Posted by Jenna Starrett on January 23, 2005, at 11:19:46
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Kathyba on January 22, 2005, at 13:10:44
> Thanks Jenna and Worm. So how long were your withdrawal symptoms?
>
> My sister is a psychologist and she called the psychiatrist in her practice this morning. He said that I should go back on the 37.5mg Effexor and 150mg welbutrin for 2 more weeks and then try to drop the Effexor again and up the Wellbutrin to 300mg. Of course, I have to tell this to MY doctor on Monday. I did take a Clariton today but I couldn't stand it and took one of my 37.5mg Effexors and I already feel 80% better. I had only been on the 1/2 and 1/2 medication for 1 week... probably need to wean off more slowly. I am glad to hear that the 300mg of Wellbutrin is doing well for you. I hope it works for me. I had tried zoloft and Lexapro but it didn't help at the beginning. Effexor was the first thing that brought me out of my depression...but it made sex frustrating for me. It sounds like everyone here things Effexor is evil.. so perhaps it's best that I continue to wean off of it. Thanks so much. - Kathy
Kathy, I started out on 150mg of Effexor XR last April, then got a really bad bout of depression in September. My doctor increased the Effexor to 300mg to try to help with the depression. I was complaining about the sexual side effects, so he put me on 150mg of Wellbutrin XL to try to counteract the side effect. Well, my memory problems were getting so bad, I was ALWAYS thirsty and using the bathroom etc... I told him about these problems and in December and he suggested I switch from Effexor to Wellbutrin, and he dropped me back down to 150mg. It was about 2 or 3 days later when I started to get the SEVERE (as we all know) side effects and thought I was going to die. My friend and BOSS (how embarrasing) took me to the ER where they did blood tests. I thought it was from the Effexor because I was having those wierd volts that I got when I didn't take my meds on time. I ended up on the Psych ward for 72 hour observation (thank God I was able to go under voluntary status). While in the hospital the Doctor took me off completely (on the last day of treatment). I knew I would start having the side effects again in a few days (and did NOT want to go back to the hospital) so I started looking on the internet and found this sight (THANK GOD!) That is when I read about the Claratin D(the Clariton took about 6-8 hours to start working the first time I took it)I started taking the Clariton every day as directed, and was starting to freak cause I was so mad at Effexor that I flushed a full bottle down the toilet. I didn't have any side effects (that were noticable-NOTHING compared to the hell I was in before. One night about 3 weeks later, I had run out of Claratin and thought I was probably better now, so I didn't get more. The next morning I had a hair appointment and went in... I began to get very anxious, dizzy, aggitated, cold sweats and of course VOLTS. I ran out immediately to get the Clariton and again, it took about 6 hours or so to start working. It was hell waiting but it finally worked. I know now that I will probably have to take it for a while. It is pretty expensive but I'm scared to see if maybe a prescription (similar to Clariton D) would work. I would much rather take the Clariton than Effexor! Of course everyone is different and it may not work for everyone. By the way, the 300mg of Wellbutrin XL is a blessing and I feel sooooo much better (it may keep some people up at night- the 150mg of Trazedone I take at night allows me to sleep regularly) PS... did you get the Clariton D? I'm not sure if plain Clariton would work the same. Anyhow, I pray that you will find something that works for you (whatever it is) to ease your pain.
Please keep writing and let us know how you're doing! Take Care, Jenna
poster:Jenna Starrett
thread:1016
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050119/msgs/446194.html