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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1096 to 1120 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Daisygirl on June 15, 2001, at 16:01:49
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by ksc on June 13, 2001, at 9:13:21
>I took Effexor XR 75 mg for 3 1/2 months. I started w/ the 37.5 for one week then started the 75 mg after that 1st week. I decided to quit taking Effexor XR and decided to taper off med myself. I began with one 75 mg every other day. That went okay. Then I went down to 75 mg every three days. That is went the problems started. I have suffered from severe headaches that appear to be sinus headaches. I had an xray of sinus no blockage or fluid build up per doc. I had severe stomach pain which felt like someone was trying to ram their fist up in under my rib cage on the right side along with severe nausea. My doc sent me for an ultrasound (thinking it was my gallbladder). Ultrasound results no gallbladder problems. I also was very dizzy and had trouble with focusing in, light headed, my heart would feel like it was beating funny. I also would sleep till 10:00 am or 11:00 am easy, I have been on vacation this week thank God! I usually wake up at 6:00 regardless what day it is, my internal clock is messed up. To be totally honest, I thought I had some bad disease or cancer. I am not a hypocondriac, but I have been to the doctor more in the last 3 weeks than I have in the last 10 years. I stumbled onto this website a few days ago and was astonished to see that my symptoms are actually side effects of discontinuing this med. I am feeling the best today, still a little dizzy, lightheaded, tired. But I praise the Lord, I can function today. I have been unable to function the last 2 weeks. I have totally been off Effexor XR since Saturday, June 10, 2001. Please take extreme caution when discontinuing this med, I don't recommend Cold Turkey. You might talk to doc. Please let me know what you decided to do and what you experience on discontinuing Effexor XR. Good luck, God Bless. I give God all the glory for seeing me through this, without him I wouldn't have made it. I will be praying for you, please if you have trouble please give it to him, he will be there to take care of you. He sure has me.
Tanya,
> I'm calling my doc today to try and get off the XR. I've been on 113mg (37.5mg and 75.5mg) for about 8 months now and the sleep problems and exhaustion have gotten worse. I started taking for feelings of being overwhelmed. I was doing too much and doc thought it would help clear my head and slow me down. At first it really helped, I was having some vivid dreams, but nothing serious. About 5 months in, I became hypothyroid and needed medication for that. Within a month my thyroid was back inline but I started feeling worse to the point where the doc was diagnosing fibromyalgia (chronic fatigue with constant muscle pain and weakness). After seeing a specialist they seemed to think the thyroid meds contributed to the sleep problems after bringing my metabalism back in line, since I was so sluggish before it actually helped me sleep. Now I dream all night long and am unable to reach stage 4 REM sleep. It's exhausting, and my body has trouble rejuvenating itself.
>
> However, I'm a little nervous about the side effects of stopping the meds. Can anyone who's gone through this give me an idea of what types of side effects they incurred while quitting, so I know what to expect?!?
>
> Thanks,
> KC
Posted by paulk on June 15, 2001, at 18:21:47
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Daisygirl on June 15, 2001, at 16:01:49
> >I took Effexor XR 75 mg for 3 1/2 months. I started w/ the 37.5 for one week then started the 75 mg after that 1st week. I decided to quit taking Effexor XR and decided to taper off med myself. I began with one 75 mg every other day.
That’s NOT a good idea – you want to take ½ half capsule every day.
> That went okay. Then I went down to 75 mg every three days. That is went the problems started.
I’m not surprised – You are basicly having a full dose one day and withdrawal symptoms the next two – and those symptoms can be pretty nasty.
>I have suffered from severe headaches that appear to be sinus headaches. I had an xray of sinus no blockage or fluid build up per doc. I had severe stomach pain which felt like someone was trying to ram their fist up in under my rib cage on the right side along with severe nausea. My doc sent me for an ultrasound (thinking it was my gallbladder). ….I stumbled onto this website a few days ago and was astonished to see that my symptoms are actually side effects of discontinuing this med.
If you doctor put you on Effexor without telling you or at least giving you something to read that told you about the withdrawal symptoms and the need to taper, then I (IMHO) think he is incompetent. Anyone who starts this drug (and it is proved to be quite effective for a lot of folks) should know that there are quite common side effects on stopping it and a real need to taper down. Also, the manufacturer really should have smaller dosages available for tapering down.
I recommend tapering down (I’m not a doctor – but I’ve gone through Effexor withdrawals more than once now.) 75mg/day for a week, 37.5 the next week and 15 the next – if you are still having symptoms you might try using 10 for one more week. You can cut the dosage by counting the little balls inside. Your local pharmacist can do this for you also if you are uncomfortable. – just get your doc to write the prescription.
Some of the things you mention might also be the re-emergence of symptoms – the heart stuff you talk about sure sounds like anxiety. Mostly, the withdraw side effects I had were flue like symptoms, extra bad depression, weird jolts like I was about to fall. The last of the symptoms took 3 weeks to disappear after I was completely off it (I had been on it a very long time).
I don’t know why you went on it – it has been of great help to me and many others – it has real nasty withdrawal symptoms – your doctor should have told you about stopping the med – if he didn’t I recommend getting a doctor who has the missing competence/integrity.
As part of my usual Rant, if you are suffering symptoms of depression you should see a good endocrinologist who can rule out hypothyroidism before starting meds – (I suppose if you are suicidal you might not want to wait; the worry of such a law suit gets you on meds before the blood work is done.)
For more details see:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64452.htmlI knew a gal who had been though years of psychotherapy at a famous Freudian inpatient hospital. She saw a doc outside the clinic for her dry skin – he spotted it for what it was – hypothyroidism – it was impressive – Instead of a depressed, lethargic, unattractive woman; she was radiant, animated, and just blossomed in the next week. (Instead of suing for malpractice, she walked away not wanting to spend time with lawyers and taking time out of her new found life. She was quite a gal).
All that being said – not all folks with depression are suffering from easily treated hypothyroidism and some of us (me included) are lucky enough to have both. But, the point still stands, that many in the pych field are not checking for physical causes of depression, as a competent doctor would.
Posted by Zo on June 16, 2001, at 20:40:09
In reply to Re: Fibromyalgia Effexor - YES!!!!, posted by Willow on June 13, 2001, at 21:03:01
Hwy, I'm going on year four of Effexor (and other meds) for CFS. . .go for the stock!
Zo
Posted by Willow on June 16, 2001, at 21:22:44
In reply to Re: Fibromyalgia, CFS, Effexor - YES!!!!, posted by Zo on June 16, 2001, at 20:40:09
> Hwy, I'm going on year four of Effexor (and other meds) for CFS. . .go for the stock!
How much is the effexor helping you? What other medications or treatments have you found helpful?
I've just completed a sleep-study and will see the doctor regarding this in July. So far it hasn't told me anything I don't know: I'm tired and twitch in my sleep steady. My mother says at least now I have proof that I'm tired! :0
I'm getting B12 shots every three weeks, baclofen for muscle spasms, losec and zantac to help keep everything down, effexor for the brain dysfunction, and tylenol with codeine for pain. I've got another rx for some type of med to help speed up my stomach but so far I haven't taken it, the last type I was on gave me migraines so I'm a little leary.
I've gone through the ADs which had made me worse. The sleep clinic said that they make the twitching worse, thus poor quality sleep and as a result fatigue during the day.
We've just been through a few hot muggy days and heat is a killer for me, plus add a few stressful moments and the hypersomnia is returning. Do you find anything that makes you worse or better?
I'm also doing the talk thing with a psychologists, helps to keep things in perspective. Sorry for carrying on, but there's not many with CFS on this board.
Willow
Posted by Zo on June 17, 2001, at 1:04:19
In reply to CFS, Effexor - YES!!!! - Zo?, posted by Willow on June 16, 2001, at 21:22:44
Leg-twitching seems related to ADD, and can be treated with benzos, Dex or Neurtonin. ADs don't make it worse, in fact some should help.
See the thread I just started on CFS/FM for my whole mix of meds.
Yeah, heat is a killer for me too, but am more temperature tolerant since Neurontin. And in so vastly less pain. . .
Good Luck!
Zo
Posted by Ottawa Bill on June 18, 2001, at 7:58:59
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
>I am glad I was on Efexor xr for about year. I went to a high dose of 225 Mg. to a maintenance dose of 150. About three months ago I dropped to 75 mg, and as sproing came and my therapies became more effective, I dropped to 75 mg.
I recently asked my Dr. to wean me off. He took me to 37.5 XR for two weeks and then to Effexor 37.5 for 4 days. I have been drug free for a week now, still having severe headaches, and the unsettling feeling of my brain freefloating inside my skull.
why doesn't Wyatt=Ayerst warn prospective patients of how difficult and painful this drug is to stop ?
Is this another example of a drug company treating its clients with Contempt ?Nice to see everyone on these message boards....
> helps to know one is not alone.
>
> I have been on effexor xr for about 1 year - 150mg)
> and it has really helped me with my depression!!!
>
> BUT I have found - from missing doses - that the
> withdrawal effects are real. For me, they have
> included strange effects in my brain. A feeling
> of electricity or shocks, also vertigo when I move
> my head from side to side or up and down. Then it
> feels like my head has moved too fast and my eyes
> take a few seconds to catch up. This prohibits
> driving, makes me dizzy and feels very bizarre.
>
> Muscular tension and knots in my leg and hip -
> where I previously had bursitis - GREATLY
> increased when I decreased my dosage from 325 mg
> back to 150mg od.
>
> The side effects, that I can live with, are
> weird dreams plus a LOT of twitching and
> involuntary movements of arms and legs when in bed.
> These wake me up lots of times, but that is much
> preferrable to the weight of depression.
>
> This drug is wonderful for some,
> and disasterous for others.
> Worth a try if you really want to be rid of
> that dreaded pit of despair!!!
>
> Maggie
Posted by Becca L. on June 18, 2001, at 8:39:53
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Ottawa Bill on June 18, 2001, at 7:58:59
when i read what so many people have written about the side effects and particularly the withdrawal syndrome associated with effexor, i just thank whatever lucky stars i may have that i never started on it. i know that it often IS the only effective treatment for some people, but in all cases, the fact that most doctors fail to warn patients of the withdrawals is not only malpractice, but it also reinforces many people's beliefs that they are incurably "crazy" when this happens to them. a few months ago a friend of mine who had been on effexor for over a year tried to wean herself off slowly, and ended up in the emergency room with a severe panic attack. she's still not over the emotional repercussions of this, and she feels 'stuck' on effexor now, afraid to try going off again. if it really helps then that's the most important thing, but i would definetely treat this as a drug of last resort.
Posted by ksc on June 18, 2001, at 8:42:33
In reply to CFS, Effexor - YES!!!! - Zo?, posted by Willow on June 16, 2001, at 21:22:44
Willow Wrote:
"Do you find anything that makes you worse or better?...there's not many with CFS on this board."Willow, As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been on 112.5mg of Effexor since last fall and the dreams and sleep problems CAUSED symptoms of Fibromyalgia (chronic muscle pain and CFS). I dream very vividly and can't go into stage 4 sleep. It's severely exhausting.
Anyway, My doc calls and leaves a voice mail..."go ahead and taper off the Effexor, although I'd recommend doing it over a few weeks....click"...Needless to say after the support and comments on this website... I'm seeing a new doc on Wednesday, to help me get down off this darn drug with a little support.
I've started tapering down my dosage. I've been taking 75mg for almost a week now and the pain in my muscles is starting to subside a bit. I'm still having the dreams, but I'm feeling a little more rested and I didn't have to rest all weekend, just to go to work this morning. I was actually able to get out and do a few "fun" things.
I've had the dreams and sleep problems from the get-go with these meds, and they seemed to get worse as the dosage increased. I'll keep y'all posted as I wein off this thing, to see how it goes. So far no major side affects from reducing my dosage the 37.5mg.
All I can say is be careful with this drug. The side effects caused me to feel worse AFTER taking it, than I did BEFORE I started.
KSC
Posted by Cam W. on June 18, 2001, at 10:05:40
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Ottawa Bill on June 18, 2001, at 7:58:59
> why doesn't Wyatt=Ayerst warn prospective patients of how difficult and painful this drug is to stop ?
Bill - Wyeth-Ayerst has had withdrawl information in the CPS since at least 1999. They are legally covered, but if you are looking for someone to go after; perhaps your doctor should have told you about the withdrawl effects. Then again, the company has told most of the doctors about the withdrawl effects, but the doctors do forget, because most people who quit Effexor (esp. Effexor XR) have no withdrawl symptoms, and many that do, do not report them to their doctors. - Cam
Posted by Willow on June 18, 2001, at 19:07:18
In reply to Re: CFS, Effexor - YES!!!! - Zo?, posted by ksc on June 18, 2001, at 8:42:33
KSC - Do mean the effexor gave you symptoms of FMS/CFS or it worsened a preexisting
condition?Willow
Posted by MsNeffy on June 18, 2001, at 20:40:11
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome » Ottawa Bill, posted by Cam W. on June 18, 2001, at 10:05:40
> > why doesn't Wyatt=Ayerst warn prospective patients of how difficult and painful this drug is to stop ?
>
> Bill - Wyeth-Ayerst has had withdrawl information in the CPS since at least 1999. They are legally covered, but if you are looking for someone to go after; perhaps your doctor should have told you about the withdrawl effects. Then again, the company has told most of the doctors about the withdrawl effects, but the doctors do forget, because most people who quit Effexor (esp. Effexor XR) have no withdrawl symptoms, and many that do, do not report them to their doctors. - CamMy doctor prescribed effexor to me today, I came here looking for information about the drug before I began taking it. I specifically asked him if there were any major side effects or withdrawl symptoms and he said no. Is it just that Dr's are uninformed for the most part? Needless to say after reading I think I'll try something else...any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Kristi on June 18, 2001, at 21:23:08
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome, posted by MsNeffy on June 18, 2001, at 20:40:11
Hi!
I am really glad you found this sight before you began your effexor. There is such wonderful information on here. I certainly wish I had!!!
You asked for advice.... and I'd like to give you my opinion.... but keep in mind it is only that. My opinion. You do what you feel is right.. and I should stress... everyone is different.
I think this is a much better source for "side effects and risks"... better than any pamphlet. Everytime I see someone new asking about effexor, or about to get on... my stomache does this little flip floppy thing. It was the worst drug for me... and as you can see, for quite a few. As someone once posted... it is only the people who come here that have problems.. the rest are out and about with their lives.... but do you really want to take the chance? There are sooo many AD's out there to choose..... ask your doctor for one your less leary about. If you see the archives... effexor seems to dominate a lot of the board... in my eyes.. that is not a good thing. And please be strong if your doctor says to ignore what you've read. I just don't really see a need for you to start this drug with so many out their to choose from. UNLESS... big unless, you have tried many others and they haven't worked for you. In that case, I believe you should give it a try. I consider it a last resort thing. I'm talking from personal experience, what I've read on this board... and what friends and family have gone thru. Good luck in whatever you decide. Thinking of you, Kristi
> > > why doesn't Wyatt=Ayerst warn prospective patients of how difficult and painful this drug is to stop ?
> >
> > Bill - Wyeth-Ayerst has had withdrawl information in the CPS since at least 1999. They are legally covered, but if you are looking for someone to go after; perhaps your doctor should have told you about the withdrawl effects. Then again, the company has told most of the doctors about the withdrawl effects, but the doctors do forget, because most people who quit Effexor (esp. Effexor XR) have no withdrawl symptoms, and many that do, do not report them to their doctors. - Cam
>
> My doctor prescribed effexor to me today, I came here looking for information about the drug before I began taking it. I specifically asked him if there were any major side effects or withdrawl symptoms and he said no. Is it just that Dr's are uninformed for the most part? Needless to say after reading I think I'll try something else...any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Zo on June 19, 2001, at 2:16:39
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome » MsNeffy, posted by Kristi on June 18, 2001, at 21:23:08
The only problem I'm having with the Effexor-withdrawal fire raging thru this board is that the hairest, hands-down, junkie-snivelling withdrawal I ever had was to. . .. Desryrel.
I'm awfully sorry people have had a tough time getting off Effexor.
And I've known docs to say all *sorts* of meds have No Side Effects. Who knows why such carelessness happens.
I'm just not sure the experiences here amount to a reason to label Effexor some scary, bad drug. Example: Serzone turned me into a walking zombie, unable to function for five months, unable even to express what I was going through. Should I start a thread scaring everybody all to hell about Serzone?
My call is, I think not.
Best,
Zo
Posted by Bayla on June 19, 2001, at 5:55:49
In reply to CFS, Effexor - YES!!!! - Zo?, posted by Willow on June 16, 2001, at 21:22:44
> A comment on your problems with Effexor, Zo:
Just to reiterate my previous posting statement of how our different syndromes etc. affect the uptake of Effexor....since I have been on the drug, I am having NO dreams and no restless leg s/s - which is dramatic for me as I used to not only dream vividly, but have those intense "night terrors". My Fibro pain has been reduced more than 50% and my fatigue has been virtually eliminated...just some sleepiness during the first few hours after taking the drug...and that symptom is becoming more tolerable each new day I'm on the drug. It's amazing how our unique body chemistry integrates these meds, isn't it? That's why the treatment of Fibro/CFS has been so difficult, as these syndromes are so multifaceted that there is no protocol that seems to "fit", even as a baseline. There is so much trial and error with meds that many of us get so frustrated. But I'm so thrilled with the benefits of Effexor in treating my own symptoms, it's hard not to want to shout "try it" from the rooftops!
Posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 11:33:35
In reply to KSC ??, posted by Willow on June 19, 2001, at 9:43:06
Willow Wrote: "Do mean the effexor gave you symptoms of FMS/CFS or it worsened a preexisting
condition?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Willow,
Actually it looks like it gave me the SYMPTOMS of FMS/CFS (chronic fatigue, muscle pain and weakness). I was always one who slept through the night before I started taking my Effexor. Then as soon as I started taking Effexor XR the dreams started... every night, wierd dreams. They eventually got worse to the point where I couldn't go into stage 4 REM sleep. REM sleep is the point where your body takes in the most oxygen and rejuvenates your muscles. My body wasn't able to do that, which we believe caused the muscle pain and weakness.I was at the point where it felt like I'd pumped 300 pounds of weights with my legs by just walking up a flight of stairs. To carry a bag of groceries was like carrying 50+lbs. I slept 10 hrs/night and felt like I hadn't slept at all, and I had to sleep at least one full day on the weekend just to go to work on Monday.
I've tapered off from 112.5 to 75mg for almost a week now and I already have more energy and the muscle pain and stiffness has lessened.
Kate
Posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 12:13:22
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome, posted by Zo on June 19, 2001, at 2:16:39
Zo Wrote: "Serzone turned me into a walking zombie, unable to function for five months, unable even to express what I was going through. Should I start a thread scaring everybody all to hell about Serzone? My call is, I think not."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do what you want Zo, but this site has been a God send for some of us. When you're feeling as though you're a 33 year old in a 93 year olds body, and doctors can't figure out why, you have no idea how great it feels to find out that it's all because of a silly little pill.We keep saying that this medication doesn't work the same for everyone. There's no question about that!!! We just want to make people aware of what it CAN do, and if you start to feel like "this" then it COULD be your medication, not some serious disease, like they thought was wrong with me. That way people don't have to unnecessarily feel like death warmed over for months or years on end.
So please stop dissing us for feeling crummy. We're just trying to educate others for what our doctors wouldn't educate us on.
Posted by Willow on June 19, 2001, at 12:20:06
In reply to Re: KSC ??, posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 11:33:35
KSC
Your side-effects aren't abnormal. Suprisingly for me despite the side-effects it has energized me somewhat. And the tiredness you describe it is helping to alleviate. Also I've noticed that the withdrawals that people are describing are the symptoms of my CFS.
I completed a sleep test in April, it shows that my stage four sleep is half of what it should be and stage one is double what it should be, and the rest are normal. My arousal index was elevated and limb movements was moderately-severe. In July I'll see the doctor for an interpretation.
Gees who would think sleep was more than just well sleep?
Willow
Posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 12:27:30
In reply to Re: KSC ??, posted by Willow on June 19, 2001, at 12:20:06
Willow wrote: "Also I've noticed that the withdrawals that people are describing are the symptoms of my CFS."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know... that's what sort of made me nervous, because I was having those symptoms BEFORE going off. I've been a little wiery that it might get worse before it gets better (can't imagine that's possible), but at least I'm prepared for it. However...so far so good! WAHOO...
Thaks for the support ;-)Hope all goes well with you and your sleep tests.
KSC
Posted by MsNeffy on June 19, 2001, at 12:48:07
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome » MsNeffy, posted by Kristi on June 18, 2001, at 21:23:08
>
> Hi!
> I am really glad you found this sight before you began your effexor. There is such wonderful information on here. I certainly wish I had!!!
> You asked for advice.... and I'd like to give you my opinion.... but keep in mind it is only that. My opinion. You do what you feel is right.. and I should stress... everyone is different.
> I think this is a much better source for "side effects and risks"... better than any pamphlet. Everytime I see someone new asking about effexor, or about to get on... my stomache does this little flip floppy thing. It was the worst drug for me... and as you can see, for quite a few. As someone once posted... it is only the people who come here that have problems.. the rest are out and about with their lives.... but do you really want to take the chance? There are sooo many AD's out there to choose..... ask your doctor for one your less leary about. If you see the archives... effexor seems to dominate a lot of the board... in my eyes.. that is not a good thing. And please be strong if your doctor says to ignore what you've read. I just don't really see a need for you to start this drug with so many out their to choose from. UNLESS... big unless, you have tried many others and they haven't worked for you. In that case, I believe you should give it a try. I consider it a last resort thing. I'm talking from personal experience, what I've read on this board... and what friends and family have gone thru. Good luck in whatever you decide. Thinking of you, Kristi
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > > why doesn't Wyatt=Ayerst warn prospective patients of how difficult and painful this drug is to stop ?
> > >
> > > Bill - Wyeth-Ayerst has had withdrawl information in the CPS since at least 1999. They are legally covered, but if you are looking for someone to go after; perhaps your doctor should have told you about the withdrawl effects. Then again, the company has told most of the doctors about the wi
Posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 15:11:17
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome » MsNeffy, posted by paulk on June 19, 2001, at 14:04:28
Paulk Wrote: "If you felt particularly bad on it, you might be one of the 1% that has a bipolar disorder that gets triggered with SSRIs."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm very sorry, but I for one am slightly insulted by your diagnosis. What you're basically saying here is that each of these poor people who is having negative side effects from this drug has bi-polar disorder. That is a very strong statement to make, and I for one would like to see some form of proof of this.
Posted by paulk on June 19, 2001, at 16:15:18
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome, posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 15:11:17
> Paulk Wrote: "If you felt particularly bad on it, you might be one of the 1% that has a bipolar disorder that gets triggered with SSRIs."
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> I'm very sorry, but I for one am slightly insulted by your diagnosis. What you're basically saying here is that each of these poor people who is having negative side effects from this drug has bi-polar disorder. That is a very strong statement to make, and I for one would like to see some form of proof of this.Seems like I said something like - “might be” - and something about - “1%”- didn’t I? I am not a doctor and don’t pretend to be making a “diagnosis”. I also am sorry if something I said was “insulting”??
On the other had – I had a long-term (20+years) friend who attempted suicide – he was admitted to a hospital –where they put him on Effexor, which sent him off to a manic state that he found unbearable. Turns out they had missed-diagnosed him, and he was found to be bi-polar. He now takes Lithium and isn’t doing real well, but is a bit better. I was hoping to share this with others who may have gone down that path because many doctors, who are prescribing Effexor, would not necessarily recognize what was happening.
I think you might want to read through what I wrote – I think perhaps you misunderstood me – I just reread and it seems there may be some confusion about withdrawal symptoms/ verses side effects (which I have gone through twice getting of Effexor – and find like a mild flue that last for some weeks - yuck)
We all have different DNA and thus Neurochemistry and therefore react differently to medications. If you have had bad side effects from Effexor it doesn’t mean you are bipolar – it also doesn’t mean that this is a bad drug for others.
If I had a mania reaction from taking Effexor, I would sure want to find out if I was bipolar so I could get the appropriate medicines.
Posted by AnitaThib on June 20, 2001, at 11:10:42
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I started taking Effexor 6 weeks ago. Dosage of 150 mg daily. I have never felt so normal in a long time. Energy level great, mood stable and happy. No more staying in bed for 3 days at a time and not knowing why I was so sad. Had tried zoloft for a couple of years and was previously on celexa. Could not notice any difference on these two drugs; but, when my physician gave me samples of Effexor to try, it was almost immediate relief and feeling of stability. Would recommend to anyone.
Posted by dugbet on June 20, 2001, at 14:43:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by AnitaThib on June 20, 2001, at 11:10:42
It was nice to hear your message, so many of the messages sound pretty doom and gloom. I have no signs of depression but have suffered from uncontrollable fatigue and migrane headaches (4-5 a week) for about three years now. My doctor has me on Celexa which has almost completly eliminated the headaches but has not phased the fatigue. I am in the process of slowing down the celexa intake so that I can start on Effexor. It seems strange to be taking these meds that are to be for depression as I am very happy, content, calm and have a great life except for this horrible fatigue. Since the fatigue ruins my days I guess I'm willing to try about any thing.
> I started taking Effexor 6 weeks ago. Dosage of 150 mg daily. I have never felt so normal in a long time. Energy level great, mood stable and happy. No more staying in bed for 3 days at a time and not knowing why I was so sad. Had tried zoloft for a couple of years and was previously on celexa. Could not notice any difference on these two drugs; but, when my physician gave me samples of Effexor to try, it was almost immediate relief and feeling of stability. Would recommend to anyone.
Posted by Christina T on June 20, 2001, at 19:46:47
In reply to Re: im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by Gerri_mww on July 9, 2000, at 14:36:45
I know exactly how you've been feeling. Since moving to a new city and not having a job for a while, I wasn't able to see a doctor. I had to take myself off of them. And it's been awful. All the symptoms that everyone has mentioned has happened to me. I feel like i'm cracking up half the time.
But I was reading that effexor balances serotonin levels in the brain. I wonder if taking a serotonin supplement will lessen the withdrawl effects. Any input on this???
Christina
> > > how can i get off this med, without losing my mind?
> >
> > James here....
> >
> > Taper then take Prozac for a few days. The prozac will slowly leave your body and end the problems you are having. I'm glad you found this space because we mention this trick often. Sorry your doc does not know about it, many do.
> >
> > james
>
> It sounds like the Effexor was really helping with anxiety. If the Prozac plan doesn't appeal to you maybe have your doc put your on Wellbutrin or Buspar for the panic until you are totally off the Effexor or as a med instead of the effexor to control anxiety. I was first on buspar but even at half a dose I felt drugged out so I switched to Wellbutrin for the anxiety. You also might try cutting out all forms of caffiene, I find that even having a chocolate bar will increase my chances of having an attack that day (and I have gone to the emergency room several times for "heart attacks" LOL).
> Gerri
Posted by b on June 20, 2001, at 23:03:44
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Ottawa Bill on June 18, 2001, at 7:58:59
I'm so glad I found this website! My doctor weaned me off Effexor after being on it 8
months by having me take four days each of the lower doses. I have been off of it for a
HUGE total of 3 days. For the last 2 days, I've had major dizziness OFTEN and I can cry
at the drop of a hat. I thought I was going crazy or needing to call up Doc for another
appointment. All she told me was to expect "flu-like symptoms" not weird "flighty" brain
sensations and MORE feelings of depression. From reading through your comments, I
feel like I'm not alone and I'll give myself a couple of weeks to feel like an actual person
again.
Effexor was a GREAT help when I needed it most! It was well worth these withdrawls IF
they subside soon!?
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