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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 133 to 157 of 735. Go back in thread:
Posted by Cetacea on November 22, 2003, at 23:06:15
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - crashed and burned, posted by karen t bag on November 8, 2003, at 8:06:37
I'm on day 3, I'm 55, and your story could be mine, but I sure hope not! I hope you're doing better now (maybe you've posted farther down; I'm working my way there), and I hope my own DAY 4 doesn't go like yours did. I do NOT want to crash and burn my way back to Effexor. Before I would take another of those pills, I would take a prozac. Someone asked what dosage (mg) to take, and I would like to know that also. However, I'm guessing that taking *any* amount of prozac (if it helps at all the way 'they say' it does) would sustain me thru the rough spots that may be ahead. Let me tell you all: I'm plenty scared and respectful of the problems that getting off of Effexor can deal out to me or to anyone. It appears to be a crap-shot as to who, how bad, and from what dose. Hanging in here...thanks to you ALL!
************************
> > 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.
>
> dont worry you did your best - i cant beleive doctors put us on this in the first place - im sure it should be banned - but keep going - we are all out here for you
> xxx
Posted by Karalyn on November 22, 2003, at 23:19:38
In reply to How many mg Prozac?, posted by Dr...Not! on November 22, 2003, at 11:05:44
hey I talked about using one prozac to get off of Effexor. so it may have been my post you saw...as I recall it was a low dose...uhm..i dont remember what the amount was for sure, but I can find out for you. my warning to you is that i experience high suicidal thoughts after taking that prozac and I thought it was just from going off of meds(effexor) and being depressed in general. however i read on this site that prozac can cause you to be more depressed and have more suicidal thoughts. i didnt really have them before as bad or frequent. email me at karalyjoyelise@hotmail.com and if you have more questions. sometimes its hard to make sure someone gets your post or whatever.
Posted by dMacy on December 17, 2003, at 18:26:35
In reply to Re: How many mg Prozac?, posted by Karalyn on November 22, 2003, at 23:19:38
Hi All, I'm glad I'm not alone in this!
I used to be on Celexa for about a 18months and, like a cliche, decided eveything was rosy and I didn't need to support the pharmas any more. Yep the shrink warned me that this was a typical pattern and he thought it to be a bad idea to quit, but I did anyway, cold turkey... the withdrawl symptoms SUCKED. If you're going through Effexor withdrawal, I'll just say the symptoms are very similar.
6 months later after I had crashed into the deep again, I started Effexor and have been on it for only 8 months. It hasn't help much with the depression expect for a general numbing affect. The lack of improvement and the concern over the lack of studies about adverse long-term effects prompted me to drop this beast. Remebering the awful month-long withdrawl episode from Celexa, I started to taper my doseage.
Originaly 75mg/day XR version.
4 weeks at 37.5, no problems noticed.
3 weeks at ~18mg (half the 37.5), still no problems.
I figured that this was so far below what the doctors or pharmas consider to be significant that I'd just stop.... he,he, jokes on me!
I tolerated the past 2 days off of the stuff, with all of the general problems described by everyone else here. It is awful!
I'm an engineer and basically can't do my job, have embarassed myself at work due to the confusion and memory problems, and am too dizzy to safely drive.
So I return to the beast tonight... and start taking a 1/8th dose.The thing that really makes me angry about this (besides falling for the pharmas' promises again) is that the drug companies can get away with this. There should have been studies about potential withdrawl problems, there should have been an appropriate process for ramping-down off this stuff, there should have been warnings given before being handed a prescription. Yeah,yeah buyer beware, but there are no resources for reliable information and when selling drugs to people who are desperate for help.... aggh, enough, if you're here reading this, you probably know all this...
I'll get off this drug sooner or later, and, partly because it's the last ssri I had left to try and partly because I no longer trust the drug companies, I hope to make it the last AD for me. (... oh yeah? heh,heh, you'll be back, when you've hit bottom again and finally crawl out of bed, you'll be back, begging for a little hope... heh,heh, and we'll be waiting... )
Yeeeeaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!
Posted by Cetacea on December 17, 2003, at 19:22:55
In reply to ya effexor withdrawl account, posted by dMacy on December 17, 2003, at 18:26:35
Hello,
It's quite a bad trip getting off of EffexorXR. I'm not sure that I've actually 'gotten there', but I'm about 3 weeks away from my last dose, after having many (and changing) side effects from the medicine. Previously I'd taken Prozac for a while, so after reading that taking *even one prozac pill* (no dose specified at that time) could help when w/drawal got bad from quitting EffexorXL (75mgs for me), I got my mind ready for using one of the many prozac pills I had left. Not sure now (not running a scientific study on myself), but I think it was about day #5 when I thought I was going to have endless intestinal cramps from the withdrawals. Seems like around day #4 the "mind zaps" got *better* (not all gone even now), only to have terrible intestinal cramping occur. As others have noted, the *only* good withdrawal :))) has been that I've been sleeping really well, all things considered. I've decided that when my sleep-pattern deteriorates to what it was before I got on Effexor XL, I will know that I'm *normal* again. ;) [I'll know also, when my strange, vivid dreams cease.] 'Word-retrieval' is getting better, and it was one of the more obnoxious side-effects for me taking Effexor. Back to w/drawals: I took one 10mg Prozac on (I think it was) the 5th night of cold turkey, and then I took 1/2 (5mgs) of prozac for the next 2 nights. I haven't had any prozac since. I do have some lorazepam .5mgs for bad GERD pains, but I don't think I've taken any of that. But I would have, if I'd had trouble sleeping during those awful intestinal cramps, and some here say that that ("ativan") also helps w/the withdrawals. It really would be nice if I never had to take another "pill". Because I also have a form of arthritis, I've had drs pushing pills at me for some time. My mother (85yo)has the same arthritis (but worse), and she has taken very few meds across time. It's really a delicate balance and an individual choice (IMO) about what/how much medicine to take for the agonies of life. It always seems to me to be most respectful of the patient for the shrink or other doc to *let us* decide as much as possible what and how much medicine we can take/tolerate, and how much is *helpful*. It is downright *sinful* (IMO) for the pharmaceutical cos to 'pull a fast one' on us (both patients and docs) about the hazards of the meds they're hawking. There are (IMO) many conditions that can be helped thru diet and supplements (yes, I know this is slightly into another forum), but there is very little financial gain for all commercial interests involved (including docs), so the pharmaceutical products are sort of "pushed" at both us and our docs. It's sort of a cultural thing, IMO. But I digress, just as you did!
This experience w/Effexor XL (75mgs) has really been a learning experience for me. I've heard of many horror stories from folks who either had horrible w/drawals getting off of it, or *who could NOT get off of it*. I did not like the *dumbing down* it did, the weight gain it was not supposed to do (but did on me), the increase in hot flashes (terrible sweats at night) it gave me (I'm 55yo), the increased appetite (for *anything edible*).
May I add that I support *whatever you do*, that keeps you on a fairly even keel, esp at this time of year, when everybody's supposed to be so *holiday cheerful*. The stress of the Christmas season (never meant to be that way!) is really tough. I've never been aware of having any Seasonal Affective Disorder, but the "family alcohism" that my sibs and I endured, seems to have imprinted us for life, maybe even worse than SAD.
Hope something I've said is helpful to you. I find myself turning in a sour direction at this point, so it's best I stop my message. I sure appreciate the info and support I've gotten here, esp about Effexor, but also about mind-meds in general. This group I find to be well-informed and articulate and generous with their postings.
Many thanks!
Hi All, I'm glad I'm not alone in this!
>
> I used to be on Celexa for about a 18months and, like a cliche, decided eveything was rosy and I didn't need to support the pharmas any more. Yep the shrink warned me that this was a typical pattern and he thought it to be a bad idea to quit, but I did anyway, cold turkey... the withdrawl symptoms SUCKED. If you're going through Effexor withdrawal, I'll just say the symptoms are very similar.
>
> 6 months later after I had crashed into the deep again, I started Effexor and have been on it for only 8 months. It hasn't help much with the depression expect for a general numbing affect. The lack of improvement and the concern over the lack of studies about adverse long-term effects prompted me to drop this beast. Remebering the awful month-long withdrawl episode from Celexa, I started to taper my doseage.
> Originaly 75mg/day XR version.
> 4 weeks at 37.5, no problems noticed.
> 3 weeks at ~18mg (half the 37.5), still no problems.
> I figured that this was so far below what the doctors or pharmas consider to be significant that I'd just stop.... he,he, jokes on me!
> I tolerated the past 2 days off of the stuff, with all of the general problems described by everyone else here. It is awful!
> I'm an engineer and basically can't do my job, have embarassed myself at work due to the confusion and memory problems, and am too dizzy to safely drive.
> So I return to the beast tonight... and start taking a 1/8th dose.
>
> The thing that really makes me angry about this (besides falling for the pharmas' promises again) is that the drug companies can get away with this. There should have been studies about potential withdrawl problems, there should have been an appropriate process for ramping-down off this stuff, there should have been warnings given before being handed a prescription. Yeah,yeah buyer beware, but there are no resources for reliable information and when selling drugs to people who are desperate for help.... aggh, enough, if you're here reading this, you probably know all this...
>
> I'll get off this drug sooner or later, and, partly because it's the last ssri I had left to try and partly because I no longer trust the drug companies, I hope to make it the last AD for me. (... oh yeah? heh,heh, you'll be back, when you've hit bottom again and finally crawl out of bed, you'll be back, begging for a little hope... heh,heh, and we'll be waiting... )
>
> Yeeeeaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!
Posted by Dr...Not! on December 17, 2003, at 23:15:22
In reply to Re: ya effexor withdrawl account, posted by Cetacea on December 17, 2003, at 19:22:55
OK, still on 75mg Effexor XR per day. Heart palpitations have markedly decreased (yay!). So have "night sweats" (double yay!). Will probably not change dosage for another couple of months.
Posted by jiggitykid on December 18, 2003, at 8:20:40
In reply to ya effexor withdrawl account, posted by dMacy on December 17, 2003, at 18:26:35
I have been "off" effexor XR for about a month, give or take a few days. The brain zaps are very few - maybe one or two per day. The heart rate is back to normal. The dizziness has subsided, but my eye sight still isn't quite normal. The hot/cold is better, the nausea is gone, but daily diarrhea is in effect. For the first three or so weeks, I was extra-talkative, fast moving, imperative, but that has settled down. My sleep is normal, for the first time in a very, very long time. The dramatic dreams have settled down. About the third week, the dreams disappeared completely and I had completely dreamless sleep for several days. Boy, how nice! My normal dream pattern has come back, and I don't carry around haunting images all day the way I did after quitting effexor. My doctor "strongly encouraged" me to take 5 mg. of Lexapro, but I refused. I just as "strongly" felt that I needed to see how my brain was all by itself, off of any meds, before I began anything else. Please note that I am not recommending this for everyone; this is just what I knew I had to do for myself. I have not, as yet, needed any other med for depression. I am watching myself, as are some key people around me, for signs of change. My daily prayer is that I will not have to go on anything else, if not for a while, then forever.
When I first discovered antidepressants, I credited them with truly saving my life. I was ready for the ledge. However, as the dosages had to be increased, the side-effects increased. Sadly, often when I would go to my GP (and there was a mistake; I should have been under the care of a therapist/psychiatrist in tandem) I would complain of a lack of effectiveness or an increase in the depression, and instead of figuring out if the antidepressant was no longer working for me or if there were other triggers, the current dosage was increased. Effexor XR nearly ended my marriage and my life. I understand that there are folks here to depend on it simply to get up each morning. I caution you to be open to recognizing the danger signs of Effexor - fatigue, loss of interest in everything, appetite increase, crying easily, etc. Ironically, bad effects of effexor mimic depression! So when I thought I was sinking, I was really needing to get off of the Effexor.
Keep in touch with your doctor and make sure he/she is listening to what you are saying. If you don't have a therapist/psychiatrist, I urge you into considering getting one. Mental health needs a two-fold approach, and a therapist alone OR a GP alone aren't enough.
I wish you all a better year. I am praying for you all to make it successfully through the holiday season. Please don't let your feelings today make permanent, irrevocable decisions for tomorrow. Find the people around you who really do love you and will be willing to support you during transition times. Put your heart in God's hands. He'll take care of it. Please, take care of yourself. You are worth your time.
Posted by Cetacea on December 18, 2003, at 9:11:23
In reply to Re: ya effexor withdrawl account, posted by jiggitykid on December 18, 2003, at 8:20:40
Hi, Effexor-survivors, all:
Well, it's been about 3-4 weeks since my last 75mg effexor XR, and I'm still going thru some "effects" from getting off the stuff. Yesterday I went to see "The Last Samurai". Even before the movie began, I had trouble with the visual images in the "previews" they show. Some of the special effects seemed to affect *me* a little bit like the 'mind-zaps' (brain shivers, to some degree) that were so bad when stopping Effexor. Then, in the last 15 mins of the movie, along came a *big bad aura* heralding the onset of a notable migraine headache. I'm sitting here suffering right now, but the fact that I AM here says it must not be THAT bad, and looking at a CRT is an additional *trigger* for migraine pain for me. But I have a need to share this. In a very recent post to this thread, someone very generously gave a link to some british (I think)studies or comments about Effexor and the problems it gives when one goes w/o it (as in skips a dose or goes *cold turkey*). Anyway, I took a hop there and was interested in the reports people made. One person said he/she had a self-tested theory that *body movement* doesn't cause those pesky brain shivers, but that it's the *visual movement*, movement across one's visual field. I guess that a combo of the 2 could make it hard to detect which causes what. [This is NOT to say that the 'brain shivers' don't occur all by themselves, w/o any 'triggers' at all: I think they can and DO] I have a history of migraine headaches across most of my lifetime (mostly the kind w/the visual effects, "auras", but some like a sinus headache from the Hot Spot where they say the Devil ;) lives). In the last decade most of my aura-migraines have not been this painful. They have not had the quantity or quality IMO of "special effects" in the aura that this one had. Yes, it is that 'stressful time of year', and maybe that caused it, but it sure reminded me of something attached to those dreadful mind-zaps.
I'm almost afraid to walk into another movie, and had wanted so much to see LOTR-Return of the King, as a diversion from the realities of the season that are not exactly cheerful around here. If I went to see it today (over 3 hrs of that movie), I'd be walking in, ALREADY with a headache. I guess I'll wait for a while.
BTW, I've gotten pretty comfortable driving at this point in w/drawal, but it was tricky for a while, esp at night. For about the first 2-3 days I voluntarily *avoided* getting behind the wheel, and I suggest that others give that some thought, when considering when and how to carry-off getting Effexor outta their systems.
Hope this helps somebody.
Posted by jiggitykid on December 18, 2003, at 21:12:03
In reply to Visual effects from Effexor withdrawal , posted by Cetacea on December 18, 2003, at 9:11:23
>>>but it was tricky for a while, esp at night. For about the first 2-3 days I voluntarily *avoided* getting behind the wheel, and I suggest that others give that some thought, when considering when and how to carry-off getting Effexor outta their systems.<<<
I had forgotten that - I tried driving at night approx. one week after stopping the effexor. The brain zaps were awful and the dizziness was increased. Do take care when driving. Thanks for mentioning this!!
Posted by Dr...Not! on December 18, 2003, at 21:58:58
In reply to Re: Visual effects from Effexor withdrawal , posted by jiggitykid on December 18, 2003, at 21:12:03
"I forgot!" How often I say that to myself, when reading all your posts! Anyhoo, I had been having trouble reading and was going to go see if I needed new glasses . . . forgot about the eye problems Effexor gives me! Now that things have settled down -- surprise! -- don't need new glasses.
Hope I remember this when I start decreasing my dosage in the spring, but I probably won't. *Sigh*
Best wishes to you all for a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Posted by Carmen Lydia on December 28, 2003, at 4:16:48
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Heather33 on October 4, 2003, at 21:27:27
Recently, I accidentally forgot to take my Effexor XR 150mg which I would take 2 pills at once, as directed by my physician. I believe I've now missed a total of 3 days. I immediately started to feel ill and honestly thought I was coming down with the flu or something. I started to feel dizzy and very light headed. I had high blood pressure before going on Effexor, so when I started to have palpitations and an increased heart rate, I thought it was just me. Also, I'm experiencing a very high anxiety feeling in my chest. Like I'm overly worried about something, when in reality I'm not. I'm also feeling a sickening and nauseating feeling in my stomach along with cramps and diarrhea. My body is achy and I've not gotten much sleep. Or I do sleep and find myself having weird and off the wall dreams. Another weird thing is that if I sleep a couple of hours, I physically feel as if I've slept an entire night or if I slept all night I feel very unrested. I also find myself waking up frequently during the night. The only thing that really stood out and concerned me were these weird feelings in my head. They are not there constantly but come and go. They are very frequent, every 5-10 minutes or so. They feel like these electrical or zapping sensations, that made me realize that this is not the flu. Along with everything that I'm feeling...I'm feeling dizzy. I'm in the medical field and am therefore exposed to patients who are sick, especially now with, "flu season" in full bloom. On one hand I'm glad that I don't have the flu and on the other I am worried sick and wonder how long is this going to go on for. I cannot believe how one can be off of a medication for one day and start to experience all of these withdrawal symptoms, this is absolutely incredible. I unfortunately do not have any Effexor with me at the house, so I have to wait another day or so before I can get any. Do I start back up on 300mgs? This is truly confusing and unreal. I feel so light headed, dizzy, stomach is killing me, achy body, I feel weak and I'm sluggish. This feels like a nightmare. My head is in a cloud and to top it off I'm reminded every 5-10 minutes that I'm an idiot for forgetting to carry and take my medication, by receiving electrical shocks/zapps in my head. But, prior to going off the Effexor, my blood pressure medication was changed and I immediately started to get these severe hot flashes. When I reported this to my physician I was told that my new blood pressure medication was absolutely NOT the cause of it. Now that I'm feeling the way that I am, I honestly believe that the Effexor is the cause of those hot flashes as well.
Posted by Cetacea on December 28, 2003, at 9:13:05
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Carmen Lydia on December 28, 2003, at 4:16:48
For me, Effexor XR (75mg)delivered MORE hotflashes. I'm 55 and have had what I determine to be mild/moderate hotflashes when not on any meds. Prozac (10mg) greatly alleviated them but relieved me of any sexual desire, also.
The w/drawal symptoms that you noticed I had also. The "mind-zaps" [such as you describe and for me also delivering a feeling that I must describe almost like a "petit mal" seizure --or my idea of one, almost like "losing it" for a millisecond] I'm still having, much less frequently and much less in intensity, some 4-5 weeks after stopping Effexor. I *did* take one 10mg Prozac on day (hmm??) 5 (I think) and then 1/2 prozac (5mg) for the next 2 nights. I do believe this helped. And then I stopped ALL "pills" except for vitamin pills. I also use flax seed oil and ground flaxseed on a regular basis. While getting this effexor *monkey* off my back, I had *terrible* mind zaps, bad back pain which "turned into" intestinal flu-type misery, but *with a difference*. As someone else (ahead of me by a coupla weeks in getting off Effexor) said, the wild dreams w/*waking 'trailers'* from them have diminished in me greatly around 4-5 weeks away from the last effexor. It has been almost devastating to live thru (wondering if I *could*) the "black thoughts" that I've had while getting off of this drug. Except for the somatic side-effects (not just "sexual", but also some kind of 'zombie' lack of enjoying 'touching' of any kind), Prozac would be my "favorite" mind-med. In *retrospect*, Effexor was more *altering* to my personality than I choose to have happen to me. It also seems to have had some effect on other things: My heart arrhythmias were/are 'different', both on Effexor and still, some weeks later [not pleasant]. My sleeping patterns (deteriorating over the last few years, but never "okay", probably due to alcoholism in parents, active at night, when I was a child) are still different. In fact, I really wish I could KEEP the "withdrawal effect" of *sleeping more soundly*, which I have experienced since getting off of Effexor. As scary as it is to think about a drug having some unknown, unsought *permanent* effect on one's brain, it would be a *gift* if my old sleep patterns (lots of wakefulness thru the night, w/difficulty dropping off to sleep and problematic early (too early) waking) would not return.
Have you noticed that effexor alters your visual acuity? It did mine. I would not choose to go back onto Effexor. I *might* go back onto Prozac. Welbutrin delivered instant bad headaches (I'm a migraine sufferer anyway). Lexapro wasn't very effective, but right now I cannot remember *why*. Some of the "anxiolytic" mind meds have worked okay for me, but I do not want to be addicted to them. Most things work during a crisis for me, but I do not want to remain on them. I would like to find *some other way* to relieve depression. Besides 'mind meds', I've tried (and still "use") many of the other strategies for coping w/my depression/black thoughts, such as exercise and meditation.
I hope you are able to find a solution that works for you! Forgetting to take pills can lead to an unpleasant experience. Forgetting to bring them with you when you go somewhere sounds like a terrible experience. The info on this site has been an *eye-opener* to me, and everything I've read here about Effexor withdrawals has proved accurate from my own experience, with variations in 'intensity'. Some of us lose weight on it; some gain weight on it. Things like that vary, but it seems that most of us have some amount of the same withdrawal symptoms when getting off of it. Good luck to you!
> Recently, I accidentally forgot to take my Effexor XR 150mg which I would take 2 pills at once, as directed by my physician. I believe I've now missed a total of 3 days. I immediately started to feel ill and honestly thought I was coming down with the flu or something. I started to feel dizzy and very light headed. I had high blood pressure before going on Effexor, so when I started to have palpitations and an increased heart rate, I thought it was just me. Also, I'm experiencing a very high anxiety feeling in my chest. Like I'm overly worried about something, when in reality I'm not. I'm also feeling a sickening and nauseating feeling in my stomach along with cramps and diarrhea. My body is achy and I've not gotten much sleep. Or I do sleep and find myself having weird and off the wall dreams. Another weird thing is that if I sleep a couple of hours, I physically feel as if I've slept an entire night or if I slept all night I feel very unrested. I also find myself waking up frequently during the night. The only thing that really stood out and concerned me were these weird feelings in my head. They are not there constantly but come and go. They are very frequent, every 5-10 minutes or so. They feel like these electrical or zapping sensations, that made me realize that this is not the flu. Along with everything that I'm feeling...I'm feeling dizzy. I'm in the medical field and am therefore exposed to patients who are sick, especially now with, "flu season" in full bloom. On one hand I'm glad that I don't have the flu and on the other I am worried sick and wonder how long is this going to go on for. I cannot believe how one can be off of a medication for one day and start to experience all of these withdrawal symptoms, this is absolutely incredible. I unfortunately do not have any Effexor with me at the house, so I have to wait another day or so before I can get any. Do I start back up on 300mgs? This is truly confusing and unreal. I feel so light headed, dizzy, stomach is killing me, achy body, I feel weak and I'm sluggish. This feels like a nightmare. My head is in a cloud and to top it off I'm reminded every 5-10 minutes that I'm an idiot for forgetting to carry and take my medication, by receiving electrical shocks/zapps in my head. But, prior to going off the Effexor, my blood pressure medication was changed and I immediately started to get these severe hot flashes. When I reported this to my physician I was told that my new blood pressure medication was absolutely NOT the cause of it. Now that I'm feeling the way that I am, I honestly believe that the Effexor is the cause of those hot flashes as well.
Posted by MSR on December 28, 2003, at 18:23:14
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Cetacea on December 28, 2003, at 9:13:05
I just found this website and I have found it very educational. I have only been on Effexor for about 6 months. I started the medication as I was going through a divorce and now feel like I do not want to be dependent on antidepressant medication. So, I stopped taking them "cold-turkey" 5 days ago and I have been having awful withdrawal symptoms. I have never slept so much in my life. I can sleep for 14 hours, wake up for 2, then take a nap for 3 more. I have also experienced the strange dreams, but mostly just complete lack of energy. While on the medication, I gained weight which made me feel more depressed. Now, with the irregular heartbeat and dizziness, I feel like I can hardly even walk up the stairs. I'm only 25 years old! I feel so weak and nausious (sp?). I am going on a cruise in 6 days and can't decide now if I should start taking the medicine again so I will feel better, or just stick it out a little longer. I've made it 5 days and certainly don't want to go through this again. But, I also don't want to be suffering these symptoms on my much-needed vacation. By the time I leave for my trip it will be 11 days. Do you think I will feel better by then? Thanks for any advice.
Posted by Dr...Not! on December 28, 2003, at 20:39:10
In reply to Quit cold-turkey. Should I start back?, posted by MSR on December 28, 2003, at 18:23:14
You're experiencing common side effects of withdrawal. They may go on longer than 11 days.
Contact your doctor immediately. Do not attempt cold-turkey withdrawal. Your doctor will probably have you resume your dosage at the current level, and then taper you off over a period of weeks/months. Several people have reported that a low dosage of Prozac was helpful during their final stage of withdrawl (see previous posts). You might want to mention this to your doctor.
Posted by Cetacea on December 28, 2003, at 21:02:04
In reply to Quit cold-turkey. Should I start back?, posted by MSR on December 28, 2003, at 18:23:14
Hi,
Look back into the posts and see what they say about taking Prozac or some anxiety med as a sort of "buffer" getting off the Effexor. One person said that taking even OTC Benadryl will help (not sure how, but I did buy some in case I got desperate). My guess (and that's all it is) is that you will have some problems remaining in 6 days, although, bear in mind that *each of us is individual* and maybe you will not suffer as bad continuing symptoms. Not sure, here, what difference your "youth" may have for your getting over the Effexor maybe sooner than some of us "oldies". If possible, I'd try (if I were you) to get ahold of 2 10mg pills of Prozac and do what I did. It sure helped me (I had it "on hand"), probably because of its long "half-life" that others have talked about here. Please call your doctor and tell him/her that you want to get off Effexor and that people are telling you that you can do it most easily "under the cover of Prozac". Tell him/her that you took yourself off of it and are having bad somatic feelings, but that you *do not want to go thru the first 5 days of w/drawals all over again*. That's my best advice. It may be worth exactly what you're paying for it, so don't take my opinion as "gospel". Also, I recall reading that *exercise* helps withdrawals, and I made sure to walk about 30mins, 5-7 days/week, minimum (am still doing this). It really, REALLY helped *me*.
Take a look back in the archived posts, and I think you will find *the best* info for folks getting off of Effexor 'fast'. It's no 'shame', IMO, to get back on it if you have to, and I think getting off of it w/the help of your doctor is the safest, most sane way to get the stuff outta your system. As is too often the case, however, your dr may not even realize the terrible withdrawal symptoms that many/most of us have. So you may have to tell him/her what you're experiencing and what you've read here. On another "board" I saw a reference to a 1998 psychiatric journal, where it was said that Prozac is a good drug for helping patients get off of Effexor. Let me see if I can paste the info here:
***************
W.J. Giakas, J.M. Davis, Intractable withdrawal from venlafaxine treated with fluoxetine, Psychiatric Annals, February 1997, 27 (2), 85-86 and 92.Authors report three consecutive cases (26-35 year old women) where patients experienced severe withdrawal after discontinuing venlaxfaxine, following treatment ranging from a week or two to seven months: "Repeated attempts at gradually tapering the dosage were unsuccessful and led to intolerable withdrawal sensations." In these and other cases, authors noted appearance of withdrawal symptoms within a few hours of patient missing a dose. Although, symptoms they saw "are not identical to a fully-fledged psychedelic experience or a true migraine headache, similarity is evident..." In all cases, venlafaxine was eventually discontinued under cover of fluoxetine, which itself was later withdrawn uneventfully in one of the three cases.
******
There it is. Hope this helps you, and I wish you the best in your plans! Hope you go on the cruise and have a GREAT TIME!~Cetacea~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> I just found this website and I have found it very educational. I have only been on Effexor for about 6 months. I started the medication as I was going through a divorce and now feel like I do not want to be dependent on antidepressant medication. So, I stopped taking them "cold-turkey" 5 days ago and I have been having awful withdrawal symptoms. I have never slept so much in my life. I can sleep for 14 hours, wake up for 2, then take a nap for 3 more. I have also experienced the strange dreams, but mostly just complete lack of energy. While on the medication, I gained weight which made me feel more depressed. Now, with the irregular heartbeat and dizziness, I feel like I can hardly even walk up the stairs. I'm only 25 years old! I feel so weak and nausious (sp?). I am going on a cruise in 6 days and can't decide now if I should start taking the medicine again so I will feel better, or just stick it out a little longer. I've made it 5 days and certainly don't want to go through this again. But, I also don't want to be suffering these symptoms on my much-needed vacation. By the time I leave for my trip it will be 11 days. Do you think I will feel better by then? Thanks for any advice.
Posted by MSR on December 28, 2003, at 22:01:16
In reply to Re: Quit cold-turkey. Should I start back?, posted by Cetacea on December 28, 2003, at 21:02:04
Thank you for your help. I guess I was being silly not to talk about this with my doctor. I do not have much confidence in her advice, however. I told her originally that I was only mildly depressed and did not want to be on a "strong" or addictive medication. My symptoms were mostly sleeping all the time, lack of motivation, and anxiety. She first put me on Welbutrin which caused more anxiety, high blood pressure, & panic attacks. So, we tried the Effexor, which seemed to help with the anxiety, but caused me to be even more lethargic and reclusive. She never warned me of the terrible withdrawal symptoms from stopping the Effexor. I just want to feel happy, not like I'm on drugs!
I will certainly call her and try the Prozac. From what I have read here and on the other posts, it seems to be very helpful. I will also exercise more. I'm sure that will help give me more energy and may even have the added benefit of helping me drop the 15 pounds I gained in the last 4 months. :)
After going through this horrible feeling all week, I really don't want to start taking the Effexor again. I imagine that slowly weaning myself off will just prolong this agony. I have been fortunate to be off work the last couple days as I have felt so terrible. Tomorrow is my first day back and I am praying I will be able to get out of bed in the morning. At least now, I realize what is happening to my body and that these symptoms are more common than I knew.
By the way, my father has been taking Effexor for about 8 months and it has worked wonders for him. I have never seen him more happy or relaxed. Thanks again for your help.
Posted by rompy on December 29, 2003, at 19:38:03
In reply to Re: Quit cold-turkey. Should I start back?, posted by MSR on December 28, 2003, at 22:01:16
I had good luck with Prozac getting off of Effexor. I weaned off 1 pill of effexor at a time
before going on a low dose of Prozac. But everyone's different.
Remember, your doctor is the guy who put you on this poison. Why should you take their advice anymore than your average person who's at least ingested it.
Posted by Carmen Lydia on January 1, 2004, at 23:14:39
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Carmen Lydia on December 28, 2003, at 4:16:48
I just want to thank those who posted their experiences here, they've really helped me a great deal. I am back on my regular dosage of Effexor and must say that all of the wicked withdrawal symptoms that I had previously experienced are mostly gone. The only thing that is bothering me is that I am constantly falling asleep. At work I try to stay as busy as possible and don't seem to have a problem but at home...well, that's another story. If I sit for a few minutes...I'm gone. If I lay down, forget it, I don't think I last 15 minutes. Oh, and the wonderful constipation is now back. So, I've started to use fiber on a daily basis and that seems to be helping some. I don't know if I want to remain on this medication much longer but am really scared of the withdrawal symptoms. This is one that I will have to take up with my psychiatrist, you know...the one that spends a whole 5 minutes with me, then writes out another script. I guess my fate is in her hands, so we'll see what happens and I will keep you all posted. I hope everyone has a wonder, happy and prosperous New Year!!
Posted by jbc on January 2, 2004, at 7:49:51
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Carmen Lydia on January 1, 2004, at 23:14:39
Your fate does NOT have to be in the hands of a psychiatrist who won't spend the necessary time with you or listen to you! Try to find another one! I know that's easier to type than it is to do, but you deserve better than what you are getting. I have mostly managed to fight my way through the withdrawals now (been off completely for about 2 months). It's not easy & yes, it is scary, but it can be done. I'm living proof! :)
Hang in there & take care of yourself. I'm praying for you!
Posted by Dr...Not! on January 2, 2004, at 13:13:23
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Carmen Lydia on January 1, 2004, at 23:14:39
I had the same problems (sleeping & digestive). The fiber did help (Citricel, prunes & bran flakes), but the sleepiness . . . ! If I sat down in a soft chair, I nodded off! And that was after two cups of strong, black coffee!
I'm down to 75 mg per day of Effexor XR, and will continue my "detox" from this dosage for another 2 months. What seems to work for me is to cut back my dosage in the increment available (37.5 mg), and then stay at that dosage for a couple of months, until my body gets used to the reduced dosage.
I spoke to my psychiatrist about the use of Prozac to reduce the withdrawal symptoms, and she wasn't sure how it could be any use, as Prozac takes weeks to kick in, and the people using it only took it for a couple of days. In addition, she said Prozac takes weeks to leave your system.
Rather than have me start taking any other medications, she prefers that we continue the way we've been going (reduce the dosage and wait for my body to get used to it). Then, when we get to the final 37.5 mg, we would choose a time to deal with the final withdrawal symptoms and try to face them head-on, using people instead of medications for my safety net. She said we'd pick a 3-week period when she would be available by phone, when friends of mine would be available by phone and in person, and we'd see if I could get through the sweats, nightmares, trembling, heart palpitations and nausea. If I simply couldn't stand it any longer, and the "moral supports" weren't enough, she said I should just take my regular dose (37.5 mg, at that time), and the physical problems would cease. After 2 more months, we'd try it again. If that didn't work, she'd come up with another plan.
There's always hope! Never give up!
Posted by MSR on January 2, 2004, at 16:35:25
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms! » Carmen Lydia, posted by Dr...Not! on January 2, 2004, at 13:13:23
I posted a few days ago saying that I quit cold-turkey. It has now been 10 days and I am happy to say that the withdrawal symptoms are almost completely gone. I was only on 75mg and only took it for about 6 months, so that may have made it easier for me. The sleepiness and diziness were my worst side effects. I think if you can tough it out for a week or so, it will get better. I personally would rather go through a week of hell than taper off and drag it out for months at a time.
Posted by jiggitykid on January 2, 2004, at 18:02:57
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Carmen Lydia on December 28, 2003, at 4:16:48
What you are experiencing is normal withdrawal. Should you choose to continue, keep in mind that these will continue for a while - mine lasted a few weeks, with each day lessening somewhat. I feel SO MUCH BETTER now that I am not taking Effexor. Thankfully, I didn't need anything else after withdrawal - make sure you and your doctor keep close tabs on you to see whether you do or not. I've said in the past and I'll say in the future, this drug is bad news, and patients are not warned about it. If they were, tho, no one would touch it, and the powers that be know this. Hang in there. I wish you the best!!
Posted by jiggitykid on January 2, 2004, at 18:16:10
In reply to Quit cold-turkey. Should I start back?, posted by MSR on December 28, 2003, at 18:23:14
I'm concerned that you were prescribed an antidepressant for a life event and not for clinical depression. This is what worries me - this stuff is being handed out like candy when it should be carefully controlled and monitored. Have you had trouble with depression before? If not, I would advise you to not take it again - tough out or ask your doc's advice about what can help lessen the effects if they are impossible to handle. I would also offer advice for you to get some support - if you are not already getting support for the grief and emotions over the divorce - as well as support for the withdrawal. Hold on - it will get better. Effexor is nothing to be played with. Some have reported vision damage that is permanent - mine seems to have finally cleared up, but still doesn't seem to be just right. Take care of yourself. You are in my prayers.
Posted by jiggitykid on January 2, 2004, at 19:04:01
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Carmen Lydia on January 1, 2004, at 23:14:39
>>>. I guess my fate is in her hands, so we'll see what happens<<<
No - it doesn't have to be. There are better ones out there and surely there is a better one in your area. Falling asleep at the drop of a hat was a problem for me, too. Not so bad, now that I'm not taking it anymore. Please don't be afraid of the symptoms of withdrawal. There are others here who have posted ways to lessen the symptoms. I went cold-turkey, which worked for me, but it was not easy. It took two weeks for the symptoms to really let go, but they have and I'm grateful that I'm not taking it anymore. I'm much clearer and much more awake. Find a better doc - and take care of yourself.
Posted by MSR on January 2, 2004, at 19:48:16
In reply to Re: Quit cold-turkey. Should I start back?, posted by jiggitykid on January 2, 2004, at 18:16:10
Thank you for your concern. I have not taken the Effexor, or any other antidepressant medication, for 10 days now and I feel better than I did the entire time I was on them. My doctor is at an HMO healthcare facility and hardly spent any time talking to me before sending me out the door with perscription in hand. I have had symptoms of depression in the past, like over-eating and over-sleeping, but I think my problems were more situational than medical. I have been talking with a counselor at my church since the divorce and she has helped me through my depression much more than the psychiatrist. My father is on Effexor and it seems to really help him. But, I personally don't want to be on this medicine ever again. It made me feel even worse and those withdrawal symptoms were scary. I'm thankful to all who have offered advice and support.
Posted by jonathan33 on January 7, 2004, at 14:48:15
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by jiggitykid on January 2, 2004, at 19:04:01
wow amazing, and i thought i was going crazy, i had been on the medication for roughly 2 months or so starting out at 37.5 then 75 then topping out at 150mg. At first everything was improving dramatically and i really felt better about myself and i actually wanted to wake up in this world, then recently about 2 weeks ago, i hit a roadblock, i thought it was just a bad few days, but out of sheer frustration, i hated taking the medication and blamed it for making me feel, downright numb, and what do you know i am know starting to think its the issue and its not me! i threw them away 2 days ago, because i wanted to stop and get new meds. BAD IDEA, i have had nonstop sweating, and its so embarassing, i was in the restaurant sweating and i couldnt take it. then i have these really fucking bad anxiety attacks, worse than before and i get so insecure about myself and my surroundings, i could not believe all this would transpire in just 2 days of not taking the medicine. recently i have had the WEIRDEST dreams , and i recall them perfectly, everything is EXTREMELY detailed and they are completely lucid dreams, as in i am in total control, and everything is refered to rainbow like colors, and when i wake up i have scratches on me, i am starting to get scared to sleep now, but i am always so tired, and feel like shit, my heart races and my mind is detached, at school is the worst im a computer programmer and i feel so weird looking at what i do, blah i am upset, anyone else have weird dreams?> bless my family and my girlfriend for putting up with my ass.
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