Posted by ckkd on April 1, 2004, at 12:47:33
In reply to Withdrawl comparison, posted by Davez on April 1, 2004, at 12:20:17
> I started Effexor XR a little about a month ago and am up to 75mg a day. I've seen a lot of people posting that the withdrawl is really bad. I quit smoking a year ago and thought that was tough.
>
> In comparison to other drugs, alcohol or whatever how is Effexor withdrawl?
>
> Could supplements help like alpha lipoic acid, acetyl-L Carnatine, Choline, etc?
Davez,
The message I posted today was really my reaction last night. I too quit smoking (5 years ago) I went from one pack a day cold turkey .. that was nothing.. I hate to make you leary.. Effexor did for me what it needed to: May of 2003 I was supposed to be an excited bride to be.. but could not get out of bed. My job is high stress and wedding planning - well try it.. anyway it helped me get back on my feet again :) However; in November I told my doctor I wanted off, but since I had just been switched to the night shift and was going to be on opposite schedules as my husband, she wanted me to stay on as I would be a prime candidate for SADD. So I stayed on the stuff 75mg a day. (ow am I fat 30 pounds in 6 months by the way.) With her approval I also started using tanning beds (in moderation) since I never get to see the sun.
I got frustrated because I know I am over the event that Effexor needed to help me with & for some reason was still taking it. So I weaned myself down to 1 - 75mg pill every 48 hours. Boy if I went beyond that though.. UGH the withdrawls just hit me full force: confusion, the shocking feeling, balance problems, hot flashes (at 29!) you name it.
The next time I went in I TOLD the Dr. that I was going to quit and would like her help. She gave me 14 sample pills for 37.5mg and a perscription for more. AND NOT ONE INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO DO IT!!!!
I used the 37.5mg pills everyother day without withdrawls *unless I went a millisecond over 48 hours. I got fidgety along with all the other junk. So I spent another 3 weeks extending that time by 1 hour (of misery) each dose. The withdrawls were just as severe each time period. I have been cold turkey now for about 3 days and am still miserable. I get a little relief by taking 5mg of Diazepam, but it only lasts 4-8hours and I am back to jittersville. The only thing that really numbs the effects FOR ME is alcohol (which I am now saving for special occasions as it seems to be and addictive withdrawl reliever)
Davez - This stuff is tough. I won't say it didn't help me, but if its an option, seek other treatments before becoming addicted to antidepressants; cuz coming down - wow, I have never felt anything this awful!Sorry so grim,
ckkd
poster:ckkd
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040329/msgs/331317.html