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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by icantsurf on January 3, 2005, at 18:16:56
i started taking effexor 3 weeks ago. i found this site and read about the horrible withdrawl symptoms. i decided since i had only been taking it a short time i should just stop. i missed ONE dose and started to experiece hell. what should i do? i want to get on top of this asap.
Posted by Dan Perkins on January 3, 2005, at 18:39:55
In reply to i really really need help - effexor, posted by icantsurf on January 3, 2005, at 18:16:56
My advice would be to get back on the Effexor then taper down very very slowly. Even though it's only been three weeks, don't even think of going cold turkey.
> i started taking effexor 3 weeks ago. i found this site and read about the horrible withdrawl symptoms. i decided since i had only been taking it a short time i should just stop. i missed ONE dose and started to experiece hell. what should i do? i want to get on top of this asap.
Posted by DustBuster on January 3, 2005, at 19:29:58
In reply to i really really need help - effexor, posted by icantsurf on January 3, 2005, at 18:16:56
I would recommend staying on the drug, and talking to your doctor first. I was in the exact same boat as you. I panic'd after reading all the scary stories here, and elsewhere, stopped taking the effexor (75 mg) after just 3 weeks.
It took a week and a half for the withdrawl side effects to stop. And I was so angry with my doctor, that I cancelled my next appt with him. After another 3 weeks of no meds at all, I decided to try something else, and went back to him. I now realize that the Effexor aggravated my anxiety a bunch. I'm trying Lexapro now, but if that doesn't work out, I'll consider Effexor again.
Take everything you read on the net with a BIG grain of salt. Remember that people who have problems tend to look for support and complain, but there are lots of people for whom effexor works just fine, and most of them aren't searching for assistance and posting here. They're out living their lives!
It's a tough decision, but ultimately, it's yours to make. I highly recommend talking to your doctor first, though. Maybe he can give you something else for the anxiety, to help you tolerate the scary stories better. And if you do decide to quit, decrease your dosable by no more than 37.5 mg per week, and be prepared to go back a step if it becomes intolerable.
Good Luck!
Posted by Dan Perkins on January 3, 2005, at 19:40:43
In reply to Re: i really really need help - effexor, posted by DustBuster on January 3, 2005, at 19:29:58
They are not just "scary stories," they are first-hand accounts of what it is like to take a particular drug. Sure there are people who do well on Effexor, but look at all the posts on this message board and all over the internet from people who have had nightmarish experiences on Effexor. This is certainly not just idle complaining - if it were than why don't people complain as much about other drugs as they do about Effexor?
If there is anything you should take with a grain of salt, it is not what you hear on this message board but what you hear in your doctor's office.
Most pdocs get all of their information about the drugs they prescribe from sales representatives from the very companies that make billions off these drugs, whereas people on this website get their information from firsthand experience.To my mind, a broad sample of first-hand accounts about a drug's efficacy and side-effects (such as can be found on this message board) is much more valuable than pharmaceutical company propaganda.
> I would recommend staying on the drug, and talking to your doctor first. I was in the exact same boat as you. I panic'd after reading all the scary stories here, and elsewhere, stopped taking the effexor (75 mg) after just 3 weeks.
>
> It took a week and a half for the withdrawl side effects to stop. And I was so angry with my doctor, that I cancelled my next appt with him. After another 3 weeks of no meds at all, I decided to try something else, and went back to him. I now realize that the Effexor aggravated my anxiety a bunch. I'm trying Lexapro now, but if that doesn't work out, I'll consider Effexor again.
>
> Take everything you read on the net with a BIG grain of salt. Remember that people who have problems tend to look for support and complain, but there are lots of people for whom effexor works just fine, and most of them aren't searching for assistance and posting here. They're out living their lives!
>
> It's a tough decision, but ultimately, it's yours to make. I highly recommend talking to your doctor first, though. Maybe he can give you something else for the anxiety, to help you tolerate the scary stories better. And if you do decide to quit, decrease your dosable by no more than 37.5 mg per week, and be prepared to go back a step if it becomes intolerable.
>
> Good Luck!
Posted by KaraS on January 3, 2005, at 20:34:03
In reply to i really really need help - effexor, posted by icantsurf on January 3, 2005, at 18:16:56
> i started taking effexor 3 weeks ago. i found this site and read about the horrible withdrawl symptoms. i decided since i had only been taking it a short time i should just stop. i missed ONE dose and started to experiece hell. what should i do? i want to get on top of this asap.
I would also say that you should talk to your doctor but if you're determined to get off of it, then you should taper slowly. Very slowly. You can also add in a longer-acting SSRI. Prozac is the best for this. I got off of Effexor this way with very little problem. Only two bad days and they could have been prevented had I taken the other SSRI sooner. I wouldn't hesitate to take Effexor again as it helped me but I certainly understand your fear. If I had seen this board before I started on the Effexor, I never would have taken it either.If you don't have access to any other SSRIs, then you might try Benedryl. Some people here have reported that it helped to ease their withdrawal symptoms.
Good luck! You'll get through this!
Kara
Posted by Ktemene on January 3, 2005, at 21:11:18
In reply to i really really need help - effexor, posted by icantsurf on January 3, 2005, at 18:16:56
> i started taking effexor 3 weeks ago. i found this site and read about the horrible withdrawl symptoms. i decided since i had only been taking it a short time i should just stop. i missed ONE dose and started to experiece hell. what should i do? i want to get on top of this asap.
I second Kara in suggesting that you get in touch with your doctor before you go off Effexor. And if you do decide to go off it, go off it at least as slowly as you got on it. Some people have had luck in going off Effexor by taking some Prozac to tide them over. Because Prozac has such a long half-life it does not feel as bad when it leaves your body as Effexor does. If you search the archives you will find a lot of strategies for going off Effexor that might help.
And remember, some people have had great success with Effexor. It is a powerful medicine. Before you decide, why don't you search the archives for more information on Effexor? If you are new here I think you will find that there is a lot of invaluable information and experience in the archives.
Don't panic, in the wise words of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Be afraid, most of us are, but don't panic.
Good luck and let us know how you are doing.
Ktemene
Posted by cache-monkey on January 4, 2005, at 13:59:30
In reply to Re: i really really need help - effexor, posted by Dan Perkins on January 3, 2005, at 19:40:43
I think that the point that DustBuster was making is that those experiences do not necessarily represent the norm with respect to Effexor. I think that many people do not have problems going off of Effexor, especially with suitable tapering. But, the worse someone's experience with the drug, the more likely they are to post something on the internet. So they're not really a "broad" sample, as you say, rather a sample biased toward the negative.
That being said, I think that you are right that we should not take what the doctors tells us as doctrine, and make ourselves aware of the possible side effects of these medications.
Best,
cache-monkey> They are not just "scary stories," they are first-hand accounts of what it is like to take a particular drug. Sure there are people who do well on Effexor, but look at all the posts on this message board and all over the internet from people who have had nightmarish experiences on Effexor. This is certainly not just idle complaining - if it were than why don't people complain as much about other drugs as they do about Effexor?
>
> If there is anything you should take with a grain of salt, it is not what you hear on this message board but what you hear in your doctor's office.
> Most pdocs get all of their information about the drugs they prescribe from sales representatives from the very companies that make billions off these drugs, whereas people on this website get their information from firsthand experience.
>
> To my mind, a broad sample of first-hand accounts about a drug's efficacy and side-effects (such as can be found on this message board) is much more valuable than pharmaceutical company propaganda.
>
>
> > I would recommend staying on the drug, and talking to your doctor first. I was in the exact same boat as you. I panic'd after reading all the scary stories here, and elsewhere, stopped taking the effexor (75 mg) after just 3 weeks.
> >
> > It took a week and a half for the withdrawl side effects to stop. And I was so angry with my doctor, that I cancelled my next appt with him. After another 3 weeks of no meds at all, I decided to try something else, and went back to him. I now realize that the Effexor aggravated my anxiety a bunch. I'm trying Lexapro now, but if that doesn't work out, I'll consider Effexor again.
> >
> > Take everything you read on the net with a BIG grain of salt. Remember that people who have problems tend to look for support and complain, but there are lots of people for whom effexor works just fine, and most of them aren't searching for assistance and posting here. They're out living their lives!
> >
> > It's a tough decision, but ultimately, it's yours to make. I highly recommend talking to your doctor first, though. Maybe he can give you something else for the anxiety, to help you tolerate the scary stories better. And if you do decide to quit, decrease your dosable by no more than 37.5 mg per week, and be prepared to go back a step if it becomes intolerable.
> >
> > Good Luck!
>
>
Posted by Dan Perkins on January 4, 2005, at 14:29:14
In reply to Re: i really really need help - effexor » Dan Perkins, posted by cache-monkey on January 4, 2005, at 13:59:30
There may be somewhat of a negative bias towards people's reports, but that bias would apply to all medications discussed on this message board and not just Effexor. But if you take a look at this message board, the number and severity of negaitve reports about Effexor is many many times greater than that of any other drug discussed here.
I wouldn't not try Effexor because of a few negative reports, but seeing dozens upon dozens of horror stories that single out Effexor, I would certainly take note that Effexor may be a far more harmful drug than the others mentioned on this message board.
> I think that the point that DustBuster was making is that those experiences do not necessarily represent the norm with respect to Effexor. I think that many people do not have problems going off of Effexor, especially with suitable tapering. But, the worse someone's experience with the drug, the more likely they are to post something on the internet. So they're not really a "broad" sample, as you say, rather a sample biased toward the negative.
Posted by Miss Tummy on January 5, 2005, at 13:07:56
In reply to i really really need help - effexor, posted by icantsurf on January 3, 2005, at 18:16:56
I understand how you are feeling. Let me just tell you that I've been on everything and Effexor is the best medication for me. Also - I experienced the same withdrawal symptoms trying to get off of Wellbutrin and Celexa.
Effexor is VERY VERY VERY effective for MANY people.
Posted by dancingstar on January 6, 2005, at 13:52:43
In reply to i really really need help - effexor, posted by icantsurf on January 3, 2005, at 18:16:56
I'm a little tired right now cause I've been working all night, but I'm working with an attorney that is filing a class action lawsuit against the firm that makes Effexor. Since 1988/89 they have known that it is extremely difficult to stop taking it. Here is a link to help show you that they have known this:
http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/9425vfx.htm
Read the last paragrah and see their conclusions after all of these people reported problems:-)
I've been up every night doing research on this drug, and almost everyone has some problems with withdrawal, though some people do have an easier time than others. It is best to taper your use. Here is one more link that you might find useful, and also if you decide to stop taking Effexor, get some Benadryl in the house, even a tiny dose...really a little at a time seems to help. Read all of my posts back to September. I don't think that anyone has had it worse than I did. You won't, I promise because you were on it for such a short time.
See if you can get the help of your doctor cause doctors are just now beginning to know that Effexor is dangerous for some people. I've posted links all over this site to help you get all of the information that you need if you want to find answers. When I have more energy, I will post more for people to be able to check things out for themselves.
If you need anything else please drop me a line and I will try to help you, but I have to tell you that I have no medical background; so I can't give you any kind of medical advice. I just know the things that have helped me. Your best bet is to tell your doctor that you want off the drug asap.
Check this out, too:
http://www.crazymeds.org/effexor.html
Blessings,
Bebe
Bebe0217@aol.com
Posted by Dan Perkins on January 6, 2005, at 22:00:58
In reply to Re: i really really need help - effexor » icantsurf, posted by dancingstar on January 6, 2005, at 13:52:43
Dear Bebe,
Thank you for taking on this Herculean task.
Best of luck to you, it is a VERY worthy cause.
Posted by dancingstar on January 7, 2005, at 1:53:43
In reply to Re: i really really need help - effexor, posted by Dan Perkins on January 6, 2005, at 22:00:58
Thanks, Dan.
Sometimes I wonder. But after what I went through, I feel like people deserve the right to know what can happen to our bodies when we take these drugs. If I only knew it was the drug that was making me sick for three years, well, gee, I could have stopped taking it. Please just give me the information and let me make my own decision. I figure others feel the same way. Lots of people read these things, and I hope that they can get some information that they need to make an informed decision for themselves. (Dr. Bob's site is actually amazingly kewl in many ways.)
AND when I finally decided to stop taking EffexorXR one day in September just to see if it was making me gain weight, I was so innocent. Didn't have a clue that I'd get so sick...not a clue!! Boy, was I in for a surprise. I'm just now finding my way out from under.
Most doctors don't yet know how bad it can be if you have the wrong body chemistry for Effexor, and the wrong body chemistry is likely to be that you are not physically, chemically depressed. Even what little is being released by Wyeth now was only released as recently as June 2004, and it hasn't hit what seems to be the mass market of doctors' reading material. Patients are at a deficit until it gets out there.
And what about the long-term studies? From what I can tell from my research, the research that is used for presentation by Wyeth is usually based on intervals of two four-week studies from which they allude to conclusions and recommendations regarding the use and efficacy of Effexor. Well, gee, what happens to our bodies after 12 weeks? six months? One year? Three years? Nine?
If Wyeth knows the answers, they are not available for us to find them on the internet...or I can't get to them yet, and I'm going after this in every way that I can imagine.
Some of you guys have certainly helped me, that's for sure. That one link is amazing to me, I'm absolutely shocked -- stunned!! -- that no one has commented on it, and I got it right here on this website. It has all the research and Wyeth's conclusions that there are no conclusive withdrawal problems. That is clear and obvious, beyond any question, flat-out not true. So we are dealing with a company that doesn't tell the whole truth.
If your body is not able to tolerate Effexor, what kind of damage is it doing to us? Is this what caused the pain that I no longer have? The fatigue that's gone? Depression that surfaced from nowhere, from out of the blue? (In my case it was not prescribed for depression) Heart problems for some. Liver problems for others. Why can't we see long-term studies? Inquiring minds want to know.
Well, Dan, all you did was say something nice. I'm sorry for getting on my soapbox. I need to step down now. It does seem to be a daunting task. Lawyers want people to be dead before they take a real stand...but I think we are getting somewhere. We will not have a problem getting the labeling changed...again. I want those long-term studies out, too. At the very least we need to be able to go to Congress with guns blazing (please -- it's just a metaphor) and yes, I may need some major help if there is any out here.
I will post more informational links as soon as I can -- there's so very many of them -- but for the next week or so, I have to take care of the business of life; so someone please take care of everyone that needs help. I know you guys will. You took care of me.
If anyone has any great information or insights, pass them my way if you don't mind. The rest I've turned over to some legal people and God. If I'm doing the right thing, I'll know.
Blessings,
Bebe0217@aol.com
Posted by icantsurf on January 10, 2005, at 3:16:25
In reply to i really really need help - effexor, posted by icantsurf on January 3, 2005, at 18:16:56
i've tapered down the dosage to 37.5 mg twice a day ( i had been taking 75 mg twice a day before that) it's not too bad, i've been taking 10 mg a day of paxil also. when i can sleep i either take benadryl or smoke pot. I actually had one of the most pleasant experiences i've ever had on marijuana the other night, which is weird because i usually don't like it and i haven't really done it in years. the only thing that is really different now that i stepped down the dosage is that i cry like 3 or 4 times a day, which really sucks, because my girlfriend always thinks it's her fault and i it also makes me feel like a sissy. i let ya know how it goes thanks for all the helpful posts.
This is the end of the thread.
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