Posted by 4WD on May 31, 2005, at 22:00:14
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last? » LBB, posted by SLS on May 31, 2005, at 17:51:17
> Hi Lisa
>
> > My concern is what Scott said about having permanent-like withdrawal effects.
>
> Actually, I have never used the word "permanent". The worst scenarios I have seen described here involve a persistence of withdrawal symptoms for no more than a few months.
>
> > Since I am not going on another drug,
>
> This is a decision that might prevent you from getting past all of this quickly. I would think about using the Prozac cross-over method if I were in your position. It would only be for one or two weeks, and you wouldn't have to suffer. It might also shorten by months the time withdrawal effects persist.
>
> > Will I never feel better?
>
> Yes. The question is when. You could start feeling better tomorrow if you were to take 10-20mg of Prozac today.
>
> Perhaps it is worth waiting two months before trying to conceive so that you can treat your withdrawal syndrome properly.
>
> Please remember that part of the withdrawal syndrome is anxiety. Although it will be difficult, try to recognize this and not allow your thoughts to succumb to the power of the anxiety. Your thinking will be much clearer and things will seem less catastrophic if you can reduce your level of anxiety. Your thoughts aren't by themselves producing the anxiety. Your anxiety is producing thoughts that are overwhelming.
>
> Regardless of what decisions you come to regarding the management of your current withdrawal syndrome, it will eventually disappear. Perhaps it makes sense to make that happen sooner than later.
>
> I wish you nothing but the best of luck, and look foward to hearing good news from you soon. I'm sure we will soon see a healthy new addition to your family.
>
> :-)
>
>
> - Scott
>Scott,
I'm trying to relate this to my own situation. I tapered Effexor over a period of about a month from 50mg to about 10mg and started Celexa 20mg when I began the Effexor taper. So there was no time that I wasn't on an AD. I had switched successfully from Effexor to Celexa a couple of times before with no problem other than a slight increase in morning anxiety.
But the last four times I tried to switch from Effexor to a different drug (Paxil, twice -quick switch with short Effexor taper; Cymbalta once with 1 month Effexor taper and Cymbalta build up and now Celexa with 1 month Effexor taper) I have experienced the sudden onset of horrible fear anywhwere from one week to one month after the last dose of Effexor.
I guess I'm wondering (in a very roundabout way, sorry) whether the fear is truly due to stopping Effexor. And if so, how long might it last? At most?
Thanks,
Marsha
poster:4WD
thread:486906
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050519/msgs/506067.html