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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 373 to 397 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by mapm on January 4, 2004, at 20:07:54
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 4, 2004, at 12:02:22
i've run out of my effexor xr a few days ago. i do have a new perscription but i wont be able to pick it up till tomorrow. unfortunately i also h ave to have some very important conversations tomorrow, which leads me to my question: did anyone find anything they could do at home that made them more functional (the problems i'm having are mostly chills/sweats, dizziness, and a pms-like teari-ness). I'd really appreciate any suggestions, otherwise i'll just have to hope that tomorrows pills kick in by the time my meetings start. ugh.
Posted by mapm on January 4, 2004, at 20:50:58
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Sandman on January 4, 2004, at 10:48:54
I'm in a similar situation. I've had depression for a long time now, and i'd tried going off drugs both with and without physician supervision and both times relapsed after a certain time. On the other hand all the med books say that relapse rate drops most dramatically when you combine therapy and medication, so i'm considering that so that i'm not tied to drugs for my lifetime--who knows when tolerance to this stuff works out? who knows what other things will not work once you get tolerant to it?
Posted by sick of being sick on January 4, 2004, at 21:49:33
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Sandman on January 4, 2004, at 10:48:54
> I started taking 20mg of Sarafem two years ago for my PMDD. It was increased last year to 40mg (same as Prozac). The Sarafem didn't seem to be helping so the doctor's assistant put me on 150mg of Effexor. After about a week I started having electrical shock-like sensations in my head. The sensations were so bad I thought I was having a stroke and went to the hospital. I told the doctors I was on Effexor, but they didn't correlate the two. Was told they couldn't find anything wrong and sent me home.
I was then taken off of Effexor over a two week period and put on some other drug that only works on your seretonin levels. I was on it for about 3 weeks but still had my original symptoms of PMDD. So the doctor put me back on Effexor starting at 37.5mg for 2 weeks then up to 75mg. I was on the 75mg for 3 weeks and starting having the electrical shock-like sensations in my head, hands and feet again. I started having panic attacks and horrible, realistic, "no body likes me" nightmares. My thoughts started racing and I felt overwhelmed with all the things I needed to do! I felt like I was loosing my mind! I couldn't stop crying, couldn't sleep - but was tired and just felt plain rotten. So I called the doctors and they told me to just STOP taking the Effexor and wanted to see me. But I couldn't drive, so they told me I just had to "wait it out"It's been six days since I've taken the Effexor and I'm still experiencing these awful syptoms! I went to see the genius doctor yesterday and he said, "Oh you probably have an inner ear infection." I can't seem to get anybody to understand how bad I'm feeling, or how scary these electrical shock-like sensations feel! What should I do?! Don't the doctor's know?!
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 0:00:03
In reply to Re: Stay away from Effexor, posted by sick of being sick on January 4, 2004, at 21:49:33
You should stop feeling the worse soon. You need to let people who love you know and warn them that you are very irrational now. Whatever you do - don't take anymore or the cycle will go on and on. If you've made it 6 days you can make it. The worse will end real soon. I did a lot of damage to relationships in days 3 through 5. Try not to let that happen to you. Hope it all goes well for you. Suzi
Posted by pala on January 5, 2004, at 0:27:00
In reply to Re: Stay away from Effexor, posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 0:00:03
Suzi,
I would like to reiterate that the withdrawal effects should diminish especially the shocks,
don't be concerned about this, only thing that
you need to take utmost care is to control what
you say and do, it is best not to mingle with
people around you for few days as very trivial
things can perturb your feelings and make you crazy.Do this, ask your PD to first educate himself
he doesn't know what she/he says, if he says it
is ear infection, he has to stop practicing as he is not fit to do his job.Meanwhile, be calm you will certainly feel better and better as days pass by, hang in there and
I wish you the best.pala
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 0:39:30
In reply to Re: Stay away from Effexor, posted by pala on January 5, 2004, at 0:27:00
Thanks - the last time I went to doc for help on getting off (last feb.) they just upped my dose. Now was a good time to get off - no job, etc. I feel adamant about never going to a pshyc again and never taking an anti-depressant again. Obviously, they seem to cause more problems than they solve....
What happened to the good old days when your gp would just give you some Valiums for the rough days???
Thanks again, Suzi
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 0:40:35
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 4, 2004, at 12:42:01
Raggy - Please email me at suzschott@hotmail.com. Thanks Suzi
Posted by diwildflower on January 5, 2004, at 1:43:10
In reply to re: home remedies anyone? Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by mapm on January 4, 2004, at 20:07:54
I too am wondering if there are any home remedies for the nausea from coming off the effexor?
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 2:22:36
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 2, 2004, at 12:18:48
Day 8 off Effexor. I am still not ready to speak to anyone directly. Me finally getting off the drug was a fluke. It happened last Sunday (or Saturday). I have been trying to get off Effexor for two years. I forgot a dose and decided to run with it and live out the withdrawals. I had one thing going for me; yet something else going against me. Firstly, it takes time off from everything to get off this drug. At least a week from any obligations (job, relationships, anything). Probably the best is two weeks in a padded room somewhere.
I went through the worst of my withdrawals in a time of my life I probably should of never of done it – unemployed for 6 months, late on all bills including mortgage….
Yeah sure, those circumstances would of made anyone depressed to begin with…
Personality changes seem subtle – they always are because they happen so slowly. I seem to have more clarity of thought. Maybe Effexor put me in a fog so subtly for three years I forgot what clarity was really like. And I tell this to the group now because I know if I keep feeling this clarity of thought it will become so normal I wouldn’t think to even mention it in just a couple of days.
I can say I experienced a thought of sexual desire today that seemed so out of whack because I haven’t had a thought like that in years. These are subtle things that are hard to discern.
Days 4, 5 and 6 are really the worse as everyone says. If anyone survives that part of Effexor withdrawal I think they can survive a nuclear holocaust; but unfortunately, I believe I will feel the effects for the rest of my life as fallout. If you have any vented up anger it will come out…. I guess that is the bad part that can make people run back to their doctor who will comfort them by giving them more of the drugs to keep them in the fog.
Guess I am lucky I no longer have health insurance so that is not an option for me….
As for Raggy now contending with her daughter-in-law’s suicide. I honestly can see how this drug can do this. It is so tragic and a life that should of never gone wasted – she had so much love and so much to live for yet the Effexor made her psychotic and doubt her recovery so much she had to relieve herself by taking her life.
We should take this beyond coming to this site for comfort and make a voice to be heard somewhere that Wythe pharmaceuticals and like companies (Paxil and Celexa makers) must stop marketing these drugs. These drugs are still so in their infancy and we have been the guinea pigs.
Good luck everyone, Suzi
Posted by hatemylife on January 5, 2004, at 8:12:30
In reply to try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by cybercafe on October 18, 2003, at 18:31:09
OK, I've read several of the posts and I'm terrified now. I had no idea that life could get any worse, but it seems that facing Effexor withdrawal could put me over the edge. I'm on 75 mg now and have been for over a year. I'm still very depressed and have enough anger to light up the city. I have plenty of reasons for both, but the Effexor doesn't help. I skipped ONE pill the other day and spent my day in the crazy house. I had panic, crying, and was so distracted that I wonder just what I did at work. I want to stop taking this stuff, but this is a bad time of year for me anyway. This month is 11 yrs since my oldest son was killed in a car crash at age 16. I have a bottle of Zoloft to take when the Effexor runs out and that will be soon. Any advice? No ins and hubby unemployed.
Posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 9:59:59
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by hatemylife on January 5, 2004, at 8:12:30
> OK, I've read several of the posts and I'm terrified now. I had no idea that life could get any worse, but it seems that facing Effexor withdrawal could put me over the edge. I'm on 75 mg now and have been for over a year. I'm still very depressed and have enough anger to light up the city. I have plenty of reasons for both, but the Effexor doesn't help. I skipped ONE pill the other day and spent my day in the crazy house. I had panic, crying, and was so distracted that I wonder just what I did at work. I want to stop taking this stuff, but this is a bad time of year for me anyway. This month is 11 yrs since my oldest son was killed in a car crash at age 16. I have a bottle of Zoloft to take when the Effexor runs out and that will be soon. Any advice? No ins and hubby unemployed.
My doctor had to try almost every anti-depressant and various combinations before finding something that worked for me. She finally had me try a combination of Effexor and Remeron. Not only did it work, but she said it had worked well for most of her patients who tried it. If you haven't tried this combination, you may want to ask your doctor about it. It couldn't hurt to try it. The Remeron you is taken at bedtime and helps you sleep really well too.The one crazy thing about Remeron, which your doctor should know, is that too low a dose will make you very tired during the day. But it may be necessary for a few days or a week to gradually build up to a higher dose which won't make you tired. Effexor and Remeron have literally given me my life back.
I realize that some anti-depressants work for some people but not for others. But since, according to my shrink, this combination appears to help so many, it couldn't hurt to try it.
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 10:14:19
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 9:59:59
Start weening yourself from the 75 mg. Open the cap and take half and take the other half tomorrow. (you can just shake that stuff into your mouth. Make a point to take less every few days until you are off. I am having major withdrawals from quitting cold turkey and I was only taking about 15 mg a day. Too late for me to taper now - I will never take any of these kinds of drugs again. Sorry about the loss of your son. They gave me Effexor after I lost my mom. Good luck, Suzi
Posted by bipolar1 on January 5, 2004, at 10:27:10
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 2:22:36
Hello, I've been taking Effexor XR for the past three years. When I am taking it regularly, I feel good, but I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced some of the withdrawal effects that I've had. I take 450MG a day combined with Depakote, Zoloft, Lithium, Lamictal, and sometimes Seraquil. It is a scary thing for me to ever miss a dose. I ran out Saturday and haven't had a chance to refill yet. I am lucky that I woke up this morning. I slept from late Saturday night until 8:30p on Sunday. I was up for a few hours then back to sleep. Besides the nightmares, I find myself "trapped" in sleep. It is like an out of body experience for me. I observe myself, but can do nothing to control my motor functions. I lay in bed silently screaming out for help and trying desperately to make my body move, but nothing happens. When I have been off this med in the past, I have often had to check myself in to a hospital to protect me from myself. I hope I am never in a situation where I can't afford to stay on this med because I'm sure that I'm dependant on it.
Posted by jerseydevil on January 5, 2004, at 10:28:57
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 9:59:59
As noted in the previous post, every person requires their own "cocktail" or combination of meds to adjust their body chemistry. My opinion, and I am not a doctor, just a guy currently on 8 meds for MDD (r/o BPII), including having recently started on Effexor at just 37.5 and topamax at 50 which seem to have put me in just the right spot, DON'T GIVE UP, and don't just change meds without the advice of a psychiatrist. BEFORE you run out of Effexor, if you can't afford to see a doctor, go to your local hospital ER and check in as a Jane Doe. Explain you have no insurance, you can't afford a doctor (don't mention your job), and you are about to run out of Effexor. Free samples are usually available.
Posted by mapm on January 5, 2004, at 10:31:10
In reply to re: home remedies anyone? Effexor Withdrawl now » mapm, posted by diwildflower on January 5, 2004, at 1:43:10
> I too am wondering if there are any home remedies for the nausea from coming off the effexor?
i'd just read about someone swearing by benadril. about to try...
Posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 10:57:47
In reply to re: home remedies anyone? Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by mapm on January 5, 2004, at 10:31:10
> > I too am wondering if there are any home remedies for the nausea from coming off the effexor?
>
>
> i'd just read about someone swearing by benadril. about to try...
>You may want to try Dramamine too. Although it's primarily for nausea associated with motion sickness, it once helped me during a long bout of nausea when I had stomach problems.
Posted by heavenlee on January 6, 2004, at 11:30:38
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 9:59:59
Can someone explain to me how i can start a new thread. Thank you
Posted by KimberlyDi on January 6, 2004, at 12:54:03
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by hatemylife on January 5, 2004, at 8:12:30
Start reducing your Effexor dosages... If you have 75mg capsules you can divide it in half, down 1/2 of the capsule like a shot (with liquid), and close the capsule up again and keep in another bottle marked 37.5.
If you are running out & need to do a crash course withdrawal... I would alternate 37.5mg days with 75mg days, increasing the 37.5 days... like mon 37.5, tues 75, wed 37.5, thurs 37.5, fri 75, etc. Start adding in the Zoloft (low dose) when you are ok at 37.5 daily. Divide the 37.5 capsules in half, and start the alternating schedule again. mon 18mg day, tues 37.5, wed & thurs 18mg, fri 37.5.
I have had much more success at an alternating day decrease than a straight across the board decrease. If I just flat drop the dosage, by day 4 I'm dizzy, sick, and climbing the walls.
Even if you have success going thru withdrawal, be prepared for the rebound depression. I made my first suicide attempt while dropping from 300mg to 150 to 75 too quickly.
I wish you luck. You've alot on your plate. I'm not sure what Zoloft prices are (there should be generics available) but I take generic Imipramine for anxiety/depression and it is affordable so far at the 100mg daily dosage. It calms me more than it helps with the blues. I'm going from 75mg to 0mg on Effexor also (started alternating days 5 days ago). So, you aren't alone. :)
KDi in TX
> OK, I've read several of the posts and I'm terrified now. I had no idea that life could get any worse, but it seems that facing Effexor withdrawal could put me over the edge. I'm on 75 mg now and have been for over a year. I'm still very depressed and have enough anger to light up the city. I have plenty of reasons for both, but the Effexor doesn't help. I skipped ONE pill the other day and spent my day in the crazy house. I had panic, crying, and was so distracted that I wonder just what I did at work. I want to stop taking this stuff, but this is a bad time of year for me anyway. This month is 11 yrs since my oldest son was killed in a car crash at age 16. I have a bottle of Zoloft to take when the Effexor runs out and that will be soon. Any advice? No ins and hubby unemployed.
Posted by KimberlyDi on January 6, 2004, at 12:57:03
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 9:59:59
I had some success at Imipramine (somewhat similar to Remeron?) and Effexor BUT my marriage can't handle the libido side effect of Effexor so I'm going off it completely. Anyone know another good match for Imipramine to boost up the anti-depressant properties without screwing up my love life?
KDi in TX
> > OK, I've read several of the posts and I'm terrified now. I had no idea that life could get any worse, but it seems that facing Effexor withdrawal could put me over the edge. I'm on 75 mg now and have been for over a year. I'm still very depressed and have enough anger to light up the city. I have plenty of reasons for both, but the Effexor doesn't help. I skipped ONE pill the other day and spent my day in the crazy house. I had panic, crying, and was so distracted that I wonder just what I did at work. I want to stop taking this stuff, but this is a bad time of year for me anyway. This month is 11 yrs since my oldest son was killed in a car crash at age 16. I have a bottle of Zoloft to take when the Effexor runs out and that will be soon. Any advice? No ins and hubby unemployed.
>
>
> My doctor had to try almost every anti-depressant and various combinations before finding something that worked for me. She finally had me try a combination of Effexor and Remeron. Not only did it work, but she said it had worked well for most of her patients who tried it. If you haven't tried this combination, you may want to ask your doctor about it. It couldn't hurt to try it. The Remeron you is taken at bedtime and helps you sleep really well too.
>
> The one crazy thing about Remeron, which your doctor should know, is that too low a dose will make you very tired during the day. But it may be necessary for a few days or a week to gradually build up to a higher dose which won't make you tired. Effexor and Remeron have literally given me my life back.
>
> I realize that some anti-depressants work for some people but not for others. But since, according to my shrink, this combination appears to help so many, it couldn't hurt to try it.
Posted by KimberlyDi on January 6, 2004, at 13:00:10
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by bipolar1 on January 5, 2004, at 10:27:10
Just wanted to mention that "trapped in your body" feeling on Effexor. I experienced it a few times trying to wake up. Mind awake but unable to move the body. VERY SCARY.
KDi in TX
> Hello, I've been taking Effexor XR for the past three years. When I am taking it regularly, I feel good, but I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced some of the withdrawal effects that I've had. I take 450MG a day combined with Depakote, Zoloft, Lithium, Lamictal, and sometimes Seraquil. It is a scary thing for me to ever miss a dose. I ran out Saturday and haven't had a chance to refill yet. I am lucky that I woke up this morning. I slept from late Saturday night until 8:30p on Sunday. I was up for a few hours then back to sleep. Besides the nightmares, I find myself "trapped" in sleep. It is like an out of body experience for me. I observe myself, but can do nothing to control my motor functions. I lay in bed silently screaming out for help and trying desperately to make my body move, but nothing happens. When I have been off this med in the past, I have often had to check myself in to a hospital to protect me from myself. I hope I am never in a situation where I can't afford to stay on this med because I'm sure that I'm dependant on it.
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 6, 2004, at 23:22:45
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by heavenlee on January 6, 2004, at 11:30:38
> Can someone explain to me how i can start a new thread.
1. At the very top of this (and every) post, there should be a link, "start new thread". Click on that link. That should take you to the main page. Or you can just start at the main page and scroll down.
2. Under the heading, "start a new thread", there should be a button, "go to form". Click on that button.
HTH,
Bob
Posted by Sad Panda on January 7, 2004, at 3:53:47
In reply to re: home remedies anyone? Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by mapm on January 5, 2004, at 10:31:10
> > I too am wondering if there are any home remedies for the nausea from coming off the effexor?
>
>
> i'd just read about someone swearing by benadril. about to try...
>
I take my 150mg Efexor-XR at night with 15mg Remeron. Remeron seems to help my nausea.Panda.
Posted by sick of being sick on January 7, 2004, at 7:36:34
In reply to Re: Stay away from Effexor, posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 0:00:03
> Suzi
Thanks - It's day nine and my doctor gave me 20mg of Prozac yesterday to help with the Effexor withdrawals for the next 2 weeks. I'm actually feeling a lot better and plan on going back to work tomorrow.
The hardest thing is what to say to people when they ask "What's wrong, are you sick? Why haven't you been at work?" I'm a terrible lier but don't want anybody to think I was "addicted" to any drugs.
You should stop feeling the worse soon. You need to let people who love you know and warn them that you are very irrational now. Whatever you do - don't take anymore or the cycle will go on and on. If you've made it 6 days you can make it. The worse will end real soon. I did a lot of damage to relationships in days 3 through 5. Try not to let that happen to you. Hope it all goes well for you. Suzi
Posted by Roomy on January 8, 2004, at 6:23:38
In reply to Re: Stay away from Effexor, posted by sick of being sick on January 7, 2004, at 7:36:34
> > Suzi
>
> Thanks - It's day nine and my doctor gave me 20mg of Prozac yesterday to help with the Effexor withdrawals for the next 2 weeks. I'm actually feeling a lot better and plan on going back to work tomorrow.
>
> The hardest thing is what to say to people when they ask "What's wrong, are you sick? Why haven't you been at work?" I'm a terrible lier but don't want anybody to think I was "addicted" to any drugs.
>
> You should stop feeling the worse soon. You need to let people who love you know and warn them that you are very irrational now. Whatever you do - don't take anymore or the cycle will go on and on. If you've made it 6 days you can make it. The worse will end real soon. I did a lot of damage to relationships in days 3 through 5. Try not to let that happen to you. Hope it all goes well for you. Suzi
>
>
I am on day 9 of my new Effexor-free life! (incert fanfare here) FINALLY I feel like I can get thru a day without sitting on the couch, gazing off into complete nothingness wondering if I have done the right thing. I have been on Effexor (or friends, Paxil and Serzone) for about
7 years now. I had no clue that they were addictiong drugs. I had no clue that I would have so much trouble getting OFF the drugs. I had no clue that I would have trouble getting OFF with my hubby while ON the drugs...(sorry that was crude I know) :) my point is...I had no clue! I counted on my doctor to know. I PAID my doctor to have at least HALF a clue. I think I need my money back!
I do have a question. Its been so long since I have been drug free, I forget how I used to act. Since I am on day 9 drug free, I have had a few bad months of weaning down and then the full blown withdrawl when I finally stopped and I have been a bit...well...crabby perhaps? (my hubby and children would have a better word for it I am sure) Now my hubby says....GET BACK ON IT!! I am wondering, Am I just feeling this way because of the withdrawl or am I just naturally a bitch?
Posted by sick of being sick on January 8, 2004, at 6:32:09
In reply to Re: Stay away from Effexor » sick of being sick, posted by Roomy on January 8, 2004, at 6:23:38
> > > Suzi
> >
> > Thanks - It's day nine and my doctor gave me 20mg of Prozac yesterday to help with the Effexor withdrawals for the next 2 weeks. I'm actually feeling a lot better and plan on going back to work tomorrow.
> >
> > The hardest thing is what to say to people when they ask "What's wrong, are you sick? Why haven't you been at work?" I'm a terrible lier but don't want anybody to think I was "addicted" to any drugs.
> >
> > You should stop feeling the worse soon. You need to let people who love you know and warn them that you are very irrational now. Whatever you do - don't take anymore or the cycle will go on and on. If you've made it 6 days you can make it. The worse will end real soon. I did a lot of damage to relationships in days 3 through 5. Try not to let that happen to you. Hope it all goes well for you. Suzi
> >
> >
> I am on day 9 of my new Effexor-free life! (incert fanfare here) FINALLY I feel like I can get thru a day without sitting on the couch, gazing off into complete nothingness wondering if I have done the right thing. I have been on Effexor (or friends, Paxil and Serzone) for about
> 7 years now. I had no clue that they were addictiong drugs. I had no clue that I would have so much trouble getting OFF the drugs. I had no clue that I would have trouble getting OFF with my hubby while ON the drugs...(sorry that was crude I know) :) my point is...I had no clue! I counted on my doctor to know. I PAID my doctor to have at least HALF a clue. I think I need my money back!
> I do have a question. Its been so long since I have been drug free, I forget how I used to act. Since I am on day 9 drug free, I have had a few bad months of weaning down and then the full blown withdrawl when I finally stopped and I have been a bit...well...crabby perhaps? (my hubby and children would have a better word for it I am sure) Now my hubby says....GET BACK ON IT!! I am wondering, Am I just feeling this way because of the withdrawl or am I just naturally a bitch?
>Roomy
Today is day 10 of Effexor free, but I'm on 20mg of Prozac for the next 2 weeks to help. The crabbyness is probably because of the Effexor. Just try to be aware of your moodiness and hold back when you talking to your kids or husband. Maybe trying some Prozac for a couple weeks might help. Good Luck!
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