Posted by gardenia girl on March 24, 2005, at 21:28:01
In reply to Re: About the Effexor XR Withdrawal » tkmphd, posted by winddancer on March 24, 2005, at 11:40:02
I am new to this site, have spent most of the evening reading postings, and am very interested in knowing how Benedryl (mentioned above and in other postings) might help with the nightmare of Effexor withdrawal that is my life right now.
I was a reasonably healthy, sane, calm person until several events beginning 6 years ago helped to create a lot of anxiety - more than I could effectively deal with. FP prescribed 37.5 Effexor XR four years ago. Start up side effects were tolerable. As months/years grew, issues began to surface. Things like more migraines, massive weight gain (50 lbs over 4 years), skin abnormalities, liver problems, other challenges with no clear source. I tried cold-turkey. Living Hell. Most of my problems are the same as I have seen listed on this site in various postings.
FP and I worked out a progressive withdrawal plan (every two days for a month, then every three days, four days, etc.) Still had symptoms but they either lessened in severity or I just became more tolerant. Last week I decided I was tired of feeling OK for a few days, feeling like dog do-do, feeling OK, dog do-do, ok, dog do-do. I finally came to a place where I just can't bear the thought of having to go through the roller-coaster any more.
I took the last capsule last Friday. Six days ago. Six days may not be a lot to some folks, but it is a long, long time when you are vacationing in hell. I am looking for methods to mask / lessen the severity of the withdrawal effects without becoming dependent on another drug with more withdrawal effects. I took a Benedryl about two hours ago. What does it normally do to help? What is the suggested dosage / interval? Can someone who has successfully withdrawn from Effexor XR tell me how long (estimate only - I know it depends on individuals)best case / worst case before I start feeling human again? Will I ever feel like the B-E me again?
(Sorry if tagging onto someone else's post is not appropriate, but I really don't have the patience or mental health to figure out how to do otherwise at the moment. I'll try to do better next time)
poster:gardenia girl
thread:469497
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050323/msgs/475217.html