![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lisa99 on June 8, 2001, at 10:19:57
I tried to come off Effexor XR in September at the same time going on to Topamax (which I had been on before but had absolutely no effect). It was a nightmare. I had a reverse effect to the Topamax in that I had the worst swings ever. With respect to the Effexor XR, I had the terrible dizziness/blood-brain surges which affected my vision and hearing. I came off the Topamax, and went back on to only 37.5 of Effexor. Based upon entries on this website which I discovered after this ordeal (THANK GOD FOR DR. BOB'S SITE), I decided about two months ago to try to come off the Effexor again but wean myself off for awhile at 1/2 of the 37.5...in the middle of that taper, I was given Effexor SR "by mistake" at the pharmacy (apparently it is in their best interest monetarily to push for patients to take SR--it was not prescribed for me, nor was my doctor called, but I'm not going to do anything about it). I returned to the XR and again begain the weaning process. I did that for about 3 weeks with eventually taking it once every other day, then third day, etc. I've been off it completely for about 5-7 days, and am experiencing a lesser version of the same dizziness/blood-brain surges I had back in September. I also experience the phenomena that it feels that if you move your head too quickly the "outside" of your head moves but the "inside" takes a few seconds to "catch up" and realign itself to the outside.
I've been on the Effexor XR for probably 12 to 18 months in combination with Wellbutrin and Depakote (and Klonopin mostly for Restless Leg Syndrome).
QUESTIONS:
1. Has anyone experienced what I am describing;
2. How long does it generally take to experience COMPLETE withdrawal from Effexor XR; and
3. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the tapering approach I took and if I should try some other tapering method?
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 8, 2001, at 10:39:00
In reply to Effexor brain flutters, posted by lisa99 on June 8, 2001, at 10:19:57
Louie, Alan K. MD. Lannon, Richard A. MD. Kirsch, Michael A. MD. Lewis, Thomas B. MD. Venlafaxine Withdrawal Reactions. American Journal of Psychiatry. 153(12):1652, December 1996:
"...These patients appear to have suffered venlafaxine withdrawal reactions, which involved mainly gastrointestinal distress and dizziness within 1-3 days after drug discontinuation or dose reduction. Other symptoms included an auditory hallucination and illusion, bizarre dreams, and a shock-like sensation in the neck. Symptoms were clinically significant but not life-threatening, and all resolved upon reintroduction of the drug or an increase in dose."
Posted by Zo on June 9, 2001, at 3:04:16
In reply to Re: Effexor brain flutters » lisa99, posted by SalArmy4me on June 8, 2001, at 10:39:00
Gee, your brain flutters sound an awful lot like my TLE seizures. Which Effexor doesn't aggravate in the least. My only bad Effexor experience I brought on myself, by stopping abruptly. Am back on it now, and for me, it's the closest thing to invisible. Sorry to hear about your bad experiences. Pharmacies? Someone picks up my meds for me -- and they've been sent home with completely the wrong drug more than once. Caveat emptor.
Posted by Reets612 on June 18, 2001, at 0:28:35
In reply to Effexor brain flutters, posted by lisa99 on June 8, 2001, at 10:19:57
Hi Lisa,
I felt the same brain flutters for about the 1st 3 weeks while withdrawing. I broke open the capsules and then slowly decreased the amount of the little balls that I took everyday. On the 2nd week I started taking Sam-e, 5HTP and Valerian and that seemed to improve my moods. I have had several really bad mood swings where I felt I was unable to control my temper. I have been feeling ok for the past week...with just a little bout of depression. I have noticed that since taking Effexor, I have a little black blindspot in my left hand field of vision. I am going to make an appt with my opthamologist to see what is up with that. Effexor helped at first but, I think the side effects are very dangerous and I'm not sure what the final outcome will be for my taking Effexor for 15 months. Needless to say, I will never take Effexor again.
Thanks, Rita
> I tried to come off Effexor XR in September at the same time going on to Topamax (which I had been on before but had absolutely no effect). It was a nightmare. I had a reverse effect to the Topamax in that I had the worst swings ever. With respect to the Effexor XR, I had the terrible dizziness/blood-brain surges which affected my vision and hearing. I came off the Topamax, and went back on to only 37.5 of Effexor. Based upon entries on this website which I discovered after this ordeal (THANK GOD FOR DR. BOB'S SITE), I decided about two months ago to try to come off the Effexor again but wean myself off for awhile at 1/2 of the 37.5...in the middle of that taper, I was given Effexor SR "by mistake" at the pharmacy (apparently it is in their best interest monetarily to push for patients to take SR--it was not prescribed for me, nor was my doctor called, but I'm not going to do anything about it). I returned to the XR and again begain the weaning process. I did that for about 3 weeks with eventually taking it once every other day, then third day, etc. I've been off it completely for about 5-7 days, and am experiencing a lesser version of the same dizziness/blood-brain surges I had back in September. I also experience the phenomena that it feels that if you move your head too quickly the "outside" of your head moves but the "inside" takes a few seconds to "catch up" and realign itself to the outside.
>
> I've been on the Effexor XR for probably 12 to 18 months in combination with Wellbutrin and Depakote (and Klonopin mostly for Restless Leg Syndrome).
>
> QUESTIONS:
> 1. Has anyone experienced what I am describing;
> 2. How long does it generally take to experience COMPLETE withdrawal from Effexor XR; and
> 3. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the tapering approach I took and if I should try some other tapering method?
Posted by Reets612 on June 18, 2001, at 0:28:44
In reply to Effexor brain flutters, posted by lisa99 on June 8, 2001, at 10:19:57
Hi Lisa,
I felt the same brain flutters for about the 1st 3 weeks while withdrawing. I broke open the capsules and then slowly decreased the amount of the little balls that I took everyday. On the 2nd week I started taking Sam-e, 5HTP and Valerian and that seemed to improve my moods. I have had several really bad mood swings where I felt I was unable to control my temper. I have been feeling ok for the past week...with just a little bout of depression. I have noticed that since taking Effexor, I have a little black blindspot in my left hand field of vision. I am going to make an appt with my opthamologist to see what is up with that. Effexor helped at first but, I think the side effects are very dangerous and I'm not sure what the final outcome will be for my taking Effexor for 15 months. Needless to say, I will never take Effexor again.
Thanks, Rita
> I tried to come off Effexor XR in September at the same time going on to Topamax (which I had been on before but had absolutely no effect). It was a nightmare. I had a reverse effect to the Topamax in that I had the worst swings ever. With respect to the Effexor XR, I had the terrible dizziness/blood-brain surges which affected my vision and hearing. I came off the Topamax, and went back on to only 37.5 of Effexor. Based upon entries on this website which I discovered after this ordeal (THANK GOD FOR DR. BOB'S SITE), I decided about two months ago to try to come off the Effexor again but wean myself off for awhile at 1/2 of the 37.5...in the middle of that taper, I was given Effexor SR "by mistake" at the pharmacy (apparently it is in their best interest monetarily to push for patients to take SR--it was not prescribed for me, nor was my doctor called, but I'm not going to do anything about it). I returned to the XR and again begain the weaning process. I did that for about 3 weeks with eventually taking it once every other day, then third day, etc. I've been off it completely for about 5-7 days, and am experiencing a lesser version of the same dizziness/blood-brain surges I had back in September. I also experience the phenomena that it feels that if you move your head too quickly the "outside" of your head moves but the "inside" takes a few seconds to "catch up" and realign itself to the outside.
>
> I've been on the Effexor XR for probably 12 to 18 months in combination with Wellbutrin and Depakote (and Klonopin mostly for Restless Leg Syndrome).
>
> QUESTIONS:
> 1. Has anyone experienced what I am describing;
> 2. How long does it generally take to experience COMPLETE withdrawal from Effexor XR; and
> 3. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the tapering approach I took and if I should try some other tapering method?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.