Posted by hockeygirlcanada on November 1, 2003, at 16:04:28
In reply to Re: What are the Effexor withdrawl symptoms? Need help, posted by Ksmith on October 31, 2003, at 10:15:55
> I have been on Effexor XR for 4 years. I have tried on numerous occasions to get off it. I have discussed it with my Dr. I have reduced dosage to crumbs. I have added separately Ativan and Buspar to help get off the Effexor, with no success. The symtoms are horrific! Terrible shocks to the brain, dizziness, nausea, the worst being the "brain Zaps". I am afraid of brain damage. My husband and I are now discussing having me hospitalized to get off this drug. The drug no longer works for me, just makes me very sleepy when I get stressed, to the point that I have become agoraphobic. How on earth can I get off this drug?
Well the common name for those brain zaps are called brain "shivers" and they are very common with effexor with drawal. I know it feels awful and scary, but I was on effexor for almost 3 years, on maximum dose, and got off the awful drug, over a five week period. It was hell, I puked every hour, sweats to shivers, brain shivers, but it eventually went away, and got better. They compare it to heroin withdrawal, although no methadone! I used clonazepam for the worst times, just to try and stabilize my mood and take care of my son. Although I use clonazepam anyways, as i have severe g.a.d. It lasts much longer than ativan or xanax, and is less addictive. (I have used it for 6 years, no tolerance at all)
Good luck! Any questions just ask!
poster:hockeygirlcanada
thread:1016
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031030/msgs/275549.html