Posted by KaraS on August 26, 2004, at 20:20:03
In reply to effexor-XR, posted by hannahmlle on August 26, 2004, at 18:08:17
> As an antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication, effexor was wonderful. Finally I was able to slow the thoughts racing through my mind and focus. I was also better able to focus on my issues during therapy, and build better coping mechanisms. However, after a while, the 75mg I was on was no longer holding my anxiety in check, and I went up to 150mg. I saw no change with the dosage change, except if I missed a dose it didn't take as long for withdrawal symptoms to kick in. I decided to wean off the medication. The withdrawal symptoms are awful. I feel like someone is applying mild to moderate shocks to my face, mouth, and head, and sometimes my limbs. I get crushing headaches, and have poor coordination at times, which is bad, because I'm a nurse. I lose my grip on things. I also get nausea and general malaise, and am fatigued. I think effexor is good for short-term treatment, but not a good idea for long-term care.
But what if it works well for someone else for the long-term? Different meds poop-out (or don't poop-out) at different rates for different people. Either way the withdrawal effects are not fun. I've been there. You have to do it very slooooowly.
poster:KaraS
thread:382645
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040825/msgs/382687.html