Posted by MaxTex on May 12, 2003, at 9:57:49
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by Gretchen on May 11, 2003, at 19:50:28
Gretchen -- sounds like you're having a worse time than me with withdrawal. I'd like to give you a virtual hug. [I now live in TX, but I'm from CA, so this is expected behavior. ;-) ]
You mention that you "about committed suicide -- not knowing that it was effects from this". After a long night of utterly unprecedented suicidal nightmares, I understand. Sounds like both our neglectful doctors should be put in stocks and flogged the good old-fashioned way! This response was so unexpected for me, that I woke in a panic, crying uncontrollably, very frightened. (I'm a physically robust, healthy six-foot guy not given to gibbering in terror and despair, so that thoroughly freaked me out.)
PLEASE NOTE: I suspect you are not tapering off the least painful way (in my amateur opinion). Why? You mention that you are now taking the smallest capsule (37mg?) every 3 days but still get the symptoms after about 48 hours. Effexor gets cleared from the body quite quickly, so it's not surprising if you're suffering low-serotonin between doses. (Not sure if the noradrenaline and dopamine effects wear off as rapidly.)
SUGGESTION: You might try taking an even smaller dose every day, or at least every two days. (Coming to the same weekly total.) The Effexor XR pills are really tough, so doing that will probably mean asking your doctor for a different form that you can grind into powder -- or invest in a heavy hammer, smash the pills... and go looking for the debris. ;-)
Above all, keep yourself focused on the future. You WILL feel better, probably in no more than another 2 or 3 weeks. If it's any comfort, I seem to be doing considerably better now -- just under a week since my last dose (apart from some bowel unsteadiness which may or may not be related).
Never mind "world peace" for now --> visualize a clear head and a ready smile.
MaxTex
poster:MaxTex
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/226070.html