![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 DizzyNikki on August 5, 2005, at 23:54:54
I started out a year ago taking Nuerontin, Effexor, Depakote, Lithium and Trazadone (for sleep). The combo was good for me and actually got rid of my weekly severe migraine headaches. I gradually tapered off of all but effexor. I have gone from my daily 225 mg dose to 150 to 75 to now nothing at all. None of the other drugs gave me any side effects and dropping them was easy. Now I am bedridden trying to get over not taking the effexor. I am so dizzy and the slightest move of my head makes me want to scream the head rush is so bad.
I just moved out of state, started a new career and also can not get my prescription filled. I have a cobra plan and I can't use it here other than go to the ER. I really want to do this though. I have a great support group and a couple days to lay in bed if i have to.
I guess I am just wondering if the constant head rush, dizziness, and weak feeling will go away and when? Has anyone attempted St John's Wort? and ...The pharmacist at the local store gave me Bonine to try for the vertigo.
Any responses would be appreciated. I know everyone's situation is different.
Posted by tecknohed on August 5, 2005, at 23:54:54
In reply to going crazy trying to get off effexor xr, posted by DizzyNikki on August 5, 2005, at 16:36:46
Hi DizzyNikki.
Your problem of Efexor withdrawal seems quite common (unfortunitely). I'm sure lots of people can relate.
Would your pdoc not prescribe a short course of a benzodiazepine, just until this passes (which I imagine wont be too long now)? I dont know how usefull a benzo would be, but I imagine one would help.
One thing I once read (on here I think) was someone using Prozac (fluoxetine) to withdraw from Paxil/Seroxat, as recommended by their pdoc. And although Paxil is obviosly a different drug, I cann't see it as being 'that' different, and it often causes similar withdrawal symptoms.
Of course you should run this past your pdoc first.
Good luck.
Posted by SLS on August 6, 2005, at 7:03:37
In reply to going crazy trying to get off effexor xr, posted by DizzyNikki on August 5, 2005, at 16:36:46
Reducing from 75mg to 0mg will often produce an intense withdrawal syndrome. It might be a good idea to restart the Effexor and continue to taper gradually to 0mg. The withdrawal syndrome can sometimes get worse instead of better when someone stops taking Effexor so abruptly. The last 25% of the original dosage is often the most difficult to taper, but it can be done.
Most people are resistent to the idea of restarting Effexor when they reach your point of discontinuation. However, it appears that it can actually take *less* time to get beyond withdrawal symptoms by restarting it and tapering than to remain suffering. The withdrawal syndrome seems to feed off itself and continue long beyond one's taking their last dose. The key is not to let the withdrawal syndrome appear in the first place. I use a flexible-dosing strategy whenever I need to discontinue Effexor or other SRI serotonergic drugs.
There are alternatives to restarting Effexor. I'll let some of the other members of the board who have personal experiences with them make suggestions.
- Scott
Posted by DizzyNikki on August 6, 2005, at 10:15:50
In reply to Re: going crazy trying to get off effexor xr » DizzyNikki, posted by SLS on August 6, 2005, at 7:03:37
Thank you for the advice so far. It's day two and I am still in bed. However, I am determined to do this. I have nuerontin, lithium and depakote left so I wonder if I can use any of these until the withdrawals go away. They don't give me any types of symptoms. Unfortunately for me, another visit to the pdoc is not an option. I didtn' think going from 75 to 0 was so abrupt considering that I used to take 225.
Well once again, thanks for the support and advice.
Posted by SLS on August 6, 2005, at 15:36:28
In reply to Re: going crazy trying to get off effexor xr, posted by DizzyNikki on August 6, 2005, at 10:15:50
Hi.
I respect your decision to discontinue Effexor. It is not an easy path you have chosen, but perhaps you can make it easier.
It might be interesting to try Depakote to help act as a buffer to reduce the intensity and prevent the escalation of withdrawal symptoms. People on anticonvulsants and benzodiazepines seem to fair better with SRI withdrawal. This is only a personal observation, though.
If you decide to try the Depakote, please post your experience with it. It might help others who are in the same situation you are in.
Good luck!
- Scott
Posted by DizzyNikki on August 7, 2005, at 11:01:29
In reply to Re: going crazy trying to get off effexor xr » DizzyNikki, posted by SLS on August 6, 2005, at 15:36:28
Thanks for the suuport Scott!
Well it is day three and I woke up this morning and actually felt like getting out of bed. I have looked left and right quickly and no Head Rush yet. Yes I have started taking the depakote once again. It is a little too early to tell though and I am trying not to get my hopes up too high. But this is such a better feeling. I am actually going to do something constructive today instead of lay in bed.
I can't say yet whether the depakote is the source but so far things are looking good. I will keep all posted.
Not so DizzyNikki today
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Withdrawal | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.