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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 AmandaEffexorScks on August 10, 2005, at 3:39:25
Hi Everybody,
Imagine, 5 days ago I was going through life with a smile on my face completely ignorant to what a "brain shiver" was. After quitting Effexor XR 150 mg on Friday, August 5, after 4 years, I know all too well what that is. These last few days have been brutal. I've had all the symptoms described on these boards and am barely making it through. I feel very alone, mostly, in quitting. Even my mom is like oh great, you're quitting caffeine and what's that other thing? Effexor? Great! Yes, quitting caffeine will really give you those brain shivers.
Anyway, I'm looking to anybody that will just give me some encouragement. Somebody that knows getting through a day at this stage feels like an eternity.
One more thing, I will share something that I haven't read on this board. And since y'all don't know me I'll spill it. I'll try to keep this as benign as possible so if we have some young readers, they will not be scarred. I wake up in the middle of the night and am right in the middle of a climax sensation, if you know what I mean. Though it sounds like a good thing, it doesn't go away and it's kind of torture. But on the other hand, it beats brain shivers anyday.
Seriously, if anybody can offer any encouragement and let me know when I'll start improving, even a little bit, I really need to hear it. The brain shivers come almost every 30 seconds and my house is going to hell and I'm almost always in my bed. I'm a former professional athlete so this is particularly difficult.
Thanks,
Amanda
Posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 10, 2005, at 20:17:06
In reply to DAY 4 of Quitting Effexor, posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 10, 2005, at 3:39:25
I can finally say this is the first day that I've felt better instead of worse. This is something!! I was able to go to the gym, go to the grocery store and clean up the house a bit. The dogs even got fed. I did head back to bed and passed out pretty hard in the afternoon (thank goodness I'm off work for a week) but no nightmares. I still like crying at the drop of the hat but that's fine. I work through it. The brain shivers/weird vertigo sensations are LESS!!! That is HOT!!!
I am drinking tons of water, taking a multi-vit, eating ultra-healthy and getting sweaty atleast once a day.
My appetitite was not huge when I was on Effexor and I was a little under-weight while I was on it but during these withdrawals, I'm hardly hungry at all.
Following a tip on these boards, yesterday and today I've taken Benadryl. It helped relax me and reduce the severity of the shivers.
OK, that's it. Hopefully this helps somebody out. One more thing, though I personally missed the boat, I like the idea of Rabble_Rouser to start taking vitamins BEFORE and during the Effexor withdrawal. Check his posts out. I think he's a fledgling pharmacist.
Amanda
Posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 11, 2005, at 19:55:43
In reply to DAY 4 of Quitting Effexor, posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 10, 2005, at 3:39:25
Wow, day 6? Part of me says that went by fast and part of me can't remember it so clearly as the first days were pretty foggy.
Well, here I am. Just brought my mom on board with the severity of what I have been going through. I was talking to her on the phone today and I just broke and started crying my head off. As I'm not exactly a big cryer on or off the Effexor, this freaked her out. I told her it was the withdrawals and she was packing her bag to come be with me. That's what I'm talking about. I told her to stay put since she's missed most of the fun already. Anyway, it was my first good cry in 5 or 6 years. Wow. Didn't know that was an Effexor side effect until I read these boards. I've been to several funerals where I think the deceased would have been a little put out by my lack of tears.
I just had to pause and cry after I wrote that part about me crying. Does that not paint a picture of my state of mind?
The brain things are much more infrequent and TOLERABLE so far. I seem to get them at night more frequently. Like right now, almost every 30 seconds, but not as intense as the first days. I still have almost no appetite. It is a bit of an effort to eat but I think that's just from the quesiness (sp?) due to the weird vertigo feeling. My tongue feels tingles every once in awhile. Other than that, I would say it's better than yesterday so that is good news.
One thing I'm doing is acupuncture. I did it for the first time on day 4 when I was desperate and again today. Turning to the East as the West has let me down. It helps. I get needles stuck in me, lie in a room for 20 minutes, drink some herbs, and for some inexplicable reason, I feel better.
By the way, I'm feeling some anger towards the drug company that manufactures Effexor. I hope that they will do the right thing and address these withdrawal issues through warning labels, education, etc. Is this outlandish? I certainly hope not. I might have a mission when I feel better.
That's it for today. Going to rent a comedy tonight since Lost in Translation made me sob.
L8,
Amanda
Posted by DizzyNikki2 on August 12, 2005, at 16:56:44
In reply to Re: DAY 6 of Quitting Effexor, posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 11, 2005, at 19:55:43
Hey Amanda and all,
I was trying to post to your thread yesterday but the computer was acting up.
It sounds like we both kicked the effexor on the same day. I posted on the 5th under dizzyNikki but had to change my screen to DizzyNikki too because I was getting some errors. Oh well.
How is it going for you? I have been through some crap. But there will be light at the end of the tunnel. I am starting to get closer I think. The brain shivers don't come until almost evening before I go to bed. I did go through a whole straight day of throwing up though. That was odd.
I started taking St John's Wort after about the third day when I stopped the vomiting. It has worked wonders. ( I also have taken a depakote here and there but haven't taken any today.
YOu know what, I too, even cried and uncontrolably for a few hours. I felt the same way you said you did. It was kind of like, wow, I haven't done this in a long time. My big thing though was I didn't have the urge to go drink or try to supress it like I thought I was doing before.
I think it is important for the people around us to realize what we are going through though because my biggest supporter kept telling me mind over matter. Well, when your mind is shaking its a little hard to get over the matter. My parents have really gotten involved and helped keep me busy. When I am occupied I don't have the brain zaps but then duh, I start to think about them again. Unfortunately, I think the brain zaps are going to be around for a little while. We will make it!
Congrats on your strength and hang in there. I can say I know what you are going through with the withdrawals....and effexor labels should not be telling us it will make us drowsy; instead the withdrawal symptoms that almost everyone gets should be right there in large print. I took depakote, lithium, lexapro, trazadone, Nuerontin (I know drugs are all different) but I never got a withdrawal from any of those. It seems Effexor gets everyone.
Well just wanted to pass on some encouragement. Hope you and all are feeling well today. I actually woke up early this morning and didn't want to go back to bed. Thats just fells good!!!Nikki
Posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 13, 2005, at 1:03:08
In reply to Re: DAY 6 of Quitting Effexor, posted by DizzyNikki2 on August 12, 2005, at 16:56:44
Hi Nikki (and all),
THANK YOU SO MUCH for the note. I'm so lucky to have found somebody in my same boat.
First, I cried when I read your note. My only time today so that's an improvement. It really meant so much to know I'm with somebody else on this. I have read about your story on the boards and was dying b/c I haven't seen a recent post. I was wondering, is she back on the ol' Effexor or is she leading a glorious life. Now I know.
My head started in about 5 pm today. I was cruising the whole day and then yes, it hits me as the day wears on. I wonder if it's fatigue, some vitamin deficiency, perhaps a chemical deficiency? I don't know as I've tried different strategies to prevent them but haven't found anything yet.
I am taking the following: 4 multi vit/day, 400 mg. of Norwegian fish oil, two herbs that the acupunture lady gave me (I'll ask her tomorrow what it is), vitamin B pill 2x/day and water up the wazoo.
Today's outing was to the gym and then to the Korean woman's spa. I'm as Caucasian as they come but I swear, the Western doctors have thoroughly screwed me on the Effexor so as I've said before, I'm going the Eastern route on this. I sat in a sauna and sweated it out for 10 minutes then got a massage. Afterward I had Korean soup consisting of tofu, some seafood, seaweed and some other things I couldn't i.d. The spa is in a Korean section of L.A. so it was quite a cultural event for me. I felt great and am thinking about spending the day there sometime next week.
I laughed at the mind over matter comment you made. Or your well-meaning friends made. I agree, hard to go mind over matter when your brain is shivering.
If you don't mind, please tell me a little bit about yourself. I am wondering where you live, how old your are, why you were put on Effexor, etc. If it's too personal, you can just make it up :)
I'm 39, looking at 40 in less than two weeks, hopefully I will handle that gracefully and not cry the ENTIRE day. I was put on Effexor because of a medical episode that I'm pretty sure I could've worked through on my own. I've never been on any other drugs and never have experienced withdrawals. Kind of why heroin was out of the question. Atleast you get a high off that. Something I didn't experience in the least from Effexor. I have 2 kick-*ss children from my one marriage of 10 years that is now over. They are vacationing in Chicago until Sunday w/ their dad so that's a good thing. I just quit my job after two years and will look for another in September.
Again, Nikki, thanks so much for your info and support.
Amanda
Posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 13, 2005, at 1:24:41
In reply to DAY 4 of Quitting Effexor, posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 10, 2005, at 3:39:25
I am functioning OK at this point. It's still not easy and I feel about 60% of who I once was. That will keep going up but not as fast as I hoped. Days 1-3 were super hard and I couldn't even think about posting those days. Days 4-7 finally showed improvement. At this point, my two issues are that I get the brain shivers in the evening and have trouble falling asleep. I've seen 3:00AM and 4:00AM a few times this week before I break down and take two Excedrin PM's to knock me out. Then I'm passed out asleep until mid-morning and the phone usually wakes me so Lord knows how long I'd be asleep. This is the first day I've made it without a nappy. Hopefully I will slumber without drugging up to do so. It beats the nightmares in the beginning. Still without much of an appetite and have lost about 4 lbs. I was slender to start with so that's a lot for me.
A best girlfriend came over and hung with me. We laughed and I had my first beer. I think that's key - do fun things within moderation, watch comedys, keep it positive.
Better days are coming!
Amanda
Posted by DizzyNikki2 on August 13, 2005, at 16:39:44
In reply to Thank you so much D. Nikki, posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 13, 2005, at 1:03:08
Hey Amanda,
Glad to hear about your progress! I am hanging in here. WOW though, I have been hit lately harder at night with the brain zaps. Sounds like you have been getting your share too. I had plans to go out last night, first time in a week, with a best girlfriend of mine but I was just too dizzy and exhausted. WE made it through dinner and ended up catching a movie. Well better than nothing, it was an evening of laughing so that is always a cure.
Now this is the interesting part, you may not believe this but I have no problems telling you some info about me. and... this is not made up...I live in Florida, just moved back home from up North, My real name is Amanda, Nikki is the nickname and I go by that occassionally but more so Amanda, My birthday is in exactly one week, I will be 25. Yeah!! I get a break on car insurance, see always a positive! I read your post and thought omg that is almost like reading my bio. Coincidence or what?
I changed my screenname lately due to some confusion that I over-reacted too. You can read it in Admin if you want too. I posted in one of my upset moods and anything slightly negative to me is 10 times worse right now while I am getting my head cleared up.
Keeping busy has really been a good avenue for me. When I am occupied I am good.
All in all though, things have been looking good. Luckily for you, you have some awesome kids. You'll get another job. ..but I would take it easy for a bit if you can. I am transitioning careers so I have just been doing training and can afford to take a slight break, but I start full time next Monday. What a great birthday gift, seriously. I am ready to go back to work. You can do it, be strong!
Oh and getting on effexor, my GP started me on Lexapro because lightly put I was homesick, I pursued a career miles away from friends or family, alone, and I hung in there for about 2 years. (but the kicker is I was engaged to be married, and I left my fiance behind) I didn't expect him to wait for me, of course he didn't, and when I found out my faithfulness wasn't reciprocated. It (sh prefixx) hit the fan. I started the whole boozing thing and ended up in rehab for 2 weeks. Thats when they slapped on the whole bi-polar title. Reflecting back on that, thats kind of unfair. Isn't everyone bi-polar nowdays? I then got started on the effexor, lithium, depakote, nuerontin, and trazadone. I should have known how bad effexor was when I couldn't even take it without throwing up for the first two weeks. It was like having morning sickness (not sure though no kids)every time I tried to take it. My entire depression and moods circled around my ex-fiance. I then got involved with someone after rehab who took me for all of my hard earned money and took off to another state. I kind of walked into that one though and have learned to chalk that up to a bad experience and move on. I am kicking this thing with no current income and a haunting past but damn I have some good stories now and advice for other people. I guess its true every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new.
As far as my daily herbals and vitamins, I have found a lot of good in the St John 's Wort. I take about three a day. I picked up the fish oil yesterday just to try that out. I have snuck in a depakote here and there but don't think that does anything but make me more tired. I occasionally take Bonine for Vertigo, but that really doesn't do it either. Wouldn't it be nice to formulate a no-brain zap herbal remedy. I'd be all over that! I lost my cobra, couldn't pay it so going to a DR is not an option. It wasn't good for much anyway cause the DR's here are out of network and i could only go to the ER.
I really can't wait to come to the day when I can wake up and not take a single pill. That is motivation for me.
Hang in there A!!!It gets better and sounds like it is getting better for you and me both. I enjoyed reading your post and appreciate your concern and support. and... happy early Birthday to you, maybe for both of our birthdays we will be withdrawal free. That will be the ultimate gift.Talk to you soon,
DizzyNikki
Posted by ed_uk on August 14, 2005, at 10:39:51
In reply to Re: Thank you so much D. Nikki, posted by DizzyNikki2 on August 13, 2005, at 16:39:44
Hi Nikki,
>I changed my screenname lately due to some confusion that I over-reacted too. You can read it in Admin if you want too.
Dr. Bob just replied to your thread :-) I'm really sorry if I upset you by what I posted.
~Ed
Posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 14, 2005, at 21:03:18
In reply to DAY 4 of Quitting Effexor, posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 10, 2005, at 3:39:25
Hi All,
Today was good, in a way. I faced what could have been an ugly confrontation with the head of the department at my job I quit about two weeks ago. I popped into the office (my friend still works there) and I bumped into her. She was super defensive and took it very personally that I quit, which she probably should have. The fact that she has only been on the job two months and has lost 3 people that have worked for her is getting to her. Anyway, I really tried to stay calm and dignified when she was getting a little nasty. I contained myself very well, it certainly is a dang challenge even at 9 days without the drug. But I kept my dignity when I think I could've gone off on her. But my 18-year-old (not biological, just been hanging out at the house since she was 14) and 10-year-old son were with me. I felt extremely negative after we left the office and the kids felt it too; I had to really focus on letting it go. It was hard but we got on with our day, some friends came by and hung out and it is way behind me.
In short, little daily challenges that life throws at you that aren't really that big of a deal, feel much bigger at this point in my detox from Effexor. Though I could take this moment to bitch, I think this experience of quitting Effexor will give me more strength as a person. I really do.
My friend who is now an accupuncturist (she started a grueling accupuncture program in her late 30's, has a kid, and just finished after 6 years of schooling!), called me on Friday and is seeing me for more needles and herbs. She feels like a detox of the liver is important in the recovery and recommended me buying a juicer, which I did, and juice dense, organic greens such as red chard, celery, wheat grass, parsley, etc. I've been drinking that nasty concoction for about 24 hours now, 3x/day, about 1/3 cup of juice each time. It is nasty but she advised that I will have a nice jump on the detox process. She encouraged the fish oil, multi vitamin, vitamin B, ginko, etc. that I've been taking. Also backed the milk thistle. I do feel much better and am eating very well. Deep greens, tofu and all-natural fish and chicken. Still losing weight but feeling a bit hungrier as the days go on.
OK, I'm sure that is enough for Day 9's update. If I'm boring people to tears, atleast this acts as a nice journaling process for me. I look back at my earlier entries, remember how much worse I felt and have the strength to continue.
Amanda
P.S. Would love to hear how you're doing Nikki.
Posted by Ssspinning on September 14, 2005, at 14:50:35
In reply to Re: DAY 9 of Quitting Effexor, posted by AmandaEffexorScks on August 14, 2005, at 21:03:18
Hi there Amanda!
You're experience is true testimony to what most people go through with this drug! I also really appreciate Nikki's input. I am 23 this Sunday and have been on Effexor XR for about 7 monthes. Boy, does it stink! I originally wanted to stop taking it due to financial reasons, but the fact that i was getting the numb lip feeling if I took my pill a couple hours too late was enough! I took my last pill on Monday. My plan is to go cold turkey and withstand the upcoming horror!
I am beginning to think that these side effects are the drug companies' ways of being vindictive; "You don't want our meds? Fine! We'll make your life miserable!" I feel like I can even type correctly. Most of my extremities (nose, lips, fingers, toes) are fuzzy. And my eyes are doing that whole "even though the eyes are moving, the brain is 2 seconds delayed."
Amanda, you mentioned a uh, a-hmm, a climax type sensation in the middle of the night? Well, sister, your not alone! This is technically only day 2 and I was embarrassed in front of myself when I woke up this morning and felt the remnants of it! (It doesn't help that I am single either!)
I don't have the funds to take all of your suggestions regarding the spa, acupuncture, wierd soup and such. Do you or anyone else have any inexpensive alternatives? I don't mind being nauseous because I figure I will eat less and maybe lose some of the weight effexor put on. But, the one thing that is really killing me is the dizzy-fuzzy head thing...hence the name "Ssspinning." I normally go by Kate, but today, I am spinning! Thanks!
This is the end of the thread.
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