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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by crazyjen on March 20, 2007, at 23:34:59
I actually feel like I'm going crazy trying to get off of this stuff. I've tried several times and I just can't do it. I feel like I need to take a month off of work so I can "get better".
Are there any doctors out there that actually acknowledge the fact that this is near impossible to get off of? I actually would like to go to a 30 day treatment center to do this. Everyone around me thinks I'm crazy as well!
Is there really any help out there?
I got the worst migraine today -- couldn't stop crying which only made it worse. Luckily my gf was here to take care of me. 4 ibuprofen, 2 hydrocodone, and 3 ice packs later it's mostly gone.
I took my last two effexor (150mg, I generally take 300mg per day) on Sunday. I stayed in bed all day yesterday then attempted to work today. I made it but had to take an hour and a half-nap and was pretty worthless. On my way home from work i picked up 4 more pills with the intention of taking two tonight then two for tomorrow. Turned out I had to take them all because of the migraine.
I've gone [b]a lot[/b] of reading about this and It seems tapering is the best way. I know that whichever way I do it , it's not going to be pretty.
I was originally prescribed Effexor for depression. At this point I think my depression is under control. It's very hard to tell because each time I've tried getting off Effexor I get these horrible symptoms ; including depression and the symptoms that go along with it. At this point, I'm only taking this med because I HAVE to in order not to be sick.
I'm so angry about this right now. I've got an appointment with the Doc. on Thursday, we'll see how far I get.
I passed over some mention of benadryl helping with these side effects. Could someone tell me about that and/or point me in the direction of that thread. I'm still new and trying to find my way around.
Sorry this post is so long -- it's just nice to find someplace where I know people have been through what I'm going through.
CrazyJJ
Posted by nicky847 on March 21, 2007, at 11:08:08
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal hell, posted by crazyjen on March 20, 2007, at 23:34:59
Sorry you are having such a rough time...I have heard Effexor withdrawal sucks...I'm going thru Lexapro withdrawal now and it's a little difficult but not nearly as bad as the stories i've read of effexor w/d....
as for the benadryl thing...it's been said that prozac was derived from the compound that makes benadryl...the only difference is benadryl is a non-selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, while prozac is selective, and no I have no idea what that means...so if you take a tab of benadryl you will get a slight SRI effect which may help make w/d a little easier for you (although I know effexor acts on chemicals other than seratonin, so you probably won't feel 100% better but maybe just a bit better)...
withdrawal from any psych med is hard and effexor especially hard...but just try and remember why you went off it in the first place...and if you value living a med-free life then keep that goal in mind...it just takes time..you are not permanently brain damaged...hang in there!
Posted by FredPotter on March 29, 2007, at 4:12:38
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal hell, posted by nicky847 on March 21, 2007, at 11:08:08
I don't agree. I've been on most things, but it's only Effexor that has caused such w/d symptoms FRed
Posted by crazyjen on March 29, 2007, at 9:25:29
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal hell » nicky847, posted by FredPotter on March 29, 2007, at 4:12:38
> I don't agree. I've been on most things, but it's only Effexor that has caused such w/d symptoms FRed
Fred -- I've been on a few other anti-depressants and didn't have any problems with them but I do know that everyone reacts differently to meds.
I've been feeling a little better...I'm gradually weaning myself from 300mg, I'm taking 225mg per day now and next week I'll go down to 150mg. Once I'm on the 150mg I think I'll take one pill in the AM and one in the PM. I'll just go from there.
Good luck to you Fred if you're trying to wean off.
Posted by hj on July 9, 2007, at 21:16:04
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal hell » nicky847, posted by FredPotter on March 29, 2007, at 4:12:38
Fred,
I'm just wondering how you were able to take the effects of the withdrawls from effexor and how long it took to be totally off?This is only my second day of trying this board, I'm finding it quite supportive. I don't feel like I'm the "only one".
The headaches are horrible. Plus still feeling naseated and having diareha.
Any suggestion would be very much appreciated. Thank you
Posted by debroah on August 15, 2007, at 0:10:59
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal hell, posted by hj on July 9, 2007, at 21:16:04
Hello. I have had to stop my meds (Effexor XR) due to lack of money until Friday and I have been off it for two weeks now and I am still experiencing a feling of bugs crawling all over me and not being able to sleep, the headaches, and loss pf balance. I NEVER had these probs with Zoloft when I was going off that. I mean, effexor xr has helped me with the depression(and I also take Bu-spar for anxiety) and I have not had any weight gain, in fact I have lost weight but that may be due to my Crohn's DIsease. But I am with you eveyone else suffering. ANyone ever need to talk, please email me. mcram59@hotmail.com love to all, Deborah
This is the end of the thread.
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