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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Oh_Joy on July 31, 2006, at 21:07:48
I'm sorry about the title. I wish someone had explained to me BEFORE I started this stuff just what a nightmare getting off of it was going to be.
Sorry, "be positive, be positive" that's my self talk.
Ok, I am new to this forum and am really glad I found it, I think.
I decided 5 days ago that I was done with ALL of this medication stuff.
I've been on Effexor XR 150mg daily for 1-1/2 yrs. Also, Trazodone 75 mg nightly for sleep. And, oh yes there's more, I feel like a walking pharmacy, I've been taking Dexadrine 15 mg 2-3 daily,(ADD) AND, Prilosec for my acid reflux.
OK enough of the details. I quit everything 4 days ago. I have read for hours now many of the posts on this site and, yep, I'm going through withdrawal. I was wondering, what would happen if I just take the ADD med? Will it possibly lessen the other symptoms? I really can't afford to be going through this right now, very busy at work and working on my BS degree in Engineering, online. BUT, I can't put up with the side affects anymore either.
God, what have I gotten myself into?
Sorry, "be positive, be positive" I don't know whether to cry, scream, pray or what. I just want this to all be over. It is hard being a 45 year old male with a family depending on me and gong through all of this too.
Anyway, I'm ranting. Any helps will be appreciated.Oh_Joy
(I think this posting name says it all)
Posted by noelle on August 1, 2006, at 0:59:26
In reply to Effexor hell!, posted by Oh_Joy on July 31, 2006, at 21:07:48
You quite everything just like that no weaning of or anything? I have the type of system that reacts really strongly to getting of meds. Why were you on these meds anyway. Have your symptoms stopped? what are your plans to keep your symptoms from coming back. I wish you well sorry for all the questions but its seems like a difficult journey you are starting.
Posted by Oh_Joy on August 1, 2006, at 6:26:53
In reply to Re: Effexor hell!, posted by noelle on August 1, 2006, at 0:59:26
Yup, quit everything, just like that!
I've been diagnosed MDD/ADD. I've struggled with depression most of my life. The ADD/(HD) I just lived with, sort of. Spent some time in a hospital for suicidal stuff a long time ago. I had always been very resistant to meds, for a lot of reasons, not the least of which being my current struggle. So, I have never known how I would react to meds. At first it seemed that things got better, the moods stabilized, the thoughts began to congeal, sleep has always been a struggle. But recently, last 2-3 weeks, things seemed to be going backwards. Last week I really lost it and ended up on an all night walk, literally, I walked like ALL night. Ended up in a small town about 15 miles from home and had to call my wife to come get me, I hurt my left ankle some how. Anyway, during my walk I just decided I was done with meds, can't do it any more, for me they are Mr. Yuck. Where do I go from here? Don't know, one day at a time I guess. Thanks for the reply, and the sympathy... empathy? I guess the one thing this forum has done for me is show me I'm not alone, cause right now I feel pretty much alone. You know, guys aren't supposed to go through this stuff or at least not admit to it, so I really haven't much of a support base. My lovely wife of 22+ years and my 3 beautiful daughters are my life line. Not too fair to them, I suppose, but my experience has been most folks don't want to know that you have mental problems. Especially in my kind of work etc...
Sorry, for the novel. I guess I'll just hang in there.
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 6:52:43
In reply to Re: Effexor hell!, posted by Oh_Joy on August 1, 2006, at 6:26:53
Are you sure it makes sense to subject yourself to a protracted period of such an intense withdrawal syndrome? It seems that the more abruptly you discontinue Effexor, the longer the withdrawal symptoms last. The people who report symptoms lasting for months are the ones who stopped taking Effexor "cold turkey". You are much better off tapering from what I have observed.
Who knows? Perhaps you are doing exactly the right thing for yourself. Hopefully you'll get through this thing soon.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by Oh_Joy on August 3, 2006, at 9:12:38
In reply to Re: Effexor hell!, posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 6:52:43
You may be right Scott, I really don't know anymore. My thinking as of now, day 6, is I sure as 'heck' am not going back! The Omega 3 I've been taking seems to reduce the 'zaps' but the heavy, swimmy head feeling is going strong. I am back to not sleeping much. I toss an turn all night, but what from what I've been seeing here I really don't want to go back to using Trazodone either. I still haven't heard anything about whether the Dexadrine will still work and IF it might actually help with some of these withdrawal symptoms. But then, I guess I would be hypocritical if I am saying I don't want a life of meds, but then take the Dex. Gees, this is really a b^#*ch. Oh well. Hanging in there!
Posted by SLS on August 3, 2006, at 12:13:21
In reply to Re: Effexor hell!, posted by Oh_Joy on August 3, 2006, at 9:12:38
> You may be right Scott, I really don't know anymore. My thinking as of now, day 6, is I sure as 'heck' am not going back!
I can appreciate wanting to make a clean break from medication.
> The Omega 3 I've been taking seems to reduce the 'zaps'
Well, that's good. I didn't know it could be that helpful.
> but the heavy, swimmy head feeling is going strong.
So far, it sounds like you might be spared the worst type of withdrawal syndrome. That is not to minimize what you are experiencing, but you might not need to restart the medication or use a surrogate drug like Prozac to make living each day tolerable.
> I am back to not sleeping much. I toss an turn all night, but what from what I've been seeing here I really don't want to go back to using Trazodone either.
You still might want to consider using plain Benadryl (without the added decongestant), at least at night to help you sleep. It even helps with the brain zaps.
> I still haven't heard anything about whether the Dexadrine will still work and IF it might actually help with some of these withdrawal symptoms.
If you do hear of anything, I would be interested to know.
Again, good luck.
- Scott
Posted by Oh_Joy on August 8, 2006, at 12:40:38
In reply to Re: Effexor hell!, posted by SLS on August 3, 2006, at 12:13:21
Thanks Scott,
I tried the Benadryl in caplet form and didn't really experience much effect. Which form are you suggesting?
I'm actually starting to feel quite a bit better, except, though still not sleeping real well. Now the mood swings are hitting. I go from teary eyed to anger to almost lethargic and then sort of normal again.
I snuck in a cigarette today just to calm down, it seemed to help.
Again, thanks for all the help and advice.
This is the end of the thread.
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