Posted by Kathyba on January 23, 2005, at 11:40:01
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Jenna Starrett on January 23, 2005, at 11:19:46
Jenna,
I will call my doctor tomorrow and I wrote a long note to him explaining what I went through last week and up through yesterday. I will drop that off in the morning at his office. Today I took my 37.5mg of Effexor and I feel great... but I am going to suggest to him that I do this for another 1-2 weeks. Then perhaps cut the Effexor down to 25mg or something (using the immediate release pills that one can break into smaller bits). I did buy some Claritin but ended up taking the effexor last night so I don't know if the Clariton did anything. I have it for the next time. At least now I will be prepared. It hit me like a train because NO ONE told me this would happen. I am going to fill out a MedWatch form and send it to the FDA and I have a letter and articles for my doctor to let him know that he should have prepared me. I am the kind of person that likes to know worst case... just so I am prepared. I didn't know anything in this case. He told me that it was rare that people will have withdrawal symptoms from Effexor. I don't know where he is getting HIS information but the articles I am giving him say otherwise. I hope he reads them and respects my assertiveness.
I don't care if it takes me a year to get off Effexor gradually but I can't deal with the vomiting and dizzness. I didn't have the jolts that others did but then again, I only had 3 days without the Effexor before I went back on the 37.5mg (with the Wellbutrin). I am not going to suffer through this. I have a job and a family that needs me an I need to be at my top (or close to) performance.
I also read that a little Prozac can help with the symptoms. I'm willing to try anything.. but this time I will be on the defensive. :) I appreciate all the support and will let you know what my doctor says and does (and if he doesn't agree, I'll go to you OBGYN who is awesome).
poster:Kathyba
thread:1016
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050119/msgs/446198.html