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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Katarina K on November 3, 2004, at 20:17:59
I've been on Effexor XR for 2 years, due to post-traumatic stress disorder. It was great for a while and really helped me get over my panic attacks. Eventually, however, I started having hellish periods, feeling numb and irritable. Not to mention the slight weight gain. Five pounds, but all in my belly. Oh, and the constipation was awful. So, I have been off, cold-turkey, for four days. Well, that's not quite true. I lowered the dose over a few months and was only taking 37 mg, from the original 75mg. I am quite sure I'm in hell right now. I cried one entire day, although I was never being treated for depression. I've been dizzy, naseauted, have been sweating like a pig, and now, today, I feel like my feet and hands are burning up. The tingly, fuzzy feeling in my face seem to have subsided for the moment, but my hands and feet are hurting, although they aren't swollen. My pulse is racing. HELP!!! I do seem to have a clear mind, but I am a total bitch to my family. Looking forward to help!
Posted by laurie_lu on November 4, 2004, at 5:51:08
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Katarina K on November 3, 2004, at 20:17:59
For most everyone tapering off Effexor the symptoms are the worse when you get down to 37.5mg and lower. I took BENADRYL 50mg every 4 to 6 hours and this eliminated the dizziness and vertigo. I also took DRAMAMINE one pill every 4 to 6 hours and this eliminated the nausea. These two drugs were a miracle for me and got me through the withdrawl symptoms. I removed the white granules out of my Effexor capsule daily so that my tapering was very slow and gradule. You may need to slow down a bit and wait for you body to adjust to each dose decrease. You will get past this and succeed. I've been off Effexor completely now for 7 weeks. Good luck.
Posted by whitdaddy on November 6, 2004, at 13:57:51
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Katarina K on November 3, 2004, at 20:17:59
Yeah, you definitely need to slowly taper off when quitting Effexor. I tried to go cold turkey and was totally incapacitated. Actually, it is generally a good idea to slowly taper off any psychoactive meds.
This is the end of the thread.
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