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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 californiagirl on February 7, 2005, at 0:08:11
Hi, I am trying to wean off Effexor after having been on it for 8 weeks. I was unable to sleep. Now I can sleep but am so sick with flu symptoms like dizziness and nausea. I have so much depression that I can't stand myself. I have been completely off for the past two days only. Can someone give me ideas about what to do to make this pass?
Posted by Smeegle on February 7, 2005, at 0:40:59
In reply to Effexor, posted by californiagirl on February 7, 2005, at 0:08:11
I just came off Effexor (I say that like I just came off crack or something, but that's almost the way it felt). Did your Dr start you on a new (different) antipressant before weaning you off Effexor or are you coming off AD's in general? Even though I started Lamictal and Welbutrin at the same time I started ramping down my Effexor XR dose, it didn't quite cut it. By the time I got to the 37.5 and eventually stopped that, I went into a MAJOR tailspin. I have never been so depressed and/or so suicidal as I have been in the month since I stopped taking Effexor. What has helped me the most is 1) being 100% honest with my pdoc about my thoughts, urges and feelings (no matter how irrational they are) Know when to make THAT call...the one when you know you are about five seconds from coming completely unglued. 2) recognize that it is NOT you, but the depression (and likely the "discontinuation" bs) from Effexor that may very well cause some really erratic thoughts and behaviors. 3) Make sure you are not alone when you are particularly depressed. I know I don't always know when or what will trigger. I can wake up at 3am sobbing for hours and have no idea why. (My dh is at a complete and total loss but bless his heart is trying to understand his role in all of this. We are in counseling to aid in this). My moods can turn on a dime. Someone asked me one day last week if I had woke up on the wrong side of the bed and was baffled when I responded that some days there was no good side of my bed that particular day...at least I got up and that's all that matter AT THAT MOMENT. Try to have at least one person who knows and understands what you are going thru (I know, easier said than done). I told my husband that mostly I just need for him to hold me and keep reminding me that it will pass. Just hold on tight and ride it out with me. And it does pass. Get thru each crisis at a time. Take the good days and cherish them. Try to fight off the bad days (you can't always, but try anyhow...).
Maybe you won't have any of these problems. Hopefully not. But if you do, no matter how irrational your thoughts are, try to keep in perspective that it's the depression talking and admit when you need help. I think the only reason my pdoc hasn't hospitalized me is because I have thus far shown that I recognize when I am in crisis and pick up the phone or go somewhere safe (around people...people who may or may not know I am in crisis, but nonetheless I am not alone with my own thoughts). Trust your dr and if it gets to be too much, call them.
I am a couple of months off Effexor and still struggling. Lamictal and Wellbutrin didn't work out (actually seemed worse) so we started the change over to Geodon last week. The jury is still out on that one as it was just recently approved for Bipolar (I think recently anyhow). If that doesn't work, we'll keep playing pharmaceutical guinea pig until we find something that does work.
Smeegs
Posted by Bill LL on February 7, 2005, at 7:43:12
In reply to Effexor, posted by californiagirl on February 7, 2005, at 0:08:11
I have read posts of people who take Prozac while weaning off of Effexor with success.
If the problem is sleep, there are 2 good options; Ambien and Lunesta. Lunesta will be available next month. It puts you to sleep and keeps you sleeping during the night.
Why don't you stay on Effexor, and add one of these?
> Hi, I am trying to wean off Effexor after having been on it for 8 weeks. I was unable to sleep. Now I can sleep but am so sick with flu symptoms like dizziness and nausea. I have so much depression that I can't stand myself. I have been completely off for the past two days only. Can someone give me ideas about what to do to make this pass?
Posted by bart on February 7, 2005, at 9:58:58
In reply to Effexor, posted by californiagirl on February 7, 2005, at 0:08:11
Hi, I know exactly how you feel with those flu like symptoms. I tried not taking it for a couple of days and got my butt kicked by the after effect. Try dumping just a little bit of the pellets inside the spanuals out each day until you can get off it completely
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