![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 568 to 592 of 735. Go back in thread:
Posted by jubilee on January 14, 2005, at 17:07:00
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » msbarker2u, posted by David55 on January 13, 2005, at 20:10:52
As an emotional mess on top of the death of my 27 years old son in Feb, I went through an extreemly hard emotional time and I could not have done it without tranqulizers( come off effexor). I too about 5 months comming down and I have been completely off for a couple weeks now I think. I am actually starting to feel more normal , but I was a mad cat with my husband at times and he was very understanding , thank God or I would be divorced by now I am sure. He is very commited to me , and we talked about the insanity that we would incure during this process , even going very slow.
Taking prozak 20 mgs, every drop really helped me and I literally went down to pebbles measured on the end of my finger tip. I must say that God gave me everything I could have needed and he is no respector of persons. I wouldnt have made it without God. This site with good ol Dr Bob, bless his heart got me through some hard ties with the comaraderie. Others gave me hope and ideas. I hope I was able to help others in some way and I am part of a law suit against the maker of this drug. This drug kills and I still have insomnia and now I suffer with very damaged vision. I will have to get my 4 th pair of glasses in a couple more months this year.. I had alot of memory loss and reading consentration is still very hard and I was an avid reader. I wish all the best . Been gone for awhile so havent been able to post. God Bless, Jubilee
Posted by msbarker2u on January 14, 2005, at 17:47:48
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » dancingstar, posted by dancingstar on January 13, 2005, at 22:44:59
I posted the link to an Oklahoma law firm that has already filed a class action against the manufacturers of Effexor. Look for the posting on this thread. If you want to find it on your own, just type in Effexor Class Action on your browser and hit search. You'll see it.
Posted by dancingstar on January 14, 2005, at 18:14:19
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by msbarker2u on January 14, 2005, at 17:47:48
Like I said, their email bounces. If anyone actually hears back from them, let us know.
Posted by msbarker2u on January 14, 2005, at 18:25:06
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by msbarker2u on January 14, 2005, at 17:47:48
Go to this web page and there you will find instructions on that site to add your name to the suit and get a brochure. http://www.pcalawfirm.com/new_page_1.htm
I know this one works because I just now went there and it was only yesterday that I went through the steps to add my name and get info.
Posted by dancingstar on January 14, 2005, at 18:33:46
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by msbarker2u on January 14, 2005, at 18:25:06
I think they are collecting names...but let me know if you get a brochure and what it says. I did the same thing.
There are NO LAWSUITS FILED. Look it up yourself. We've done this already... only death cases have been filed. Sorry. It's some stupid waiting game.
Posted by msbarker2u on January 15, 2005, at 13:13:46
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by dancingstar on January 14, 2005, at 18:33:46
I am so sick and angry today I could just lay down and cry. It's been a week now without any Effexor at all and for the last 2 days I've felt better. Not today. Had to go this morning to see my little 7 year old daughter at a drill team clinic. While my husband and I were standing there holding our two boys, 1 and 2 years old, I started sweating so profusely the people around me were looking at me strangly. I got so nauseated I thought I was going to faint. Maybe they weren't really staring at me. I don't know. Maybe I'm just losing my mind. When we got in the car to leave I felt like we were going to have a wreck or I was going to fly out of the car. I've never felt or thought anything like this. I was so scared just riding in the car. This morning before we left I was laughing at my husband and then immediately felt like I was going to cry. Now I just feel like crying and crying. This is making me so darn sick and I just don't know what to do. I've been taking benedryl but it makes me sleepy. I've got children and things that need to be done. I had to get the bottle of Effexor out to fill out the FDA complaint form and I'm sitting here looking at it and knowing all I have to do is take a pill. I don't want to go back but I just don't see this going forward. God help me. I've got to go play the piano at church in the morning and I'm afraid I can't look up and down at the music and the keyboard. That makes my brain feel like it's jumping out of my skull. I'm babbling I know so I'm going to stop now.
Posted by dancingstar on January 15, 2005, at 14:09:06
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by msbarker2u on January 15, 2005, at 13:13:46
Okay, Ms. B., realistically, there are two kinds of people -- no three.
1. Some people switch to a different antidepressant, like Cymbalta, similar enought to Effexor to take away the symptoms.
2. Some people have no trouble and their symptoms are over in about a week.
3. The rest take about three months, though there is some improvement at the two month mark, but very little before then. And you are left with residual stomach and nerve problems in various parts of your body that take an unknown amount of time to heal, maybe don't.
If anyone knows differently and I'm wrong, please post it because we need to know.
Posting, complaining, talking, crying, exercising, laughing, telling your loved ones how much you love them no matter what you do or say, staying out of harm's way -- are all really helpful in my biased opinion.
Alcohol would be a really bad idea.
Socializing with your boss would be a really bad idea as would asking for a raise or trying to get a new job or meeting your fiance's parents or your husband's boss or heading a corporate meeting or being introduced to a room full or people that you have never met before (never let them see you sweat). You get the general idea....
Just don't expect to be a superhero, as I did, cause your body or the drug will win. I'm small and gentle, but I am also strong and a fighter...this has broken me for a while, to some degree, and I suspect if it got to me, there isn't anyone that it can't get to.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by David55 on January 15, 2005, at 16:08:04
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by msbarker2u on January 15, 2005, at 13:13:46
Ms. Barker - I really empathize with you in your struggle to cope. Your symptoms are worse than mine have been. But, as dancingstar said, please don't try to be a superhero. If you need to start taking Effexor again to keep yourself safe and to hold your life together, there's no shame in that - it's not your fault that such nasty symptoms are associated with Effexor withdrawal. You can both decide to restart Effexor AND work with your physician to wean yourself off it in a more controlled fashion. But, as I've written before, only you can decide what's in your best interest. Hang in there. Other than the Effexor-withdrawal nightmare, you obviously have lots going for you in your life!
Posted by bossfan on January 15, 2005, at 21:35:24
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » msbarker2u, posted by David55 on January 15, 2005, at 16:08:04
I am so relieved to have found this site and this particular thread!
I thought I was going nuts. My psychiatrist switched my meds - 150mg Effexor XL every day to Prozac. I "tapered" from 150 to 75mg for 2 days to one day w/ nothing and then start 20mg Prozac.
Everything was going fine until last night. I'm on day #2 of 20mg Prozac. The DIZZINESS, sleeping like a fiend, nightmares, chills and numb lips are horrible.
After reading the other posts on this thread, I went right to the medicine cabinet and took 75mg of Effexor and will continue to until I can call my doc on Tuesday. I think I need a more gradual taper.
I have a husband and kids. I'm supposed to drive. How can I do this when I constantly dizzy? I have slept most of the day and the dreams are freaky, vivid. My husband isn't the most supportive. He rolls his eyes when I told him I couldn't go to a party with his work colleagues tonight. He went without me and I came online to see if anyone else had wierd withdrawal.
Thanks to all of you and your posts. It has really helped me understand what I am going thru!
Posted by David55 on January 15, 2005, at 21:54:12
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by bossfan on January 15, 2005, at 21:35:24
Bossfan - you're definitely not alone. If you have to drive, especially with kids, I would definitely consider working with your physician to withdraw more gradually. It's still not going to be fun, but the last thing you want is to have someone get hurt. Hopefully, you can get your husband to read some of the information out there on the web about Effexor withdrawal symptoms. It's real and it's not your fault. Hang in there and be safe!
Posted by bossfan on January 15, 2005, at 22:29:01
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » bossfan, posted by David55 on January 15, 2005, at 21:54:12
Thanks David!
Support is really appreciated! :-)
Posted by PoohBear on January 17, 2005, at 18:09:26
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by msbarker2u on January 15, 2005, at 13:13:46
> I am so sick and angry today I could just lay down and cry. It's been a week now without any Effexor at all and for the last 2 days I've felt better. Not today. Had to go this morning to see my little 7 year old daughter at a drill team clinic. While my husband and I were standing there holding our two boys, 1 and 2 years old, I started sweating so profusely the people around me were looking at me strangly. I got so nauseated I thought I was going to faint. Maybe they weren't really staring at me. I don't know. Maybe I'm just losing my mind. When we got in the car to leave I felt like we were going to have a wreck or I was going to fly out of the car. I've never felt or thought anything like this. I was so scared just riding in the car. This morning before we left I was laughing at my husband and then immediately felt like I was going to cry. Now I just feel like crying and crying. This is making me so darn sick and I just don't know what to do. I've been taking benedryl but it makes me sleepy. I've got children and things that need to be done. I had to get the bottle of Effexor out to fill out the FDA complaint form and I'm sitting here looking at it and knowing all I have to do is take a pill. I don't want to go back but I just don't see this going forward. God help me. I've got to go play the piano at church in the morning and I'm afraid I can't look up and down at the music and the keyboard. That makes my brain feel like it's jumping out of my skull. I'm babbling I know so I'm going to stop now.
I will reiterate here what I posted under "Effexor Withdrawal - GOOD NEWS"...
I have been off Effexor (150mg per day for 15 months) for three weeks now. I tapered from 150 to 75 to 37.5mgs over a period of about 10 days. I started taking Prozac 20mg per day at the START of the taper, augmenting with Benedryl and Tylenol.
At the end of my taper, having been on Prozac for 3 days or so, I had out-patient surgery on my shoulder with general anesthesia. They put me on Percoset and Vicoden, so that my have helped the transition as well.
I am still taking Seroquel for sleep and am now just on Advil for shoulder pain. I ran out of Prozac last Friday, so no AD for ther last three days. Feeling okay so far, but will be talking to my psychiatrist later this week.
I am still dealing with major arrhythmia problems, so it may not have been the Effexor that caused that, and the reason why my doctor wanted me off it.
If you haven't started, try the Prozac and Benedryl. It REALLY works.
Tony
Posted by Wanda C on January 17, 2005, at 19:38:05
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by bossfan on January 15, 2005, at 21:35:24
There are a lot of like you out there and growing. I am still being weaned off of 300mg, and we taper another 75mg every 10 to 14 days or so. So I am always an emotional wreck. I am so sorry you are also going through this, I wish I knew if people where going through it and live near me, because I also feel my fiance doesn't understand. Right now I am at the point of wanting to run, if it weren't for my kids I would have by now. Keep your chin up!
Posted by dancingstar on January 17, 2005, at 19:58:42
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » bossfan, posted by Wanda C on January 17, 2005, at 19:38:05
Hi Wanda,
Maybe you can post the general area that you're in. I'll bet that there's someone near you going through the same thing.
Bebe
Posted by Petra on January 17, 2005, at 22:02:40
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » Wanda C, posted by dancingstar on January 17, 2005, at 19:58:42
Hello there fellow AD users. I have quit Effexor XR twice in the past 2 years. I feel your pain. When I first tried to quit, I went down from 225 mg to 150 mg and the withdrawal was severe. I had a fever, dizziness, night sweats, headache, nausea, nightmares, ect. Weaning down from 225 to 150 to 75 to 37.5 was not an option for me. The only way I was able to wean off was to open up the capsules and divide the little beads into smaller doses. I used a razor blade to divide the doses into little piles on a piece of computer paper. If you divide a 75 mg dose into four, you get four 18.75 mg doses. Divide it into six and you get 12.5 mg doses. So basically it's just a matter of deciding what dose you want to take each phase of your weaning off. I would go four days on each dose before going down. It took me 5 weeks but it was painless. A much better way to wean off. Now I know that when you break open the capsule, you are destroying the extended release capacity of the pill. It does not matter. It worked for me. Here are the exact doses I took going down every four days(some people may need 7 days of each dose). 225, 187.5, 150, 112.5, 75, 56.25, 37.5, 18.75, 12.5, 7.5. So once the dose is divided you just lick the tip of your finger and press down on the beads and they will stick to your finger. Just stick the dose on your tongue and drink plenty of water to wash all the beads down. I hope those of you that are suffering will try this method. It works. God Bless, Petra
Posted by Broken on January 18, 2005, at 8:36:05
In reply to Effexor Class Action Suit Filed in Oklahoma, posted by msbarker2u on January 13, 2005, at 21:49:22
> Okay guys, go to this web site. www.pcalawfirm.com/new_page_1.htm You can join the class action suit.
Not to discount this suit or the firm, but a couple of things stand out. Spelling errors on the page explaining the supposed suit, and I can't find any information on the firm.
Maybe it's totally on the up and up, just seems odd.
Posted by Jiggitykid on January 20, 2005, at 7:45:30
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by bossfan on January 15, 2005, at 21:35:24
First of all, DRAG your husband to the computer and MAKE HIM READ these posts. You are not crazy. You are in severe withdrawal, and will be for a while. Even tapering does not keep you from experiencing withdrawal, no matter what the liars at Wyeth tell you. There are tips to help you feel better. I suggest you look through the archives to see what these are. Please, be very careful driving and understand that what you are experiencing is normal under the circumstances.
Hang in there!
> I am so relieved to have found this site and this particular thread!
>
> I thought I was going nuts. My psychiatrist switched my meds - 150mg Effexor XL every day to Prozac. I "tapered" from 150 to 75mg for 2 days to one day w/ nothing and then start 20mg Prozac.
>
> Everything was going fine until last night. I'm on day #2 of 20mg Prozac. The DIZZINESS, sleeping like a fiend, nightmares, chills and numb lips are horrible.
>
> After reading the other posts on this thread, I went right to the medicine cabinet and took 75mg of Effexor and will continue to until I can call my doc on Tuesday. I think I need a more gradual taper.
>
> I have a husband and kids. I'm supposed to drive. How can I do this when I constantly dizzy? I have slept most of the day and the dreams are freaky, vivid. My husband isn't the most supportive. He rolls his eyes when I told him I couldn't go to a party with his work colleagues tonight. He went without me and I came online to see if anyone else had wierd withdrawal.
>
> Thanks to all of you and your posts. It has really helped me understand what I am going thru!
Posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 7:55:45
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by dancingstar on January 14, 2005, at 18:14:19
Hi, I've been prescribed effexor for the past 8 mos. and am going cold turkey now, on day 3. I was taking 150mg.SR down from 300mg.SR (way too much for me!) actually 150mg is too much.
At the time I started I was suffering from severe suicidal depression and effexor seemed to at least take care of that. I do not respond to most ssri so I was very excited to be trying an snri. Well, I'm not so excited anymore!
My side effects included constipation, tiredness, loss of libido (basically my favorite organ just shrunk up and was useless except for elimination), numbness, clouded memory, profuse sweating, and a general feeling that things were not right but I didn't care. All these side effects and I was still basically depressed, just not suicidal.
My prescriber just would tell me to keep taking it! It's time to put my foot down again (I have to do that alot with the healthcare personel I deal with). No, I'm not taking that garbage anymore. No, I'm not calling and asking your 'permission' to go off this med. No, I can't put up with the side effects. And yes, you will do your job and work with me to find a med or combo of meds that will finally work (lazy *ss!)
I have just registered here so nobody on this board knows me yet... I can't get into my lengthy mental health history right now, but I have had many, many years of therapists and docs throwing medicines at me and telling me that's what I have to settle for because they know what's best, NOT.
Well, to the point. My extremities are numb, I am getting those little shocks, nightmares, dreams that are just too weird, little crying jags, my eyes just want to go so that I can't focus, and my head just feels too heavy (or is it light) that I'm quite dizzy, kind of hot but no temperature. I have went through more painful withdrawls, but not weird like this... and I knew before i started taking the drug that withdrawl was expected. my pdoc said nothing about this drug and still will not admit that it is a problem. long term???
I have some seroquel I've been taking, it helps a bit. I will try benadryl. Benzos like ativan I feel are not so good for me because they tend to aggrevate my depression (another addiction?) in the long run. Hopefully, the short time I've been taking the effexor will be in my favor, I see that alot of people on this thread have been taking it for many years.
Cold turkey it is! Why put it off? The crying and anger are better than that dull, empty, I don't care feeling I had while on the drug. And my, um, libido seems to be working again already, I couldn't wait to try!
I am thankful to have this outlet right now, usually I do not get involved online. I do lots of reading and lurking on websites that interest me but do not register or post on threads. I will try to document my progress here so I might help someone as you have helped me. It is very painful to feel that you are the only one feeling you have lost control. Any feedback to me will be appreciated. I will have to figure out how to make the most of this online experience, where and how to post... any help on how to get around on the site will also be greatly recieved.
thanks, medhed.
Posted by Petra on January 21, 2005, at 12:35:16
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 7:55:45
medhed, I'm glad your getting off effexor as it is a horrific drug. I would not advise cold turkey, however. I tried that too. Why put yourself through that? Please wean down. My method causes no suffering whatsoever, at least for me it didn't. But there are other techniques on this board as well, like taking Prozac and Benydryl. At least do something to ease your suffering. Peace, Petra
Posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 16:54:41
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by Petra on January 21, 2005, at 12:35:16
Thankyou Petra.
Yes, i decided a few hours ago to take a dose of effexor. I just could not take it anymore. My feet felt like they were swelling up and... I guess you probally know what i was going through. I will research this more before I try again and get the pdoc involved. So I guess I'll keep taking this garbage for now (how nice for Wyeth, I guess they'll be happy about that). Besides the withdrawl, it was kind of nice to feel somewhat like myself again. I'm not a couch potato but this stuff just makes me apathetic, and the sexual side effect is unacceptable. Martin.
Posted by dancingstar on January 21, 2005, at 17:24:29
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 7:55:45
Hi medhed,
I found this board on a google search after I had stopped taking EffexorXR innocently in September. Before you completely commit to cold turkey, why not read all of my posts and allow yourself some options. It is a nasty withdrawal.
In the end it seems to me that there are all sorts of different reactions, depending on our own chemcial makeups. Some people don't have that bad a time of it and recover from cold turkey in about a week. Others can't wean off and have to end up stopping cold turkey completely once and for all.
Others, like Petra, do it a little at a time; and it sounds like that could be the way to go...all I know is that for me, cold turkey was painful...very, and while I am now just about whole again, it was one long and rocky road.
If you are able to take Benadryl, it helped me a lot. I've heard mixed reivews on the Prozac. Seems to help some more than others. I passed on it myself...but I was not taking Effexor for depression in the first place. If I were, I think I might consider this as an option cause you will most likely want either Prozac or herbal formulations just to make it through...even Superman would need it, I think. I used herbal stuff, and it does help. So do lots of good vitamins, especially the B's.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by Wanda C on January 21, 2005, at 18:51:17
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 7:55:45
This all sounds so familiar. Reading your story sounds like reading mine. There are a few of us who do keep in contact with each other, because you will come to find out we all need eachothers support to get through this. My dose was 275mg for a couple years and I felt this medicine was doing more harm then good, so my pdoc took me right off effexor and told me to take 20mg of prozac. The withdrawals kicked in by the end of the evening and by the next day I was ready to just die. I went through everything you explained,and what's weird about that is, when I try to describe it to someone like my doc who has never experienced it before, they look at me like I am crazy. My pdoc actually said he has never seen that kind of withdrawal happen to somebody off of a anti-depressant. So he immediately told me to stop taking the prozac and start taking my effexor. But now he moved me up to 300mg. So in the mean time while my body was trying to recover from the shock, he gave me 10 1mg adavan to help with the sleeplessness and everything else. Adavan is addicting, so I only get five for the month when I go see my pdoc.
I guess what I am trying to say is, we are here for you.
Good Luck!
Wanda C
Posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 20:03:21
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » medhed, posted by Wanda C on January 21, 2005, at 18:51:17
Thank you,
I'm interested in your herbal approach. If you can direct me to more info or explain your own experience I would be grateful. I am now taking this med again and I feel 'OK'. I will be planning for my next attempt and talking to the doc. I will need to try new meds after I get off effexor to prevent relapse. I also take welbutrin 300mg.XR for about 6 years now.
peace.
Posted by David55 on January 23, 2005, at 22:28:23
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you, posted by medhed on January 21, 2005, at 20:03:21
Martin - your withdrawal symptoms are very similar to the ones I experienced. I was especially interested to hear of your loss of libido and its return after stopping Effexor. I completely lost my libido and anything resembling a normal orgasm several years ago while on Effexor. I even weaned myself from Effexor a year or two ago to see if it would return. When it didn't, I blamed the lack of libido on a lower back problem I also have (L5-S1 spondylolisthesis) and went back on Effexor. This time I went cold-turkey off Effexor because I was fed up with feeling tired all the time and being in a bit of a fog mentally. I've been off Effexor for 31 days now and am generally delighted with the turn-around in my life. The icing on the cake is that my libido seems to be making a gradual comeback. I'm very hopeful at this point. I'm guessing that I didn't give my body enough time the first time I stopped taking Effexor. The side-effects of this drug are really insidious. I'm just glad I'm off.
Don't worry about not being able to kick it cold-turkey. There's no shame in that. It's better to stay safe and sane and get off Effexor more slowly than to hurt yourself or others in the process.
The one lingering withdrawal effect I have is that I'm still awfully irritable and impatient. Otherwise, life is good.
Best wishes to you and everyone else trying to deal with their Effexor "addiction".
Posted by medhed on January 24, 2005, at 0:36:07
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » medhed, posted by David55 on January 23, 2005, at 22:28:23
i was in working order again in 2 days, that may be because i was only taking med for 8mos.
now day 2 back on and the same disagreeable side effects again. i will be patient with myself and the pdoc gettig off this med. right now i just can't post much- effexor has got me again and i feel like i can't acomplish much...sooo apathetic.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.