Posted by RENEB on April 19, 2002, at 11:28:35
In reply to Re: Effexor XR withdrawal another way, posted by Gare on April 19, 2002, at 9:13:40
> Congratulations Renee:
>
> I am so amazed at the quantity of individuals having difficulty getting of Effexor/Effexor XR.
>
> I understand from reading the pharmacological insert with the sample box that you must level yourself off the drug so I am not shocked by that statement. This really is similar for any other drug or habit I believe. However, sometimes having to continue to take something that you don't like until you go down to nothing seems to not only be time consuming, but also an experience as I am sure you will have withdrawal effects coming off - so this in itself may cause irritation, anger, and resentment for starting in the first place.
>
> I know that when I got off of Effexor Regular in February 2001, I didn't understand what the doctor meant by going off slowly. Since I didn't like him or feel that I could trust him, then I just thought he wanted to continue to drug me so I just stopped going and I stopped taking it. My highest dose then was like 75 mg in the day and 37.5 mg at night, which is a total of 112.5 mg per day.
>
> I did become more irritable, my vivid dreams turned into nightmares and I was feeling electrical shocks permeate throughout my body, as if a switch was being turned on and off. I didn't like feeling like that but I understood where it was coming from.
>
> I figured it would wear off - all of these things and thank God they did. I don't know how I would feel if they didn't.
>
> The effects of coming off of it then took about a couple of months. I think, the shocks being the longest side effect I had to endure.
>
> Why I am on it a second time is because I know that for me it worked, and I do have peace of mind and a better daily experience at a small price to pay.
>
> I am aware that I am at a higher dose than the first time and I intend to stay on it for a longer time, at least six months compared to four the first time around, or even longer depending on how it goes.
>
> So I am not looking forward to the time when I do have to come off because I know that it isn't easy and it isn't a matter of a day or two.
>
> I truly sympathize with you Renee and thanks for sharing your experience in weaning off as it may come in handy for me sometime in the future.
>
> I wish everyone luck with the beginning, their continued therapy, and if decided, their discontinuation.
>
> Hugs,
> Gare
Hi Gare, I had a few reasons for weaning off effexor. 1) I was very tired all the time 2)my sex drive 3) weight gain. I thought the med worked great til I started to withdraw from it. I didnt realise how much it masked your emotions. I really began to feel nothing and thats not good. I am a triathalete and I was finding that I was losing my modivation for my runs, biking, swimming etc., and that wasn't like me. so you can understand when I gained 10 pounds thru this ordeal I thought okay this is it. I think I need to get myself off this stuff. I know there are many people that say if a weight issue is all they had to worry about they would be happy and I can understand that. But, for me and what I do that was a big problem for me. This is what I use for my stress relief. Anyway, I am glad it is working for you. I wish you continued success.Renee
poster:RENEB
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020416/msgs/103538.html