Posted by SLS on May 9, 2005, at 7:23:16
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last? » SLS, posted by 4WD on May 8, 2005, at 23:30:55
> > What you can try is to cut the pills in as small pieces as you can and use them like aspirin as a PRN. When you feel witdrawal symptoms coming on, just take as little as is necessary to get you through the next six hours or so. You should find that you need smaller and smaller doses to last 6 hours or that the smallest doses extend further and further the time period between doses. This is a flexible-dosing strategy that has worked for a few people in your situation. It is not a good idea to allow the withdrawal syndrome to persist unmitigated for any great length of time. It might kindle the system to remain in a constant state of withdrawal for weeks after discontinuing the medication.
> What you said about not allowing the withdrawal symptoms to persist unmitigated really made me think. I've experienced terrible anxiety for months now after coming off Effexor. I've thought it was simply my underlying anxiety disorder having gotten worse while I was on Effexor. I've been reluctant to treat the anxiety with the Klonopin I"ve been prescribed for fear of dependency (formerly addicted to Ativan). Now I'm wondering whether the awful anxiety I'm still experiencing (since October) is truly still a result of withdrawing from Effexor too quickly? I'm now on Celexa and in the process of switching to nortriptyline (to try and deal with the anxiety).
>
> Marsha
I'm really sorry, Marsha. What a nightmare.I think you are doing the right thing pursuing nortriptyline. There are no guarantees of course, but it can definitely be anxiolytic for people, especially if the anxiety is associated with a depressive disorder. Going with a NE tricyclic to treat SRI withdrawal isn't unheard of.
If nortriptyline isn't the answer, and you are unwilling to go with a benzodiazepine like Klonopin, it would be interesting to see how you do on a mood stabilizer. Depakote comes to mind first. There is quite a bit of medical literature indicating an anxiolytic effect. Although less well studied, Neurontin is certainly anxiolytic.
You have options.
:-)
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:486906
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050424/msgs/495462.html