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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by justjustine on February 3, 2004, at 14:43:07
In reply to Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by Laurajean on February 2, 2004, at 23:59:18
yes, i had all these symptoms. i used (and am still using, actually) vicodin. it was the only thing that helped in any real, immediate way.
i'm on week 4 effexor-free. i also recommend acupuncture - i've gone in 3 times in the last week and a half and feel it has helped immensely. i knew an acupuncturist who had experience with drug withdrawals - she hadn't dealt with effexor, but she had seen a lot of my problems in other withdrawal syndromes and i think that helped as well.
be sure to stay hydrated. ginger tea is good for your stomach. pot is better, but you have to take a lot for it to be effective, and that might not agree with you (thank god it agrees with me!). i went from 150 to 75 by myself over 2 months, then agreed with my doctor to go down to 37 for a week then to 0. i really suffered a LOT, but believe it would have only been a long and horrible wait to try to taper down more slowly.
best of luck! you will come out the other side - i'm starting to myself, so i know it's true. and what's even better is when your sex drive comes back - i am having psychedelic orgasms i could never have imagined in my life! it's like i was all numb and now my whole nervous system seems to be rebounding. and the end my tongue is hypersensitive to touch, to the point that i feel like i could almost have an "oral orgasm" - okay that's probably too much information, but it's just what's real!
Posted by jiggitykid on February 3, 2004, at 16:34:06
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by justjustine on February 3, 2004, at 14:43:07
You Wrote:"best of luck! you will come out the other side - i'm starting to myself, so i know it's true. and what's even better is when your sex drive comes back - i am having psychedelic orgasms i could never have imagined in my life! it's like i was all numb and now my whole nervous system seems to be rebounding. and the end my tongue is hypersensitive to touch, to the point that i feel like i could almost have an "oral orgasm" - okay that's probably too much information, but it's just what's real!"
Enjoy it while it lasts. It, too, settles down.
Posted by Laurajean on February 3, 2004, at 22:07:29
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by jiggitykid on February 3, 2004, at 16:34:06
Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for your help w/this.....it's good to know I'm not freaking going crazy! The first time I had any withdrawal symptoms I just missed ONE dose b/c I ran out and I got so horribly sick. It always seemed easier to stay on it than try to come off, but I don't want to be on any drug that messes this much w/my body.Someone mentioned vicodin...did your doc prescribe it or did you have the good fortune of having some around? Is there any other otc stuff u can use to "take the edge off" the symptoms? I might try benadryl and I've been taking ibuprofen.
Also.....this might be a weird question...but i 'm 28; I've been on some form of psychotropic meds (mostly anti-d's) since I was 13. I've had virtually NO sex drive, which I blamed on past trauma. But I am now thinking it could equally be the fact I've on antidepressants since beginning puberty and that at the very least, it hasn't helped! Funny my docs have never been concerned....I am looking forward to seeing what happens as I come off. It will be my first time OFF psych meds in fifteen years! :)
Thanks again,
laura
Posted by jiggitykid on February 4, 2004, at 7:39:51
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by Laurajean on February 3, 2004, at 22:07:29
Bless your heart! Please, do this with caution. I hope you have a good doctor who cares and will listen throughout all of this. As for the sex drive, with me, it came roaring back as I was going through withdrawal. It has settled down (although hubby wishes that it had stayed up!!), and is more "normal," than it has been for years. Every sensation was heightened there for a while. So please, understand that this is what is going on and make decisions carefully. I saw this as a bright spot during the rest of the garbage!! Enjoy, but don't forget to take care of yourself!! :-)
Posted by amanda818 on February 4, 2004, at 9:05:48
In reply to not doing so well, posted by Dr...Not! on February 3, 2004, at 13:41:59
Effexor XR is the 2nd drug I've been on - Paxil being the first, but due to the weight gain, got off that one (50 lbs in less than a year). Withdrawl from Paxil was exactly what everyone said it was, and obviously there is a lot of information about it, however Effexor XR has been different for me. I still have the vertigo (feeling dizzy/having drunk-vision) but something new hit me today - I had the first panick attack I've EVER had! I was sitting in the middle of class and just started... panicking! For no reason! I was not on the meds for panic attacks - so this is the first one I've ever experienced. What do I do? How do I help control them? I can't afford to feel crazy like that in the middle of class! Any advice? (original reason for meds was to control mood swings - had a hard time getting over the little things, but nothing dramatic really, just more like a bad teenager-like response. Was prescribed the first drug by what I now know was a totally incompetent/inexperienced doctor, but being young, I had no idea what to ask. So thus begun my trip, just FYI)
Posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 10:18:48
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by Laurajean on February 3, 2004, at 22:07:29
hi - i'm the one who has been touting vicodin for effexor withdrawal relief. i had some leftover from a back problem and started with that, then got more from a friend until i could get to my doctor, so i had been taking it for a week already by the time i got into my PCPs office.
i think it really depends on the doctor, and unfortunately i doubt many doctors will be willing to prescribe like this? (i ended up seeing my PCPs partner, and later the PCP got upset that her partner prescribed me the vicodin) seeing as how most don't even believe (or have simply never heard) that there is a horrible, horrible withdrawal syndrome that may be caused by discontinuing effexor.
for me, it helped so much that i was fully prepared to order it online, expense be damned. and if i couldn't have done that i probably would have been reduced to buying in the streets. yes, the withdrawal was that bad, and the vicodin helped that much! thank god i didn't have to go there.
i'm praying for everyone that ever even has to hear about this drug! good luck all!
p.s. i am now working with my psychiatrist, who is refilling my vicodin until i can taper off. i'm also on lots of pot, and ambien at night to sleep. but NO ssri's or other benzo stuff! yay! and i'm getting a new PCP.
> Hi everyone,
> Thank you so much for your help w/this.....it's good to know I'm not freaking going crazy! The first time I had any withdrawal symptoms I just missed ONE dose b/c I ran out and I got so horribly sick. It always seemed easier to stay on it than try to come off, but I don't want to be on any drug that messes this much w/my body.
>
> Someone mentioned vicodin...did your doc prescribe it or did you have the good fortune of having some around? Is there any other otc stuff u can use to "take the edge off" the symptoms? I might try benadryl and I've been taking ibuprofen.
>
> Also.....this might be a weird question...but i 'm 28; I've been on some form of psychotropic meds (mostly anti-d's) since I was 13. I've had virtually NO sex drive, which I blamed on past trauma. But I am now thinking it could equally be the fact I've on antidepressants since beginning puberty and that at the very least, it hasn't helped! Funny my docs have never been concerned....I am looking forward to seeing what happens as I come off. It will be my first time OFF psych meds in fifteen years! :)
>
> Thanks again,
> laura
Posted by Dr...Not! on February 4, 2004, at 11:54:44
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 10:18:48
You've got quite a chemical soup in your body: Effexor, Ambien, Vicodin and pot. Try not to add anything new to the mix until you've maintained a level of stability for a few weeks. If you can, keep a daily journal of your physical and mental condition, so that you can monitor what happens as your dosages change. (That's the one thing I can't seem to do, and it has caused so many problems!)
As for me, I went to see my counsellor today, at the request of my shrink. It wasn't a total waste of time, because the counsellor supported my feelings against the Effexor, and will speak to the shrink about it. The counsellor said there's no reason to continue on a drug that causes me such physical misery and we should have tried a few of the many other drugs on the market. I suppose I should be thankful; however, now that I've had to increase my Effexor dosage, I'll have to go through the withdrawal again. Can you ever win?
Posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 12:12:48
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help! » justjustine, posted by Dr...Not! on February 4, 2004, at 11:54:44
well, i'm off effexor for nearly 4 weeks now, so count that one out. and i feel my soup is far superior to the klonopin, xanax, serzone, with a vicodin taper (because that is probably inevitable now) and compazine suppositories for the nausea - that's the soup i'd be on now if i was going along with "doctors' wishes."
so that's it - vicodin, ambien, pot. i do keep a journal and am improving consistently both mentally and physically on a daily basis. although the physical withdrawal problems have far, far outweighed any mental ones.
i don't know if i'm winning the war, but i feel like the battle is going pretty well!
> You've got quite a chemical soup in your body: Effexor, Ambien, Vicodin and pot. Try not to add anything new to the mix until you've maintained a level of stability for a few weeks. If you can, keep a daily journal of your physical and mental condition, so that you can monitor what happens as your dosages change. (That's the one thing I can't seem to do, and it has caused so many problems!)
>
> As for me, I went to see my counsellor today, at the request of my shrink. It wasn't a total waste of time, because the counsellor supported my feelings against the Effexor, and will speak to the shrink about it. The counsellor said there's no reason to continue on a drug that causes me such physical misery and we should have tried a few of the many other drugs on the market. I suppose I should be thankful; however, now that I've had to increase my Effexor dosage, I'll have to go through the withdrawal again. Can you ever win?
Posted by jiggitykid on February 4, 2004, at 13:13:44
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 12:12:48
This probably sounds like a stupid question - but when you say pot, do you mean marijuana? That pot? And do you live in a state where it can be prescribed? Just curious - it's not a legal option here :-).
Posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 13:23:05
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by jiggitykid on February 4, 2004, at 13:13:44
yes, cannabis. indica is better for neurological symptoms, more sedating. i'm in california and do have a medical marijuana card. i smoke it, but also vaporize and eat it too.
marijuana is a very different thing when you are using it medically, and in my experience you have to use what seems like a lot for it to work. i'm using at least a gram a day, but it works and i'm okay with the side effects. it's pretty much like anything else - do it enough and you build tolerance to where you don't really get "high" anymore!
sorry to hear it is not legal where you are, having legal access to cannabis has been incredibly helpful in my situation.
> This probably sounds like a stupid question - but when you say pot, do you mean marijuana? That pot? And do you live in a state where it can be prescribed? Just curious - it's not a legal option here :-).
Posted by flyingdreams on February 4, 2004, at 17:40:58
In reply to Re: not doing so well, posted by jiggitykid on February 3, 2004, at 14:24:10
Try Bentyl or it's generic form, both work very well for IBS, if I'm having an attack it stops it. Take for about a week when you have an attack, then stop.
Posted by Ieva on February 17, 2004, at 19:41:39
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by justjustine on February 4, 2004, at 13:23:05
Hey everyone. Just happened to check out this page when I went searching for answers to my latest "weirdness". I went cold-turkey off of Effexor (225mg XR) about 48 hrs ago, (due to my lack of sexual desire, AGAIN!!- having bad luck with SSRI's)and since then I have had the EXTREME itching that a few people mentioned above; I've had this "vertigo-type" feeling every time I stand up or move my head left or right, basically all day; slight nausea and loss of appetite; food tastes different; dizziness.... the list goes on.
I just wanted to express my relief that I finally found out that it WAS from the Effexor. I was beginning to think I was pregnant or had a brain tumor or something. It really is an awful feeling (the vertigo/dizziness thing especially), and I'm looking forward to this going away ASAP. Can anyone tell me when this tapers off at all? It is a shame that DRs don't warn you of the significance of these problems before putting you on Effexor and others.
Also, for those who haven't tried Wellbutrin XR, beware! It is an excellent AD in my opinion, but I had severe headaches for about 2 months before they stopped, and was ready to give up on it. Don't give up! The H/A's do go away and it will be worth it. But again, I had no luck with it's supposed "low" sexual side effects, so I stopped taking it. No W/Ds noted from that to the Effexor, though.
CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND AN ANTIDEPRESSENT WITH LOW SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS THAT REALLY WORKS???
Thanks. Cheer up everyone!! :)
Posted by Clayton on February 17, 2004, at 20:17:59
In reply to Effexor W/D's, Wellbutrin problems, NO SEX DRIVE!, posted by Ieva on February 17, 2004, at 19:41:39
I have excellant results with Remaron with NO sexual side-effects. I had used SSRI's and I know what you're talking aout when refer to loss of libido! (IT's was like this: "Gee, Didn't I used to find womwn interesting in a stimulating and exciting way? Where this that go?).
Posted by jiggitykid on February 17, 2004, at 22:21:20
In reply to Effexor W/D's, Wellbutrin problems, NO SEX DRIVE!, posted by Ieva on February 17, 2004, at 19:41:39
No recommendations for no sexual side effects. They ALL kill mine. As for the tapering of the withdrawal, after about two weeks I realized things were lessening, and about a month later the zaps were pretty much gone. The itchiness didn't last long with me. The vision problems have remained, although not as severe as at first. Good luck!
Posted by snoozie on February 18, 2004, at 0:21:47
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help! » justjustine, posted by Dr...Not! on February 4, 2004, at 11:54:44
Thank god I found this forum...I've been tapering off effexor for the last two weeks and have been itching like crazy. Thought maybe I had a disease or something. Yesterday was my first day with no effexor and seems like I am having every withdrawal symptom mentioned...
itchiness, headaches, nausea, pounding heart, jitters, vertigo, weird dreams, you name it.The really strange thing is when I told my dr. I didn't want to be on effexor anymore due to its side effects, he told me to just stop taking it. Didn't seem to know anything about withdrawal. I even made him look up the drug literature and of course, there was nothing written about withdrawal symptoms. I insisted on tapering off and the doc went along with it -- can't even imagine how bad the withdrawal would be cold-turkey when tapering has been this unpleasant. However, I am determined to see this through...just hope it doesn't last too long!
Posted by mamo on February 18, 2004, at 1:03:13
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by snoozie on February 18, 2004, at 0:21:47
I too am in the midst of trying to rid my body of this awful Effexor. No I was not informed of the terrible side effects of withdrawal. I have been on other other anti-depressants and NEVER, NEVER, had these horrible withdrawals. I can't sleep and when I do I have terrible nightmares. The constant zzt, zzt everytime I move my eyes is distressing not to mention the blurred vision that comes from time to time. The crying jags are so bad I can't stand it. My husband keeps telling me I have to snap out of it. If only I could.
Posted by jiggitykid on February 18, 2004, at 9:21:59
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by mamo on February 18, 2004, at 1:03:13
Send your husband to this board and tell him from all of us that he needs to shut up and support you right now! YOU CAN'T HELP ANY OF WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH!!! You are not being wimpy, you are not being silly, you are not being selfish. Block out his criticisms and just concentrate on healing. I am praying for you. Know that what you are feeling is NORMAL for withdrawal from this drug from hell (and I'll believe that for the rest of my life, regardless, so no flaming or stories otherwise, please). Hang in there!!
Posted by snoozie on February 18, 2004, at 13:07:19
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by jiggitykid on February 18, 2004, at 9:21:59
None of these withdrawal symptoms are in our head! Snapping out of it isn't an option - wish it were.
I'm on my third day with no effexor and today is a little better. I eliminated my daily coffee (my jitters bad enough without it)and substituted chamomile tea to help settle my stomach. Seems to be helping. I still don't have much mental clarity and last night the noise in my head was awful. Slept in until 8:30 am today - figured I need to take care of myself.
I do feel calmer today.We just need to hang in there.....it WILL get better!
Posted by cpallen79 on February 18, 2004, at 13:42:37
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by jiggitykid on February 18, 2004, at 9:21:59
I understand what you are going through. Be strong, understand its a lengthy process, and don't allow yourself to be discouraged. You can do it, we all have absolute faith in you.
Posted by Dr...Not! on February 18, 2004, at 16:50:12
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by cpallen79 on February 18, 2004, at 13:42:37
My psychiatrist mentioned at our last meeting that: once you have withdrawn from an antidepressant, you run a strong risk of it not working at all if you try to use it again sometime in the future. This came up in the context of increasing my dose of Effexor XR because my depression came back on a lower dose. She said it was "common knowledge" among psychiatrists. I've NEVER heard or read of this before. How about you guys?
Posted by Laurajean on February 18, 2004, at 20:40:38
In reply to You all need to know this, posted by Dr...Not! on February 18, 2004, at 16:50:12
Hey there,
I've never heard that and have been to a number of psychiatrists and on and off every ssri out there. I would be interested in clinical data to back that up......but in my experience, I haven't seen that. Interesting. Hang in there,Laura
Posted by Laurajean on February 18, 2004, at 20:46:22
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack! Help!, posted by cpallen79 on February 18, 2004, at 13:42:37
Hi everyone,
Thank you so so so so much for helping through the first few days. I have been withdrawing since I first posted.....down to 150 from 300. I was supposed to be going much slower, but the side-effects seemed just as bad and frankly, I don't want to be going through this for the seven month plan the shrink I'd seen one time had outlined. I've been on 150 about a week and a half, and things are lessening a little but still feel pretty awful most days.Question....did any of you have psych symptoms of w/d in addition to the physical? I am freaking out a little b/c some of the symptoms I had a long time ago are resurfacing a bit. Like I had a panic attack a few nights ago and haven't had one in maybe five years. also some SI impulses coming up, again symptoms have been in remission for a number of years. I am *hoping* this is a result of a.) stress b.) w/d and NOT b/c I need the effexor!
Thanks again....
laura
Posted by jiggitykid on February 18, 2004, at 22:04:49
In reply to Re: Effexor w/d.....ack--UPDATE!, posted by Laurajean on February 18, 2004, at 20:46:22
YES to the freak outs. I had feelings of panic and one full panic attack, which I have not had in years, during the withdrawal period. I went cold-turkey, for just the reason you said - I could not STAND the idea of dragging it out any longer than it had to. Do what is best for you and easiest on your body. Cold-turkey was rough, but it was only the first two weeks that were really bad, the second two were bad but tolerable, and the next two were just kind of flu-like. Take care of yourself. Do what you need to, and try to avoid driving at night, if at all possible.
Posted by micro on February 19, 2004, at 0:46:45
In reply to You all need to know this, posted by Dr...Not! on February 18, 2004, at 16:50:12
> My psychiatrist mentioned at our last meeting that: once you have withdrawn from an antidepressant, you run a strong risk of it not working at all if you try to use it again sometime in the future. This came up in the context of increasing my dose of Effexor XR because my depression came back on a lower dose. She said it was "common knowledge" among psychiatrists. I've NEVER heard or read of this before. How about you guys?
Hello, That is simply not true> If you suffer from a reocurring episode of depression and responded well to a particular antidepressant, there is no reason to believe that it will be no longer efficacious for you until you have revisited it. I am amazed at some of the comments that are posted here.
Regards, Micro
Posted by djsarah on February 20, 2004, at 9:41:09
In reply to MANY THANKS God Bless us, everyone, posted by zingaling on January 23, 2004, at 12:02:51
hey, about the 'numbing of extremities' thing - yes, I've been noticing that!! No one else has seemed to mention it, but I find my feet fall asleep really easily. Then they feel really weird and cold and i have to stamp them or rub them to get rid of it -- not the most convenient thing in class!! i've never really had a problem with it before. I decreased from 225 to 150mg three weeks ago.
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