Posted by loni on December 3, 2003, at 14:41:44
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Enderkin on December 3, 2003, at 13:33:55
Hang in there Effexor W/D'ers! It will pass! I promise!
I was on Effexor for 3 years. The first years was grand and then, ever so slowly, the drug began losing its effectiveness for me over two years. I gained 45 points (on my 135 frame, that is a lot) from self-medicating with carbs.
I tapered through Effexor W/D and my pDoc approved it. He couldn't believe what I was going through (no literature)...these boards and one other put me in touch with other W/D "Survivors". Try to cut back on work schedule and stress in life if you can for 4-5 weeks. Have doctor write you a note, anything. I don't know to how long you took Effex or at what dose, but my symptoms were severe. They mimicked MS or a small stroke. I was helpless and desperate. I couldn't speak on the phone because I couldn't follow the conversation. I couldn't concentrate or read for long periods of time. I had trouble walking sometimes or remaining steady on my feet. I went back and forth on digestive issues. I felt overwhelmingly tired and anxious at the same time. I had to sit on the floor of the shower while my husband helped me bathe. It was an extremely humbling experience for a newlywed and a terrifying one for him. Bless him, he did not give up.
After the longest 4-5 weeks of my life, I just...felt...better. And then better. 1.5 years later, I still have small issues that I am rehabilitating from, but am functioning and happy.
It will pass. It will pass. It will pass.
poster:loni
thread:1016
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031202/msgs/286255.html