![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 88 to 112 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by Joey on October 29, 2001, at 19:09:11
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » msemilyemily, posted by alexis on October 26, 2001, at 4:08:03
Dreamy, I responded to you, but it didn't work the first time, so here I go again: About a year and a half ago, I went to Puerto Vallarta and drank for a week straight while on 75 mg of Effexor, which I had been taking for two years previous. I, too, experienced major disconnection, moodiness, and extreme irritability. I think what I came to learn about that experience is what many of us who are on antidepressants have to face: That using other medications or elixers to help us through the detritus of our individual symptoms, while on antidepressants, doesn't seem to work. What's best is to see this drinking episode as a sign that the medication may not be the whole cure right now for you, and that you may need an entirely new medication or a therapist to compliment the Effexor. I, personally, just stopped taking Effexor about nine days ago after being diagnosed with ADD. The withdrawl is awful, but I think the new diagnosis is good. What a lot of psychiastrists seem to do is just provide a bandaid solution to our problems with medication; namely, they usually just put us on a new one or change our medication all together without much rhyme or reason. I think we all just need to see a healthy therapist during times when our medication just isn't working anymore, or if we begin to seek new ways of medicating ourselves.
Hope this helps a little.
> > Okay, I'm having weirdness with effexor also. I've taken 300mg a day for about a year. I don't ever drink, but last week I drank 4 days in a row (right now, it makes no sense to me why this happened, but it did). Now, I think I'm going insane. I feel disconnected, and weird -- confused, like I'm not myself, but my self is acting in the world. I've taken this same dosage for a year -- why would this crazyness start now? I went to my doctor this afternoon (I'm a grad student, and I cannot write, and I keep doing very odd things), and he suggested that maybe the alcohol interacted with the effexor in some weird way -- he has tapered me down to 150mg a day, and added Risperdal. I hate not being able to trust these people. I knew knew KNEW that medication was a bad plan, and this is absurd. Has anyone else experienced a similar sudden onset of side effects to Effexor (XR)? I'm afraid that if I did some weird neurological damage, the tapering off of Effexor will just make things worse...
> >
> > help.
>
> Let me apologize ahead of time for what I believe will be a long post. I am so happy I found this site, I thought I was the only one feeling like Effexor has taken a negative toll on my life.
> I too have been on effexor 300 mg a day for the past 2 years. I made sure not to drink, but last March on St.Patrick's Day, I went out with my husband and some friends. For some reason the owner of the pub took a liking to us and started to give us free drinks. I must have had 6-7 loaded drinks when all of a sudden I started to feel sick. Not like a wanting to vomit sick, but like I was hearing a really loud buzzing noise and I was sinking into a deep hole.My husband had to keep shaking me during the night because I would stop breathing- he stayed up all night shaking me to get me to breathe. 911 I know you must be saying, but when you are drunk you don't think straight.
> The following days, I had weird symptoms of electric type feeling in my brain. Like my eyes would move but my brain would catch up 2 seconds later with a weird tingling, electric feeling as it moved.
> Since then, if I miss a dose, those symptoms come within 3-4 hours.
> I just switched psychiatrists because I feel that my former doctor has over medicated me.
> He has me on 300 mg of Effexor, 1200 mg of Neurontin (spelling?) and 300 mg of Wellbutrin. In addition, I take Restoril to sleep, and Xanax for my anxiety. This is insane!!! I am a walking pharmacy! My paycheck should be direct deposited to the pharmacy. They know me so well, I have actually become friends with the Pharmacist who manages the store- she and I talk on the phone like friends, we have met her and her boyfriend for coffee, etc.. Okay...now that is a weird way of making friends.
> Then he also prescribed periactin to be used before sex since my interest has gone to zero. I looked that drug up and it is an antihistamine! All it did was make me sleepy and ruin the event.
> My last visit with him was 2 weeks ago when I had a crisis situation and all he did was double my Neurontin med and said "think happy thoughts" and that was it. I told him I was not returning and he was shocked. I walked out and I did not double the med.
> Now my new doctor said he was to clean up the meds. He has directed me decrease my 300 mg by 75mg per week. It will take me 4 weeks to be off of Effexor,
> and this is just my 3rd day with a decreased dosage and I have feel terrible.
> What next? You are not alone!
> Alexis
Posted by msemilyemily on October 30, 2001, at 14:46:58
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » alexis, posted by Joey on October 29, 2001, at 19:09:11
I agree. I'm mostly extraordinarily annoyed that not one of the three psychiatrists I have seen in the last four years has ever done a complete physical, blood work, a psychological evaluation...
I think that not doing these things is, ethically, inexcusable. These are serious medications, many of which are new and untested under a variety of circumstances. More and more, I realize the haphazardness with which meds are prescribed. I'm not the type of person who wants to cling to some sort of diagnosis. Rather, I want a well-formulated and exhaustive assesment of my mental health (and neurological health, for that matter), before I take another damn thing. Three years ago when I started "trying" different meds, I was nothing but skeptical and concerned about taking anything to help with what was (then) diagnosed as depression. Now I've had about 8 different diagnoses from all sorts of different doctors and psychologists, and not one of them has done anything but change my medication when I'm feeling some different symptom.
I'm done with all of these meds. Effexor is the only thing that has helped, but it's not worth it to me. At least without it I'll be able to know that my impressions and moods and emotions are my own, rather than the result of some medicine-based anomaly.
EEM
Posted by onedayatatime on March 1, 2002, at 11:26:33
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » alexis, posted by Joey on October 29, 2001, at 19:09:11
A "type" of dizziness, a "type" of shakiness, a "type" of nausea, very tired, weird dreams,sadness, a "disconnectedness"; all of this happens when I have forgotten to take my 75mg dose of Effexor for 2 days, the condition intensifies in addition to also having headaches and loss of appetite when I was out of town for several days without my medication. I use the term "type" for those conditions because they are not like a dizziness, shakiness, or nausea that I have ever experienced.
I stay away from alcohol. ALCOHOL IS A DEPRESSANT! I already have a "depressed" condition, why would anyone in their (what is left of it) right mind do ANYTHING to make depression worse or to counteract their medications! (I wonder how long it would take to be clear of ALL side effects if I choose to stop medication entirely.)
Continued side effects with regular medication are: forgetfulness, a general lack of interest in things and absolutely NO interest in sexual intercourse. (Yes, I am married.)
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 1, 2002, at 13:02:16
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by onedayatatime on March 1, 2002, at 11:26:33
Well... 5 days on I think I;m coming out the othre side... Things are looking and feeling bettre today.. The nausea has nearly usbsided entirely, the dizzyness is halved, the "brain shocks" much easier, and I;m not climbing the walls and panicking as much...
So.. there is light at the end of the tunnel.. just hang in there..
Nikki
Posted by kalwin on July 25, 2003, at 14:49:49
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by marlo on October 21, 2001, at 12:03:55
Holy shit- I am so glad that I stumbled across this post. For the past three days I have been feeling terrrible and not knowing why. It never even occurred to me that it could be that I have decided to not take effexor anymore. I started taking 75 mg. dose about 8 months ago, and it helped so much with the feelings of anxiety and sadness that this past winter left me with. But recently I have felt strong enough to not want to depend upon medication any longer. . .
The only way that I could describe how I've felt lately is that I have felt "queasy" in my head- sometimes lying down helps, sometimes not. I came across a description that more aptly describes the feeling, though- brain shivers. What a terrible way to feel. I am so sorry that there are other people going through this, but I have to say, it's comforting to know that I'm not alone! Good luck to everyone!
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 25, 2003, at 19:12:28
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by kalwin on July 25, 2003, at 14:49:49
> Holy sh*t- I am so glad that I stumbled across this post.
I'm glad, too :-) and sorry to be such a prude, but please don't use language that could offend others, thanks.
Bob
Posted by theo on July 26, 2003, at 9:25:46
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by kalwin on July 25, 2003, at 14:49:49
Could the fact that you're "feeling strong" mean the medication is working and maybe you need to be on it? I know how you feel about not wanting to depend on medication but you obviously felt bad enough to start medication or there would have been any reason for you to ever start Effexor, right? Whatever you decide you need to discuss it with your doctor.
Posted by theo on July 26, 2003, at 9:33:06
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » kalwin, posted by theo on July 26, 2003, at 9:25:46
Meant to say there "wouldn't" have had any reason for you to try Effexor, right? Premature postulation.
Posted by spiciestcrashbean on September 3, 2003, at 8:18:05
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - on a positive note, posted by NikkiT2 on March 1, 2002, at 13:02:16
i am so happy that i have found you guys!i truly thought that i was alone in my feelings.i take 75mg of effexor each day for the past 2 years now. i wanted to get off of it a while back because i wanted to feel normal again,whatever that is.well it was the most horrible experience and needless to say it didn't work.2 days after i tried to wean myself off of it at just 35 mg a day i would get dizzy after every 2 steps i took.sort of like my brain had to play catchup with any movements that i made. everything would just go black and i'd feel nauseated.not to mention the crying and shaking and not being able to think. i could barely keep my balance when i walked!why is this?i don't care for sex anymore either. i wonder if i did quit taking it if my panic attacks would return.and what do i do take it for the rest of my life and what if they quit making it?then what?sometimes i'm afraid because i really don't know any answers and i think my husband must think i'm addicted to it or something.but i'm not wanting it anymore at all i just want to be normal again.does anyone know what i'm saying?
Posted by sashav1 on September 4, 2003, at 19:40:16
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by kalwin on July 25, 2003, at 14:49:49
I am wondering if there is anything to be done about the wretched withdrawals from Effexor. I have been taking it for about 2 years and have been tapering the past month or so. It has been better this time than last year when I tried to do the same. I am now off completely now and have been for 4 days and I couldn't feel worse. I feel more insane than when I went on the stuff! I almost constantly have those elecetical charges through my brain...I call it "zinging". What do I do? Will it ever stop? Does anyone know how long? Should I just wait it out?? HELP!!!!!!!!
Posted by craig allen on September 6, 2003, at 20:16:57
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by sashav1 on September 4, 2003, at 19:40:16
i know exactly where you're at. i just came off effexor myself. seemed like the strangeness wouldn't let up. for me, on the eighth day i felt a lot better. by the tenth or eleventh day of being off completely i was almost all the way home. hope that helps.
Posted by Johnlund on September 7, 2003, at 22:53:23
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by sashav1 on September 4, 2003, at 19:40:16
> I am wondering if there is anything to be done about the wretched withdrawals from Effexor. I have been taking it for about 2 years and have been tapering the past month or so. It has been better this time than last year when I tried to do the same. I am now off completely now and have been for 4 days and I couldn't feel worse. I feel more insane than when I went on the stuff! I almost constantly have those elecetical charges through my brain...I call it "zinging". What do I do? Will it ever stop? Does anyone know how long? Should I just wait it out?? HELP!!!!!!!!
I don't know if anyone else has responed to you, but I have read from other posts that taking Prozac for a month or so might help. Other people say that taking Prozac while tappering down Effexor eases the withdrawl symptoms of Effexor. I would ask my doctor about this approach.
Posted by oeps7 on September 8, 2003, at 9:31:43
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
Sashov,
I am in the same situation. I was on effexor for 7 years. I have tapered slowly from 300mg to 0 and have been completely off for 1 week. How are you feeling? The withdrawal seems to come and go and is starting to get better. At least I don't have blurry vision anymore.
Posted by spiciestcrashbean on September 8, 2003, at 18:40:40
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by oeps7 on September 8, 2003, at 9:31:43
please could someone tell me this?I take effexor for my panic attacks. I have been taking it for 2 years. I tried to get off of it once but I just couldn't do it. I ended up in the emergency room because I couldn't stand up and would get a really bad head rush with every 2 steps that I would take. Then my panic attacks started to come back. please do they ever stop?
spiciestcrashbean
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 9, 2003, at 8:15:07
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » oeps7, posted by spiciestcrashbean on September 8, 2003, at 18:40:40
First of all, why did you stop taking Effexor?
Second, since the panic attacks came back you may need to be on another AD like Paxil or Prozac.
Third, you need to taper off of Effexor, especially the XR kind, very slowly. Taking Prozac during this time has been said to relieve some/most withdrawal symptoms. Or ask for a prescription for Effexor IR (immediate release) which you can break into tiny pieces. Quitting cold turkey is not wise. Sadly there isn't enough information distributed about Effexor withdrawal when you start taking it.
Good Luck!
KDi in Texas> please could someone tell me this?I take effexor for my panic attacks. I have been taking it for 2 years. I tried to get off of it once but I just couldn't do it. I ended up in the emergency room because I couldn't stand up and would get a really bad head rush with every 2 steps that I would take. Then my panic attacks started to come back. please do they ever stop?
> spiciestcrashbean
Posted by oeps7 on September 9, 2003, at 8:22:43
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » oeps7, posted by spiciestcrashbean on September 8, 2003, at 18:40:40
> please could someone tell me this?I take effexor for my panic attacks. I have been taking it for 2 years. I tried to get off of it once but I just couldn't do it. I ended up in the emergency room because I couldn't stand up and would get a really bad head rush with every 2 steps that I would take. Then my panic attacks started to come back. please do they ever stop?
> spiciestcrashbeanYou definitely need a doctor's help when coming off of this medication. Taper very slowly and don't be too hard on yourself. Your panic attacks will stop. I happen to be in panic mode today, have been off effexor totally for 8 days now. Keep talking on this board and telling yourself it will pass.
oeps7
Posted by oeps7 on September 9, 2003, at 13:38:42
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by oeps7 on September 9, 2003, at 8:22:43
> > please could someone tell me this?I take effexor for my panic attacks. I have been taking it for 2 years. I tried to get off of it once but I just couldn't do it. I ended up in the emergency room because I couldn't stand up and would get a really bad head rush with every 2 steps that I would take. Then my panic attacks started to come back. please do they ever stop?
> > spiciestcrashbean
>
> You definitely need a doctor's help when coming off of this medication. Taper very slowly and don't be too hard on yourself. Your panic attacks will stop. I happen to be in panic mode today, have been off effexor totally for 8 days now. Keep talking on this board and telling yourself it will pass.
> oeps7One thing that seems to be helping me is I am on a small dose of zoloft 50mg. The withdrawal symptoms seem to come and go.
I know panic attacks are not only mentally tiring but physically as well. Why are you coming off the effexor? Are you switching to another med? Do not come off effexor cold turkey you need to do this slowly.>
Posted by cybercafe on September 11, 2003, at 1:32:30
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Johnlund on September 7, 2003, at 22:53:23
Posted by Mirabelle on September 19, 2003, at 11:13:24
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Victor on November 15, 1998, at 13:28:50
Victor,your message really got my attention.I wanted to recommend reading about primal therapy to you:you can probably get these books at your local library.Also check the website:www.primaltherapy.com....My heart really goes out to you.Antidepressants can be good to do something for the symptom that is depression:but learning about what could be causing the depression in the first place is emporewing,reassuring,if not plain life-saving!!!!May you get the happiness you deserve!!
Posted by RPS on September 20, 2003, at 2:16:13
In reply to Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Bobina on April 7, 2001, at 22:38:31
I am currently coming off Effexor XR (150mg) and Wellbutrin (100mg). I dropped to 112.5 (3x37.5) for 4 weeks and now I am at 75 mg (2nd week). I plan to do this in 25% drops over 4 week intervals.
The Wellbutrin is harder to do in increments. It only comes in 100 and 150 mg formats. My pharmacist warned me not to cut them up as it spoils the sustained released mechanism in the pill. So I have been taking it on alternate days to approximate a 50% dose.My symptoms have been difficult and have made me feel like staying on the pills. I have to keep remidning myself why I am doing this. Everyone's postings on this made me feel better - perhaps these are just temporary side-effects and I will feel them less and less over time.
I have had dizziness, the "jolting" feeling when turning my head, spacey-ness, stomach upset (and diarrhea), and fatigue. My moods have been up and down like a yo-yo - crying one minute and then way up the next.
I hoinestly believe I can live life without these med's and I knew it would be hard to come off them. But the way they mess with your mind makes it even harder to deal with!
Good luck and thanks for your posts
Posted by desertoddity on September 20, 2003, at 15:43:17
In reply to Coming off Wellbutrin / Effexor now, posted by RPS on September 20, 2003, at 2:16:13
i, too, am coming off effexor xr. i've been through this before and the withdrawal is awful. i am switching to a new medication and, at this point, i just feel like giving up.
it only took one missed dose of effexor xr 150mg and by the afternoon of the same day, i would start getting that 'woozly' feeling in my head, like it was moving when it wasn't. it's dreadful. i am cutting the dose gradually, but it doesn't seem to help that much with the problems that occur when trying to get off of it.
i wish more physicians were aware of these symptoms, as i know people (my mom, for one) that wanted off and were just told to stop it.
it's a horror show trying to discontinue this medication.
Posted by Kevin Nichols on September 27, 2003, at 1:22:16
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - on a positive note, posted by spiciestcrashbean on September 3, 2003, at 8:18:05
I can not add one thing to what has been said by everyone on this subject except for this one thing. I am so angry at the psychiatrists that I have tried to explain all of this to only look at me as if I am lying. In the past I have been afraid to tell them that I can tell when I have missed only one dose. I can feel the withdrawl symptoms very quickly. I would say within two days I should be locked away. They tell me that is way to soon to feel the way I do. I thought I was crazy and felt very alone until this morning. While reading all of these posts I cried, became very angry, felt relieved to know that I am not alone and have now ended with the feeling of hopelessness. Depression ruined my marriage. I begged my wife to wait for the "right" medicine but after close to 20 times in the hospital she couldn't take anymore. Effexor was what I thought to be my savior. It was for awhile and I thought that if she would have waited we would have made it. I know that is not true now. Now I know she would have left me because of effexor. I have tried to go off from it several times and each time I end up in the hospital. I feel ashamed of myself because I find it very hard to take control of my life. I am very lonely but I know no one wants me especially like this. I think I was better off without antidepresents than with them. I know I am rambling and I appologize. I find it very hard to put into words how I feel. Thankyou everyone for sharing your experiences. Doctors need to know about this. Are any reading this post and all the others. I hope so. There ignorance can only be tolerated for a short time.
Posted by spiciestcrashbean on September 27, 2003, at 15:01:04
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very angry, very sad, posted by Kevin Nichols on September 27, 2003, at 1:22:16
> I can not add one thing to what has been said by everyone on this subject except for this one thing. I am so angry at the psychiatrists that I have tried to explain all of this to only look at me as if I am lying. In the past I have been afraid to tell them that I can tell when I have missed only one dose. I can feel the withdrawl symptoms very quickly. I would say within two days I should be locked away. They tell me that is way to soon to feel the way I do. I thought I was crazy and felt very alone until this morning. While reading all of these posts I cried, became very angry, felt relieved to know that I am not alone and have now ended with the feeling of hopelessness. Depression ruined my marriage. I begged my wife to wait for the "right" medicine but after close to 20 times in the hospital she couldn't take anymore. Effexor was what I thought to be my savior. It was for awhile and I thought that if she would have waited we would have made it. I know that is not true now. Now I know she would have left me because of effexor. I have tried to go off from it several times and each time I end up in the hospital. I feel ashamed of myself because I find it very hard to take control of my life. I am very lonely but I know no one wants me especially like this. I think I was better off without antidepresents than with them. I know I am rambling and I appologize. I find it very hard to put into words how I feel. Thankyou everyone for sharing your experiences. Doctors need to know about this. Are any reading this post and all the others. I hope so. There ignorance can only be tolerated for a short time.
Dear Kevin,
I was very touched by your post. I to know the effects of Effexor.What can we do? Who can we trust to hear our cries of disgust.?Last week I started to run out of my Effexor and I didn't have enough money to refill my prescription.I begged and asked everyone I could find. Finally the Salvation Army helped me out.Do any of you have any idea how afraid I was?I'm sure I must have come across just like a drug addict. I'm very afraid. I know I can't afford this very much longer but I also know what happens to my brain and body if it's no longer there.I'm very afraid.
Thanks for listening
Posted by Robert Fairburn on September 28, 2003, at 4:54:49
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very angry, very sad » Kevin Nichols, posted by spiciestcrashbean on September 27, 2003, at 15:01:04
Dear kevin
All I can say to you is hang in there budy. It sounds that your a non responder to drugs, and In fact they make you worse. Dont forget thatyou have lost your wife and thats bound to make things heaps worse considering that you have a natural tendency to be depressed already.I myself am a non responder to drugs in fact they seem to make me worse, however I have just have had some very interesting blood test which is causing me to change my diet. Dont get me wrong diet will not cure you but will make things better. Just remeber there is some reason why your brain chemistry is not correct, the more you can find about this the more chances you have of doing something about it. Whatever you do make sure eat a healthy diet, can I ask you a question do you feel lethargic depressed or anxious depressed.
In regards to spiciestcrashbean
This makes me hopping mad In european and commonwealth countries (canada, Aus, NZ etc) most drugs are free from the Govt just for the reason that those who need them the most, cant often afford them. Even though im a conservative in political view I cant stand right wing govt that let there own people go without meds yet have ample money for there weapons of mass destruction. Even in the bad old days of the Soviet Union they gave their people free meds and I hate communists.
Posted by desertoddity on September 28, 2003, at 13:05:14
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very angry, very sad, posted by Kevin Nichols on September 27, 2003, at 1:22:16
my advice for getting off effexor based on my experience. i am trying to get off of it now and this is what i am doing.
i was taking 2- 75mg xr tabs everyday and i cut it back to just 1. i spent a weekend with the shakes, wobbly head, heart palpitations and vivid, weird dreams, and maybe some other things, but i got through it. after about another week or so, i switched to the immediate release tabs (37.5mg) and am taking them as soon as i start feeling like my head is beginning to 'wobble' again. i will continue to wait a little longer before i take one each time until i am comfortable enough to stop them.
it's really not easy. but it was the best way i could think of to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
hang in there. you're not alone.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.