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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Samadhi on November 19, 2003, at 20:55:36
In reply to Re: Break Through Panic Attacks? » pekostar, posted by Mercedes on November 19, 2003, at 11:20:31
Well, here I am folks, day two of NO Effexor XR. I reduced to 75mg for a bit over a week, then realised my Effexor had run out and I had no repeat precriptions. It seemed timely to just stop taking it, rather than go to the doctor and get more prescriptions. I had weaned off slowly and was coping with the withdrawals and thought I would be ok.
Well, I am ok (I am at work typing this, and have managed to conceal the fact I am not exactly feeling 100%), in that I am soldiering on...but the brain shivers...ohmigod. If I keep completely still I am ok, but the minute I move, talk, anything...my brain sort of wobbles and it's like every part of my body scrambles for a moment and goes haywire and it takes a moment for it all to align and get working again...and by the time it's all ok again the next brain shiver has started anyway...so basically it's constant. It's the WORST withdrawal SE so far. A little mild insomnia at first last night, and weird dreams, but nothing any worse than what I experienced the whole time I was on the drug anyway. A bit of an upset tummy, some nausea, some appetite disturbance, the usual twitches and stuff...it's all still there...the sweating...but it would all be not the slightest bother to me if I didn't have these damn brain shivers. "Brain Shiver" sounds so harmless, but it's awful. I'm having trouble sticking the day out today - I just want to get home and lie still and relax and not have to move, so I can ride out these awful SEs.
But it's not so bad that I regret stopping...I'm sure I'll be fine in a few days...right now I'm sure riding the bumpy offramp though!
Anyone else weaned down gradually from 225mg or similar, and experienced the brain shivers and full withdrawals? I'd welcome any advice or shared experiences. This board is such a support to me at the moment!
Stay well guys.
Samadhi xxx
Posted by phorgetful1 on November 19, 2003, at 22:53:14
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor for ADD? » Harmony, posted by azurebay on May 5, 2002, at 22:02:14
Effexor did not work for me, but I was trying it for OCD as an alternative to Prozac, which I have taken for years. For my ADD, I take Dexedrine, which definitely works.
Posted by Mercedes on November 19, 2003, at 23:51:04
In reply to Day 2 of No Effexor XR - Withdrawals, posted by Samadhi on November 19, 2003, at 20:55:36
Samadhi, based on my own withdrawals, you best get to your doctor and at least ask for sample packets of 37.5. They ususally have them. I'd call him/her first. But really, I think quiting at 75mgs was too much of a drop.
What you're describing, brain shiver's with every movement, I've been there. I call them zaps. Mine were not only in my head but my whole body, add to that dizzyness, and lack of coordination, nightmares, etc. But again, that was me.
I went through these withdrawals an ENTIRE month, and am now just getting over them. And I tapered down from 300mgs, reducing 37.5mgs each week to finally 37.5 my last week then quit. It's hell.
Again, see if your doc will just give you some "sample" 37.5's, even 15mgs if they make them.
It's not an overnight withdrawal. I've said before, the doc's should take Effexor, and go through the withdrawals, then prescribe it. They wouldn't I'm sure. But that's my opinion.
Hang in there ok?
Mercedes
Posted by karalyn on November 20, 2003, at 1:07:49
In reply to Re: Effexor to Lexapro? » KimberlyDi, posted by melley on July 21, 2003, at 13:59:11
Hey i saw this and i was just wondering how it went. I know this was a while ago. I quit effexor and i am now on lexapro. i too have anxietya and depression. im hoping that lexapro will have less side effects and also help my anxiety.
Karalyn.
> > I was going to switch to Lexapro until I started tapering off the Effexor. I immediately missed the relief from anxiety and decided to stick with Effexor, which apparently is working for me. I wasn't willing to leave a good thing for a month-long ordeal to wait for Lexapro to kick in, if it even would work for me.
> >
> > But that's my individual experience.
> >
>
> I have heard a few other things about lexapro. I am now completely off everything but will have to decide in a month what to go on. Lexapro sounds like it could be more side effect free.
>
> mel
> > Keep us posted on what you do. KDi in Texas
> >
> > > > Are you planning on staying with 37.5mg, is this what your doctor prescribed? I'm curious because my doctor prescribed me a low dose, 37.5mg for mild anxiety. I've been taking it for about 3 weeks now and the sleepy dizzy feeling went away for me in about 2 weeks. The reason I'm so curious is because 37.5mg is usually what you start with for 5 days and then go to 75mg. I would like to know what input you got from your doctor about taking just 37.5mg for anxiety.
> > >
> > > Theo,
> > >
> > > My dr. is planning to bump me up to 70 mgs after I get used to the 37.5 mgs. I'm tempted to quit it for Lexapro, though.
> > >
> > > books
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by mdb1224 on November 20, 2003, at 12:19:15
In reply to Re: Effexor is a Great Drug!Online Petition!, posted by LittleLeo on October 14, 2003, at 1:07:00
> >
> > I like effexor but I am having anxiety anybody else had this problem,Ive been on it two weeks today at 75 mg XR.When does it go away...Ive read that it is a common side-effect thanks please help
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > hi. i started on effexor 10 days ago, and i feel like my old self, after so many years of depression and so many other medications. i take only 37.5 mg, don't want to go any higher, since this is great just right here. i take it in the a.m., maybe about 8 a.m., just before eating. i had sluggishness the first three or four days, but today, and the previous 5 or 6 days, i have had a lot of energy. maybe i'm a little high, right now, but it feels wonderful, and i am more functional than i have been in two years. sleep comes eventually, sometimes not till 2 or 3 a.m., but that's ok, because when i get up, after an hour or less, i'm feeling very good. i have lost weight, not much, but some, and i attribute this to my increased activity level. i took effexor 5 or 6 years ago, but the dosage was way too high, and i didn't want to go back on it. but i'm glad i did, and won't be increasing the dosage, long as this amount works.
> > > > > Effexor has worked very very good for me-I am on my 4'th week and after months of not working I am back to my old self.I am on 300mg a day-It is a miracle.I am going to write a letter to the manufacture to thank them.Thank God-Give it a try and take the bad stuff you read here with a huge grain of salt.No side effects after the first week.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > What time of day do you take your Effexor?
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > I take at 11 a.m. everyday on the dot
> >
>
> I'm new at taking Effexor and was told to eat something when you take it. Do you eat something at 11am?
Posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 12:19:55
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Has anyone tried this Wellbutrin alone without anything else? Did it help with your sex drive? And did it help with any of the symptoms of depression? What was the cost compared to Effexor XR?
I am still having sleeping problems even with trying some of the ideas posted on here. I will ask my Dr if I should take Trazadone.
I appreciate any input about Wellbutrin.
Tanya
Posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 12:28:45
In reply to Wellbutrin?, posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 12:19:55
First of all you will notice I used my real name. I wanted to start using Tanya now.
Another question about the prices in various stores? Which store do you find to be the best bargain? Or online pharmacy? I am in Canada so prices will vary but I just wanted to get an idea.
Price is a big issue for my family. I am a stay at home mom and my husband income is our only one. Hubby has some health coverage but we have to fork out the money and they will reimburse us for "some" of it. I think we have to get to 100.00 before they start helping.Tanya
Posted by mdb1224 on November 20, 2003, at 12:29:58
In reply to Wellbutrin?, posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 12:19:55
> Has anyone tried this Wellbutrin alone without anything else? Did it help with your sex drive? And did it help with any of the symptoms of depression? What was the cost compared to Effexor XR?
>
> I am still having sleeping problems even with trying some of the ideas posted on here. I will ask my Dr if I should take Trazadone.
>
> I appreciate any input about Wellbutrin.
>
> Tanya
I just started Effexor as stated above and did take Wellbutrian a couple of years ago. I asked the Dr to go back on Wellbutrin and he said to try this.
I'm not sure about the sex issues with this stuff yet, but I will say that I was on Prozac for a little bit and asked the Dr. for a change, because of sexual dysfunction and Wellbutrin really helped. The only side effect for me was breaking out on my back and shoulders. This, effexor stuff is really weird and I'm not sure what to think of it yet.
Posted by camel on November 20, 2003, at 12:36:43
In reply to Compare Prices, posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 12:28:45
Tanya....in our area Price Club/Costco are the CHEAPEST. Sometimes as much as 150 percent! Not sure if they have them in Canada.
Posted by zinya on November 20, 2003, at 13:36:58
In reply to Day 2 of No Effexor XR - Withdrawals, posted by Samadhi on November 19, 2003, at 20:55:36
hi Samadhi,
i realized after writing yesterday (in "'Fraid i spoke too soon - about sweating") that it was you who i had written to earlier... Anyway, i did have to backtrack on my earlier assurance to you if you're interested in reading above...For now, is there ANY way you could get word to your md. as to what you're going through and implore him for a "starter pack" for you to use as an "ender pack" to help you keep weaning off ... even though you've gone off already, i'm afraid you haven't seen the worst yet ... It may not seem like it but from 75 mg is a HUGE drop -- like off a cliff really... From everyone's experience here so far, i think it's bad enough just dropping from 37.5 to zero, much less from 75.
As i wrote somewhere yesterday - but perhaps not on here - i spent yesterday as the high (!!) point in a few days of increasingly feeling like i was hooked up to an electric fence! Every part of my nerve system, esp. in my arms and hands completely 'sizzled' or fried... making my carpal tunnel no longer a 'focal point' but now merely the 'icing on the cake' of a whole body-wide network of absolutely crazed sensations...
And my dropoff has been from 9 -- NINE -- mg, which i tapered down to before quitting. It has been seeming to keep the brain shivers and dizziness from being intolerable but sheesh, this is close enough to going thru hell... I almost decided to take a 9 mg again last night in keeping with my own "theory" built on reading a year's worth of people's experiences here almost - i first found this site last week of November last year ... but then before i would have taken it, sensations started to ease up and i decided to forego - The last 9 mg i took was Monday night ... But if it gets as bad again today (kind of so-so for now) i will definitely take another 9 mg ... Taking another dose at same or lower level to combat these horrid SE's does NOT seem to re-addict a person or prolong the agony but truly helps the body adjust to the staggering restructuring of brain it is going through in absence of Effexor.
yuck, aargh, ugh, eek.
good luck, samadhi - boy do i empathize and sure wish you relief!
zinya
Posted by zinya on November 20, 2003, at 13:48:12
In reply to Re: Day 2 of No Effexor XR - Withdrawals » Samadhi, posted by Mercedes on November 19, 2003, at 23:51:04
hola mercedes :)) My, how we think alike yet again...
Just seeing that you had alerady responded to Samadhi exactly as i just did...
No, they don't make 15 mg - nothing below 37.5 ... But, Samadhi, i urge you to consider opening the capsules and dividing the grains up - I did it all the way down -- If you can get a sample pack, take the 37.5s until they're gone and then what i did was to divide 75s into thirds and take 25 mgs for a while (2 of the 75s could give you 6 days) and then divide them in 4ths or 5ths... Or whatever. But you REALLY need to taper off more before trying cold turkey -- and even then don't go cold turkey on your last pill but keep a spare or two so you can go off 2 days and then have a bit to take to ease the SE's on an every other day or every 3rd day basis...
really..
I would discourage you from thinking that this withdrawal is about "being tough" and "sticking it out" -- Seems that doesn't reap any benefits compared to tapering and easing SE's with another mini-dose...
z.
Posted by mercedes on November 20, 2003, at 14:59:58
In reply to Re: Break Through Panic Attacks? » Mercedes, posted by sasha71 on November 19, 2003, at 12:17:25
Sasha, was waiting for Pakostar to respond also but haven't seen anything yet.
I mentioned before that I'd had these "attacks" for 7 yrs. My attacks were very similar to yours except mine were more dibilitating at the 'beginging' of the attack. It felt like my brain short circuit'd, my vision would "stick", double vision, like one eye saw things higher than the other. This would last anywhere from 1-5 minutes. After, I'd have slurred speach, slowed movements, and just wanted to sit or lay down. The rest was just as you explain except that I didn't have the chest pains, I had the brain attack....then the rest exactly like you say, even the embarrasement of having people see me have them. After...I was also spent, had short term memory loss, and a hard time coming back mentally. I had so many tests done, -0- negative results and many many medications.I think the anxiety meds have helped, depression meds, cause I used to have these up to 6 per week, then 4 times a month, and now, uuuuuh....almost none...there I said it & knock on wood. 7 yrs worth: at work, grocery stores, at home, even once at the dr's office and he said I looked/acted intoxicated..... yea, I wish!
Well, I feel for you, cause I know these are very similar to what I had for so long.
Mercedes.....
*******************************
> I guess I'm interpreting "break through panic attacks"
> as having an attack in spite of being on a level of
> medication thought to be theraputic.
>
> My attacks are extremely, physically painful and once
> got me a trip to the ER via an ambulance and I kept
> thinking "I'm too young to be having a heart attack"....
>
> Extreme chest pains, numbness down both arms (usually
> worse in left arm), sharp metallic-like clawing
> rips of pain up through my neck and jaws, difficulty
> breathing, and an extreme desire to not have anyone
> else around - can't tell if it's an embarrassment to
> have someone witness the attack or just not wanting people
> around period.
>
> Typical attack lasts 20-30 minutes leaving me with
> very bad headaches and feeling completely wiped out.
>
> I've had attacks last almost 2 hours. Those can
> take a day or more to recover from.
>
> It is also very hard to come back mentally from
> an attack. I'm left feeling very vulnerable,
> weepy and sad for a long time.
>
> If Pakostar meant something else by Break Through
> Panic Attacks, hopefully they'll post with an
> explanation.
Posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 17:03:55
In reply to Re: Compare Prices, posted by camel on November 20, 2003, at 12:36:43
That is funny you mentioned Costco. I am going there as soon as my husband gets off of work to buy another month's supply of Effexor XR. So far it is the cheapest in Canada too. Thanks for your input.
Tanya
Posted by camel on November 20, 2003, at 17:05:21
In reply to Re: Compare Prices..Camel, posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 17:03:55
Your welcome and good luck!
Posted by Chellie on November 20, 2003, at 17:13:08
In reply to Re: Day 2 of No Effexor XR - to Samadhi and » Mercedes, posted by zinya on November 20, 2003, at 13:48:12
They do have lower than 37.5, i started out at 12.5 and then took 2 12.5 for 4 days and uped from there........
Posted by zinya on November 20, 2003, at 17:49:47
In reply to Re: Day 2 of No Effexor XR - to Samadhi and, posted by Chellie on November 20, 2003, at 17:13:08
thanks for the correction. Is that of XR or the original non-time-release version?? i'm surprised -- well, actually why should i be -- my md. had never heard of it (when i begged for a downramp ender-supply of small doses to avoid having to do my own ad-hoc titrating) and it's not included in sample starter packs...
Posted by Chellie on November 20, 2003, at 20:43:45
In reply to Re: Day 2 of No Effexor XR - to Samadhi and » Chellie, posted by zinya on November 20, 2003, at 17:49:47
Its Effexor XR......thats how my doc started me out. I had been on Lexapro for a month with no results at all so he started me on a sample pack of 12.5 for 4 days and then told me to take 2 of them for 4 days equalling 25mg then bumped up to 37.5 and now at 75. I dont know how they prescribe the smaller doses but I do know that I started out that way so they must have them.
Posted by jeanette on November 20, 2003, at 21:36:25
In reply to Wellbutrin?, posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 12:19:55
i tried wellbutrin alone and it worked well for my depression, didnt sleep much but felt great. my aunt just started taking it a month ago and it's not helping her at all. i guess it just depends on whether you have issues with dopamine or seratonin. im taking prozac now and it's doing nothing so i'm going to go back to wellbutrin.
Posted by Flipsactown on November 21, 2003, at 8:32:18
In reply to Wellbutrin?, posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 12:19:55
Hello Tanya,
I have taken wellbutrin on and off for over 5 years by itself and or with other anti-depressants. Wellbutrin by itself did not help in relieve my unipolar depression. Two good things about wellbutrin, at least in my experience are that it did not cause me to gain weight and secondly, did not effect my sex drive (libido). However, wellbutrin was ineffective in relieving my depression which was the whole point in taking it. I took it with prozac and desipramine but later discontinued wellbutrin since it did not seem to help my depression.
As far as the insomnia is concerned, I currently am taking remeron at bed time and that seems to give me a good night sleep. Remeron is an A/D. I am currently on prozac,remeron and lamictal. Like you, I just wanted to be on one med. However, the 3 meds I am taking now, by themselves would not help relieve my depression because of the poop out factor. Poop out factor is when the A/D has lost its effectiveness because of long term use, in my case 2 to 3 years. I had taken prozac so long that by itself it was ineffective. The same for remeron. Lamictal which is primarily used as an anti-seizure med was added about 2 months ago. Medical studies have shown it to be effective for the treatment resistant depression both bipolar and unipolar. These three meds combo has given me excellent relief of my depression.
I am with Kaiser so I don't know the price difference of wellbutrin and effexor. I took effexor and it made me sick so I had to discontinue taking it. That is my experience. Hope it helps you.
Flipsactown
> Has anyone tried this Wellbutrin alone without anything else? Did it help with your sex drive? And did it help with any of the symptoms of depression? What was the cost compared to Effexor XR?
>
> I am still having sleeping problems even with trying some of the ideas posted on here. I will ask my Dr if I should take Trazadone.
>
> I appreciate any input about Wellbutrin.
>
> Tanya
Posted by MamaCindy2000 on November 21, 2003, at 15:39:33
In reply to Wellbutrin?, posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 12:19:55
> Has anyone tried this Wellbutrin alone without anything else? Did it help with your sex drive? And did it help with any of the symptoms of depression? What was the cost compared to Effexor XR?
>
-------------------------------------------------->
> I am taking 400mg Wellbutrin I’ve been taking it for about 1 month. As I have said, WELLBUTRIN SAVED MY LIFE AND RESTORED MY SANITY. Effexor pretty much destroyed me and my life. I stuck with it (Effexor xr 225mg) for 3 months hoping it would eventually "start working". Everyone’s brain chemistry is different. To answer your question: Wellbutrin alone has helped me tremendously. Occasionally, actually rarely, I take Xanex .5mg.
The Xanex helped with withdrawing from Effexor.Effexor killed my sex drive. Which is very unusual for me. I have a great sex drive now, Wellbutrin helped from day 1.
I still have crying spells everyday, but my fiancé' recently left me because he didn’t understand my mood swings and depression. So im attributing my crying to life.
Today my pdoc added a very low dose of Trileptal
as a mood stabilizer (bi-polar). I don’t really know if I need it. But I trust her very much for getting me on proper meds .
BY THE WAY... The effexor xr was prescribed by my GPdoc NOT my Pdoc
Best wishes,
Cindy
Posted by MamaCindy2000 on November 21, 2003, at 15:40:20
In reply to Wellbutrin?, posted by Lacey2001 on November 20, 2003, at 12:19:55
> Has anyone tried this Wellbutrin alone without anything else? Did it help with your sex drive? And did it help with any of the symptoms of depression? What was the cost compared to Effexor XR?
>
-------------------------------------------------->
> I am taking 400mg Wellbutrin I’ve been taking it for about 1 month. As I have said, WELLBUTRIN SAVED MY LIFE AND RESTORED MY SANITY. Effexor pretty much destroyed me and my life. I stuck with it (Effexor xr 225mg) for 3 months hoping it would eventually "start working". Everyone’s brain chemistry is different. To answer your question: Wellbutrin alone has helped me tremendously. Occasionally, actually rarely, I take Xanex .5mg.
The Xanex helped with withdrawing from Effexor.Effexor killed my sex drive. Which is very unusual for me. I have a great sex drive now, Wellbutrin helped from day 1.
I still have crying spells everyday, but my fiancé' recently left me because he didn’t understand my mood swings and depression. So im attributing my crying to life.
Today my pdoc added a very low dose of Trileptal
as a mood stabilizer (bi-polar). I don’t really know if I need it. But I trust her very much for getting me on proper meds .
BY THE WAY... The effexor xr was prescribed by my GPdoc NOT my Pdoc
Best wishes,
Cindy
Posted by pekostar on November 21, 2003, at 21:38:04
In reply to Re: Break Through Panic Attacks? » pekostar, posted by Mercedes on November 19, 2003, at 11:20:31
Sorry guys! I have been busy with work and child transport.(basketball)
I was referring to panic attacks: heart rate of 140. Sweating, chest pain. I had these for several years and was finally perscribed zoloft. This did help the panic attacks but did not help my depression and outbursts much. I started seeing another physican that decided I wasn't being treated for the correct diagnosis. So they changed my meds to effexor. This helps my depression but recently I have been having the panic attacks agian. The bad thing is, While i think this doctor is on the right track....she seems unsure of prescribing my .5 mg of xanax, of which I have had for the past 15 years. I only take it under these instances of heart rate increase.(this seems to be my clue a attack is on its way) I guess I was wondering if effexor really helps the anxiety, or is it just me?
Posted by pekostar on November 21, 2003, at 21:45:26
In reply to Re: Break Through Panic Attacks?, posted by pekostar on November 21, 2003, at 21:38:04
I don't know if this makes a difference but I take 225mg a day of effexor.
TRUST ME everyone, skipping a day makes you dizzy. But I am greatful for the relief from the depression
Posted by pekostar on November 21, 2003, at 21:50:41
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been on a lot of different meds. Lexapro, prozac and zoloft. Plus xanax. I am on a high dose, but it does help me cope. I have been on it for about 4 months now (I think) I seem to have some minor sleep issues with it....and the night sweats suck. not taking my dose on time makes me have some strange feelings but I take it and they are relieved within an hour. Personally I think its the most effective drug I have been on.
I will try to keep up with the board a little better.
Posted by pekostar on November 21, 2003, at 21:59:27
In reply to Sleep issue and a few more questions for the board, posted by Lacey2001 on November 19, 2003, at 0:32:09
I also take trazadone to help me sleep. I alternate between ambian, trazadone and xanax. I have always had sleep issues though. I haven't had any side effects from the trazadone. The night sweats for me are the worst on effexor. But its a small trade off considering what I was dealing with before I started taking it.
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