Effexor XR Withdrawl?!
Question: A friend of mine was experiencing dizziness randomly one morning with loss of coordination wasn't able to walk in a straight line and was losing balance and ended up being sent home the same friend informed me that they were taking effexor XR and had taken their usual dose the night before they had been on the pill for almost 3 weeks at that time the same friend was then by their doctor told to stop the drug and has stopped cold turkey I am posting this because I'm concerned the friend advised me of apparent withdrawl patients get and after stopping cold turkey for a few days she still experiences lightheadedness, SLIGHT loss of balance, occasionally, headaches and nausea as well as fatigue and increased irritability (she also told me her dreams are of unusual content and include people she knows but aren't nightmares) anyway I'm wondering could all her symptoms be of this drug even though she wasn't on it for that long and could the symptoms have occurred that randomly after almost
Answers: A friend of mine was experiencing dizziness randomly one morning with loss of coordination wasn't able to walk in a straight line and was losing balance and ended up being sent home the same friend informed me that they were taking effexor XR and had taken their usual dose the night before they had been on the pill for almost 3 weeks at that time the same friend was then by their doctor told to stop the drug and has stopped cold turkey I am posting this because I'm concerned the friend advised me of apparent withdrawl patients get and after stopping cold turkey for a few days she still experiences lightheadedness, SLIGHT loss of balance, occasionally, headaches and nausea as well as fatigue and increased irritability (she also told me her dreams are of unusual content and include people she knows but aren't nightmares) anyway I'm wondering could all her symptoms be of this drug even though she wasn't on it for that long and could the symptoms have occurred that randomly after almost
She could absolutely be suffering from withdrawl!!! Some anti anxiety/depressants only take about a week to kick in on certain individuals.
All drugs have side effects. Her Dr. should have spoke w/her about them, but she also should have expected, depending on her age.
anti anxiety/depressants can be absolute hell to come off of! all kinds of side effects that last about two weeks...sometimes longer. They are not like coming off of a narcotic or anything, due to the fact that you do not crave the drug. You just feel like absolute garbage. It's horrible! But she will be ok. give it time. The side effects of coming off of an anti anxiety/depressants are only intense for so long. it gets easier...
Yes Effexor XR is a drug that you cannot stop cold turkey, when you start the medication you are titrated up and when you quit you should be titrated down. When you are taking this drug and you miss your dosage, you get what is called "Effexor flu" . Symptoms are similar to the regular flu, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, headache, weak, tired, etc....
your friend should call her doctor and explain the symptoms she is having, Even though she was not on it very long, you still experience withdrawl when stopping it abruptly...
good luck and stay healthy!
Never quit cold turkey! WITHDRAWING SAFELY WITHDRAWING FROM PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS
MEDICATIONS. DIFFICULTY STOPPING PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS. See sections 1, and the antidepressant websites, and read section 2, at ezy-build* (my standard post follows): See depression treatments, at ezy-build *(below) in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at www.drugs.com so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his associate, and also Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, as well, at http://www.mercola.com and avoid antidepressants (pages 2V, and 2Z refer, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including others as options, such as the supplements: Inositol, or SAMe, or herbal remedies, like St. John's wort. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even weeks to begin becoming effective. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I'd just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I'd take them). If the amount of daylight you have been exposed to recently has reduced, perhaps due to the change of seasons, see Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) in section 2, at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and, instead of taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily; replace 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements for the winter months only! (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Consider having your doctor test your vitamin D levels. Print/refer her. I'd go back on 1/2 dose, for 3 weeks, then begin tapering off, with medical advice.
I have heard nothing good about Effexor. Bad withdrawl seems to be pretty common. I refused to take the crap. Hope your friend gets better quick.