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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1198 to 1222 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 8:05:06
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by miniowner on January 1, 2005, at 21:53:52
Hi all,
I am suffering what I think are withdrawal symptoms from Effexor XR. I was on 75 mg for about 6 months and was doing GREAT! The only side effect I had was in the sex department. It was bugging me so my doctor suggested I get off Effexor and onto Wellbutrin. I did a week of 37.5mg Effexor and 150mg Wellbutrin. I was fine. Then when I stopped the effexor I went on 300mg Wellbutrin. On the second day of just Wellbutrin I started feeling dizzy and nauseous. Today is my 4th day on just Wellbutrin and I just vomited. I feel light headed and occasionally get really hot.. and then my stomach is upset. I also have been on the verge of crying.
Just wondered how long this will last. I might just go back on Effexor because it's hard to work 40 hrs a week and deal with my family this way. On the other hand, maybe I should put up with it so I don't have to go back on the Effexor and someday go through this again if I stop it.
Suggestions? Thoughts? -Kathy
Posted by TrinityX1 on January 22, 2005, at 8:57:08
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 8:05:06
Good Morning ...
I know for me that crying jags and vomiting were some of my symptoms as well. That lasted for me for around 3-4 days, some other symproms lasted longer. I would suggest NOT taking any Effexor at all !!! Just hang in there the symptoms will go away. I hear that Wellbutrin works much better then Effexor and less side effects. The withdrawl from Effexor really stinks but it does get better daily and eventually all of the symptoms will be gone. I can attest to that. Like I said, hang in there .. take a nap, watch a funny movie, try to eat some soup. You will be fine. :)
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 9:14:57
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by snakeadelic on January 22, 2005, at 2:09:55
...you may be right. I'd forgotten that when I went to the physical therapist for my neck, I do have some numbness in my fingers...and decisions, ickes. I never had that before either. I'm trying to pack to move, and I can't even figure out which box to use. It shouldn't be this complicated for goodness' sake. Surely that's not a "side effect," is it? Seriously, though, I can't decide anything...anything...at all. I do know how to make decisions, I think...I thought...I know. I'm going to go take a shower now, I think, or well, after I make some coffee. No, I think I'll go back to bed. I need to think about this.
You don't think I have a problem, do you? :-)
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 9:41:24
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 8:05:06
> Hi all,
>
> I am suffering what I think are withdrawal symptoms from Effexor XR. I was on 75 mg for about 6 months and was doing GREAT! The only side effect I had was in the sex department. It was bugging me so my doctor suggested I get off Effexor and onto Wellbutrin. I did a week of 37.5mg Effexor and 150mg Wellbutrin. I was fine. Then when I stopped the effexor I went on 300mg Wellbutrin. On the second day of just Wellbutrin I started feeling dizzy and nauseous. Today is my 4th day on just Wellbutrin and I just vomited. I feel light headed and occasionally get really hot.. and then my stomach is upset. I also have been on the verge of crying.
>
> Just wondered how long this will last. I might just go back on Effexor because it's hard to work 40 hrs a week and deal with my family this way. On the other hand, maybe I should put up with it so I don't have to go back on the Effexor and someday go through this again if I stop it.
>
> Suggestions? Thoughts? -KathyWyeth says in their most current information that the longer you take Effexor and the higher the dosage, the more likely you will have difficult or long-lasting withdrawal.
Six months at 75 mg. MAY not last all that long, but it's so hard to say. It sounds like everyone is having a tough time. The symptoms that you are having are definitely the same ones that I had when I stopped taking Effexor.
That said, here are some of the things that helped: The Benadryl or Claritin or any old fashioned antihistamine and Prozac are said to help the symptoms, but I wouldn't know cause I only took Benadryl. I did take SAMe, 5HTP, B-Vitamins, Rescue Remedy, St.John's Wort -- but a lot of people cannot take it, and you can't take it at all if you are taking Prozac -- Omega3s, exercise, lots of water, Calcium/Magnesium, Pepcid. Those are the things that I can think of that helped me get through the withdrawal. I'm sure there are more. Please know that I am not a medical professional, and I am just telling you the things that helped me. You should check with your own doctor because some things are good for some of us and really bad for others. You're feeling bad enough as it is. Just be really careful what you take to help you feel better cause what worked for me may not be what's right for your body.
I hope you feel better really soon.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 10:43:46
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period? » Kathyba, posted by TrinityX1 on January 22, 2005, at 8:57:08
>> That lasted for me for around 3-4 days, some other symproms lasted longer. I would suggest NOT taking any Effexor at all !!!<<
So why is everyone so much against Effexor? It did wonders for me other than the fact that I had a difficult time with sex. WHy is it all that bad? And if it is, why do doctors use it?
Thanks, Kathy
Posted by Jenna Starrett on January 22, 2005, at 11:02:16
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by snakeadelic on January 22, 2005, at 2:09:55
> > I don't know if Effexor has a shorter half life than the SSRIs, or really what the withdrawal side effects might be for those,
> > but Victor brought up a good point. Whenever I have missed more than 2-3 doses of my Effexor, whether the regular sort or the XR, the withdrawal is terrible.
>
> *Part of the problem is that therapeutically, according to the last counselor I saw, Effexor is about SIX major drugs combined into one. Hence the withdrawals are MAJOR and ugly.*
> >
> > In my experience, I have had a kind of numbness in my extremeties (this is such a wierd sensation, I don't even know if numbness is good description!), nausea, headache, extreme tearfulness, can't focus or make decisions, anorexia, and hot and cold chills just to name a few.
>
> *Sounds JUST like what my mother went through (did you fall down & throw up or have clinical migraines?) AND what my partner is still dealing with (he stutters, now, too), although the numb/strange feeling in his fingers stopped about two weeks or so after he was totally weaned. He still has decision-making issues, and increased social anxiety :( *
> >
> > One question for the docs here. I hate this about myself, but why do I forget whether I took my medicine or not a lot of the time? I feel like an old lady having to put my pills in a little day-of-the week pill box. ~laughing~
>
> *I'm only taking one med daily at this time, and believe me, if it's more than one I can't remember either. I think short-term memory fog is a side effect of being human!
>
> snakeadelic
Hi! I was on 300mg of Effexor XR at one point and I truely believe now that I'm off it, that it was really adding to my depression. I had some of the same symptoms you did... I even had to tell my boss that I was having memory problems. I would forget if I took my medicine, made phone calls EVERYTHING! I thought it was my depression but it was clearly the Effexor. I had sexual side effects and just felt crappy (crying, depressed)all the time on this med. My doc decided to add 150mg of Wellbutrin XL to the Effexor to help with the sexual side effects. Finally I got so fed up with the memory problems, I asked him if I could get off the Effexor. I first went down to 150mg and after about 2-3 days I started to get major side effects (cold sweats, crying over everything, severe headache, nausea, aggitation, and major "volts" in my body)I ended up in the hospital because I thought I was going to die. They took me off Effexor all together in the hospital, and left me on the 150 Wellbutrin. Thankfully I found this website and saw that taking Claratin D may help with the side effects. I immediately went out and got some and it helped me AMAZING! as long as I took it like the directions said. The Claratin D does not effect my sleep or make me feel jittery at all...just normal. Also, at first I thought that I was feeling bad because of the Wellbutrin (when they first lowered my Effexor), but it turns out I am off Effexor now and on 300mg of Wellbutrin, and feel great (I haven't noticed ANY side effects). Plus I take 100mg of Trazedone to sleep (works great! no hangover). I have been taking sublingual B complex vitamins for a while, as well as capsules of Flax oil (Omega 3) but I'm not sure if this is helping because I've been taking them for a long time. The Wellbutrin has worked very well for me! I feel real again. I hope this helps, but as you know everyone is different. Take care, Jenna
Posted by Jenna Starrett on January 22, 2005, at 11:18:00
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 8:05:06
> Hi all,
>
> I am suffering what I think are withdrawal symptoms from Effexor XR. I was on 75 mg for about 6 months and was doing GREAT! The only side effect I had was in the sex department. It was bugging me so my doctor suggested I get off Effexor and onto Wellbutrin. I did a week of 37.5mg Effexor and 150mg Wellbutrin. I was fine. Then when I stopped the effexor I went on 300mg Wellbutrin. On the second day of just Wellbutrin I started feeling dizzy and nauseous. Today is my 4th day on just Wellbutrin and I just vomited. I feel light headed and occasionally get really hot.. and then my stomach is upset. I also have been on the verge of crying.
>
> Just wondered how long this will last. I might just go back on Effexor because it's hard to work 40 hrs a week and deal with my family this way. On the other hand, maybe I should put up with it so I don't have to go back on the Effexor and someday go through this again if I stop it.
>
> Suggestions? Thoughts? -Kathy
Kathy, I just wrote a follow up to snakeadelic on 1-22-05 (from me, Jenna Starrett) Please read it, it may help you. I went through what your going through and I felt sooooo helpless, that is, until I found this website. The memory problems are from the Effexor NO DOUBT. I couldn't remember the simplest things. I also could not make decisions, which was really effecting my work (I work in a high stress/quick thinking job). Also all of those side effects you mentioned are most likely from the Effexor (I had the same ones getting off it). Please read my other post. I feel like a real person again now that I'm completely off Effexor (I'm on Wellbutrin now and it's GREAT-for me). Hang in there it will get better! I can think now! I can make decisions! I have my sex drive back! What a NOVEL idea. Take care and feel free to ask me any questions... I am devoted to this website because I thought I was going to die and reading these posts helped me through. God Bless! Jenna
Posted by worm on January 22, 2005, at 12:39:38
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Jenna Starrett on January 22, 2005, at 11:02:16
I have to say that Jenna's experience is much like mine - I was confused, depressed, tired, all while I was taking the Effexor. I have never felt better than since I quit everything. Of course, I paid for it with the withdrawal, brain zaps, dizziness, nausea, the works, but I feel so much better, and I amd handling my depression (even in the wintertime) with just talk therapy. Of course, I know there are people who are worse off than me, really clinically depressed, but I don't think this was the case with me, or if it was, it was short-term, because of the situation I was in (relationships, death in family) Once treatment is initiated, nobody thinks to re-evaluate it or change it unless there's a problem.
JMHO,
Worm
Posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 13:10:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by worm on January 22, 2005, at 12:39:38
Thanks Jenna and Worm. So how long were your withdrawal symptoms?
My sister is a psychologist and she called the psychiatrist in her practice this morning. He said that I should go back on the 37.5mg Effexor and 150mg welbutrin for 2 more weeks and then try to drop the Effexor again and up the Wellbutrin to 300mg. Of course, I have to tell this to MY doctor on Monday. I did take a Clariton today but I couldn't stand it and took one of my 37.5mg Effexors and I already feel 80% better. I had only been on the 1/2 and 1/2 medication for 1 week... probably need to wean off more slowly. I am glad to hear that the 300mg of Wellbutrin is doing well for you. I hope it works for me. I had tried zoloft and Lexapro but it didn't help at the beginning. Effexor was the first thing that brought me out of my depression...but it made sex frustrating for me. It sounds like everyone here things Effexor is evil.. so perhaps it's best that I continue to wean off of it. Thanks so much. - Kathy
Posted by roobie on January 22, 2005, at 13:26:16
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 13:10:44
Just my two cents as I have been following this dicussion and posted similar in the past to my comment...
I have been taking Effexor 37.5mg 2x per day for a few months after I decided Paxil was making me too apethetic.
I had 'no' problems with Effexor and FINALLY was able to orgasm again after a couple years lacking from the Paxil. I actually had some giddy-up back starting on the Effexor.
Since my life situation has changed, one of my friends commented, why not stop taking it? Knowing NOT to do it cold turkey, I dropped to just taking it in the morning. The FIRST skipped dose, BOY could I tell!! I did this for about two, maybe three weeks dealing with the dizzies and such. Soon, I started having the same issues that I had pre-Paxil and Effexor, so my doc said I should go back to the 2x per day, as I still need the med to help.
I know I am on a low dosage as compared to most folks - enough to keep me 'stable'. So in my case, it's helping me, but I do know about the withdrawl and how rough it can be.
I've asked before for 'positive' experiences and received comment, but sounds more like when one wants to DISCONTINUE treatment that the problems start. So does the benefit outweigh the withdrawl?
roobie
Posted by Fathe on January 22, 2005, at 16:58:10
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by roobie on January 22, 2005, at 13:26:16
I think deciding if the benefit outweighs the withdrawal is up to the individual. Before my withdrawal from Effexor, I would have said 'yes '. Effexor is a very effective medicine and provided me relief from symptoms of anxiety and "the blues". And it may very well be after I have fully completed my withdrawal period that I may need some meds again sometime in the future but now I can clearly say that if and when I do, it will NEVER be Effexor. If Prozac or Zoloft etc..can provide the same relief but will enable me to avoid the withdrawal when I decide to stop it, than why would I pick Effexor ? Just makes logical sense at this point.
My withdrawal was centered mostly on the symptoms of the intense nausea, headache, nightmares and sensitive emotions. I did have the brain zaps but the benadryl regimen helped alot. It was the nausea, since I commute 2 hours each way by train to work, which sometimes makes me motion sickness anyway, that really disrupted my daily activities. But I took steps to combat it..I always made sure I ate light, sat facing in the direction the train was moving, went to a different car if the car I was in was overly warm , avoided sitting near people with heavy perfumes etc...and always armed with my Dramamine. It was not easy at all as somethings you cannot control but I have managed ok. I still get nauseous but I feel I am able to battle it. The important thing though is this is now going on 3 weeks..that is a long time to not feel well.
So was all this worth the benefits of Effexor? I can only speak for me but I would have to answer with a resounding "NO". Next time, different drug !
Posted by roobie on January 22, 2005, at 17:43:45
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » roobie, posted by Fathe on January 22, 2005, at 16:58:10
I totally understand your point, thank you for writing!
I just don't know what's in the same 'family' as Effexor that would be as beneficial without those withdrawl symptoms. Therefore, I suppose I will have to stick to it for now. Also, how does the Benadryl and others help alleviate the withdrawl?
Thank you again for your response - maybe 'someone' is out there working on something to replace it.
roobie
Posted by Fathe on January 22, 2005, at 17:50:26
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 10:43:46
I do not think people are specifically "against effexor" per se. It is a wonder drug for almost all of us while we are on it. It is the way most of us feel when we try to stop that is the issue. And some of do stop not becuase of what they read here but for other reasons - but come here when they are in the throes of withdrawal and then find out they are not alone.
I believe that people should be made aware of the withdrawal symptoms more explicitly and in detail, not how Wyeth presents it in their pharmacy insert or on their web site as if it was an after thought. I believe it needs a much "louder" presence - something like "long-term and severe withdrawal symptoms possible". Some of us have been having the symptoms after stropping Effexor for several weeks..that is something that needs to be emphasized in their documentation. Patients should at least have this information to fairly make a decision if this should be the drug to try or perhaps try something else. No one here questions the good effexor can do but as someone else asked, does the benefits outweigh the disadvantages...only each person can answer that for themselves but right now people are taking effexor for the first time without the benefit of knowing the extremee withdrawal effects some of us do experience.
And had i encountered this web site prior to starting, I would have definitely tried another drug. Bexause for me, the benefits are overshadowed by the sensations I am feeling now, especailly when there are other drugs which do the same thing but without the withdrawal.
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 21:11:05
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by roobie on January 22, 2005, at 13:26:16
> Just my two cents as I have been following this dicussion and posted similar in the past to my comment...
>
> I have been taking Effexor 37.5mg 2x per day for a few months after I decided Paxil was making me too apethetic.
>
> I had 'no' problems with Effexor and FINALLY was able to orgasm again after a couple years lacking from the Paxil. I actually had some giddy-up back starting on the Effexor.
>
> Since my life situation has changed, one of my friends commented, why not stop taking it? Knowing NOT to do it cold turkey, I dropped to just taking it in the morning. The FIRST skipped dose, BOY could I tell!! I did this for about two, maybe three weeks dealing with the dizzies and such. Soon, I started having the same issues that I had pre-Paxil and Effexor, so my doc said I should go back to the 2x per day, as I still need the med to help.
>
> I know I am on a low dosage as compared to most folks - enough to keep me 'stable'. So in my case, it's helping me, but I do know about the withdrawl and how rough it can be.
>
> I've asked before for 'positive' experiences and received comment, but sounds more like when one wants to DISCONTINUE treatment that the problems start. So does the benefit outweigh the withdrawl?
>
> roobieroobie,
This afternoon I took a break from my endless packing-to-move drama and headed off to the nail salon with this discussion still on my mind. It is interesting that this board has such an on-going impact on me, but I think it is in part because of my strong feelings about the way that Wyeth has handled their disclosure of information about Effexor and my resentment of being a human guinea pig. Perhaps one should ply me with some Effexor so that I won't notice that this has happened to me, and I will once again become the sweet, passive, quiet, docile, creature that I was in September. Yes, this is my opinion of what happened while I took Effexor. I was happy when I wasn't depressed, easy-going, and my life was falling apart. I didn't notice things crumbling around me and I didn't much care if I did bother to notice, figuring that everything will just work out, that I would think about it tomorrow; that today I would simply sleep because the urge to do so was just too overwhelming.
Only problem was that two and a half years of my life went by. I didn't know why I couldn't lose weight. I didn't know why I couldn't stay awake. I was in crippling pain. Me. The same me that used to teach up to five classes a week at the gym, run my business and work full time besides. This didn't happen right away. It happened very, very slowly; so slowly that I didn't know it was even going on. Maybe I'm afraid that it will happen to someone here while they are not looking, just like it happened to me. I just want "you" to know that it is possible, to keep it in the back of your mind when you are not feeling right and not think that it is your body or your mind that are letting you down, but it is likely the fault of a drug that does not belong in your system.
My dad died when I was young, and my mom died quite some time ago. In fact, I have very little living family. I say this only to tell you that every September I get some kind of feeling as though I am getting a message, whatever that may be. (Great, I'm on a psych. board. Please know that I was prescribed Effexor for my back injury originally and stayed at the party too long, I didn't even get it from a pdoctor, though that is who should be prescribing it in my humble but vocal opinion.)
Anyway, this past September I got this -- let's call it feeling -- that I should stop taking Effexor. So I did. Instantly and innocently, knowing only that if I stopped taking this drug, I would be well again. First I got sick and sicker and more sick than that. But I also lost all the weight and found that I do not have fibromyalgia nor chronic fatigue syndrome. Some arthritis/bursitis, yes. But it doesn't make me sleep all day long.
My stomach is damaged, the nerves in my neck are not great but I am in physical therapy. I read here about things all the time that I didn't know were problems related to Effexor that probably are, like not being able to make simple decisions, something that I was always able to do before. I've had panic attacks in public, where I can't catch my breath, but I'm getting better...and better.
Bottom line, it hasn't been much fun. I have my medical records and can tell you flat out that I am -- or was an extraordinarily healthy woman. Maybe or hopefully, I still am or can be again soon.
Some say to blame the doctors for this, but I can't. I've been doing countless hours of research, and I know that in spite of everything that is said by the FDA and by Wyeth, that they have been withholding information since 1996, and I have posted one web link right here. Recently, the warnings for taking Efexor in England have been made much more harsh, and I hope we take the same stand in the United States. They are doing this in England for some reason, not because it is a simply harmless drug and to annoy people, and I can promise you that I am not saying it to annoy anyone either.
Now, for just a moment, back to my story: In the nail salon today, I was chatting with this lovely woman about all sorts of things. It seems that she had gone through a very rough patch during the last year. My heart went out to her since I, too, had gone through my own version of a tough time.
After we had spoken for a bit, I mentioned to her that I stopped taking Effexor and what I had been through; and it seems that she, too, takes it. She had wondered why she was no longer her usual size zero self, had thought it had something to do with getting older, though she, like me, hardly ate and worked out all the time; and she also told me that she now needs to sleep 10 hours a night. I am hoping that she actually reads this at some point and validates what I am saying so that you know that it is true.
My point? I don't think that I am in the minority in the problems that I have had; I think that they are very common, though for some reason many would like me to not say that. Effexor works or seems to work for getting people out of an immediate black hole of depression. The question ultimately becomes whether each individual is willing to pay some ultimate price down the line. What that price will be may vary from person to person, but I do believe that we will hear more accurately about the side effects in the near future. The constantly changing acknowledged warnings and side effects is to me clear indication that something is going on.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by roobie on January 22, 2005, at 21:27:15
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » roobie, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 21:11:05
Bebe,
your points are very striking, thank you. yes, there are some weird things going on that I never really put 2-and-2 together and will keep your story in my mind as I try to get thru all that I am currently facing.
Can you share with me the articles and findings regarding Wythe and Effexor so I can continue to educate myself.
roobie
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 21:57:28
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » dancingstar, posted by roobie on January 22, 2005, at 21:27:15
Roobie,
Would you do me a favor and start by looking up my name, "dancingstar" and seeing what I've posted here. I started posting many of them as early as September, and there have several along the way.
As I say, I'm in the middle of this moving drama, made somewhat harder by the fact that I cannot for the life of me make a simple decision like what size box to tape up next. Truly, I'm a bit overwhelmed right now.
Within two or three weeks I will be in a new home and unpacked, settled in, and happy to help anyone and everyone in any way that I possibly can. The search will get you started, I promise.
Bebe
Posted by medhed on January 22, 2005, at 21:59:29
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » roobie, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 21:11:05
this is so amazing. i was in suicidal depression and effexor did bring me out of that, but that's it. all these months i've been thinking it was me, not the pills. something in my head told me it was the drug, and that i shoud stop. even the pdoc told me it was the depression crippling me, 'take some more and some of this too.' why would she do that when she should have known? i even went to my medical doc and i was sure i was sick with something that they could only find with extensive testing. he thought my symptoms could be mono (gave me a blood test, test was N) but most likely it was the effexor. sweating, numbness, sexual disfunction, total apathy, loss of appetite but no weight loss at all, drenching night sweats, difficulty making desisions, and just a plain dulling of my personality. i tryed to quit but the withdrawl was scarey, so i'm on day 2 back on the med, i'm back to my old drugged self sans withdrawl. pdoc gets a call mon. and i will have to school her on how i should be weaned off, i'm sure she doesm't know! i complained to her some months back that 300mg. was too much and she dropped me down to 150mg... i've been sick since, with no hint it was the effexor. i guess i should feel lucky- i thought i was physically dying- so that should make the withdrawl worth it... better than cancer or diabetes. it's a damn shame i had to diagnos myself and it took so long. i could go on and on about my situation but i type with one finger and it's saturday night.
i love you guys for being here. martin aka medhed.
Posted by Raggy on January 22, 2005, at 22:40:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » roobie, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 21:11:05
I cannot stress enough that everyone who has had a problem with effexor to please write the FDA so something can maybe done to warn others.
It is very, very important that the FDA hear all your stories.
Speak Up America.
Posted by sp on January 22, 2005, at 22:45:44
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by Jenna Starrett on January 22, 2005, at 11:18:00
Hello everyone- I am reading all of this and would like to share my experience with Effexor withdrawal. If I'm lucky, it hasn't ruined the rest of my life. I was dumb, admittedly, and went cold turkey off a total of 112.5 mg. daily. Here are my experiences. Let me also note that I went on it for hormone difficulties ond work anxiety. It started with extreme dizziness which lasted 5-6 days and I could barely walk. My face near my mouth and my tongue felt like they were trying to wake up after Novacaine. I had severe "brain zaps" that went on for about 4 weeks and still happen rarely when I'm tired or upset. My legs felt like they weren't working right- not weak, just weird. I could hear my eye movements in my head and started having delusions. I had never had delusions before, please note. I also had some slight cramping that seemed to last for weeks as well. After the physical Hell subsided, I began crying fits for no reason and had trouble speaking to people and barely did because I truly had no desire to do so. I'm still feeling this way and I can tell this is improving but ever so slightly (good days, bad days). My emotions are like raw nerve endings and quite uncomfortable. PLEASE do not get off this unless you are under a doctor's care and one that is fully informed re the possibilities of symtoms. I thought I was a smarty and could handle this on my own. All I want now is quiet and this seems to be the way to heal my brain. PLEASE listen and make sure you have a friend with you. A VERY PATIENT friend. S
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 22:46:24
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by medhed on January 22, 2005, at 21:59:29
medhed,
I thought I was dying, too. My blood pressure was 90/60, and my total cholesterol was 100. Honest, I thought I would be dead in a year or two from some illness they couldn't find. I'm not sick. There's nothing wrong with me besides a few aches and pains and leftover withdrawal crap!
Posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 4:20:07
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » medhed, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 22:46:24
I told my primary doctor that I was afraid of withdrawl from Effexor and he said "naaaaa." So how can I give him something to educate him. Many doctors don't believe what people post on the web (from boards like this) because they think it is just a few rare cases. (I went through this with my vet about my sick dog... I actually diagnosed my dog with hypothyroidism. She thought that since I read it on the web it was hogwash). I am going to look at the articles and things that have been posted.
I am going to call my doctor on Monday and would love to drop off some literature or something. I hope weaning off this more slowly will lessen the side effects.
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 4:22:23
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 4:20:07
I just posted some links that you might be able to use on the other thread, "has anyone had success on effexor."
Posted by Jenna Starrett on January 23, 2005, at 11:19:46
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 13:10:44
> Thanks Jenna and Worm. So how long were your withdrawal symptoms?
>
> My sister is a psychologist and she called the psychiatrist in her practice this morning. He said that I should go back on the 37.5mg Effexor and 150mg welbutrin for 2 more weeks and then try to drop the Effexor again and up the Wellbutrin to 300mg. Of course, I have to tell this to MY doctor on Monday. I did take a Clariton today but I couldn't stand it and took one of my 37.5mg Effexors and I already feel 80% better. I had only been on the 1/2 and 1/2 medication for 1 week... probably need to wean off more slowly. I am glad to hear that the 300mg of Wellbutrin is doing well for you. I hope it works for me. I had tried zoloft and Lexapro but it didn't help at the beginning. Effexor was the first thing that brought me out of my depression...but it made sex frustrating for me. It sounds like everyone here things Effexor is evil.. so perhaps it's best that I continue to wean off of it. Thanks so much. - Kathy
Kathy, I started out on 150mg of Effexor XR last April, then got a really bad bout of depression in September. My doctor increased the Effexor to 300mg to try to help with the depression. I was complaining about the sexual side effects, so he put me on 150mg of Wellbutrin XL to try to counteract the side effect. Well, my memory problems were getting so bad, I was ALWAYS thirsty and using the bathroom etc... I told him about these problems and in December and he suggested I switch from Effexor to Wellbutrin, and he dropped me back down to 150mg. It was about 2 or 3 days later when I started to get the SEVERE (as we all know) side effects and thought I was going to die. My friend and BOSS (how embarrasing) took me to the ER where they did blood tests. I thought it was from the Effexor because I was having those wierd volts that I got when I didn't take my meds on time. I ended up on the Psych ward for 72 hour observation (thank God I was able to go under voluntary status). While in the hospital the Doctor took me off completely (on the last day of treatment). I knew I would start having the side effects again in a few days (and did NOT want to go back to the hospital) so I started looking on the internet and found this sight (THANK GOD!) That is when I read about the Claratin D(the Clariton took about 6-8 hours to start working the first time I took it)I started taking the Clariton every day as directed, and was starting to freak cause I was so mad at Effexor that I flushed a full bottle down the toilet. I didn't have any side effects (that were noticable-NOTHING compared to the hell I was in before. One night about 3 weeks later, I had run out of Claratin and thought I was probably better now, so I didn't get more. The next morning I had a hair appointment and went in... I began to get very anxious, dizzy, aggitated, cold sweats and of course VOLTS. I ran out immediately to get the Clariton and again, it took about 6 hours or so to start working. It was hell waiting but it finally worked. I know now that I will probably have to take it for a while. It is pretty expensive but I'm scared to see if maybe a prescription (similar to Clariton D) would work. I would much rather take the Clariton than Effexor! Of course everyone is different and it may not work for everyone. By the way, the 300mg of Wellbutrin XL is a blessing and I feel sooooo much better (it may keep some people up at night- the 150mg of Trazedone I take at night allows me to sleep regularly) PS... did you get the Clariton D? I'm not sure if plain Clariton would work the same. Anyhow, I pray that you will find something that works for you (whatever it is) to ease your pain.
Please keep writing and let us know how you're doing! Take Care, Jenna
Posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 11:40:01
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Jenna Starrett on January 23, 2005, at 11:19:46
Jenna,
I will call my doctor tomorrow and I wrote a long note to him explaining what I went through last week and up through yesterday. I will drop that off in the morning at his office. Today I took my 37.5mg of Effexor and I feel great... but I am going to suggest to him that I do this for another 1-2 weeks. Then perhaps cut the Effexor down to 25mg or something (using the immediate release pills that one can break into smaller bits). I did buy some Claritin but ended up taking the effexor last night so I don't know if the Clariton did anything. I have it for the next time. At least now I will be prepared. It hit me like a train because NO ONE told me this would happen. I am going to fill out a MedWatch form and send it to the FDA and I have a letter and articles for my doctor to let him know that he should have prepared me. I am the kind of person that likes to know worst case... just so I am prepared. I didn't know anything in this case. He told me that it was rare that people will have withdrawal symptoms from Effexor. I don't know where he is getting HIS information but the articles I am giving him say otherwise. I hope he reads them and respects my assertiveness.
I don't care if it takes me a year to get off Effexor gradually but I can't deal with the vomiting and dizzness. I didn't have the jolts that others did but then again, I only had 3 days without the Effexor before I went back on the 37.5mg (with the Wellbutrin). I am not going to suffer through this. I have a job and a family that needs me an I need to be at my top (or close to) performance.
I also read that a little Prozac can help with the symptoms. I'm willing to try anything.. but this time I will be on the defensive. :) I appreciate all the support and will let you know what my doctor says and does (and if he doesn't agree, I'll go to you OBGYN who is awesome).
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 11:50:12
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 11:40:01
Did you guys catch this link? I wonder what the pdocs have to say about this?
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050119/msgs/446198.html
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