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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jiggitykid on November 14, 2003, at 15:32:53
In reply to Re: My experience with quitting cold turkey (150 mg) » Sanjay Singhal, posted by foodie on November 1, 2003, at 22:56:25
I have just quit taking at 225. I am dizzy, hot/cold, nauseated, diarrhea, feverish (but no fever), PAIN all over and feelings like I've been hooked up to a shock machine which is giving me shockwaves that start in my head and move down. Weird, very vivid, episodic dreams. Sometimes I can't remember having done something. WHEN can I expect this to taper off? Thanks for help.
Posted by jbc on November 14, 2003, at 18:14:26
In reply to Re: My experience with quitting cold turkey (150 mg), posted by jiggitykid on November 14, 2003, at 15:32:53
Don't do it! Don't quit cold turkey. You're only harming yourself. Look at some of the other posts. Take time & wean yourself off of it slowly. Look at some of the posts from "Dr__Not" (I think that's the name). He did it over months at a time & had some success. I have only been on a maximum dosage of 75 mg - for less than 1 yr - went down to 37.5 for 1 week then to nothing & experienced the same things you have. You have got to be having them exponentially worse than I am! Please reconsider going off cold turkey. I think you'll be better off in the long run!
Praying for you in Oklahoma!
Posted by awatts on November 15, 2003, at 16:10:13
In reply to Ohmygawd I feel so stupid, posted by Jasper on November 12, 2003, at 15:12:50
> Well, wasn't I surprised to discover today (only two hours ago) that my Effexor addiction is REAL and much more serious than I ever imagined. I've been on Efffexor XR 75mg for about five years now. My mental health has come together nicely over that period. No more depression... no more illegal drug use... no more alcohol... great marriage... beautiful baby girl... etc. etc. everything's going great. Well almost. I started to have a sneaking suspicion that my ever present anxiety disorder and rising blood pressure were being caused by the Effexor.
I'm no doctor, so I'll just offer my thoughts on your situation. Why are you quiting Effexor? Sounds like it changed your life for the better. Consider controling the anxiety and blood pressure by other means. That's what I did. A low dose of Inderal dropped my BP right back down, and 0.5mg of Klonopin twice a day controls the additional anxiety caused by 150mg of Effexor XR.
Effexor gave me my life back. Don't blow it just because you fear "addiction". Think about what you may be giving up by quiting a drug that really works for you.
Posted by Jasper on November 16, 2003, at 7:52:37
In reply to Re: Ohmygawd I feel so stupid, posted by awatts on November 15, 2003, at 16:10:13
Your point is well taken, but the thing you have to add into my equation is that I'm a recovering opiate addict and alcoholic. So Klonopin or alprolezam, etc. are not viable options for me. Regarding the depression, I want to see how I do now without medication. So much in my life has changed for the better that I feel I'm ready to go it on my own. I also want to confirm my suspicion that the high blood pressure is in fact being caused by the Effexor. If I find that I'm still suffering from intolerable levels of depression I will definitely consider going back on an AD, put probably not Effexor... possibly Lexapro. And if the BP remains an issue I will definitley need to go on inderal. Thanks for your thoughts!
Posted by responsiblek9 on November 17, 2003, at 5:03:42
In reply to You're not stupid!, posted by Dr...Not! on November 13, 2003, at 17:53:46
Sorry but I had to pull off of it immediately and completely or I would not have survived . the blood los was very bad and I did not have the luxery to taper off the stuff. My med doc at least is working with me . Therapist is also. But I have been told by the med doc with my history of reactions I can NEVER take any SSRI or atypical antidepressive ever again. It has been several weeks and I have the withdrawal still very bad. Myu neighbors have stepped in though because I cant function. I explained what was going on and they have bailed in because now I cant walk. too weak. This really stinks. I wonder what else will go wrong next. But at least I have some people who decided they want to help and want me around even though I am very ill. At least they value me. The psych doc just seems to feel my health means nothing and it does not matter of the meds kill me off. I guess when next time I go see the psych doc I will take my Conservator . There has to be another way besides these meds to get help with the depression without these lethal reactions . better my conservator speak on my behalf than me . They wont argue with him at least. I guess it is time to do a Psychiatric Advanced directive to have better protection from some inadvertent prescribing of one of these meds which seem so lethal to me. I am just one of the unlucky ones who just cant take them. Real Bummer !
Scared in Colorado
------------------------------------------
Posted by responsiblek9 on November 17, 2003, at 5:11:36
In reply to Re: My experience with quitting cold turkey (150 mg) » Sanjay Singhal, posted by foodie on November 1, 2003, at 22:56:25
Cold turkey on the Effexor is very painful sometimes. I had to stop i dead cold from just the 75mg. And it has been causing me joint agony and severe depression plus the electric shocks the first two weeks was very bad. If you dont have to stop the Effexor cold turkey, Dont! I was not given that option. But if you are wanting off and not having the horrible issue I had. Then try tapering off. Dont go through the pain I am in right now. Especially of you dont have to. Sincerely , Responsible K9 in Colorado
----------------------------------------------> I have been taking 225 mg of effexor xr for over a year. I want to get off the medicine in hopes it will allow me to stop taking my blood pressure medicine (have NEVER had high BP). My doctor said to just drop back to two a day for awhile and see how I did. It never occurred to me that I may be having symptoms until I read this site. Itchy skin, severe insomnia, irritable (not common for me) weepy, and venom that can come out of nowhere (but only for my husband,) enhanced sensitivity. I only struggle with clinical depression but have reached a point that I just want to do this without meds if possible and take my life back. So, dear readers - quite gradually or cold turkey.
Posted by Jiggitykid on November 17, 2003, at 7:45:54
In reply to Re: You're not stupid!, posted by responsiblek9 on November 17, 2003, at 5:03:42
Bless you - you are in my prayers, and I am sure that you are in the prayers of other readers here. I'm sure you know that you need a new psych care provider, and it sounds as if you need a new med doc as well. Have you considered/is it an option for you to contact someplace where you can be admitted - not a psych hospital per se, but somewhere where you can be watched 24/7 and totally detoxed and started over? You clearly are not getting the care that you need. Again, you are in my prayers and I encourage you, as much as you are capable right now, search for better medical care.
Posted by sasha71 on November 17, 2003, at 8:47:20
In reply to You're not stupid!, posted by Dr...Not! on November 13, 2003, at 17:53:46
That was an excellent post!!
I too have noticed that Effexor is extremely PICKY about timing your doses.
I've wondered why there isn't a "grace period" for similar meds. when it can take weeks for them to reach full effectiveness. One would think there would be a grace period to accidentally miss a dose without being slammed with The Dreams From Hell and other problems.
I too hate being chained to my meds - but I find the alternative to be completely unacceptable, as does my family.
I'll probably print out your post and keep it to read again and again. Thanks.
Posted by sideburnsdan on November 17, 2003, at 9:16:34
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms & sleeping a lot, posted by anita on October 3, 1999, at 14:38:53
i kicked cold turkey from 200 mg's and i could probably fall asleep in a construction sight. i'm a bad insomniac and effexor withdrawal seems to make sleep more than possible, it makes oversleeping inevitable. and now i'm getting that wonderful side effect where when i sleep i have horriffic nightmares. lovely!
> Hi,
>
> I've been reducing my Effexor dose and lately I've been sleeping even more than usual.
> I can sleep for 18 hours, be up for 6 hours, and then sleep another 8 hours. Can this be
> a withdrawal symptom? I assumed it was just because I am depressed and thus not exactly thrilled
> to be awake, but even so, this oversleeping is kinda ridiculous!
>
> anita
Posted by sasha71 on November 17, 2003, at 9:23:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms sleeping a lot, posted by sideburnsdan on November 17, 2003, at 9:16:34
I find that I don't always have bad dreams/nightmares....but the dreams I do have are always extremely detailed - even to the point of I can wake up and my fingers will tingle and remember textures in the dream. I can almost taste colors.
Those dreams wear me out - I wake up mentally exhausted. I've thought about writing down the dreams but I realized that I remember them well enough and have no desire to keep them in a permanent form.
Posted by sideburnsdan on November 17, 2003, at 9:29:06
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Becky on October 2, 1999, at 22:03:30
i wasn't on effexor for a long time, maybe half a year, but i was at 200 mg's (and i'm hyper-sensitive to medication) and i came to realize that if i missed a DAY i'd feel suicidal. which is usually a good reason to stop taking a medicine haha.
anyway, tapering off was too hard for me. it just dragged out horrible withdrawals, so i stopped cold turkey. wow. i have that electric-zap-type thing whenever i move my eyes and it feels almost like i have temporary arthritis. it seems like effexor withdrawal includes any possible horrible sensation. because the only thing i've yet to have (knock on wood) is a seizure, which i'm quite honestly waiting for.
i could sleep and eat all day (which i couldn't do on or before effexor), but when i sleep i have horrible nightmares that make me want to stay awake and when i eat, it's a matter of minutes before i run to the bathroom because i'm so sick.
i don't have enough space to say all the horrible things about this drug that i have to say.
anyway,i had read something about long-term vision problems. anyone heard of that?
also.... does anyone see things out of the corner of their eyes? like a slight flash or movement? i don't know how to describe it, much like with every other side effect. i just don't want to feel like this forever, but these symptoms feel like they're getting worse and worse every day. ugh
Posted by Laurie789 on November 17, 2003, at 11:08:16
In reply to is THIS normal?, posted by ellie B on October 6, 2003, at 21:51:37
I've been coming off Effexor for about 3 months. I'm down to 25mg every other day. This is day 3 of not taking any. I woke up this morning with blurred vision (It was like a blurry wave going across my line of sight). That lasted about 45 minutes, then vision returned to normal and I'm left with a moderate headache. That is what prompted me to go browsing the internet and I found this website. I've been plagued by a bad acne over the past two months. I've had the dizziness and vivid dreams. Exagerrated PMS and crying. The worst part of this is that I've been hollering at my 5 yr. old son and he doesn't deserve it and I feel awful.
Posted by Jiggitykid on November 17, 2003, at 11:25:11
In reply to Re: is THIS normal?, posted by Laurie789 on November 17, 2003, at 11:08:16
I'm sorry to tell you this, but you are as "normal" as you can get on this horrible drug. My vision stinks right now. I'm going cold-turkey, and I'm pretty darn unhappy about my physical condition. Hang in there - for me, it was all at once or nothing. I didn't have weeks or months to taper.
Posted by pixygoth on November 17, 2003, at 13:42:04
In reply to effexor withdrawal, posted by sideburnsdan on November 17, 2003, at 9:29:06
Yes, I too get the flashing lights in my peripheral vision. It's like there's someone flashing a torch at me - I've actually turned round to check the window before now, but the curtains were totally closed. It's tiring, isn't it?
Posted by Jiggitykid on November 17, 2003, at 16:24:07
In reply to effexor withdrawal, posted by sideburnsdan on November 17, 2003, at 9:29:06
>>>also.... does anyone see things out of the corner of their eyes? like a slight flash or movement?<<<
Mine is a little different in that my eyes feel like they are being squeezed, and will suddenly jump a few times, then settle. I'm not seeing flashes, but I do think I see movement, especially at night when I'm tired. The squeezing is annoying, because my eyes think they are tired. My vision is blurry, too.
Posted by KT921 on November 17, 2003, at 21:29:20
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal, posted by Jiggitykid on November 17, 2003, at 16:24:07
I was only on 75mg for a little over a year, and last month went off it, going from 75, to 37.5 thinking I could ween off 37.5 to nothing, YEAH RIGHT! I literally thought I might die after only 2 days off, I was hysterical, crying, sick angry, and useless. Willing to do anything I saw how someone on a similar chat literally counted the beads in the capsule from half, which was about 45 beads, then to 30, 25, etc. until there were none. I literally sat for an hour counting my beads and putting them in capsules, I even had some with only 5, but that is the only way I could have gotten through that misery. I was throwing up, so dizzy I couldn't drive, crying all the time, and lethargic. If you felt like me, I swear this will help!!!
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 18, 2003, at 7:36:14
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal, posted by KT921 on November 17, 2003, at 21:29:20
I've gone down from 300mg to 75mg so far and may have to go cold turkey next. My soon-to-be-ex hubby stole all my medications (including for my cold!) along with my drivers license, visa/debit card, and my jewelry. None of my meds were anything he would enjoy. I can only guess he took them because he wants me to fall apart.
He's doing a pretty good job of it. It's too early for refills. I don't know what to do.
Posted by Laurie789 on November 18, 2003, at 8:22:27
In reply to Wits END!, posted by KimberlyDi on November 18, 2003, at 7:36:14
> I've gone down from 300mg to 75mg so far and may have to go cold turkey next. My soon-to-be-ex hubby stole all my medications (including for my cold!) along with my drivers license, visa/debit card, and my jewelry. None of my meds were anything he would enjoy. I can only guess he took them because he wants me to fall apart.
>
> He's doing a pretty good job of it. It's too early for refills. I don't know what to do.
>Kimberly,
Call your Doctor. They usually have sample packs in the office.
Posted by jiggitykid on November 18, 2003, at 9:10:55
In reply to Wits END!, posted by KimberlyDi on November 18, 2003, at 7:36:14
First, you call the police and have a warrant taken out on him for stealing prescripton medication. That's a huge deal, and no matter how badly you are feeling, you cannot let him get away with it. Second, I stopped taking 225 Effexor XR, with my last dose being Tuesday, November 11. Pure misery for days, but last night I felt something lift. I actually am feeling better today. I've got farther to go until the zaps go away, the eye pain and twitches, etc., but now I KNOW I am going to make it through this withdrawal. Do you have a therapist or counselor? You really, really need to go see him/her if you do, and if you don't, GET ONE. Many work on a sliding scale and if they have a shred of humanity in them, will understand what you are facing right now and will work with you. My therapist is a true gift from God. You sound as if you need more help than you are getting from your physician and I strongly advise you to find someone who can help "direct" things for a while so the decisions are easier to make. Show that bast*rd soon-ex that he cannot make you fall apart, even if you think you might on the inside. Mine said he was leaving this week, too. Seems all of this comes at once, huh? My next step is to find out where I can join/start a lawsuit to get blood from the monsters who put this horrible drug on the market and reaped financial benefits from the misery of many. Please hang in there. I am praying for you.
Posted by marip on November 18, 2003, at 20:23:26
In reply to Wits END!, posted by KimberlyDi on November 18, 2003, at 7:36:14
Effexor people: Do NOT go cold turkey for ANY reason. I was on barely 75mgs for just over 6 weeks. I felt yucky so I went cold turkey about 5 days ago and literally have not gotten out of bed for 4 days. Absolutely absolutely useless pain--eye pain, nausea, headache, uuggh!!. DO NOT GO COLD TURKEY, I repeat. TAke care of yourselves, taper off much slower than your docters even recommend. Its not worth it. Ive been depressed clinically for over 5 years but this is the first time Ive actually felt unfunctional. My life has stopped--much worse than the darkest depression ever was.
Good luck everyone. Any suggestions as to a better drug?
marip
Posted by jiggitykid on November 18, 2003, at 20:47:26
In reply to dont go cold turkey anyone!, posted by marip on November 18, 2003, at 20:23:26
Just about anything would have to be better than Effexor!! I am cold-turkeying right now. It is the only method that will work for me. Tapering simply draws out the withdrawal. I'm crazy and my family is crazy, but we are checking off the days. Damn the drug company for EVER making this, damn the FDA for releasing it, damn the marketers for "hiding" the real story about this demon drug from hell.
Posted by gfreyg on November 19, 2003, at 4:18:55
In reply to Re: Ohmygawd I feel so stupid, posted by awatts on November 15, 2003, at 16:10:13
I hate to break it to you, but Klonopin is addictive as well, and its effects wear off quickly requiring constantly higher dosage. Klonopin is a dangerous and insidious drug just like Effexor. Please reconsider your trust in a doctor who prescribed you more dangerous drugs to counteract the effects of the dangerous drugs you are currently afraid/unable to quit. This is a dangerous cycle!
good luck!
Posted by jiggitykid on November 19, 2003, at 7:46:40
In reply to Re: Ohmygawd I feel so stupid, posted by gfreyg on November 19, 2003, at 4:18:55
>>>Please reconsider your trust in a doctor who prescribed you more dangerous drugs to counteract the effects of the dangerous drugs you are currently afraid/unable to quit. This is a dangerous cycle!<<<
I am SO GLAD you had the words and the guts to post that. I feel the same way. I keep reading all of this, "I take this to counteract this, and I take this to counteract this," here, because some skewed thought process (hmm, caused by the Effexor?????) has the patient thinking that 1) the doc has his best interest at heart and 2) the Effexor is working (if it were, there would be no side effects that needed more drugs!!!!). There are amazing physicians out there who do care. But, bottom line, you (the patient) are not her child, so you are not on her mind first thing in the morning and last thing at night. THE PATIENT is in charge of his own health and health care. DO NOT blithely float along, assuming the doctors have got you covered. As my husband says, after all is said and done, physicians are still just "practicing" medicine.
Posted by responsiblek9 on November 19, 2003, at 8:10:16
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - crashed and burned, posted by Dr...Not! on November 7, 2003, at 20:46:31
Hmmh maybe the fugue states I was dropping into from the pain was a blessing then. week seven after having to drop off sudden cold turkey because of the internal bleeding. Still having side effects Just not as Horrific continuous now. I am getting some time of no pain and just the fogginess real bad and function is still very low. I hope I am coming out the other side now. Heart issues still going on. Still weak but I have to go to the board meetings I have been missing because I have been so ill. I just hope I can make it back home. 140 mile trip to get there . No safety net either . But I have to get this done . cant afford not to. But at least I dont have any major decisions to make. But the marathon meeting of 3 hours plus the drive time will probably wipe me out. It will be the first time they have seen me unable to walk though. I have a hate love relationship with my wheelchair LOL!!
-----------------------------------------> Well, that went well (NOT)! I'm back on Effexor XR after 4 days off! The withdrawal was too awful, so we're going to keep me at 75 mg for a month, then cut down by 15mg for a month, and then another 15, and then 7 and 7.
>
> As it was, Sunday am (5 days ago) was supposed to be my last dose, but by Fri I couldn't stand the nausea, crying, nightmares and sweating any more.
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 19, 2003, at 10:22:41
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - crashed and burned, posted by responsiblek9 on November 19, 2003, at 8:10:16
OK, to be fair everyone, if i hadn't taken Effexor months ago, I wouldn't be around to be suicidal today...
Strange endorsement for a drug, but it's the truth. I believe medical science is learning alot from us willing guinea pigs. The majority of us were willing and asked for something to "fix" us. I also believe due to the backlash of surprised and angry withdrawal sufferers that Effexor withdrawal will be taken more seriously in the future.
Enough said. Either my withdrawal symptoms have reduced at 75mg or the true misery of my life at the moment completely overwhelms it. Add to that the fact that I'm sick with the "Crud" and I'm barking (coughing) like a friggin sea lion... and that I get stuck for hours in a SOBER crying jag every day now...
Thanks for the opportunity to vent.
KDi in TX
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