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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shelly G. on November 7, 2000, at 14:22:59
I don't know how much more I can take. I did all the right things when it came to getting off of Effexor, but I still have horrible withdrawal. I went from 150 a day to 37.5 every two days, and then every 3 or 4 days, just for good measure. This was 2 weeks ago, and I still feel like crap. I get headaches almost daily, and am always nauseated. I'm ready to just get back on the stuff so I'll feel better.
WILL THIS EVER GO AWAY OR DO I NEED TO BE ON EFFEXOR FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE?
Posted by Racer on November 7, 2000, at 18:22:08
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Shelly G. on November 7, 2000, at 14:22:59
PLEASE tell us that you recover from this, you've just hit on my worst fear!
As for the withdrawal, that sounds pretty fast to me. I think I'd have tried about a week at each lower level, to wean off it slowly. Did your doctor suggest that schedule? If so, has he/she gotten others off Effexor that way without withdrawal?
When I've run out of Effexor, it's always taken about three days for the worst of the withdrawal to come on. The first day is OK, the second is kinda OK, but on the third I'm sick in bed, throwing up, etc. That's why I'd think it would take about a week at each lower dose to wean off.
Tell us what happens, and I send good hopes for you to feel better!
Posted by Christina on November 8, 2000, at 15:46:18
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Shelly G. on November 7, 2000, at 14:22:59
Tylenol helped dramatically with the withdrawal headaches.
As for nausea, I would try eating like I had morning sickness.... saltines, sprite, bland foods, and often.
Don't let your stomach be empty for too long.Also, are you getting of ADs completely, or switching to a new one?
If you're switching to something new, talk to your pdoc about starting the new one while tapering off Effexor, that may help too.
> I don't know how much more I can take. I did all the right things when it came to getting off of Effexor, but I still have horrible withdrawal. I went from 150 a day to 37.5 every two days, and then every 3 or 4 days, just for good measure. This was 2 weeks ago, and I still feel like crap. I get headaches almost daily, and am always nauseated. I'm ready to just get back on the stuff so I'll feel better.
>
> WILL THIS EVER GO AWAY OR DO I NEED TO BE ON EFFEXOR FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE?
Posted by jules on November 9, 2000, at 16:29:14
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Christina on November 8, 2000, at 15:46:18
I too, am getting off Effexor (restless legs/arms at night, which my husband did not appreciate)and battling withdrawal. I decreased very slowly, but couldn't get under 75mg. I then added Prozac which has helped me get down to 37.5. Let me know how it goes.
Julie
Posted by Trinitee on November 12, 2000, at 13:11:10
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Racer on November 7, 2000, at 18:22:08
> PLEASE tell us that you recover from this, you've just hit on my worst fear!
>That's one reason i've wnated off effexor--that and the horendous weight gain and it's not working....LOL i usually know withinin 24 hours if i miss a dose...and yesterday was my first day to TRY and go w/out--i had HORRIBLE dreams --ever drempt you were sleeping and couldnt wake up? and by 10 last nite ended up taking some to calm down--had to go to the grocery store i'm sure they thought i was stoned out of my mind...sigh...
pray...just pray
ames
Posted by Trinitee on November 12, 2000, at 13:12:28
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by jules on November 9, 2000, at 16:29:14
I then added Prozac which has helped me get down to 37.5. Let me know how it goes.
>
> JulieJulie
37.5 seemed to work well--i was at least able to function but the diziness and vertigo bout drove me nuts
Posted by NikkiT2 on November 13, 2000, at 7:25:26
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Shelly G. on November 7, 2000, at 14:22:59
I would also think about cutting down slower than that... spend at least a week between each dose change. I'm just moving from 300mg to 225mg a day, and that has led to bouts of dizzyness and restless legs (I didn't get many side affects at all on 300mg, yet the previous time I'd tried it on 130mg a day I was a mess).
Personally, effexor has been my "wonder drug" so am not planning on coming off it for quite a while!
Nikki xx
This is the end of the thread.
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