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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Niknak on April 30, 2004, at 12:58:01
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by ku4ns on April 22, 2004, at 17:39:38
> I'm only using the prozac to help with the weaning process and then I plan to stop the prozac. Its been a month now and I have not had any side effects from the stopping of the effexor. This is my second attempt, the first failed because of increased blood pressure, heart rate, migraine and then I took an effexor and all got back to normal. So, I told my doc and he suggested trying the prozac to help get rid of effexor. Best choice, it has worked for me.
> John
Prozac worked for me also. I had none of the horrible side effects that some have described. I would think the docs would tell all effexor users that when they quit don't quit "cold turkey". My doc (GP)didn't tell me this - I learned from this board.
Posted by AngeLMeg on May 1, 2004, at 4:33:40
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, drinking on effexor, sweats » Skorpius60, posted by PoohBear on March 8, 2004, at 9:40:03
> Ya know...
>
> Most pharmacies put a little label on the bottle that says something to the effect of "Avoid Alcohol" when taking Effexor (or any other antidepressant for that matter...) It's just *not* a good idea, nor very smart. I'm glad that all you suffered was the mother of all hang-overs, and not something worse. People die doing stuff like that... The label the pharmacy put on my Wellbutrin prescription said: "Do not use alcohol while taking this medication, may cause DEATH". I'm not making this up.
>
> As for night sweats, these drugs *do* seem to mess up one's body temperature regulation. I woke up the other night, my side of the bed was *SOAKED* with sweat and when I got up to use the bathroom, the sweat was literally *dripping* off me as I stood there taking a leak. VERY weird, and definitely *NOT* something I've ever experienced in my life, short of when I've been sick and had a fever break. I can't attribute it to the Effexor however. It could just as well have bee the Seroquel.
>
> Good luck and please avoid drinking. The risk is just not worth it while on these drugs.
>
> Tony*Actually, Tony...Wellbutrin is one of the safer drugs to drink on. I'm not recommending it, but doctors will choose Wellbutrin specifically for heavy drinkers.*
Posted by Zarry on May 1, 2004, at 8:20:57
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by Niknak on April 30, 2004, at 12:58:01
I agree with you NikNak about the doctors should tell their patients a little bit more info - better yet, they should know a bit more about the drug they are prescribing.
After my experience with my doc telling me I get an A+ for my research of the drug I was taking, I switched docs. His first comment - you shouldn't have gone cold turkey. DUH.
Posted by calico cat on May 1, 2004, at 9:00:12
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by Niknak on April 30, 2004, at 12:58:01
Hello Everyone. I have noticed that since I reduced to 37.5 of effexor and up to 250 on wellbutrin, I have been having terrible night sweats also. My headache is finally gone, and I actually feel somewhat balanced - the first time since I tried to go from 75 effexor to nothing. The process has not been easy, but a good effect - I am not as hot-tempered as before - is a nice change. I have not lost any weight either. I am just going day by day right now. I have another 2 weeks until I start taking the 37.5 effexor every other day. I do hope I can finally get off this drug this time.
Posted by biggurl831 on May 1, 2004, at 9:37:54
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by ku4ns on April 22, 2004, at 17:39:38
I was on Effexor for a little less that a year.....150 mg. Recently, I have made the decision to go off, so my dr. put me at 75 mg and then down to 37.5 for a week. Today is day 3 of being off. Is it normal to feel like I am lightheaded and need to lie down frequently? How long until this is over? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Posted by Zarry on May 1, 2004, at 15:24:37
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by biggurl831 on May 1, 2004, at 9:37:54
Biggurl, yes, what you're feeling is normal. Some people describe it as brain chills, or as I describe it, a sound in the head like a rain stick. I went off Effexor cold turkey, NOT recommended and I've been off it now almost a month and I still get the rain stick feeling but not as prevalent.
Good luck and just know you're not abnormal. You also may experience crying times - that's normal. Try not to put yourself into situations that might upset you and don't pick a fight (argument) with anyone - just walk away if something starts.
Posted by Douglas T. on May 1, 2004, at 17:54:35
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by Zarry on May 1, 2004, at 15:24:37
I have been through the withdraral period (13 weeks of hell)
after 5 years on Effexor. I was in a fog for all of that time.
I am still not myself after almost a year. My site, dougtyler.com
has a lot of information and a way to get involved if you're like me
and want the idiots who make this stuff to pay us all back for what
we've been through. I am NOT selling anything.
Go to Effexor link at the bottom of the page. thanks and be well.
Posted by nephron on May 2, 2004, at 7:05:33
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I saw all the horror stories about Effexor before even starting, and while they scared me, I decided to give it a go- I figured life couldn't get much worse than it was already.
The first couple of days were pretty bad- my mood markedly lifted but I was confused- disoriented, nauseous & spaced out.
After the 3rd day, though, I started getting less confused, and most amazingly- my mood lifted! I felt, while not fantastic, like life was bearable and even worthwhile.
Sure, it's hell to come off. And for some people, the side effects are terrible. But for me, so far at least, it has made my life worth living.
Posted by chemist on May 2, 2004, at 19:10:32
In reply to I've found it fantastic..., posted by nephron on May 2, 2004, at 7:05:33
> I saw all the horror stories about Effexor before even starting, and while they scared me, I decided to give it a go- I figured life couldn't get much worse than it was already.
>
> The first couple of days were pretty bad- my mood markedly lifted but I was confused- disoriented, nauseous & spaced out.
>
> After the 3rd day, though, I started getting less confused, and most amazingly- my mood lifted! I felt, while not fantastic, like life was bearable and even worthwhile.
>
> Sure, it's hell to come off. And for some people, the side effects are terrible. But for me, so far at least, it has made my life worth living.chemist here.....Doug Tyler has the answers to all your problems. even though by his own admission his 5 years of effexor therapy were miserable, and the recent withdrawl severe enough to incapacitate a horse, he still managed to put up a pretty good-looking web site that promotes his musical contributions to a friend's CD and plugs that of his brother. turns out Doug Tyler is planning on releasing his own solo effort soon! effexor side effects do not include: writing web pages with the assistance of mozilla, creating musical works and/or playing an instrument, and gathering a very comprehensive list of what to do if you want to sue a drug company. so to all of you who have had any diminished capacity from taking effexor - in terms of productivity, cognition, and self-promotion - you're all wrong. but don't take my word for it: Doug, you are the man....chemist
Posted by KennyBingo on May 2, 2004, at 23:11:24
In reply to I've found it fantastic..., posted by nephron on May 2, 2004, at 7:05:33
Hey All,
Just another affirmation of Effexor's mixed blessings. I've been on it (75 to 150 mg)steadily for a year and a half and feel none of the fogged desperation and underwater weightiness that I hitherto had experienced most of my life, particularly in the cold, academically-burdened winter months.
That's the good news.
The bad news is that I too have noticed a significant increase in blood pressure--currently 145/100. That's troublesome, but a compromise I'm willing to make in order to live a more empowered and contented existence. To see if I can get the BP managed, my Psy-doc may titrate down my Effexor dosage this summer, while supplementing the balance with Prozac. No cold turkey for me...I know all too well those damnable brain chills and dizzy spells from missed doses. The "rain stick" sensaaaaation is particularly apt. Anyway, enough about me. My question:
Could we possibly have two threads? One for those of us not yet in the weaning-off phase of our journey, and one for those engaged in the long tipsy farewell to the venerable venlafaxine HCL? I read with great interest postings from both camps, but find the discussions referring to Effexor therapy, rather than withdrawal, most relevant.
k
Posted by Tancred62 on May 3, 2004, at 11:36:46
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, drinking on effexor, sweats, posted by Skorpius60 on March 8, 2004, at 8:12:38
I've posted several messages regarding Effexor-related dreams and dream states and have found that MANY people note this side effect. For me, the dreams come on like gangbusters if I miss a dose, but they also occur when I'm maintaining my mgs. As you probably agree, they are not your average dreams: very vivid, lots of aural components, strange themes and ideas that don't seem to relate to your life or worries, and for me, they have led to actual physical movement of my body (flailing arms) and talking/shouting in my sleep. I also noted that I often am aware that I'm dreaming while I'm dreaming, which can lead to either an internal struggle to get out of the dream or a struggle to control the dream. This latter aspect can be quite fun, sort of like producing your own movie while you go along. However, the former struggle of trying to get out of a bad dream is very scary. This is the stuff of the Twilight Zone here. Night sweats, tremors, amnesia, are all also associated side effects for me. Good luck.
Posted by headachegirl on May 3, 2004, at 22:16:24
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by Douglas T. on May 1, 2004, at 17:54:35
I'm off and relatively side-effect free. I just can't believe it! Went slowly down from 75 mg, took a half of that, then a third, then a quarter. (Pulled the pill open and eyeballed the dots.) After a few days at a quarter, I stopped! Just a bit of brain zappiness and re-emergence of the chronic depressive feelings. (Not helped by current world events I must say.)
Now I want to start cognitive therapy and decide if I can go without drugs.
Good luck all!
Posted by CourtneyM on May 3, 2004, at 22:29:49
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by headachegirl on May 3, 2004, at 22:16:24
Well that's the best getting off Effexor story I've heard, thank goodness!
I've posted twice tonight concerning weening myself off of Effexor. I am on 75 mg. as well.
Please chack my post: CourtneyM entitled "Effexor and knowing when to get off" or something like that. I do not want to be addicted to this drug. I also want to go into cognitive therapy. I started the AD to help me through a specific situation and now I feel that with all the changes I've been able to make, with thanks to the Effexor, I may not need the drug. I usually opt for the natural alternative.
Did you yawn all the time when you were on the drug? did you literally count out the little beads?
Thanks for any input and again, congratulations. It gives me hope!
Posted by Zarry on May 4, 2004, at 8:45:32
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by headachegirl on May 3, 2004, at 22:16:24
Congratulations Doug on your recovery from Effexor - therapy for what and why you were on ADs to begin with is a good idea. As my new doc said, a pill isn't going to "fix" the problem, but "help" you cope with it while you learn how to fix the prob.
Some people, as we have read here NEED the AD while some are using it to cope with some difficult times in their lives.
Good luck to you all.
Posted by wwolfsongs2 on May 5, 2004, at 12:24:45
In reply to effexor side effects/withdrawl, posted by kckboxgrl on March 25, 2001, at 23:15:03
> Hi all, just stopped effexor, having terrible electric shock sensations in my head hands and feet. How long does this last. Thanks
Posted by Spinxxie on May 5, 2004, at 17:32:27
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, drinking on effexor, sweats (nm), posted by Spinxxie on May 5, 2004, at 17:30:12
ooops.. mistake
I have learned the hard way not to drink on this medication.. I had two ciders over a 5 hour period.. could barely move the next day.. it was soo not worth it.. keeping to my gingerale from now on.. hugs Spinxxie
Posted by Zarry on May 5, 2004, at 20:05:02
In reply to Re: effexor side effects/withdrawl, posted by wwolfsongs2 on May 5, 2004, at 12:24:45
wwolfsongs, I've been off Effexor for a month now (cold turkey) and the worst was probly the first week. As most ppl have stated here, one shouldn't go cold turkey, but wean off. I think ppl still get the brain zaps no matter how they do it.
Hang in there.
Posted by headachegirl on May 5, 2004, at 20:56:58
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by CourtneyM on May 3, 2004, at 22:29:49
I think the key is to taper off, not go cold turkey. You get the side effects to a much lesser degree, and quite manageable.
I did count the little beads at first, I think there were a hundred of them. But then I got to the point I'd just "eyeball" the amount I would take. Someone on this thread talked about putting them in applesauce. I just dumped the beads in my mouth and swallowed with OJ.
I found cognitive therapy very helpful in the past and want to start again. As a matter of fact, I first started taking AD under psychiatrist care, then much later just with a prescrption from the nurse practioner. (That's how I got on Effexor.) I found the most helpful for me was Prozac.
I want to go back to the cognitive and re-think the AD. I've gone alot further in life (Harvard grad with a good job) than I thought I would at one point and I owe it to mental health assistance.
The hard part is finding the right mental health professional to work with. You can be barely functional and have to make these important decisions about how to get help. Catch-22 for sure.
Good luck!
Posted by doristoo on May 5, 2004, at 23:31:03
In reply to Re: bizarre dreams, drinking on effexor, sweats, posted by Lizzy7711 on March 10, 2004, at 22:24:17
bizarre dreams too, sweats that are bizzare and embarassing...all my friends think i am going thru the change at 40!!!! trying to get off this med as it is not doing my any good but the dizzy spellls are unbearable
Posted by scullycat on May 6, 2004, at 11:25:29
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by headachegirl on May 5, 2004, at 20:56:58
Hi. It was me talking about the applesauce. I got that info right from the Effexor website. For the same reason you are not supposed to chew it, your aren't really supposed to break it open either 'cause it is a specialized time release capsule that releases the meds over a certain period which is made possible by the type of capsule it is (a lot of time meds have a little hole at either end that you can't see and that is how it slow-releases). I guess you might be able to do it with any kind of food probably...my pharmacist friend says it is just to sort of slow it down in your metabolism. If you just pop them all in your mouth with a liquid (especially on an empty stomach) you're throwning it all into your system at once and probably making withdrawl worse.
So far, I am having a great experience with effexor, and I would really recommend that if you're looking for advice to get off of it when it is time to do so, talk to your pharmacist. They always know a lot more than your doc - your doc only goes to school to learn how to prescribe meds after all. Pharmacists know EVERYTHING about the drug or can find out for you. I often find their advice with any meds to be the most useful.
Hope that helps a little bit.
Posted by headachegirl on May 6, 2004, at 22:05:11
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by scullycat on May 6, 2004, at 11:25:29
Well, good advice on the food. I may have gotten off lightly with the side effects because I would eat breakfast right after swallowing the beads. So probably not the best way but it was manageable for me.
I hated the horrific side effects when I forgot a dose, so the weaning probably seemed like nothing in comparison. I never could have stood cold turkey though.
If Effexor had been a good fit for me, I might have thought longer before going off it. But it wasn't and then on top of it the weight gain and blood pressure elevation was making it scary. But then I had good results with Prozac and I know others haven't.
I still think the key is somewhat trial and error. You have to find the right plan for you. And I strongly believe in talk therapy along with the drugs.
Posted by cbogus on May 11, 2004, at 16:40:25
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by headachegirl on May 6, 2004, at 22:05:11
I'm just entering week 3 of Effexor withdrawls, and I'm still experiencing a host of symptoms. I was weaned, albeit quickly, since I am in a situation where I need to have it on my record that I'm med free as soon as possible. (Insurance companies deny my application, and the FAA won't let me enter flight school.) I'm experiencing muscle spasms, nausea, indigestion, anxiety, and a LOT of vertigo. The thing that scares me is that these symptoms have remained the same intensity for about 10 days now. I can't help but feel that this is how things will stay for a long time. Is this the usual course, or am I supposed to see them lessening?
Posted by calico cat on May 12, 2004, at 16:51:58
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by cbogus on May 11, 2004, at 16:40:25
Dear Cbogus,
Good luck to you. I am still weaning, and it has been 2 months. I am now doing 37.5 of effexor every other day. I am at the end of day 2, and I feel an uneasiness and a funny feeling in my ears. I don't know how you did this so quickly, but I think that may explain the severity of your symptoms.I take a lot of ibuprofen on day 2 to try to balance myself.
It sure isn't easy, is it?
Posted by ku4ns on May 13, 2004, at 15:35:52
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by calico cat on May 12, 2004, at 16:51:58
I think that i'm around six weeks out from my last effexor. I used the prozac 20mg to help stop the effexor and it worked very well for me. Now i'm stopping the prozac without any difficulty. If you are experiencing problems stopping effexor, try to use a different drug in conjunction so not to have the severe withdrawal symptoms. john
Posted by KimberlyDi on May 13, 2004, at 16:40:11
In reply to Re: STOPPING Effexor made easy, posted by cbogus on May 11, 2004, at 16:40:25
I've been Effexor-free for several months. What I've called the brain-shivers, the tingling feeling in the tips of my fingers, etc. etc., took several months to go away even AFTER I was Effexor-free. I've heard you can take Benedryl for relief of the vertigo. Sadly, I think there is no cure but time.
Good luck!
KDi in TX
> I'm just entering week 3 of Effexor withdrawls, and I'm still experiencing a host of symptoms. I was weaned, albeit quickly, since I am in a situation where I need to have it on my record that I'm med free as soon as possible. (Insurance companies deny my application, and the FAA won't let me enter flight school.) I'm experiencing muscle spasms, nausea, indigestion, anxiety, and a LOT of vertigo. The thing that scares me is that these symptoms have remained the same intensity for about 10 days now. I can't help but feel that this is how things will stay for a long time. Is this the usual course, or am I supposed to see them lessening?
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