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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Katy on December 10, 2000, at 6:20:11
Greetings all - I'm a newcomer to this board, but have been much reassured by reading all the posts that I am not the only one out there dealing with this stuff. I only took Effexor XR 150mg for about 3 months (it helped a great deal, and I'm a veteran of the SSRI wars & have tried almost everything else) - I was going through a particularly bad patch of depression & felt I needed to go back on meds for awhile, but I can't stay on because I'm going to be trying to get pregnant in the next few months & don't want to add any risk factors.
Just stopped taking Effexor XR, after tapering down to 75mg/day for 2 weeks and 37.5mg/day for another 10 days. I've been off completely for a week now, and the withdrawal is getting WORSE BY THE DAY! Horrible, uncontrollable mood swings, crying jags that will not stop no matter what I do, the feeling of my eyes jumping around all the time, etc. etc. I have Ativan for when it gets really bad, but I don't want to get too friendly with it, for obvious reasons.
Can anyone shed some light on how long this withdrawal usually lasts? If I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel - even a long tunnel - I could deal with it more easily. I'd appreciate any feedback you can offer me. You know, the most ironic part of all this is that I'm a sales rep for the drug company that makes Effexor - you would think they could give me a "get out of withdrawal free card" or something. Ah, well, enough rambling....many thanks in advance to anyone who responds.
Posted by R.Anne on December 10, 2000, at 23:06:20
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal - Just in Time for Christmas! , posted by Katy on December 10, 2000, at 6:20:11
> Greetings all - I'm a newcomer to this board, but have been much reassured by reading all the posts that I am not the only one out there dealing with this stuff. I only took Effexor XR 150mg for about 3 months (it helped a great deal, and I'm a veteran of the SSRI wars & have tried almost everything else) - I was going through a particularly bad patch of depression & felt I needed to go back on meds for awhile, but I can't stay on because I'm going to be trying to get pregnant in the next few months & don't want to add any risk factors.
>
> Just stopped taking Effexor XR, after tapering down to 75mg/day for 2 weeks and 37.5mg/day for another 10 days. I've been off completely for a week now, and the withdrawal is getting WORSE BY THE DAY! Horrible, uncontrollable mood swings, crying jags that will not stop no matter what I do, the feeling of my eyes jumping around all the time, etc. etc. I have Ativan for when it gets really bad, but I don't want to get too friendly with it, for obvious reasons.
>
> Can anyone shed some light on how long this withdrawal usually lasts? If I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel - even a long tunnel - I could deal with it more easily. I'd appreciate any feedback you can offer me. You know, the most ironic part of all this is that I'm a sales rep for the drug company that makes Effexor - you would think they could give me a "get out of withdrawal free card" or something. Ah, well, enough rambling....many thanks in advance to anyone who responds.
********
I think you have probably seen the worst of the withdrawal. I cannot imagine it being much longer. You could try to do things to relax naturally since you want to have a baby. The libraries and bookstores have books and tapes on relaxation, meditation. I think the deep breathing relaxation cd is a very good one-I have it. Got it through Columbia. Massages, hot baths, exercise and walks will help, too. They all can relax you naturally. I also find burning potpouri liquid relaxing! They have some great scents out, too. As for your depression-a good psychologist can help you out. Good luck!
Posted by stjames on December 12, 2000, at 15:54:22
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal - Just in Time for Christmas! , posted by Katy on December 10, 2000, at 6:20:11
For me, 1 mg Atavin, as needed, stops all of the problems you mention. You might want to discuss this with your doc, there is no reason to suffer.
james
Posted by sycochick on December 13, 2000, at 19:23:33
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal - Just in Time for Christmas! , posted by Katy on December 10, 2000, at 6:20:11
This may or may not sound discouraging, but I've been effexor-free for 6 days now and it took me a total of 8 wks to "taper" off of it.I took my capsules and emptied one out a little each day,taking the same (or close to it) amount for min 2 wks, then emptying a little more out for 2 more wks.and so on. The side effects during that 8 wks were dizzyness,hot flashes,headache(bad ones),and irritability. However,during these past 6 days being on zero-amount, im only dizzy a little,and feeling pretty good.So I think I can safely say, im through, and hope I stay mentally okay.Good luck, just take your time.
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