Sayonara Effexor XR!

saluki · July 2007

I'm not even sure at this point why I was prescribed Effexor initially? It was prescribed by my primary as was Clonazopam (Klonapin--a kind of longer acting Ativan) which I still take as needed.

I'm sure I needed something back then to help get me through the Dx and treatment and I probably could not have managed without it.

But the more I see Primary Physicians,
the more I realize how easy it is to keep you perpetually on the same medications---Why change whats working? If its not working we can just keep increasing the dosage till it does--then if it doesn't we can try something else.

I guess my liver had other ideas in the forth year of Effexor XR . So, I discontinued Effexor.

In discontinuing the Effexor XR the most amazing thing happened! All the crazy symptoms that I'd been automatically attributing to Femara disappeared entirely.
My Primary and my Onc knew I had these symptoms so badly
affecting my quality of life that I was ready to stop the Femara entirely.

I'm not really angry---I really don't think Doctors have the time to consider the side effects of all the meds they prescribe---at least not the less common ones. I was having Paradoxical effects to these meds ---How much that could have been anticipated I really don't know--- Nor, do I know when that started.

What I have learned albeit the hard way is to insist on
having my medications re-evaluated periodically. If my Doctor is not willing to do this it will be SAYONARA DOCTOR.

These are all the Symptoms I had that disappeared with the discontinuation of Effexor XR

Asthenia (Debilitation, lack of energy and strength)--to the point of fainting

crazy sweating

amazing fatigue

constipation

blurry vision

insomnia

ever increasing high blood pressure

dry mouth

dizziness

elevated liver enzymes

acne

seborrhea

Here is a list of Side Effects that can (not necessarily will) occur as well as those that have occurred in post marketing experience.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/venlafax_ad.htm

If any of this sounds familiar to you and you have been blaming your AI---It may be worth considering.

I've been off Effexor now for 2 months---The only thing that I've added is the supplement Sam-e.

So unless Sam-e is the undiscovered miracle of the century (I am a big proponent of Sam-e);
The discontinuation of the Effexor XR is giving me back my life.

Funny, how the same medication that can be of such a help can also do the opposite.
Goes to show you how differently these medications can affect us individually.

Susie

LuAnnH · July 2007

Susie,

I tried effexor about 4 or 5 years ago when zoloft was no longer working for me. It was awful for me, I had no will to even live. Trying to get up out of bed was a real chore. After two weeks of no functioning I called my PCP and said I can't take this drug. She immediately switched me to lexapro and I have been fine. Now my RA doctor wanted to switch me from lexapro to effexor because she said it can help easy muscular skeletol pains. Cymbalta also aids in this. My brother who has RSD, his PCP is going to switch him from Cymbalta to effexor to help with his pain. I would imagine that is why you were on it. I have known alot of people who have used or tried effexor. To me it seems to be one of those drugs that you can either take or react terribly to. I am glad you found out that this drug is definetly not good for you.

LuAnn

JoanofArdmore · July 2007

I have Asthenia (Debilitation, lack of energy and strength)

crazy sweating

amazing fatigue

dry mouth

dizziness

and I have never taken an effexor of any sort!It IS from femara, along with great edema.
I know you said some drugs can have reverse SEs in some people.
And since I read constantly that Effexor XR is one of the worst drugs there is, I'm certainly hoping some other people will drop the drug.

But the thing I find , and that SO many of my friends have found, is that no drugs really help with AI SEs.Pain and antidepressive drugs just make people passive and accepting of the SEs.
The only things I've really heard of working are things like accupuncture, Reiki, Eastern stretching exercizes like Yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Gong.And certain herbal& vitamin suppliments.
I did suggest alternative help to you, and I'm SO glad you found SAM-E.(I cant take SAM-E--it makes me feel too spacey & out of it.)
Another good one is Rhodesia Rugela.It, with bee energy and ALA and Acetyl -l glut hzve gotten me through this move with energy to spare!May they keep working till Aug 15!

Good luck!I hope you continue on this path!(One friend just referred to herself has having turned into a "real New Age Nut",
A person could do worse.Much worse

saluki · July 2007

LuAnn-- PCP put me on Effexor long before the RSD and Femara.
He was young. I asked him for amitryptaline (Elavil) which I new worked well for me in the past but he wouldn't budge---He said Effexor had less side effects. So Effexor it was.

Don't you know new studies show the old tricyclics give better pain control especially in peripheral neurapathy than SSRI's but the SE's have to be weighed.

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/335/7610/87

If I had to go that route again it would be Nortriptyline since I can't take Strattera (which was a wonder medication for me) because of my liver nor Cymbalta.

Hopefully, the Sam-e and the Phosphatidylserine which I just started will keep working.

I guess I don't have to tell you---but struggling to get up
at 1:30 in the afternoon just to get food and pills in and now; Suddenly waking up every day at 6:45 in the morning ready to go is totally freaky after all this time. A few months ago that was my bedtime!-----Now bedtime is before midnight.-------My body is so confused!

My New Normal is getting undone! Thank G-d! Maybe I will get my life back.

Joan, I think I could have dealt with the side effects of the Femara--- but Effexor XR seemed to have given me a double dose.

You may want to look into the Phosphatidylserine. They
mentioned good results in the BCO online conference on supplements the other night---- Its supposed to restore your brain's supply and output of acetylcholine.

I need to look into the Rugela, but with my current sweet tooth I'll wind up in a bakery. LOL

iodine · July 2007

I had no problems with Effexor XR, just to balance the comments.

wallan · July 2007

I also have no problems with Effexor XR

Wendy A

saluki · July 2007

Quote:

I had no problems with Effexor XR, just to balance the comments.

Dottie,

I hear your concern. I thought a great deal about posting
this at all because I feel Effexor is one of the best medicines to bring someone out of a deep, dark depression.

I'm sure I was helped on the beginning by Effexor. It is certainly not my intention to scare anyone away from taking it.

My frustration is more at the Docs who don't realize that as they add more and more medications to our regimen; be it BP meds, anti-convulsants to deal with neuropathy, thyroid medications, sleep medications, COX2 Inhibitors, NSAIDS and the AI's,---that maybe a medication adjustment may be in order.-----

The interactions between these medications may not be fully understood. When you think about it look how many Medical
Specialties you are really encompassing with Cancer Care its too much for one Doctor.

How can a Primary care specialist be an expert in so many medications? I can tell you, his palm pilot will not contain all the oddball or post marketing side effects--nor is the PCP likely to see any of the odd ball ones in his office

We change. Our bodies change and our reactions to medications can change over time. Perhaps, what was needed before may not be needed now or in the same quantity.

Maybe we need less of something--maybe more.---But till now suffering and laying it all at the feet of AI's hasn't
helped.

I don't know what the answer is. Is it better listening?
Maybe a willingness to continually re-evaluate the medications periodically? Hey-thats good for a hour visit.
What Doctor has that kind of time for an established patient?

If I hasn't had the LFT scare - I'd still be completely non functional and thats what bothers me

It's really not Effexor---You could have substituted a half dozen crazy medication in its place and either it could have been a miracle medication or a nightmare. If you can not tell what side effect is from what medication and
the Doctor doesn't think to link the two.-----Where does that leave the patient?

I've just been off my feet for 4 weeks because of incredible Achilles tendon pain. I could not even cross a room.

I had no idea LEVAQUIN an antibiotic I taking because of Oral surgery, could produce tendonitis bad enough to rupture an Achilles tendon.

Who connects unbearable foot pain with an antibiotic? I blamed Femara and kept taking it without even calling my surgeon.

I was at my PCP for him to approve another course of the medication! ---- When I asked him if the medication could affect the Liver Enzymes---he said no--- I know, now although, a remote possibility, it can also cause liver failure as well as elevated liver enzymes (not so rare)

The Oral Surgeon is now reporting an adverse event and how long it will take to resolve is anyones guess.

Who's fault? My surgeon had never heard of that one and it is a life saving medication. Even, had I known I still would have tried the medication. But, I would have had a hint to stop the medication at the first symptom.

So, I guess I'm just venting my frustration of not having much control over my own body and continually having to be
my own medical sleuth.

Susie

iodine · July 2007

Susie, I apologise, my comment was too brief. I do see your point and I totally agree. My docs don't keep up with side effects either. I'll call my pharmacist before the doc. Even tho the pharma. is with a big company, at least he has a 'puter program with input that will spit out interactions and side effects.

Yes, we have to do our own research and woe is the one who doesn't to or doesn't know how. Does everyone read the printout from the pharmacy? no, neither do I. But I do when I begin having something come up that I don't like or before I begin taking a med. Most of them will scare the crap out of you, look at the one for tamoxifen!

Just taking care of ourselves is a dang full time job, isn't it? It used to be so simple, go to the doc, take the pills, get better.

Anonymous · July 2007

Oh Ladies, I hear ya! Our doctors do not have the time.

Susie, I'm really so happy that you are feeling so much better.
Shirley

bodhisattva · April 2008

Effexor stopped my hot flashes for about 4 months, then gradually it stopped working, in the meantime adding to my weight gain and working against my sex drive and ability to enjoy it.

I recently have been weaning myself (very slowly) off of the Effexor and it has been hell!!

Lots of dizziness and headaches everyday, all day - none of the medications work for this headache except for marijuana - amazing! I have since found out that this is very common and the usual symptoms for "withdrawal" from Effexor. My doctor and my pharmacist concur.

If I had been told that to get off of this drug would be so difficult, I would have really thought twice about starting it in the first place. None of my doctors warned me of the side effects and most don't even know about how hard it really is to get off of it.

acarr · April 2008

bodhisattva, I had a very difficult time weaning off Effexor several years ago. I experienced all those side effects you listed plus more, and almost gave up and went back on it. I did a little Internet research and stumbled upon a website where doctors discussed psych meds and withdrawal symptoms. One of the doctors said he has his patients take Prozac and Benedryl while weaning off Effexor. I did this for 10 days while gradually lowering my dose of Effexor and it worked. No more nausea, dizziness, headaches or brain zaps. You may want to talk with your doctor about trying this technique.

Sayonara Effexor XR!

Comments

Categories