Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1016

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Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news

Posted by alli22314 on October 11, 2003, at 19:27:39

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » ana, posted by katia on October 10, 2003, at 14:43:44

Effexor discontinuation can, indeed, be a very scary thing. The trick is to go VERY SLOWLY and ramp up on another AD med at the same time. I just went from 225mg to 0 over the course of several weeks. No kidding! I dropped down 37.5 every week but for the first 4 days of each week opened up a 37.5 capsule and took half of the granules (effectively, cutting down the Effexor by 18.75 every 4 days.)

I've been battling some light dizziness lately but seems I can make it diminish or go away with Benedryl.

I had no idea it was going to be this hard.

 

Oh heck, this is difficult!!

Posted by KimberlyDi on October 13, 2003, at 15:20:56

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by ana on October 10, 2003, at 11:46:32

Makes me want to throw my hands up in the air and scream "who cares about high blood pressure" and gobble my effexor pills back up. This dizzy, sick, lightheaded feeling is too much.

 

Re: Oh heck, this is difficult!!

Posted by MamaB on October 14, 2003, at 6:31:13

In reply to Oh heck, this is difficult!!, posted by KimberlyDi on October 13, 2003, at 15:20:56

Most research has shown that Effexor XR should be withdrawn over about a 30 day period. That's how I did it and had no symptoms, and I was on a whoppin' dose!

 

Re: Oh heck, this is difficult!! » MamaB

Posted by KimberlyDi on October 14, 2003, at 9:15:12

In reply to Re: Oh heck, this is difficult!!, posted by MamaB on October 14, 2003, at 6:31:13

> Most research has shown that Effexor XR should be withdrawn over about a 30 day period. That's how I did it and had no symptoms, and I was on a whoppin' dose!

Some of my problem is that I was also put on Bactrim for 10 days for a Streptococcus Pyogenes infection on my arms. Bactrim has some whopping side effects of it's own, so I decided to start my withdrawal from Effexor after I'm through with the Bactrim. Yet I take Effexor last night and this morning at usual dosage and feel just fine.

An apology to everyone that went through Effexor withdrawal. Even tapering down can be awful. I don't regret taking Effexor though. It made a huge difference in my life.

KDi in Texas

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news

Posted by WakingDreamer on October 14, 2003, at 21:12:46

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by ana on October 10, 2003, at 11:46:32

thankyou for your post ana. i've been on effexor for three years and it doesnt help but i can't get off it either, i don't know how you can work out and function at all trying to stop it, soul-sickening is understatement for how the stuff works on me.

sorry i cant respond to your whole post, i have add too so medication is a multifaceted part of my health experience.

 

Amen (nm) » ana

Posted by kcg33 on October 15, 2003, at 5:58:39

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by ana on October 10, 2003, at 11:46:32

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????

Posted by Lyndie on October 15, 2003, at 8:10:05

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by WakingDreamer on October 14, 2003, at 21:12:46

I have only been on the effexor for about 6 weeks, for the first week or so it worked, now it doesnt seem to work and I didnt take on last night. I am only on the 37.5 the doc tried to up the dosage but it made me sleep all the time so I didnt up it. I dont want to take it any more, will I have any of these problems that yall are having if I quit taking them? thanks for the help Lyn

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????

Posted by MamaB on October 15, 2003, at 8:35:37

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????, posted by Lyndie on October 15, 2003, at 8:10:05

Lyndie, You MIGHT have symptoms, just hang in there. MamaB

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????

Posted by Lyndie on October 15, 2003, at 9:42:38

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????, posted by MamaB on October 15, 2003, at 8:35:37

> Lyndie, You MIGHT have symptoms, just hang in there. MamaB

thanks for the help MamaB

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????

Posted by loolot on October 15, 2003, at 14:00:29

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????, posted by Lyndie on October 15, 2003, at 8:10:05

> I have only been on the effexor for about 6 weeks, for the first week or so it worked, now it doesnt seem to work and I didnt take on last night. I am only on the 37.5 the doc tried to up the dosage but it made me sleep all the time so I didnt up it. I dont want to take it any more, will I have any of these problems that yall are having if I quit taking them? thanks for the help Lyn

I had the same side effects with effexor. I couldnt stay awake, and the higher the dose, the worse it got. If you like the effects otherwise you could add some provigil, which will help counteract the sleepiness (its a non stimulant, just helps you stay awake)
Otherwise, if its been 6 weeks I think this is the way it will be.
If you go off of 37.5 you will probably have the withdrawal, but it wont last as long.

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????

Posted by Lyndie on October 15, 2003, at 15:52:57

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????, posted by loolot on October 15, 2003, at 14:00:29

> > I have only been on the effexor for about 6 weeks, for the first week or so it worked, now it doesnt seem to work and I didnt take on last night. I am only on the 37.5 the doc tried to up the dosage but it made me sleep all the time so I didnt up it. I dont want to take it any more, will I have any of these problems that yall are having if I quit taking them? thanks for the help Lyn
>

Hi, no about the second week I started getting very grouchy, I yell alot, and I have 2 boys , both teenagers, everyone knows boys like to play jokes and teese alot,,,,I loved that before, now all I tell them to do is to be quit, and I dont want to hear it, Im not like that with out the meds. I was put on them because I cried alot, If one of the boys got in trouble for the least little thing in school, I would cry, I couldnt handle it, so the doc put me on effexor xr and clonazepam.......wow for the first few days it was the best, no one could make me cry, then it just got bad from there,...Sorry to ramble on but I know Im going to be going right back to the crying, and I hate thate...Lyndie
> I had the same side effects with effexor. I couldnt stay awake, and the higher the dose, the worse it got. If you like the effects otherwise you could add some provigil, which will help counteract the sleepiness (its a non stimulant, just helps you stay awake)
> Otherwise, if its been 6 weeks I think this is the way it will be.
> If you go off of 37.5 you will probably have the withdrawal, but it wont last as long.
>

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news????????? » Lyndie

Posted by pixygoth on October 16, 2003, at 5:24:02

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????, posted by Lyndie on October 15, 2003, at 15:52:57

Lyndie, I know how you feel. I cry at the least little thing - my main prob. is that people seem to stop taking me seriously at that point, which is ridiculous, I may be crying, but I'm still an intelligent human being...
Do your boys know about your illness? I try and try to explain my behaviour to people, and generally it helps (although those with their own problems tend to have trouble hearing me...)
S x

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news?????????

Posted by Lyndie on October 16, 2003, at 5:40:06

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news????????? » Lyndie, posted by pixygoth on October 16, 2003, at 5:24:02

> Lyndie, I know how you feel. I cry at the least little thing - my main prob. is that people seem to stop taking me seriously at that point, which is ridiculous, I may be crying, but I'm still an intelligent human being...
> Do your boys know about your illness? I try and try to explain my behaviour to people, and generally it helps (although those with their own problems tend to have trouble hearing me...)
> S x


My boys know, but I realy have no explination for it, the doc never told me my problem, except maybe depression, but when I cry,say like the principal will call, and Im having a great day, no meds no nothing, and he will say that my youngest is in the office, and he really has done nothing bad, he is in the 7th grade has adhd and now possible bipolar, not sure yet, anyway the minute I hear this mans voice I start crying, and that makes me madder because I know the man thinks I dumb or a sissy, but I also am a very smart person, I take care of my kids, there friends love me, Im just that kind of person, but when it comes to certain things or things my mind knows it cant handle, my brain wont even try to handle it, it just start crying, all my life my dad has called me a cry baby, now he know's not to do that,,,he know's now Its not my fault,,when Im crying I still try to talk and handle the problem and I get so mad at myself because they cant even understand me....I hate being like this,,,the effexor stopped that for awhile and I was so happy, I had a meeting at the school and I didnt cry, I blew it all off and smiled at the all, they looked at me in shock, they know I have done this for years, and all of a sudden I wasnt crying, but Im comming off the meds, all I did yesterday was cry, I hope today it better, and now I still have to figure out how not to cry and just handle whatever comes my way...I would explain to them what was wrong,,,If I only knew myself. LYN

 

What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help

Posted by shay_5413 on October 18, 2003, at 0:02:56

In reply to Amen (nm) » ana, posted by kcg33 on October 15, 2003, at 5:58:39

I was tapering off of Effexor, but then late last week quit cold turkey. Here is what I am experiencing. Can any of you confirm that these are the syptoms of w/drawl?
1) The feeling of being 'not all there'. It is not a dizzyness, but like withdrawls from other anti-depressants.
2) The killer-this ear thing. It is like when water is trying to get out of your ears when you have been swimming, but I can feel it in my chest and ears.
3) Faster pulse than normal
4) Horrible gas
5) Excessive crying (didn't know if it was from PMS or this)

PLEASE HELP, I was beginning to think I had developed a heart problem.

 

Re: What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help

Posted by Lyndie on October 18, 2003, at 8:44:20

In reply to What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help, posted by shay_5413 on October 18, 2003, at 0:02:56

> I was tapering off of Effexor, but then late last week quit cold turkey. Here is what I am experiencing. Can any of you confirm that these are the syptoms of w/drawl?
> 1) The feeling of being 'not all there'. It is not a dizzyness, but like withdrawls from other anti-depressants.
> 2) The killer-this ear thing. It is like when water is trying to get out of your ears when you have been swimming, but I can feel it in my chest and ears.
> 3) Faster pulse than normal
> 4) Horrible gas
> 5) Excessive crying (didn't know if it was from PMS or this)
>
> PLEASE HELP, I was beginning to think I had developed a heart problem.

I will confirm it,,,I only took it for 6 weeks, today is my 3rd or 4th day off of Effexor and Klonopin both....I have had all of the above...Thank God I have a family that helped me through this,,,I think today will be better, seem to have a headache and still cant sleep but the water thing in the ears and the dizziness is finally gone I think........The first 2 days is the crying for me,,,,the 3rd, well let me say driving my car was really fun,,,,,Dont know how long it will take for all the withdraws to be gone but I only took this stupid stuff for 6 weeks and I didnt think I would have any side effects.....Watch for the mussle thing too,,,felt like I pulled a mussle in my back but I didnt, couldnt hardly stand the pain,,,you can get through this though,,every day gets better...So far anyway.....Lyndie

 

try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal

Posted by cybercafe on October 18, 2003, at 18:31:09

In reply to Re: What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help, posted by Lyndie on October 18, 2003, at 8:44:20

i went from miserable sick to feeling decent in a matter of minutes :)


(if i can't get at least one person to try clonazepam i am going to cry :( )

 

Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal » cybercafe

Posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 22:33:36

In reply to try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by cybercafe on October 18, 2003, at 18:31:09

hi...i didn't have any bad se's until i ran out of clonazepam...so taking some will prob'ly help; i cannot get more until the 1st though... :-)

 

Re: What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help » shay_5413

Posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 22:40:33

In reply to What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help, posted by shay_5413 on October 18, 2003, at 0:02:56

hi...
well, i am only off of effexor for one day, so here are my complaints:
1) feeling "not here"
2) anxiety
3) slight paranoia
4) high-pitched beeping sound (like when those big trucks back up) in my ears, but it comes and goes
5)agitation
...so i will prob'ly start crying in a few days; i thought i was pms-ing a few days ago, and am due to have my period, but nothing yet...
hope that helps?
melbob

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » ana

Posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 22:48:13

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by ana on October 10, 2003, at 11:46:32

THANK YOU! very interesting...you should write more; you have a wonderful style.. :-)
melbob

 

Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal

Posted by cybercafe on October 19, 2003, at 4:40:53

In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal » cybercafe, posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 22:33:36

> hi...i didn't have any bad se's until i ran out of clonazepam...so taking some will prob'ly help; i cannot get more until the 1st though... :-)

i feel your pain....... my doctor has disappeared :)

 

Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal » cybercafe

Posted by melbob on October 19, 2003, at 16:50:59

In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal, posted by cybercafe on October 19, 2003, at 4:40:53

hi...
just came from my sister-in-law to-be...got one and a half klonopin...took the half, feel better; however, now have a killer headache! will take the whole one tonight before bed; i KNOW it will help!
thanks!
melbob

 

Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal

Posted by cybercafe on October 19, 2003, at 18:23:15

In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal » cybercafe, posted by melbob on October 19, 2003, at 16:50:59

> hi...
> just came from my sister-in-law to-be...got one and a half klonopin...took the half, feel better; however, now have a killer headache! will take the whole one tonight before bed; i KNOW it will help!
> thanks!
> melbob

clonazepam can cause headaches? wow... my doc told me it would relieve headaches (through vasoconstrictive serotonergic properties?)

 

Re: What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help

Posted by hockeygirlcanada on October 19, 2003, at 19:08:09

In reply to Re: What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help » shay_5413, posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 22:40:33

> hi...
> well, i am only off of effexor for one day, so here are my complaints:
> 1) feeling "not here"
> 2) anxiety
> 3) slight paranoia
> 4) high-pitched beeping sound (like when those big trucks back up) in my ears, but it comes and goes
> 5)agitation
> ...so i will prob'ly start crying in a few days; i thought i was pms-ing a few days ago, and am due to have my period, but nothing yet...
Well that is completely normal,
I was on effexor for over two years, took me 5 weeks to taper off, and I experienced all this, as well as extreme nausea/vomiting, but I can tell you that it does go away, eventually, you may want to try clonazepam or maybe a herbal alternative to help you.
But you will be emotional, try to keep a good support system close, and remember it is short term, and try to recognize it for what it is, and hang in there!

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » LB

Posted by msanjelpie on October 20, 2003, at 1:55:42

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by LB on May 28, 2000, at 23:51:49

> Y'all are scaring me to death! I've been on Effexor several months now, and it seems to work for me, but when does anything ever work forever? So, now I'm worried about ever going off it!
>
> I take Effexor XR 75 mg morning and 75 mg night, BuSpar AM and PM plus Klonopin low dose at night. Started the BuSpar in January because of overwhelming stress at work, and it helped a great deal. Now I'm off work but seem to be feeling more... something. At first I thought it was anxious, but now I'm not sure. It's starting to feel more like a slide into major depression.
>
> We had started to increase the BuSpar from 10 mg AM and PM to 20 mg AM and PM, and I didn't notice any difference at the 15mg level. Now, at the 20 mg AM/PM of BuSpar, I'm feeling more depressed, maybe more anxious, can't tell anymore. Any ideas on whether the BuSpar could be causing this, or what?

I'm on Prozac/Ativan combo, similar to what you are on... I discovered that when I was taking the Klonopin I became depressed and suicidal... supposedly it's not a good drug to give to those that are predisposed to depression... Try a week without it and see if there are any changes...

 

Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news

Posted by hockeygirlcanada on October 20, 2003, at 10:21:51

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » LB, posted by msanjelpie on October 20, 2003, at 1:55:42

Hi,
First of all, you have to remember everyone is different, and if it is working for you, then don't worry about what "may" happen if you decide to go off it. I am still living, it was rough, but Effexor never worked for me, despite my pleas to my doc, he kept me on it, and increasing it. If it had worked, then I would not be worried about coming off it.
Clonazepam or any other anti-anxiety drug, numbs the CNS, so you don't really feel anything. Although I wouldn't suggest just quitting cold turkey as someone else had suggested, always talk to your doctor. Taking your meds is important and stopping a drug like that is not a good idea at all. This site is good for info, but it is not gospel, and everyone is different, that is why there is more than one drug. Always consult your doctor, and address your concerns with them as well. People here are not doctors or specialists in treating mental illness. Remember that!
And hang in there!
Jill


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