Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Does anyone here have any experiences with serious (permanent?) personality changes brought on by Effexor withdrawal? Any links to stories with information? My boyfriend was placed on Effexor about 18 months ago during a hellish divorce - 75mg/day, then he cut to 37.5 for 4 days and stopped completely. The day before he quit, he warned me he might be sick for a few days. We were prepared for the severe physical symptoms. He had always been a strong, thoughtful, responsible person who thought raising his daughter right was a priority. We were discussing marriage. However, 3 or 4 days into the withdrawal he eliminated all contact/communication with me, gave up custody of his daughter to his ex (who cheated throughout the marriage, drinks heavily,etc.), walked out on his job - and at two weeks into the withdrawal left the state and now is living alone in a remote area. He says he feels like all the good parts of his personality are gone and he can't get them back. His entire personality, everything he thought, felt and believed for the past year have all done a 180. He is now 1 month off Effexor and is now at least in contact with his mother - but has also begun calling his ex every night. He can't seem to remember (or is in denial of) any of the things she did during the marriage. He can't seem to connect emotionally to or even speak about the past 8 months including any of our relationship or anything he discussed with his parents during that time. It's almost as if he has wiped out the period of time during which he was on the Effexor. Right now we don't know how much of his behavior to chalk up to withdrawal - or were we all just played over the past year? This is a very hurtful and confusing time. Will he come back to himself? How long will this last? How should we approach him in a way that will help, but won't push him into further bad decisions? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Does anyone here have any experiences with serious (permanent?) personality changes brought on by Effexor withdrawal? Any links to stories with information? My boyfriend was placed on Effexor about 18 months ago during a hellish divorce - 75mg/day, then he cut to 37.5 for 4 days and stopped completely. The day before he quit, he warned me he might be sick for a few days. We were prepared for the severe physical symptoms. He had always been a strong, thoughtful, responsible person who thought raising his daughter right was a priority. We were discussing marriage. However, 3 or 4 days into the withdrawal he eliminated all contact/communication with me, gave up custody of his daughter to his ex (who cheated throughout the marriage, drinks heavily,etc.), walked out on his job - and at two weeks into the withdrawal left the state and now is living alone in a remote area. He says he feels like all the good parts of his personality are gone and he can't get them back. His entire personality, everything he thought, felt and believed for the past year have all done a 180. He is now 1 month off Effexor and is now at least in contact with his mother - but has also begun calling his ex every night. He can't seem to remember (or is in denial of) any of the things she did during the marriage. He can't seem to connect emotionally to or even speak about the past 8 months including any of our relationship or anything he discussed with his parents during that time. It's almost as if he has wiped out the period of time during which he was on the Effexor. Right now we don't know how much of his behavior to chalk up to withdrawal - or were we all just played over the past year? This is a very hurtful and confusing time. Will he come back to himself? How long will this last? How should we approach him in a way that will help, but won't push him into further bad decisions? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Does anyone here have any experiences with serious (permanent?) personality changes brought on by Effexor withdrawal? Any links to stories with information? My boyfriend was placed on Effexor about 18 months ago during a hellish divorce - 75mg/day, then he cut to 37.5 for 4 days and stopped completely. The day before he quit, he warned me he might be sick for a few days. We were prepared for the severe physical symptoms. He had always been a strong, thoughtful, responsible person who thought raising his daughter right was a priority. We were discussing marriage. However, 3 or 4 days into the withdrawal he eliminated all contact/communication with me, gave up custody of his daughter to his ex (who cheated throughout the marriage, drinks heavily,etc.), walked out on his job - and at two weeks into the withdrawal left the state and now is living alone in a remote area. He says he feels like all the good parts of his personality are gone and he can't get them back. His entire personality, everything he thought, felt and believed for the past year have all done a 180. He is now 1 month off Effexor and is now at least in contact with his mother - but has also begun calling his ex every night. He can't seem to remember (or is in denial of) any of the things she did during the marriage. He can't seem to connect emotionally to or even speak about the past 8 months including any of our relationship or anything he discussed with his parents during that time. It's almost as if he has wiped out the period of time during which he was on the Effexor. Right now we don't know how much of his behavior to chalk up to withdrawal - or were we all just played over the past year? This is a very hurtful and confusing time. Will he come back to himself? How long will this last? How should we approach him in a way that will help, but won't push him into further bad decisions? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Does anyone here have any experiences with serious (permanent?) personality changes brought on by Effexor withdrawal? Any links to stories with information? My boyfriend was placed on Effexor about 18 months ago during a hellish divorce - 75mg/day, then he cut to 37.5 for 4 days and stopped completely. The day before he quit, he warned me he might be sick for a few days. We were prepared for the severe physical symptoms. He had always been a strong, thoughtful, responsible person who thought raising his daughter right was a priority. We were discussing marriage. However, 3 or 4 days into the withdrawal he eliminated all contact/communication with me, gave up custody of his daughter to his ex (who cheated throughout the marriage, drinks heavily,etc.), walked out on his job - and at two weeks into the withdrawal left the state and now is living alone in a remote area. He says he feels like all the good parts of his personality are gone and he can't get them back. His entire personality, everything he thought, felt and believed for the past year have all done a 180. He is now 1 month off Effexor and is now at least in contact with his mother - but has also begun calling his ex every night. He can't seem to remember (or is in denial of) any of the things she did during the marriage. He can't seem to connect emotionally to or even speak about the past 8 months including any of our relationship or anything he discussed with his parents during that time. It's almost as if he has wiped out the period of time during which he was on the Effexor. Right now we don't know how much of his behavior to chalk up to withdrawal - or were we all just played over the past year? This is a very hurtful and confusing time. Will he come back to himself? How long will this last? How should we approach him in a way that will help, but won't push him into further bad decisions? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 I'm no doctor, but it's pretty crazy to make any major decisions whilst coming off SSRIs. I think that erratic, even psychotic behavior is common in withdrawls. Despite what the 'literature' says, I think that withdrawls can leave a brain with a net negative Serotonin level and this can be very dangerous. It's almost like the brain has to learn how to produce the Serotonin on it's own again. This is just my theory from what I've observed but I think the brain adjusts to the heavy, artificial amounts supplied to it by the drug and may even produce less of its own. When the drug supply suddenly disappears, it's left with a 'dried up' supply and it has to 'turn on its own taps' again and this can take some time (or maybe it's damaged by the drug??-who knows.) Check out info on withdrawing from SSRIs. I think there's some vitamins that you can take to ease the extreme reactions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 I'm no doctor, but it's pretty crazy to make any major decisions whilst coming off SSRIs. I think that erratic, even psychotic behavior is common in withdrawls. Despite what the 'literature' says, I think that withdrawls can leave a brain with a net negative Serotonin level and this can be very dangerous. It's almost like the brain has to learn how to produce the Serotonin on it's own again. This is just my theory from what I've observed but I think the brain adjusts to the heavy, artificial amounts supplied to it by the drug and may even produce less of its own. When the drug supply suddenly disappears, it's left with a 'dried up' supply and it has to 'turn on its own taps' again and this can take some time (or maybe it's damaged by the drug??-who knows.) Check out info on withdrawing from SSRIs. I think there's some vitamins that you can take to ease the extreme reactions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 I'm no doctor, but it's pretty crazy to make any major decisions whilst coming off SSRIs. I think that erratic, even psychotic behavior is common in withdrawls. Despite what the 'literature' says, I think that withdrawls can leave a brain with a net negative Serotonin level and this can be very dangerous. It's almost like the brain has to learn how to produce the Serotonin on it's own again. This is just my theory from what I've observed but I think the brain adjusts to the heavy, artificial amounts supplied to it by the drug and may even produce less of its own. When the drug supply suddenly disappears, it's left with a 'dried up' supply and it has to 'turn on its own taps' again and this can take some time (or maybe it's damaged by the drug??-who knows.) Check out info on withdrawing from SSRIs. I think there's some vitamins that you can take to ease the extreme reactions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 I'm no doctor, but it's pretty crazy to make any major decisions whilst coming off SSRIs. I think that erratic, even psychotic behavior is common in withdrawls. Despite what the 'literature' says, I think that withdrawls can leave a brain with a net negative Serotonin level and this can be very dangerous. It's almost like the brain has to learn how to produce the Serotonin on it's own again. This is just my theory from what I've observed but I think the brain adjusts to the heavy, artificial amounts supplied to it by the drug and may even produce less of its own. When the drug supply suddenly disappears, it's left with a 'dried up' supply and it has to 'turn on its own taps' again and this can take some time (or maybe it's damaged by the drug??-who knows.) Check out info on withdrawing from SSRIs. I think there's some vitamins that you can take to ease the extreme reactions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Dear Kerry, Bowriver is right, any drug that changes the body will make the body adjust to it. When the drug is gone the body can have a severe reaction. That's why many drugs have to be slowly weaned down so the body has time to adjust. Coming off antidepressants can be gruesome. There is a group that deals with withdrawal and there are vitamin mixs made for depression and for replenishing serotonin. Withdrawal_and_Recovery/ The big thing that I have noticed is that most the the psychiatric side effects are from the drug withdrawals themselves. Dr. Glenmullen talks about the dangers of changing antidepressant dosage in his book The Antidepressant Solution. People spend all their money and get into uncharacteristic activities whilst on antidepressants and getting off of them, strange sexual behaviors and breaking up with people. They also shoot up schools and kill themselves or others. Many people get diagnosed with Bi-Polar which is actually symptoms related to the antidepressants. It sounds like your friend did not withdraw carefully. Some other sites: www.alternativementalhealth.com http://www.theroadback.org/ http://www.benzo.org.uk/healy.htm This is Dr. Healy's antidepressant withdrawal protocol. Recommended by a doctor friend of mine. http://tinyurl.com/ruytf Notice that one of the symptoms is " change of personality " hope this helps! Jim Does anyone here have any experiences with serious (permanent?) personality changes brought on by Effexor withdrawal? Any links to stories with information? My boyfriend was placed on Effexor about 18 months ago during a hellish divorce - 75mg/day, then he cut to 37.5 for 4 days and stopped completely. The day before he quit, he warned me he might be sick for a few days. We were prepared for the severe physical symptoms. He had always been a strong, thoughtful, responsible person who thought raising his daughter right was a priority. We were discussing marriage. However, 3 or 4 days into the withdrawal he eliminated all contact/communication with me, gave up custody of his daughter to his ex (who cheated throughout the marriage, drinks heavily,etc.), walked out on his job - and at two weeks into the withdrawal left the state and now is living alone in a remote area. He says he feels like all the good parts of his personality are gone and he can't get them back. His entire personality, everything he thought, felt and believed for the past year have all done a 180. He is now 1 month off Effexor and is now at least in contact with his mother - but has also begun calling his ex every night. He can't seem to remember (or is in denial of) any of the things she did during the marriage. He can't seem to connect emotionally to or even speak about the past 8 months including any of our relationship or anything he discussed with his parents during that time. It's almost as if he has wiped out the period of time during which he was on the Effexor. Right now we don't know how much of his behavior to chalk up to withdrawal - or were we all just played over the past year? This is a very hurtful and confusing time. Will he come back to himself? How long will this last? How should we approach him in a way that will help, but won't push him into further bad decisions? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Dear Kerry, Bowriver is right, any drug that changes the body will make the body adjust to it. When the drug is gone the body can have a severe reaction. That's why many drugs have to be slowly weaned down so the body has time to adjust. Coming off antidepressants can be gruesome. There is a group that deals with withdrawal and there are vitamin mixs made for depression and for replenishing serotonin. Withdrawal_and_Recovery/ The big thing that I have noticed is that most the the psychiatric side effects are from the drug withdrawals themselves. Dr. Glenmullen talks about the dangers of changing antidepressant dosage in his book The Antidepressant Solution. People spend all their money and get into uncharacteristic activities whilst on antidepressants and getting off of them, strange sexual behaviors and breaking up with people. They also shoot up schools and kill themselves or others. Many people get diagnosed with Bi-Polar which is actually symptoms related to the antidepressants. It sounds like your friend did not withdraw carefully. Some other sites: www.alternativementalhealth.com http://www.theroadback.org/ http://www.benzo.org.uk/healy.htm This is Dr. Healy's antidepressant withdrawal protocol. Recommended by a doctor friend of mine. http://tinyurl.com/ruytf Notice that one of the symptoms is " change of personality " hope this helps! Jim Does anyone here have any experiences with serious (permanent?) personality changes brought on by Effexor withdrawal? Any links to stories with information? My boyfriend was placed on Effexor about 18 months ago during a hellish divorce - 75mg/day, then he cut to 37.5 for 4 days and stopped completely. The day before he quit, he warned me he might be sick for a few days. We were prepared for the severe physical symptoms. He had always been a strong, thoughtful, responsible person who thought raising his daughter right was a priority. We were discussing marriage. However, 3 or 4 days into the withdrawal he eliminated all contact/communication with me, gave up custody of his daughter to his ex (who cheated throughout the marriage, drinks heavily,etc.), walked out on his job - and at two weeks into the withdrawal left the state and now is living alone in a remote area. He says he feels like all the good parts of his personality are gone and he can't get them back. His entire personality, everything he thought, felt and believed for the past year have all done a 180. He is now 1 month off Effexor and is now at least in contact with his mother - but has also begun calling his ex every night. He can't seem to remember (or is in denial of) any of the things she did during the marriage. He can't seem to connect emotionally to or even speak about the past 8 months including any of our relationship or anything he discussed with his parents during that time. It's almost as if he has wiped out the period of time during which he was on the Effexor. Right now we don't know how much of his behavior to chalk up to withdrawal - or were we all just played over the past year? This is a very hurtful and confusing time. Will he come back to himself? How long will this last? How should we approach him in a way that will help, but won't push him into further bad decisions? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Dear Kerry, Bowriver is right, any drug that changes the body will make the body adjust to it. When the drug is gone the body can have a severe reaction. That's why many drugs have to be slowly weaned down so the body has time to adjust. Coming off antidepressants can be gruesome. There is a group that deals with withdrawal and there are vitamin mixs made for depression and for replenishing serotonin. Withdrawal_and_Recovery/ The big thing that I have noticed is that most the the psychiatric side effects are from the drug withdrawals themselves. Dr. Glenmullen talks about the dangers of changing antidepressant dosage in his book The Antidepressant Solution. People spend all their money and get into uncharacteristic activities whilst on antidepressants and getting off of them, strange sexual behaviors and breaking up with people. They also shoot up schools and kill themselves or others. Many people get diagnosed with Bi-Polar which is actually symptoms related to the antidepressants. It sounds like your friend did not withdraw carefully. Some other sites: www.alternativementalhealth.com http://www.theroadback.org/ http://www.benzo.org.uk/healy.htm This is Dr. Healy's antidepressant withdrawal protocol. Recommended by a doctor friend of mine. http://tinyurl.com/ruytf Notice that one of the symptoms is " change of personality " hope this helps! Jim Does anyone here have any experiences with serious (permanent?) personality changes brought on by Effexor withdrawal? Any links to stories with information? My boyfriend was placed on Effexor about 18 months ago during a hellish divorce - 75mg/day, then he cut to 37.5 for 4 days and stopped completely. The day before he quit, he warned me he might be sick for a few days. We were prepared for the severe physical symptoms. He had always been a strong, thoughtful, responsible person who thought raising his daughter right was a priority. We were discussing marriage. However, 3 or 4 days into the withdrawal he eliminated all contact/communication with me, gave up custody of his daughter to his ex (who cheated throughout the marriage, drinks heavily,etc.), walked out on his job - and at two weeks into the withdrawal left the state and now is living alone in a remote area. He says he feels like all the good parts of his personality are gone and he can't get them back. His entire personality, everything he thought, felt and believed for the past year have all done a 180. He is now 1 month off Effexor and is now at least in contact with his mother - but has also begun calling his ex every night. He can't seem to remember (or is in denial of) any of the things she did during the marriage. He can't seem to connect emotionally to or even speak about the past 8 months including any of our relationship or anything he discussed with his parents during that time. It's almost as if he has wiped out the period of time during which he was on the Effexor. Right now we don't know how much of his behavior to chalk up to withdrawal - or were we all just played over the past year? This is a very hurtful and confusing time. Will he come back to himself? How long will this last? How should we approach him in a way that will help, but won't push him into further bad decisions? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Dear Kerry, Bowriver is right, any drug that changes the body will make the body adjust to it. When the drug is gone the body can have a severe reaction. That's why many drugs have to be slowly weaned down so the body has time to adjust. Coming off antidepressants can be gruesome. There is a group that deals with withdrawal and there are vitamin mixs made for depression and for replenishing serotonin. Withdrawal_and_Recovery/ The big thing that I have noticed is that most the the psychiatric side effects are from the drug withdrawals themselves. Dr. Glenmullen talks about the dangers of changing antidepressant dosage in his book The Antidepressant Solution. People spend all their money and get into uncharacteristic activities whilst on antidepressants and getting off of them, strange sexual behaviors and breaking up with people. They also shoot up schools and kill themselves or others. Many people get diagnosed with Bi-Polar which is actually symptoms related to the antidepressants. It sounds like your friend did not withdraw carefully. Some other sites: www.alternativementalhealth.com http://www.theroadback.org/ http://www.benzo.org.uk/healy.htm This is Dr. Healy's antidepressant withdrawal protocol. Recommended by a doctor friend of mine. http://tinyurl.com/ruytf Notice that one of the symptoms is " change of personality " hope this helps! Jim Does anyone here have any experiences with serious (permanent?) personality changes brought on by Effexor withdrawal? Any links to stories with information? My boyfriend was placed on Effexor about 18 months ago during a hellish divorce - 75mg/day, then he cut to 37.5 for 4 days and stopped completely. The day before he quit, he warned me he might be sick for a few days. We were prepared for the severe physical symptoms. He had always been a strong, thoughtful, responsible person who thought raising his daughter right was a priority. We were discussing marriage. However, 3 or 4 days into the withdrawal he eliminated all contact/communication with me, gave up custody of his daughter to his ex (who cheated throughout the marriage, drinks heavily,etc.), walked out on his job - and at two weeks into the withdrawal left the state and now is living alone in a remote area. He says he feels like all the good parts of his personality are gone and he can't get them back. His entire personality, everything he thought, felt and believed for the past year have all done a 180. He is now 1 month off Effexor and is now at least in contact with his mother - but has also begun calling his ex every night. He can't seem to remember (or is in denial of) any of the things she did during the marriage. He can't seem to connect emotionally to or even speak about the past 8 months including any of our relationship or anything he discussed with his parents during that time. It's almost as if he has wiped out the period of time during which he was on the Effexor. Right now we don't know how much of his behavior to chalk up to withdrawal - or were we all just played over the past year? This is a very hurtful and confusing time. Will he come back to himself? How long will this last? How should we approach him in a way that will help, but won't push him into further bad decisions? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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