Psycho-Babble Withdrawal Thread 469497

Shown: posts 52 to 76 of 81. Go back in thread:

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » winddancer

Posted by SLS on April 8, 2005, at 2:01:56

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » tinytasha, posted by winddancer on April 8, 2005, at 0:20:28

Hi WindDancer.

> I still suffer with tingly hands and feet and even mouth. I have problems with restless legs especially in the evening or if I have to sit still for very long. I still have excrutiating body ache and I'm not sure what's causing this. I've now weaned down to 25 mg of Effexor a day and take it in two halves as I need it.
> Good luck and Keep us posted.
> Winddancer


Do you think what you are experiencing is withdrawal symptoms? If so, maybe it's time to switch over to Prozac and wean off that. I had hoped you would have an easier time with things.

:-(


- Scott

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » SLS

Posted by winddancer on April 8, 2005, at 2:52:04

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » winddancer, posted by SLS on April 8, 2005, at 2:01:56

Hi Scott,

I don't know what these symptoms are from -although the tingling and restless legs seem to be worse when I'm further away from my last dose of 12.5mg - taking the other half seems to help a little bit but the tingling and restless legs seems to never go away entirely. I don't know if I posted that I recently learned that I am very anemic (low iron in blood) and my dr. thinks that if my muscles aren't getting enough oxygen (carried by the hemoglobin), it could cause them to ache and hurt. I also have been getting some diagnosis of my SI joint pain and an MRI and chiro manipulation confers that I have some scoliosis and spinal discs that are very squished between the vertebre and immobile [but not yet fused]and it could cause some nerve impingment, and thus numbness - a spine specialist will be evaluating the MRI next week. Also I'm getting an evaluation from a dr who does prolotherapy. Have you or anyone ever heard of that?? If not, I'll explain or post a website.

In many ways I feel I've been somewhat successful in weaning down to no more than 25mg/day of the Effexor. If I keep my mind busy and engaged in a mental or physical activity, I can go further between doses but as evening approaches the symtoms seem to crop up - not allowing me to eliminate the 2nd half of the 25mg tablet. I no longer get the headaches or the sweats or constipation and the Chinese herbs are addressing those issues.

Winddancer

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by Detroit on April 8, 2005, at 9:31:52

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by Detroit on March 27, 2005, at 23:56:56

Final update on my progress - I'm free!

As I posted before, Friday evening March 25th I started using granules from a 37.5mg capsule to alleviate the horrific withdrawal symptoms.

I only took granules when the symptoms appeared(mostly brain zaps and leg and feet sensations) - not on any set schedule.

I took less granules as time went on also - started with about 30 (not counted), and ended with 10 (counted) for the last 3-4 days.

One week ago, Friday morning April 1st, was my last use of any granules.

Occasional very small brain zaps, and occasional foot sensations are all I've experienced in the past week.

My message is that the flexible dosage schedule really worked for me, and I'd recommend this process to others. The process was quick and painless (as opposed to the pure torture of trying to quick cold-turkey from 37.5mg).

Other than a bad cold I caught along the way, I feel better than I have in a long, long time.

Also, a sidenote - I was sorely disappointed in my Psychiatrist's lack of knowledge on the withdrawal issues. He was completely unaware. When I talked with him, he saw no reason not to proceed with the tapering process I was using.

The lack of knowledge is serious, and applies to the psychiatric world - not just the general MDs.

Good luck to the rest of you. Keep helping each other, and keep educating your doctors!!


Detroit

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 14, 2005, at 9:03:47

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by Detroit on April 8, 2005, at 9:31:52

What a wonderful site to find! I began TRYING to come off of 150 mg Effexor XR 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I first tried to stretch my once daily dosage out--trying to go longer each time before taking the next dose. I supplemented this with lots of Dramamine trying to overcome the vertigo as I called it and could NEVER explain this feeling to anyone! (Thank God I do have one friend who knew exactly what I meant and exactly the side effects I was having!)Even my Dr did not think these side effects were normal! Ha! Now I know better! Thank you all! After coming to work last Friday and being violently ill and going home, I began searching for answers and found ya'll! I then changed my doseage. I first split my capsules into 1/3's and supplemented with Benadryl. Now I am down to 1/4's. I took a dose Wed at 6 a.m. I had to breakdown and take a dose this morning-Thursday--at 8 a.m. because the brain zaps were starting and I have to work! I will also take Benadryl throughout the day.

I want desperately to be rid of this drug! Do I keep on as I am going and taking 1/4 as I feel the zaps coming on? Will I eventually not have the zaps--which is the only reason I take it when I do?? Since being on Effexor XR (approx 4 yrs), I have also gained tremendous amounts of weight, experienced tingling in my hands and feet, sweat like crazy, have the wildest dreams and never sleep through the night! My hands are now swelling like crazy, there is mental confusion and I am so worried that I may be acting "weird" since I am not on my 'calming' meds!!! Please tell me this will all end!

~Dizzy in Dixie

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by canadiangirl3 on April 14, 2005, at 13:57:35

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 14, 2005, at 9:03:47

Hi D in D.
I couldn't get off the drug fast enough. I was only on it for about one year and a half. I started to experience all things you talked about. Weight gain (I hate myself), tingling, night sweats and crazy dreams. My simple withdrawal plan with my doctor was not going well and taking far too long. So I added a 20mg dose of Prozac each day and tapered off the Effexor in about three weeks. I am completely effexor-free now (it has been about one week). I don't have any of the nightime ailments or tingling. Just the wrteched 30 pounds that I have to shed! The only other side effect I get is a mild brain zap (?) when I make a sudden or big movement, (like putting on my coat or knapsack) I am hoping that will disappear in another week or so. Good luck with your tapering. Try the Prozac, if it is available to you. Or talk about it with your doctor.

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 14, 2005, at 14:28:27

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by canadiangirl3 on April 14, 2005, at 13:57:35

See, you make me feel like I am not going crazy with all the side-effects that I had no idea were being caused by this wicked drug! My Dr did offer to put me on something that started with an L but I refused. Honestly, I told him I cry anyway and am miserable and I am taking meds, why bother taking anything! I was on Prozac and it seemed not to be helping and this is when I weaned onto Effexor! And here I am TRYING to wean off. How do you live with the brain zaps??? The sleeping issues I have come to deal with because to not sleep all night, sweat, etc seems normal to me! The weight gain, well, this is a whole nother issue!!! I pray some of it comes off and the ME that I know is inside will come out! I think I have about 18 150 mg capsules left. I hope I can be off of it before I run out because I am not refilling it! I feel like an addict opening my capsules and splitting the little balls into 1/4ths!!!!

Should I keep on going as long as I can before taking a dose? Will my brain eventually not zap?

~Dizzy in Dixie

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by Detroit on April 16, 2005, at 6:56:40

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 14, 2005, at 14:28:27

Dizzy-

My suggestion is to use smaller and smaller doses when you break the capsules apart. Another poster here recommended getting the 25mg tablets because they are easier to split up accurately and you don't have to worry about the small, medium, large issue with the beads inside the capsules.

DON'T let the brain zaps get too strong before taking another dose. There are no points awarded for suffering longer - nor does it help from my own experience. Just keep reducing the dose, and take it right when the symptoms appear.

I had no strong brain zaps from the time I started to break my capsules apart until I stopped taking any effexor (1 week later).

My last reduction was from 37.5mg - coming down from 150mg to nothing may take a few weeks.

Since my last dose I have had some small to medium zaps - mostly they don't last long, but a couple of times a little Benadryl did help me.

Keep at it and good luck - but don't let yourself suffer for no benefit.

Detroit

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » Detroit

Posted by Dizzy In Dixie on April 16, 2005, at 20:29:41

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by Detroit on April 16, 2005, at 6:56:40

Detroit,

Thank you for your post. It is now about 9:30 p.m. My last 1/4th dose was 25 hrs ago. Yes, the brain zaps have started but I was fighting it and trying to stretch out the time! I guess one day I will get the hang of this process! I take it I should now reduce the doseage further rather than draw out the time between doses? I guess I am being stubborn. I refuse to refill my rx! As I reduce the doseage, will the time between doses increase as my body learns to do without this god-awful stuff? The brain zaps just make me feel like a space cadet! I swear I am almost scared to be around people! I have horrors that I am acting as spaced out as I feel! Never again!

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » Dizzy In Dixie

Posted by winddancer on April 16, 2005, at 21:47:27

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » Detroit, posted by Dizzy In Dixie on April 16, 2005, at 20:29:41

Hi -
I've just managed to get completely get off the Effexor and taking smaller and smaller doses as was suggested worked pretty well - I did ask my pdr for the 25mg tabs and was able to break them in 1/2 and take it in the morning and then when I felt uncomfortable symptoms I would take the other half. A couple days I was late getting up or forgot to take it early and would take it later. Finally one day I left the house early and forgot to take the 1/2 tab and at noon remembered but was feeling ok so I just decided not to take anymore. Last night I felt a little anxious and scared but took benedryl and went to bed. My counselor was amazed when I told her that I had been taking the benedryl during the day and not falling asleep. It just goes to show how the Effexor keeps some people pretty wired and awake. I had not experienced brain-zaps that others mentioned but now that I'm off the drug altogether, I occasionally have these weird sensations in my ears - like a hummm and I think it must be the brain-zaps. I have been grateful for this board - my dr and counselors claim they have not heard of all the side-effects that others mention. Even though I know these chat lines probably don't attract thos people who LOVE Effexor - with as many as describe the symptoms, we couldn't all be making it up or being hypocondrics. Since I've been off for just a few days - I rejoiced that I'm starting to feel some emotions again - I was crying at a sad story and it felt good to cry. Then I was out with a friend and it felt good to laugh again from some deep place - not the tee-hee laugh. I've found some humor that I'm now able to giggle again. I still get these weird sensations (brain-zaps I guess, but the constipation is gone) I'm looking forward to when I have better sensation in my tongue and boths hands.

I'll post more info about my particular experience later. I'M GOING DANCING and Celebrate!

winddancer

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by Detroit on April 17, 2005, at 11:55:01

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » Dizzy In Dixie, posted by winddancer on April 16, 2005, at 21:47:27

Dizzie-

I think smaller doses is better than increasing the time between doses. It was suggested to decrease your dose so that the symptoms start in about 6-8 hours (who knows what the "right" answer is - just experiment and see what works best for you).

Again, I found no benefit to enduring the symptoms for any period of time - just take some small dose whenever the symptoms start, and keep decreasing the dosage. Benadryl did help with the brain zaps, but I didn't use it until after I was off the Effexor.

Good luck

Detroit

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by Detroit on April 17, 2005, at 12:06:16

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » Dizzy In Dixie, posted by winddancer on April 16, 2005, at 21:47:27

Windancer-

I've had bad versions of both the brain zaps and the ear-buzzing. They are definitely separate symptoms.

You may be one of the really lucky ones if you never experience one!

I've tried to find a good description of a brain zap so I could explain to my wife. Nothing I've seen (or come up with on my own) do them justice. The closest I've seen is this: if you are watching TV and the electricity flickers, the picture on the screen starts to disappear then reappears. A brain zap is kind of like the whole world doing that (not just the TV). Kind of like there is a power flicker in your brain.

In my case the zaps came 10-12 at a time at the peak and were painful, not just disorienting. They happened whenever I moved my eyes from side to side. I didn't have to actually move my head as others have suggested, and they did happen even if my eyes were closed - although much less severe.

Anyone else have a good description?

Detroit

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 18, 2005, at 7:23:30

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by Detroit on April 17, 2005, at 12:06:16

For the last two or so years I have called the "Brain Zaps" as I now know them to be Vertigo! I finally realized they were a result of me missing a dose. Another way I tried to describe them was that when I moved my head and it stopped moving, my brain kept on sloshing around! (It is like trying to descibe the flashing lights of a migraine to someone!)

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 18, 2005, at 7:34:08

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by Detroit on April 16, 2005, at 6:56:40

OK. I will now start taking a small dose as soon as the brain zaps start. I am down to 1/8th with my last dose at 6:00pm last night. I sure do think someone needs to inform the medical community about this drug and how difficult it is to come off of. How come they do not tell you this when they put you on it?!!!

Again, thanks to everyone for their input here! This really is trial and error process!

p.s. I am not crying all the time like I was on the effexor! Strange huh?

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by canadiangirl3 on April 18, 2005, at 15:02:31

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 18, 2005, at 7:34:08

Hey all,
I've been off the Effexor for about 10 days now. I am still on 20mg of Prozac though. I have started to exercise again. Don't feel like to I need to eat everything all the time, etc. As for 'brain zaps', if that's what I'm still experiencing, I will try to describe it. I get a buzzing sensation all over my body, it seems, several times throughout the day when I'm moving around (taking the stairs, putting on coat etc). It definitely starts at my head. It is a much milder form than I experienced when I was on actual withdrawal....but still....I wonder how much longer this will last? I enjoyed reading all your descriptions. It is very hard to describe but I have a feeling we are all talking about the same thing. It's like trying to describe how it literally feels when you're drunk. Everyone has a different experience with it.
PS- I wouldn't recommend breaking up with your boyfriend throughout this- He's the reason I withdrew in the first place. He never knew me off Effexor. And the low libido was an issue. But I guess that is for another board:)

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » Detroit

Posted by gardenia girl on April 18, 2005, at 20:45:30

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by Detroit on April 17, 2005, at 12:06:16

Regarding brain zaps:

For me it sounded like the light sabers in the Star War's movies. Kind of a mid-to-low range zzzzzzt, zzzzzzt. With the noise in my head, there was almost a time delay or short circiut in my consciousness. I felt as though I had a ton of electricity stored up in my body. About 15 years ago I tried to push a wire back onto a spark plug on a lawn mower when the mower was running (yep, pretty stupid) and got a hefty electric shock. I can still remember the icky feelings throughout my body, and these brain zaps have that same sensation, but to a lesser degree. Head movement, eye movement, something or someone moving in my peripheral vision, basically anything that stimulated my brain could cause them to happen. They were at their worst when I was using the day-skipping method (every 2nd day for a month, then every third day for a month, then 4th...)which I DO NOT RECOMMEND!! Like clockwork, on the evening of the third day the zaps started and got progressively worse until I was throwing up. About three hours after I took an Effexor it stopped.

I am now at about 8 grains plus 1/2 benadryl each morning. I have not needed the evening dose in quite some time. Some days are good, others not so good. I usually have about three good days then one day when I feel like I am walking around drunk. My husband and my co-workers have all learned to quickly recognize my "drunk" days and they all try to keep me from harm's way.

I have often wondered what this syndrome must look like to others, and how to describe it adequately. I thought I was surely about to have a stroke until I found this web site, then others. It is not like anything else I have ever experienced in my life. I hope to never experience anything like it again.

Wednesday I am dropping to 8 grains. I need to make a trip back home to Texas, but I cannot imagine being in a car for a 12 hour road trip until this nightmare is over. I'm getting a little impatient. On the one hand it is kind of nice to have that emotion back, on the other... I never was really good at waiting.

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » gardenia girl

Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 19, 2005, at 7:27:47

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » Detroit, posted by gardenia girl on April 18, 2005, at 20:45:30

It is truly amazing to read these posts and see that I am not alone! Please tell me why the Dr's tell you to do the every-other-day method of tapering when it so obviously is NOT the way to taper? I too had the major nausea at the end of my first week of tapering when I tried to push the length of time in between doses. I began this process on 4/2. Hit rock bottom 4/8 with the brain zaps and nausea as I was trying to follow Dr's orders. I then found this site and began cutting the doseage. I am now taking about a 16th as soon as I feel the tightening in my head which is followed shortly by the zaps. I have also cut out alot of the benedryl. I am not using Prozac or anything else to help with the taper. So far, so good...

 

Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal

Posted by dr_laura on April 27, 2005, at 22:44:06

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by tinytasha on April 6, 2005, at 2:42:18

I just finished coming off Effexor XR myself after 5 years of being on it to combat depression. I am experiencing the exact same symptoms you are. I was on 150 mg and had to taper down. The brain buzz, diarrhea, nausea and dizziness are lessening with time (4 wks), but I still experience these symptoms in smaller doses. It has been one week since I have been totally off the meds. I am taking the supplement 5-HTP which is a pre-cursor to serotonin. I take 50 mg 2x/day. I notice less intensity of symptoms after I take it. I've only been taking it for the past week that I have had no Effexor in my system. It appears to be helping, but that may be part pyschosomatic. Hope this info helps you. I get my 5-HTP off Puritan's Pride website; they frequently have buy 1 get 2 free and they ship quite quickly. I believe 1 bottle of 60 tabs cost me $15. I do not work for this company, I have just found them to be the most economical and order all my supplements from them. Good luck!

 

Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS

Posted by FREDDY on May 18, 2005, at 19:33:59

In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal, posted by dr_laura on April 27, 2005, at 22:44:06

I was on Effexor XR for about 6 months, and had leveled off at 150mg. When I decided to withdraw, my shrink suggested reducing the dosage by 37.5 for a week at a time until I weaned down to zero. So, it took me 4 weeks to get off the drug. It went pretty well until I took the last 37.5 mg dose. Starting the next day I began to have what others are calling brain zaps. That is, whenever I move my eyes to look in a different direction, I hear clinking sounds which feel like a zap in my head. I usually get 3-5 clinks before it stops, but it starts again immediately when I move my eyes to look in another direction. Its almost like short fast electric zaps. It also has some quick dizziness related to it. I have been off the drug now for 15 days, but I am still getting the eye movement clinking reaction described. My question is, how long does it take before it stops? I find it annoying, but can tolerate it as long as I know it will eventually stop. One would think that after 15 days the drug should be completely out of your system. So why is it still happening to me? Anyone know if this is a normal reaction for such a long time? Thanks

 

Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS

Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on May 19, 2005, at 7:50:48

In reply to Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS, posted by FREDDY on May 18, 2005, at 19:33:59

>...My question is, how long does it take before it stops? I find it annoying, but can tolerate it as long as I know it will eventually stop. One would think that after 15 days the drug should be completely out of your system. So why is it still happening to me? Anyone know if this is a normal reaction for such a long time? Thanks

Hey Ya'll, I am with Freddy on this! I have been "weaning" from 150mg per day to just a few grains (balls-maybe 15 or so) a day since the beginning of April. I still get brain-zaps so bad at around 24hrs that I have been unable to break from this drug! What to do and how long will it last? I just dont think I can deal with the brain zaps. I hate losing days to feeling bad and we all know this is one bad feeling!
~Dizzy in Dixie

 

Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS » Dizzy in Dixie

Posted by SLS on May 19, 2005, at 9:03:11

In reply to Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS, posted by Dizzy in Dixie on May 19, 2005, at 7:50:48

I found that dropping from 37.5mg to 0.0mg was too rapid a decrease to prevent withdrawal symptoms. I ended up splitting up pills and dividing my daily dosage; taking very small amounts of Effexor 3 times a day. I think dosing several times a day is preferable to once a day because you don't allow for such low troughs in blood levels.

You might want to check out some of my previous posts regarding a flexible-dosing strategy to discontinue Effexor. It seems most applicable when one reduces the dosage below 75mg.

If I were in your position, I might elect to take a short course of Prozac. You might only need to take it for 5 days or so. It has such a long half-life, that it acts to "naturally" and more gently wean you from the serotonergic mechanisms.


- Scott

 

Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS

Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on May 19, 2005, at 9:08:33

In reply to Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS » Dizzy in Dixie, posted by SLS on May 19, 2005, at 9:03:11

Thanks Scott. I guess I have just put off asking my Dr for Prozac because I dont know if he will understand why I am asking--although he had offered to put me on something else (Lexapro??) and I refused stating I wanted to be done with all of this! I thought that since I was taking such a tiny tiny dose @ 24hrs that eventually I would quit "zapping"! NOT! I want to be free!
~Dizzy

 

Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS » Dizzy in Dixie

Posted by SLS on May 20, 2005, at 7:51:45

In reply to Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS, posted by Dizzy in Dixie on May 19, 2005, at 9:08:33

> Thanks Scott. I guess I have just put off asking my Dr for Prozac because I dont know if he will understand why I am asking--although he had offered to put me on something else (Lexapro??) and I refused stating I wanted to be done with all of this! I thought that since I was taking such a tiny tiny dose @ 24hrs that eventually I would quit "zapping"! NOT! I want to be free!
> ~Dizzy

What you might want to do is to take minute amounts of Effexor several times a day, using it only when the zaps appear. You would be using it almost like aspirin for a headache. As long as you monitor your daily intake and establish a maximum daily dosage you would be operating a true taper strategy. I used to carry around with me a tablet with me and simply bit off very small pieces as needed.

Do you have tablets to work with or only capsules?


- Scott

 

Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS

Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on May 20, 2005, at 8:40:46

In reply to Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS » Dizzy in Dixie, posted by SLS on May 20, 2005, at 7:51:45


> What you might want to do is to take minute amounts of Effexor several times a day, using it only when the zaps appear. You would be using it almost like aspirin for a headache. As long as you monitor your daily intake and establish a maximum daily dosage you would be operating a true taper strategy. I used to carry around with me a tablet with me and simply bit off very small pieces as needed.

Scott,
I have and carry around a few capsules. If I have put off taking any and the zaps get too much to handle at work, I open the capsule and get a few "grains/balls". I did put in a call to my Dr yesterday and asked for Prozac. I am waiting to hear from him. I do not know if he will do this or not as he is the one who told me to do the every other day thing! I think I may be on the verge of a break through! I was due to take a dose last night around 8 p.m. I was not home and was busy and the night got even busier. I have not taken any yet and it is 9:40 am. I feel ok! Maybe I am coming towards the end?
~Dizzy in Dixie
p.s. I am only taking tiny tiny amounts and this is when I start zapping. Until now, the threshold was around 24 hrs....
>
> Do you have tablets to work with or only capsules?
>
>
> - Scott
>

 

Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS » Dizzy in Dixie

Posted by SLS on May 22, 2005, at 20:53:23

In reply to Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS, posted by Dizzy in Dixie on May 20, 2005, at 8:40:46

Hi Dixie.

> I think I may be on the verge of a break through! I was due to take a dose last night around 8 p.m. I was not home and was busy and the night got even busier. I have not taken any yet and it is 9:40 am. I feel ok! Maybe I am coming towards the end?

Unbelievably cool...

I am thrilled to hear that a flexible-dose strategy has worked for you. Keep up the good work. You will, of course, reach a point where no further dosage reduction will be accepted by the body without the appearance of withdrawal symptoms. However, they should be relatively mild and short lived. I doubt you will be one of the people for whom withdrawal effects last for weeks. (This might be because you will not have kindled a persistent withdrawal syndrome).

Please post again to describe your progress. I am excited to see what happens with you.

Keeping my fingers crossed...


- Scott

 

Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS

Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on May 23, 2005, at 7:38:36

In reply to Re: Effexor XR Withdrawal- BRAIN ZAPS » Dizzy in Dixie, posted by SLS on May 22, 2005, at 20:53:23

Scott,
I think I have done it! I think I am finally through tapering! I have still not had ANY Effexor since last Wed pm! Occasionally I will feel a small, tiny, tiny zap but it is fleeting! It is funny to open my cabinet at home and see my little plate with my effexor on it! I almost feel like a junkie, I dare not throw it away for fear of the zaps coming back! Please let this be the end! I never did hear back from my Dr regarding Prozac. Actually, I did not think I would. (He is just an MD) I had already decided I would find it somewhere if it came down to it!
Looks like I may be ok afterall!!! Never again will I take anything until I know the withdrawal effects, etc. Good luck to everyone!
~Dizzie in Dixie (hopefully no more!)


Go forward in thread:


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Withdrawal | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.