![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 7429 to 7453 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 21, 2004, at 15:34:48
In reply to Effexor-XR - Serious Drug » 2ahammer, posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 14:54:37
I agree wholeheartldy! I am far from the Psy. drug
"expert", but I also would not put myself in the idiot category either. I would advise anyone struggling with mental health issues and looking towards a AD via their health professional, I would most vehemently stay away from Effox XR. For a year and a half I struggled with it. It did nothing for me, but in the end send my spiraling into a much deeper depression and sent my cholesterol levels out of control. I only hope and pray that my liver hasn't crossed over to the dark side yet. My hearts and prayers go out to those that it has. Plus of course putting on 25 lbs. which exercise and diet would not touch hasn't helped. Plus taking away my sexuality hasn't helped. Next comes the Remeron. I am taking 45 mg at night. I am going to start cutting those in half than stop very soon. I am on the beginning of my second week of Cymbalta. I have high hopes, because I don't see many other options, though I was ready to try Zoloft or the semi new cousin of Celexa, Lexapro. I don't feel like a million bucks yet on the Cymbalta, I have had zero side effects except feeling a little more depressed at the end of week one, which I hope passes quickly. I have thankfully started to sleep again at night which was a real problem as I got the poisonous substance (Effexor XR)out of my system. Good luck to all.........and try something else, there are better options than Effexor....at least in my vast psychiatric medical knowledge based on personal experiance and daily visists to Dr. Bob's!
Ed
Posted by dancingstar on October 21, 2004, at 16:50:50
In reply to Effexor-XR - Serious Drug » 2ahammer, posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 14:54:37
Hey Everyone,
Just a brief note: Someone asked me if I have the "electric shocks." I didn't understand what they meant by that, but yes, I had them immediately, since day one and I have them even now. They were worse at first, and I get them more in the morning. I think of it more like a "sound" or some kind of "swishing" or "clicking" usually in the occipital lobe of my brain. They kind of feel like they are pushing me around and are more annoying than anything else. Today I just have a plain old headache, and a little nausea. I'm sure it is something about the poison leaving, and it will be okay.
I am sure about a few things here though. 1. Unless there is some way to remove the drug by having it taken out of your system quickly, there isn't any point in being in a hospital. And that sort of rapid detox in this situation could be enormously dangeous. This is just too poisonous coming out. Instinct talking here, but it seems pretty obvious to me. It's not like an opitate. This is funky stuff.
You need to get lots of good supplements, read about all the things you need and make sure you try to strengthen your system. People around you can't help you. Talking it through with others can't really help you -- or me, really, either. Just try to keep things clean to avoid further toxins, get fresh air, breathe...and wait for time to make it better.
A massage might be great, and I'll bet that accupuncture could really help me. I'll have to check into that. My neck really hurts. Well, if I die, we'll all know why, but I think I'm not going to :-). Okay, it's 2:30 in the afternoon, and I'm going to try to take a shower. Yes, I know that I'm really fortunate, I can do my work at home, but I haven't started yet. I have done a couple of hours of homework, though.
Know something funny? My phone lines died yesterday, something about the rain shorting out the lines. I can't even really talk to anyone except by cell, but no one knows that my lines are dead. They can't be repaired until Monday. They died Wednesday. Great timing, huh?
One of my closest friends that I have started to talk about here has been on 150 mg of Effexor for a long time. She has a one-sided blood pressure problem, and I'm so worried about her. We're kind of like sisters. She doesn't believe that the problems that I've had are all because of the withdrawal, thinks that I must have something like a parasite...no way I have a parastie :-) like suddenly, just when I stop taking EffexorXR. I wasn't trying to get her to stop taking it, too or anything; though now that I see what it's done to me and have been reading so much about how everyone has had these problems, I'm even more concerned for her. She's so very angry with me about the whole thing, the fact that i've stopped taking the drug...even the my internist says that cold turkey is the best possible way to stop taking it though many of you disagree. He says it will be hard, but if I can possibly do it this way, it is the quickest way to freedom.
Anyway, whatever your choices are, I wish you all excellent health! On with the day....
Posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 22:13:12
In reply to Re: Effexor-XR - Serious Drug - Better Options, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 21, 2004, at 15:34:48
IM - For what reason are you choosing Cymbalta?
Would appreciate your sharing. cf
> I agree wholeheartldy! I am far from the Psy. drug
> "expert", but I also would not put myself in the idiot category either. I would advise anyone struggling with mental health issues and looking towards a AD via their health professional, I would most vehemently stay away from Effox XR. For a year and a half I struggled with it. It did nothing for me, but in the end send my spiraling into a much deeper depression and sent my cholesterol levels out of control. I only hope and pray that my liver hasn't crossed over to the dark side yet. My hearts and prayers go out to those that it has. Plus of course putting on 25 lbs. which exercise and diet would not touch hasn't helped. Plus taking away my sexuality hasn't helped. Next comes the Remeron. I am taking 45 mg at night. I am going to start cutting those in half than stop very soon. I am on the beginning of my second week of Cymbalta. I have high hopes, because I don't see many other options, though I was ready to try Zoloft or the semi new cousin of Celexa, Lexapro. I don't feel like a million bucks yet on the Cymbalta, I have had zero side effects except feeling a little more depressed at the end of week one, which I hope passes quickly. I have thankfully started to sleep again at night which was a real problem as I got the poisonous substance (Effexor XR)out of my system. Good luck to all.........and try something else, there are better options than Effexor....at least in my vast psychiatric medical knowledge based on personal experiance and daily visists to Dr. Bob's!
> Ed
Posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 22:36:15
In reply to Re: Effexor-XR - Serious Drug, posted by dancingstar on October 21, 2004, at 16:50:50
DS - We all have differing opinions, different medical issues, differing lengths of time on psychiatric meds, different support systems, and differing ages which may effect recovery.
In my case, I choose not to spend another $ on hospital for suicidal urge, another 'sizing up' of mental self and needs, or decompensation, thanks to hotlines, this site, therapy, what I've learned through history of mental illness manifestations, and a couple personal advocates.
Unfortunately, I think I would need make way to spend $ for to d.c. this strong, effective for me currently, AD.
I am happy for you SL, having the ability to do it w/o hospital.
You seem to have knowledge, or maybe the word is 'common sense', re: treating your withdrawal and health thereafter.
Can you afford all these supplements, massages, accupuncture? Do you work/study in the alternative med/medical/mental industry? Neither of the aforementioned apply to me!
I believe I would need/want medical attention at my bedside. bestwish2u cf
> Hey Everyone,
>
> Just a brief note: Someone asked me if I have the "electric shocks." I didn't understand what they meant by that, but yes, I had them immediately, since day one and I have them even now. They were worse at first, and I get them more in the morning. I think of it more like a "sound" or some kind of "swishing" or "clicking" usually in the occipital lobe of my brain. They kind of feel like they are pushing me around and are more annoying than anything else. Today I just have a plain old headache, and a little nausea. I'm sure it is something about the poison leaving, and it will be okay.
>
> I am sure about a few things here though. 1. Unless there is some way to remove the drug by having it taken out of your system quickly, there isn't any point in being in a hospital. And that sort of rapid detox in this situation could be enormously dangeous. This is just too poisonous coming out. Instinct talking here, but it seems pretty obvious to me. It's not like an opitate. This is funky stuff.
>
> You need to get lots of good supplements, read about all the things you need and make sure you try to strengthen your system. People around you can't help you. Talking it through with others can't really help you -- or me, really, either. Just try to keep things clean to avoid further toxins, get fresh air, breathe...and wait for time to make it better.
>
> A massage might be great, and I'll bet that accupuncture could really help me. I'll have to check into that. My neck really hurts. Well, if I die, we'll all know why, but I think I'm not going to :-). Okay, it's 2:30 in the afternoon, and I'm going to try to take a shower. Yes, I know that I'm really fortunate, I can do my work at home, but I haven't started yet. I have done a couple of hours of homework, though.
>
> Know something funny? My phone lines died yesterday, something about the rain shorting out the lines. I can't even really talk to anyone except by cell, but no one knows that my lines are dead. They can't be repaired until Monday. They died Wednesday. Great timing, huh?
>
> One of my closest friends that I have started to talk about here has been on 150 mg of Effexor for a long time. She has a one-sided blood pressure problem, and I'm so worried about her. We're kind of like sisters. She doesn't believe that the problems that I've had are all because of the withdrawal, thinks that I must have something like a parasite...no way I have a parastie :-) like suddenly, just when I stop taking EffexorXR. I wasn't trying to get her to stop taking it, too or anything; though now that I see what it's done to me and have been reading so much about how everyone has had these problems, I'm even more concerned for her. She's so very angry with me about the whole thing, the fact that i've stopped taking the drug...even the my internist says that cold turkey is the best possible way to stop taking it though many of you disagree. He says it will be hard, but if I can possibly do it this way, it is the quickest way to freedom.
>
> Anyway, whatever your choices are, I wish you all excellent health! On with the day....
Posted by S.Bartel on October 22, 2004, at 0:11:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success?to Sammi, posted by Jubilee on October 20, 2004, at 17:25:34
Thank you for your prayers. In answer to my symptoms: Severe pain on right side, sick at my stomach most of the time, very tired all the time, swelling all over my body, mostly feet and legs, and liver works overtime producing cholesterol and fat. Liver disease is incurable and I know that God is my only answer. I ask him to heal me daily.
I don't think age has anything to do with what effexor does to a person or how well you withdraw from it. I'm 56 and have been taking it since 1997. It first came out in 1996. I started with 37.5mg and worked up to 150 a day. I reduced it to 75 a day because I did not like the way I felt on 150, so most of the time I was only on 75mg. I should have gone to a Dr. sooner but I am a person who always procrastinates. Unfortunately I always try to treat myself and it doesn't always work. Actually it seldom works but that is hindsight and nothing I can do about it now. There is one cure and that is a liver transplant. I have checked with Accurian and found they are doing some kind of clinical trials on people with liver disease and high cholesterol. I have been trying to get on one but have not yet suceeded.
If anyone knows of a chat room or a site like this for people with liver disease I would like to find one. Although I read the posts on here everyday I don't post often because I don't feel well enough, but they have been a Godsend for me. I don't have much support because I don't talk about it to my children. I don't know how to tell them or if I should and I don't want them feeling bad or treating me any different. They are so busy with my grandchildren and their own lives. I don't get to see them as much as I did because I don't drive much anymore. Well I'm starting to ramble so I'll close for now. God Bless You, Sammi B.
Posted by joyjoy76 on October 22, 2004, at 1:50:55
In reply to Effexor-XR - Serious Drug » 2ahammer, posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 14:54:37
I have been on 75 mg of effexor Xr for a year now. Can this cause liver damage? Why does everyone keep saying it is so dangerous?
Posted by S.Bartel on October 22, 2004, at 2:40:29
In reply to Re: Effexor-XR - Serious Drug, posted by joyjoy76 on October 22, 2004, at 1:50:55
That's one reason why it can be so dangerous. It can cause liver damage. It is also very hard to withdraw from. People have died trying to quit taking it and liver disease will kill you. Please stop. I waited too long.
Good Luck, Sammi B.
Posted by corafree on October 22, 2004, at 2:40:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success?to Sammi » Jubilee, posted by S.Bartel on October 22, 2004, at 0:11:23
Boy, you've really got guts. Who do you talk to about all this?
I was on the old version (still making) of Effexor, but my reaction to Effexor-XR is so different. It was the first drug that made something 'go off' in my dulled brain.
I wish I had not burdened my grown children with my BpersonalityD/PTSD, but they are the only ones left in my life.
People think I don't like them, even my own mother thinks I hate her,...which is so far from the truth. I used to be so very different, loving people, and having a lot of family and friends in a wonderful life.
I lost my people skills somewhere during 30+ years of abuse to my mind and body.
Currently trying dialectical behavioral therapy.
I have a chronic injury and a major internal problem that I cannot afford to deal with, so just have to let-em-ride. My best friend and love of my life passed away Feb. and, like he, I lost 10 lbs. I am 5'5" and weigh 105lbs, feel so weak; think grieving is still taking its toll.
I hope you have someone that you talk with. best wishes cf
> Thank you for your prayers. In answer to my symptoms: Severe pain on right side, sick at my stomach most of the time, very tired all the time, swelling all over my body, mostly feet and legs, and liver works overtime producing cholesterol and fat. Liver disease is incurable and I know that God is my only answer. I ask him to heal me daily.
> I don't think age has anything to do with what effexor does to a person or how well you withdraw from it. I'm 56 and have been taking it since 1997. It first came out in 1996. I started with 37.5mg and worked up to 150 a day. I reduced it to 75 a day because I did not like the way I felt on 150, so most of the time I was only on 75mg. I should have gone to a Dr. sooner but I am a person who always procrastinates. Unfortunately I always try to treat myself and it doesn't always work. Actually it seldom works but that is hindsight and nothing I can do about it now. There is one cure and that is a liver transplant. I have checked with Accurian and found they are doing some kind of clinical trials on people with liver disease and high cholesterol. I have been trying to get on one but have not yet suceeded.
> If anyone knows of a chat room or a site like this for people with liver disease I would like to find one. Although I read the posts on here everyday I don't post often because I don't feel well enough, but they have been a Godsend for me. I don't have much support because I don't talk about it to my children. I don't know how to tell them or if I should and I don't want them feeling bad or treating me any different. They are so busy with my grandchildren and their own lives. I don't get to see them as much as I did because I don't drive much anymore. Well I'm starting to ramble so I'll close for now. God Bless You, Sammi B.
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by S.Bartel on October 22, 2004, at 3:38:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success?to Sammi » S.Bartel, posted by corafree on October 22, 2004, at 2:40:37
I'm sorry I guess I forgot to add the XR on Effexor. That is what I have been on for the past 7 years. I never took the old effexor so I can't say what it's effects are. It did help my mind and I never thought anything could, so it was a miracle. I lost my husband to Alcoholism and went into a severe depression. Effexor XR made his death bearable and going on with my life a cinch. Before that I was suicidal. I just did'nt want or know how to go on. I hope I don't go back to where I was before but if I do I won't take Effexor XR.
It gave me a life and I can't blame anyone for wanting to take something that can do that for you. Two years after I started taking it I went to truck driving school, got my CDL, and started driving over the road with my 6lb poodle. I loved it and never felt so close to my God before. I saw so much beauty that he had created and felt him with me all the time as my co-driver. I became unable to drive because of my fibromyalgia and back surgery after falling on the ice. I still have God and the memories with me. I still see his beauty everywhere. Maybe I never needed the Effexor, only God in my life. He has given me many blessings that I am thankful for. My children and Grandchildren(5 of them), my poodle Fergie, my mother who is still living at age 85, and a man I have known for 50 years who has become a very good friend and more in the last year. Yes I have God to talk to and others that would listen if I chose to talk to them about it. Right now God is enough and I'm OK with that. At least no one in my life thinks I don't love them. I love them dearly and they know that. I do talk to them many times a week, but mostly about them.
I pray your family can understand what you are going thru and realize that you really do love them. I'm sure they know that anyway but it's hard on the family and they don't always react the way we want them to. Pray about it.
God Bless, Sammi B.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 22, 2004, at 5:24:00
In reply to Re: Effexor-XR - Serious Drug - Better Options » invisiblemanpa, posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 22:13:12
To me it seems simple. Cymbalta was reported on lilly's site (of course) and here to have fewer side effects and excellent benefits with good crossover benefits for socail anxiety with few side effects. I could not take Paxil, it made me deathly ill, Prozac did nothing, Serzone did nothing and now look where that is..off the market, Zoloft made me very nervous, though I was almost ready to try it again and work slowly up, last time my family doctor had given it to me and started me at what I think was way to high of a dosage. I am very sensitive to meds...and in my heart I still feel that I very much need an AD/anti anxiety med. to help me get my life back. Plus I strongly believe in talk therapy, exercise and a good vitamin regimen. I walk & talk with my Pastor once a week and talk to a therapist about every two weeks......
Ed
Posted by AWR on October 22, 2004, at 7:37:49
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP! » nsr, posted by jujube on October 13, 2004, at 18:38:37
This website is a blessing. I am in day 4 switching from Effexor to Wellbutrin. My dr. told me to make a direct switch - drop the Effexor and immediately start with the WB. By the middle of day 2, I felt terrible and the night sweats( which I'm used to because of starting menopause) were like nothing I've ever had before. I read some postings here and called my dr. I am now tapering off the Effexor and sticking with the WB and feel tired, but almost normal.
In the first two days I was dizzy, jaggedy, having frequent and had scary brain zaps and was tired tired tired. I now am just a little tired, a litte dizzy and have light night sweats. More importantly, I know that is getting better and going to resolve soon.
So, what worked for me - listening to people on this site - truly a blessing, calling my doctor, and tapering the Effexor. One last tip - in the Asian food section, you can buy candied ginger slices - buy some and just let them dissolve - it gives temporary help to queasiness.
Again, thank you all - just knowing there are people who have experienced this, that they respond, and that it gets better made a huge difference.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 22, 2004, at 8:24:41
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by AWR on October 22, 2004, at 7:37:49
Was your Dr. family practice of psy.? Anyone except, a very few, could ever stop Effexor cold turkey. It still amazes me all of the physcians and psy. that can write scripts for these meds. and don't really know anymore than what the drug rep. tells them. It is scary to think about all of the other conditions that they are writing meds for. I have an aunt that is in her 80s and is on about 20 meds., including 2 or 3 AD, 2 benzos, etc. Whatever she asks for, they write. Just like the chiropractors in this area that grouped together and were writing hundreds of scripts for Oxycotin for anyone that would pay for a visit. It's all about money and premiums & kickbacks from the drug companies. The day of the truely caring family doctor or psy., I am afraid has gone the way of the typewriter and the milk man. Sorry, I got off on the wrong subject. But it is the truth. Everytime I go to the family doctor or psy., there is a pharm. rep, with tons of samples, bags of goodies and probably a check or envelope of cash. And we have all gotten sucked into it. This site also helped me, as I picked up pretty quick that I had to wean myself off, plus adding Omega 3 and Niacin, not only for my effexor high cholesterol, may have helped withdrawl symptons. I think being able to take Klonopin also helped. Good luck!
Ed
Posted by dancingstar on October 22, 2004, at 10:58:04
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 22, 2004, at 8:24:41
Um, nope. No psy docs here in the loop whatsoever.
That's why I say that if these drugs are supposed to be so harmless and given to people with fibro or people that need nrg or people with no one to talk to and are going to be "pushed" by drug reps, I truly think their makers ought to be required to take them for a year or so first and then stop taking them so that they have an opportunity to see first hand how safe they really are before they are passed out like candy samples all over the nation.
I really don't know what to eat that can be processed through my stomach, and it's now been over three weeks. I can't finish my work or my homework, and I am on the verge of giving my class. Last night I had such a bad headache, and the University is 30 miles away. I'm only good for about three hours at a time before I collapse from either pain or nausea or find myself back in the bathroom again. I suppose this can make me crazy. Do you think I have the European gene since my famiy is European?
Posted by dancingstar on October 22, 2004, at 11:03:23
In reply to Re: Effexor-XR - Serious Drug - Better Options, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 22, 2004, at 5:24:00
Be careful with it, though. I have read similar problems. Is it possible that it is newer and less reported?
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 22, 2004, at 11:22:44
In reply to Re: Effexor-XR - Serious Drug - Better Options, posted by dancingstar on October 22, 2004, at 11:03:23
I should follow up my high hopes with, I would not be surprised at all to find out that Cymbalta will turn out to be just like the rest. As I have posted in the past the only category of drugs that has truly helped with my anxiety issues are benzos. I have yet to find help with depression, that is why I am gambling on Cymbalta.
Ed
Posted by dancingstar on October 22, 2004, at 11:42:02
In reply to Re: Effexor-XR - Serious Drug » dancingstar, posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 22:36:15
Hey Corafree,
I have pretty much grown up surrounded by alternative medicine. One of my close friends owned a health food store when I was young, and I've been actively involved in health and fitness since I was 25. I also attended a major university's health and fitness program within the past five years; so yes, I guess I do have those sorts of leanings in the first place. I believe in the healing power of the body if you leave it alone, unless it has a problem that needs to be corrected or modified.
If I have a weak spot in my thinking, it tends to be along the lines of distrusting the drug companies in their desire to put profits ahead of the greater good and in the medical community only because in many cases, I believe that I am smarter than many doctors, and I don't always agree with their judgment because they have tended to almost kill me more than twice; so I am very particular about from which ones I get my medical care. I choose my doctors extremely carefully and now have two that I adore. One is the smartest man on the planet. :-). (I hadn't thought of calling him about this cause he is a plastic surgeon.)
I guess if I felt like I could trust someone, I would seek out their care, but for this kind of thing, I don't have anyone to rely on but myself...which is not completely thrilling.
And, yes, Corafree, I am very, very blessed. I worked hard from the time I was 21 to build my business and had many ups and downs; but right now it pretty much runs itself. I thank God every minute for this blessing. Yes, I can go get a massage or go get acupuncure. I even had a disability policy...but Dr. Braun somehow managed to make a mess of that. There must be some online place that I can file a complaint against him or something. Anyway....
> DS - We all have differing opinions, different medical issues, differing lengths of time on psychiatric meds, different support systems, and differing ages which may effect recovery.
>
> In my case, I choose not to spend another $ on hospital for suicidal urge, another 'sizing up' of mental self and needs, or decompensation, thanks to hotlines, this site, therapy, what I've learned through history of mental illness manifestations, and a couple personal advocates.
>
> Unfortunately, I think I would need make way to spend $ for to d.c. this strong, effective for me currently, AD.
>
> I am happy for you SL, having the ability to do it w/o hospital.
>
> You seem to have knowledge, or maybe the word is 'common sense', re: treating your withdrawal and health thereafter.
>
> Can you afford all these supplements, massages, accupuncture? Do you work/study in the alternative med/medical/mental industry? Neither of the aforementioned apply to me!
>
> I believe I would need/want medical attention at my bedside. bestwish2u cf
>
> > Hey Everyone,
> >
> > Just a brief note: Someone asked me if I have the "electric shocks." I didn't understand what they meant by that, but yes, I had them immediately, since day one and I have them even now. They were worse at first, and I get them more in the morning. I think of it more like a "sound" or some kind of "swishing" or "clicking" usually in the occipital lobe of my brain. They kind of feel like they are pushing me around and are more annoying than anything else. Today I just have a plain old headache, and a little nausea. I'm sure it is something about the poison leaving, and it will be okay.
> >
> > I am sure about a few things here though. 1. Unless there is some way to remove the drug by having it taken out of your system quickly, there isn't any point in being in a hospital. And that sort of rapid detox in this situation could be enormously dangeous. This is just too poisonous coming out. Instinct talking here, but it seems pretty obvious to me. It's not like an opitate. This is funky stuff.
> >
> > You need to get lots of good supplements, read about all the things you need and make sure you try to strengthen your system. People around you can't help you. Talking it through with others can't really help you -- or me, really, either. Just try to keep things clean to avoid further toxins, get fresh air, breathe...and wait for time to make it better.
> >
> > A massage might be great, and I'll bet that accupuncture could really help me. I'll have to check into that. My neck really hurts. Well, if I die, we'll all know why, but I think I'm not going to :-). Okay, it's 2:30 in the afternoon, and I'm going to try to take a shower. Yes, I know that I'm really fortunate, I can do my work at home, but I haven't started yet. I have done a couple of hours of homework, though.
> >
> > Know something funny? My phone lines died yesterday, something about the rain shorting out the lines. I can't even really talk to anyone except by cell, but no one knows that my lines are dead. They can't be repaired until Monday. They died Wednesday. Great timing, huh?
> >
> > One of my closest friends that I have started to talk about here has been on 150 mg of Effexor for a long time. She has a one-sided blood pressure problem, and I'm so worried about her. We're kind of like sisters. She doesn't believe that the problems that I've had are all because of the withdrawal, thinks that I must have something like a parasite...no way I have a parastie :-) like suddenly, just when I stop taking EffexorXR. I wasn't trying to get her to stop taking it, too or anything; though now that I see what it's done to me and have been reading so much about how everyone has had these problems, I'm even more concerned for her. She's so very angry with me about the whole thing, the fact that i've stopped taking the drug...even the my internist says that cold turkey is the best possible way to stop taking it though many of you disagree. He says it will be hard, but if I can possibly do it this way, it is the quickest way to freedom.
> >
> > Anyway, whatever your choices are, I wish you all excellent health! On with the day....
>
>
Posted by nsr on October 22, 2004, at 12:23:58
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by AWR on October 22, 2004, at 7:37:49
> This website is a blessing. I am in day 4 switching from Effexor to Wellbutrin. My dr. told me to make a direct switch - drop the Effexor and immediately start with the WB. By the middle of day 2, I felt terrible and the night sweats( which I'm used to because of starting menopause) were like nothing I've ever had before. I read some postings here and called my dr. I am now tapering off the Effexor and sticking with the WB and feel tired, but almost normal.
> In the first two days I was dizzy, jaggedy, having frequent and had scary brain zaps and was tired tired tired. I now am just a little tired, a litte dizzy and have light night sweats. More importantly, I know that is getting better and going to resolve soon.
> So, what worked for me - listening to people on this site - truly a blessing, calling my doctor, and tapering the Effexor. One last tip - in the Asian food section, you can buy candied ginger slices - buy some and just let them dissolve - it gives temporary help to queasiness.
> Again, thank you all - just knowing there are people who have experienced this, that they respond, and that it gets better made a huge difference.AWR, My last Effexor was four days ago, too . . . I tapered down while starting Wellbutrin, and am supplementing with Niacin and Omega-3. Have had some queasiness, lightheadedness, headache, insomnia, and my mood took a major dive about three days ago. However, feeling better today. The physical effects were actually much milder than when I was tapering from 300 mg to 75 mg. over the past four months. I know what you mean about ginger. I like little sips of ginger tea for nausea; one teaspoon of powder to a cup of hot water and strained--good iced too, or mixed with mint.
Like you, I have been really tired. I am between jobs and chose this time to make the switch, a good thing because I know I would not have been able to function at work. I was relieved to notice my concentration starting to come back last night. Like that saying, of all the things I've lost, I missed my mind the most . . .
Good luck to you and I'll be interested in knowing if the Wellbutrin works out well for you.
I have a question for anyone -- given the recent postings about possible liver damage, anyone's doctor considered it necessary to order periodic labs to monitor liver function while on Effexor? I imagine it's more important for those who have risk factors for liver disease, but I was wondering whether anyone's doc believes this should be checked as a matter of routine. --nsr
Posted by corafree on October 22, 2004, at 18:23:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success? » corafree, posted by S.Bartel on October 22, 2004, at 3:38:52
Thanks Sammi! I am trying to get to psycho-babble open - a chat room. I recently was posting with some suicidal ideation and some grief. I don't know where everyone went, or if I've somehow lost my connections to those posts. There were some posts of mine that were transferred to Psycho-Babble Social. Don't know where they went?! Anyway, the chat would be one good outlet for me anyway. I seem to feel better when I can talk, but not toooo much, a bit about my probs'. In the end, my belief in the serenity a good higher power offers is what calms me most. He knows me better than I know myself. cf
> I'm sorry I guess I forgot to add the XR on Effexor. That is what I have been on for the past 7 years. I never took the old effexor so I can't say what it's effects are. It did help my mind and I never thought anything could, so it was a miracle. I lost my husband to Alcoholism and went into a severe depression. Effexor XR made his death bearable and going on with my life a cinch. Before that I was suicidal. I just did'nt want or know how to go on. I hope I don't go back to where I was before but if I do I won't take Effexor XR.
> It gave me a life and I can't blame anyone for wanting to take something that can do that for you. Two years after I started taking it I went to truck driving school, got my CDL, and started driving over the road with my 6lb poodle. I loved it and never felt so close to my God before. I saw so much beauty that he had created and felt him with me all the time as my co-driver. I became unable to drive because of my fibromyalgia and back surgery after falling on the ice. I still have God and the memories with me. I still see his beauty everywhere. Maybe I never needed the Effexor, only God in my life. He has given me many blessings that I am thankful for. My children and Grandchildren(5 of them), my poodle Fergie, my mother who is still living at age 85, and a man I have known for 50 years who has become a very good friend and more in the last year. Yes I have God to talk to and others that would listen if I chose to talk to them about it. Right now God is enough and I'm OK with that. At least no one in my life thinks I don't love them. I love them dearly and they know that. I do talk to them many times a week, but mostly about them.
> I pray your family can understand what you are going thru and realize that you really do love them. I'm sure they know that anyway but it's hard on the family and they don't always react the way we want them to. Pray about it.
> God Bless, Sammi B.
Posted by S.Bartel on October 22, 2004, at 20:05:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success? » S.Bartel, posted by corafree on October 22, 2004, at 18:23:40
CF, The idea if a chat room is very appealing to me. Get er done. Sammi
Posted by S.Bartel on October 22, 2004, at 20:15:31
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by nsr on October 22, 2004, at 12:23:58
My Dr. did'nt even know enough to realize that effexor could cause liver damage until I brought it to his attention. As far as periodic checks they started doing that after they found high liver enzymes and it took 2 years before they did any further testing such as sonagrams and etc. to actually find the liver damage. By then it was really advanced. Duh....What are they thinking??
Sammi
Posted by Jubilee on October 24, 2004, at 15:00:28
In reply to Re: Anyone had success? » corafree, posted by S.Bartel on October 22, 2004, at 3:38:52
Oh and answer to prayer my God knows my heart and here I have been trying to find a friend on the MPD site,, yes I mean Multiple Per, site for some God Fearing loving new friend , and they don't want to hear about God , who is our only hope in MPD, Liver desease, grief, and ant trial.
I also lost my 27 year old son this last Feb. from an accidental overdose, and miss him terribly , while he's having a wooping good time with the Lord.
anyway, I happened to come back here when I saw your reply Sammi Bartel on my E mail and what a blessing.
And miss Corafree , who also loves God, I find,. And on top of that a fellow friend with her 6 lb poodle friend, and God who gives all life meaning and Hope for tomarroow!!!Yes , I have been praying for you Sammi, and God has healed me from Incurable Gonerea, and given me 4 babies, and healed a bad epideral site , a concusion, two numb legs from my 2 buldging disks, so I don't fall down anymore and no wheel chair for me yet , Praise his awesome name, not to mention deliverance from herion addiction and alcoholicism at 23 years old!, and even Mpd of 16 personalities and I am now one.I am 52 now .
The Lord just told me to look up Fibromialgia 2 weeks ago and now I know what the chronic pain I have lived with since 1983 is about and the pain is all over my body now , but I rejoice in that he is not finished with me yet, and has blessed me with pain meds since 2000 for bulging disks on Methadone which doesnt mess up my head, thank God. I walked out of the fog of MPD on Aug, 31st this year and I am "one" again, after recovering from much exaustion for a month from integration and fusion.!.
I have been blessed with a christian longterm roomate and friend who is also recovering from childhood abuse issues and we are growing in the joy of the Lord daily.!! Used to be married but now platonic.
Sammi,
I take anti nausea pills for when my pain makes me nauseaus, and wondering if they help you at all my friend. ?? It takes great courage to go throu what you are suffering and I am asking the Lord daily for a brand new liver for you ,sis,since I read your first site so you can enjoy your grandkids also and the beautiful days with your beloved poodle and friends..
Hey...Sammi , we are awaiting a new poodle baby girl, from a breeding that our "Stanley John "did in Aug.. and her name will be Jubilee!! I will breed dogs again for fun with my babies, now that I know I'm, not ending up in a wheel chair. Very excited, and ready by December to bring home if she is the right one. Might have to wait for next breeding, and get one in the summer.. puppies smell like gravy and I can't wait. We all should be living life like it's our last day, should we not???Cora...I too lost my people skills at 31 ,as I have been hiding out as a Multiple personality and found I didn't fit in the church community anymore. I kept showing up after my diagnosis in 89, but felt so out of place. # years ago I started watching alot of TBN Christian TV and met a Pastor Paula White, three years back ,and God strarted to heal my fragmented mind through a woman from a background of severe abuse also. God knows how to reach us and feed us and nuture us when we head for the emotional wilderness like I did. Aparently my people skills suck as I have recieved nothing but rejection on the MPD web site. MPD's are as a rule ,real unreliable friends , that all dump you sooner or later I found out by experience over the years . Aparently I didn't learn my lesson. I just came crawling back to this babble board , bruised and bleeding to find you and Sammi again. Think I'll stick around.
On to the subject of Effexor XR that I have been going off since the first of AUG. and am now down to, less than 2 -37's a day, I am happy to say that "slow" has worked well for me.( over all time it's 4 months starting from 300mgs a day) I have been an insomniac for 4 years now ,due to effexor and the last 2 nights I have gone to bed like a normal person without a strong sleeping aid called seriquil, for 5 days now. Seriquil causes jerking of limbs which have left me when I go off it, but is dangerous , but I was so bad I had to have something very strong to sleep. I have delt with hypomania , agitation, and anxioty for 4 years from effexor, along with many other affects like vision loss, but I am blessed because I am almost free.
Sammi , I am going to get you on another prayer line and call Life outreach 1-800 line for prayer for you a new liver, and I have gotten many answers to prayer there on TBN . I suggest checking out a christian chat line where you can get others to pray and believe with you.
Which one of you have Fibromialgia? was it Cora?
Ill, go back and check and come back. I don't get out much due to physical disabilities but I can scope Gods new beauties and mercy every morning from my fromt pourch when I let Stanley out. I have trees and privacy the Lord has blessed us with, Just got some memory foam for my body pain and wake up in less pain, plus started on alpha lipoic acid, and zink, and B12, and potassium and magnissium and malic acid. Has been helping . I bought a bunch of 5$ pillows and made my chair more comfortable for watching TV and reading. . Pamper your bod. God Bless, and hope I cheered your day!!! Jubilee.
Posted by Jubilee on October 24, 2004, at 15:44:33
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP! » nsr, posted by S.Bartel on October 22, 2004, at 20:15:31
I am 52 , and have learned much. and was formally diagnoses with MPD in 1989 but with DEPRESSION in 1987 and it was Chronic and horrible doom and gloom. I was in and out of suisidal thinking and hopelessness and had muscel spasms also that elivil also eased the pain of, as it has a chronic pain killer in it also. I consider it a wonder drug and I have been on many drugs in my day. . . So they put me on elivil(or amatripaline or pamalor, is same thing.)a safe good anti-depressant discovered in 52 ,the year I was born. It was a med discovered for TB patients and they were comming out of deep depressions.!!! It was a Godsend for me and I was on it for 13 years and it worked great , except for my wieght problem which never got over 50 lbs. Compared to all the new drugs they came out with in late 80's to counteract the wieght problems, first being prozac and then Zoloft, the lists go on, and its all about money honey, I always went back to elivil ,because I would rather be chubby then in the gloom of depression!!! There were no serious or dangerous side-effects from elivil and they don't like to order it now , because they get all these costly free samples that suck in patients BUT the dr can hand them out for free, at first with all these new wonder drugs ,all about money!!!. Oh, yea, for me it caused also dry mouth, because I was so depressed I had to take the highest amount of 250 mgs a night, so I chewed alot of gum from dry mouth, but big deal. You must resist sweets , but at least you are not posioning your body with thses SSRI's . Prozac made me manic and I slept 4 hours a night and lost wieght. I had aggitated depression and you can also take elivil during the day as it has a non addictive seditive in it.So I would always go back to good ol elivil. I believe it is the safest out there and it makes you happy!! and too much will even make you a bit manic ,or over happy. Hows that for a Bad side affect???? Ha. Take this from an old timer. If you cant cope with depression, request elivil, come out of darkness very fast , and live life to its fullest without endangering your body. This has been my experience ,strength and hope, for those who only have depression to look forward to after comming off effexor and the new dangerous drugs. I believe you can start it while taking effexor but it's toxic with prozac, but worth the wait.
How did I overcome depression????God through Christian TV finally delivered me from the depths of depression 2 years back ,(and I don't go to church) but I was still stuck on effexor xr, because of the dangerous side affects of going off. . You too can come down real slow . Pray and God will give you wisdom too. Even you athiests as God loves you so Just pray. God Bless , Jubilee
Posted by dancingstar on October 24, 2004, at 18:47:45
In reply to Life after effexor-Depression??? to Bartel and Co, posted by Jubilee on October 24, 2004, at 15:44:33
It's now been three and a half weeks for me, and I was still having a tough time a couple of days ago. Though I almost never got headaches, for over two days, I had what must have been a migraine. That combined with the almost month-long stomach problems was beginning to give me the psych problems that I didn't originally have ;-).
Deperation drove me to try a couple of things that I hadn't yet. First, I bought a child's dosage of Benadryl. With fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue I was afraid to take the Benadryl, but it works so very well. It knocked out the headache and nausea instantly, and I could go on with my life. The smallest possible dose works, and I take more when I need it. "It's a miracle." Honest. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
SamE - I'll be darn. Killed the brain fog better than anything else.
I was talking with a friend of mine that also studies nutrition, but she's been doing it more recently than I have and she's been taking this stuff daily. When we were growing up, her family owned a local health food store; so I should have known that she'd come up with something great. I took it yesterday and today, and my head is pretty happy.
Whey - I added some whey protein powder to my oatmeal in the a.m. cause it does make sense to me that the Effexor byproducts bind to the whey and can be swept away and out of the body.
When I told my friend what I was doing about w/drawing from the Effexor cold turkey, she commented that I probably felt as good as I do (as bad as it seemed to me) because of all of the supplements that I have been taking and the kinds of foods that I've been eating. I do think that she is right. It could be so much worse. These products, some of them, the SamE 400 mg, the Omega3, the 5-HTP, CoQ10-100, the Enzymatic Therapy from Fatigued to Fantastic, the Adrenal Support, EmergenC, an AM and PM vitamin, tons of water, oats, a little bit of salmon and brown rice and organic veggies and the smallest amount of fresh fruit, an apple may be all I can tolerate; but this is enormously expensive. If someone doesn't know enough to do or take these things and to get some exercise if you aren't too sick, how can people get through this with their bodies and minds intact? Oh, yeah, and the most important thing of all: enough time to rest and let your body heal.
You know, I went out last night, and I was around many others that are supposed to be my age, maybe even several years younger than I am. It really shows when people don't respect their bodies and minds. I think that there is a lot of research that has been done which shows that while genetics comes into play to some degree with regard to our health, there is a tremendous amount that we can do to influence the way we look and feel throughout our lifetime. It seems like such a waste to me to see how people ruin perfect health by lifestyle choices that destroy it. Maybe that's one of the reasons that I get so grumpy with the makers of these drugs who continue to grow huge profits by incorrectly marketing drugs to the wrong patients therby posing a serious risk to our health. How dare they? It is so very precious.
By the way, if anyone cares, this is the kind of thing that "they" are trying to stop you from being allowed to sue for, not that I was planning on it anyway.
Posted by corafree on October 24, 2004, at 20:59:02
In reply to Life after effexor-Depression??? to Bartel and Co, posted by Jubilee on October 24, 2004, at 15:44:33
Jubilee: I've always had thoughts about Elavil in the back of my mind. I knew many who had lost spouses and began taking it. Ya' know, if Eff-XR starts to hurt me, I just might take your advice and ask about good ole' Elavil. your friend in the internet waiting room, cf
Posted by dancingstar on October 26, 2004, at 12:35:38
In reply to Re: Life after effexor-Depression??? to Bartel and Co » Jubilee, posted by corafree on October 24, 2004, at 20:59:02
Please, please, please do not take EFFEXOR or EFFEXOR XR if you have another alternative as I'm not convinced that it is safe to stop taking this drug.
After four weeks, I still have the runs, but I'm basically free of its grip. My stomach feels as though I have a hole in it, but I can finally breathe again, and I can concentrate, and I don't have a headache. I'm sure that it is only because I am somewhat sophisticated when it comes to alternative medicine and not completely completely financially broke that I've done this well. It could have been very much worse as only last week I didn't feel as though I would live, physically, because I was still so weak.
Last night for the first time in almost a month I went to Billy Blanks' and worked out. I wasn't 100 percent, but it still felt so good to work out again. Even though I was afraid it would really wear me out, I was able to get up and out of bed at 7:30 this morning. With fibromyalgia on a rainy morning...that means I'm better :-).
I've spent hundreds of dollars getting myself out of this Effexor nightmare. Since it was prescribed to me by an incompetent family practice doctor that also had the oxycontin drug rep talk me into taking that drug at another time, I have to beg anyone that doesn't absolutely have to take Effexor to please not take this drug as the withdrawal is so horrid as to not be worth any potential good that this drug can do. There must be better options, and under any circumstances if you are going to take it, make sure that it is prescribed by a doctor of psychiatry or pharmacology that completely understands what they are getting you into. In the end, though, it is up to you as it is your body. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have taken this vile drug. It did me nothing but harm. I didn't need it in the first place, and I didn't need the scum that allowed it to be prescribed to me. (Sorry that I feel so strongly, but I have had to go through two serious withdrawals because of things that he should not have prescribed, and he later denied prescribing them in my medical records. I guess he knew it wasn't such a brilliant idea. And yes, I switched doctors :-))
Anyway, I forgot how amazing it feels to feel good!! So if you do feel good, take just a moment to enjoy it :-) Best of luck to everyone!
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