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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ParkWood on May 17, 2004, at 14:02:02
Hi, I have been reading a lot of feedback regarding Effexor weaning side effects, but wanted to start a new thread completely dedicated to this, if anyone is interested. I am in the process of weaning off of Effexor XR 187.5 (150 mg & 37.5). My doc had me on 50 mg of Zoloft and 187.5 of Effexor XR for anxiety. I took a month to wean off the Zoloft and now am on my 3rd week of slowly weaning off the Effexor and as soon as I went down to 75 mg everything started getting crazy! I see "tracks", like if you put your hand in front of your face and move it, you see the track lines of your hand, I'm always anxious, I wake up in the middle of the night which I always did, but now with the "panicky" feeling and inability to fall back asleep for hours. I feel groggy, slow, and I feel like I'm on the verge of a headache but it's just some pressure and strain behind my eyes and forehead. I'm really worried, but my doc will just keep me on the meds and I really want off and want to deal with my anxiety issues drug-free. I also gained a ton of weight, like 30 lbs. but I was first on Paxil and gained 20 lbs then switched to Effexor and gained about 10 more lbs. I'm looking for success stories with weaning off of this drug or truthful stories even if they're bad cuz I really need to know what I'm up against when this Friday I go off the drug for good. Thanx.
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 17, 2004, at 16:08:16
In reply to Effexor Weaning Side Effects, posted by ParkWood on May 17, 2004, at 14:02:02
Dear Parkwood
You are experiencing the "normal withdrawl" effects common to Effexor and other Meds.
I too am weaning off Effexor, after about a year
at 150....and now here at 75, in starting to get
the anxiety, visual disturbances and sleep interuptions you mention.I too gained 25 pounds on Effexor, after being at the same weight for 5 years prior
Lets keep each other updated on our progress
Buckey Fan
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 17, 2004, at 16:11:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Weaning Side Effects, posted by Buckeye Fan on May 17, 2004, at 16:08:16
Almost forgot!
I take 2mg of Xanax at Bedtime and it helps me sleep.
Been doing that for 4 years now...havnt reached "tolerance" with it yet.
It really helps me...you might mention it to your MD
Posted by ParkWood on May 17, 2004, at 16:21:27
In reply to Re: Effexor Weaning Side Effects, posted by Buckeye Fan on May 17, 2004, at 16:11:51
R U concerned about becoming addicted to Xanax? Actually though, I don't see how it's any different then Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, etc. According to the docs if you take Xanax every day to relieve the anxiety you can become addicted, but if you take Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, or others every day, it's non-addictive, yeah okay, look at what our bodies are going thru just trying to get off of it.
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 17, 2004, at 21:13:56
In reply to Re: Effexor Weaning Side Effects, posted by ParkWood on May 17, 2004, at 16:21:27
Xanax is as hard to "get off" of as herion.
Assuming one has taken it long enough....and at a substantial dose ( 2-4 mg per day)
Everything I have read has said that xanax ( alprazolem) is one of the MOST addictive drugs on the planet.
I am trying to discontinue Effexor...but my Xanax? That's a whole new ballgame!!!!!!
Guess Im "hooked".
Posted by seeknsolace on May 17, 2004, at 22:24:48
In reply to Effexor Weaning Side Effects, posted by ParkWood on May 17, 2004, at 14:02:02
> Hi, I have been reading a lot of feedback regarding Effexor weaning side effects, but wanted to start a new thread completely dedicated to this, if anyone is interested. I am in the process of weaning off of Effexor XR 187.5 (150 mg & 37.5). My doc had me on 50 mg of Zoloft and 187.5 of Effexor XR for anxiety. I took a month to wean off the Zoloft and now am on my 3rd week of slowly weaning off the Effexor and as soon as I went down to 75 mg everything started getting crazy! I see "tracks", like if you put your hand in front of your face and move it, you see the track lines of your hand, I'm always anxious, I wake up in the middle of the night which I always did, but now with the "panicky" feeling and inability to fall back asleep for hours. I feel groggy, slow, and I feel like I'm on the verge of a headache but it's just some pressure and strain behind my eyes and forehead. I'm really worried, but my doc will just keep me on the meds and I really want off and want to deal with my anxiety issues drug-free. I also gained a ton of weight, like 30 lbs. but I was first on Paxil and gained 20 lbs then switched to Effexor and gained about 10 more lbs. I'm looking for success stories with weaning off of this drug or truthful stories even if they're bad cuz I really need to know what I'm up against when this Friday I go off the drug for good. Thanx.
I guess its been something like six weeks effexor free. I too thought I was ready to deal with my issues in being 'drug free'. I feel really fortunate for not having so many difficulties with anxiety/depression that I've read thru out this forum. Effexor had also been my only med that I had a true relationship with.
I read up on withdrawals as much as I could before 'D' day. It prepares you in the sense that knowing what you are going thru is 'normal' but it doesnt take the edge off of feeling like total sh*t.
The experienced sucked but I'm thru the worse of it.. symptoms are mild to none and thankful that part of its over, but the depression is coming back with a vengence. I'm hoping it's a passing "phase" and I can find myself again, but in the end, I realize I wasnt as strong to come off and deal with my emotions as I thought I was, as when I was on effexor.
Any questions.. feel free to ask.. and good luck.
Posted by ku4ns on May 18, 2004, at 9:28:23
In reply to Effexor Weaning Side Effects, posted by ParkWood on May 17, 2004, at 14:02:02
Try Prozac. I can't say enough about this drug helping me with the withdrawal of effexor. I had tried to stop effexor in the past and experienced all of the discussed side effects. Then my physician put me on 20mg of prozac for a week prior to stopping effexor, no side effects at all. I am near two months without effexor and have dropped my prozac dose to 10mg. My physician said that I could stop the prozac anytime without side effects, but my experience with effexor made me want to taper all drugs. John
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 18, 2004, at 11:07:42
In reply to Re: Effexor Weaning Side Effects, posted by ku4ns on May 18, 2004, at 9:28:23
Thank you.
I will try that approach.
Cause this right now.....stinks~
Posted by Majeed on June 12, 2004, at 23:43:24
In reply to Re: Effexor Weaning Side Effects, posted by Buckeye Fan on May 18, 2004, at 11:07:42
Hello guys,
I have been on effexor xr for a year by now. The reason I was put on effexor is for the misdiagnosis of hypothyroidism( Hashimito's thyroditis) by doctors. That made me go through hell of symptoms plus the anxiety of having a magical illness that NO BODY else had before I pushed for thyroid treatment and was right about it.
Anyway, I have been on 150 MG ( 75 day/75 night). I cut my night dosage to 37.5 and stayed on the same dose for day .
Experienced few symptoms from 3- 6 days . Then it was somewhat fine till the 10th day. That was really bad. Almost collapsing. Wake up tired in the morning, feel very groggy , and that feeling of discomforts inside my brain is bothering my big time. same for day 11th and Today, Saturday .I slept 9 hours last night, wake up had something for breakfast , took my thyroid meds and the 75 MG of effexor xr. After two hours, my body was feeling very fatqiued and slept for 4 hours from 12 noon to 4 PM. This is not usual for me. That must be the dosage reduction.
To make it short, how long it takes for the body/mind adjust to the new dosage ( 75 day / 37.5 night) ??
I really want to get off this med, but at the same time I can't afford being down for several days. I have responsiblity at work and I am expected to be there everyday.
I have read much literature on using prozac, lexpro, while weaning off, but I don't want my body to addict on those meds.
Anyone with good plans on weaning off effexor ??
I really appreciate you going through my message since I don't have many people to talk to about this issue.
Best health to all.
Majeed.
This is the end of the thread.
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