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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by carribeanblue on June 22, 2008, at 22:22:04
Hello. Does anyone know: Can Effexor still be impacting my life a year and a half after withdrawal?
From July 2006 to December 2006 I went through a slow and difficult withdrawal from lo-dose Effexor (37.5), after being on Effexor for about 10 years or so. (I went on it during a difficult job situation. I STAYED on it because every time I tried to quit... well, you know how it goes.) I used the program and supplements from theroadback.org faithfully, to help with the withdrawal, and my doctor was aware of the program (He is an alternative MD and is well aware of the hazards of anti-depressants). I had symptoms I called "wooziness" all during that time. I always had symptoms when I missed a dose by even a couple hours, so I knew it was going to be difficult. But I was determined to stick it out.
I woke up on the morning of November 11, 2006 with a very odd off-balance feeling in my head, more dramatic than just "wooziness". I thought I had slept wrong, and blamed it on doing headstands during yoga the night before. I thought I had messed up my neck. I saw neurologists, physical therapists, a dizziness specialist (althought it's not really Dizziness and I don't have nystagmus), chiropractors, a neurologist-chiropractor, eye doc and even a reflux doc based on the possibiity that reflux was getting up into my ear canal. Lots of false alarms ("gosh I think it's better?"), but no true relief from anything I've tried.
I had continued with the Effexor withdrawal through 2006, thinking if it WAS effexor-related, the best thing I could do would be to finally get OFF the stuff. But...
Over 1-1/2 years later (last effexor in December 2006) I still have the symptoms I woke up with that day. It is though I have two weights attached to both sides of my head, and when I move, the weights swing and throw me off balance. When I turn my head, it feels like my brain hasn't caught up. Sometimes it's accompanied by what feels like an intense tension headache. The symptoms all seem an awful lot like what I've seen posted elsewhere... The symptoms are never GONE (there when I go to bed; there when I wake up), although they may vary. I thought for sure it couldn't be Effexor after all this time...
Is it possible I could still be having Effexor-related symptoms? If so, what the heck do I do now? Should I try to take one of my old low dose Effexors (37.5) for a few days and see if it goes away? If so, at least my question is answered (and not knowing WHAT THIS IS is almost the worst of it). But I'm afraid to swallow Effexor again. (Maybe Zoloft or something less vicious on a temporary basis? But I dunno if my doc will give me a prescript/samples.) The symptoms are having, and have been having, a serious impact on my quality of life. I struggle through each day. This has been going on since 2006 and I am SO tired of feeling bad. I don't recognize myself anymore; I am becoming nothing but symptoms.
Any ideas? Help. This is crazy. Thanks.
And if this turns out to be Effexor, I oughta sue them for all those medical bills...
Wendy
Posted by Arteest on July 15, 2008, at 4:12:37
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms 1-1/2 years later??, posted by carribeanblue on June 22, 2008, at 22:22:04
Wendy,
I wish I saw your message before I put a new thread up. I have the same things you are experiencing, mine have only been about 4 months though. I even acquired hypochondria which turns into panic attacks for me almost everyday. Do you have water retention and dehydration too? Glad to know I'm not alone. I'm so sorry you have been dealing with this for a year. I can't take it any longer. I'm 25, trying to go to art school and sometimes I can't even see straight enough to paint. Also I went on a hike with my family and got really bad vertigo which I never had before. Sometimes when I'm alone I just break down and cry over this.
Sam-E's worked for my initial SE so I might try that again. I hope other people have suggestions for us!
Posted by copper on July 15, 2008, at 19:09:39
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms 1-1/2 years later??, posted by Arteest on July 15, 2008, at 4:12:37
Hi
I too was on effexor and went off it (which took me 8 months to wean off because of the side effects) I then had to go back on it at a much higher dose. I have been on effexor for about 9 years. My pdoc wants me to taper off it which I have been doing for the last 3 months. I am now at 75mg. I do feel dizzy and stupid (like I can't focus on a subject and concentrate).
I read in some posts here that others take fish oil, or essential fatty acids. This helps with some of the symptoms. I think it has helped me as this time coming off is not as hard as the last time.
Maybe the brain is in need of lecithin, or EFA, or the fish oils.
Hope that helps
Copper
Posted by chinaroses on July 31, 2008, at 11:26:42
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms 1-1/2 years later??, posted by copper on July 15, 2008, at 19:09:39
Whew. What a long, strange trip it's been... To follow up on a couple other responses: I do take high doses of fish oil now (I don't have the bottle with me, but it's something like 600/500 mg EPA/DHA 3 times a day). I've also had trouble with dehydration--I don't go anywhere without my water bottle.
I screwed up my courage right after my posting and asked my natural doc about going on Fluoxetine short-term to see if it helped. I started 10 mg daily on July 21 2008. It is now July 31 and I am sad to say it hasn't been helping at all... last night was terrible. Headache pain (temples and even into the jaw), disorientation and wooziness with any head movement whatsoever. The usual stuff, only worse. Gets better if I lie down for a while and rest the head (as usual). So I don't know if I should stick it out a while longer or give up... because since this problem started in 2006 symptoms have waxed and waned repeatedly (though never gone) and despite all my food/exercise/symptom logging I just can't pinpoint any controllable cause. So I'm not positive Fluoxetine is making it worse, since this has happened before. I DO know that exercise seems to make things worse (I used to be in such great shape, now I can barely take a short walk), and I do have adrenal fatigue issues, so I don't know if THAT's a factor... Shees. What a mess I am at 46!
My sympathies to all others who suffer... if I find any solution I will certainly post it...
Posted by karinamarie on September 12, 2008, at 2:26:19
In reply to Effexor withdrawal symptoms 1-1/2 years later??, posted by carribeanblue on June 22, 2008, at 22:22:04
Hi there
Reading this thread was one of those light bulb experience for me. I have been blaming my feelings of unwellness on the lithium I have been taking since April. I actually posted a question asking if anyone else has felt really unwell while taking it. After reading your comments I am left wondering if maybe I am still not right after coming off the Efexor..... Or maybe it is a combination of both drugs.... So very hard to tell what is doing what to your brain and body especially when you have had three different drugs on board at the same time. The frustration I feel is acute because you just want to be well and my hope is that the drugs will make me well. When they don't I want to come off them which is crazy because without anything I become very sick very fast. The symptoms I feel day to day are the same as some of the ones I had while coming off the Efexor. Not as cronic but still bad enough to effect my quality of living. I just never feel right especially in my head. Sick on the tummy, dizzy (like vertigo), heavy head, headache, tired, unmotivated, forgetful, confused, cranky, emotional, like I am coming down with something and unable to do what I need to do as a Wife and Mum. I honestly feel like I am dragging myself around all of the time. I was also very fit 20 months or so ago (runny 10kms a day) but now it is a very different story. Maybe it takes alot longer for the brain to adjust after coming off Efexor than we realise..... If so I wish they had told me this before I began taking it. I know that there is a light at the end of this. You have to stay positive and look for ways to make yourself feel better. I am just a little lost on how to get back to feeling well and fit again. Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree and maybe it is just a reaction to the lithium but I just think maybe you guys are on to something. If anyone has any ideas on how to balance all of this unwellness out please let me know. I would be so very grateful for any help you can send my way.
Posted by chinaroses on September 17, 2008, at 12:44:26
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms 1-1/2 years later??, posted by karinamarie on September 12, 2008, at 2:26:19
Wow karinamarie, I feel exactly like you do: the tummy, the head, the motivation. Since my original posting, I have been reading about Protracted Withdrawal, which is when the symptoms of Effexor withdrawal continue long after it would be expected that they would be over. I have also heard this syndrome called P.A.N.E.S., Persistent Adverse Neurological Effects after SSRIs. No easy answers yet. You could look into a product called "Protect", by a wonderful group called labelmesane.com. They have great phone support for frustrated and ill people...
One thought: Thanks to my alternative doctor (an actual MD), I discovered I have Adrenal Fatigue. Basically the adrenal glands are worn out, which occurs after protracted "stress". That "stress" includes illness and medications. Kicking yourself through each day is a pretty typical symptom. I would especially be suspicious of AF if you have low blood pressure. Try searching for Adrenal Fatigue online. I am now taking Dessicated Adrenal, and a product by Perque called Adreno Distress Guard. Both have helped with the deep fatigue, although I am still struggling with head symptoms and symptoms similar to the original Effexor withdrawal.
Good luck.
(Note: I am also carribeanblue, the original poster; I ditched that email because I was getting too much spam.)
This is the end of the thread.
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