Posted by Ottawa Bill on June 18, 2001, at 7:58:59
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
>I am glad I was on Efexor xr for about year. I went to a high dose of 225 Mg. to a maintenance dose of 150. About three months ago I dropped to 75 mg, and as sproing came and my therapies became more effective, I dropped to 75 mg.
I recently asked my Dr. to wean me off. He took me to 37.5 XR for two weeks and then to Effexor 37.5 for 4 days. I have been drug free for a week now, still having severe headaches, and the unsettling feeling of my brain freefloating inside my skull.
why doesn't Wyatt=Ayerst warn prospective patients of how difficult and painful this drug is to stop ?
Is this another example of a drug company treating its clients with Contempt ?Nice to see everyone on these message boards....
> helps to know one is not alone.
>
> I have been on effexor xr for about 1 year - 150mg)
> and it has really helped me with my depression!!!
>
> BUT I have found - from missing doses - that the
> withdrawal effects are real. For me, they have
> included strange effects in my brain. A feeling
> of electricity or shocks, also vertigo when I move
> my head from side to side or up and down. Then it
> feels like my head has moved too fast and my eyes
> take a few seconds to catch up. This prohibits
> driving, makes me dizzy and feels very bizarre.
>
> Muscular tension and knots in my leg and hip -
> where I previously had bursitis - GREATLY
> increased when I decreased my dosage from 325 mg
> back to 150mg od.
>
> The side effects, that I can live with, are
> weird dreams plus a LOT of twitching and
> involuntary movements of arms and legs when in bed.
> These wake me up lots of times, but that is much
> preferrable to the weight of depression.
>
> This drug is wonderful for some,
> and disasterous for others.
> Worth a try if you really want to be rid of
> that dreaded pit of despair!!!
>
> Maggie
poster:Ottawa Bill
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/66947.html