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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bubblehead on September 4, 2004, at 10:50:33
Hi all,
I'm new here. I'm so happy to find this place. I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice. I have been taking 450mg of Effexor for over a year. My Doc has decided to take me off of it, thanks to the wonderful side effects I have been having. He is gradually taking me off of it as he is starting me on Zoloft. Yesterday was my first day with a skipped dose and I am already feeling the effects. I hate it! What should I expect coming off of this high of a dose? I have two young children to take care of and now I don't know if I'm going to manage through this withdrawl. What about the Zoloft? Do I have this all to look forward to with the Zoloft? If so, I don't want to continue it. I'm so confused, I'm so dizzy too! Why can't there be a cure-all for major depressive disorder and other issues? I'm so glad to know I am not alone.
I better go, the keys on my keyboard are starting to look like they are spinning. Anyone who has advice, I would love to here it and I truly appreciate it.
Posted by becksA on September 4, 2004, at 10:57:08
In reply to New Here-**HELP** Withdrawl from 450mg of Efexxor, posted by bubblehead on September 4, 2004, at 10:50:33
Generally Zoloft has been known as a MUCH easier drug to come off of than Effexor.
Posted by King Vultan on September 5, 2004, at 10:26:23
In reply to New Here-**HELP** Withdrawl from 450mg of Efexxor, posted by bubblehead on September 4, 2004, at 10:50:33
You will probably feel withdrawal effects at each downward adjustment in dosage, but this is the way to do it rather than just dropping the med all at once, which would have a good chance of being rather incapacitating. I took Effexor for years and Zoloft for years and went off each several times and only experienced withdrawal symptoms on the Effexor. Some people also do on Zoloft, but Effexor seems to be considered the really bad one, with Paxil probably being 2nd worst among common antidepressants.
Todd
Posted by bubblehead on September 5, 2004, at 14:00:04
In reply to Re: New Here-**HELP** Withdrawl from 450mg of Efexxor, posted by King Vultan on September 5, 2004, at 10:26:23
Thank you for easing my mind. I just really don't like this withdrawl. It had me concerned. I hope that it goes by fast because this is so unpleasant. Thanks again for replying.
Posted by bert99 on September 7, 2004, at 2:51:24
In reply to Re: New Here-**HELP** Withdrawl from 450mg of Efexxor, posted by bubblehead on September 5, 2004, at 14:00:04
Take 3000 mg x 2 a day of salmon oil. That really, really helped me get through the withdrawal.
Somebody else here recommended something else ... a cough medicine I think .. I can't remember, sorry.
Good luck :)
Posted by sjb on September 7, 2004, at 9:41:34
In reply to New Here-**HELP** Withdrawl from 450mg of Efexxor, posted by bubblehead on September 4, 2004, at 10:50:33
Well, I won't kid you. You're in for a rough ride. I came off from 450 and it was not pleasant. One thing I did that I would NOT recommend: cutting back too quickly. My PDoc had me completely off within 2 weeks and, for me, that was way too fast. For at least a week, I had a vice-like grip on my skull and I've never really had any problem with headaches. The non-asperin pain reliever offered a little bit of help. I've heard that small doses of Prozac help a lot during the withdrawal but my PDoc never prescribed this, so I can't say from personal experience. Perhaps Zoloft works in much the same way, but I've primarily have heard about Prozac offering the most help with withdrawal. Good luck. It will pass.
This is the end of the thread.
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