![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 246 to 270 of 735. Go back in thread:
Posted by prodgirl on March 13, 2004, at 0:00:16
In reply to Re: Day 55 of Effexor withdrawal symptoms-my experienc, posted by metro8268 on March 8, 2004, at 20:47:40
We're talking about coming off Effexor - did you quit AD's or meds cold turkey or switch to other meds? I am going to taper off my Effexor and Trazadone next week and start on Lamicital, as I have been diagnosed as BPI. I have had horrible w/d just from the short half life of effexor, and NOT looking forward to getting off of it. Any advice or experience changing from the evil e to a mood stabilizer?
Posted by metro8268 on March 13, 2004, at 10:09:19
In reply to Re: Day 55 of Effexor withdrawal symptoms-my experienc, posted by prodgirl on March 13, 2004, at 0:00:16
Take it one day at a time. Make sure you can take some time off work during the first week. And make sure you're cable TV is working :P
Also be ready for it to be awhile before you start feeling normal. I'm on day 22 and I still have the jolts and shivers every now and then, along with some looming depression that comes and goes. I'm hoping the 1 month marker will be the light at the end of the tunnel...
Posted by RobinLee on March 13, 2004, at 22:17:09
In reply to Re: Day 55 of Effexor withdrawal symptoms-my experienc, posted by metro8268 on March 13, 2004, at 10:09:19
I am in the process of getting of effexor and never thought it could make me so sick. I am dizzy, sick to my stomach, diarrea, sweats, jitters, shakes, chills, hot flashes, massive crying meltdowns, body aches, head aches and the list can go on. This is horrible and I was suppose to go onto Wellbutrin and did 2 pills for 2 days and I have just decided that I will not take anymore of these anti depressants if I can help it. Going off of Celexa and Zoloft was a walk in the park. Going off Effexor is a walk in HELL! It scares me to think what these drugs do to your brain and body if these are the withdrawal symptoms. I pray I can just suck it up and keep off of these pills. Best to all of you that are going through what I am. I have had the past 2 weekends off from grad school and am so darn sick that I cannot function. Thank god my mom is here to help me out and take care of my dogs. Best to all. And thanks for this website - I thought I had something terminal or was losing my mind!
Posted by Sachikon on March 13, 2004, at 22:54:23
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl - I did it, so can you » soshie, posted by Cetacea on November 22, 2003, at 22:48:46
I can't tell you how much I appreciate the links!
I'm on day 5 having gone cold-turkey off of 150mg dose. It has been difficult to find relevant and helpful information.
I'm sorry that anyone else is experiencing these feelings but am relieved not to be alone in this experience.
The "shivers" seem almost constant right now and I'm prone to frequent crying jags which is not at all normal for me.
Effexor helped at a time when I really needed it but none of the "homework" I did before deciding to take the drug prepared me for anything like this.
If you are considering Effexor please, Don't take it unless you really need it and be aware that as wonderful as it is for a while this drug is not a forever answer.
I've been on effexor for almost 4 years and I believe that for at least the last year (probably 2) it was doing more harm than good.
Extreme fatigue and lethargy became a real problem but it crept up slowly enough that it was shocking to realize that my medication was actually making my life worse instead of better.
Good luck to everyone and thanks for taking the time to share information.> THANK YOU SO MUCH!
>
> I've been having 'brain shivers' and just thought I was "losing it", my term for the feeling! I had thought I was "lucky" not to have them. Oh well: Live and learn!
> ***********
>
> > Here is a series of articles on Brain Shivers that taught me a lot....
> >
> > http://depression.about.com/cs/venlafaxine/a/brainshivers.htm
> >
> >
Posted by MeggE on March 16, 2004, at 0:13:21
In reply to Re: Day 55 of Effexor withdrawal symptoms-my experienc, posted by RobinLee on March 13, 2004, at 22:17:09
I felt exactly the same way(worrying that i had a terminal disease or was losing my mind) before I found out all of this information about the withdrawl. It's really sick to think that there are thousands of people having similar thoughts, and will continue to be, until this drug is taken off the market. I have been off of Effexor for a good two and half weeks now, and I am still feeling the symptoms..which scares me..because I am afraid that they will never go away. Now, I know this is not realistic, but I can't help but worry that there has been permanent damage done to my brain and body. What upsets me the most is that we all sound like we're going through a withdrawl from Heroin, or Coke, or some street drug (something that most people know what they are getting in to when they start doing.) But sadly, that is not the case. Most of us were just suffering from mild to serious depression, and needed an answer. We put our trust in the doctors that are supposed to help us, and ended up with more on our hands than we ever thought we'd have to deal with. What I wonder about most, is whether or not most doctors are corrupt (meaning they are aware of all of this when giving out the medication, but choose not to tell us). What makes a lot more sense to me, though, is that they didn't, and don't, take a lot of precaution when giving out this medication, because they assume it is similar to other anti-depressants, and the withdrawl symptoms are not THAT severe. If they only knew... Not to mention! Wyeth-Ayerst has kept all of the information about the effects of Effexor (ironic name, huh?) a secret to the public, most likely so they can make more money off of all the patients and their addictions to this terrible drug. I've developed quite a conspiracy theory here, and so have many others..I don't see any fault in it either..which is scary.
Another example of how everything really is..
All about the money.And if you haven't already..Sign the Petition.
http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/
We can all only hope that this will not be taken lightly, and cause the removal of Effexor from the market as soon as possible.
I honestly don't believe that this drug could benefit anybody in the long run..Even if it helps for the time being, the fact that the withdrawl symptoms have hurt so many..it just doesn't seem worth it..when there are so many other drugs that aren't half as severe. If you(in general) are going to start taking it, you should be fully aware of EVERY possible withdrawl symptom way before you take the first dose. Even if you are...ah, I just don't think anybody could fully understand what the withdrawl is like until they have gone through it. and THAT is why Effexor should not be on the market. haha.
The End.
Posted by jiggitykid on March 16, 2004, at 7:35:24
In reply to Reply to RobinLee, and to all., posted by MeggE on March 16, 2004, at 0:13:21
>>>Most of us were just suffering from mild to serious depression, and needed an answer. We put our trust in the doctors that are supposed to help us, and ended up with more on our hands than we ever thought we'd have to deal with. <<<
Bingo. You summed up the entire problem in two succint, beautifully worded sentences. The angry responses that the person who posted a "caution" about frightening away people who might benefit from this drug were all trying to say exactly what you just said. Your fears are justified. I took my last Effexor in October, and I can say that almost all of the problems it caused me (physically) are gone. The only remaining problem for me is blurry vision. It's not horrible, but it is worse than it was before the Effexor. It would be impossible to prove, I imagine, that the Effexor caused the vision damage because other factors could also be the culprit. I feel certain, though, that it was the Effexor.
>>>I honestly don't believe that this drug could benefit anybody in the long run..Even if it helps for the time being, the fact that the withdrawl symptoms have hurt so many..it just doesn't seem worth it..when there are so many other drugs that aren't half as severe. If you(in general) are going to start taking it, you should be fully aware of EVERY possible withdrawl symptom way before you take the first dose. <<<
I agree with you. I'd love to see Effexor disappear from the face of the earth. I doubt that will happen. Wouldn't it be cool if some of our testamonies were put in the PDR and in the patient info leaflets?? LOL! I imagine that there would be only one or two who would find their depression worth the risk of this drug. Some have argued that they've tried everything and that E is the only thing that has worked. Most likely, though, they'll be back within a year, complaining that they feel worse than they did and now they're scared to stop taking it. It's a horrible situation.
Posted by Shalala on March 24, 2004, at 1:15:55
In reply to Re: Day 55 of Effexor withdrawal symptoms-my experienc, posted by RobinLee on March 13, 2004, at 22:17:09
Hey, I'm on 300mg XR per day and I start to get withdrawal symptom @ just about the 24 hr mark from the last dose. My doctor just had me divide the dose. It seems my brain can't deal without it, I'm oversensitive, crying, headachey, spacey, I don't look forward to going off it. You've confirmed my suspicions that it would be a rough ride.
Posted by prodgirl on March 24, 2004, at 1:40:25
In reply to Re: Day 55 of Effexor withdrawal symptoms-my experienc, posted by Shalala on March 24, 2004, at 1:15:55
I had the exact same responce - the spaciness, I say that my head feels swimmy. The worst is when I have to shut one eye to focus; it feels like I've had WAY too much to drink and I can't stand up. I'm in the process of weaning off Effexor, and winding up with Lamictal. The headaches are still really bad, but it's just the first week. I still have the swings - what you described, oversensitive, crying, etc. I know it takes along time to get the right cocktail...good luck to you, and all of us trying to get off this E-vil drug.
> Hey, I'm on 300mg XR per day and I start to get withdrawal symptom @ just about the 24 hr mark from the last dose. My doctor just had me divide the dose. It seems my brain can't deal without it, I'm oversensitive, crying, headachey, spacey, I don't look forward to going off it. You've confirmed my suspicions that it would be a rough ride.
Posted by elvenfae on March 31, 2004, at 13:33:12
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by meaux on March 7, 2004, at 0:16:22
> Wyeth is a disgrace. To know that they were and are fully aware of the physiological addiction of Effexor XR and have not made such information publically available is sickening. When starting Effexor a year ago, I was brought up to a dose of 300mg/day. I was not told of any withdrawal syndromes or addictive potentials of this drug - I checked WebMD and of course that site says nothing because who sponsors it but the pharmecutial companies themselves. My pharmacist knew nothing of its addictive potential and had not heard of the effects of Effexor on simple things like circulation (blood pressure and 'tingling' extremeties). The fact simply remains : Effexor IS PHYSIOLOGICALLY ADDICTIVE. It may be 'non habit forming' because it does not provide the user with a feeling of euphoria - but studies have proven Effexor's addictive qualities. Mothers who took Effexor for brief periods of time during the pregnancy had neo-natal fetuses suffering from Withdrawal Syndrome. Who was on Effexor withdrawal but Andrea Yates herself when she drowned her children (supposedly, anyways). I have tried three times unsuccessfully to taper Effexor. The last time I tapered to 265 mg/day for a week and it was miserable - I know what it feels like now to be an addict going through rehab. I was crippled with nausea, vomiting, headaches, spinning head, vertigo, the 'electrical' impulse feeling (like I could sense my nervous system conducting action potentials when my eyes would move). Several lawsuits exist currently to fight this evil - some that involve sufferers who experience seizures and neuropathy because of this shit. SIGN THE PETITION, GET YOUR VOICE ACROSS. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. We can not let the pharmeceutical companies reap the benefit of getting addicts to their medications. Is there no justice? I am 19 years old. In college and graduate school concurrently; I must take off my fall semester and find a way of support to get myself off this medication starting immediately this summer... after 3 days cold turkey one time I was about to physically die from the withdrawl effects - I could not get out of bed, kept hearing buzzing in my head, had a fever of over 102 and hot/cold spells. My breathing was depressed, and I was at my wit's end. THIS CAN NOT CONTINUE TO PLAGUE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO FIGHT DEPRESSION, NOT ADD A DRUG ADDICTION TO THEIR LIST OF WORRIES.
Hi I just read a thread by you regarding Effexor XR withdrawl. I am trying to come off of it right now and I was wondering if you were ever able to do so? Did the capsule counting work? I am only two days in and having a horrible horrible time. I will not sit here and complain to you but I am real scared. My husband is thank goodness hoem today to take care of our son (8 mo old). I can't do this.
Another thing is- I did experience a horrible time when I had my son -two different doctors told me Effexor XR was safe to take and my son ended up being born dehydrated AND had withdrawl symptoms. Can you imagine a baby experiencing what we have??? I have been so disgusted with this medicine....I just have no words.
I did sign the petition today though-
Thanks for your time,
Jamie
Posted by jerone Farrow on April 2, 2004, at 4:50:09
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by elvenfae on March 31, 2004, at 13:33:12
I have vertigo and I acn even feel the herat beat all the way to my feet. why can I not overcome this. I cant even set here with out feeling like I am reeling and just feeling lousy. how long will this take I stooped effexor 4 days ago I don't know what to do. I am suppose to go on vacation in 7 days. I feel like the DOctor didn't tell me everything about withsrawal. I also had a seizure 5 days ago I believe from Effexor. then I was stopped COLD TURKEY
Posted by jiggitykid on April 2, 2004, at 7:33:23
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by jerone Farrow on April 2, 2004, at 4:50:09
Bless you, jerone. You weren't told the truth, and that stinks. The problem is, many doctors don't know the truth. The drug companies are "allegedly" sitting on the reality of what this drug does. All of the symptoms you are naming are normal withdrawal. I, too, went Cold-Turkey. It was horrible, but it was the way that worked for me. You might need to taper or to read through these boards about some of the other techniques that others here used (other drugs like Prozac, etc.,) and discuss this with your doctor. I suggest that you print out some of the statements here about withdrawal symptoms and make it clear to your doctor that these are very real and are not the occurrences of an unhappy minority. I spoke to someone yesterday whose sister is taking Effexor, and I told her that she needs to watch her sister for changes, and to urge her sister to get help if she decides she needs to quit. I described some of my symptoms to her, and told her to take care.
As for how long; it varies from person to person. My experience was that the first two weeks were the worst. Try to avoid driving at night if possible - I found that the vision problems created halos around the lights and I had trouble seeing. I drove one night - and vowed that I would not do it again until I was better. After the first month, I began to feel more normal. My vision is still not what it was before the Effexor. Disturbing and vivid dreams are also a part of the withdrawal effects, so be prepared. Don't let anyone tell you that this is all in your mind or that you are a "rare" case. There are too many documented cases right here to dispute that. There is also a petition that is being signed by thousands of people asking that the drug company reveal all of this information NOW to consumers. If you have someone close to you that can help support you during all of this, please explain to that person what is going on and suggest that he/she visit this site to read the first-hand accounts.
Please, take care of yourself. Don't be angry with your body during all of this. Be patient with yourself. It takes time. Know that you are loved and supported right here.
> I have vertigo and I acn even feel the herat beat all the way to my feet. why can I not overcome this. I cant even set here with out feeling like I am reeling and just feeling lousy. how long will this take I stooped effexor 4 days ago I don't know what to do. I am suppose to go on vacation in 7 days. I feel like the DOctor didn't tell me everything about withsrawal. I also had a seizure 5 days ago I believe from Effexor. then I was stopped COLD TURKEY
Posted by jiggitykid on April 2, 2004, at 7:41:10
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by elvenfae on March 31, 2004, at 13:33:12
Hi Jamie,
What happened to your baby is so sad and so preventable if the drug companies would stop HIDING the truth and get it to the doctors! No one should have to go through this horror of withdrawal, especially a tiny baby. I hope that your child is okay now!!
I went cold-turkey. It worked for me, as horrible as it was, but might not be the best decision for you. Please read through the posts here (there are many!) and see how others did it. Some tapered, some counted, some used other drugs (like Prozac or Lexapro), some used marijuana (legal in Cali), some used hydrocodone - there are all kinds of stories here of withdrawal techniques. You need to discuss this with your doctor (who needs to get educated FAST) and decide what is best for you. Have you shared any of the stories here with your doc? I suggest, if he/she isn't aware of this, that you print out the symptoms here that are clearly documented and shared and give them to him/her to make the decision that is best for you. If you feel dismissed or not believed, then perhaps anothe doctor is best for you. Please take care of yourself and be patient with yourself. I hope that you've shared these REAL symptoms with your spouse. You are in my prayers.
> Hi I just read a thread by you regarding Effexor XR withdrawl. I am trying to come off of it right now and I was wondering if you were ever able to do so? Did the capsule counting work? I am only two days in and having a horrible horrible time. I will not sit here and complain to you but I am real scared. My husband is thank goodness hoem today to take care of our son (8 mo old). I can't do this.
> Another thing is- I did experience a horrible time when I had my son -two different doctors told me Effexor XR was safe to take and my son ended up being born dehydrated AND had withdrawl symptoms. Can you imagine a baby experiencing what we have??? I have been so disgusted with this medicine....I just have no words.
> I did sign the petition today though-
> Thanks for your time,
> Jamie
Posted by jerone Farrow on April 2, 2004, at 12:00:08
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by jiggitykid on April 2, 2004, at 7:33:23
I just spoke with my Doctor and he is putting me back on effexor for the withdrawal 37.5 this time and weaning me off slowly. Thank God!! my goal is to get off the remeron the clonazepam the halcion slowly by September . I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome DX"D 1994 since then I have been On everything known to man kind so I am getting off. Having a seizure with all this stuff has opened my eyes and thanks to this board also.
Posted by Laurajean on April 2, 2004, at 17:37:12
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms! » elvenfae, posted by jiggitykid on April 2, 2004, at 7:41:10
Hi everyone,
I posted my first message a couple months ago...and I bagan tapering from 300 mg XR at the end of January. I went 300 to 150 to 75 to 37.5 and am now OFF (day 4). I still feel horrible....It was much better when i was 37.5 and I have been very tempted to pop one when the withdrawal seems unbearable, but I don't want to complicate matters.I did something kind of unique and I went to every other day, which seemed to help and then every three days, etc. But regardless--now that I'm completely off I feel horrible. My work is suffering--I am going but am not really all "there."
Did anyone else have crying jags or anything? I constantly feel like I am going to start crying. Given that I am a clinical social worker, this isn't the greatest thing when meeting with clients. : ) Sometimes during the day I feel "okay" (relatively) and then am hit with a wave of nausea, dizziness or shivering. Is this normal? My doc prescribed a benzo--serax--to help with w/d (apparently it calms the nervous system--is used for acute alcohol/drug w/d) but I really am not so into taking any other psychotropics right now. anythng else to combat the feverish/fluey feeling? I guess I will just have to wait it out, but it's HARD! I am tired of feeling like this.
Thanks
laura
Posted by ku4ns on April 2, 2004, at 19:01:03
In reply to OFF after taper.......still sick....., posted by Laurajean on April 2, 2004, at 17:37:12
I am also trying to stop the effexor. I have been having a tough time with it. I was on 150 mg then 75mg and 37.5 mg for three weeks. This is my second time trying to stop, and my physician started me on prozac 20mg a week before he wanted me to go cold turkey with the effexor. I went 5 days of feeling well then 1 day not so good, and the next was horrible, so I took one 37.5 mg effexor and felt fine. Now I am at the point of waiting againg to see how long I can go without the feeling of nausea, fever, headache to the point of losing concentration. I will post more later since I just found this website and see that I am not alone. Thanks John
Posted by jiggitykid on April 3, 2004, at 9:53:02
In reply to OFF after taper.......still sick....., posted by Laurajean on April 2, 2004, at 17:37:12
Cried like a baby!!! If someone told me I had gum on my shoe, I cried as if they'd hit me! Seriously, the mood swings are part of it. Since you are off completely, your body is screaming for more. The withdrawal symptoms are normal. This is part of why I went cold-turkey. I didn't want to string the withdrawal out (disclaimer: but this doesn't work for everyone, so do what's best for you). It took two weeks before I began to feel more like myself, and a full month before I was having extended symptom free times. Please be patient with yourself. Pain medication helped with the "zaps;" I would be inclined to agree with you about, "but I really am not so into taking any other psychotropics right now." There are lots of ideas here in the archives of posts about what has worked for others. Take care of yourself and hang in there!
Posted by jiggitykid on April 3, 2004, at 10:11:55
In reply to Re: OFF after taper.......still sick....., posted by ku4ns on April 2, 2004, at 19:01:03
Hi John,
You'll find a lot of helpful info and support here. I have to say that this site was instrumental in helping me through withdrawal.
Now, for the "bad" news. There doesn't seem to be anything that will erase the withdrawal symptoms. There are suggestions here for how to deal with the symptoms, but your body is going to go through it, regardless of techniques. The fact that none of us were warned is inexcusable, unethical and immoral, and the drug company bears the blame. I'm glad that you seem to have a doctor who is aware of the effects - did he warn you about this beforehand, or is he learning along with you? My doc didn't know anything, and neither did my pharmacist.
Please read through the posts in the archives. They are full of personal stories, strategies and information about the Petition. Take care of yourself, and be patient with yourself. Hang in there!
> I am also trying to stop the effexor. I have been having a tough time with it. I was on 150 mg then 75mg and 37.5 mg for three weeks. This is my second time trying to stop, and my physician started me on prozac 20mg a week before he wanted me to go cold turkey with the effexor. I went 5 days of feeling well then 1 day not so good, and the next was horrible, so I took one 37.5 mg effexor and felt fine. Now I am at the point of waiting againg to see how long I can go without the feeling of nausea, fever, headache to the point of losing concentration. I will post more later since I just found this website and see that I am not alone. Thanks John
Posted by ku4ns on April 3, 2004, at 16:50:11
In reply to Re: OFF after taper.......still sick..... » ku4ns, posted by jiggitykid on April 3, 2004, at 10:11:55
I was started on this medication by a different physician. The current physician I use was a pharmacist before he went to medical school, so I trust his judgement. Some of the withdrawal symptoms are similar to the original problems that I had when I first started effexor. My original symptoms were identified on a plane when I became ill (airsick), couldn't get comfortable, needed out of the aircraft. I could'nt go out to eat without feeling nauseated, having hot flashes, and dizzy. I couldn't ride in the car with anyone without feeling carsick. The effexor helped and I was down to 75mg feeling fine but my heart rate was nearly 100 all the time. So, I decided to stop, dropped to 37.5 mg for three weeks and experienced a migraine. I went to my physician after the migraine and thats when he put me on prozac 20mg for a week and then tried to stop effexor completely. I haven't read through many of the posts to see if my problems are similar to others or if I was even on the right medication early on. The medication did work well and I could function normally. I look forward to posts from anyone with experiences to share. Thanks John
Posted by Jerone farrow on April 3, 2004, at 22:32:04
In reply to OFF after taper.......still sick....., posted by Laurajean on April 2, 2004, at 17:37:12
Gee I am back on 37.5 at least until I get back from my trip. And I am here to tell you the few days I experienced the head bannging withdrawal I don't look forward to it then either butI will with your " alls help get through it . I suppose I will try on the 19th and p[lease if you think of anything to make this easier please let me know.
THanks JJ
Posted by anxiety66me on April 5, 2004, at 19:50:13
In reply to Re: OFF after taper.......still sick....., posted by Jerone farrow on April 3, 2004, at 22:32:04
I cried at work and looked like an idiot. I was only on the stuf for a month or so.
Posted by scrawller on April 5, 2004, at 22:04:42
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Becky on October 2, 1999, at 22:03:30
i've been slowly tapering off effexor for the past few weeks. i've been totally off since thursday. have all the symptoms of withdrawal - naseau, crying fits, electric shocks, dizzy, headache, shallow breathing, etc.
i called to check in with psych today, and told her i was having withdrawal. she told me it was impossible because i was on 37.5 mg for a week before dropping and that ensures i won't have withdrawal. am i crazy? i can't even function. i cried in my office for an hour after she told me this.
she then said, "well, maybe you should start taking it again." i actually like my pscyh, i don't know if she was having a bad day or what, but the reason why i'm stopping is because it makes me manic. SSRIs are not my friend.
i feel like im crazy. im happy i found this board though. i want to print out every message and leave it on her desk.
Posted by ku4ns on April 6, 2004, at 9:05:43
In reply to Dr says no withdrawal - ha!, posted by scrawller on April 5, 2004, at 22:04:42
I was on 37.5mg for 3 weeks and experienced a migraine. My physician started me on prozac 20mg along with the 37.5mg for 1 week then I was to stop the effexor. I stopped the effexor and was ok until day 5, had withdrawal symptoms so I took one 37.5 mg effexor and felt fine. Now i'm at day 3 again without effexor and feel ok. John
Posted by Markku on April 6, 2004, at 10:03:30
In reply to Re: Dr says no withdrawal - ha!, posted by ku4ns on April 6, 2004, at 9:05:43
I started taking Effexor XR about a year ago for panic disorder. At the time I thought it was a miracle because it worked so well. However, it seemed to sort of dull my thoughts, which was a reasonable trade-off at the time. But lately I've become more and more unmotivated about doing anything, and have just been feeling so disconnected from others. I've tried quitting the medication before, but mistook the withdrawal symptoms for signs that the panic disorder was returning. Since I found this message board a few days ago, I now know that those symptoms are not coming from my original problem, and that they will eventually go away. So I took my last dose on Saturday (I was only taking 75 mg. Plus, before giving me the tapering doses my doctor wants me to go through a number of sessions with a psychologist, which would take too long for someone as impatient as I am. And I don't want to feel the way I do any longer). If panic attacks do come back, I will start back on something, but I'll request something that doesn't work on norepinephrine.
I can't say that I know what others who were taking larger doses of Effexor go through, but the effects for me so far are large enough to keep me from driving. So far the most disconcerting thing are those "brain shivers", or whatever you want to call them. It's like your brain can only process a certain amount of motion, and anything over the limit catches you by surprise. The data just starts piling up until you slow down and let your brain catch up. Last night my body temperature seemed to be higher than normal, and I was sweating a lot (even towards the morning when my body temperature had dropped). I also was very thirsty and went to the bathroom more often than normal. I also had a very detailed dream. I woke up about 4:30 (really about 3:30 because of the time change) and felt fully alert. Normally I wake up at about 6:00-6:30 and have to drag myself out of bed. I finally went to bed about half an hour later, and strangely enough had a continuation of my previous dream. I only mention this because others on this board talk about having very detailed dreams as well. I have had some other symptoms (nausea, stomach cramping, erratic thoughts). But those aren't anything that would make me start back on Effexor. Some people mention having crying spells for no apparent reason. So far I've only had these while on Effexor, not when trying to quit. But I'm hoping the withdrawal doesn't get worse and make me want to give up.
Anyway, I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences here because it's given me the determination to get off this stuff, even if it means going through some very troubling experiences.
Posted by jiggitykid on April 6, 2004, at 12:19:26
In reply to Dr says no withdrawal - ha!, posted by scrawller on April 5, 2004, at 22:04:42
Good for you!! You'll probably have a stack that goes to the ceiling!!
If a doctor is unaware of the withdrawal effects *even from a tiny dose,* then it is our job to educate them. The "system" isn't going to.
Just know that you are not alone - that what you are expriencing is normal. Tell your doctor that she had better get educated FAST before this happens to anyone else. Search the archives for the petition here. I urge you to sign it. Maybe all of our voices combined can make someone listen and stop this abuse of patients. Take care of yourself and give yourself time to get this out of your system. It takes some time, so please be gentle with yourself, and know that we are all here in your corner!!
> i've been slowly tapering off effexor for the past few weeks. i've been totally off since thursday. have all the symptoms of withdrawal - naseau, crying fits, electric shocks, dizzy, headache, shallow breathing, etc.
> i called to check in with psych today, and told her i was having withdrawal. she told me it was impossible because i was on 37.5 mg for a week before dropping and that ensures i won't have withdrawal. am i crazy? i can't even function. i cried in my office for an hour after she told me this.
> she then said, "well, maybe you should start taking it again." i actually like my pscyh, i don't know if she was having a bad day or what, but the reason why i'm stopping is because it makes me manic. SSRIs are not my friend.
> i feel like im crazy. im happy i found this board though. i want to print out every message and leave it on her desk.
Posted by jiggitykid on April 6, 2004, at 12:21:53
In reply to Re: OFF after taper.......still sick....., posted by anxiety66me on April 5, 2004, at 19:50:13
I understand your frustration!! I could barely finish a sentence without bursting into tears. Hang in there - it does get better! Just give yourself permission to be weepy for a while. Take care of yourself.
> I cried at work and looked like an idiot. I was only on the stuf for a month or so.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
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.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.