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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by grannyclampett on June 16, 2004, at 9:24:59
In reply to I'm off! (8 weeks), posted by Laurajean on June 2, 2004, at 21:35:04
Oh my god, I am so glad I found you folks! Thought I was losing my mind. I've been on 300 mg/Effexor for 2 years and have been tapering off for 6+ weeks now. This is my first week w/o any Effexor. Started on Adderall XR (10mg 2x/day for previously undiagnosed ADD) as I started going off the AD. It's a new doc who is helping get off this stuff and although she seems aware of how hard the withdrawl can be she thinks my weepiness, anxiety, irritability, constant exhaustion, etc. are due to my (probably) being peri-menopausal. Some days are better than others and I don't have the tearfulness & irritability, but the exhaustion seems constant. The brain zaps and swooshes are familiar to me -- used to happen if I missed a single dose. I think I've done a pretty good job of tapering off so those side effects are not as prevalent. It's the constant exhaustion & the feeling choking back tears that's driving me nuts.
Laura: your post gives me hope but here's my question. Did it take 8 weeks after your final dose or 8 weeks including tapering off?
> Hi all,
> I haven't been here for a while but I saw some posts recently about trying to come off relatively high doses for long periods of time and just wanted to reassure you it can be done!
>
> I was on 300 mg xr for three or more years and I have been OFF now for about eight weeks....and I finally am feeling more "normal." No physical symptoms that I know of, and the crying jags, anxiety, etc. is much less.
>
> The withdrawal process was horrendous....it amazes me that even days go by now where I don't think about it. That is improvement!
>
> Thank you to all who helped me......
>
> laura
Posted by Jiggitykid on June 16, 2004, at 11:46:43
In reply to Re: I'm off! (8 weeks) » Laurajean, posted by grannyclampett on June 16, 2004, at 9:24:59
GrannyClampett - I went cold-turkey, not having any idea about the withdrawal until I was full-blown into it. I didn't go back on any because I just couldn't put one more granule into my body. Most advise tapering, the way your doctor did. As for the feeling like you'll cry at any second - that's a TOTALLY NORMAL part of withdrawal and it will take about a month, give or take, for it to subside. It took me a month after my last dose to feel like I might be normal again, and then another month to gain complete control over my teariness. The exhaustion was hard to measure, but it has been since November that I quit taking it, and just last month I could stop taking what was helping me with the exhaustion. I have IA already, so again, exhaustion is a hard thing to measure with me.
I'm not a professional, but I'd say that the weepiness isn't perimenopausal (which I'm entering too). It's the *(&#^#& efffexor. Give it at least 4 weeks, then see if you notice a difference.
Hang in there - this ride stinks, but it does end and you can get your body back. :-)
Posted by boatsie on June 16, 2004, at 12:14:30
In reply to Re: I'm off! (8 weeks) » grannyclampett, posted by Jiggitykid on June 16, 2004, at 11:46:43
Like you, i was on 300 mg but for much longer. right now i am in second week of slow taper which involves 300 day one, 150 day two. I also am interested in how long the withdrawal symptoms continue after totally being off.
Today I see my psy to report on my progress and to request 75 mg pills which the pharmacist says i should use for 225 day one and 150 day two.. then we're down to 150, 150.this is definitely a scarey thing. so far, i've noiticed that i'm not AS exhausted as i was on the full dose effexor. feel more clear mentally, more motivated, more on top of things.... is this just in my mind?
dreams getting a tad weird. some bouts of feeling like I have the flu, the sweats, and on again off again numbness in left side (something I've lived with for 20 years on off and noone knows why .... when the depression was at its worst this numbness seemed to be on verge of taking over whole body...
i'm lucky to have a group of pharms supporting me. i'm nervous about seeing psy today as she honestly doesn't believe i'll be able to come off drugs. she says its too far progessed, the damage has been done and is irreversible. but that goes against everything i read in new research that is not funded by drug companies.
Thank you all for this list once again. I send my support to all of you. Hope someone writes back who is in process so we can support each other real time through the process.
Deborah
Posted by Jiggitykid on June 16, 2004, at 13:06:32
In reply to Re: I'm off! (8 weeks), posted by boatsie on June 16, 2004, at 12:14:30
> >this is definitely a scarey thing. so far, i've noiticed that i'm not AS exhausted as i was on the full dose effexor. feel more clear mentally, more motivated, more on top of things.... is this just in my mind?<<
Nope - the effexor clouded me up so much that my marriage was nearly destroyed. I was "gone" most of the time. It was horrible!!! Clearing up and feeling better means that garbage is getting out of your brain and allowing you to think again.
> >i'm lucky to have a group of pharms supporting me. i'm nervous about seeing psy today as she honestly doesn't believe i'll be able to come off drugs. she says its too far progessed, the damage has been done and is irreversible. but that goes against everything i read in new research that is not funded by drug companies.<<
Yep - I'm not a professional, but I'd wager that the "studies" are done so that the income can keep flowing in. Until there are credible studies done by independent labs, the truth will not be widely known. I'm anti-depressent free, and fine. Remember, though, everyone is different.
Take care of yourself and hang in there. It's a rough road, but worth it.
Posted by FaithT on June 16, 2004, at 13:54:44
In reply to Re: I'm off! (8 weeks) » Laurajean, posted by grannyclampett on June 16, 2004, at 9:24:59
Hello all..I just wanted to let you know that it really is getting better! The "shocks" or "zaps" are really lessening. The nightmares are becoming a little less psychedelic, alothough sleep itself is still a problem.
Anyway, Thank God, I am finally starting to feel semi-normal again.
Again, I did this the supposed correct way, and weaned down under a Dr.'s supervision, slowly...from 150, to 75, to 37.5..to none. That's when the you know what hit the fan...I had no clue!
I am SO grateful that I seem to be past most of it...I wish the same for all of you!
Love, Faith
Posted by boatsie on June 16, 2004, at 14:46:13
In reply to Re: I'm off...6 days!, posted by FaithT on June 16, 2004, at 13:54:44
Faith,
Re your message ... so the real withdrawal symptoms only started for you when you were totally off? Can you give me a timeframe for cut down?I am also working with nicotine addiction ... i quit in january for 7 wks and was so depressed due to dopamine withdrawal that I had to go on wellbutrin. I don't dare fiddle right now with cigarette withdrawal (which i'm convinced started again after 15 years because of the drug cocktail I've been on. ANyone else have any experience with withdrawal from nicotine?
Posted by FaithT on June 16, 2004, at 15:08:14
In reply to Re: I'm off...6 days! Faith, posted by boatsie on June 16, 2004, at 14:46:13
Hi Boatsie~
Yup..I was totally fine until that last 37.5 mg. capsule...Then all hell broke loose..no undertstatment. I kept saying to my husband, " I feel like I'm being zapped." I was so scared until I started reading that so many others go through the same thing...unfortunately.
Anyway, I weaned down over about 5 weeks...Some do it in a longer time frame. I guess, in all reality maybe it was a little too fast, but it seems not matter how slow you do it, you still have some horrid symptoms.
Anyway, like I said, it's day 6 or 7, and I'm almost fine...totally functional, though sleep deprived!
Best of luck to you sweetie! Take your time, and do what you feel is right for you...I'm not a smoker but I know many friends that say it's such a hard habit to break...very addictive.
Love, Faith
Posted by Jiggitykid on June 16, 2004, at 16:21:02
In reply to Re: I'm off...6 days! Faith » boatsie, posted by FaithT on June 16, 2004, at 15:08:14
>>..I was totally fine until that last 37.5 mg. capsule...Then all hell broke loose..no undertstatment. I kept saying to my husband, " I feel like I'm being zapped." I was so scared until I started reading that so many others go through the same thing...unfortunately.
Anyway, I weaned down over about 5 weeks...Some do it in a longer time frame. I guess, in all reality maybe it was a little too fast, but it seems not matter how slow you do it, you still have some horrid symptoms.<<You're exactly right. It doesn't matter - when that last grain is gone, withdrawal begins. Some say that they feel tapering is easier. Cold-turkey did it for me - I have know way of "comparing" whether my symptoms of withdrawal were any worse than someone who tapered. It was hell - that's the only way to describe it, and it sounds as if hell is experienced at all levels once the med is gone.
Hang in there. You can get past this!!
Posted by jbc on June 17, 2004, at 13:15:14
In reply to It DOES Get Better!, posted by allycat on June 12, 2004, at 18:17:42
Allycat...I'm wondering how the 5-HTP worked for you. I've had to be away from the board for quite a while, so just now saw this post about the natural supplement you mentioned. I too suffer from chronic depression & am looking for something natural to try. Any advice you or anyone else can give would be greatly appreciated!
> ...My doctor had planned for me to start taking another AD called Lustral, but i refuse after going thru this! Instead i have done some research & found a natural amino acid supplement called 5-HTP..it works in a similar way to AD's in that it helps the brain to produce seretonin(the feel good hormone) U can buy it at the health food store, so i got myself some capsules & plan to start taking them as soon as i can...
Posted by boatsie on June 17, 2004, at 13:57:23
In reply to Re: It DOES Get Better! » allycat, posted by jbc on June 17, 2004, at 13:15:14
i also am interested in hearing about 5Htp ... i had been sailing through my tapering off experience (abnout two weeks) when yesterday and last night had horrid symptoms --- headache, sweating, disembodied feelings HIGHLIGHTED by the return of the horrid imagery and demented delusional dreams .... i am researching something called true hope for detox ... will let you know.
Posted by cassandra on July 21, 2004, at 17:18:23
In reply to Re: It DOES Get Better!, posted by boatsie on June 17, 2004, at 13:57:23
I would like to say -for those who might be scared to start taking effexor because of all the horror stories out there- that my experience of this drug has been a very positive one.
I started taking effexor xr 37.5mg six months ago for major depression and almost immediately started feeling much better. Initial side effects like slight insomnia and being a bit too hyper subsided within two weeks. I went from being totally apathetic and incapacitated to enjoying things again, became very productive at work and was capable of dealing with major life changes that probably started my depressive episode. Anyway within two months I was as good as I have ever been in my life (32 yrs old). Recently I decided to maybe get off effexor. My doctor agreed and told me to start opening the capsules and getting half of the 37.5mg dosage each day and we would even try to reduce it further within three weeks. Well because of huge workload I forgot to fill my prescription before I started any of the tampering and went two days without effexor. What I felt was NOTHING, meaning nothing bad no withdrawl symptoms whatsoever. I called the doctor who said since I wasnt experiencing any withdrawl symptoms I should give it a try without the drug and let him know how it is going. It has been two weeks now, I feel as good as I did on effexor (which is very good) and I did not have any withdrwal symptoms.
Of course things could be very different for different people but I know that I got very scared initially of taking this drug and if I hadn't I would potentially still be suffering (a lot)
I hope this helps
Posted by step on July 26, 2004, at 18:36:19
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Tiffanie on June 8, 2004, at 16:30:50
I was on Effexor at 75 mg for about 2 months and started having really bad reactions (suicidal thoughts etc) so my doctor is taking me off the meds. She took me down to 37.5 mg for 5 days, then 37.5 every other day for 5 days and now nothing.
I took my last pill on friday. Friday night I had severe diarhea and intense headaches that felt like my brain was going to explode. On saturday I had chest pains and more headaches. After getting out of the shower yesterday I experienced bad "brain shivers", blurred vision, headaches, more chest pain and fatigue. Today more of the same.
From what I've read online the chest pains, headaches and blurred vision are probably high blood pressure. I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow morning and see what she has to say.
Since I started Effexor I've had vibrant dreams and nightmares, and they are continuing through what I guess is my withdrawal. Had I known Effexor had such an effect I never would have started it. It did actually make me feel great for a few weeks when I started....*sigh*
Anyway, I'm just glad I haven't been on this drug for years and/or on a higher dosage. I imagine the withdrawals would be worse for me if that was the case.
Posted by Jiggitykid on July 26, 2004, at 20:53:54
In reply to Effexor withdrawal?, posted by step on July 26, 2004, at 18:36:19
Bless your heart - you are experiencing "normal" withdrawals. For sure you should advise your doctor of this. Don't be surprised if you meet resistance that these symptoms are real or widespread. My experience with it had me feeling better after two weeks - the worst symptoms were over. After a month, I started to feel more like normal, and after two months, everything (except the blurred vision) settled down.
Maybe one day, some great day, this medication will be dispensed with the warnings sounded loudly and clearly. Hang in there!
Posted by rolie12 on July 26, 2004, at 22:24:52
In reply to Effexor withdrawal?, posted by step on July 26, 2004, at 18:36:19
Effexor withdrawal is horrible. It has been 5 days and the vomiting has stopped, but the zaps continue and now I have muscle spasms at night. My legs will just tense up and start to shake. My pdoc told me to go from 300 mg to 150 for two days and quit. I did it for 1 and don't think 2 would have mattered. She never said anything about withdrawals, just said if the zaps continue to talk to my MD or neurologist to see if it's something else. Right doc! No problems until this drug was in my system and now trying to get out. Will not go back to her~
Posted by FaithT on July 26, 2004, at 22:45:36
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal?, posted by rolie12 on July 26, 2004, at 22:24:52
I withdrew from Effexor
a month ago..You can see my above posts. It was hell, and nothing less, BUT I got through it, and so can you. The brain zaps, nightmares and insomnia lasted about 3 weeks, and got progressivly better as time went along. The insomnia still is working itself out, but is much better.
YOU WILL GET PAST THIS! Trust me, I am SO grateful to be past it all. It will get better..Hang in there!
Hugs, Faith~
Posted by Jiggitykid on July 27, 2004, at 7:33:46
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal?, posted by rolie12 on July 26, 2004, at 22:24:52
I'm not a doctor, but my personal experience is that the zaps will go away after the withdrawal is complete. Your doctor is simply one of the thousands of doctors who has been "convinced" by the drug company that withdrawal doesn't exist.
You *should* begin to feel improvement in about another week, then by the end of the month you should feel more in control. Moodiness and crying jags are also "normal." Very vivid dreams come with the package. Take care driving at night because you might have halo-vision, which goes along with the zaps.
The best things you can do for yourself: 1) Let yourself off the hook. What you are experiencing is normal and not in your control. Give yourself permission to ride it out. 2) Tell those around you (the ones you can trust) what is going on and let them read some of the posts here about withdrawal, so that they can support you and not think you're sick or mean or crazy, etc. 3) Print out the testimonials here (look in the archives) and take the stack to your doctor. She needs to be informed. Whether she'll believe you or not isn't the point. We are not a noisy minority. This is COMMON, and anyone who refuses to believe this is lying to themselves.
ANYONE READING THIS: If you take Effexor, low dose or not, works for you or not - odds are that you WILL experience this withdrawal when you stop.
Please take care of yourself and give yourself time. It will get better - check back here and keep us posted. My withdrawal took the steps of two weeks for the bad stuff, a month for the general stuff (like the mood swings, etc., which my doctor tried to tell me meant that I needed to go back on something), and two months to feel my personality and LIFE come back. Take care!!
Posted by step on July 27, 2004, at 14:10:58
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Becky on October 2, 1999, at 22:03:30
Well... I went to see my doctor, and big surprise she didn't believe I was suffering withdrawal. According to her I couldn't possibly have withdrawal since a) She had put me on a weaning off schedule and b) None of her other patients had ever suffered withdrawal before while weaning off Effexor.
"Wha? Excuse me?" I felt like asking, "What the heck do I have then?"
Here I was feeling comforted that it probably was withdrawal and I wasn't dying from some strange disease, but she was so sure it couldn't be that. Oh great!
I showed her documentation I found online
( references to articles, petitions etc. ) She told me I couldn't trust the internet. When I showed her that one of the articles was from a medical journal, she told me that 'we can't trust all journals either".I strongly suspect she believes that I am imagining my symptoms because I took the time to educate myself online. *sigh*
So apparently I'm to put all my faith in a doctor who has never before encountered a patient suffering Effxor withdrawal while weaning off, and therefore doesn't believe it's possible.
Well fudge.
she told me to come back and see her in a week, and if I get chest pains again to go to emergency rather than coming to see her. No way I'm doing that! Wait times for emergency are horrendous! Besides, if I was going to have a heart attack, I'd have probably experienced it shortly after the chest pains started on saturday!
I'm so frustrated right now. My brain is zapping all over the place, my chest still hurts, I'm tired and I'm cranky!
Thank god I have peple here who can assure me this should go away eventually, or I'd sink into a horrid depression.
Posted by step on July 27, 2004, at 18:05:14
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal?, posted by Jiggitykid on July 27, 2004, at 7:33:46
It occurs to me that a lot of people probably don't realize they are experiencing withdrawal. From what I've read some of these symptoms can be attributed to a mild flu: (headaches, skin sensitivity, tiredness etc)
Chances are some people think they have a flu, don't connect it to Effexor withdrawal and never report it to their doctors. This would explain why my Doc thinks I'm lying to her, since no one she's weaned off Effexor has gone through this according to her.
It make me feel like I'm a nutcase with "pretend" symptoms or something. Grrr.
Posted by boatsie on July 28, 2004, at 22:14:38
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by step on July 27, 2004, at 14:10:58
I just returned from my Dr. who has been supportive in my tapering off but very concerned about the wildfire which is now smoldering in my brain, under control through medication. I have been down to 150 mg. from 300, tapering to 225 then to 185 tyhen to 150. i have been extremely exhausted and today she indicated that under 225, the drugs ability to interact with the norepineprine receptors is nill. We have agreed to a compromise, since she will be out of country until mid august and I am going to take 185 1/2 mg. until she returns.
There are many who post to this board whe do not suffer from the severe psychotic depression and recurrent depressions which have plagued me through my life. Both my pharmacist and doctor are encouraging me to remain strong even if I find I cannot go all the way off effexor; to be content to have scaled it back so that i am no longer in the fugue, ....... i just keep researching, to find out if the damage done to my neural, endocrine et al systems IS irreperable. So many of these postings are from people who were on 75 mg or even less .... I walk a very thin line between functioning and disability and i am opting for functionality. I am hopeful , always hopeful, that this will be possible again without drugs.
Deborah> Well... I went to see my doctor, and big surprise she didn't believe I was suffering withdrawal. According to her I couldn't possibly have withdrawal since a) She had put me on a weaning off schedule and b) None of her other patients had ever suffered withdrawal before while weaning off Effexor.
>
> "Wha? Excuse me?" I felt like asking, "What the heck do I have then?"
>
> Here I was feeling comforted that it probably was withdrawal and I wasn't dying from some strange disease, but she was so sure it couldn't be that. Oh great!
>
> I showed her documentation I found online
> ( references to articles, petitions etc. ) She told me I couldn't trust the internet. When I showed her that one of the articles was from a medical journal, she told me that 'we can't trust all journals either".
>
> I strongly suspect she believes that I am imagining my symptoms because I took the time to educate myself online. *sigh*
>
> So apparently I'm to put all my faith in a doctor who has never before encountered a patient suffering Effxor withdrawal while weaning off, and therefore doesn't believe it's possible.
>
> Well fudge.
>
> she told me to come back and see her in a week, and if I get chest pains again to go to emergency rather than coming to see her. No way I'm doing that! Wait times for emergency are horrendous! Besides, if I was going to have a heart attack, I'd have probably experienced it shortly after the chest pains started on saturday!
>
> I'm so frustrated right now. My brain is zapping all over the place, my chest still hurts, I'm tired and I'm cranky!
>
> Thank god I have peple here who can assure me this should go away eventually, or I'd sink into a horrid depression.
Posted by flyingdreams on July 29, 2004, at 11:54:05
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by boatsie on July 28, 2004, at 22:14:38
Have you check your thyroid? Simple blood test will do, but get your results and compare them to the chart online at about.com under hypothyroidism. I just found out my dr read my results wrong. Now on a thyroid med instead of SSRI's. This is often misdiagnosed as depression! Apparently everyone who has ever been depressed should have their thyroid checked every year! It's estimated 600,000 people are going undiagnosed! After going thru 7 months of withdrawals I finally found out why they weren't going away!
Posted by LynnM. on July 30, 2004, at 0:31:11
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better! » rolie12, posted by FaithT on July 26, 2004, at 22:45:36
I am totally off Effexor, too, about a month, now. My brain zaps are few and far between, and when they do reappear, they are very minimal in "strength". I feel much, much better...almost back to my old self.
One thing I do want to know, if someone can tell me: I probably gained about 15 lbs. while on the Effexor. Weight isn't lost easily by me. Will I start to see it drop off now that I'm off the med., or will I just have to work twice as hard to get it to come off? I did notice weight loss after I came off of Zoloft years ago, but I was also in the middle of a personal crisis, which could have helped account for the weight loss.
The weight gain issue has been tough for me.
Posted by Jiggitykid on July 30, 2004, at 4:24:07
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better!, posted by LynnM. on July 30, 2004, at 0:31:11
I did drop about 5-7 pounds, but stopped after that. I probably could lose more if I'd get moving ;-). Hopefully, you'll see some of it go away, too.
Congrats on making it through!!!! You're in the home stretch!!
Posted by FaithT on July 30, 2004, at 6:44:03
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better! » LynnM., posted by Jiggitykid on July 30, 2004, at 4:24:07
Yep..me too. I gained 10-15 lbs., and I weighed 125 my entire life..Now, after being off for a month or so, I did drop like 5 lbs. but that's it. SO, you might have to work at the weight stuff..
Faith~
Posted by alan38 on August 2, 2004, at 9:42:57
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better! » Jiggitykid, posted by FaithT on July 30, 2004, at 6:44:03
Question- I have been totally off Effexor for about a month 1/2. Brain Zaps totally gone however, am experiencing alot of indigestion, tightness in stomach/acid reflux. Can this happen this long after stopping the drug????
Posted by boatsie on August 3, 2004, at 14:44:53
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better!, posted by alan38 on August 2, 2004, at 9:42:57
Tomorrow I am seeing a naturalist to help me with essential oils, homeopathy, etc. as I continue my attempt to taper off effexor. After going up again from 150 to 185 for one month, i have to report that getting back up to this level after l week down is also a hell. Indigestion, stomach burning, exhaustion, confused thinking, short term memory really bad, that feeling of the 'big black hole in my head' back in full force. My therapist told me that below 225, the drug no longer effects levels of norepinephrine ....
the fear and excitement i felt at the beginning of the summer has been replaced with a sense of doom, that i am the one whose depression was so far advanced that the damage to my brain is irreversible.
I wonder if doing exercise can h elp elevate endorphins which would replace norepeniphrine? Anyone?
Has anyone received a PET scan or done any research on the clinicial trials for vagus nerve stimulation?
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