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Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news

Posted by worm on January 24, 2005, at 11:57:16

In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by remar on January 23, 2005, at 22:14:46

Jenna:

I don't really remember how long it took, probably about 4-6 weeks, but I started taking some leftover Prozac, and that helped.

I had been initially on Prozac (supposedly for PMS, so the medical doctor could prescibe it for me). Then I told her I felt it wasn't working any more, so she changed me to Effexor. Probably a big mistake in hindsight, since nobody even knew if I was clinically depressed, and maybe the issues causing it were gone (my mother passing away, the break-up of a relationship). I started on Effexor 75, and then, again, I told her that I felt "flat" (now knowing that's what it does to you) and she upped the dose to 150. Then I noticed that if I forgot to take a dose, which I did almost every weekend because my schedule was off, (plus not knowing that the medication itself made me forgetful) I would get the zaps, nausea, dizziness, muscle weakness, and then eventutually, incapacitating depression and suicidal thoughts. I knew I needed to get off the Effexor, but how to do it without going through the withdrawal? I knew that my doctor had phased in the higher dosage, so I figured I'd better phase out slowly.

Then I found this board, and the hints helped me a lot. Just knowing the cause of the brain zaps - which were followed immediately by blinding rage - (I thought I could have killed someone if they were within reach)that passed through my brain like white heat! Really hard to explain. I took the Prozac, first daily, and then after a week or so, just one every few days, then none at all. It helped me a lot, but as you know from this board, everyone is different.

Now I am drug-free, and enjoying it - I have lost 20 pounds, and am exercising regularly. Ieven Christmas didn't get me down this year, I usually get post-holiday blues, This year I just put my decorations away and said "Ok, let's look ahead to the next thing life is going to throw at me" Just a huge turnaround, since I was ready to kill myself last year on New Year's Eve because I felt everyone, including my boyfriend, was out having fun and I was sitting at home - Seriously! I was in bad shape!!

Ok, probably too much information, but that's it for me. Hope it helps some.

Worm


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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050124/msgs/446780.html