![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 7371 to 7395 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 13, 2004, at 4:37:52
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by partlycloudy on October 12, 2004, at 19:27:11
I never had the sweats, but I hated the irregular cycles...just kidding.........Effexor is poison and should be taken off the market......thank goodness I made it off and have made a positive switch to cymbalta (Ihope!)
e
Posted by nsr on October 13, 2004, at 18:27:03
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by Sean9 on April 7, 2003, at 13:35:34
> Xiao,
>
> Talk to your doctor about the withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing. Best plan for quitting Effexor should include (talk to your doctor about this stuff): 1. Wean off slowly, something like lowering your doseage 37 mg each week until your last week you're taking one 37 mg every other day. 2. Expect the withdrawal symptoms to continue another few days to two weeks after your last dosage 3. Try Benadryl as needed to help alliveate brain shivers and diziness (or another antihistimine like Claritin or Allegra-D). You can also try Dramamine as needed, which is reported to help. 4. Get a low dosage of Prozac prescribed and start taking as you begin to taper down your Effexor. 5. Think about going on Prozac or another med for a few months afterward you quit Effexor. Welbutrin is supposed to be good too. 6. Don't worry. You won't die of withdrawal, many people experience it, it is supposedely the second worst withdrawal next to Paxil. Do lots of searches on Effexor Withdrawal and read up.Hello everyone,
I found this site after trying to wean off Effexor due to very bad restless legs at night. Finding out that others have experienced weird S/E's from tapering down helped a lot to tolerate the twitching, buzzing, dizzyness, aches, and other bizarre sensations. After three months, I am down to a stable dose of 37.5 mg. a day, feeling mostly ok. Benedryl does help a little. Today I started on Wellbutrin SR 150 mg. and will take this once a day while taking Effexor 37.5 every other day for awhile, and eventually stop the Effexor entirely. If I get depressed again, I'll increase the Wellbutrin to 300 mg. If not, I want to try weaning off all anti-depressants, challenging because I've been on them for the most part of nine years. I would like to hear from others who have tried to wean off using Wellbutrin and Benadryl. Thanks.
Posted by jujube on October 13, 2004, at 18:38:37
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP! » Sean9, posted by nsr on October 13, 2004, at 18:27:03
> > Xiao,
> >
> > Talk to your doctor about the withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing. Best plan for quitting Effexor should include (talk to your doctor about this stuff): 1. Wean off slowly, something like lowering your doseage 37 mg each week until your last week you're taking one 37 mg every other day. 2. Expect the withdrawal symptoms to continue another few days to two weeks after your last dosage 3. Try Benadryl as needed to help alliveate brain shivers and diziness (or another antihistimine like Claritin or Allegra-D). You can also try Dramamine as needed, which is reported to help. 4. Get a low dosage of Prozac prescribed and start taking as you begin to taper down your Effexor. 5. Think about going on Prozac or another med for a few months afterward you quit Effexor. Welbutrin is supposed to be good too. 6. Don't worry. You won't die of withdrawal, many people experience it, it is supposedely the second worst withdrawal next to Paxil. Do lots of searches on Effexor Withdrawal and read up.
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I found this site after trying to wean off Effexor due to very bad restless legs at night. Finding out that others have experienced weird S/E's from tapering down helped a lot to tolerate the twitching, buzzing, dizzyness, aches, and other bizarre sensations. After three months, I am down to a stable dose of 37.5 mg. a day, feeling mostly ok. Benedryl does help a little. Today I started on Wellbutrin SR 150 mg. and will take this once a day while taking Effexor 37.5 every other day for awhile, and eventually stop the Effexor entirely. If I get depressed again, I'll increase the Wellbutrin to 300 mg. If not, I want to try weaning off all anti-depressants, challenging because I've been on them for the most part of nine years. I would like to hear from others who have tried to wean off using Wellbutrin and Benadryl. Thanks.There were postings in this thread by a couple of people who began supplementing with Omega 3's and niacinimide prior to and during withdrawal from Effexor and they reported a much easier time during withdrawal. It might be worth a try.
Posted by pmz on October 13, 2004, at 21:33:14
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP! » nsr, posted by jujube on October 13, 2004, at 18:38:37
There are some disorders that Effexor is used for the theraputic level it gives that is not just depression. If you are bipolar or manic depressive, then you should really discuss with your physician any plans to wean yourself off the drug.
I have been reading as well about the positive effect that taking the omega 3 fatty acids and the niacin is having on the side effects of withdrawal from the Effexor.Good sources of the omega 3 fatty acids is either Flax oil, or in fish oils. It may be because of this that I had such a mild occurance of negatie side effects when I had run out of medications. I take those supplements for the control or high colesterol. I had high colesterol before I started on the effexor and it has gone up since I have been taking it. My Tryglicerides were off the chart! I have not had labs run since I have been taking these supplements, but know that they are supposed to help. I take several supplements daily to assist with my general health, and can definately tell a difference when I do. If you do start taking niacin, there is a "flush-free" form so you don't have that effect from the supplement. It would certainly be worth a try, and cannot hurt you to do so.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 14, 2004, at 2:11:39
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP! » Sean9, posted by nsr on October 13, 2004, at 18:27:03
I am off, 4th day, no brain shivers, I guess the Omega 3, Niacin, Klonopin and Still being on Remeron has helped, but my sleep patterns have got down the tubes.....I fall dead asleep and then start waking up around 10 or 11 every half hour then wake up for good at 2 or 3....my seratonin levels must be all screwy getting the effexor out of my system...Psy nurse said that when the Cymbalta kicks in that should stop...insomnia...I feel stuck between REM sleep and jumping into my exercise stuff to workout.....she also said to take an extra Klonopin when I wake the first time...which I did last night and it helped a bit...but I don;t want to start that every night as I am taking Temazepam for sleep when I go to bed............and I don;t want to run short of Klonopin and play that game with the Psy docs office.......they make you feel like a crack addict.....insomnia does suck.....I had it for years....I think I was sinking into my bout of depression without realizing it or wanting to acknowledge it......that it is I think one of the hardest parts especially for men........well I might as well go find something hot and black!
e
Posted by pmz on October 14, 2004, at 5:50:54
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 14, 2004, at 2:11:39
Good for you! I hope it continues to go well for you. I am just taking the 75mg twice a day where I was taking the 150mg twice a day and seem to be getting on fine with it. I do take the temazapam for sleep along with Xanax, and Elavil. I have taken Baclofen for leg spasms since I had Guillain Barre since that is a residual neuropathy from that. That was started before I started on the Effexor xr. I do have problems with insomnia periodically, but it is finding a sleep rhythm that matches my own biological clock. I worked graveyard shift as a nurse for so long that I am most normally a night crawler anyway. Maybe it is the peacefulness of the nights. Who knows. It is good that you are keeping a journal about your days and symptoms as you do this so you can see if any patterns result in your psych. or physical reactions to the withdrawal. We are rootin' for you! If you have any questions that I might be able to help with with my medical and nursing background, let me know. I have a great amount of resources at my disposal as well.
I honestly find this message board system a good support format for those with similar issues. I am grown keenly interrested in how others with similar problems get on. Thanks for sharing all.
You'all have a good day, and I will check in later.
Posted by Jubilee on October 14, 2004, at 11:47:29
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 14, 2004, at 2:11:39
I was just thinking about your name invisable, and I was inspired to come back here and talk from my comfort chair in the living room.. I just walked out of a 21 year fog of MPD, and realized I have no friends but a numb angry roomate ,who says nothing, works or is sleeping, and one half sister left who talks on the net about the weather real good but doesnt want to get real about anything. I found the internet a few weeks back and descided I was too fragile to try to be communicating with others yet.. Started with this board. So you are off for 4 days now? Too bad you don't have some prozac for 7 days. I hope you weaned down to pebbles before quiting. I'm Takeing 4 months and it was suggested drop 25 mg a week, then lower to pebbles. I am taking about a 50 and a 37 per day and going real slow. Heard someone died on another board and I believe this drug is that dangerous.
So back to my plight and how I have been invisable for so long. I need healthy friends because I am about mental health and recovery and I am reading again "the Courage to Heal" and its a good friend because its truth and sanity in a very lonely life. Mine..
As for sleep, thats crazy. I dont fall asleep , I black out. Effexor gave me insomnia and hypermania starting 4 years ago when I got on it. I was feeling like I was a real bad person the other day and I was going to write about it, because I wake up so often in my recliner and ask myself "why didn't I just go to bed?" You are crazy and bad ,girl! But I don't want to sleep because I have hypermania and sleeping is a waste of good living time, and I've been fighting sleep for 4 years ,and I like being awake especially since God restored my mind from MPD.( thats a set of symptoms all in itself ,but can't find a board) I thought , you know , God doesnt say all this bad crap about me so why am I talking to myself this way. I need to show myself some compassion as my life has been a living hell and I am just starting to get my life back. Just think. When I am off effexor I will have more of my mind back!
My biggest problem these days is wondering where on the internet I fit in, besides here. Recovering Multiple Personality issues, recently delivered co dependent issues, incest issues, my son just died so I have grief issues, I just found out Ive been suffering with Fibromialgia since 83 last week so I am on that board too. I wonder if there is a board for multiple Issues? I hope it was ok to talk about whats really going on with me , because I sure don't have the time or the mind to search out ten different boards. So ,I'm back. Left you folks for awhile. Is being invisable a lifestyle with you too. Invisablemanpa? I'm in too much pain to sit here any longer so Ill say goodby and thanks anyone who takes the time to read this. At least It is a joy to be heard and responded too, and for that I feel much less invisable. God Bless. Jubilee PS. I do have one best friend named "Stanley John" He is my 7 year old 6 lb poodle who is an excelent service dog for me , and for that I am very blessed and thank my Lord Jesus. again, Jubilee.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 14, 2004, at 12:27:56
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers - Hi Invisable, I'm back, posted by Jubilee on October 14, 2004, at 11:47:29
Keeping on praying and fighting the good fight and you will win. Get off the Effexor and try again. I have had zero withdrawls and on day 3 of Cymbalta and I feel fine, just tired from my sleep being all out of whack. I finally got up and at 3:00 and did my devotions and was anxious to hear the review of last nights debate. There are numerous support groups out there. Every major website, yahooo etc. has them.....One on one counseling has helped me tons. I talk to a therapist about twice a month and power walk with my Pastor every thursday. It has helped so much.
No I don't want to be invisible. That goes back to when I first got a computer, it was Halloween, I grew up watching the old black and white monster movies and still love to see them, my daughters were over and we went through the whole list of film monster and the only one that I could think of that was not taken on Yahoo was the Invisibleman........so I have used it off and on.........Yeah sometimes when the depression has been at it's deepest I have wanted to be invisible...but not very often.......tough out the withdrawl symptons and get the effexor out of your system!
e
Posted by Jessa on October 14, 2004, at 14:06:37
In reply to Everyone's different, but..., posted by Racer on October 24, 1999, at 22:14:55
After being diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, I have used Effexor XR roughly 7 months out of each year for the last four years. At the time I saw my Dr. regarding my symptoms he put me on damn near every medication in the book. I tried Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil.... nothing seemed to work.
When I first started using Effexor XR there were mild side effects- nausea, drowsiness, tremors, inability to concentrate, and increased panic attacks. These side effects DO go away! At least, they did for me. Each time I have gone back on the medication the first week has always been the hardest. After that, however, life is pretty breezy. I can concentrate, I have more energy, I'm not as emotionally sensitive, the irritability disappears, and I generally become more creative.
While the medication does decrease your appetite and can cause significant weight loss, I would hardly say these are "unwelcome side effects" for the avaerage unhappy person.
Everyones response to any drug will differ from any others. My personal opinion- as long as you maintain close contact with your physician and/or therapist, medication can only help.
Posted by Ruthie on October 14, 2004, at 16:24:41
In reply to Re: Possible withdrawal agony scares me, posted by riverrock on July 9, 2000, at 19:43:03
I just read elsewhere on this site where a couple of people used Benadryl for withdrawal symptoms. I thought it might be helpful. Here's the link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Antidepressant-discontinua.html
Posted by Tracy U on October 14, 2004, at 16:32:03
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hey, I am new to the boards, and have read through a lot of the posts, but haven't seen this one.
I have been taking Effexor XR for two years, just recently went up from 225 mg. to 300, after having a hysterectomy, and the depression getting worse. My question is, does anyone take Ambien with their Effexor? I have terrible insomnia, always have, but it is worse since starting the effexor. I got a script for the Ambien, but saw that it says it interacts with Effexor. I am willing to try anything, since I take half the night to fall asleep, wake up every half hour, and am never rested...
Any feedback on the Ambien use with Effexor???
I will NOT stop my effexor, I think it saved my life, but I also need sleep, I am a walking zombie...HELP!!
Tracy
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 14, 2004, at 17:33:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Tracy U on October 14, 2004, at 16:32:03
I have used Ambien with EffexorXR and I slept like a baby. My current issurance would not pay for it when I started having insomnia again as I weaned myself off of Effexor to switch to Cymbalta. My dr. has me trying Temezapam...a mild benzo..it helps me to fall asleep, but not stay asleep, my sleep routine is all messed up. Fall asleep immediately, then wake up in about two hours then about every 1/2 til 3:00 or 4:00, then I just give it up and get up. My seratonin must be all screwed with the switch from effexor. Dr. office says that it should improve as the Cymbalta gets in my system and depression improves.
I have used Ambien a number of times over the years, never had any side effects and slept like a baby and woke refreshed. Over the counter sleep aids made me feel like a zombie. Ambien is safe and works great, at least for me...not meant for long term use though....
e
Posted by nsr on October 14, 2004, at 18:19:52
In reply to Help for withdrawal, posted by Ruthie on October 14, 2004, at 16:24:41
Thank you, ruthie, for the link--it was very helpful! I wish to thank those who responded to my first posting yesterday. I have been following this site for some time but missed the info about Omega-3 and niacinamide supplements, and plan to try them.
I began taking Paxil, 20 mg. nine years ago, after two years of therapy for PTSD helped me overcome panic attacks but failed to alleviate depression. It worked great, and I stayed stable for six years, except for once a year when I would try to wean off. I was accustomed to tolerating the discontinuation effects--dizziness, restlessness, mild mood swings-- but always had to go back on Paxil after two or three months because I would gradually grind to a halt due to depression. I also have chronic low back pain, which the SSRI helps quite a bit. During the sixth year, I found that it took more Paxil to keep stable, and with the increase to 30 mg. developed muscle spasms and sexual disfunction. Briefly switched to Celexa--same S/E's--then Effexor 150 mg., which was effective. I have been free of depression and anxiety for over three years, but several months ago I developed such severe twitching in my legs it would wake me out of a sound sleep. Reducing to 75 mg. did not effect my mood but didn't reduce the S/E either. I told my doc I wanted to taper off the Effexor and see how I did, and he gave me some 37.5 mg. caps. That's when the weird S/E's kicked in--odd dizzy sensations when I moved my eyes, migraines, body aches and spasms, beeping and clicking sounds in my ears--I was relieved when I read postings here about Effexor withdrawl, but surprised. I am a mental health professional and hadn't heard of discontinuation syndrome, nor had most of the colleagues I asked. I have been blessed with good doc's who have been frank and receptive throughout my treatment, but nobody prepared me for this. When I told my current doc about the information posted here, he looked skeptical and said he had heard about "flu-like" symptoms, but had not been aware of the apparent neuro effects or how long they last, even when Effexor is taped very gradually. He had suggested Wellbutrin as the next alternative to Effexor anyway so agreed that I may start the Wellbutrin while continuing to taper off the Effexor.
I agree with those who conclude that Effexor is effective for depression as well as chronic pain, but coming off of it is a bitch, and it does seem the pharmaceutical and psychiatric communities need to do a better job getting the word out. Thanks, Dr. Bob, for the forum.
PS--I am interested in Cymbalta, which the manufacturer is advertising as a specific for depressed individuals who tend to have a lot of physical symptoms. I was wondering if those on this site who are taking Cymbalta would comment. Thanks.
Posted by pmz on October 14, 2004, at 22:14:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 14, 2004, at 17:33:45
I too use Ambien at bedtime to fall to sleep. I have trouble getting the wheels of thought inside my head to stop long enough for me to fall asleep. The trouble with Ambien, is that it has a short half life. That means that the effect peaks quickly, and then tapers off quickly. That is why you are wide awake after just a few hours and then do not rest well the rest of the night. Ask your doc about using something that has a longer effect so you will sleep longer. The OTC sleep aids are Benedryl. Ther exact same mediation as in Benadryl which is dyphenhidromine. Benadryl is frequently used in the hospital for a sleep aid for patinets. I use the Ambien, but also take Elavil at bedtime and Xanax. The Xanax is an antianxiety medication. A natural sleep aid is melatonin. It is OTC and you don't have the hang over effect that you do with the Benadryl or the other OTC sleep aids. I have used it before and it did help as a mild sleep aid.
I too have found that the Effexor xr has been quite a life saver. I am able to function on a semi-normal level since I have been on it and not had near as many of the manic episodes with uncontrolled crying as I did before I started it. With my disabilities and and loss of lifestyle and income that caused our family to lose our home and everything we had, it was necessary for me to start on an antidepressant to be able to function at all. I can deal with the minor side effects that I have had in order to be a contributing member of my family. At lease now I can smile and do the laundry and fix the meals unless I am having a physically bad day from the fibromyalgia and the arthritis and residual effects from the crippling illness I had. I have gained 50 lbs. which gives me a poor self image since I was always a woman before who stayed within my normal weight limits, and now weigh more than my husband.
Like I have said before, all medications have side effects. The big question is, are the benefits greater or less than the side effects? When you decide that, then you will know if you should be taking the medication.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 15, 2004, at 0:25:40
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers - Hi Invisable, I'm back, posted by Jubilee on October 14, 2004, at 11:47:29
> I am reading again "the Courage to Heal" and its a good friend because its truth and sanity in a very lonely life...
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book, movie, or music without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 15, 2004, at 0:31:53
In reply to Re: Help for withdrawal, posted by nsr on October 14, 2004, at 18:19:52
Posted by MAJZ on October 15, 2004, at 8:48:46
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am new to this site. I have been on Effexor for 2 and half months, I will have to say it was a God send. I was in the mental hospital for 2 weeks, and I thought I was losing my mind. I have a chemical imbalance, and prozac wasn't helping me anymore. I am now up too 300mgs a day(150mgsx2) and I am feeling so much better. I have had alot of side effects but at least I know who I am and I am not crying 24/7.
I was having trouble sleeping so they put me on trazodone, (100mgs at nite) and I am taking inderal for the tremors. Plus I am taking Gabitril for a mood lifter. I have had a few days that I felt like I might be going back into depression, but they only last a day or 2. My doctor told me until I was on the meds for 6 months, that I might have this happen. Has anyone else experienced this? Also I have had tingling in my face and at times thur out my whole body, it comes and goes. Is this normal? Thanks for any feed back.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 15, 2004, at 10:19:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by MAJZ on October 15, 2004, at 8:48:46
It seems that you are not the only one that has had some success with Effexor. Initially when I was started on Effexor about 1 1/2 ago, I went up to 300 mg and thought I felt some relief of the depression with few side effects except lack of sex drive. It's value diminished quickly for me over the past year and I was down to 75 mg, after some traumatic live events, my Psy doc upt it to 225mg. It brought on the worse depression symptons of my life. My cholesterol skyrocketed, plus who knows what other long lasting side effects. I am off now, 5 days, with no withdrawl symptons except insomnia. I started Cymbalta and have high hopes. If Effexor has helped you that's great! But I would be very aware of side effects, changes in your levels of depression and or anxiety, moods and cholesterol levels......then ???? We all are different. I do feel that Effexor XR did nothing but poison my mind and body. Good Luck! Hope I didn't scare you!
e
Posted by Jubilee on October 15, 2004, at 12:16:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by MAJZ on October 15, 2004, at 8:48:46
I am doing well except for insomnia which is improving now. Going slow and taking Niasin like suggested. Jubilee The book I am reading"The Courage to Heal" by Bass is for abuse and incest survivors. Its like having a therapist talk to you in person and very comforting and encouraging.
Posted by julia gulia on October 15, 2004, at 14:43:00
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and weight gain , posted by PAD702 on April 21, 2000, at 4:57:08
Two years ago a doctor put me on PAXIL for my first time around with any drugs for depression and anxiety...i was 21. He didn't mention in the beginning that alot of people have weight gain. I found out the hard way. I gained 20+ pounds in 4 months!! I was miserable..it helped the depression but being overweight and not having any of your clothes fit isn't great either. Went off of that and have since tried zoloft and celexa. I didn't notice any significant weight gaini with those but in the last two years I've had NO success in losing the 20+ pounds I gained and that in and of itself is enough to drive you into a depression. Just started Effexor XR today so we'll see. I'd love to lose some weight. I appreciated the boards...it was good to hear others opinions and stories...especially about the Paxil...I was about to think I just pigged out and became lazy overnight!!
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 15, 2004, at 15:53:38
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and weight gain, posted by julia gulia on October 15, 2004, at 14:43:00
Amen to the that. You sound exactly like me. I gained 20 pounds within months of being put on my first AD about 4 years ago. I think it was Serzone. I have had a number of med changes, most recently from Effexor XR to Cymbalta (Yipee!), I work out everyday, pilates, power walk, eat a lowfat, almost strictly vegetarian diet and my weight won't budge. I know if I were more sedintary and didn't watch what I eat it probably would be 50 lbs........I was always the skinny one...so the extra weight which is not noticable to most except me does not help my self image..I recently changed family doctors and he said not to worry about it, he thought I looked fit and trimmed and most of his patients are very overweight and look it...and this in PA, it was the same in in Wisconsin. Overweight people everywhere. I just don't like it! I would be happy to drop 10. Maybe on cymbalta I will. My cholesterol hit the roof and the ratio went bonkers, now I see there might be a link to Effexor, it sure was not my diet! It was always 160 / HDL, now it is 210 and the reverse for the good cholesterol. That did concern the doc, so I am anxious to see if he adds lipitor or something to my cocktail as heart attacks have been a plague to my ancestors. I added Omega 3 and Niacin to my Vitamin regimen, which it sounds like that may have helped me not have any withdrawl symptons from the effexor. I had to change my whole wardrobe! I was keeping my skinny wardrobe, 2" less on the waist, but finally gave it all to goodwill. 8 suits, 12 sport coats, 18 pairs of pants.......better on someone that needs them and could wear them, then in my closet. Now I
am babbling, yes the extra weight stinks!
e
Posted by dancingstar on October 16, 2004, at 2:53:37
In reply to Re: Help for withdrawal, posted by nsr on October 14, 2004, at 18:19:52
After being given some samples and then a prescription for Effexor by a family practitioner, I took it for three years, and on the basis of an overwhelming gut instinct I stopped taking it two weeks ago as of last Wednesday.
I am not now, nor have I ever been chemically depressed. The doctor that gave the drug to me was a family friend that I have known since I was three years old. I didn't have a regular doctor; so when I had bad back pain, I went to see him. Since I worked out a lot, I thought that I must have had a bad back injury of unknown etiology. It wasn't until over two years later that I found out through my current internist that what I really have is fibromyalgia. My internist never told me to stop taking the Effexor; so I continued to take it until I something came over me, and I knew that it had to be the cause of at least my weight gain if not some of the other problems I was having.
Stopping taking Effexor was possibly the most painful thing I have ever done, and I've done some painful things. Has anyone done Krav Maga? :-) Maybe they put something in it, like nicotine, to make it difficult to stop taking it, but without eqivocation, it is a vile drug when you stop taking it. Nothing emotional about this, guys. Purely physical, honest! The last couple of days I've been feeling better, not as nauseas, and I'm finally out of the bathroom. Until now, though, I was only good for about two or three hours a day before I was too sick to be able to do much of anything. My happiness factor that has increased enormously since I've been off that silly drug, which brings me to one of my main points. Family practice docs shouldn't be prescribing that stuff, and drug reps shouldn't be hawking their wares in the offices. My internist congratulated me on "getting that poison out of my system." I completely agree with him.
That's the second disaster that the family malpractice doctor got me into, though. The first mistake in judgment that he made was when he had the pharmceutical rep for Oxycontin literally talk me in to taking the drug in the waiting room while he was seeing patients. I resisted. I didn't think it was a good idea. I asked about my getting better, if I didn't want to stay on the drug, and she assured me that I would have no trouble getting off of it if I felt better, that only people that abused it had a problem when they stopped taking it. Then the two of them assured me that this was the best medication for me to be on for the rest of my life.
Now, I'm a woman that teaches kickboxing for fun. I run a very successful small business, and I'm now going to a university for a third career because it's one that I've always wanted to try my hand at....Oxycontin???? But they were two of them, and I trusted him; so I did it. I had to go and quit taking that all by myself, too. (The Effexor is definitely more painful.)
AND to make matters worse, he was so embarrassed about it -- either that or afraid the he would get in trouble? -- that when my private disability company showed up at this dude's office, he denied prescribing the drug to me and made me look like an idiot altogether. Why would I even go to a doctor that would either lie or not stand by me? No, I didn't do anything, just sacrificed the $3,000 plus a month in disability insurance because he is my best friend's brother, though in retrospect I don't think he should be practicing medicine for the sake of anyone's health.
Well, now that I'm done ranting here, to add to the list of "help for withdrawal" -- I've been through a lot with meds and didn't even want to deal with Dramamine at this point. I actually had to be talked into buying some Pepcid for my stomach pain which I am sure now has a giant hole burned into it -- The Omega-3's do work. I like the Nordic Naturals. It is kind of lemon-based. You might try 5-HTP. If you have fibromyalgia and the pain is so bad that even your eyelashes hurt and by some miracle you can get Theramine which I don't even think officially exists, you are very fortunate indeed. But it is wasted in my oinion, unless you take it on a completely empty stomach, something like two hours before and after eating, and no, it doesn't make your stomach hurt. And lastly, because I get the feeling that my adrenals are fried, I'm going to try the Enzymatic Therapy "From Fatigued to Fantastic" program because of its emphasis on vitamins A, B Complex, C strenghtening the adrenals, lots of water, and low sugar.
One last thing, a question: Did anyone else notice that as soon as they stopped taking Effexor they stopped craving either sugar or sugar substitutes?
I'm sure that it is possible that this is a good drug for someone that really needs it, but it is being marketed towards the general public. Anything that has such serious withdrawal cannot be harmless; so one better really need it if one is going to take it, and that is neither the way it is marketed nor prescribed. And if you are thinking of quitting, just do it. Don't drag it out. Mentally, I feel fantastic. Physically, at 2 1/2 weeks, I'm 90 percent. Don't let the mental part scare you, IF YOU ARE FEELING HEALTHY TO BEGIN WITH, and you're just going to have to live through the physical part. Nothing will make it better. You will just make the pain last longer if you drag the whole thing out, but it won't be any less painful.
May the Force be with you!!!
Posted by dancingstar on October 16, 2004, at 3:11:41
In reply to Effexor XR and it's Benefits, posted by Jessa on October 14, 2004, at 14:06:37
Hey Racer,
I'm glad that you are have such lovely side-effects. I think that most of us are having the reverse.Actually, we were complaining about going off, not on Effexor :-). It is interesting, though, that you go on and off every year.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 16, 2004, at 4:30:36
In reply to Re: Help for withdrawal, posted by dancingstar on October 16, 2004, at 2:53:37
Hey good post. I agree one thing that I have learned thru all of this is that my doctor,Psy or family does not "talk me into anything", especially a pharm. rep.,, they are no more than a glorified used car salesman in a suit and tie getting rich very quick...Since I have moved back to Pennsylania, I have yet to visit the family practice or head doctor without seeing a pharm. rep. coming or going with their hands full of goodies...I did the Alzheimer's Walk last weekend and a rep was there whose company makes aricept (I wish it would of been around for my Dad)...if I every would get diagnosed with Alz...I am going Hemingway for sure....anyway..the rep of course did not have drug samples but tons on all those cool little freebies....I even picked up a few pens and stress balls shaped like brains.....anyway..we must stand up...become informed ...and take an active part in managing our health care.......they days of a doctor writing a script without my complete knowledge of what is for and what the possible side effects are, are long over...Yeah the extra weight sucks!...I think I have changed my mind from being a Psy Grand PooBa to a Pharm Rep. if I could go back 20 years....Well off to the Heart Walk today...maybe there will be some Reps. there with some goodies! Hey kickboxing is cool, staying active is should be part of all of our health plans......I was Tae Kwon Do up until about 2 years ago, I blew out my left ACL testing for my high red belt, then blew out my Right ACL withing two weeks of going back for my Black...so after two reconstructions I live with a lot of pain but keep on trucking, funny when my Psy nurse gave me Cymbalta samples to start this past week she asked if I had any cronic pain, because Cymbalta is also being prescribed for some types of pain, so she said I might have significant relief from my knee pain, plus I pray depression symptons and anxiety.....
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Posted by bozo on October 16, 2004, at 16:05:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Kellie on May 28, 2000, at 10:45:53
anyone have success with buspar for adhd
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