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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Reneeb on February 15, 2002, at 19:04:05
In reply to Re: Effexor discontinuation, posted by JANNBEAU on February 15, 2002, at 15:48:19
> Hi Jannbeau, Thanks for the information. I have just lowered my dose of effexor now I am on 37.5mg and I see my doc of Monday. I am also on wellbutrin 300mg right now. I only had a problem with it the first two weeks after that I was fine.
I am so confused about the weight gain issue. I exercise everyday and put on 10 pounds. I was on zoloft years ago and after 3 months blew up like a balloon. My girlfriend has been on paxil and celexia to name a few and never gained a pound. She is also on wellbutrin and just went from effexor to serzone because of her sex drive. She never gained an ounce on the wellbutrin/effexor mix.
I am going to visit the site you mentioned. I would like to bring some information with me when I visit the doc.
Thanks again for the info.
Renee
Posted by SusanG on February 15, 2002, at 19:10:20
In reply to Re: Effexor discontinuation, posted by JANNBEAU on February 15, 2002, at 15:48:19
Thanks, Jannbeau, for the information. You always have interesting and informative comments on your posts and I appreciate the feedback. As I am pretty fond of my liver, I think I will stay away from Serzone, especially if I have luck with Welbutrin. I am even hesitant to try Welbutrin considering the possible or probable weight issue, but I'm not so sure I can go without any medication at all. Again, thanks.
Posted by marlene on February 16, 2002, at 10:03:47
In reply to Re: Effexor discontinuation, posted by SusanG on February 15, 2002, at 19:10:20
TWO WEEKS FREE OF EFFEXOR, ONLY SYMPTOM IS FATIGUE, WHICH COULD BE FROM DEPRESSION. AM NOT HAVING ANY SHAKING, TINGLING OR NOISE IN EARS. I ACTUALLY SLEPT THE LAST TWO NIGHTS. HOPING THIS IS ALL OVER NOW. WILL TALK TO PCP ABOUT ZOLOFT, MAYBE, STILL THINKING. HAVE CONTINUED TO FEEL MORE IN CONTROL AND LESS EATING, WEIGHT IS STARTING TO COME OFF AGAIN. NO LONGER HAVE THAT FEELING OF NOT CARING. AGAIN, WANT TO STATE, COLD TURKEY NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT AT LEAST IT IS SURVIVABLE. CAN'T REMEMBER WHO POSTED, BUT I HAVE ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM OF STARTING A SENTENCE, AND NOT REMEMBER WHAT I WAS SAYING. AND MY SPEECH PROBLEM I HAD WHEN I WAS A KID, WAS STARTING TO REAPPEAR. HUSBAND SAYS HE IS NOTICING LESS OF BOTH. JUST A UPDATE.
Posted by Launie on February 16, 2002, at 10:13:17
In reply to Re: Effexor discontinuation, posted by marlene on February 16, 2002, at 10:03:47
Just a thought about your problems with speech and remembering....have you ever been diagnosed with something
like Lupus or FM (fibromyalgia). Both of these can cause depression and can go undetected for a very long time until
they become truly noticeable, not only to you but to others. Ask your PCP if you can see a rheumatologist if you have other physical symptoms
that you can't explain. Effexor only seemed to make me more tired and that ear thing was annoying. I don't recall it causing me to have problems with
my speech. Oh yeah, in the FM world, we call not remembering a sentence or word, etc, 'BRAIN FOG OR FIBRO FOG'. It's a reality.Launie
Posted by Launie on February 16, 2002, at 10:20:14
In reply to Re: Effexor discontinuation, posted by marlene on February 16, 2002, at 10:03:47
OOOOPS! That message to Susan G was to be for Marlene! Sorry everyone. Also, another quick side note...
I feel really strongly that alot of us who suffer from all types of depression actually have other things wrong that the medical
doctors aren't testing for. I have had this happen to me. It's really disheartening to be diagnosed with depression without the doctors listening to you
about all the other things that you are plagued with. In my case, it took literally years before I found a doctor that would open his dang ears and listen!I hope this hasn't happened to you, and if so....make sure you keep shouting until someone listens. There are other ways to deal with depression that is caused by
physical ailments and diseases. Thanks and I'll shut up now.Launie
Posted by marlene on February 16, 2002, at 10:38:32
In reply to Re: To Marlene - Effexor discontinuation, posted by Launie on February 16, 2002, at 10:20:14
> OOOOPS! That message to Susan G was to be for Marlene! Sorry everyone. Also, another quick side note...
> I feel really strongly that alot of us who suffer from all types of depression actually have other things wrong that the medical
> doctors aren't testing for. I have had this happen to me. It's really disheartening to be diagnosed with depression without the doctors listening to you
> about all the other things that you are plagued with. In my case, it took literally years before I found a doctor that would open his dang ears and listen!
>
> I hope this hasn't happened to you, and if so....make sure you keep shouting until someone listens. There are other ways to deal with depression that is caused by
> physical ailments and diseases. Thanks and I'll shut up now.
>
> LaunieLaunie,
My mom had FM, till her death in Nov, we had the same doc and both of us have talked to her about me having FM, but she says just depression. I do try to yell at docs, but it took them 20 yrs to diagnosed a stomach problem which was causing my being overweight. Now they just want to keep me on Effexor, that is why I went cold turkey. I am in the process of finding a different doc. I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrom. Will keep yelling at docs, but sometimes, it is as senseless as yelling at my kids.
Marlene
P.S. Thanks!
Posted by Launie on February 16, 2002, at 10:47:22
In reply to Re: To Launie, posted by marlene on February 16, 2002, at 10:38:32
I knew it had to be something else! You poor thing. Email me at bluedog@mtaonline.net and I can get you in contact with so many
people who can help, your head will spin. There have been studies that PROVE that FM is hereditary and that there are too many
doctors out there who refuse to believe it is even a problem. I for one am trying to educate people. This is a real disease and it has medical
testing to prove it. I wish some of these doctors would quit being so lazy and learn 'new' things. Alot of FM patients also suffer from CFS. I don't personally
but I know alot who do. TTYL.
> Launie,
>
> My mom had FM, till her death in Nov, we had the same doc and both of us have talked to her about me having FM, but she says just depression. I do try to yell at docs, but it took them 20 yrs to diagnosed a stomach problem which was causing my being overweight. Now they just want to keep me on Effexor, that is why I went cold turkey. I am in the process of finding a different doc. I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrom. Will keep yelling at docs, but sometimes, it is as senseless as yelling at my kids.
> Marlene
> P.S. Thanks!
Posted by JAG on February 18, 2002, at 11:45:56
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by ann on February 14, 2002, at 20:48:43
Hello,
I have been out of the loop (thread) for awhile and I'm new to this site. I read the comments about effexor and, of course, I am worried. I just saw my doctor this morning because I feel like I am regressing. I was on Zoloft and was weaned off with effexor (37.5mg). I have been on effexor (75mg) for about 3 weeks and have been going backwards with my depression and anxiety. She increased my dose today to 150mg, I hope this works. She is telling me that I will not gain any more weight if my anxiety is under control, because that's why I was eating so much. I have also been very agitated and do not like myself these past weeks. The panic attacks returned and depression. My doctor told me that it was a result of going off zoloft fast and it is getting out of my system. She does not want me to go off effexor (she increased it), because I have not given it a good enough trial. I need to get everything under control, especially my weight. Any comments or suggestions from someone who went through or is going through the same thing. Thank you, Be Well. JAG
Posted by SusanG on February 18, 2002, at 20:34:37
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by JAG on February 18, 2002, at 11:45:56
JAG, I want to put my previous comments in perspective. Overall, I was happy with the way Effexor helped with my depression. I felt much less overwhelmed by life, and less of that generalized sadness that at times seemed crippling. I didn't feel the sexual effects I had felt on other meds. I know I should have tried harder to address my weight gain with diet and exercise and stayed on the Effexor a while longer. But I suspected Effexor was contributing significantly to my weight gain and since I seemed unable to make any headway with losing, I am getting off of it. Now that I am almost Effexor-free I have noticed a clearheadedness I didn't realize I had lost while on the meds. Perhaps you will appreciate the Effexor as you get the correct dosage worked out for you and maybe you will be one who doesn't gain; it seems some don't. It does seem to be a better choice than some other meds and I hope it works for you. At least if you decide it isn't for you, you will have some ideas from this site about how to wean off of it. Good luck to you.
Posted by Reneeb on February 18, 2002, at 21:18:48
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by JAG on February 18, 2002, at 11:45:56
> Hi Jag, I agree completely with Susan except for one thing. I execrise everyday and watch what I eat and I still gained weight. That is the reason I am getting off it too. I didnt realize how much of a haze I was in til I started to wean myself to a lower dose. I had so much more energy. I have been on effexor for 1 year and thought it worked well if you just want to exist.
I hope it does better for you.
Renee
Posted by Willow on February 19, 2002, at 7:44:56
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!! » JAG, posted by Reneeb on February 18, 2002, at 21:18:48
"I have been on effexor for 1 year and thought it worked well if you just want to exist."
For myself effexor has been the first AD that worked for my symptoms without altering my mood/feelings. I am better able to cope with major events and the everday bumps. I do still get upset by events, but am able to balance myself quickly.
Treatment of "Generalized ANXIETY" it has been a gem! It took about seven months for me to feel the whole benefits of this medication.
I had given up on medications, but have been pleasantly suprised with this one. We each are individuals, our symptoms affect each in varying degrees, plus add the different treatment options; there is no answer for all, but more importantly what hasn't worked for one doesn't mean that it will not work for another and vice versa.
Whistling Willow
Posted by Dinah on February 19, 2002, at 8:14:18
In reply to Each person is unique., posted by Willow on February 19, 2002, at 7:44:56
Posted by Mandy L on February 19, 2002, at 10:12:38
In reply to Re: Effexor discontinuation, posted by marlene on February 16, 2002, at 10:03:47
My 16 year old daughter was on Effexor for about 6 months. We had to discontinue because of lack and sleep and she began to hear voices, in addition to other unpleasant side effects. It has now been 3 weeks of cold turkey. 3 days ago she became tired and slept normally for the 1st time in six months. We have had a horrible time with withdrawal, but are pleased that the worst is behind us. This web site has been a blessing because what we were not alone in what we were experiencing. She still has bad times, but they are shorter and farther apart. We now have had two days of normalacy. If I had known then, what I know now our family would not have done this in the beginning. I hope this is encouragement for others. It will get better.
Posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 11:40:08
In reply to Each person is unique., posted by Willow on February 19, 2002, at 7:44:56
Hi Willow, I agree with you that everyone is different. I was talking about my unique experience with effexor. I was really disappointed that it didn't work for me. I have been searching for a long time to find the right mix. I am very glad it is working for you.
Take care,
Renee
Posted by Maria Warren on February 19, 2002, at 12:16:05
In reply to Re: Each person is unique. » Willow, posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 11:40:08
> Hi Willow, I agree with you that everyone is different. I was talking about my unique experience with effexor. I was really disappointed that it didn't work for me. I have been searching for a long time to find the right mix. I am very glad it is working for you.
>
> Take care,
>
> ReneeHi Renee,Mandy,Willow, and everyone,
Well I did it. I saw my pdoc Monday and convinced him to take me off the Effexor XR. Thats the good news. Now for the rest of it-- He wants to knock me down to 300mgm right away (I an currently on 375 mgm) and continue the "taper" by about 75 mgm a week . Meanwhile he refused to have me go off AD's totally given my "history"; so while I am cutting the Effexor, I will be slowly building up Celexia until that reaches 20 mgm. Now I really like this guy and have been seeing him for over three years. How ever he was recently made department head and I now feel he rushes me through my appointments more than he used to. I don't want to switch docs, with all that entails. Am I off base to string out the taper a bit more? A little help here guys? Maria Warren
Posted by IsoM on February 19, 2002, at 13:02:56
In reply to Re: Each person is unique., posted by Maria Warren on February 19, 2002, at 12:16:05
Maria, you may take months tapering down from your Effexor only to find that you were one of the people who could discontinue it reasonably quickly without suffering bad effects. You'll know how you react from the initial change from 375 mg to 300 mg. If you're going to suffer discontinuation effects, you'll feel it that first week.
If you don't feel bad, you probably can go with his tapering schedule. If you do feel bad, tell him you need to go much slower. By the way, 20 mg Celexa is pretty low. You may need 40 mg or even 60. Hopefully, adding the Celexa as you taper down from Effexor should quell the symptoms of discontinuing it.
I'm one of those who had to taper off SSRIs over months, a couple of mg at a time, & still felt sick every day & then even for months afterwards. My case is pretty rare, thank goodness. I'm taking adrafinil (Provigil's siter), Celexa, & synthroid now. I found, for whatever reason, that adrafinil's enabled me to stop Paxil this time with no problems whatsoever. I went from my 10 mg Paxil cold turkey (while taking the above combo too) to none. All other times I tried tapering off even a little, I'd get sick, woozy, etc. The only difference now is the adrafinil I take. Stopped the Paxil & never even noticed a difference.
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 19, 2002, at 16:36:10
In reply to Re: Each person is unique., posted by Maria Warren on February 19, 2002, at 12:16:05
I am tapering off Effexor (from 300mg) at 75mg a week. I am now down to 75mg and have had virtually no side effects. the best bet is cut down 75mg and see how you feel.. leave it, then do it again.. thats what I'm doing, just going at my own pace.
Nikki
Posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 20:54:39
In reply to Re: Each person is unique., posted by Maria Warren on February 19, 2002, at 12:16:05
> Maria, I am also tapering off effexor. I have gone from 150mg to 75mg and now I am on 37.5mg. My doc told me to stay on this for two weeks and then skip a day for another week. I haven't felt any bad withdrawal effects either. I listened to what people had to say here and took it really slow.
Good Luck,
Renee
Posted by Maria Warren on February 20, 2002, at 6:00:29
In reply to Re: Each person is unique. » Maria Warren, posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 20:54:39
> > Maria, I am also tapering off effexor. I have gone from 150mg to 75mg and now I am on 37.5mg. My doc told me to stay on this for two weeks and then skip a day for another week. I haven't felt any bad withdrawal effects either. I listened to what people had to say here and took it really slow.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Renee
Hey Renee, Nikki,IsoM, and everyone,
you have no idea how much I appreciate your positive posts! I had read so much that was negative about coming off Effexor XR. It frightened me and caused me such saddness, because of all the AD's I had ever been on, Effexor had done the trick for me better than any other. Had it not been for the weight gain I probably would have stayed on it.
I like the title of this thread "everyone is unique" and I am trying to remember that. It is just so good to know that I have companions in this healing proccess. And thanks to you Dr. Bob for providing this site for us. Keep the support coming -- I have just begun to taper! Maria
Posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
In reply to Re: Effexor is a bad drug!! i need help!!!, posted by JAG on February 18, 2002, at 11:45:56
Could any of you help me with a weird symptom I've been having? I'm not sure if it is Effexor related but could be. It sounds like the Brain Zaps that have been mentioned by others. I get these odd sensations like dizziness but not exactly. They are somewhat like the feeling you would get if you stepped off a curb unexpectedly or like the feeling off starting to nod off in a boring lecture, then catching yourself. I feel it just in my head, like little head hiccups and notice it mostly when sitting quietly. I have experienced them before but they have been worse lately and I wonder if this is due to weaning off the Effexor. I thought it could be due to dehydration or allergies so I tried to address these issues but no change. I just wish it would stop. Anyone recognize this?
Posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:46:49
In reply to Re: Each person is unique., posted by Maria Warren on February 20, 2002, at 6:00:29
> > > Maria, I felt the same way. It was the weight gain that got me too. Keep in touch and let us know how its going for you. I will let you know how its goes when I am skipping a day. Thats the one I am worrying about.
Renee
Posted by shelia on February 20, 2002, at 13:47:10
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
http://depression.about.com/library/weekly/aa052598.htm
(that seems to explain it)
As for myself, no thanks, I was given this medication simply to quit smoking with.
I had taken other pills, and although I cannot recall the name of them right now, they are prescriberd in order to quit......little purple pills with happy faces on them and I became so paranoid, I thought I was going to have a stroke.Maybe easier just to grn and bear it, instead of going though this anxiety....... ;-(
> Could any of you help me with a weird symptom I've been having? I'm not sure if it is Effexor related but could be. It sounds like the Brain Zaps that have been mentioned by others. I get these odd sensations like dizziness but not exactly. They are somewhat like the feeling you would get if you stepped off a curb unexpectedly or like the feeling off starting to nod off in a boring lecture, then catching yourself. I feel it just in my head, like little head hiccups and notice it mostly when sitting quietly. I have experienced them before but they have been worse lately and I wonder if this is due to weaning off the Effexor. I thought it could be due to dehydration or allergies so I tried to address these issues but no change. I just wish it would stop. Anyone recognize this?
Posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:53:50
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
> Susan, Yes! I do understand what you are feeling. I had that too when I started to wean myself off of effexor and decided that since I did well going from 150 to 75mg that I would try skipping a day. Not a good idea. I immediately took a capsule. I am down to 37.5 right now and next week I am planning to try skipping a day.
What dose are you on?
Renee
Posted by Maria Warren on February 20, 2002, at 14:24:24
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:53:50
> > Susan, Yes! I do understand what you are feeling. I had that too when I started to wean myself off of effexor and decided that since I did well going from 150 to 75mg that I would try skipping a day. Not a good idea. I immediately took a capsule. I am down to 37.5 right now and next week I am planning to try skipping a day.
>
> What dose are you on?
>
> Renee
Susan,
Yes, I remember those. Someone around here called them "brain farts"! they can be unerving especially if you dont know what they are. I also call them "CNS Hiccups" . Evidently, depending on when and where they happen (fatigued, sitting up, concentrating vs relaxing) strange little things can happen. Like once we were eating and my arm just flipped my fork up! Usually though it's all internal. These too shall pass. Maria
Posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 17:25:00
In reply to Re: weird symptom » SusanG, posted by Reneeb on February 20, 2002, at 13:53:50
Renee, I have the 75 mg capsules which I decided were too difficult to split. So with the advice of my doc, I have gone from one a day to one every other day, then every three and so on. Today would have dropped me to one every fourth day but it seems crazy to give myself a dose of 75mg then nothing for four days so I think I am off altogether now. I would have prefered to take daily doses at decreasing amounts but the doc (nurse actually) said this would work the same. Not so sure, but here I am. If only I could stop the twirlies but they are survivable, just disconcerting. Thanks for your input.
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