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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Pookiesgirl on January 30, 2004, at 9:36:29
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!! (nm) » casisill, posted by Pookiesgirl on January 30, 2004, at 9:21:01
First a big thank you to all who have taken the time to post here. Before today, I was begining to think I was more "Whacko" than when I began taking effexor. It's nice to know you are not alone.
I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions? I started weaning myself off this dreaded drug 3 weeks ago. The electric shocks and sweating so profusely at night and the moods swings and. have become so overwhelming, that I find myself returning to the medicine cabinet to take a pill just to sustain me. I am not sleeping and my family is suffering in part.
I think the worst part is trying to explain to someone the electrical shocks and what it does to your thinking processes. My husband though supportive can't begin to imagine, so when I get a little off track he makes the "ZZT ZZT" sound.
I don't want to give up, but find myself very frustrated. Is there light at the end of the tunnel can you really get off this dreaded med?
Posted by casisill on January 30, 2004, at 10:48:59
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!! » Pookiesgirl, posted by Pookiesgirl on January 30, 2004, at 9:36:29
Hi Pookie
Sorry to hear your having such a bad time but it is i'm afraid absolutely normal to be feeling that way when coming off this horrible drug. I have tried and tried and can't get off it without becoming a raving lunatic! i am now trying just 75mg a day to see if i can wean off slowly but am not hopeful. I have never encountered such a bad come down stage. I'm going back to my shrink in march and shall be telling him to get me off this drug - i fell like a heroin addict. i dont know if there is light at the end of the tunnel as i've never got that far but i hope so for all our sakes. Hang in there if you can and let us know if you do eventually manage it.
cas
Posted by justjustine on January 30, 2004, at 10:50:53
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!! » justjustine, posted by omegon on January 29, 2004, at 22:52:46
thank you nick - so you know, yes i already have an appointment with another clinic to starte with a new PCP. i told them the story, and they actually have some experience dealing with effexor withdrawals (and the necessities of self-medication). i think it will be okay.
today i go see the psych who prescribed me the effexor - i do not think it will be much fun and i'm NOT looking forward to it! thank you for your kind words.
> Justine,
>
> > Effexor is really awful, each person is going to do these things there own way, but the further I get away from Effexor, the happier I am, and the faster the better! But I would not advise anyone to cold turkey - I went from 37 to 0 and it was a near disaster!
> >... but now my psych and PCP think I'm "drug-seeking". Well yeah I am, anything's better than being so sick you can't hardly move!
>
> I've seen people report on here before that their doctors have accused them of this... it's horrific! Of course almost anyone with depression or similar, anyone feeling so bad, with a disease that makes us unable to cope with life, is "drug seeking" - why else would we go running to the doctor for help and agree to take the antidepressants they provide?! What else are antidepressants for? What kind of "caregiver" dismisses their patients with such a label?
>
> It's awful that you should be treated like this, especially by the very people who should be helping you get out of the mess you are in - and maybe they are responsible for putting you there, whether by changing your dose of efexor too quickly or by prescribing you another potentially addictive drug to "help" you withdraw.
>
> Supposing a genuine "drug-seeking" opiate addict had gone to the doctor in question, and they'd been deceived into supplying vicodin to someone who didn't need it for physical or psychological pain relief. A doctor has no right to judge anyone for any reason; their responsibility is always to help and treat. How could anyone justify blaming the patient (and forcing them to undergo rapid withdrawal) rather than the prescriber? Since there is no way to prove that a patient is malingering, no doctor could ever justify making that assumption based only on their subjective judgement, so making anyone stop such a drug quickly is entirely unethical.
>
> The whole concept of "drug seeking" seems bizarre to me, in any case; surely anyone suffering withdrawal from a drug (whether physical or psychological or both) is inevitably going to try to get more unless the problems it causes outweigh the withdrawal? It's not much more under voluntary control than hungry people eating or tired people sleeping. Why is this treated as a misdemeanor rather than a disease? Surely the responsibility should lie with the professional with the prescription pad - both for giving people access to these chemicals (the iatrogenic case, whether it involves antidepressants, other addictive substances, or drugs to help come off either of these) and for getting them off such chemicals without wrecking their lives and others'.
>
> Please, please consider seeing a different - hopefully more humane - doctor as soon as possible. At least you should go back to your current ones and maybe copy for them some of the information available on the web about these withdrawal problems - and what you have written for us here! I can't imagine that anyone who cares enough about their patients to research it could fail to believe that it is genuine!
>
> Bear in mind that the information a lot of doctors have on these drugs is some years out of date, due to the manufacturers' reluctance to release info on withdrawal problems when they released the drugs to market. (My own GP had a nice little printed prescribing guide; it didn't seem to mention withdrawal symptoms - hence my own recent 5 days of hell while merely tapering to another drug - though the UK efexor package insert now does contain an explicit warning.) Make this point, and point your doctor to the evidence that supports it. Having them read this board would be a start.
>
> Just hoping you receive just treatment...
>
> Nick
Posted by justjustine on January 30, 2004, at 11:01:06
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!! » Pookiesgirl, posted by Pookiesgirl on January 30, 2004, at 9:36:29
3+ weeks since my last dosage and i'm still sick, very sick. only things that have helped me are vicodin, marijuana, and benzo's to go to sleep (they make me too much of a zombie for me to take them during the day - i choose mania, thank you).
and i'm switching doctors because my old doctors don't know how to deal with it so they are putting the 'blame' on me.
i know i may be setting myself up to have to withdraw from the vicodin, but it can't possibly be any worse than withdrawing from evil effexor.
i'm sorry you feel so bad and wish you all the best!
Posted by Alittle Lost on January 30, 2004, at 11:07:25
In reply to vicodin helped me with effexor withdrawals, posted by justjustine on January 30, 2004, at 11:01:06
I went from 225mg of Effexor to 300mg of Wellbutrin, I'll start my 50mg of Zoloft on Monday. I can't believe the rollar coaster I am on! If it weren't for the support of my boyfriend being with me to help me through the crazies I think I'd be dead. How can doctors be so ignorant as to get people hooked on this stuff?
Posted by pyschomom on January 30, 2004, at 11:25:56
In reply to Re: vicodin helped me with effexor withdrawals, posted by Alittle Lost on January 30, 2004, at 11:07:25
I just started on Effexor XR yesterday, have had depression for about two years, was on prozac, just didn't help and went off, drug free for about 6 months and was in quite a state, family begging me to get on something. After reading all the posts I am now terrifed of being on Effexor now. Does anyone have any good experience with this drug. HELP!
Posted by pookiesgirl on January 30, 2004, at 14:45:33
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!! » Pookiesgirl, posted by casisill on January 30, 2004, at 10:48:59
I will be praying for your success. Thanks for the return post
Posted by sexysenior on January 30, 2004, at 14:56:45
In reply to Effexor Dosage and sexual side effects, posted by Dirtylowdown4 on January 29, 2004, at 10:05:25
> I am a female who has enjoyed a long happy sex life. I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for six months and throughout have beento achieve orgasm - very frustrating! Am currently titrating off and should be off completely in 10 days. Can anyone tell me if this disfunction will end when I am off, and if not, how long thereafter, if ever?
Posted by PoohBear on January 30, 2004, at 15:47:56
In reply to Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by pyschomom on January 30, 2004, at 11:25:56
YES!
I have had a VERY good experience with this medication. It has helped me to be relieved of a very deep, dark depression as well as gain control of my thoughts and my mind.
I have not faced the problem of withdrawal yet, because I haven't tired to get off Effexor, nor do I intend to for the foreseeable future. Nothing I read here will influence me to get off what for me has been a God-send. The stories shared here are very real, I'm not discounting them in any way. However, if and when I need to get off Effexor, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
It is unfair to yourself and your doctor to read these boards and allow yourself to get scared from using what could be a good medication for you.
The better course of action would be to share your concerns of what you've read with your doctor and get his/her opinion and then proceed from there.
Best Wishes,
Tony
> I just started on Effexor XR yesterday, have had depression for about two years, was on prozac, just didn't help and went off, drug free for about 6 months and was in quite a state, family begging me to get on something. After reading all the posts I am now terrifed of being on Effexor now. Does anyone have any good experience with this drug. HELP!
Posted by Zellie on January 30, 2004, at 17:53:42
In reply to Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by pyschomom on January 30, 2004, at 11:25:56
Hi, Psychomom. Love the name! I am affectionately called the "Lunatic" around home, since that is the name I fondly give to myself...my husband just came over and hugged me just now and said he loves his Lunatic! Hadn't thought of the name "Psychomom"!!
I ditto PoohBear's post. My experience with Effexor has been extremely positive. I suffered with extreme anxiety and unbearable depression for 42 years, and only now, for the first time in my life, do I find that I really have a life, thanks to Effexor.
Be sure that your doc titrates you up extremely slowly. It is tough going through this phase (see my posting from a few days ago where I described how it went for me during this time).
I have been at 150mg now since September. I still get depression for about 3-4 days here and there per month (PMS related, I suspect), but compared with having had it every day for so long, hey, I'll take it! My side-effects have been few (again....see a previous posting of mine, where I have shared about them). At this point, like PoohBear, the benefits of the Effexor, DRAMATICALLY outweigh any side-effects I have experienced so far.
I forgot my dose earlier this week, which is a major no-no. I carry pills with me so I can take them if I am away from the house and realize I've forgotten them, but the trouble was, that I hadn't realized I'd forgotten them until the next morning. Dizzzzziness! Weird, just like others have said. Within an hour or two of taking the next dose, though, I was back to normal.
If ever I must come off, I know my pdoc will titrate me down in baby, baby, baby steps...he is aware of the withdrawal problem that some people have. I may not come off of it, certainly as long as it keeps working with me. I will always need an AD for the rest of my life. I am absolutely fine with that, since I don't ever want to return to the horrific depression I lived in for so many years.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> I just started on Effexor XR yesterday, have had depression for about two years, was on prozac, just didn't help and went off, drug free for about 6 months and was in quite a state, family begging me to get on something. After reading all the posts I am now terrifed of being on Effexor now. Does anyone have any good experience with this drug. HELP!
Posted by Alittle Lost on January 30, 2004, at 21:38:48
In reply to Re: Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now! » pyschomom, posted by Zellie on January 30, 2004, at 17:53:42
I thought that the Effexor was doing me good at 1st....low dose. Then I couldn't get out of bed so we went higher and higher and higher 225mg and I said no more. I just felt like I was getting addicted to it. Miss a dose or 2 and you will know what I mean. It takes control of your life. There are other meds out there that do not control you. I'm on day 4 of getting off those evil pills. I wish I could die. One minute I'm going 100 mph and the next I'm on the floor in a ball crying. I went to the store and went into such a panic I had to leave my things behind....I felt like the walls were coming in on me and I know I turned a few heads while I pushed my way frantically out the door. I know that the next few days are going to be the hardest days of my life and with the love of my friends, I will make it through. I will never let anything like Effexor control me again. I thought my manic depression was controlling.....nothing like the evil doings of this pill they call medicine.
Posted by Zellie on January 30, 2004, at 22:20:59
In reply to Re: Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by Alittle Lost on January 30, 2004, at 21:38:48
I am sorry that yours is not a positive experience with the Effexor. Everyone's body chemistry is different, so what works wonders for one person, can be quite the opposite for another.
It is not that the pills are evil. Their reaction with you is clearly a very bad one. My mother-in-law recently had a terrible reaction to 2 different, common pain killers in the hospital...nurses were surprised....but it was horrible for her. She had frightening, disorienting hallucinations that lasted for hours. She now has had the 2 pain killers listed on her chart that she cannot tolerate these drugs. The drugs felt evil to her, but they simply reacted very poorly with her chemistry, whereas thousands of people benefit greatly from them.
Similarily, when I have demerol, my blood pressure plummets so low, that if I did not have medical attention immediately, I may not survive it. So I have on all my medical records that I cannot have it.
Effexor has provided me with wonderful results. I have a friend, however, who went all the way to 300 mg, and never stopped being utterly fatigued on it. Her doc wanted her to see if her body would settle down with it in time (since it did relieve her depression), but it became clear to me that it did not (she'd given it from August to January). I strongly advised her to see her doc again right away, and ask to be titrated (SLOWLY!!) off it, since it did not seem to be the med for her.
I am now on Wellbutrin in addition to the Effexor, and I am tolerating it wonderfully. However, occassionally a person will have a nightmare of an experience going on Wellbutrin.
Personally, I do not think that Effexor is a good medication for a person to begin if they are not a candidate for remaining on it long-term. I will always need an AD, so I am a good candidate for Effexor. Some people who have not been plaged with depression all their lives, but have just a single episode, may require just a short-term AD therapy. In my opinion, they'd be better off with a different medication...one that is much easier to titrate off of.
Again, I am very sorry to hear of your experience. I hope you find a medication that will be very beneficial for you.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> I thought that the Effexor was doing me good at 1st....low dose. Then I couldn't get out of bed so we went higher and higher and higher 225mg and I said no more. I just felt like I was getting addicted to it. Miss a dose or 2 and you will know what I mean. It takes control of your life. There are other meds out there that do not control you. I'm on day 4 of getting off those evil pills. I wish I could die. One minute I'm going 100 mph and the next I'm on the floor in a ball crying. I went to the store and went into such a panic I had to leave my things behind....I felt like the walls were coming in on me and I know I turned a few heads while I pushed my way frantically out the door. I know that the next few days are going to be the hardest days of my life and with the love of my friends, I will make it through. I will never let anything like Effexor control me again. I thought my manic depression was controlling.....nothing like the evil doings of this pill they call medicine.
Posted by TJW on January 30, 2004, at 22:40:20
In reply to Re: Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by Alittle Lost on January 30, 2004, at 21:38:48
My girlfriend takes effexor and she has had really bad night sweats, and they really bothered her. One thing that helped her A LOT is wearing sweat-wicking clothing to bed instead of cotton (or nothing).
Whereas cotton gets damp and gross and uncomfortable, a good sweat-wicking weave of polyester such as those worn by athletes leaves you drier and more comfortable when you sweat. You can find good sweat-wicking shirts and such at any athletic store. Try in the biking section for something comfortable to wear to bed.
Posted by Sad Panda on January 31, 2004, at 12:07:10
In reply to Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by pyschomom on January 30, 2004, at 11:25:56
> I just started on Effexor XR yesterday, have had depression for about two years, was on prozac, just didn't help and went off, drug free for about 6 months and was in quite a state, family begging me to get on something. After reading all the posts I am now terrifed of being on Effexor now. Does anyone have any good experience with this drug. HELP!
Prozac was also the first med I tried, I was on it for about a month & it was sending me around the bend so I got off it & was given Efexor to try.
Efexor is giving me some extremely good moods & a much brighter outlook on things but it gives me some side effects. My doc gave me Remeron to try & it's been great at totally reversing the side effects of Efexor + It gives me the best sleep I have had in my life.
Efexor seems to be flavour of the month with alot of docs & it seems to be with good reason as it does seem to work for alot of people. My advice is to try it for 4-6 weeks & see if your mood lifts and/or the side-effects subside.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Sad Panda on January 31, 2004, at 12:23:37
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage and sexual side effects » Dirtylowdown4, posted by omegon on January 29, 2004, at 16:42:17
> I am also male and was on efexor for something like 2.5 - 3 months. (Memory loss was one side effect for me.) I had somewhat delayed orgasm, but was never unable to get there; I actually considered it an advantage. I was on paroxetine before, which was much more of a problem; it made achieving orgasm an epic quest - took 50 minutes on occasion, which was extremely frustrating since it increased desire and _decreased_ pleasure!
>
> The effect was much the same with all doses of efexor I was on. 225mg was the highest, and this actually increased desire several times compared to how I was without medication - though this probably says more about my depression than about the drug. No decrease in sensation/pleasure - if anything it was increased. It was almost worth putting up with the problems it was causing - primarily major mood swings, blurred thinking and lack of energy.
>
> If it does cause you sexual problems, you might wait a few weeks before you abandon it if it's working well otherwise: I've seen quite a few reports that suggest the side effects, including the sexual effects, decrease after a few months at the same dose. (People have said anything from 2-6 months, which is admittedly not much of a comfort for something as urgent as sex!)
>
> You might try (cautiously) taking 500mg of tyrosine. (Amino acid: a nutritional supplement available over-the-counter - in the UK at least - and a precursor of dopamine and noradrenaline.) This should help a lot with desire and pleasure. You should wait until any anxiety effects from the efexor have gone, though, since the adrenaline increase it causes can be very unpleasant otherwise.
>
>
>
> > I am a male who has been on 75mg of Effexor XR for several weeks. Has anyone had any experience with increased dosage and the effects on sexual orgasm? Since being on Effexor I have personally experienced delayed orgasm and to a lesser extent the inability to ejaculate. Since I have been plagued with premature ejaculation my entire adult life the delayed ejaculation is a very desirable side effect. I am considering asking my doctor to increase my dosage to combat my depression but am concerned that the increased dosage may result in increased frequency of no ejaculation. Desire and ability to obtain and maintain erection has not been a problem since being on the medication. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
>On 75mg of Efexor XR I had delayed orgasm. On 150mg no orgasm. I am now on 225mg with 30mg Remeron added & orgasm is back to normal.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by missinglynx on February 1, 2004, at 6:37:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage and sexual side effects, posted by sexysenior on January 30, 2004, at 14:56:45
Ten days is Far too Fast. I would ask for a Benzodiazapine or Prozac for the withdrawls. I would taper over a 3 month period! :-/
Posted by Semi-conscious on February 1, 2004, at 7:25:27
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!!, posted by justjustine on January 30, 2004, at 10:50:53
I am going through major depression on this stuff. i have no energy. I cry. i don't get off the couch for a week at a time. Don't bathe, don't so anything, don't care. And I have gained almost 40 pounds in the last 1 1/2 years. i'm taking 175 mg sustained release. I have a very know it all meds prescriber. I'mtaking 3 other night time anit-depressants and I would like to get off all of them. I have no desire for anything in life. I'm empty. I want to go off all, but as bad as I feel now, I can just imagine what I'd be like going through withdrawals. Any suggestions or info? Thanks for your time, Taylor
Posted by justjustine on February 1, 2004, at 9:06:58
In reply to Re: I'm afraid to go off Effexor,taking 1 1/2 year, posted by Semi-conscious on February 1, 2004, at 7:25:27
i don't know how a doctor can think themselves so mighty and knowledgeable when their patient is so obviously suffering.
get a new doctor, you have the right to make your own decisions concerning your medication. find someone who will work with you.
looking back, i don't know that i'll ever know for sure if effexor helped me or not. it definitely made me not care, and eventually i decided that it's induced apathy was not for me!
getting off effexor has not been easy for me, but it is so worth it. i can feel things again! yay!
> I am going through major depression on this stuff. i have no energy. I cry. i don't get off the couch for a week at a time. Don't bathe, don't so anything, don't care. And I have gained almost 40 pounds in the last 1 1/2 years. i'm taking 175 mg sustained release. I have a very know it all meds prescriber. I'mtaking 3 other night time anit-depressants and I would like to get off all of them. I have no desire for anything in life. I'm empty. I want to go off all, but as bad as I feel now, I can just imagine what I'd be like going through withdrawals. Any suggestions or info? Thanks for your time, Taylor
Posted by fayeroe on February 1, 2004, at 14:45:32
In reply to Re: I'm afraid to go off Effexor,taking 1 1/2 year, posted by Semi-conscious on February 1, 2004, at 7:25:27
I would change doctors first thing! Mine wouldn't even consider the fact that the Effexor was making me ill. I talked to my pharmacist and with her guidance I reduced the med little by little by little over a long period of time. The only side effect I had was the electrical zaps. Within 24 hours of the first reduction, I could tell that I had feelings again!!! Please keep me up to date on what you do. I'll be rooting for you! Pat
Posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 15:51:30
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!! » casisill, posted by mercedes on January 29, 2004, at 15:17:06
WOW, am I ever glad I found this site !!
I just stopped Effexor XR, which by the way worked wonderful me. But getting off it is a totally different and AWEFUL thing. Can someone please help? I went down to the 37.5 dose, stayed at that for about 1 week, then quit. Now i'm loosing my mind, these "electric zaps" going thru my head are just not bearable. What to do????????
Posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 16:12:12
In reply to This is scarier than I thought , posted by Jennifer on April 25, 2000, at 23:10:39
I would research this drug very thoroughly before starting it. It worked wonderfully for me , but getting off it is insane
Posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 16:14:59
In reply to This is scarier than I thought , posted by Jennifer on April 25, 2000, at 23:10:39
oh, and I always took it earlier in the day, because it can keep you up at nite.
Posted by fayeroe on February 1, 2004, at 16:25:46
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!!, posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 15:51:30
Hang in there. I'd probably start it back up and taper off alot more gradually.....just take enough to get the zaps to quit and then SLOWLY taper off.....I mean slowly. I took months. Good luck! Pat
Posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 17:37:10
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!! » casisill, posted by mercedes on January 29, 2004, at 15:17:06
Forgive the spelling please. Anyone try Benydryl for their withdrawl symptoms? And has anyone while in withdrawl had "sleep paralysis" while taking a nap? Is it just from all the extra stress from the with drawl or what? Thanx for any info, signed going slightly insane.
Oh , and you think I should go back on Effexor on 37.5, every couple of days or so til life becomes bearable again?
thanx in advance
Posted by justjustine on February 1, 2004, at 18:08:58
In reply to Effexor--Benadryll?, posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 17:37:10
benadryl helped put me to sleep, but it also zombifies me so i didn't find it very beneficial. i have read others say it helped them - i went from 37 to 0 and i've been really sick for a month now. i started myself on vicodin while my doctor was out of town and we're working it out from there.
i would say that if you feel you have the time, go back on and taper very slowly. 37 one day and maybe 18.5 the next for a week. take very small steps or you will likely get sick! i have my own reasons for my "crash course" - partly the length of time it took me to figure out what was going on and how bad it was. by that time i was 2 weeks off! i'm almost 4 weeks off now, and still ill and have no real idea how much longer this is going to take. so no, i don't recommend going 37 to 0.
best of luck to you - i can tell you that the happiness of feelings coming back is well worth the struggle to me! and you are not going insane - trust me, i've thought i've had stomach ulcers, liver failure, flu, kidney disease, a brain tumor, etc. etc. and crazy sleep problems are the norm in coming off this stuff!
> Forgive the spelling please. Anyone try Benydryl for their withdrawl symptoms? And has anyone while in withdrawl had "sleep paralysis" while taking a nap? Is it just from all the extra stress from the with drawl or what? Thanx for any info, signed going slightly insane.
>
> Oh , and you think I should go back on Effexor on 37.5, every couple of days or so til life becomes bearable again?
> thanx in advance
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