![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 6639 to 6663 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Emma Smith on April 1, 2004, at 20:48:28
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by Davez on April 1, 2004, at 15:29:52
I see your point and agree with your reasoning. However, it has worked for me to go every other day (for about 2 weeks)and then every 3rd day for (about a week and a half). I don't know why other than I compare it to labor in child birth. I know sounds crazy, but in my experience with child birth, when my body went into labor by itself and opposed to being induced, I was able to build up a tolerance for the pain and make it through without any drug intervention for pain. I "got used" to the contractions and new what to expect. I knew I made it through the previous one and I could make it through the next one. I look at the withdrawal the same way. I've been allowing my tolerance for these symptoms to build and somehow make it through. I have only been "effexor-free" for 6 days now, but I am literally taking it hour-by-hour functioning with my part-time job and full-time job as wife and mother of 2 energetic boys.
I think withdrawal is going to affect everyone differently the same as the medication affects everyone differently.
Posted by ckkd on April 1, 2004, at 22:46:04
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by Emma Smith on April 1, 2004, at 20:48:28
OK now I am really in trouble... I have tried valume + alcohol... the withdrawls have found their way through.. Please please please has anyone found anything wholistic or otherwise that will REDUCE my suffering? I will try anything!! I am NOT NUTS I am NOT a drug addict, but I DO need help. My father is a physician and when I presented my problem to him, he just shrugged and watched me slug down my wine (whine?)
HOW do I get through tomorrow? I am supposed to go to work and be the supervisor of a 911 dispatch center from 10pm to 6am..
I am not sure what to do next, all I know is I am supposed to be able to handle my job while drug free.
Suggestions...????
Please.
and Thank You.
ck
Posted by MP on April 2, 2004, at 12:07:45
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and weight gain, posted by newgirl on April 1, 2004, at 9:28:32
Newgirl how do you feel after being off the Effexor?
Posted by MP on April 2, 2004, at 12:19:39
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by ckkd on April 1, 2004, at 12:47:33
I just went to my doctor yesterday (4-1-04) and told him I wanted off the Effexor. He was very gracious and explained to me how to wean myself off it. I am supposed to take 75mg for three weeks and then 37.5mg for three weeks. Then get re-evaluated. I guess I will see it if works.
Posted by stevie b on April 2, 2004, at 13:41:54
In reply to Withdrawl comparison, posted by Davez on April 1, 2004, at 12:20:17
Been all over the net on effexor and haven't heard much in the way of success stories on effexor withdrawal. I've tried a bunch of times. Not bashing the drug, 'cause it helped me, but now has turned on me much like Paxil did, but although difficult, withdrawal from both Zoloft and Paxil was a cakewalk compared to effexor.
Any body out there who now 'feels good' long term after finishing effexor withdrawal?
stevie
Posted by Putford on April 2, 2004, at 14:53:24
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by Emma Smith on April 1, 2004, at 20:48:28
It's encouraging to hear that some of you have been able to survive the trip.I quit smoking and drinking many years ago,but neither had the horrible sensations I felt the other day. I took a pill today,and a few hours later,presto, I felt better.It is scary that a drug can take over your body and mind and one can't see a way out.Last night I gave in because I got into this crying fit and had these strong thoughts of ending it all...real scary stuff. It is great stuff and it helps but You'd think the drug company would find some antidote.
Posted by Davez on April 2, 2004, at 14:58:19
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by Putford on April 2, 2004, at 14:53:24
Why would they want to make it easier to quit??? Keeping you hooked makes them more money. If they could make it impossible to quit they would. The almighty dollar is the decoding factor.
Posted by Putford on April 2, 2004, at 15:00:24
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by Emma Smith on April 1, 2004, at 20:48:28
I've been on the pills for over a year and want to try it like a normal person. I'll try your sugestion.I was on the 37.5 for 2 weeks and decided to try getting off.It worked for four days.I thought I had caught a bad flu bug and the aches and pains were part of that.Was I ever in the wrong planet!! Thanks.
Posted by pekostar on April 3, 2004, at 5:41:34
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by Davez on April 2, 2004, at 14:58:19
I have now been off Effexor for almost 3 weeks. I made it through the physical withdrawls. I find myself still dealing with some emotional issues. I am going to give it about 3 months before I decide to try another medication. For all of you that effexor has been a blessing....thats great. I know how the battle can be. But please be aware of what you are taking. I have never been on any medication that had that much of an effect on me if I missed a dose.
Good luck to all of you
Posted by mp on April 3, 2004, at 9:07:21
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by pekostar on April 3, 2004, at 5:41:34
> I have now been off Effexor for almost 3 weeks. I made it through the physical withdrawls. I find myself still dealing with some emotional issues. I am going to give it about 3 months before I decide to try another medication. For all of you that effexor has been a blessing....thats great. I know how the battle can be. But please be aware of what you are taking. I have never been on any medication that had that much of an effect on me if I missed a dose.
> Good luck to all of you
>
So pekostar how did you do it? I would like some advice. polkmichelle@aol.com
Posted by Mina on April 4, 2004, at 11:15:44
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by stevie b on April 2, 2004, at 13:41:54
I've been on Effexor for a little over a year and I was on my way to weaning off of it and made it down to 37.5. I was supposed to stop after 2 weeks of that dose which I did 2 days ago and OH MY...WHAT A FREAKIN' NIGHTMARE! Yesterday was the 2nd day I was off of it totally and I have never felt such out of contol creepiness. The hot flashes/sweats, trembles, uncontrollable sobbing. It was so bad that I went to the pharmacy and refilled the 37.5 and took one and it looks like it helped because this morning I'm back to myself. What an awful cycle. Effexor did help me for that certain period of about a year but enough already...I feel like an addict who can't quit. If I knew this was going to be THIS bad I wouldn't have gotta on it...I'm sure there's other similar meds without the crazy withdrawals. Ok...thanks for listening anyone out there...I hope there's some sort of hope in quiting this crap.
Mina
Posted by headachegirl on April 4, 2004, at 12:22:50
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by Mina on April 4, 2004, at 11:15:44
I have been taking Effexor for close to a year now and have reached the point where I just want to be free of it. If I forget a dose, I suffer from a headache that feels like the top of my head is tightening in a vice-like effect, nausea, some dizziness, flashing effects on vision. I absolutely hate it and my work is severly impacted. I am going to get off it. I've just started looking at this site for suggestions. I can't believe I left Prozac for this stuff... It's awful.
Posted by Zarry on April 4, 2004, at 13:12:43
In reply to does this go away? Is this normal, posted by outofcontrol on February 3, 2004, at 17:14:38
I'm trying to get off Effexor cold-turkey because of one of the side effects that some doctors aren't aware of - at least my doctor didn't know. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. It is stated in the warnings, if one does research. My BP was running in the 170s and 180s over 110s. The doc was concerned about that and put me on HCTZ for the BP. I did some research on the net about High BP. There was a comment about ADs and so I investigated Effexor - sure enough, there it was, a warning about Effexor and high BP. I sent the info to my doc and he said I should quit Effexor. Geeze, the brain chills or whatever everyone describes them is unbearable.
There's two warnings in this message, don't assume your doctor is aware of everything, and monitor your blood pressure.
I wish the withdrawls would go away - my question, is how long do I have to endure these "brain chills"?
Posted by Pluto on April 5, 2004, at 2:05:42
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by pekostar on April 3, 2004, at 5:41:34
Just curious here. If anybody can tell me, how they will compare effexor withdrawal to benzo withdrawals? Which is more endurable?
Percy
Posted by sira on April 7, 2004, at 17:12:50
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I was wondering if anyone has found any medications that interact with effexor. I get seasonal allergies in the spring and summer. My dr is checking on which meds are ok but said it could take a while. I was wondering if anyone here knows of a website or from personal experince if there are certain drugs to stay away from. I usually use claritin and advil.
Sira
Posted by Flipsactown on April 7, 2004, at 17:44:19
In reply to Medication and Effexor, posted by sira on April 7, 2004, at 17:12:50
Try www.drugs.com
FST
> I was wondering if anyone has found any medications that interact with effexor. I get seasonal allergies in the spring and summer. My dr is checking on which meds are ok but said it could take a while. I was wondering if anyone here knows of a website or from personal experince if there are certain drugs to stay away from. I usually use claritin and advil.
> Sira
Posted by ku4ns on April 7, 2004, at 20:17:15
In reply to Medication and Effexor, posted by sira on April 7, 2004, at 17:12:50
I used both of those you speak of while on effexor and did not have any side effects. John
Posted by 8008hopeful on April 7, 2004, at 22:26:02
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by AngelDoe on March 31, 2004, at 14:03:28
I just started taking Effexor a month ago. I was at 37.5 for a week, 75 for about 2 weeks, and then was put up to 150 for 2 more weeks. I think the side effects are worse than my original problems and want to get off of it but am very nervous about the withdrawal after reading the threads. Any suggestions?
Posted by BR549 on April 8, 2004, at 0:31:41
In reply to Re: Withdrawl comparison, posted by Mina on April 4, 2004, at 11:15:44
I began taking anti-depressants in 1997. After being burned out on Prozac, according to my family MD and "this can happen" according to him, I was "upgraded" to Effexor XR about a year ago. Just like with the Prozac, I felt relatively good for few months with both meds and then settled into what I call an emotional drone mode.
My prescription for Effexor XR expired 4/2. I had previously e-mailed my family MD the day earlier for a refill with no reply.. What a strange trip its been the past 5 days.
Nausea was almost immediate 4/3 and lasted a couple more days. My equilibrium is still off and I must use total concentration when driving or operating power tools. Zip or zap noises inside my head mostly at night and it feels like my eyeballs are twitching when closed. I don't sleep well at all and mood swings are frightening. I'm a 48 year old male and have cried more the past few days than when my dad passed away last summer. Plus deeply buried feelings are being expressed verbally and causing great discomfort and concern for my wife and kids.
I've had enough of the pysch meds and despirately want to get through life now without them. With the exception of a few unprescribed drinks now and then to take the edge off when needed..
Gotta finish though with Thank God for this site. I wanted answers about why I was so freaking messed up and I wanted them now. Not a week or two later.. Thanks for the support out there.
Posted by DirtyLowDown4 on April 8, 2004, at 7:59:54
In reply to Medication and Effexor, posted by sira on April 7, 2004, at 17:12:50
Try this link:
http://www.accessmednet.com/prescription-drug-information/effexor-venlafaxine.html#interactions
> I was wondering if anyone has found any medications that interact with effexor. I get seasonal allergies in the spring and summer. My dr is checking on which meds are ok but said it could take a while. I was wondering if anyone here knows of a website or from personal experince if there are certain drugs to stay away from. I usually use claritin and advil.
> Sira
Posted by Zarry on April 8, 2004, at 8:22:20
In reply to Just started and want to get off Effexor, posted by 8008hopeful on April 7, 2004, at 22:26:02
If you're not happy with the results of just starting Effexor, talk to your doctor. I went cold-turkey and I think the withdrawals are worse than the weight gain and high blood pressure - physically. The side-effects you don't see, you don't feel, therefore out of mind. The withdrawals are horrendous. I've been off Effexor for about a week now and the "brain chills" or "rain stick" feeling in the head is as bad as the depression. I went cold turkey because of the extreme high blood pressure. The doctor was unaware that Effexor can cause high blood pressure.
Be Careful!!> I just started taking Effexor a month ago. I was at 37.5 for a week, 75 for about 2 weeks, and then was put up to 150 for 2 more weeks. I think the side effects are worse than my original problems and want to get off of it but am very nervous about the withdrawal after reading the threads. Any suggestions?
Posted by Davez on April 8, 2004, at 9:34:56
In reply to Re: Just started and want to get off Effexor, posted by Zarry on April 8, 2004, at 8:22:20
From what I have read and heard going cold turkey is not an option. You have to cut down gradually. Quitting cold turkey while on a higher doseage (above 37.5mg) is pure masochism.
Posted by ku4ns on April 8, 2004, at 10:27:46
In reply to Just started and want to get off Effexor, posted by 8008hopeful on April 7, 2004, at 22:26:02
I believe you may not have been on the drug long enough to reap any of the benefits. Each time I would increase the dose it would take a couple of weeks for things to settle down and then it was smooth sailing along as I took the same dose each day. In the beginning of my experience with effexor I too was sick and wanted to quit but was encouraged to press through. It has been over a year now with good results. john
Posted by Zarry on April 8, 2004, at 10:41:33
In reply to Re: Just started and want to get off Effexor, posted by Davez on April 8, 2004, at 9:34:56
Weaning off wasn't/isn't an option with the high blood pressure that I have. I need to get it down and taking a month to wean me off isn't something I want to do. Luckily I just got laid-off from my job so I can deal with the withdrawls at home.
Posted by Putford on April 8, 2004, at 16:00:06
In reply to Going Cold Turkey, posted by Zarry on April 8, 2004, at 10:41:33
Believe me,cold turkey is not an option. I tried it.Been reading up on it.It's a slow process.You got to be patient.What I saw was that you keep the lowest dose and slowly increase the time between doses.In some cases one might need other meds to help with the process.In any case to some,it will still not be easy.I sent ane-mail to Wyeth and they just refer you to your doctor.Problem is a lot of the doctors are not aware of the consequences .I don't think GP's should be dispensing these drugs.I wonder if we got in touch with the FDA. to present a case re.Effexor. ??
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.