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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by flipsactown on October 24, 2006, at 1:32:51
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR, posted by tbyoyo on October 21, 2006, at 22:18:01
I took Effexor for less than a month and had to stop taking it because of all the side effects (constipation, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, sexual, etc.).
To minimize the withdrawals, my pdoc had slowly decreased my dosage over a week period. Even then, I still experienced withdrawals, such as skin crawling sensation and brain shocks. The best way I can describe the brain shocks, for me at least, is like a continuous throbbing sensation throughout my body, causing me to be very antsy.
Yes, indeed, they were horrible withdrawals, but did go away in about a week.
I am currently on Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Lamictal and Trazodone and my unipolar depression is very much under control.
> does anyone know when these symptoms stop????
> I am gonna have to call the Doctor tomorrow, i am driving my family crazy, and myself.
>
>
>
> > These horrible withdrawals from Eff-XR are all too common and it's about time Ps recognized this.
> >
> > Can U make an emerg. call to your P this weekend? You need something to take the edge off this withdrawal. Resting is good. IMO, a week or so, of a benzo, may help you get through this. (It has me.)
> >
> > love, cf
>
>
Posted by Violetskyye on October 24, 2006, at 1:32:57
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR » tbyoyo, posted by flipsactown on October 22, 2006, at 8:14:18
Effexor has a short half-life [it leaves your body quickly], and that is what causes the withdrawal. A lot of doctors recommend taking Prozac for a couple of days during Effexor withdrawal, because Prozac leaves your body more gradually, and gives your body time to adjust to the change. I've heard taking Prozac even for two days when Effexor is stopped helps a lot.
Paxil also leaves the body quickly, which makes it the second hardest to come off after Effexor. So try maybe taking some other long half-life SSRI, like Prozac or Lexapro for a few days. Just my two cents.
Posted by elsie_girl on October 24, 2006, at 21:41:35
In reply to Re: Withdrawl, posted by shelby11 on October 17, 2006, at 16:31:54
Hi Shelby
Earlier this year I too went off Efexor and went through sheer hell too. I had been on Efexor for about 4 years at a high dose and even though it worked OK the side effects eventually got to me e.g. excessive sweating, weight gain, hair loss. I weaned over a period of a few months and the last few weeks was emptying some of my capsule out. I was OK until I stopped for a few days and then it hit. I had similar symptoms to you vertigo, major meltdowns, hyperactivity, hypermania, flu like symptoms and the the list goes on. I did have some benzos, but eventually after a couple of weeks when I thought I really was going to lose it I went to my GP and asked for Lovan (Prozac) and within a couple of days my symptoms began to improve. I didn't really want to go onto another AD but in the end I had to. I haven't been quite right since, but the Lovan is better than Efexor.
I agree with others too that the pharmaceutical company should know what happens during withdrawal. My GP and Psych seemed surprised when I told them of the troubles I had when coming off Efexor. They SHOULD KNOW. Then maybe it would be possible for them to help people through this dreadful time.
I can only make a few suggestions, a few of which I got from this site.
1. Definitely go back to your doctor - why should anyone have to go through this alone. It's about time they realised how hard it is. Keep on your doc's tail for help - you need to get through this somehow.
2. Try taking an occasional small dose of Efexor to get you through - not ideal but maybe essential for your sanity?
I can empathise with you as I went through the same thing. Good luck and let us know how you go. Take it easy and take care of yourself you need a bit of extra nurturing at this time.
Cheers
Elsie (Australia)
> I have been off Effexor for 2 weeks. These withdrawl symptoms are somewhat unbearable. I have very bad vertigo, nightmares, major meltdowns over small things where I cannot stop crying, I am so distracted I should not be driving. I have missed work and my boss is trying to be patient ( I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago), but wants to reevaluate how I am doing in two more weeks. So on top of everything else, I may lose my job.The only good part is that I have my sex drive back.
> If I could go back I would have never taken this drug, I only had medium anxiety. My doctor gave me a sample and a script for this without telling me anything about this drug. I am much worse now than before. If anyone wants to quit they should do so before the dose goes up and up. I hear it's worse when you are at large doses. I was weaned properly, can't imagine what its' like to go cold turkey.
Posted by corafree on October 25, 2006, at 15:47:20
In reply to Re: Withdrawl, posted by shelby11 on October 19, 2006, at 16:50:18
Somehow I fell off this thread.
I contacted Administration.
love, cf
Posted by corafree on October 25, 2006, at 15:53:40
In reply to Re: Withdrawl, posted by elsie_girl on October 24, 2006, at 21:41:35
I apologize elsie_girl, I didn't mean to just overlook your post and think of only myself.
I hope UR doing well and appreciate your point of view.
I have made the decision (with all the goods and bad taken into account) to stay on Effexor-XR for now as I have a lot on my shoulders, and it is reasonable to assume that I always will at this time, and 'I stand alone' except for support here.
bestwish, cf
Posted by elsie_girl on October 26, 2006, at 0:29:03
In reply to Re: Withdrawl » elsie_girl, posted by corafree on October 25, 2006, at 15:53:40
I don't know why you need to apologise. I appreciate your decision in your circumstances. I think we all need to do whatever we can to get us through. You will find a lot of info about others who have tried to get off Efexor and their experiences if you need to try again in the future. The thing I found was that I couldn't do it alone, be it medical support or this group. I got a lot of information and support from the Fibrom-L group and it really helped.
Good luck and best wishes to you. Keep in touch and let us know how you are going.
Cheers
Elsie (Australia)> I apologize elsie_girl, I didn't mean to just overlook your post and think of only myself.
>
> I hope UR doing well and appreciate your point of view.
>
> I have made the decision (with all the goods and bad taken into account) to stay on Effexor-XR for now as I have a lot on my shoulders, and it is reasonable to assume that I always will at this time, and 'I stand alone' except for support here.
>
> bestwish, cf
Posted by prasnhym on October 26, 2006, at 0:48:49
In reply to Re: Withdrawl (nm), posted by prasnhym on October 26, 2006, at 0:44:44
I have to get off of effexor are there posts somewhere that tell us ways to wean off. I am ready to take each pill down a fraction, but i would like some advice as i start....help me someone...
Tia
Posted by SLS on October 26, 2006, at 10:48:21
In reply to Re: Withdrawl, posted by prasnhym on October 26, 2006, at 0:48:49
> I have to get off of effexor are there posts somewhere that tell us ways to wean off. I am ready to take each pill down a fraction, but i would like some advice as i start....help me someone...
> Tia
Hi Tia.There are several ways you can go about weaning off of Effexor. I recommend that you first begin to take the drug twice a day if you are not doing so already. You might have to ask your doctor for smaller pills for the weaning process.
Although unusual, I personally have had success using a flexible-dosing method that allows me to take a small dose of medication whenever I feel withdrawal symptoms appear. This becomes particularly effective once I reach the lower dosages. However, I begin the taper process by reducing the amount of medication in each capsule by a small amount. I am not too concerned with precision while reducing the doses. If I begin to experience withdrawal symptoms before it is time to take my next dose, I simply take it a little earlier and perhaps take a little more. I dose two or more times a day during the withdrawal process, so this usually does not become a problem. The key for me is that I don't confine myself to some rigid schedule that traps me into suffering a severe withdrawal syndrome for days and weeks. I remain flexible enough to take some minimum amount of medication that prevents that from happening.
At the very end of the taper, I like to use the 25mg tablets to take small pieces of or simply open up the capsules and sprinkle out a few pellets and place them on my tongue to swallow. At dosages of less than 37.5mg, I actually wait for the withdrawal symptoms to reappear before taking my next dose. I try to take an amount of drug that is no greater than will allow a period of 6-8 hours to pass without symptoms reappearing and before it is time to dose again. I end up dosing 3-4 times a day. It's like taking an aspirin whenever you feel a headache reappear. Of course, you should see a trend towards using a smaller and smaller amount of medication each day. My guess is that you can try discontinuing Effexor entirely once you reach 12.5mg a day.
Alternatively, you can substitute Prozac for Effexor at the end of the taper process. You might only need to take a few 10mg doses over the course of a few weeks. I would try to go as far as you can with the Effexor first.
I'm sorry that this was such a clumsy explanation.
- Scott
Posted by dancingstar on October 26, 2006, at 11:35:26
In reply to Re: Withdrawl, posted by prasnhym on October 26, 2006, at 0:48:49
> I have to get off of effexor are there posts somewhere that tell us ways to wean off. I am ready to take each pill down a fraction, but i would like some advice as i start....help me someone...
> TiaHi Tia,
If you have the patience to, try to read back through the posts on Effexor on this forum throughout the years. You'll pick up lots of useful information. It can be done, and for some people quitting seems to be much easier than for others. Hopefully, you will be one of the ones that it is easy for. :-)
Posted by prasnhym on October 26, 2006, at 12:49:20
In reply to Re: Withdrawl, posted by dancingstar on October 26, 2006, at 11:35:26
Thank you for the response - i had remembered reading back and seeing those old post on weaning off and was hoping someone who had written one would respond...I quit cold turkey at the first of the year and went tru hell on earth for about 2 weeks so i knew i wouldnt do that again...i will break them down and wean off this time...
Thanks alot
Tia
Posted by prasnhym on October 26, 2006, at 13:08:16
In reply to Re: Withdrawl » prasnhym, posted by SLS on October 26, 2006, at 10:48:21
Hi Scott
You are the one i was wanting to respond! Thank you so much...I had called in and asked my doc to call in 37.5's and i went and picked them up not realizing till too late that it was still 75's. I do not have insurance and don't want to buy the right dose now. I don't know about multiple doses a day because it is xr's time released i believe. I took 5 granules out of yesterday's dose and 8 out of todays. And i will continue to take out 3 more per day. And towards the end when i get to about 30 granules take only one or two granules out a day till I am out of effexor. What do you think of my plan?
Tia
Posted by dancingstar on October 26, 2006, at 14:48:57
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - dancing star, posted by prasnhym on October 26, 2006, at 12:49:20
> Thank you for the response - i had remembered reading back and seeing those old post on weaning off and was hoping someone who had written one would respond...I quit cold turkey at the first of the year and went tru hell on earth for about 2 weeks so i knew i wouldnt do that again...i will break them down and wean off this time...
> Thanks alot
> Tia
Hi Tia,I don't check in here very often, but I will try to. I'm running my business pretty much full time; so I have been pretty busy lately. Of course I know how hard it is for you. If you need to, you are welcome to write to me at [email protected]. After everything is said and done, I'm not all that comfortable posting my feelings about this stuff on a public board. It never turns out all that well for me. :-)
All my best wishes!!
Posted by SLS on October 27, 2006, at 0:51:44
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by prasnhym on October 26, 2006, at 13:08:16
> Hi Scott
> You are the one i was wanting to respond! Thank you so much...I had called in and asked my doc to call in 37.5's and i went and picked them up not realizing till too late that it was still 75's. I do not have insurance and don't want to buy the right dose now. I don't know about multiple doses a day because it is xr's time released i believe. I took 5 granules out of yesterday's dose and 8 out of todays. And i will continue to take out 3 more per day. And towards the end when i get to about 30 granules take only one or two granules out a day till I am out of effexor. What do you think of my plan?I think it is worth a try. If you run into trouble, then you can make adjustments along the way. Try to remain flexible and not be so committed to a plan that you put yourself through hell unnecessarily. One thing that seems evident to me with SRI drugs like Effexor is that the more you allow the withdrawal symptoms to grow, the longer they seem to last. My guess is that there is a kindling phenomenon occurring. I understand that you went "cold-turkey" last time and that the withdrawal syndrome lasted for about two weeks. I've heard of worse. It is unlikely that you will have to suffer the same way this time.
Why don't you begin your plan and see what happens? If you get stuck, perhaps alternatives can be decided upon based upon what is observed.
I have always taken Effexor XR in divided doses. During the taper process, I have removed small numbers of pellets from capsules and swallowed them. I have also bitten off small pieces of tablets. These are things that are not endorsed by the manufacturer, but that I have nonetheless found effective. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not yet produced a taper pack and has not endorsed a taper method, so I guess we are still left to our own creative efforts to discontinue their product. I can only report to you what has worked for me and pass along to you the reports of others.
- Scott
Posted by corafree on October 28, 2006, at 17:34:38
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls » prasnhym, posted by SLS on October 27, 2006, at 0:51:44
To anyone taking E or discontinuing it, just wanted to mention, 'maybe again(?)', that I have always taken it in divided doses. One in a.m. and another in approx. 6or7hrs later. The 'extended' does not work w/ my metabolism.
cf
Posted by Carolyne on October 30, 2006, at 9:08:04
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by corafree on October 28, 2006, at 17:34:38
Hey Guys,
I am on my fourth day without effexor XR. I had been taking them since February for anxiety attacks. I felt great on them but had to come off of them due to the hives I had begun to develop. I have been weaned off the medication in two weeks. I was on the 75 mg per day.
Besides the brain shivers and the odd vertigo feeling, it's not that bad. I bought this homeopathic book that says the best way to help your body cope with the withdrawals symptoms is to get some vitamin B6 in to your system as well as getting acupuncture done to help balance out your body. I have my first appointment tomorrow..
I don't think it is half as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I know before I was coming off I had read alot of threads on here that we're making me terrified of coming off of these, but it's not the end of the world. I do spend a lot of my time laughing at what it feels like, it does make you feel weird, but it's not unbearable.
Posted by prasnhym on October 30, 2006, at 9:24:54
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls » prasnhym, posted by SLS on October 27, 2006, at 0:51:44
> > Hi Scott
> > You are the one i was wanting to respond! Thank you so much...I had called in and asked my doc to call in 37.5's and i went and picked them up not realizing till too late that it was still 75's. I do not have insurance and don't want to buy the right dose now. I don't know about multiple doses a day because it is xr's time released i believe. I took 5 granules out of yesterday's dose and 8 out of todays. And i will continue to take out 3 more per day. And towards the end when i get to about 30 granules take only one or two granules out a day till I am out of effexor. What do you think of my plan?
>
> I think it is worth a try. If you run into trouble, then you can make adjustments along the way. Try to remain flexible and not be so committed to a plan that you put yourself through hell unnecessarily. One thing that seems evident to me with SRI drugs like Effexor is that the more you allow the withdrawal symptoms to grow, the longer they seem to last. My guess is that there is a kindling phenomenon occurring. I understand that you went "cold-turkey" last time and that the withdrawal syndrome lasted for about two weeks. I've heard of worse. It is unlikely that you will have to suffer the same way this time.
>
> Why don't you begin your plan and see what happens? If you get stuck, perhaps alternatives can be decided upon based upon what is observed.
>
> I have always taken Effexor XR in divided doses. During the taper process, I have removed small numbers of pellets from capsules and swallowed them. I have also bitten off small pieces of tablets. These are things that are not endorsed by the manufacturer, but that I have nonetheless found effective. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not yet produced a taper pack and has not endorsed a taper method, so I guess we are still left to our own creative efforts to discontinue their product. I can only report to you what has worked for me and pass along to you the reports of others.
>
>
> - Scott
>
Hey Scott
I just wanted to let you know that i am doing ok. Each day i take 3 more granules out of each capsule. Today i will take out 18. Tomorrow i will take out 21. I am doing it slowly because i am one of the ones who have experienced horrendous withdrawals, the main one being a loud roaring/ringing/buzzing sound in my head that does not stop. I am glad to see that there are lucky/blessed ones on here that do not experience bad withdrawals. I realize some of our posts really scare people out of trying to quit. If someone wants off for any reason they need to just slowly come off and see how they feel and not fear it...I am coming off this way with almost no problems. It will take me just over a month to do it and i am free. I appreciate everyone's help here!
Tia
Posted by over 55 on October 30, 2006, at 10:25:55
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by prasnhym on October 30, 2006, at 9:24:54
Our posts are sometimes scary; but the more information a person has when trying to wean off, the better it may go for them. Luckily I found this site just as I was deciding to go off so did it slow and relatively pain free. I did take Prozac (20 mg) for the month I weaned off. It took about 6 weeks to go off completely after 5 years of use and now am off everything except some suppliments. I did take Omega 3 at the same time as weaning. I wish I could say I lost vast amounts of weight (didn't), but do have more energy; which was my main reason for going off. I just was exhausted all the time and gained about 60 lbs over all. I still have random leg/foot pains (not too often) and low intensiity brain zaps (infrequently); but overall am happy I did go off. There is a way to sucessfully wean off and read some old posts too to get a full picture of what may come up for you. But be encouraged that it is possible as it has been 4 months off for me.
Posted by SLS on October 30, 2006, at 13:49:04
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by over 55 on October 30, 2006, at 10:25:55
> I did take Prozac (20 mg) for the month I weaned off.
When did you add the Prozac relative to tapering the Effexor?
Did you then taper the Prozac?
- Scott
Posted by over 55 on October 30, 2006, at 16:22:15
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls » over 55, posted by SLS on October 30, 2006, at 13:49:04
> > I did take Prozac (20 mg) for the month I weaned off.
>
> When did you add the Prozac relative to tapering the Effexor?
>
> Did you then taper the Prozac?
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott,
I was at 225 mg E-XR and let go of 1 capsule of 75mg first week. 2nd week started Prozac along with cutting back another 75mg Effexor. Stayed on that regime for two weeks and then off the Effexor and stayed on the Prozac for two more week; taking it every other day towards the end of the 2nd week. Then every 3rd day for another week and then I just stopped it altogether when the prescription ran out. No side effects from quitting the Prozac that I could tell.
Posted by SLS on October 31, 2006, at 11:36:51
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by over 55 on October 30, 2006, at 16:22:15
> > > I did take Prozac (20 mg) for the month I weaned off.
> >
> > When did you add the Prozac relative to tapering the Effexor?
> >
> > Did you then taper the Prozac?
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> Hi Scott,
>
> I was at 225 mg E-XR and let go of 1 capsule of 75mg first week. 2nd week started Prozac along with cutting back another 75mg Effexor. Stayed on that regime for two weeks and then off the Effexor and stayed on the Prozac for two more week; taking it every other day towards the end of the 2nd week. Then every 3rd day for another week and then I just stopped it altogether when the prescription ran out. No side effects from quitting the Prozac that I could tell.Excellent.
Thanks for responding.
Stay well.
- Scott
Posted by amycouchr on November 21, 2006, at 7:31:14
I really would like to get off of effexor XR it is working well for me but I have put on so much weight that in combination with the prednisone that I have to take for my asthma I'm balloonning up. I really don't know what I want to do I just need to see it in writing. Have other people had weight gain with effexor that is not the only drug I'm on and I'll never be able to get off of prednisone.
Posted by Gee on November 21, 2006, at 7:31:15
In reply to effexor withdrawal, posted by amycouchr on November 20, 2006, at 15:26:36
I have, but most of it is water weight. I know that once I get off it, I'll lose it... I hope
Posted by chiron on November 21, 2006, at 7:31:16
In reply to effexor withdrawal, posted by amycouchr on November 20, 2006, at 15:26:36
I didn't gain weight with Effexor, but I did have hellish withdrawals (if you decide to go off)
Posted by Amanda_S on November 27, 2006, at 2:08:09
I am wondering if any of you have withdrawn cold turkey? If so, how long until the leg jerks, brain zaps & short-term memory loss (where I know what I want to say or write but can't get it out) stop? I took it for 7 months at 75mg day. But for the last month only every other day. Now its day 5 of being off the med totally. (I am on Wellbutrin now d/t weight gain and NO libido on Effexor, plus no lessening of depression). Please offer any advise. The side effects are not debilitating, just annoying and I'd love to know there's a light at the end of all this! Thanks and God Bless!!
Posted by BebeBoo on November 28, 2006, at 16:22:17
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR, posted by corafree on October 21, 2006, at 16:11:14
I was taking effexor xr 75 mg. I wasn't taking the prescribed doses though i was taking 4 and 5 at a time. I also smoked it. Please don't be stupid like me! I am going through masive withdrawls. I go through shaking for hours at a time and everything. Its horrible! I have been off it now for 1 week. I am still going through all of the withdrawls. Its not fun! Please don't be stupid like i was.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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