![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 5288 to 5312 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by arachne on September 26, 2003, at 14:36:54
In reply to effexor xr seems to have stopped working, posted by dandelion on August 11, 2003, at 14:31:03
The same thing happened to me. I started taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR in April, went up to 75 mg about a month later, and it was working very well for me. I felt great. About a month ago, I started to have days here and there when I felt depressed or exceedingly irritable. About a week
ago, I began having typical Effexor withdrawal symptoms (brain shock, aching muscles and joints, fatigue). It feels as though I'm not taking any of the medication at all. Called Wyeth, and they suggested that some herbal suppliments I'm taking could be interfering, or that my pharmacy had the drug sitting on the shelf too long, and it lost its potency. I'm going back to my doctor to get a sample pack of Effexor, and see if that makes a difference. I'm also discontinuing the herbal stuff. Has anyone else experienced this?
Posted by J9 on September 26, 2003, at 15:00:11
In reply to Re: effexor xr seems to have stopped working » dandelion, posted by arachne on September 26, 2003, at 14:36:54
That seems to happen to my father. He has been on for 8 years now. I just started 3 weeks ago at 37.5mg increased to 75mg two weeks ago. He was telling me that when he feels that it is not working he decreases for a couple of days, until the side effects start, then he increases again to his usual dosage. For him it has a way of building up in his body and he has to rid himself of some for a few days. This is how it works on him. For me, I do not know yet as I am not yet up to the theraputic dosage. I have not noticed anything different than before I started. Hope it works soon.
Posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 15:58:30
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by O'Ryan on September 26, 2003, at 13:44:56
Bless you, O'Ryan, for the suggestions. I've been taking 3 Benedryls at night, but the nausea is so bad that even when it does finally give me some relief and let me sleep through the dizziness, I still wake up by midnight - and those nightmares, GEEEEEZ!
I know I sound like I am just full of myself for all my rage, and I'm sure a lot of it is how sick I feel that I carry on like I do, and I certainly don't mean to offend anyone, but I have honestly heard, read and researched more on the negative side of this drug than I have been able to locate any good. There may be a dozen people who are really happy with this medication compared to 1000 others that are not. I fully acknowledged in my previous post that I'm aware that some people truly feel liberated by the help it gives them with their depression and anxiety, and it did work for me on those symptoms as well, but for me PERSONALLY, the side-effects and now the withdrawal symptoms FAR FAR outweigh the benefits. All I want is a little accountability in the drug market. Not everyone is a walking PDR - I certainly don't know everything about every drug, that is why I pay "the big bucks" to the people that studied and earned the degrees in this area. I agree the psychiatrists should be held accountable for irresponsible scrip writing, (unfortunately for me, it was my general practitioner- who likely doesn't know squat about these side effects, BUT WILL NOW) When I sit back and think about the population of people out there that trust their doctor's and psychiatrists and pharmacists, etc., etc., because we expect them to KNOW what is good for us, and then we end up suffering more than the anxiety or depression was in the first place, I visually see us all as lambs being led to slaughter. OKay, maybe that is a little graphic, but still, shouldn't someone have to answer for these kind of foul-ups in the medical industry? Be it the pharmaceutical companies and scientists that "discover" and test and market these drugs, the FDA that finally sticks their seal of approval on them, the marketers that advertise their "wonderful" benefits all the way to the pharmacists that forget to tell you what happens later, and the doctors who prescribe without giving all the information (assuming they even know what they are prescribing)....... etc., If you are going to be given the power to "help" other people's lives improve with medicine, it seems to me you should be taken to task if you cause more harm than good.
(Just for a little clarity on my situation, my husband, myself and my two small children were hit head on 2 years ago by a drunk driver. My husband is now completely disabled after 6 surgeries and walks on a steel rod, my little boy has brain damage and has to be seen by multiple doctors for the many surprises in his cognitive development that we have coming to us as a result of it. I am the rock of my household, the one everyone leans on and needs. When the pressure became a little too much for me, and I needed some help, I went to my general practitioner who decided I had "Generalized Anxiety Disorder" and put me on this medication. Eight months and 35 pounds later, massive migraine headaches, etc., I have decided the anxiety was not as bad as this medicine, hence, the reason I chose to discontinue. So you understand a little better where I come from, and why I would be so angry over a medication that was meant to be prescribed as a short-term solution for my anxiety has turned this "rock" into a soggy sponge. I am no good to my husband or my kids right now and it PISSES ME OFF)
OKay, that's enough of my soap box, I'm outta here. Thanks for listening.
Posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 16:05:20
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by O'Ryan on September 26, 2003, at 13:44:56
> Yes, I agree that you should take someone to court over this situation, but it should not necessarily be the pharmceutical companies in their marketing, manufacturing or insufficient scientific research into the effects of these drugs upon human life, but rather the individuals that promote the need for these drugs within our society in the first place. The very ones that argue, that without these valuble aids many people would suffer moreso! The true drug-lordstHI and barons of the industry - Psychiatrists.
>
> Now you'd have to look into this a bit deeper than just who made the drug(s). If you take the psychiatrist out of the picture here, with all the trappings - labels, etc., then the drug companies wouldn't necessarily have their cash cow available to them any more. Yes, maybe the government would intercede on behalf of the psychiatrist and manufacture its own labels, hence insuring the billion dollar cow keeps turning.
>
> But if you handle the individuals that prescribe the drugs in the first place, sueing them for incompetence due to misinforming you of the effects of the drug, plus with-drawal problems, then this will inhibit mis-application of this drug as well as put the ethics in on the companies that manufacture it - forcing them to take a look at what it would cost them to have it stopped through your law suit.
>
> But most of all it get the ethics in on the psychiatrist, who in general, takes it for granted that these things happen and will slap-happily prescribe another one to solve the first ones problems without doing right by you and finding out why this occurs in the first - re: the side-effects, withdrawal symptons, etc, etc, etc.
>
> Side-note: You need to take some Cal-Mag formula to handle the withdrawal effects that you're feeling and going through. You also need to shovel down your Vit B group Sup's to handle any spin outs.
>
> ______________________________________
>
>
> > While I do recognize that Effexor XR helped my anxiety, and I acknowledge that for some people that know that they will have a problem with anxiety and depression their entire lives (chemical imbalances and other diagnoses), I am not in favor of this medication for anyone, not temporarily or perm. The pharmaceutical companies are thriving and making a fortune with these drugs, while for years, the complaints of the side effects and withdrawals go unanswered. If they really wanted to clean up their mess, they would take this crap back to the drawing board and find a way to correct the extreme side effects of not only taking the meds (outrageous weight gain, ringing in ears, nightmares, sinus headaches), but the withdrawals that come with ever trying to wean off of it, (brain shivers, excessive sweating, nausea, vertigo, vomiting, chest pain). I'm sorry I know that there are people on this medication that have suffered with depression and anxiety for so many years in their lives that feel like this medicine is a God-send, and maybe these side effects are okay with them, a decent trade-off for a little relief from the anxiety and depression, but for a short-term medication for anxiety and depression, my personal opinion, IT IS WRONG FOR A DOCTOR, PHARMACIST, OR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, to encourage a desperate person to take this medication and not advise that person what their life will become, or what will happen if they ever miss a dose or try to wean off of itlater. I have been sick as a dog for the past week, absolutely to the point of wishing death would stop flirting with me and just go on and get it over with! This medication has debilitated me to the point that I am not able to function at all during this period of withdrawal. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It can't be healthy for the body, and I'll lay money down that eventually when Wyeth Labs wakes up and realizes they are culpable in this and they are forced to do some research and testing, we are all going to find out that there has been perm. damage done somewhere, just like with the rogue drugs Meridia and PHen Phen (and yes, I am aware they are weight drugs, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head, there are way more in the same category as Effexor) and others where serious investigations were not performed until AFTER thousands of people were suffering. If ever there were a justifiable reason for a class action lawsuit to force pharmaceutical companies to do more research on these drugs before marketing them, this would be the case. For those people who feel like they are having success on Effexor and have no complaints, just wait until you miss a dose by accident, or you try to get off it, then you will understand how severe the problem is with it. I personally intend to take the pharmaceutical company to task on this and as soon as I can stop holding the walls to walk and feeling like death warmed over, I will begin the business of collecting the horror stories and will find a law firm that will assist in bringing justice to the sufferers of this medication.
>
>Look, if you are simply anti-meds then, I do not believe you belong on this thread. I gotta be blunt here: this is sounding like a scientology spew. I don't appreciate it. I come here to learn--NOT to listen to political biases.
Posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 16:14:11
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 15:58:30
> Bless you, O'Ryan, for the suggestions. I've been taking 3 Benedryls at night, but the nausea is so bad that even when it does finally give me some relief and let me sleep through the dizziness, I still wake up by midnight - and those nightmares, GEEEEEZ!
>
> I know I sound like I am just full of myself for all my rage, and I'm sure a lot of it is how sick I feel that I carry on like I do, and I certainly don't mean to offend anyone, but I have honestly heard, read and researched more on the negative side of this drug than I have been able to locate any good. There may be a dozen people who are really happy with this medication compared to 1000 others that are not. I fully acknowledged in my previous post that I'm aware that some people truly feel liberated by the help it gives them with their depression and anxiety, and it did work for me on those symptoms as well, but for me PERSONALLY, the side-effects and now the withdrawal symptoms FAR FAR outweigh the benefits. All I want is a little accountability in the drug market. Not everyone is a walking PDR - I certainly don't know everything about every drug, that is why I pay "the big bucks" to the people that studied and earned the degrees in this area. I agree the psychiatrists should be held accountable for irresponsible scrip writing, (unfortunately for me, it was my general practitioner- who likely doesn't know squat about these side effects, BUT WILL NOW) When I sit back and think about the population of people out there that trust their doctor's and psychiatrists and pharmacists, etc., etc., because we expect them to KNOW what is good for us, and then we end up suffering more than the anxiety or depression was in the first place, I visually see us all as lambs being led to slaughter. OKay, maybe that is a little graphic, but still, shouldn't someone have to answer for these kind of foul-ups in the medical industry? Be it the pharmaceutical companies and scientists that "discover" and test and market these drugs, the FDA that finally sticks their seal of approval on them, the marketers that advertise their "wonderful" benefits all the way to the pharmacists that forget to tell you what happens later, and the doctors who prescribe without giving all the information (assuming they even know what they are prescribing)....... etc., If you are going to be given the power to "help" other people's lives improve with medicine, it seems to me you should be taken to task if you cause more harm than good.
>
> (Just for a little clarity on my situation, my husband, myself and my two small children were hit head on 2 years ago by a drunk driver. My husband is now completely disabled after 6 surgeries and walks on a steel rod, my little boy has brain damage and has to be seen by multiple doctors for the many surprises in his cognitive development that we have coming to us as a result of it. I am the rock of my household, the one everyone leans on and needs. When the pressure became a little too much for me, and I needed some help, I went to my general practitioner who decided I had "Generalized Anxiety Disorder" and put me on this medication. Eight months and 35 pounds later, massive migraine headaches, etc., I have decided the anxiety was not as bad as this medicine, hence, the reason I chose to discontinue. So you understand a little better where I come from, and why I would be so angry over a medication that was meant to be prescribed as a short-term solution for my anxiety has turned this "rock" into a soggy sponge. I am no good to my husband or my kids right now and it PISSES ME OFF)
>
> OKay, that's enough of my soap box, I'm outta here. Thanks for listening.Just want to clarify something also: the people who are writing in here are not a scientific indication of the numbers of people having trouble with meds. This is a self-selected group--MOST OFTEN--those who ARE having problems with meds. To conclude from a sample on here that those who have good experiences on medications are far far in the minority is a basic error in logic. Sorry if that offends someone. But dang it--it is true. I too have suffered from meds that were not right for me etc. But I am so very very grateful that my life has been saved over and over by these meds that I simply cannot throw them all out and come to erroneous conclusions (FOR EVERYONE ELSE) about the efficacy of these meds. Let us keep some perspective here.
Posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 17:15:20
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 16:14:11
Bless your heart, Zeldas. No worries, I'm through messing up your day with my babbling. Continue on and I will say no more.
Posted by bossman7876 on September 26, 2003, at 17:40:24
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I stopped Effexor XR 2 days ago and I am already having semi-nightmares or very unusual dreams, shivers, dizziness, etc. I have been on 225 mg for around 2 months all together 1 year on Effexor. I know just abruptly stopping isn't the best but it is making everything in my life worse. I was reading earlier posts about benadryl. Can someone please comment on the whole benadryl issue and how this helps any of the side effects?
Posted by bossman7876 on September 26, 2003, at 17:40:40
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I stopped Effexor XR 2 days ago and I am already having semi-nightmares or very unusual dreams, shivers, dizziness, etc. I have been on 225 mg for around 2 months all together 1 year on Effexor. I know just abruptly stopping isn't the best but it is making everything in my life worse. I was reading earlier posts about benadryl. Can someone please comment on the whole benadryl issue and how this helps any of the side effects?
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 26, 2003, at 18:49:39
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 16:05:20
> Look, if you are simply anti-meds then, I do not believe you belong on this thread. I gotta be blunt here: this is sounding like a scientology spew. I don't appreciate it. I come here to learn--NOT to listen to political biases.
Please respect the views of others, be sensitive to their feelings, and don't post anything that could lead them to feel put down, thanks.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by star on September 26, 2003, at 20:12:30
In reply to Re: effexor xr seems to have stopped working, posted by J9 on September 26, 2003, at 15:00:11
I've been on effexor for 3-4 months, although its eased my anxiety, all the enthusiasm and get up and go i used to have is gone. Although i function, going to college courses etc., i feel like a robot, no real drive, its like my spontaniety is lost. I feel dulled can anyone else relate to this.
Posted by Prinnie on September 26, 2003, at 20:28:07
In reply to Re: any good xperiences withdrawing from effexor?, posted by Angelnmikey on June 8, 2003, at 1:03:40
Hi,
I have been up to 225 of effexor for the last 7 months..being a drug free/alcohol free addict for the last 15 years, I have decided enough is enough this is hurting me more than helping me..today I started cold turkey..I will let you know my progress..I guess I will find out if "that which does not kill you makes you stronger" is all about.
Prinnie
Posted by Prinnie on September 26, 2003, at 20:28:31
In reply to Re: any good xperiences withdrawing from effexor?, posted by Angelnmikey on June 8, 2003, at 1:03:40
Hi,
I have been up to 225 of effexor for the last 7 months..being a drug free/alcohol free addict for the last 15 years, I have decided enough is enough this is hurting me more than helping me..today I started cold turkey..I will let you know my progress..I guess I will find out if "that which does not kill you makes you stronger" is all about.
Prinnie
Posted by Nina83 on September 26, 2003, at 21:09:55
In reply to metal mouth on Effexor, posted by skp on September 24, 2003, at 9:22:34
The metal taste can be an overload of toxins i think. That happened to me when i was doing a detox. You are tasting the toxins. I would suggest maybe drinking more water, and not just when you need it-constantly throughout the day and keep a bottle by your bedside. I wake up in the middle of the night starving, but it's usually thurst. If that doesn't work, maybe ask your doc?
Posted by Nina83 on September 26, 2003, at 21:21:29
In reply to Stopped Effexor XR - extreme side effects...Help!, posted by bossman7876 on September 26, 2003, at 17:40:24
Why is everybody going cold turkey?! Did your doctor tell you to do this? No! Of course you are going to get these side effects if you suddenly deprive your body of something it has become accustomed to! If you don't want the effects of stopping effexor to interfere with your life, i suggest following the instructions and slowly decreasing the dosage under your doctors supervision. I suppose because you feel alright one day, you figure they're not doing anything so you can just stop them and it won't affect you, but obviously it does.
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on September 27, 2003, at 3:49:18
In reply to Effexor Lawsuit, posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 5:43:29
I hear your frustration and pain! I am going into my second day of trying to withdrawl from this AGAIN! Each attempt has never been successful, but I am determined to follow this through this time, even if it lands me in the ER! I actually wrote a letter to Wyeth last night (well an email on their website) telling them Shame on themselves for doing this to people without giving warning AND without providing doctors background on the withdrawls. Each doctor I go to tells me it isn't possible for me to be having these symptoms, they are all "in my head" and let me tell ya, when a doctor can't tell you what is going on...that is the scariest thing in the world. I told my doc about this website and he actually told me to stay off because "they are wack-jobs"!!!! What kind of a doctor uses that language?!?!?!?!? I am sick and tired of the docs playing God with only half a deck. I am definetely on board with whatever justice we can bring for ourselves and for those of you who think this drug is so great right now...I even want to make them liable for YOU down the road...because "there will come a day".
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on September 27, 2003, at 4:04:16
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 16:05:20
oh, slow down please! I think everyone has the right to talk freely, clearly, and respectfully as I believe the last poster has been. If you simply want to go on a message board where you want everyone to be in agreance (sp) with you, well good luck! I have been reading posts on here for over a month or so and this section of the board seems to FOCUS on the meds, is there another part of the board you are trying to get to? This poster is not attacking you and I am offended that you have attacked her! Now can we get back to civility pleeeeeeaaaaaassssssseeeeee!
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by O'Ryan on September 26, 2003, at 13:44:56
> Look, if you are simply anti-meds then, I do not believe you belong on this thread. I gotta be blunt here: this is sounding like a scientology spew. I don't appreciate it. I come here to learn--NOT to listen to political biases.
>
>
>
>
Posted by zeldas on September 27, 2003, at 4:06:43
In reply to Re: please be civil » zeldas, posted by Dr. Bob on September 26, 2003, at 18:49:39
> > Look, if you are simply anti-meds then, I do not believe you belong on this thread. I gotta be blunt here: this is sounding like a scientology spew. I don't appreciate it. I come here to learn--NOT to listen to political biases.
>
> Please respect the views of others, be sensitive to their feelings, and don't post anything that could lead them to feel put down, thanks.
>
> Bob
>
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.Well, Bob , considering that you said pretty much the same thing the other day--I am out of here.
robyn
Posted by zinya on September 27, 2003, at 13:00:17
In reply to Re: any good xperiences withdrawing from effexor?, posted by Prinnie on September 26, 2003, at 20:28:07
Hi all,
I haven't been back for over a week but in the interim I saw my md. and -- for a change -- got a REAL and vital and nonpharmaceutical answer to something I hadn't thought about - -and he hadn't suggested in advance (which ALL mds should when they prescribe Effexor and maybe other SSRIs too)
Namely: Gatorade. I've never been one to sweat my whole life -- even major exercise NEVER made me sweat the way Effexor has. Therefore I had no lifetime habit of thinking in terms of electrolyte loss and need for replenishment. I've been drinking twice as much carbonated water (my preference) as ever, but when I told him of the intolerable sweating which was one of the TWO big reasons why I decided to go off Effexor (and couldn't wait for my appt with him to do so and had already begun tapering off since Sept 2 -- after being on it since May 27, and at 150 mg for 6 weeks by Sept 2) -- He made me realize that that inordinate amount of sweating was causing an electrolyte loss which I had not known to compensate for.
Anyone with increased sweating, I urge you to also stock up on Gatorade and DRINK it with every bout of sweating. If, like me, it's waking you up in the middle of the night with drenching wet night clothes and sheets, have a bottle of it by your bed to drink ...
Otherwise, for me at least, my energy level only gotten WORSE due to electrolyte loss from sweat instead of the improvement that Effexor was supposed to help with due to norepinephrine component.
(The other reason I'm quitting, increased heart rate so bad that even gardening has become an aerobic exercise to a scary level and i couldn't risk "real" exercise anymore for fear of heart attack - a problem i also had NEVER in my life had a concern for given my low blood pressure and no heart problems)
As to quitting, those of you who say you are going cold turkey off Effexor, PLEASE rethink immediately and taper off instead.
I went from 150 down to 100 for 1 week (by dividing the capsules of 2 150's into 3 roughly equal allotments -- then to 75 mg for 2 weeks, now I'm down to 50 mg (2 100's divided into 3), then plan to go to 37.5, then half that amount. From all the reading here, it seems that that very last step is the biggest... and so i plan to even divide the 37.5 into 3s after dividing it in halves, so that i go to 10 mg before ever considering quitting and even then i might go to 10 mg every other day before quitting completely. This is what reading this site off and on for six months has taught me is VITAL... If you don't do something similar to this, you are asking for trouble. I urge you to go slowly. So far, i haven't had any withdrawal symptoms and the rapid heart beat is finally easing away. Alas, the sweating is still there. But it started at 37.5 mg on my way UP the ladder, so I don't expect it to quit til i'm below 37.5 again...
Good luck to everyone.
zinya
Posted by Prinnie on September 27, 2003, at 18:23:31
In reply to Stopped Effexor XR - extreme side effects...Help!, posted by bossman7876 on September 26, 2003, at 17:40:24
Hi,
Day Two, and besides grinding my teeth, which I am going to start chewing ice..I am doing quite good..with a lot of help from the big guy upstairs..slept last night, ate as usual, been taking antacid, which I normally take anyways, and tylenol. I find so far keeping myself busy is the best thing. I have a great support system, and yes, I would advise this way for everyone, but I have always been this way about stopping anything.
Take Care,
Prinnie
Posted by Prinnie on September 27, 2003, at 18:27:43
In reply to Re: Stopped Effexor XR - extreme side effects...Help!, posted by Nina83 on September 26, 2003, at 21:21:29
hi,
If you see the post that says I would advise everyone to do it this way, ignore it! I meant wouldn'tThanks again,
Prinnie
Posted by zinya on September 27, 2003, at 19:12:29
In reply to Hey Zinya...It's Willie, posted by willie on September 22, 2003, at 7:27:23
Hola Willie!
Just saw your post and glad to hear from you. As i recall, you take 37.5 right?
I might have said this before but as to the weight gain, i had a similar effect clear up until after i'd been at 150 mg for several weeks and FINALLY i started losing some weight. When i started i was already 10 lbs heavier since last fall but what happened for me on the Effexor was that my appetite dropped to about half, literally, and yet my weight stayed constant. Which said to me that it was having the weight-gaining effect on me.
As you can see from my post earlier today, i'm still on my way off of it and so far doing okay ...
Wishing you well, Willie, and do keep in touch. The exercise programs you've signed up for sound VERY key (though i confess i'd never heard of the boxing one :) ... Another thing you might look into which i mentioned once here concerns the role of sugar in our lives causing cravings - not sure if that applies to you but i'd mentioned the books on Yeast Connection and Yeast Syndrome (one in particular by William Crooks - available on amazon) which i linked once before... It might be of interest to look into and see if you relate to it... I read and applied the notions there quite rigorously about 10 years ago for a couple of years and still live by the guidelines although a bit more loosely in recent years (and with relapses :))
big hugs to you!
zinya
Posted by salty_dog on September 27, 2003, at 20:15:29
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit » kcg33, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on September 27, 2003, at 3:49:18
What I would like to throw out for discusion is the idea that the Pharamcist is far more responsible for these kinds of problems, isn't (s)he ? I mean come on now, who prints up those pretty little flyers which tell you the side effects ? I don't mean to side with the Pharmicitical Co. which makes the product, but, in every statment they have made (written or otherwise) has drawn attention to the side-effects and even the withdrawl problems of this drug.
> I hear your frustration and pain! I am going into my second day of trying to withdrawl from this AGAIN! Each attempt has never been successful, but I am determined to follow this through this time, even if it lands me in the ER! I actually wrote a letter to Wyeth last night (well an email on their website) telling them Shame on themselves for doing this to people without giving warning AND without providing doctors background on the withdrawls. Each doctor I go to tells me it isn't possible for me to be having these symptoms, they are all "in my head" and let me tell ya, when a doctor can't tell you what is going on...that is the scariest thing in the world. I told my doc about this website and he actually told me to stay off because "they are wack-jobs"!!!! What kind of a doctor uses that language?!?!?!?!? I am sick and tired of the docs playing God with only half a deck. I am definetely on board with whatever justice we can bring for ourselves and for those of you who think this drug is so great right now...I even want to make them liable for YOU down the road...because "there will come a day".
Posted by lioness on September 27, 2003, at 20:18:15
In reply to For ANYONE who is SWEATING (also re quitting), posted by zinya on September 27, 2003, at 13:00:17
> Hi all,
>
> I haven't been back for over a week but in the interim I saw my md. and -- for a change -- got a REAL and vital and nonpharmaceutical answer to something I hadn't thought about - -and he hadn't suggested in advance (which ALL mds should when they prescribe Effexor and maybe other SSRIs too)
>
> Namely: Gatorade. I've never been one to sweat my whole life -- even major exercise NEVER made me sweat the way Effexor has. Therefore I had no lifetime habit of thinking in terms of electrolyte loss and need for replenishment. I've been drinking twice as much carbonated water (my preference) as ever, but when I told him of the intolerable sweating which was one of the TWO big reasons why I decided to go off Effexor (and couldn't wait for my appt with him to do so and had already begun tapering off since Sept 2 -- after being on it since May 27, and at 150 mg for 6 weeks by Sept 2) -- He made me realize that that inordinate amount of sweating was causing an electrolyte loss which I had not known to compensate for.
>
> Anyone with increased sweating, I urge you to also stock up on Gatorade and DRINK it with every bout of sweating. If, like me, it's waking you up in the middle of the night with drenching wet night clothes and sheets, have a bottle of it by your bed to drink ...
>
> Otherwise, for me at least, my energy level only gotten WORSE due to electrolyte loss from sweat instead of the improvement that Effexor was supposed to help with due to norepinephrine component.
>
> (The other reason I'm quitting, increased heart rate so bad that even gardening has become an aerobic exercise to a scary level and i couldn't risk "real" exercise anymore for fear of heart attack - a problem i also had NEVER in my life had a concern for given my low blood pressure and no heart problems)
>
> As to quitting, those of you who say you are going cold turkey off Effexor, PLEASE rethink immediately and taper off instead.
>
> I went from 150 down to 100 for 1 week (by dividing the capsules of 2 150's into 3 roughly equal allotments -- then to 75 mg for 2 weeks, now I'm down to 50 mg (2 100's divided into 3), then plan to go to 37.5, then half that amount. From all the reading here, it seems that that very last step is the biggest... and so i plan to even divide the 37.5 into 3s after dividing it in halves, so that i go to 10 mg before ever considering quitting and even then i might go to 10 mg every other day before quitting completely. This is what reading this site off and on for six months has taught me is VITAL... If you don't do something similar to this, you are asking for trouble. I urge you to go slowly. So far, i haven't had any withdrawal symptoms and the rapid heart beat is finally easing away. Alas, the sweating is still there. But it started at 37.5 mg on my way UP the ladder, so I don't expect it to quit til i'm below 37.5 again...
>
> Good luck to everyone.
> zin
I have experienced all of the awful withdrawal symptoms, from profuse sweating ( which is also common when titrating up on effexor) to the brain zaps with visual disturbance, and jumping muscles, to name a few. I felt an odd, dissociated feeling and was quick to anger, sensitive to light and sound...etc. When i finally called my doctor, he confirmed that this is typical effexor rebound or withdrawal symptoms. Because effexor has such a short half life, the rapid drop in seratonin levels causes these symptoms. Using a longer half life seratonin agent..prozac is supposed to be best for this...you can alleviate the withdrawal symptoms from the effexor and ease the process. I have taken 10 mg. of prozac for the past three days, and my symptoms seem to be getting better. I still suffer the headache, tinitus and incredible fatigue , but I no longer find myself in a pool of perspiration. Any doctor who says that these symptoms are all in their head has no business prescribing these meds. Effexor works well for many people. I know several people who also take this drug for chemo related maladies and i used it for cfids/fms. However, not every medicine is right for everyone. Some people have to try many different meds before finding what works best with their chemistry. I do know, that if i had known that I would have to go through this much discomfort and distress, I would have opted for a different medication altogether. Live and learn, i guess. Good luck to you all.
Posted by salty_dog on September 27, 2003, at 20:30:50
In reply to Re: any good xperiences withdrawing from effexor?, posted by Prinnie on September 26, 2003, at 20:28:31
I too, have been free of alcohol and drugs for 15 years (this time), so I relate. I strongly suggest that you NOT do this cold turkey. Cold Turkey could cost you your sanity (As in locked up) and hurt others.
P.S. I have been around for 25 years so of course I am a re-tread.
> Hi,
> I have been up to 225 of effexor for the last 7 months..being a drug free/alcohol free addict for the last 15 years, I have decided enough is enough this is hurting me more than helping me..today I started cold turkey..I will let you know my progress..I guess I will find out if "that which does not kill you makes you stronger" is all about.
> Prinnie
Posted by zinya on September 28, 2003, at 1:40:18
In reply to Re: For ANYONE who is SWEATING (also re quitting), posted by lioness on September 27, 2003, at 20:18:15
hi lionness,
i'm curious how long you were on Effexor and at what level... I've been diagnosed with cfids and fms too, and as i recall you're the first other person here i've read to be taking Effexor for that diagnosis. My prescription wasn't exactly for that although everything's related. Did you get relief for cfids/fms at some dosage level? If so, and since you sound like you're only having S-E problems during withdrawal, i'm curious what made you decide to quit.
wishing you good luck too,
zinya
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