Posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 14:39:05
In reply to Effexor is total hell to come off of » dancingstar, posted by Miriamne on June 11, 2006, at 21:47:44
Hi... came across this site by accident. God must be smiling on me 'cause over the past few weeks I've decided to get off this med.
Suffering depression for over 10 yrs. Been on Paxil (turned me into walking zombie) Prozac (made me violent - even pictured myself stabbing my loving husband - that scared me). Went off both drugs cold turkey with no problems.
Finally got put on Effexor and it worked great! Felt pretty human again. After one year doc took me off. Went off it v e r y slowly... no problems.
Started to re-experience depression / panic attacks after being off for about a year and a half. Decided to go back on Effexor. This time I've been on it for 4 years and find over the last year or so, I don't want to do anything. After work, come home, watch t.v. and go to bed. Have a really hard time getting up in the morning. Weekends? Don't want to entertain anymore, visit anymore, go out anymore.... I come home Friday after work and don't leave the house until Monday morning. In between? T.V. Used to have an immaculate house. No more. Can't be bothered.
Anyhow, I can't believe some of the postings! Going cold turkey off some of the high dosages? Oh my god that scares me that you would do that.
The first time I went off was very slowly and for the last two weeks was actually taking one half of a 37.5 every second day. It was the only way I could stop the dizziness and the feeling that my brain was doing a summersault every time I moved my eyes.
Over the past few years I've forgotten to take my once daily dose and within 24 hours am vomitting, severe headache, and my hands shake violently. This is all relieved with about two hours of taking my pill.
Yes, I'm terrified of going off the Effexor again, even slowly. But I will do this because I want to feel alive again.
If you're in the process or thinking of stopping this med, please, please do it slowly. Take care of yourselves. It can be a horrifying experience and yes, at times you can think you're on the verge of having a stroke or heart attack.
Please do it under a doc's supervision.
poster:gabmeister
thread:457503
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060602/msgs/655986.html