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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 711 to 735 of 735. Go back in thread:
Posted by nickolai on January 4, 2006, at 22:21:46
In reply to Rest or Exercise while withdrawing??, posted by brainshiver on February 9, 2005, at 14:13:51
I just happened to come across your message and it was as if I had written it myself. I went cold turkey off of my Effexor (was taking 112 mg daily) and haven't been able to do a decent workout in weeks. Everything you describe is exactly what I've had (but also horrible fatigue, like I could sleep all day). I forced myself back to the gym yesterday and did a less intense workout than usual, but still felt like I had no energy and like I'd never be able to workout the way I usually do. I know it's been quite awhile since you posted, but I'd love to know how it turned out for you and if you were able to get back to working out regularly.
> Hey there again. I normally love working out and do so about 5 days a week. However this is day 5 of my tapering experience, and I haven't worked out since I started tapering because I've been dizzy, nauseous, and my head has been killing me. I was thinking today I should try to get back at it just to keep up on my normal routine, but I am wondering if it is smarter to rest and take it easy. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!!
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 4, 2006, at 22:47:55
In reply to Re: Rest or Exercise while withdrawing?? » brainshiver, posted by nickolai on January 4, 2006, at 22:21:46
> I went cold turkey off of my Effexor (was taking 112 mg daily) and haven't been able to do a decent workout in weeks...
Welcome! And sorry if it's confusing here, but I'd like to redirect this thread to Psycho-Babble Withdrawal. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20051018/msgs/595369.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by SleepyDancer on April 15, 2007, at 13:48:45
In reply to My experience with quitting cold turkey (150 mg), posted by Sanjay Singhal on November 1, 2003, at 4:03:42
I slowly tapered off of Effexor (150mg) after having been on the medication for 2 or so years. I cut my dose in half (75mg) for 2 weeks, then switched to 75mg very other day for 2 weeks. I am now off of it completely and although i have not been on the medication for long, relatively, i have horrible withdrawal symptoms that are deeply effecting my everyday functionality. I've had horrible "brain shivers" which are undscribable, one day so bad that if i lifted my head my vision went blurry and my head would spin, adding to my ever-present nausea. My nausea is constant and awful, often leading to vomitting. Most days i have no appetite what so ever. And of course, horrendus mood swings and uncontrollable crying. This medication maks me feel like a monster! If i had been warned of these symptoms by the doctor who prescribed it to me, there's no way i would have started this medication.
I have found help with medical marijuana, believe it or not. This is obviously not for everyone, but often it is the only time i am able to eat and keep it down. It also rests my mind, which seems to be racing more now that i am completely off the medication. It DOES NOT help with the brain shivers however, which i still get quite often. Any tips from anyone on getting rid of those damn things? I've heard antihistamines can help....I'm hanging in there....even though each day is a struggle.
Posted by gardenergirl on April 17, 2007, at 10:56:06
In reply to Effexor Withdrawals, posted by SleepyDancer on April 15, 2007, at 13:48:45
Hi and welcome to Babble!
We have a board about medication withdrawal, and I've redirected posts about withdrawing from Effexor to that board. Here is a link to the posts, including yours, there: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20061224/msgs/750649.html
namasté
gg
Posted by sick kitty on March 22, 2008, at 22:50:42
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Becky on October 2, 1999, at 22:03:30
I just went through the effexor w/d's. I have some advice. I'm actually going around to different boards and putting up with annoying registration procedures just to tell people about this, because effexor w/d sucks so badly, and I hope that this will help at least a few people.
a) fantasize about suing the company (well, ok, it doesn't work that well, but try it anyway)
b) Get yourself a custom taper pack. Here's how:
Find a compounding pharmacy near you. Chain pharmacies don't usually compound, but most surviving independents do, otherwise they'd be out of business. Ask your chain pharmacist; s/he will know where to find the local pharmacy that will compound for you.
Have your doctor write a prescription and send it to the compounding pharmacy instructing them to take apart your own effexor capsules and make them into a new set of capsules for you. The prescription should look like this:
37 mg for 3 days
19 mg for 3 days
10 mg for 3 days
5 mg for 3 days
3 mg for 3 days
2 mg for 3 days
Change the starting dose to whatever you are taking currently. The idea is to keep cutting the dose in half each time and round up. Note that you can actually pull the capsules apart yourself and do this, but the compounding pharmacy will do a more accurate job than you will, and they have extra capsules and handy labels. And face it, if you're in effexor w/d, you can use all the help you can get.Make sure that you get in touch by phone with the pharmacy so they know what they are doing for you and why, and get some of your effexor to to save money. Also, they will probably tell you that they can't promise that the doses will be that accurate. Just tell them that it's fine with you as long as they do a better job than you could do yourself. :)
You will get back a bunch of little bottles, one for each dosage, labeled. Put them in a row in order in your medicine cabinet. Take them as directed. When the 2mg capsules run out, you will have the w/d symptoms which will be almost as bad, but I pulled out of them in about five days and am now effexor-free.
More information: when I made up my own tapering prescription for my doctor to call in, I added one day per each dosage, so it looked like this instead:
37 mg for 3 days
19 mg for 4 days
10 mg for 5 days
5 mg for 6 days
3 mg for 7 days
2 mg for 8 daysAfter trying it, I'm pretty sure that three days for each dose is gentle enough for most people. Also, you pay by the pill for this, and most pharmacies don't take insurance for compounding. My taper pack cost me $104.00 US, and if you can get away with paying less money, so much the better.
You could also take one more step and go down to 1 mg, but my pharmacy didn't think the could be that accurate, so I didn't bother
Keep in mind that the pharmacy will be mildly confused by the prescription, which is why the phone calls are so important. Also, you will have to spoon-feed instructions for writing the prescripton to your doctor, who is probably very busy. If you can communicate with your doctor by fax, email, or in person, that will help a lot. Trying to describe the taper pack prescription to your doctor over the phone will probably not work well.
If you can get a prescription for a sedative like Klonipin, this will also help you get over the last couple of days.
If you try the custom taper pack out and it helps, please post with what dosages you used and how long on each dose to help other people figure out the best taper pack numbers.
Posted by Molybdenum on March 26, 2008, at 2:25:14
In reply to Surviving Effexor Withdrawal, posted by sick kitty on March 22, 2008, at 22:50:42
Oh dear jesus mother f*ck*ng christ, I'm on 600mg a day...!
I'd better start tapering down now or I won't live long enough to....Hmm........(?)
;)
Posted by 49er on March 29, 2008, at 11:06:21
In reply to Surviving Effexor Withdrawal, posted by sick kitty on March 22, 2008, at 22:50:42
Sick Kitty,
According to Laurie Yorke, an RN who runs paxil progress boards, that type of tapering schedule, particularly with Effexor will sabatoge your withdrawal big time.
The brain needs to time to adapt to less of a drug that has made neurochemical changes throughout the body. The recommendtion for tapering is 10% of the current dose every 3 to 6 weeks.
Since Effexor has one of the worst problems as far as withdrawal due to a very short half life, you may have to taper even more slowly.
Using another drug to help taper is not a good idea because you now have an additional drug to taper off of. You're also in danger of causing additional withdrawal symptoms.
49er
Posted by dancingstar on March 29, 2008, at 11:11:33
In reply to Re: Surviving Effexor Withdrawal, posted by 49er on March 29, 2008, at 11:06:21
Has anyone found an attorney that will pursue Effexor withdrawal problems and the lack of proper notificatiton given to patients and internists of all the side effects?
Posted by 49er on March 29, 2008, at 16:11:23
In reply to Re: Surviving Effexor Withdrawal, posted by dancingstar on March 29, 2008, at 11:11:33
> Has anyone found an attorney that will pursue Effexor withdrawal problems and the lack of proper notificatiton given to patients and internists of all the side effects?
Hi,
I am not 100% sure of this but I think attorneys are only interested in cases where there was a suicide or attempted suicide with kids. Even there, it is dicey.
It is very hard to sue. I am not going to even go there as if I started stating my true feelings, I would get banned from this board.
49er
Posted by dancingstar on March 29, 2008, at 22:01:04
In reply to Re: Surviving Effexor Withdrawal, posted by 49er on March 29, 2008, at 16:11:23
Thanks, 49er. That's been my experience, too. I don't really care if I'm banned yet again from this board. I learned long ago on which side of the fence they stand on this stuff and that it's not really in our best interest. Oh, sure, they'll let you discuss how to prevent further damage from the dread drugs, but don't dare to speak the truth about how harmful they really are.
Best of luck to you. :-)
Posted by 49er on March 30, 2008, at 6:44:25
In reply to Re: Surviving Effexor Withdrawal, posted by dancingstar on March 29, 2008, at 22:01:04
> Thanks, 49er. That's been my experience, too. I don't really care if I'm banned yet again from this board. I learned long ago on which side of the fence they stand on this stuff and that it's not really in our best interest. Oh, sure, they'll let you discuss how to prevent further damage from the dread drugs, but don't dare to speak the truth about how harmful they really are.
>
> Best of luck to you. :-)Same to you.
49er
Posted by robinjoplin on October 4, 2010, at 21:10:40
I'm a newbie but I need some big help. My Dr. took me off 150 mg. of Effexor XR about 10 days ago. He had me stop the Effexor, start taking 50 mg. of Zoloft for 5 days and then 100 mg. which I am staying on. I have had one decent afternoon since. Now I have horrible loud ringing in my left ear, my right rings but not as loud, zero energy, flulike symptoms which are getting a little better, feel like my head is in a fog and sometimes almost an out of body experience. I start crying sometimes driving down the road by myself....this is ridiculous. Anyone have any ideas? I am on a ton of meds for heart so have to watch what I take medication wise. Help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by obsidian on October 4, 2010, at 21:34:24
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal, posted by robinjoplin on October 4, 2010, at 21:21:43
yeah, getting off of effexor is a serious undertaking
I still take it. Decreasing the dose was hard. The crying and the intensity of emotion is hard to tolerate, along with the nightmares...and the physical symptoms, unpleasant to say the least.
I would hope that a change to an SSRI would help ease some of the withdrawal. Any opinion from your psychiatrist??
Posted by robinjoplin on October 4, 2010, at 21:44:44
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal » robinjoplin, posted by obsidian on October 4, 2010, at 21:34:24
No Psychiatrist involved, only a Primary Care Physician. I also have a Cardiologist. The nightmares have let up. I think decreasing the dosage rather than completely stopping it may have been easier but I'm this far and don't want to go backwards.
Posted by Phillipa on October 4, 2010, at 22:11:40
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by robinjoplin on October 4, 2010, at 21:44:44
Since you also have cardiologist problems I'd let the cardiologist know. I don't know why you see one but you should be careful. Phillipa
Posted by weatherfreak on October 5, 2010, at 5:48:14
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by robinjoplin on October 4, 2010, at 21:44:44
It's awful for some. I did it twice, just horrible. The best thing is that you're going over to a similar med and not stopping completely. That's the really horrific part, a cross taper lessens the blow for those of us who get the withdrawal. Just hang in there, there's not much that helps anyway, you're through the worst of it now. Good luck.
Posted by dancingstar on October 5, 2010, at 11:16:50
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal » robinjoplin, posted by weatherfreak on October 5, 2010, at 5:48:14
If I were to do it again, I would cut back very, very slowly, like cut back just a little and wait a week or two before cutting again.
I quit "cold turkey," and it took me over three years to completely recover. Each day I would think that the worst had to be over or I'd have a good day, and then I'd be deathly sick all over again. (Sigh)
If it's at all possible, as much as you might hate to take the drug that caused you so much pain, I'd consider weaning off as slowly as your body needs to go. Those of us that get sick when we stop taking it get really sick.
All the best to you!
Posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2010, at 19:44:31
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal » weatherfreak, posted by dancingstar on October 5, 2010, at 11:16:50
Long time how are you doing now? Phillipa
Posted by dancingstar on October 5, 2010, at 23:15:27
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal » dancingstar, posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2010, at 19:44:31
I'm doing great and feeling pretty terrific. Thank you for asking, Phillipa! How are you??
That was some wild ride. I think my only ongoing symptom is a tendency toward migraines after vigorous exercise, but I'm not getting them anywhere near as often as I was.
When someone on on the board said something like the only thing that helps is time and prayer...well, I think that just maybe they were right. :-)
All my best!
Posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2010, at 20:57:34
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal » Phillipa, posted by dancingstar on October 5, 2010, at 23:15:27
I'm so glad you're continuing to well. Med free? You sure did have a rough time withdrawing from effexor. I remember. I haven't obtained the well being you have. I think having hasimotos thyroiditis interfers. Other questions I'd love to know can't ask here as respect your privacy. Phillipa
Posted by Lou Pilder on October 9, 2010, at 5:50:41
In reply to Effexor withdrawal help!, posted by robinjoplin on October 4, 2010, at 21:10:40
> I'm a newbie but I need some big help. My Dr. took me off 150 mg. of Effexor XR about 10 days ago. He had me stop the Effexor, start taking 50 mg. of Zoloft for 5 days and then 100 mg. which I am staying on. I have had one decent afternoon since. Now I have horrible loud ringing in my left ear, my right rings but not as loud, zero energy, flulike symptoms which are getting a little better, feel like my head is in a fog and sometimes almost an out of body experience. I start crying sometimes driving down the road by myself....this is ridiculous. Anyone have any ideas? I am on a ton of meds for heart so have to watch what I take medication wise. Help would be appreciated. Thank you.
rj,
You wrote,[...I need some big help..had me stop the effexor..zoloft..rediculous...anyone have any ideas..meds for heart..Help would be appreciated...].
Hi. I am here to try to save lives. In reading your post, I am requesting that you view the following video and if you could email me, I could offer you some infomation that I am not permitted to post here due to rules made to me by the administration.
I see that you could be in a very difiicult situation that IMHO needs to be delt with promptly to prevent your death. I base this on the facts that you have posted here, my understanding of how psychotropic chemicals can effect the nerves and organs and the history of people that have died from taking psychotropic drugs from bothe suicide and the chemical effects of the drugs and taken in combination with other drugs. Over 36,000 people die each year from one way or another from taking psychotropic drugs. This figure may be just in the U.S. If it is, then there could be 500,000 people die world -wide each year, which could then mean that millions of people will die from psychotropic drugs as the ten years or more going forward if something is not done to stop the deaths.
Lou
To view this video
A. bring uo google
B. Type in:
[Zoloft What You Should Know The FDA]
Posted by Lou Pilder on October 9, 2010, at 14:12:02
In reply to Lou's response-whihevrreturn » robinjoplin, posted by Lou Pilder on October 9, 2010, at 5:50:41
> > I'm a newbie but I need some big help. My Dr. took me off 150 mg. of Effexor XR about 10 days ago. He had me stop the Effexor, start taking 50 mg. of Zoloft for 5 days and then 100 mg. which I am staying on. I have had one decent afternoon since. Now I have horrible loud ringing in my left ear, my right rings but not as loud, zero energy, flulike symptoms which are getting a little better, feel like my head is in a fog and sometimes almost an out of body experience. I start crying sometimes driving down the road by myself....this is ridiculous. Anyone have any ideas? I am on a ton of meds for heart so have to watch what I take medication wise. Help would be appreciated. Thank you.
>
> rj,
> You wrote,[...I need some big help..had me stop the effexor..zoloft..rediculous...anyone have any ideas..meds for heart..Help would be appreciated...].
> Hi. I am here to try to save lives. In reading your post, I am requesting that you view the following video and if you could email me, I could offer you some infomation that I am not permitted to post here due to rules made to me by the administration.
> I see that you could be in a very difiicult situation that IMHO needs to be delt with promptly to prevent your death. I base this on the facts that you have posted here, my understanding of how psychotropic chemicals can effect the nerves and organs and the history of people that have died from taking psychotropic drugs from bothe suicide and the chemical effects of the drugs and taken in combination with other drugs. Over 36,000 people die each year from one way or another from taking psychotropic drugs. This figure may be just in the U.S. If it is, then there could be 500,000 people die world -wide each year, which could then mean that millions of people will die from psychotropic drugs as the ten years or more going forward if something is not done to stop the deaths.
> Lou
> To view this video
> A. bring uo google
> B. Type in:
> [Zoloft What You Should Know The FDA]
>
> lpilder_1188@fuse.net
>
> rj and others,
If you are considering being a discussant in this thread or parallel threads, I am requesting that you view the folllowing video
Lou
To view this video;
A. Pull up google
B. Type in:
[youtube, every month psychiatric drugs 911
you will see a picture a of a lady. The time is 11 min and was posted on Feb 9, 2009
>
Posted by dancingstar on October 9, 2010, at 14:57:56
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal » dancingstar, posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2010, at 20:57:34
I'm sorry, Phillipa, just saw this now. I'm so sorry that you're still not feeling well. Please don't give up hope. It's the only thing that got me through, though I certainly questioned daily for years whether I'd ever feel well again.
I am essentially med-free, though I do take what seems like an ever-increasing amount of formulated bioidentical Armour thyroid.
I'm pretty careful with my health, trying to make sure I get enough rest, eating a primarily salmon, bluberries, veggies kind of diet; and though I don't always succeed, I try my best to avoid added sugars and most starches. Now that I don't get sick from exercise, it's once again a really important part of my life. I never take feeling well for granted these days, absolutely never.
My heart is with you. Please let me know if I can answer anything for you off the board.
Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2010, at 19:38:42
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by dancingstar on October 9, 2010, at 14:57:56
That's okay. Humm you like armour? e-mail same? Phillipa will try it later if still have it. Thanks
Posted by Enigma on October 10, 2010, at 15:42:48
In reply to Effexor withdrawal help!, posted by robinjoplin on October 4, 2010, at 21:10:40
> I'm a newbie but I need some big help. My Dr. took me off 150 mg. of Effexor XR about 10 days ago. He had me stop the Effexor, start taking 50 mg. of Zoloft for 5 days and then 100 mg. which I am staying on. I have had one decent afternoon since. Now I have horrible loud ringing in my left ear, my right rings but not as loud, zero energy, flulike symptoms which are getting a little better, feel like my head is in a fog and sometimes almost an out of body experience. I start crying sometimes driving down the road by myself....this is ridiculous. Anyone have any ideas? I am on a ton of meds for heart so have to watch what I take medication wise. Help would be appreciated. Thank you.
You probably don't want to hear this, but I wasn't on effexor that long, I really can't remember, and it took me 7 months.. yes, that's not a typo, for the withdrawal (and I tapered slowly off of it) for the effects to go away.
I had dizzy spells and mostly, whenever I bent over to put on my shoes, pick something up, whatever, I fell like I was going to throw up. 7 months of this before it finally went away. The drug should be banned in my opinion. I don't care who it helped. I'm heard even more horror stories than good ones. I had other symptoms as well, but can't remember.
This is the end of the thread.
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