Posted by Eugene75 on June 25, 2001, at 13:15:49
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by JOHN R. HIRST on June 17, 2001, at 15:01:24
John,
Reading your post was like reading something I would have written about getting off of effexor xr... I was on the same dosage as you, 150mg/day, for about 6 months for anxiety. I stopped taking the meds, tapering over a 4-5 day period, which was what my doc had recommended, and which i now realize was way too fast. I clearly remember about a week after I'd stopped entirely, one day I woke up and my head felt clear, thoughts weren't foggy, and I was almost ecstatic at feeling like my old self... that was pretty shortlived, it turned into extreme fatigue, did the same as you and took a LOT of sick days, and those days I went in were half days at best. I must have spent 2-3 days in bed straight through... Truly the most horrible feeling I've ever felt, and it put me into a deep depression. I was reluctant to try new meds after that, but after I couldn't take it any more I tried a trial of Wellbutrin SR, which seemed to help slightly.
I too feel that effexor's changed me fundamentally, definitely not for the better, and I'm hoping with time I can feel like my old self again.
I wish you the best and keep us posted on your progress...
> I too am withdrawing from effexor xr. I was on just 150 mg for about a year after being on prozac for about 3 years. I wanted to get off since I was soooo tired and could not get through a day. My joints and muscles ached every day and I could not hardly exercise, which has been very important to me over the years. I think effexor has truely changed my life and not for the better. I totally lost my personality, i had no motivation and my job performance greatly declined. I dont want to blame everything on meds, but I really believe it was a big factor. Now I have been totally off for 14 days after just tapering for 2 weeks(it should have been longer as I am now reading).
> This has been a nightmare with all the effects (or effexors as I call them) that others have posted about. I thought it was better after a week and then I saw it get even worse. The last 2 days have been unbearable with constant shock like sensations and dizziness. I was sick, fatigued, weak, muscles ache. I can totally not function. I went to half days at work and even this was too much. I work with people with mental illness and it is totally hard to recommend meds to them now. I feel for all of you going through this.
> I am just so afraid that this will not pass soon enough. My boss at work just does not understand and I am taking most of my days off. I feel I will need more and dont know how we are going to pay bills. My wife has been great, but it is very hard for her. How can one medication cause so much turmoil? I will pray for all of you and I need your prayers also. With God only,
>
> John H.
poster:Eugene75
thread:1016
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010625/msgs/67830.html