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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SusanG on February 18, 2002, at 20:34:37
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by JAG on February 18, 2002, at 11:45:56
JAG, I want to put my previous comments in perspective. Overall, I was happy with the way Effexor helped with my depression. I felt much less overwhelmed by life, and less of that generalized sadness that at times seemed crippling. I didn't feel the sexual effects I had felt on other meds. I know I should have tried harder to address my weight gain with diet and exercise and stayed on the Effexor a while longer. But I suspected Effexor was contributing significantly to my weight gain and since I seemed unable to make any headway with losing, I am getting off of it. Now that I am almost Effexor-free I have noticed a clearheadedness I didn't realize I had lost while on the meds. Perhaps you will appreciate the Effexor as you get the correct dosage worked out for you and maybe you will be one who doesn't gain; it seems some don't. It does seem to be a better choice than some other meds and I hope it works for you. At least if you decide it isn't for you, you will have some ideas from this site about how to wean off of it. Good luck to you.
Posted by Reneeb on February 18, 2002, at 21:18:48
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by JAG on February 18, 2002, at 11:45:56
> Hi Jag, I agree completely with Susan except for one thing. I execrise everyday and watch what I eat and I still gained weight. That is the reason I am getting off it too. I didnt realize how much of a haze I was in til I started to wean myself to a lower dose. I had so much more energy. I have been on effexor for 1 year and thought it worked well if you just want to exist.
I hope it does better for you.
Renee
Posted by Willow on February 19, 2002, at 7:44:56
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!! » JAG, posted by Reneeb on February 18, 2002, at 21:18:48
"I have been on effexor for 1 year and thought it worked well if you just want to exist."
For myself effexor has been the first AD that worked for my symptoms without altering my mood/feelings. I am better able to cope with major events and the everday bumps. I do still get upset by events, but am able to balance myself quickly.
Treatment of "Generalized ANXIETY" it has been a gem! It took about seven months for me to feel the whole benefits of this medication.
I had given up on medications, but have been pleasantly suprised with this one. We each are individuals, our symptoms affect each in varying degrees, plus add the different treatment options; there is no answer for all, but more importantly what hasn't worked for one doesn't mean that it will not work for another and vice versa.
Whistling Willow
Posted by Dinah on February 19, 2002, at 8:14:18
In reply to Each person is unique., posted by Willow on February 19, 2002, at 7:44:56
Posted by Mandy L on February 19, 2002, at 10:12:38
In reply to Re: Effexor discontinuation, posted by marlene on February 16, 2002, at 10:03:47
My 16 year old daughter was on Effexor for about 6 months. We had to discontinue because of lack and sleep and she began to hear voices, in addition to other unpleasant side effects. It has now been 3 weeks of cold turkey. 3 days ago she became tired and slept normally for the 1st time in six months. We have had a horrible time with withdrawal, but are pleased that the worst is behind us. This web site has been a blessing because what we were not alone in what we were experiencing. She still has bad times, but they are shorter and farther apart. We now have had two days of normalacy. If I had known then, what I know now our family would not have done this in the beginning. I hope this is encouragement for others. It will get better.
Posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 11:40:08
In reply to Each person is unique., posted by Willow on February 19, 2002, at 7:44:56
Hi Willow, I agree with you that everyone is different. I was talking about my unique experience with effexor. I was really disappointed that it didn't work for me. I have been searching for a long time to find the right mix. I am very glad it is working for you.
Take care,
Renee
Posted by Maria Warren on February 19, 2002, at 12:16:05
In reply to Re: Each person is unique. » Willow, posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 11:40:08
> Hi Willow, I agree with you that everyone is different. I was talking about my unique experience with effexor. I was really disappointed that it didn't work for me. I have been searching for a long time to find the right mix. I am very glad it is working for you.
>
> Take care,
>
> ReneeHi Renee,Mandy,Willow, and everyone,
Well I did it. I saw my pdoc Monday and convinced him to take me off the Effexor XR. Thats the good news. Now for the rest of it-- He wants to knock me down to 300mgm right away (I an currently on 375 mgm) and continue the "taper" by about 75 mgm a week . Meanwhile he refused to have me go off AD's totally given my "history"; so while I am cutting the Effexor, I will be slowly building up Celexia until that reaches 20 mgm. Now I really like this guy and have been seeing him for over three years. How ever he was recently made department head and I now feel he rushes me through my appointments more than he used to. I don't want to switch docs, with all that entails. Am I off base to string out the taper a bit more? A little help here guys? Maria Warren
Posted by IsoM on February 19, 2002, at 13:02:56
In reply to Re: Each person is unique., posted by Maria Warren on February 19, 2002, at 12:16:05
Maria, you may take months tapering down from your Effexor only to find that you were one of the people who could discontinue it reasonably quickly without suffering bad effects. You'll know how you react from the initial change from 375 mg to 300 mg. If you're going to suffer discontinuation effects, you'll feel it that first week.
If you don't feel bad, you probably can go with his tapering schedule. If you do feel bad, tell him you need to go much slower. By the way, 20 mg Celexa is pretty low. You may need 40 mg or even 60. Hopefully, adding the Celexa as you taper down from Effexor should quell the symptoms of discontinuing it.
I'm one of those who had to taper off SSRIs over months, a couple of mg at a time, & still felt sick every day & then even for months afterwards. My case is pretty rare, thank goodness. I'm taking adrafinil (Provigil's siter), Celexa, & synthroid now. I found, for whatever reason, that adrafinil's enabled me to stop Paxil this time with no problems whatsoever. I went from my 10 mg Paxil cold turkey (while taking the above combo too) to none. All other times I tried tapering off even a little, I'd get sick, woozy, etc. The only difference now is the adrafinil I take. Stopped the Paxil & never even noticed a difference.
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 19, 2002, at 16:36:10
In reply to Re: Each person is unique., posted by Maria Warren on February 19, 2002, at 12:16:05
I am tapering off Effexor (from 300mg) at 75mg a week. I am now down to 75mg and have had virtually no side effects. the best bet is cut down 75mg and see how you feel.. leave it, then do it again.. thats what I'm doing, just going at my own pace.
Nikki
Posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 20:54:39
In reply to Re: Each person is unique., posted by Maria Warren on February 19, 2002, at 12:16:05
> Maria, I am also tapering off effexor. I have gone from 150mg to 75mg and now I am on 37.5mg. My doc told me to stay on this for two weeks and then skip a day for another week. I haven't felt any bad withdrawal effects either. I listened to what people had to say here and took it really slow.
Good Luck,
Renee
Posted by Maria Warren on February 20, 2002, at 6:00:29
In reply to Re: Each person is unique. » Maria Warren, posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 20:54:39
> > Maria, I am also tapering off effexor. I have gone from 150mg to 75mg and now I am on 37.5mg. My doc told me to stay on this for two weeks and then skip a day for another week. I haven't felt any bad withdrawal effects either. I listened to what people had to say here and took it really slow.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Renee
Hey Renee, Nikki,IsoM, and everyone,
you have no idea how much I appreciate your positive posts! I had read so much that was negative about coming off Effexor XR. It frightened me and caused me such saddness, because of all the AD's I had ever been on, Effexor had done the trick for me better than any other. Had it not been for the weight gain I probably would have stayed on it.
I like the title of this thread "everyone is unique" and I am trying to remember that. It is just so good to know that I have companions in this healing proccess. And thanks to you Dr. Bob for providing this site for us. Keep the support coming -- I have just begun to taper! Maria
Posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by JAG on February 18, 2002, at 11:45:56
Could any of you help me with a weird symptom I've been having? I'm not sure if it is Effexor related but could be. It sounds like the Brain Zaps that have been mentioned by others. I get these odd sensations like dizziness but not exactly. They are somewhat like the feeling you would get if you stepped off a curb unexpectedly or like the feeling off starting to nod off in a boring lecture, then catching yourself. I feel it just in my head, like little head hiccups and notice it mostly when sitting quietly. I have experienced them before but they have been worse lately and I wonder if this is due to weaning off the Effexor. I thought it could be due to dehydration or allergies so I tried to address these issues but no change. I just wish it would stop. Anyone recognize this?
Posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:46:49
In reply to Re: Each person is unique., posted by Maria Warren on February 20, 2002, at 6:00:29
> > > Maria, I felt the same way. It was the weight gain that got me too. Keep in touch and let us know how its going for you. I will let you know how its goes when I am skipping a day. Thats the one I am worrying about.
Renee
Posted by shelia on February 20, 2002, at 13:47:10
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
http://depression.about.com/library/weekly/aa052598.htm
(that seems to explain it)
As for myself, no thanks, I was given this medication simply to quit smoking with.
I had taken other pills, and although I cannot recall the name of them right now, they are prescriberd in order to quit......little purple pills with happy faces on them and I became so paranoid, I thought I was going to have a stroke.Maybe easier just to grn and bear it, instead of going though this anxiety....... ;-(
> Could any of you help me with a weird symptom I've been having? I'm not sure if it is Effexor related but could be. It sounds like the Brain Zaps that have been mentioned by others. I get these odd sensations like dizziness but not exactly. They are somewhat like the feeling you would get if you stepped off a curb unexpectedly or like the feeling off starting to nod off in a boring lecture, then catching yourself. I feel it just in my head, like little head hiccups and notice it mostly when sitting quietly. I have experienced them before but they have been worse lately and I wonder if this is due to weaning off the Effexor. I thought it could be due to dehydration or allergies so I tried to address these issues but no change. I just wish it would stop. Anyone recognize this?
Posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:53:50
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
> Susan, Yes! I do understand what you are feeling. I had that too when I started to wean myself off of effexor and decided that since I did well going from 150 to 75mg that I would try skipping a day. Not a good idea. I immediately took a capsule. I am down to 37.5 right now and next week I am planning to try skipping a day.
What dose are you on?
Renee
Posted by Maria Warren on February 20, 2002, at 14:24:24
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:53:50
> > Susan, Yes! I do understand what you are feeling. I had that too when I started to wean myself off of effexor and decided that since I did well going from 150 to 75mg that I would try skipping a day. Not a good idea. I immediately took a capsule. I am down to 37.5 right now and next week I am planning to try skipping a day.
>
> What dose are you on?
>
> Renee
Susan,
Yes, I remember those. Someone around here called them "brain farts"! they can be unerving especially if you dont know what they are. I also call them "CNS Hiccups" . Evidently, depending on when and where they happen (fatigued, sitting up, concentrating vs relaxing) strange little things can happen. Like once we were eating and my arm just flipped my fork up! Usually though it's all internal. These too shall pass. Maria
Posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 17:25:00
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:53:50
Renee, I have the 75 mg capsules which I decided were too difficult to split. So with the advice of my doc, I have gone from one a day to one every other day, then every three and so on. Today would have dropped me to one every fourth day but it seems crazy to give myself a dose of 75mg then nothing for four days so I think I am off altogether now. I would have prefered to take daily doses at decreasing amounts but the doc (nurse actually) said this would work the same. Not so sure, but here I am. If only I could stop the twirlies but they are survivable, just disconcerting. Thanks for your input.
Posted by Lorraine on February 20, 2002, at 22:12:25
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by JAG on February 18, 2002, at 11:45:56
sophie
Posted by Maria Warren on February 21, 2002, at 6:05:58
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by Lorraine on February 20, 2002, at 22:12:25
> sophie
Susan,
Can you get your pdoc to prescribe a low dose of Prozac, like 10mgm? I have not tried this but have heard that it works. Maria
Posted by Reneeb on February 21, 2002, at 11:13:20
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 17:25:00
> Susan, why didn't your pdoc lower your dose to 37.5mg?
Renee
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 21, 2002, at 15:51:35
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
Oh yeah, I get this.. like that vertigo feeling when you miss a step?? I get this as the first sign of withdrawal...
Nikki
Posted by SusanG on February 21, 2002, at 15:59:51
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by Reneeb on February 21, 2002, at 11:13:20
> > Susan, why didn't your pdoc lower your dose to 37.5mg?
>
> ReneeRenee, I think because I use 75 mg capsules which are hard to split. It's my gyn who put me on this and perhaps she is not as familiar the best withdrawl method. She did initially suggest splitting the pills but when I told the nurse I use capsules, I was told to do the alternating days routine. When I questioned it, I was told it would work just the same. Not sure that was true but I went ahead with it. I'm still getting the twirlies pretty strong but doing ok otherwise.
Posted by IsoM on February 21, 2002, at 16:02:42
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by NikkiT2 on February 21, 2002, at 15:51:35
Just jumping into the middle of your thread, if you don't mind.
That vertigo feeling? I found the brain zaps worse but this strange vertigo is one symptom that has never left me even a couple of years after stopping Paxil. I now must live with it.
While I really do hate it, it's more of a highly disliked "bęte noir" (black beast, the French idiom for our too tame pet peeve) than a full-blown problem. I need to be careful of how fast I whip my head about (which is hard as I'm ADHD & normally move very fast) particularily looking over my shoulder for traffic when I change lanes or turn a corner. Got to be careful too of not straightening up too fast from bending over.
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 21, 2002, at 19:19:35
In reply to Re: weird symptom » NikkiT2, posted by IsoM on February 21, 2002, at 16:02:42
Yeah.. the brian zaps are a nightmare.. when i did cold turkey from 300mg though I think that was the least of my worries!!! The vertigo was continuous and it was like i was really sea sick.. I start getting it within 12 hours of a missed dose.. I'm down to 75mg and scared to knowck that on the head!!!
Nikki
> Just jumping into the middle of your thread, if you don't mind.
>
> That vertigo feeling? I found the brain zaps worse but this strange vertigo is one symptom that has never left me even a couple of years after stopping Paxil. I now must live with it.
>
> While I really do hate it, it's more of a highly disliked "bęte noir" (black beast, the French idiom for our too tame pet peeve) than a full-blown problem. I need to be careful of how fast I whip my head about (which is hard as I'm ADHD & normally move very fast) particularily looking over my shoulder for traffic when I change lanes or turn a corner. Got to be careful too of not straightening up too fast from bending over.
Posted by Reneeb on February 21, 2002, at 20:45:44
In reply to Re: weird symptom » NikkiT2, posted by IsoM on February 21, 2002, at 16:02:42
> Oh Boy, do I know what you are talking about!!I get that vertigo feeling a lot. What is really strange is a week before my period I get it for at least 2 or 3 days in a row.
Renee
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