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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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
Posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 19:23:22
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 19:08:49
> > > 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.
>
>
Yes- laughing is good. A few weeks before all this happened, I had a friend come over to try to teach me some relaxation exercises. I only did it once and didn't follow up. I saw her and told her that perhaps I should have kept "BREATHING"!
Posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 19:28:19
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 19:17:32
I agree that you and we have a right to feel sorry for ourselves...for a while. And you will heal, really, you will.
After that, we get to get a bit angry but only if it will do either ourselves or someone else some good -- well, that's how I'm feeling, I guess.
Posted by sp on January 23, 2005, at 19:41:54
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by dancingstar on January 23, 2005, at 19:28:19
> I agree that you and we have a right to feel sorry for ourselves...for a while. And you will heal, really, you will.
>
> After that, we get to get a bit angry but only if it will do either ourselves or someone else some good -- well, that's how I'm feeling, I guess.Yes- I understand. I'm starting to picture myself in front of Congress telling them that I thought I swallowed a demon. That would throw them for a loop, wouldn't it? God Bless you all. I'm going into hiding for the rest of the eve. I'll try to check back in tomorrow.S
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