Effexor withdrawl

Hi Shy,

Thanks for the words of encouragement!  I really apppreciate them    I'm nearing the end of my 4 week weaning.  The shocks have become less frequent and much milder, THANK THE LORD! I still feel very tired and wrung out.  I slept in this morning and missed a seminar I wanted to attend and really mad at myself for that. The next thing I'm going to tackle is getting off this Klonopin! Now I was told by my doc that coming off these can be life threating if not done correctly.  OH BOY, I have been on these for yearsssssssssssss!

I hope that you are doing well.  And your right to suffer with depression or any mental health issue makes that person stronger.  Because we do have to fight everyday to see the sun in the sky and not the darkness that wants to consume us.  Thanks ((((shy))))

Hi Elisha,

I appreciate you clearing that up.  I'm certainly not trying to discourage anyone from seeking out medical help when it is needed.  I just think that Dr. need to do a bit more research and inform their patient as to what to expect during treatment and when they need to come off.  And we also as the patient need to research ourselves to keep our self safe and know the facts.  That was my only point.  Some things get jumbled in these posts and Effexor XR worked wonderful for me when I started taking it, it was almost immediate. I never said it didn't work for me. It's when I started getting "brain shocks" that I knew it was time to come off.  Anyway, we misunderstood each other obviously.  I too tend to be very blunt, but I also use sensitivity in matters as sensitive as depression.

As far as the statement about the 5 children, I was not the first to post that.  I only remarked that I had read the same story posted on a lawsuit site on anti-d's.  Just to clear that one up as well.  As I said things get jumbled in these posts.

So let's just shake hands and forgive and forget? 

Hi catwhisperer, yes I totally agree with you that doctors do need to have more education on all these medications and we as patients need to be more proactive when prescribed a new medication with informing ourselves regarding them also.  I guess since I have worked in the medical field for so long and am well versed on these type of medications it is natural for me to question any med that I am prescribed before I start to take it.  Even still there is no guarantee that it wont cause problems in the future but being educated on it and being aware of what side effects may occur is important.

As for the Yates post...I know you werent the first to post on that or mention it.  And perhaps I should of edited the first one when it popped up as it really doesnt have anything to do with the thread and effexor...even though it doesnt violate forum rules.  I just really dont see what relevance that case has here at all, but this is my own opinion here.  Things do tend to get jumbled on the forums mostly when we get long threads going like this one here.

There is nothing to forgive dear...were good on my side okay? I hope you have a wonderful day and start to feel better soon.  Take care

Hi everyone,

Sounds like what I am reading tonight everyone is doing pretty well.  I'm glad to hear that!    I have to tell you there is light at the end of the tunnel, today was the best day I have had in nearly a month!  I didn't wake up feeling so good, but picked myself up went out to my real estate office to copy some paperwork and was feeling pretty clear headed. I hope it continues.  I am now on 37 1/2 every 3rd day and this is the last step.  I took it Wednesday which means I will take it Saturday.  I will see how I feel, if I'm feeling good I won't do the last step.  I have an open house to do Saturday afternoon and want to be clear headed and my old chatty self   I now am cutting back on the (klonopin) by a half pill a day.  My goal is to be free of chemical drugs.  I may not make it but I'm going to try.  I will pray for strength for all of us. I'm not usually a bible thumper, but I believe strongly in the power of prayer and positive thoughts.  But it is so hard to have those positvie thoughts when you are at the bottom of a dark tunnel and the light looks like it's a million miles away. Again, I tend to have more of a seasonal depression.  I do have depression that I can deal with most of the time, it's the seasonal that takes me down into depths I don't want to go but have no control as much as I try to fight it, it beats me down.  So when the fall returns I don't know what I will do    ~God Bless~

Hi Dentinn,

I'm so glad for you that you never suffered what some of us have suffered stopping Effexor XR.  But............you also went directly to another med, which is great if it worked for you.  I went off with no back-up and I can't speak for others but for me it was a living nightmare.  Continued good health to you!

~God Bless~

Here we go again!  I'm so freakin' annoyed right now that these symptoms are returning I am ready to hire a lawyer, and that's not what I'm about.  I was doing awesome, last week of weaning down (every 3rd day) and this week should have been it.  Today the shocks came back with a vengence~!  What is this stuff doing to my brain??????   Here me here and now, I will NEVER go on another drug that the medical world has NO IDEA what the long term affects are, it's ridiculous.    Yes...........I'm very,very angry at this moment and I really don't care who or what anyone thinks.     It has affected my life, my marriage, my business. Not to mention the SEX word, it takes away all your desire.   I am a Realtor and when I feel this way I'm afraid to drive from the shocks, and HOW can you talk to people when your head is shocking your body to the point that you lose your train of thought.  I am so sorry I ever messed with this drug.  And if I ever get beyond this I will NEVER take anything again that screws with my brain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  .  Anyone else who feels this way please click on my envelope and e mail me. I am defintely going to contact a medical lawyer about this.  I can't live this way

*I had to edit parts of your post.  If you have any questions about this please feel free to e mail me*

Post Edited By Moderator (Victoria) : 4/3/2007 3:22:41 AM (GMT-6)

Here is my brief take on the subject.

I believe that Effexor is an effective medication. I did exactly what is was supposed to do. I would not stop anyone from taking it that needs it.

I would still be taking it, if it were not a possible hindrance to my testosterone treatment.

I would, however make sure I was aware of the probable withdrawal effects before I started taking it. Would I still have taken it, probably, but it would have been nice to know the possible future consequences.

The past 2 weeks, ok maybe month has been hell. I too thought I was all done with the effects as this is now day 16 for me. Yesterday was a crappy day. No shivers, but way way out of sorts. I did/do have a wicked cold to throw in the mix, but I think I am all but done with the withdrawal effects (at least the physical ones).

So recapping, please realize this withdrawal is HELL and far worse than any other med I have been on and off, but if your pdoc feels it is right for you, you should not be scared away by these threads.

I really came looking for suggestions on what folks have done to get through it, more than poo poo the drug itself.

I found drinking as much water as possible along with Omega 3 fish oil have helped, but it has still been a very rough ride, and my guess will still be tough for another month or so.

Hang in there folks.

tase

Oh Elisha

I wish I had found that link 3 or 4 months ago. I thought I searched everywhere. Boo Hoo! I'm sure it has been posted here before, or not, but gosh I wish I had seen it.

I am going to 2 or 3 of the other forums I have been involved with in this lovely withdrawal battle and post that link. How cool. How helpful.

I am happy to say that this ia now day 17, and other than this beeping cold, congestion nonsense that I am feeling pretty good.

I am afraid to type that I feel great (withdrawalwise) for fear that I will have to eat my words, but man what a difference a couple of weeks makes.

Come on everyone keep us posted on how you are doing, and newcomers please ask questions.

tase