Posted by Cybele on August 30, 2004, at 14:31:02
In reply to Re: Effexor XR WDs... How To Handle..., posted by laurie_lu on August 30, 2004, at 13:20:59
> In addition to taking Benadryl, I've stopped drinking coffee. It seems my dizziness and nausea are much less if I skip the coffee. I am beginning to think caffeine makes the symptoms worse. I saw a definate pattern of extreme nausea and dizziness 20 minutes after finishing my usual morning cup of coffee. I must say too that drinking alcohol makes the side effects 100 times worse the next day. Yesterday I also began taking St. Johns Wort as I am nearing the end of my Effexor tapering. I am hoping the SJW takes the edge off of the WD.
Have you read the advice re: Prozac on Dr. Bob's "Antidepressant discontinuation reactions" page?http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Antidepressant-discontinua.html
Dr. Ivan Goldberg seems pretty sold on this. I asked my doctor for some Prozac samples in case the withdrawal are bad. You only need to take 2 or 3 doses. (My impression is they should be 24 or more hours apart, but do not have to be successive days--only when the withdrawal effects are bad.) I am also armed with Benadryl for bedtime, Excedrin in case of headaches, and Dramamine in case of nausea! I'm on day 2 of 37.5 mg after 10 weeks on 75 mg of XR, no WD effects at all yet.
The best antidepressant in the world, in my opinion, is 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise for 5-6 days a week. I've had stress-induced depression since I was 13 (30 years ago), and regular exercise is really the only thing that works for me. Leisurely walk won't cut it; you need to break a sweat.
Ef-XR made me feel a little better, but not worth the 12 pound weight gain and constant carb cravings. Now I am going off the 'xor and ramping up my exercise to 6 days a week.
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Antidepressant-discontinua.html
poster:Cybele
thread:3670
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040830/msgs/384197.html