Posted by Sad Panda on April 27, 2004, at 6:44:59
In reply to Quitting Effexor 2nd attempt, posted by Mr K on April 27, 2004, at 6:29:10
> I am just about to attempt quitting Effexor for the second time. I was down to one 75mg capsule per day but I have had enough of taking them. I was put on them for depression after Paroxetine did not agree with me. The reasons for my depression are well and truely passed so I decided to just stop taking Effexor, I lasted 7 days but had to go back on them on the 8th day due to headaches, tight back muscles,nausia,light headedness and very bizarre electric shock like sensations through my body whenever I was not lying down!!!!
> I was told initially that Effexor were easy to stop by my GP when I did not need them anymore, I have a slight feeling that this was a lie. I am really annoyed because I don't want to take them now but my body can't seem to live without them.
> I feel disappointed that i could not do it, I felt the withdrawal on day 2, by day 5 it was a nightmare and by day 7 it was unbearable! Has anybody got any advice for quitting these evil capsules?
>
> Cheers
>
> Ben
>
>Hi Ben,
When you stop taking Effexor 75mg, switch to Prozac 20mg for a week to get you through the side effects. Your doc should be able to give you a sample pack which would be ideal. Effexor is hard to quit because it has a very short half-life, less than a day, Prozac is easy to quit because it has an enourmously long half life of 7 to 14 days & is self tappering.
I would also look for a new doctor, because you shouldn't really be given antidepressants to get you through rough patches. Antidepressants are for people who don't really know why they are depressed.
Cheers,
Panda.
poster:Sad Panda
thread:340491
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040423/msgs/340494.html