Posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 17:18:17
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - physical symptoms, posted by elsie_girl on June 9, 2006, at 1:02:18
> I have been 10 days off Efexor XR. I did a slow taper off over a few months. The last dose I had was 37.5 mg/day.
I took about two and a half months to get off. Went off a bit too quickly and had symptoms: nausea, vomitting, brutal headaches, brain shivers, when I moved my eyes it felt like the outside world was doing a summersault, and severe trembling hands. Symptoms were so bad I went back full doseage. A few months later I decided to go off much slower. At the time I was taking 37.5 once in morning and once at night. Week one and two of going off: morning 1 pill / evening 1/2 pill. Week 3 & 4: morning 1/2 pill / evening 1/2 pill. Eventually I was down to 1/2 pill per day. Then 1/2 every second day or third day, depending on whether or not I was getting symptoms. As soon as I felt them coming on I would take a half pill. Believe it or not, I was finally down to 1/4 pill every second or third day. It took time but I was finally free and did it with almost zero withdrawl symptoms.
Do you think perhaps going from 37.5 to 0mg in one step was too drastic? Don't forget this stuff is majorly addictive. From my own experience I'd suggest maybe trying 37.5 every other day, then 1/2 pill for a while, then 1/2 every second day, then maybe even trying my 1/4 pill trick. The extra time it takes to get off the med is well worth avoiding the withdrawl symptoms.
>My withdrawal symptoms started 2 days after I stopped. Mostly up and down mood swings, agitation, irritability, hyperactivity, insomnia, vertigo, bad nasal congestion (don't know if this is on the list or REALLY related but worst I have ever had), and now I am feeling really down again. Today I have got through with diazepam after checking with my GP. I would like to know if when others have come off their AD's how long it took them to get it out of their system. Think I will go crazy if it takes more than a few weeks. Can anyone else tell me their experiences with withdrawal - what to expect? How did you feel later? Did you ever get back to feeling well - like before AD's? I was not feeling too bad in myself up until today, felt like I was getting back to normal self not brain fogged with AD's.I was on the Effexor for a year and a half and felt pretty good. Then the depression started creeping in again and I willingly went back on. I've been back on for 4 years (compared to 14 months the first time). This time around I find the drug's giving me a foggy brain (just as you describe) and I am at the point where I want to do absolutely nothing.. don't even leave the house on the weekends, just watch t.v. I've decided to go off again because I want to feel alive again not just existing through the days.I know within myself I am doing the right thing.
I also know that even if it takes a few months again, I will be weening myself slowly like last time. Right down to that last little 1/4 pill!
> Would help me get through this if I knew what others had been through too. Thanks.I wish you all the best. If you need to go back to a very small doseage to help get you through.. do it. The time between each pill or piece there of will be further and further apart.
My thoughts are with you and I know that we can both beat this addiction.
poster:gabmeister
thread:459548
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060602/msgs/656065.html