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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 17, 2004, at 18:51:10
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization » invisiblemanpa, posted by dancingstar on October 17, 2004, at 17:18:04
Ms. Dancing Star,
I totally agree...there is something very wrong on a simplistic level, that if we put something in our body and our body reacts telling us that it does not want it in it....yes Effexor is probably doing wonders for some people. I would certainly hope so, as I know there are millions still on it. Yeah, I do the Splenda thing to, in any icecream, homemade oatmeal cookies.....As I have high hopes for Cymbalta, I also have high hopes for loosing the weight I have gained though to most it is not noticable. But it is to me! I exercise everyday sometimes 2 plus hours when I have the time, eat the lowfat, almost veg diet and sorta low carb, I love pasta. But on the Effexor my weight would not budge and my cholesterol skyrocketed. My Psy doc added Remeron in July when I knew the Effexor was really not working. As the Cymbalta kicks in, I plan on ditching ther Remeron to (I hope), and maybe that will change my metabolism......my friends laugh and say it is just part of the aging process.....Well I am only in my mid forties and can't accept that. And yes thanks for the sleep wish. I fell asleep this afternoon as soon as I got back from church and my head hit the pillow....I love the mornings.....but 2:30 or 3:00 is just a little to early! Plus waking up every half hour or so. As I said before, being so exhausted, it's really hard to get a handle if the Cymbalta is having any positive impact yet. At least I am not having side effects. I hope when the Cymbalta kicks in I can get back to some normal dreams that make sense and maybe even starting dreaming about sex again!
e
Posted by dancingstar on October 17, 2004, at 19:44:28
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 17, 2004, at 18:51:10
I'm not familiar with the drugs that you are taking...but that doesn't mean anything. I don't know about that many of these drugs.
If you don't see any difference, before you try something else, why don't you just try St. John's Wort? Again, I acknowledge my ignorance here, but I like the idea of doing less rather than more.
My stomach is still not happy, and it's been so long now; and I'm having the opposite problem that you are. Yesterday and today I slept until 1:00 p.m. Not good at all. During the week I have to do a minimum amount of work for my business, but I also have a fair amount of homework for school as I'm taking three classes this quarter. It's been really tough to do as I started school at the same time that I decided to quit Effexor. Believe me, I didn't plan it this way. It was one of those God things. My Mom used to say: "People plan and God laughs."
No, I don't believe in forties' weight gain either. For cholesterol, you might try low sugar; almost no starches; healthy fats, i.e. salmon, avacado, veganese instead of mayonese, not butter or margerine, olive oil; not flour but corn tortillas. Some grains are okay as long as they are not processed, like white flour. It's just a suggestion, but I know it's kind of tough.
Have a great Sunday!!
Posted by corafree on October 17, 2004, at 22:16:17
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization, posted by dancingstar on October 17, 2004, at 1:59:08
DANCING STAR,
I just wrote you a very lengthy post in response to your post and it got LOST IN SPACE!
Give me some time and I'll re-write.
Thank you so much for, well, explaining your interpretation of slow vs normal metabolization. I welcome fresh and differing understandings, to help be better educated, as sometimes we must be our own healers.
I'll be back w/ ya' Best Wishes CF
Posted by pmz on October 17, 2004, at 23:45:48
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization » invisiblemanpa, posted by dancingstar on October 17, 2004, at 19:44:28
I have got to say that I enjoy reading the postings on this site. It gives me an insight to the effects that this medication gives to such a variety of people. Like with any drug, it does depend on your general health, your lifestyle whether sedentary or athletic, your diet and metabolism, and any other medications that you are taking as to how much of a theraputic effect the drug will have and if and how severe the negative side effects will be.
I was started on the Effexor xr because I had been going through so many stressful situations with my own health and the abrupt loss of my health, lifestyle, career that I loved,and family situations. I had gotten to the point where I had uncontrolled crying, severe mood swings, insomnia, and such a low feeling of self esteem that it could have become very dangerous if left unaddressed.
Although now after being on the Effexor xr for 2 1/2 years in varying doses, I am able to function throughout the daily life without having manic episodes and taking them out on my husband. I do have a more functional social outlook, and do get out of the house when the weather is fitting on my own, to relieve the "stir crazy" effect that being disabled has given me. I am able to actually be a functioning productive contributing part of the family now instead of spending all my time in bed or not even motivated to bathe and pay attention to my appearance. I went through all those signs of severe manic depression. Yes I have had a weight gain, but I contribute a great part of that to the fact that I have not been able to be physically active due to my disability, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and poor pulmonary functions. I was acutely ill with a crippling disorder and then less than a year later, had a permanently damaging case of interstitial pneumonia that nearly killed me. To top that all off after given the choice of continuing to smoke and die soon, or quit and live a bit longer, I stopped smoking and started eating. This was all such a dramatic change from the role of caregiver that I had enjoyed so much in my career and home, that it either initiated or potentiated such a severe depression that I lost all self esteem and feeling of self worth and felt that I was a burden on everyone. I am a nurse who loved her job, and a mother who loved being involved with her children and all their activities. I thank God every day that I had such a supportive family and such a patient, tolerant, caring, and loving husband that was able to help get me through this awful transition in my life. He is truly one of a kind.
Now, I am able to have an affectionate and fulfilling role as the home-maker and supporter of my husband's career choices. Whatever I physically am not able to do, he does for me without complaint. I spend as much time as possible with my grandson. I manage to keep my hands busy enough with creative craft and sewing projects that are very theraputic with self esteem issues as well. The feeling you get when you have completed something that has turned out beautiful is very theraputic.
All I can say is that we all need to accept that we are going to have an effect from the drug whether it be positive or negative depends on the individual. For me, for now, the positive outweighs the negative.
If you feel that the negative effects outweigh the positive, then consult with your doc and see if there is something else that you could take that should deliver the theraputic effect you are seeking without the negative side effectthat you have experienced from the Effexor xr.
I hope that you all realize that your emotional and mental problems are more times than not due to something you have done or can even control. That is why we look to our physician for guidance and treatment. If you are not getting the support and help you need from your current doc. then find a new doc.
Best wishes to all.
Posted by corafree on October 18, 2004, at 1:16:46
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization » dancingstar, posted by corafree on October 17, 2004, at 22:16:17
I'm following up myself here.
A few months back I did some research on metabolization, posted it, and, found above. It is as follows:
I'm talking about Effexor here.
Yes, I am having success with it, after a bit of changing the dosage regimen. Upon first starting, I took my initial 75mg upon waking and took a followup of 37.5 at bedtime. I was experiencing side effects, mainly anxiety, from around 4-5p until bedtime.
I now take the follow-up dose of 37.5mg approx. 5 hours after taking my waking dose, and have virtually no anxiety or side effects, and it lasts all day! I can truly say it is the best drug I have ever been on, and I've been on all the SSRIs.
I am what is called a 'POOR METABOLIZER'.
Many factors go into the pharmacokinetics of a drug, making the dosage regimen individual to individuals.
There are EXTENSIVE METABOLIZERS (normal metabolizers) and, like me, POOR METABOLIZERS.
Some factors which go into deciding which you are, are: 1) hepatic drug clearance (low intrinsic clearance - the effect can be increased by giving a second liver enzyme boosting agent, and hepatic blood flow - how much is initially gobbled up by the liver, because the slower the flow, the higher the extraction, and vice-versa; 2) protein binding (drugs get stuck and can't go anywhere); and 3) ionization (highly ionized drugs cannot cross lipid membranes and basically can't go anywhere.)
So, dosage regimens should depend upon whether you are a slow metabolizer or an extensive (normal) metabolizer.
It took me a while to realize I was a slow metabolizer and that I would actually need more of a drug.
(p.s. since then have increased Eff-XR dosage)
BWishes CF
> DANCING STAR,
>
> I just wrote you a very lengthy post in response to your post and it got LOST IN SPACE!
>
> Give me some time and I'll re-write.
>
> Thank you so much for, well, explaining your interpretation of slow vs normal metabolization. I welcome fresh and differing understandings, to help be better educated, as sometimes we must be our own healers.
>
> I'll be back w/ ya' Best Wishes CF
Posted by dancingstar on October 18, 2004, at 2:19:15
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization » corafree, posted by corafree on October 18, 2004, at 1:16:46
Got your message, even if it wasn't the one you fully intended, Corafree, and you have perhaps given me some insights as to why I am in absolute hell tonight, almost three weeks later when I haven't done anything to earn this pain. The nonstop nausea, even now, at midnight is enough to drive me stark-raving mad, and I am a sane and normally rational woman.
Something you said about fat metabolism triggered a thought that tips me off to the idea that as this weight has fallen back off of me, all on its own -- well, with the help of the stomach problems, I imagine -- it's allowed for the free flow of chemicals into my body that had been previously stored somewhat benignly as fat. As they are released, I'm becoming more and more poisoned, but I'm feeling too sick to eat very much.
Pepcid, I've got to go find some Pepcid and try to go to sleep....
Posted by corafree on October 19, 2004, at 3:55:28
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization, posted by dancingstar on October 18, 2004, at 2:19:15
Yep, I think you're on the right track. You may have an overload of meds/poisons in your system. Keep in mind. I took Dulcolax and it wasn't comfortable, but meds or lack of, must be working as should now, as I feel quite a bit less anxious and depressed this evening. It's so systemically mind-boggling. Get your Pepcid and rest. wishbest cf
> Got your message, even if it wasn't the one you fully intended, Corafree, and you have perhaps given me some insights as to why I am in absolute hell tonight, almost three weeks later when I haven't done anything to earn this pain. The nonstop nausea, even now, at midnight is enough to drive me stark-raving mad, and I am a sane and normally rational woman.
>
> Something you said about fat metabolism triggered a thought that tips me off to the idea that as this weight has fallen back off of me, all on its own -- well, with the help of the stomach problems, I imagine -- it's allowed for the free flow of chemicals into my body that had been previously stored somewhat benignly as fat. As they are released, I'm becoming more and more poisoned, but I'm feeling too sick to eat very much.
>
> Pepcid, I've got to go find some Pepcid and try to go to sleep....
Posted by devonsnana on October 19, 2004, at 10:31:08
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization » dancingstar, posted by corafree on October 19, 2004, at 3:55:28
I have been on Effexor now for 4 and 1/2 years. I just found out I now have liver damage, the tachcardia, uncontrolable bronichal spasms are all because of the Effexor. It was suggested in November of 2001 that a 6 month thearapy is all that should be used. I am now screwed for life as the damage to my liver is irreversible. Please make sure your doctors monitor the Medical Libraries on the effects of this drug. It's too late for me.
Posted by dancingstar on October 19, 2004, at 12:20:18
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization, posted by devonsnana on October 19, 2004, at 10:31:08
I'm so sorry to hear this. I gather that your doctor wasn't doing regular blood tests, which at least my internist does.
Have you stopped taking it yet? I am better today. I guess it's officially three weeks. Yesterday I still felt pretty sick to my stomach all day long.
Thinking back to when I started taking Effexor, I realize that I must have been feeling symptoms of fibromyalgia and not have realized it. My friend's brother, Robert Braun, a family practice doctor let me try it cause he had lots and lots of samples in his office, and it gave me the energy that I was missing; so I kept taking it. I guess I had forgotten about the whole thing until right now. How stupid!!!!! I had back pain and was feeling exhausted; that's what it was.
I hope you feel better, get stronger, heal, and if you have to stop taking the Effexor, well, you will be okay :-). Hang in there!!
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 19, 2004, at 12:46:13
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization, posted by dancingstar on October 19, 2004, at 12:20:18
Just a suggestion....metabolize all of that poison right down the toilet! I am waiting for the first lawsuit to materialize. God Bless anyone that feels they were or are being helped by it...more power to you....what ever works!
e
Posted by dancingstar on October 19, 2004, at 13:15:16
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 19, 2004, at 12:46:13
I'm not sure I have the courage to follow through, but I do own a court reporting agency.
Posted by dancingstar on October 19, 2004, at 13:16:24
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization, posted by dancingstar on October 19, 2004, at 13:15:16
And fortunately or not, I have had quite an intimate relationship with the toilet lately :-).
Posted by devonsnana on October 19, 2004, at 14:12:46
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization, posted by dancingstar on October 19, 2004, at 12:20:18
I have just recently been removed off of it. I changed doctors and it was the new physicain which found the problems. The heptic panels were all coming back within normal clinical range at the other physicain but a supposed robbery has prevented us from getting my original records. I know there my be withdrawal but I will get through it and we just got word today that one of my daughters is a candidate for a living donor transplant when the time comes. I do not fear the outcome only that so many are being treated and the physician do not seem to keep up with the research being done. All my research is coming through WHO (World Health Organization) Please try to be vigilant in your own medical care. So many new drugs and research is out there that there is no way your doctors can.
Posted by Jubilee on October 20, 2004, at 14:22:43
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Please read further. It can kill you I am sure of it. It helped my depression, but not worth the cost to my vision and now possibly my liver aas I read today and I believe it , because abnything that is this dangerous to come off of has to be killing you. God bless. Jubilee
Posted by Jubilee on October 20, 2004, at 14:54:15
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Metabolization, posted by devonsnana on October 19, 2004, at 10:31:08
Good Lord I pray my liver is fine as I have been on effexor 4 years and I have been going down from 300mgs the last three months. ( Just dropped to 2 37's) Heard on another post that someone died from complications, and I do believe it. I started off with a bottle of 60 150 mgs and then I found out about effexor. Thank God I had a large supply as I was to take 2 a day. My first drop was fine from 300 to 75 for 3 weeks. Then every 10 days or so I lower it just a little . I have helpful meds like Klonipin and anti nasuea, anti hystimine, anti diareal, and fortunatly some prozac. My dr wanted me off in 6 weeks so he gave me alot of prozac and some 37's and sent me home. Obviously I didn't follow his advice because I would be dead or to sick to type....So I started with a plan.
1. I accidently started off with a large supply of effexor and I suggest others to not mention help to get off without being prepared with enough effexor to come down slow, like 4 months.
That was in my favor accidently.
2. After studying what helped others and what I was going to have to deal with, I prepared. Lets face it. Preparation yields the greatest success.
3 I asked my dr for prozac to help with withdrawals, as they seem to know enough to do that.
4 I also asked for a anti hystimine sprayer for headaches which come with withdrawal.
5 Someone suggested 25 mgs at a time come down so thats working for me.
6 Save all pebbles you pour out in a bottle. You don't need a capsul to take it . I measure mine into a capsull, pour on tounge and drink water. There is no taste. ( I scoop up so much with a clear vitamine capsule I emptied out. )
for 300 mgs I am giving myself 4 or 5 months, and things are going smooth. Patience is a good thing.When I drop in dosage I take prosac for about 3 or 4 days , with an anti nasuea pill as I only feel a bit wierd in my head and small tummy ache.
Buy an anti diareal if needed.
I have almost died twice comming off effexor , so I hope this will encourage others and give them wisdom to better survive the withdrawels.
If you are thinking of going off as the side affects are bad, like loss of vision, hypermania, anxioty, agitation, high blood pressure, memory problems, no sex feelings,bad insomnia ,dehidrating night sweats, thyroid problems and more. I had all the above except h.blood presure. Changed my vision 3 times this year already! I pray I have helped others. God Bless, and don't forget to pray and ask God to help provide all you need for the best recovery and look forward to the restoration of your mind. I know I am. Jubilee
Posted by S.Bartel on October 20, 2004, at 15:03:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Jubilee on October 20, 2004, at 14:22:43
Yes it can kill you. I am dying of liver disease because of it. I only wish I had known of the dangers before I started taking it. I can only hope that others will be saved by these postings. I read peoples posts that think this drug helps them and remember when I too thought it was a wonder drug. Anyone still on this drug please listen to the warnings and stop taking it. I'm not afraid of dying but I'm not rezdy to leave my children and Grandchildren. Effexor XR has left me no choice. You may still have a choice. Please stop.
Sammi B.
Posted by Jubilee on October 20, 2004, at 17:25:34
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by S.Bartel on October 20, 2004, at 15:03:37
I don't hardly know what to say as I thought I had about heard it all sammi. I will pray for you and yours and yes I am 3 months down from 4 years of 300mgs on effexor. I am on 2 37's now and can hardly wait to finish. Going one more month. Going slow has made it barrable. I am so sad for your Loss but my God who sent his Son Jesus has healed me of many things ,even incurable like incurable Gonerea my grandfather gave me. God healed me and gave me 4 babies and I was barren. Also an epideral healing and a concussion. Try Multiple Personality disorder and chronic depression??? Yes, I pray you know my Jesus and have taken this to him. I have a feeling you have. My liver has been through much and I have Fibromialgia and still have to take alot of meds , but I pray my liver is fine. Could you tell me the symptoms of your desease.? Is is a sure thing there is no hope . Can not stopping the effexor halt the problem? I will be praying for you and yours Sammi. Thanks for sharing .God Bless you Jubilee
Posted by devonsnana on October 20, 2004, at 18:57:34
In reply to What works well for me, almost off now, posted by Jubilee on October 20, 2004, at 14:56:30
You are lucky, I did not have a mental illiness. I was put on it because the doc I was seeing found I had thyroid diesease and decided that since there was a chance of depression this would be best. I am not weaning but going cold turkey. I have had none since Saturday and today was a little rough. The chest pains aren't too bad but I do have high blood pressure and take an ace inhibitor as well as a beta blocker. I have many good christian friends at work and a supportive family which will assist as needed but time is critical for me as I feel that this is a way to hopefully reverse some damage. No one could say but I am willing to go the hard road to find peace knowing I did all I was intended to do. My lord is supporting me in every way I just wish I knew how long it will take to be rid of the drugs from my blood stream. No one seems to be able to answer this or how bad it will get. I pray that all will find the assistance they need to keep going. And just thankful that my daughter which is manic depressive was not put on it.
Posted by dancingstar on October 20, 2004, at 19:56:40
In reply to Re: What works well for me, almost off now, posted by devonsnana on October 20, 2004, at 18:57:34
I wasn't depressive either, and I take 90 - 120 milligrams of Armour thyroid daily. Today is just over three weeks, and I've done this pretty freezing turkey. Yup, it's no fun. Today is better than yesterday. My fibromyalgia has been raging at me. My best friend/sister has been taking the same 150mg for longer than I have, probably over four -- she says like 9 years, but I'm not sure -- doesn't believe that all of these symptoms can be from my withdrawal. I've had the runs the entire time, and I really can't eat much at all. I haven't eaten any protein besides a very small amount of salmon and a few bites of egg whites -- oh, yeah, and a little mozarella cheese in some tomato soup. Mostly, though, the thought of animal products doesn't work right now. Most of the rest of my life I work out and eat mostly low carb and low fat. Yesterday I settled for a couple of chocolate chip cookies and a few sips of milk to settle my stomach. I cooked some apple sauce when I could stand up long enough to get the job done. I live alone, and it's been pretty rough going. Most of the time I feel like I've had a new best friend, the porcelain alter. I really may as well move into the bathroom.
Anyway, it's late in the day, and I want to get some homework done cause I'm determined to get to class tomorrow night.
Things that have helped the cold turkey route: Tons of St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, Omega3's, eat enough to be able to take really good vitamins because you need them. The Enzymatic Therapy Fatigued to Fantastic, including the Adrenal Support does seem to be helping. I've been using it since Saturday, and I have "decided :-)" we need adrenal support. (I say this because I am completely nonprofessional, but I have excellent instincts.) If you get to feeling too icky to eat and you take these supplements, first of course you probably realize that they don't work without food and second, they will make you even sicker; so you have got to force some food in before you take them, let your stomach absorb it, and then take them EXCEPT FOR THE 5-HTP and maybe some of the others; so read the directions, but the vitamins, definitely require a full tummy to not make, at least me, nauseaus.
At about two and a half weeks, you start to feel a little better. I wish I knew how long it takes to go away completely. More than even that, I wish I knew why or what it is about this drug that is so screwed up that it makes us so sick. How does it do this? What about it attaches to what inside us to do this? Perhaps the maker of the drug should be required to experience this feeling; maybe they should be forced to take their drug for an unspecified duration when it isn't necessary and then have to stop taking it and then see how they feel about having their drug reps handing out samples like candy!!!!
Anyway, devonsnana, I hope that the chemistry of your body allows for a more gentle removal of this nasty little booger from your system as they say that not all of us are destined to have the same problems. I will also pray that your liver is safe and that your body heals. It can heal. We always heal. Sometimes they say we can't, but we can. Be gentle with yourself, and just try to take it easy. Expect the worst, hope for the best. You may be pleasantly surprised. Miracles happen every moment. It's your turn!
Best wishes,
dancingstarp.s. - I know why you stopped taking Effexor, but I didn't have any outside provocation. Something came over me one day, and I just knew that I should stop taking it, but I had no idea that it was a dangerous drug until I stopped taking it. It wasn't until three days later that I started to become extremely ill. After that I knew there was something very wrong with any drug that could do this to us.
Posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 0:38:14
In reply to Re: What works well for me, almost off now, posted by dancingstar on October 20, 2004, at 19:56:40
I don't understand all this. You say you weren't depressive, then why were you taking Eff-XR? I think there may be a price to pay for a drug that is effective, and I'm sorry and worried about that, but having lost all the loves of your life, having lost your family, after many many years, this is working for me. Maybe I am quite a bit older than you all. No one has ever told me that Eff-XR is a 6-mo drug. I'm back at my old place away from my children, since I seemed to be such an overbearing grandmother, and all alone, with no friends to speak w/ no one to speak w/ in the evening. These posts really scare me. If you are under 25y/o or 30 or so, probably try stay away from Effexor, but after you've been put on everything out there like I have, what choice do I have but to go with the cadillac at a cost???
Really, I certainly have no support or $ to check in for what sounds like something that would be hard on a person my age. Spooked ... cf
> I wasn't depressive either, and I take 90 - 120 milligrams of Armour thyroid daily. Today is just over three weeks, and I've done this pretty freezing turkey. Yup, it's no fun. Today is better than yesterday. My fibromyalgia has been raging at me. My best friend/sister has been taking the same 150mg for longer than I have, probably over four -- she says like 9 years, but I'm not sure -- doesn't believe that all of these symptoms can be from my withdrawal. I've had the runs the entire time, and I really can't eat much at all. I haven't eaten any protein besides a very small amount of salmon and a few bites of egg whites -- oh, yeah, and a little mozarella cheese in some tomato soup. Mostly, though, the thought of animal products doesn't work right now. Most of the rest of my life I work out and eat mostly low carb and low fat. Yesterday I settled for a couple of chocolate chip cookies and a few sips of milk to settle my stomach. I cooked some apple sauce when I could stand up long enough to get the job done. I live alone, and it's been pretty rough going. Most of the time I feel like I've had a new best friend, the porcelain alter. I really may as well move into the bathroom.
>
> Anyway, it's late in the day, and I want to get some homework done cause I'm determined to get to class tomorrow night.
>
> Things that have helped the cold turkey route: Tons of St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, Omega3's, eat enough to be able to take really good vitamins because you need them. The Enzymatic Therapy Fatigued to Fantastic, including the Adrenal Support does seem to be helping. I've been using it since Saturday, and I have "decided :-)" we need adrenal support. (I say this because I am completely nonprofessional, but I have excellent instincts.) If you get to feeling too icky to eat and you take these supplements, first of course you probably realize that they don't work without food and second, they will make you even sicker; so you have got to force some food in before you take them, let your stomach absorb it, and then take them EXCEPT FOR THE 5-HTP and maybe some of the others; so read the directions, but the vitamins, definitely require a full tummy to not make, at least me, nauseaus.
>
> At about two and a half weeks, you start to feel a little better. I wish I knew how long it takes to go away completely. More than even that, I wish I knew why or what it is about this drug that is so screwed up that it makes us so sick. How does it do this? What about it attaches to what inside us to do this? Perhaps the maker of the drug should be required to experience this feeling; maybe they should be forced to take their drug for an unspecified duration when it isn't necessary and then have to stop taking it and then see how they feel about having their drug reps handing out samples like candy!!!!
>
> Anyway, devonsnana, I hope that the chemistry of your body allows for a more gentle removal of this nasty little booger from your system as they say that not all of us are destined to have the same problems. I will also pray that your liver is safe and that your body heals. It can heal. We always heal. Sometimes they say we can't, but we can. Be gentle with yourself, and just try to take it easy. Expect the worst, hope for the best. You may be pleasantly surprised. Miracles happen every moment. It's your turn!
>
> Best wishes,
> dancingstar
>
> p.s. - I know why you stopped taking Effexor, but I didn't have any outside provocation. Something came over me one day, and I just knew that I should stop taking it, but I had no idea that it was a dangerous drug until I stopped taking it. It wasn't until three days later that I started to become extremely ill. After that I knew there was something very wrong with any drug that could do this to us.
Posted by dancingstar on October 21, 2004, at 2:56:45
In reply to Re: What works well for me, almost off now » dancingstar, posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 0:38:14
I'm an extremely young and often naive, though somewhat intelligent 49. EfxrXR was given to me by my best friend's brother, a family practice doc. three years ago. (I detest him because of his bad medical practice not just with me but with others, too) and it has strained the relationship that I have with my friend that I adore and have known since we were three years old.) Anyway, I had back pain, thought it was from a herniated disk since I worked out a lot and did really have a herniated disk. I was extremely tired, and he said it would help. It did; so he gave me tons of samples. I gradually got extremely tired again. As time went on I realized that I had fibromyalgia. A year later I switched doctors, but I stayed on Effexor until now when I began to wonder about all of the reasons that I should not be taking Effexor, but for no real reason or not because anyone told me to or because I had heard or read anything. I must have known that I needed to stop taking this drug on an instinctive level. The only thing that I knew consciously is that the last time I had no problem with my weight was right before I started taking Effexor.
One piece of extremely good news: Three weeks and one day, and tonight at 12:35 a.m. I had a salad filled with greens and slivered almonds and carrots, and I am going to bed feeling sleepy and fine. First time in three weeks that I can eat salad and/or go to bed without feeling sick. I think it's over, really I do.
You will make it. I had no support either, really. None! I guess that is the hardest part. The withdrawal didn't affect my mental state really at all. The problems were truly physical, though sometimes the physical problems were bad enough to feel like they could drive me crazy, but they do go away for a limited amount of time each day. I guess that three weeks is my time marker. It seems to vary a bit with each person, but I asked my pharmacist, and he told me three weeks, too; so that might be something to kind of count on.
I kind of think that it might have helped to have something like valium so that I could have slept through the whole thing...but I didn't, I worked, and I went to school.
Posted by 2ahammer on October 21, 2004, at 9:11:29
In reply to Re: What works well for me, almost off now, posted by dancingstar on October 21, 2004, at 2:56:45
Effexor XR isn't a drug that you go on fast or come off fast unless you want all of the horrible side effects. You are supposed to ramp up to the dose that will work for you when you first start taking it. You have to do the same thing when you decide to stop taking it; you ramp down... I made the mistake of not taking it this summer because I went on an amusement park ride with my daughter and I got vertigo for the first time in my life! It was awful - the room spun and I completely nausea from the smallest movement. I was so ill that I didn't want anything and I stopped the effexor xr and it made everything a million times worse! I got the vertigo on a friday so I basically had three days and nights of hell!!!! I had the worse migrane and very vivid nightmares everytime I tried to sleep. I thought on Monday morning that my doctor was going to tell me that I had a huge brain tumor or something fatal because of the pain. The vertigo was really bad, but not taking my effexor really made things that much worse because my body was going through "withdrawls" from the effexor on top of having vertigo. The long of the short- don't ever stop taking your meds without talking to your doctor. My doctor is super knowledgable about depression and anxiety and what works best to curb them. I had made the mistake of going to a few doctors before this one. I think they used to give all of the patients the same meds because the side effects that I put up with were obvious signs that my body didn't agree with the meds that they prescribed and they didn't have a solution that worked for me.
Posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 14:54:37
In reply to Re: What works well for me, almost off now, posted by 2ahammer on October 21, 2004, at 9:11:29
I have to say something. If anyone here is going through a situational depression, do not take Eff-XR. I am on it because instead of turning to friends and family many yrs back, I turned to drugs to cope w/ ups and downs. Now, I am in the eye of the storm of medications. I don't like it, but I know that my life will never be the same w/o a drug to help me. If ever I am in a supportive situation and have the financial means, the only way I would try and get off this one is in a hospital. love to all corafree
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 21, 2004, at 15:34:48
In reply to Effexor-XR - Serious Drug » 2ahammer, posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 14:54:37
I agree wholeheartldy! I am far from the Psy. drug
"expert", but I also would not put myself in the idiot category either. I would advise anyone struggling with mental health issues and looking towards a AD via their health professional, I would most vehemently stay away from Effox XR. For a year and a half I struggled with it. It did nothing for me, but in the end send my spiraling into a much deeper depression and sent my cholesterol levels out of control. I only hope and pray that my liver hasn't crossed over to the dark side yet. My hearts and prayers go out to those that it has. Plus of course putting on 25 lbs. which exercise and diet would not touch hasn't helped. Plus taking away my sexuality hasn't helped. Next comes the Remeron. I am taking 45 mg at night. I am going to start cutting those in half than stop very soon. I am on the beginning of my second week of Cymbalta. I have high hopes, because I don't see many other options, though I was ready to try Zoloft or the semi new cousin of Celexa, Lexapro. I don't feel like a million bucks yet on the Cymbalta, I have had zero side effects except feeling a little more depressed at the end of week one, which I hope passes quickly. I have thankfully started to sleep again at night which was a real problem as I got the poisonous substance (Effexor XR)out of my system. Good luck to all.........and try something else, there are better options than Effexor....at least in my vast psychiatric medical knowledge based on personal experiance and daily visists to Dr. Bob's!
Ed
Posted by dancingstar on October 21, 2004, at 16:50:50
In reply to Effexor-XR - Serious Drug » 2ahammer, posted by corafree on October 21, 2004, at 14:54:37
Hey Everyone,
Just a brief note: Someone asked me if I have the "electric shocks." I didn't understand what they meant by that, but yes, I had them immediately, since day one and I have them even now. They were worse at first, and I get them more in the morning. I think of it more like a "sound" or some kind of "swishing" or "clicking" usually in the occipital lobe of my brain. They kind of feel like they are pushing me around and are more annoying than anything else. Today I just have a plain old headache, and a little nausea. I'm sure it is something about the poison leaving, and it will be okay.
I am sure about a few things here though. 1. Unless there is some way to remove the drug by having it taken out of your system quickly, there isn't any point in being in a hospital. And that sort of rapid detox in this situation could be enormously dangeous. This is just too poisonous coming out. Instinct talking here, but it seems pretty obvious to me. It's not like an opitate. This is funky stuff.
You need to get lots of good supplements, read about all the things you need and make sure you try to strengthen your system. People around you can't help you. Talking it through with others can't really help you -- or me, really, either. Just try to keep things clean to avoid further toxins, get fresh air, breathe...and wait for time to make it better.
A massage might be great, and I'll bet that accupuncture could really help me. I'll have to check into that. My neck really hurts. Well, if I die, we'll all know why, but I think I'm not going to :-). Okay, it's 2:30 in the afternoon, and I'm going to try to take a shower. Yes, I know that I'm really fortunate, I can do my work at home, but I haven't started yet. I have done a couple of hours of homework, though.
Know something funny? My phone lines died yesterday, something about the rain shorting out the lines. I can't even really talk to anyone except by cell, but no one knows that my lines are dead. They can't be repaired until Monday. They died Wednesday. Great timing, huh?
One of my closest friends that I have started to talk about here has been on 150 mg of Effexor for a long time. She has a one-sided blood pressure problem, and I'm so worried about her. We're kind of like sisters. She doesn't believe that the problems that I've had are all because of the withdrawal, thinks that I must have something like a parasite...no way I have a parastie :-) like suddenly, just when I stop taking EffexorXR. I wasn't trying to get her to stop taking it, too or anything; though now that I see what it's done to me and have been reading so much about how everyone has had these problems, I'm even more concerned for her. She's so very angry with me about the whole thing, the fact that i've stopped taking the drug...even the my internist says that cold turkey is the best possible way to stop taking it though many of you disagree. He says it will be hard, but if I can possibly do it this way, it is the quickest way to freedom.
Anyway, whatever your choices are, I wish you all excellent health! On with the day....
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