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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by bossman7876 on September 26, 2003, at 17:40:24
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I stopped Effexor XR 2 days ago and I am already having semi-nightmares or very unusual dreams, shivers, dizziness, etc. I have been on 225 mg for around 2 months all together 1 year on Effexor. I know just abruptly stopping isn't the best but it is making everything in my life worse. I was reading earlier posts about benadryl. Can someone please comment on the whole benadryl issue and how this helps any of the side effects?
Posted by bossman7876 on September 26, 2003, at 17:40:40
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I stopped Effexor XR 2 days ago and I am already having semi-nightmares or very unusual dreams, shivers, dizziness, etc. I have been on 225 mg for around 2 months all together 1 year on Effexor. I know just abruptly stopping isn't the best but it is making everything in my life worse. I was reading earlier posts about benadryl. Can someone please comment on the whole benadryl issue and how this helps any of the side effects?
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 26, 2003, at 18:49:39
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 16:05:20
> Look, if you are simply anti-meds then, I do not believe you belong on this thread. I gotta be blunt here: this is sounding like a scientology spew. I don't appreciate it. I come here to learn--NOT to listen to political biases.
Please respect the views of others, be sensitive to their feelings, and don't post anything that could lead them to feel put down, thanks.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by star on September 26, 2003, at 20:12:30
In reply to Re: effexor xr seems to have stopped working, posted by J9 on September 26, 2003, at 15:00:11
I've been on effexor for 3-4 months, although its eased my anxiety, all the enthusiasm and get up and go i used to have is gone. Although i function, going to college courses etc., i feel like a robot, no real drive, its like my spontaniety is lost. I feel dulled can anyone else relate to this.
Posted by Prinnie on September 26, 2003, at 20:28:07
In reply to Re: any good xperiences withdrawing from effexor?, posted by Angelnmikey on June 8, 2003, at 1:03:40
Hi,
I have been up to 225 of effexor for the last 7 months..being a drug free/alcohol free addict for the last 15 years, I have decided enough is enough this is hurting me more than helping me..today I started cold turkey..I will let you know my progress..I guess I will find out if "that which does not kill you makes you stronger" is all about.
Prinnie
Posted by Prinnie on September 26, 2003, at 20:28:31
In reply to Re: any good xperiences withdrawing from effexor?, posted by Angelnmikey on June 8, 2003, at 1:03:40
Hi,
I have been up to 225 of effexor for the last 7 months..being a drug free/alcohol free addict for the last 15 years, I have decided enough is enough this is hurting me more than helping me..today I started cold turkey..I will let you know my progress..I guess I will find out if "that which does not kill you makes you stronger" is all about.
Prinnie
Posted by Nina83 on September 26, 2003, at 21:09:55
In reply to metal mouth on Effexor, posted by skp on September 24, 2003, at 9:22:34
The metal taste can be an overload of toxins i think. That happened to me when i was doing a detox. You are tasting the toxins. I would suggest maybe drinking more water, and not just when you need it-constantly throughout the day and keep a bottle by your bedside. I wake up in the middle of the night starving, but it's usually thurst. If that doesn't work, maybe ask your doc?
Posted by Nina83 on September 26, 2003, at 21:21:29
In reply to Stopped Effexor XR - extreme side effects...Help!, posted by bossman7876 on September 26, 2003, at 17:40:24
Why is everybody going cold turkey?! Did your doctor tell you to do this? No! Of course you are going to get these side effects if you suddenly deprive your body of something it has become accustomed to! If you don't want the effects of stopping effexor to interfere with your life, i suggest following the instructions and slowly decreasing the dosage under your doctors supervision. I suppose because you feel alright one day, you figure they're not doing anything so you can just stop them and it won't affect you, but obviously it does.
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on September 27, 2003, at 3:49:18
In reply to Effexor Lawsuit, posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 5:43:29
I hear your frustration and pain! I am going into my second day of trying to withdrawl from this AGAIN! Each attempt has never been successful, but I am determined to follow this through this time, even if it lands me in the ER! I actually wrote a letter to Wyeth last night (well an email on their website) telling them Shame on themselves for doing this to people without giving warning AND without providing doctors background on the withdrawls. Each doctor I go to tells me it isn't possible for me to be having these symptoms, they are all "in my head" and let me tell ya, when a doctor can't tell you what is going on...that is the scariest thing in the world. I told my doc about this website and he actually told me to stay off because "they are wack-jobs"!!!! What kind of a doctor uses that language?!?!?!?!? I am sick and tired of the docs playing God with only half a deck. I am definetely on board with whatever justice we can bring for ourselves and for those of you who think this drug is so great right now...I even want to make them liable for YOU down the road...because "there will come a day".
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on September 27, 2003, at 4:04:16
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 16:05:20
oh, slow down please! I think everyone has the right to talk freely, clearly, and respectfully as I believe the last poster has been. If you simply want to go on a message board where you want everyone to be in agreance (sp) with you, well good luck! I have been reading posts on here for over a month or so and this section of the board seems to FOCUS on the meds, is there another part of the board you are trying to get to? This poster is not attacking you and I am offended that you have attacked her! Now can we get back to civility pleeeeeeaaaaaassssssseeeeee!
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by O'Ryan on September 26, 2003, at 13:44:56
> Look, if you are simply anti-meds then, I do not believe you belong on this thread. I gotta be blunt here: this is sounding like a scientology spew. I don't appreciate it. I come here to learn--NOT to listen to political biases.
>
>
>
>
Posted by zeldas on September 27, 2003, at 4:06:43
In reply to Re: please be civil » zeldas, posted by Dr. Bob on September 26, 2003, at 18:49:39
> > Look, if you are simply anti-meds then, I do not believe you belong on this thread. I gotta be blunt here: this is sounding like a scientology spew. I don't appreciate it. I come here to learn--NOT to listen to political biases.
>
> Please respect the views of others, be sensitive to their feelings, and don't post anything that could lead them to feel put down, thanks.
>
> Bob
>
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.Well, Bob , considering that you said pretty much the same thing the other day--I am out of here.
robyn
Posted by zinya on September 27, 2003, at 13:00:17
In reply to Re: any good xperiences withdrawing from effexor?, posted by Prinnie on September 26, 2003, at 20:28:07
Hi all,
I haven't been back for over a week but in the interim I saw my md. and -- for a change -- got a REAL and vital and nonpharmaceutical answer to something I hadn't thought about - -and he hadn't suggested in advance (which ALL mds should when they prescribe Effexor and maybe other SSRIs too)
Namely: Gatorade. I've never been one to sweat my whole life -- even major exercise NEVER made me sweat the way Effexor has. Therefore I had no lifetime habit of thinking in terms of electrolyte loss and need for replenishment. I've been drinking twice as much carbonated water (my preference) as ever, but when I told him of the intolerable sweating which was one of the TWO big reasons why I decided to go off Effexor (and couldn't wait for my appt with him to do so and had already begun tapering off since Sept 2 -- after being on it since May 27, and at 150 mg for 6 weeks by Sept 2) -- He made me realize that that inordinate amount of sweating was causing an electrolyte loss which I had not known to compensate for.
Anyone with increased sweating, I urge you to also stock up on Gatorade and DRINK it with every bout of sweating. If, like me, it's waking you up in the middle of the night with drenching wet night clothes and sheets, have a bottle of it by your bed to drink ...
Otherwise, for me at least, my energy level only gotten WORSE due to electrolyte loss from sweat instead of the improvement that Effexor was supposed to help with due to norepinephrine component.
(The other reason I'm quitting, increased heart rate so bad that even gardening has become an aerobic exercise to a scary level and i couldn't risk "real" exercise anymore for fear of heart attack - a problem i also had NEVER in my life had a concern for given my low blood pressure and no heart problems)
As to quitting, those of you who say you are going cold turkey off Effexor, PLEASE rethink immediately and taper off instead.
I went from 150 down to 100 for 1 week (by dividing the capsules of 2 150's into 3 roughly equal allotments -- then to 75 mg for 2 weeks, now I'm down to 50 mg (2 100's divided into 3), then plan to go to 37.5, then half that amount. From all the reading here, it seems that that very last step is the biggest... and so i plan to even divide the 37.5 into 3s after dividing it in halves, so that i go to 10 mg before ever considering quitting and even then i might go to 10 mg every other day before quitting completely. This is what reading this site off and on for six months has taught me is VITAL... If you don't do something similar to this, you are asking for trouble. I urge you to go slowly. So far, i haven't had any withdrawal symptoms and the rapid heart beat is finally easing away. Alas, the sweating is still there. But it started at 37.5 mg on my way UP the ladder, so I don't expect it to quit til i'm below 37.5 again...
Good luck to everyone.
zinya
Posted by Prinnie on September 27, 2003, at 18:23:31
In reply to Stopped Effexor XR - extreme side effects...Help!, posted by bossman7876 on September 26, 2003, at 17:40:24
Hi,
Day Two, and besides grinding my teeth, which I am going to start chewing ice..I am doing quite good..with a lot of help from the big guy upstairs..slept last night, ate as usual, been taking antacid, which I normally take anyways, and tylenol. I find so far keeping myself busy is the best thing. I have a great support system, and yes, I would advise this way for everyone, but I have always been this way about stopping anything.
Take Care,
Prinnie
Posted by Prinnie on September 27, 2003, at 18:27:43
In reply to Re: Stopped Effexor XR - extreme side effects...Help!, posted by Nina83 on September 26, 2003, at 21:21:29
hi,
If you see the post that says I would advise everyone to do it this way, ignore it! I meant wouldn'tThanks again,
Prinnie
Posted by zinya on September 27, 2003, at 19:12:29
In reply to Hey Zinya...It's Willie, posted by willie on September 22, 2003, at 7:27:23
Hola Willie!
Just saw your post and glad to hear from you. As i recall, you take 37.5 right?
I might have said this before but as to the weight gain, i had a similar effect clear up until after i'd been at 150 mg for several weeks and FINALLY i started losing some weight. When i started i was already 10 lbs heavier since last fall but what happened for me on the Effexor was that my appetite dropped to about half, literally, and yet my weight stayed constant. Which said to me that it was having the weight-gaining effect on me.
As you can see from my post earlier today, i'm still on my way off of it and so far doing okay ...
Wishing you well, Willie, and do keep in touch. The exercise programs you've signed up for sound VERY key (though i confess i'd never heard of the boxing one :) ... Another thing you might look into which i mentioned once here concerns the role of sugar in our lives causing cravings - not sure if that applies to you but i'd mentioned the books on Yeast Connection and Yeast Syndrome (one in particular by William Crooks - available on amazon) which i linked once before... It might be of interest to look into and see if you relate to it... I read and applied the notions there quite rigorously about 10 years ago for a couple of years and still live by the guidelines although a bit more loosely in recent years (and with relapses :))
big hugs to you!
zinya
Posted by salty_dog on September 27, 2003, at 20:15:29
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit » kcg33, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on September 27, 2003, at 3:49:18
What I would like to throw out for discusion is the idea that the Pharamcist is far more responsible for these kinds of problems, isn't (s)he ? I mean come on now, who prints up those pretty little flyers which tell you the side effects ? I don't mean to side with the Pharmicitical Co. which makes the product, but, in every statment they have made (written or otherwise) has drawn attention to the side-effects and even the withdrawl problems of this drug.
> I hear your frustration and pain! I am going into my second day of trying to withdrawl from this AGAIN! Each attempt has never been successful, but I am determined to follow this through this time, even if it lands me in the ER! I actually wrote a letter to Wyeth last night (well an email on their website) telling them Shame on themselves for doing this to people without giving warning AND without providing doctors background on the withdrawls. Each doctor I go to tells me it isn't possible for me to be having these symptoms, they are all "in my head" and let me tell ya, when a doctor can't tell you what is going on...that is the scariest thing in the world. I told my doc about this website and he actually told me to stay off because "they are wack-jobs"!!!! What kind of a doctor uses that language?!?!?!?!? I am sick and tired of the docs playing God with only half a deck. I am definetely on board with whatever justice we can bring for ourselves and for those of you who think this drug is so great right now...I even want to make them liable for YOU down the road...because "there will come a day".
Posted by lioness on September 27, 2003, at 20:18:15
In reply to For ANYONE who is SWEATING (also re quitting), posted by zinya on September 27, 2003, at 13:00:17
> Hi all,
>
> I haven't been back for over a week but in the interim I saw my md. and -- for a change -- got a REAL and vital and nonpharmaceutical answer to something I hadn't thought about - -and he hadn't suggested in advance (which ALL mds should when they prescribe Effexor and maybe other SSRIs too)
>
> Namely: Gatorade. I've never been one to sweat my whole life -- even major exercise NEVER made me sweat the way Effexor has. Therefore I had no lifetime habit of thinking in terms of electrolyte loss and need for replenishment. I've been drinking twice as much carbonated water (my preference) as ever, but when I told him of the intolerable sweating which was one of the TWO big reasons why I decided to go off Effexor (and couldn't wait for my appt with him to do so and had already begun tapering off since Sept 2 -- after being on it since May 27, and at 150 mg for 6 weeks by Sept 2) -- He made me realize that that inordinate amount of sweating was causing an electrolyte loss which I had not known to compensate for.
>
> Anyone with increased sweating, I urge you to also stock up on Gatorade and DRINK it with every bout of sweating. If, like me, it's waking you up in the middle of the night with drenching wet night clothes and sheets, have a bottle of it by your bed to drink ...
>
> Otherwise, for me at least, my energy level only gotten WORSE due to electrolyte loss from sweat instead of the improvement that Effexor was supposed to help with due to norepinephrine component.
>
> (The other reason I'm quitting, increased heart rate so bad that even gardening has become an aerobic exercise to a scary level and i couldn't risk "real" exercise anymore for fear of heart attack - a problem i also had NEVER in my life had a concern for given my low blood pressure and no heart problems)
>
> As to quitting, those of you who say you are going cold turkey off Effexor, PLEASE rethink immediately and taper off instead.
>
> I went from 150 down to 100 for 1 week (by dividing the capsules of 2 150's into 3 roughly equal allotments -- then to 75 mg for 2 weeks, now I'm down to 50 mg (2 100's divided into 3), then plan to go to 37.5, then half that amount. From all the reading here, it seems that that very last step is the biggest... and so i plan to even divide the 37.5 into 3s after dividing it in halves, so that i go to 10 mg before ever considering quitting and even then i might go to 10 mg every other day before quitting completely. This is what reading this site off and on for six months has taught me is VITAL... If you don't do something similar to this, you are asking for trouble. I urge you to go slowly. So far, i haven't had any withdrawal symptoms and the rapid heart beat is finally easing away. Alas, the sweating is still there. But it started at 37.5 mg on my way UP the ladder, so I don't expect it to quit til i'm below 37.5 again...
>
> Good luck to everyone.
> zin
I have experienced all of the awful withdrawal symptoms, from profuse sweating ( which is also common when titrating up on effexor) to the brain zaps with visual disturbance, and jumping muscles, to name a few. I felt an odd, dissociated feeling and was quick to anger, sensitive to light and sound...etc. When i finally called my doctor, he confirmed that this is typical effexor rebound or withdrawal symptoms. Because effexor has such a short half life, the rapid drop in seratonin levels causes these symptoms. Using a longer half life seratonin agent..prozac is supposed to be best for this...you can alleviate the withdrawal symptoms from the effexor and ease the process. I have taken 10 mg. of prozac for the past three days, and my symptoms seem to be getting better. I still suffer the headache, tinitus and incredible fatigue , but I no longer find myself in a pool of perspiration. Any doctor who says that these symptoms are all in their head has no business prescribing these meds. Effexor works well for many people. I know several people who also take this drug for chemo related maladies and i used it for cfids/fms. However, not every medicine is right for everyone. Some people have to try many different meds before finding what works best with their chemistry. I do know, that if i had known that I would have to go through this much discomfort and distress, I would have opted for a different medication altogether. Live and learn, i guess. Good luck to you all.
Posted by salty_dog on September 27, 2003, at 20:30:50
In reply to Re: any good xperiences withdrawing from effexor?, posted by Prinnie on September 26, 2003, at 20:28:31
I too, have been free of alcohol and drugs for 15 years (this time), so I relate. I strongly suggest that you NOT do this cold turkey. Cold Turkey could cost you your sanity (As in locked up) and hurt others.
P.S. I have been around for 25 years so of course I am a re-tread.
> Hi,
> I have been up to 225 of effexor for the last 7 months..being a drug free/alcohol free addict for the last 15 years, I have decided enough is enough this is hurting me more than helping me..today I started cold turkey..I will let you know my progress..I guess I will find out if "that which does not kill you makes you stronger" is all about.
> Prinnie
Posted by zinya on September 28, 2003, at 1:40:18
In reply to Re: For ANYONE who is SWEATING (also re quitting), posted by lioness on September 27, 2003, at 20:18:15
hi lionness,
i'm curious how long you were on Effexor and at what level... I've been diagnosed with cfids and fms too, and as i recall you're the first other person here i've read to be taking Effexor for that diagnosis. My prescription wasn't exactly for that although everything's related. Did you get relief for cfids/fms at some dosage level? If so, and since you sound like you're only having S-E problems during withdrawal, i'm curious what made you decide to quit.
wishing you good luck too,
zinya
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on September 28, 2003, at 4:05:03
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by salty_dog on September 27, 2003, at 20:15:29
I agree that responsibility goes in many different directions (I just happen to have the opinion that it is predominantly the fault of the pharmaceutical company, than the FDA, psychiatrist and perhaps a pharmacist)...however, I disagree that they have acknowledged this in everything they have written or talked about. It wasn't until March of 2000 that the FDA even required them to start making these statements...what about before than?
> What I would like to throw out for discusion is the idea that the Pharamcist is far more responsible for these kinds of problems, isn't (s)he ? I mean come on now, who prints up those pretty little flyers which tell you the side effects ? I don't mean to side with the Pharmicitical Co. which makes the product, but, in every statment they have made (written or otherwise) has drawn attention to the side-effects and even the withdrawl problems of this drug.
>
>
> > I hear your frustration and pain! I am going into my second day of trying to withdrawl from this AGAIN! Each attempt has never been successful, but I am determined to follow this through this time, even if it lands me in the ER! I actually wrote a letter to Wyeth last night (well an email on their website) telling them Shame on themselves for doing this to people without giving warning AND without providing doctors background on the withdrawls. Each doctor I go to tells me it isn't possible for me to be having these symptoms, they are all "in my head" and let me tell ya, when a doctor can't tell you what is going on...that is the scariest thing in the world. I told my doc about this website and he actually told me to stay off because "they are wack-jobs"!!!! What kind of a doctor uses that language?!?!?!?!? I am sick and tired of the docs playing God with only half a deck. I am definetely on board with whatever justice we can bring for ourselves and for those of you who think this drug is so great right now...I even want to make them liable for YOU down the road...because "there will come a day".
>
>
Posted by trolqueen58 on September 28, 2003, at 11:58:52
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> Hi there, I have been on Effex for 3 and 1/2 years. I recently increased it--- 37.5 at 10 a.m. and the full 75 at supper---6 pm-- and I feel like a new person. I sweat some, I have some weird dreams, but I still love sex and feel soooooooooo much better. The weeping is gone. The crying has stopped. I worked on this dosage a long time, changing the times around. Don't give up. Mine works for me.
>
>
Posted by Prinnie on September 28, 2003, at 12:43:07
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit » Prinnie, posted by salty_dog on September 27, 2003, at 20:30:50
> I too, have been free of alcohol and drugs for 15 years (this time), so I relate. I strongly suggest that you NOT do this cold turkey. Cold Turkey could cost you your sanity (As in locked up) and hurt others.
>
> P.S. I have been around for 25 years so of course I am a re-tread.
>
> Hi,
Thanks for your input, but a day at a time, I have been sober, and thank the lord above, not a retread.. This is 1:30 on the third day, and I feel good for the first time. When I get nauseous, I plan on taking an antacid, and tonight, 1/2 a dramimine...to sleep, and Gatorade to replace the electrolites in my body. I don't plan on doing this again, and although uncomfortable, compared to the flu last week, which I had, and missed work for the first time in 4 years,this is a walk in the park for me.Thanks for your concern though, and everyone should not do it this way, but for me dragging it out over a four week period, getting the same end results is not for me.
Thanks,
Prinne
> > Hi,
> > I have been up to 225 of effexor for the last 7 months..being a drug free/alcohol free addict for the last 15 years, I have decided enough is enough this is hurting me more than helping me..today I started cold turkey..I will let you know my progress..I guess I will find out if "that which does not kill you makes you stronger" is all about.
> > Prinnie
>
>
Posted by lioness on September 29, 2003, at 16:12:37
In reply to Re: (also re quitting) » lioness, posted by zinya on September 28, 2003, at 1:40:18
Hi Zinya,
I have been on 187.5 mg of effexor for about two years.I did not find it helpful for my cfids or fms, but it did help my depression. I started taking gabitril ( anti convulsant) which helped my pain and migraine a lot. In addition to that, I now take provigil (anti narcoleptic) and straterra ( non amphetamine adhd drug with AD effects) which has helped my fatigue a great deal. However, straterra has been hard for me to get used to as with each dosage increase, I felt a heavy fatigue.All in all, effexor was not the right choice for me. I wish you luck in with your effexor, as it has the potential to do some very good things for you. I hope this helps.
Lioness
Posted by Nocandi on September 29, 2003, at 20:07:07
In reply to Re: (also re quitting), posted by lioness on September 29, 2003, at 16:12:37
I'm wondering the repercussions of using both of these at the same time. Yes, I know coke is bad...blah blah....seek help...blah blah. That isn't my question, and I'm not here to seek lectures. I want to know if the usage of coke will help or hurt Effexor XR. That simple. I know coke plays with our "happy" chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, and whatever else) and Effexor regulates them (I hope). I use coke here and there because I don't want to do anything...so rail one up and out I go. An illegal anti-depressant if you will. Planning to ween myself off while loading Effexor XR...comments? Actually just sound medical advice will do.
Posted by hlynne33 on September 29, 2003, at 20:47:43
In reply to EFFEXOR - The good, the bad and the ugly, posted by bballcoach43837 on January 26, 2003, at 21:55:18
I'm in the process of going off effexor as well. i was on it for almost a year now and feeling worse then ever. i was up to 225mg a day and realized it wasn't helping me at all. i have never felt less motivated in my life. i have not felt like doing anything these days ecspecially working out...which before this drug i worked out almost every day. i haven't even felt like cleaning or doing much of anything like i use to. i'm feeling a few side effects these days from lowering my dosage. i feel like i have the flu. but all in all it help me see things clearer in the beginning. now i think it's time to start feeling again too.>
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