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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 919 to 943 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by Frisky_cat on May 29, 2004, at 11:21:33
In reply to Re: Why are you going off Effexor in the first place?, posted by Tesssi on May 27, 2004, at 21:17:14
I think a lot of you folks are missing the point. One person called Effexor a 'mind altering drug'. So is aspirin.
The point is simple. Chemical imbalances in the brain, whether due to genetics, environment or some combination of the two, can be corrected in many cases by drugs such as Desipramine, Serzone or Effexor. These drugs correct imbalances that are chronic in their absence.
Take myself. Diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in graduate school, I suffered unnecessarily for 15 years from chronic muscle tension, insomnia, extreme social anxiety and general misery. There is plenty of evidence to indicate that GAD has a genetic component.
Desipramine saved my life: it eliminated the insomnia, the muscle tension, and the general anxiety. The first six weeks were hard due to the side effects, but most of those passed. I am trying Effexor now to eliminate some residual anxiety that I feel around people.
Drugs are no more or no less 'natural' than a tomato or a piece of meat. They are all chemical substances and their impact has to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. By the way, arsenic is also 'natural'!
If you have a chronic condition, whether an amputated limb or brain malfunctioning, you should choose the best solution regardless of whether it grows on a tree or is produced in a laboratory or on an artificial limb assembly line.
The simple truth is that a lot of you having withdrawal symptons are not weaning yourselves properly off the medication or have chronic conditions where you will need the medication for the rest of your life. Accept the truth.
Taking medication for the rest of your life if it gives you a good quality of life and makes your life better is nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, you should pat yourself on the back for doing the right thing rather than letting misguided traditional notions about what is 'natural' and 'unnatural' and about the importance of 'character' lead you astray. Reflection and psychotherapy will not necessarily eliminate anxiety and depression.
Let me add that my experience with medication is that it does not sedate. It may feel like sedation if you spent most of your life wracked with anxiety and guilt, but it actually gaining a reasonable perspective.
Revel in your time for it is brief. Be brave.
Posted by seeknsolace on May 29, 2004, at 12:55:59
In reply to Re: Why are you going off Effexor in the first pla, posted by Frisky_cat on May 29, 2004, at 11:21:33
> I think a lot of you folks are missing the point. One person called Effexor a 'mind altering drug'. So is aspirin.
>
> The point is simple. Chemical imbalances in the brain, whether due to genetics, environment or some combination of the two, can be corrected in many cases by drugs such as Desipramine, Serzone or Effexor. These drugs correct imbalances that are chronic in their absence.
>
> Take myself. Diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in graduate school, I suffered unnecessarily for 15 years from chronic muscle tension, insomnia, extreme social anxiety and general misery. There is plenty of evidence to indicate that GAD has a genetic component.
>
> Desipramine saved my life: it eliminated the insomnia, the muscle tension, and the general anxiety. The first six weeks were hard due to the side effects, but most of those passed. I am trying Effexor now to eliminate some residual anxiety that I feel around people.
>
> Drugs are no more or no less 'natural' than a tomato or a piece of meat. They are all chemical substances and their impact has to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. By the way, arsenic is also 'natural'!
>
> If you have a chronic condition, whether an amputated limb or brain malfunctioning, you should choose the best solution regardless of whether it grows on a tree or is produced in a laboratory or on an artificial limb assembly line.
>
> The simple truth is that a lot of you having withdrawal symptons are not weaning yourselves properly off the medication or have chronic conditions where you will need the medication for the rest of your life. Accept the truth.
>
> Taking medication for the rest of your life if it gives you a good quality of life and makes your life better is nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, you should pat yourself on the back for doing the right thing rather than letting misguided traditional notions about what is 'natural' and 'unnatural' and about the importance of 'character' lead you astray. Reflection and psychotherapy will not necessarily eliminate anxiety and depression.
>
> Let me add that my experience with medication is that it does not sedate. It may feel like sedation if you spent most of your life wracked with anxiety and guilt, but it actually gaining a reasonable perspective.
>
> Revel in your time for it is brief. Be brave.
>Frisky and Pooh: thank you for these latest posts. I've been struggling with the idea of returning to meds. With feelings of anger and unfairness, viewing myself as not being whole, feeling incomplete, because I may need to return to meds to feel good, normal.
Some of the thoughts I still struggle with are things like, is it chemical or because my environment as a child caused me to be this way, can situations in life really cause permanent chemical imbalances? I dont grieve over the past, only aware that this may be the sole reason for the unsteady (emotional) foundation by which my being was formed. Also being a single mom of a difficult 12 yr old who has been difficult all his life, it causes me to be constantly tense, upset, frustrated and when I reach a breaking point it adds to falling into the depths of depression, but maybe its my fault he is the way he is.
I wonder if the stresses were removed, if I'd still be symptomatic of depression. I've been feeling pretty level and almost good the last few days, but I was once diagnosed as rapid cycle bipolar.. the cycles are most sensitive to the changing of weather, but I never had the grandious expressions as clinically descriped in being bipolar, when I have my high, I can be more responsible for my life and just feel at peace and good.. but when I hit depression, I no longer have thoughts of suicide and I can still function.. so does that still make me bipolar?
Does this make me still have a need for meds? It's a human thing to do, to react to weather and to life... just some thoughts.. on a path trying to decide which road to take.
Posted by Frisky_cat on May 29, 2004, at 13:38:31
In reply to Re: Why are you going off Effexor in the first pla, posted by seeknsolace on May 29, 2004, at 12:55:59
Yes, suffering is part of the human condition. But most of the medications don't turn people in zoombies - they simply allow them to better handle both the upsides and downsides of life. I still get angry and feel sorrow, but it is not debilitating anger and sorrow. I also have strong opinions, hardly a sign of zoombiehood.
If medication allows you to cope better without serious side effects, then it is hard to argue that you shouldn't be taking it.
You seem wracked with guilt. What does genetics and traumatic events have to do with guilt and personal responsibility? Nothing. By the way, traumatic events do cause permanent alterations to brain functioning. Traumatic experiences can cause reductions in serotonin levels just as a job promotion can raise them.
Forget about the past and trying to find reasons - that's often a fruitless exercise encourage by those high charging psychotherapists whose patients remain treatment for 20 years or more. Talk about creating dependency in the name of healing.
Revel in your time.
Posted by PoohBear on May 29, 2004, at 23:08:55
In reply to Re: Why are you going off Effexor in the first pla, posted by Frisky_cat on May 29, 2004, at 13:38:31
> Yes, suffering is part of the human condition. But most of the medications don't turn people in zoombies - they simply allow them to better handle both the upsides and downsides of life. I still get angry and feel sorrow, but it is not debilitating anger and sorrow. I also have strong opinions, hardly a sign of zoombiehood.
>
> If medication allows you to cope better without serious side effects, then it is hard to argue that you shouldn't be taking it.
>
> You seem wracked with guilt. What does genetics and traumatic events have to do with guilt and personal responsibility? Nothing. By the way, traumatic events do cause permanent alterations to brain functioning. Traumatic experiences can cause reductions in serotonin levels just as a job promotion can raise them.
>
> Forget about the past and trying to find reasons - that's often a fruitless exercise encourage by those high charging psychotherapists whose patients remain treatment for 20 years or more. Talk about creating dependency in the name of healing.
>
> Revel in your time.AMEN!!!
Posted by fuji on May 30, 2004, at 21:52:41
In reply to Why are you going off Effexor in the first place?, posted by jenniferjaguar on May 27, 2004, at 20:37:28
I have been sober 19 years and the withdrawal and the crazy making of my moods during this last month of effexor withdrawal has brought back home to me what I am like unmedicated. Some of us need meds to lead normal lives like insulin for diabetics. My tantrums this week made me closer to picking up drugs or alcohol than any time during my entire sobriety. So it's back to effexor for me which works quite nicely thank you. I just wanted more than effexor was giving me but after this past temper tantrum week I am just hunky dory.
fuji
Posted by seeknsolace on May 30, 2004, at 22:07:52
In reply to Re: Why are you going off Effexor in the first place?, posted by fuji on May 30, 2004, at 21:52:41
> I have been sober 19 years and the withdrawal and the crazy making of my moods during this last month of effexor withdrawal has brought back home to me what I am like unmedicated. Some of us need meds to lead normal lives like insulin for diabetics. My tantrums this week made me closer to picking up drugs or alcohol than any time during my entire sobriety. So it's back to effexor for me which works quite nicely thank you. I just wanted more than effexor was giving me but after this past temper tantrum week I am just hunky dory.
>
> fujiIt can take more than a month to withdrawal from effexor.. its been something like 2 months since Ive been off of them. I too went thru the emotional roller coaster, thought I was regressing to pre-effexor days. Just in the past week have my emotions leveled out. I think maybe the emotional regression was symptomanic of the absence of effexor. Maybe you need effexor either way. I'm not sure still if I need meds. Life feels now as it did while on effexor, still bouts of depression, edgy, short tempered.. list goes on, but dont feel the anxiety/depression like I did prior to effexor and while coming off of it. So it took two months to be released from it.. still have the zaps, but just saying if your goal is to come off effexor, if you truly are ready.. it does take some time.
Posted by annesand on June 1, 2004, at 7:20:16
In reply to Re: Why are you going off Effexor in the first place?, posted by seeknsolace on May 30, 2004, at 22:07:52
Can anyone speak to the emotional part of coming off Effexor? How long does it take for your emotions to settle down? I'm several weeks out now and not having the dizziness and brain zaps, but my emotions are raw with a capital R. I'm hoping this is temporary and not the depression coming back.
Posted by babyapehanger on June 2, 2004, at 10:45:25
In reply to Re: Why are you going off Effexor in the first place?, posted by annesand on June 1, 2004, at 7:20:16
I have been emotionally on a roller coaster since I came off. It is getting alot better and its been 11 days. I do blow up on occasion and I either take a walk or get my mind focused on something else. I have also been out of work for a month so I am usually sitting and thinking about what to do next. My wife has been helpful noticing my tendencies and letting me know ,she says she can see it in my eyes, but mostly I have been able to think back and know that I dont want that type of attitude and it helps. Try picturing yourself when you feel great either in the future or when you did either 5,10,30 min ago. The brain zaps and all the other physcial/psycological effects have been getting betterhour by hour, day by day. I do agree with some of the other posts, (if you are a diabetic you do need insullin). For me I need to be off all medication (alcohol also) to feel better. If I get to the place where more than one professional thinks that a ssri will help then I will do the research before going on any medication. Meds do help but the body is a incredible machine and for me diet,exercise, living clean with clean thinking make me feel 100 times better than I felt on effexor. Positive thinking has done for me what no drug has ever done, made me happy. Keep trying all of you and god bless.
> Can anyone speak to the emotional part of coming off Effexor? How long does it take for your emotions to settle down? I'm several weeks out now and not having the dizziness and brain zaps, but my emotions are raw with a capital R. I'm hoping this is temporary and not the depression coming back.
Posted by PoohBear on June 14, 2004, at 14:44:40
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last? (nm), posted by cahughes on June 14, 2004, at 14:14:31
Withdrawals should last the inverse of the time period that it took for you initial side effects to go away when starting Effexor. If 2 weeks, then about two weeks. This is anecdotal evidence. I am not the first to say this and have not experienced it myself since I am still on Effexor, but the premiss makes sence to me:
You brain takes a certain amount of time to get *used* to the chemical change that an AD brings. It only makes sense that when the drug is withdrawn, that your brain will THEN need some time to get used to life without it.
Just my two cents. Do NOT stop taking Effexor "cold turkey". Titrate down SLLLOOOWWWLY.
Tony
Posted by kaatjinx on June 15, 2004, at 8:58:43
In reply to Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Bobina on April 7, 2001, at 22:38:31
Hello all. My first time posting. I am worried because i lose my insurance coverage under my parents in september and am currenlty on 150mg of effexor every day. If i don't take a dose in the morning by noon I can feel it and by three I feel sick. I wish I had known before I went on this med.
Posted by TanyaJean on June 15, 2004, at 19:40:12
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
Just an observation. I went through a very bad effexor withdrawal in March. I am now pregnant and stopped methadone abruptly. Methadone was for chronic pain. The EFFEXOR withdrawal and the Methadone were exactly the same for me. Vomiting for 4 days, so much so that I went into the hospital. Cold to the bone, yet sweating profusely. It was hell, but the exact same thing happened when I went off the EFFEXOR.
Posted by LynnM. on June 15, 2004, at 20:21:49
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by PoohBear on June 14, 2004, at 14:44:40
Hi, y'all-I am new to this BB. My mother and I found it, looking for info. on withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. We now know that we're NOT crazy, but you have all put us at ease with your information. We have felt most of the symptoms you describe. For me, it's mostly the headaches and the "brain flashes". That is such a great name for them! I was feeling toooooo euphoric on this med. It made me feel so good, in fact, I wasn't caring whether I was late for school (I am a teacher and have always been conscientious about my job), or church, or anything. I was just too "happy" to care. I also gained weight from this, and although I'm walking 2 mi. everyday, nothing has helped. I noticed I started gaining the weight after starting the med. I also got very sleepy during the day, and got very sweaty at night.
Anyways, I thank God for this BB and website. I knew I wasn't going crazy, thinking most of these effects were from the med. I'm gradually decreasing (I'm taking 75 mg. every other day for now). My mother is not so lucky, she decided to quit cold turkey and is sorry she did. She is now experiencing night sweats,nausea, lethargy, headaches, dizziness.....
Posted by Anjul on June 15, 2004, at 20:44:49
In reply to Effexor worried withdrawl, posted by kaatjinx on June 15, 2004, at 8:58:43
Just to balance all these disconcerting messages, my husband went off effexor after 1 year, and it was very easy for him. He titrated down, but not for any extneded time period. He had NO PROBLEMS and switched to Zoloft. Everyone responds to this stuff differently. Anjul
Posted by roomy on June 16, 2004, at 7:19:56
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by LynnM. on June 15, 2004, at 20:21:49
> Hi, y'all-I am new to this BB. My mother and I found it, looking for info. on withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. We now know that we're NOT crazy, but you have all put us at ease with your information. We have felt most of the symptoms you describe. For me, it's mostly the headaches and the "brain flashes". That is such a great name for them! I was feeling toooooo euphoric on this med. It made me feel so good, in fact, I wasn't caring whether I was late for school (I am a teacher and have always been conscientious about my job), or church, or anything. I was just too "happy" to care. I also gained weight from this, and although I'm walking 2 mi. everyday, nothing has helped. I noticed I started gaining the weight after starting the med. I also got very sleepy during the day, and got very sweaty at night.
>
> Anyways, I thank God for this BB and website. I knew I wasn't going crazy, thinking most of these effects were from the med. I'm gradually decreasing (I'm taking 75 mg. every other day for now). My mother is not so lucky, she decided to quit cold turkey and is sorry she did. She is now experiencing night sweats,nausea, lethargy, headaches, dizziness.....I thought I would put in my two cents. I have posted on this bbs in the past when I was first getting off Effexor.
first of all, in reply to those wanting to know WHY people go off it when it works great: It worked great for me too! Gradually, over 7 years on the drug, I needed more and more to achieve the same quality of life. As the dose increased, so did the side effects. After being so exhausted and gaining so much weight from the increased doseage, I decided to go off the effexor completely. I tapered, I suffered, it was hell. But now I have been entirely off Effexor for 5months, after tapering for about 5 months. I am back to normal (whatever that is). I have lost 20 pounds since february and have my energy back. I still have days where I am frazzled and frustrated but then I live a life that sometimes includes those emotions. I am a busy mom with a 15yr old and a 3yr old, I manage a mobile home park, have an outside second job and I try to be a loving wife. I have been married for 18 years. All of that alone will make you a bit frazzled. Frazzled is ok with me. I like to be drug free. Life isnt perfect but then the 7 years on Effexor didnt make it that perfect either.
good luck and hang in there.
-roomy
Posted by alan38 on June 18, 2004, at 8:05:28
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Caleb96 on March 26, 2004, at 10:27:24
This is my first time posting... I have been on SSRIs since Sept. 2003, Lexipro/paxil/zoloft/ and finally Effexor. I started at 150mg/day and eventually tapered to 37.5 every other day as of last week. I took my last dose (5) days ago and have experienced some withdrawal (specifically, dizziness/light headiness/Brain Swooshes- not sure how to describe those. They have dissipated substantially due to time off the drug as well as some advice to take OTC Benadryl or Claritin. Is there or normal period of time for the withdrawal process.... Feeling a heck of a lot better, more energy, no fatigue, sexual side effects. Any advice/encouragement would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Posted by alan38 on June 18, 2004, at 8:37:04
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by LynnM. on June 15, 2004, at 20:21:49
Brain Flashes seem to describe the senstation fairly well. How often do you get them???
Posted by LynnM. on June 18, 2004, at 13:47:25
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by alan38 on June 18, 2004, at 8:37:04
Hi, Alan~
My brain flashes (or zaps, as some here have called them...good name, also!) are coming right now, as a matter of fact-I'd say a zap every 10 min. or so, and sometimes they're what I call "double zaps". I'm down also to 37.5 mg. every other day. With this dosage, I'm feeling the flashes, some dizziness and headaches and a teeny bit of edginess. Also have felt a little nausea, but nothing that half a dramamine isn't helping. I was on 75 mg. every day, and had never felt so sleepy in my life! I've definitely lost the need for long afternoon naps.I think as long as I stay busy and active, I don't notice the zaps as much. It's not easy, but I'm hanging in there. Once I'm off this stuff for good.....never again.:-)
Posted by Nevina on June 24, 2004, at 11:03:23
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last? » alan38, posted by LynnM. on June 18, 2004, at 13:47:25
sorry forgot to mention, "crazy" dreams are lessoning, although sleep is difficult.
Posted by Nevina on June 24, 2004, at 11:17:36
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Nevina on June 24, 2004, at 11:03:23
Ahhhh, just realized first post did not go through. So I will rewrite it.
Am currently experiencing withdrawal from effexor after overdose. On June 14th took overdose. Prior to that was taking 150mg effexor daily and 15mg Remeron.(which by the way work well together)
Have takien nothing since except a couple doses of ativan while in hospital and 2.5mg Valium 1-2 times daily as needed. Have been experiencing constant headaches, nausea,dizziness, periods of severe agitation,terfullness. Jitteryiness. Emotional controls poor. Poor concentration, varying appetite... mostly high. +++ fatigue. Now diarrhea.
However it is now June 24th and symptoms are improving. Emotional outbursts down to 1-2 times /day. Have been avoiding taking valium. Taking benedryl at night for sleep. Dreams not so bad as previously. Have hope that by end of next week may no longer have any drug related symptoms.
Posted by Frisky_cat on June 24, 2004, at 15:07:30
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Nevina on June 24, 2004, at 11:17:36
This medication has done wonders for eliminating some residual social anxiety that is part of my GAD. My social and love life have greatly improved.
After reviewing the messages on this board, one would almost think that some of you don't want to be happy. We have people complaining that the 'drug makes them feel too good'. We have people expressing guilt about using a drug to improve their life.
Believe me, my sympathy has limits and some of you have clearly breached them. Many of you whine and even threaten to sue the company because you experience adverse effects. Any review on the Web indicates that a small minority will experience some adverse effects.
Posted by worm on June 24, 2004, at 19:51:28
In reply to Love Effexor, posted by Frisky_cat on June 24, 2004, at 15:07:30
> After reviewing the messages on this board, one would almost think that some of you don't want to be happy. We have people complaining that the 'drug makes them feel too good'. We have people expressing guilt about using a drug to improve their life.
>
> Believe me, my sympathy has limits and some of you have clearly breached them. Many of you whine and even threaten to sue the company because you experience adverse effects. Any review on the Web indicates that a small minority will experience some adverse effects.
>Frisky cat:
I think the people on this list who are complaining about the drug are a few vocal ones. Most of us understand that the drug itself is not to blame, it affects everyone differently, and sometimes it is working fine, and then suddenly - NOT - Who knows why?
consider yourself lucky you have found something that works - on the first try?
I don't feel that the drug(s) make me feel too "good", just that my affect was flat, and I was easy-going to the point of putting others needs ahead of my own. Everyone else thought I was great, calm, go-with-the-flow, but inside I was miserable. Some middle ground would be great - not fighting with everyone, but still asserting my self.
JMHO - off Effexor for 4 months now.
Posted by Nevina on June 25, 2004, at 23:59:40
In reply to Re: Love Effexor, posted by worm on June 24, 2004, at 19:51:28
In my case, the medication obviously did not work, as I remained depressed enough to try and commit suicide. Adverse effects from medications can be horrible. Medications affect different individuals in different ways , that is chemistry. Glad it works for you, but please try to have a bit more understanding of what other people feel is "sufferring".
I do not beleive people should sue over side effects which are made readily availble, but do realize most people coming here with their complaints, concerns etc, are looking for support. Some meds work for some people, some do not.
Posted by zapped out on June 26, 2004, at 0:32:44
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by Nevina on June 24, 2004, at 11:17:36
This message board was all that got me through this past week of pure hell. I went from raging to crying. The brain zaps....zzzztttt... still there ocassionally, but not so completely mind numbing. I cried for several hours at a time, and often in the midst of tears I turned to this message board for support. Just knowing that I was not alone made each day livable.
These were my symptoms:
nausea, diarrehea, sleepiness, crying, raging, suicidal thoughts, zzzzaaappps, muscle weakness----What made me feel better??----
This nice mixture of nature taken with food:
(these pills help your brain balance now that it is without artificial stimulation) I bought them at the local grocery store.Omega 3 fish oil
B-Complex (you need at least 11 B's in there)
Magnesium 1000mg-You can also add L-Tryptophan and L-Tyrosine (found at health food stores)-
oh yeah, and lots of mylanta
I hope my entry can help at least one suffering person out there. Btw, my tapering schedule was: 75 mg to 37.5 mg (one week) to nothing. Each day is hard, I know, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
Posted by sillysally on June 26, 2004, at 19:32:15
In reply to Effexor Withdrawl , posted by louisi on June 9, 2001, at 8:09:14
Hi,
Just found this board and like previous post was relieved to find people in similar situation.
I'm not sure if I should be going off Effexor but don't feel any better when taking it. Initially, I felt better and motivated but now feel worse, like depressed again.
I was on 225mg/day and have decreased to 150 over two weeks. Scared to decrease any more as withdrawal effects are so bad: ie emotional craziness (cry constantly), so tired it feels like i am walking under water, no concentration, memory loss, insommina, weight gain (throughout entire time on effexor which my therapist insists has nothing to do with the drug!)
Anyways, thanks for allowing me to rank. No one else can really understand how I feel and I am afraid I am going to drive everyone away especially my boyfriend. He's being very supportive but can't understand the mood swings and crying all the time . . .
Take care!
Posted by annesand on June 28, 2004, at 7:20:16
In reply to Re: Love Effexor, posted by worm on June 24, 2004, at 19:51:28
Worm how are your emotions after four months off Effexor? Up and down a lot? Mine are. And I'm really hoping it's a rebound thing that will go away, not a re-emergence of depression.
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