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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 28 to 52 of 52. Go back in thread:
Posted by benbetter on February 6, 2006, at 13:44:12
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by elkat on February 5, 2006, at 23:13:30
I believe it...
Today= day 17...
I had my first cup of coffee today... All went well... I did take a claritin again...I still dont have any Idea why this helps but anything to stop these mild spins.Today is the best day so far. I am in great spirits and Physically I feel as good as ever.
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 6, 2006, at 19:15:42
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by benbetter on February 6, 2006, at 13:44:12
Great for you! Isn't the caffine thing just down right weird though?
Today, so far, has been good for me too. I feel like I'm slowly working my way out of a fog and actually having the energy and motivation to get things done. It's a wonderful thing!!!!!!!
Posted by benbetter on February 7, 2006, at 1:49:53
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 6, 2006, at 19:15:42
so... sleeping is where you have been.
I am glad you are feeling better.
Posted by Benbetter on February 7, 2006, at 21:09:03
In reply to Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by Benbetter on January 26, 2006, at 18:21:27
Perfect day.. only minor spins day 17
Posted by tizza on February 7, 2006, at 22:42:44
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by Benbetter on February 7, 2006, at 21:09:03
i promise they will be gone after a month!!!!!!!!!!! Well they were for me, hang in there
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 8, 2006, at 1:21:13
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by benbetter on February 7, 2006, at 1:49:53
Sleeping!!!! I wish. ;-)
Things went well again today. I actually went and played tennis, and hung out at the park. It didn't hurt that the weather was sunny and beautiful!!!
So, how are your moods?
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 8, 2006, at 11:45:38
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by benbetter on February 7, 2006, at 1:49:53
BenBetter, thought you would get a laugh out of where this thread has gone. There is a post from apoz, an answer from me and a reply from some *ss named steve. People never fail to amaze me.
How's your day? I never did get a chance to ask if the Photography work was still difficult for you? I hope it's going better!
Posted by benbetter on February 8, 2006, at 20:20:45
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 8, 2006, at 11:45:38
hey things are good... i still get the light spins but i can handle it.. the strobes dont bother me anymore... I am easily annoyed now... I dont know if I am justified or not... but some of the guys I work with are also easily annoyed at the same stuff. They have not decided to be scientific experaments like we lab rats though. so I dont know if I am jumping at stuff to quicky or if things are pushing my buttons.. The stupids are still in my head.. although I am getting used to it. I finally had a beer and a vodka.... wow It is the longest dry spell i have had since fishing in AK. 15 years ago.
i will look for the post.. more on day18
Posted by benbetter on February 8, 2006, at 20:54:33
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by benbetter on February 8, 2006, at 20:20:45
Wifeofarmyguy,
Enigma, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Yazz, Duran Duran, and New Order does this mean anything to you? A simple yes or no will do. Nice discussion with steve.. I think you have to ignore the posts that are so underthought.. But that is exactly the stuff that has made me freak out lately.. Or when some one asks me a question and just as I start to respond they talk over me... I have been counting to ten a lot lately..
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 8, 2006, at 23:57:52
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by benbetter on February 8, 2006, at 20:54:33
Yes. They are my favorite bands of all time. Do I know you?????
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 9, 2006, at 0:08:17
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by benbetter on February 8, 2006, at 20:54:33
Day, um... I don't know! I'll have to go back thru my posts and check...
Isn't it sometimes hard to tell what is and what is not the side effects? I'm easily pissed off these days, is it because I'm off the effexor? Is it because I'm still having withdrawl? Is it just my wonderful personality pushing its way forward after a year of being suppressed? Is it just a jumble of all of the above? God only knows!
As for the stupids, yep they hit me too. My friends have been telling me the last few days that I was born a blond and didn't know it. YIPPIE!!!!
Have you been feeling ok mood wise lately? I seemed to be a bit down from the happy, full of energy me from yesterday... Maybe I'm just taking too much notice of my moods? Anyway, your turn. :-)
Posted by benbetter on February 9, 2006, at 23:11:32
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 9, 2006, at 0:08:17
I think this is getting easier??? Not many spins or oddness. I think the mood swings for me are probably the same as they were BE(before Effexor) and it is hard to remeber what I felt like then...The effexor takes out all of the highs and lows.. I like the ability to feel the whole gamut.. BTW... no... I dont know you or If I do I dont know it yet. did you say MI?
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 10, 2006, at 2:14:20
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by benbetter on February 9, 2006, at 23:11:32
MI is where I am from, yes.
Posted by benbetter on February 10, 2006, at 7:27:00
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 10, 2006, at 2:14:20
I dont know what to think. there are some people that say the spins etc will go away soon.. and then there is the guy postin below about the zaps a year later.. How can this controlled substance be so un predictable? I understand we all need to take responsibility when we start on any dosage... i never looked into it I wonder if i would have taken effexor had I known? If i would have I will guess I would have tried to hop off soo much sooner.
Posted by Kath on February 12, 2006, at 17:20:08
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by benbetter on February 10, 2006, at 7:27:00
I've been off Celexa about 3 months. I went off it VERY gradually, but for weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeks afterwards (actually it didn't start immediately) I would get annoyed pretty easily & I would SNAP if something really bugged me. After discussing it at length with my daughter (29 & a former anti-depressant user) I realized that I often would feel teed-off, but the times I'd blurt out whatever came into my head, were in situations that had been bugging me probably for the 5 years of being medicated, but I hadn't said anything about them.
Once, the same daughter had done something where I'd experienced the same reaction. She did it to various family members at different times, to observe the reaction - we were all the same:
As we were standing side by side, she'd do something - for me she lightly tapped my upper arm....just kept doing it. I looked at her questioningly, then looked away. She just kept doing it & eventually I said (quite annyoed) STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was there when she did this with my husband and my son. They had the same reaction. Looked at her, or moved away etc & finally were pissed off as they said stop-it. We found it very interesting. Rather than saying "stop it - that's bugging me" or whatever, right when it started to bug us, we put up with it until it was REALLY annoying & then exploded!! I find that astonishing. I've tried that experiment with various people & all but one time, it's always been the same reaction.
My doctor said that I'd be feeling more at both ends of the emotional spectrum & things would even out after a bit. It's true in both cases....I'd start to cry reading a sad article in the paper; or laugh like crazy over something not tremendously funny; or get really ticked off when I wouldn't ordinarily have. I also am now "evened out". The main difference I notice now, is that if I'm treated in a disrepectful way I speak out where I wouldn't have before.
Best of luck...Kath
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 12, 2006, at 20:42:26
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor- re: easily pissed-off, posted by Kath on February 12, 2006, at 17:20:08
Thank for your post on this. We are all funny creatures aren't we? I'm always amazed at how we react to different stimuli...
I had been wondering if we on this board were a select few that were having high highs and low lows coming off of this...It's good to hear that things eventually even out. I'm tired of tearing up at the smallest, saddest (or not so sad) things!
Posted by benbetter on February 13, 2006, at 8:27:54
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor- re: easily pissed-off, posted by wifeofarmyguy on February 12, 2006, at 20:42:26
It makes sense, I feel like all three of us have a similar experience..
I am not making fun but this story reminds me of the Simpsons going to the psycologist and thay are all wired up with the ability to shock one another.. They all keep screaming Ouch quit it. After you see them get shocked.Tons of people keep asking whats up with you? Not only in the quick to snap way but my energy level seems higher along with ambition.
Posted by MrsDelT on February 22, 2006, at 12:10:59
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor-Energy, posted by benbetter on February 13, 2006, at 8:27:54
Ben-
I have been reading all of your posts, and I am new to this site. I posted the following on a different topic, but thought maybe you could offer some insite. Let me know.
Thanks,
Hi!
I have been on Effexor XR 75mg for almost two years now. I originally went on it because of major issues in my marriage, and the threat of divorce, that was leaving me very depressed and anxious. Since being on the medication, I feel much better. Things are going very well in my marriage (in addition to the Effexor for the depression, we went to marriage counseling) and I do not feel the least bit depressed.
I just found out that my insurance carrier is discontinuing this drug as a preferred medication and I either have to switch to something else, or pay regular price. I spoke to my doctor (not a pdoc, just my regular doctor who prescribes the RX) who suggested that I switch to Cymbalta (which is a preffered drug and covered by my insurance). I have been reading about all of the horrible withdrawal symptoms associated with coming off the Effexor and I am scared to death. I have had pretty good success with this RX. I have had a few mild side effects that include decreased sex drive, memory loss, and, of course, the "so called" brian zaps, during the course of taking this med. (That is the wierdest thing I have ever experienced.) The first time I experienced it was this past summer. My husband and I went to Vegas (my first time there) and in all the excitement and lack of a regular sleeping schedule (I take the pill before I go to bed), I did not take it for 4 days. By the end of the 4th day, I felt this undescribable whirlling in my head. I at first attributed it to the heat and lack of sleep, then I realized that it was mild withdrawal. I couldnt wait to take it so that I would feel better. Now, I only have to miss my dose by a few hours and I feel this "dizziness" in my head.
I dont really feel like I need to continue taking an anti-depressant, because I feel great. I am happier than I have been in years, my marriage is strong and wonderful (except in the sex department, because of my decreased labido)and I feel like I can handle my life without the pills. I have read the forums on the Cymbalta, and it sounds pretty similar to the Effexor XR. The same type of withdrawal symptoms with maybe a little mor intensity. Has anyone out there switched from Effexor XR to Cymbalta? What are your thoughts on me quitting the meds all together? Am I fooling myself into thinking that I got better on my own, or is it really just that the anti-depressant has actually helped me, and if I quit taking it, will I go back to being miserable? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and good luck!
Posted by Liz7711 on February 22, 2006, at 13:17:40
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor-Energy, posted by benbetter on February 13, 2006, at 8:27:54
Benbetter: You are brave to go cold turkey, and I'm glad it's getting better. But I personally have concerns for people going cold turkey, I am wondering if that is connected to still having problems a year later etc. Maybe it is not connected, but as bad as cold turkey withdrawal feels, I sorta think perhaps our brains suffer more DAMAGE from withdrawing so fast. Since you've been off already 18 days, if you are still having symptoms, I'd suggest taking maybe 10 mgs (open the capsule and count beads) for a couple weeks...then go down slowly from there--just a thought to be kinder to your body and brain.
I just recently finished tapering off (about a month ago) after being on 150 for 2 years and I am having NO side effects. I learned the hard way--I went down to 75 for 2 weeks (only I did not have any side effects from that), and then just stopped. I was sick as a dog for a week, dizzy as hell, so I went back on. Since I had been off for a whole week, I decided to go back on at 1/4 of the 75 mg. tab to see if I could handle that. I opened up the capsule and divided it into 4 parts--I think it was about 55 beads, and took them with yogurt, being sure not to chew the beads.
I took that amount for about 2 weeks, then would go down about 5 beads per week. When I was down to about 25 beads, I basically went down about 1 bead per day, just had the last one on Saturday.
It took me 2 months to taper down that way, but it's worth it--I had no side effects this way, other than some irritability which is to be expected.
I believe from what I've read about other's experiences, that if you try to go off too quickly, you will have more side effects, and not only that, but they will persist after you have stopped. As I said earlier, I really think that the power of this drug in our bodies is such that it actually DAMAGES our brains to go cold turkey. That's my belief, so I urge people to go as slow as possible.
Good luck, hang in there.
Posted by Liz7711 on February 22, 2006, at 13:20:14
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor-Energy, posted by Liz7711 on February 22, 2006, at 13:17:40
Ignore the comment "just had the last one on Saturday" near the bottom of my comments, I had cut and pasted part of my message from an earlier post!
> Benbetter: You are brave to go cold turkey, and I'm glad it's getting better. But I personally have concerns for people going cold turkey, I am wondering if that is connected to still having problems a year later etc. Maybe it is not connected, but as bad as cold turkey withdrawal feels, I sorta think perhaps our brains suffer more DAMAGE from withdrawing so fast. Since you've been off already 18 days, if you are still having symptoms, I'd suggest taking maybe 10 mgs (open the capsule and count beads) for a couple weeks...then go down slowly from there--just a thought to be kinder to your body and brain.
>
> I just recently finished tapering off (about a month ago) after being on 150 for 2 years and I am having NO side effects. I learned the hard way--I went down to 75 for 2 weeks (only I did not have any side effects from that), and then just stopped. I was sick as a dog for a week, dizzy as hell, so I went back on. Since I had been off for a whole week, I decided to go back on at 1/4 of the 75 mg. tab to see if I could handle that. I opened up the capsule and divided it into 4 parts--I think it was about 55 beads, and took them with yogurt, being sure not to chew the beads.
>
> I took that amount for about 2 weeks, then would go down about 5 beads per week. When I was down to about 25 beads, I basically went down about 1 bead per day, just had the last one on Saturday.
>
> It took me 2 months to taper down that way, but it's worth it--I had no side effects this way, other than some irritability which is to be expected.
>
> I believe from what I've read about other's experiences, that if you try to go off too quickly, you will have more side effects, and not only that, but they will persist after you have stopped. As I said earlier, I really think that the power of this drug in our bodies is such that it actually DAMAGES our brains to go cold turkey. That's my belief, so I urge people to go as slow as possible.
>
>
> Good luck, hang in there.
>
>
Posted by benbetter on February 22, 2006, at 15:17:22
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor-Energy, posted by MrsDelT on February 22, 2006, at 12:10:59
To tell you honestly, I have no experience with any of these drugs except effexor... I am not sure how long it has ben since I did the cold turkey... well over a month and I still get the spins... But to a much lower degree. I will tell you I am a completely different person off of the effexor. I had no idea how much that stuff changes you as a person... ( for me it did what i needed but I am glad to get away from it) I have three times the energy I did while I was on that stuff... i dont need to sleep all day. My mood is just like it was before I found myself depressed. I find that people are seeing that I am back.. My drive to get things done and clean my house is better... That stuff made me quit caring a little to much..
Benbetter
Posted by benbetter on February 22, 2006, at 15:26:02
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor-Energy, posted by Liz7711 on February 22, 2006, at 13:17:40
Liz, Thanks for the input. I agree that maybe I should have gone slower. It might have helped.. I didnt plan on cold turkey I went on vacation and forgot to bring the goods. So I quit cold turkey... It was only 5 or 6 days with out the meds so I said I am already here bring it on.. I got what I asked for it kicked my *ss. But I won in the end.. I have also seen others quit the slow way and they had problems for much longer than I did.. .
I think the best way is never get on it in the first place... it sounds like there are much less intense drugs out there.
Cold turkey sucked for a short time... I think I would do it exactly the same given the option though... I now know my end result.
Good luck to anyone else trying to get away from this stuff.
BBMc
Posted by benbetter on February 22, 2006, at 15:26:20
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor-Energy, posted by Liz7711 on February 22, 2006, at 13:17:40
Liz, Thanks for the input. I agree that maybe I should have gone slower. It might have helped.. I didnt plan on cold turkey I went on vacation and forgot to bring the goods. So I quit cold turkey... It was only 5 or 6 days with out the meds so I said I am already here bring it on.. I got what I asked for it kicked my *ss. But I won in the end.. I have also seen others quit the slow way and they had problems for much longer than I did.. .
I think the best way is never get on it in the first place... it sounds like there are much less intense drugs out there.
Cold turkey sucked for a short time... I think I would do it exactly the same given the option though... I now know my end result.
Good luck to anyone else trying to get away from this stuff.
BBMc
Posted by sajjie on June 8, 2007, at 10:58:19
In reply to Re: Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by benbetter on January 31, 2006, at 2:54:14
You guys slay me!
I'm on day 6 of cold turkey (My doctor will YELL at me if I tell him I'm anxious or anything else. We're getting along like old friends now that I tell him nothing. ;) )
I've found my symptoms have been: feeling too hot and sweating my butt off
And with a fan? Feeling too cold and shivering.
Head spinning one way, stomach, the other.
Severe nausea (Can't even eat anything; and I'm single handedly supporting Pepto bismol right now)
Feeling like I'm going to fall over at any moment
Constant brain zaps
(My definition is thinking of a broken electrical circuit where the electricity jumps to the other side anyway.. That's what mine seem like. A whole buncha broken circuits)
My brain not keeping up with my eyes
dizziness, motion sickness, the occasional sensation that someone stuck a fork in my cheek
trouble moving around, as I get so sick feeling in my stomach..
I've had no anxiety or depression coming off it tho, and my sense of humor is intact!
However, I'll laugh AFTER this is over. ;) You guys were making me laugh so much tho.
Yeah, I'm doing the cold-turkey thing since it's easier than trying to deal with my doctor who figures I'm brain dead. :)
I had depression before, but it's gone and now I just need to deal with the anxiety that comes with my social phobias.
Either way, thanks for this post! We should turn it into a book on how to survive dropping Venlafaxine. It's ebil.
Besides, the venlafaxine does NADA for my anxiety anyway. ;p
Posted by Clayton on August 8, 2007, at 12:52:43
In reply to Cold Turkey Effexor, posted by Benbetter on January 26, 2006, at 20:12:14
I certainly do not doubt anything anyone has reported in this thread regarding the adverse effects of effeor withdrawl. It sound horrific! I guess I was lucky.I just wanted to add my two cents as it may add a balanced perspetive. I had been on effexor for over a year (I agreed its the most effective mood brightener I've ever encountered) and quit gold turkey when I ran out while far from my doctor on a vacatiom. I had absolutely NO withdrawl systems whatsoever (other than a slow deline back into the depresion I was enduring before I started the effexox). NONE ar ALL. I would guess - and it's only spectation - that the majority of folks withdrawing from effexor has experiences closer to mine than these many of you report. If the level of your suffering was withspread and well-known, why whould ethical Pdocs continue to presrcibe it? (I know some of you may have opinions om that! - Please feel free to share them!).
AS for axiety, please infoem me here. I did not know tha effextor was purported to reducce/amelioate anxiety. It is?
The anti-depressnt that help me most (and seemly pernamently) wth anxiet was Paxil. I had severe Social Anxiet Disorder that was really limiting my options in life. After about two and one half years on Paxil it simply ceaed to be a problem - the SociaL Situation Panic Attacks stopped entirely. It have never socialed easily and that has not changed. But at least I don't start skaking (visible to others), perspiring and stammering whwn I meet people. This has allowed we to make a concerted effort to work on my social skill and slowly-but-surely things seem to be inproving. AS I said, this reqired over two years on the drug. For me, Paxil work a miracle on my anxiet but it was o lonterm thing (two and one half tears.)Paxil did little for my day-to day anxiety in the short run.
I quit taking Paxil ten years again. My SAD had never returned. Has anyone heard if Parix can effect such a permanent change?
Would appreciate hearing from anf of you on these issues...
Take Care,
Clayton
This is the end of the thread.
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