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Member
Member Since Jan 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 103
18 |
Jan 13, 2006 at 01:20 AM
#1
hi,
Ive been on effexor for about 6months now, and although I feel it has been very helpfull, I cant seem to get past the dizzy feeling I get. Its hard to explain, but Ill try, its like an electric feeling through my head and my body and it comes in waves, when I move or walk it gets worse. I was wondering if anyone else has this feeling ever. I have tried explaining it to the docs but they just kind of look at me funny and say their not sure why I get that and that they have bever heard of it before. Its something that really has me worried, and because of it, I have stopped taking the medication on my own for now. I know your not suppose to stop without a doctors ok, I just cant stand this feeling. Not sure what to do. Thanks for listening. -Jodi |
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Member
Member Since Dec 2005
Location: So Calif
Posts: 56
18 |
Jan 13, 2006 at 03:42 AM
#2
This is one of those drugs you do not want to just cut off. Two other baddies are Xanax and Paxil.
Depending on dosage, you may be seeing side effects. The electric feeling is not unheard of with SSRIs, although more commonly in connection with withdrawal. Are you seeing a psychiatrist who knows about this stuff, or a GP? But do not suddenly stop this one - taper off with your doc's advice if you must stop. Or be prepared for the possibility of being quite miserable in a very short period of time. They say do not suddenly stop these drugs for a reason - it throws your brain into a sudden chemical imbalance, which can cause all manner of unpleasant things to happen. I suggest you get in to see your doc immediately if you are unable to continue this med. Good luck, samsara __________________  If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it - Lucy Larcom |
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Grand Magnate
Member Since Dec 2004
Posts: 3,600
19 
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Jan 13, 2006 at 04:05 AM
#3
  When I lowered my dosage of Effexor it was pretty unpleasant. Headaches and nausea, really not nice. I agree with not stopping suddenly. I would tell you Docs that you are having unpleasant effects that you feel are associated with this med and ask for a med change that will not effect you like this. I wish you luck |
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Grand Magnate
Managing Editor, PC 
Member Since Apr 2004
Location: Milky Way galaxy
Posts: 4,572
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Jan 13, 2006 at 07:03 AM
#4
I got cold-turkeyed off every single one of my psych meds when I was admitted to the hospital for a life-threatening illness, and I finally found out what people mean about "brain zaps." I would have these horrible electric-shock type things that would just make me crazy (and highly uncomfortable). I didn't stop by myself, I had docs do it for me (I'm now back on Effexor at half the dose I was), but man, was it uncomfortable to stop without tapering. I don't recommend it! Talk to your doc.
Candy |
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Jul 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,526
18 |
Jan 13, 2006 at 07:13 AM
#5
Hi. I tried taking myself off of it cold turkey for 30 some days. I was as crazy as a lune. Seriously!
 I'll never do THAT again. __________________  dottie |
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Member
Member Since Jan 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 103
18 |
Jan 13, 2006 at 07:14 AM
#6
the way you described it is perfect, brain zaps, thats how it feels, thought it was me, Im on 150mg tabs, is that alot, I really want to stop, I have no more pills right now, and really dont want to get any, but will this feeling go away, and how long does it take to go away, I cant stand it, its so grrrrr, uncomfortable.
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Jul 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,526
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Jan 13, 2006 at 07:30 AM
#7
Hi. If I were you,I would get a refill as soon as possible.
~D __________________ dottie |
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Veteran Member
Member Since Sep 2004
Location: Ontario
Posts: 471
19 |
Jan 13, 2006 at 09:36 AM
#8
Hey Jodi. Sorry you're having problems.
150 mg is maybe a little lowish, compared to the usual maintenance dose, but everybody is different. The brain zaps, you're getting.....are they happening in the hours before your next dose, by any chance? In the period when it's maybe wearing off a bit? If so, that's one reason why they changed the formulation and created Effexor XR. Some people go into withdrawals each day when they're using the regular Effexor. Their bodies metabolize the Effexor so fast that the blood level falls and they start getting the zaps. If you think the zaps were bad from taking the drug, going cold turkey is likely to be worse. That is just how it is for *your* body. You'll have to taper the dose very carefully to minimize these zaps. I'd suggest, instead, you get switched over to Effexor XR, pronto. Like today. Lar |
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Member
Member Since Jan 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 103
18 |
Jan 13, 2006 at 09:52 AM
#9
I ran out of the medication on Wensday, and on thursday, and much worse right now, the zaps started. It doesnt happen between doses, but I didnt realize it would happen so quick of being out, I am going to get it refilled for now, considering its friday, and monday is a holliday, but I would like to stop taking it. Is thier anything to do about the feeling, its so strong right now, it goes into my hands and lips too. How long does it take for a medication to get out of the body all together, is this 'zapping' going to go on for a long time?? This will most likely be my last post since Im still new, Ill need to waite 24hours, but any ideas will be helpfull.
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Jul 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,526
18 |
Jan 13, 2006 at 11:08 AM
#10
If you are not satisfied with Effexor..ask your Doctor..(and keep buggin' 'im) to switch you to another anti-depressant. Cymbalta is very good, especially if you suffer from any sort of chronic pain. It's ridiculous to keep you on medication that makes you dizzy. Glad you are going back on the Effexor. You are on a fairly high dose. You should start feeling less zappy a few hours after taking the first dose.
Been there-done that! Good luck! Hope you feel better later! Let us know! 
__________________ dottie |
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Veteran Member
Member Since Sep 2004
Location: Ontario
Posts: 471
19 |
Jan 13, 2006 at 03:03 PM
#11
What you need to do is to follow a tapering schedule. How quickly you can reduce the dose is entirely dependent on how much of this adverse effect/zapping you can manage at any point in time. You could try dropping by 37.5 immediately upon securing your new supply. Stay at that dose for a week, to let your body accustom itself, and then try another reduction. If the zapping happens again, then your body is telling you you're reducing too quickly. You just can't go cold turkey off Effexor. Give it some time, and you may not experience much of any of these withdrawal effects. It may take a number of weeks to withdraw from it, and still be comfortable through that process. You can speed it up, and be more uncomfortable. There's no hard and fast rule.
Lar |
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Grand Member
Member Since Sep 2005
Location: Big Orange Country
Posts: 912
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Jan 17, 2006 at 04:19 PM
#12
150 is pretty low for Effexor...rather than stopping you may want to go to 225 or so and see if that helps...the zaps always happen to me if I miss a dose or something like that. In other words, the level gets too low, the zaps start. I'm currently at 225, but I was taking as much as 600 a day before I started lithium, so there's room to work. You definitely need to come down slowly, though. Some docs will even give a weeks worth of Prozac at the end to keep things mellow.
Good luck DJ __________________ Peace, DJ "Maturity is nothing more than a firmer grasp of cause and effect." -Bob "and the angels, and the devils, are playin' tug-o-war with my personality" -Snakedance, The Rainmakers |
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Member
Member Since Jan 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 103
18 |
Jan 17, 2006 at 08:43 PM
#13
I wonder why it is that the doctor and the pharmicist both said they never heard of that happeing, thats frustrating, because they look at me like Im making it up or something or like I have a pinched nerve in my brain(which is what they told me grrr, they dont know), its been nice to know(although wish noone had to feel them)that people understand and can relate, you dont know how much that means to me to hear, thanks so much for that.
DaveyJones: does it ever go away if doc and I were to take me off, slowly, whatever way is best health wise, would I still have them for the rest of my life, thats what Im afraid of the most. I was off it for about 3-4 weeks once(long story why), and I still had the zaps, they were at thier worse after like 2 and a half weeks, but never improved until after about two and a half weeks after I started taking it again. Sorry if this is confusing, kinda rambled!! Thanks for listening 
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Jan 18, 2006 at 12:44 AM
#14
you will not have the "zaps" all of your life, after you get off the med. i tapered and tapered and tapered.......i had zaps, constantly, and i also felt as if there were rocks rolling around in my head. it was one of the worst experiences i've ever had with a med. whatever you do, do it slowly and ignore your doc and pharmacist if they act as though the zaps don't exist. they exist!! i even counted the little balls in the capsules...that's how i tapered.
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Grand Member
Member Since Sep 2005
Location: Big Orange Country
Posts: 912
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Jan 18, 2006 at 12:43 PM
#15
I'm sorry to hear that you're having these problems, they are scary!
I agree with Pat...they'll go away eventually. Effexor is known to be a real pain to get off of because of this. It should be a long, slow process. Like I mentioned before, some docs will even give a few days of another drug with a longer half-life like Prozac to finish the taper. Hope this helps...and I hope you feel better soon! DJ __________________ Peace, DJ "Maturity is nothing more than a firmer grasp of cause and effect." -Bob "and the angels, and the devils, are playin' tug-o-war with my personality" -Snakedance, The Rainmakers |
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Poohbah
Member Since Mar 2004
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,272
20 |
Jan 19, 2006 at 12:36 AM
#16
i felt dizzy as a side effect of my effexor, also getting up too quickly it happens, but that can happen to anyone really.. if it becomes bothersome i'd ask your doctor about it... after my side effects left i didn't contiue to have that problem...
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Grand Magnate
Managing Editor, PC
Member Since Apr 2004
Location: Milky Way galaxy
Posts: 4,572
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Jan 19, 2006 at 06:29 AM
#17
I got the zaps when I was taken off the med abruptly in the hospital. Then things got WAY worse, so if I still had them two weeks later, I didn't notice. ;-) At the hospital I was transferred to later, I got put back on like a half-dose of what I had been taking, and I haven't had any problems since.
Candy |
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