Posted by Leonardo on March 7, 2001, at 3:05:20
In reply to Effexor withdrawal nightmare, posted by PattyK on March 2, 2001, at 19:34:26
Hi Patty
How are you getting on? What does your doc say? The best solution in this case is usually to go back on the drug (temporarily), and come off it gradually by reducing the dose every few days for a minimum of 1-2 weeks, maybe longer. I found that when I had problems coming off Paxil (headaches), they went away as soon as I took a small dose of Paxil, when no headache pills had any effect. This is not the same as being addicted, you just need to give your body time to adjust gradually the change.
As Jah mentioned, if you still have problems getting off Effexor even by tapering, some people have succeeded by gradually switching to Prozac, then coming off the Prozac.
I think it is likely that you will continue to have withdrawal effects for a long time if you don't go back and do it gradually. In all seriousness you will get nowhere in a legal case against the drug manufacturer because they specifically advise not to stop taking it suddenly. There are however many other seriously pissed off people - See http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/9425vfx.htm#RE and linked sites http://members.tripod.com/bwarner/effexor.html and http://www.effexorfx.freeuk.com/
Good luck
Leonardo> I stopped Effexor XR cold turkey two weeks ago today. I was on 150 mgs, for about 5 months. I never dreamed I woould go through the hell I have, coming off this drug. I am normally a very healthy person...have had very few medical problems in my life. Effexor withdrawal has been one of the worst experiences of my life. The physical, mental and emotional symptoms are like a descent into hell. I used to think that a lot of the people on these message boards who described Effexor withdrawal were exaggerating. Not any more. This has been a very frightening experience. I feel sick most of the time, like I have the flu--exhausted, naseous, achy, just over-all...yuck. I have already missed 2 1/2 days of work because of how sick Effexor withdrawal has made me. I have had horrific nightmares almost every night. The other night I woke up shaking violently from a nightmare. I have had awful hot flashes, that make me feel sick. Emotionally, I feel like I'm going crazy. I am just not myself. I am fighting just to keep my head above water. My emotions are a roller coaster...I go through intense anger, sadness....I just can't even begin to describe how f---up I feel since I have been going through Effexor withdrawal. When will this end? It's been two weeks. How long will I be going through this?
> I feel like I'm dying...and I'm not kidding. When I get through this hell, I am going to start the ball rolling to bring public attention to this Effexor withdrawal problem. I can't wait to have my day in court with Wyeth-Ayherst, too. Right now I'm too preoccupied with trying to get through this nightmare. Good luck to you all.
>
poster:Leonardo
thread:55386
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010302/msgs/55809.html