any antihistamine to recover from the symptoms of Effexor that you should print out the link I posted where the doctors are chatting about the possible cardiac damage...and bring it to your docs to find out if you should change things up.
I haven't got a clue as to how important or unimportant it is. It concerned me enough that I stopped what I was doing and posted this for you. Please read it and decide for yourselves.
I know, I know, who made me the safety police? Sorry for the interruption. Now back to your regularly-scheduled recovery fun....
Thanks!
Bebe
Posted by medhed on January 24, 2005, at 12:03:31
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » medhed, posted by Jiggitykid on January 24, 2005, at 7:39:08
i quit for four days and my sexual functioning was back and i kind of felt myself for about two days, then withdrawl kicked in and i couldn't take it. people on this board recommended that i not go cold turkey. i am trying to contact my pdoc now to try the titration, benadryl, prozac detox that i've heard about on this board. i've only been taking effexor for 8 mos., so i hope my withdrawl will not be so bad. since i started taking med again withdrawl has stopped but nagging side effects are back. also the numbness from the withdrawl and pins and needle zaps are still with me- i'm not sure if it's because i'm more aware of it. i feel kind of poisoned, but at least i know i'm not dying. for some reason i didn't connect feeling sick with the drug until i tryed to stop. i've been suffering from this latest bout of depression for almost 2 yrs., when i started effexor i was suicidal, the drug helped with that. i just thought my lack of exercise, bad eating/sleeping habits and everything else that goes along with a severe depression was making me sick. at least i don't want to kill myself. i'm still not sure what med or combo i will be trying next... and i've tryed alot. I have to stay out of the pits of hell but my butt is just about burning. thank you for your interest. martin.
Posted by Cyndy on January 26, 2005, at 12:57:37
In reply to Important Program Interruption, posted by dancingstar on January 24, 2005, at 11:03:47
Hi-
I have been trying to wean off 150mg Effexor for the past week. I have had terrible dizzyness, a funny "buzzing" in my head and nausea, but the crazy dreams have stopped! Yeah! I was only on this medication for hot flashes, so now I am paying a huge price that is much much WORSE than a simple hot flash! Wish my doc had explained the Effexor withdrawal symptoms. I have broken the 150mg caps apart and put half the little white balls into clear gel caps you can purchase at the health food store. So, now I am on 75mg every two days. Boy, am I glad I get to take one tomorrow! You can even break them down further, and I probably will do 37.5mg every two days before I stop completely. With regard to sexual function, I have noticed a change for the better already. I am never, never going on anything like this again - if the hot flashes come back, I will get bio-identical hormones. For an antidepressant - I love Prozac! It was great! The only bad effect from coming off it - my energy went way down. I love it, but I want to get all anti-depressants.
Best of luck to all of you - and I agree, we need to keep a diary of all this. I am never going to recommend this drug to ANYONE! I am a nurse attorney and I bet there will be lawsuits over this one before long!!!!!
Posted by dancingstar on January 26, 2005, at 15:20:52
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by medhed on January 24, 2005, at 12:03:31
I only wish I had thought of this when I was trying to stop taking the crap, but then I had no idea there was any withdrawal; so I just stopped taking it one day:
Instead of taking the EffexorXR, why don't you ask your doctor to switch you to Effexor tablets so you can break them into smaller portions? They aren't time released, but that way you can break them into tiny pieces. It might make it easier to cut back and not have to contend with the stupid little balls in the pills if you want to cut back slowly, and you can always take a pill if you need one.
Figured that one out this morning. Duh....
Posted by Jiggitykid on January 26, 2005, at 16:10:47
In reply to Re: Important Program Interruption, posted by Cyndy on January 26, 2005, at 12:57:37
The doctors either don't know or don't believe the symptoms. I've found black cohosh makes a huge difference for me. It is found in several supplements. I'm taking one by Arbonne. I've heard, but not tried, that Estroven is good.
As for the lawsuit, there is an attempt being made, but so far, not a lot of luck in getting anyone to take it.
> Hi-
> I have been trying to wean off 150mg Effexor for the past week. I have had terrible dizzyness, a funny "buzzing" in my head and nausea, but the crazy dreams have stopped! Yeah! I was only on this medication for hot flashes, so now I am paying a huge price that is much much WORSE than a simple hot flash! Wish my doc had explained the Effexor withdrawal symptoms. I have broken the 150mg caps apart and put half the little white balls into clear gel caps you can purchase at the health food store. So, now I am on 75mg every two days. Boy, am I glad I get to take one tomorrow! You can even break them down further, and I probably will do 37.5mg every two days before I stop completely. With regard to sexual function, I have noticed a change for the better already. I am never, never going on anything like this again - if the hot flashes come back, I will get bio-identical hormones. For an antidepressant - I love Prozac! It was great! The only bad effect from coming off it - my energy went way down. I love it, but I want to get all anti-depressants.
> Best of luck to all of you - and I agree, we need to keep a diary of all this. I am never going to recommend this drug to ANYONE! I am a nurse attorney and I bet there will be lawsuits over this one before long!!!!!
Posted by not2late4u on January 27, 2005, at 1:12:12
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Becky on October 2, 1999, at 22:03:30
in case anyone is interested, I am keeping my withdraw journal on a thread "renee tapering off effexor" So far there's about 31 days worth. Renee
Posted by TJAC on January 27, 2005, at 7:38:34
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by not2late4u on January 27, 2005, at 1:12:12
Posted by Cyndy on January 27, 2005, at 13:16:36
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by Petra on January 17, 2005, at 22:02:40
Hi again-Petra's idea about gentle weaning taking down the dose gradually is great. If you will go buy some gelatin caps at your health food store, you can place the tiny white balls in them and the long acting effect should not be lost.
This has got to be the only way to wean off without the terrible side effects. I have been dizzy all day and I took 75 mg this morning.
Thanks for sharing your success, Petra.
Cyndy
Hello there fellow AD users. I have quit Effexor XR twice in the past 2 years. I feel your pain. When I first tried to quit, I went down from 225 mg to 150 mg and the withdrawal was severe. I had a fever, dizziness, night sweats, headache, nausea, nightmares, ect. Weaning down from 225 to 150 to 75 to 37.5 was not an option for me. The only way I was able to wean off was to open up the capsules and divide the little beads into smaller doses. I used a razor blade to divide the doses into little piles on a piece of computer paper. If you divide a 75 mg dose into four, you get four 18.75 mg doses. Divide it into six and you get 12.5 mg doses. So basically it's just a matter of deciding what dose you want to take each phase of your weaning off. I would go four days on each dose before going down. It took me 5 weeks but it was painless. A much better way to wean off. Now I know that when you break open the capsule, you are destroying the extended release capacity of the pill. It does not matter. It worked for me. Here are the exact doses I took going down every four days(some people may need 7 days of each dose). 225, 187.5, 150, 112.5, 75, 56.25, 37.5, 18.75, 12.5, 7.5. So once the dose is divided you just lick the tip of your finger and press down on the beads and they will stick to your finger. Just stick the dose on your tongue and drink plenty of water to wash all the beads down. I hope those of you that are suffering will try this method. It works. God Bless, Petra
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 28, 2005, at 0:32:25
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by TJAC on January 27, 2005, at 7:38:34
> http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?effexor
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding petitions to Psycho-Babble Social. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050123/msgs/448972.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Dal on January 29, 2005, at 15:46:41
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by Cyndy on January 27, 2005, at 13:16:36
I am so glad I found this thread! I was told by my general Dr to get off of Effexor immediately, as he thought it might be affecting my ALT liver enzymes (anyone else have this problem), and I have to go in for surgery in a few weeks. I called my psychiatrist, told her of the issue - and she told me how HORRIBLE the side affects were going to be. LOVELY! Well, I went from 225mg - 150mg for 5 days, and was doing ok, so I simply quit. I'm doing ok - not SO horrible. But I do feel like my reality is a bit warped. And the dreams of the devil, alien invasions, and nuclear war are so much FUN!! :o) I was on effexor XR for almost exactly a year. I guess my question would be - how long should I expect the symptoms to go on? It's easier to get through, because I know the feelings I'm having aren't facts - but it is very bothersome. I'm tired of crying at work emails! :o) Sorry for the long winded post. I'm just grateful that I've been able to read all of your posts - it's helping a lot to know that I'm not unique in this. - Dal
Posted by Jiggitykid on January 29, 2005, at 16:14:44
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - going through it, posted by Dal on January 29, 2005, at 15:46:41
First of all, welcome! Second, I'm stunned and pleased that your psy. actually KNEW about the symptoms and bothered to tell you! Most of us here were not so lucky, and thought we were either losing our minds or dreadfully sick.
For me, the severe symptoms (I mean SEVERE) lasted about two weeks. The major ones lasted about a month, and the rest of them hung on for another couple of months. It took a while until I felt "normal." Even now, over a year after I quit effexor, I still have vision difficulties and the occasional nightmare with the electric shocks. How long have you been completely off effexor?
> I am so glad I found this thread! I was told by my general Dr to get off of Effexor immediately, as he thought it might be affecting my ALT liver enzymes (anyone else have this problem), and I have to go in for surgery in a few weeks. I called my psychiatrist, told her of the issue - and she told me how HORRIBLE the side affects were going to be. LOVELY! Well, I went from 225mg - 150mg for 5 days, and was doing ok, so I simply quit. I'm doing ok - not SO horrible. But I do feel like my reality is a bit warped. And the dreams of the devil, alien invasions, and nuclear war are so much FUN!! :o) I was on effexor XR for almost exactly a year. I guess my question would be - how long should I expect the symptoms to go on? It's easier to get through, because I know the feelings I'm having aren't facts - but it is very bothersome. I'm tired of crying at work emails! :o) Sorry for the long winded post. I'm just grateful that I've been able to read all of your posts - it's helping a lot to know that I'm not unique in this. - Dal
Posted by Damos on January 31, 2005, at 22:03:13
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by Petra on January 21, 2005, at 12:35:16
G'day from Down under,
Thank God, or should I say the creaters of the web for forums like this. I've been cutting down my Efexor-XR for a couple of weeks now and will be stopping completely (if courage doesn't fail me after reading all this) in about another two. Until this morning I thought I was suffering from a bunch of strange but unrelated symptoms. I don't feel nearly so weird now about having sat up in the dark the other night trying to work out where the flickering light was coming from - never occurred to me it was inside my head!
I just want to thank you all for being here and sharing your experiences. It really helps. I actually spoke to my Dr after reading this and he was unaware of any of these problems.
Don't get me wrong this drug was the best thing that had happened to me in 25 years, especially coming on the heals of a week of Zoloft which only made my desire to kill myself exponentially worse but had the added effect of making me want to take others with me. I've come a long way in the two years I've been on it.
My heart truly goes out to you all.
Posted by Jiggitykid on February 1, 2005, at 7:38:25
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by Damos on January 31, 2005, at 22:03:13
I'm glad you found this area and now understand what you are experiencing. Your testimony underscores the point all of us here are trying to make: The medical community and the patients are not informed from the drug company about the effects and the withdrawal nightmare of this drug. We want information and accountability.
Please take care of yourself!
> G'day from Down under,
>
> Thank God, or should I say the creaters of the web for forums like this. I've been cutting down my Efexor-XR for a couple of weeks now and will be stopping completely (if courage doesn't fail me after reading all this) in about another two. Until this morning I thought I was suffering from a bunch of strange but unrelated symptoms. I don't feel nearly so weird now about having sat up in the dark the other night trying to work out where the flickering light was coming from - never occurred to me it was inside my head!
>
> I just want to thank you all for being here and sharing your experiences. It really helps. I actually spoke to my Dr after reading this and he was unaware of any of these problems.
>
> Don't get me wrong this drug was the best thing that had happened to me in 25 years, especially coming on the heals of a week of Zoloft which only made my desire to kill myself exponentially worse but had the added effect of making me want to take others with me. I've come a long way in the two years I've been on it.
>
> My heart truly goes out to you all.
Posted by Damos on February 1, 2005, at 14:57:49
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by Jiggitykid on February 1, 2005, at 7:38:25
Thanks Jiggitykid,
Having suffered chronic depression since my early teens (now 40), punctuated by severe depressive episodes, the last couple of years have been a revelation. As for the withdrawal symptoms I'm just taking them as they come - though the itchiness and dizziness are getting really annoying, especially at work. The zapps and the flickering lights are cool in a strange kind of way. Fortunately I have some good people around me here who I've told about what's going on and they keep on eye on me.
My Dr was/is really good. We had a long conversation about it and since Zoloft is his first choice AD he's going to update his notes for the other couple of patients he has put on Efexor since he prescribed it to me. We mutually decided not to add any other drugs to the mix and to just take it one day at a time.
I did notice in my "Googling" in some research from the U.K. that the drug company's trials showed no significant withdrawal symptoms were experienced, but that every other trial did! Gee I'm shocked - NOT.
You take care too okay =0)
Posted by PW on February 1, 2005, at 15:13:27
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Becky on October 2, 1999, at 22:03:30
I have been on 75mg of EffexorXR for a year and two months. Had never used any other meds before, except for allergies.
I initially went on it because anxiety had gripped a hold of my life, inexplicably and out of the blue.
EffexorXR worked like a charm, and I never experienced any side effects while on it.
My gynecologist suggested that since I am doing so well, since I never had any prior history of depression, that I might want to taper off of it and see how I do.
I started half doses three days ago and have experienced no adverse effects whatsoever. She recommended I do 37.5 daily for two weeks, then every other day for two weeks, then be off completely.
Would I have felt side effects by now, or is it too soon? I am dreading, from all I've read on this board...
~Pat White
Posted by Damos on February 1, 2005, at 17:03:44
In reply to No Withdrawal Symptoms?, posted by PW on February 1, 2005, at 15:13:27
Pat, no doubt you'll have noticed that a lot of us are coming down from higher doses and in many cases a long history of dark places and other medications. I can only speak for myself here and while I had a few symptoms while I was cutting down the dosage my problems have only started since I've gone to every other day doses and the symptoms vary in severity on the off days - today being pretty good (so far but it's only 9:45am). Don't start looking for things that aren't there or worrying about what might happen or you'll undo all the good work. Just take it one day at a time, and stay in touch with your doctors. Like you I'm an allergy sufferer and initially put the itchiness down to that. It's annoying but nothing compared to some of the reactions I've had where I've scratched till I've bled and needed several injections to ease it. Just take it easy and watch out for the dizziness - I've had a couple of minor falls (fortunately only at home). And remember we're all here for you too.
Take care.
Posted by Dkscully on February 1, 2005, at 19:15:30
In reply to No Withdrawal Symptoms?, posted by PW on February 1, 2005, at 15:13:27
> I have been on 75mg of EffexorXR for a year and two months. Had never used any other meds before, except for allergies.
>
> I initially went on it because anxiety had gripped a hold of my life, inexplicably and out of the blue.
>
> EffexorXR worked like a charm, and I never experienced any side effects while on it.
>
> My gynecologist suggested that since I am doing so well, since I never had any prior history of depression, that I might want to taper off of it and see how I do.
>
> I started half doses three days ago and have experienced no adverse effects whatsoever. She recommended I do 37.5 daily for two weeks, then every other day for two weeks, then be off completely.
>
> Would I have felt side effects by now, or is it too soon? I am dreading, from all I've read on this board...
>
> ~Pat WhiteHonestly, I'm a horrible example for effexor withdrawal because I went off it fast at the instruction of my doctor--150 mg every other day, then done. NOT a good idea.
But, when I was taking the 150 every other day, and even for a day or two after I stopped completely, I didn't feel any withdrawal symptoms and thought I was doing great. Day 3--OUCH. It all started, and I've been having issues for the past 5 weeks now. Fun times.
At any rate, it is possible that if you go off effexor as slowly and carefully as you seem to be, you may be fine. It seems to vary, so hopefully things will continue to go well for you! Best of luck!
Posted by Marg on February 4, 2005, at 11:19:39
In reply to Re: No Withdrawal Symptoms? » PW, posted by Dkscully on February 1, 2005, at 19:15:30
I am coming off effexor after taking it for nearly 4 years. I'm suffering from dizziness and headaches but thats not the worst thing.
Before I started effexor I used to suffer from sleep paralysis but it seems the drug stopped that happening, now the SP is back and I hate it! It is the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced. I want to stay on effexor forever to to stop the SP. Is this a good idea?
Posted by ed_uk on February 4, 2005, at 11:29:41
In reply to Re: No Withdrawal Symptoms?, posted by Marg on February 4, 2005, at 11:19:39
Hi,
While you were taking Effexor, did you experience any side effects?
Ed.
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