Posted by ihatedrugs on July 28, 2009, at 22:49:59
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal prescribed by psychiatrist, posted by CaffeinePoet on July 28, 2009, at 20:42:00
> I went to the psychiatrist today and laid out the things that have been happening to me lately:
>
> - disproportionate fatigue for which there is no clear explanation
>
> - lack of motivation despite not feeling depressed
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> - problems with short-term memory
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> - subsequent issues with performance at work and school.
>
> . . and she blamed it on my antidepressant. Or she suspects my antidepressant, anyways.
>
> Apparently, Effexor can cause all of these symptoms.
>
>
> Here's what she wants me to do :
>
> - quit the antidepressant slowly
>
> - lift weights 3x/week
>
> - get some regular aerobic exercise
>
> - go in for neuropsych screening while not on any drugs.
>
> I don't know what to think. On the one hand, it's great to think that I could be having problems just due to being on the wrong drug. On the other hand, I just started a new job, want my performance in all areas to improve stat and do not need the hassle of antidepressant withdrawal while at the new job. I can't imagine having an easy time fitting exercise and weightlifting into my new routine while I am also dealing with withdrawal.
>
> But I have been in therapy and on a drug for over 6 months, and trying something new does seem worthwhile. The last time I withdrew from a drug, though, it was total catastrophe -- really full-blown withdrawal symptoms, physical jerks, gastric reflux, and panic worse than anything I've experienced normally. I really don't want my life to turn into a catastrophe.
>
> I took my first lower dose this evening.
>I cannot believe your psyc would do that. Tell him-her to give you other choices. He-she can try augmenting what you are taking to help you cope better and when you are more established in your job perhaps then you could start withdrawing from meds. Especially with Effexor which seems to be the biggest pain in the neck to withdraw from. Tell the doctor what happened to you last time you came off meds. Remind him of how going through this would negatively impact your new job.
Perhaps if you wait a few months and you are elegible, you can take sometime off under short term disability benefits (however only if this is part of your benefits package) and try to wean off the meds.
The best of luck to you. God bless!ihatedrugs
poster:ihatedrugs
thread:909079
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090721/msgs/909096.html