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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ZAPPA on January 19, 2004, at 12:24:02
In reply to Electrical shock-like sensations , posted by sick of being sick on January 4, 2004, at 21:22:30
I am also experiencing "brain zapps". I began drug and psychotherapy in August of 2003 for "major depressive disorder". Initially Zoloft,replaced by Effexor XR. Starting Effexor at 35mg per day increasing to 300mg per day over a 6 week period. I must admit that I no longer felt depressed. However, I did not "feel" anything until the sensory disturbances or "brain zaps" began. I reduced my dosage to "wean" myself but my doctor wanted me to stop cold turkey. It has been almost 1 week since I stopped taking this RX but the zapps continue in unison with eye movement. It is very hard to try and explain to my family what I am feeling. They just give me that condescending "look", as if saying "Mom is just tripping again" (actually the only time I tripp is when my brain gets zapped and I become dizzy. At this time I am more concerned with these sensory f*rts then I am with the depression. How long will they last? Anybody? Anybody?....please
Posted by omegon on January 19, 2004, at 14:29:11
In reply to Drinking and Effexor dont mix!!, posted by kaylex on January 19, 2004, at 10:37:50
> The only bad part about it is drinking. If I have one drink I'm fine, but anymore then that and I get stupid, or I pass out. It's gotten so bad that my husband has banned me from drinking until I'm well enough to go off the drug!
> Does anyone else have this same problem?Yes. Efexor got rid of the craving for alcohol which I had while on paroxetine, but if I had one drink, it was very hard to stop until I was wrecked. (I didn't react well to efexor in general, though: had to discontinue due to severe mood swings)
Posted by omegon on January 19, 2004, at 14:33:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Salty_Dog on January 19, 2004, at 0:53:50
> One of the best ways I have found so far for tapering is to get alot of sleep. I use the weekends as taper down periods. I sleep from Friday night to Monday morning while initially stepping down to dosage.
This is just what I did last weekend when going through bad withdrawals from efexor.
> I enjoy the dreams more than I do reality.
Yes! I can sympathise with this. Even though the dreams were terrible nightmares, I still wanted to be asleep rather than awake.
> On these weekends I slow down my eating and drink plenty of water. I get up just long enough to take my meds at the usual times.
Actually, this sounds like most weekends for me since I went on efexor. No energy for anything, not even eating.
Posted by KimberlyDi on January 19, 2004, at 16:32:37
In reply to using sleep for withdrawal » Salty_Dog, posted by omegon on January 19, 2004, at 14:33:57
I haven't had Effexor for 3 days now (I know from experience that day 4 is the worst so I might take 1/2 a 37.5mg amount). I have been having the most sexually intense dreams and experiencing a slight return of my sex drive. This since having zero zilch sex drive since May of 2003 when I began Effexor. I'm afraid to get my hopes up after being numb for so long, but if those dreams continue, my husband's going to be a very happy man.
Brain shivers are less intense. I also think I'm more careful about moving my head left or right while walking. Funny how adapting to Effexor's side effects may leave long-term changes in behavior.
Wanted to post a positive note about life after Effexor. It does get better. :)
KDi in TX
Posted by KimRN73 on January 19, 2004, at 18:12:37
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » sick of being sick, posted by ZAPPA on January 19, 2004, at 12:24:02
Hey there....
I am so sick of these "zaps" or whatever also !!
I describe them to doctors and they look at me like I dont know what I'm talking about. I am NOT on Effexor XR, I take the regular tablets. I tend to take them with food around 9am, feel funny in my head approx. 6 hrs later. I also get the feeling that my ears need to pop, and I feel so "out of it"...anyone else???? I hope Im not going nuts!!!!!!!! :) Would like to know if anyone else has similar symptoms. Im on 75mg twice a day. Have tried to switch to XR but I go SOOOOOOOOOOOOO DIZZY. AND im afraid to get off of Effexor.....maybe if i start taking something else WHILE im tapering off?? any ideas anyone??????
I am going to my doctor tomorrow to talk about all this CRUD !!! :) thanks.....Kim
Posted by shadows721 on January 19, 2004, at 19:48:54
In reply to Re: Sudden descent into Efexor hell, posted by MrsT on January 15, 2004, at 22:32:59
That almost sounds like a stroke symptom. I have heard that when people have a stroke on a certain part of the brain, they will tend to curse a lot. I wonder if Effexor affected this part of the brain. I don't think you are having strokes, but I do think that effexor affected that lobe of your brain. Take it slow with the taper. Prozac has been mentioned to help in the withdrawal process. Take care.
Posted by Mercedes on January 19, 2004, at 20:50:41
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » sick of being sick, posted by ZAPPA on January 19, 2004, at 12:24:02
Zappa,
I cannot beleive, well yes I do, that your doc told you to stop cold turkey.I too was on 300 mgs of Effexor and weened myself down. If I remember right, cause my memory was affected too, I went down to 225 for a week then 150 for two weeks, then 75 for a week, maybe two, don't remember, then 37.5 for two weeks, then nothing. Each decrease from the 150 had the brain zaps, with eye movement, even typing, was a brain zap with each keystroke.
Then the REAL zaps and dizzyness and confusion and.... started and it took me 5 weeks to finally be free of Effexor. That was my experience in weening down.
Good luck and push your doc to research what you're feeling. That's why he/she get's paid.
Mercedes
Posted by Mercedes on January 19, 2004, at 21:45:56
In reply to Re: Drinking and Effexor dont mix!! » kaylex, posted by omegon on January 19, 2004, at 14:29:11
This happened to me too while on Effexor. First, I didn't crave alcohol once I was up to the 75 mg dose or maybe the 150mg dose. Yet once in a while I went to our 'only' bar with freinds and when I drank, I got very happy and talkative at first, then another frink and anopher and was so frigg'n frunk. I'd have 'black-out's' of the night before. Then it took 3 days or so for me to get it back together....head wise. So I chose not to drink.
I went on Lexapro for about a month, didn't drink, now on Zoloft and Lamictal. I do crave a drink every now and then and still trying not to have one. It's kinda hard when family get's together and most everyone is drink'n, but it's doable. And not having a hangover the next day, is rewarding in itself.
Hang in there!
Mercedes.
> > The only bad part about it is drinking. If I have one drink I'm fine, but anymore then that and I get stupid, or I pass out. It's gotten so bad that my husband has banned me from drinking until I'm well enough to go off the drug!
> > Does anyone else have this same problem?
>
> Yes. Efexor got rid of the craving for alcohol which I had while on paroxetine, but if I had one drink, it was very hard to stop until I was wrecked. (I didn't react well to efexor in general, though: had to discontinue due to severe mood swings)
Posted by micro on January 19, 2004, at 23:46:07
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » sick of being sick, posted by ZAPPA on January 19, 2004, at 12:24:02
> I am also experiencing "brain zapps". I began drug and psychotherapy in August of 2003 for "major depressive disorder". Initially Zoloft,replaced by Effexor XR. Starting Effexor at 35mg per day increasing to 300mg per day over a 6 week period. I must admit that I no longer felt depressed. However, I did not "feel" anything until the sensory disturbances or "brain zaps" began. I reduced my dosage to "wean" myself but my doctor wanted me to stop cold turkey. It has been almost 1 week since I stopped taking this RX but the zapps continue in unison with eye movement. It is very hard to try and explain to my family what I am feeling. They just give me that condescending "look", as if saying "Mom is just tripping again" (actually the only time I tripp is when my brain gets zapped and I become dizzy. At this time I am more concerned with these sensory f*rts then I am with the depression. How long will they last? Anybody? Anybody?....please
Hello, I believe that you are going through discontinuance syndrome. Please ask your physician to reinstitute a small dose of your med to calm your symtoms. You should have some immediate relief.Then please taper your dose gradually a week at a time or slower based on how you respond.Your docs request to taper rapidly is not for you and please let him know! You will feel better soon. Regards, micro
Posted by Madigan on January 20, 2004, at 0:30:52
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » ZAPPA, posted by KimRN73 on January 19, 2004, at 18:12:37
Hi Kim,
I was just browsing the posts on Effexor (both the XR and the regular) when I saw your post about a "brain zap" sensation. Years ago, I experienced that exact thing on Prozac. My doctor said was some sort of psychosomatic symptom, but I want to reasure you, you're NOT NUTS. It's real! I don't know if it goes away or not; I stopped taking the med before I found out. Now, believe it or not, I'm contemplating talking to my doctor about Effexor.
Hope you get some relief,
Madigan
Posted by PoohBear on January 20, 2004, at 9:35:05
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » KimRN73, posted by Madigan on January 20, 2004, at 0:30:52
>Now, believe it or not, I'm contemplating talking to my doctor about Effexor.
>Madigan:
Effexor has helped many, including me. There is a very vocal minority here that have had very real, bad experiences. Since this is the case with nearly any med, you should not hesitate to try it, if you and your doctor feel that it will yield good results.
TR
Posted by Madigan on January 20, 2004, at 17:55:18
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations, posted by PoohBear on January 20, 2004, at 9:35:05
Hi TR,
Good point. Kim's "brain zaps" do give me pause, but not enough to keep me from at least talking to my doctor about it. I have clinical depression (had it most of my life), situational depression (father passed away), and severe PMS or PMDD. A friend suggested Effexor, thought it might help me. So far, SSRIs have been ineffectual or intolerable. I'm wary, but open to at least talking to the doc about it.
Thanks for your input!
Madigan
Posted by Salty_Dog on January 20, 2004, at 19:05:37
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations, posted by Madigan on January 20, 2004, at 17:55:18
> Hi TR,
>
> Good point. Kim's "brain zaps" do give me pause, but not enough to keep me from at least talking to my doctor about it. I have clinical depression (had it most of my life), situational depression (father passed away), and severe PMS or PMDD. A friend suggested Effexor, thought it might help me. So far, SSRIs have been ineffectual or intolerable. I'm wary, but open to at least talking to the doc about it.
>
> Thanks for your input!
>
> MadiganMadigan,
You may have better success with remeron or it's counterpart imipri???(I don't have a clue on how to spell that one - and I don't have first hand knowledge of it). These drugs don't get you all up in a bunch before you know which way is up. I group Effexor (XR) in the same category as Xanax in terms of physical dependancies, don't go there for the fun of it - You may end up going on to higher doses (225 - 300 mg) and before you know it - your stuck. The ramp up time on Effexor XR is long enough (Manufacture's samples) to hook your mind into a problem zone in terms of forgetting what you set out to do.Here is a good web site:
http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illness/About_Treatments_and_Supports/About_Medications/Default798.htmIt's a non-profit (not supported by the drug manufactures) source on info. concerning many mental health issues.
Of course, it you are bored, try Effexor XR - your life will never be the same (good or bad).
Sorry for the long winded posting but I do not recomend Effexor XR to any one I love or like. It works, but, ........... the side are hell going on and getting off.
P.S. I am still at the 600mg taper down to 300mg - it is a difficult at the top range as it is at the bottom range ( 75 to 0 mg).
Posted by Gummybear on January 20, 2004, at 20:21:52
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » ZAPPA, posted by KimRN73 on January 19, 2004, at 18:12:37
> Hey there....
> I am so sick of these "zaps" or whatever also !!
> I describe them to doctors and they look at me like I dont know what I'm talking about. I am NOT on Effexor XR, I take the regular tablets. I tend to take them with food around 9am, feel funny in my head approx. 6 hrs later. I also get the feeling that my ears need to pop, and I feel so "out of it"...anyone else???? I hope Im not going nuts!!!!!!!! :) Would like to know if anyone else has similar symptoms. Im on 75mg twice a day. Have tried to switch to XR but I go SOOOOOOOOOOOOO DIZZY. AND im afraid to get off of Effexor.....maybe if i start taking something else WHILE im tapering off?? any ideas anyone??????
> I am going to my doctor tomorrow to talk about all this CRUD !!! :) thanks.....KimHey Kim,
Don't worry your totally NOT alone, the first three weeks when I was on Effexor XR I also felt like my ears needed to be popped. It was so wierd, I wasn't sure if I was imagining or not - but now that you mention it... I remember thinking that maybe I had an ear infection or that it was from altitude... couldn't figure it out.
And I was also really dizzy too, I still get dizzy sometimes. Every second day or almost every day after work at around 4pm or so I start feeling totally out of it and get a REALLY BAD headache, my heart starts beating fast, and I get disoriented...... is that like you??? I'm not sure if it's from my anxiety or the med... but it sucks. I start feeling totally out of it and can barely keep it together - can barely hold a conversation or even watch a tv show.I'm been on Effexor XR 75mg once a day between 3pm-5pm for over 6 weeks now.
help... anyone else feel like this??
G. Bear.
Posted by Madigan on January 20, 2004, at 21:57:41
In reply to Re: Electric shock -like sensations » Madigan, posted by Salty_Dog on January 20, 2004, at 19:05:37
Major, major food for thought, Salty Dog. I'll *definitely* have a long look at the NAMI site and read all I can about Effexor before I consider taking it. I'll also have a close look at Remeron and Imipri (not sure what it is either, but I'll check). Withdrawing from Xanax several years ago was difficult and scary; thanks very much for the warning. If I end up going on Effexor after all, and something goes wrong, I certainly won't be able to say I was underinformed.
Thanks again,
Madigan
Posted by Caligula on January 20, 2004, at 23:46:26
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I just started the 37.5mg XR this morning. I hadn't slept for a couple days because I was out of trazadone. Now, with 40mg of celexa, .5mg of xanax, and 50mg of trazadone on top of the Effexor, I can't sleep at all. I am not tired. I have heartburn. My jaw is really tight. I think my vision is less blurry. My head feels (painlessly) like it's going to explode. So, um, usual start-up fun, really. I'll post back in a couple weeks when I have a better idea.
Posted by KimberlyDi on January 21, 2004, at 8:53:51
In reply to Re: Electric shock -like sensations » Madigan, posted by Salty_Dog on January 20, 2004, at 19:05:37
> You may have better success with remeron or it's counterpart imipri???(I don't have a clue on how to spell that one - and I don't have first hand knowledge of it). These drugs don't get you all up in a bunch before you know which way is up.
Imipramine. I'm on 100mg and I have to take it at night because of drowsiness. Zero side effects so far though I'm on a low dosage. It seems to help SOME with anxiety but my depression is still running amok.
Posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 9:07:06
In reply to using sleep for withdrawal » Salty_Dog, posted by omegon on January 19, 2004, at 14:33:57
I also like to just sleep through my life. I do this as much as I possibly can. But, with 2 young children and a military-deployed husband - I can't do as much sleeping as I want.
My dreams are incredibly textured - my fingers sometimes tingle from remembered feelings. I can remember smells and tastes. It's really bizarre and definately frightening when the dreams are the stuff of which nightmare are made.
I've discovered that depression is a very selfish disease....it's all about what I do and don't want. I hate that.
anyway....sorry for the rambling...just some thoughts.
Posted by KimberlyDi on January 21, 2004, at 11:13:23
In reply to Re: using sleep for withdrawal, posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 9:07:06
depression is a selfish disease. that's an interesting perspective. i hope you put the negative aspect on the disease and not yourself. if you were diagnosed with terminal cancer, i believe that you would be equally self-absorbed. depression colors your life with dismal shades of gray. it's a heavy shroud that you wear every day. is it selfish to want to live free of that burden?
Depression turns a good nights sleep into a luxury. It makes you eat too little or too much. Your own laughter can startle you because you haven't laughed in so long. Depression is selfish because it consumes all aspects of your life. Go easy on yourself. :)
KDi in TX
> I also like to just sleep through my life. I do this as much as I possibly can. But, with 2 young children and a military-deployed husband - I can't do as much sleeping as I want.
>
> My dreams are incredibly textured - my fingers sometimes tingle from remembered feelings. I can remember smells and tastes. It's really bizarre and definately frightening when the dreams are the stuff of which nightmare are made.
>
> I've discovered that depression is a very selfish disease....it's all about what I do and don't want. I hate that.
>
> anyway....sorry for the rambling...just some thoughts.
>
>
Posted by Katies1 on January 21, 2004, at 13:16:02
In reply to Re: Electrical shock-like sensations » ZAPPA, posted by Mercedes on January 19, 2004, at 20:50:41
Well, I have been on Effexor for about 4 years. I have been on 37.5 for the last 2. Lately I decided to take myself off of it. I just want to be free of medication and don't want to get pregnant on it. I am a registered nurse so I read up on it and decided to get off this stuff. I have been on it for anxiety. I started taking it everyother day for about 2 months and the every two or three days. I am on day 6 of nothing. Feeling a little weird, nauseated in the morning, anxious, mainly a really odd feeling. My husband is a doc (not a psychiatrist) so he has been a great support. I guess I am really scared of not being on it anymore. I have been dreading the discontinuation symptoms for a long time. I just had to do it. I would recommend having a doc monitor you during the withdrawal. I don't have one right now so I am just watching myself. I biggest fear is the risk of seizures when stopping. I hope the is on really high doses. Anyways, I just needed to get this out. I hope someone who has been through this can give me some encouragement. I know God will get me through. Thanks.
Posted by cicciopsych on January 21, 2004, at 13:57:59
In reply to discontinuing Effexor, posted by Katies1 on January 21, 2004, at 13:16:02
Hi Katies1. I can relate entirely to your wish to discontinue your use of Effexor. I too did a gradual step down from 75mg every day to once every other day and beyond. I am now on day five without anything and fully experiencing the withdrawal effects of which you had spoken. The nauseau seems to be the worst, though I seem to have an almost transparent feeling the moment I get up to walk out of my office; almost as though I am not fully conscious. I truly pray that with the conclusion of this week some of the symptoms will subside and I will again be able to feel normal.
I actually began taking Effexor a bit over a year ago when I finally got up the nerve to tell someone about the eating disorders and depression that had been running my life for two years. I just got married four months ago and to be honest my wife is better support and help than the medicine ever has been. I myself am a psychologist, so I know a good bit about what to expect; somehow it is always a bit different when you are experiencing it yourself though.
I think the biggest encouragement I recieved from your post came in the final line when you said, 'I know God will get me through.' In all truth, with that knowledge and faith, you are already well ahead of the crowd. These disorders are no more than challenges that God has given us so that we might lean more heavily upon Him for support. I will be adding you to my prayers tonight. Keep that faith, stay strong, and remember that you are in control of your destiny. Blessings and regards.
Posted by AreMedsGood on January 21, 2004, at 16:39:05
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by Moni on July 18, 2000, at 18:30:25
I have been taking Effexor XR for about two years and feel the same way you do about it. It is comforting to know that others are going throught the same experience. The first thing I noticed, after starting the med was that my sleep changed. I had strange dreams and was sort of panicking in my sleep, because I was not used to the clogged up feeling, and the drowsyness associated with the drug. I always take it with food at about the same time everyday.
Posted by Katydid50 on January 21, 2004, at 16:51:48
In reply to Re: Long-term effects, posted by stjames on July 8, 2000, at 23:15:07
I left town for a long holiday weekend with everything except my Effexor XR 75 mg..(Initially prescribed for panic attacks)I had no intention of stopping, it just happened by accident. Despite being a registered nurse, I had no knowledge of the withdrawal symptoms and their severity. Less than 48 hrs without the med, I was as sick as I've ever been in my life. I had visual distortions that bordered on hallucinations, sense of unreality, positional vertigo,flu-like nausea and headache. Not since the 60's had I ever experienced a trip like this. In trying to analyze my symptoms, withdrawal seemed a likely bet. I called another nurse, who researched this topic for me and then I knew I was in trouble. And I felt so stupid, too! I should have known better. I called the physician on call and begrudgingly was prescribed 3 tablets; enough to get me through until I returned home. He had heard of this with Paxil but, not Effexor. After one dose, and approx 4 hrs I was starting to feel better. Then, I knew I had become physically addicted. I confronted my doctor with 2 inches of printed materials on the withdrawal syndrome & possible tapering programs using replacement drugs. His response was to just "take half of your usual dose". He tried to convince me that I should not come off it; eventually gave me 2 prescriptions: one for 75 mg & another for 37.5 mg and basically said to let him know how it was going,whatever I decided to do. I need to find an appropriate physician to help me set up a withdrawal program; it seems Prozac is the weaning drug of choice--longer half life. It's not easy to find physicians who know the protocol. I'm going to find a psych doc & keep my fingers crossed.
Posted by sasha71 on January 21, 2004, at 19:02:33
In reply to Re: using sleep for withdrawal » sasha71, posted by KimberlyDi on January 21, 2004, at 11:13:23
Thanks KimberlyDi -- that was probably one of the most helpful notes I've ever read.
It is hard to be negative towards the disease and not myself. Because I see myself as the one
with the behaviors. And I am but it's difficult to remember that there is Something helping pull
the puppet strings of my life.I hate this feeling of selfishness - it's not me. But then again, maybe it is. I don't know
anymore.I know this is something that will be with me for the rest of my life. I can deal with that. I just
wish I could deal with it more gracefully.
Posted by katies1 on January 21, 2004, at 19:14:44
In reply to Re: discontinuing Effexor, posted by cicciopsych on January 21, 2004, at 13:57:59
cicciopsych-Thanks for the message. I really appreciate your support. Did you ever wean yourself down to 37.5 mg? I was on that for a long time and was able to function fine. I feel much better later on in the day. The mornings are worse with the nausea. I worked out at the gym today and felt so much better afterwards - natural hormones being released! I feel like I am about a second behind when looking at things and them registering. I also have been been short-tempered and unable to focus on anything any period of time. Do you relate? I don't want to try the Prozac thing - I hate taking medications! I do feel relieved that I am no longer attached to Effexor. It did it's purpose now it is time to move on. I realized something earlier today. I have been searching for answers all day in the internet, in books, journals, the PDR, etc trying to figure out what I can do to make the symptoms go away. Then it hit me. I never asked God to take them away. He has been right here all this time just waiting for me to ask Him. I hope you will ask Him and I hope everyone who reads this post asks for His guidance. It is so much better than what the medical society can give us. Anyways, it was great to talk with you about what is going on. I appreciate your honesty and hope all will get better for you. By the way, I too have only been married for 4 months! You will be in my prayers.
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