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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 1:50:26
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by Violetskyye on June 16, 2006, at 21:03:25
Violetskyye,
I know how difficult it is to believe that what you're feeling now is actually withdrawal, but I had those exact symptoms for more than a year after I stopped taking Effexor, though they got gradually better.
I know that I am not typical, but there are at least thousands like me that have had a very difficult time getting off Effexor. Somewhere around the third week of quitting, I quite seriously thought I was going to die.
Now, I have to look back and see if it was you that only took E for three days. If it was you, then I am positive that your withdrawal symptoms will end pretty soon. There seems to be strong correlation between how much we took and how long we have taken Effexor and how bad our withdrawal symptoms are and how long those symptoms last. All I can say is it felt like the worst flu I could imagine. Every now and then it seemed to be getting better and I thought I was out of the woods only to be disappointed when the symptoms returned the next day.
I so pray that no one here goes through the same thing that I did, but if you do, just know that it's pretty normal.
If you want to stay drug free, another thing that you might be able to get a doctor to give you is natural seratonin. It doesn't cause any problems that I'm aware of, though it may make one a little tired. You must have your blood seratonin levels checked before you take it to be sure that you actually need it, but it's highly likely that those of us coming off of Effexor have low levels of seratonin.
Posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 8:17:38
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3 » Violetskyye, posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 1:50:26
> If you want to stay drug free, another thing that you might be able to get a doctor to give you is natural seratonin
You probably mean 5-HTP.Serotonin does not cross the blood-brain barrier and does not enter the brain. However, the immediate precursor, 5-HTP, does. You should be able to find 5-HTP at any vitamin shop.
- Scott
Posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 8:35:55
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 8:17:38
My medical doctor uses seratonin in both capsules and by injection. It works very well to raise blood levels of seratonin.
I do not mean 5-HTP, which did nothing for me when I was sick.
Posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 10:17:15
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 8:35:55
> My medical doctor uses seratonin in both capsules and by injection. It works very well to raise blood levels of seratonin.
>
> I do not mean 5-HTP, which did nothing for me when I was sick.
I wouldn't presume to account for your experience. However, serotonin does not cross the blood-brain barrier, and cannot enter the brain when it is administered peripherally.
- Scott
Posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 10:23:22
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3 » dancingstar, posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 10:17:15
I know that you are not a doctor, Scott, and mine is a proctor on Harvard's board of antiaging medicine. He is one of the most respected doctors in the country.
I would suggest that you do further research on the subject if it interests you rather than insult me by implying that I don't know what I'm talking about or that my doctor is a quack.
Posted by gabmeister on June 17, 2006, at 10:51:01
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 10:23:22
Hey guys... please...
I don't think Scott meant to insult anyone, just passing on what he thinks. By the same token, Scott, your suggestion was a bit out of line in that it does sound like you are second guessing the professional.
BUT, that being said, let's not use this forum to get into a slugging match.
Let's face it, we all have our own thoughts on this whole Effexor thing and we're all simply trying to learn and share experiences.
And each experience is very personal.
Bless you all. May we all get through this hell of depression. We need to do what we need to do.
Posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 10:58:34
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 10:23:22
> I know that you are not a doctor, Scott, and mine is a proctor on Harvard's board of antiaging medicine. He is one of the most respected doctors in the country.
>
> I would suggest that you do further research on the subject if it interests you rather than insult me by implying that I don't know what I'm talking about or that my doctor is a quack.
I have not implied anything. I was simply stating a fact. I appreciate your suggestion for me to do some research. Performing a search using Google should demonstrate that I already have.If administering serotonin peripherally mitigates withdrawal symptoms, I would be fascinated to learn the mechanism by which this happens. Sometimes, empirical observation challenges existing paradigms. Your doctor is not necessarily a quack.
- Scott
Posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 11:04:13
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3 » dancingstar, posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 10:58:34
> > I know that you are not a doctor, Scott, and mine is a proctor on Harvard's board of antiaging medicine. He is one of the most respected doctors in the country.
> >
> > I would suggest that you do further research on the subject if it interests you rather than insult me by implying that I don't know what I'm talking about or that my doctor is a quack.
>
>
> I have not implied anything. I was simply stating a fact. I appreciate your suggestion for me to do some research. Performing a search using Google should demonstrate that I already have.
>
> If administering serotonin peripherally mitigates withdrawal symptoms, I would be fascinated to learn the mechanism by which this happens. Sometimes, empirical observation challenges existing paradigms. Your doctor is not necessarily a quack.
>
>
> - Scott
>
Scott,I don't appreciate your baiting me by saying things like my doctor isn't necessarily a quack.
You've done this to me many times before on this board, I have to assume, because you disagree with my position and want me to be blocked from speaking here. I will simply point out that your words are unkind and uncalled for.
Posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 11:58:07
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 11:04:13
> You've done this to me many times before on this board, I have to assume, because you disagree with my position and want me to be blocked from speaking here.
First of all, I don't know what your position is. I wasn't even aware that you had one. Secondly, all I said is that serotonin does not cross the blood brain barrier. That is a fact as far as modern science is concerned. I try to be accurate, but this is not always the case. Although I am not a doctor, that does not preclude me from being able to read.
As far as your assuming that you know my motives, I assure you that I am not trying to attack you personally and that I have no desire to get you blocked.
> I will simply point out that your words are unkind and uncalled for.
I am sorry that you feel that way. I didn't think they were.
Whether or not administering serotonin peripherally mitigates withdrawal symptoms is beyond my capacity to know with certainty, and I never claimed that I did.
- Scott
Posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 12:10:33
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3 » dancingstar, posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 11:58:07
In my experience 5 to 15 mg. of natural serotonin can be very calming, and I know many people for whom it has been prescribed that feel it is useful for all sorts of things.
In my case, it also helped to put an end to withdrawal-related headaches, withdrawal-induced anxiety and a withdrawal-induced fear of leaving home or even speaking on the telephone. I also found that a side benefit of taking natural serotonin is that it is great at mitigating PMS headaches.
Posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 12:48:23
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 12:10:33
> In my experience 5 to 15 mg. of natural serotonin can be very calming, and I know many people for whom it has been prescribed that feel it is useful for all sorts of things.
>
> In my case, it also helped to put an end to withdrawal-related headaches, withdrawal-induced anxiety and a withdrawal-induced fear of leaving home or even speaking on the telephone. I also found that a side benefit of taking natural serotonin is that it is great at mitigating PMS headaches.You know, that's very interesting. I don't doubt that these things are possible. They might be the result of the serotonin acting in the intestines to modulate the vagus nerve. That's just a guess, though.
I would love to hear that serotonin works for others as well. Where do you get it, and how much does it cost?
- Scott
Posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 13:37:45
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by SLS on June 17, 2006, at 12:48:23
My doctor keeps it in stock. I imagine that you could get it from any of the nationwide Fibro and Fatigue Centers, though I'm not positive, if your bloodwork calls for supplementation. I haven't purchased any in quite some time, and I don't remember the cost. It is on the pricey side, though.
The first time I was given two shots of seratonin; one, and then he waited 15 minutes to make sure that I didn't have any sort of negative reaction. It definitely helped me to feel better, virtually instantly.
I took the capsules for a few months and stopped taking them as often because they are a bit pricey, though I would like to take them more often. I think it's a good idea, though, for me to keep them on hand as they definitely help with the headaches and neck pain that I only began to get after I went through Effexor withdrawal. They can be taken on an as-needed basis.
Posted by Overwhelmed on June 18, 2006, at 22:41:31
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by dancingstar on June 17, 2006, at 12:10:33
I'm done, too. I re-tried the Effexor this weekend and today, besides feeling more anxious and depressed, I felt like a zombie. I had to do some serious work and couldn't focus. I took a 27 mg tablet of Concerta and this seemed to help (otherwise I feel too speedy on it). Think I'll stick with the Ativan for now.
I know my PDr says it will take a few weeks to gain the benefit but frankly, I was feeling so much worse, I really could not face the idea of waiting several weeks for the perceived benefit. I could see feeling a little tired, a little run down, but to have the symptoms I am trying to treat be exacerbated by the drug at the start is too much for my present mental state.
Am I expecting too much? Does it make sense to allow myself to get more depressed and anxious waiting for the benefit?
Posted by da on June 19, 2006, at 8:39:11
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by Overwhelmed on June 18, 2006, at 22:41:31
5 days without Effexor. I went to Prozac to help with the withdrawls. The prozac made me extremely sleepy. Like I was in a fog. Only did that for 3 days. Now nothing. I still have the vertigo feeling. Like I could fall on my face at any moment. But it is definetly worse when I missed a dose of Effexor without anything. I am hopeing that I am done with the worst of it. Anyone have any thoughts on this or expierence. I was going to switch to wellbuterin but now I am scared to take anything new. I just want this feeling to go away.
Posted by Miriamne on June 19, 2006, at 9:16:10
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by da on June 19, 2006, at 8:39:11
As you can tell if you read through this thread of posts, many of us have suffered through what you're going through. I know reading it might be scary, but try to take comfort from the fact that you're not imagining the symptoms-- they are real-- and they WILL go away.
But I know from personal experience how difficult it is to wait for that; who wants to be dizzy and feel terrible?
I can personally relate to the "falling on my face" feeling.When I was going through my withdrawal from Effexor, I would wake up every morning and just cry to my husband, "When? When is this ever going to go away?!" What a saint the man was to listen to that day after day and still be so supportive.
I hope you have someone to be supportive, too-- you certainly can find empathy from all of us here, so keep posting if it helps you.
Posted by over 55 on June 19, 2006, at 9:28:50
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by da on June 19, 2006, at 8:39:11
To DA and Overwhelmed:
We are all so different it is just hard to compare exactly with each other's experience. Just take the general ideas and see if they apply to you. I don't think it is unusual to feel "different" before getting really better on these meds. I think in fairness you have to give it 30 days. Who knows what is causing what when we switch around everything at once. I am almost at the 3 week mark of weaning off Effexor XR (225mg a day) to Prozac (20). Yes, I am mixing the two during the process. I wish I could go off everything, but am not willing to try that just now. I have been on meds for 15 years so don't trust the natural me at this point. I don't want to ever go that low again. My withdrawal symptems have really been minimal. I am taking two Omega-3 capsules a day and they have helped a lot I think. I had a half-hour of nausea and leg muscle weakness over the weekend, but it passed and the rest of the time I was OK. I still feel foggy headed at times, but I did on the meds too so hopefully it is just leaving my system. Have been drinking extra water and going to bed on time etc to try and take good care of myself. I have a massage scheduled for Wed. and know that will help move the toxins on out too. I thank everyone who has posted as it helps to read other's experieces and know you are not alone, even though each journey is unique. May we all get to a healthier place where meds aren't the focus of our exhistance!!! Take care.
Posted by da on June 19, 2006, at 11:00:16
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3 » da, posted by Miriamne on June 19, 2006, at 9:16:10
Thank you for following up. This site has been such a breakthrough for me. What I find so discouaging is the fact that doctors do not realize the withdrawl factor with this drug. I went in for my yearly exam last week and explained to my doctor that I wanted off the Effexor and wanted to switch to Wellbuterin because of labido, weight gain and withdrawls. I was hoping that the Wellbuterin would help with some of this. Anyway, he said to wean myself off by taking one then skip and day and so on. WHAT!!!! Ok, well what am I to do about the day that I don't take one? He just could not grasp the concept that missing one dose could make me feel this way. Anyway, I ended up telling him about the Prozac theory and he went with it. Thank Goodness. Now I don't know if I even want to take the Wellbuterin. I started taking the Effexor about two years ago due to a Mild depression brought on by a certain incident but into the treatment realized Hey, I do feel better and just continued. I have gained alot of weight and lost my sex drive. I am 29 years old and married and this is not what I need to happen. Anyway, thanks for listening. One more question if I may. Anyone know how long it takes for the weight to start going away? Or will it?
Posted by dancingstar on June 19, 2006, at 11:05:39
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by da on June 19, 2006, at 11:00:16
Hi da,
The weight gain went away for me, instantly, when I stopped taking Effexor. I had been eating virtually nothing for three years and had no clue why I was gaining weight.
When I stopped the drug, poof, the weight was gone. It dropped and dropped and dropped. Thing is, though, I had beeen eating really clean for years, and I'm sure that's why it was so easy to lose it.
Posted by over 55 on June 19, 2006, at 11:14:38
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by da on June 19, 2006, at 11:00:16
Oh, I hope the weight goes away!! I can't blame it all on the meds but I will say I can get into pants I couldn't get into 2 weeks ago and I feel like I was losing weight. I don't have a scale so who knows, but it feels like it ( : One of the things I have noticed with the withdrawal is the eyesight thing. I have had Lasik on both eyes, but I feel like they are really blurring and having trouble staying focused. My theory is since it causes "dry mouth" it also dries the eyes out and now my eyes are having to readjust. Hum.m.m. I hope the surgery still is 100% after all this evens out. I hadn't thought of that one until just now. Wow, there are a lot of unknowns with each of us. I would definitely have the eye surgery again, but who can afford to do it twice. Not me!! The only thing I want to shrink is my body, not my eyeballs ( : Have a great day today and hopefully tomorrow will be even better. Thanks for caring and sharing!!
Posted by dancingstar on June 19, 2006, at 11:22:50
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by over 55 on June 19, 2006, at 11:14:38
I stopped taking Effexor in Sept. '04, and it has taken so very long for me to recover. In all honesty, I cannot think of a single bodily system of mine that was not affected by that drug, including my eyesight.
I, too, had Lasix, and my eyesight is now finally perfect. I didn't know why my vision was blurry...but sure enough, now that the drug is gone, it's fine again now.
I have to add, though, that I am not taking any sort of AD whatsoever and don't know whether or not other drugs, besides Effexor, have an impact on these conditions, though I imagine that they might. I don't know why Effexor harmed so many parts of my body, but I'm just glad at this point to have survived my withdrawal.
I hope you are feeling 100 percent perfect very soon!!
Posted by Miriamne on June 19, 2006, at 11:25:48
In reply to Re: Dizzy, tired, after going off Effexor after 3, posted by da on June 19, 2006, at 11:00:16
Da:
Everyone's different, but I will say that Welbutrin helped me for a few years with depression/mood swings--it had less of a bad effect on my libido and the anorgasmia was not as bad.
Hang in there...
M.
Posted by nesredep on June 19, 2006, at 20:35:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by thorthena on June 9, 2006, at 19:35:31
Hi
I felt wonderful on Effexor XR. I started it nearly 3 years ago, and within just a few weeks felt better psychologically than I had in years. My husband (who hates Psych meds) said that he felt he had the real me back again.
I had previously tried a number of SSRIs with and without Wellbutrin.
I am a professional, work hard, have a difficult marriage, transitioning with my kids off to college.
The secret is to taking Effexor for me was to "start low and go slow"...
Unfortunately, after about 3 months I developed a very rare side effect (myopathy/myositis/CPK 4,000) which at that point had not yet been previously reported. I had to taper off fairly quickly; even then we took two weeks to do so, and I had minimal side effects. Again, never stop "cold Turkey."
I am now taking Cymbalta, and doing well... but have never felt quite as resilient and stable emotionally as I did on Effexor. But my depression does remain in remission. Also, I tend to be a bit scatter-brained on this med.
Posted by zinrut on June 26, 2006, at 14:11:57
In reply to Re: Redirect: getting off effexor » SLS, posted by dancingstar on March 27, 2006, at 9:52:39
I very slowed down from 225 to 37.5 of Effexor and
for the last 3 month I was taking 37.5 only once for every 3 days (3 times /week).
I was fine for the last 3 month but suddenly I started to feel nauseas, insomnia, diarrhea.
Is anyone had these problems? What to do? How long it can take?
I was scared and started to take 37.5 every day.
I hope it is not coming back.
Posted by Miriamne on June 29, 2006, at 23:20:32
In reply to Re: Redirect: getting off effexor, posted by zinrut on June 26, 2006, at 14:11:57
Sorry to hear of your effexor backlash. I'm sorry to say that, if you read this thread, you'll find similar stories to yours. The comfort I can offer is that it WILL end eventually. It's a very difficult drug to wean oneself off of.
I couldn't be more sympathetic. I'll send up a prayer for you.
Sincerely,
Miriamne
Posted by elsie_girl on June 30, 2006, at 1:36:50
In reply to Great...I take Premarin too, posted by over 55 on June 15, 2006, at 8:41:44
Hi over 55! Have just been going through some previous posts and noticed this one. I have posted to Efexor withdrawal and have had some response from you there. Just to remind you - it took me a few months to come off Efexor, but the last bit was where I screwed up (well, my doc didn't know better I think) where I went from 37.5mg/day to NOTHING!!!! Had to start on Lovan after 3-1/2 weeks off Efexor because of irritability, anger, etc. (not typically me). But I don't know if it's my age (47 and peri-menopausal) or what that made me so bad.Anyway, I had really BAD headaches while on Efexor (4 years) and my doc couldn't explain it (I have had RSI & degenerative disc problems too), but said she didn't think it was the Efexor. The headaches gradually disappeared over the months while I was weaning off Efexor and have not had any since I stopped taking it. Now I am 7 days into Lovan and yesterday I started getting a headache and today it is WORSE. Did you experience any headaches on Efexor? I understand Lovan and Prozac are the same drug family too. Are you expecting to go onto something else?
My doc has booked me into a psychiatrist but it won't be for a few weeks, meantime I am flying blind on my own and doing my best to find out the information myself. It really helps me to know there are others like myself out there. How are you finding the Prozac? Please post soon.
> Wow...I have found some soulmates. I take the regular old horse serum Premarin (for last 15 years). Low dosage though ( : I had partial hysterectomy years ago with one ovary left and DR thought it best to do that. I have had no problems.
>
> I so identify with all I am reading from all of you. Just hearing it has been helpful. It has been one week today I started to wean off the Effexor, with the 20 mg of Porzac added to transition to. A little nausea and fatique, but nothing real bad. I am supposed to go down another 75 mg this next week and by the third week be off it. I am taking all your advice and ready to go more slowly than that, if needed, to avoid alot of pain. I am not into pain!!
>
> The family history of depression is phenominal really. There were lots of suicides in the family early on. Now people have just talked about it alot. My mother threatened often and just ended up sleeping the last 10 years of her life away.
>
> My grown daughter suffers too and has been on meds for most of married life (14 yrs). She appears to be doing quite well. I know she blames me for alot of unhappiness in her childhood (and I thought I was doing quite well considering) and for her depression. She has chosen to not have a realtionship with me for the last 5 years and that has been very painful. My son (30) has also suffered from depression and took an overdose in mid 20's, but is doing much better now.
>
> I am in a helping profession (social worker) and sometimes feel like a fraud telling other's how their life can be better and they can do better when I have made a pretty good mess of my own ( : I look pretty sucessful from the outside, owning a beautiful home, good job, travel alot, but getting through the day sometimes is such a struggle. I have no energy and my legs feel like they weigh a ton. I have to make myself go do things where I used to "want to". I guess my "want to" is broken!! Thanks to everyone who is choosing to share on this site. It really is helpful!!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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