Posted by Mercedes on November 5, 2003, at 14:02:34
In reply to Electric Shocks, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 6, 2003, at 1:27:07
ZAPs - I have them too. I describe them as having swallowed a whole porqupine and with every movement I make, the needles shoot thoughout my body. I stopped taking Effexor due to side effects that were hazardes to my heath. Although for a couple of months on Effex. I was an undepressed, happy, energyless, unemotional, couch blob, but an un-depressed blob. I even lost weight...woweeeee!
I had to quit Effexor due to High Blood Pressure, migranes, pounding heart, vision problems, memory loss, loss in IQ, word finding problems, amoung other things I can't "remember!" Oh, halucinations!!!! (i've never taken illegal drugs) so this was so new to me. I was on Effex. 37.5 mgs for one year, then this past year was upped gradually to 300mgs. So two yrs total.
10/14/03 I took my last Effexor. I titrated down from 300mgs, 225,etc. weekly, even gave the 75 mgs two weeks...till I was down to 37.5 However my Pdoc gave me Paxil, 25mgs to help with withdrawals from Effex which I started taking 10/8 along w/Effex. 37.5 mgs.
Now on Paxil 37.5 mgs. I start having horrendous gastrol esophigitis, dizzyness, worst ever blurred vision and don't know what is causing it. (I also take xanex, HBP med, thank to Effex, Cholesteral med, and had started taking Green Tea capsuls, which my MD said was fine.
No "ZAP" side effects yet, just rage/anger, suicidal thoughts, stupid ones, like putting my finger to my head as if I had a gun and POW!, other's like while driving, looking for a perfect tree to wrap my car around etc. but not my new car, I'll take the old car...who cares! I was going to be dead!On 10/20 my neuro gave me Topamax for my migranes (which were Effexor SE's). I was particularly sensitive to sun, bright lights, still having blurred vision especially after using computer. Sharp pains in my left eye too. Well, Topamax is for seizures also. I've been tested for siezures-negative. Read side effects of topamax, adema, vision problems....blindness, did I say this already? Oh, I tend to repeat myself cause I forget what I say. I stopped taking the topamax cause was having the above side effects, including bloody stool (sorry). Ok, Adema can cause Congestive Heart Failure. I wasn't having any migranes anymore.
I started the "real" withdrawals from Effex, Paxkill,Topamax. with dizzyness, uncoordination, the shooting porqupine needles thoughout my body. Every step i'd take, shooting pricks, even a key stroke at the keyboard sent shooting pins & needles thru my body.
Then my heart, "ice pick" stabbing feelings in my heart. This was last Sat. didn't go to doc., Then again this past Monday 11/3 worst pains, dizzy, feeling faint. I called my brother to take me to the Doctor. In 10 days from withdrawing from these meds, my BP went to 167/97, was given nitro two times then an EKG. Thank God, the EKG was fine after 2 nitro tabs. Dr. said yes, the withdrawal can make my BP fluctuate, blood test were taken now to see if I have an enlarged heart? I find out today. I NEVER HAD HEART PROBLEMS BEFORE!
Withdrawals...YES! I know them quite well and they are ok one day and 2 or 3 days later they feel WORSE than the first days. Pdoc, said the tingly sensations esp. around face & lips, (I call them porqupine) ARE Paxil withdrawals and that I'm still going through Effex. withdrawals. He suggested I take 1/2 of the paxil (paxkill) to help with the withdrawals and as much as I didn't want to, I did yesterday and it helped. He said the witdrawals will last a cple more weeks.
Final Note: Now I'm on Nitroglycerin for my heart. Ha Ha, It's killing me! "Final? note". Gosh I hope not.
I say, let the Pdocs/Docs take the AD's first, go through the withdrawals, then tell us "this will help you".
I'm done with AD's. I'd rather die of natural causes than from anti-depressant(s). I will not contribute to these co's. profits. $2.6 billion? and I'm f'n broke, paying my own insurance, can't work, cant think, can't comprehend AND MY DOCTORS TELL ME I'M NOT SICK!
I'm not any better than I was before the AD's and I'm very happy I quit. W/b happier when the zaps go away.
Sorry this is long...but read EVERYONE'S input slowly, due to blurred vision (Effexor SE). Just had to put my 14 cents worth in (inflation).
For those that are doing fine on Effexor, stay with it. Like I said, I was doing fine until my blood pressure forced me to stop.
My sincere understanding, hugs.... and hang in there kiddo's.
yea, I'm frustrated too,
Mercedes***************************************
> Does anyone know what exactly CAUSES these shocks that are associated with the withdrawal of Effexor? I can't seem to find any information about them, just that they exist. Also, is the time span for them to go away really as large as 1-7 weeks? I have just gone through my first week and I really REALLY don't want to do 2 but the funny thing is, today my shocks are as bad as the first couple days. My third day without the Effexor was my worst so far (nausiated, sensitive to light, tired etc.) and today it felt like day one all over again. I don't get it. Shouldn't something that is out of your body start to get better and not progress?? If anyone knows more about these shocks I would love to hear what you have learned. God Speed to everyone and may there come a day of comfort for you!
poster:Mercedes
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031105/msgs/276868.html