Posted by Susie on June 4, 1999, at 11:24:06
I'm so confused. If antidepressants are not addicting why can't I go off Effexor without major withdrawals? What is the difference between the withdrawals from antidepressants which are touted as not being addictive and the withdrawals from benzos which are touted as being addictive? It seems that I have come to rely on them as if I am addicted to both (Effexor XR and Xanax). I can't see or talk to my pdoc for weeks and we agreed last month to cut back on Effexor XR from 75mg to 37.5mg and to keep taking Xanax .5 mg (or less) as needed. Why would Effexor be the first medication to discontinue? If going off Effexor is so hard would an abrupt stop be quicker and easier in the long run? My life does not allow for complications. I'm thinking of going off on a "business trip" (white lie) and staying in a cabin or motel room just to get it over with by myself. Then I could cry or be sick or dizzy and not worry anyone. How will I ever know if I still NEED medication after 4 years of treatment if I don't go off everything and try? How long would this plan take (hypothetically)? Issues contributing to major depression and anxiety have been dealt with, stressors have been reduced, etc. but I suspect that antidepressant use has contributed to cyclothymia and before starting another med (mood stabilizer) wouldn't it be wiser to clear out my system completely and see how I do? It is not that I am against medication it is just that even with the meds I still have depression, anxiety and instability of mood. How can I know that continued depression is not caused by the Xanax, anxiety by Effexor, and instability of mood by daily withdrawal from night time use of Xanax? Or is it best to start a mood stabilizer and then try to go off the others? It all gets so complicated. I value the input I have received from reading all the posts here. Thanks to all.
poster:Susie
thread:7054
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990601/msgs/7054.html