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Administrator
Administrator
3303 Posts
Gratitude: 1022
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 Posted - 05/30/2005 : 14:15:26
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Dear Members,
BIZARRE NEUROLOGICAL WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
My patients are reporting experiencing very upsetting neurological withdrawal symptoms when rapidly coming off venlafaxine (Effexor). These vague, but very upsetting, neurological symptoms are hard for my patients to describe. One patient said "it was like my brain was going off and on". One thing was certain, my patients had never experienced anything like this when coming off previous antidepressant medications.
MY PATIENT THIS MORNING
This morning I saw one such patient. Two years previously, she had an excellent response to venlafaxine (Effexor). After a year on venlafaxine, we slowly phased it out over 3 months without any withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. Unfortunately, this year she had a severe relapse, and her depression didn't improve with my restarting her venlafaxine. Thus, after 3 months on venlafaxine, I decided to gradually phase out her venlafaxine over 10 days in preparation for starting a new antidepressant. That proved to be a medical disaster.
I have never seen this patient as severely depressed and suicidal as she was this weekend. In addition, she had these very unusual neurological withdrawal symptoms ("like my brain going off and on"). Yesterday, we restarted her venlafaxine (quickly back to 75 mg twice a day). Within 4 hours of restarting venlafaxine, she was dramatically improved. Today, she was free of the severe suicidal ideation that was so intense yesterday. She was smiling and dramatically less depressed (all in less than 24 hours after restarting venlafaxine).
IS THERE A SEVERE VENLAFAXINE (EFFEXOR) WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME?
The fact that this patient became so suicidally depressed on phasing out venlafaxine, and dramatically (in 4 hours) improved once back on venlafaxine strongly suggests that venlafaxine causes a severe withdrawal syndrome (unlike anything I have every witnessed in 30 years using other antidepressants).
The manufacturer of venlafaxine has not alerted physicians to the possibility of it having a severe withdrawal syndrome. I had never witnessed this severe withdrawal syndrome previously, since I had always taken 2 months to slowly wean my recovered patients off venlafaxine. Thus, I would conclude that this severe withdrawal syndrome only occurs if venlafaxine is rapidly withdrawn (over 7 days or less).
I have apologized to my patient for accidentally putting her through such a severe withdrawal syndrome. I think it is now time for the manufacturer of venlafaxine to apologize for not alerting the mental health community as to the existence of this severe withdrawal syndrome for venlafaxine.
Except for this severe withdrawal syndrome (on sudden discontinuation), I have found venlafaxine otherwise to be a very safe and effective antidepressant.
COULD I ASK FOR YOUR HELP?
Other physicians are now reporting a disturbing Effexor withdrawal syndrome (http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Antidepressant-discontinua.html). Normally, there is a mild flu-like syndrome coming off antidepressants, but nothing as severe as what my patients are experiencing with Effexor.
I would like to ask our community members to describe their experiences coming slowly/rapidly off venlafaxine.
WE CAN STILL SAFELY USE EFFEXOR
Many anticonvulsants have very severe withdrawal syndromes if they are rapidly discontinued; yet they have mild withdrawal symptoms if slowly phased out. Knowing this, physicians never rapidly stop any anticonvulsant, and these anticonvulsants are safely used everyday.
I believe that Effexor can continue to be safely used once this warning goes out to physicians that Effexor can't be rapidly discontinued. I can't believe that the manufacturer of Effexor doesn't know about this severe withdrawal syndrome; hence I hold them negligent for not warning physicians.
Phil Long M.D.
Administrator 
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| Shout
Starting Member
9 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2005 : 10:25:30
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I never had the type of reaction you reported. If I skipped a dose of Effexor, eventually I would feel sick (which reminded me that I skipped a dose).
My pdoc took me off Effexor when I was dx'd as bp1 - he said it could trigger mania in some patients. It took 2-3 months to go through the process since he was, and still is, extremely cautious when changing my meds.
Shout - It Is What It Is |
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| yellow
Starting Member
2 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2005 : 17:20:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Administrator
Dear Members,
BIZARRE NEUROLOGICAL WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
My patients are reporting experiencing very upsetting neurological withdrawal symptoms when rapidly coming off venlafaxine (Effexor). These vague, but very upsetting, neurological symptoms are hard for my patients to describe. One patient said "it was like my brain was going off and on". One thing was certain, my patients had never experienced anything like this when coming off previous antidepressant medications.
MY PATIENT THIS MORNING
This morning I saw one such patient. Two years previously, she had an excellent response to venlafaxine (Effexor). After a year on venlafaxine, we slowly phased it out over 3 months without any withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. Unfortunately, this year she had a severe relapse, and her depression didn't improve with my restarting her venlafaxine. Thus, after 3 months on venlafaxine, I decided to gradually phase out her venlafaxine over 10 days in preparation for starting a new antidepressant. That proved to be a medical disaster.
I have never seen this patient as severely depressed and suicidal as she was this weekend. In addition, she had these very unusual neurological withdrawal symptoms ("like my brain going off and on"). Yesterday, we restarted her venlafaxine (quickly back to 75 mg twice a day). Within 4 hours of restarting venlafaxine, she was dramatically improved. Today, she was free of the severe suicidal ideation that was so intense yesterday. She was smiling and dramatically less depressed (all in less than 24 hours after restarting venlafaxine).
IS THERE A SEVERE VENLAFAXINE (EFFEXOR) WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME?
The fact that this patient became so suicidally depressed on phasing out venlafaxine, and dramatically (in 4 hours) improved once back on venlafaxine strongly suggests that venlafaxine causes a severe withdrawal syndrome (unlike anything I have every witnessed in 30 years using other antidepressants).
The manufacturer of venlafaxine has not alerted physicians to the possibility of it having a severe withdrawal syndrome. I had never witnessed this severe withdrawal syndrome previously, since I had always taken 2 months to slowly wean my recovered patients off venlafaxine. Thus, I would conclude that this severe withdrawal syndrome only occurs if venlafaxine is rapidly withdrawn (over 7 days or less).
I have apologized to my patient for accidentally putting her through such a severe withdrawal syndrome. I think it is now time for the manufacturer of venlafaxine to apologize for not alerting the mental health community as to the existence of this severe withdrawal syndrome for venlafaxine.
Except for this severe withdrawal syndrome (on sudden discontinuation), I have found venlafaxine otherwise to be a very safe and effective antidepressant.
COULD I ASK FOR YOUR HELP?
Other physicians are now reporting a disturbing Effexor withdrawal syndrome (http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Antidepressant-discontinua.html). Normally, there is a mild flu-like syndrome coming off antidepressants, but nothing as severe as what my patients are experiencing with Effexor.
I would like to ask our community members to describe their experiences coming slowly/rapidly off venlafaxine.
WE CAN STILL SAFELY USE EFFEXOR
Many anticonvulsants have very severe withdrawal syndromes if they are rapidly discontinued; yet they have mild withdrawal symptoms if slowly phased out. Knowing this, physicians never rapidly stop any anticonvulsant, and these anticonvulsants are safely used everyday.
I believe that Effexor can continue to be safely used once this warning goes out to physicians that Effexor can't be rapidly discontinued. I can't believe that the manufacturer of Effexor doesn't know about this severe withdrawal syndrome; hence I hold them negligent for not warning physicians.
Phil Long M.D.
Administrator
Linda |
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| yellow
Starting Member
2 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2005 : 17:30:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Administrator
Dear Members,
BIZARRE NEUROLOGICAL WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
My patients are reporting experiencing very upsetting neurological withdrawal symptoms when rapidly coming off venlafaxine (Effexor). These vague, but very upsetting, neurological symptoms are hard for my patients to describe. One patient said "it was like my brain was going off and on". One thing was certain, my patients had never experienced anything like this when coming off previous antidepressant medications.
MY PATIENT THIS MORNING
This morning I saw one such patient. Two years previously, she had an excellent response to venlafaxine (Effexor). After a year on venlafaxine, we slowly phased it out over 3 months without any withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. Unfortunately, this year she had a severe relapse, and her depression didn't improve with my restarting her venlafaxine. Thus, after 3 months on venlafaxine, I decided to gradually phase out her venlafaxine over 10 days in preparation for starting a new antidepressant. That proved to be a medical disaster.
I have never seen this patient as severely depressed and suicidal as she was this weekend. In addition, she had these very unusual neurological withdrawal symptoms ("like my brain going off and on"). Yesterday, we restarted her venlafaxine (quickly back to 75 mg twice a day). Within 4 hours of restarting venlafaxine, she was dramatically improved. Today, she was free of the severe suicidal ideation that was so intense yesterday. She was smiling and dramatically less depressed (all in less than 24 hours after restarting venlafaxine).
IS THERE A SEVERE VENLAFAXINE (EFFEXOR) WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME?
The fact that this patient became so suicidally depressed on phasing out venlafaxine, and dramatically (in 4 hours) improved once back on venlafaxine strongly suggests that venlafaxine causes a severe withdrawal syndrome (unlike anything I have every witnessed in 30 years using other antidepressants).
The manufacturer of venlafaxine has not alerted physicians to the possibility of it having a severe withdrawal syndrome. I had never witnessed this severe withdrawal syndrome previously, since I had always taken 2 months to slowly wean my recovered patients off venlafaxine. Thus, I would conclude that this severe withdrawal syndrome only occurs if venlafaxine is rapidly withdrawn (over 7 days or less).
I have apologized to my patient for accidentally putting her through such a severe withdrawal syndrome. I think it is now time for the manufacturer of venlafaxine to apologize for not alerting the mental health community as to the existence of this severe withdrawal syndrome for venlafaxine.
Except for this severe withdrawal syndrome (on sudden discontinuation), I have found venlafaxine otherwise to be a very safe and effective antidepressant.
COULD I ASK FOR YOUR HELP?
Other physicians are now reporting a disturbing Effexor withdrawal syndrome (http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Antidepressant-discontinua.html). Normally, there is a mild flu-like syndrome coming off antidepressants, but nothing as severe as what my patients are experiencing with Effexor.
I would like to ask our community members to describe their experiences coming slowly/rapidly off venlafaxine.
WE CAN STILL SAFELY USE EFFEXOR
Many anticonvulsants have very severe withdrawal syndromes if they are rapidly discontinued; yet they have mild withdrawal symptoms if slowly phased out. Knowing this, physicians never rapidly stop any anticonvulsant, and these anticonvulsants are safely used everyday.
I believe that Effexor can continue to be safely used once this warning goes out to physicians that Effexor can't be rapidly discontinued. I can't believe that the manufacturer of Effexor doesn't know about this severe withdrawal syndrome; hence I hold them negligent for not warning physicians.
Phil Long M.D.
Administrator
I have been off and on effexor since 1996. I have been on as much as 375mg/day XR and as little as 75mg/day maintenance dose. No matter what the maintenance dose I have been on small or large the withdrawal symptoms can begin after missing even one dose. Can range from extreme irritibility, feeling pain in the legs and headache and the electrical shock like sensations, that I can only describe as being like if I ever should be about to have a seizure that this is what it might feel like. I have not however, ever had seizures. I have had times that I stopped my medication abruptly thinking I didn't need it anymore. I have also weaned off the medication slowly. I found that you can go down in dosage very easily and quickly as long as you are getting a dose every day...but as soon as there is no dose the symptoms can start. So then I realized I could tolerate it if I took one every other day of the lowest dose...and spread it out like that with the 37.5 mg. When I went back on Effexor as it has been the only antidepressant that has worked for my depression, I figured I would be on it for life, because these withdrawal syptoms are so terrible I never wanted to go through them again, but now I am trying to get off from it for good. I am at 37.5mg every other day and cannot seem to go below that without experiencing electric shock sensations, migranes, leg pains and panic..as soon as the symptoms become intolerable I take a dose, and in a few hours the symptoms go away...I I am just waiting for my body to decide when I can tolerate longer periods of time without it in my system. Before spreading the dose out even further, I heard some people experience withdrawal symptoms for up to a year after coming off the drug.
Linda |
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| walkingintherain
Starting Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2006 : 12:07:31
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I was on Effexor for nearly two years, with the highest dosage reaching 300 mg daily. I asked to be taken off of the medication because of the side effects I experienced, such as excessive sweating and mania. My pdoc weaned me off of Effexor gradually over about a month. However, after a few weeks, I had this constant annoying ringing in my ears (that I had experienced to a lesser degree prior to weaning when I was late on a dose) and would occasionally have sharp abdominal pains that were unbearable. I went to the emergency room, but because I would be able to see my primary care physician faster than an ER doc, I went to my pcp. He put me on a low non-therapeutic dosage of lexapro for about 2 weeks, and the withdrawal symptoms immediately disappeared.
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| gentille
Starting Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2006 : 04:28:47
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| I had effexor (http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s3203-s-EFFEXOR.aspx ) for 1 year only because I started getting insomnia, which was worst for me..Then some time back, I tried it, and I didnt have any side effects. I think it all happened because I was having intense familial problems during the time when I was consuming the medication, and it's after I stopped that it cooled down, so now am all fine again with EFFEXOR :) |
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| kuanyin
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 16:36:25
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Gosh, I am so glad I found this posting because I have experienced the same thing and thought maybe it was just anxiety over going off of the Effexor, but then again I would also experience the same side-effects if I had just forgotten to take my Effexor. I feel a very strange sensation in my head, kind of a fuzzy feeling and I also feel nauseated sweat to excess. In the past the only relief for this has been to take my medication immediately and go to bed and try to rest/sleep it off. I become very weepy even after just missing a few dosages of effexor. I hope the drug company that makes effexor recognizes these side-effects and comes up with a comprehensive way for patients and their doctors to safely wean themselves off of effexor with minimal side-effects.
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| looknto
Starting Member
1 Posts
Gratitude: 1
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Posted - 03/14/2007 : 00:28:52
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Well people... Wyeth has coined a new term for the physically addictive side-effects of Effexor. It's now known as a 'discontinuation syndrome'. My Psychiatrist didn't really recognize the term as medically valid but... It makes the obvious physical addiction more palatable. Cynically speaking, it's nothing more than a way to try and avoid the obvious caveat excluded from the Wyeth original insert. Non-addictive is what I think it said...
I started weaning myself off of a 75mg XR daily dose that I've been taking for 5+ years...So, I'm now in week 3 of the 'discontinuation syndrome' and feel like Hell... insomnia, nausea, headaches, depression, irritability (and the list goes on). I'll not bemoan the subject.
What I want to say is that your symptoms are real... you're not alone and PLEASE DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY. DO THIS UNDER A DOCTORS SUPERVISION. I tried to abruptly get off this 'stuff' but it's just not the healthy way to go. I'll say it's even dangerous!
Set out a game plan with your Doctor and stick with it.
I have created my own 6 week escape plan, decreasing the dosage by a half dose every week. Week 1, 1 - 37.5mg cap per day, Week 2, 1 - 18.75mg cap per day etc. all the way down to 1.1mg in the final 6th week... This is, of course, under a Doctors care. It's a conservative regime but after what happened with the 'cold turkey' it's bliss (all relative). I actually went out and purchased empty capsules from the pharmacy. I carefully eyeball the content level of an original upright 75mg Effexor capsule. Then it's a matter of filling an empty upright capsule with half that amount ... I chose capsules because the XR formula is comprised of little time released beads encased in a similar vehicle. I figure this will prevent an 'all out release' of the drug during ingestion. Anything to preserve the trickle effect.
Will see what the final week brings... I'm preparing to move on to Remeron. I need the sleep and I'm tired of taking clonazepam. Just something else to get hooked on (argh!).
I do think that combined drug therapies can be a great thing and should be looked at if you're depression is chronic and stubborn. One drug can potentate another or provide focus to a neurotransmitter ignored by the other.
I've been taking bupropion for a few years now and do find that it gives an almost instant push that really helps one get out and about. Really helps to negate some of the lethargy accompanied by most of these other mind altering combos.
Take care all and be well...
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| mazmason
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2007 : 13:10:36
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I am glad I found this site too and feel comforted by the fact that I am not alone In suffering these symptoms. I have reduced to a regime of 37.5 mg one day and 75mg the next day. I forgot a few evening doses recently and have been feeling very dizzy as a result. As I have had a virus earlier this year I was a bit slow at picking up that I did not have labrInthytIs or an ear thing It was the effect of reducing my dose down from75mg. Why don't doctors and psychiatrists own up to this? I have been very Irritable and Impatient recently and thought It was stress plus onset of menopause. Effexor actually reduces hot sweats/flushes. Just got to hang In there. I had a fantastic face and back massage today which really helped. I was so tense and It relieved a lot of the symptoms.
Also meditation helps and exercise Be kind to yourself fellow sufferers.
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| hickman3
Starting Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2007 : 10:26:47
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i was put on effexor for post natal depression started at 75mg increased upto 300mg, over time as i was still presenting distressing symptoms, 18months on and still occasionally have the worst symptom, this was until i started cbt, they tried to half my dose in 2 months last year and i was in bed hallucinating, sweating, brain zaps etc etc and they told me i had flu, till i upped to 225mg these side effects stopped. i think the dr's who prescribe this poison know less than me, none of the time i was on this did the intrusive thoughts stop and i am actually thinking now it probably fuelled them, cause at high levels it increases the reuptake of dopamine, isn't this what anti-psychotic meds suppress??
i was so ill and frightened that i kept on upping the meds, now i'm feeling better i realise they probably did bugger all apart from make me worse, finding a supportive partner, relaxation, therapy and the gym have helped but of course the 3 latter were never suggested until nearly 2 years later.
they also gave me a hormonal contraceptive, the side effects were so bad 6 months later they put my effexor back to 300mg, well, i've never been so ill, i couldn't drive, wanted to kill myself etc etc
then told me to drop it again, which i did.
well last week i dropped another 75mg, a bit of a big jump but so sick of the crap, i've been nauseous, dizzy, driving is tough, very tetchy but no brain zaps as yet, thank god. i've been taking loadds of vitamins and omega 3 and going to gym, this bit is tricky cause feel like i might fall off equipment but it definitely helps me think it helps get rubbish out of system and feel more balanced afterwards, think omega 3 has stopped brain zaps, taking high dose, and the cbt is teaching me a new way to think, this i think having been the problem for years. all i can say is never again will i take these meds when i get off them.
for the ladies my cycle plays a big part in my depression, so i take agnus castus to balance the hormones out.
now have an extra 28lb to lose aswell, even though the effexor doesn't cause weight gain??? had lost all my baby weight when i went on it so can't blame that....
good luck everyone, will keep you informed  |
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| ann1224
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2007 : 23:26:08
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| I'm getting ready to inform my nurse practicioner that prescrbed the effexor that I want off.I'm terrified because I have missed doses in the past and the effects are swift and menacing.This is a dangerous drug and the makers should all be held accountable for what they've done to us.If I had known the dangers of coming off this drug I never would have taken it in the first place.I want my sex drive back and it looks like I'll be going through hell to get it.Just missing a dose has caused the brain shivers,stomach problems and vertigo that everyone here has descrbed.I almost checked myself into the hospital until I figued out what I had done.Within a couple of hours of taking an effexor the symptoms disappear. |
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| hickman3
Starting Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 07:53:07
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well its day 7 after dropping one of my 75mg tablets, still take 2 in the morning. i'm scared to drive, the sides of the road keep on coming at me, very scary with a 2yo in the car. felt like i had electric shock tickle on top of head yesterday when i was driving to gym, extremely disconcerting. i am getting very irritable for a few hours of the day, the poor kids, or feel like i am dying at other times, feeling sick and slightly detached from reality. however in between these bits i have been ok. LOL.i don't feel depressed, but am having to use my cbt techniques frequently to put my thoughts into perspective. still going to the gym like mad.
have got wedding to go to tomorrow so hope i don't feel too bad
hope these symptoms stop soon enough to make me depressed again, bloody stuff!! |
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| mom22galz
Super Member (250+ posts)
336 Posts
Gratitude: 165
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Posted - 03/30/2007 : 09:06:13
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I effectively came off "side-effexor" with a very slow titration of dosage. Let me research a bit and I'll post the method I used. This was 3 years ago, before the "discontinuation syndrome" was even recognized -- btw, it's WITHDRAWL plain and simple.
Peace out,
m22g
Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?  |
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| mom22galz
Super Member (250+ posts)
336 Posts
Gratitude: 165
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Posted - 03/30/2007 : 09:43:34
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Sorry guys, the CMHC forum I got my method from is defunct.
But...
Here's a great link to info about different tapering methods:
http://ask.metafilter.com/20094/Tapering-off-EffexorXR
And another on right here at http://www.mytherapy.com/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=308
Personally, I had all the symptoms and used benilyn to help with the worst of it to keep functioning. Pdoc gave me Rx for 10mgs of prozac when i was trying to get off that last bit of Effexor.
To titrate my dose down, my body couldn't take a 37.5mg drop at a time (lowest does made in XR formula). So, I would open up the capsules and pour 1/2 of them (17.25 mgs) into a cup of oj to drink for a week or so till symptoms tollerable, then do a 1/4 of a capsule (9mg) for another week or so... it was long and slow, but I made it and managed to stay at work once we realized I couldn't do 37.5 mgs drops at a time.
Best of luck!
Peace out,
m22g
Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? |
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| hickman3
Starting Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2007 : 11:29:35
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| day 9, and after being horrible yesterday, have felt fine all day, hooray, hope thats the end of them all, plzzzzz |
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| napoli426
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2007 : 21:54:57
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Help from Vacouver,
I have been forced to go cold turkey on effexor. I was on 225mg and had mania like symptoms. The psychiatrist think I am bipolar and want me off this medication as it causes me to act without conscious and with one event I could not remember what I did. I ended up in lock up at Vancouver police department then transfered to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. I know now that I am probably bipolar and the withdrawal symptoms are terrrible. it's been two days and i can't function. I am getting those brain zaps and feeling awful almost suicidal. I am not looking forward to the next week or two. fortunately I have insurance at work and I will get paid but I feel like I'm insane. I'm going to check myself into the VGH hospital psych ward tomorow, but it seems there is no turning back. I'm about to find some of the effexor in the house. But my wife won't give it to me by doctors orders. What do I do? Help!!!!!!! |
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Is There A Severe Effexor Withdrawal Syndrome?
