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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BrianS on February 10, 2006, at 4:01:10
It's been 1 year since I got off effexor. I still get the horrible brain shocks at night while I'm sleeping. Not as often as before, but I still get them. I have noticed that I get them only when I lie down on my back. I also still have ringing in my ears, and get headaches almost every day. It feels like someone is squishing my head in a vice. My memory has also suffered, and I also have a lot of trouble concentrating. My eyes hurt all the time and I have trouble focusing them. I don't know what to do!! My doctor thinks I'm a nut. She says it's all in my head, that it all has to do with my anxiety. But the thig is I don't suffer from generalized anxiety, but from SOCIAL anxiety. I've been to different psychiatrists, ENT, neurologist, gastroenerologist (for liver and digestive problems), and ophtamologist and they all have said there's nothing they could do. I'm going to take an EEG pretty soon, and am wondering if it's even worth it.
What should I do? Will the EEG even find anything? Has anyone here been off effexor for this long or longer? Please, any help or advice will do.
Thanks,
Brian S.
Posted by GreyWalker on February 10, 2006, at 4:01:10
In reply to EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by BrianS on February 8, 2006, at 13:09:34
Hello BrianS.
You are not the first one to complain about brain shocks at night with effexor, so it is not "all in your head". People have said that the "shocks" go away eventually, I don't know what causes it (the shocks).
If you feel generally "sick, fatigued, digestive issues" all the time and you have been to many doctors and they haven't found anything... then it could either be a number of things, most likely: CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), anxiety, psychosomatization, or a combination of any of those.
Psychosomatization is a toughy, much like CFS... in that it is difficult, if not impossible to treat. Some people just eventually get better from them over time.
If a psychiatrist thinks you have psychosomatization going on, and they suggest you take something for it because it will help, I would not listen to them. There has been no drug shown to treat it significantly. If you happen upon the DSM-IV, it will elaborate more on what I am talking about.
Will the EEG find anything? I find it highly unlikely.
Posted by linkadge on February 10, 2006, at 4:01:10
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by GreyWalker on February 8, 2006, at 15:04:26
Hey, I've gone through just about every drug and its withdrawl. I am still experiencing withdrawl effects from these drugs like yourself.
Ginger root has helped a lot, as has fish oil.
Doctors are clueless. They just don't want to admit that their precious pills can do some hefty dammage. I still have some really bad ballance and movement problems.Linkadge
Posted by spriggy on February 10, 2006, at 4:01:10
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by linkadge on February 8, 2006, at 15:30:04
Well, I was only on Lexapro for 6 weeks and I swear it took me 9 months to feel like myself again after I quit that stuff.
It rearranged my brain chemistry and left me feeling like a stranger to myself.
Doctor's who truly want to find out if this stuff can mess you up should just look online at places like this.
I do want to say, that I got diagnosed with Epstein Barr, Fibromyalgia, and Lupus after my Lexapro withdrawal- have they checked you for any autoimmune disorder??
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2006, at 4:01:11
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by spriggy on February 8, 2006, at 19:29:10
Spriggy don't forget lyme's disease and hypothroidism. And lyme's leads to CFS. There is a lyme's site I have just joined. Let me know if you want the link I'll forward it to you. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by BrianS on February 10, 2006, at 10:01:42
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by spriggy on February 8, 2006, at 19:29:10
> Well, I was only on Lexapro for 6 weeks and I swear it took me 9 months to feel like myself again after I quit that stuff.
>
> It rearranged my brain chemistry and left me feeling like a stranger to myself.
>
> Doctor's who truly want to find out if this stuff can mess you up should just look online at places like this.
>
> I do want to say, that I got diagnosed with Epstein Barr, Fibromyalgia, and Lupus after my Lexapro withdrawal- have they checked you for any autoimmune disorder??
>
>No, I've only gotten checked for thyroid disorder and wilson's disease because they thought I had too much copper in my system but both results turned negative. What is autoimmune disorder and how would they check me for this?
Posted by BrianS on February 10, 2006, at 11:13:04
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by GreyWalker on February 8, 2006, at 15:04:26
> Hello BrianS.
>
> You are not the first one to complain about brain shocks at night with effexor, so it is not "all in your head". People have said that the "shocks" go away eventually, I don't know what causes it (the shocks).
>
> If you feel generally "sick, fatigued, digestive issues" all the time and you have been to many doctors and they haven't found anything... then it could either be a number of things, most likely: CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), anxiety, psychosomatization, or a combination of any of those.
>
> Psychosomatization is a toughy, much like CFS... in that it is difficult, if not impossible to treat. Some people just eventually get better from them over time.
>
> If a psychiatrist thinks you have psychosomatization going on, and they suggest you take something for it because it will help, I would not listen to them. There has been no drug shown to treat it significantly. If you happen upon the DSM-IV, it will elaborate more on what I am talking about.
>
> Will the EEG find anything? I find it highly unlikely.I do suffer from anxiety (social anxiety), so maybe that's the reason. Is there any natural remedy for this, and for CFS or psychosomatization? Any vitamin or whatever that might lessen the symptoms?
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2006, at 18:09:26
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by BrianS on February 10, 2006, at 11:13:04
CFS, rest, good diet,some excercise and I think low dose rozeram is used? Now maybe the name is wrong better google CFS. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by SLS on February 11, 2006, at 10:02:08
In reply to EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by BrianS on February 8, 2006, at 13:09:34
Have you ever tried Neurontin (gabapentin)?
It should reduce your anxiety and possibly act as an antidepressant to reduce the degree of somatization that is expressed. Furthermore, it can act to reduce tinnitus and headache. I also have a pet theory that it might also reduce SRI withdrawal symptoms, so it is conceivable in my way of thinking that it could help prevent the shock sensations when you lie on your back. Neurontin is usually well tolerated.
Just a thought.
- Scott
Posted by Kath on February 12, 2006, at 17:33:41
In reply to EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by BrianS on February 8, 2006, at 13:09:34
You're not nuts. You know how you feel & what you're experiencing.
Effexor, from what I understand is a very powerful drug & can have serious after-effects, that probably most people are NOT told about.
It makes me think of years ago when I was having hyper-thyroid problems & an endocrinologist advised irradiating my thyroid; I'd take thyroxin for the rest of my life & he assured me there'd be no problems. I made a long-distance call to a friend, who is a doctor, to discuss that the specialist had said. When I mentioned the doc saying there'd be no problems, my doctor-friend said, "Yeah - no problems for HIM!!"
Best of luck to you. I hope your body adjusts & you are freed from the problems you're now having.
Kath
Posted by dancingstar on February 15, 2006, at 20:28:01
In reply to EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by BrianS on February 8, 2006, at 13:09:34
Hi Brian,
I’m sorry to hear that you are still having such a tough time of it. Personally, I’m quite sure that Effexor caused my chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, though I didn’t have a clue that it’s what was making me so sick until I stopped taking it, and then I was so very sick with all the usual withdrawal stuff on top of the CFS/FM. I even had colitis for a full 16 months, and it only finally got better about a month after I was taking a supplement prescribed by my new doctor, this past December.
Besides the pain and fatigue thing, I've been getting steadily better since going to the doctor that started the FFC Clinics, but I've only been going there since November, and it takes quite a while to really feel better. You can look them up online. They run a huge battery of blood tests and supplement all the things that you are missing. It's expensive, and I have to go slowly, but everything that I've tried so far has been helpful.
I think that Effexor really messes with both our nervous and endocrine systems. Like you, I had the most outrageous anxiety for the very first time in my life. I even leapt out of the dentist's chair, something I would never, ever have done before. My neck and head always hurt since I stopped taking Effexor. I was virtually housebound for a year cause I was afraid to leave home...for no reason. My business suffered terribly.
Some of us are extraordinarily sensitive to drugs -- many of us, in fact; so please be careful about taking anything to help you to simply get rid of the symptoms that you're experiencing. I think it's better to find out what is causing the problem and then work to try to correct the imbalance in your body that is causing these problems very slowly and safely.
In my own case, after first testing my blood, I was given two shots of natural seratonin. I was given one first, and they waited a while to see if I would react badly to it before I was given another. I also take natural seratonin at home at night.
Anyway, they have these centers all over the country. They're pretty new. I think they might be able to help you. I looked for a good doctor all over for the longest time before coming up with the one I've got now, and I think he is really terrific, years ahead of his peers.
Whatever, hope you feel better soon!
Bebe
Bebe0217@aol.com
Posted by Kath on February 17, 2006, at 16:34:52
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by dancingstar on February 15, 2006, at 20:28:01
Hi Bebe, What an interesting post. So sorry you've been through so much. What does FFC stand for? Also I'm wondering a couple of things:
1) what supplement got rid of your colitis?
2) what form is the natural seratonin in?I'm very much into alternative stuff. Your doctor sounds like quite a find.
Isn't it shocking how much damage legal medications can cause?!!!!!!!!!! It REALLY bothers me that we aren't warned or told ahead of time what side-effects might occur!!
Best of luck, Kath
> Hi Brian,
>
> I’m sorry to hear that you are still having such a tough time of it. Personally, I’m quite sure that Effexor caused my chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, though I didn’t have a clue that it’s what was making me so sick until I stopped taking it, and then I was so very sick with all the usual withdrawal stuff on top of the CFS/FM. I even had colitis for a full 16 months, and it only finally got better about a month after I was taking a supplement prescribed by my new doctor, this past December.
>
> Besides the pain and fatigue thing, I've been getting steadily better since going to the doctor that started the FFC Clinics, but I've only been going there since November, and it takes quite a while to really feel better. You can look them up online. They run a huge battery of blood tests and supplement all the things that you are missing. It's expensive, and I have to go slowly, but everything that I've tried so far has been helpful.
>
> I think that Effexor really messes with both our nervous and endocrine systems. Like you, I had the most outrageous anxiety for the very first time in my life. I even leapt out of the dentist's chair, something I would never, ever have done before. My neck and head always hurt since I stopped taking Effexor. I was virtually housebound for a year cause I was afraid to leave home...for no reason. My business suffered terribly.
>
> Some of us are extraordinarily sensitive to drugs -- many of us, in fact; so please be careful about taking anything to help you to simply get rid of the symptoms that you're experiencing. I think it's better to find out what is causing the problem and then work to try to correct the imbalance in your body that is causing these problems very slowly and safely.
>
> In my own case, after first testing my blood, I was given two shots of natural seratonin. I was given one first, and they waited a while to see if I would react badly to it before I was given another. I also take natural seratonin at home at night.
>
> Anyway, they have these centers all over the country. They're pretty new. I think they might be able to help you. I looked for a good doctor all over for the longest time before coming up with the one I've got now, and I think he is really terrific, years ahead of his peers.
>
> Whatever, hope you feel better soon!
>
> Bebe
> Bebe0217@aol.com
>
Posted by luvdogs on February 19, 2006, at 17:22:28
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER » dancingstar, posted by Kath on February 17, 2006, at 16:34:52
I'm still on Effexor 75mg daily- what are "brain shocks"?? Effexor has been a good anxiety drug for me so the person that wrote about quitting effexor is probably experiencing anxiety unless the effexor has been replaced with something else. I use to take librax twice a day for a spastic colon and the effexor calms me more than 2 librax does.
Good Luck!!
Posted by dancingstar on February 25, 2006, at 16:33:47
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER » dancingstar, posted by Kath on February 17, 2006, at 16:34:52
Kath,
Thank you for your post. I'm sorry that I didn't see your post sooner. I don't check in here very often anymore.
To answer your questions, the supplement that finally got rid of the colitis is a stomach supplement put out by my doctor, and it could also have been helped by adding in the natural seratonin since the doctor said that my blood levels were extraordinarily low. The natural seratonin comes in capsules, and they also have an injection of seratonin.
I believe that FFC stands for Fibro and Fatigue Centers. They're all over the country now and have a website that lists the offices. I know that they all have different doctors, but generally speaking, these folks seem to be years ahead of the rest of the medical community. Their goal is to enhance your health and quality of life, and I've heard many speak as well of them as I do.
I agree with you; it is frightening to take medications, especially when the companies that make them know about side effects that they don't make public until after we've taken their durgs and the damage is done. It's shameful, really.
Best wishes,
Bebe
Posted by Kath on February 28, 2006, at 20:37:43
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by dancingstar on February 25, 2006, at 16:33:47
Hi Bebe,
Thanks for the info. Those centres sound great. Too bad we don't have them in Canada!!
I find it really disappointing that our medical schools don't give a broader education. I'm fortunate in that my M.D. at least is very open to alternative & progressive-type treatments. I'm pretty pro-active in my health care & he's very supportive about me taking a strong role in my own health care.
Take care & hope all goes well. Kath
Posted by Isagenix on March 4, 2006, at 20:47:31
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR: 1 YEAR LATER, posted by spriggy on February 8, 2006, at 19:29:10
I would try what I just did to get rid of the withdrawl symptoms. I used Isagenix cleansing program two weeks after cold turkey of Effexor. Not a smart thing to do just quit my meds. I was having all the major withdrawl effects, brain zaps, dizziness, disoriented. I did a nine day cleanse and I have no more symptoms. Isagenix cleans your body from the cells. I lost weight and inches and have a huge amount of energy. Our bodies need to be cleansed and nourished. Isagenix allows your body to heal itself. The ingriedience are major brain food. I ordered the products wholesale for a one time fee of 39.dollars and I got my own website included so when you feel and look better you can just send others who want to get health to your site. www.laurahiler.isagenix.com. My blood pressure is now normal too. Cleansing my body has saved my life I hope it can help you too.
This is the end of the thread.
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