Brain Shivers

8:00:04 a.m. Monday: Almost fall over from a bad case of brain shivers.

8:00:06 a.m. Monday: Start questioning myself: "Did I take my medicine this morning?" (Yes.) "Did I take my medicine YESTERDAY morning?" (Yes.) "Did you eat breakfast?" (Yes.) "Are you sure?!" (Yeeees.)

8:01:14 a.m. Monday: Sit down. Can't think. Brain hurts, bad.

8:24:17 a.m. Monday: Decide I must drive into work, despite the shivers. Get into the car. Sit.

8:27:54 a.m. Monday: Start the car.

8:29:13 a.m. Monday: Nearly puke. Roll down the window. Back out of the driveway.

8:59:03 a.m. Monday: Pull into work. Sit.

9:02:34 a.m. Monday: Grab bag. Walk into office. Almost fall. Get to desk. Sit.

If you take venlafaxine, you know what I'm talking about. I didn't even know it had a name until I hopped on Google one day searching for information on sudden strange bursts of dizziness, like my brain was a couple of milliseconds behind my body when I'd turn my head or move. And then I found out there were others like me. Lots of others like me.

The first time I heard the term "brain shivers," lordy, I knew exactly what they were talking about. And I cried. I really did. It was so helpful to know that there were other people like me out there who felt this. The scary thing: sometimes brain shivers go on for years after tapering off the Effexor. Years.

Read this: http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/4200wjgi.htm or this: http://depression.about.com/cs/venlafaxine/a/brainshivers.htm (the experiences go on to pages 2 and 3).

Wyeth has finally included in its list of side effects "sensory disturbances (including shock-like electrical sensations)." Not nearly as poetic as "brain shivers," nor as accurate.

If you have come across this page from the Great Expanses of the Internet, and you are trying to decide whether to take Effexor/venlafaxine, you need to be aware of the symptoms you're going to experience.

I'm posting this directly from the prescribing information (and applicable footnotes.) Footnotes are in bold italics. RED TEXT indicates symptoms I experience.

Major Depressive Disorder

Note in particular the following adverse events that occurred in at least 5% of the Effexor XR patients and at a rate at least twice that of the placebo group for all placebo-controlled trials for the major depressive disorder (Table 3): Abnormal ejaculation, gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, dry mouth, and anorexia), CNS complaints (dizziness, somnolence, and abnormal dreams [mostly vivid dreams, nightmares, and increased dreaming]), and sweating. In the two U.S. placebo-controlled trials, the following additional events occurred in at least 5% of Effexor XR-treated patients (n = 192) and at a rate at least twice that of the placebo group: Abnormalities of sexual function (impotence in men, anorgasmia in women [mostly delayed ejaculation], and libido decreased), gastrointestinal complaints (constipation and flatulence), CNS complaints (insomnia, nervousness, and tremor), problems of special senses (abnormal vision [mostly blurred vision and difficulty focusing eyes]), cardiovascular effects (hypertension and vasodilatation [mostly hot flashes], and yawning.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Note in particular the following adverse events that occurred in at least 5% of the Effexor XR patients and at a rate at least twice that of the placebo group for all placebo-controlled trials for the GAD indication (Table 4): Abnormalities of sexual function (abnormal ejaculation and impotence), gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, dry mouth, anorexia, and constipation), problems of special senses (abnormal vision [mostly blurred vision and difficulty focusing eyes]), and sweating.

In addition, I suffer from these symptoms, which didn't making it onto Wyeth's "top 10" list: Asthenia (weakess, lack of energy), paresthesia (tingling "pins and needles" feeling) in my hands and feet, and increased yawning. My legs get a nervous tremor (they "bounce" all the time now, which has led to edema in both ankles). And, of course, there are the sleep issues, which I've addressed before.

Anyway, my point is to be careful. Know what you're getting into. Know that this is a good drug -- a great drug -- if you need it, but that it's not free-and-easy. Also know that there are others like you, and plenty who are willing to talk about it.