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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by MADMAN3070 on March 1, 2004, at 12:33:56
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor (or Paxil) Withdrawl now, posted by jerseydevil on March 1, 2004, at 9:38:05
Its been 5 weeks and Im still having dizziness and nausea, vision problems and headache. How long does this last? Should I see a neurologist? My symptoms are not as bad as the first week I was off Effexor but they are still here. Any advice from someone who has beat the big E would be appreciated. Madman
Posted by fastblackZZR on March 1, 2004, at 12:38:17
In reply to How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by MADMAN3070 on March 1, 2004, at 12:33:56
madman
it took me about 5 or 6 weeks to stop feeling the withdrawal symptoms and i had only taken effexor for 3-4 weeks.! have you completely stopped the med or have you been tapering or what?
Posted by MADMAN3070 on March 1, 2004, at 12:56:56
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by fastblackZZR on March 1, 2004, at 12:38:17
> madman
> it took me about 5 or 6 weeks to stop feeling the withdrawal symptoms and i had only taken effexor for 3-4 weeks.! have you completely stopped the med or have you been tapering or what?Fast:
I have been totally off Effexor for 5 weeks. My Dr. told me to stop cold and start Welbutrin. I havent taken it though. Im to afraid.
Posted by fastblackZZR on March 1, 2004, at 13:19:27
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by MADMAN3070 on March 1, 2004, at 12:56:56
Oh my dear God. I cannot believe he told you to cold turkey it. I am surprised you are still with us. I don't blame you a bit for being afraid of the wellbutrin, but you know it may help to give it a shot. Supposedly it's nothing like effexor (a.k.a.demon from hell) Are you able to sleep at night? SHEESH!!! I still can't believe he let you do that!! You should hear some of the stories!
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 1, 2004, at 13:39:24
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by fastblackZZR on March 1, 2004, at 13:19:27
help! someone please tell me there is something i can do.
i'm off effexor xr for day two now. i tapered from 450mg a day, which i discovered later is way more than the normal high recommended dosage.
i've gone cold turkey off paxil before and it was bad and took about a week.
this is way worse. horrible.
i had nightmares all night with shakes and hyperventilating. literally i was up about every fifteen minutes throughout the night.
now i've got the zings, only this time they never stop in between times. i have uncontrollable tears and dizziness. can't think, can't walk straight.
tell me there's something i can do.
i've taken just about every drug there is to take and i'm still on lamictal.
now i just want off it all because all i can think is that if it's this awful now what the hell is it doing to me when i'm on it? i've taken effexor for about the last year and a half.
okay, sorry if i don't make sense or i'm babbling. just really looking for some kind of help. anything.
btw- my dr wants to put me on wellbutrin next also and i think i'll refuse. this is hell. and WAY worse than paxil withdrawal which i thought couldn't be beat.
one more thing-- i asked my dr to get off effexor in the first place because a friend told me it had sexual side effects. i thought i was just weird that way. i must say that on day one of no effexor all the sexual side effects disappeared completely. of course, the withdrawal symptoms were not as bad yesterday as they are today. lol! don't think i'll be able to test that theory out again any time soon...
rain
Posted by fastblackZZR on March 1, 2004, at 13:48:19
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 1, 2004, at 13:39:24
rain,
please know you are not alone in this. if we'd known what would happen, we never would have taken it. when i first began going off of it (and i was only on it like a month!) i had this horrible crying, feelings of doom, wanting to die, etc. it was a nightmare. i would shake and cry and could not get still.
There are some natural remedies i heard about, i'll go get the bottles from the kitchen and tell you what they are. i was skeptical but willing to do whatever. the supplements did seem to help.
if you could get xanax to help...but then again thats another whole story. you can email me, too. i am home in the day and can be here for you. it WILL pass. it seems to take forever and it's hell on earth, but it will pass.
i'll go get those bottles now.
Posted by fastblackZZR on March 1, 2004, at 13:55:43
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by fastblackZZR on March 1, 2004, at 13:48:19
okay, write this stuff down.
the first one is called DHA.
the other is Choline and Inositol.
go to a health food place like GNC and ask for them. the DHA isn't cheap ($25 a bottle)
but it DID help with the symptoms.
also, i got ambien from the doctor so i could sleep. that was a tremendous help because at one point i went 39 hours without sleep.
Posted by MADMAN3070 on March 1, 2004, at 14:01:12
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 1, 2004, at 13:39:24
> help! someone please tell me there is something i can do.
> i'm off effexor xr for day two now. i tapered from 450mg a day, which i discovered later is way more than the normal high recommended dosage.
> i've gone cold turkey off paxil before and it was bad and took about a week.
> this is way worse. horrible.
> i had nightmares all night with shakes and hyperventilating. literally i was up about every fifteen minutes throughout the night.
> now i've got the zings, only this time they never stop in between times. i have uncontrollable tears and dizziness. can't think, can't walk straight.
> tell me there's something i can do.
> i've taken just about every drug there is to take and i'm still on lamictal.
> now i just want off it all because all i can think is that if it's this awful now what the hell is it doing to me when i'm on it? i've taken effexor for about the last year and a half.
> okay, sorry if i don't make sense or i'm babbling. just really looking for some kind of help. anything.
> btw- my dr wants to put me on wellbutrin next also and i think i'll refuse. this is hell. and WAY worse than paxil withdrawal which i thought couldn't be beat.
> one more thing-- i asked my dr to get off effexor in the first place because a friend told me it had sexual side effects. i thought i was just weird that way. i must say that on day one of no effexor all the sexual side effects disappeared completely. of course, the withdrawal symptoms were not as bad yesterday as they are today. lol! don't think i'll be able to test that theory out again any time soon...
> rain
Rain I hope it doesnt last as long for you as its doing for me 5 weeks and counting. Still having withdrawal from E. Madman
Posted by baddog55 on March 1, 2004, at 20:00:09
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by fastblackZZR on March 1, 2004, at 13:55:43
Hi,
just a note. If you have trouble getting ambien from the dr, or he doesnt want to refill it, I have found that UNISOM works great. It is different from nytol, etc. Different ingredients. But it has to be the 25 mg tablets that you only take ONE of. They work very well and don't leave you with a groggy hangover the next day. The Walgreens brand (WAL-SOM) is just as good, but again, make sure it is the 25 mg tablets.
Hope this helps. I am almost effexor free! But it took over 3 months. Well worth it!
Hang in, it IS possible.
> okay, write this stuff down.
> the first one is called DHA.
> the other is Choline and Inositol.
> go to a health food place like GNC and ask for them. the DHA isn't cheap ($25 a bottle)
> but it DID help with the symptoms.
> also, i got ambien from the doctor so i could sleep. that was a tremendous help because at one point i went 39 hours without sleep.
>
Posted by roomy on March 2, 2004, at 6:22:46
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by MADMAN3070 on March 1, 2004, at 14:01:12
Madman, I have been effexor free since Jan.1 2004. I still get some withdrawl side effects popping up here and there, mostly with my lack of sleep. For the most part, I am doing quite well now taking nothing. I am slowly losing the weight I have gained and the sexual side effects are going away as well. Keep hanging in there.
-Roomy
Posted by MADMAN3070 on March 2, 2004, at 8:40:55
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last? » MADMAN3070, posted by roomy on March 2, 2004, at 6:22:46
Thanks Roomy I will try. Just knowing someone has been off of it for a while and is still living helps. Madman
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 3, 2004, at 13:25:46
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by MADMAN3070 on March 2, 2004, at 8:40:55
i'm still living, although the world seems to be crashing around me.
still zinging constantly, i'm on day four of no effexor now, i think. can't think straight really. crying constantly, yelling, having severe bouts of anger with temper issues.
since i've been going through this on my own life is getting harder. my roommate is kicking me out asap.
just a note, before you decide to get off this horrible horrible medication, be certain you have free time, don't have to work, and have MAJOR support. this would include someone who will love you no matter what you may say or do during this time.
those that mentioned 5 weeks of this withdrawal, please tell me it at least gets a bit better during this time. my life has turned to hell.
rain
Posted by fastblackZZR on March 3, 2004, at 13:32:20
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 3, 2004, at 13:25:46
rainbow -
please please hang in there. i know all about the crying uncontrollably, the feeling in your head that's just plain crazy, the zings, the irritability, ALL OF IT. i can tell you that it DOES go away. the hell of it is that it takes awhile. i could not function and i have 3 kids. my husband was VERY supportive, as were other family and friends. if you've got no one else, you've got me. it was so bad i wanted to die. i'm glad i didn't do anything stupid, because it is SO much better now. did you read the health supplements i mentioned before? they do help as crazy as it sounds. i was willing to do anything to get relief. i am praying for you. i'm praying it will not last much longer. reading your post broke my heart. please talk back - fastblackZZR
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 3, 2004, at 15:24:40
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by fastblackZZR on March 3, 2004, at 13:32:20
well, it is upsetting that i have no support, but i am strong and i will make it. this is worse than anything i've done before though. nice to have someone who understands, even if it is just on the puter.
i'll admit last night while sobbing inconsolably i did actually line up all of my meds and make up a big glass of water. well, as you can see i didn't take them all. instead i put everything in a metal cookie jar and put it way out of my reach. of course i could still get to it, but it would take more effort than i have, so i think i did myself a huge favor.
i'll hang in there.
yesterday i took two clonezapam and that didn't help at all. today i took a vicaden (i've got a broken arm as well) and that hasn't stopped the zings, but i'm not crying quite as much and i've been able to call around to make some appts for finding help with housing funding so when i do have to go i will at least have some help for the kids and i.
sorry if i'm babbling or saying the wrong things on the wrong list.
anyway, i'd still warn my worst enemy (not that i have any, lol!) to never ever take this drug. i thought paxil was the worst, no way.
the psychological bits seem to be getting worse while the physical seem to not be getting any better.
tomorrow i will have my car and access to funds to go check out the supplements you mentioned. anything to help.
thanks for your support in this major time of need, i really appreciate it.
rain
Posted by fastblackZZR on March 3, 2004, at 16:56:37
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 3, 2004, at 15:24:40
man, i had no idea you have kids, too. that makes it SO much harder...i know.
yeah, i thought paxil was the worst, too. ha. it was a cakewalk compared to this.
i'm sure the vicodin helps to mellow you out.
when you are going through pure hell, you will do whatever it takes to calm yourself down.
and no, you're not babbling.
are you able to sleep?
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 3, 2004, at 17:20:20
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by fastblackZZR on March 3, 2004, at 16:56:37
sleep is hell, i try to put it off as much as possible.
i've been having horrible horrible nightmares. the kind where my body feels like i'm having seizures and when i wake up i find myself shaking incontrollably and hyperventilating. this happens about 4 times an hour throughout the night until around 5 or 6 when i guess i'm just so exhausted i finally pass out. until the kids get up that is...
Posted by fastblackZZR on March 3, 2004, at 18:48:37
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 3, 2004, at 17:20:20
i know!!!!! i know exactly that you mean. the nightmares that stem from effexor w/d are the most vivid, sickening, disorienting dreams you can have. it's like the daytime part of it isn't bad enough so you have to have nighttime hell as well. honestly, the only thing that enabled me to sleep better was ambien. is there any way possible you can get some? how are the kids dealing? you know, you WANT to smile for them and you WANT to do for them, but you are so utterly sick you can't. all you can do is cry.
my email is [email protected] if you want to email.
Posted by HIBA on March 3, 2004, at 22:19:59
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
Hello Dears,
I am planning to give sulpiride another chance because it worked well for my anticipatory anxiety though I was only on it for a few days. But somewhere I read a similar drug called risperdal caused severe withdrawal in some patients and some even commit suicide months after going off it. This is what worries me. Are there anyone in this board with a long term experience with sulpiride? After being on it for a week or so, it made my sleep much deeper and it was the reason why I left it. But now I understand sulpiride is a really unique molecule. At low doses it eliminates the whole anxious feelings of this universe. No other drug can match it.
I just need to take 100mg a day to utilize that wonderful anxiolysis. Will this lead to tardive dyskinesia? Will there be any problem if I stop it after long term exposure? Please advise
Posted by bristol on March 4, 2004, at 0:39:06
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 1, 2004, at 13:39:24
Get support from your friends or family. You need someone with you - can you do that? That person has to be positive and help you through with zero negative comments. I'm scared for you. I went off Effexor and tried to commit suicide - unsuccessfully - my friends called 911 and the ambulances saved me. Do NOT go through what I went through. PLEASE --GET HELP. If you have to see your pdoc every day do that- if you have to go stay somewhere do that. Just be around positive people to help you -
help! someone please tell me there is something i can do.
> i'm off effexor xr for day two now. i tapered from 450mg a day, which i discovered later is way more than the normal high recommended dosage.
> i've gone cold turkey off paxil before and it was bad and took about a week.
> this is way worse. horrible.
> i had nightmares all night with shakes and hyperventilating. literally i was up about every fifteen minutes throughout the night.
> now i've got the zings, only this time they never stop in between times. i have uncontrollable tears and dizziness. can't think, can't walk straight.
> tell me there's something i can do.
> i've taken just about every drug there is to take and i'm still on lamictal.
> now i just want off it all because all i can think is that if it's this awful now what the hell is it doing to me when i'm on it? i've taken effexor for about the last year and a half.
> okay, sorry if i don't make sense or i'm babbling. just really looking for some kind of help. anything.
> btw- my dr wants to put me on wellbutrin next also and i think i'll refuse. this is hell. and WAY worse than paxil withdrawal which i thought couldn't be beat.
> one more thing-- i asked my dr to get off effexor in the first place because a friend told me it had sexual side effects. i thought i was just weird that way. i must say that on day one of no effexor all the sexual side effects disappeared completely. of course, the withdrawal symptoms were not as bad yesterday as they are today. lol! don't think i'll be able to test that theory out again any time soon...
> rain
Posted by bristol on March 4, 2004, at 0:44:03
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by MADMAN3070 on March 2, 2004, at 8:40:55
>
Madman: I've been off it for three months now and I am so much better off. I'm currently struggling with withdrawel from Klonipin but that's another story. I think being off Effexor is a good thing - it almost killed me being on it. I tried to commit suicide and ended up in ER. Being off of it may be just what you need. Postive support is also super important. But if someone could tell me how to stop the anger, the moodiness and the crying, we'd all be so much better off..Thanks Roomy I will try. Just knowing someone has been off of it for a while and is still living helps. Madman
Posted by bristol on March 4, 2004, at 0:49:34
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 3, 2004, at 13:25:46
Rain:
I've been there. Screaming, crying uncontrollably, major temper tantrums - I've alienated myself from my fiance - he's moving out this weekend but he saw me through it - I guess that's what had to happen. Where are you going to go? Can you go somewhere supportive? The working part is really hard - I know - you can't concentrate - can you go on disability for a while till you get through this? You will get through this. I've been off for three months and I'm getting better although I'd be lying if I said that I still don't have the temper tantrums and the crying spells and low self-esteem. I think that comes with our territory. I'm wondering if any drug will fix it..maybe we have to go inside and become selfish in a self-protective way not a self-centered way. Take care of yourself. You'll be ok. This is hard - I know it is. I've been there. Surround yourself if you can with positive, happy things that you love- any animals? candles? books? flowers? I'm just brainstorming but hold on to whatever made you happy in the past. hope this helps some..
i'm still living, although the world seems to be crashing around me.
> still zinging constantly, i'm on day four of no effexor now, i think. can't think straight really. crying constantly, yelling, having severe bouts of anger with temper issues.
> since i've been going through this on my own life is getting harder. my roommate is kicking me out asap.
> just a note, before you decide to get off this horrible horrible medication, be certain you have free time, don't have to work, and have MAJOR support. this would include someone who will love you no matter what you may say or do during this time.
> those that mentioned 5 weeks of this withdrawal, please tell me it at least gets a bit better during this time. my life has turned to hell.
> rain
Posted by bristol on March 4, 2004, at 0:56:42
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 3, 2004, at 17:20:20
Rain:
Oh my god - I didn't know it was this bad. Sleep is hell, I know, but it is necessary at the same time to keep you sane. Have you ever tried painting your dreams on a canvas? I had and continue to have the most un-believable nightmares and when I can't sleep, I get up and I paint it all out - all my emotions on a canvas. I'm not a painter. I've never taken an art class in my life, but it's amazing to see what comes out on canvas. I end up creating something pretty amazing and it tells a story. They all do. Do you have any interest in trying this? Then you'll get so tired and the image will be out of your brain and you can sleep.
Don't take the pills - you have kids too - I took the pills and was unconscious for 1.5 hours before the ambulance took me to ER. What woke me up was a friends voice. If she wasn't there, I doubt that I would have woken up. Please, don't even think about it. Your kids need you and you will find a way to get out of this situation.
Is there a program that you can go to where you live?
is hell, i try to put it off as much as possible.
> i've been having horrible horrible nightmares. the kind where my body feels like i'm having seizures and when i wake up i find myself shaking incontrollably and hyperventilating. this happens about 4 times an hour throughout the night until around 5 or 6 when i guess i'm just so exhausted i finally pass out. until the kids get up that is...
Posted by MADMAN3070 on March 4, 2004, at 8:50:27
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 3, 2004, at 13:25:46
> i'm still living, although the world seems to be crashing around me.
> still zinging constantly, i'm on day four of no effexor now, i think. can't think straight really. crying constantly, yelling, having severe bouts of anger with temper issues.
> since i've been going through this on my own life is getting harder. my roommate is kicking me out asap.
> just a note, before you decide to get off this horrible horrible medication, be certain you have free time, don't have to work, and have MAJOR support. this would include someone who will love you no matter what you may say or do during this time.
> those that mentioned 5 weeks of this withdrawal, please tell me it at least gets a bit better during this time. my life has turned to hell.
> rainRain: Hang on. It may not last as long for you as it has for me. The dizziness seems to be the last to go. Be prepared though for you symptoms to last longer. You can do it. Madman
Posted by newgirl on March 4, 2004, at 9:44:55
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by MADMAN3070 on March 4, 2004, at 8:50:27
I guess I'm new to all of this. Today is my first day off of Effexor. I was on it for a year and a half. I started at 37.5 mg, went up to 75 mg, and up again to 100 mg, and up again to 150 mg. I've been working my way down from there. Most recently, I had been on 75 mg for several months, and had begun emptying out the capsules little by little, then down to 37.5 mg. I took it at night, so last night was my first night not taking Effexor. I've heard the horror stories of the withdraw symptoms, and I'm waiting for them to begin. I've experienced slight dizziness today, but that's about it. Any idea when other symptoms might present themselves? Once any/all withdraw is over, can I expect the negative side effects of Effexor to go away: weight gain, lack of sexual desire . . . ?
Posted by slinky on March 4, 2004, at 11:18:57
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by newgirl on March 4, 2004, at 9:44:55
Sorry this post doesn't follow with the thread but for those who have to work /look after a family I'm amazed.
I'm almost completely alone--failing relationship partially due to this hell.
I quit my last dose of efexor 2 days ago , it's taken 6 months of slowly reducing.
The doc raised my Celexa - which does nothing- I t got so bad today that I also restarted 20mg of prozac-without doc knowing--he doesn't care anyway
I almost went to hospital today but realised that they would see me as being manic and not coming off efexor.
I hope the withdrawal eases for everyone-and myself-soon.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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