Posted by AnneL on November 18, 2001, at 1:40:55
Hi to all,
I have been literally to hell and have not quite come back yet. You see, I thought I could make medical decisions on my own and manage my own "version" of what I now view as a radical and unsafe taper off of Effexor. Some of you even "told" me not to do this because of the consequences. But, I was going to do it my way.
I decided on my own to get off my meds and fast. I went from 225 mg. daily to 150 mg. for 3 days and down to 75 mg. for 2 days. Saw my pdoc last Thursday and "told" him that I was getting off meds. With lifted brow and deep concern he got me to agree to a compromise to go back to 150 mg. until our next visit. I went back to 150 mg. on the 9th of November.
Today, one week later, I almost ended up in the hospital because of my actions.It all started with fatigue and flu-like symptoms one week after reducing my dose from 225 to 75 back to 150 mg. I almost didn't get out of bed yesterday to get to work, but managed to drag myself into work. I felt slightly nauseated yesterday (Friday). Last night while out to dinner, I got up to leave the restaurant without even getting the check. My husband
was a little surprised by my behavior, but we didn't think too much of it.This morning, I went for my customary walk with some friends and family and I was given $10.00 to pay for our coffees at a coffee house. I walked out with my coffee and I honestly don't know if I paid for the coffees or not! I did not have any money on me, but I do not remember giving any money to the store clerk!
This was the omenous sign of what was to come later.I started "zoning" out later on in the day, could not answer my husband, felt completely disassociated and started having suicidal ideation and became completely morose all in one day. I called my pdoc in quite a state and he calmly diagnosed me as having a withdrawal reaction and after assessing that I was in a safe place (husband watching me, and able to take action if necessary) instructed me to take an additional 75 mg. of Effexor XR right then and there and to resume 225 mg. tomorrow morning. He assured me that I was not going "bonkers" as I put it and reminded
me of his concerns of me stepping down on the Effexor so rapidly.I never thought this could happen to me. I now have an awesome respect for the power of this medication. This medication has been a lifesaver for me, but now I am completely humbled on two accounts; one is that I will from now on consult with my pdoc before I make rash decisions and two that I will never think that something that this cannot happen to "me".
I do thank God that I am not in some horrible relapse and that my symptoms will lesson in 2 or 3 days. I tell my story not to frighten anyone who is new to Effexor, as I said, Effexor has been great for me, but to suggest that when the time comes to go off of Effexor with your pdoc's advice, that you take it slow. My pdoc tells me that most people can taper off Effexor sucessfully by keeping it very slow and using Prozac if necessary to minimize any discontinuation symptoms. Well, now that I have been humbled, I think I'll get some sleep. I feel like a wet rag. . .
poster:AnneL
thread:84560
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011113/msgs/84560.html