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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jacquie on January 18, 2000, at 20:30:54
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
>Hi i just started on effexor today . Am opptimistic. Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
>
> Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> to have a lot of success...
>
> please share your thoughts on this.
Posted by Dave on January 19, 2000, at 23:48:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jacquie on January 18, 2000, at 20:30:54
> >Hi i just started on effexor today . Am opptimistic. Hi there,
> >
> > Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> > "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> > Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
> >
> > Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> > to have a lot of success...
> >
> > please share your thoughts on this.Just stopped taking Effexor this past weekend. Effexor made a definite improvement in my life. Just decided it was time to row my own boat for awhile and see what happens. The situation which produced the need for an AD has been mostly resolved anyway. My wife currently takes Effexor and had tried nearly everything else with absolutely no success. If you stick with it and give it a fair trial you may quite pleased with the results. Have to say though that going off of Effexor makes the minor initial side effects seem pretty tame. I knew going in that getting off Effexor would not be fun, and it hasn't been, but the benefit to my life certainly outweighs what I am now dealing with. Hope it helps you.
Posted by juniper on January 21, 2000, at 1:34:06
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Dave on January 20, 2000, at 23:23:02
i think that it sounds like a good idea not to stop effexor while you are not at a stable physiological place. i've taken myself off the drug a couple times for no reason other than whims, and did not have the flu-like side effects that many complain of. i do think i entered a psychological funk though where i was reclusive, withdrawn, and too introspective for my own good.
i have heard that slowly tapering the dose can help combat withdrawl effects, as can taking benedryl or other anticholergenic meds.
i think a search would pull up more suggestions hidden in the past few months archives.one little tiny whispered warning though: it is not uncommon to find a med that works, discontinue it because you feel fine, and then become depressed again. but when you retake the original med that worked for you, it doesn't give the same effects. i do not know the physiological reasons for this, but i do know that it happens somewhat regularly.
i hope that you feel better, and keep us updated on how you are doing.
juniper
Posted by EFFEXOR WITHDRAWAL on January 21, 2000, at 23:04:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Dave on January 20, 2000, at 23:22:06
I have been tapering off EFFEXOR XR for 2 months now and am stuck at 75 mg, down from my high dose of 600 mg. When I try to cut down to 37.5 mg, I get terrible nausea. My doctor says just to stay on the 75 mg to prevent the nausea, but I'm not crazy about that idea. Anyone have any better ideas?
> > Just stopped taking Effexor this past weekend. Effexor made a definite improvement in my life. Just decided it was time to row my own boat for awhile and see what happens. The situation which produced the need for an AD has been mostly resolved anyway. My wife currently takes Effexor and had tried nearly everything else with absolutely no success. If you stick with it and give it a fair trial you may quite pleased with the results. Have to say though that going off of Effexor makes the minor initial side effects seem pretty tame. I knew going in that getting off Effexor would not be fun, and it hasn't been, but the benefit to my life certainly outweighs what I am now dealing with. Hope it helps you.
>
> For anyone who is interested I only lasted 5 1/2 days after stopping Effexor. Just before stopping Effexor I had taken the last bit of Vicoprofen (hydrocodone) and that didn't help things. Also dealing with a stomach virus and I assumed that all of the nausea, cramps, etc. was due to virus. This AM I felt like I was on the verge of shutdown. No sleep, leg cramps, stomach horrible, head buzzing constantly plus all the rest. Then my wife and the doc talked me into at least taking med till he can devise a plan to lessen withdrawal effects. Does weaning off Effexor make it easier?
Posted by martha on January 22, 2000, at 16:07:05
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by EFFEXOR WITHDRAWAL on January 21, 2000, at 23:04:10
> I have been tapering off EFFEXOR XR for 2 months now and am stuck at 75 mg, down from my high dose of 600 mg. When I try to cut down to 37.5 mg, I get terrible nausea. My doctor says just to stay on the 75 mg to prevent the nausea, but I'm not crazy about that idea. Anyone have any better ideas?
> > > Just stopped taking Effexor this past weekend. Effexor made a definite improvement in my life. Just decided it was time to row my own boat for awhile and see what happens. The situation which produced the need for an AD has been mostly resolved anyway. My wife currently takes Effexor and had tried nearly everything else with absolutely no success. If you stick with it and give it a fair trial you may quite pleased with the results. Have to say though that going off of Effexor makes the minor initial side effects seem pretty tame. I knew going in that getting off Effexor would not be fun, and it hasn't been, but the benefit to my life certainly outweighs what I am now dealing with. Hope it helps you.
> >
> > For anyone who is interested I only lasted 5 1/2 days after stopping Effexor. Just before stopping Effexor I had taken the last bit of Vicoprofen (hydrocodone) and that didn't help things. Also dealing with a stomach virus and I assumed that all of the nausea, cramps, etc. was due to virus. This AM I felt like I was on the verge of shutdown. No sleep, leg cramps, stomach horrible, head buzzing constantly plus all the rest. Then my wife and the doc talked me into at least taking med till he can devise a plan to lessen withdrawal effects. Does weaning off Effexor make it easier?
new post:
I had been on Effexor XL 187.5 mg daily, from Dec 1 this was 150 mg daily, then over three weeks Christmas holidays/New Year I reduced down to 0 mg. I have had some real mood swings, plus tiredness to the point of exhaustion, plus intense sudden bouts of irritability. But I have persevered and now, nearly 3 weeks after no Effexor, am holding my own. I still feel slowed down a bit mentally, not as sharp or articulate, a bit forgetful. But I had this on the Effexor, too. Same goes for the exahustion. I'm going to persevere "rowing my own boat" for a while longer, as long as I can. End of Jan. early Feb is almost always a time when I get one of two "biggie" depressions per year. How I manage of this period will be an important indicator to determine if I can manage off Ads altogether. I want to reduce or discontinue ADs so I can reduce or discontinue lithium, as I am concerned about my kidneys. I am peeing great quanitities of urine, not concentrated. Have been on lithium for 9 years and understand after about a decade, kidneys changes may be permanent. Any info or sharing of your experience gratefully accepted.- Martha
Posted by Rich G on February 11, 2000, at 13:10:48
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
>Hi, Here is my experience with the drug. I saw my Dr. for treatment for A.D.D. He is very resilliant to prescribe drugs which have documented success. So he
said "We" have had alot of success with EffexorXR on adults with A.D.D. The results I experienced were a 30 pound weight gain in two months and no results for treatimg the A.D.D.
There you have it.Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
>
> Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> to have a lot of success...
>
> please share your thoughts on this.
Posted by Caz on February 11, 2000, at 20:46:26
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Success is subjective :)
Effexor DID help alleviate my anxiety symptoms (mainly constant nervous anticipation (butterflies) and worry about having somehow forgotten something) and it did elevate my mood. In that respect it was succesful with no immediately noticeable side effects. After 8 months at 75mg SR per day I have gained 20 pound and my blood pressure rose from 120/80 to 150/90.
I'm just beginning a slow withdrawal to see if I can lose the weight and get my blood pressure down again.
Thanks to info I found here I was able to discuss all this with my doc who wasn't all that knowledgable about this drug.I'm posting a new thread about BP and this drug, want to know if it will go back to normal and when.
> Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
>
> Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> to have a lot of success...
>
> please share your thoughts on this.
Posted by melissa on February 26, 2000, at 17:23:44
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi, I've been on Effexor XR 75 for 6 months. I have developed a problem with wearing contacts becasue the Efexor dehydrates me. My eyes are so dry that the contacts pull on the cornea causing corneal rips and tears. I have went back to wearing glasses after I had one rip in the left eye and three in the right eye. My face is so dry it doesn't matter how much water I drink or lotion I use, nothing helps. I've just started drinking gatorade to see if that will help. Anyone else out there with this problem?
Posted by Sarah on February 29, 2000, at 12:59:20
In reply to Re: dehydration from Efexxor XR, posted by Melissa on February 26, 2000, at 19:55:46
> Hi Noa, my eye dr. told me at the beginning that I must have developed an alergic reaction also to my contacts. After ending up at his office for the fourth time we decided to let the contacts go for now and just wear glasses. I told him about the Effexor I'm on and he said that it apears my eyes are so very dry that if I wanted to continue to wear contacts I had to use drops all day so I don't get another corneal tear. Who can remember to put drops in your eyes all day, I went to glasses. I have an ointment I put in my eyes at night (over the counter) to keep them moist. I have never had a problem with dry flaky skin on my face before but now I do, I'm thinking it has to be the Effexor. I'm going to a skin dr. this Thurdsay and I'll see what he has to say about Effexor
Hi, I had the same problem on Effexor. My skin was a mess! I drank gallons of water a day and used all kinds of lotions and to no avail! I also had the problems with my contacts. I quit taking Effexor a few months ago and the problem seems to have reversed itself! (course the adderall now keeps me pretty dry!)(if it's not six of one...) :-)
Posted by Louise on March 14, 2000, at 23:35:34
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Rich G on February 11, 2000, at 13:10:48
Just got sample of Effexor XR. I've been on Paxil 20mg. for 1 yr. I feel great and my panic attacks are gone. BUT --- I keep gaining weight. I told my dr. to give me something else. Did anyone gain weight on this stuff? Does anyone use this for panic attacks. My dr. told me I could go right from Paxil to Effexor XR, stopping one and starting the other with no withdrawl symptoms. ANyone try it. Thanks for any input.
>
Posted by Brenda on March 15, 2000, at 10:02:21
In reply to Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Louise on March 14, 2000, at 23:35:34
> Just got sample of Effexor XR. I've been on Paxil 20mg. for 1 yr. I feel great and my panic attacks are gone. BUT --- I keep gaining weight. I told my dr. to give me something else. Did anyone gain weight on this stuff? Does anyone use this for panic attacks. My dr. told me I could go right from Paxil to Effexor XR, stopping one and starting the other with no withdrawl symptoms. ANyone try it. Thanks for any input.
> >Louise - I went directly from Paxil to Effexor. I stopped the Paxil because of constipation problems and sedation. It did help with the panic though. The effexor was the wrong med for me. I was extremely agitated - even on a low dose. I only took it for a few weeks, so I don't know about panic. I was too agitated to notice any panic. I am currently on 100 mg. of Zoloft and have no weight gain, lessened panic (not completely, but almost gone) and NO agitation. My depression is currently under control and I feel 100% better.
Good luck to you. B.
Posted by Cindy W on March 15, 2000, at 13:37:41
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Brenda on March 15, 2000, at 10:02:21
> > Just got sample of Effexor XR. I've been on Paxil 20mg. for 1 yr. I feel great and my panic attacks are gone. BUT --- I keep gaining weight. I told my dr. to give me something else. Did anyone gain weight on this stuff? Does anyone use this for panic attacks. My dr. told me I could go right from Paxil to Effexor XR, stopping one and starting the other with no withdrawl symptoms. ANyone try it. Thanks for any input.
> > >
>
> Louise - I went directly from Paxil to Effexor. I stopped the Paxil because of constipation problems and sedation. It did help with the panic though. The effexor was the wrong med for me. I was extremely agitated - even on a low dose. I only took it for a few weeks, so I don't know about panic. I was too agitated to notice any panic. I am currently on 100 mg. of Zoloft and have no weight gain, lessened panic (not completely, but almost gone) and NO agitation. My depression is currently under control and I feel 100% better.
> Good luck to you. B.Louise, I have tried several SSRI's, and gained weight esp. on Zoloft, but have noticed no weight gain on Effexor-XR, which I've been taking for about 3 months now. At first, I felt very agitated and nervous, but that diminished after a couple of weeks. Hope this helps!--Cindy W
Posted by Cindy W on April 10, 2000, at 21:52:43
In reply to afraid to take effexor/bad experience w/paxil, posted by stef on April 6, 2000, at 21:43:03
> is there any suggestions for me
Stef, there are lots and lots of antidepressants: tricyclics (like imipramine), SSRI's (Paxil, Luvox, Zoloft, Celexa), Effexor-XR, Serzone, Remeron, MAOI's, etc. Have you talked with your pdoc about your fears? He/she can probably suggest a new med depending on what your symptoms are and what side effects you have experienced in the past. Have you ever tried anything besides Paxil? Also, if you try another med, you may want to start VERY slow (some people even crush the pill and put it in water and take VERY VERY small doses until they see how they are going to react).
Posted by David on April 11, 2000, at 15:50:53
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been taking Effexor XR at a dose of 150mg a day for over a year now. Sad to sad, I really haven't felt much improvement in the overall picture (anxiety and depression). I have good days and bad days, about 50/50. I'm still searching for a medicine which can set me up to help myself get better. So far, over about 6 years, I've tried prozac, luvox, zoloft; all pretty worthless for me.
Posted by saint james on April 11, 2000, at 16:47:05
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by David on April 11, 2000, at 15:50:53
> I have been taking Effexor XR at a dose of 150mg a day for over a year now. Sad to sad, I really haven't felt much improvement in the overall picture (anxiety and depression). I have good days and bad days, about 50/50. I'm still searching for a medicine which can set me up to help myself get better. So far, over about 6 years, I've tried prozac, luvox, zoloft; all pretty worthless for me.
James here....I would try doses up to 300 mgs b4 you chunck this on and try another.
james
Posted by julie on April 11, 2000, at 21:05:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by saint james on April 11, 2000, at 16:47:05
> > I have been taking Effexor XR at a dose of 150mg a day for over a year now. Sad to sad, I really haven't felt much improvement in the overall picture (anxiety and depression). I have good days and bad days, about 50/50. I'm still searching for a medicine which can set me up to help myself get better. So far, over about 6 years, I've tried prozac, luvox, zoloft; all pretty worthless for me.
>
>
> James here....
>
> I would try doses up to 300 mgs b4 you chunck this on and try another.
>
> james
I just started taking Effexor last week, one week at 37.5 mg and this week I started 75 mg and next week I go to 150 mg where I'll stay for a while. My family doc prescribed it for mild depression and anxiety. From day one, I experienced a terrible migraine (which I have a history of) which lasted 4 days. Then when I upped the dose, the migraine is back. The nausea only lasted a couple days and is gone. Has anyone taken this who has a history of migraines? what's your experience? My prescription of Imitrex isn't helping much. I'm wondering if all this is worth it or if I should go off it and just deal with my issues drug free. I'm also concerned about the withdrawl symptoms when I do decide to go off it. How bad are they?
Posted by Cindy W on April 11, 2000, at 21:36:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by julie on April 11, 2000, at 21:05:21
> > > I have been taking Effexor XR at a dose of 150mg a day for over a year now. Sad to sad, I really haven't felt much improvement in the overall picture (anxiety and depression). I have good days and bad days, about 50/50. I'm still searching for a medicine which can set me up to help myself get better. So far, over about 6 years, I've tried prozac, luvox, zoloft; all pretty worthless for me.
> >
> >
> > James here....
> >
> > I would try doses up to 300 mgs b4 you chunck this on and try another.
> >
> > james
> I just started taking Effexor last week, one week at 37.5 mg and this week I started 75 mg and next week I go to 150 mg where I'll stay for a while. My family doc prescribed it for mild depression and anxiety. From day one, I experienced a terrible migraine (which I have a history of) which lasted 4 days. Then when I upped the dose, the migraine is back. The nausea only lasted a couple days and is gone. Has anyone taken this who has a history of migraines? what's your experience? My prescription of Imitrex isn't helping much. I'm wondering if all this is worth it or if I should go off it and just deal with my issues drug free. I'm also concerned about the withdrawl symptoms when I do decide to go off it. How bad are they?Julie, I'm sorry you had a bad experience with Effexor. David, I feel really fortunate, because I've been taking Effexor-XR for about 4 l/2 months now (am up to 375 mg/day) and it has worked miracles for me! I don't feel really depressed, have some/most of my energy back, don't want to kill myself, and my OCD has diminished considerably. I already tried imipramine (l0+ years; didn't help diminish OCD), Prozac (l0 years; didn't help OCD and quit working, for depression), Serzone, Luvox, and Zoloft; all but Serzone and Effexor-XR gave me sexual side effects. I don't really get bothered by other side effects of AD's, so I feel really fortunate! Hope things work out for you!
Posted by Val on April 12, 2000, at 11:31:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Cindy W on April 11, 2000, at 21:36:26
> > > > I have been taking Celexa for about 5 weeks. 20 mgs. I have had side effects of forgetfullness, nausea, dirrehea, drymouth, and sleeplessness. My physciatric nurse practioner, told me to stop Celexa and start with Effexor 37mg. I think it is the slow release stuff. I am so scared. The depression didn't go away with the Celexa. I am never sick, so I don't want to be sick with meds that don't help the depression.
Val
I have been taking Effexor XR at a dose of 150mg a day for over a year now. Sad to sad, I really haven't felt much improvement in the overall picture (anxiety and depression). I have good days and bad days, about 50/50. I'm still searching for a medicine which can set me up to help myself get better. So far, over about 6 years, I've tried prozac, luvox, zoloft; all pretty worthless for me.
> > >
> > >
> > > James here....
> > >
> > > I would try doses up to 300 mgs b4 you chunck this on and try another.
> > >
> > > james
> > I just started taking Effexor last week, one week at 37.5 mg and this week I started 75 mg and next week I go to 150 mg where I'll stay for a while. My family doc prescribed it for mild depression and anxiety. From day one, I experienced a terrible migraine (which I have a history of) which lasted 4 days. Then when I upped the dose, the migraine is back. The nausea only lasted a couple days and is gone. Has anyone taken this who has a history of migraines? what's your experience? My prescription of Imitrex isn't helping much. I'm wondering if all this is worth it or if I should go off it and just deal with my issues drug free. I'm also concerned about the withdrawl symptoms when I do decide to go off it. How bad are they?
>
> Julie, I'm sorry you had a bad experience with Effexor. David, I feel really fortunate, because I've been taking Effexor-XR for about 4 l/2 months now (am up to 375 mg/day) and it has worked miracles for me! I don't feel really depressed, have some/most of my energy back, don't want to kill myself, and my OCD has diminished considerably. I already tried imipramine (l0+ years; didn't help diminish OCD), Prozac (l0 years; didn't help OCD and quit working, for depression), Serzone, Luvox, and Zoloft; all but Serzone and Effexor-XR gave me sexual side effects. I don't really get bothered by other side effects of AD's, so I feel really fortunate! Hope things work out for you!
Posted by jeanette on April 12, 2000, at 16:31:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by julie on April 11, 2000, at 21:05:21
Does anyone out there have any idea how long the withdrawal from Effexor XR lasts?
Posted by Cam W. on April 12, 2000, at 19:27:33
In reply to withdrawal, posted by jeanette on April 12, 2000, at 16:31:48
> Does anyone out there have any idea how long the withdrawal from Effexor XR lasts?
Jeanette - It really depends on your body chemistry, the dosage you were taking and how long (low) you weaned the dose. As a rule of thumb, the flu-like symptoms, lightheadedness, headache, etc., last about a week or two (in most cases). Good luck and may your symptoms be short and mild - Cam W.
Posted by kate on April 13, 2000, at 9:26:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by David on April 11, 2000, at 15:50:53
effexor made me manic to the point i was stripping every day and doing lots of other reckless things. in order to curb the mania we are now adding a mood stabilizer (tried neurontin. didn't work. now trying lithium.) so far out of all the drugs i have tried (zoloft, wellbutrin, klonopin, neurontin) i guess the effexor is doing the best job. but that's not saying much. hope it works out for you.
kate
Posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Cam W. on April 12, 2000, at 19:27:33
Nice to see everyone on these message boards....
helps to know one is not alone.I have been on effexor xr for about 1 year - 150mg)
and it has really helped me with my depression!!!BUT I have found - from missing doses - that the
withdrawal effects are real. For me, they have
included strange effects in my brain. A feeling
of electricity or shocks, also vertigo when I move
my head from side to side or up and down. Then it
feels like my head has moved too fast and my eyes
take a few seconds to catch up. This prohibits
driving, makes me dizzy and feels very bizarre.Muscular tension and knots in my leg and hip -
where I previously had bursitis - GREATLY
increased when I decreased my dosage from 325 mg
back to 150mg od.The side effects, that I can live with, are
weird dreams plus a LOT of twitching and
involuntary movements of arms and legs when in bed.
These wake me up lots of times, but that is much
preferrable to the weight of depression.This drug is wonderful for some,
and disasterous for others.
Worth a try if you really want to be rid of
that dreaded pit of despair!!!Maggie
Posted by sarah on April 13, 2000, at 23:59:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by julie on April 11, 2000, at 21:05:21
ive been taking effexor since july of 99. so far its the only thing that has given me some sort of peace of mind. in the last 2 years ive tried prozac(made me manic), paxil(manic), zoloft(i didnt sleep for a week), wellbuitrin(didnt work),lithium(most awful experience of my life), depakote (worked really well for a while, then stopped), serzone (didnt work),neurontin(didnt work), pamelor(made me too sick), deseryl( didnt work)........and the list goes on.
i had side effects when i started the effexor, i couldnt sleep, i have lost a good amount of weight, but other then that, i dont notice any problems. except for withdrawal symptoms. if i miss a dose, i get extremely anxious and paranoid. really disoriented. sometimes i experience depersonalization. all the symptomes go away when i take it again. i cant imagine life without effexor.
Posted by Louise on April 14, 2000, at 0:04:29
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by sarah on April 13, 2000, at 23:59:38
> ive been taking effexor since july of 99. so far its the only thing that has given me some sort of peace of mind. in the last 2 years ive tried prozac(made me manic), paxil(manic), zoloft(i didnt sleep for a week), wellbuitrin(didnt work),lithium(most awful experience of my life), depakote (worked really well for a while, then stopped), serzone (didnt work),neurontin(didnt work), pamelor(made me too sick), deseryl( didnt work)........and the list goes on.
> i had side effects when i started the effexor, i couldnt sleep, i have lost a good amount of weight, but other then that, i dont notice any problems. except for withdrawal symptoms. if i miss a dose, i get extremely anxious and paranoid. really disoriented. sometimes i experience depersonalization. all the symptomes go away when i take it again. i cant imagine life without effexor.
what dose are you on to be losing the weight. I was on Paxil and put on a bunch of pounds and am now on Effex. XR 150mg but the weight is not coming off -- yet. it's only been a month.
Posted by jeanette on April 14, 2000, at 6:58:11
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
Thanks for your response to my question. When I first posted it, I didn't think anyone would answer, so thanks...
My doctor and I decided to keep me on 37.5mg of Effexor XR for a while. I do OK on this low dose, and it totally has stopped the withdrawal. When I first started the Effexor XR, I had no idea getting off of it was going to be like that. I had been on desipramine years ago and Prozac about 5 years ago, and when I quit them, I never had any problem. This has been totally different. I probably wouldn't have taken it had I known, but maybe I would have, because it really did help. I just have this thing that I just don't want to take medicine, so I am looking into other options. Right now I am doing well, but maybe that's because the medicine works. In response to Maggie, the things you describe with a missed dose are exactly what I experience with a missed dose, so I was pretty sure it was going to be difficult going off, but I didn't know how difficult. Right now I think if I stay on the 37.5mg forever, that'll be fine. I hate that feeling of your head floating or bouncing or whatever it is- it feels so out of control and I don't like that. When I told the dr. I wanted to get off the medicine, he gave me the dosage pack that has one week of 75mg and another week of 37.5. About 2 days after taking the 75mg, the withdrawal symptoms would come for a day or so, then be OK, and the same the second week, but the third week, they were much more severe and didn't seem to be stopping. I missed a little work with it and (since none of them at work have these kind of problems), they acted like I was just being a big baby or I made it up to get out of work. I know I can't miss much more work without it being a big deal, and I don't feel like they have to know every detail of my medical problems, so I think I am staying on the 37.5. Oops, sorry to keep going on, guess it just feels good to be able to communicate with others who don't think I am crazy or a hypochondraic. Thanks.
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