Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Dr. Glenmullen has a book that may help http://www.prozacbacklash.com/ http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=333966 & page=1 Hope that helps. Jim Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were awful...went back on to 75mg. During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: ---Itching all over my body. ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire sensation ---Numbness in face. ---Extreme crying jags. ---Extreme feelings of rage ---Nightmares ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these are part of seizures*!!!) ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) ---Severe Headaches ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer (90degree temp. at night). ---Agitation ---Dizziness ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head ---Could not concentrate ---Extreme Diarrhea I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is clueless. How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Dr. Glenmullen has a book that may help http://www.prozacbacklash.com/ http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=333966 & page=1 Hope that helps. Jim Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were awful...went back on to 75mg. During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: ---Itching all over my body. ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire sensation ---Numbness in face. ---Extreme crying jags. ---Extreme feelings of rage ---Nightmares ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these are part of seizures*!!!) ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) ---Severe Headaches ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer (90degree temp. at night). ---Agitation ---Dizziness ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head ---Could not concentrate ---Extreme Diarrhea I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is clueless. How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Dr. Glenmullen has a book that may help http://www.prozacbacklash.com/ http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=333966 & page=1 Hope that helps. Jim Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were awful...went back on to 75mg. During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: ---Itching all over my body. ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire sensation ---Numbness in face. ---Extreme crying jags. ---Extreme feelings of rage ---Nightmares ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these are part of seizures*!!!) ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) ---Severe Headaches ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer (90degree temp. at night). ---Agitation ---Dizziness ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head ---Could not concentrate ---Extreme Diarrhea I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is clueless. How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Dr. Glenmullen has a book that may help http://www.prozacbacklash.com/ http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=333966 & page=1 Hope that helps. Jim Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were awful...went back on to 75mg. During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: ---Itching all over my body. ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire sensation ---Numbness in face. ---Extreme crying jags. ---Extreme feelings of rage ---Nightmares ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these are part of seizures*!!!) ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) ---Severe Headaches ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer (90degree temp. at night). ---Agitation ---Dizziness ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head ---Could not concentrate ---Extreme Diarrhea I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is clueless. How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Jim, I just got that book on tape a week ago and definitely look forward to reading it. http://www.ahrp.org may have some more books and resources that will help as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Hi, and a warm welcome to the group! First, I wanted to say you have our support in going through the process of coming off ssri's. Along with Dr. Glenmullen's book, which is excellent and which Jim just mentioned, there is Dr. Ann Blake 's book and her extensive resources at http://www.drugawareness.org Dr. Glenmullen was briefly interviewed on the " Prime Time Live " video in a brief segment about coming off antidepressants, which might be useful for you to see or read a transcript of from our group archives. Your doctor does sound as if he/she doesn't have a clue ... to come off any antidepressant or any psyche drug, you have to wean yourself gradually ..in some instances the " Prime Time Live " documentary described how some adults trying to wean themselves off Paxil got the liquid version and used a medicine dropper, though Glitter could tell you more about that than I could. I vaguely remember that when Mom was on Zoloft she began to get scared because she kept needing higher doses to get the same effect and began gradually weaning herself off it, which she did in very small increments ... to take away 75 milligrams at a time is way too much and creates the horrible side effects you described to us in your post. She had no doctor then to help her and no resources such as Glenmullen's books or Dr. 's book and website to help her, so I think she did a successful job of coming off Zoloft in spite of them ... her psychiatrist would have gladly kept her on it and upped the dose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Welcome to the group! Please check out this link: Professional Practitioner National Database for help withdrawing from an SSRI: http://www.AlternativeMentalHealth.com Our prayers are with you. You are doing the right thing by trying to get off of this stuff but it is obviously very difficult. Our son took Effexor XR - his quack started him at 75 mg/day and had him build up to 300 mg/day in just a couple of weeks. His hell started immediately and came to an awful end. Effexor is one of the least talked about SSRI/SNRI's but has some very severe side effects and withdrawal symptoms. All SSRI/SNRI's are bad - don't let some quack talk you into switching to a different one. Stay the course! and Terry Bearden Parents of B.J. Poole 03-04-82 - 09-03-03 Effexor XR Victim readersleaders <readersleaders@...> wrote: Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were awful...went back on to 75mg. During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: ---Itching all over my body. ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire sensation ---Numbness in face. ---Extreme crying jags. ---Extreme feelings of rage ---Nightmares ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these are part of seizures*!!!) ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) ---Severe Headaches ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer (90degree temp. at night). ---Agitation ---Dizziness ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head ---Could not concentrate ---Extreme Diarrhea I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is clueless. How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Welcome to the group! Please check out this link: Professional Practitioner National Database for help withdrawing from an SSRI: http://www.AlternativeMentalHealth.com Our prayers are with you. You are doing the right thing by trying to get off of this stuff but it is obviously very difficult. Our son took Effexor XR - his quack started him at 75 mg/day and had him build up to 300 mg/day in just a couple of weeks. His hell started immediately and came to an awful end. Effexor is one of the least talked about SSRI/SNRI's but has some very severe side effects and withdrawal symptoms. All SSRI/SNRI's are bad - don't let some quack talk you into switching to a different one. Stay the course! and Terry Bearden Parents of B.J. Poole 03-04-82 - 09-03-03 Effexor XR Victim readersleaders <readersleaders@...> wrote: Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were awful...went back on to 75mg. During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: ---Itching all over my body. ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire sensation ---Numbness in face. ---Extreme crying jags. ---Extreme feelings of rage ---Nightmares ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these are part of seizures*!!!) ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) ---Severe Headaches ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer (90degree temp. at night). ---Agitation ---Dizziness ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head ---Could not concentrate ---Extreme Diarrhea I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is clueless. How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Welcome to the group! Please check out this link: Professional Practitioner National Database for help withdrawing from an SSRI: http://www.AlternativeMentalHealth.com Our prayers are with you. You are doing the right thing by trying to get off of this stuff but it is obviously very difficult. Our son took Effexor XR - his quack started him at 75 mg/day and had him build up to 300 mg/day in just a couple of weeks. His hell started immediately and came to an awful end. Effexor is one of the least talked about SSRI/SNRI's but has some very severe side effects and withdrawal symptoms. All SSRI/SNRI's are bad - don't let some quack talk you into switching to a different one. Stay the course! and Terry Bearden Parents of B.J. Poole 03-04-82 - 09-03-03 Effexor XR Victim readersleaders <readersleaders@...> wrote: Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were awful...went back on to 75mg. During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: ---Itching all over my body. ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire sensation ---Numbness in face. ---Extreme crying jags. ---Extreme feelings of rage ---Nightmares ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these are part of seizures*!!!) ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) ---Severe Headaches ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer (90degree temp. at night). ---Agitation ---Dizziness ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head ---Could not concentrate ---Extreme Diarrhea I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is clueless. How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Welcome to the group! Please check out this link: Professional Practitioner National Database for help withdrawing from an SSRI: http://www.AlternativeMentalHealth.com Our prayers are with you. You are doing the right thing by trying to get off of this stuff but it is obviously very difficult. Our son took Effexor XR - his quack started him at 75 mg/day and had him build up to 300 mg/day in just a couple of weeks. His hell started immediately and came to an awful end. Effexor is one of the least talked about SSRI/SNRI's but has some very severe side effects and withdrawal symptoms. All SSRI/SNRI's are bad - don't let some quack talk you into switching to a different one. Stay the course! and Terry Bearden Parents of B.J. Poole 03-04-82 - 09-03-03 Effexor XR Victim readersleaders <readersleaders@...> wrote: Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were awful...went back on to 75mg. During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: ---Itching all over my body. ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire sensation ---Numbness in face. ---Extreme crying jags. ---Extreme feelings of rage ---Nightmares ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these are part of seizures*!!!) ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) ---Severe Headaches ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer (90degree temp. at night). ---Agitation ---Dizziness ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head ---Could not concentrate ---Extreme Diarrhea I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is clueless. How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2005 Report Share Posted January 16, 2005 No point in sugar-coating it, the initial withdrawal can be awful. I had several of the symptoms you are having, and some different ones. Doctor put me on Prozac " to help until I could get off Effexor " . Then tried stopping Prozac - yikes, almost as bad. Then BuSpar to deal with the withdrawal anxiety attacks, which actually aggrevated them instead of helping, also HRT while withdrawing can aggrevate anxiety - I learned that I was not alone on that one. It took a year and a half after not taking any of these drugs to start feeling almost normal nearly all of the time. There's no other way that I know except to suffer some. It was very hard at first, but it does get better over time. Withdrawal symptoms seemed to come in cycles - I'd have a stretch of good days followed by several bad ones. In the case of women withdrawing, hormones most likely play a role. At first - good days were few, but they increased over time. Still have some bad days that because of accompanying symptoms I know are directly related - almost two years later, but I know what they are now and how to get through them. That seems to be key - recognizing what is making you feel like jumping off a bridge and talking yourself through things. Yes, primary healthcare and OB/GYN doctors - nearly all of them - are still clueless. And these are the providers who are primarily prescribing these drugs. It's sad, but usually we can't look to them to help get off them. I can remember screaming at mine to try and get him to understand that the drug was causing this when he'd try to increase my dose instead of decrease it. Unfortunately, most of us have to go through this without the understanding of our healthcare providers. He still offers me the option of going back on an SSRI. Last time I saw him I said - just put in my record that I will NEVER take an SSRI again in my lifetime and have since asked to see his partner instead of him. Partner looks at the note and says - I am not going to write a prescription for you to which I say, Thank you for respecting my wishes. > > > Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for > 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down > to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were > awful...went back on to 75mg. > > During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs > that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the > med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- > had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My > Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have > scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. > > I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- > -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my > perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! > > When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: > > ---Itching all over my body. > ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. > ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire > sensation > ---Numbness in face. > ---Extreme crying jags. > ---Extreme feelings of rage > ---Nightmares > ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these > are part of seizures*!!!) > ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) > ---Severe Headaches > ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer > (90degree temp. at night). > ---Agitation > ---Dizziness > ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head > ---Could not concentrate > ---Extreme Diarrhea > > I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the > help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is > clueless. > > How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! > > I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2005 Report Share Posted January 16, 2005 No point in sugar-coating it, the initial withdrawal can be awful. I had several of the symptoms you are having, and some different ones. Doctor put me on Prozac " to help until I could get off Effexor " . Then tried stopping Prozac - yikes, almost as bad. Then BuSpar to deal with the withdrawal anxiety attacks, which actually aggrevated them instead of helping, also HRT while withdrawing can aggrevate anxiety - I learned that I was not alone on that one. It took a year and a half after not taking any of these drugs to start feeling almost normal nearly all of the time. There's no other way that I know except to suffer some. It was very hard at first, but it does get better over time. Withdrawal symptoms seemed to come in cycles - I'd have a stretch of good days followed by several bad ones. In the case of women withdrawing, hormones most likely play a role. At first - good days were few, but they increased over time. Still have some bad days that because of accompanying symptoms I know are directly related - almost two years later, but I know what they are now and how to get through them. That seems to be key - recognizing what is making you feel like jumping off a bridge and talking yourself through things. Yes, primary healthcare and OB/GYN doctors - nearly all of them - are still clueless. And these are the providers who are primarily prescribing these drugs. It's sad, but usually we can't look to them to help get off them. I can remember screaming at mine to try and get him to understand that the drug was causing this when he'd try to increase my dose instead of decrease it. Unfortunately, most of us have to go through this without the understanding of our healthcare providers. He still offers me the option of going back on an SSRI. Last time I saw him I said - just put in my record that I will NEVER take an SSRI again in my lifetime and have since asked to see his partner instead of him. Partner looks at the note and says - I am not going to write a prescription for you to which I say, Thank you for respecting my wishes. > > > Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for > 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down > to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were > awful...went back on to 75mg. > > During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs > that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the > med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- > had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My > Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have > scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. > > I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- > -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my > perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! > > When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: > > ---Itching all over my body. > ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. > ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire > sensation > ---Numbness in face. > ---Extreme crying jags. > ---Extreme feelings of rage > ---Nightmares > ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these > are part of seizures*!!!) > ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) > ---Severe Headaches > ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer > (90degree temp. at night). > ---Agitation > ---Dizziness > ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head > ---Could not concentrate > ---Extreme Diarrhea > > I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the > help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is > clueless. > > How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! > > I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2005 Report Share Posted January 16, 2005 Prozac Backlash is a wonderful book. It was the only thing that made me feel like I wasn't going insane when I was withdrawing from SSRIs. I recommend it highly. > Dr. Glenmullen has a book that may help > > http://www.prozacbacklash.com/ > > http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=333966 & page=1 > > Hope that helps. > > Jim > > > > > Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for > 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down > to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were > awful...went back on to 75mg. > > During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs > that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the > med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- > had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My > Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have > scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. > > I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- > -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my > perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! > > When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: > > ---Itching all over my body. > ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. > ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire > sensation > ---Numbness in face. > ---Extreme crying jags. > ---Extreme feelings of rage > ---Nightmares > ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these > are part of seizures*!!!) > ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) > ---Severe Headaches > ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer > (90degree temp. at night). > ---Agitation > ---Dizziness > ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head > ---Could not concentrate > ---Extreme Diarrhea > > I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the > help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is > clueless. > > How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! > > I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2005 Report Share Posted January 16, 2005 Prozac Backlash is a wonderful book. It was the only thing that made me feel like I wasn't going insane when I was withdrawing from SSRIs. I recommend it highly. > Dr. Glenmullen has a book that may help > > http://www.prozacbacklash.com/ > > http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=333966 & page=1 > > Hope that helps. > > Jim > > > > > Started taking Effexor XR 150mg./once a day; stayed at that level for > 1 1/2 years. Went down to 75mg. XR/once a day for 1 year. Went down > to 37.5mg for 6 months, then completely off. The withdrawals were > awful...went back on to 75mg. > > During my initial level of 150mg. I developed lumps all over my legs > that were so painful. My general practitioner (who prescribed the > med) sent me to a skin specialist. Gave me Vioxx (was legal then)-- > had the worst stomach upset and stopped the Vioxx (thank God). My > Doctor then decided to drop me to 75 mg. Lumps went away--but I have > scarring (purplish) in colour on my legs from where the lumps were. > > I have gained over 50 lbs. on this junk, have " blocks " of memory loss- > -my short term memory is not good, have terrible nightmares, my > perspection of height is magnified, and I am constipated!!! > > When I went off completely I had the following withdrawals: > > ---Itching all over my body. > ---Pins and needle feeling all over body. > ---Numbness in all extremities with alternating burning--like on fire > sensation > ---Numbness in face. > ---Extreme crying jags. > ---Extreme feelings of rage > ---Nightmares > ---Clenching off teeth/muscle tightning (I now understand that these > are part of seizures*!!!) > ---Panic Attacks (far worse then before I used the medication) > ---Severe Headaches > ---Extreme Chills (5 blankets--one a down comforter during the summer > (90degree temp. at night). > ---Agitation > ---Dizziness > ---Swishing in my head when I turned my head > ---Could not concentrate > ---Extreme Diarrhea > > I will start the weaning again in about 2 months and I need all the > help I can get on how to do this. I hate to say it, but my doctor is > clueless. > > How can I successfully wean off this POISON?!!!!!!!! > > I NEED HELP!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Each person is different, but I went from being in a lot of pain to feeling near-normal with the help of R.A. meds. I'm working 4 days a week, moving well, no pain. I do need more rest than the average Joe. Sierra --- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " lilnem41 " <lilnem41@y...> wrote: > > Hello > > My name is Lillian. I am 64 years old & was diagnosed with Rheumatoid > Arthritis. I would like to know what am I in for? I am in excrusiating > pain, in my ankles, knees, wrists, elbows & my shoulder. Walking is > even difficult at times. Has anyone experienced RA like this & what > could be done? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 --- lilnem41 <lilnem41@...> wrote: > Hello > > My name is Lillian. I am 64 years old & was > diagnosed with Rheumatoid > Arthritis. I would like to know what am I in for? > I am in excrusiating > pain, in my ankles, knees, wrists, elbows & my > shoulder. Walking is > even difficult at times. Has anyone experienced RA > like this & what > could be done? Hello Lillian , I'm I'm 41 and yea its that bad for me ! have you got you a R/A dr yet ? that should be your 1st priority then your family dr for your pain meds and maybe sleep help or anti depressants if it is haveing a toll on your state of mind , and it hurts worse when you fell depressed . > > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 --- lilnem41 <lilnem41@...> wrote: > Hello > > My name is Lillian. I am 64 years old & was > diagnosed with Rheumatoid > Arthritis. I would like to know what am I in for? > I am in excrusiating > pain, in my ankles, knees, wrists, elbows & my > shoulder. Walking is > even difficult at times. Has anyone experienced RA > like this & what > could be done? Hello Lillian , I'm I'm 41 and yea its that bad for me ! have you got you a R/A dr yet ? that should be your 1st priority then your family dr for your pain meds and maybe sleep help or anti depressants if it is haveing a toll on your state of mind , and it hurts worse when you fell depressed . > > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 I also lived most of my life without RA and I consider myself very fortunate. I was 74 when I first got RA and now I'm 78. I was hospitalized and completely bedridden at first but starting with 40 mg Prednisone daily to permit me to function was the first step. Arava alone didn't do very much so my doctor added Methotrexate and I took myself off Arava (probably a mistake). The Methotrexate alone didn't do very much so we added Remicade at 3 mg/kg and gradually increased it to 6 mg/kg and now I feel that I am pretty well controlled. I have been completely off Prednisone for about 6 months. You should be seeing a rheumatologist and you should be on one or more RA medications called DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs). Methotrexate is often the first drug tried because it is relatively inexpensive and then if necessary going up to Arava and the biologics. The biologics are the most expensive and unless you have good insurance they might be out of reach. Remicade is covered by Medicare at present but none of the others are covered. Some of the drug programs available next year from Medicare may cover more of the RA medicines. Prednisone is often given to treat symptoms of RA but it does little to slow or stop the progress of RA and the joint damage. However, it usually acts quickly to relieve symptoms whereas most RA medications take several weeks or even months to become effective. Because of the side effects of Prednisone most of us try to get off it as soon as we can. I hope you find the treatment that works well for you. You should be seeing a rheumatologist because few other doctors are capable of effective treatment of RA. Also you might need to try several doctors till you find the one that is right for you. God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: lilnem41 Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 10:46 AM Subject: NEED HELP!!!!!!!! HelloMy name is Lillian. I am 64 years old & was diagnosed with RheumatoidArthritis. I would like to know what am I in for? I am in excrusiatingpain, in my ankles, knees, wrists, elbows & my shoulder. Walking is even difficult at times. Has anyone experienced RA like this & what could be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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