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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3624 to 3648 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by utopizen on March 30, 2003, at 10:29:25
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, posted by manhattom on March 29, 2003, at 22:34:18
You think you have weird dreams? Last night, I had a Paxil-induced vivid dream with a guy I was suppose to undead after he died 2 weeks ago from an MAOI reaction. I was suppose to give him charcoal and pump his stomach, but I kept putting it off because it freaked me out.
I found Neurontin has been good for buffering dreams and calming me down enough to sleep, but it takes an hour and a half to kick in. Unfortunately, my doc won't prescribe a sleep aid.
Posted by PuraVida on March 30, 2003, at 15:24:49
In reply to Re: I Have Just been Diagnosed With Type 2,3,5ADD » pellmell, posted by Alec on August 6, 2001, at 13:11:29
Alec,
Just curious about how the Effexor worked on the ADD? I think I have ADD, have known about the depression for years. My take is that I got depressed because of the ADD. Anyhow, I'm on 225 Effexor but ot doesn't seem to touch the ADD - just the depression. Any feedback on your experience would be great -
PV
Posted by dongerue on March 30, 2003, at 15:38:56
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by melley on March 28, 2003, at 22:03:23
>Hello:
Well I finally succeeded in getting off of the effexor. But about 4 days later I began to feel so low, I would have to look up at a snake. So I started taking some Effexor xr (75mg)with my 300mg a day of welbutrin. I seem to be doing ok with this dosage. I still have some energy and the other problems seem better.
Don
> I am thinking of switching to Welbutrin (I have depression and anxiety, mostly anxiety). I am now on 225 mg of effexor and taking a ambien (a sleeping pill at night). How is it going now? Do you recommend switching?
>
>
> > > I recently switched from Effexor to Welbutrin. Had no problems with withdrawal. The Dr. Had me ramp down. I switched due to sexual side effects. That was the only side effect I had, otherwise the Effexor was working great. Wish I could say the same for the Welbutrin.
> >
> > It may have been no problem with you but it is a purple bitch for me. I tapered off reducing dosage at the rate of 37mg per week. I then quit and I felt nausiated, headaches, general malaise, ringing in the ears, with sudden sharp disturbances in ears and eyes. I quit and switched to welbutrin for the same reason you mentioned, but as of now, I have been off all effexor for two weeks and I still feel awful. I don't know the answer yet but I will let you know. Any help would be appreciated
>
>
>
>
Posted by jtc on March 30, 2003, at 21:36:10
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by dongerue on March 30, 2003, at 15:38:56
Hi all,
Has anyone had any problems with going off Effexor XR? I am having serious withdrawal. Today is my third day of no Effexor at all. I tapered down from 75 mg to 37.5. Took the 37.5 for about two weeks daily then every other day for about two weeks and now am into third day of no Effexor. I am completely crazy. I have crying spells and my two little girls, ages 8 and 3 don't know what has happened to their mom and my husband, well he just completely does not understand. This is really scary and I would not recommend this medication to anyone, however it did help me. I have taken it for about 10 months and have much weight gain so my psychiatrist and I decided I should try to go off of it since it is Spring and things start to get a little better for those of us who have depression (or so my psychiatrist says) but I also have anxiety. If I had known it was going to be like this I would have never started taking it. I should have stayed on Luvox. The withdrawal is so not worth the help it gave me. My 8 year old is also taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg but I am taking her off of it when school is out in May (or maybe sooner). I just hope she does not experience the same symptoms I have. I am going to watch her really closely though. I have flu like symptoms, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, irritability, depression and I feel like I am becoming manic depressive and also bipolar. Thank goodness I am still taking Klonopin. I just hope this gets better. If anyone has any advice please please send it to me. I really like this posting board and it is very helpful. Thanks so much and God Bless us all....jtc> >Hello:
>
> Well I finally succeeded in getting off of the effexor. But about 4 days later I began to feel so low, I would have to look up at a snake. So I started taking some Effexor xr (75mg)with my 300mg a day of welbutrin. I seem to be doing ok with this dosage. I still have some energy and the other problems seem better.
>
> Don
> > I am thinking of switching to Welbutrin (I have depression and anxiety, mostly anxiety). I am now on 225 mg of effexor and taking a ambien (a sleeping pill at night). How is it going now? Do you recommend switching?
> >
> >
> > > > I recently switched from Effexor to Welbutrin. Had no problems with withdrawal. The Dr. Had me ramp down. I switched due to sexual side effects. That was the only side effect I had, otherwise the Effexor was working great. Wish I could say the same for the Welbutrin.
> > >
> > > It may have been no problem with you but it is a purple bitch for me. I tapered off reducing dosage at the rate of 37mg per week. I then quit and I felt nausiated, headaches, general malaise, ringing in the ears, with sudden sharp disturbances in ears and eyes. I quit and switched to welbutrin for the same reason you mentioned, but as of now, I have been off all effexor for two weeks and I still feel awful. I don't know the answer yet but I will let you know. Any help would be appreciated
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 21:47:19
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by jtc on March 30, 2003, at 21:36:10
I was going to try Effexor but now I'm really scared =(
Posted by melley on March 31, 2003, at 6:32:02
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by jtc on March 30, 2003, at 21:36:10
I took effexor a few years ago and went off. It took about a week of feeling the way you do and then it went away. It is hard when you are going through it but it will be over soon.
Hi all,
> Has anyone had any problems with going off Effexor XR? I am having serious withdrawal. Today is my third day of no Effexor at all. I tapered down from 75 mg to 37.5. Took the 37.5 for about two weeks daily then every other day for about two weeks and now am into third day of no Effexor. I am completely crazy. I have crying spells and my two little girls, ages 8 and 3 don't know what has happened to their mom and my husband, well he just completely does not understand. This is really scary and I would not recommend this medication to anyone, however it did help me. I have taken it for about 10 months and have much weight gain so my psychiatrist and I decided I should try to go off of it since it is Spring and things start to get a little better for those of us who have depression (or so my psychiatrist says) but I also have anxiety. If I had known it was going to be like this I would have never started taking it. I should have stayed on Luvox. The withdrawal is so not worth the help it gave me. My 8 year old is also taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg but I am taking her off of it when school is out in May (or maybe sooner). I just hope she does not experience the same symptoms I have. I am going to watch her really closely though. I have flu like symptoms, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, irritability, depression and I feel like I am becoming manic depressive and also bipolar. Thank goodness I am still taking Klonopin. I just hope this gets better. If anyone has any advice please please send it to me. I really like this posting board and it is very helpful. Thanks so much and God Bless us all....jtc
>
> > >Hello:
> >
> > Well I finally succeeded in getting off of the effexor. But about 4 days later I began to feel so low, I would have to look up at a snake. So I started taking some Effexor xr (75mg)with my 300mg a day of welbutrin. I seem to be doing ok with this dosage. I still have some energy and the other problems seem better.
> >
> > Don
> > > I am thinking of switching to Welbutrin (I have depression and anxiety, mostly anxiety). I am now on 225 mg of effexor and taking a ambien (a sleeping pill at night). How is it going now? Do you recommend switching?
> > >
> > >
> > > > > I recently switched from Effexor to Welbutrin. Had no problems with withdrawal. The Dr. Had me ramp down. I switched due to sexual side effects. That was the only side effect I had, otherwise the Effexor was working great. Wish I could say the same for the Welbutrin.
> > > >
> > > > It may have been no problem with you but it is a purple bitch for me. I tapered off reducing dosage at the rate of 37mg per week. I then quit and I felt nausiated, headaches, general malaise, ringing in the ears, with sudden sharp disturbances in ears and eyes. I quit and switched to welbutrin for the same reason you mentioned, but as of now, I have been off all effexor for two weeks and I still feel awful. I don't know the answer yet but I will let you know. Any help would be appreciated
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Paco on March 31, 2003, at 9:20:25
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 21:47:19
I don't know what you'd be taking Effexor for (or how badly you need it), but so far I've found it extremely helpful. As I understand it, some people experience withdrawl and others don't, just like some have serious side effects and others don't (I didn't). I thought Prozac was absolute hell. Others find it very helpful. Some have problems with Effexor. Others like it (like me). I believe it's impossible to predict how any antidepressant will affect you.
Something else to consider is that people that are having no problems with side effects or withdrawl are less likely to look for on-line support or information in places like this board. Why do you need to seek help if things are going great? I looked for information when I started taking Effexor because I was worried that it would be as bad as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil were for me (terrible - all three, but as I said, they are helpful for others).
You can find horror stories about any antidepressant - I've got some great ones about the SSRIs that I tried, but for me Effexor has so far been a success. I don't care if I have to go through a week of withdrawl (hopefully I don't), because right now the life I'm experiencing is a lot better than when I was staring at the ceiling all day wondering when I'm going to kill myself.
Good luck.
=====================================================
> I was going to try Effexor but now I'm really scared =(
Posted by Sean9 on March 31, 2003, at 10:47:17
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated » KRM123, posted by Paco on March 31, 2003, at 9:20:25
Multiple viewpoints are what make message boards a success. I agree that there are both good and bad stories about Effexor, but from my experience, the 'bad' stories should not be taken lightly. Withdrawal can be debilitating and much worse than the cure. Worst of all, there are people (and no one can say what % of all users experience this, possibly because their voices are being ignored by the manufacturer) who experience horrible withdrawal effects that do not nearly compare to the warning of "discontinuation syndrome" given by the makers of Effexor.
I agree, you hear more bad stories about Effexor than good, but that is not to reason that there is an overwhelming majority of 'good' experiences with quitting Effexor out there. The truth is, no one really knows, and the manufactures aren't in a hurry to find out.
So I go back to the argument, how many horror stories does it take until someone does something? How many people have to experience the "worst case scenario" symptoms, before this should be reviewed officially? There is something those with "bad" stories can do. If you think what you experienced from withdrawing from Effexor was disproportionate to what you would consider to be “normal” and “reasonably expected” withdrawal symptoms based on the detailed advice given to you by your doctor, then maybe it should be reported to someone who can do something about it.There is something you can do. File a report with the FDA. They regulate Effexor (which is made by Wyeth Laboratories Inc. in Philadelphia.). Help the next generation of Effexor users to be better informed by doctors and the manufacturer. You can submit a complaint to the FDA online at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
The more people that report this problem, the better response we will get. You can also call in your complaint to an FDA state office (here are each state’s telephone number)
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html
You can also sign the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/petition.html
Posted by Ssunflower on March 31, 2003, at 12:00:48
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Morning or Night? » jessi, posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 11:37:10
Hi, I've struggled with depression off and on for years and it has recently come back after remarrying into a "blended" family...dealing with new kids and with our vindictive "EX'S." I have tried 5-6 different med's to much avail and am currently on effoexor "xr." I have been on it for only 1 week so far @ 37.4 mg's and have just started taking 2 the other day. I am not crying daily as I used to which is good and seem to have a hard time sleeping as I see other do as well. My main question is I still do not feel "happy" like I was hoping to. I do not feel the joy with my kids or husband. I feel I had more emotions when I was not on med's. It feels as though my emotions are now flatlined. Has anyone else felt this way? Do I need to be on it longer to feel the joy? Is this just a side effect that will disipate? Also, has anyone experienced sexual side effects and are they long term. Any info would be "greatly" appreciated!! God Bless..Ssunflower
Posted by jtc on March 31, 2003, at 12:26:45
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated » KRM123, posted by Paco on March 31, 2003, at 9:20:25
Hi Paco,
I agree with you about the Effexor being a help to some people as it was for me. But it was my psychiatrist's suggestion for me to go off of it for now. The withdrawal has only been bad for the past four days and I have done research on it and I think it will get better for me. I did not do much research on it before starting it about 10 months ago. I just took my psychiatrist's advice. I was on Luvox and it had stopped working. I agree with you that it is impossible to predict how it will affect people and that maybe people should give it a try.> I don't know what you'd be taking Effexor for (or how badly you need it), but so far I've found it extremely helpful. As I understand it, some people experience withdrawl and others don't, just like some have serious side effects and others don't (I didn't). I thought Prozac was absolute hell. Others find it very helpful. Some have problems with Effexor. Others like it (like me). I believe it's impossible to predict how any antidepressant will affect you. I have also tried Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac and they were bad for me also. A reason I am glad I am stopping the Effexor is because I had a lot of weight gain with it and also fluid retention so maybe those problems will correct themselves but I also take the birth control pill which is another problem in itself. I am so glad it helped you with the things you are going through. Take care and God Bless you,
jtc>
> Something else to consider is that people that are having no problems with side effects or withdrawl are less likely to look for on-line support or information in places like this board. Why do you need to seek help if things are going great? I looked for information when I started taking Effexor because I was worried that it would be as bad as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil were for me (terrible - all three, but as I said, they are helpful for others).
>
> You can find horror stories about any antidepressant - I've got some great ones about the SSRIs that I tried, but for me Effexor has so far been a success. I don't care if I have to go through a week of withdrawl (hopefully I don't), because right now the life I'm experiencing is a lot better than when I was staring at the ceiling all day wondering when I'm going to kill myself.
>
> Good luck.
>
> =====================================================
>
> > I was going to try Effexor but now I'm really scared =(
>
>
Posted by jtc on March 31, 2003, at 12:40:28
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by Sean9 on March 31, 2003, at 10:47:17
Dear Sean9,
Thank you for the information and your posting. I was doing okay on the Effexor for about 6 months but with a 15-20 pound weight gain and also my cholesterol went to 261 and I have just visited my primary care doctor today for shortness of breath which I have had for about 5 days now. He ordered a spiral CT scan with dye of my chest to rule out pulmonary embolism. I don't know if Effexor withdrawal can cause this but I will say that the withdrawal symptoms are terrible. I am like Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde especially with my family. I can't wait until I get off this medication. I also have to have an EKG and a stress echo as well as arterial blood gas test next week. Anyway I think the medicine helps some people but I think they should be warned that there are severe side effects when discontinuing it. It did help me feel better for the first six months but then it just became subtherapeutic. Anyway thanks for your posting. It was very informative. I plan to sign the petition. Thanks and take care,
jtc
> Multiple viewpoints are what make message boards a success. I agree that there are both good and bad stories about Effexor, but from my experience, the 'bad' stories should not be taken lightly. Withdrawal can be debilitating and much worse than the cure. Worst of all, there are people (and no one can say what % of all users experience this, possibly because their voices are being ignored by the manufacturer) who experience horrible withdrawal effects that do not nearly compare to the warning of "discontinuation syndrome" given by the makers of Effexor.
> I agree, you hear more bad stories about Effexor than good, but that is not to reason that there is an overwhelming majority of 'good' experiences with quitting Effexor out there. The truth is, no one really knows, and the manufactures aren't in a hurry to find out.
> So I go back to the argument, how many horror stories does it take until someone does something? How many people have to experience the "worst case scenario" symptoms, before this should be reviewed officially? There is something those with "bad" stories can do. If you think what you experienced from withdrawing from Effexor was disproportionate to what you would consider to be “normal” and “reasonably expected” withdrawal symptoms based on the detailed advice given to you by your doctor, then maybe it should be reported to someone who can do something about it.
>
> There is something you can do. File a report with the FDA. They regulate Effexor (which is made by Wyeth Laboratories Inc. in Philadelphia.). Help the next generation of Effexor users to be better informed by doctors and the manufacturer. You can submit a complaint to the FDA online at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
> The more people that report this problem, the better response we will get. You can also call in your complaint to an FDA state office (here are each state’s telephone number)
> http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html
> You can also sign the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/petition.html
Posted by T_R_D on March 31, 2003, at 13:20:35
In reply to bizarre dreams, posted by bluestar on March 21, 2003, at 13:01:40
> Since I started taking effexor, I've been haved a series of incredibly vivid and strange dreams. Is anyone else experiencing this too? It seems like I'm in a constant dream state when asleep. I guess that's due to not sleeping deeply. The weirdest one yet was about talking to cheetahs and eating live eels.
Oh. My. God. Can I tell you some of the craziness I went though? I was on the max. dosage and I'm just a small person...whenever my levels would get screwed up (if I skipped doses and/or drank on the drug) my sleep would be so interrupted. I would have some really vivid and 9 times out of 10 incredibly horrific dreams. I always thought it would have been okay if it was just something funny or that made no sense but rarely were these dreams any "fun."
Coupled with that, I would have orgasms in my sleep, night sweats, convusion-like muscle spasms throughout my entire body. Everyone thought the orgasms were a scream. You'd think it'd be pleasurable but when you're having orgasms while dreaming about things that are highly violent and questionable acts (morally, ethically) it really does a trip on your psyche. I thought this was just a trade-off for a drug that worked for me. I'm not on it any more but I might go back to it if I can't find another solution. Things did clear up after I stopped drinking and lowered the dose by one notch. Oh yes, I was having what were believed to be seizures and they cleared up too.
Take care!
Posted by T_R_D on March 31, 2003, at 13:45:17
In reply to Feedbacks Please, posted by Ssunflower on March 31, 2003, at 12:00:48
> Hi, I've struggled with depression off and on for years and it has recently come back after remarrying into a "blended" family...dealing with new kids and with our vindictive "EX'S." I have tried 5-6 different med's to much avail and am currently on effoexor "xr." I have been on it for only 1 week so far @ 37.4 mg's and have just started taking 2 the other day. I am not crying daily as I used to which is good and seem to have a hard time sleeping as I see other do as well. My main question is I still do not feel "happy" like I was hoping to. I do not feel the joy with my kids or husband. I feel I had more emotions when I was not on med's. It feels as though my emotions are now flatlined. Has anyone else felt this way? Do I need to be on it longer to feel the joy? Is this just a side effect that will disipate? Also, has anyone experienced sexual side effects and are they long term. Any info would be "greatly" appreciated!! God Bless..Ssunflower
Hi there! You will need to be on the drug for a while longer yet, before you feel any positive effects.
It could take a few weeks. Hang in there if you see signs of hope as it may be a good drug for you.
One other thing that is available are combination and or/augmentation strategies with the drugs.
Sometimes, another drug (an anti-depressant or other type) can be taken with the primary drug that will "boost"
it's effect.I had some loss of sexual drive on the drug but at times I've often wondered whether or not the drugs cause
me loss of interest in sex or if the underlying depression is the culprit. They jury's still out on that one
but I do still have my relationship...for now...it's on the rocks because of my present relapse.The drugs can also "numb you out" a bit. I think they kind of keep you from getting too high or too low in
order to stabilize you on a more rational plane. The theory is that then, you'll be able to tackle other
"issues" that may be responsible for depression. It kind of sucks though when you're like me and don't seem to
need any talking therapy and just require the medication.Try and hang in...I know what you're going through right now and it is downright unpleasant and difficult.
Don't give up hope yet!Take care,
Karen
Posted by bluestar on March 31, 2003, at 14:27:42
In reply to Re: Feedbacks Please, posted by T_R_D on March 31, 2003, at 13:45:17
Yea, I agree with Karen. You need to wait this one out alittle before you make a decision on it's effectiveness. It takes a while to work but what's two or three weeks when youve been in tha dumps for years? Optimism is key. One thing I've done to help me mark this transition for myself is to become involved in projects and activities that weren't part of my regular day in and day out. Read up on spirituality, walk off that effexor induced energy, paint,or whatever you need to see life isn't just mundane tasks and stress.
Posted by lovemybabies on March 31, 2003, at 18:01:00
In reply to Re: Feedbacks Please, posted by bluestar on March 31, 2003, at 14:27:42
I agree. It took me about six weeks for all the side effects to go away. I do have joy with my children now(though today they are like rabid monkeys and driving me nuts!); my social anxiety is GONE as is my hypochondriasis. The vivid, bizarre dreams are still there but I don't mind too much. Give it some time and hang in there. Your life stressors will still be there but my guess is you'll be better able to deal with them. Good luck.
Jen
Posted by Paco on March 31, 2003, at 19:39:57
In reply to Feedbacks Please, posted by Ssunflower on March 31, 2003, at 12:00:48
Like others have said, it takes a while for it to "kick in" fully. My doctor and my therapist both say at least four weeks. Sounds like you started on a small dose, and I don't know how high your doctor is going to go with it, but based on what I've heard from my doc, other websites, and people on this board, it looks like 4-6 weeks after your dosage reaches the "theraputic level" is the standard amount of time.
And don't be afraid to ask your doctor about this or any other questions you have about meds.
=======================================================
> Hi, I've struggled with depression off and on for years and it has recently come back after remarrying into a "blended" family...dealing with new kids and with our vindictive "EX'S." I have tried 5-6 different med's to much avail and am currently on effoexor "xr." I have been on it for only 1 week so far @ 37.4 mg's and have just started taking 2 the other day. I am not crying daily as I used to which is good and seem to have a hard time sleeping as I see other do as well. My main question is I still do not feel "happy" like I was hoping to. I do not feel the joy with my kids or husband. I feel I had more emotions when I was not on med's. It feels as though my emotions are now flatlined. Has anyone else felt this way? Do I need to be on it longer to feel the joy? Is this just a side effect that will disipate? Also, has anyone experienced sexual side effects and are they long term. Any info would be "greatly" appreciated!! God Bless..Ssunflower
Posted by Paco on March 31, 2003, at 20:02:26
In reply to Feedbacks Please, posted by Ssunflower on March 31, 2003, at 12:00:48
I forgot to say that antidepressants are not "happy pills"; they are to relieve the symptoms of depression. They are intended to make you more "normal" rather than "happy". In my view, they are to treat the symptoms and make it possible to function "normally" while I am in therapy to treat the underlying causes of depression. Meds and therapy is the road I've chosen.
And as far as sexual side effects, one of the reasons my doc prescribed this is that I wanted something that wouldn't kill my sex drive like Prozac and Zoloft and Paxil did. Effexor supposedly has a low incidence of decreased sex drive. I've had some sexual side effects myself, but they are specific to men, so they obviously wouldn't effect you. (Delayed ejaculation - takes me much longer to reach the big "O".)
Sorry if I've been long-winded, but I hope this helps. And like I said, talk to your doctor.
=====================================================
> Hi, I've struggled with depression off and on for years and it has recently come back after remarrying into a "blended" family...dealing with new kids and with our vindictive "EX'S." I have tried 5-6 different med's to much avail and am currently on effoexor "xr." I have been on it for only 1 week so far @ 37.4 mg's and have just started taking 2 the other day. I am not crying daily as I used to which is good and seem to have a hard time sleeping as I see other do as well. My main question is I still do not feel "happy" like I was hoping to. I do not feel the joy with my kids or husband. I feel I had more emotions when I was not on med's. It feels as though my emotions are now flatlined. Has anyone else felt this way? Do I need to be on it longer to feel the joy? Is this just a side effect that will disipate? Also, has anyone experienced sexual side effects and are they long term. Any info would be "greatly" appreciated!! God Bless..Ssunflower
Posted by Ssunflower on April 1, 2003, at 9:23:57
In reply to Re: Feedbacks Please - one more thing..., posted by Paco on March 31, 2003, at 20:02:26
To everyone....I would just like to thank you for taking the time out to respond to my letter. I really appreciated all of your reponses. They have brought much insight and realize that I have to be patient. My new Dr. told me that it would only take a week for changes as my other Dr. would always tell me that it could take up to 6 weeks to notice. I am more inclined to go with that. Thanks again.....Ssunflower:-)
Posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 11:13:03
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious, posted by lovemybabies on March 24, 2003, at 16:09:08
LMB, I think most people would agree, Effexor is effective for treating depression. Probably why it's reputedly the number 1 seller. Your experiences on/off may have been tolerable, and the two people you know personally may have been the same. But, just consider, you may be the minority. In fact, how do you know if your experience going off is what most people will/would experience. The truth is, Effexor doesn't publish the % of people experiencing disconintuation symptoms (read their lit carefully, it only says that "Discontinuation effects are well known to occur with antidepressants."). They didn't publish the statistics on the number, % of, frequency, duration, or severity of the withdrawal symptom group. And I'm not mentioning that to start a conspiracy, but only to say that we haven't been fully informed what the chances and degrees of withdrawal sypmtoms are in getting off this drug. Proof in the pudding, why are there so many postings with people experiencing what they consider to be intolerable and extreme withdrawal symptoms for a drug that is classified as a non-narcotic and non-addicitve?
To your other point, about the power of suggestion if a Doctor were to mention the seriousness of withdrwal symptoms, that is a valid opinion. HOwever, it is absolutely the Doctor's responsability to give full disclosure, regardless of that Doctor's feelings towards sensitivity and unfortunate consequences' of the power of suggestion. And as my opinion, I think the reason why the medical community is not giving due warning to new users of Effexor isn't deliberate, it's because the Wyeth Laboratories doesn't disclose. Even if only 1% of users (that's a made up number) experience what you and I woudl consider to be debilitating symptoms, shouldn't the makers of Effexor at least publish and disclose that rate?
The FDA Med Watch Report, online complaint form:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 11:18:54
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious, posted by dongerue on March 24, 2003, at 16:40:43
Don,
Do you think you were given fair notice that quitting Effexor could include the severity of withdrawal symptoms you experienced?
You mentioned quitting cigarettes (which I know is really tough) and how Effexor is more difficult to quit. Isn't it amazing that this product is advertised as non-addictive. Forget the technical meaning of 'addicitive', did you think prior to taking Effexor that it would be tougher to quit than smoking? At least they advertise the level of addicitiveness of smoking today (oh yea, but the makers of cigarettes didn't do that when they first came out, interesting comparison to how the makers of Effexor advertise).
I think somethign should be done.
The FDA Med Watch Report, online complaint form:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 11:25:24
In reply to ease going on vs. ease going off - a correlation?, posted by Paco on March 24, 2003, at 21:31:16
Paco,
From experience, tapering on Effexor lead to some side-effects, but most were minor and dealt with by taking the medicine at night and going through some headaches.
Tapering off Effexor brought new and much more severe side-effects, what Wyeth Laboratories calls discontinuation symptoms. These were much worse, much more painful, lasted day and night, and only got worse the lower dosage you go.
What seemed to help was Benadryl during the day as needed, Allegra-D if Benadryl makes you tired, I've heard Dramamine helps but haven't tried, low dosage of Prozac 10mg as prescribed.
If you experience these discontinuation sympotms, the FDA would like to hear about it.
The FDA Med Watch Report, online complaint form:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 11:30:48
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by xenna on March 25, 2003, at 1:36:41
Xenna,
Talk to your doctor about the following. Try Benadryl as needed to help with the withdrawal symptoms, or Dramamine. Both seem to help. Talk about a RX of Prozac (like 10mg) as prescribed to help with the effects. Make sure you opt for the slow tapering off (over 4 weeks) or whatever your doctor recommends. Try switching to Proazc or something with your Doctor as you get toward the end of the taper.
Contact the FDA, they'd love to hear about this.
The FDA Med Watch Report, online complaint form:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 11:34:04
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal is Serious-A question......, posted by Napaba on March 25, 2003, at 8:02:08
Pura,
From what I've read, Effexor is the best at treating depression when all others fail. It really took 4-6 weeks before it kicked in fully from experience. You should talk to your psychiatrist and see if you can keep going. Taking it at night worked for us. If you do quit, be very careful, work closely with your doctor, and taper slowly. Read about the withdrawal effects and cures on this posting.
The FDA Med Watch Report, online complaint form:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 11:39:48
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated » juanantoniod, posted by ndavis on March 25, 2003, at 10:01:03
Great post ndavis. Your point is exact: some people do and some people don't experience serious debilitating painful withdrawal (aka discontinuation symptoms). Doesn't seem fair that the few (or many?) of us that do experience this nightmare are being caught by surprise. I too don't think it's a matter of not paying attention, victimizing ourselves, submitting to the power of suggestion, or being some mass coincidental populations of suffers. Rather, I think there might be a more logical reason behind all this suffering, and it starts with Wyeth Labs. We need to take this story (your story) to the FDA. They are the only ones that can do something about this. Spread the word:
The FDA Med Watch Report, online complaint form:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 11:43:19
In reply to new to effexor and pumped up about it, posted by annlanka on March 26, 2003, at 15:19:48
Anna, Just beware that quitting Effexor has been reportedly much harder than starting. The side effects seem to be different and more severe when you quit. Not a lot of understanding as to why or how long the withdrawal lasts, but just take it into consideration before you decide this course. On the bright side, it seems to be very effective, especially when other meds fail. Just weigh the consequences and be savvy. Read about withdrawal on this posting site.
The FDA Med Watch Report, online complaint form:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
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