Posted by Geezer on December 23, 2002, at 10:17:03
In reply to Re: Effexor coming off of 5 years use. Help!, posted by mxgirl13 on December 23, 2002, at 9:58:48
> I've been sucessfully taking Effexor XR (3) 75mg capsules per day for 5 years (including therapy and a psychiatrist). Unfortunately, no insurance has forced me to stop taking this in a hurry. I had no problems going to 2 capsules per day. I can do one, but I get dizzy, headache, sweats, and fly off the handle before I know what I'm doing if I wait for more than a day and a half before taking another. Fortunately for this purpose I am unemployed and can handle more symptoms. I have memory problems. I cannot recall words; I get stuck in mid sentence on the smallest thing.
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> Does anyone have any suggestions for me? How long will I have to muddle through at one pill every day to day and a half while my husband and I suffer (or until they run out)? I tried going 3 days without and it was an utter disaster.
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> I'm staying away from caffeine and alcohol during this time. Does this help? I am craving carbs like CRAZY.
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> I am taking .5mg Xanax to get to sleep at night. Is this interfering with the Effexor? I can't get to sleep without it. I feel like I'll just jump right out of the bed if I don't take one to calm down.
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> I'll appreciate anything anyone has to offer. Thank you so much.You might try substituting a low dose of Prozac for the Effexor every other day for a couple of weeks, then stop the Prozac. This is only my experience but the long half life of Prozac may help the withdrawal. I have never taken Effexor (for the very reasons you mention) but had no withdrawal when I quit Prozac after 18 months. I don't know of any problem with taking the Xanax - seems to me prolonged insomnia would only make matters worse. Hope you have relief soon.
Geezer
poster:Geezer
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021223/msgs/132979.html