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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Virginia on March 9, 2002, at 22:52:41
This is my first time posting on this site, and I must say I have never felt so much relief to know that I am not alone in the symptoms I am feeling.
I have been on 150mg of Effexor XR for about 2 years. Due to a surprise pregancy, my
Doctor and I decided that it would be in my best interest to try and get off of it. I am not on any other drug.I first for about 3 weeks was taking my 150 mg every other day. We then switched to 37.5 for ten days and I am now into my 3rd day of nothing.
I cannot express the hell I have been going through for the last month. My reasons for going on it in the first place are so mute right now. I am going insane. The mood swings, electrical impulses in my body, insane thoughts.. I just don't know how much more I can take.
I need some hope. My husband and children are afraid of me. I can't work, read, or even leave the house.
Please can you help me and tell me how much longer this is going to go on.
Thanking you in advance for any help.
Virginia
Posted by maximillian on March 10, 2002, at 5:25:18
In reply to Effexor XR withdrawal hell.., posted by Virginia on March 9, 2002, at 22:52:41
sorry to hear it. i know you husband and children must be happy about a new baby on the way. you shouldn't have to be going thru this right now. has your doctor considered another med to help ease the wd's and still not affect your pregnancy? is this a pdoc, neuro, or gp? there must be something to ease the wd's even if its only an herbal over the counter med? how many months?
max
Posted by colin wallace on March 10, 2002, at 6:22:20
In reply to Re: Effexor XR withdrawal hell.. » Virginia, posted by maximillian on March 10, 2002, at 5:25:18
Christ, it continually astounds me as to how ******* ignorant some doctors are regarding the process of withdrawing from effexor (and other such AD's with very short half-lives).
There is absolutely no need whatsoever for you to endure those tortuous withdrawals, and I'd personally like to make your doc. try such an abrupt taper/discontinuance- then perhaps he'd think again before recommending such idiocy!
(Yes, I do feel strongly about this, having been in exactly the same boat- without a paddle).
The withdrawals you are experiencing are due to effexor's short lasting action in powerfully blocking the re-uptake of seratonin(and to a lesser extent, noradrenaline) in the brain.
Many people have problems discontinuing, or even tapering effexor due to the relatively quick dispersal of this blocking effect,which is basically a nasty shock to the brain when it has to very suddenly rely on its own 'downgraded'neuro-chemicals- a bit like suddenly kicking a crutch out from beneath a man with sprained ligaments.
It is well known that taking prozac can greatly help ease this transition, due to its very long half-life (some 18 days if I remember rightly)
In other words, as the seratonin reuptake blocking effect of effexor dissipates, prozac performs a longer lasting blocking effect which will GRADUALLY diminish over the course of a few weeks- just taking it for three or four days can make all the difference.Bit like handing somebody a cane for a while, after you've kicked away the crutch!!I don't mean to decry effexor here by any means (especially with the crutch analogy!), but people, especially physicians should be far more aware of need to properly manage withdrawing from it.I tried it both ways, and using prozac made it relatively painless (I'm afraid you're all too familiar with the other way).Of course, there may well be a valid reason for your docs. taking you off suddenly and without assistance, and as always, this is just my humble (but informed) opinion.
Please hang in there.
Wishing you well'
Col.
Posted by Virginia on March 10, 2002, at 8:38:23
In reply to Re: Effexor XR withdrawal hell..Virginia, posted by colin wallace on March 10, 2002, at 6:22:20
I am 12 weeks pregnant Max. My doctor did tell me if I was having problems he could put me on something else. But I am very concerned about taking anything while pregnant. He is not aware of the hell I am going through as I have not been to see him (He is a GP by the way). He will know when I go back hahaha. I don't blame him for anything. He is a new doctor and wasn't even the one who put me on the drug. Thank you so much for your reply. I feel better able to handle this just knowing I am not alone.
Posted by maximillian on March 11, 2002, at 3:30:04
In reply to Re: Effexor XR withdrawal hell..Virginia, posted by Virginia on March 10, 2002, at 8:38:23
wish you and yours the very best and if you need to talk again...max
This is the end of the thread.
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