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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1074 to 1098 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by paulk on June 8, 2001, at 14:14:07
In reply to Re: Thank You All, posted by Sierra on June 8, 2001, at 10:54:04
>Has anyone had problems with effexor and alcohol? Has anyone had a "relaps" while taking effexor? Also, I still feel the pangs in my nerves from the drug, anything that can help relieve that sensation?
Did you stop the Effexor?
It is well known that Alcohol causes depression (usually referred to as a hang over< grin >). If you are taking medicine for depression you should probably limit yourself to one drink with alcohol/per day.
Anything more than a VERY small amount per day is definitely bad for depression. One thing to keep in mind if you screw up you liver by drinking, you can get to the point where you wont be able to take many drugs that can help with depression.
What dosage are you taking? Some folks need 75mg/day some as much as 300mg/day.
Also Prozac is a very long half life drug it is possible that it is still leaving you system and thus lowering the effective dose of SSRI in your system.
While there is no danger in drinking with Effexor that I know of (and Im not a doctor just a life long mental case that can read) Think about it You are taking medicine that affects your neuro transmitters. Alcohol affects neuro transmitters as well - it takes weeks for you body and system to reach a steady state system and for the drug to have full effect if you drink you could push that steady state around and have to wait for things to come back in balance.Id stay clear of the booze and consider talking to your doctor about increasing your dosage.
Posted by johne on June 8, 2001, at 15:47:57
In reply to Re: Thank You All » Sierra, posted by paulk on June 8, 2001, at 14:14:07
> >Has anyone had problems with effexor and alcohol? Has anyone had a "relaps" while taking effexor? Also, I still feel the pangs in my nerves from the drug, anything that can help relieve that sensation?
>
> Did you stop the Effexor?
>
> It is well known that Alcohol causes depression (usually referred to as a hang over< grin >). If you are taking medicine for depression you should probably limit yourself to one drink with alcohol/per day.
>
> Anything more than a VERY small amount per day is definitely bad for depression. One thing to keep in mind if you screw up you liver by drinking, you can get to the point where you wont be able to take many drugs that can help with depression.
>
> What dosage are you taking? Some folks need 75mg/day some as much as 300mg/day.
>
> Also Prozac is a very long half life drug it is possible that it is still leaving you system and thus lowering the effective dose of SSRI in your system.
>
>
> While there is no danger in drinking with Effexor that I know of (and Im not a doctor just a life long mental case that can read) Think about it You are taking medicine that affects your neuro transmitters. Alcohol affects neuro transmitters as well - it takes weeks for you body and system to reach a steady state system and for the drug to have full effect if you drink you could push that steady state around and have to wait for things to come back in balance.
>
> Id stay clear of the booze and consider talking to your doctor about increasing your dosage.I totally understand. I was on the Effexor for about 3 weeks (75mg) and then i started drinking on the weekends and it jogged my states of anxiety in all directions.. sometimes i would feel depressed for upwards of a week after a good nights worth of bar-hopping. I have had no problems with losing the benefits of the drug however from drinking moderately.. that's no more than 3 drinks.. no more than two days in a row. I also try to limit my alcohol consumption to only two or three days a week. I used to drink everyday and get drunk every weekend but not anymore. Effexor XR is a great drug and i am not going to destroy it's benefits with alcohol.
Posted by Kaysey on June 8, 2001, at 16:04:21
In reply to Re: Thank You All, posted by Sierra on June 8, 2001, at 10:54:04
> I have been on effexor for about four months following a prozac "poop out." Prozac stopped working after I had been on it 8 years. Anyway, I had been doing well, but just had a depression relaps last week. It was terrible. My doctor believes that it is because I drank more than usual over Memorial Day weekend. Has anyone had problems with effexor and alcohol? Has anyone had a "relaps" while taking effexor? Also, I still feel the pangs in my nerves from the drug, anything that can help relieve that sensation?Hi Sierra:
I posted below under the 'effexor is a life saver' section. I too, have noticed things that impact my success with effexor. Alcohol has become a virtual no-no for me for two reasons--as Paulk mentioned it is a depressant which can do double-duty on those who are already depressed, plus I have reactive hypoglycemia (which makes me depressed, anyway, and since alcohol can aggravate this condition, I get even more so). Plus hormone fluctuations (with my OCPs) seem to impact the mood-elevating effects--especially premenstrually. It is very frustrating, because when everything is 'right,' the effexor seems to work great, and I wish I could feel that way more often. I am currently at 225 mg.
I have always enjoyed sharing a bottle of wine with my husband with a good dinner, but I have found that I have to limit that and sip more on the water glass!
Posted by newby on June 8, 2001, at 19:48:43
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » James B, posted by paulk on June 7, 2001, at 14:25:52
This may be a new positive result for most of you. Effexor has come to my rescue. I have been suffering with dreadful hotflashes and night sweats for several years as result of menopause. Got to where I only could sleep about 3 - 4 hours per night and that was always interrupted by nite sweats. Started 37.5 then switched to 75 about three weeks ago. After overcoming side affects, finally getting some sleep again... Waking up alot still but the anxiety isn't there and I'm not laying in a puddle of sweat,,,Ick!!!! So manage to get back to sleep. Haven't seen anyone here taking Effexor XR for menopausal problems.
Posted by T.T. on June 8, 2001, at 20:38:01
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Judy on April 23, 2000, at 22:43:54
The worst night sweats ever, nightmares, memory loss. This is a dangerous drug for me. I am trying to quit but am afraid due to the known withdrawal symptoms.
> Sweating - is anyone having problems with excessive sweating from taking Effexor, 75 mg, the time released version? I can't decide if it's the med or menopause......
Posted by Dimitri on June 9, 2001, at 17:56:20
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
This stuff has saved my life. I was severely depressed for roughly a year. I finally made an attempt on my life but bailed out. Later that day I admitted myself to the emergency room and they put me in the psyc. ward for a week. They put me on Effexor XR and I began to feel like myself within days. After a month I was completely back to normal with no side effects and some added upsides that I hadn't expected. I became much more outgoing and social than I had been even before the depression. I'm meeting new people, having a great time and loving life. If I could I would kiss the people who invented this stuff on the lips.
Posted by Dimitri on June 9, 2001, at 18:08:45
In reply to Re: Thank You All » Sierra, posted by Kaysey on June 8, 2001, at 16:04:21
Yes. I have been on Effexor XR for only a month and accepting this care has been the smartest thing that I've ever done. But I've realized that I can't drink at all on this drug if I want it to work properly. After feeling great after only a week on the drug I had a few drinks over a long weekend. Monday and Tuesday of the next week I was back to the severely depressed state that I had been in prior to starting this protocol. I told my doctor about it and he said that the most current information (only months old) is that as few as two drinks in a weeks period and play with this drug's effectiveness. So be careful and don't drink if you can help it.
Posted by AnneL on June 10, 2001, at 11:20:14
In reply to Effexor Alcohol, posted by Dimitri on June 9, 2001, at 18:08:45
> Yes. I have been on Effexor XR for only a month and accepting this care has been the smartest thing that I've ever done. But I've realized that I can't drink at all on this drug if I want it to work properly. After feeling great after only a week on the drug I had a few drinks over a long weekend. Monday and Tuesday of the next week I was back to the severely depressed state that I had been in prior to starting this protocol. I told my doctor about it and he said that the most current information (only months old) is that as few as two drinks in a weeks period and play with this drug's effectiveness. So be careful and don't drink if you can help it.
>My experience has been very similar to Dimitri's with respect to alcohol and Effexor. Although I do not know if the effects of Alcohol are exclusive to Effexor, I can say that I had a return to moderate to severe depression for about 2 to 3 days after a business conference where I drank alcohol in moderate quantities for 2 evenings. I knew right away that drinking alcohol is not something that I will engage in while on this medication. IMHO, giving up social drinking is well worth the many benefits that I get while on this medication. Of course, this is just my experience with alcohol and Effexor and is purely anecdotal, I personally have not read any research that suggests that alcohol diminishes the effects of Effexor. Anyone out there have any information on this subject?
Posted by krista on June 10, 2001, at 11:47:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Dave on January 19, 2000, at 23:48:27
Hi,
I just started taking Effexor 5 days ago. I notice I am more alert
(I also take 650 mg. of serzone) but I also feel a inward nervousness.
My skin feels like it's crawling. I don't care for this feeling, but don't know what else to try because I am already so sedated from the serzone
The serzone has helped great for my depression, but not for my eating disorder or OCD or anxiety. I have been on all the SSRI's except for Paxil. Luvox worked for a while but pooped out.
I need to find a medicine that doesn't make me jittery or nervous, but helps with the OCD, anxiety.
Has anyone esle felt this nervous agitation when taking effexor? If so did it go away?kris
Posted by Jeannine on June 10, 2001, at 13:20:36
In reply to anyone feel nervous from effexor?, posted by krista on June 10, 2001, at 11:47:03
Hi Kris,
I know exactly what you mean (in fact, the shakiness I have right now combined with the slowed thinking is making it take about 2-3 times as long to type this as it normally would). I'm now on day 10 (7 days at 37.5 mg, and upped to 75 mg on Friday). The inward shakiness and outward tremors were so bad last week that I couldn't write legibly or do anything requiring fine motor coordination.
The good news is that this and the other side effects are getting better each day. The even better news is that I think the Effexor is really helping with my depression. Last night I actually wanted to go out to a party with friends for the first time in months. I'm not quite up to actually going out yet, but just to feel like I *wanted* to was a small miracle to me.
Hang in there -- I know that for me, if this medication really does prove to be the one that finally works, the start-up side effects will have been more than worth it.
Jeannine
> Hi,
>
> I just started taking Effexor 5 days ago. I notice I am more alert
> (I also take 650 mg. of serzone) but I also feel a inward nervousness.
> My skin feels like it's crawling. I don't care for this feeling, but don't know what else to try because I am already so sedated from the serzone
> The serzone has helped great for my depression, but not for my eating disorder or OCD or anxiety. I have been on all the SSRI's except for Paxil. Luvox worked for a while but pooped out.
> I need to find a medicine that doesn't make me jittery or nervous, but helps with the OCD, anxiety.
> Has anyone esle felt this nervous agitation when taking effexor? If so did it go away?
>
> kris
Posted by JIM BK on June 10, 2001, at 15:48:30
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
any one having these side effects
or sharp pain in head after taking
Posted by krista on June 10, 2001, at 17:04:50
In reply to MUSCLE ACHE, posted by JIM BK on June 10, 2001, at 15:48:30
> any one having these side effects
> or sharp pain in head after takingI have the same thing happening to me. I've been taking Effexor for 5 days. Not only do I have a sharp pain in my head about 1 hour after taking it, but I am having body aches as well. Some nervous inner tension and prickly skin feeling.
krista
Posted by Bayla on June 10, 2001, at 21:31:47
In reply to MUSCLE ACHE, posted by JIM BK on June 10, 2001, at 15:48:30
Re: Muscle Aches
I have Fibromyalgia/CFS in addition to a long-standing diagnosis of ADHD. I have been well-controlled for many years on low dose Ritalin. However, during the past few months, I am having severe flares of Fibro and CFS, which includes increased pain and overwhelming fatigue. My Fibro MD wants me to try Effexor for the fatigue. I was willing to go for it until reading this thread re: muscle aches. Oy! I already have the aches....and don't need more....any suggestions? have your muscle aches been more of the headache type vs generalized? I would appreciate any input....
Posted by krista on June 11, 2001, at 1:52:20
In reply to Re: MUSCLE ACHE, posted by Bayla on June 10, 2001, at 21:31:47
My muscle aches feel almost flu like, like the kind when you are sick. they came about the first day I took the Effexor. It has made my mind feel more alret but my body feels achy and fatigued. I'm not sure if this is a common side effect. I have decided to go off the drug. I've been on it for 5 days. I skipped the last dose tonight, already I feel a little better physically. but mentally I am now having slight withdrawls. I've taking lots of different meds and never had withdrawls from being on one for 5 days! I wouldn't take it off your list of things to try, especially if your doctor thinks it might help. But just be careful. Not sure if the achiness is a common side effect.
krista
Posted by Miragee on June 11, 2001, at 16:26:20
In reply to Re: MUSCLE ACHE, posted by Bayla on June 10, 2001, at 21:31:47
Hi,
For many years I had muscle aches and "skin burning" sensations, as well as other symptoms. I could not tolerate Effexor when I took it, nor other SSRI's. It was only after I found a "Lyme Literate" doctor who did a definitive blood test for that disease that I found out what was wrong. (Many regular blood tests done by physicians give a false negative.) I have met many people who have Lyme Disease through a support group and it turns out that fibromyalgia is a pretty common symptom of Lyme Disease.
Now that I am getting treatment for Lyme Disease, all my muscle aches have gone away. My depression has also gone away.
I do not live on the East Coast (although I traveled there nearly thirty years ago), so you could say I went "kicking and screaming" into the doctor convinced I did not have Lyme Disease. However, the blood test proved I did, and the treatment has been a life-saver.
> Re: Muscle Aches
> I have Fibromyalgia/CFS in addition to a long-standing diagnosis of ADHD. I have been well-controlled for many years on low dose Ritalin. However, during the past few months, I am having severe flares of Fibro and CFS, which includes increased pain and overwhelming fatigue. My Fibro MD wants me to try Effexor for the fatigue. I was willing to go for it until reading this thread re: muscle aches. Oy! I already have the aches....and don't need more....any suggestions? have your muscle aches been more of the headache type vs generalized? I would appreciate any input....
Posted by RJC on June 11, 2001, at 20:12:13
In reply to anyone feel nervous from effexor?, posted by krista on June 10, 2001, at 11:47:03
Yeah, I know what you mean about those feelings. I had them for about the first month.Mine seemed to start on my lower back and arms and work their way up. I occasionally get them now but very rarely and they don't bother me.Hopefully they will start to go away like they did for me.
Posted by Lorraine on June 11, 2001, at 21:09:48
In reply to Re: MUSCLE ACHE, posted by Bayla on June 10, 2001, at 21:31:47
> Re: Muscle Aches
> I was willing to go for it until reading this thread re: muscle aches. Oy! I already have the aches....and don't need more....any suggestions? have your muscle aches been more of the headache type vs generalized? I would appreciate any input....I didn't really make the connection when I was on Effexor, but when I got off I noticed that a pain point in my hip that made sleeping on my side painful went away. I think that pain point was fms like--a tender point. If you want energizing go for Wellbutrin.
Posted by Cristy on June 12, 2001, at 8:37:45
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Janie on October 23, 2000, at 10:27:20
> > THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING ALL THIS! I have been on Effexor for 5 months and didn't like some of the side effects I had - the trembling, and the how my "parts" didn't work during intimacy with my husband. After that long, I wanted to have fun again. I told this to the doctor and he had me start zoloft and go cold turkey off the Effexor! What a jerk. Now that I see y'all had the same problems, I know it isn't just me! YEAH! Glory be to God that I had some pills left over. I just split one and took it with some chocolate milk (chocolate makes everything better) and am SO thankful to see that this is a common side effect and not merely my brain disintregrating into a primordeal mass of jelly.
> > Thanks again!
> _______
>
> Hi. This is my third day of reducing my dosage of Effexor from 75mg to 37.5mg per day. So far, so good. I actually feel more energized and the yawning has stopped. My problems centered around lethargy, sedation and the inability to get up in the morning until about 11 a.m. Perhaps 37.5 mg will turn out to be the best dosage for ME. Has anyone else taken such a low dose with success?--Janie____________
I have been on 35.7mg of Effexor for about 2 years. I have been on several kinds of medications -- Buspar (nasty stuff - never again), Zoloft, Serzone Paxil and Effexor. After trying Buspar, my doctor put me on Zoloft. This worked much better for me, but the sexual side effects were awful. It got to the point that just the THOUGHT of making love with my husband made me sick to my stomache! So, I made the transition from Zoloft to Serzone. Serzone was working great, but was not taking care of my anxiety attacks. We added Paxil for the anxiety attacks -- which helped -- but caused tremors. Therefore -- 35.7mg of Effexor. This takes the edge off, and I am happy to say, I am not having anxiety attacks anymore.
A few things I have noticed: Switching from Zoloft to Serzone "fixed" the sexual disfunction. However, even that small dose of Effexor gave me a few problems, but not nearly as bad as the Zoloft. I am able to enjoy making love with my husband, but have a very difficult time reaching orgasm or my orgasms are "muted" and sedate.
I am currently in a good place, so I am tapering off the Effexor. I am tapering VERY slowly. For 2 weeks, I cut the 37.5mg pill in half and take 1/2 a day. Then 1/2 pill every other day for 2 weeks. Then 1/2 pill every 3 days for 2 weeks. Then -- OFF! I have just started the 1/2 pill every other day. I am having some side effects -- dizziness and weeping. I think the weeping is just because I am scared of returning to that awful place where I felt so bad. The dizzines . . . well, that is real. But, I have been assured by my therapist that the effects are temporary and that things will be OK. The sexual side effects are QUICKLY GOING AWAY!!! I will start tapering off the Serzone when I am off the Effexor.
Hope you have good luck on the effexor. I did.
Posted by Leo on June 12, 2001, at 23:23:44
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello Dr. Bob!!!!!!
Hey! Where'd all my old sparing partners go?
Thought I'd stop by and say hello.
Your site is still number one on the net. Being number one usually means your're the best. I'm glad to see that you're still here helping to heal the "wounded."THIS SITE AND ALL THESE PEOPLE HELPED ME GET THROUGH SOME TOUGH TIMES. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
Back to my Middle East project next week.
Regards,
Leo
Posted by ksc on June 13, 2001, at 9:13:21
In reply to JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by TANYA on January 14, 2000, at 10:48:44
Tanya,
I'm calling my doc today to try and get off the XR. I've been on 113mg (37.5mg and 75.5mg) for about 8 months now and the sleep problems and exhaustion have gotten worse. I started taking for feelings of being overwhelmed. I was doing too much and doc thought it would help clear my head and slow me down. At first it really helped, I was having some vivid dreams, but nothing serious. About 5 months in, I became hypothyroid and needed medication for that. Within a month my thyroid was back inline but I started feeling worse to the point where the doc was diagnosing fibromyalgia (chronic fatigue with constant muscle pain and weakness). After seeing a specialist they seemed to think the thyroid meds contributed to the sleep problems after bringing my metabalism back in line, since I was so sluggish before it actually helped me sleep. Now I dream all night long and am unable to reach stage 4 REM sleep. It's exhausting, and my body has trouble rejuvenating itself.However, I'm a little nervous about the side effects of stopping the meds. Can anyone who's gone through this give me an idea of what types of side effects they incurred while quitting, so I know what to expect?!?
Thanks,
KC
Posted by Bayla on June 13, 2001, at 19:33:40
In reply to Re: MUSCLE ACHE » Bayla, posted by Lorraine on June 11, 2001, at 21:09:48
> > Re: Muscle Aches
I've been on the Effexor a week now and my Fibro pain is 75% reduced...a miracle. I had some sleepiness the first few days; my BP actually has been running lower than my baseline; and I'm sleeping great. The most unbelievable aspect is the dramatic decrease in my pain. Yes, Yes - in reviewing the threads I'm sure I'm going to get a barrage of "Just you Wait...the other shoe will drop", etc. However, to those of you with Fibromyalgia (and are receiving the med for this diagnosis - not depression), GO FOR IT! It's worth trying, believe me. This week has been the best in 4 years...and my Fibro specialist chose the drug after reading it's response in clinical trials for Fibro and positive experiences with other patients. This is a good forum; gave me parameters to monitor. However we need to remember that the drug is used for a variety of syndromes/somatic disorders which each, in themselves, has a unique metabolic and/or neuro "uptake", etc.
Posted by Willow on June 13, 2001, at 21:03:01
In reply to Fibromyalgia Effexor - YES!!!!, posted by Bayla on June 13, 2001, at 19:33:40
Bayla
I've been diagnosed with CFS/FMS and have been taking effexor. I posted a reply when I saw your initial post concerning muscle pain, but somehow lost it. I'm glad to hear that it is helping you too!
Keep in touch and let me know how things keep progressing. For me the best effect has been for the brain fog problems. I find them still improving after eight months.
Perhaps we should buy shares before we toot our horns?? : )Willow
Posted by Daisygirl on June 15, 2001, at 16:01:49
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by ksc on June 13, 2001, at 9:13:21
>I took Effexor XR 75 mg for 3 1/2 months. I started w/ the 37.5 for one week then started the 75 mg after that 1st week. I decided to quit taking Effexor XR and decided to taper off med myself. I began with one 75 mg every other day. That went okay. Then I went down to 75 mg every three days. That is went the problems started. I have suffered from severe headaches that appear to be sinus headaches. I had an xray of sinus no blockage or fluid build up per doc. I had severe stomach pain which felt like someone was trying to ram their fist up in under my rib cage on the right side along with severe nausea. My doc sent me for an ultrasound (thinking it was my gallbladder). Ultrasound results no gallbladder problems. I also was very dizzy and had trouble with focusing in, light headed, my heart would feel like it was beating funny. I also would sleep till 10:00 am or 11:00 am easy, I have been on vacation this week thank God! I usually wake up at 6:00 regardless what day it is, my internal clock is messed up. To be totally honest, I thought I had some bad disease or cancer. I am not a hypocondriac, but I have been to the doctor more in the last 3 weeks than I have in the last 10 years. I stumbled onto this website a few days ago and was astonished to see that my symptoms are actually side effects of discontinuing this med. I am feeling the best today, still a little dizzy, lightheaded, tired. But I praise the Lord, I can function today. I have been unable to function the last 2 weeks. I have totally been off Effexor XR since Saturday, June 10, 2001. Please take extreme caution when discontinuing this med, I don't recommend Cold Turkey. You might talk to doc. Please let me know what you decided to do and what you experience on discontinuing Effexor XR. Good luck, God Bless. I give God all the glory for seeing me through this, without him I wouldn't have made it. I will be praying for you, please if you have trouble please give it to him, he will be there to take care of you. He sure has me.
Tanya,
> I'm calling my doc today to try and get off the XR. I've been on 113mg (37.5mg and 75.5mg) for about 8 months now and the sleep problems and exhaustion have gotten worse. I started taking for feelings of being overwhelmed. I was doing too much and doc thought it would help clear my head and slow me down. At first it really helped, I was having some vivid dreams, but nothing serious. About 5 months in, I became hypothyroid and needed medication for that. Within a month my thyroid was back inline but I started feeling worse to the point where the doc was diagnosing fibromyalgia (chronic fatigue with constant muscle pain and weakness). After seeing a specialist they seemed to think the thyroid meds contributed to the sleep problems after bringing my metabalism back in line, since I was so sluggish before it actually helped me sleep. Now I dream all night long and am unable to reach stage 4 REM sleep. It's exhausting, and my body has trouble rejuvenating itself.
>
> However, I'm a little nervous about the side effects of stopping the meds. Can anyone who's gone through this give me an idea of what types of side effects they incurred while quitting, so I know what to expect?!?
>
> Thanks,
> KC
Posted by paulk on June 15, 2001, at 18:21:47
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Daisygirl on June 15, 2001, at 16:01:49
> >I took Effexor XR 75 mg for 3 1/2 months. I started w/ the 37.5 for one week then started the 75 mg after that 1st week. I decided to quit taking Effexor XR and decided to taper off med myself. I began with one 75 mg every other day.
Thats NOT a good idea you want to take ½ half capsule every day.
> That went okay. Then I went down to 75 mg every three days. That is went the problems started.
Im not surprised You are basicly having a full dose one day and withdrawal symptoms the next two and those symptoms can be pretty nasty.
>I have suffered from severe headaches that appear to be sinus headaches. I had an xray of sinus no blockage or fluid build up per doc. I had severe stomach pain which felt like someone was trying to ram their fist up in under my rib cage on the right side along with severe nausea. My doc sent me for an ultrasound (thinking it was my gallbladder). .I stumbled onto this website a few days ago and was astonished to see that my symptoms are actually side effects of discontinuing this med.
If you doctor put you on Effexor without telling you or at least giving you something to read that told you about the withdrawal symptoms and the need to taper, then I (IMHO) think he is incompetent. Anyone who starts this drug (and it is proved to be quite effective for a lot of folks) should know that there are quite common side effects on stopping it and a real need to taper down. Also, the manufacturer really should have smaller dosages available for tapering down.
I recommend tapering down (Im not a doctor but Ive gone through Effexor withdrawals more than once now.) 75mg/day for a week, 37.5 the next week and 15 the next if you are still having symptoms you might try using 10 for one more week. You can cut the dosage by counting the little balls inside. Your local pharmacist can do this for you also if you are uncomfortable. just get your doc to write the prescription.
Some of the things you mention might also be the re-emergence of symptoms the heart stuff you talk about sure sounds like anxiety. Mostly, the withdraw side effects I had were flue like symptoms, extra bad depression, weird jolts like I was about to fall. The last of the symptoms took 3 weeks to disappear after I was completely off it (I had been on it a very long time).
I dont know why you went on it it has been of great help to me and many others it has real nasty withdrawal symptoms your doctor should have told you about stopping the med if he didnt I recommend getting a doctor who has the missing competence/integrity.
As part of my usual Rant, if you are suffering symptoms of depression you should see a good endocrinologist who can rule out hypothyroidism before starting meds (I suppose if you are suicidal you might not want to wait; the worry of such a law suit gets you on meds before the blood work is done.)
For more details see:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64452.htmlI knew a gal who had been though years of psychotherapy at a famous Freudian inpatient hospital. She saw a doc outside the clinic for her dry skin he spotted it for what it was hypothyroidism it was impressive Instead of a depressed, lethargic, unattractive woman; she was radiant, animated, and just blossomed in the next week. (Instead of suing for malpractice, she walked away not wanting to spend time with lawyers and taking time out of her new found life. She was quite a gal).
All that being said not all folks with depression are suffering from easily treated hypothyroidism and some of us (me included) are lucky enough to have both. But, the point still stands, that many in the pych field are not checking for physical causes of depression, as a competent doctor would.
Posted by Zo on June 16, 2001, at 20:40:09
In reply to Re: Fibromyalgia Effexor - YES!!!!, posted by Willow on June 13, 2001, at 21:03:01
Hwy, I'm going on year four of Effexor (and other meds) for CFS. . .go for the stock!
Zo
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