Posted by lara22_3 on April 29, 2005, at 11:46:50
In reply to Re: Effexor discontiuation side effects are HELL, posted by kjam on April 11, 2005, at 14:29:01
I've just gotten off Effexor (150mg/day) after taking it for over three years. My family doctor put me on it to treat mild depression and anxiety as I was planning a wedding AND as my mother's doctor, he knew her prognosis when she had been diagnosed with cancer a few weeks before I went in to see him. He said it would make the extremes I was feeling much less extreme - which it did.
I was excited because I instantly noticed how it curbed my road rage. Stupid things didn't bother me as much. The wedding came and went - the best day of my life - and then my mom's passing came - less than two months after her diagnosis. I was beside myself with grief and VERY greatful to my doctor for putting me on the Effexor when he did (did I mention that he never said anything about the side effects - though I didn't ask - I needed somehting immediately or I was going to snap!). It really helped with all the crap following my mom's death for the next few years.
I finally got to the point where I was able to deal with all the emotional stress of the issues in my life (Buddhism, H.H. The Dalai Lama, meditation, and a very wonnderful support network - my husband and some great friends REALLY helped!). I decided I wanted to lessen my chemical dependence and de-toxify my life.
Now, I knew there were going to be withdrawl symptoms from the time I missed my first dose. I would take my Effexor every morning like clock work for the first month I was on it. Then one day I forgot and by 2pm, I was crazy dizzy! I would get bad hot flashes if I forgot it too - and then as soon as I would take it - more hot flashes for about 30-45 minutes until the med really got into my system. Though I hated the side effects, I love the medication!
I knew I had to titrate my dosage down in order to get off the med. Last Sunday was my last day and the past week has been weird. I was bulemic in high school - so I can handle nausea and vomiting well - I know that sounds bad. The worst part of me was the dizziness and the hot flashes - which contribute to the nausea.
I am also very lucky that my boss's wife takes Effexor - so he was always really great about understanding why and how it works. He also lives out of state, so my job was never in jeopardy (that I know of). I am able to work from home - which I had to do quite frequently.
BUT THERE IS HOPE! I am on my fifth day and my symptoms have subsided substantially. The first 2-3 days were the worst. I still have the dizziness and electro shock (which someone I work said would last for a while - intermittently). But it IS getting better. My doctor said that the first 3-5 days are the worst and I can feel the difference. I'm not as dizzy as I was and am starting to feel a sense of normality.
Hang in there! There is light at the end of the long and twisted tunnel. I actually prolonged going through the symptoms by taking the low dose because the dizziness was so bad - but don't do it! All you do is prolong the inevitable. It's not a great medication.
After you've been on the lowest dose for 1-2 weeks, take some time off of work (like a week if you can - or at least a long weekend) and stop taking the med. Be prepared for the side effects - don't have to drive anywhere or run out to the store - get it out of the way before hand or have someone pick up whatever you may need. Just stay home and suck it up - you'll get through it. Drink lots of green and/or white tea. The antioxidant properties will help cleanse your system. Drink lots of water too and if you can add lemon juice or fresh lemons to your water. Again, the lemons help clean everything out. This helps with side effects.
poster:lara22_3
thread:464653
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050424/msgs/491446.html