Posted by mercedes on January 29, 2004, at 15:17:06
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!!, posted by casisill on January 29, 2004, at 11:36:32
Hi Cas,
I feel for you, going off Effexor "cold turkey". It has to be horrible. I know, I've been through it, but didn't go cold turkey as you are. It's important to titrate down. I had most all the withdrawal symtoms you describe (except nausea). The violent rages (glad I live alone)cursing, etc. I actually got in my car a couple of times and drove like a maniac, feeling invincible, not caring if I crashed. Luckly I live in the country with not much traffic. These are not normal behaviors and should be monitored by a professional.It took me 5 weeks to finally withdraw. And that was following dr's order's, titrating downwards from 300mgs to finally 37.5. It was after the last 37.5 that it took five weeks to finally withdraw. That was me...I've read other's post that their withdrawal experiences were not so bad.
I hope you consider calling you doctor for advice on how to get 'off' effexor. What you are going through is awful.
merc
> HI
>
> in response to tetheredcat i hope to god you managed to stay off this drug - its extremely dangerous. I've been on it nearly 2 years and am going cold turkey at present to get off it - i was on 225mg per day and am into my 7th day of withdrawal - i have dizziness, nausea, violent mood swings, depression, rages beyond belief and much more! i'm trying to hang in but the urge to go back on is unbelievable. I have researched the effects of this drug and its withdrawal and will be taking all of this to my shrink in march to show him i shouldn't have even been on this drug as i suffer bipolar ii and should have been on a mood stabiliser such as lithium. People have compared coming off effexor to heroin cold turkey - jesus if this is what its like i feel sorry for heroin addicts! I reckon i could easily have killed someone today with the raging mood i've been in - luckily i went back to bed to sleep it off. I don't know as yet how long this cold turkey lasts but i can't take much more of this - reckon i'll have to build an underground bunker and seal myself in if this dosent get much better!
>
> Damn all the doctors for prescribing such an addictive dangerous drug! wonder what they get out of it - a holiday in the caribbean?
>
> good luck to all coming off i'll let u know if and when i come through the other side!
>
> cas
poster:mercedes
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040127/msgs/306930.html