Stopping in for two very important public service announcements...
11.13.04 (12:19 am) [edit]
Since finishing my whole getting off Effexor experience, I have to admit I don't monitor this blog very frequently. Today I checked in to look at comments and see what's up, and I wanted to let y'all know a couple of important things:
1) The free service that hosts this blog (tBLOG) sometimes does wacky things when they do maintenance on the system, so it seems like two to three whole months' worth of archived posts are GONE. When you click on any of the first four links on the left, you'll get a "This entry does not exist!" message. This is really frustrating! I'll try to see what's up. In the meantime, there are lots of helpful resources still accessible through the "Links and Resources" link, and you can also look through the archived posts from April through September to see my journal and other info I compiled while I was tapering off of Effexor.
2) Tapering off Effexor...that brings me to my second very important public service announcement, which is
UNLESS YOUR DOCTOR HAS INSTRUCTED YOU TO DO SO FOR SPECIFIC MEDICAL REASONS, DO NOT QUIT EFFEXOR COLD TURKEY!!! DO YOU HEAR ME??
I know while you're having brainzaps, the yelling hurts your head, so I'll stop. But seriously--have you read the experiences from readers? The worst withdrawal experiences seem to be from people who stop taking Effexor abruptly. Don't do this to yourself, okay?
Please--even if the side effects are becoming intolerable, even if your sex life is reduced to a pathetic memory in the back of your head, even if your cognitive skills are impaired and you can't stand being on this med anymore--do yourself a favor and, if at all possible, taper down slowly from whatever dose you were on. If you've already quit, consider going back to your last dosage before quitting and start taking progressively smaller doses every day, every week, or even every two weeks.
I was having hysterical crying fits and banging my head into walls, I couldn't think straight, I gained a bunch of weight, all that stuff--and I really really really just wanted the drug out of my system. Still, my tapering off process took FIVE MONTHS. I still experienced discontinuation symptoms, especially at the end--but I can't imagine how horrible it would have been if I had just stopped taking it all of a sudden.
If you can't afford to continue taking this medicine, there are a couple of things you can do to avoid stopping cold turkey. This happened to me--because Effexor is so expensive, my health insurance's RX benefits ran out before the end of the year and the prescription ended up costing something like $179/month, which was really prohibitive for me. Here is what you can do:
1) Talk to your doctor, or if you don't feel comfortable with your current doctor, try to find one who seems more sympathetic and helpful. Explain your situation--that you can no longer afford to pay for the prescription, but that you experience intolerable side effects if you miss a dose. Your doctor may be able to give you enough free samples to carry you through the end of the discontinuation process.
2) There are patient assistance resources out there to link up low-income or uninsured patients with prescription meds donated or discounted through drug companies. I didn't know about these organizations during my own saga, but some that looked pretty kosher (disclaimer: I do not officially endorse any of these sites--this is just for informational purposes to let people know what's out there) when I did a search online included NeedyMeds and HelpingPatients.org, and The Medicine Program.
3) I ended up *sigh* charging my last bottle of Effexor on a nearly maxed-out, super high-interest credit card I was trying to pay off. If nothing else works, this sucks, but it's worth your sanity and health.
Please hang in there, whoever is reading this, and spread the word that it is A REALLY BAD IDEA to go off Effexor (or any long-term medication, for that matter) cold turkey. Unless you have a really compelling medical reason to do so.
1) The free service that hosts this blog (tBLOG) sometimes does wacky things when they do maintenance on the system, so it seems like two to three whole months' worth of archived posts are GONE. When you click on any of the first four links on the left, you'll get a "This entry does not exist!" message. This is really frustrating! I'll try to see what's up. In the meantime, there are lots of helpful resources still accessible through the "Links and Resources" link, and you can also look through the archived posts from April through September to see my journal and other info I compiled while I was tapering off of Effexor.
2) Tapering off Effexor...that brings me to my second very important public service announcement, which is
UNLESS YOUR DOCTOR HAS INSTRUCTED YOU TO DO SO FOR SPECIFIC MEDICAL REASONS, DO NOT QUIT EFFEXOR COLD TURKEY!!! DO YOU HEAR ME??
I know while you're having brainzaps, the yelling hurts your head, so I'll stop. But seriously--have you read the experiences from readers? The worst withdrawal experiences seem to be from people who stop taking Effexor abruptly. Don't do this to yourself, okay?
Please--even if the side effects are becoming intolerable, even if your sex life is reduced to a pathetic memory in the back of your head, even if your cognitive skills are impaired and you can't stand being on this med anymore--do yourself a favor and, if at all possible, taper down slowly from whatever dose you were on. If you've already quit, consider going back to your last dosage before quitting and start taking progressively smaller doses every day, every week, or even every two weeks.
I was having hysterical crying fits and banging my head into walls, I couldn't think straight, I gained a bunch of weight, all that stuff--and I really really really just wanted the drug out of my system. Still, my tapering off process took FIVE MONTHS. I still experienced discontinuation symptoms, especially at the end--but I can't imagine how horrible it would have been if I had just stopped taking it all of a sudden.
If you can't afford to continue taking this medicine, there are a couple of things you can do to avoid stopping cold turkey. This happened to me--because Effexor is so expensive, my health insurance's RX benefits ran out before the end of the year and the prescription ended up costing something like $179/month, which was really prohibitive for me. Here is what you can do:
1) Talk to your doctor, or if you don't feel comfortable with your current doctor, try to find one who seems more sympathetic and helpful. Explain your situation--that you can no longer afford to pay for the prescription, but that you experience intolerable side effects if you miss a dose. Your doctor may be able to give you enough free samples to carry you through the end of the discontinuation process.
2) There are patient assistance resources out there to link up low-income or uninsured patients with prescription meds donated or discounted through drug companies. I didn't know about these organizations during my own saga, but some that looked pretty kosher (disclaimer: I do not officially endorse any of these sites--this is just for informational purposes to let people know what's out there) when I did a search online included NeedyMeds and HelpingPatients.org, and The Medicine Program.
3) I ended up *sigh* charging my last bottle of Effexor on a nearly maxed-out, super high-interest credit card I was trying to pay off. If nothing else works, this sucks, but it's worth your sanity and health.
Please hang in there, whoever is reading this, and spread the word that it is A REALLY BAD IDEA to go off Effexor (or any long-term medication, for that matter) cold turkey. Unless you have a really compelling medical reason to do so.
posted by: newbie (reply)
post date: 11.25.04 (2:57 am)
I am up early putting together a scholarly manuscript to give to my university-based, supposedly caring, supposedly knowledgeable psychiatrist concerning the hazards of Effexor withdrawal. I took Zoloft for 7 years and when it stopped working 3 years ago, I was started on Effexor and I was fine again. When the Effexor stopped working, my family doc tapered it in a week and replaced it with Wellbutrin. Needless to say, I was SO dizzy and so disoriented, I started taking the Effexor again ob my own. I figured a "real" authority on antidepressants went to one of the nation's physician authorities on depression and medications at the local university and was sent to one of the deparetment's best. He tried to withdraw it in two weeks and when I squawked, he tried a little slower withdrawal, but I ended up doing self-regulation of the medication (he didn't listen when I said I felt awful and I started taking the Effexor again) and tried to take a few beads every few days to get rid of the dizziness (my main withdrawal effect).
They had orginally wanted to get me off all medications for a week to participate in a study of a new medication but I just could not manage my life and be on low or no doses of medication, not to mention the insane dizziness that was gaily ignored despite it being one the most noxious sensations I have ever experienced.
Interestingly, when I showed up for the long-awaited appointment for more medication adjustment on Tuesday he neglected to put forth enough effort to find me patiently waiting in the waiting room (he said I was in the wrong waiting room) and I REALLY went off on him and stalked off. I found another doctor, but I am concerned that this guy who really is nice but who obviously doesn't totally understand SSRI withdrawal (and could be better at listening to patients) is going to endanger other patients. I will give him the web sites (not that real, non-doctor people know anything about the way they feel) and write a manuscript and maybe learn something in the process to assist the "real" doctors (I am only a PhD) that some crazy people report real symptoms that need management. I wonder if those who committed suicide were victims of doctors not listening?
posted by: grateful (reply)
post date: 12.02.04 (3:10 pm)
Thank you so much for your insight. With my doctor's help I have been gradually weaning myself off of the Efxr. I was down to 1/2 of 37.5 and thought I'd be ok when the pills ran out...NOT SO MUCH! This is day 2 without any efxr and I am nauseous, dizzy, brainzaps...etc. I called my dr. today to see what to do but she never got back to me. I do NOT want to go back on the meds but I can't go through this for weeks at a time. I have been drinking tons of water and cranberry juice and taking ginger pills for the nausea. I hope this won't last too long!
posted by: aak (reply)
post date: 12.06.04 (10:12 am)
I've been on Celexa for a few yrs and it may not be doing the job anymore. My doctor has prescribed Effexor to replace it. My concern is what would happen if I missed a few days, if I'm traveling, for instance, and have forgotten to take my meds with me. I've done that w/ Celexa without any problems other than feeling a little down until I resume the dosage.
Have there been any studies on this particular aspect of Effexor?
posted by: newbie (reply)
post date: 01.10.05 (6:46 am)
I told my husband about brain zaps and he said, "Cool! Can I have some?" Grrrr! I don't think he realized that I meant "brain zaps" was a better way to describe the "dizziness" that I had previously told him about.
posted by: newbie (reply)
post date: 01.24.05 (10:53 pm)
does anyone know if you go off of effexor will you lose weight? and how long will it take to lose it?
lesliemyers78@yahoo.com please email me and tell me
posted by: newbie (reply)
post date: 01.29.05 (5:19 am)
I will readily admit I went thru this whole antidepressant route wrong and have ended wrong as well (that's my disclaimer so you don't yell at me!)..because I stopped cold turkey.
I was prescribed via a friend MD who RELUCTANTLY prescribed it after I expressed to him how deeply depressed I was. My friend mentioned she was on it and only mentioned it was the one "you dont gain weight on." I have never been on antidepressants before.
Lies. I am underweight for my ht/wt and gained 5lbs. Doesnt seem like much but keep in mind i was only on it for 8 weeks at 75mg. I had HORRIBLE nightmares (never experienced that in my life!) and extreme hotflashes/ sweats in the night. I would wake up in the middle of the night and my shorts were soaking wet (and no, it wasn't from a sexy dream..because my libido was altered bigtime as well! Believe me, I'm a woman in her 30's, this is my prime!).
So I decided I wanted to rid myself of this poison all together. Down to 4-5 pills left in my second month, I stopped. After day 3 I experienced the brain shivers..that's pretty disturbing. Now nearly 4 weeks later I am still having them (they seemed to stop for a week and a half and now are back..go figure!). I wasn't even on it long and can't believe how much it has effected me. I feel for those who have been on it for ages.
I have started exercising and trying to eat better (I feel bloated all the time..this is odd coming from the skinny girl). Anyone know how much longer I should expect this to be in my system??
Hang in there..it won't always be this way.
posted by: newbie (reply)
post date: 02.20.05 (8:18 pm)
I noticed this site has not been touched since November, but I had to comment anyhow.
I swithced jobs in November and am without insurance since 11/30. Since then, I've been unable to afford any of my medication (Effexor, Wellbutrin and Risperdal).
I took what I got just before going off the insurance faithfully and then ran out. I was off those meds for three weeks before I finally began to decompensate along with having horrible withdrawals.
I was hospitalized last month and was given a one month supply of my meds in samples by the hospital i was at. i was beginning to feel better, except for some side effects, which I'd rather have than withdrawals.
Well, I ran out just last Tuesday of that supply and now, here I am again, withdrawing. I feel utterly horrible. I feel like I'm going absolutely insane.
I cant get out of bed in the morning. I can't get up and take showers. I can't think straight. My head just feels so unclear righ now and I want to just cut my head off!!
I'm so sick it's not funny. I'm forcing myself to go to work because I have to so I can continue living. I'm forcing my self to eat, dress, shower, clean.
I feel suicidal.
I want to just go away.
I'm beginning to feel "psychotic" but my diagnosis is only Major Depression...not schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Effexor costs $275 per month for the 300 mg a day I need to take. Wellbutrin is a bit more affordable at only 50 bucks. Risperdal costs $120 per month. If I buy these meds I cant pay rent or buy food or pay car insurance. I can't get prescription assistance from pharmaceutical companies because I make too much money. What a bunch of crock this system is.
How can I get past this? I feel like I'm dying.
posted by: lorig (reply)
post date: 02.23.05 (1:13 pm)
Hello All....
Thank you for this site. I was actually on Effexor for headaches. I was only taking 112.50mg (3x37.5) of this stuff a day. I tapered down 2 pills a day for a week, then to 1 pill a day for another week, then off. NOT GOOD. I am shocked to have these withdrawl symptoms with being on such a low dose, and then tapering off. This stuff is nasty! Dizzy, headaches, nausua, this sucks! I feel for you all out there. It did help my headaches while I was on them. But I wanted to get off, I hate taking pills, just to take them. If I would of known the side effects of going off of them...I would still be taking them. For as long as I could. Good luck you all...
posted by: Mulliner (reply)
post date: 02.25.05 (3:25 pm)
Reply to: lorig
I'm currently going through the brain zaps (I describe it to my wife as flashes of dizziness), having taken my last Effexor 3 days ago to end 16 months on the medicine. During those 16 months there were 3 times that I experienced these brain zaps due to missing a couple of days of Effexor.
Several years ago I went cold turkey off of Paxil and experienced the brain zaps, but within a week I was fine and wouldn't say it was any worse than what I've experienced so far, even though I very gradually stepped down from 112.5 mg over the last couple of months. I can't imagine how much worse it would be quitting this one cold turkey.
In addition to the brain zaps, I have to admit to being rather cranky, emotionally fragile and maybe even a little paranoid. My goal today is to help my wife and kids get educated about the experience so that maybe they can help me through it. I definitely feel I need help with this process.
I worked today, but not sure I should have. I deliver mail and it's not the kind of thing you want to do when you're disoriented. But while driving I seemed pretty good. It was sorting mail that was rough. Sometimes I found myself staring at mail trying to figure out why it only looked vaguely familiar.
I failed to mention that my doctor put me on Ativan for anxiety and to help me sleep. It definitely helps me sleep, but I'm very reluctant to take much of that. He presribed 2-3 pills a day, but I've made sure it's no more than 2 and have gone a couple days without any. I've read horrible descriptions of addiction to Ativan and its kin.
Thanks for this site. I consider it a real help and hope to check back in here in the next few days.
posted by: newbie (reply)
post date: 04.07.05 (6:50 am)
I have been taking effexor for 2 years...I have tried to taper the drug several times on my own and can't even get past the second day. I am on 150mg and now that doesn't seem to be enough with out experienceing the withdrawal symptoms, so dizzy I can't even stand up, moodiness like I wan't even taking the pill, nauseousness, hot swetts, dizzy spells and now sexual functions with my fiance. I have had enough of this drug. I have tried to get my dr (who is a known drug pusher) to help me to taper the pills. He says "most people don't have a problem stopping the drug cold turkey, obviously your body needs it." Well I am not buying it especially after reading everyones statements. I am not the only one experiencing this which helps. I am going to my dr and demanding a referral to a dr who has experience with this drug and isn't just a regular Family MD. I think they should really regulate the disposal of antidepressants. I have several friends and my entire family are on them. We all have the same dr though....are we all really depressed?? You can have a bad week and he'll tell you that your depressed. I am not saying in the least that People don't need it because it has done wonders on people i know. However is it worth all of these side effects??
posted by: Jay (reply)
post date: 05.12.05 (12:45 pm)
It was so subtle...I started taking fxr 24 months ago for mild depression & adult add. Doc added a small dose of lamictal "just in case" I experienced mood swings. Started feeling drowsy all the time. Doc added Provigil, gradually increasing the dose to 400mg--the max dose. Still drowsy all the time. Somewhere in there started eating compulsively and gained 30 lbs. Also realized I could no longer stop at 1 or 2 drinks, had to have 5 or 6 to "feel right." Wife made the observation that I seemed to be worse off than prior to embarking on this drug odyssey. Went off all in 1/05. Still getting brain zaps, memory ain't what it used to be. Good news, lost 10 lbs right away, lost another 6 over the last 2 months and can again enjoy having only 1 or 2 drinks!
Not taking anything now, really getting into self-hypnosis. Can't put my finger on it, but the hypnosis is helping. Hope the brain zaps go away some day.
posted by: anti-effexor (reply)
post date: 07.07.05 (8:27 am)
Reply to: newbie
Christ, I wish I had read this before taking the stupid drug! I was on 75mg for 3 months and gradually stopped, 1/2 dose, 1/4 dose, etc. But here I am, my vision blurred because my eyes won't stay focused and everytime I stand up it's like I have to grab something. Been off for 4 days and had a major depressive episode last night, just like what I was before. I have a perscription for Welbutrin but am hesitant to start it. Have taken Zyban to quit smoking (it worked) so I am familiar with it. My doctor told me there would be no sexual side effects and that I could take fxr every other day to cut back on the dosage. What a crock! I was out of commission for almost two days with the brain zaps and the throwing up after missing ONE! Oh, and I have ZERO sensation in my intimate parts. That's enough to make me more depressed than anything. I think some of the doctors should take these drugs before perscribing them.
The problem is that I felt pretty good as long as I was taking them. Stopping was the problem.
posted by: newbie (reply)
post date: 07.11.05 (9:20 am)
Wow, am I glad that I found this site. My MD Rx'd this for a non-depressive related condition. I've been gaining weight ever since ( 7 Months) I'm diabetic with a heart history and can't afford the complications. I went off for two days, by the third day I was having weird dizzy effects, heard a rushing noise in my ears, and was a total grouch. I will be asking my MD to get me off or I'll switch MD's. Good Lord, why this stuff when I wasn't even depressed (honest....)/Steve
posted by: Monica (reply)
post date: 07.12.05 (12:44 am)
Ok so I blame myself entirely for the cold turkey. But I did it, not knowing before hand that ANY SIDE EFFECTS were possible. What an idiot. I am post 5 days cold turkey folks. Tremors, seizures, memory loss, vision impaired, vomiting, tremors, did I mention tremors?? I cannot sleep, when I do its fitful, with night mares, and the brain zaps. NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND them unless you expierence them in waves of every 2 to 3 minutes which is what its been. I thought death would be more comforting. Thanks effexor people. Thanks to my Doctor. You know I can't blame them . I didn't do the research. Do the research before beginning this drug. Its not worth it.
posted by: David (reply)
post date: 03.19.06 (5:34 pm)
Zap free!!! Okay.. here's hope. I weaned down from 300mg to 150mg to 75 and down to 37.5. After that, I was MISERABLE... the Zaps were horrendous. So I asked my Dr for another sample pack of the 37.5. I would open the capsule... pour 1/2 out. Did that for a week. Then I would take the 1/2 left, pour it in my hand, and get rid of 1/2 of that... so on and so forth. I'm pleased to say, the ZAPs are mostly gone. Now, it's only every once in awhile, and even then, very small... and over very quickly. Now..is the "fun" part. Waiting for my brain to adjust back to making it's own neurotransmitters. Let me tell you... I will snap your head off if you bother me right now. The irritability factor sucks!!!!! I'm hoping this goes away soon as well. Good luck... you can do it!