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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 Shell on November 21, 2000, at 20:59:37
Since I have read (with some trepidation, I'll admit) quite a bit about the unpleasantness of Effexor withdrawal recently, one might think that I would make an effort never to miss a dose (300 mg/day) of Effexor. However, depression being what it is, I am fuzzy headed and forgetful. I recently went on a three-day trip and forgot to pack my Effexor.
The surprise was that I noticed nothing that I could consider to be a withdrawal symptom. I really didn't notice any difference at all. I felt just the same as on the days when I remembered to take it.
I have been taking Effexor for three months and have noticed no improvement in my depression symptoms. I have also had no side effects. Now I gone three days without it and have suffered no withdrawal. Unless my pharmacist is substituing a placebo, I am getting the feeling that it has no effect whatsoever on me. Is that possible? Can it be having no effect whatsoever on my neurotransmitters? Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
Shell
Posted by Mark H. on November 22, 2000, at 20:09:04
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal Nonsymptoms, posted by Shell on November 21, 2000, at 20:59:37
Dear Shell,
I have read reports from only one or two others who have not experienced any withdrawal symptoms from Effexor, and it's baffling to me. When my dosage was as high as yours (I now take half that amount), I would start getting ringing in my ears, a sense of balance distortion upon turning my head, nausea, headaches and other obvious symptoms of withdrawal within 6 to 12 HOURS of my last dose. For you to go three days off of 300mg/day without symptoms is truly remarkable (and a potentially great blessing).
This is just my uninformed opinion, but I believe we should only take meds that actually help us -- three months without any change in depression is certainly long enough for you to consider letting it go and trying something else instead.
Best wishes,
Mark H.
Posted by Ash on November 22, 2000, at 23:10:14
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal Nonsymptoms, posted by Shell on November 21, 2000, at 20:59:37
Shell,
I have also discontinued Effexor(along with a cocktail of two other A/D's) suddenly without experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms. For over a month I felt no worse without the A/D's; but around 2 months I started to get more depressed than ever and had a tough time functioning day to day. After a couple of weeks of restarting other A/D's I started feeling a little better, at least enough to get through the day without the horrible run-down feeling I had been experiencing.
Ash
> Since I have read (with some trepidation, I'll admit) quite a bit about the unpleasantness of Effexor withdrawal recently, one might think that I would make an effort never to miss a dose (300 mg/day) of Effexor. However, depression being what it is, I am fuzzy headed and forgetful. I recently went on a three-day trip and forgot to pack my Effexor.
>
> The surprise was that I noticed nothing that I could consider to be a withdrawal symptom. I really didn't notice any difference at all. I felt just the same as on the days when I remembered to take it.
>
> I have been taking Effexor for three months and have noticed no improvement in my depression symptoms. I have also had no side effects. Now I gone three days without it and have suffered no withdrawal. Unless my pharmacist is substituing a placebo, I am getting the feeling that it has no effect whatsoever on me. Is that possible? Can it be having no effect whatsoever on my neurotransmitters? Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
>
> Shell
Posted by Shell on January 14, 2001, at 10:22:24
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal Nonsymptoms, posted by Shell on November 21, 2000, at 20:59:37
> Since I have read (with some trepidation, I'll admit) quite a bit about the unpleasantness of Effexor withdrawal recently, one might think that I would make an effort never to miss a dose (300 mg/day) of Effexor. However, depression being what it is, I am fuzzy headed and forgetful. I recently went on a three-day trip and forgot to pack my Effexor.
>
> The surprise was that I noticed nothing that I could consider to be a withdrawal symptom. I really didn't notice any difference at all. I felt just the same as on the days when I remembered to take it.
>
> I have been taking Effexor for three months and have noticed no improvement in my depression symptoms. I have also had no side effects. Now I gone three days without it and have suffered no withdrawal. Unless my pharmacist is substituing a placebo, I am getting the feeling that it has no effect whatsoever on me. Is that possible? Can it be having no effect whatsoever on my neurotransmitters? Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
>
> ShellI think I may have to retract this post! I DID miss a few days of Effexor XR with no noticeable symptoms. Perhaps I still had some residual Effexor in my system (although I had thought it didn't last that long).
Now that I have intentionally quit Effexor, I have experienced some withdrawal symptoms (nausea, dizziness, etc.), but it did take a few days for the withdrawal effects to start. It probably would have been smarter to taper off, but I just wanted to be done with it and didn't expect to have a problem. I suppose it serves me right for thinking I might escape it, although I must admit, my symptoms are probably milder than what most suffer.
Has there been any consensus on how long the withdrawal process takes? I would guess it to be dependent on both the dosage and length of time it was taken and would vary by individual. Can anyone who has been through it remember how long it took?
Shell
Posted by Tracy on January 15, 2001, at 9:43:54
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Nonsymptoms, posted by Shell on January 14, 2001, at 10:22:24
I have been off of Effexor for 4 days now, and I still have the symptoms -- nausea, dizziness, numbness in my lips.
Originally it was intolerable; I couldn't even speak -- so they tried prozac in place of the effexor to help with the withdrawl. Now, they had to double the dosage to 20mg, which seems to eliminate the symptoms, so far.
I have been told that it can last up to 2 weeks.
The good news is that with the prozac, I can't even look at food. And, if I binge (I have binge eating disorder), I feel really nauseaous.So -- I guess I am on the prozac diet.
Posted by Shell on January 15, 2001, at 17:45:00
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Nonsymptoms, posted by Tracy on January 15, 2001, at 9:43:54
> I have been off of Effexor for 4 days now, and I still have the symptoms -- nausea, dizziness, numbness in my lips.
>
> Originally it was intolerable; I couldn't even speak -- so they tried prozac in place of the effexor to help with the withdrawl. Now, they had to double the dosage to 20mg, which seems to eliminate the symptoms, so far.
>
> I have been told that it can last up to 2 weeks.
> The good news is that with the prozac, I can't even look at food. And, if I binge (I have binge eating disorder), I feel really nauseaous.
>
> So -- I guess I am on the prozac diet.That doesn't sound all bad. The Prozac diet...hmmm. When I took Prozac, I actually lost lost 20 pounds in the first three months. In case 20 pounds in three months sounds like a miracle (and it was...I went from a size 10 to a 6), I think part of the reason I lost so much so fast was because I had just had a baby six months earlier and my body was returning to its normal weight. The Prozac simply helped me stick to my diet (by eliminating cravings) so I could regain my prepregnancy size sooner.
Oops, I am way off topic here. I'm glad the Prozac is helping with the Effexor withdrawal symptoms. I don't think you should have any withdrawal problems when (if?) you decide to quit the Prozac. I don't remember noticing anything when I quit taking it.
I'm glad it is helping with the withdrawal symptoms for you. I have considered trying it, since I have some left, but just never got motivated enough to try it. This is the fifth day of no Effexor for me and I have noticed a lessening of the withdrawal symptoms. I'd guess in another day or two, it should be over (we'll see!).
Shell
This is the end of the thread.
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