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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by amanda818 on February 4, 2004, at 9:05:48
In reply to not doing so well, posted by Dr...Not! on February 3, 2004, at 13:41:59
Effexor XR is the 2nd drug I've been on - Paxil being the first, but due to the weight gain, got off that one (50 lbs in less than a year). Withdrawl from Paxil was exactly what everyone said it was, and obviously there is a lot of information about it, however Effexor XR has been different for me. I still have the vertigo (feeling dizzy/having drunk-vision) but something new hit me today - I had the first panick attack I've EVER had! I was sitting in the middle of class and just started... panicking! For no reason! I was not on the meds for panic attacks - so this is the first one I've ever experienced. What do I do? How do I help control them? I can't afford to feel crazy like that in the middle of class! Any advice? (original reason for meds was to control mood swings - had a hard time getting over the little things, but nothing dramatic really, just more like a bad teenager-like response. Was prescribed the first drug by what I now know was a totally incompetent/inexperienced doctor, but being young, I had no idea what to ask. So thus begun my trip, just FYI)
Posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 10:18:48
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by Laurajean on February 3, 2004, at 22:07:29
hi - i'm the one who has been touting vicodin for effexor withdrawal relief. i had some leftover from a back problem and started with that, then got more from a friend until i could get to my doctor, so i had been taking it for a week already by the time i got into my PCPs office.
i think it really depends on the doctor, and unfortunately i doubt many doctors will be willing to prescribe like this? (i ended up seeing my PCPs partner, and later the PCP got upset that her partner prescribed me the vicodin) seeing as how most don't even believe (or have simply never heard) that there is a horrible, horrible withdrawal syndrome that may be caused by discontinuing effexor.
for me, it helped so much that i was fully prepared to order it online, expense be damned. and if i couldn't have done that i probably would have been reduced to buying in the streets. yes, the withdrawal was that bad, and the vicodin helped that much! thank god i didn't have to go there.
i'm praying for everyone that ever even has to hear about this drug! good luck all!
p.s. i am now working with my psychiatrist, who is refilling my vicodin until i can taper off. i'm also on lots of pot, and ambien at night to sleep. but NO ssri's or other benzo stuff! yay! and i'm getting a new PCP.
> Hi everyone,
> Thank you so much for your help w/this.....it's good to know I'm not freaking going crazy! The first time I had any withdrawal symptoms I just missed ONE dose b/c I ran out and I got so horribly sick. It always seemed easier to stay on it than try to come off, but I don't want to be on any drug that messes this much w/my body.
>
> Someone mentioned vicodin...did your doc prescribe it or did you have the good fortune of having some around? Is there any other otc stuff u can use to "take the edge off" the symptoms? I might try benadryl and I've been taking ibuprofen.
>
> Also.....this might be a weird question...but i 'm 28; I've been on some form of psychotropic meds (mostly anti-d's) since I was 13. I've had virtually NO sex drive, which I blamed on past trauma. But I am now thinking it could equally be the fact I've on antidepressants since beginning puberty and that at the very least, it hasn't helped! Funny my docs have never been concerned....I am looking forward to seeing what happens as I come off. It will be my first time OFF psych meds in fifteen years! :)
>
> Thanks again,
> laura
Posted by Dr...Not! on February 4, 2004, at 11:54:44
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 10:18:48
You've got quite a chemical soup in your body: Effexor, Ambien, Vicodin and pot. Try not to add anything new to the mix until you've maintained a level of stability for a few weeks. If you can, keep a daily journal of your physical and mental condition, so that you can monitor what happens as your dosages change. (That's the one thing I can't seem to do, and it has caused so many problems!)
As for me, I went to see my counsellor today, at the request of my shrink. It wasn't a total waste of time, because the counsellor supported my feelings against the Effexor, and will speak to the shrink about it. The counsellor said there's no reason to continue on a drug that causes me such physical misery and we should have tried a few of the many other drugs on the market. I suppose I should be thankful; however, now that I've had to increase my Effexor dosage, I'll have to go through the withdrawal again. Can you ever win?
Posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 12:12:48
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help! » justjustine, posted by Dr...Not! on February 4, 2004, at 11:54:44
well, i'm off effexor for nearly 4 weeks now, so count that one out. and i feel my soup is far superior to the klonopin, xanax, serzone, with a vicodin taper (because that is probably inevitable now) and compazine suppositories for the nausea - that's the soup i'd be on now if i was going along with "doctors' wishes."
so that's it - vicodin, ambien, pot. i do keep a journal and am improving consistently both mentally and physically on a daily basis. although the physical withdrawal problems have far, far outweighed any mental ones.
i don't know if i'm winning the war, but i feel like the battle is going pretty well!
> You've got quite a chemical soup in your body: Effexor, Ambien, Vicodin and pot. Try not to add anything new to the mix until you've maintained a level of stability for a few weeks. If you can, keep a daily journal of your physical and mental condition, so that you can monitor what happens as your dosages change. (That's the one thing I can't seem to do, and it has caused so many problems!)
>
> As for me, I went to see my counsellor today, at the request of my shrink. It wasn't a total waste of time, because the counsellor supported my feelings against the Effexor, and will speak to the shrink about it. The counsellor said there's no reason to continue on a drug that causes me such physical misery and we should have tried a few of the many other drugs on the market. I suppose I should be thankful; however, now that I've had to increase my Effexor dosage, I'll have to go through the withdrawal again. Can you ever win?
Posted by jiggitykid on February 4, 2004, at 13:13:44
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 12:12:48
This probably sounds like a stupid question - but when you say pot, do you mean marijuana? That pot? And do you live in a state where it can be prescribed? Just curious - it's not a legal option here :-).
Posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 13:23:05
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by jiggitykid on February 4, 2004, at 13:13:44
yes, cannabis. indica is better for neurological symptoms, more sedating. i'm in california and do have a medical marijuana card. i smoke it, but also vaporize and eat it too.
marijuana is a very different thing when you are using it medically, and in my experience you have to use what seems like a lot for it to work. i'm using at least a gram a day, but it works and i'm okay with the side effects. it's pretty much like anything else - do it enough and you build tolerance to where you don't really get "high" anymore!
sorry to hear it is not legal where you are, having legal access to cannabis has been incredibly helpful in my situation.
> This probably sounds like a stupid question - but when you say pot, do you mean marijuana? That pot? And do you live in a state where it can be prescribed? Just curious - it's not a legal option here :-).
Posted by flyingdreams on February 4, 2004, at 17:40:58
In reply to Re: not doing so well, posted by jiggitykid on February 3, 2004, at 14:24:10
Try Bentyl or it's generic form, both work very well for IBS, if I'm having an attack it stops it. Take for about a week when you have an attack, then stop.
Posted by Ieva on February 17, 2004, at 19:41:39
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 13:23:05
Hey everyone. Just happened to check out this page when I went searching for answers to my latest "weirdness". I went cold-turkey off of Effexor (225mg XR) about 48 hrs ago, (due to my lack of sexual desire, AGAIN!!- having bad luck with SSRI's)and since then I have had the EXTREME itching that a few people mentioned above; I've had this "vertigo-type" feeling every time I stand up or move my head left or right, basically all day; slight nausea and loss of appetite; food tastes different; dizziness.... the list goes on.
I just wanted to express my relief that I finally found out that it WAS from the Effexor. I was beginning to think I was pregnant or had a brain tumor or something. It really is an awful feeling (the vertigo/dizziness thing especially), and I'm looking forward to this going away ASAP. Can anyone tell me when this tapers off at all? It is a shame that DRs don't warn you of the significance of these problems before putting you on Effexor and others.
Also, for those who haven't tried Wellbutrin XR, beware! It is an excellent AD in my opinion, but I had severe headaches for about 2 months before they stopped, and was ready to give up on it. Don't give up! The H/A's do go away and it will be worth it. But again, I had no luck with it's supposed "low" sexual side effects, so I stopped taking it. No W/Ds noted from that to the Effexor, though.
CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND AN ANTIDEPRESSENT WITH LOW SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS THAT REALLY WORKS???
Thanks. Cheer up everyone!! :)
Posted by Clayton on February 17, 2004, at 20:17:59
In reply to Effexor W/D's, Wellbutrin problems, NO SEX DRIVE!, posted by Ieva on February 17, 2004, at 19:41:39
I have excellant results with Remaron with NO sexual side-effects. I had used SSRI's and I know what you're talking aout when refer to loss of libido! (IT's was like this: "Gee, Didn't I used to find womwn interesting in a stimulating and exciting way? Where this that go?).
Posted by jiggitykid on February 17, 2004, at 22:21:20
In reply to Effexor W/D's, Wellbutrin problems, NO SEX DRIVE!, posted by Ieva on February 17, 2004, at 19:41:39
No recommendations for no sexual side effects. They ALL kill mine. As for the tapering of the withdrawal, after about two weeks I realized things were lessening, and about a month later the zaps were pretty much gone. The itchiness didn't last long with me. The vision problems have remained, although not as severe as at first. Good luck!
Posted by snoozie on February 18, 2004, at 0:21:47
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help! » justjustine, posted by Dr...Not! on February 4, 2004, at 11:54:44
Thank god I found this forum...I've been tapering off effexor for the last two weeks and have been itching like crazy. Thought maybe I had a disease or something. Yesterday was my first day with no effexor and seems like I am having every withdrawal symptom mentioned...
itchiness, headaches, nausea, pounding heart, jitters, vertigo, weird dreams, you name it.The really strange thing is when I told my dr. I didn't want to be on effexor anymore due to its side effects, he told me to just stop taking it. Didn't seem to know anything about withdrawal. I even made him look up the drug literature and of course, there was nothing written about withdrawal symptoms. I insisted on tapering off and the doc went along with it -- can't even imagine how bad the withdrawal would be cold-turkey when tapering has been this unpleasant. However, I am determined to see this through...just hope it doesn't last too long!
Posted by mamo on February 18, 2004, at 1:03:13
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by snoozie on February 18, 2004, at 0:21:47
I too am in the midst of trying to rid my body of this awful Effexor. No I was not informed of the terrible side effects of withdrawal. I have been on other other anti-depressants and NEVER, NEVER, had these horrible withdrawals. I can't sleep and when I do I have terrible nightmares. The constant zzt, zzt everytime I move my eyes is distressing not to mention the blurred vision that comes from time to time. The crying jags are so bad I can't stand it. My husband keeps telling me I have to snap out of it. If only I could.
Posted by jiggitykid on February 18, 2004, at 9:21:59
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by mamo on February 18, 2004, at 1:03:13
Send your husband to this board and tell him from all of us that he needs to shut up and support you right now! YOU CAN'T HELP ANY OF WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH!!! You are not being wimpy, you are not being silly, you are not being selfish. Block out his criticisms and just concentrate on healing. I am praying for you. Know that what you are feeling is NORMAL for withdrawal from this drug from hell (and I'll believe that for the rest of my life, regardless, so no flaming or stories otherwise, please). Hang in there!!
Posted by snoozie on February 18, 2004, at 13:07:19
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by jiggitykid on February 18, 2004, at 9:21:59
None of these withdrawal symptoms are in our head! Snapping out of it isn't an option - wish it were.
I'm on my third day with no effexor and today is a little better. I eliminated my daily coffee (my jitters bad enough without it)and substituted chamomile tea to help settle my stomach. Seems to be helping. I still don't have much mental clarity and last night the noise in my head was awful. Slept in until 8:30 am today - figured I need to take care of myself.
I do feel calmer today.We just need to hang in there.....it WILL get better!
Posted by cpallen79 on February 18, 2004, at 13:42:37
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by jiggitykid on February 18, 2004, at 9:21:59
I understand what you are going through. Be strong, understand its a lengthy process, and don't allow yourself to be discouraged. You can do it, we all have absolute faith in you.
Posted by Dr...Not! on February 18, 2004, at 16:50:12
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by cpallen79 on February 18, 2004, at 13:42:37
My psychiatrist mentioned at our last meeting that: once you have withdrawn from an antidepressant, you run a strong risk of it not working at all if you try to use it again sometime in the future. This came up in the context of increasing my dose of Effexor XR because my depression came back on a lower dose. She said it was "common knowledge" among psychiatrists. I've NEVER heard or read of this before. How about you guys?
Posted by Laurajean on February 18, 2004, at 20:40:38
In reply to You all need to know this, posted by Dr...Not! on February 18, 2004, at 16:50:12
Hey there,
I've never heard that and have been to a number of psychiatrists and on and off every ssri out there. I would be interested in clinical data to back that up......but in my experience, I haven't seen that. Interesting. Hang in there,Laura
Posted by Laurajean on February 18, 2004, at 20:46:22
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by cpallen79 on February 18, 2004, at 13:42:37
Hi everyone,
Thank you so so so so much for helping through the first few days. I have been withdrawing since I first posted.....down to 150 from 300. I was supposed to be going much slower, but the side-effects seemed just as bad and frankly, I don't want to be going through this for the seven month plan the shrink I'd seen one time had outlined. I've been on 150 about a week and a half, and things are lessening a little but still feel pretty awful most days.Question....did any of you have psych symptoms of w/d in addition to the physical? I am freaking out a little b/c some of the symptoms I had a long time ago are resurfacing a bit. Like I had a panic attack a few nights ago and haven't had one in maybe five years. also some SI impulses coming up, again symptoms have been in remission for a number of years. I am *hoping* this is a result of a.) stress b.) w/d and NOT b/c I need the effexor!
Thanks again....
laura
Posted by jiggitykid on February 18, 2004, at 22:04:49
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack--UPDATE!, posted by Laurajean on February 18, 2004, at 20:46:22
YES to the freak outs. I had feelings of panic and one full panic attack, which I have not had in years, during the withdrawal period. I went cold-turkey, for just the reason you said - I could not STAND the idea of dragging it out any longer than it had to. Do what is best for you and easiest on your body. Cold-turkey was rough, but it was only the first two weeks that were really bad, the second two were bad but tolerable, and the next two were just kind of flu-like. Take care of yourself. Do what you need to, and try to avoid driving at night, if at all possible.
Posted by micro on February 19, 2004, at 0:46:45
In reply to You all need to know this, posted by Dr...Not! on February 18, 2004, at 16:50:12
> My psychiatrist mentioned at our last meeting that: once you have withdrawn from an antidepressant, you run a strong risk of it not working at all if you try to use it again sometime in the future. This came up in the context of increasing my dose of Effexor XR because my depression came back on a lower dose. She said it was "common knowledge" among psychiatrists. I've NEVER heard or read of this before. How about you guys?
Hello, That is simply not true> If you suffer from a reocurring episode of depression and responded well to a particular antidepressant, there is no reason to believe that it will be no longer efficacious for you until you have revisited it. I am amazed at some of the comments that are posted here.
Regards, Micro
Posted by djsarah on February 20, 2004, at 9:41:09
In reply to MANY THANKS God Bless us, everyone, posted by zingaling on January 23, 2004, at 12:02:51
hey, about the 'numbing of extremities' thing - yes, I've been noticing that!! No one else has seemed to mention it, but I find my feet fall asleep really easily. Then they feel really weird and cold and i have to stamp them or rub them to get rid of it -- not the most convenient thing in class!! i've never really had a problem with it before. I decreased from 225 to 150mg three weeks ago.
Posted by djsarah on February 20, 2004, at 10:15:03
In reply to Re: MANY THANKS God Bless us, everyone, posted by djsarah on February 20, 2004, at 9:41:09
Thanks so much to everyone who's posted here, I've learned a ton about this withdrawal process. I'd be interested in any advice you guys might have for me. I've been on EffexorXR for about two and a half years, 225mg for the past year. Before that I was on Paxil for a little less than a year. I was first dx when I was 16 and put on paxil immediately; I'm 19 now. (by the way, those studies on increased suicide tendencies for paxil use under age 18 are no joke!!)(stupid doctors) Anyway, I've been on ADs for over 3 years. I decided to start decreasing Effexor because it didn't seem to be doing much any more -- I know many of you comment that that just means try something else, but I decided that I'd like to see what it's like to be without it. It seems that the way I was feeling on 225mg lately was not that different from how I was before I was diagnosed at all, so I'd like to figure out what is different, and going on other meds isn't going to help. I'd appreciate your feedback on this decision.
I've already decreased from 225mg to 150mg, about three weeks ago. I did have some w/d symptoms just from that, but am feeling better now besides headaches and dreams. After reading your posts I'm still determined to go off, but over a long period of time. The slow process recommended by Dr...Not seems like the most sensible thing to me. I haven't talked to my doctor yet, but he basically just asks me what I want to do anyways, so I decided to at least make the 225 to 150 jump for now. Anyways, I'm glad this forum is here, and I've got a lot of notes written down for things to help w/d symptoms! Hopefully I can minimize them since I'm a university student and I'd like to get my work done as well. (My mom was concerned about this, but really -- is there ever going to be a really good time to go off?!!)
Thanks for all your posts guys -- my prayers go out to those of you who are suffering.cheers
sarah
Posted by jiggitykid on February 20, 2004, at 13:34:01
In reply to effexor withdrawal, posted by djsarah on February 20, 2004, at 10:15:03
Hi Sarah,
I decided to do the same thing you are doing, even though my doc begged me to take lexapro. Nope - I needed to see how I was doing without anything. If I needed something, I was willing to try it. I've been off and on them for years. I know the symptoms. My family was watching me, too. I've been effexor free since before Thanksgiving, and I'm better than ever. Now, your results may vary :-). I cold-turkeyed it, which was very hard, but it ended the symptoms quicker. Do what you have to do for you. Hang in there, and give yourself time to get this mess out of your system before you re-evaluate the need for a new drug. If you feel suicidal, get help. Take care!!
Posted by Ieva on February 20, 2004, at 14:03:31
In reply to Re: Effexor W/D's, Wellbutrin problems, NO SEX DRIVE! » Ieva, posted by Clayton on February 17, 2004, at 20:17:59
Hey, after posting my last I just wanted to let you all know that I decided to give in, after having gone cold turkey off of 225mg Eff XR, and go back on a 75mg dose to start my "tapering off" process. I just could not bear the WD's which were getting pretty severe. I was nauseous 24/7 and couldn't eat; had very bad vertigo and "zaps"; dizziness, etc.. the list goes on. I, too, was like a few of you that are so anti-putting-this-horrible-substance-back-in-your-body, and the idea mortified me. I called my doctor, whom I had not told that I stopped taking it, and he immediately recommended going back on and tapering off, for relief of symptoms. I took one 75mg pill yesterday and within the hour noticed that the vertigo was less intense and more bearable. Today I took another and again, my WD's are less intense-nausea near gone and I can eat again without getting too sick. I can't tell you what a difference it has made! Don't get me wrong, it was a huge decision and one that came with it's fair share of guilt for having "betrayed my body" twice. But in the end, I know I will be tapered off of Effexor completely, and if that means having to go on for a couple weeks to a month longer, that is a means to an end.
For those with severe symptoms and are ADAMANT about not restarting this underestimated drug, PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR DECISION! The relief you feel from the horror you've been experiencing will be worth it! Thanks everyone for the info and support!!
Posted by Dr...Not! on February 20, 2004, at 21:57:43
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal, posted by jiggitykid on February 20, 2004, at 13:34:01
You tell someone to stop drugs "cold turkey" and then post your little CYA suicide message and that's supposed to make everything OK?????
DO NOT STOP ANY DRUG COLD-TURKEY. PERIOD.
Call your doctor and tell him/her your problems and follow their directions. Please.
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