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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 Susie on June 4, 1999, at 11:24:06
I'm so confused. If antidepressants are not addicting why can't I go off Effexor without major withdrawals? What is the difference between the withdrawals from antidepressants which are touted as not being addictive and the withdrawals from benzos which are touted as being addictive? It seems that I have come to rely on them as if I am addicted to both (Effexor XR and Xanax). I can't see or talk to my pdoc for weeks and we agreed last month to cut back on Effexor XR from 75mg to 37.5mg and to keep taking Xanax .5 mg (or less) as needed. Why would Effexor be the first medication to discontinue? If going off Effexor is so hard would an abrupt stop be quicker and easier in the long run? My life does not allow for complications. I'm thinking of going off on a "business trip" (white lie) and staying in a cabin or motel room just to get it over with by myself. Then I could cry or be sick or dizzy and not worry anyone. How will I ever know if I still NEED medication after 4 years of treatment if I don't go off everything and try? How long would this plan take (hypothetically)? Issues contributing to major depression and anxiety have been dealt with, stressors have been reduced, etc. but I suspect that antidepressant use has contributed to cyclothymia and before starting another med (mood stabilizer) wouldn't it be wiser to clear out my system completely and see how I do? It is not that I am against medication it is just that even with the meds I still have depression, anxiety and instability of mood. How can I know that continued depression is not caused by the Xanax, anxiety by Effexor, and instability of mood by daily withdrawal from night time use of Xanax? Or is it best to start a mood stabilizer and then try to go off the others? It all gets so complicated. I value the input I have received from reading all the posts here. Thanks to all.
Posted by ruth on June 4, 1999, at 12:47:54
In reply to Withdrawals or mood stabilizer?, posted by Susie on June 4, 1999, at 11:24:06
Oh my god. All I can say is I totally relate to
your confusion/suspicions, and I hope someone
has some good insights into your post. I can never
tell what's depression, what's withdrawal, how
to handle the whole going off meds thing. I DO
wish, like you, that I could just check into a
mental hospital or a motel room and just get it
over with without having to do with real life, or
other people. There's so much info. out there on
what to expect when going on meds and not nearly
enough on how to transit off--I mean something
alot more in depth than just a clinical taper off
point of view. It's a VERY emotionally violatile
time and there needs to be more help from professionals
on this issue. It shouldn't be one of these things
where your left feeling crazy and alone and stuck
with confusing emotions and not have any insight on it,
but that's often what it is.
Anyway, like I said, I hope you get some good
insights, unfortunately all I have to offer is my
empathy and support.
Posted by jwill on June 4, 1999, at 13:12:31
In reply to Re: Withdrawals or mood stabilizer?, posted by ruth on June 4, 1999, at 12:47:54
>
> Oh my god. All I can say is I totally relate to
> your confusion/suspicions, and I hope someone
> has some good insights into your post. I can never
> tell what's depression, what's withdrawal, how
> to handle the whole going off meds thing. I DO
> wish, like you, that I could just check into a
> mental hospital or a motel room and just get it
> over with without having to do with real life, or
> other people. There's so much info. out there on
> what to expect when going on meds and not nearly
> enough on how to transit off--I mean something
> alot more in depth than just a clinical taper off
> point of view. It's a VERY emotionally violatile
> time and there needs to be more help from professionals
> on this issue. It shouldn't be one of these things
> where your left feeling crazy and alone and stuck
> with confusing emotions and not have any insight on it,
> but that's often what it is.
> Anyway, like I said, I hope you get some good
> insights, unfortunately all I have to offer is my
> empathy and support.I think Ruth's response nearly says it all, and very eloquently. Just remember that you're not alone, and, remember all of the difficult challenges you've successfully dealt with in your past. That might give you the strength you (and many others of us) need to deal with this issue. Hope all works out well.
Posted by Torrey on June 5, 1999, at 21:13:56
In reply to Withdrawals or mood stabilizer?, posted by Susie on June 4, 1999, at 11:24:06
Susie, I empathize with what you're going through. These medications are definitely a two-edged blade, and the problems with dependence and long-term side-effects have not been adequately studied. It seems pretty obvious, looking through forums like this one, that antidepressants are often VERY hard to get off of. Semantic hairsplitting over the meaning of addiction doesn't help people who are dealing with the withdrawal.
Technically speaking, the benzos are not "addicting" either, although they certainly qualify from a common sense point of view. Xanax, in particular, is extremely hard to quit, and I agree with your suspicion that the once daily dose is destabilizing emotionally. Prescribing Xanax once a day is just foolishness - you are being subjected to the rebound anxiety of an especially difficult withdrawal DAILY. I know, I've been there. A longer-acting benzo like Valium or Klonopin could be used this way, but not Xanax. I strongly suggest you find another doctor.
The question of a time-frame points to one of the real problems with these drugs - you are certainly looking at a good week or so, for the worst part of the withdrawal. But to reach any kind of neurological baseline - to truly find out where you are at without the meds - takes months. At least. The temptation to deal with the rebound depression by going back on meds is hard to resist, especially if you are trying to have a life.
If your (new) doctor will prescribe a longer-acting benzo, the tapering-off would be easier on you. You might consider switching to a longer-acting antidepressant - such as Prozac - also. It would have a much more gradual withdrawal than something like Effexor.
Good luck and best wishes.
Posted by Carol Miller on June 8, 1999, at 10:56:57
In reply to Re: Withdrawals or mood stabilizer?, posted by Torrey on June 5, 1999, at 21:13:56
HI I had a terrible time coming off effexor UNTIL I had accupunture.It helped immediately.I hadn't been able to eat and felt terrible nausea,shaking etc.After one treatment I went out and ate a burger and freis.
Hope this will help.
Carol
Posted by Chris A. on June 10, 1999, at 2:06:41
In reply to Re: Withdrawals or mood stabilizer?, posted by Carol Miller on June 8, 1999, at 10:56:57
I vote for a mood stabilizer, but am speaking as one with bipolar. A longer acting benzo was a good suggestion. For some of us with mood lability even a longer acting benzo tends to have a rebound effect (for many they are literally life savers, though). Don't worry so much about addiction, but focus on your well being, as someone so aptly put it on another thread. The word picture that comes to mind is that of a boat on a temptuous sea. My goal is to keep my boat from rocking out of control.
Blessings,
Chris A.
This is the end of the thread.
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