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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by LynnM. on July 2, 2004, at 1:55:27
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by lorily on July 1, 2004, at 18:39:50
> I can't understand why you would be taking Effexor every 4 days. I think you would be prolonging your withdrawals rather than getting off of them. I've read several people's posts about it and this is the first I've heard of it.
I'm trying to get OFF of Effexor. I don't want to just quit cold turkey. I'm gradually slowing down to decrease intensity of the withdrawal symptoms I'm experiencing: headache, nausea, brain zaps, sporadic itching.
Posted by lorily on July 2, 2004, at 6:06:46
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by LynnM. on July 2, 2004, at 1:55:27
I am also a recovering addict. I know that when you consistly wean yourself off of substances(bringing the daily dose lower and lower) your body adjusts to the lower levels, slowly eliminating the substance from your body until you are able to do without it.
Now, going 4 days without anything, your body is withdrawing, going through your torture, then you feed it a mega dose of the substance it's craving, bringing the dependancy right back. And then you torture it again for 4 days instead of letting your body heal. I'm sure that each day you feel a little better then the last, that's your body getting better, getting used to it not being there, then you jump it up again. Effexor has a short half-life, that's why we feel the withdrawals so severely, it's leaving quickly, so I can't understand why you would torture yourself over and over again.
I'm not a doctor, but I know all about phsyical dependancy. I'd really talk to your doctor about this method you're using.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2004, at 16:03:27
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by LynnM. on July 1, 2004, at 18:05:34
Posted by donna0099 on July 2, 2004, at 20:05:18
> my dr is taking me off paxil but i think it is being done to fast i took 1/2of 20mg for ten days then had to take 1/2 of 20 every second day then none for a week then he 's gonna put me on a trial drug "duloxetine" anyone heard of it? but the withdrawal is pretty brutal nausea diareeha, sleep disturbanced, zaps are beyond , crying spells , i have to come off paxil becuase i've gained alot of weight on it and i now have type 2 diabetes and very high cholesterol so paxil makes me eat and it has to go in order for me to get my health back . i am 44 year old female but i feel 90 .... and fat
Posted by KaraS on July 3, 2004, at 20:13:33
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation « donna0099, posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2004, at 16:03:27
That does seem like a short time to try to get off of Paxil. These doctors have no clue what we go through trying to withdraw from some of these meds! Adding in another med with serotonergic effect can help a lot. Duloxetine has some of that so maybe your doctor will allow you to start on it before you're completely off of the Paxil. You are lucky that he/she is going to start you on that drug. Many people, including lots of posters on this board, are waiting for that drug to come out. It's brand name is Cymbalta and you will find several posts here about it. Please let us know what your experience is with it.
Posted by theo on July 4, 2004, at 7:47:35
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation « donna0099, posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2004, at 16:03:27
Please let me know how the duloxetine works for you. It's supposed to finally be out to the public in September but would be interested to here your experience since you get to try it before its release.
Posted by donna0099 on July 4, 2004, at 16:45:24
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by KaraS on July 3, 2004, at 20:13:33
> That does seem like a short time to try to get off of Paxil. These doctors have no clue what we go through trying to withdraw from some of these meds! Adding in another med with serotonergic effect can help a lot. Duloxetine has some of that so maybe your doctor will allow you to start on it before you're completely off of the Paxil. You are lucky that he/she is going to start you on that drug. Many people, including lots of posters on this board, are waiting for that drug to come out. It's brand name is Cymbalta and you will find several posts here about it. Please let us know what your experience is with it.
Hi thanks for replying! Why do you say i'm lucky he is suggesting Cymbalta, i am in Canada and it has not been approved here yet... i very nervous about taking it, but i know i must come off the paxil can you enlighten me on the Cymbalta , has it been available for awhile anywhere, i am going to participate in a study,,, ( with duloxetine ) feel like a guinea pig.
Posted by KaraS on July 4, 2004, at 18:47:25
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by donna0099 on July 4, 2004, at 16:45:24
> > That does seem like a short time to try to get off of Paxil. These doctors have no clue what we go through trying to withdraw from some of these meds! Adding in another med with serotonergic effect can help a lot. Duloxetine has some of that so maybe your doctor will allow you to start on it before you're completely off of the Paxil. You are lucky that he/she is going to start you on that drug. Many people, including lots of posters on this board, are waiting for that drug to come out. It's brand name is Cymbalta and you will find several posts here about it. Please let us know what your experience is with it.
>
> Hi thanks for replying! Why do you say i'm lucky he is suggesting Cymbalta, i am in Canada and it has not been approved here yet... i very nervous about taking it, but i know i must come off the paxil can you enlighten me on the Cymbalta , has it been available for awhile anywhere, i am going to participate in a study,,, ( with duloxetine ) feel like a guinea pig.Cymbalta (duloxetine) is not available anywhere yet to my knowledge but a lot of people in the U.S. (and probably elsewhere) have been anxiously awaiting its approval. It has the potential to be a very powerful antidepressant because it equally effects serotonin and NE (noradrenaline). The only other antidepressant (not counting any APs) that is approved in the U.S. that can do that now is Effexor but only in the higher dosage range and even then it is still more of a serotonergic medication.
Posted by Ruth Dennis on July 6, 2004, at 10:50:49
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by KaraS on July 4, 2004, at 18:47:25
I am working with my doctor to wean me off of Effexor XR after being on it for 8 years. The effect this drug has on your sex life is not worth it, and I would like to let others know the side effects of stopping or switching anti-depressants. The doctor asked me to keep a daily journal on the effects. He took me from 75mg to 37.5 mg for 2 weeks. This was not too bad. I had night sweats, some nervousness and irritability. Then for the next two weeks I had to take the 37.5mg every other day. That is where the real trouble started. I was nauseous all the time - day and night....I lived on gingerale, saltine crackers and chicken broth. I could not sleep at all. I was so tempted to go back on it full tie just to feel normal again. Now I am on 37.5mg every third day, and still feel like hell. I don't know what it is not to feel nausea all the time. It is like morning sickness all day. I am hoping that on my next visit he will go ahead and put me on Wellbutin to get back to normal. My advice to all of you is do not stop this medication without help from a doctor.
Posted by Shyla on July 6, 2004, at 11:05:07
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by lorily on July 1, 2004, at 18:39:50
Lorily, you have got me very interested in your experience with Viagra. My libido is almost non-existent. I hate it! It sounds like you have libido, but have difficulty climaxing. Is this correct? I suffer from both issues. But if Viaga helps with one, that's a 50% improvement, as far as I'm concerned. Would you mind giving me more information? Thanks.
Posted by lorily on July 6, 2004, at 11:19:15
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor » lorily, posted by Shyla on July 6, 2004, at 11:05:07
> Lorily, you have got me very interested in your experience with Viagra. My libido is almost non-existent. I hate it! It sounds like you have libido, but have difficulty climaxing. Is this correct? I suffer from both issues. But if Viaga helps with one, that's a 50% improvement, as far as I'm concerned. Would you mind giving me more information? Thanks.
Shyla, this is what I posted on another thread:
I do want to mention though, if it doesn't work the very first time, don't worry. It took 2 or 3 tries for me. Since my blood pressure normaly is low all my life and the orginal clinical trials for viagra was for high blood pressure (yes, this miracle drug was an accident the doc told me) I was only prescribed 25mg didn't work, I tried 50mg and works. I do get a light-headed sensation, not unpleasant (could also just be arousal I'd gotten used to not being familiar with-lol) And the info packet does say that it may not work the first time for men, too. It's supposed to last for 4 hours, but doesn't for me, like I wrote earlier it takes 20-30 mins, then lasts for 1-1-1/2 hours. I'm glad this info helps. Glad I brought it up to the doc, and it was only because of my b/f taking a job with rotten hours that made sex a weekend only thing, so I had to make it count!!!!!!!!!
Good news is that job has changed and I am getting off the other meds so haven't had to use it in a while.
Posted by lorily on July 6, 2004, at 11:26:58
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by Ruth Dennis on July 6, 2004, at 10:50:49
This sounds so strange to me to be taking effexor after not taking it for days. I've researched trials that clearly state that effexor must be withdrawn from your system gradually and DAILY, not every 2 or 3 days. Some people posting how they open up the capsule and divide them make soooooooo much more sense than pushing yourself to do without it, detoxing, then giving your body a full dose and bringing the dependancy right back. That must be torture!!!!!!!!!
Posted by husschick on July 6, 2004, at 11:34:44
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by lorily on July 6, 2004, at 11:26:58
I am a big sceptic when it comes to beleiving things when I myself have not experienced them first hand. Over the weekend I went out of town for the 4th of July, I forgot to take my Effexor xr with me. I didnt take it for 3 days, and on the second day I felt like I needed to go to the emergancy room due to how awful I felt. I felt dizzy and my head felt really funny I cant even describe it. I thought that I had something awful wrong with me. But now that I am back on my normal routine I am slowly but surly starting to get better.
Posted by Shyla on July 6, 2004, at 14:48:01
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by lorily on July 6, 2004, at 11:19:15
Lorily, thank you so much for this lead. I'm going to give it a try! You have given me hope. I'll be in touch and let you know how it goes for me. S
Posted by calico cat on July 6, 2004, at 16:27:58
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor, posted by lorily on July 2, 2004, at 6:06:46
Hi everyone. I lost touch during my last weeks of withdrawal and then stopped getting follow-ups.
I finally got off effexor the Tuesday before Memorial Day. I just couldn't take the headaches and inertia from taking 37.5 every other day. So I just went off. It took 10-14 days of misery (and this on 300 mg of wellbutrin). I never thought I would feel good again. I know that I never want to feel that withdrawal again.
I feel badly for any of you going through the withdrawal stage. I know how hard it can be. It's just a day to day existence. Good luck.
Posted by Rowdy Redhead on July 6, 2004, at 17:40:31
In reply to Re: Everyone's different, but... » dusty534, posted by LynnM. on June 19, 2004, at 19:08:12
> Being on Effexor made me VERY sleepy, and I was only on 75 mg. I wanted to sleep all the time! I love naps, but on Effexor my naps sometimes lasted 3 hours. Had no energy, either.
>
> I'm withdrawing slowly from it, and I'm feeling brain zaps now (I'm on 37.5 mg. every other day). Also hot flashes. BUT, my appetite has suppressed somewhat. While on full dosage Effexor, I couldn't wait until the next meal. Food never tasted so good.
>
> For me, Effexor turned into the med. from He**. Lord knows, I can't see myself continuing to take Effexor and some other ADs to curb the withdrawal symptoms!WELL! this settles it..I am going off this stuff. I have been thinking about it for a while, as I am as depresssed as before, if not more so, no motivation, just slugbait, and hungry all the time.
What are these brain zaps, and how do I deal with them??
( AND BOY AM I SO TICKED OFF at my MD who NEVER told me my continuing night swaets could be from Effexor and not return to menopause!)
I am not sleeping either..and she just prescribed Trazadone for that..a pill on top of a pill....I swore I would never do that...
Now I don't know if I will have what I need inside of me to quit..
Posted by KaraS on July 7, 2004, at 0:00:28
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects - motivation, posted by Ruth Dennis on July 6, 2004, at 10:50:49
You shouldn't have to be so sick!!! Can't you ask your doctor to let you go slower in withdrawing from the Effexor or to at least prescribe Prozac for you so you don't have such awful withdrawal symptoms? There are plenty of posts here about Prozac's usefulness for this purpose. It gives your neurons what they're craving in the short-term. Then going off of the Prozac is very easy because of its long half-life. Wellbutrin isn't going to help any as it isn't a serotonergic. I'm going off of Effexor VERY SLOWLY and I've had mimimal problems so far. There's just no need to suffer as much as you are.
Posted by Corafree on July 7, 2004, at 9:41:45
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Yes, I am having success with it, after a bit of changing the dosage regimen. Upon first starting, I took my initial 75mg upon waking and took a followup of 37.5 at bedtime. I was experiencing side effects, mainly anxiety, from around 4-5p until bedtime. I now take the follow-up dose of 37.5mg approx. 5 hours after taking my waking dose, and have virtually no anxiety or side effects, and it lasts all day! I can truly say it is the best drug I have ever been on, and I've been on all the SSRIs. I am what is called a 'POOR METABOLIZER'. Many factors go into the pharmacokinetics of a drug, making the dosage regimen individual to individuals. There are EXTENSIVE METABOLIZERS (normal metabolizers) and, like me, POOR METABOLIZERS. Some factors which go into deciding which you are, are: 1) hepatic drug clearance (low intrinsic clearance - the effect can be increased by giving a second liver enzyme boosting agent, and hepatic blood flow - how much is initially gobbled up by the liver, because the slower the flow, the higher the extraction, and vice-versa; 2) protein binding (drugs get stuck and can't go anywhere); and 3) ionization (highly ionized drugs cannot cross lipid membranes and basically can't go anywhere.) So, dosage regimens should depend upon whether you are a low metabolizer or an extensive (normal) metabolizer. It took me a while to realize I was a low metabolizer and that I would actually need more of a drug. Anyway, now I'm doing very well with Effexor-XR, and I think probably better than I did on regular Effexor tablets. I am interested to learn more about a new drug on the horizon called Cymbalta. Is Effexor going to have a competitor in its now stand-alone category?
Posted by lorily on July 7, 2004, at 16:36:35
In reply to Re: Everyone's different, but..., posted by Rowdy Redhead on July 6, 2004, at 17:40:31
Well, whatever you do, don't just stop cold, work with your doctor on the effexor. Trazadone is an antidepressant afterall and may help with your depression. Since it's generally too sedative to only take as an AD, it's given as a sleep aide and you don't HAVE to take it--at least for me-- when I start waking up too grogy, I lower the dosage or stop taking it. that lets me know my body doesn't need it so much, when I start having trouble sleeping again, i resume use. But the effexor, reading all these threads, I'm scared, I'd never have started taking it if I knew it was so difficult to stop. Weeks ago I tapered to 125 of depakote and now for the past couple weeks, none. My effexor was lowered to 37.5 1-1/2 mos ago and I've been this past week feeling side effects, maybe since i'm no longer taking the depakote. today I divided the effexor in half ang feel fine so far (actually better) and think I will continue to do that, lowering it gradually and hopefully I will not be hit so bad with withdrawals (which I've read are clinically called "discontinuation syndrome" because we are not really addicted to effexor for it to be called withdrawals.
Posted by KaraS on July 9, 2004, at 2:46:04
In reply to Re: Everyone's different, but... » Rowdy Redhead, posted by lorily on July 7, 2004, at 16:36:35
A rose by any other name...
Posted by monkey-d on July 9, 2004, at 12:36:33
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My husband and I have been happily married for 12 years...My husband is very outgoing - always the social guy with a huge circle of friends...2 years ago, he was diagnosed and medicated for anxiety and mild depression...he was first taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR and recently his dosage was bumped up to 75 mg...The past year, my husband and I struggled through an emotional time...his father battled a nasty lung cancer and subsequently died...and we both faced infertility problems...My husband and I are the best of friends - always capable of consoling one another and our communication is good...Three weeks ago, he suddenly stopped taking his medication...This was very apparent in his character and attitude...He now says he stopped taking his medication because it "masks" the real "him"...I MUST mention that his father was the world to him...mentor, friend, everything - so his dying was a huge loss for us both...On Monday - my husband left me...He claims he wants to "flush his life away and start all over"...says he was "never in love with me"...All of this I cannot understand or believe - it's as if it is all coming from an entirely different person...He has detached from his friends and family and emotionally zombie-like...I am not seeking marital help - I just want to understand what he's going through (he's not really communicating with me or anyone on any level other than trivial) and curious if this may be the result of his sudden non-use of Effexor XR...Any comments or experiences most welcome...
Posted by Harlock on July 9, 2004, at 12:54:15
In reply to Need help!, posted by monkey-d on July 9, 2004, at 12:36:33
Wow, that is horrible news. I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you that stopping any medication cold turkey can and usually does have very negative effects. The result could be anything, odd behavior, headaches, dizzyness, and a plethora of other problems.
A friend at work has a father that we believe is bipolar. He was on meds, and took himself off because, well, he's in denial, and he thinks he doesn't need them. I've been there as well. Anyway, he would suddenly say things like "I'm leaving you", to his wife, and other very abrupt statements and actions. He would then do a 180 as he became less manic.
I've personally have very impaired judgement in my manic phases, and I only realize how impaired I am *after* my manic phase ends. This is too bad as the things I have done in my manic phases were very self destructive.
What he's going through might very well be temporary. The events you describe are very familiar to me, personally, and from other people I knew or heard about.
I would say, give it time, even though this is difficult to do. I'd also explain the situation to a therapist for further ideas of how to attack the situation. I have a stong suspicion that he will eventually "come around", and basically come back to reality. His pattern of behavior is text-book bipolar, at least in my opinion.
Let us/me know what happens.
> My husband and I have been happily married for 12 years...My husband is very outgoing - always the social guy with a huge circle of friends...2 years ago, he was diagnosed and medicated for anxiety and mild depression...he was first taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR and recently his dosage was bumped up to 75 mg...The past year, my husband and I struggled through an emotional time...his father battled a nasty lung cancer and subsequently died...and we both faced infertility problems...My husband and I are the best of friends - always capable of consoling one another and our communication is good...Three weeks ago, he suddenly stopped taking his medication...This was very apparent in his character and attitude...He now says he stopped taking his medication because it "masks" the real "him"...I MUST mention that his father was the world to him...mentor, friend, everything - so his dying was a huge loss for us both...On Monday - my husband left me...He claims he wants to "flush his life away and start all over"...says he was "never in love with me"...All of this I cannot understand or believe - it's as if it is all coming from an entirely different person...He has detached from his friends and family and emotionally zombie-like...I am not seeking marital help - I just want to understand what he's going through (he's not really communicating with me or anyone on any level other than trivial) and curious if this may be the result of his sudden non-use of Effexor XR...Any comments or experiences most welcome...
Posted by Corafree on July 9, 2004, at 13:10:54
In reply to Need help!, posted by monkey-d on July 9, 2004, at 12:36:33
Yes you should do something. Cold turkey ... NOT with this one, not unless you're being taken care of every minute of the day! Contact his doc or a discrete friend/fam. He needs to taper off it slowly and maybe w/ a backup med. I know how he feels. I am on it and I feel like a zombie too. Until you wrote this, I guess I didn't really know what I was going through, I knew the anxiety was gone and that was good. I thought I was better because I wasn't having anxiety, but ya' know, it's hard feeling nothing, it's so unusual to an emotional and used-to-be outgoing person like me. I lost my best friend, mentor, too, my father, five mos ago. I am calmly planning suicide. Maybe I should be taking a second look at Effexor-XR, but then again the doctors will not give me anything for my anxiety, like Klonopin, any bendodiazepine! And, this is the only thing that works for my anxiety! I'm stuck. I just hope you can help him. He is lucky to have you.
Posted by Harlock on July 9, 2004, at 13:23:59
In reply to Re: Need help! » monkey-d, posted by Corafree on July 9, 2004, at 13:10:54
"calmly planning suicide"????
I hope you were not serious. Suicide is NO solution. There are MANY medications on the market and one or more of them may work for you.
If your current doc doesn't know much about the many different meds out there, find a doc who does. There's therapy too, of course. It's worked for many people I know.Personally, I have to believe that there will be a drug out there to help me. Luckily I've had some success with a few drugs, but a great deal of failures. I can't stand living the way I do, but, I have a wife and two kids who will be caused great pain if I were to leave them, let alone my parents, friends, etc.
Don't let your brain win, as it's just the chemical imbalance that's making you think life is so bad. It really isn't as bad as our brains make us think it is. You have to believe that.
Posted by Corafree on July 9, 2004, at 13:26:22
In reply to Need help!, posted by monkey-d on July 9, 2004, at 12:36:33
I must mention my feelings about bipolar disorder ... a lot of people have that diagnosis. But, it never fit me really. I finally realized that I had post traumatic stress which caused me to have a borderline personality disorder. Maybe, he just went through way too much trauma. Borderline people turn their feelings inward and for some reason think they are bad. There is treatment called dialectical behavioral therapy. It teaches people to think or see in a wise way, not an emotional or intellectual way, individually, but together emotions and intellect = wise. W/o emotions he may be headed down the same path that I am. I feel nothing, suicide just makes sense. I have an injury to my back for which I am taking a narcotic that also keeps me from feeling, but the pain is horrendous. I hate being a zombie too.
Posted by Corafree on July 9, 2004, at 13:32:13
In reply to Re: Need help!, posted by Harlock on July 9, 2004, at 13:23:59
My brain win - that does make sense. But, I don't have anyone. I have alerted them and they do not respond. I have been on every SSRI that exists. I have chronic pain. Tks for your insight very much!
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