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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Joanie on May 27, 2003, at 12:42:19
Has anyone ever gotten really sick after missing just one dose of effexor? I've been taking 150 mgs and decided to stop taking it as it wasn't working for me. I skipped a dose(per my dr.'s instruction) and suffered with a migraine and vomiting and dizziness for almost 4 days! Even Imititrex didn't get rid of the headache. Finally went to the Dr and they gave me a new migraine pill - Frova - which I had never heard of, but it finally got rid of that headache. I am now taking the effexor starter pack (backwards) to ween off of it. Does anyone think that missing a dose caused all of that? Really curious. I hate effexor!!
Posted by Snoozy on May 27, 2003, at 14:05:41
In reply to Effexor-missed a dose and got sick as a dog...., posted by Joanie on May 27, 2003, at 12:42:19
Hi -
I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience. Based on my experience with Effexor, I would think that missing a dose could have all of those effects.
I wasn't advised to taper off and stopped taking it cold turkey <shudder>. I have heard that taking small doses of Prozac helps with Effexor withdrawl, because the half-life of Prozac is so much longer.
I also suffer from migraines, and I'm thinking that if you use Imitrex and it usually works for you, the missed dose caused a somewhat different migraine.
BTW, the half-life of Frova is 26 hours, versus about 3-4 with all of the other triptans. (But the name makes me think of the Muppets!)
> Has anyone ever gotten really sick after missing just one dose of effexor? I've been taking 150 mgs and decided to stop taking it as it wasn't working for me. I skipped a dose(per my dr.'s instruction) and suffered with a migraine and vomiting and dizziness for almost 4 days! Even Imititrex didn't get rid of the headache. Finally went to the Dr and they gave me a new migraine pill - Frova - which I had never heard of, but it finally got rid of that headache. I am now taking the effexor starter pack (backwards) to ween off of it. Does anyone think that missing a dose caused all of that? Really curious. I hate effexor!!
Posted by fanni on May 27, 2003, at 16:54:03
In reply to Re: Effexor-missed a dose and got sick as a dog.... » Joanie, posted by Snoozy on May 27, 2003, at 14:05:41
yeah im just starting on it,im taking it really like not how im supposed to,i took one yesterday,but not today and id a shite headache all day,didnt know why til i read this.it really makes you think what the hell are they putting us on?i think that frequently,its so easy for them,just scribble a prescriptn and be done with it.
you could try feverfew capulses from a healhfood store,a natural way to relieve headaches,just cos its a herbal thing doesnt mean its not good.also lavender oil dabbed on the temples is great.
Posted by stjames on May 27, 2003, at 21:37:09
In reply to Effexor-missed a dose and got sick as a dog...., posted by Joanie on May 27, 2003, at 12:42:19
This is a function of Effexors short half life;
common to any AD with a short half life. Best
to squirrel away some Effexor here and there
or some atavin.
Posted by ST on May 28, 2003, at 3:11:53
In reply to Effexor-missed a dose and got sick as a dog...., posted by Joanie on May 27, 2003, at 12:42:19
> Has anyone ever gotten really sick after missing just one dose of effexor? I've been taking 150 mgs and decided to stop taking it as it wasn't working for me. I skipped a dose(per my dr.'s instruction) and suffered with a migraine and vomiting and dizziness for almost 4 days! Even Imititrex didn't get rid of the headache. Finally went to the Dr and they gave me a new migraine pill - Frova - which I had never heard of, but it finally got rid of that headache. I am now taking the effexor starter pack (backwards) to ween off of it. Does anyone think that missing a dose caused all of that? Really curious. I hate effexor!!
_________________________________________________Absolutely!! It took me four months to totally wean myself off Effexor because of the onset of flu-like symptoms when I would either miss a dose or taper off. I had some of the 37.5 mg tablets left and eventually got down to chipping away at the pill so I could get my Effexor "fix" for the day and continue working.The weird thing is that my doctor was so thoroughly surprised when he realized how hard it is to get off Effexor. These doctors prescribe this stuff and don't even know important facts like this!!
Effexor can be a life-saver to many people. You may benefit greatly from it as long as you're aware of it's half life and what can happen if you miss a dose or take less than your prescribed dose.
Good luck!
Sarah
Posted by Joanie on May 28, 2003, at 9:43:14
In reply to Effexor-missed a dose and got sick as a dog...., posted by Joanie on May 27, 2003, at 12:42:19
Man, it really is amazing how this stuff has affected people. Thanks to you all who answered my post, now I know it wasn't a virus, or a weather front coming through causing the headache. I still have about 3 more days of the 75 mgs, then down for a week to the 37.5 mgs. I pray I don't have any problems stopping when they are gone! It may be a wonder medication for some people, I hope so, but for me, I was only on it for a short time, and I absolutely hate it and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Thanks to all!
Posted by BWII on May 28, 2003, at 16:28:37
In reply to Effexor-missed a dose and got sick as a dog...., posted by Joanie on May 27, 2003, at 12:42:19
Every time I missed a dose (just quit for good this past weekend) I felt horrible, violent and had brain shocks. Glad to hear you escaping from this mess, and I hope I too am successful!!!
Posted by Janelle on May 28, 2003, at 18:57:34
In reply to Effexor-missed a dose and got sick as a dog...., posted by Joanie on May 27, 2003, at 12:42:19
I can't say I ever got sick from missing one dose of Effexor, BUT even with a gradual, slow taper off from it (That med really messed me up bigtime; I hate it), when I was entirely off it, I did feel dizzy and got those brain shocks (electrical shocks also in my legs when I walked). Luckily, this stuff only lasted a few days and I could function with it. I would suggest and this is ONLY a suggestion from a layperson, that when you get down to the 37.5mg/day stage and you're approaching stopping it, do not - alternate on day with it and one day without it for a week, then stop it completely. I've heard this can help with meds that have bad withdrawal problems.
(for what it's worth, I went through very bad withdrawal from Paxil before it became widely known and cautioned by the company that it can cause this because of its short half-life. I was SICK AS A DOG for days after I'd stopped that one)
Posted by noa on May 29, 2003, at 16:45:23
In reply to Re: Effexor-missed a dose and got sick as a dog.... » Joanie, posted by Janelle on May 28, 2003, at 18:57:34
I have had the experience--I missed a dose--Effexor XR--once and then it seemed too late in the day to take it so I figured I'd wait until the next morning. Well, BIG mistake. I can't even describe the discomfort but it was bad.
When I was taking the regular release, I used to notice that the doses had to be very on time or very close to it, or I felt sick.
This is the end of the thread.
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