Posted by Seraphim on April 4, 2001, at 8:00:19
In reply to Re: Curious » Amy 5452, posted by Cam W. on April 4, 2001, at 7:20:35
Amy,
I have been weaning off of Effexor XR, with a doctor's supervision, for over a month now. I have gone from 300mg down to 112.5mg. I decided to get off of Effexor after severe withdrawal symptoms having occured over a two day period when I was without the drug. I also experienced many side effects while on the drug. The withdrawal continues to be difficult and painful. I'll spare you all of the details. I started taking Effexor about 2 1/2 years ago. After the initial side effects, and upping the dosage several times, Effexor was very effective for my depression. It didn't seem to be working as well after a while, so my Dr. increased the dosage again and again until I was up to the 300mg. Looking back, I wish I had made different choices. I would never try to tell someone else what do in regards to their depression, but if you do decide to stick with Effexor, please get all of the facts, never miss a dose or take one late, and have your doctor monitor your condition carefully. I chose to give my doctor most of the information from this site and also what has been released in resent studies. Most of it he had not been aware of. I wish you well and hope you find something that helps.
Seraphim
> Amy - Effexor XR is a very effective drug for many types of depression. It does have a shorter half-life than many other antidepressants and therefore cause the withdrawl effects seen in mostly in people who were not weaned from the drug in a proper manner when they had decided to stop. (either they quit the drug cold turkey or did not take advantage of other weaning methods that are available). Many people decided to stop the drug on their own, without their doctor's knowledge. This should never be done. Others, their doctor was not aware of the extent to which the withdrawl syndrome can occur in some people. Ask your doc if he/she knows how to handle Effexor withdrawl symptoms, if they should occur.
>
> The withdrawl symptoms aren't pleasant if the drug is stopped suddenly, but with weaning off of the drug I have seldom seen problems. Many people are even able to stop high doses suddenly without adverse effects. Body chemistry, psychological make-up, drug regimen compliance, and a doctor's knowledge and handling of withdrawl effects "if" they occur (when stopping the drug) are all factors in determining whether one will see withdrawl symptoms.
>
> Only a minority of people do have problems with the withdrawl symptoms. Media hype has also played into the fears of people on this issue, not unlike the 1990-91 Prozac/suicide scare. Also, most of the horror stories of Effexor withdrawl occurred in people using the shorter-acting, regular Effexor. Withdrawl symptoms are seen much less with the longer-acting Effexor XR version.
>
> I am on my second week of taking Effexor XR (2nd day of 75mg) and, although I am not depression-free I can say that at least my appetite has come back and I am beginning to fall asleep easier at bedtime. I will need to give the drug another 4 to 6 weeks to determine whether it is the correct antidepressant for my condition (so far, so good, though).
>
> I hope that this is of some help - Cam
poster:Seraphim
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010403/msgs/58635.html