Posted by Spencer on May 22, 2002, at 4:13:23
In reply to how long until you felt better?, posted by sly on May 21, 2002, at 10:38:23
Sly
What you describe is exactly what I experienced, but I eventually came right.
When I first went to my GP with severe depression (August last year), he put me on Prozac and warned me that it would take 6-8 weeks to feel better and that things would get worse before they got better. After a week of no sleep (following about two months of very little sleep) and feeling much much worse that when I first went to him, he sent me to a psychiatrist who started me on Efexor XR (37.5mg building up to 150mg) also with the warning that I would get worse before feeling better. They were right......I was desperate. Somehow I dragged myself out of bed and to work every morning, but actually didn't do anything for about 2 months. But then things slowly slowly turned around....I went to a psychologist for therapy and eventually I felt fine and better than I had for many years. The whole process took about 4 months including the therapy, although the Efexor was working properly after after about 2 months. I also had very good family and friend support.
I was on the 150mg XR until a week ago and am now weaning off ...I take 75mg XR plus 35mg plain Efexor...so far so good.
Don't give up, Sly.......it may take another 2-4 weeks and if you don't feel better, you may need a higher dose. Get help from somebody who understands the medication. There seem to be a lot of people who are seeing doctors who are ignorant of what happens with Efexor and the subsequent withdrawal.
Good luck and please keep us all informed of how you get on.
poster:Spencer
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020517/msgs/107253.html