Stupid question

[mrgorth]

Ever since I started weaning off the Effexor I've had trouble breathing. I have a dry cough and my chest feels tight. I did a course of anti-biotics that did nothing but make me feel sick and now I'm on prednisone that also appears to have no impact. Is there ANY WAY that such a symptom could be related to getting off Effexor? I haven't excercised for 3 weeks because of this crap.

[Tab]

1. Two answers

1) There are no stupid queestions, just stupid answers (and questions not asked)

2) I've not heard of that specifically for Effexor. It almost sounds more high-bloodpressurish (hypertension). Basic answer: ask your Doctor.

[EFerrari]

2. I'm sorry I don't have any experience with Effexor.

But, if the withdrawal was stressful, sure you could wind up with health consequences.

Are you having symptoms of anxiety? That happens sometimes when you go off of anti-depressants.

[Tab]

3. Just to add to it...

Effexor's withdrawal symptoms are "legendary", although just what they are is unclear. Some have headaches and other problems, others have no problems at all.

It's been a few more days - how ya feelin?

That said, I reiterate: ask your doc. If nothing else has changed for you medically, I think it's be reasonable to suspect the Effexor withdrawal, in which case you should ask about tapering off more gradually.

[mrgorth]

4. Funny you should ask

Still have the cough and tightness in the chest. Anti-biotics and steroids haven't helped. Other than that alright. Found a wealth of info on the web about effexor withdrawal and people recommended splitting capsules (literally, dividing up the little balls) rather than going whole days without the stuff, theoretically, until you're down to a few of the little balls. Also, apparently, Benadryl is good against the other side effects such as "brain zaps". Thanks for asking.

[Tab]

5. Well, you should really ask your doc

Some meds can be physically split (usually the ones that are scored), so you can reduce dosage that way. Others (usually the ones that are not scored) can not be split - splitting them often renders them useless. I don't know what type of Effexor you take, and frankly don't recall whether they're splittable or not. If you're splitting an "unsplittable" drug, that might be the same as just not taking it.

Again, ask your doc. He'll perhaps be able to recommend a weaning schedule, or prescribe lower-dosages, or both. If money (for prescriptions) is an issue, ask him anyway - hopefully (s)he will help you work around it, to get you off the stuff.

I know some people who dropped 75 mg no problem, others who dropped just a little off of a very large dose and regretted it. There's no predicting it, I guess, but docs know that and will work with you.

- T

[bling bling]

6. Brain zaps. Those are awful.

I thought I experienced every possible withdrawal symptom that Effexor had to offer. Brain zaps, whipping sounds in my ears when I tried to fall asleep, vertigo, nausea, headaches, misery, etc. etc. Benedryl did help but I still had the symptoms. It just took the edge off, which I was tremendously grateful for. My experience ON Effexor was pretty bad too so I was pretty motivated to stick through the awful withdrawal symptoms -- it took a long time though (for me).

However, I don't remember having breathing problems. I should research my other posts about Effexor on this forum to see if I ever mentioned anything about that (that period in my life is kind of blurry for me now so I can't remember what I went through as vividly as I used to, thankfully).

[mrgorth]

7. I think the breathing is finally improving

Maybe it was just a virus.:(