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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by LeanneF on June 13, 2003, at 14:38:23
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by River1924 on January 12, 2003, at 18:52:31
Hello. I was on Effexor for a year and a half. A week ago I took my last pill. No, I didn't just stop. I tapered off over a period of 3 months. I can't imagine how anyone could just stop taking this drug! My withdrawals have been horrible the way it is! I have had all the classics: vertigo, dizziness, tremors, muscle spasms, heart palpitations, and severe episodes of depression. The second day I stopped taking them I thought was the worst day of my life. I didn't know how I could get through anything. I cried for no reason and then just suddenly stopped. Yesterday, my perception was off and I sideswiped a parked car. Despite all of this, Effexor helped me through some tough times. Some of the withdrawal symptoms have been really rough, but I can't imagine what my life would have been like the last year without it. Every day is a little better. Every day I feel a little better. The sudden depressive episodes were mostly gone after the second day. My advice to everyone (especially the person thinking of stopping cold turkey) is go off VERY slow, but don't be afraid of the drug. It is hard, I won't deny that, but it also depends on the method you choose to stop taking them. And please remember, just like with depression, take things one day at a time. Although one day you may feel absolutely awful, remember that tomorrow you will be a little bit better, and the next day even better. And if you ever feel like you can't take it, remember that you are not alone.
Posted by Bunkie on June 13, 2003, at 16:23:15
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by LeanneF on June 13, 2003, at 14:38:23
This is my fourth day off effexor. I tappered off for just three days and evidently that has been the right thing to do. I am coming out of the dizzy fog but I am a little concerned that I might be moving towards hypomania. I have very little patience/tolerance for others. I am doing things at a very fast pace and having many thoughts. I must say this is better though than the aphasia with the drug. My psychiatrist this week attributed the aphasia to aging though I insisted that it seemed drug connected as it was worsening over the past several months. I am glad for the relief I have had from the depression the past year. It has been great to enjoy life in the peaceful easy way that effexor made possible. I am bracing for the unexpected withdrawals though. Last night was my third night of not sleeping well. Today I have been tearful (at work) and had a telephone argument with my partner as I was really not at all patient. I just wanted what I wanted. That was familiar manic behavior. Glad I do not have to depend on a psychiatrist for the real scoop. This is a good form of support.
Posted by CherC68 on June 13, 2003, at 21:42:03
In reply to Re: effexor xr » LeanneF, posted by Bunkie on June 13, 2003, at 16:23:15
I've been off for 5 days now. The side effects are decreasing. I have a bit more anxiety and I am so unbelievably crabby. During Effexor I didn't sleep well, night vivid dreams, scary even, but I woke up at 5:00 - Now, I still wake up at 3:00 for a 1/2 hour or so, but...I can't wake up and when I do I'm pissed at the world! Zoloft didn't work - and Effexor didn't help. Now I'm afraid I'm sinking back into that same old trap. Cher
Posted by Woz on June 16, 2003, at 4:58:08
In reply to Re: Efexor XR - Long Term Withdrawal - Anyone Else?, posted by Steven G on January 7, 2003, at 2:23:59
Hi all ...
Ive been on Efexor 75 since Jan this year and had previously been on prozac for a year or more .. could be 2 years or more .. right now I cant even remember.
I am finding that if I miss my morning cap I am experiencing much the same as ive read in these posts.
Ive had to come home from work today ( again )because i missed this mornings dose. It has usually been a matter of waking up one morning not feeling " quite right" and then getting hit with the zaps big time .. i cant move without a shock running up my legs, my lips tingling and my face feeling like its crawling .. not to mention the heart thumping and such......Its now got down to 3-5 hrs, going by today. I normally take it between 8am and 10-11 am. I noticed symptoms, like lips tingling and a weird heart/stomach feeling, which i dont know how to describe, at about 11 this morning and it got progressively worse till i left work at 5 .. I was scared to death of not getting back to take it asap.
I looked up EfeXor on google and thank god I found this site. It really helps to know im not alone in having these reactions .. sadly selfish I suppose but still... :)
Has anyone else found the margin for error is very small on this drug? I know it has a short half life but a couple of hrs or so is startling and debilitating for me for at least.
Like many of you have said before, it has been of great help but what are we getting into if we take it for long term? My doctor thinks I should stay on it for at least another 6-12 months ( he noticed a big change for the better in my outlook overall) Im not sure what the exact label is for the reason im on efexor .. i had a tendancy for suicidal depression is all i really know. I sometimes think that at least back then i could FEEL .. I could write as many of us probably do and was fairly good at it..I cant even try to go there now in fear of having to tap into the deep and dark places. Sometimes it feels like the cost of the cure is the loss of depth in my life. Thats off the point I know..sorry. I just wish there were a way to fix ourselves without losing, speaking for myself, who i am.
Perhaps, as my brother says to me " May the Force Be With You" .. Well, may the force be with us!
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Woz
Posted by Tracee on June 16, 2003, at 7:46:33
In reply to Re: Efexor XR - Long Term Withdrawal - Anyone Else?, posted by Woz on June 16, 2003, at 4:58:08
I know exactly what you mean Woz.I take my efexor at night.I forgot to take it once and the following day,I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me!I had all of the symptoms you described and I didn't like it at all.I didn't find out until I went to take my next dose, then realised I had missed the day before's.
You say that at least before you were on it you could feel.I miss that too.My family say I'm just not me anymore.
My G.P. has decide he can't take me any further and has referred me on to a psychiatrist.I haven't made the appointment yet, but I have decided to not go 'cold turkey' off the efexor.For now, I'm just taking things one day at a time.
Posted by Bunkie on June 16, 2003, at 11:35:48
In reply to Re: effexor xr 5 days off » Bunkie, posted by CherC68 on June 13, 2003, at 21:42:03
> I've been off for 5 days now. The side effects are decreasing. I have a bit more anxiety and I am so unbelievably crabby. During Effexor I didn't sleep well, night vivid dreams, scary even, but I woke up at 5:00 - Now, I still wake up at 3:00 for a 1/2 hour or so, but...I can't wake up and when I do I'm pissed at the world! Zoloft didn't work - and Effexor didn't help. Now I'm afraid I'm sinking back into that same old trap. Cher
I have an appointment this week with the "Integrative Medicine" folks at UA (Andrew Wyles' group)to talk about multiple physical problems and bipolar. I am taking many meds and it becomes hard to know what is what. Which medication is causing what. Day seven and I am still experiencing dizziness when I turn my head quickly. I was actually feeling mean this weekend and dreaming mean dreams. Of course that translated into being cranky. I tried to remind myself that I am under the influence of a drug, even if it is withdrawal from the drug. I really worked on trying not to be so reactive but not always successful. The positive side of this is that I am reacting to things that I judge to be good to react to. I am seeing that on Effexor I was pretty laid back about most everything - including gaining too much weight (25 lbs over a year's time) and accepting that things weren't important enough to give my input and have it mean something. So...I move along and see what integrative medicine has to offer to someone with bipolar, elevated cholesterol and blood pressure, airborn allergies and a few other things.
Posted by Bunkie on June 16, 2003, at 12:04:02
In reply to Re: Efexor XR - Long Term Withdrawal - Anyone Else?, posted by Woz on June 16, 2003, at 4:58:08
Woz,
I missed one day of taking effexor in one year. I was relatively okay during the day. That night I had the most hellish, tortured dreams. In some dream/awake state, it occured to me that I may have missed my meds, so up I was at midnight taking it (at least 20 hours late). It helped me to sleep more peacefully for the rest of the night.As for feeling, well I am feeling again. I am tearful but as I observe myself, I am being tearful in response to things that I should be tearful about (the anniversary of my Mom's death, the happiness I feel about my neice graduating high school, my disconnect from the thing I love most - which is writing, and sadness over generally growing older and not living the life I would like to living in some important ways. I am glad to be feeling again even though I am not as easy for others to be around. Should I be medicating myself so that others can tolerate me being responsive to life with a mild degree of passion? Frankly I don't think so. I don't want to be depressed though. That is a real bummer. So...I am sure that the depression will return and will deal with it then in whatever way seems the most sensible and least harmful at the time. Effexor was my first anti-depressant.
Thanks, Bunkie
Posted by Woz on June 17, 2003, at 5:56:40
In reply to Re: Efexor XR - Long Term Withdrawal - Anyone Else? » Woz, posted by Tracee on June 16, 2003, at 7:46:33
> Thank you so very much guys for your replies .. it does make a big difference to know that there are comrades in Meds out there .. lolz, I wish.
Had a better day today than yesterday. Mostly a few heart palpitations and the like but nothing compared to yesterday, thank god!
Thanks again to all replies. I hope you all keep on coping better knowing we are all here and in so many ways are in it all together. Friends do indeed people include people we have never met and to you all my best wishes.
Woz
>
> I know exactly what you mean Woz.I take my efexor at night.I forgot to take it once and the following day,I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me!I had all of the symptoms you described and I didn't like it at all.I didn't find out until I went to take my next dose, then realised I had missed the day before's.
> You say that at least before you were on it you could feel.I miss that too.My family say I'm just not me anymore.
> My G.P. has decide he can't take me any further and has referred me on to a psychiatrist.I haven't made the appointment yet, but I have decided to not go 'cold turkey' off the efexor.For now, I'm just taking things one day at a time.
>
Posted by LeanneF on June 25, 2003, at 13:05:27
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by River1924 on January 12, 2003, at 18:52:31
Hey guys, I just wanted to give you an update/glimmer of hope. I have been off Effexor for 2 weeks now and feel pretty much back to normal. I won't say it was easy! It was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with. But, it does pass. Just to warn you though, if you don't feel like eating and get sick when you do, I know how you feel. Luckily I am eating again. So, from one fellow depression/effexor sufferer to another, you're not alone. And there's nothing wrong with being relieved at knowing you're not alone. The world is not such a lonely place when you realize other people understand what you're going through. So, in closing, if you ever need support or just a friend, I'm here for you because I've been there and so have all these other people. You're not alone. Take care all. You're stronger than you know.
Posted by Bunkie on June 25, 2003, at 13:51:08
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by LeanneF on June 25, 2003, at 13:05:27
I am now on day 16 of going off Effexir. Last week I had flu symptoms followed by a severe cold with fever. After one week of that, I am feeling better. My mind is still a bit foggy from being ill and just the stressors of daily life. But overall I am feeling more myself. Not feeling so emotionally crabbbbbby. Thanks for the info everyone.
Posted by Pete27 on July 6, 2003, at 17:27:31
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by Bunkie on June 25, 2003, at 13:51:08
I would like just to share my experience with effexor, because this drug changed my life in very strange way. I have been on antidepresant madications for three years. I had suffered from suicidal depresion for a long time. All this medications gave me some enargy to live trough this tough times. I started effexor begining of april this year. First week was horrible. I could not think I could not concentrate I could not live. After one week effexor started to work and feel a bit relived. But all this starting problems gave me thinking that with this drug is something wrong. I was investigating a little bit and found out that I better quit. I quit cold turky. Experieced zaps and all what is going together with this medicine. I was so pissed off of not sleping for two months that this was I guess the best solution. But also after quiting almost 1 month ago I could not sleep. I got drunk one nite but next day just could not stop drinking. I was seeing everything black, became suicidal but was able to put myself together in a few days. After that I said no more medicine for me. Doing sports every day, going to nature eventhou I dont fell quit alright. And hoping that this all will pass ... But there is still a problem which I dont understand and maybe anyone of you can help me with this one. Have mood balacing from almost euphoric to totaly depressed and can change in a few hours. I one moment I have so much life energy that I am sure that I can handle it at the other time I am thinking of suicide as a best solution. But one think that realy bothers me is that I fell relay agressive inside of me. I dont show it on the outside but there is like a voice in my head that is telling me that I should hurt someone and only the people I love and like. I is terrible experience and relaly wish that this would go away because I am becoming afraid of myself. I have not experienced this before and it could be long term side effect after quiting effexor.
Posted by CherC68 on July 6, 2003, at 21:31:26
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by Pete27 on July 6, 2003, at 17:27:31
Dear Pete,
Please keep reminding yourself that it is just the effects of the Effexor wearing off - but...I think you need to speak to your doctor, and immediately.I felt the anger, lots of it, but not in the way you have. Please seek help as soon as possible, your doctor, your church, or whatever, but, it may not just be the wearing off of the Effexor, it could be a change in the chemical imbalance that you now have.
I wish you well and good luck and keep posting. If you have things to get off your chest, please let us know before it becomes too much for you to bear.
I will be praying for you and I hope that you write back to let us know how you are doing.
Take Care,
Cher
Posted by Tracee on July 7, 2003, at 3:50:12
In reply to Re: effexor xr » Pete27, posted by CherC68 on July 6, 2003, at 21:31:26
Hi all, I have made the decision not to go off the efexor xr just yet, but I know that it is just not the right medication for me. I have read on the posts that some of you have felt a sharp rise and fall of emotions after going off the meds. I have started to experience this in myself in the past week or so. I am still on 225mg per day though. Has anyone else experienced this as well? I know that some irritability can be a side-effect, but I don't just feel irritable I feel angry. My husband says I'm just not me anymore. I feel so confused at the moment. My G.P. is arranging for me to see a psychiatrist a.s.a.p. and a counsellor as well. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as right now, I feel like I'm losing the plot... fast.
Posted by kkris on July 7, 2003, at 11:28:43
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by Tracee on July 7, 2003, at 3:50:12
Yes, I went crazy when I went off. I totally overreacted with lots of rage to many situations. I also felt hopeless and suicidal, and had intense anxiety when going out in public. It did fade away over time - for me (I guess I'm "special") the majority of the symptoms faded away over about two or three months, to return sporadically, in a lessened form, still to this day (several years later). But it's not you, and don't let anyone tell you that this is how you are without medication. This is what the medication does to people when they try to get off! I had never experienced in my life the things I experienced while getting off of Effexor. To get off, I took a semester off of college, because I couldn't function. But it does get better, and, from reading the posts here, it gets better for most rather quickly - within a few weeks.
Good luck!
Posted by Bunkie on July 7, 2003, at 11:50:25
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by Pete27 on July 6, 2003, at 17:27:31
I have been off effexir for over a month now and feeling almost normal. I still have trouble finding words. Memory problems intefere with my ability to speak spontaneously, as I once did. I experienced rage for several days after tapering off effexir. I experienced a cold/flu for ten days. I had rapid ups and downs. I was so irritable with my husband that I could just explode. On effixir I became complacent about my physical health and matters of due concern around me. I am back to exercising regularly and taking off the thirty pounds that I don't need. My mood is leveling out. The rage is gone. The extreme irritability is gone. I feel okay. Only a month or so and I am back to myself. It is extremely important to taper off this drug. It sounds as though it makes all the difference with the withdrawal symptoms.
Posted by Pete27 on July 9, 2003, at 6:36:13
In reply to Re: effexor xr » Pete27, posted by CherC68 on July 6, 2003, at 21:31:26
Thanks Cher and to everybody who shared experience with me. I tried to contact my psyhiatrist this days but she is on apparently on vacation. The anger has faded away but now have other simptoms. Fell very week and hardly concentrate. Also a bit confused and have high heartbeat. But still telling myself that this are just the withdrawal simptoms allthou I fell I should take some medicine to stabilise me, but not effexor. A realy hate this ups and downs and they just appear. I am afraid to go to psihyatrist again cause I guess I'll get another medicine again. But I want to have clear head, my head. Does anybody have any idea what should I do to stabilise my self withot medicine?
Thanks again and I'll be happy to hear any suggestions.
Posted by CherC68 on July 10, 2003, at 18:34:05
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by Pete27 on July 9, 2003, at 6:36:13
Your welcome Pete, please keep me posted. Did you get a hold of your Doctor yet? I'm having problems in that area. I was told by my internist after I took myself off the Effexor XR that I need to see a shrink & a therapist, that he could no longer help me. I've been on Zoloft & Wellbutrin (which does nothing for me) and Effexor XR (Zoloft/Effexor SE made my depression 10 X's more severe)
NOW i'm SOL, there are no psych docs at the clinic I go to, so I have to look for private, and it sucks because its easier if all my doctors are lumped together!
Take Care Pete, and let me know how you are doing!
Cher
Posted by Pete27 on July 11, 2003, at 18:01:52
In reply to Re: effexor xr » Pete27, posted by CherC68 on July 10, 2003, at 18:34:05
Hi Cher!
Good to hear from you again. I realise you have real problems with your depression. I guess I can handle my. I was without any drugs ( last was effexor xr ) for a month and now I swiched to edronax which is the only antidep. which helped me so far without any severe side effect. I did not go to the doctor because I dont belive them anymore. I mean 3 years ago I was only depressed person now depression is more or less gone but I think I am going crazy. It is like inside me I am or somebody else is constantly talking to myself. It is the felling like the brain would be making a scenarios. What a f.. did all this medications did to me. Actualy I fell completly normal, comunicate with people also normal. Nobody except me knows or sees this. But this discussions in my head are making me mad. Next week I'll go to my personal doctor to find me a real good psyhiatrist. But I he or she start to offer me medications I go .. at first place. I'll try now with edronax for two months just to put myself together ( helped this way once ) and than quit ( hope forever !!! ) Take care
Posted by CherC68 on July 12, 2003, at 16:19:09
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by Pete27 on July 11, 2003, at 18:01:52
Pete, well, I'm on nothing but an occasion Xanax which a friend gave me a prescription of hers. I don't know that I have as much depression as much as the feeling of going crazy. My thoughts are fast, furious, then I get tired and then angry and I think so much. Its like my mind won't stop. I am having nightmares and they are extremely vivid. I too am going to try to find a therapist. Remember - a psychiatrist only gives out medication. They are not therapist. So, if you spend your time looking for a shrink - all you will get is some PDoc (psychiatrist) giving you pills. They get the big bucks, but they don't do didily shi*. I am going to try to find a shrink and a therapist that work hand-in-hand - but one that is not so damn drug happy.
Let me know how you are doing, and take care of yourself!
Cher
Posted by beth6 on July 15, 2003, at 14:41:14
In reply to Re: effexor xr » Pete27, posted by CherC68 on July 12, 2003, at 16:19:09
I am grateful for Effexor XR. I started taking it last year after a full-blown anxiety attack. At the time, I thought it came out of the blue. Now I see that I was not taking care of myself physically, emotionally or psychologically. The Effexor started working immediately and I found my thinking to be clearer.
After being on the drug for three months, my physician gently recommended that I should now start looking for other ways to cope with my stress. So, I decided to find a new job, move closer to an important family member and begin looking at my life, yet again! The move threw my husband and child into turmoil, but eight months later we are all adjusting and doing much better.
So, it is time to quit the Effexor. I started tapering off three weeks ago because of a class I am taking on mindfulness meditation (more on that later). I was taking 3 37.5 per day. The switch from 3 to 2 wasn't too big of a deal. I would take 3 one day and then 2 then 3 for about 7 days. Now I am to the 1/2 combination. That is proving a bit difficult! The dreams are bizarre and so real. Lots of violence, not a thing thing that appears in my dreams much. So, I realize that I need to take this withdrawal seriously and take care of myself. Why would you force yourself to go cold turkey? I have suffered enough, I don't need to create more for myself!
Most doctors would tell us that discontinuing any medication (just like starting medication) needs to be monitored. In the midst of depression and anxiety I rarely can make clear decisions about what is best for myself.For all of you - the mindfulness meditation is proving to be a wonderful, incredible way to help myself. I immediately became aware of the unceasing flow of anxious and negative thoughts in my mind. Six weeks into the class and I am finding that my sleep is much better (except on this withdrawal schedule), my mood is better, I can actually identify moods and CHOOSE not to follow them, I feel sexual interest again, and dare I say it - happy. What is really amazing is that I can see the same thing happening in the faces of my classmates. It is a wonderful gift for myself.
So, the Effexor had it's place and I am glad my doctor reminded me that maybe medication was not going to solve my problems. The solution is something I have to create - with guidance and care.
Best wishes to all - beth6
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 17, 2003, at 11:31:57
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by beth6 on July 15, 2003, at 14:41:14
Beth,
That's wonderful! I think I'll look for some local classes like that. Keep us posted on the withdrawal experience. I love to read optimistic posts. It gives me hope for all of us!
KDi in Texas
Posted by Pete27 on July 19, 2003, at 16:36:58
In reply to Re: effexor xr » Pete27, posted by CherC68 on July 12, 2003, at 16:19:09
Hi there, It is me again. Just want to let you know it is getting better every day and a guess the only medicine which relay helps is changing of enviroment, workout, takin' care for myself.
It can realy be tough sometimes if the mind is telling somehing else, but I am prepared to suffer and hope to and trust to change something.
Take care everybody
Posted by Tracee on July 19, 2003, at 19:43:17
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by Pete27 on July 19, 2003, at 16:36:58
> Hi there, It is me again. Just want to let you know it is getting better every day and a guess the only medicine which relay helps is changing of enviroment, workout, takin' care for myself.
> It can realy be tough sometimes if the mind is telling somehing else, but I am prepared to suffer and hope to and trust to change something.
> Take care everybodyHi Cher, it's good to hear you're feeling better. I'm still unsure as to what to do about this medication. I've told my psychologist that I'm going to reduce the amount I'm on until my appointment for the psychiatrist comes up.She just suggested that I take it slow and be careful.We'll see.
However, it's always encouraging to hear of anyone who is making progress. Good luck...:)
Posted by DG74 on August 6, 2003, at 21:55:53
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by Tracee on July 19, 2003, at 19:43:17
I just want to say thank you for posting your messages on here regarding the trouble you have all had getting off Effexor. I have only been on it two days and the side-effects have been terrible. I was really having trouble functioning and was getting bad chest pains. From reading your discussion I've decided that the cure seems a lot worse than the original problem & I'm going to stop taking it now while I still can & perhaps try a herbal supplement. I wish you all all the best!
Posted by frankenstein on August 24, 2003, at 23:35:24
In reply to Re: effexor xr, posted by DG74 on August 6, 2003, at 21:55:53
All the withdrawal symptoms you have all listed are exactly what I am experiencing by taking Efexor-xr. Thanks for everyones posts, I will be going off this drug too now (only been on it for 10 days).
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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