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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Margie24 on June 1, 2005, at 23:02:15
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last? » kcjuggler, posted by SLS on May 31, 2005, at 23:28:43
I am 5 weeks pregnant, was taking 150mg of Effexor daily when I found out (had been for 2 years). Obststrician said to stop. 150 every other day for 2 weeks, 75 " ", then stop.
I wanted to get off quicker, because I don't trust it with the fetus. Went straight to 75 for a week. Was okay. Split 75 (roughly, becasue I have the beads), and took 37.5 for 4 days. Quit altogether today.
My brain is half shut down. I can't reason through anything too complex. I have to print out one of your responses regarding tapering with 1/4ths so my husband can read it and explain it to me! Anyone else feel just flat out STUPID??
The worst is the swooshing in my ears when I turn my eyes.
I see other meds can alleviate effects, but I really don't want it in my bloodstream right now. This period in pregnancy is supposedly one of the most delicate.
I think I can hold on for a few days.
My question is....IS IT SAFE TO FEEL THIS WAY? WILL I HAVE BRAIN DAMAGE? And WHY does this happen? I have close friends who are alcoholics and former drug users. They didn't have such prolonged withdraw.
WILL IT STOP SOON?Thank you so much to all who have posted on this topic.
Posted by LBB on June 2, 2005, at 1:03:59
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by Margie24 on June 1, 2005, at 23:02:15
Hey everyone, well I made it today with the same side effects, but less powerful than yesterday. Today I found that if I ate and didn't let my blood sugar get too low, the side effects were not as strong. The most significant improvement seems to be those flippin 'brain shocks.' Those seem to have improved (they used to make me feel like not only my brain was being shocked, but also my tongue would feel a bit shocked and numb, if that makes any sense).
So today still sucks, but not as bad as yesterday. Tomorrow will be day 7 off Effexor. I hope it gets better each day, even if just a little.
Margie - I wonder the same thing. Is my brain permanently damaged from this or what? I imagine that in the long term, maybe nobody has the answer, which scares me now to think about. I guess we take risks anytime we take these meds. I just wish I had known about this before I opted to take them. Had I known about this, I never would have agreed. And I am someone who prides herself on doing research before taking medication, etc. After my baby died, I just didn't care about it, and went with what my shrink said. Anyway, I hope it gets better for you. ((HUGS))
Lisa
Posted by jdjour on June 2, 2005, at 3:29:17
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by LBB on June 2, 2005, at 1:03:59
Thanks to everyone who has written here about Effexor. You've all been a great help. I've been tapering off of it slowly for a month and on Sunday I took my last capsule. I've been feeling awful since Tuesday - brain zaps, eye pain, fatigue, vertigo. To make matters worse, I developed a "floater" in one eye and had to see an opthalmologist since I was seeing some flashes also. Who KNOWS if that had something to do with the withdrawl, but I had to have it checked to see if I had torn my retina (no). The flashes are gone, but the annoying floater is still there. Anyway, I had to go to a work function tonight, and before I went, I took a few beads from one of my capsules - feeling like a complete junkie! - and it helped the withdrawl symptoms. I'm determined not to do that again unless I can't function when I need to. I want this junk out of my system forever.
I keep wondering why pharmaceutical companies get away with marketing drugs without issuing a severe warning about going off them. I would NEVER have taken these, had I known how horrible I would feel trying to get off of them. I feel worse than I did when I started taking them for the stress I was experiencing around caring for my aging mom.
My doctor who prescribed these (who is supposed to be cutting edge), said to me on Tuesday, that since it was 48 hours after my last pill then, that my withdrawl symptoms wouldn't get any worse than they were. She must have been trained to give "anxious" patients a positive message. Thanks, yeah, big help.
Looking forward to feeling better...
Jdjour
Posted by LBB on June 2, 2005, at 10:24:44
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by jdjour on June 2, 2005, at 3:29:17
It makes me so mad and sad to see all these posts... how do the pharmaceutical reps. sleep at night? Seriously! I mean of course Effexor does some good, it helps with depression - but this withdrawal syndrome, it is such an evil monster and no where are we told about it except through others like ourselves. I guess all we can do, those of us who have and are suffering through this hell, can be warriors for the cause, to warn people of these risks - then at least people can make an informed choice about taking Effexor as their antidepressant.
Part of me thinks we should print out these posts and send them to the media, send them to the drug reps., send them to the FDA!
I hope everyone feels a little bit better today than yesterday. ((HUGS))
Lisa
Posted by SLS on June 2, 2005, at 11:20:07
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by LBB on June 2, 2005, at 10:24:44
> I guess all we can do, those of us who have and are suffering through this hell, can be warriors for the cause, to warn people of these risks - then at least people can make an informed choice about taking Effexor as their antidepressant.
Please remember that EVERY SRI has been observed to produce intense withdrawal syndromes. Effexor is not unique. Unfortunately, with its short half life, Effexor makes tapering difficult *unless* one is prepared to take small amounts several times a day rather than once a day or skipping days.
Fair reporting to people regarding antidepressants should suggest that the SRI discontinuation syndrome exists for all of the drugs represented in this class.
- Scott
Posted by Margie24 on June 3, 2005, at 15:47:16
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by LBB on June 2, 2005, at 1:03:59
I went to petitiononline.com/effexor/ and signed it. It's a petition to the manufacturers asking them to disclose effects to public. You can leave a comment. It just made me feel good for some reason-just thought I'd let you all know.
Mags
Posted by kcjuggler on June 3, 2005, at 21:21:43
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by Margie24 on June 3, 2005, at 15:47:16
Just a follow up - I've been able to make it thru 2 days effexor-free! Yeh! I hesitate to jump up and down, as I'm afraid this isn't a "permanent" and/or "real" thing... don't want to "jinx" it, if you know what I mean.
Taking small portions like an aspirin seemed to work. I had to do it only 1 day. The next day I didn't feel any of the physical symptoms. I have been a bit cranky, but don't know that it's related to lack of effexor.
I hope I remain symptom free. I wish all of you luck and speedy recoveries from the withdrawal effects. I also want to thank all whom have posted. This forum really helped me, when I didn't know where to go for help.
kc
Posted by Margie24 on June 3, 2005, at 22:49:12
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by kcjuggler on June 3, 2005, at 21:21:43
Today I had a much better day too. I'm not free, but trying the flexible dosing and it seems to be working rather well.
I'm so glad you have good news. There isn't enough. I think it's easier for us to get on here and rant and rave, then forget to come back and talk about the positives.
Thanks jugg.
MW
Posted by jdjour on June 5, 2005, at 5:13:08
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by Margie24 on June 3, 2005, at 15:47:16
Hey, Thanks for the info about the petition. I signed it also. I've also felt better today and have been using the dosing schedule when needed. Today I didn't have those head zap symptoms and didn't need to take "beads" (!). Now if I could just get this insomnia under control...! I didn't exercise today, and that might be the problem.
Posted by kcjuggler on June 5, 2005, at 13:28:16
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by Margie24 on June 3, 2005, at 15:47:16
Well sad to say I had to take some beads today. I had 2 days without any physical symptoms, which I'm grateful for. I was easily agitated though, and a bit anxious those 2 days. I don't know if these were drug side effects or not. Saturday, I felt a bit lite headed, and thought: "it can't be withdrawal can it"? I tried to ignore the symptoms, thinking it was something else. I played my tennis match and I wasn't really there on the court. I was very disappointed & frustrated with my my play. I play for fun, so it shouldn't be a big deal, but it was a downer nonetheless. Today (Sunday), I finally took a few beads as again I am feeling a bit lite headed.
How many days to you have do you have to be "clear" of symptoms before you know you are done with the drug?
kc
ps. trying not to let this get me down, I'm trying to be patient, which isn't one of my strengths. Also thanks for the petition website. I finally signed it today.
Posted by Margie24 on June 6, 2005, at 12:56:06
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by kcjuggler on June 5, 2005, at 13:28:16
Anyone else extrememly irritable trying to come of this. (I'm pregnant, but this is like serious anger). Yesterday, I was trying to resist taking another 1/2 becasue I had made it through 1 1/2 days without symptoms much, thought it would get better from here. Yesterday, it just got worse and worse and worse.
I've known my husband for 3 years. WE NEVER YELL AT EACH OTHER. Yesterday I slammed a door in his face and told him to go away because he moved something and I was looking for it.
Also, when the withdrawal is bad like that I CANNOT THINK. Seriously, like I'm mentally retarded.
Anyone have the same?
Mags
Posted by Margie24 on June 6, 2005, at 12:58:40
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by kcjuggler on June 5, 2005, at 13:28:16
One more thing....
CHECK YOUR PUPILS.
My pupils are tiny. They are usually larger. I compared them with my husband, almost half the size!
Anyone else?
Posted by SLS on June 6, 2005, at 16:59:47
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by Margie24 on June 6, 2005, at 12:58:40
Don't be so "brave". It will just cause you great stress and discomfort. Imagine what your baby is experiencing from these withdrawal effects.
If your system responds as mine does:I would restart the Effexor and take small amounts several times a day when you feel the withdrawal symptoms appear. This is a flexible-dosing strategy. Use small amounts of the drug as if it were aspirin to treat a headache. When the headache appears, take enough aspirin to last 6-8 hours. Wait until the headache reappears, then take more. You will see that you can take smaller and smaller amounts to get you through the 6-8 hours. You will eventually reach a point when a further decrease in the dose no longer gets you through 6 hours. At that point, just stop taking it. You will go through a mild withdrawal that lasts only a few days at the most.
Your other option is to switch over to Prozac for a few days. Its long half life will act as a naturally gentle taper.
Either of these two methods should have you free of medication in 2-3 weeks.
Again, don't be a hero. Continue to use medication as a tool to gently remove them.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by LBB on June 8, 2005, at 0:29:41
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by Margie24 on June 3, 2005, at 15:47:16
Hey friends, well I have been Effexor free for almost 2 weeks now! All side effects are gone now, except for slight vertigo every so often. I went to my acupuncturist 3 times last week and also went on a toxin "juicing fest." Drank lots of fresh veggie and fruit juices and ate really healthily. I think my body really was craving certain foods to help rid my body of this crap. Whatever it was that worked: whether it was a combination of time, acupuncture and trying to maintain a diet to help keep me on a more even keel to be able to deal with the withdrawal - I am just super thankful it is over.
Anyway, I have decided to grieve the death of my daughter without any meds if I can. I will never go back on Effexor, that's for sure!! I have also signed the petition. I don't care what the pamphlet says that the pharm. co. puts out, it does NOT discuss this severe type of syndrome that so many of seem to have gotten.
I wish all of you the very best and thank you for your support. ((HUGS))
Posted by margie24 on June 8, 2005, at 1:49:33
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by LBB on June 8, 2005, at 0:29:41
Thanks so much LBB, for coming on to post something positive. That's hard to find in this mess. It's nice to see there may be a light at the end of this tunnel.
M
Posted by kcjuggler on June 8, 2005, at 12:19:51
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by Margie24 on June 6, 2005, at 12:56:06
I've been wanting to reply to this and just haven't made the time - sorry.
I SO RELATE TO THIS!
I'm a dog person, and am blessed with the best, sweetest dog in the world (yes I'm biased).
I had several days where I yelled at her for no reason. I felt very bad about it, but I couldn't stand to be near her. She did absolutely NOTHING to deserve it. I feel like a horrible person, but it just came out before I could squelch it.
I've been better about this the past few days, I'm no longer immediately yelling. I'm at more of a tolerant stage, and I think, (please oh please), even that is improving.
Posted by kcjuggler on June 8, 2005, at 12:21:04
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by LBB on June 8, 2005, at 0:29:41
Congrats!!! I'm so happy you've made it through. I hope the rest of us will follow in your same steps!
Posted by Emmi on June 9, 2005, at 17:30:05
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by margie24 on June 8, 2005, at 1:49:33
Well..after a year of tapering off...I think I did it!! The last several weeks I opened the capsule and counted out the granules. I went from 150mg down to 65mg capsules. Once I hit 65mg, I started opening them. There's 150 granules in a 65mg capsule. I got daring and only took 50, or 1/3. Did that for 4 days...then dropped to 49, then 48, th45, the 35 for a few days..then a big leap down to 10 granules for 3 days. I'm on my fourth day with NONE..ZERo..ZIPPO...yeah I'm a little lte headed and some double vision. but I guess since I had been recuding so slowly, I ended up having only about 5mg inme when i quit cold turley for days ago. Had a tooth pulled today and he put me on activan. HOpefully I"ll now sleep through the last hours of withdrawl. Finally.....
Hang in the gang and remember...slower is better!
Emmi
Posted by canadiangirl3 on June 10, 2005, at 20:54:24
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by LBB on June 8, 2005, at 0:29:41
Hey Lisa,
I'm happy for you feeling so good. I did a fast effexor taper with small prozac doses and was feeling good until i tapered off the prozac. I'm paying for it now....It's been almost five weeks off prozac and I feel like crap. Zappy, moody, achy and bloated.....and really really scared about when (and whether) this will ever end! Can you tell me more about your juice cleanse as well as what your acupuncturist did. Was there a particular area on your body that you were treated on? My stepdad does acupuncture so maybe I should try that route. I am dying to feel better!!!
D.
Posted by LBB on June 10, 2005, at 21:08:33
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by canadiangirl3 on June 10, 2005, at 20:54:24
D,
I am so sorry you are feeling bad still. It just sucks so bad!
As far as juicing and diet goes, this is what my nutritionist had me doing: Steam and eat an artichoke a day (helps with gallbladder and gallbladder helps cleanse the body of toxins), drink one glass of veggie juice of: carrots, fennel, beet, kale, spinach, garlic and lemon. Drink one glass of fruit juice of: pear, apple, ginger, plum.
The points my acupuncturist focused on were liver (Effexor, well most if not all SSRIs and SNRIs, screw with the liver), kidney, gallbladder. She also gave me Fish Oil capsules to take (Metagenics brand).
I swear, I really truly believe this made a big difference. I noticed after my first acu session with her a difference - I am not sure if I can say I felt "better" per se, but I certainly felt different, like something was happening, like my body was trying to get a grip. After a few days I began to feel better. I think the diet really helped keep my blood sugar stable, too, which really makes a difference suffering from those vertigo, dizziness and brain shock side effects.
Overall, I am feeling much better than ever. Even in dealing with my depression, I feel better now without the stupid Effexor than I did when I was on it. I am noticing a big improvement in my sleeping, too.
Well, let me know if you want more specific info., I can email my acupuncturist for specific points if you like. I hope you are feeling better soon!
How is everyone else doing today?
Lisa
Posted by apenname on June 13, 2005, at 10:25:50
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by LBB on June 10, 2005, at 21:08:33
Thanks for the good thread. This is my second time going off of Effexor XR, the last time I was ramping up Lexapro before getting an out-of-the-blue parosmia (sense of smell change-was actually from a sinus infection and not the medicine), and being on nothing for a hellish week. I thought of myself as one of the "lucky" ones where I have had zero symptoms as I slowly stepped down. I went from 225 mg, with a 37.5 mg drop every 1.5 weeks. Then: 3 days early and having some nausea (and other symptoms that made me think I was just fighting a virus), I made the drop from 37.5 mg to 0 last Friday. I've been dizzy and dizzy and feel like I'm thinking through molassas (can't even spell the word).
I often suffer from sinus problems and thought the dizziness might be some other bug I picked up and am fighting, along with the spring-summer weather change, the increase in AC use, etc.
I like the "healthy" and "fruit" cleanse idea. I've been craving fruit and (for the past 3 weeks), meat, red meat and feeling like I need protein (I'm not necessarily a fan, but I went ahead and gave in). Unfortunately I'm wanting to use this change time to start fixing the overweight I slipped into without paying attention, but I have noticed eating helps keep the dizziness at bay. I guess I shouldn't try and change everything at once.
I guess I will call my psych and see what to do (my husband said: "call your doctor", and I didn't know which one to call).
Another note: yesterday when I was working outside with plants and getting some small exercise, the dizziness wasn't there at all.
I really don't want to have to take any Effexor, and want to see the decrease in blood pressure I'm hoping for. I stayed on it even with the heightened BP because it's what worked for about 5 years now, with some half years of trying other things. It's been completely worth it, even with this lingering withdrawl. I'll find out what the psychiatrist says about what to do.
Query: how long before the medicine is completely "flushed out of your system"? Is there any data about that? My previous pharma-psychiatrist thought it was a week, but I really don't believe that.
-Meg
Posted by SLS on June 14, 2005, at 7:57:58
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by apenname on June 13, 2005, at 10:25:50
Hi Meg.
> Query: how long before the medicine is completely "flushed out of your system"?
Most of it will be gone in 5 half-lives of the drug. The half-life is that period of time necessary for the body to eliminate 1/2 of the drug from the blood stream. The half-life of Effexor is roughly a day, so your pharmacist was quite correct to tell you that only one week would be necessary.
The goal of reducing the intensity and length of the withdrawal syndrome is NOT served by "cleansing" the system. It is served best by tapering the dosage gradually - more gradually than you did. You can do several things as remediation of your current state; the best among them being the reintroduction of Effexor using a flexible-dosing strategy or substituting it temporarily with Prozac. Prozac is much easier to taper, and it shouldn't take more than 2 weeks. It sounds to me like you will not entertain either of these ideas, though.
Alternatively, you can try taking Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an over the counter antihistamine/antcholinergic, to reduce the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. Exercise is supposed to help also. You might also want to ask some questions on the "Alternative" PB board and find out what supplements people suggest. If you do that, please come back to this board and post what you learned. It would be much appreciated.
- Scott
Posted by apenname on June 14, 2005, at 13:06:49
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » apenname, posted by SLS on June 14, 2005, at 7:57:58
I took a 37.5 mg pill yesterday and was finally able to think straight and get some work done.
I skimmed through the pamphlet that came with the Effexor XR samples. It not only listed a lot of interesting symptoms (I'd have to check, but many of them sounded like what's reported here) for both "normal dose" but also for discontinuation (it said "see precautions"). It looked to me as if everything people have experienced was listed, but listed in medical terms. (Also of interest was the number of people in the placebo group who had dizziness as a side effect in the short-term trials). I personally found reading the pamphlet interesting and good for relieving anxiety, but I was approaching it from a data analysis perspective and was trying to keep a firm lid on hypochondriac feelings.
My psychiatrist called back and said to do half pill a day for a week and then see if I can go to zero from there. He recommended having the half pill with peanut butter. The pamphlet said that if necessary, the capsule can be broken open and sprinkled on a spoonful of applesauce.
I agree with Scott, and other posters here, always be careful to slowly reduce dose. A nurse friend of mine had me vow not to go off the medication without doing it under psychiatric care, and chided me when she found out I'd dropped the last dose 3 days early.
Thanks for the benadryl advice, but I'm not going to try it. As it is, most medication (over the counter, etc), gives me side effects. Effexor was one of the ones that didn't, except for the blood pressure! So far, non-medication options which help are hot tea (caffienated black or green), exercise, reading a good book, and sleep. Dizziness and concentration problems seem to get much worse when I'm getting hungry, so food helps as well. I'm also going to be checking to see if I have low blood pressure (which dizziness is also a symptom of), as the main reason for discontinuing Effexor is because it increases my blood pressure.
I'll do the half pill a day as the doctor recommended. We'll see how it goes. I was actually planning on waiting until I was completely done with the Effexor and post my "No Effexor XR horrors" story here to let people know that there is at least one case where the dose reduction was easy!
-Meg
Posted by SLS on June 14, 2005, at 15:49:16
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » SLS, posted by apenname on June 14, 2005, at 13:06:49
Hi Meg.
I'm glad you opted to continue to taper the Effexor.
I have suggested to others an Effexor discontinuation method that I discovered works well for me. It is a flexible-dosing strategy that manages to establish a taper rate that matches the brain's rate of compensation for dosage reductions. It involves taking several very small doses of Effexor throughout the day. You might want to look back on some of my earlier posts in the "Previous Periods" archive at the top of the page.
Once you reach 75mg or less of Effexor:
Briefly, you end up using small amounts of Effexor as needed (PRN) in much the same way as you would use aspirin for a headache. You wait for the withdrawal symptoms to reappear before taking your next dose. Ideally you take the amount of Effexor that will allow you to remain symptom-free for 6-8 hours. This takes a bit of experimentation, but precision is not really necessary. You don't have to be exact in cutting up tablets or counting the pellets inside a capsule. An approximation is good enough because your dosing time remains flexible. At some point, it will not be possible to reduce the dosage any further and remain without symptoms for 6 hours. This is when you discontinue the drug entirely. Hopefully, the withdrawal syndrome will be mild and brief.
- Scott
Posted by feelin crazy on June 25, 2005, at 0:50:35
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last? » SLS, posted by 4WD on May 8, 2005, at 23:30:55
Its me again, I keep reading! I cant get away from this site. I have one Effexor 150 mg. tab left over. Im going to try and open the cap and take a small amount. God willing it will take some of the edge away from feeing so agitated and keep me from crying! Thank you all for posting on this page. I know I would have wondered what was wrong with me if I had not stumbled onto this site.
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