Posted by KimberlyDi on January 6, 2004, at 12:54:03
In reply to Re: try clonazepam for effexor withdrawal , posted by hatemylife on January 5, 2004, at 8:12:30
Start reducing your Effexor dosages... If you have 75mg capsules you can divide it in half, down 1/2 of the capsule like a shot (with liquid), and close the capsule up again and keep in another bottle marked 37.5.
If you are running out & need to do a crash course withdrawal... I would alternate 37.5mg days with 75mg days, increasing the 37.5 days... like mon 37.5, tues 75, wed 37.5, thurs 37.5, fri 75, etc. Start adding in the Zoloft (low dose) when you are ok at 37.5 daily. Divide the 37.5 capsules in half, and start the alternating schedule again. mon 18mg day, tues 37.5, wed & thurs 18mg, fri 37.5.
I have had much more success at an alternating day decrease than a straight across the board decrease. If I just flat drop the dosage, by day 4 I'm dizzy, sick, and climbing the walls.
Even if you have success going thru withdrawal, be prepared for the rebound depression. I made my first suicide attempt while dropping from 300mg to 150 to 75 too quickly.
I wish you luck. You've alot on your plate. I'm not sure what Zoloft prices are (there should be generics available) but I take generic Imipramine for anxiety/depression and it is affordable so far at the 100mg daily dosage. It calms me more than it helps with the blues. I'm going from 75mg to 0mg on Effexor also (started alternating days 5 days ago). So, you aren't alone. :)
KDi in TX
> OK, I've read several of the posts and I'm terrified now. I had no idea that life could get any worse, but it seems that facing Effexor withdrawal could put me over the edge. I'm on 75 mg now and have been for over a year. I'm still very depressed and have enough anger to light up the city. I have plenty of reasons for both, but the Effexor doesn't help. I skipped ONE pill the other day and spent my day in the crazy house. I had panic, crying, and was so distracted that I wonder just what I did at work. I want to stop taking this stuff, but this is a bad time of year for me anyway. This month is 11 yrs since my oldest son was killed in a car crash at age 16. I have a bottle of Zoloft to take when the Effexor runs out and that will be soon. Any advice? No ins and hubby unemployed.
poster:KimberlyDi
thread:1016
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040105/msgs/297169.html