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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 diecheerleader on August 22, 2004, at 2:57:55
Hi. I am on the 4th day of quitting a mere 37.5mg of Effexor (from an original 75mg). No matter how much I tried to taper off, my body went into withdrawal with ANYTHING below this dosage. I am lucky enough to have enough flexibility at work and social support to take 2 weeks off and just quit this evil drug. It was just as bad today as it was the very first morning, with dizziness, "brain zaps", unbelievable fatigue, and my emotions are on a roller coaster. I am going through periods of intense confusion, am unable to drive, and cannot stay awake for longer than 4 hours at a time. I must move very slowly or I will fall over, and constantly experience the feeling that you get when you stand up too fast, even though I may have simply moved my head to the side. I can honestly say it is STILL not as bad as I had prepared myself for. I suppose there is more to come. I posted because I would like those coming off even a very small dose to know that this is serious stuff (that I absolutely could not do if I still needed to go to work, raise kids, etc), and I also have 2 questions for anyone who has gone through cold turkey Effexor withdrawal: I wonder if anyone has tried an anti-vertigo drug called "Serc" and if it helps. I would also like to know if anyone has smoked marijauna and found it eased the vertigo? I have never in my life smoked it and never intended to, but I have been seriously considering whether it would improve my (temporary) quality of life. Please let me know! Thanks!
Posted by malthus on August 22, 2004, at 5:28:42
In reply to Going off Effexor cold turkey, posted by diecheerleader on August 22, 2004, at 2:57:55
I am also tapering off Effexor (for the past month), from 225mg. to 150mg. to 112.5mg. I want to just go off it "cold turkey" as you mentioned, but my psych. told me "no way, you'll get sick!" I haven't had the dizziness that you mention. I have had banging headaches, twitches and unbelievable lethargy. And the worst part is that Effexor never really helped my depression! As far as the marijuana goes, I'm just not sure, but if you cut and paste your original post and in your message put "Chemist...A question for you" he will get back to you right away. Chemist is so knowledgeable; I really like his style and expertise. I hope you feel better soon. Malthus...A fellow hater of Effexor.
Posted by crazychickuk on August 22, 2004, at 7:41:53
In reply to Re: Going off Effexor cold turkey » diecheerleader, posted by malthus on August 22, 2004, at 5:28:42
To be honest with you, you will get withdrawl from effexor if you quit cold turkey or taper off.. i had same withdrawl stopping cold turkey as my freind had slowely tapering off....
Posted by Shadowplayers721 on August 22, 2004, at 23:10:53
In reply to Re: Going off Effexor cold turkey » diecheerleader, posted by malthus on August 22, 2004, at 5:28:42
I NEVER recommend anyone going off this drug cold turkey. I have seen patients wind up in the ER from serious automobile accidents from seizures at the wheel of their car from forgetting to take their Effexor. This is not a drug that you can mentally over come the withdrawal. It needs to be tapered or switched to another longer half life drug to get off of it safely.
This is the end of the thread.
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