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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Lise811 on August 14, 2003, at 14:48:10
In reply to From Paxil to Effexor, posted by BJL on August 14, 2003, at 12:38:25
I would not recommend going on Effexor if your hope is to avoid related weight gain. I'm still carrying around the 25 lbs. I've put on as a result of taking Effexor.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend going on Effexor unless you plan to stay on it for the rest of your life, which if you are of child-bearing age and hope to have children, is not recommended.
Posted by Mithotyn on August 14, 2003, at 23:52:28
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL » tmgirl, posted by jmyers on August 12, 2003, at 4:19:07
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/250943.html
my views on effexor, posted in another thread on this msg board
Posted by Jenneh on August 15, 2003, at 14:22:14
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by Mithotyn on August 14, 2003, at 23:52:28
I too attempted to get off of effexor and then one day I was sitting in class and I had the worse anxiety attack of my life - I was shaking (convulsing really) and I juts suddenly got up and ran out of the room. This stuff is so addicitive - I drove to the Walk-In doctor and the nurse took one look at me and let me in right away. I hate the light headedness and tingling I get in my hands and feet also that I get when I miss even one dose. My boyfriend doesnt understand how hard it is. I am now down from 150mg to 112.5 and I am scared to go further. What if all the anxiety attacks and depression that I had before this medication come back? Is there anything else I can do? Any advice? I don't want toi live this way. I also find that I crave alcohol a lot more on this stuff. Why>
Posted by Maz on August 15, 2003, at 14:52:12
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by Mithotyn on August 14, 2003, at 23:52:28
I have only started on Effexor today, after trying two other drugs over the last four years. I'm a bit worried about what you said in regards to craving alcohol as I am trying not to drink at all. Try not to drink as that will really mess things up - you may as well not take the pills. I found that out the hard way. Hang in there. Have you tried CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) it really helps too.
Posted by Simcha on August 15, 2003, at 14:55:11
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by Jenneh on August 15, 2003, at 14:22:14
What worked for me was working with a psychiatrist telling him constantly what the withdrawal was like. He helped me by introducing medication that I'm still using in place of the EffexorXR. Everyone is different and your mileage may vary.
Blessings,
Simcha
> I too attempted to get off of effexor and then one day I was sitting in class and I had the worse anxiety attack of my life - I was shaking (convulsing really) and I juts suddenly got up and ran out of the room. This stuff is so addicitive - I drove to the Walk-In doctor and the nurse took one look at me and let me in right away. I hate the light headedness and tingling I get in my hands and feet also that I get when I miss even one dose. My boyfriend doesnt understand how hard it is. I am now down from 150mg to 112.5 and I am scared to go further. What if all the anxiety attacks and depression that I had before this medication come back? Is there anything else I can do? Any advice? I don't want toi live this way. I also find that I crave alcohol a lot more on this stuff. Why>
Posted by BJL on August 15, 2003, at 15:12:03
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL » Jenneh, posted by Simcha on August 15, 2003, at 14:55:11
I craved alcohol with Paxil. I don't keep alcohol in the house, so that helps, and I rarely go out, so that helps too. But, when I do go out, I have no self control and drink way too much. It's primarily beer that I craved. I could have whiskey or any other hard liquor and no craving. Wierd thing.
Posted by Jenneh on August 15, 2003, at 15:33:41
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by BJL on August 15, 2003, at 15:12:03
Yeah its wierd isnt it? If I go out, I feel like I can't stop drinking too. And, I have acted kinda crazy on it sometimes. The worst part is that I severely crave alcohol at a certain point of the day (anywhere from about 4-6PM). If I let myself drink, its likely i will drink all night. I didnt know this drug was going to create a new problem.
Damn
Posted by Jenneh on August 15, 2003, at 17:08:59
In reply to Slowly taking myself of ER, but liked it for 2 yrs, posted by juniperdoesboston on January 20, 2003, at 13:38:29
> I began effexor 2 years ago to help with depression and it worked great--immediate relief and help to keep going each day. But the last 6 months the side effects have gotten worse (weight gain I can not get rid of, extreme fatigue, inability to orgasm) and I am slowly taking myself off. I was on 75 mg per day, so I went to 75mg every other day. Immediately my fatigue began to lift and I felt so energized in comparison. Now I am at 75 every four days and today I am really hurting (so dizzy and sick feeling). It was so good to read that others have had a hard time getting off this medication. Withdrawl has been more than I bargained for, but really slowly tapering off the dose has worked pretty well for me.
Oh wow, I know what you're saying! Is it common to experience weight gain with effexor? As for my sex drive/ability to orgasm - I pretty much gave that up long ago. My partner practically has to beg for it half of the time and I find myself making all sorts of excuses. Anyone else feel this way? AND WHAT IS UP WITH THE WEIGHT GAIN?
Posted by BJL on August 15, 2003, at 17:51:19
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by Jenneh on August 15, 2003, at 15:33:41
Wierd, that's about the time of day I crave alcohol too. It must be because it's the end of the work day, time to start supper and keep going, but I want to fall into bed instead.
Posted by snick on August 16, 2003, at 13:44:31
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by BJL on August 15, 2003, at 17:51:19
i am 21 years old and have been on effexor xr for 5 months. i was started at 75mg a day for 2 weeks and then was given 150mg capsules to take twice a day. i haven't seen any improvement in my depression and anxiety but i do experience alot of side effects! i have been on many antidepressants and ssri over the years and i have never experienced anything like this, it's HELL! i don't feel like myself anymore, and i am too young to feel like this! about 2 weeks ago i couldnt take this feeling any longer and figured if this drug was going to help me, it would have by now. so i talked to my psychiatrist about stopping effexor. he told me that my body still hasn't gotten used to the med and that when it does the side effects will subside. he says i'm bipolar and need to be on something and i cannot just get off. (for the record i DO NOT think i am bipolar.) desperate to get off this damn life-sucker, i called my regular doctor, but there's nothing she can do since she agreed to let my psychiatrist handle my psychotherapy meds. i felt so trapped, and desperate. this is my body and everyone has control over it except me! so i did what i know i shouldn't have done...i decided to take myself off of Satan's Pill. i went from 300mg a day to 150mg a day for a week. i felt like my head was disconnected from the rest of my body. i'm walking around in this semi-conscious state and am so fuzzy headed and confused. i cant even walk straight! i can't eat without feeling totally sick and i can't sleep. i have the feeling of a never ending anxiety attack and if i leave the house i feel like i'm going to pass out. my heart is beating out of my chest and all i want to do is stay in bed and be left alone. i feel like all these years of depression have all combined and hit me all at once. i was planning on taking myself to 75 mg this week but i can't do it. i don't want to open that terrible pill bottle ever again! so this is my 4th day of going cold turkey. yesterday i called both docs to tell them that i quit and what did the f'd up psychiatrist do? called in a higher dosage for me and told me its very important i take it. i say kiss my ass. if i'm going to feel like i'm dying i'd rather feel that way by my own decision of not taking the damn drug, not by his of taking even more of it.
but i have to admit i'm losing the battle. i'm about to give in because i cant take feeling like this anymore...i seriously feel like i'm going to die. i cant even describe it. all i know is i can't take it anymore! if anyone has taken themselves off and has any advice for me, please let me know.
thanks,
snick
Posted by snick on August 16, 2003, at 14:06:07
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL » EmmaL, posted by Simcha on August 12, 2003, at 13:50:28
> Emma,
>
> I experienced weight gain on EffexorXR. I think that it was because I was not depressed anymore. I had NO appetite when I was in my major depression just before taking the EffexorXR. When the depression lifted I had an appetite again. I lost weight when I was depressed, too much. I had no problem gaining weight on EffexorXR.
>
> Also, my general practitioner was the one who first treated my depression with EffexorXR. No offense to general practitioners, I just know that my psychiatrists have been much better at prescribing the proper medicines in the proper amounts to stabilize me. They are more experienced with all of the psychotropics and they (mostly) know their stuff when it comes to making a more accurate diagnosis.
>
> My current general practitioner was first to admit that he refers clients with mental illness to psychiatrists. He was impressed with my remission and asked for the name of my psychiatrist and his number so that he could give him referrals. Now, I'm stable. The psychiatrist, knowing that it is cheaper for me to get refills from my general practitioner, allows my gp to give me refills on my psychotropic medications. Both my psychiatrist and my general practitioner agree that if ANYTHING changes in my mood I must IMMEDIATELY get an appointment with my psychiatrist.
>
> I really like this team approach. I believe in both of my doctors. I think they make an honest assessment when it comes to the limits of their own scope of practice. This is key for a patient who is seeking the best medical advise. Doctors should not be making decisions based on ego when their expertise is lacking, in my humble opinion.
>
> Blessings,
> And good luck on your doctor search,
> Simcha
>
>
> > Has anyone experienced weight gain on Effexor XR?? Two different doctors have seem very puzzled about my weight gain, probably 25 lbs, after 2 years and 3 months. They suspect that I should have been losing weight. I usually do not snack, as a rule, which my primary doctor is convinced I am, as well as not being on a schedule. Well, hey, I am exhausted all of the time. I think that I am on a regular schedule, since I work! And I really do hate the sweating!!! I continue to eat lots of vegetables,(my fav), always have, as well as some fruit, along with mainly chicken breasts, some meat, and a bit of rice, whole-wheat bread, and pasta. Please reply if you can relate to my symptoms and give any advice. I am presently searching for a new physician. I am still holding on to my primary doctor as I am uncertain that I will be able to procure a new one.
>
>i have also gained weight on effexor. 15 lbs. in a month! the funny thing is, i had no appetite while i was on it and barely ate. the only thing i could get in me was slim-fast! so your not the only one. i'm hoping that after this drug is completely out of my system i'll go back to my old weight.
Posted by snick on August 16, 2003, at 14:09:39
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by BSHO on August 12, 2003, at 13:38:55
> What are the electric shocks like that I keep hearing about? I have had dizziness and muscle aches upon withdrawal, but the shock thing scares me.
i've had the "electric shocks" too. one second i'll be doing my thing and the next my head feels almost like a snap followed by static and i feel really confused and dizzy for a few seconds. i thought it was because i needed some water or something but i guess it's just one of the withdrawl symptoms. hopefully it's just a strange feeling and nothing more serious than that because i'm really scared too!
Posted by BJL on August 16, 2003, at 14:18:43
In reply to effexor is ruining my life!, posted by snick on August 16, 2003, at 13:44:31
I have a friend who insisted she wasn't bipolar, and she ended up in the hospital. She decided that she didn't need to take the medications and didn't want to take the medications, so she quit. She got severely depressed, someone I didn't know, took an overdose to kill herself and almost succeeded. Get a second opinion from another psychiatrist before quitting treatment. Find another medical doctor. But, don't just quit treatments that you have been prescribed. It's not a good idea at all. There is hope, and there are doctors who will listen. Just find the right one! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Posted by Helaine on August 16, 2003, at 14:36:35
In reply to Re: effexor is ruining my life!, posted by BJL on August 16, 2003, at 14:18:43
I am so very sorry you are feeling so bad. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let me know how you are doing.I wish you well. I agree PLEASE find a new dr. God Bless!
I stopped taking effexor xr 37.5 mg 1 week ago..or shall I say I am weening myself off of it slowly. One pill every other day pouring out some granules. So far I feel ok! little jittery..but I feel much better off of it then when i was on it!
Chin up! Things will start looking better once you find a dr that will find the right combination for you!Again, you are in my thoughts!
Helaine
Posted by gabbix2 on August 16, 2003, at 16:22:41
In reply to Re: effexor is ruining my life! » BJL, posted by Helaine on August 16, 2003, at 14:36:35
I feel for you, I really do. "Satans Pill"
Thats exactly how I felt. Though for some it really does work. I say now if the pills left had feelings I'd stab them just to hear them scream.
I've been on MANY drugs and never felt anything like I did on e ffexor, and I was pushed to keep increasing my dose, even though I was calling my PDoc almost every day Pleading for something else.I think the advice to find another dr is really good, though it may feel impossible right now.
I took prozac to ease the withdrawl from Effexor and it worked miracles for that.I wish I could offer you more tangible advice, but mostly wanted to say you are not alone in this. You will survive it. And I'll be thinking of you. The memory is still fresh in my mind.
Good luck
G.
Posted by gabbix2 on August 16, 2003, at 16:32:44
In reply to Re: effexor is ruining my life! » BJL, posted by Helaine on August 16, 2003, at 14:36:35
I don't want to add to any confusion but
I had the idea that Effexor was contraindicated for people with Bi-polar disorder anyway because it might induce mania. Does anyone have any information on this? Was I dreaming again?
Posted by butterpeacan79 on August 17, 2003, at 2:06:23
In reply to Re: effexor is ruining my life!, posted by BJL on August 16, 2003, at 14:18:43
I have been taking Effexor for 2 years. I first started taking 75 mg. twice a day. During this time period my personalty changed I started saying things without thinking. Many of my friends came up to me and said wow your personality has changed but it was a good thing cause i used to be shy.One weird thing was coffee and sugar would give me this crazy high like I was on so type of illegal drug. Now I am taking 150 mg. of Effexor twice a day my personality is still the same but I am still not as hyper. Yet I can really get upset with a person and loose my temper. I can almost become violent I was never like this before taking Effexor. Plus guess what ask me if my depression or anxieties have been helped? NO..........
Posted by EmmaL on August 17, 2003, at 2:13:02
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by snick on August 16, 2003, at 14:06:07
Dear Simcha,
Thanks for the insite and wishes. I finally decided to stop seeing my "primary doctor" and will be seeking advice through another as soon as I can get in for a follow-up appointment with another which will not be until September. I believe that your physician is very wise to be employing a partner approach. I will be taking your experience into consideration. Thanks! Take care!
Sincerely,
EmmaL
Posted by Simcha on August 17, 2003, at 9:37:16
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by EmmaL on August 17, 2003, at 2:13:02
Dear EmmaL,
I'm so sorry you are suffering so much. I thought that for me EffexorXR was a wonder drug. It worked wonders alleviating my depression. It helped me to realize that I've been depressed my entire life. I wish I had sought psychiatric help sooner in life.
My parents did not like psychiatrists because they seened to be able to do much for my Dad's brother who was bipolar with psychotic episodes. He started treatment back in the early sixties. Then things were not so good for him and the drugs back then did horrible things to him. He died only about three years ago. I think that had something to do with the not so good treatment he had received when he was first getting treatment. They did not have as much as they have now to help us.
My parents were always terrified that I'd end up like my Uncle. Well, I have Major Depressive Disorder with OCD tendancies. It's not the same illness my Uncle had. I finally sought psychiatric treatment when I was 30. I'm 33 now. I'm much better. I got a better deal because now they have better treatments.
Well, I really hope you find something that works well for you without nasty side-effects. As for me, when I was put on EffexorXR, even with being numb from the waist down, I felt I was better than before without treatment.
This is a tricky business finding the best treatment. I hope you don't have to suffer much longer. I hated being depressed. Then again, who doesn't? My psychiatrist has told me not even to think of getting off of my medication for at least five years. He says we can re-evaluate where I am then. Even then he hinted that since my family has such a long history of depression that I might have to be on medication for the rest of my life.
I'm now OK with that. I never want to go back to the hell that was my depression.
Really, I hope you find what works best for you soon. I have a life now thanks to a mix that works well for me for now.
AM Dose:
40mg Celexa
200mg WellbutrinSR
(Strong coffee LOL)PM Dose:
600mg of NeurontinIt's been explained to me that these medicines are not a cure and that it is vital that I follow a consistent regemin with my medication. I go to therapy once a week and I attend 12-step meetings. I really need all the support I can get to remain well balanced enough to function in everyday life. I also eat a balanced vegan diet and I try to do as much walking as I can.
I've finally come to an acceptance that my mental health is extremely important and that I must do something everyday to maintain mental health.
Medicine is the cornerstone of my treatment. I also believe that the other support I have in my life helps the medication to work better.
Blessings,
Simcha
> Dear Simcha,
> Thanks for the insite and wishes. I finally decided to stop seeing my "primary doctor" and will be seeking advice through another as soon as I can get in for a follow-up appointment with another which will not be until September. I believe that your physician is very wise to be employing a partner approach. I will be taking your experience into consideration. Thanks! Take care!
> Sincerely,
> EmmaL
>
Posted by zoobie on August 17, 2003, at 17:01:46
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL, posted by snick on August 16, 2003, at 14:09:39
I'd like to say I'm thankful for this site, for its' helped me very much.
My question is, I've been coming off Effexor XR and I've halfed my dose from 75mg to 37.5mg. After 3 days I started feeling dizzy and really spaced out. I've had trouble working because I can't remember things and move at a much slower pace (I'm a waitress).
I've gone to the doctor to get a note to take the week off so I can deal with the side effects (and not provide poor service at my work).
My question is, since I've been on 37.5mg for the last 5 days and I'm getting side effects, should I just stop taking it and hopefully all my side effects should be gone in a week?
I don't mind dealing with the side effects if I'm at home, but are there any reasons I shouldn't stop taking it all together? (eg. reoccurance of depression, anxiety, brain chemical damage, etc.?)
Any advice would be very helpful, for my doctor was not. He said that I don't need to taper off EffexorXR because it has no side effects!! (Can you believe him???)
Thank you very much for your help.
Posted by Honda on August 17, 2003, at 18:23:55
In reply to Withdrawl Advice?, posted by zoobie on August 17, 2003, at 17:01:46
Hi Zoobie,
I'm just beginning to deal with some nasty side-effects of Effexor withdrawl...I was on it for about 8 months but experienced increasing apathy and weight-gain..I cut my dose down to just about 10 of the little time-release beads inside the capsule (!) to keep from having all of the yucky side-effects and STILL couldn't go to zero-dose without dizziness and "swooshing" in my head when I moved it. So, my prescriber put me on Prozac weekly (1 time-release capsule of 60 mg) which took away the side effects completely. I asked if I'd then have withdrawl effects when I quit the Prozac and was assured it would just "wash out of my system"...RIGHT. So now I have had 2 weeks of horrible vertigo, nausea, vomiting, tinitus and deafness in one ear which also feels like it's "plugged" but isn't. I'm seeing an ear specialist tomorrow and have been reading all about Meniere's disease since I have all of those symptoms now. If I had known ANY of this was possible I would have dealt with my initial depression some OTHER way but NOT with Effexor. Just be advised! And best of luck to you.
Posted by EmmaL on August 18, 2003, at 0:27:53
In reply to Re: Withdrawl from HELL ? EmmaL, posted by Simcha on August 17, 2003, at 9:37:16
Hi, Simcha!
I am not enduring much suffering. Really! In fact, I am fine. I have been on holidays for two months and will be returning to work soon. I am being treated for generalized anxiety and it seems that my case is a walk in the park compared to many others'. Since I have been on holidays, I have been taking my meds (Effexor XR) only once every two days (I think that is called "cheating"!) and I am fine, but will go back to my regular dosage once I am back at work since my problem is largely work-related. Effexor XR has really been good for me as far as treating my anxiety. Paxil just did not work for me. I am hoping to find something else as effective but with fewer side effects. Anyone else have any answers???? (mainly weight gain, ongoing fatigue). Thank you so much for your reassurance and concern.
Sincerely,
EmmaL
Posted by Jenneh on August 18, 2003, at 11:26:47
In reply to Withdrawl Advice?, posted by zoobie on August 17, 2003, at 17:01:46
Your doctor is an idiot. I have a doctor who told me that not only would one experience side effects from effexor (YES THERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS FROM QUITTING), but that it can actually be unsafe to just quit cold-turkey. I don't know if this is true, but this doctor said that quitting outright without tapering off could cause strokes. I am not trying to scare anyone, but I thought I would put the word out there. I am so glad I have found this site. I know effexor has helped a lot of people but I think doctors need to be much more educated about what this drug is really about. I mean, I got my first dose of this drug when i went into a walk-in clinic and said i was feeling anxious. The doctor just handed me some samples. I am tapering off extremely slowly - I don't care if it takes months because I can't stand the side effects. I am a lawyer and I can't afford to be spaced out. I have been on 112.5 mg from 150 for 4 weeks, and in two days i am going down to 75mg. I can't wait to be off this stuff because I would like to have my feelings back. Cognitive therapy is a very good idea by the way, apparantly. I haven't tried it yet but I heard that this is vital to the success of this treatment. Good luck, everyone and take care
Jenneh
Posted by floating_head on August 18, 2003, at 11:55:58
In reply to Re: effexor is ruining my life! » BJL, posted by Helaine on August 16, 2003, at 14:36:35
I have been taking Effexor for about 1.5 years now. I'm on 150mg once daily. I was on vacation last week and ran out on Thursday. I had no idea what was wrong with me. My head was Swimming. I couldn’t even drive right. I was yelling at other drivers. I really thought I was cracking up. I filled my prescription this morning and ask the pharmacist if my head floating off my body and the bright white lights in my head when i tightly closed my eyes were withdrawal symptoms. She said absolutely. I want to thank you folks for being honest in these posts. It really helps to hear others having the same problems as me. i really thought I was going to have to go to the emergency room!!! I now wonder if I will ever be able to get off this stuff. I feel so much better now. I was really starting to panic yesterday. Even beer didnt help!!
Posted by BJL on August 18, 2003, at 12:08:53
In reply to Re: Withdrawl Advice?, posted by Jenneh on August 18, 2003, at 11:26:47
Jenneh, it can also cause seizures, which aren't life threatening in themselves, but as an EMT, I have seen some nasty injuries as a result of the seizures (head injuries, car accidents, etc.) I was strongly urged by my psych NOT to go cold turkey and, in fact, he warned me to stay very "on schedule" with my medications and not to even miss a day. He said I'd figure out why he was saying that after 1-2 missed doses and would not make the mistake again.
> Your doctor is an idiot. I have a doctor who told me that not only would one experience side effects from effexor (YES THERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS FROM QUITTING), but that it can actually be unsafe to just quit cold-turkey. I don't know if this is true, but this doctor said that quitting outright without tapering off could cause strokes. I am not trying to scare anyone, but I thought I would put the word out there. I am so glad I have found this site. I know effexor has helped a lot of people but I think doctors need to be much more educated about what this drug is really about. I mean, I got my first dose of this drug when i went into a walk-in clinic and said i was feeling anxious. The doctor just handed me some samples. I am tapering off extremely slowly - I don't care if it takes months because I can't stand the side effects. I am a lawyer and I can't afford to be spaced out. I have been on 112.5 mg from 150 for 4 weeks, and in two days i am going down to 75mg. I can't wait to be off this stuff because I would like to have my feelings back. Cognitive therapy is a very good idea by the way, apparantly. I haven't tried it yet but I heard that this is vital to the success of this treatment. Good luck, everyone and take care
> Jenneh
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