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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by binarywoman on January 22, 2008, at 9:28:07
In reply to im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by nico on July 9, 2000, at 0:14:29
It's been my experience that taking it slow makes things a lot better.
We've been considering Effexor for my son who has bipolar I, Aspergers, and OCD. I've been concerned about the withdrawal.
What about switching to regular Effexor that comes in tabs and you can split them anyway you like?
Posted by maxie on January 22, 2008, at 19:41:49
In reply to Re: im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by binarywoman on January 22, 2008, at 9:28:07
> It's been my experience that taking it slow makes things a lot better.
>
> We've been considering Effexor for my son who has bipolar I, Aspergers, and OCD. I've been concerned about the withdrawal.
>
> What about switching to regular Effexor that comes in tabs and you can split them anyway you like?
>
>
> I have just started trying it, it sounds like I may regret it?
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 23, 2008, at 3:26:58
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by binarywoman on January 22, 2008, at 9:19:54
> Effexor XR only comes in a capsule but Effexor comes in a tablet.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding withdrawal to Psycho-Babble Withdrawal. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20070929/msgs/808462.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by jenii on February 26, 2008, at 3:08:40
In reply to Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Anne on April 23, 2000, at 17:26:10
I don't know if you have gotten a response from anyone yet, but i successfully took myself off of a 150mg daily dose of effexor xr. reading your post i was glad to see someone knew what i was talking about when i went off of it i felt the same shock. it lasted i believe about a week... but after that, i had no more problems. i have been off of effexor now for 7 months, and havent had any symptoms. i don't suggest you do it on your own though, make sure you have someone who is there to keep an eye on you, according to my old psychiatrist there can be rather big problems if you stop taking it, but my mother did it, i did it, and neither of us had a problem with quitting, other than that annoying shock... good luck!
Posted by KarenRB53 on February 26, 2008, at 19:54:00
In reply to SSRI induced hypomania, posted by kalyb on May 17, 2003, at 9:15:29
> What is SSRI induced hypomania?
>
> Could my apparent "immediate" response to Effexor be this?? If it helps any, I noticed some kind of immediate effects with Prozac and Celexa as well.
>
> Please enlighten me!!
I know this is an old posting but the same thing has happened to me with Prozac. Have you stopped taking the Effexor and what are you taking now if you don't mind my asking?
Thanks, Karen
Posted by R. -T. V. 52y on February 27, 2008, at 10:21:34
In reply to Re: Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by jenii on February 26, 2008, at 3:08:40
hi
i got efex when i was depressed, it was 2 yrs ago,
i had 150 and then 75,
now when i got sero (see other messages of mine), i of course quit efex simultaneously,
it is a good medicine for me when i am depressed, not when i am beginning to be manic,
yours chris
Posted by rina on February 27, 2008, at 14:17:23
In reply to Re: Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by R. -T. V. 52y on February 27, 2008, at 10:21:34
effexor is one of the most difficult meds to stop taking but can be done. i did it a year ago and it was hell. the best way is to taper slowly. I had to stop abruptly because of becoming manic. I was bed ridden for three weeks due to brain zaps,fever chills,dizzy spells,vommiting etc. so my advice to you is take it slow, very slow but it can be done. good luck.
Posted by AMY II on February 27, 2008, at 20:57:32
In reply to Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Anne on April 23, 2000, at 17:26:10
I was pregnant and took 150mg of effexor and he is 10 months old now and ALL GOOD! No probs whatsoever. So smart and doing everything he is suppose to be.
I quit effexor because I had huge heart problems with it. Extreme irregular heartbeat, etc. I took myself off of it under a doctors direction and took zanax while coming off. This helped. The withdrawal symptoms suck but do go away. I had the electrical shocks going through my head, floaty feelings in my head, etc. I just came off of it slowly. It took me a little over a month. I just dropped down slowly. It gets better. Hope this helps.
Posted by clcty on April 1, 2008, at 19:33:56
In reply to Re: After 10 years on Effexor XR, posted by clcty on October 10, 2007, at 23:13:08
Thanks for everyone's response to my first post. I was unable to get off Effexor completely; however, I am at 75 mg which I can live with for now. I have a different doctor now and she has sent me for a CT scan. I go the results today and I have a prolactinoma. It's not lethal and I'm going to be fine; however, my doctor did mention that Effexor may be linked to prolactinomas. Anyway, now I'm taking Bromocriptine for the next five weeks to see if it brings my prolactin levels down and if it does hopefully I can get pregnant in about six months to a year. I've tried progesterone and it did not bring my period back which after having the CT scan, my doctor said that the progesterone would not help and that I have to take the bromocriptine (Parlodel) to try and regain my sex drive, ovulation etc. I hope it works. My husband is extremely concerned and I can't say I'm not a little either. If the bromocriptine does not work, the doc said she may take me off Effexor and try something else. Don't go getting all excited about Effexor. It may be linked to prolactin problems such as prolactinoma; however, it is a relatively new drug and I knew that when I started taking it. Thanks again for listening to all my issues and posting your responses. I will keep you all updated as to my situation.
Posted by Sigismund on April 6, 2008, at 3:14:29
In reply to Re: After 10 years on Effexor XR, posted by clcty on April 1, 2008, at 19:33:56
I read somewhere that Hydergine in relatively high doses (9mg/d) can reverse the prolactin thing.
Posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent , posted by annj on February 27, 2001, at 15:37:01
Hi, I have been taking Effexor XR on and off for about 8 years, and have experienced side effects before when I discontinued it. I am trying to get off this medication for good now, and I NEVER WANT TO TAKE IT AGAIN! I thought going off any anti-depressant made you feel this way. Obviously I didn't have a clue! I now know that Effexor is the anti-Christ of ant-depressants! When I started taking it several years ago, it was recommended to me by my therapist. I was seeing her for depression. It seemed to help back then. I have gone off it before, and always eventually felt like I needed it again, because I would get depressed again. I had my dosage increased to 75mg from 37mg about 3 months ago, and within a month or two felt more depressed w/ no energy or drive to do anything! My husband was getting frustrated w/ me. I decided to try Wellbutrin, because I have heard so many good things about it. So far so good w/ that, but I am now in the process of weaning off of Effexor too, and I am so dizzy, and nauseous, and again my husband is getting frustrated w/ me. I know he doesn't understand, and I think he thinks I'm making this up. It seems I always have some "issue" lately. I HATE feeling this way, and it is not me at all! I am normally very outgoing. Not that I was ever a fireball of energy, but this is ridiculous. I am so scared after reading posts on the internet, that this is going to haunt me forever, or at least a while. I also gained weight while taking this medication, and again had no clue this was a possible side effect. For at least 2 years now, I have been SO FORGETFULL, I also didn't know this was a side effect. I wish I had never taken this medication. My current MD told me to take 37.5mg for a week, then take it every other day for a week, then every 3rd for a week, and then every 4th day for a week. You get the picture. I am now on every 4th day, and this is HELL. annj (previous post) describes most of my symptoms to a T. I don't want to take another pill, because I am so scared of prolonging this agony. I am due to take one today, and have been putting it off. HELP!
Posted by clipper40 on June 22, 2008, at 16:31:39
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
You really don't need to go through hell getting off of this medication. You just need to add in or substitute a little of a longer acting sertonergic medication. Prozac works the best for this. I got off of Effexor without a problem as have many others here at Babble.
In terms of your husband, have you tried printing out any information from the Internet about the withdrawal syndrome from Effexor? If not done right, this withdrawal can be such a nightmare. He needs to realize that you are not the only one having this experience.
Posted by clipper40 on June 22, 2008, at 16:32:18
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
You really don't need to go through hell getting off of this medication. You just need to add in or substitute a little of a longer acting sertonergic medication. Prozac works the best for this. I got off of Effexor without a problem as have many others here at Babble.
In terms of your husband, have you tried printing out any information from the Internet about the withdrawal syndrome from Effexor? If not done right, this withdrawal can be such a nightmare. He needs to realize that you are not the only one having this experience.
Posted by 49er on June 25, 2008, at 20:06:15
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
Jenna,
My blood boils big time when I hear advice like what you were given.
Telling you to take meds every other day is putting you into withdrawal big time, since Effexor has one of the shortest half lives.
A safe taper means to take 10% of the current dose every 3 to 6 weeks. With Effexor, it is going to be more like every 6 weeks.
To have more options, you need to switch to regular Effexor and you can reduce using these options.
1. Buy a digital scale on Ebay and weigh your dose. You can take beads out of Effexor, right?
2. Ask your psychiatrist to write a prescription for a compound pharmacy who can make the med in the dose you need. Insurance issues might be a problem so that is why I prefer the first option.
I think substituting Prozac for Effexor is very iffy. Many people have tried to do that with Paxil and found it didn't work.
A slow taper is the key. It just frustrates me greatly that many psychiatrist don't seem to understand this even though I am sure their intentions are good.
49er
Posted by clipper40 on June 26, 2008, at 6:53:29
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by 49er on June 25, 2008, at 20:06:15
I have never known of anyone who took some Prozac or another SSRI to help get off of Effexor, who didn't receive a lot of help from it and I've read a lot of posts on this board on the topic. However, I do believe you that you know of some people it didn't work for with Paxil.
I also wanted to add that I was not advocating that people should take Prozac instead of tapering off of Effexor. I think they should do both. I did a VERY SLOW taper and didn't have any problems until I stopped the medication completely. At the point of discontinuation, I was only taking a small fraction of a 37.5 mg. pill. I didn't expect to have any problems but then all hell broke loose. I couldn't believe how sick I felt. That's when I took a small amount of another longer acting SSRI instead. I felt so much better very quickly. I continued to take this SSRI for a few more days and then stopped that as well. I had a few brain shakes after that (when I'd lay my head down on my pillow at night) but for the most part I felt great.
Posted by Jenna611 on June 26, 2008, at 7:53:14
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » 49er, posted by clipper40 on June 26, 2008, at 6:53:29
Hi,
Thank you for your advice. I have decided to just suffer through the dizziness, and nausea. I do not want to take one more of those effexor pills! I definately feel it is prolonging this withdraw/agony. I listened to my MD/GP, and tried to do her recommended taper. I was taking 37.5 mg every 4 days. I am done! No more! I think if I just ride this out, and hang in there, I'll feel better soon, and be done with this med.! I really do believe that people should be told how bad it is to stop this medication BEFORE they start taking it. I wish I had known more about it. I don't really want to take anything, but I know I need to for now. I am taking Wellbutrin now, so I really don't want to add Prozac to the mix too. But thanks for your advice. Does anyone know how long I can expect to feel this way? Or is it different for everyone?
Posted by Jenna611 on June 26, 2008, at 7:53:48
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » 49er, posted by clipper40 on June 26, 2008, at 6:53:29
Hi,
Thank you for your advice. I have decided to just suffer through the dizziness, and nausea. I do not want to take one more of those effexor pills! I definately feel it is prolonging this withdraw/agony. I listened to my MD/GP, and tried to do her recommended taper. I was taking 37.5 mg every 4 days. I am done! No more! I think if I just ride this out, and hang in there, I'll feel better soon, and be done with this med.! I really do believe that people should be told how bad it is to stop this medication BEFORE they start taking it. I wish I had known more about it. I don't really want to take anything, but I know I need to for now. I am taking Wellbutrin now, so I really don't want to add Prozac to the mix too. But thanks for your advice. Does anyone know how long I can expect to feel this way? Or is it different for everyone?
Posted by laserguy on July 15, 2008, at 21:53:56
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 26, 2008, at 7:53:48
> Hi,
> Thank you for your advice. I have decided to just suffer through the dizziness, and nausea. I do not want to take one more of those effexor pills! .....Hi Jenna, I,ve been off of Effexor xr for 5 days now. From 150 mg for 5 months, tappered down to 75 mg for 2 weeks then to 37.5 for 2 like the doc suggested. Had to get off of it, it worked to well for me. Felt and acted like i was 21 again, partying like a rock star. A week ago I went home from work at noon not feeling well, hour later went to a local bar and started drinking. Went home 2 hours later. wife took the keys away from me. (new corvette and vodka doesnt mix). I decided i didnt party enough so i took my 4 wheeler back to the bar...nice! Dont remember anything after that. After reading about alcohol and effexor now, I would have done things different. Sorry about the rant but I found this thread below and it explains exactly how I've/we've felt the last 4 days but my ears are ringing LOUDLY also and couldn't get out of bed for 3 days. I thought of taking just one to make me sane for a day but know that it will just prolong it! I wish I knew this before i started taking it, but at that time i would've tried anything.
>>>In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Cam W. on April 12, 2000, at 19:27:33
BUT I have found - from missing doses - that the
withdrawal effects are real. For me, they have
included strange effects in my brain. A feeling
of electricity or shocks, also vertigo when I move my head from side to side or up and down. Then it feels like my head has moved too fast and my eyes take a few seconds to catch up. This prohibits driving, makes me dizzy and feels very bizarre.
Muscular tension and knots in my leg and hip -
where I previously had bursitis - GREATLY
increased when I decreased my dosage from 325 mg
back to 150mg od.Same here with the pain also, stomach hurts from throwing up. Cant sleep, hot/cold flashes and weird dreams all the time!
Stick with it! I know ill never take it again, the pain isnt worth the gain, but it felt great to be half my age again! My doc said it could take up to 2 weeks for withdrawls to be gone. I hope this helps other people,I know this thread has helped me! Thought I was going crazy! feel free to email me. Good luck to all!
Posted by Jenna611 on July 16, 2008, at 7:43:45
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » Jenna611, posted by laserguy on July 15, 2008, at 21:53:56
I have good and bad news.... The good news is: I am finally feeling better! I still have a tiny amount of dizziness, but I can actually function normally again! I didn't feel like doing ANYTHING before! It's hard to explain that to your over-active/achiever OCD husband though. He tried to understand, but he is always moving and doing, so when I felt like sitting and doing nothing, I felt like a lazy under-achiever compared to him. Anyway, the bad news is...it took me a good month to be free of the HORRIBLE withdraw side effects of Effexor! I just wanted to let anyone else reading this know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I promise! It just sucks that you have to put your life on hold for a month (or more), until you feel better again. I personally will NEVER take effexor again. I am now taking 150mg Wellebutrin, and it seems to be working. I might have the doctor increase it to 300, but part of me is afraid to be too dependant on these chemicals/drugs. After seeing what effexor did to me, I am almost tempted to go it alone, without anti-deppressants. We'll see. I was SO forgetful on effexor, I started thinking I was losing my mind! I am only 35, I think that is a little premature for the amount of forgetfullness I was expieriencing. I hope Wellebutrin is different. I can't stand feeling like a mental midget! If I don't write it down, I don't remember it! I didn't know that was a side effect of Effexor, until I found this post. So Thank you for that! I started thinking it was peri-menapause. I'm guessing now it was just that nasty little effexor. Good Luck to all who have decided to stop taking this drug. You will feel better again, just give yourself time. And, Thank you Dr. Bob for this post. It does help to know your not alone.
Posted by jmmny on September 10, 2008, at 7:33:29
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on July 16, 2008, at 7:43:45
I have been taking effexor for about 8 years. I originally was prescribed effexor to slow down how quickly i would explode if i was mad. It works great for that. Now the detox issue. I have tried MANY times over the past 8 years to get off my 300MG/day dose. If I miss it even for a day, within 18 hours of my last dose i feel dizzy/vertigo, nausea and (i know this one will sound crazy) i can even hear in my head when my eyes move. I simply feel SO DAMN SICK from even missing one dose. I am happy to speak/coordinate with anyone who is looking to go after the manufacturer of this drug.
Posted by Polarbear206 on September 11, 2008, at 11:37:41
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » Jenna611, posted by jmmny on September 10, 2008, at 7:33:29
> I have been taking effexor for about 8 years. I originally was prescribed effexor to slow down how quickly i would explode if i was mad. It works great for that. Now the detox issue. I have tried MANY times over the past 8 years to get off my 300MG/day dose. If I miss it even for a day, within 18 hours of my last dose i feel dizzy/vertigo, nausea and (i know this one will sound crazy) i can even hear in my head when my eyes move. I simply feel SO DAMN SICK from even missing one dose. I am happy to speak/coordinate with anyone who is looking to go after the manufacturer of this drug.
Jenna,Many people have success with adding prozac while trying to get off a SSRI/SNRI that has a short half-life. Prozac has a long half-life, up to 3 weeks or more. Have you tried to wean off as low as 37.5mg at a time?
Posted by TightRope on September 13, 2008, at 6:50:24
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by Sassy on January 17, 2000, at 17:34:07
> Hi,
>
> After the second week for me, that tireness went away and now, I don't recognize any effects at all.
>
> By the way, I really am pleased with the results.
>
> Sassy
> > Hi, I have just started taking effexor xr and I have only been on it for 3 days. I had been suffering from mild depression and sleeplessness. My dr. has also given me tryodozone for sleeping at night. it really helps and I wake up feeling refreshed after sleep. I don't have much of an appetite which to me feels good because I need to loose some weight. The only concern that I have is that I get severely tired during the day when taking the effexor xr the dr. said he wants me to take it during the day so that it will give me energy, but i haven't experienced that yet. I know it's only been 3 days, but am worried that I don't want to feel this exhausted during the day while taking it. Did anyone else experience this and if so how long before it went away?
> > thanks,
> > tanya
> Two weeks and three days...Very tired and lethargic and headache...I started 150mg three days ago...SHOULD I HANG IN THERE??? FOR HOW LONG? WILL THIS PASS?/
>
Posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2008, at 21:23:32
In reply to Re: JUST STARTED TAKING EFFEXOR XR, posted by TightRope on September 13, 2008, at 6:50:24
If your're new to babble would like to welcome you and I'm sure you will get some great answers. Again welcome Phillipa
Posted by Fletcher on September 17, 2008, at 18:45:41
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » Jenna611, posted by jmmny on September 10, 2008, at 7:33:29
I had this same issue when trying to get off of Effexor XR. I tried weening off of it by opening the capsule and taking fewer and fewer of the granules inside, but to no avail. I was couch-ridden when the prescription ran out.
I didn't actually connect what the cause was at the time-- another doctor told me I had allergies.. thanks.
Anyway, a friend suggested something that sounded crazy, but it sorted me out. I just had to take a single dose of Celexa and I was up and around in about twenty minutes and the symptoms did not return. Someone else mentioned Prozac. I would venture it might work with any other "traditional" SSRI.
Posted by mmx on September 21, 2008, at 20:26:29
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by Jenna611 on June 22, 2008, at 14:36:16
For more info on withdrawal and what Effexor and other psych meds do to your body, Google "Effexor Withdrawal" and check out labelmesane.com and theroadback.org I have nothing to do with those sites, but I am going to withdrawal using one of them. My first attempts at withdrawal using my doctors way of stepping down one week at a time put me in the hospital with dangerous side effects. I had to go back on Effexor, but will get off if it's the last thing I do. I want my life back. Good luck!
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