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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Esse on March 17, 2004, at 21:56:24
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Witchblade on March 13, 2004, at 22:49:19
In my opinion Effexor is another medication that
should be banned if for no other reason than the withdrawal. Within the first week of taking Effexor my creative edge came to an abrupt halt, not acceptable for an Artist. Having been through
quite an ordeal and being assured by the Dr. "in a few weeks the "medicated" feeling would wane"
I continued to take it. Sure the low's decreased
but so did the high's. Basically a flatline personality for two years. From a dosage of 150 I slowly decreased to 75 then again slowly decreased to 37.5. Cut those in half for a few days then nothing. What a suprise, incredible nausea and vomiting began but just thought I was getting the flu."Zings" yes constantly, ringing in both ears. And next, "immoblizing" wall pounding pain (back and legs) from muscle contractions. After 5 trips to emergency, 4 by Ambulance and being told every time there was nothing physically wrong with me the realization this was a withdrawal set in. I immediately began taking Effexor again.
After the very first dose, I could feel my muscles begin to relax. It still took two weeks before the soreness in my muscles was reduced to an acceptable level. Am I still taking Effexor?
you bet!!! If someone can tell me how to get past all of this, I'm all ears. I want nothing more than to discontinue this medication and personally would not recommend Effexor to anyone, .....ever.
Posted by Witchblade on March 17, 2004, at 22:04:47
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Esse on March 17, 2004, at 21:56:24
I am doing so much better now...it's been a week, and the flu like feelings are gone, the nausea is gone, the dizziness is occassionally there, the zaps are there sometimes but are decreasing...every once in a while I will get kind of a wave of general "ick" feeling that I just attribute to the withdrawl...but overall I am feeling so much better...and what you said about your high's going away with your low's...very true. I have really really good days now - haven't had those in a long time!! I am so much better OFF of this stuff. It was a week of hell...but worth it.
Perhaps try the taking Prozac while getting off the Effexor? I know the idea of taking yet another drug to get off of one is not appealing...but if it gets you off this really bad one...it might be worth it. Also there are apparently some really good herbal suppliments you can take while you come off this drug that are supposed to help. And then some people apparently open up the capsules and take out the little balls inside to taper off that way...maybe you should try a really slow reduction method like that.
Posted by worm on March 18, 2004, at 9:59:44
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Witchblade on March 17, 2004, at 22:04:47
See, I thought my affect was flatter with the Prozac. In my depressed state, I was very weepy, and on Prozac, I couldn't cry if I wanted to. I could sit there and say "I am very mad at you" and not even feel it. That's why I wanted to change. Plus, I thought it wasn't working after a year or so. In retrospect, that was about the time it went generic, and now I think the generic Prozac (which I was forced to take because of inusrance) wasn't the same as the brand name. This is probably a new thread, but any thoughts on this?
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 18, 2004, at 10:49:22
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Esse on March 17, 2004, at 21:56:24
>If someone can tell me how to get past all of >this, I'm all ears. I want nothing more than to >discontinue this medication and personally >would not recommend Effexor to >anyone, .....ever.
all i can tell you is that i went back on when i first stopped after the withdrawal got to be too much. but i cut down a bit more slowly and now, finally, i am off completely. i am only on day 6 or 7 however, and still dealing with mild zings. nothing near as bad as before though. i can still function and i'm not shaking...
rain
Posted by Slinky on March 18, 2004, at 12:55:22
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 18, 2004, at 10:49:22
Now that the Nuzac ( cheap prozac ) is a coming out of my system the nightmare of withdrawal is taking hold.
I feel 89 years old and looking it.
How long is a piece of string.
Posted by Slinky on March 18, 2004, at 13:02:25
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Slinky on March 18, 2004, at 12:55:22
Permanent eye pain ~head pain ~ear pain ~joint pain and zap~zapping tingling shock treatment--- Hey but no constipation yipee rapid weight loss .
Now I'm going back into bed.
I can sleep my life away.
Is celexa a sugar pill.
Who am I ...who cares my in life of painful leisure...I'm not angry..I'm snapping out.
Posted by cpallen79 on March 18, 2004, at 14:47:06
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by slinky on March 5, 2004, at 6:53:03
I want to tell you all how much I feel for you. i took a very small dose of effexor for about 13 months. i tapered off by removing roughly 50 pellets from each capsule and then taking the rest for about a month, then i went cold turkey. I still went through withdrawal hell (anxiety, brain "shocks", etc...). I was ok for about a month or two (occasional brain shocks) but then I became very sensitive to the world around me and have been suffering from severe anxiety. Alot of it is due to life changes at a VERY VULNERABLE POINT (only a month off effexor when the life events occurred- your brain is still like mush at this point). I am going to try Buspar to take the edge off my anxiety for awhile... I haven't had much luck with it before as it gives me dizziness... (by the way if anyone has suggestions for countering that dizziness I'm all ears!). If the Buspar doesn't work, It's back to an SSRI, but one with a much longer half life and without norenepherine properties. I'm hopeful the buspar will get me through this anxiety hoop as I've only ever had one major anxiety episode in my life of a comparable nature, that being when i was 17 and was under extreme duress (identity crisis- kind of like what I'm going through now). It took Xanax and therapy to get me through that. I have faith that this will pass and I'll get the life back that I love!
> Hi Rainy
>
> You shouldn't feel a loser for going back on it, I failed many times to quit.
> Yesterday feels like a very bad dream
>
> I'm getting waves of dread can't do anything...crazy.
> If it wasn't for the weird physical stuff I could try and take my mind of things...can't even listen to music , feel trapped in myself.
> Hopefully the mornings anxiety will settle down a bit.
>
> Take care , be kind to yourself.
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 18, 2004, at 14:56:09
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by cpallen79 on March 18, 2004, at 14:47:06
> I want to tell you all how much I feel for you.
thanks. i'm off effexor for almost a solid week now and the zings are minimal. i found out yesterday that i'm pregnant and likely have cancer so somehow the zings are just not such a big deal anymore. lol... still, it would be awfully nice if they'd go away entirely!
;^) rain
Posted by cpallen79 on March 18, 2004, at 15:00:15
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 18, 2004, at 14:56:09
Rain, my heart is with you. I am so sorry to hear about that. Again, my prayers are with you today.
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 18, 2004, at 15:04:05
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by cpallen79 on March 18, 2004, at 15:00:15
> Rain, my heart is with you. I am so sorry to hear about that. Again, my prayers are with you today.
thank you. honestly i'm just in shock and don't even begin to know what to think or do. nevermind the whole mental case issues... if you'd ever like to email me personally feel free. i'm at caritasrainbow@yahoo.com
Posted by Esse on March 18, 2004, at 16:44:51
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Witchblade on March 17, 2004, at 22:04:47
Glad to hear you are doing so well. Especially happy to hear you feel better. Your suggestions are definately appreciated.
Posted by caleb96 on March 20, 2004, at 23:52:16
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by fastblackZZR on March 7, 2004, at 19:33:17
I've been taking Effexor for 3.5 yrs and I'm tired of being a chemical eunich. First it takes your physical ability to achieve orgasm, then it takes your ability to perform, finally it takes your desire to engage in sexual activity. I've been living like this for over ten years. I've gone from one SSRI to another, then Effexor (Wellbutrin didn't help my depression, but it doesn't have the sexual side effects). This is so unfair to my wife. I just can't believe these drug companies can't come up with a good antidepressant that doesn't have this sexually deadening effect. I know it's tough developing a new drug and getting it through the FDA. But I've read the scientific literature and the knowledge in this area is far beyond what's on the market. Let's hope there's a breakthrough soon. In the meantime, I'm going c/t off Effexor. I've done it a few times before and the worse thing that happened is I got a bad headache for a day or so. After that, no problem.
Wish me luck!
--C
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 21, 2004, at 0:17:36
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caleb96 on March 20, 2004, at 23:52:16
> > Wish me luck!
wishing you all the luck in the world! :^)
rain
Posted by caleb96 on March 21, 2004, at 9:02:13
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 21, 2004, at 0:17:36
Thanks rain,
Your support is greatly appreciated.
Caleb
Posted by John R. tate on March 22, 2004, at 12:43:59
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by moonzappa on March 7, 2004, at 13:49:37
Holy cow! I too have just tried to go off Effexor. I am on day two after a three week period of gradually reducing the amount taken each day. I went cold turkey two days ago after having reduced to about 10 little balls in the capsule. I'm swimming. Total whoosh when I move my eyes, stand up, or even while I am typing. I feel completely out of it. Does anyone know of anything that can help?
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 22, 2004, at 12:52:38
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by John R. tate on March 22, 2004, at 12:43:59
> I went cold turkey two days ago after having reduced to about 10 little balls in the capsule. I'm swimming. Total whoosh when I move my eyes, stand up, or even while I am typing. I feel completely out of it. Does anyone know of anything that can help?
i'm now on day 9 or 10? anyway, still having some of the zinging occasionally, but it's getting less. just hang in there.
rain
Posted by annesand on March 22, 2004, at 15:30:56
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by John R. tate on March 22, 2004, at 12:43:59
But really, how long does it take to feel 100% back to normal after you've stopped?
I rather rashly cut back to 37.5 mg from 150 mg a few days ago. Yes brain shivers and dizziness, but it's not unbearable. Think I'm likely to feel worse before I feel better? I'm trying to decide if it's a good idea to stay like this next week while I'm off work, or if I'll be ruining a perfectly good vacation.
Posted by caritasrainbow on March 22, 2004, at 16:18:41
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by annesand on March 22, 2004, at 15:30:56
> But really, how long does it take to feel 100% back to normal after you've stopped?
>
> I rather rashly cut back to 37.5 mg from 150 mg a few days ago. Yes brain shivers and dizziness, but it's not unbearable. Think I'm likely to feel worse before I feel better? I'm trying to decide if it's a good idea to stay like this next week while I'm off work, or if I'll be ruining a perfectly good vacation.well, i went from 450 to 375 to 300 to 150 to nothing within about a week and a half and by day 5 of nothing the symptoms were so bad my legs and arms were shaking, my teeth wouldn't stop chattering, so the dr put me back on 75 when he saw me. i took that for 4 days, then skipped a day, symptoms got bad so i took 37.5 for a few days then went off entirely. the first two days were the worst. now it's just over a week and the zings are still there, but not as bad. definately able to function okay now, just wish the zings would stop entirely. sooo... the first time the zings and stuff got worse with each passing day, but this time they seem to be getting better with each passing day. not sure if this helps... but when i went off the first time the days got worse and worse until i went back on and cut back a little more slowly. also now my memory is awful and i do seem to be having some problems making sense of my thoughts? or putting them in order? see, i don't think i even make sense, just feel like i'm babbling...
Posted by cpallen79 on March 22, 2004, at 18:50:49
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 22, 2004, at 12:52:38
Hi guys, thought I'd put my input in. Effexor is very difficult to taper off of as we all have learned. I thought I would have it easy since I was only on 37.5 . I opened capsules, took out about half of the pellets and did this for about 3 to 4 weeks before stopping cold turkey. Even THAT was too fast as when you go off an antidepressant, you're nervous system is a mess, some say for even up to 18 months afterwards. I'm on month 4 and I still feel very very blah (going to try buspar to take the edge off it). My advice to everyone is this... TAPER so slow that its boring. Second, don't expect to be back to normal once you're off the meds and the brain zaps stop, etc... , especially if you've been on meds a long time, you won't feel normal for quite awhile. It'll happen, but it takes time and it'll be a rollercoaster! I'm assuming that your brain needs to repair itself and restore its own serotogenic balance, and for me it's been a bumpy ride. I know people that have been thorugh this nightmare of tapering off these meds and they get through it, even though it can be painful. We'll all get through it.
Posted by roomy on March 23, 2004, at 6:34:36
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by cpallen79 on March 22, 2004, at 18:50:49
I too, will add my two cents....again. I still come and read here and I ocassionally post. I was on Effexor for about 6 years. As of January 1st I have been Effexor free. Tapering off was hell, and then finally dropping off to zero no matter how slow the taper...is even more hell. Every day gets better and better and as for 'wasting your vacation' I can truely understand what a crappy vacation you must be having but as far as a waste...nah...prolly not. If you FAIL for now and try to quit the effexor at another time THEN the days you have already felt miserable will have been for nothing and you will have to go thru it all again. Every day does get easier I promise. Whether you can notice it or not I believe it does get better. Its been three months for me now (or pretty dang close to it) I think that physically I am back to normal except for losing the extra weight the effexor caused me to gain. Mentally I am doing much better but I think my mind was a bit sharper, quicker, wittier before I took the Effexor and I have days where I am "Blah" Not depressed, just kinda blah and I get a lazy, lethargic feeling. But I can deal with occasional days like that. I think thats down right normal for most people. Hang in there, keep hanging in there, and when you feel like you cant do it....hang in there the most. Try to keep yourself doing a project. I also tried PM medication for nighttime and the 'no-doze' or 'stinger' type medication for the daytime. I am not sure if it helped but it kept me more 'routine' while I was going thru the withdrawl.
Good luck!! Keep us up-to-date!!
-Roomy
Posted by annesand on March 23, 2004, at 7:07:02
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by roomy on March 23, 2004, at 6:34:36
Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses. It helps more than you know. I feel like crying. Or maybe that's just another symptom (smile). Hearing what you all have gone through gives me hope.
Posted by Raggy on March 23, 2004, at 8:16:18
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by annesand on March 23, 2004, at 7:07:02
I hope everyone has seen on the news how the FDA has put out warnings now for adults as well as children that these drugs can make you more depressed and suicidal. You can go to the FDA website or it is listed here as well. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/84/98068.htm
Posted by cpallen79 on March 23, 2004, at 9:10:47
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on March 23, 2004, at 8:16:18
The FDA warning is in fact interesting because really it touches on what we've all dealt with for so long, the changes in doses from ill- equipped doctors, the misinformation (my personal favorite...) "if you're having these rebound effects after taking an antidepressant- you should be on them indefintely!"... the lack of understanding. The mdeical community needs a good slap in the face for this ordeal. Hopefully a drug company will come up with a medication thats effective in getting a person OFF an antidepressant. Wouldn't it be great if you could take an antidepressant for a year if necessary, then move to med that regulates your serotogenic systems while you go off the antidepressant... a "taper med" so to speak? Just think, they could even use it for drug and alcohol withdrawals too! Ok, enough of my creative side.
Posted by Sinaminika on March 23, 2004, at 10:57:49
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by cpallen79 on March 23, 2004, at 9:10:47
I'm not sure how long I have been on Effexor but I had no idea of the withdrawl syptoms.
If I would have known they were as bad as they are I would have never agreed to start taking them.I only missed two days and I had severe side effects. I have never experienced such pain in my life.
I had what seemed to be electrical zaps in my brains. Grinding of teeth . Life like nightmares .
Confusion . It almost seemed like all brain activity was shutting down. It was unbearable.
After about a day of this I started to panic. I called my doctor and they were very unfriendly about the whole situation.
I then demanded someone get me my pills (because I was alone with my 1 year old daughter and I was scared that if something would happen to her I wouldn't be able to react .) trust me I didnt tell them that !
There was no possible way to drive at this point.
I had actually got a neighbor out of bed to drive me to the pharmacy to pick up the pills that the dr finally agreed to call in.
this never would have happened if the insurance company would have told me that after the first four phamacy visits the prescription then turned into a through the mail prescription.
So I ended up paying around 250.00 for a month supply since the insurance wouldn't cover it anymore "behind the counter "
Now I am left here sitting reading the posts about Effexor...I had to quit my job because of the whole effexor ordeal.
Now I am without insurance and I can't afford 250 a month on pills.
I called my dr yesterday and I asked nicely (this time) that they call in a lower dosage for me at my local pharmacy. I am assuming that they did .now I just have to wonder how am I suppose to come up with this money every month until I can completly stop taking this stuff ?
I can't afford to have the withdrawl symptoms due to having a small child with me.
I would rather be depressed then go through withdrawl symptoms. Everyone is different so withdrawl could last longer for certain people. It could be worse for certain people. is it worth having a chance that maybe someday something might happen to where you can't take your pills for a couple days ?
you forget them when you leave for a trip ?
or you loose your job and you can't afford the ridiculous price every single month ?
In my situation I would have to say that I wish I would have never been introduced to effexor.
I don't think its worth it in the long run.
It just doesn't work that good. Even on them I am still moody and I am tired all the time and I still feel depressed.
Posted by Angel Girl on March 23, 2004, at 22:46:08
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by caritasrainbow on March 22, 2004, at 16:18:41
>
> well, i went from 450 to 375 to 300 to 150 to nothing within about a week and a half and by day 5 of nothing the symptoms were so bad my legs and arms were shaking, my teeth wouldn't stop chattering, so the dr put me back on 75 when he saw me. i took that for 4 days, then skipped a day, symptoms got bad so i took 37.5 for a few days then went off entirely. the first two days were the worst. now it's just over a week and the zings are still there, but not as bad. definately able to function okay now, just wish the zings would stop entirely. sooo... the first time the zings and stuff got worse with each passing day, but this time they seem to be getting better with each passing day. not sure if this helps... but when i went off the first time the days got worse and worse until i went back on and cut back a little more slowly. also now my memory is awful and i do seem to be having some problems making sense of my thoughts? or putting them in order? see, i don't think i even make sense, just feel like i'm babbling...Rain
Personally I think your tapering is way to fast. I used to be on 367.5 and had lots of side effects similiar to what y'all are describing your withdrawal to be like, especially the brain zaps. It was the brain zaps that were the deciding factor for me to start weaning off of Effexor XR altogether. I tapered extremely slowly by 37.5 every two weeks until I was down to 37.5 per day. Both myself and my shrink were concerned on what would happen with eliminating it completely and discussed whether I should cut the pills up into smaller dosages or cold turkey if from that point. We both decided I would cold turkey it and if it got too bad then I would start taking a dosage less than 37.5. I really had no problems throughout my withdrawal from Effexor. I did have the brain zaps for about 3 weeks after I was drug free but I had them from the very beginning of tapering so I was used to them.
I did however experience the hell you are all describing at one of my increases in dosages. I usually increased by only 37.5 each time but one time I felt I needed relief faster so it was increased by 75 instead. I went through the same hell, went to my dr and immediately backed down to the dosage before the increase until things leveled out. At that point it was increased by 37.5
So, I guess what my point is, that I totally understand what y'all are experiencing since going through it firsthand, albeit from an increase, but when I withdrew from it I had relatively no problems. Each one of us has our own experiences and although I am not lessening y'alls experiences, not everybody goes through the horrible withdrawal. However, as I said, I did it EXTREMELY slowly.
Unfortunately though after being off it for awhile, my depression came back and I'm back on it again and currently on a daily dosage of 150.
My thoughts and prayers are with y'all who are having withdrawal problems.
Angel Girl
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