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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by johnno on January 4, 2004, at 7:00:24
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 3, 2004, at 22:26:38
Hi All,
I've been lurking here for a while just to get the gist of the posts. I've been cold turkey on Effexor now for 28 days. Had been on 75mg for 2.5 years, but decreased to 37.5mg for the month prior to cessation. I've been thru' this before, but crashed after 5 months, and went back to the nipple. This time I'm determined to stay off, as was sick of sleeping 10 hours a night, and then needing another 2 hours siesta to get through the day. Yes, I suffered every withdrawal symptom described in these posts. Days 3 - 6 are the worst, be prepared. From then on, it's often a matter of two steps forward, one back, but... it does get better! Every ensuing day will give you a 10% improvement. Don't be impatient, and expect a major improvement over a short period. There will be times when you feel the depression has returned, and one small tab will take you back to normality. Don't be tempted! If you've come off the drug, then make sure you dispose of any remaining tabs, and then play Jason, by roping yourself to the mast, and disregard the Siren calls.
With you all.
Posted by Sandman on January 4, 2004, at 10:48:54
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
I just thought I would add my two cents here. I've been on 375 mg of Effexor for several years and have no intentions of trying to go off of it. I have a long history of depression and Effexor (with Remeron) are the only anti-depressants that will work for me. (My doctors tried virtually every anti-depressant and every combination of them.) According to many doctors I've spoke with, going off of Effexor could be very risky. If I ever needed to go back to it, there exists a high probability of it not working the second time.
I learned something else that's quite interesting from the head of the psychiatry department at a major Chicago hospital. Years ago, it was believed by the psychiatric community, that after being on an anti-depressant for six months or so and feeling better, it was OK to come of the medication(s.) But in recent years they've learned differently. Supposedly, if a person has had more than one major depressive episode, the depression will very likely come back again. Therefore, someone with a history of depression such as myself, needs to stay on the medication indefinitely.
I have read some, but not all, of the above posts and am sure many of you have situations different than mine. But if your situation is like mine, you may want to talk to one or more psychiatrists about whether or not to stay on Effexor or whatever anti-depressant you may be taking.
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 4, 2004, at 11:08:09
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 2, 2004, at 10:47:03
I am really sorry to hear about your daughter in law. Have you done web searches on suits. I can attest to the fact that the withdrawal makes you psychotic and say things and do things that you don't mean and that are totally out-of-line with your character. Maybe your daughter-in-law experienced this and then got so depressed over the aftermath effects that she became suicidal.
When I tried to get off this before I went to my doctor and he said the reason I was experiencing this withdrawal was because I actually needed the drug. I have yet to come across one person who can say they easily came off this drug. It is scary as anti-depressants seem to be the most easily prescribed drugs around. And I think we are really still in the dark ages in so far as what they really do the brain.
My deepest sympathy for your family's lost. Her loss of life was so unnecessary.
Suzi
Posted by Raggy on January 4, 2004, at 12:02:22
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by suzicreamcheese on January 4, 2004, at 11:08:09
Thank you for your kind words Suzi. Still so very hard, happened in September and son is still so devasteded. Was a very tough Christmas. Stay strong and pray for God to give you the strength you need to be healthier and happy.
Posted by Raggy on January 4, 2004, at 12:05:12
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Sandman on January 4, 2004, at 10:48:54
I understand what you are saying Sandman and if it works for you, that is just great. With all drugs, what works for some does not work for others. I do think more clinical trials should be done on these mind altering drugs though.
So glad it does work for you.....
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 4, 2004, at 12:17:25
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 4, 2004, at 12:02:22
I am sorry about that. You know, I said some things so mean to my family while I was in the worst part of the withdrawal I am scared I will never be able to face them again and that is a guilt that can make one suicidal. Maybe you can email my dad for me and explain to him what Effexor withdrawal does and what it did to your family. I feel so awful I am holed up in my house and won't answer my phone. Suzi
Posted by Raggy on January 4, 2004, at 12:42:01
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by suzicreamcheese on January 4, 2004, at 12:17:25
Suzi,
I would be happy to help you out any way that I can.
Posted by wildchild1957 on January 4, 2004, at 13:12:35
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - my approach, posted by baddog55 on January 1, 2004, at 10:53:59
First of all, I would like to say that Effexor XR has to be about the best drug on the market for depression. It saved my life and I highly recommend it to all my friends...lol.
I'd like to start by quoting my psychiatrist that helped me through my recovery..Dr. J, I call him."The medications will only do so much to help you, YOU will have to do the rest."
I am of the opinion that with just medications alone, that a person will never be quite ok. The jouney inward (the good, the bad, and the ugly) is the only sure fire way of curing depression. By breaking down your own personality and ridding yourself of parts that do not serve you to your higher good is the only way for ultimate healing. The accepting of those parts because they were probably invented to protect you, determining if they are really who you are and who you want to be, and then the decision to either keep that part or let it go. This needs to be done with the "Objective Viewer" part of ourselves, the part that doesn't criticize or condemn. It's sort of a Life Review without judgement.
Sit back, buckle up and get ready for a long ride. There are no quick fixes. It took you a long time to get to where you are, but it doesn't have to take that long to "fix" you to where you can stand yourself and love yourself. And remember that those changes will take practice and don't be so rough on yourself if you don't get it right the first try...Tomorrow is another day and you can try again and you will make it..cause THIS IS YOUR LIFE and we are co-creators and We Are Powerful. What matters most is that you keep trying. When being ok with who you are becomes your number one priority...only then will life turn around.
There is not one thing about who you are that you can not change...It is the only real place we have the Power to control and most of the time I found that changing my perspective was the only thing that I could really do and to understand that big question WHY that slams your brain all of your life.
Second, I'd like to discuss my version of getting off of Effexor from 75mg and down.
I suggest taking 37.5mg Effexor XR (extended release) twice a day..morning and night. After about a week. Take one in the morning OR at night. Get the pill form for 37.5mg which is good for 12 hours instead of 24 hours. Take one in the morning and one at night for about a week. Reduce that dose to one 37.5mg pill once a day for a week. Drop to one every other day for a week. Every 3 days. By this time you should be forgetting to take it..lol.
An anti-anxiety med will help with this process. Not to take the place of but to help in the real nervous times. Even benadryl will help. I have found that when I get so bitchy that I can't stand myself...just 1 effexor 37.5mg XR a couple of days will help tremendously. I find myself using them at times on an as needed basis from day to day.
Hope this helps someone. *smiles*
I have a new saying: If you're being who you truly are and who you want to be, then you're PERFECT just the way you are. Perfection is like anything else..It's in the eye of the beholder.
Posted by dmbdelta on January 4, 2004, at 14:32:43
In reply to Effexor, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness., posted by wildchild1957 on January 4, 2004, at 13:12:35
I agree that EX was a great help when I was going through fairly severe depression, and it helped me keep my wits and sanity during a difficult time. This thread has been about those of us who are going through withdrawal for various reasons. My life drama's seem to be over, and I feel pretty stable right now. I have learned my lessons about falling in love with borderline disorder personality. It nearly pushed me over the edge, and I did not help her a great deal.
I am in my 9th day of 'cold turkey' and I am really happy that I did not drag out the process by cutting down gradually. From the others that I have read, their 'brain zaps' lasted the entire time they went through withdrawal, and in some cases months. I feel fairly good today, with only a brief period each 3-4 hours, only lasting moments rather than hours. I still feel it a little when I move my head quickly. I started working out again, and the added endorphins will help with time. I am also taking anti-oxidents and a few other natural supplements.
A good friend (happens to be a shrink) tells me that it will be 3-6 months until all of the effects of effexor are gone, but from now on it will be tolerable. I do not blame anyone for what I have gone through in the withdrawal, because I am not sure I would be here if I did not get on a strong anti-depressant when it was needed.
For those in the first few days, God bless, and your time of relative peace is only a few days away. Keep up with this thread, as the sharing with others going through the same thing is quite helpful. I guess we call this E-Group.
Love to all,
Delta
Posted by mapm on January 4, 2004, at 20:07:54
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 4, 2004, at 12:02:22
i've run out of my effexor xr a few days ago. i do have a new perscription but i wont be able to pick it up till tomorrow. unfortunately i also h ave to have some very important conversations tomorrow, which leads me to my question: did anyone find anything they could do at home that made them more functional (the problems i'm having are mostly chills/sweats, dizziness, and a pms-like teari-ness). I'd really appreciate any suggestions, otherwise i'll just have to hope that tomorrows pills kick in by the time my meetings start. ugh.
Posted by mapm on January 4, 2004, at 20:50:58
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Sandman on January 4, 2004, at 10:48:54
I'm in a similar situation. I've had depression for a long time now, and i'd tried going off drugs both with and without physician supervision and both times relapsed after a certain time. On the other hand all the med books say that relapse rate drops most dramatically when you combine therapy and medication, so i'm considering that so that i'm not tied to drugs for my lifetime--who knows when tolerance to this stuff works out? who knows what other things will not work once you get tolerant to it?
Posted by sick of being sick on January 4, 2004, at 21:49:33
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Sandman on January 4, 2004, at 10:48:54
> I started taking 20mg of Sarafem two years ago for my PMDD. It was increased last year to 40mg (same as Prozac). The Sarafem didn't seem to be helping so the doctor's assistant put me on 150mg of Effexor. After about a week I started having electrical shock-like sensations in my head. The sensations were so bad I thought I was having a stroke and went to the hospital. I told the doctors I was on Effexor, but they didn't correlate the two. Was told they couldn't find anything wrong and sent me home.
I was then taken off of Effexor over a two week period and put on some other drug that only works on your seretonin levels. I was on it for about 3 weeks but still had my original symptoms of PMDD. So the doctor put me back on Effexor starting at 37.5mg for 2 weeks then up to 75mg. I was on the 75mg for 3 weeks and starting having the electrical shock-like sensations in my head, hands and feet again. I started having panic attacks and horrible, realistic, "no body likes me" nightmares. My thoughts started racing and I felt overwhelmed with all the things I needed to do! I felt like I was loosing my mind! I couldn't stop crying, couldn't sleep - but was tired and just felt plain rotten. So I called the doctors and they told me to just STOP taking the Effexor and wanted to see me. But I couldn't drive, so they told me I just had to "wait it out"It's been six days since I've taken the Effexor and I'm still experiencing these awful syptoms! I went to see the genius doctor yesterday and he said, "Oh you probably have an inner ear infection." I can't seem to get anybody to understand how bad I'm feeling, or how scary these electrical shock-like sensations feel! What should I do?! Don't the doctor's know?!
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 0:00:03
In reply to Re: Stay away from Effexor, posted by sick of being sick on January 4, 2004, at 21:49:33
You should stop feeling the worse soon. You need to let people who love you know and warn them that you are very irrational now. Whatever you do - don't take anymore or the cycle will go on and on. If you've made it 6 days you can make it. The worse will end real soon. I did a lot of damage to relationships in days 3 through 5. Try not to let that happen to you. Hope it all goes well for you. Suzi
Posted by pala on January 5, 2004, at 0:27:00
In reply to Re: Stay away from Effexor, posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 0:00:03
Suzi,
I would like to reiterate that the withdrawal effects should diminish especially the shocks,
don't be concerned about this, only thing that
you need to take utmost care is to control what
you say and do, it is best not to mingle with
people around you for few days as very trivial
things can perturb your feelings and make you crazy.Do this, ask your PD to first educate himself
he doesn't know what she/he says, if he says it
is ear infection, he has to stop practicing as he is not fit to do his job.Meanwhile, be calm you will certainly feel better and better as days pass by, hang in there and
I wish you the best.pala
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 0:39:30
In reply to Re: Stay away from Effexor, posted by pala on January 5, 2004, at 0:27:00
Thanks - the last time I went to doc for help on getting off (last feb.) they just upped my dose. Now was a good time to get off - no job, etc. I feel adamant about never going to a pshyc again and never taking an anti-depressant again. Obviously, they seem to cause more problems than they solve....
What happened to the good old days when your gp would just give you some Valiums for the rough days???
Thanks again, Suzi
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 0:40:35
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 4, 2004, at 12:42:01
Raggy - Please email me at suzschott@hotmail.com. Thanks Suzi
Posted by diwildflower on January 5, 2004, at 1:43:10
In reply to re: home remedies anyone? Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by mapm on January 4, 2004, at 20:07:54
I too am wondering if there are any home remedies for the nausea from coming off the effexor?
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 2:22:36
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by Raggy on January 2, 2004, at 12:18:48
Day 8 off Effexor. I am still not ready to speak to anyone directly. Me finally getting off the drug was a fluke. It happened last Sunday (or Saturday). I have been trying to get off Effexor for two years. I forgot a dose and decided to run with it and live out the withdrawals. I had one thing going for me; yet something else going against me. Firstly, it takes time off from everything to get off this drug. At least a week from any obligations (job, relationships, anything). Probably the best is two weeks in a padded room somewhere.
I went through the worst of my withdrawals in a time of my life I probably should of never of done it – unemployed for 6 months, late on all bills including mortgage….
Yeah sure, those circumstances would of made anyone depressed to begin with…
Personality changes seem subtle – they always are because they happen so slowly. I seem to have more clarity of thought. Maybe Effexor put me in a fog so subtly for three years I forgot what clarity was really like. And I tell this to the group now because I know if I keep feeling this clarity of thought it will become so normal I wouldn’t think to even mention it in just a couple of days.
I can say I experienced a thought of sexual desire today that seemed so out of whack because I haven’t had a thought like that in years. These are subtle things that are hard to discern.
Days 4, 5 and 6 are really the worse as everyone says. If anyone survives that part of Effexor withdrawal I think they can survive a nuclear holocaust; but unfortunately, I believe I will feel the effects for the rest of my life as fallout. If you have any vented up anger it will come out…. I guess that is the bad part that can make people run back to their doctor who will comfort them by giving them more of the drugs to keep them in the fog.
Guess I am lucky I no longer have health insurance so that is not an option for me….
As for Raggy now contending with her daughter-in-law’s suicide. I honestly can see how this drug can do this. It is so tragic and a life that should of never gone wasted – she had so much love and so much to live for yet the Effexor made her psychotic and doubt her recovery so much she had to relieve herself by taking her life.
We should take this beyond coming to this site for comfort and make a voice to be heard somewhere that Wythe pharmaceuticals and like companies (Paxil and Celexa makers) must stop marketing these drugs. These drugs are still so in their infancy and we have been the guinea pigs.
Good luck everyone, Suzi
Posted by hatemylife on January 5, 2004, at 8:12:30
In reply to try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by cybercafe on October 18, 2003, at 18:31:09
OK, I've read several of the posts and I'm terrified now. I had no idea that life could get any worse, but it seems that facing Effexor withdrawal could put me over the edge. I'm on 75 mg now and have been for over a year. I'm still very depressed and have enough anger to light up the city. I have plenty of reasons for both, but the Effexor doesn't help. I skipped ONE pill the other day and spent my day in the crazy house. I had panic, crying, and was so distracted that I wonder just what I did at work. I want to stop taking this stuff, but this is a bad time of year for me anyway. This month is 11 yrs since my oldest son was killed in a car crash at age 16. I have a bottle of Zoloft to take when the Effexor runs out and that will be soon. Any advice? No ins and hubby unemployed.
Posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 9:59:59
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by hatemylife on January 5, 2004, at 8:12:30
> OK, I've read several of the posts and I'm terrified now. I had no idea that life could get any worse, but it seems that facing Effexor withdrawal could put me over the edge. I'm on 75 mg now and have been for over a year. I'm still very depressed and have enough anger to light up the city. I have plenty of reasons for both, but the Effexor doesn't help. I skipped ONE pill the other day and spent my day in the crazy house. I had panic, crying, and was so distracted that I wonder just what I did at work. I want to stop taking this stuff, but this is a bad time of year for me anyway. This month is 11 yrs since my oldest son was killed in a car crash at age 16. I have a bottle of Zoloft to take when the Effexor runs out and that will be soon. Any advice? No ins and hubby unemployed.
My doctor had to try almost every anti-depressant and various combinations before finding something that worked for me. She finally had me try a combination of Effexor and Remeron. Not only did it work, but she said it had worked well for most of her patients who tried it. If you haven't tried this combination, you may want to ask your doctor about it. It couldn't hurt to try it. The Remeron you is taken at bedtime and helps you sleep really well too.The one crazy thing about Remeron, which your doctor should know, is that too low a dose will make you very tired during the day. But it may be necessary for a few days or a week to gradually build up to a higher dose which won't make you tired. Effexor and Remeron have literally given me my life back.
I realize that some anti-depressants work for some people but not for others. But since, according to my shrink, this combination appears to help so many, it couldn't hurt to try it.
Posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 10:14:19
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 9:59:59
Start weening yourself from the 75 mg. Open the cap and take half and take the other half tomorrow. (you can just shake that stuff into your mouth. Make a point to take less every few days until you are off. I am having major withdrawals from quitting cold turkey and I was only taking about 15 mg a day. Too late for me to taper now - I will never take any of these kinds of drugs again. Sorry about the loss of your son. They gave me Effexor after I lost my mom. Good luck, Suzi
Posted by bipolar1 on January 5, 2004, at 10:27:10
In reply to Re: Going through Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by suzicreamcheese on January 5, 2004, at 2:22:36
Hello, I've been taking Effexor XR for the past three years. When I am taking it regularly, I feel good, but I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced some of the withdrawal effects that I've had. I take 450MG a day combined with Depakote, Zoloft, Lithium, Lamictal, and sometimes Seraquil. It is a scary thing for me to ever miss a dose. I ran out Saturday and haven't had a chance to refill yet. I am lucky that I woke up this morning. I slept from late Saturday night until 8:30p on Sunday. I was up for a few hours then back to sleep. Besides the nightmares, I find myself "trapped" in sleep. It is like an out of body experience for me. I observe myself, but can do nothing to control my motor functions. I lay in bed silently screaming out for help and trying desperately to make my body move, but nothing happens. When I have been off this med in the past, I have often had to check myself in to a hospital to protect me from myself. I hope I am never in a situation where I can't afford to stay on this med because I'm sure that I'm dependant on it.
Posted by jerseydevil on January 5, 2004, at 10:28:57
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 9:59:59
As noted in the previous post, every person requires their own "cocktail" or combination of meds to adjust their body chemistry. My opinion, and I am not a doctor, just a guy currently on 8 meds for MDD (r/o BPII), including having recently started on Effexor at just 37.5 and topamax at 50 which seem to have put me in just the right spot, DON'T GIVE UP, and don't just change meds without the advice of a psychiatrist. BEFORE you run out of Effexor, if you can't afford to see a doctor, go to your local hospital ER and check in as a Jane Doe. Explain you have no insurance, you can't afford a doctor (don't mention your job), and you are about to run out of Effexor. Free samples are usually available.
Posted by mapm on January 5, 2004, at 10:31:10
In reply to re: home remedies anyone? Effexor Withdrawl now » mapm, posted by diwildflower on January 5, 2004, at 1:43:10
> I too am wondering if there are any home remedies for the nausea from coming off the effexor?
i'd just read about someone swearing by benadril. about to try...
Posted by Sandman on January 5, 2004, at 10:57:47
In reply to re: home remedies anyone? Effexor Withdrawl now, posted by mapm on January 5, 2004, at 10:31:10
> > I too am wondering if there are any home remedies for the nausea from coming off the effexor?
>
>
> i'd just read about someone swearing by benadril. about to try...
>You may want to try Dramamine too. Although it's primarily for nausea associated with motion sickness, it once helped me during a long bout of nausea when I had stomach problems.
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