Posted by Fuscia on July 26, 2002, at 21:26:23
In reply to Re: Going off Effexor, thanks in part to you all!, posted by oracle on July 25, 2002, at 14:49:56
Hi Oracle,
I believe that the biggest problem with Effexor is for those that are discontinuing it. Maybe it is one of those drugs that once started should never be stopped. I don't know how many folks do great on Effexor and how many do not, but I've read many complaints when one tapers down or stops taking Effexor after being on it for a long period of time; over six months. On the other hand so many say how great Effexor is when they first start drug treatment - you'll hear plenty of hails for it especially within the first couple of months. It's one of those short half-life drugs that makes it difficult to taper down or discontinue without a lot of withdrawal effects. I've often wondered if some of the amino acids would be of help to those tapering off of Effexor - such as L-glutamine, which increases GABA, which has a calming effect. Another possible help would be a free-form amino acid complex, taken a half hour before or half hour after a meal, as well as calcium citrate taken on an empty stomach, especially good at bedtime. I know most doctors suggest a single dose of fluoxetine to help with discontinuing process of some of the short half-life drugs such as Effexor and Paxil. Other doctors suggest Benadryl antihistamine. The withdrawal symtpoms can be quite a difficult experience to go through - that's one reason I'll never try Effexor. It may just be the miracle drug for my problems, and maybe it would be a breeze for me to discontinue, but after what I've read from so many others - I choose to steer clear of it, just in case I decide to discontinue the drug for some reason.
Regards, Fuscia
poster:Fuscia
thread:113537
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020725/msgs/113890.html