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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by medhed on January 22, 2005, at 21:59:29
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » roobie, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 21:11:05
this is so amazing. i was in suicidal depression and effexor did bring me out of that, but that's it. all these months i've been thinking it was me, not the pills. something in my head told me it was the drug, and that i shoud stop. even the pdoc told me it was the depression crippling me, 'take some more and some of this too.' why would she do that when she should have known? i even went to my medical doc and i was sure i was sick with something that they could only find with extensive testing. he thought my symptoms could be mono (gave me a blood test, test was N) but most likely it was the effexor. sweating, numbness, sexual disfunction, total apathy, loss of appetite but no weight loss at all, drenching night sweats, difficulty making desisions, and just a plain dulling of my personality. i tryed to quit but the withdrawl was scarey, so i'm on day 2 back on the med, i'm back to my old drugged self sans withdrawl. pdoc gets a call mon. and i will have to school her on how i should be weaned off, i'm sure she doesm't know! i complained to her some months back that 300mg. was too much and she dropped me down to 150mg... i've been sick since, with no hint it was the effexor. i guess i should feel lucky- i thought i was physically dying- so that should make the withdrawl worth it... better than cancer or diabetes. it's a damn shame i had to diagnos myself and it took so long. i could go on and on about my situation but i type with one finger and it's saturday night.
i love you guys for being here. martin aka medhed.
Posted by Raggy on January 22, 2005, at 22:40:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » roobie, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 21:11:05
I cannot stress enough that everyone who has had a problem with effexor to please write the FDA so something can maybe done to warn others.
It is very, very important that the FDA hear all your stories.
Speak Up America.
Posted by sp on January 22, 2005, at 22:45:44
In reply to Re: Effexor - how long is the withdrawal period?, posted by Jenna Starrett on January 22, 2005, at 11:18:00
Hello everyone- I am reading all of this and would like to share my experience with Effexor withdrawal. If I'm lucky, it hasn't ruined the rest of my life. I was dumb, admittedly, and went cold turkey off a total of 112.5 mg. daily. Here are my experiences. Let me also note that I went on it for hormone difficulties ond work anxiety. It started with extreme dizziness which lasted 5-6 days and I could barely walk. My face near my mouth and my tongue felt like they were trying to wake up after Novacaine. I had severe "brain zaps" that went on for about 4 weeks and still happen rarely when I'm tired or upset. My legs felt like they weren't working right- not weak, just weird. I could hear my eye movements in my head and started having delusions. I had never had delusions before, please note. I also had some slight cramping that seemed to last for weeks as well. After the physical Hell subsided, I began crying fits for no reason and had trouble speaking to people and barely did because I truly had no desire to do so. I'm still feeling this way and I can tell this is improving but ever so slightly (good days, bad days). My emotions are like raw nerve endings and quite uncomfortable. PLEASE do not get off this unless you are under a doctor's care and one that is fully informed re the possibilities of symtoms. I thought I was a smarty and could handle this on my own. All I want now is quiet and this seems to be the way to heal my brain. PLEASE listen and make sure you have a friend with you. A VERY PATIENT friend. S
Posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 22:46:24
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by medhed on January 22, 2005, at 21:59:29
medhed,
I thought I was dying, too. My blood pressure was 90/60, and my total cholesterol was 100. Honest, I thought I would be dead in a year or two from some illness they couldn't find. I'm not sick. There's nothing wrong with me besides a few aches and pains and leftover withdrawal crap!
Posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 4:20:07
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » medhed, posted by dancingstar on January 22, 2005, at 22:46:24
I told my primary doctor that I was afraid of withdrawl from Effexor and he said "naaaaa." So how can I give him something to educate him. Many doctors don't believe what people post on the web (from boards like this) because they think it is just a few rare cases. (I went through this with my vet about my sick dog... I actually diagnosed my dog with hypothyroidism. She thought that since I read it on the web it was hogwash). I am going to look at the articles and things that have been posted.
I am going to call my doctor on Monday and would love to drop off some literature or something. I hope weaning off this more slowly will lessen the side effects.
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 4:22:23
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 4:20:07
I just posted some links that you might be able to use on the other thread, "has anyone had success on effexor."
Posted by Jenna Starrett on January 23, 2005, at 11:19:46
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 13:10:44
> Thanks Jenna and Worm. So how long were your withdrawal symptoms?
>
> My sister is a psychologist and she called the psychiatrist in her practice this morning. He said that I should go back on the 37.5mg Effexor and 150mg welbutrin for 2 more weeks and then try to drop the Effexor again and up the Wellbutrin to 300mg. Of course, I have to tell this to MY doctor on Monday. I did take a Clariton today but I couldn't stand it and took one of my 37.5mg Effexors and I already feel 80% better. I had only been on the 1/2 and 1/2 medication for 1 week... probably need to wean off more slowly. I am glad to hear that the 300mg of Wellbutrin is doing well for you. I hope it works for me. I had tried zoloft and Lexapro but it didn't help at the beginning. Effexor was the first thing that brought me out of my depression...but it made sex frustrating for me. It sounds like everyone here things Effexor is evil.. so perhaps it's best that I continue to wean off of it. Thanks so much. - Kathy
Kathy, I started out on 150mg of Effexor XR last April, then got a really bad bout of depression in September. My doctor increased the Effexor to 300mg to try to help with the depression. I was complaining about the sexual side effects, so he put me on 150mg of Wellbutrin XL to try to counteract the side effect. Well, my memory problems were getting so bad, I was ALWAYS thirsty and using the bathroom etc... I told him about these problems and in December and he suggested I switch from Effexor to Wellbutrin, and he dropped me back down to 150mg. It was about 2 or 3 days later when I started to get the SEVERE (as we all know) side effects and thought I was going to die. My friend and BOSS (how embarrasing) took me to the ER where they did blood tests. I thought it was from the Effexor because I was having those wierd volts that I got when I didn't take my meds on time. I ended up on the Psych ward for 72 hour observation (thank God I was able to go under voluntary status). While in the hospital the Doctor took me off completely (on the last day of treatment). I knew I would start having the side effects again in a few days (and did NOT want to go back to the hospital) so I started looking on the internet and found this sight (THANK GOD!) That is when I read about the Claratin D(the Clariton took about 6-8 hours to start working the first time I took it)I started taking the Clariton every day as directed, and was starting to freak cause I was so mad at Effexor that I flushed a full bottle down the toilet. I didn't have any side effects (that were noticable-NOTHING compared to the hell I was in before. One night about 3 weeks later, I had run out of Claratin and thought I was probably better now, so I didn't get more. The next morning I had a hair appointment and went in... I began to get very anxious, dizzy, aggitated, cold sweats and of course VOLTS. I ran out immediately to get the Clariton and again, it took about 6 hours or so to start working. It was hell waiting but it finally worked. I know now that I will probably have to take it for a while. It is pretty expensive but I'm scared to see if maybe a prescription (similar to Clariton D) would work. I would much rather take the Clariton than Effexor! Of course everyone is different and it may not work for everyone. By the way, the 300mg of Wellbutrin XL is a blessing and I feel sooooo much better (it may keep some people up at night- the 150mg of Trazedone I take at night allows me to sleep regularly) PS... did you get the Clariton D? I'm not sure if plain Clariton would work the same. Anyhow, I pray that you will find something that works for you (whatever it is) to ease your pain.
Please keep writing and let us know how you're doing! Take Care, Jenna
Posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 11:40:01
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Jenna Starrett on January 23, 2005, at 11:19:46
Jenna,
I will call my doctor tomorrow and I wrote a long note to him explaining what I went through last week and up through yesterday. I will drop that off in the morning at his office. Today I took my 37.5mg of Effexor and I feel great... but I am going to suggest to him that I do this for another 1-2 weeks. Then perhaps cut the Effexor down to 25mg or something (using the immediate release pills that one can break into smaller bits). I did buy some Claritin but ended up taking the effexor last night so I don't know if the Clariton did anything. I have it for the next time. At least now I will be prepared. It hit me like a train because NO ONE told me this would happen. I am going to fill out a MedWatch form and send it to the FDA and I have a letter and articles for my doctor to let him know that he should have prepared me. I am the kind of person that likes to know worst case... just so I am prepared. I didn't know anything in this case. He told me that it was rare that people will have withdrawal symptoms from Effexor. I don't know where he is getting HIS information but the articles I am giving him say otherwise. I hope he reads them and respects my assertiveness.
I don't care if it takes me a year to get off Effexor gradually but I can't deal with the vomiting and dizzness. I didn't have the jolts that others did but then again, I only had 3 days without the Effexor before I went back on the 37.5mg (with the Wellbutrin). I am not going to suffer through this. I have a job and a family that needs me an I need to be at my top (or close to) performance.
I also read that a little Prozac can help with the symptoms. I'm willing to try anything.. but this time I will be on the defensive. :) I appreciate all the support and will let you know what my doctor says and does (and if he doesn't agree, I'll go to you OBGYN who is awesome).
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 11:50:12
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 11:40:01
Did you guys catch this link? I wonder what the pdocs have to say about this?
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050119/msgs/446198.html
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 12:55:15
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 11:50:12
That is not the link I was trying to post....I'm not very good at this at all. So sorry!!!
Please forgive me for that last one. It was really stupid.
I was hoping that this might help people to know that it is possible that they may know a little more than we have been led to believe. I was truly disappointed to read this:
Posted by Fathe on January 23, 2005, at 14:23:24
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 12:55:15
Wow, those dates go back to 1995 and here it is, what, 10 years later and we still are not receiving better information from Wyeth? That is shameful. I also saw that these were posts from doctors!!! You would think they would have taken the lead to get the message out there to their fellow physicans and say "Hey you should warn your patients about the withdrawal effects before prescribing it to them". Very puzzling to say the least.
> That is not the link I was trying to post....I'm not very good at this at all. So sorry!!!
>
> Please forgive me for that last one. It was really stupid.
>
> I was hoping that this might help people to know that it is possible that they may know a little more than we have been led to believe. I was truly disappointed to read this:
>
> http://depression.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.dr%2Dbob.org/tips/split/Antidepressant%2Ddiscontinua.html
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 14:28:24
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » dancingstar, posted by Fathe on January 23, 2005, at 14:23:24
There is a whole huge web site attached to that. It is beyond disappointing to me. The doctors ignored it. They knew, and they did nothing at all. They even pretended that patients were faking it or underplayed their symptoms, made fun of them. I'm really upset about this.
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 14:29:48
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Fathe, posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 14:28:24
Check out the other link at "Anyone successful on Effexor...."
Posted by remar on January 23, 2005, at 17:28:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » dancingstar, posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 14:29:48
this is remar and as i'm reading all of your posts i just want to cry. i've been off of effexor for almost two months now and i'm still so sick. in the mornings i feel better but when the evening comes i start getting sick to my stomach and i still get dizzy sometimes. the tingling in my arms still happens sometimes too. how many months does it take to get over this? i'm so tired of being sick and i know it's the effexor because i've never felt this way before. i was on it for almost five years so maybe it will take a long time to feel healthy again. my heart goes out to all of you suffering through the withdrawal of this horrible drug. take care. remar
Posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 17:57:45
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by remar on January 23, 2005, at 17:28:44
Hello again everyone- Has anyone else experienced delusions like I did? I'm starting to think that I had more than just withdrawal from the Effexor. I see it listed but not many people have discussed this. After seeing that link, it sounds like they are discussing some effects but certainly not discussing the depth of the possibilities. So many of the people who write in are going through Hell. Hang in there Remar- we'll all get through this together.S
Posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 18:29:48
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by remar on January 23, 2005, at 17:28:44
It doesn't sound like you all are doing this with the help of a doctor, are you? I plan on having my doctor try to help me with it, if there is help. Introducing Prozac or weaning off VERY slowly. I hope something works. I couldn't stand feeling sick for months.
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 18:42:59
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by remar on January 23, 2005, at 17:28:44
Remar,
Follow my posts back, and you will see that it took me three months to feel better. You'll make it, honey, I promise!!!
Just know that you are not alone and that those of us that have gone through the same thing understand how bad you are feeling. Our bodies are so amazing, and you will heal completely. Trust that because it is true. Each time you don't feel well from here on forward, it won't be as bad as it was the time before. You will get stronger and stronger, little by little. Watch and you will see.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 18:45:01
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 18:29:48
> It doesn't sound like you all are doing this with the help of a doctor, are you? I plan on having my doctor try to help me with it, if there is help. Introducing Prozac or weaning off VERY slowly. I hope something works. I couldn't stand feeling sick for months.
I thought(before I read all of this) that it wouldn't be a big deal or maybe some slight dizziness so I went off of it myself. BAD idea. Now, I think I found a great Dr. and she didn't look at me like I was nuts when I discussed the withdrawal symptoms. In fact, unless she's good at hiding it, she didn't seem suprised at all. Some folks don't seem to hit all the possible withdrawal symptoms like I have. Thank God I didn't throw up. I think God knows that I can handle a delusion or two but not losing my lunch.(smile). Don't be afraid. Keep a good Dr. and a good friend by your side as well as QUIET and PEACEFUL surroundings. S
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 18:45:49
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 17:57:45
I didn't, but as you very well know each us are very different. It's certainly possible with all of the unknown information, isn't it?
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 18:47:39
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 18:45:01
I lost the lunch, but no delusions ;-)
Posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 18:58:25
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » sp, posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 18:45:49
> I didn't, but as you very well know each us are very different. It's certainly possible with all of the unknown information, isn't it?
Yes- I'm feeling alone here with my delusions. I hope they are all gone now and I think they are (funny thing about delusions, eh?). I had awoken one night at about 3 in the morning and thought I had swallowed a demon. I knew it wasn't right but was scared to death to say the least. I'm telling you this stuff is nasty. How could they minimize so much in their studies? I have to beleive that others experienced some of these things that we have been going through. They may have said that some feel slight electrical feelings in their extremities but they didn't say things like I heard one guy say on another sight... " Help... I feel like my brain is being sucked out of my head."
Posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 18:59:58
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » sp, posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 18:47:39
> I lost the lunch, but no delusions ;-)
P.S. I'm sorry you lost your lunch.
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 19:04:58
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 18:58:25
Did you read this link? You ARE DEFINITELY NOT ALONE :-):
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Antidepressant-discontinua.html
PARTIAL QUOTATION:
"Date: Fri, 31 May 1996 22:20:42 -0500
From: gsdavids@niagara.com (George Davidson)
Subject: Antidepressant discontinuation reactions"I see all sorts of strange complaints from stopping SSRIs too soon. These include mood disturbance, psychotic features such as illusions or frank hallucinations, extreme agitation, and severe malaise.
"Irritability and "over-reacting" don't suprise me in the least, and I find the story as you present it quite consistent with SSRI sudden-withdrawal syndrome. Having learned the hard way how terrible the effects of suddenly stopping SSRIs and venlafaxine (Effexor) can be I now routinely urge all my patients to come off these drugs gradually. I have seen the worst reactions from paroxetine (Paxil), but I have seen them in all the SSRIs. It is claimed that they ar more frequent in drugs with a short half-life -- certainly it doesn't seem to happen with fluoxetine (Prozac), to my knowledge. I have seen the withdrawal sydrome at low doses, like Paxil 20 mg and even Zoloft 50 mg.
"If in doubt that a symptom is due to SSRI withdrawal, just give a test dose and see if the symptoms soon disappear. It has been said on Psychopharmacology Tips that one dose of Prozac, due to its long half-life, can stop the SSRI withdrawal syndrome. The one time I tried this, it did not work, and I needed to give the Prozac daily for a week, then once every 2 days, etc."
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 19:08:49
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 18:59:58
> > I lost the lunch, but no delusions ;-)
>
>
> P.S. I'm sorry you lost your lunch.I lived...thanks. guess i thought i wouldn't at the time. at least i can laugh now.
Posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 19:17:32
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » sp, posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 19:04:58
> Did you read this link? You ARE DEFINITELY NOT ALONE :-):
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Antidepressant-discontinua.html
>
> PARTIAL QUOTATION:
>
> "Date: Fri, 31 May 1996 22:20:42 -0500
> From: gsdavids@niagara.com (George Davidson)
> Subject: Antidepressant discontinuation reactions
>
> "I see all sorts of strange complaints from stopping SSRIs too soon. These include mood disturbance, psychotic features such as illusions or frank hallucinations, extreme agitation, and severe malaise.
>
> "Irritability and "over-reacting" don't suprise me in the least, and I find the story as you present it quite consistent with SSRI sudden-withdrawal syndrome. Having learned the hard way how terrible the effects of suddenly stopping SSRIs and venlafaxine (Effexor) can be I now routinely urge all my patients to come off these drugs gradually. I have seen the worst reactions from paroxetine (Paxil), but I have seen them in all the SSRIs. It is claimed that they ar more frequent in drugs with a short half-life -- certainly it doesn't seem to happen with fluoxetine (Prozac), to my knowledge. I have seen the withdrawal sydrome at low doses, like Paxil 20 mg and even Zoloft 50 mg.
>
> "If in doubt that a symptom is due to SSRI withdrawal, just give a test dose and see if the symptoms soon disappear. It has been said on Psychopharmacology Tips that one dose of Prozac, due to its long half-life, can stop the SSRI withdrawal syndrome. The one time I tried this, it did not work, and I needed to give the Prozac daily for a week, then once every 2 days, etc."
>
>
Thank You! I read that but apparently missed the delusion and hallucination part. I guess I'll just keep on every day and give my brain time to heal. It does seem that every day gets a little better. To be honest, I think I'm feeling sorry for myself. And, I think I have the right to feel this way with what I am ( and all of you other luckies)are going through. I have to say that when I was taking the Effexor, things seemed ok and I NEVER would have guessed this to happen. S
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