Posted by zander on March 9, 2005, at 14:36:56
In reply to Re: Greetings!New to this board. » zander, posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2005, at 13:04:51
Hi Ed!
> >I was having what people call 'withdrawal symptoms' while I was still taking the effexor.
>
> Were you taking the controlled-release Effexor XR? (Efexor XL) How many times a day did you take your medication? Did you ever try taking a smaller dose more frequently? eg. 75mg twice daily instead of 150mg once daily.I was taking 150mg Effexor XR once daily (in the morning). I worked my way up to 75 mg initially and stayed there for about 6 months. Was having personal difficulties at home and work, so was recommended that I go to 150. When I started exhibiting the side effects, my psych suggested my increasing the dose. This I tried, but it put me under the table!!!! So I stayed at 150. I am very slightly built with the blood pressure of a child, and am very drug sensitive.....
>
> >but still have side effects - alleviated by tramadol and clonazapamThe tramadol works for me because unlike most people, drugs in this class affect me differently - they engergize me, make me feel good. (Codeine and morphine make most people sleep - well, I could have both my legs and arms broken, take codeine, and then be ready to clean house!!!)
>
> Have you considered taking fluoxetine (Prozac) to help you withdraw. Prozac is generally easier to discontinue than tramadol or clonazepam. Perhaps you could discuss Prozac with your docotor, you would probably need to take it for a few weeks.I am very reluctant at this point to take any more meds...in fact more than reluctant!!!! I'd rather be outside on my hands and knees eating dirt!!
My doctor thinks at this point in time, because my body was so shut down, that it would be wise to see how I do in the next couple of months - maybe, hopefully, I will not need antidepressants. My life for the most part is stress free at this time (what I would normally consider stress any way....still am emotionally labile because of withdrawal)
I have been off and on depressants for over 35 years...I know that I have always had what I call 'bad body chemistry' and have needed assistance to keep my depression under control. But I look forward to finding out if that is necessarily true any longer....
Thank you for asking and taking an interest!
Ed, have you been on this board for very long? What brought you here?
Regards,
Marie
poster:zander
thread:468713
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050228/msgs/468794.html