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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bob667 on September 17, 2003, at 23:47:17
I've been on effexor xr for almost a year now. It has helped, and things are better. I've been coming down from 150mg a day to currently being completely off the drug. I stepped down a half-dose each week or two, depending on how I've felt.
I currently hear rushing sounds in my ears, am constantly dizzy, and it is difficult to focus my eyes. I feel quite "ill" all of the time. Stillness seems to be the only remedy. Movement makes things much worse. I just put up with the symptoms, I can't just stop life, but now I'm wondering how much longer this goes on.
I've been reducing the dosage for about six weeks now, and have felt pretty ill the whole time. Does this last for days or weeks beyond totally quitting the medication? I don't want to feel like this for much longer. Thanks for any input or suggestions.
Posted by loolot on September 18, 2003, at 0:13:36
In reply to Coming off effexor xr, posted by Bob667 on September 17, 2003, at 23:47:17
When I came off effexor I took benedryl for the horrid symptoms you are describing (quite common) and it helped a lot.
The really bad stuff only lasts a few days, then you will probably have a couple of weeks of rebound depression.
Seems like no matter how slowly you taper off this drug, when you go off completely it hits hard. Try and stick it out. Take benedryl and take some days off.
Posted by slinky on September 18, 2003, at 3:21:50
In reply to Re: Coming off effexor xr, posted by loolot on September 18, 2003, at 0:13:36
If you can -take prozac , it helps a lot with the physical symptoms.
i started prozac at 10MG..NOW ON 40mg. Reduced effexor from 225, now on 150.
Posted by zeldas on September 18, 2003, at 5:20:30
In reply to Coming off effexor xr, posted by Bob667 on September 17, 2003, at 23:47:17
Just wanted to add--I have never before experienced the withdrawal-syndrome so often referred to with antidepressants. But my God effexor--I thought my problems were from the new med I was on. But finally I realized they were from going off effexor--crying, rushing sensation and noises in my head when I moved my eyes up and over, anxiety, --geez it was scary! Went away as soon as I added some effexor. Lord, I had no idea effexor was the motherload of withdrawal-like symptoms!
Posted by galkeepinon on September 18, 2003, at 6:29:37
In reply to Coming off effexor xr, posted by Bob667 on September 17, 2003, at 23:47:33
Hi, Can I ask why you're weaning down??? I know you said 'things are better', maybe the reason for your feelings is because the Effexor is working.
I am the total *I feel great-time to stop the meds* Queen! Hard lesson I had to learn.
I am totally OFF of Effexor now. The withdrawals were horrendous~I won't say they were ok.
BUT, if you hang in with them, most likely they won't kill you (although it feels like it I know)
You will be happy to get that med OUT of your system, in my opinion. I did very well for so long on it but it stopped working for me. I didn't gain weight, it helped me socially, and psychologically.
Ya know, if you hang on there, it will eventually be rid of your body:-)
I promise!
Please, also, talk to your doctor about it~tell him/her what you're experiencing:-)
Hang tough!! I know it is unconfortable but you CAN and WILL be ok:-)
Good luck and keep us posted please.> I've been on effexor xr for almost a year now. It has helped, and things are better. I've been coming down from 150mg a day to currently being completely off the drug. I stepped down a half-dose each week or two, depending on how I've felt.
>
> I currently hear rushing sounds in my ears, am constantly dizzy, and it is difficult to focus my eyes. I feel quite "ill" all of the time. Stillness seems to be the only remedy. Movement makes things much worse. I just put up with the symptoms, I can't just stop life, but now I'm wondering how much longer this goes on.
>
> I've been reducing the dosage for about six weeks now, and have felt pretty ill the whole time. Does this last for days or weeks beyond totally quitting the medication? I don't want to feel like this for much longer. Thanks for any input or suggestions.
Posted by linkadge on September 18, 2003, at 7:07:43
In reply to Coming off effexor xr, posted by Bob667 on September 17, 2003, at 23:47:17
To be honest, you have to withdrawl from this drug much slow than you have.
Open up the capsules and remove the contents spheroid by spheroid.
I would say to come off of 150 mg you would need to take at least 6 months. I know it sounds like forever, but a slow transition will help you phase in other activities that will help you prevent relapse, such as exercise, vitamins, fish oil, whatever. Resume your original dose, or close to it, and go s l o w e r.
Linkadge
Posted by oeps7 on September 18, 2003, at 12:17:06
In reply to Re: Coming off effexor xr » Bob667, posted by galkeepinon on September 18, 2003, at 6:29:37
Bob,
I know what you are going through. I as on effexor 7 years - have been off fo 21/2 weeks now.
The symptoms seem to be going away now but still a bit there.
Benadryl has helped me a great deal. I have gained 5 lbs though because the benadryl has increased my appetite. I find though that it has taken away the motion sick feeling and flu-like symptoms.
This board has helped me a great deal - knowing I am not the only one.Cheers,
Mary
Posted by geo on September 18, 2003, at 19:47:31
In reply to Re: Coming off effexor xr, posted by oeps7 on September 18, 2003, at 12:17:06
Wow.. I just read this thread and I am reassured to know that what I am experiencing is in fact withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, I am re-thinking cutting out Effexor XR 375mg a day cold-turkey. I was told that it only takes about 5 days for Effexor to get out of your system, even at that dose. Does anybody know if this is accurate and if the withdrawal systems can last longer than that? I've never had withdrawal symptoms from anything before so I didn't think this would be a big deal.
Posted by zeldas on September 18, 2003, at 20:06:26
In reply to Re: Coming off effexor xr, posted by geo on September 18, 2003, at 19:47:31
> Wow.. I just read this thread and I am reassured to know that what I am experiencing is in fact withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, I am re-thinking cutting out Effexor XR 375mg a day cold-turkey. I was told that it only takes about 5 days for Effexor to get out of your system, even at that dose. Does anybody know if this is accurate and if the withdrawal systems can last longer than that? I've never had withdrawal symptoms from anything before so I didn't think this would be a big deal.>>>
The 5 day thing? Not that I have heard. It can take days--many. You really need to taper this one off. I even had to taper mine to miniscule amounts--now I am on 25mgs 2 times for day. Frankly, I never really believed this "withdrawal" stuff---because I TOO never had these symptoms from going off any other medication. Effexor, according to my and others experiences, has notorious "withdrawal" symptoms.
I was told to go down every 3 to 6 days in doseage.
Posted by RPS on September 20, 2003, at 2:44:54
In reply to Re: Coming off effexor xr, posted by zeldas on September 18, 2003, at 20:06:26
I was told to reduce by 25% and take it at that level for 4 weeks and then reduce by another 25%.
I am coming off 150mg. Going the first 37.5 mg was easy for 4 weeks. But I am just through the first week at 75mg and it has been HARD. I am also relieved to read that many of the things I am experiencing are actually side-effects. THe "jolting" feeling (particularly when I look to the side), stomach aches, head aches, panic attacks, dizziness, grumpiness and anger (over nothing). I also get flaking skin on my hands and feet whenever I move the doses on these meds.The effects I was having were making me think it was my depression comong back big time and that I would have to go back on them. I am glad to read these are temporary side-effeects that will clear in time. That somehow makes them easier to face. My prayers were answered today in finding this message board!
This is the end of the thread.
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