Posted by elsie_girl on October 24, 2006, at 21:41:35
In reply to Re: Withdrawl, posted by shelby11 on October 17, 2006, at 16:31:54
Hi Shelby
Earlier this year I too went off Efexor and went through sheer hell too. I had been on Efexor for about 4 years at a high dose and even though it worked OK the side effects eventually got to me e.g. excessive sweating, weight gain, hair loss. I weaned over a period of a few months and the last few weeks was emptying some of my capsule out. I was OK until I stopped for a few days and then it hit. I had similar symptoms to you vertigo, major meltdowns, hyperactivity, hypermania, flu like symptoms and the the list goes on. I did have some benzos, but eventually after a couple of weeks when I thought I really was going to lose it I went to my GP and asked for Lovan (Prozac) and within a couple of days my symptoms began to improve. I didn't really want to go onto another AD but in the end I had to. I haven't been quite right since, but the Lovan is better than Efexor.
I agree with others too that the pharmaceutical company should know what happens during withdrawal. My GP and Psych seemed surprised when I told them of the troubles I had when coming off Efexor. They SHOULD KNOW. Then maybe it would be possible for them to help people through this dreadful time.
I can only make a few suggestions, a few of which I got from this site.
1. Definitely go back to your doctor - why should anyone have to go through this alone. It's about time they realised how hard it is. Keep on your doc's tail for help - you need to get through this somehow.
2. Try taking an occasional small dose of Efexor to get you through - not ideal but maybe essential for your sanity?
I can empathise with you as I went through the same thing. Good luck and let us know how you go. Take it easy and take care of yourself you need a bit of extra nurturing at this time.
Cheers
Elsie (Australia)
> I have been off Effexor for 2 weeks. These withdrawl symptoms are somewhat unbearable. I have very bad vertigo, nightmares, major meltdowns over small things where I cannot stop crying, I am so distracted I should not be driving. I have missed work and my boss is trying to be patient ( I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago), but wants to reevaluate how I am doing in two more weeks. So on top of everything else, I may lose my job.The only good part is that I have my sex drive back.
> If I could go back I would have never taken this drug, I only had medium anxiety. My doctor gave me a sample and a script for this without telling me anything about this drug. I am much worse now than before. If anyone wants to quit they should do so before the dose goes up and up. I hear it's worse when you are at large doses. I was weaned properly, can't imagine what its' like to go cold turkey.
poster:elsie_girl
thread:457503
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20061010/msgs/697488.html