![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1736 to 1760 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Angel Girl on February 27, 2002, at 21:42:58
In reply to Permanently damaged!!!!!!!!!, posted by kane on February 7, 2001, at 15:00:48
> I came across a post at a message board last night that scared me, I think everyone on Effexor should read these following sites that were givin by this person.
> Matt stated he had done quite a bit of research over the past few years,since his wife was prescribed Effexor with devastating conseqences on his family.He suggest the following sites and will be posting some more info in a couple days,he is getting messages daily from people who are being permanently damaged. He welcomes any e-mails also.
>
>
> www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
> www.breggin.com
> and the e-group toxic psychiatry and drug awareness.
What is an e-group and how do I access it???
Posted by Scott Hendrix on February 28, 2002, at 20:46:57
In reply to just another coming-off-fxr story, posted by m3 on February 23, 2002, at 13:57:38
I have been on Prozac for over a year now with very minimal problems with depression. I actually do feel better on Prozac, but I also have Anxiety Attacks and my doctor had me on Xanax with the prozac for the last year. A few months ago he said he wanted to move me over to Klonopin and wean me off of the Xanax because the Xanax is addictive. So I gave it a try he reduced my xanax and gave me plenty of Klonopin 3xday 1mg. Today, however I went into the doctor for a visit that he required and I asked for an increase in Xanax and to be removed from the Kolonopin because it was making me feel too tired and sleepy during the day. Instead, He took me off the Prozac and Klonopin all together and put me on Effexor XR 1xday and Xanax .25mg 1xday as needed for anxiety. I was ok with taking the effexor until I read some of these posts. What should I do now, ask him to put me back on my old meds. My old prescriptions were working with the exception of the drowsiness in morning and during day. No depression and I had Xanax for anxiety. What are your Suggestions. Thank you.
Posted by SusanG on February 28, 2002, at 21:24:23
In reply to Just took my 1st Effexor XR Pill Today!, posted by Scott Hendrix on February 28, 2002, at 20:46:57
Hi Scott,
I wouldn't let these posts scare you too much. After all, you know that the opinions here represent a skewed sample of the population in that anyone posting here is more likely dissatisfied or he or she wouldn't bother surfing the net for info on meds. I think the only real problems are when people decide Effexor is not for them and they try to go off it cold turkey. When folks taper off gradually, it seems that many are able to wean themselves off with mostly tolerable side effects. Every medicine seems to have disadvantages and while I was one who decided not to continue with Effexor primarily due to weight gain and drowsiness, it seems some people do fine with it. My humble opinion is that you could give it a try since you may find you like it better than the old meds. If not, you can always taper off slowly and go back to square one. Good luck to you.
Posted by Your friend, Scott on February 28, 2002, at 23:46:23
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
Hello,
I've experienced exactly the same thing as you, on a consistent basis. I'm on 150 mg of Effexor-XR, and I'm careless as all hell with my medication. I've noticed that if I don't adhere to a regular daily time to take the medication, or if I miss a day, my head will periodically spin all over the place and I'll experience tingling sensations through my body and numbness of my bottom lip. It will only occur for a couple of seconds, but I realise that I should probably take more notice of this than I do.
Same thing happens when I take a double dose, although I've noticed that the 'attacks' are slightly more concentrated and taper off in a shorter time frame.
Posted by davewoo on March 1, 2002, at 0:07:44
In reply to Re: What to do? }} Sid » sweet_slider, posted by JANNBEAU on January 11, 2002, at 18:00:07
i had a low iron on my lab test as well; i've been on effexor for several years and before that never had low iron. this is the first occasion since being on effexor that i've tested it. the doc is continuing to rule out GI sources of bleeding despite repeated neg guaiac's in his office.
Posted by WishyWashy on March 1, 2002, at 7:55:40
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder 4 years ago, after dealing with 5 major depressions and bouts of mania between them over a 5 year period. 4 years ago, I was put on depakote and Zoloft. I gained about 60 lbs over about a 2 year span. I told the Dr. my concern about a year and a half ago, and switched to Neurontin 300mg twice daily, along with Zoloft. Neither combination really worked that well for me. I stayed manic & obsessive with the Zoloft & Depakote.
I went to a new psych. this week, for feelings of severe agitation, rage, obsessiveness over stupid things and just a basic feeling of loathing for people right now. He quickly stated that Neurontin was NOT the med I should have been taking to control bi-polar disorder, and put me on Lithium and Effexor, both twice daily (I can't remember dosage). It just seemed so fast to change me after talking to me 5 minutes, and I told him so. He offered to leave me on neurontin with Effexor, but I replied that he was the Dr., so let's "do the right thing".
It's been 4 days now. My sleep was bad before, I was having problems going to sleep. I had switched to a 6am-2:30pm schedule for a couple months at work and was taking Ambien to get to sleep early enough, but found my mood swings and sleeplessness to be too much to stay on the schedule, so swapped back to a later schedule.
I don't really know what the point of my post is, besides the fact that I awoke at 3:30am after going to bed at midnight, and couldn't go back to sleep. So, I'm here at work, alone and concerned about being on new meds... concerned about the immediate problems I'm having with libido/e.d. And wondering if I need an anti-depressant at all.. I'm having the nausea, swimmy-head, strange fatigue/inability to sleep that other people have mentioned. I wonder if I should go on lithium only. I feel like I need something for Bi-Polar. But I don't want to get hooked on something with such bad withdrawal problems, if I don't need it. And if I don't need the Effexor, by the time I've given the drug it's time to really work, and the side effects maybe subside, am I going to end up kicking Effexor by the wayside and then have to go through withdrawal? What a mess. On the upside, since Day 2, I don't feel like I want to bash anybody's head in, which is a plus.
Posted by Penny on March 1, 2002, at 23:55:23
In reply to Trying to get off Effexor, posted by RIgirl on February 27, 2002, at 11:02:02
I was on 225 mgs of Effexor XR for about a year. Coming off it was bad, but, from other things I've read, it could have been worse. The weirdest part are what I call 'brain shocks' which aren't really painful (at least not for me) but very very strange & a little distressing. I think it took me about 2 months before I felt 'normal' again after coming off the meds. Unfortunately, I was only off Effexor six months before needing to resume meds due to a depression relapse. That time, my pdoc put me on Effexor and bumped the dosage up to my 225 pretty quickly (4 days on 75, 4 on 150, then 225) and the side effects of getting back on the meds were terrible. He switched me to Paxil, which I tolerated a little better but ended up not working at all for me, then Wellbutrin was added to augment the Paxil & now I'm on Celexa & Wellbutrin, and in the waiting mode.
May I ask why you are coming off the meds? Are you trying something else?
Posted by Penny on March 1, 2002, at 23:59:28
In reply to Re: Trying to get off Effexor, posted by Penny on March 1, 2002, at 23:55:23
Sorry...didn't put who this was particularly intended for!
> I was on 225 mgs of Effexor XR for about a year. Coming off it was bad, but, from other things I've read, it could have been worse. The weirdest part are what I call 'brain shocks' which aren't really painful (at least not for me) but very very strange & a little distressing. I think it took me about 2 months before I felt 'normal' again after coming off the meds. Unfortunately, I was only off Effexor six months before needing to resume meds due to a depression relapse. That time, my pdoc put me on Effexor and bumped the dosage up to my 225 pretty quickly (4 days on 75, 4 on 150, then 225) and the side effects of getting back on the meds were terrible. He switched me to Paxil, which I tolerated a little better but ended up not working at all for me, then Wellbutrin was added to augment the Paxil & now I'm on Celexa & Wellbutrin, and in the waiting mode.
>
> May I ask why you are coming off the meds? Are you trying something else?
Posted by ww1965 on March 3, 2002, at 8:13:16
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by bill on January 1, 2001, at 19:10:32
I am trying to come off Effexor right now. I am down to 37.5 mg./day. I feel awful. My husband said that since I started taking this I have been a different person, not in a good sense. I have gained 20 pounds. I hate this drug. Anyone else gain weight on this?
Posted by Jason911 on March 3, 2002, at 11:18:22
In reply to Re: Trying to get off Effexor, posted by Penny on March 1, 2002, at 23:55:23
Posted by Jan on March 3, 2002, at 16:22:07
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
At last I have found someone with the symptom that has been plaguing me on and off for years. Brain Zap. I love it! I tried describing it to my doc and he gave me a pitying look that said he was considering calling in the men with the restraints. Even had an MRI. I only have these power surges when I'm trying to taper. Because I am an antidepressant hopper, I have experienced it tapering off Paxil and Welbutrin, too. Right now I'm trying to get off Effexor so that I can switch to yet one more medication. I hate the Effexor side effects, and I haven't found it particularily helpful. I have night sweats, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, DEPRESSION and a number of other annoying little glitches in my life that I am not willing to deal with. I liked Prozac. Why did I stop? Beats me.
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 3, 2002, at 17:04:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by ww1965 on March 3, 2002, at 8:13:16
well... 8 days clear of effexor.. withdrawal has really lessoned... but I've turned back into the horrible bitch I hate me being.. I don't even know if my marriage will survive this...
Maybe it did do me good!!!
Posted by cmm22 on March 4, 2002, at 20:12:11
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by Jetson on February 25, 2002, at 11:14:36
I have severe migraines headaches and have tried many different medicines to prevent the migraines.. Today my neurologist gave me effexor xr starting with 37.5 and wanting me to eventually work up to 150mg... but after reading about effexor I dont think I will be taking it. has anyone taking effexor for migraines??
Christi
Posted by Jetson on March 4, 2002, at 23:03:33
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr » Jetson, posted by JANNBEAU on February 25, 2002, at 13:49:41
I have had a check-up and the doctor says that I should not complain, because I CAN get an erection, but it is not as hard and does not last as long as it used to before I started taking Effexor in Sept 1996 (I stopped around Dec 1997). I have been given a clean bill of health by doctors, which leads me to the conclusion that Effexor has indeed had something to do with my permanent dysfunction.
I have followed doctors' suggestions in doing some physical therapy exercises to strengthen my pubococcygeal muscle. I have been doing PC exercises for over two years now only to notice minimal improvements in my erections.
During intercourse I do experience pleasure, but about 50% of the time, my erection will just randomly disappear before orgasm. This never used to happen before I started taking Effexor. I used to be able to orgasm every time. These days, it varies from day to day.
QUESTION: Has anyone experienced any long term sexual side effects similar or even less severe as mine?
Please email me at jetson@poboxes.com if you have. Or just post to this board.
Thanks
> Hi,
>
> I think you should have a thorough checkup to rule out some other cause of your erectile dysfunction (ED). Although I could not (and would not)tell you that your ED is NOT due to having taken Effexor five years ago, that seems an excessive length of time to attribute an adverse event to a medication. There are many for ED, including: age-related hormonal changes; physical illness to include diabetes mellitus (recognized or unrecognized); vascular disorders; psychological illnesses unrecognized anxiety or depression; medications you currently take that might include over-the-counter meds--just a few examples. I don't pretend to be an expert. The point is go to see a GOOD urologist, endocrinologist, or other internal medicine specialist for a work up. Don't take "no" for an answer from your GP or psychiatrist.
>
> Thanks for listening.
> Jannbeau
>
> > I have been off of Effexor since 1997.
> > I still do not get erections as easily as I used to. I can have orgasms, but they are mostly not as intense. In general I am frustrated with the side-effects of Effexor that do seem to last for a long time after termination.
> >
> >
> > > I started taking effexor xr 2 almost 2 weeks ago,my first anti-depressant(possibly last), and felt tired and terrible and dazed every waking hour of the day while taking it, headaches, cannot reach an orgasm at all. I took 37.5 mg aday for 7 days and 75 mg for 2 days and have now stopped cold turkey. I have yet to experience any side effects, been about 55 hours since last dose, still cannot reach an orgasm, wife is very upset and I'm not far behind her. Will this go away or could this be a pemanent development?
Posted by Jason911 on March 5, 2002, at 10:04:46
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by Jetson on March 4, 2002, at 23:03:33
>
This is why I say SSRI's are evil. They can screw up your sex life, EVEN AFTER YOU'VE STOPPED TAKING THEM!!!! -Jason911 Damn the SSRI's to hell
I have had a check-up and the doctor says that I should not complain, because I CAN get an erection, but it is not as hard and does not last as long as it used to before I started taking Effexor in Sept 1996 (I stopped around Dec 1997). I have been given a clean bill of health by doctors, which leads me to the conclusion that Effexor has indeed had something to do with my permanent dysfunction.
>
> I have followed doctors' suggestions in doing some physical therapy exercises to strengthen my pubococcygeal muscle. I have been doing PC exercises for over two years now only to notice minimal improvements in my erections.
>
> During intercourse I do experience pleasure, but about 50% of the time, my erection will just randomly disappear before orgasm. This never used to happen before I started taking Effexor. I used to be able to orgasm every time. These days, it varies from day to day.
>
> QUESTION: Has anyone experienced any long term sexual side effects similar or even less severe as mine?
>
> Please email me at jetson@poboxes.com if you have. Or just post to this board.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I think you should have a thorough checkup to rule out some other cause of your erectile dysfunction (ED). Although I could not (and would not)tell you that your ED is NOT due to having taken Effexor five years ago, that seems an excessive length of time to attribute an adverse event to a medication. There are many for ED, including: age-related hormonal changes; physical illness to include diabetes mellitus (recognized or unrecognized); vascular disorders; psychological illnesses unrecognized anxiety or depression; medications you currently take that might include over-the-counter meds--just a few examples. I don't pretend to be an expert. The point is go to see a GOOD urologist, endocrinologist, or other internal medicine specialist for a work up. Don't take "no" for an answer from your GP or psychiatrist.
> >
> > Thanks for listening.
> > Jannbeau
> >
> > > I have been off of Effexor since 1997.
> > > I still do not get erections as easily as I used to. I can have orgasms, but they are mostly not as intense. In general I am frustrated with the side-effects of Effexor that do seem to last for a long time after termination.
> > >
> > >
> > > > I started taking effexor xr 2 almost 2 weeks ago,my first anti-depressant(possibly last), and felt tired and terrible and dazed every waking hour of the day while taking it, headaches, cannot reach an orgasm at all. I took 37.5 mg aday for 7 days and 75 mg for 2 days and have now stopped cold turkey. I have yet to experience any side effects, been about 55 hours since last dose, still cannot reach an orgasm, wife is very upset and I'm not far behind her. Will this go away or could this be a pemanent development?
Posted by Willow on March 5, 2002, at 10:35:06
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr » Jetson, posted by Jason911 on March 5, 2002, at 10:04:46
> I have had a check-up and the doctor says that I should not complain,
Hello Jet
Sorry to hear of your problems! I am upset that your doctor was so callous. We are sexual beings and are being treated for mental health issues which our sexuality really affects.
What I have found to help was lowering the dose for a day or two. And bam your are able to reach an orgasm. I'm sure this isn't the best solution. Getting creative helps too.
BEST WISHES
Willow
Posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 13:08:09
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr » Jetson, posted by Jason911 on March 5, 2002, at 10:04:46
Hi Guys - Well, I have weaned off of effexor slowly. I got down to 37.5mg and did the every other day thing and then stopped. This is my fifth day completely off effexor and I feel horrible. I have become a complete b*tch. I am losing my temper at the littlest things. My daughter is very frustated with me because I can't seem to talk to her without becoming very short. My husband is out of town Monday thru Friday working on a project and I know he is so glad he isn't here. All I want to do is cry. The vertigo keeps getting worse instead of better. I just went to walgreens and bought some Benadryl and Dramamine. I read alot of posting that people claim this stuff helps. I hope so!! I have a strong pain threshold and usually don't let much bother me, but I am about to go crazy. I wake up with the dizziness and headace and it continues til I go to bed. (which is becoming earlier each day its the only time I get relief) I am very active. I am supposed to be in training for a triathlon and I can't hardly walk let alone run!
I know many of you have gotten thru this stage. What I want to know is how long did it take? I was on 150mg for one year. Does it matter how long you have been on effexor when going thru the withdrawal time?
Thank you so much for letting me vent. I know in the big picture I have nothing to be upset about.
Renee
Posted by Angel Girl on March 5, 2002, at 13:10:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by NikkiT2 on March 3, 2002, at 17:04:04
I'm currently taking Effexor XR 225mg daily in the morning. I honestly can't remember if I took it today. I haven't always taken it at the same time of day and I've never had a problem doing that before.
BUT, what if I didn't take it???? What is going to happen to me??? I want to be prepared. And then what do I do???? I do NOT want to go through withdrawal. So far I feel fine, although extremely exhausted but I think that is from my sedative I took last night before going to bed.
Can somebody please help me????
Thx,
Angel Girl
Posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 13:23:41
In reply to URGENT HELP REQUIRED!!!, posted by Angel Girl on March 5, 2002, at 13:10:32
> I'm currently taking Effexor XR 225mg daily in the morning. I honestly can't remember if I took it today. I haven't always taken it at the same time of day and I've never had a problem doing that before.
>
> BUT, what if I didn't take it???? What is going to happen to me??? I want to be prepared. And then what do I do???? I do NOT want to go through withdrawal. So far I feel fine, although extremely exhausted but I think that is from my sedative I took last night before going to bed.
>
> Can somebody please help me????Hi, can you count the number of pills left in your container? If you get one months supply I think you could figure it out - If you know when you started.
just a thought,
Renee
Posted by Penny on March 5, 2002, at 13:23:58
In reply to URGENT HELP REQUIRED!!!, posted by Angel Girl on March 5, 2002, at 13:10:32
Most likely you'll be fine...I would occasionally forget my daily dose of Effexor XR (225 mgs too) when I was taking it, b/c I would forget whether I had taken it or not, and sometimes it would make me a little 'woozy' (dizzy, maybe slightly nauseated), particularly the next morning, before my next dose. But that was the worst of it, and after I took my dose the next morning, I was fine. I would recommend not planning to do anything major tonight, particularly late. If you can stay home and go to sleep at a reasonable time, do that. Then just resume your meds tomorrow morning. You'll be fine.
Penny
> I'm currently taking Effexor XR 225mg daily in the morning. I honestly can't remember if I took it today. I haven't always taken it at the same time of day and I've never had a problem doing that before.
>
> BUT, what if I didn't take it???? What is going to happen to me??? I want to be prepared. And then what do I do???? I do NOT want to go through withdrawal. So far I feel fine, although extremely exhausted but I think that is from my sedative I took last night before going to bed.
>
> Can somebody please help me????
>
> Thx,
> Angel Girl
Posted by Angel Girl on March 5, 2002, at 14:04:52
In reply to Re: URGENT HELP REQUIRED!!! » Angel Girl, posted by Penny on March 5, 2002, at 13:23:58
> Most likely you'll be fine...I would occasionally forget my daily dose of Effexor XR (225 mgs too) when I was taking it, b/c I would forget whether I had taken it or not, and sometimes it would make me a little 'woozy' (dizzy, maybe slightly nauseated), particularly the next morning, before my next dose. But that was the worst of it, and after I took my dose the next morning, I was fine. I would recommend not planning to do anything major tonight, particularly late. If you can stay home and go to sleep at a reasonable time, do that. Then just resume your meds tomorrow morning. You'll be fine.
>
> Penny
PennyThat is EXACTLY how I'm feeling now. I'm ExTREMELY 'woozy' dizzy. I'm holding onto walls when I walk. I think I'll go and lie down and go to bed early tonight. I can handle this if this is as bad as it's going to get. I just was very anxious that I would actually go through some major withdrawal symptoms and I was not looking forward to that. Thanks for replying so quickly and for your advice.
BTW, do you have any side effects taking 225mg? I'm having a MAJOR problem with twitches and jerks and feel I need to drop my dosage down but unfortunately I am still having suicidal thoughts even at this level so I'm not sure what to do. My pdoc was going to actually increase my dosage to 300mg today but his office was unexpectantly closed for the day and now I don't have an appointment. I'm not sure what to do. All I know is that I need a stronger dosage for the anti-depressant effect, especially the suicidal tendencies but I can't handle the side effects now. So, I was curious since you're taking the same dosage, what you're experience is. Are you taking other meds too??? What side effects are you having???
Angel Girl
Renee
I can't remember exactly when I started this dosage. I know it wasn't the same day I picked up my prescription. I had already thought of counting the remainder of what is left in the bottle but I don't think I'll know by doing that. Thx for that advice, it would have been an easy way to figure it out had I started it the same day I picked up my prescription.
Angel Girl
Posted by Penny on March 5, 2002, at 15:30:54
In reply to Re: URGENT HELP REQUIRED!!!, posted by Angel Girl on March 5, 2002, at 14:04:52
Angel Girl,
Forgive me if I'm repeating myself, as I could have sworn I had already responded to your most recent post, but anyway...
I am no longer on Effexor. Took it for a year and went off b/c I was doing 'okay' then went back on 6 months later and couldn't tolerate it. But I must say, for the year I was on it, I felt more balanced than I had in a really really long time. And I was frustrated that it didn't work the second time around.
I had responded to your post of "What can I expect from Effexor XR???" yesterday, regarding the suicidal ideations, etc. In general, my thoughts are that 225 mgs might be too much for you, as you are having what seem to be pretty bad side effects, which could mean that you're not tolerating the Effexor as well as you could. It could also be that Effexor is not the med for you...meaning that, of course, we all react differently to different meds and you might want to try something else. For example, I was recently on Paxil, got up to 80 mgs, with a Wellbutrin augmentation, and instead of helping my anxiety & depression, it made it worse. But I know people who would swear by it. So...
As for the suicidal ideations, I agree with much of what's been posted on the board, which is to talk to your pdoc about an antipsychotic (I took Seroquel). Supposedly, they're supposed to help with suicidal ideations, though I honestly can't say it helped me, but I was on a very low dosage, more for sleep purposes.
I don't know your history of what meds you've tried, full diagnosis, etc., so this is the best advice I have given the info I have. Hope it helps, at least a little! Please keep me posted on how you're doing.
Penny
> Penny
>
> That is EXACTLY how I'm feeling now. I'm ExTREMELY 'woozy' dizzy. I'm holding onto walls when I walk. I think I'll go and lie down and go to bed early tonight. I can handle this if this is as bad as it's going to get. I just was very anxious that I would actually go through some major withdrawal symptoms and I was not looking forward to that. Thanks for replying so quickly and for your advice.
>
> BTW, do you have any side effects taking 225mg? I'm having a MAJOR problem with twitches and jerks and feel I need to drop my dosage down but unfortunately I am still having suicidal thoughts even at this level so I'm not sure what to do. My pdoc was going to actually increase my dosage to 300mg today but his office was unexpectantly closed for the day and now I don't have an appointment. I'm not sure what to do. All I know is that I need a stronger dosage for the anti-depressant effect, especially the suicidal tendencies but I can't handle the side effects now. So, I was curious since you're taking the same dosage, what you're experience is. Are you taking other meds too??? What side effects are you having???
>
> Angel Girl
>
>
>
> Renee
>
> I can't remember exactly when I started this dosage. I know it wasn't the same day I picked up my prescription. I had already thought of counting the remainder of what is left in the bottle but I don't think I'll know by doing that. Thx for that advice, it would have been an easy way to figure it out had I started it the same day I picked up my prescription.
>
> Angel Girl
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 5, 2002, at 16:05:51
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr » Jetson, posted by Jason911 on March 5, 2002, at 10:04:46
> SSRI's are evil.
I've asked you before not to exaggerate or overgeneralize, so I'm going to block you from posting for two weeks.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 16:32:25
In reply to Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 13:08:09
> Hi Guys - Well, I have weaned off of effexor slowly. I got down to 37.5mg and did the every other day thing and then stopped. This is my fifth day completely off effexor and I feel horrible. I have become a complete b*tch. I am losing my temper at the littlest things. My daughter is very frustated with me because I can't seem to talk to her without becoming very short. My husband is out of town Monday thru Friday working on a project and I know he is so glad he isn't here. All I want to do is cry. The vertigo keeps getting worse instead of better. I just went to walgreens and bought some Benadryl and Dramamine. I read alot of posting that people claim this stuff helps. I hope so!! I have a strong pain threshold and usually don't let much bother me, but I am about to go crazy. I wake up with the dizziness and headace and it continues til I go to bed. (which is becoming earlier each day its the only time I get relief) I am very active. I am supposed to be in training for a triathlon and I can't hardly walk let alone run!
>
> I know many of you have gotten thru this stage. What I want to know is how long did it take? I was on 150mg for one year. Does it matter how long you have been on effexor when going thru the withdrawal time?
>
>
> Thank you so much for letting me vent. I know in the big picture I have nothing to be upset about.
>
>
> ReneeRenee:
Hang in there. Last week when i had to go cold turkey from 150mg of effexor, i thought i would die from the withdrawal. it has been ten days since my last dose and i am feeling much better. the irritableness, the vertigo, the nausea have all improved. i only took one anti nauseant tablet today!
my only advice is to take the dramamine, i found it really helped a lot with the nausea and a bit with the dizziness. just hang in there. things will get better soon! i am still not feeling "normal" yet but i am back at work and in a suprisingly ok mood. just take time for yourself, nap when you feel you have to. good luck!
dot
Posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 17:45:37
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update » Reneeb, posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 16:32:25
Hi Dot, Thank you for your words of encouragment. Why did you go from 150mg to nothing? Did your doc tell you to do that? I give you so much credit!! I just couldn't do that. Are you on anything else?
Renee
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