Posted by Cam W. on March 23, 2001, at 13:33:55
In reply to Re: McGuyver - A Breath of Fresh Air, posted by Diane J. on March 23, 2001, at 12:26:35
Diane - Don't be in any hurry to stop the Effexor. The slower you are weaned from it the better. Also, it is a good idea to have someone follow your progress as you come off the drug (to objectively watch for signs of both withdrawl and relapse, that may not be noticeable to you). Your therapist &/or your doc can do this. Most people can drop their dose by 75mg every 2 weeks with little problem. Some people need 3 or 4 weeks between each drop in dosage. Monitor yourself and how you feel in the days after a drop in dosage. You can always increase the dose and try to drop it again in another week.
If you do get the intractable withdrawl symptoms at low doses, there are several ways to be eased off of the drug. I have found most success by adding Prozac (fluoxetine) 10mg to 20mg for a week; then stopping the Effexor (usually at a 37.5mg dose at this point); then taking the Prozac for another week, then stopping it. Prozac's long halflife protects most people from withdrawl symptoms because it leaves the body slowly.
Good luck and hope this helps - Cam
> For me, the situation in my life has changed and I have a good therapist, and I don't feel as sad as I once did. I think the Effexor helped me get over the hard stuff.
>
> So, I will take the 150 mg for a while longer and then drop to 75mg. I just want to try. But if I need to keep taking Effexor, I will.
>
> Diane J.
poster:Cam W.
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57283.html