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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3635 to 3659 of 10407. Go back in thread:
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/
Posted by Jack Smith on April 1, 2003, at 11:47:40
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 11:39:48
> The FDA Med Watch Report, online complaint form:
> https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
>What's that website again? I don't think I got it the last 100 times you posted it.
Sean9, you make some very good points and I don't think anyone on this board would disagree that Wyatt has been dishonest in regard to w/d effects and that Effexor w/d can be very, very bad--as can w/d from paxil and, to some extent, the other ssris. BUT, is it really necessary to re-post essentially the SAME message 10 times in a row. I think you posted the one with the four things you could do at least five or six times in the exact same words. Now you are switching it up a bit but you are still making the same points. Anyone who has monitored this board and reading effexor posts for at least a week is completely aware of how severe the withdrawls from effexor can be. I don't think you need to keep repeating it.
JACK
Posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 12:15:58
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated » Sean9, posted by Jack Smith on April 1, 2003, at 11:47:40
Good humor Jack.
I'm making the link to the FDA's consumer complaint form a part of my signature from now on.
If you'd like to know why, here's the answer: Because I called the FDA and spoke with someone there. He said that although it is possible that a large number of people are experiencing severe discontinuation effects on Effexor, he personally had only received 2 complaints about this drug. Two. Based on the postings on this site alone, it appears there are more than 2 people who describe their witdrawal experienc from Effexor to be a "nightmare", or "horrible", or bad enough that some people are "afraid" to quit now. He told me that the FDA does not go out and look for problems with drugs, they do not search through news groups or visit online petitions. The point is, the FDA can't act unless consumers inform them of their experiences. And that's why I post the link, because I'm convinced that more than 2 people in world would like to voice their concerns in an effort to help warn new users of Effexor. And I'll admit, this is just my opinion, but I've read a LOT of other postings with similar sentiment (i.e. I never new how bad this withdrawal could be, The withdrawal is worse than the cure, What can I take to make the electric shocks go away, How can I quit if I can't make it through the withdrawal). You get my point. One more thing, I consider myself to be a pretty good consumer, so I've visited the Effexor web site and read through their Q&A on discontinuation sypmtoms, clinical trial results, etc. And yet after reading all of that, I'm shocked there's no data on the percent of people that experience discontinuation symptoms after they decided to quit, the types of symptoms, to what degree, and for how long (if you read carefully, they only address the discontiuation rates). Why? Our PCP that prescribed Effexor didn't mention withdrawal symptoms that differ with any other non-addicitve drug, and offered no sympathy or counter-treatment when the withdrawal effects became intolerable. Why? I read postings from people that complain of the discontinuation effects, and people that quit with no problems whatsoever, and I have to wonder statistically how many people are going through the kinds of discontinuation symptoms and for how long. I have to wonder, because that wasn't published in the Effexor clinical trials. Why? I could go on, but my short answer to the "Why?" question is, it's not for me to answer. That's what the FDA does. Thanks for your comment.
The FDA Med Watch Report, online complaint form:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
Posted by bluestar on April 2, 2003, at 1:20:09
In reply to Great point - Why the FDA link on Effexor?, posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 12:15:58
I can understand why you might want to quit taking it if you are not seeing results but how many of you have SEEN results are posting negative messages about Effexor that have decided to go off Effexor? If it does work for you and that means you had a chemical imbalance to start with and it is correcting your brain chemistry, your stoping the balance you have achieved is the cause of feeling like sh!t. Maybe I'm missing the point. Just so you know, this is a serious question I'm trying to find the answer to not a sarcastic attack on anyone. In my experience I cant see why you would stop what works for you. It can't be an inconvenience factor. It takes just seconds to take that pill. I want to know more about WHY people are stopping medication as opposed to what the withdrawl effects are.
Posted by DeeDee46 on April 2, 2003, at 7:20:13
In reply to why so concerned with quitting Effexor, posted by bluestar on April 2, 2003, at 1:20:09
> I can understand why you might want to quit taking it if you are not seeing results but how many of you have SEEN results are posting negative messages about Effexor that have decided to go off Effexor? If it does work for you and that means you had a chemical imbalance to start with and it is correcting your brain chemistry, your stoping the balance you have achieved is the cause of feeling like sh!t. Maybe I'm missing the point. Just so you know, this is a serious question I'm trying to find the answer to not a sarcastic attack on anyone. In my experience I cant see why you would stop what works for you. It can't be an inconvenience factor. It takes just seconds to take that pill. I want to know more about WHY people are stopping medication as opposed to what the withdrawl effects are.
Hi. I am new to this post and am also looking into support while I am trying to get off of Effexor XR. I have been on medication for 15 years due to a hormonal imbalance. I understand why you would ask a question as you did but let me offer you this approach. Some of us do not know if we really need the medication anymore. We wonder if our bodies become accustomed to the drug and would like to know for our own well being. I for one, do not know if I still need it and the only way is to try it. I am having a difficult time weaning off. So if anyone would care to repeat or offer help. I would appreciate it. I mostly suffer from extrene fatique when I get to about 37.5 mg of the XR. No depression just that. I hate it and it makes it hard to get through the day. Yesterday I took the 75 and felt relief. Today I am taking the 37 again. I think I will do this for awhile and see what happens.
Any and all support for me would be appreciated.
Also, I have been on many medications for depression in my 15 years of treatment. Each person reacts a different way to any and all.No one medicine is the best or worse for anyone.
Thanks.
Dee Dee 46
Posted by sly on April 2, 2003, at 8:10:35
In reply to why so concerned with quitting Effexor, posted by bluestar on April 2, 2003, at 1:20:09
I stopped after 10 mos. because I felt better - I did not want medication to become the life long solution to a temporary problem. Effexor, combined with therapy, exercise, and proper nutrition changed my life.
Effexor was like putting on a band-aid, it's a great help in speeding up your recovery, but once healed it's not necessary anymore and you shouldn't rely on it to continue to protect you forever.
Posted by Sean9 on April 2, 2003, at 11:55:57
In reply to Re: why so concerned with quitting Effexor, posted by DeeDee46 on April 2, 2003, at 7:20:13
Hey DeeDee,
I agree that Effexor works, and very well. It appears to be recommended when nothing else does. If you, or anyone else, is happy and healthy while on Effexor, I don't see why you would want to quit taking this medication.
However, some people do come accross situations where they have been recommended to stop. We're trying to get pregnant. Based on the info from Wyeth Labs and our doctor's recommendatoin, we need to get off Effexor and onto a more thouroughly tested drug like Prozac.
I've heard other people say the side-effects of Effexor continue throughout treatment (even after the ramp up) and other people say that they've had Effexor stop working all together. I'm not advocating people quitting Effexor, that's up to the individual circumstances. But if you quit, read up on the withdrawal postings first to get an idea of what you are in for.
Posted by noillusions on April 2, 2003, at 13:01:29
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by juanantoniod on February 8, 2003, at 22:11:31
Anyone who has gone off of effexor smoothly is indeed fortunate. For the rest of us the experience has ranged from unpleasant to downright horrific. I happen to be in the horrific category. Had I known that this would happen I NEVER would have gone on this medication in the first place. I chose to eliminate effexor for two reasons first my loss of health insurance (it is very expensive) and second the effectiveness wore off over time and and I was having to increase dosage to maintain it's effectiveness. After 3 years I was at 150 mg, this was no longer working and it was being suggested I again up the dose. This frightened me the cost was prohibitive and there was no guarantee this higher dose would not eventually stop working. I went off slowly AND with my doctors knowlege so I cannot be accused of doing it improperly. On the advice of my doctor I weaned slowly. With each reduction in dose came serious depression (worse than before effexor), nausea and vomiting and disturbing electrical sensations in my head and neck. My ability to concentrate was destroyed. These side effects were unmanageable for the 4-7 days. It took up to two months for them to dissapear completely. I have decreased dosage from 150 mg to 0 in 4 increments over a 6 month period. Being the sole proprietor of a buisiness this has wrecked havoc with my ability to make an income for the past 6 months. I took my last effexor dose 4 days ago. The fog is starting to lift and one thing is clear to me. Effexor seems to be a very dangerous drug for a substantial number of users. The consumer is not being informed as to the full risks involved in the use of this product nor will they be unless we who have endured the worst of these risks do our best to get the word out. If anyone is aware of an organized endeavor to address this problem please let me know so I can do my part. My prayers go out to all of you enduring this struggle.
Posted by jtc on April 2, 2003, at 21:06:24
In reply to Re: why so concerned with quitting Effexor, posted by DeeDee46 on April 2, 2003, at 7:20:13
Hi Dee Dee 46,
I have been in treatment for anxiety and panic disorder for approximately 15 years and also depression for about 10 years. I have tried several medications, some of which worked and some of which did not. I was on Luvox for the longest and I think my body became immune to it. So at my psychiatrist's advice I stopped taking it and started Effexor. Now also at my psychiatrist's advice I have stopped Effexor because he said that since it is now spring that it might be a good time to clean my system out and go off of the Effexor since it was no longer helping me. Quite frankly though the real reason is that I am scared to take the Effexor for a long period of time because there is not much research on the long term effects of Effexor on the brain. Since it affects dopamine as well as serotonin, I get a little scared when the dopamine comes into the picture because of what happened to my friend while she was taking Meridia (it also affects dopamine). I took Effexor for 10 months and am now in my sixth day of no Effexor at all. I was on 75 mg, then tapered down to 37.5 for about two weeks, then 37.5 every other day for about two weeks then stopped about five days ago. I also take Klonopin and am still going to take that. I am extremely on edge, and fatigued, tearful, down in the dumps, and very irritable to my family. I think it is just going to take some time. This has been a difficult week for me. I have had an EKG, a spiral CT of my chest with contrast (dye in the veins) and Friday I am having a stress echocardiogram and an arterial blood gas test, all because of extreme shortness of breath and palpitations or skipped heartbeat. I do have mild asthma but my primary care doctor thinks it could be the asthma worsening or the Effexor withdrawal, but I also have a heart murmur.Anyway, in answer to bluestar's question the reason I am stopping Effexor is at my psychiatrist's advice and I am afraid of the long term effects of this medication on the brain. Anything that affects dopamine is a little scary. Good luck Dee Dee 46 on your tapering off. Take care, jtc
> > I can understand why you might want to quit taking it if you are not seeing results but how many of you have SEEN results are posting negative messages about Effexor that have decided to go off Effexor? If it does work for you and that means you had a chemical imbalance to start with and it is correcting your brain chemistry, your stoping the balance you have achieved is the cause of feeling like sh!t. Maybe I'm missing the point. Just so you know, this is a serious question I'm trying to find the answer to not a sarcastic attack on anyone. In my experience I cant see why you would stop what works for you. It can't be an inconvenience factor. It takes just seconds to take that pill. I want to know more about WHY people are stopping medication as opposed to what the withdrawl effects are.
>
> Hi. I am new to this post and am also looking into support while I am trying to get off of Effexor XR. I have been on medication for 15 years due to a hormonal imbalance. I understand why you would ask a question as you did but let me offer you this approach. Some of us do not know if we really need the medication anymore. We wonder if our bodies become accustomed to the drug and would like to know for our own well being. I for one, do not know if I still need it and the only way is to try it. I am having a difficult time weaning off. So if anyone would care to repeat or offer help. I would appreciate it. I mostly suffer from extrene fatique when I get to about 37.5 mg of the XR. No depression just that. I hate it and it makes it hard to get through the day. Yesterday I took the 75 and felt relief. Today I am taking the 37 again. I think I will do this for awhile and see what happens.
> Any and all support for me would be appreciated.
> Also, I have been on many medications for depression in my 15 years of treatment. Each person reacts a different way to any and all.No one medicine is the best or worse for anyone.
> Thanks.
> Dee Dee 46
>
Posted by jtc on April 2, 2003, at 21:09:50
In reply to Re: why so concerned with quitting Effexor, posted by sly on April 2, 2003, at 8:10:35
> I stopped after 10 mos. because I felt better - I did not want medication to become the life long solution to a temporary problem. Effexor, combined with therapy, exercise, and proper nutrition changed my life.
>
> Effexor was like putting on a band-aid, it's a great help in speeding up your recovery, but once healed it's not necessary anymore and you shouldn't rely on it to continue to protect you forever.
Hi sly,
You took the words right out of my mouth. I was also on Effexor for 10 months and started to feel better. I agree with everything you said, Thank you, jtc
Posted by luckyspec on April 3, 2003, at 1:45:28
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by Sean9 on April 1, 2003, at 11:39:48
The FDA cares not of your troubles.
You have not taken responsibility of yourself and allowed a drug to mask your illness. Now after you take a little responsibility for yourself and look to get off the drug, you learn it is very difficult. Yes, responsibility is a burden of truth. Most can not handle it...that is why you choose to be victims. Go on and live your life. Be happy, live healthy lives...but do not come to me with a problem that you could have prevented. You cause your own problems, little man.
Prevention is a foreign word to you isn't it?
You must treat the symptoms..you say. They are important. You lose sight of the cause, and allow others to control you, to tell you what to do and how you can solve your problem. But you do not wish to nor care to take responsibility for yourself and search deep within to find out the real trouble that disturbs you.You are really sick but you wish not to confront your illness but to hide it. Go on hiding it, little man, you will soon become a zombie, a robot like being, a shadow of your former self. But you say, 'I feel different now, more alive'. Do you really, or is it the 'drugs' making you numb to life and causing you to think you are high on life and feeling better. Reality hits you hard, little man, when you take yourself of the pills and you begin to notice the depth of your troubles. You are really sick, little man.
How can you go on and accept your fate, little man? How do you go on living life as such and enjoy being the victim? How do you not take responsibility of your own body? Deny yourself pleasure and accept pain as your destiny, then mask it even more and hide under the covers of the night sleeping long and lonely nights.
Why should be the question. The why is really more important then the how. If you have the why, the how finds itself. But you don't know why, little man, do you? You sit there and victimize yourself, you little man. I feel sorry for you, and I feel that I can help you...but I can't. I have learned that the only person that can be helped is one that wants help. Also a stronger character is needed in order to know that popping pills is like drinking alcohol to drown your sorrow. You must therefore be of strong enough will to take a step toward the truth and find out for yourself that drugs simply mask your problem. You do have a problem...yes, it is deeply rooted. But not since birth, you can not deny your faulty logic when you talk about your chemical imbalance at age 15 or so and then say that drugs helped you. You were not imbalanced before then, why should you need drugs.
Go on taking synthetics, which polute your body and make you more ill then before. The industry of drugs wants you to. But why should I tell you something you already know...you know they want you to be ill because without illness there would not exist an FDA nor the Pharmaceutical industry, and no need would arise to create one. But I won't tell you this. It is something you don't wish to hear. You are ill and want an easy solution, but you are not willing to work on yourself, really work. You want the problem solved in a moments notice. You are a consumer. Go on consuming your own shit little man. Your own troubles will be spouted right from your depth of sorrow. These consumed 'goods' will become your end, and are your sick beginning.
"You're sick, little man, very sick. It's not your fault; but it's your responsibility to get well." - Wilhelm Reich
Posted by DeeDee46 on April 3, 2003, at 5:44:21
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated » Sean9, posted by luckyspec on April 3, 2003, at 1:45:28
> The FDA cares not of your troubles.
>
> You have not taken responsibility of yourself and allowed a drug to mask your illness. Now after you take a little responsibility for yourself and look to get off the drug, you learn it is very difficult. Yes, responsibility is a burden of truth. Most can not handle it...that is why you choose to be victims. Go on and live your life. Be happy, live healthy lives...but do not come to me with a problem that you could have prevented. You cause your own problems, little man.
>
> Prevention is a foreign word to you isn't it?
> You must treat the symptoms..you say. They are important. You lose sight of the cause, and allow others to control you, to tell you what to do and how you can solve your problem. But you do not wish to nor care to take responsibility for yourself and search deep within to find out the real trouble that disturbs you.
>
> You are really sick but you wish not to confront your illness but to hide it. Go on hiding it, little man, you will soon become a zombie, a robot like being, a shadow of your former self. But you say, 'I feel different now, more alive'. Do you really, or is it the 'drugs' making you numb to life and causing you to think you are high on life and feeling better. Reality hits you hard, little man, when you take yourself of the pills and you begin to notice the depth of your troubles. You are really sick, little man.
>
> How can you go on and accept your fate, little man? How do you go on living life as such and enjoy being the victim? How do you not take responsibility of your own body? Deny yourself pleasure and accept pain as your destiny, then mask it even more and hide under the covers of the night sleeping long and lonely nights.
>
> Why should be the question. The why is really more important then the how. If you have the why, the how finds itself. But you don't know why, little man, do you? You sit there and victimize yourself, you little man. I feel sorry for you, and I feel that I can help you...but I can't. I have learned that the only person that can be helped is one that wants help. Also a stronger character is needed in order to know that popping pills is like drinking alcohol to drown your sorrow. You must therefore be of strong enough will to take a step toward the truth and find out for yourself that drugs simply mask your problem. You do have a problem...yes, it is deeply rooted. But not since birth, you can not deny your faulty logic when you talk about your chemical imbalance at age 15 or so and then say that drugs helped you. You were not imbalanced before then, why should you need drugs.
>
> Go on taking synthetics, which polute your body and make you more ill then before. The industry of drugs wants you to. But why should I tell you something you already know...you know they want you to be ill because without illness there would not exist an FDA nor the Pharmaceutical industry, and no need would arise to create one. But I won't tell you this. It is something you don't wish to hear. You are ill and want an easy solution, but you are not willing to work on yourself, really work. You want the problem solved in a moments notice. You are a consumer. Go on consuming your own shit little man. Your own troubles will be spouted right from your depth of sorrow. These consumed 'goods' will become your end, and are your sick beginning.
>
> "You're sick, little man, very sick. It's not your fault; but it's your responsibility to get well." - Wilhelm Reich
>
>
First of all thank you for everyones support to me. I know I can do this and will take it slower for now. Many of the symptoms that I notice are similar to the ones I experienced going onto it.
However, when you are depressed and want it all to get better and things to stop, I think we forget that it too time to feel better. So, I am going to keep at it and who knows, I may be a success story.
Now to relpy to the post before me. Why would you be so mean and judgemental with someone when all you know about them is what they put? You sound bitter and angry at someone and here is not the place to put people down. You need to stop and think and encourage people not knock them down when they are already at their possible lowest.Life is hard my friend, more for others sometimes. Think about it.
I am here for support not to be slammed. And certainly not to judge someone who is in the midst of thier fire.
Dee Dee 46
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