Posted by Diane J. on May 6, 2001, at 22:01:10
In reply to Effexor. My conclusions, posted by kid47 on May 6, 2001, at 20:07:19
Hi, I'm glad Effexor XR helped you. I have taken it for about three years, but when I tried to stop taking it I failed miserably due to the very difficult withdrawal effects. I am down to 150mg from a peak of 300mg, and I am doing okay. I still would like to quit, but I don't want to feel that sick again. The reason I want to stop is because I don't think I need the medication anymore, not because I think it's a bad drug.
There is a site, http://www.priory.com/sideven.htm which discusses Effexor and withdrawal. Dr. Bob is on the advisory board for this site, Psychiatry Online. It is the opinion of this group that Effexor should be used as a second-line medication.
I saw my psychiatrist recently and I mentioned what I have read on this forum about using Prozac to help people withdraw from Effexor. He said he thought that was a good idea and he was going to use it!
People do take the medication because it is likely that they trust their doctors. Also, if someone is feeling bad and believes a medication will help, then of course a person will seek relief. During my tenure with Effexor I experienced a dry mouth, and that was it. I felt no other side effects. The only time I ran into trouble was when I tried to quit.
I don't think it is bad to take it. I do think a person should be given a great deal of support and information if the person would like to go off the drug. What was difficult for me was I got scared when I began to feel so ill, and my doctor couldn't give me an explanation. I found out everything from this forum, and I am grateful.
Sincerely,
Diane J.
> Hello. I tried 7 different AD's & countless
> "cocktails" but FXR xr was the only one that actually "cured" my depression. I think this is not a drug that should be given as a first line AD. I think a discontinuation strategy should be discussed before being rx'd fxr. I think there should be comprehensive studies on discontinuation
> & a protocol established for it. But I do believe this drug is the closest thing to a miracle cure we have for very treatment resistant depression, especially with comorbid conditions. I know I will catch some shit for this statement. Just (as Dr Bob would say) Please be civil.
>
> 12 days med free & loving it!!!
>
> PS As always your mileage may vary.
>
>
> > >Prozac is definately a key here! I have seen soooooooo many people go through this, and just a couple days worth of prozac really makes a difference, at least to most!
> >
> > I am still BEYOND baffled that people take this drug. That it's even prescribed still. I see it on here.... all the new people on here asking about it and want to take it... and other people actually recommending it! There are a few defenders on here that it's worked for.... but I don't think it's even worth the risk, when there are so many other options out there... I even read about these young kids on it. It's really scary to me.
> >
> > I wrote this once in another post.... but my brother in law is a pharmasist... and he said he gets a pit in his stomache when he has to fill this prescription. He doesn't believe it's going to be around forever!
> >
> > My pdoc won't even prescribe it anymore. He told me if someone asks.... he will refer them to another doctor. He doesn't believe in adding more pain to patients already intense pain. I'm so sorry for you going through all this!! My heart goes out to you......
poster:Diane J.
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010424/msgs/61827.html