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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on January 13, 2010, at 15:10:33
Hi folks,
I have been off of Effexor/Venlafaxine for a month. I took 50mgs daily for about 5 years, with a brief stint of 100mgs earlier this year.
I got off the drug due to problems with memory and concentration. I have hypothyroidism, which can also cause these problems, and my psychiatrist and I thought I could be tested once I weaned off.
Well, I did see a rebound of memory and concentration off the drug. But I don't yet feel 'normal' in terms of my ability to remember/concentrate.
It may be that the hypothyroidism is throwing a kink in here. Or it may be that it takes a while to adjust from no longer taking Effexor.
So, question -- did anyone else experience memory/concentration issues while on Effexor, and did they improve after a while off the drug?
Best wishes
Posted by inanimate peanut on January 13, 2010, at 15:59:13
In reply to Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issues, posted by CaffeinePoet on January 13, 2010, at 15:10:33
I was writing my dissertation at the time I was in withdrawal from Effexor, so I'm pretty sure that I would have noticed any cognitive symptoms and I don't remember any. That said, I withdrew extremely slowly, so that might have made a difference too.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on January 13, 2010, at 16:36:45
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issu, posted by inanimate peanut on January 13, 2010, at 15:59:13
ok, your message just convinced me to contact my endocrinologist about an improved treatment for my hypothyroidism.
Posted by inanimate peanut on January 13, 2010, at 17:21:58
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issu » inanimate peanut, posted by CaffeinePoet on January 13, 2010, at 16:36:45
that's probably a good thing to do, but certainly don't take me as the case in point. Others might have had a different experience.
Posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2010, at 19:54:09
In reply to Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issues, posted by CaffeinePoet on January 13, 2010, at 15:10:33
Thyroid definitely in me messes up concentration irreguardless of meds. Phillipa
Posted by CaffeinePoet on January 13, 2010, at 20:33:16
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issues » CaffeinePoet, posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2010, at 19:54:09
> Thyroid definitely in me messes up concentration irreguardless of meds. Phillipa
I hope that the endocrinologist considers T3. I've been in the office often over the past 12 months complaining of fatigue, hair loss, and concentration difficulties. T3 has never once come up.
Posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2010, at 21:33:42
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issues » Phillipa, posted by CaffeinePoet on January 13, 2010, at 20:33:16
My levels are perfect according to endos new standards do I feel well absolutely not. I wish you great luck and let me know what happens? Phillipa
Posted by inanimate peanut on January 14, 2010, at 14:01:31
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issues » Phillipa, posted by CaffeinePoet on January 13, 2010, at 20:33:16
My endocrinologist has refused T3. He says they're taught at school to only use T3 when someone has just had their thyroid removed and to use T4 (synthroid/levothyroxine) in all other cases. That's sad to me since T3 supplementation has been sued successfully to treat depression.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on January 14, 2010, at 14:09:09
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issu » CaffeinePoet, posted by inanimate peanut on January 14, 2010, at 14:01:31
> My endocrinologist has refused T3. He says they're taught at school to only use T3 when someone has just had their thyroid removed and to use T4 (synthroid/levothyroxine) in all other cases. That's sad to me since T3 supplementation has been sued successfully to treat depression.
Yes, obviously though, there have been new studies since he was in med school!
I hope that my endocrinologist considers this. I am tired of being forgetful.
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2010, at 19:47:33
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issu » inanimate peanut, posted by CaffeinePoet on January 14, 2010, at 14:09:09
My endo allowed me to try T3 unfortunatly at the time anxiety was very high so like drinking strong coffee to me. And he's at retirement age. Phillipa
Posted by CaffeinePoet on January 22, 2010, at 21:28:28
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issues » CaffeinePoet, posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2010, at 21:33:42
> My levels are perfect according to endos new standards do I feel well absolutely not. I wish you great luck and let me know what happens? Phillipa
Hey,
I started on T3 today!
I believe that I had less brain fog today. We'll see what happens in the long run.
Best,
CP
Posted by Phillipa on January 22, 2010, at 21:57:20
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issu, posted by CaffeinePoet on January 22, 2010, at 21:28:28
Really? I still have the bottle 5mg or mcg I think. What is your dose? No jitters? That's great will you keep me posted? Love Phillipa
Posted by CaffeinePoet on January 22, 2010, at 22:07:52
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issu » CaffeinePoet, posted by Phillipa on January 22, 2010, at 21:57:20
> Really? I still have the bottle 5mg or mcg I think. What is your dose? No jitters? That's great will you keep me posted? Love Phillipa
No jitters, but I did feel an energy crash later in the day briefly before having dinner.
Posted by wranglergator on January 27, 2010, at 3:57:40
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issu, posted by inanimate peanut on January 13, 2010, at 15:59:13
i was prescribed effexor when it first came out,
eventually ending up on 150 of the extended release daily. at one time i may have been on 225mg, probably near toward the end of the cycle i had built up tolerance since i was on it at least five years. i stopped without weaning and moved on to a newer drug in that class, probably celexa.
i thought it was my brain playing tricks on me but as it turns out i experienced a buzzing sensation (felt and heard) which i figured must have been my synapses re-wiring. nothing traumatic, although i hear some people really complain about this and insist on tapering off over the course of a few weeks.
Posted by Deneb on January 28, 2010, at 2:06:00
In reply to Re: Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawal and memory issu » inanimate peanut, posted by wranglergator on January 27, 2010, at 3:57:40
Hello wranglergator!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! Oh wow, you stopped Effexor cold turkey without weaning? I've heard it's a very difficult med to wean off of. Maybe the buzzing sensation was the only withdrawal symptom that you had.
Deneb
This is the end of the thread.
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