Posted by SleepyDancer on April 15, 2007, at 13:48:45
In reply to My experience with quitting cold turkey (150 mg), posted by Sanjay Singhal on November 1, 2003, at 4:03:42
I slowly tapered off of Effexor (150mg) after having been on the medication for 2 or so years. I cut my dose in half (75mg) for 2 weeks, then switched to 75mg very other day for 2 weeks. I am now off of it completely and although i have not been on the medication for long, relatively, i have horrible withdrawal symptoms that are deeply effecting my everyday functionality. I've had horrible "brain shivers" which are undscribable, one day so bad that if i lifted my head my vision went blurry and my head would spin, adding to my ever-present nausea. My nausea is constant and awful, often leading to vomitting. Most days i have no appetite what so ever. And of course, horrendus mood swings and uncontrollable crying. This medication maks me feel like a monster! If i had been warned of these symptoms by the doctor who prescribed it to me, there's no way i would have started this medication.
I have found help with medical marijuana, believe it or not. This is obviously not for everyone, but often it is the only time i am able to eat and keep it down. It also rests my mind, which seems to be racing more now that i am completely off the medication. It DOES NOT help with the brain shivers however, which i still get quite often. Any tips from anyone on getting rid of those damn things? I've heard antihistamines can help....I'm hanging in there....even though each day is a struggle.
poster:SleepyDancer
thread:12459
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070413/msgs/750037.html