Posted by detroitpistons on July 24, 2006, at 14:33:25
In reply to Re: Has anyone successfully quit effexor? how?, posted by Flamesfire on July 24, 2006, at 13:56:16
> I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for about a year. I had no noticable side affects at first but am now experiencing severe headaches, shaking hands, dizziness, passing out, high blood pressure, severe sensitivity to lights and sounds, and nausea.
Have you added any other medications? Some of your symptoms are consistent with serotonin syndrome. How long has this been happening? Even taking cold medications in combination with an antidepressant can cause serotonin syndrome.>I have been to my pmd for the severe side affects such as passing out the headaches and he has ruled out everything through different tests so the only thing i have left to point the finger at is this medicine.
It's odd that you're getting these side a year later. I would guess that the Effexor is only partially responsible or not responsible at all.>I have tried to stop taking it only to find the withdrawls are worse than the side affects. Any suggestions?
Did you try to quit all at once? You have to taper. With most people, going down by 37.5 mg/ week is very tolerable, but once you go from 37.5 mg to 0 is when you'll most likely have problems.
Taking Prozac for a week or two when you are going from 37.5 to 0 can be very helpful, and may make withdrawal totally unnoticeable and smooth. The reason is that Prozac has a very long half life...It will smooth the transition that your brain makes when you stop taking an AD. If you're seeing a PMD though, he probably won't know about this technique.
poster:detroitpistons
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060724/msgs/670039.html