Depersonalization symptoms and conditions

This is to serve as a personal warning to ANYONE taking
Effexor XR or thinking about taking it.

After my husband and I experienced HORRIBLE withdrawal symptoms within a week from coming off of our medication, and has continued for 4 months now. I feet compelled to inform people about the risks that this drug carries with it.

This drug helped my husband and I immensely while we were on it, but I just wish that I had been more knowledgeable about the risks of going off this medication so abruptly.

I understand that the medical professional that is prescribing you the drug is supposed to inform you that you are not to stop taking the medication abruptly (which is exactly what I was told). IN NO WAY was I told the consequences of NOT taking the medication.

So here are some of the symptoms that I experienced within the first two days (there are many more symptoms that other Effexor XR patients have experienced, but I feel that it is only right to list mine):

• Akathisia - a syndrome characterized by unpleasant sensations of "inner" restlessness that manifests itself with an inability to sit still or remain motionless.
• Ataxia – Loss of the ability to move the body with coordination.
• "Brain Zaps", "Brain Shocks," "Brain Shivers" or "Head Shocks" Descriptions include dizziness, electric shock-like sensations, sweating, nausea, insomnia, tremor, confusion, and vertigo.
• Cold Sweat – The skin is clammy and moist and you feel chilled. This is a reaction to a shock or pain as well as to fear and nervousness.
• Colitis – A condition where the large intestine becomes irritated from the use of the drug.
• Dehydration – An extreme loss of water from the body or the organs of the body as in sickness or not drinking enough fluids.
• Depersonalization - A feeling of watching oneself act, while having no control over a situation. (A sufferer feels that he or she has changed and the world has become less real, vague, dreamlike, or lacking in significance.)
• Diplopia – A condition where a person is looking a one object and instead of normally seeing just the one object he sees two. This is also call double vision.
• Disequilibrium - Dizziness, light-headedness and vertigo with a sense of losing balance.
• Dysarthria – The inability to control the mouth muscles when forming words so the words are not clearly spoken and heard.
• Gastric Irritation – An inflamed and sore stomach.
• Hyperhidrosis – The triggering of an excess of sweat being produced on the soles of the feet and/or the palms.
• Hypoesthesia – A partial loss of sensation or general loss of awareness.
• Influenza-like - Fatigue, lethargy, chills, sweating, headache, weakness and palpitations.
• Insomnia – Not able to fall asleep or sleeping for a shorter time than desired, thus not being able to properly rest and feeling un-refreshed. As a result, a person can become irritable, have difficulty concentrating and feel a lack of energy.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome – A painful condition where the either the muscles or the nerves of the lower intestines, are not responding normally. This results in an alternating condition of diarrhea followed by constipation, back and forth.
• Mania – Unusually irrational, excessive and/or exaggerated behavior or moods ranging from enthusiasm, sexuality, gaiety, impulsiveness and irritability to violence.
• Mood Swings – An emotional shifting as from a state of happiness to a state of depression for a period of time.
• Night Sweats – With night sweats you become wide awake in the middle of the night shivering and cold and wet with your sheets/pajamas soaked in perspiration making it difficult to go back to sleep.
• Nightmare – Dreams that make you afraid or leave feelings of fear, terror, and upset long after waking up.
• Abnormal Orgasm – Unable to have an orgasm with normal sexual stimulation.
• Pain in Extremity – A painful feeling in the legs, arms, hands, and/or feet.
• Paresthesia - A sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness of a person’s skin with no apparent long-term physical effect.
• Photopsia – A condition where a person sees lights, sparks, or colors in front of their eyes.
• Pressure of Speech – A condition where the individual cannot voice his ideas fast enough with the pressure of there being not enough time to say it.
• Pyrexia – Fever or the increase in body temperature that is usually a sign of infection.

Now some of you may be thinking that I might be overreacting, but I assure you that I am not. Quite the opposite actually, I feel that there are probably more symptoms that I am leaving out.
When I went online to research the symptoms that we had been experiencing, there was little information that I could find. I went onto the website for Wyeth (the company that produces Effexor XR) and the only thing that I could find was, and I quote,

“When people suddenly stop using or quickly lower their daily dose of EFFEXOR XR, discontinuation symptoms may occur. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing or reducing your dose of EFFEXOR XR.”

Wyeth also states that Effexor XR is, and I quote AGAIN,

“ Effexor XR Is Not Addictive. Effexor XR and other antidepressants are not addictive. You cannot become addicted to an antidepressant even if you take it for long-term maintenance therapy. An antidepressant is not a controlled substance like a narcotic or a stimulant.”

I am very sorry Wyeth, but I disagree.

I took Levaquin for a sinus infection March 26th... 5 doses of 750 mg. I felt slightly better initially but that lasted only a day. I think it was prescribed wrongly, I had a virus and was getting over it... not a bacterial infection. The problems started about a week after the 5 day course ended. I ended up in the ER feeling like I was going to die, some strangeness in my breathing and feeling as if I was having a stroke... like I was going to pass out. They found nothing wrong except an elevated blood pressure and did a d-dimer to see if it could be an embolism (at my insistence, I had no idea this could be from levaquin and thought I was having a stroke. After the ER visit, I just felt like I had the flu, but I didn't... weak, extremely tired with some muscle aches ... two weeks out I had a lot of pain in both legs, like charlie horses that didn't go away... that lasted several days to a week... the weird depersonalization and the anxiety has been intense throughout. Constipation (never ever had it before this drug) started about a month out from taking it. I still feel pain in my legs from time to time and a feeling like there is a tight band across the top of my left foot... like when you tie your shoe too tight and need to loosen the shoe strings, but I am not wearing shoes.

SO SORRY TO SEE SO MANY NEW PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM. PLEASE SEND IN A MEDWATCH REPORT BY GOING TO WWW.FDA.GOV. EVEN THE PERSON THAT THINKS SHE'S BEING HELPED BY THIS NEEDS TO DO THE SAME. PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR DR. AND BE VERY VERY CAREFUL. THIS STUFF DOES DAMAGE EVEN WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH IT,
I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FOR 4 YEARS NOW. I'VE HAD HEART PROBLEMS, DEPERSONALIZATION, TENDON PROBLEMS, TINNITUS 24/7, HEARING LOSS. MY LIFE WAS RUINED BY THIS POISON. THERE ARE SAFER ANTIBIOTICS AVAILABLE. WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE WITH KNOWN POISON LIKE THIS???
GO TO****** AND YOU CAN GET SOME HELP THERE.

I could have wrote many of these same posts. Had Mirena inserted two weeks ago, and the nightmare began shortly thereafter. Mood swings so bad I felt like I wanted to swing at anything (which is not like me at all). Then the crying for no reason, mild anxiety. Insomnia, depression, nightmares, feeling of depersonalization and a non-stop headache from the time it was put in, until 2 days after removal.
Had it removed this Monday. Doctor agreed I was having a reaction to the IUD medication, and stated it was his fault to recommend it to me.

I've been experiencing bad depersonalization from just applying this stuff twice a day
it didn't affect me for like a month and a half but after so much use it just got to me
i've been freaking out randomly and other times just living life in a calm haze
i've been afraid that it's going to cause my grades to drop and ruin my future career but im hoping this is just paranoia
it clogs your brain like no other and makes you feel high all the time
unless you absolutely need this, don't take it if you are depressed or experience any depersonalization
don't go down this road
it can lead to sever depression

somebody help! the first year on yaz was great but then started the HORRIBLE panic attacks. they never ended. i was in bed for 3 months straight literally only went to the bathroom and lost like 25 pounds. im 5 10 and weigh 107. i had severe depression, my hair was falling out, diagnosed with panic disorder, and POTS. my blood pressure would drop to 50/20 every time i stood up. all this NEVER happened before. my eyes are so dry i cant wear contacts. i have derealization/depersonalization. it soo scary. im only 20 and feel like a 60 year old. i am always tired. i can sleep at any given time. i have trouble staying awake on the road. i have been on 4 anti depressants and klonopin. i never had anxiety in my life before. i think i am going crazy everyday. i don't know what to do anymore. i finally stopped taking yaz 3 weeks ago and slightly better but still not even close to what i was a couple years ago. how could they put this pill on the market? this is absolutely horrible.

EXTREME PSYCHOTIC SIDE EFFECTS

I want to preface this by stating that I have never had any mental problems aside from occasional depression, and I have never taken any anti-depressants, or similar drugs, or even ever done any illegal drugs, nor do I drink.

I never would have thought in a million years that an antibiotic would have given me such extreme mental side effects. I was given Z-Pak after a tooth extraction as I had a bad (and similar) reaction to Clindamycin.

I was on the 250 MG X 3 days. After the first day I started to suffer from depersonalization. Depersonalization, in my opinion, is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. Essentially I felt like I was dead, in limbo. Nothing mattered. I questioned reality. I felt like a ghost. It was so bad that I had to break out the Bible.

I had to take Valium in order to sleep, as I would wake up in the middle of the night and have an utterly terrifying feeling of dread. I would wake up and "realize" that I did not exist and have a panic attack.

It has been since December 2nd and only now am I feeling anything close to normal mentally.

Ever since day 5 after taking the drug, I have a burning sensation in my upper abdomen on both sides and a pain in my right side. I just pray to God that this damned drug has not burned out my liver.

Worse yet, I had to be put on Doxycycline, as the Z-Pak did not work, and my extraction site became reinfected.

Thank God the Doxycycline is apparently working with no side effects.

The only positive thing about my horrific experience with Z-Pak is that I went to confession and communion and have accepted Jesus as my savior again in my life.

I also have realized that hell does not need the fire and brimstone. The depersonalization I suffered was the same as separation from God. It was the worse experience ever, and I have been through some tough stuff.

I realize that each drug affects everyone differently, but I have read too many posts listing mental side effects to think that my experience was an anomaly.

If you must take this antibiotic, be sure you understand that it can knock you on your ass if you are not expecting it.

Cipro is a chemotherapeutic agent that is stored in fat cells and is reabsorbed into the bloodstream when burned and can potentially damage any system it comes in contact with. I took this for two weeks.and had horrible pains and kept having what could best be described as partial seizures and heart palpitations as well as peripheral neuropathies. As the drug recycles every few months back into my blood the symptoms start over and sometimes new ones occur. I am currently experiencing floaters, brain fog, vision problems, burning sensations, panic attacks, partial seizures, dizziness, depersonalization and extreme fatigue even nine months after taking 27 pills over the course of two weeks. Cipro is used to kill anthrax and should not be used on people even though Bayer is making a killing in its sales. You don't have to look far to find thousands of people who have had their lives destroyed by this drug. Remove from the market ASAP.

hello all, i've been reading your stories and feel i need to write mine too. i started taking Yasmin about 4 months ago. and i really do not know what to think. i haven't put any weigh on or got acne (which were my worries) and my periods got very light and completely pain-free. i did have constant but mild headaches (which i never have) and my sex drive has gone down (never had any problem before). more importantly, emotionally i am feeling terrible. i cry non-stop and i feel totally unstable. I am going through a lot of changes in my life (change career, country, new relationship, etc) so i thought i could be just that i am feeling stressed. but i think this is more than that. my anxiety has rocketed, I never felt like this before, I have racing thoughts almost constantly, panic attacks, and something that i think it's called 'depersonalization' - has anyone got anything like this? it feels like you're looking from outside yourself, if that makes any sense...not nice at all.
as I have a tendency to feel anxious anyway I really don't know whether the pill is causing this or not, but i feel i am going mad. as i read the postings i became more worried that it might be Yasmin
i went to the doctor who suggested to carry on for a few more months to see if the symptoms go away. i followed his advice (as those days i was feeling surprisingly well, and was optimistic about it) but i am still very concerned.
also, has anyone had a really bad depression/anxiety attack when taking antibiotics + yasmin? i could have killed myself that day. felt better when i stopped taking the antibiotics.
again, is it my mind...? or is it Yasmin...?
any comments would be really great

I read that many of you blame Singulair for your side effects when you are also taking multiple drugs. As a public service, I put together a list of side effects from some of the other drugs mentioned on this site. These are by no means all the side effects listed for each drug. The first group is from allergy medications people have mentioned.
Zyrtec & Zyzol -
suicidal ideation, suicide, aggressive reaction, anaphylaxis, cholestasis, convulsions, glomerulonephritis, hallucinations, hemolytic anemia, hepatitis, orofacial dyskinesia, severe hypotension, stillbirth, thrombocytopenia.
abnormal thinking, agitation, amnesia, anxiety, decreased libido, depersonalization, depression, emotional liability, euphoria, impaired concentration, insomnia, nervousness, paroniria, sleep disorder.
accidental injury, asthenia, back pain, chest pain, enlarged abdomen, face edema, fever, generalized edema, hot flashes, increased weight, leg edema, malaise, nasal polyp, pain, pallor, periorbital edema, peripheral edema, rigors.

Benadryl-
Sedation, sleepiness, dizziness, disturbed coordination, fatigue, confusion, restlessness, excitation, nervousness, tremor, irritability, insomnia, euphoria, paresthesia, blurred vision, diplopia, vertigo, tinnitus, acute labyrinthitis, neuritis, convulsions. Epigastric distress, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, Urinary frequency, difficult urination, urinary retention, early menses

Allegra -
insomnia, nervousness, sleep disorders or paroniria, and hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, chest tightness, dyspnea, flushing, pruritus, and rash). Back Pain, Stomach discomfort, Pan in extremity, Headache, Vomiting, Somnolence/Fatigue, diarrhea,

Claritin -
Hypotension; hypertension; palpitations; tachycardia; syncope, Headache; somnolence; fatigue, nervousness; hyperkinesia; paresthesia; dizziness; migraine; tremor; vertigo; impaired concentration; depression; agitation; anxiety;

EVERYBODY REPLY TO THIS Let's see exactly how many women have had negative side affects from Yasmin. Just reply with the sideaffects. I see lots of posts and was wondering how many women are out there sharing similar problems. So me.... migraines, extremely horrible mood swings all from taking yasmin for 8-9 days next..........? lol

Took leviquin 500 for 8 days before I realized what was happening to me. Side effects included: severe panic, altered mental state, constant sleep, loss of appetite, pounding heart rate. After 2 trips to the ER no help was provided. I stoped the Leviquin early (was supposed to take it for 3 wks) and immediately started feeling better. The anxiety is much less but still present and I still sleep all the time.

Has anyone had similar experiences and, more importantly, how long does this last?

Please help!

severe anxiety, panic, rapid heart rate, diarrhea, clostridium difficile, dizziness, numbness in feet, electrical shock sensations, leg and arm weakness, tremor in hands, rash, burning skin, insomnia, depersonalization, severe depression, chest pain, knee caps felt like they were going to pop off when I would walk, fatigued easily, memory loss, inability to concentrate, eye floaters, weight loss of 20 pounds in 2 weeks, loss of taste, sensitivty to sound/light, GERD, sensitivity to hot temperatures, night sweats. some symptoms still persist after 4 months