Posted by chinaroses on February 16, 2009, at 11:57:23
I was on Effexor 37.5 for nearly 10 years. I originally went on it because of a difficult job situation. I stayed on it a lot longer that I needed to because of the severe withdrawal symptoms every time I tried to quit. It took me 6 months, in autumn of 2006, to wean off, very slowly, with the help of "theroadback.org". Unfortunately, despite moving slowing and taking all precautions I could, I seem to be permanently damaged. The heavy head pressure, eye/vision issues and balance problems are there, 24/7, 365. It is the weird feeling you get when you miss a dose of Effexor, but it never leaves. I have tried fish oil and whey protein isolate, St John's wort, Cysreplete/Neuroreplete and even, briefly, Fluoxetine. The symptoms show no sign of leaving; they are there whether I am dealing with a hectic day at work or sleeping under the stars in Idaho. If anyone has any ideas, great... but I think I'm pretty much out of luck. It has had a dramatic impact on my life. I used to be very active, but now I sit around a lot because any sort of movement, especially of the head, is so uncomfortable.
Guess I just have to say that I feel this drug is dangerous, and it is possible to be permanently damaged from it, even a low does.
poster:chinaroses
thread:880481
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090213/msgs/880481.html