Posted by Zannah on June 4, 2000, at 16:10:42
In reply to What is venlafaxine?, posted by dari on June 4, 2000, at 12:35:31
> Would someone out there tell me a bit about venlafaxine if you have a moment? thanks, dari
Hi Dari,
Venlafaxine HCL is the generic name for Effexor. I took Effexor for only 3 weeks or so. It made me extremely sleepy, and I could not take sleeping 18-20 hrs. a day for more then about 9 days. I wanted to keep going, but, I finally thru in the towel on that particular AD. I only got up to 37.5mgs. daily. I tapered off for several days, but I still had my worst depressive period ever, when I came off that drug. It may just be coincidence, who knows? I actually tried it out during the holidays, not smart, but I was sooooo in need at the time. The black episode lasted about a week, then diminished a bit, thank god.I am taking Remeron now, for about 3 1/2 weeks, at 30mgs. once at bedtime. It has promoted the best sleep I have had in years--no more Ambien popping necessary, I hope. It has relieved some anxiety and helped me stay level, in a rather subtle way. It has helped greatly with altering my usual a.m. awakening 'fear of leaving my bed' anxiety, and that is a blessing.
My mom is taking Buspar for the past 3 weeks. Her doc believes she may have PTSD, in reaction to the recent death of my too wonderful for words father. She tried low-dose Elavil (amytriptline) which was also ineffective after 6-7 wks. She doesn't have bad side effects from the Buspar, however, just no success.
I have used Klonopin w/success, but I understand you wanting to steer clear of benzos.
Congrats on your detox from the benzos. I know that was probably a tough thing to go through. Did it take very long-did you taper for ages, or try to supplant the offending benzo with another drug? Just wondering.
I'm pretty new to this forum, but I read it often, so full of 'I've been there' experience + lots of book smarts, too.
Hope you find what you need for anxiety soon,
Zannah
poster:Zannah
thread:35778
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000603/msgs/36008.html