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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by cassandra on July 21, 2004, at 17:18:23
In reply to Re: It DOES Get Better!, posted by boatsie on June 17, 2004, at 13:57:23
I would like to say -for those who might be scared to start taking effexor because of all the horror stories out there- that my experience of this drug has been a very positive one.
I started taking effexor xr 37.5mg six months ago for major depression and almost immediately started feeling much better. Initial side effects like slight insomnia and being a bit too hyper subsided within two weeks. I went from being totally apathetic and incapacitated to enjoying things again, became very productive at work and was capable of dealing with major life changes that probably started my depressive episode. Anyway within two months I was as good as I have ever been in my life (32 yrs old). Recently I decided to maybe get off effexor. My doctor agreed and told me to start opening the capsules and getting half of the 37.5mg dosage each day and we would even try to reduce it further within three weeks. Well because of huge workload I forgot to fill my prescription before I started any of the tampering and went two days without effexor. What I felt was NOTHING, meaning nothing bad no withdrawl symptoms whatsoever. I called the doctor who said since I wasnt experiencing any withdrawl symptoms I should give it a try without the drug and let him know how it is going. It has been two weeks now, I feel as good as I did on effexor (which is very good) and I did not have any withdrwal symptoms.
Of course things could be very different for different people but I know that I got very scared initially of taking this drug and if I hadn't I would potentially still be suffering (a lot)
I hope this helps
Posted by step on July 26, 2004, at 18:36:19
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Tiffanie on June 8, 2004, at 16:30:50
I was on Effexor at 75 mg for about 2 months and started having really bad reactions (suicidal thoughts etc) so my doctor is taking me off the meds. She took me down to 37.5 mg for 5 days, then 37.5 every other day for 5 days and now nothing.
I took my last pill on friday. Friday night I had severe diarhea and intense headaches that felt like my brain was going to explode. On saturday I had chest pains and more headaches. After getting out of the shower yesterday I experienced bad "brain shivers", blurred vision, headaches, more chest pain and fatigue. Today more of the same.
From what I've read online the chest pains, headaches and blurred vision are probably high blood pressure. I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow morning and see what she has to say.
Since I started Effexor I've had vibrant dreams and nightmares, and they are continuing through what I guess is my withdrawal. Had I known Effexor had such an effect I never would have started it. It did actually make me feel great for a few weeks when I started....*sigh*
Anyway, I'm just glad I haven't been on this drug for years and/or on a higher dosage. I imagine the withdrawals would be worse for me if that was the case.
Posted by Jiggitykid on July 26, 2004, at 20:53:54
In reply to Effexor withdrawal?, posted by step on July 26, 2004, at 18:36:19
Bless your heart - you are experiencing "normal" withdrawals. For sure you should advise your doctor of this. Don't be surprised if you meet resistance that these symptoms are real or widespread. My experience with it had me feeling better after two weeks - the worst symptoms were over. After a month, I started to feel more like normal, and after two months, everything (except the blurred vision) settled down.
Maybe one day, some great day, this medication will be dispensed with the warnings sounded loudly and clearly. Hang in there!
Posted by rolie12 on July 26, 2004, at 22:24:52
In reply to Effexor withdrawal?, posted by step on July 26, 2004, at 18:36:19
Effexor withdrawal is horrible. It has been 5 days and the vomiting has stopped, but the zaps continue and now I have muscle spasms at night. My legs will just tense up and start to shake. My pdoc told me to go from 300 mg to 150 for two days and quit. I did it for 1 and don't think 2 would have mattered. She never said anything about withdrawals, just said if the zaps continue to talk to my MD or neurologist to see if it's something else. Right doc! No problems until this drug was in my system and now trying to get out. Will not go back to her~
Posted by FaithT on July 26, 2004, at 22:45:36
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal?, posted by rolie12 on July 26, 2004, at 22:24:52
I withdrew from Effexor
a month ago..You can see my above posts. It was hell, and nothing less, BUT I got through it, and so can you. The brain zaps, nightmares and insomnia lasted about 3 weeks, and got progressivly better as time went along. The insomnia still is working itself out, but is much better.
YOU WILL GET PAST THIS! Trust me, I am SO grateful to be past it all. It will get better..Hang in there!
Hugs, Faith~
Posted by Jiggitykid on July 27, 2004, at 7:33:46
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal?, posted by rolie12 on July 26, 2004, at 22:24:52
I'm not a doctor, but my personal experience is that the zaps will go away after the withdrawal is complete. Your doctor is simply one of the thousands of doctors who has been "convinced" by the drug company that withdrawal doesn't exist.
You *should* begin to feel improvement in about another week, then by the end of the month you should feel more in control. Moodiness and crying jags are also "normal." Very vivid dreams come with the package. Take care driving at night because you might have halo-vision, which goes along with the zaps.
The best things you can do for yourself: 1) Let yourself off the hook. What you are experiencing is normal and not in your control. Give yourself permission to ride it out. 2) Tell those around you (the ones you can trust) what is going on and let them read some of the posts here about withdrawal, so that they can support you and not think you're sick or mean or crazy, etc. 3) Print out the testimonials here (look in the archives) and take the stack to your doctor. She needs to be informed. Whether she'll believe you or not isn't the point. We are not a noisy minority. This is COMMON, and anyone who refuses to believe this is lying to themselves.
ANYONE READING THIS: If you take Effexor, low dose or not, works for you or not - odds are that you WILL experience this withdrawal when you stop.
Please take care of yourself and give yourself time. It will get better - check back here and keep us posted. My withdrawal took the steps of two weeks for the bad stuff, a month for the general stuff (like the mood swings, etc., which my doctor tried to tell me meant that I needed to go back on something), and two months to feel my personality and LIFE come back. Take care!!
Posted by step on July 27, 2004, at 14:10:58
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Becky on October 2, 1999, at 22:03:30
Well... I went to see my doctor, and big surprise she didn't believe I was suffering withdrawal. According to her I couldn't possibly have withdrawal since a) She had put me on a weaning off schedule and b) None of her other patients had ever suffered withdrawal before while weaning off Effexor.
"Wha? Excuse me?" I felt like asking, "What the heck do I have then?"
Here I was feeling comforted that it probably was withdrawal and I wasn't dying from some strange disease, but she was so sure it couldn't be that. Oh great!
I showed her documentation I found online
( references to articles, petitions etc. ) She told me I couldn't trust the internet. When I showed her that one of the articles was from a medical journal, she told me that 'we can't trust all journals either".I strongly suspect she believes that I am imagining my symptoms because I took the time to educate myself online. *sigh*
So apparently I'm to put all my faith in a doctor who has never before encountered a patient suffering Effxor withdrawal while weaning off, and therefore doesn't believe it's possible.
Well fudge.
she told me to come back and see her in a week, and if I get chest pains again to go to emergency rather than coming to see her. No way I'm doing that! Wait times for emergency are horrendous! Besides, if I was going to have a heart attack, I'd have probably experienced it shortly after the chest pains started on saturday!
I'm so frustrated right now. My brain is zapping all over the place, my chest still hurts, I'm tired and I'm cranky!
Thank god I have peple here who can assure me this should go away eventually, or I'd sink into a horrid depression.
Posted by step on July 27, 2004, at 18:05:14
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal?, posted by Jiggitykid on July 27, 2004, at 7:33:46
It occurs to me that a lot of people probably don't realize they are experiencing withdrawal. From what I've read some of these symptoms can be attributed to a mild flu: (headaches, skin sensitivity, tiredness etc)
Chances are some people think they have a flu, don't connect it to Effexor withdrawal and never report it to their doctors. This would explain why my Doc thinks I'm lying to her, since no one she's weaned off Effexor has gone through this according to her.
It make me feel like I'm a nutcase with "pretend" symptoms or something. Grrr.
Posted by boatsie on July 28, 2004, at 22:14:38
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by step on July 27, 2004, at 14:10:58
I just returned from my Dr. who has been supportive in my tapering off but very concerned about the wildfire which is now smoldering in my brain, under control through medication. I have been down to 150 mg. from 300, tapering to 225 then to 185 tyhen to 150. i have been extremely exhausted and today she indicated that under 225, the drugs ability to interact with the norepineprine receptors is nill. We have agreed to a compromise, since she will be out of country until mid august and I am going to take 185 1/2 mg. until she returns.
There are many who post to this board whe do not suffer from the severe psychotic depression and recurrent depressions which have plagued me through my life. Both my pharmacist and doctor are encouraging me to remain strong even if I find I cannot go all the way off effexor; to be content to have scaled it back so that i am no longer in the fugue, ....... i just keep researching, to find out if the damage done to my neural, endocrine et al systems IS irreperable. So many of these postings are from people who were on 75 mg or even less .... I walk a very thin line between functioning and disability and i am opting for functionality. I am hopeful , always hopeful, that this will be possible again without drugs.
Deborah> Well... I went to see my doctor, and big surprise she didn't believe I was suffering withdrawal. According to her I couldn't possibly have withdrawal since a) She had put me on a weaning off schedule and b) None of her other patients had ever suffered withdrawal before while weaning off Effexor.
>
> "Wha? Excuse me?" I felt like asking, "What the heck do I have then?"
>
> Here I was feeling comforted that it probably was withdrawal and I wasn't dying from some strange disease, but she was so sure it couldn't be that. Oh great!
>
> I showed her documentation I found online
> ( references to articles, petitions etc. ) She told me I couldn't trust the internet. When I showed her that one of the articles was from a medical journal, she told me that 'we can't trust all journals either".
>
> I strongly suspect she believes that I am imagining my symptoms because I took the time to educate myself online. *sigh*
>
> So apparently I'm to put all my faith in a doctor who has never before encountered a patient suffering Effxor withdrawal while weaning off, and therefore doesn't believe it's possible.
>
> Well fudge.
>
> she told me to come back and see her in a week, and if I get chest pains again to go to emergency rather than coming to see her. No way I'm doing that! Wait times for emergency are horrendous! Besides, if I was going to have a heart attack, I'd have probably experienced it shortly after the chest pains started on saturday!
>
> I'm so frustrated right now. My brain is zapping all over the place, my chest still hurts, I'm tired and I'm cranky!
>
> Thank god I have peple here who can assure me this should go away eventually, or I'd sink into a horrid depression.
Posted by flyingdreams on July 29, 2004, at 11:54:05
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by boatsie on July 28, 2004, at 22:14:38
Have you check your thyroid? Simple blood test will do, but get your results and compare them to the chart online at about.com under hypothyroidism. I just found out my dr read my results wrong. Now on a thyroid med instead of SSRI's. This is often misdiagnosed as depression! Apparently everyone who has ever been depressed should have their thyroid checked every year! It's estimated 600,000 people are going undiagnosed! After going thru 7 months of withdrawals I finally found out why they weren't going away!
Posted by LynnM. on July 30, 2004, at 0:31:11
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better! » rolie12, posted by FaithT on July 26, 2004, at 22:45:36
I am totally off Effexor, too, about a month, now. My brain zaps are few and far between, and when they do reappear, they are very minimal in "strength". I feel much, much better...almost back to my old self.
One thing I do want to know, if someone can tell me: I probably gained about 15 lbs. while on the Effexor. Weight isn't lost easily by me. Will I start to see it drop off now that I'm off the med., or will I just have to work twice as hard to get it to come off? I did notice weight loss after I came off of Zoloft years ago, but I was also in the middle of a personal crisis, which could have helped account for the weight loss.
The weight gain issue has been tough for me.
Posted by Jiggitykid on July 30, 2004, at 4:24:07
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better!, posted by LynnM. on July 30, 2004, at 0:31:11
I did drop about 5-7 pounds, but stopped after that. I probably could lose more if I'd get moving ;-). Hopefully, you'll see some of it go away, too.
Congrats on making it through!!!! You're in the home stretch!!
Posted by FaithT on July 30, 2004, at 6:44:03
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better! » LynnM., posted by Jiggitykid on July 30, 2004, at 4:24:07
Yep..me too. I gained 10-15 lbs., and I weighed 125 my entire life..Now, after being off for a month or so, I did drop like 5 lbs. but that's it. SO, you might have to work at the weight stuff..
Faith~
Posted by alan38 on August 2, 2004, at 9:42:57
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better! » Jiggitykid, posted by FaithT on July 30, 2004, at 6:44:03
Question- I have been totally off Effexor for about a month 1/2. Brain Zaps totally gone however, am experiencing alot of indigestion, tightness in stomach/acid reflux. Can this happen this long after stopping the drug????
Posted by boatsie on August 3, 2004, at 14:44:53
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better!, posted by alan38 on August 2, 2004, at 9:42:57
Tomorrow I am seeing a naturalist to help me with essential oils, homeopathy, etc. as I continue my attempt to taper off effexor. After going up again from 150 to 185 for one month, i have to report that getting back up to this level after l week down is also a hell. Indigestion, stomach burning, exhaustion, confused thinking, short term memory really bad, that feeling of the 'big black hole in my head' back in full force. My therapist told me that below 225, the drug no longer effects levels of norepinephrine ....
the fear and excitement i felt at the beginning of the summer has been replaced with a sense of doom, that i am the one whose depression was so far advanced that the damage to my brain is irreversible.
I wonder if doing exercise can h elp elevate endorphins which would replace norepeniphrine? Anyone?
Has anyone received a PET scan or done any research on the clinicial trials for vagus nerve stimulation?
Posted by peaceplease! on August 14, 2004, at 14:29:25
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better!, posted by LynnM. on July 30, 2004, at 0:31:11
> I am totally off Effexor, too, about a month, now. My brain zaps are few and far between, and when they do reappear, they are very minimal in "strength". I feel much, much better...almost back to my old self.
>
> One thing I do want to know, if someone can tell me: I probably gained about 15 lbs. while on the Effexor. Weight isn't lost easily by me. Will I start to see it drop off now that I'm off the med., or will I just have to work twice as hard to get it to come off? I did notice weight loss after I came off of Zoloft years ago, but I was also in the middle of a personal crisis, which could have helped account for the weight loss.
>
> The weight gain issue has been tough for me.I must say thanks to all of you I feel like I am not alone! My husband thinks I'm crazy most of the time. I was taking Effexor XR at 75mg for at least 1 year and then brought it down to 37.5 (my doctor has been monitoring me over this time) for at least another 8 months. Over the last few weeks it became apparent that the weight gain of approximately 25lbs over the last two years is not just due to my eating habits to compensate for days when I am in a bad mood!! I was working out for at least 4 times a week for 45 min of cardio and not seeing any change. Before Effexor I could drop at least 10lbs like this after about 6 weeks of hard work.
So I took the advice of a doctor who mentioned that one of his patients tapered himself off by taking the little balls out of the capsule gradually. I am now take about 20 balls a day and am definitely finding myself crying a lot more and feeling very anxious in social situations.
I might follow up with the advice to take Prozac to help this withdrawal. I really thought I found a balance with the 37.5 --it's not worth it to be 25 -30 lbs heavier. I'm sure it's affected my marriage :(
Posted by FaithT on August 14, 2004, at 17:40:12
In reply to Re: It really, really does get better!, posted by peaceplease! on August 14, 2004, at 14:29:25
I just wanted to let everyone here know that, although it is no picnic to get off of Effexor..It can be done. I've been off now for almost 2 months.
I went on this med. 2 years ago, after being diagnosed with melanoma at 150 mg. per day. I couldn't handle the fear of the cancer, and I was convinced that I was going to die right then and there..That was 2 years ago, and I'm still here. I'ma wife and a mommy to the best little boy on earth..and I try very hard to LIVE!
The fear is still with me, but I have accepted that it is, what it is...Effexor or no Effexor. That's not to say that the fight isn't a little harder without the med., because it is...but, I'm doing it.
I gained 15 lbs. on this med. too..I guess it must be common. I can't seem to lose it, but I haven't tried very hard either..
Anyway, my best to you all in this journey..It can be done!
Faith~
Posted by Erica22 on August 30, 2004, at 20:16:31
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Tesssi on June 11, 2004, at 23:01:07
I was taking 75 mg of Effexor and the doc said to take 37.5 mg of Effexor for a week then stop and the original plan was to switch to Paxil the next day but Paxil caused such bad symptoms they told me to get off of it after 3 days. My symptoms from Paxil like a weird cough, feeling angry, and sleeping more got the nurses worried. Just wanted to let you know yes I am experiencing major vertigo and some zaps with being off Effexor for 8 days and now the symptoms are getting in the way of me doing stuff. I have more energy I feel more with it I feel more like myself like I am more in touch with myself but I have this vertigo, which I refer to as "Head Sommersalts" which makes me want to hold my head and close my eyes to feel together. I too have been nauseated and stomach symptoms like the flu, going to the bathroom more.. And I have gotten in itch fits and I still itch often. Anyways you guys say give it 3 weeks to notice it getting better. Thanks for the heads up. When I tried Paxil for 3 days it made me sleepy during the day, even though I took it the night before. So no Paxil or Effexor. I wish I could get something to stop the vertigo. If you would have seen my face at school this morning it showed I felt sick to my stomach ie dizzy and nautious with no appetite Anyways I'm thinking about staying off ADs but if I get my brain fog back - the original reason I tried Effexor (and it did help w/ that)- I'll try Welbutrin. Take Care! And thanks for the posts letting me know that the symptoms I have occur with getting off Effexor.
Erica Ann
Posted by Anandia on August 31, 2004, at 23:16:57
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Erica22 on August 30, 2004, at 20:16:31
I've been trying to describe to my doctors the weird sensation I have been experiencing since going off of Effexor abruptly a few weeks ago. It's like my arrythmia, only it "pulsates" up my neck into my face/cheeks and simultaneously down my arms to the palms of my hands. The OB who gave me the samples said it wasn't due to withdrawal and that I should see my cardiologist. I was doing some research tonight and saw a list of withdrawal symptoms that included: sensory disturbances (including shock-like electrical sensations)!!! That is what I've been trying to describe! I've also been seriously fatigued, major headaches, anxious and short-tempered, night sweats, nightmares or just bizarre dreams, and gastrologic nastiness (won't go into any more detail there :P). This drug is strange, I've never had withdrawal symptoms like this from ANYTHING I've ever taken. I have also been having strong suicidal ideation but haven't mentioned it to anyone for a variety of reasons, the least of which is because I haven't got health insurance at the moment. The doc who gave me the Effexor (Oh, I was on 75mg XR) gave it to me free - a bunch of samples. I couldn't afford the $120 price tag for the prescription he wrote for me.
Posted by Jiggitykid on September 1, 2004, at 6:30:57
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Anandia on August 31, 2004, at 23:16:57
You are describing what I experienced, too. Thankfully, I found this board and discovered that I wasn't completely crazy ;-). Most doctors don't seem to know (and some don't believe) that there is significant physical withdrawal from effexor, no matter the dosage level. I quit cold-turkey at 250 mg. I was "fit to be tied" for two weeks, and not normal for another month. It took a while to get completely out of my system. That was back before Thanksgiving '03. I am "normal" now. I was still having troubles at Christmas, but nothing near what I was dealing with for the first 2 weeks to a month after cessation.
The drug company MUST be held responsible for this. They are ruining lives with this. I know, I know - there are those among us who say that effexor has saved their lives. My caution is that it will NOT last, and quitting the drug is inevitable. I urge them to come back here for support during their withdrawal - they won't get "I told you so," from us, because we have all been there.
Hang in there - take care driving at night. If you have started having visual problems, they might clear up after a while. The "zaps" will go away, but even now, nine months after quitting effexor, I get them in my sleep. I wake up, "zapping," and I never, ever did that before.
Take care of yourself. If you think that there might be a heart-related problem as well, then by all means, see a cardiologist to rule out any suspicions. It does get better!!
> I've been trying to describe to my doctors the weird sensation I have been experiencing since going off of Effexor abruptly a few weeks ago. It's like my arrythmia, only it "pulsates" up my neck into my face/cheeks and simultaneously down my arms to the palms of my hands. The OB who gave me the samples said it wasn't due to withdrawal and that I should see my cardiologist. I was doing some research tonight and saw a list of withdrawal symptoms that included: sensory disturbances (including shock-like electrical sensations)!!! That is what I've been trying to describe! I've also been seriously fatigued, major headaches, anxious and short-tempered, night sweats, nightmares or just bizarre dreams, and gastrologic nastiness (won't go into any more detail there :P). This drug is strange, I've never had withdrawal symptoms like this from ANYTHING I've ever taken. I have also been having strong suicidal ideation but haven't mentioned it to anyone for a variety of reasons, the least of which is because I haven't got health insurance at the moment. The doc who gave me the Effexor (Oh, I was on 75mg XR) gave it to me free - a bunch of samples. I couldn't afford the $120 price tag for the prescription he wrote for me.
Posted by kananee on September 1, 2004, at 10:06:25
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Anandia on August 31, 2004, at 23:16:57
For all us (most of us) who have been confronted by the skepticism of our pysdocs, GPs and therapists about the hideous effects of coming off Effexor, here's a bit of irony:
"During marketing of other SSRIs and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), there have been spontaneous reports of adverse events occurring upon discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when abrupt, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, tinnitus, and seizures. Although these events are generally self-limiting, some have been reported to be severe."
This is excerpted from official literature published by Lilly on 8/3/04. Why? Because Lilly just got FDA approval for its own Effexor-type drug, Cymbalta. Supposedly as effective as Effexor for MDD but without the horrible side effects.
See http://www.cymbalta.com/?ccd=cymbalta306 for more information. The excerpt is from an 18-page .pdf file on the Cymbalta site.
Posted by boatsie on September 1, 2004, at 14:57:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms! » Anandia, posted by Jiggitykid on September 1, 2004, at 6:30:57
the slow withdrawal....... from hell.
okay, fellow board members. I must be the slowest case here and as i continue to check in i keep thinking that maybe my depression is just the worst of the lot.
I started down from 300 XR in June and am now at 185.5....
Even with this slow withdrawal .... I am so exhuasted, always fighting a feeling of not being safe, som ekind of terror behind it all. just a horrid feeling.
my doctor told me that below 225, the norepheneprhine is no longer active. that's why i have the rushing in my chest, the lethargy, the aches and pains.I tried for one week at 150 but it was so dibilating. I keep waiting for an evening off of where I am right now so I can further decrease. I am seeing a naturopath who is giving me herbs and flower essences and energy healing. she is convinced i can succeed.
one of the things i keep hearing in this board is that you need support. i just don't have much of it. I feel very hopeless right now.
Posted by FaithT on September 1, 2004, at 15:20:42
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by boatsie on September 1, 2004, at 14:57:44
Dear Boatsie~
I'm so sorry that you're having such a rough time. I did manage to get off of this med., as I posted before..but it's really hard. I am also dealing with the fear that has come back in regard to my diagnosis of Melanoma in July of 2002, and the fear of recurrence or metastisis,which haunts me. It's very tempting to go back on Effexor, to lessen the fear, but I just can't do it..not after what I went through with the withdrawl.
So, you're not alone in your fight..It's a daily battle.
Hugs, Faith~
Posted by Jiggitykid on September 1, 2004, at 15:23:01
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by boatsie on September 1, 2004, at 14:57:44
I'm so, so sorry that you are going through this and that you feel alone. I may not be there to hold your hand and tell you that you are loved, but I'm there in spirit. You are in my prayers, boatsie. I've seen your name here for quite a while, and I'm incredibly sorry that this is taking so long for you! I'm convinced you can do it, too. As for your depression, the Effexor made my depression WORSE, while taking it and while withdrawing. Remember, you were on a high dose and are going down gradually. I was at 250 and quit, so I hit the wall instantly. There were times I was scared *&$#less, but I made it.
Please continue to post here. Whether you get immediate responses or not, know that you are cared for and prayed for. I'm sorry that we can't do more. Hang in there!!!!!
> the slow withdrawal....... from hell.
>
> okay, fellow board members. I must be the slowest case here and as i continue to check in i keep thinking that maybe my depression is just the worst of the lot.
> I started down from 300 XR in June and am now at 185.5....
> Even with this slow withdrawal .... I am so exhuasted, always fighting a feeling of not being safe, som ekind of terror behind it all. just a horrid feeling.
> my doctor told me that below 225, the norepheneprhine is no longer active. that's why i have the rushing in my chest, the lethargy, the aches and pains.
>
> I tried for one week at 150 but it was so dibilating. I keep waiting for an evening off of where I am right now so I can further decrease. I am seeing a naturopath who is giving me herbs and flower essences and energy healing. she is convinced i can succeed.
> one of the things i keep hearing in this board is that you need support. i just don't have much of it. I feel very hopeless right now.
Posted by Jiggitykid on September 1, 2004, at 15:44:32
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by FaithT on September 1, 2004, at 15:20:42
Hi Faith,
I imagine you have, but just in case, I thought I'd throw it out there. Have you tried Christian counseling to lessen your fear? I suggest going to a licensed counselor and not a pastor. You need someone who has the proper training and compassion to help you deal with the fear. I hope this doesn't sound preachy, but you will only be free from the fear when you deal with it properly. Medicating it is just putting it off and actually letting it grow larger. Your fear is totally understandable, but the life that you have right now is being taken away not by the cancer, but by the fear of the cancer, and that's not much of a life. You deserve to live each day as a gift and not in fear. I know an excellent counselor in my area, but I have no idea where you are :-). I can recommend a website to help you find someone in your area. It is http://www.aapc.org/ , which is the website for the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Know that you are loved and in my prayers. Please take care of yourself, and deal with this fear from the root, not from a bottle.
> Dear Boatsie~
> I'm so sorry that you're having such a rough time. I did manage to get off of this med., as I posted before..but it's really hard. I am also dealing with the fear that has come back in regard to my diagnosis of Melanoma in July of 2002, and the fear of recurrence or metastisis,which haunts me. It's very tempting to go back on Effexor, to lessen the fear, but I just can't do it..not after what I went through with the withdrawl.
> So, you're not alone in your fight..It's a daily battle.
> Hugs, Faith~
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
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