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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Alisha Hill on January 26, 2005, at 22:54:09
Thank you all for your postings, it is of help to know that what I have been going through is not an isolated incident. I have recently gone off effexor cold turkey on the advise of my doctor and replaced it with a comprable seritonin level dose of wellbutrin. I was on it for a year for anxiety because of a cancer treatment I was recieving. Now I know that no anxiety could compare with the hell I have been though trying to get off this stuff. From a relatively stable and happy person has come the worst symptoms imaginable. Nasuea, massive hysteria, nervous breakdowns, and dizziness, actually it feel more like someone has removed my head and is shaking it like a snow globe. I feel so out of connection with myself, and cognitively understand that this eventually has to stop, but WHEN? This situation has been going on for two and a half weeks now. It has cost me a relationship and even a couple of new clients, who didn't seem to like it when their investment banker zoned in and out of the conversation like a crazy person. Has anyone had success with wellbutrin as a substitute for effexor. What is the status of pending law suits agains this hidious company that claims there are no withdrawl symptoms? Mayby they should try this out for fun. Has anyone tried or had success with an herb called evening primrose oil?
Thanks, Alisha
Posted by KaraS on January 27, 2005, at 1:24:39
In reply to Effexor switch to Wellbutrin, posted by Alisha Hill on January 26, 2005, at 22:54:09
> Thank you all for your postings, it is of help to know that what I have been going through is not an isolated incident. I have recently gone off effexor cold turkey on the advise of my doctor and replaced it with a comprable seritonin level dose of wellbutrin. I was on it for a year for anxiety because of a cancer treatment I was recieving. Now I know that no anxiety could compare with the hell I have been though trying to get off this stuff. From a relatively stable and happy person has come the worst symptoms imaginable. Nasuea, massive hysteria, nervous breakdowns, and dizziness, actually it feel more like someone has removed my head and is shaking it like a snow globe. I feel so out of connection with myself, and cognitively understand that this eventually has to stop, but WHEN? This situation has been going on for two and a half weeks now. It has cost me a relationship and even a couple of new clients, who didn't seem to like it when their investment banker zoned in and out of the conversation like a crazy person. Has anyone had success with wellbutrin as a substitute for effexor. What is the status of pending law suits agains this hidious company that claims there are no withdrawl symptoms? Mayby they should try this out for fun. Has anyone tried or had success with an herb called evening primrose oil?
> Thanks, Alisha
Alisha,
I can't believe that there are still doctors out there who are telling their patients to quit Effexor cold turkey. It's mind boggling and beyond malpractice. Effexor has a formidable withdrawal syndrome which can be hell if it isn't don't right. You have to taper down VERY SLOWLY and then also replace it with another serotonergic agent. Wellbutrin is not at all serotonergic. I can't imagine how you're even functioning work wise after having discontinued Effexor abruptly.Many posters here (including myself) have had minimal problems going off of Effexor when they followed the plan above. If your situation doesn't improve soon, you might want to consider going back on a lower dose of Effexor than you were taking originally and decreasing slowly from there.
Good luck (and please give your doctor an earful).
Kara
Posted by bart on January 27, 2005, at 9:02:57
In reply to Effexor switch to Wellbutrin, posted by Alisha Hill on January 26, 2005, at 22:54:09
You know, in your defense, I must say that when I come to this forum, there are an incredible amount of posts talking about effexor withdrawals. what the hell is it with this drug?
hope it gets better. Try some exercise or herbal kava drinks.
Posted by FaithT on January 28, 2005, at 8:18:40
In reply to Effexor switch to Wellbutrin, posted by Alisha Hill on January 26, 2005, at 22:54:09
Alisha~
As a fellow cancer survivor (melanoma), I know the anxiety very well, believe me. I hope that your treatment continues to be successful! You can read my thread, "A Positive Effexor XR Experience", if you want to..I kinda tell my story a little bit.
As far as going off the med... wow, one thing that you definately can't do is stop Effexor cold turkey, even if you switch to another med. You have to wean slowly,and possibly to another med. than Wellbutrin.
Wellbutrin seems to be a great med. if you're not anxiety prone. Some of my friends are on it,and feel great. For me, it didn't work out as it made me too hyper..which I would think would be a not so good combo., in addition to Effexor withdrawl.
Wellbutrin is a different med. than the SSRI's, from what I can recall. I am pretty sure it works on a different chemical in your brain, entirely. Therefore, I don't think you're actually getting Seratonin...Please make sure you're seeing a good psychiatrist regularly, while on these meds.,and withdrawing
Please be careful, and know that you don't have to be feeling as badly as you are.
Best wishes Alisha..
Faith~
This is the end of the thread.
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