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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Racer on December 6, 2002, at 14:32:32
OK, we've been doing it really, really slowly. It's taken a couple of months to get from 225mg of Effexor XR to 0mg (yippee), but I'm just not sleeping. Like, an hour a night? Maybe two? I'm so overwhelmed with anxiety, but I've got a slew of other things, too: afternoon headaches you could set the clock by, nausea, and my personal favorite: I'm pretty sure it's lowered my blood pressure a lot, since I'm getting waves of sudden lightheaded weakness. I've also been having allergic reactions to things that have never bothered me, like the shampoo I've used for over a decade! Checked it out, no changes in the formula.
Anyone have anything to offer? Insight? Anecdotes about successful Effexor withdrawal? Please, if you or someone you know is on Effexor for life because the withdrawal was still going on a year later, I can't hear that right now, but thanks for thinking of sharing it with me.
The lack of sleep, the anxiety, the nightmares (vivid dreaming -- when was the last time you worried that a telepathic dolphin would murder you? lol I think.) This morning, after a solid 45 minutes of sleep last night, and two and a half the night before, I'm unable to remember WHY coming off Effexor seemed like a good idea in the first place...
Thanks!
Posted by Beastress on December 6, 2002, at 19:01:08
In reply to Effexor withdrawal questions - esp Insomnia?, posted by Racer on December 6, 2002, at 14:32:32
Hi Racer
For the sleeplessness, have you tried acupuncture? I am also in post EFX withdrawal (4 mos. since last dose) after 3 months of tapering from 75 mg. I had my first session yesterday and have gotten the best, deepest, most restful sleep of my life last night. I found a practitioner who has some experience with SSRI withdrawal. What a godsend!
I wish I could be more positive about the withdrawal process. I didn't tolerate Effexor well and the withdrawal--for me--has been debilitating. However, my mother tried it for menopausal symtoms, and while it didn't really help her, she had no problems getting off it.
Oh yeah, man do I commiserate with you on the bizarre sensitivties. Up until last month I had no problems with vitamin supplements, then suddenly small doses of ANYTHING-- vitamin C, B vitamins, even calcium for pete's sake--make me totally whack out. The acupuncturist sent me home with a bunch of herbal mixes, but I'm a little afraid to try them just yet.
The worst of the withdrawal, however, seems to be abating. I'm still a bit over-emotional, and am dealing with some pernicious, suspiciously fibromyalgia-like pain. I've never had that one before, and am hoping that its not permanent. I hope this helps you, I know how uncomfortable this can be.
Posted by Beastress on December 6, 2002, at 19:29:18
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal questions - esp Insomnia?, posted by Beastress on December 6, 2002, at 19:01:08
By the way, timeframes for withdrawal are HIGHLY individual. After all the reading that I've done on this subject, I think mine is pretty long and bit far out of the scope of "normal." Its not pleasant, but as far as I've seen, it seems that about six weeks is what the majority of people who post on the internet about this spend dealing with withdrawal. I do know that worst of it passes usually within the first two weeks after zero medication.
Posted by medlib on December 8, 2002, at 21:12:53
In reply to Effexor withdrawal questions - esp Insomnia?, posted by Racer on December 6, 2002, at 14:32:32
Hi Racer--
It's great to see you posting again!. Do you remember CamW (Canadian pharmacist, specialty in psych med)? He used to recommend low dose Prozac for Effexor withdrawal Sxs. P. has such a long half-life that it can provide a long slow taper down effect--giving the serotonin receptors more time to reset themselves.
Sounds like you're having rebound REM sleep (when you get any at all). Do OTC sntihistamines (like Excedrine PM) make you even a little sleepy? Benadryl flattens me quickly. (I very nearly wrapped my car around a big eucalyptus tree the first time I took B.) If it didn't leave me tired and foggy the next day, I'd be taking it every night. Antihistamines might help you both with sleep and substance allergies. When Wellbutrin was added to my Effexor, a 10 mg Ambien tab was no longer strong enough to put me to sleep. Since Ambien is $3 a pop and I've no med insurance, I added 1 Excedrin PM to the Ambien; that combo seems to work most of the time.
I believe that there's info on Effexor withdrawal on PB Tips, as well (link at bottom). I remember that St. James did a folder on E. An archive search on E. withdrawal probably would produce enough posts to put you to sleep.
Hope this helps a bit---medlib
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