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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kakalak on September 19, 2011, at 10:31:08
I've been on 300mg of Effexor XR for the past 6 years. For numerous reasons I am switching to an MAOI. Under the care of an amazing pdoc (never thought I'd say that), I tapered off of it in 1 week without the aid of any other drugs. The thought being that there was no reason to prolong the inevitable (almost unbearable) withdrawals. I agreed with course of action. I am currently on day 3 of no antidepressants (in well over a decade) and am unable to take anything other than ibuprofen. I have experienced a full Effexor withdrawal once before, thanks a problem with my insurance, and knew exactly how bad it would be but have never gone more than 2 days without it. How long do the withdrawal symptoms typically last? So far each day has gotten worse. I feel like an addict and have had to talk myself out of taking more Effexor to stop the pain I'm going through. I have another week before I start my new meds and am not sure how I am going to make it through work each day. I keep reminding myself that the new meds will hopefully be so much better for me and that the worst case scenario is that I go back to Effexor.
Currently experiencing: brain zaps, hot flashes, dizziness, crying spells, terrifying nightmares & severe anxiety before falling asleep, paranoia at night, body shivers, confusion, and unable to concentrate.
I understand everyones experience is unique but am curious about your experience. How long before the withdrawal symptoms went away for you?
Posted by Phillipa on September 19, 2011, at 10:59:48
In reply to Effexor Withdrawals - How long do they last?, posted by kakalak on September 19, 2011, at 10:31:08
I always did cross overs not having taken an maoi didn't need to but sounds horrible and no idea how you can work with this going on. You might check the archieves as had a withdrawal board before and effexor had many posts on withdrawal. Good luck I do mean that sincerly. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 19, 2011, at 17:28:38
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawals - How long do they last? » kakalak, posted by Phillipa on September 19, 2011, at 10:59:48
You could substitute with Przac for a few weeks, this would take the edge off of the withdrawls, or you could go back on Effecor at say 150mg/day and taper that down over 2 weeks or so.
I think tapering from 300mg per day over 1 week was way too quick, if you tapered over 4 weeks its likely that you'd have no withdrawls at all
Posted by kakalak on September 19, 2011, at 22:11:30
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawals - How long do they last?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 19, 2011, at 17:28:38
> You could substitute with Przac for a few weeks, this would take the edge off of the withdrawls, or you could go back on Effecor at say 150mg/day and taper that down over 2 weeks or so.
>
> I think tapering from 300mg per day over 1 week was way too quick, if you tapered over 4 weeks its likely that you'd have no withdrawls at allI agree 1 week is very fast. My pdoc was very up front with how quick it was. We decided to go with 1 week for numerous reasons. I knew what I was getting into and how awful I would feel. I was just curious if anyone else has gone off Effexor without the use of other meds and how long the withdrawal symptoms lasted. Thanks!
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 19, 2011, at 22:20:35
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawals - How long do they last?, posted by kakalak on September 19, 2011, at 22:11:30
If you need some releif, a benzodiazepine (say Ativan 1mg twice a day for 2 weeks) wil help supres the symptoms, without interfearing with your MAOI
For the record, I quit Effexor 150mg/day over 4 days, and all I had was some anxiert, which Valium controlled, no other symptoms at all.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 20, 2011, at 15:35:54
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawals - How long do they last?, posted by kakalak on September 19, 2011, at 22:11:30
Honestly, well if you have nausea and flu symptoms, hopefully soon. The head zaps etc took a long time for me.
You have one more week to go? Which maoi you starting? Well, the start-up should start providing relief, I would think, fairly quickly. But I have not made a fast switch from snri to maoi before, so I am speculating based on an effexor withdrawal.
You're in touch with your doc if you need him or her?
Posted by kakalak on September 28, 2011, at 10:25:36
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawals - How long do they last? » kakalak, posted by floatingbridge on September 20, 2011, at 15:35:54
Thanks for all the feedback. My withdrawal symptoms are slowly going away. After being off Effexor (and all other meds) for 10 days, I am still getting occasional brain zaps, lots of crying spells, severe mood swings, and some other random issues. It's hard to tell the difference between the withdrawal symptoms and the depression & anxiety at this point. It's been over a decade since I've been without any medication. It's been really hard and scary. I can't tell if my depression has gotten worse over the years or if I just forgot how bad it really was.
I start taking Parnate tomorrow. I'm a bit worried I've set myself up for disappointment. Switching meds and my illness has been so consuming the past few months. I am so ready to feel better and get my life back in order. What if Parnate doesn't work for me? I'll be devastated. I've been trying to remind myself to be patient and things could be worse, but it's so hard when I feel so bad every day. I'm just ready to move on.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 28, 2011, at 12:15:43
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawals - How long do they last?, posted by kakalak on September 28, 2011, at 10:25:36
I'm glad the symptoms of withdrawal have receded a little. 10 days off of meds is still deep in the withdrawal stage. I would hope you would not make any decisions about your baseline mood or anything real important right now. I would be feeling pretty raw ten days out.
Starting parnate tomorrow, you made it through the wash! That takes significant effort. Maybe you can give yourself lots of credit for that.
I understand your concern about 'what if.'. I have heard positive things about parnate, plus it should help greatly to lift the withdrawal symptoms.
Very best with this and post an update. And you might have noticed there are parnate experienced here that can help field start-up questions. Good luck!
Posted by huxley on October 5, 2011, at 4:18:03
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawals - How long do they last? » kakalak, posted by floatingbridge on September 28, 2011, at 12:15:43
Hi Kakalak.
What you are experiencing is very normal when you stop taking meds. Your symptoms are very common. It can last for days weeks months.....
Plenty of people out there have been through it and if you search around some other sites you will probably find some stories you can relate to which might help a little.
Don't forget it is a temporary state! All the best.
Posted by SLS on October 10, 2011, at 7:52:41
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawals - How long do they last?, posted by huxley on October 5, 2011, at 4:18:03
> Hi Kakalak.
>
> What you are experiencing is very normal when you stop taking meds. Your symptoms are very common. It can last for days weeks months.....
>
> Plenty of people out there have been through it and if you search around some other sites you will probably find some stories you can relate to which might help a little.
>
> Don't forget it is a temporary state! All the best.
>
Hi Kakalak.Huxley offers an accurate depiction of the withdrawal phenomenon that often accompanies the discontinuation of certain antidepressants. I like his recommendation that you visit other websites to learn more about your experiences with psychotropic medications. However, be aware of and scrutinize those alarmists that offer all-or-nothing or black-or-white thinking. These drugs are neither all bad nor all good. People who have it easy and successfully treat their illness with one drug and without experiencing withdrawal syndromes don't seem to appear regularly on self-help boards like Psycho-Babble. Look for balanced presentations and search the Inernet for citations that corroborate the observations and conclusions suggested by others.
- Scott
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