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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Me4GZus on September 21, 2003, at 11:54:02
Hello,
My doc just took me off of Effexor RX last Tuesday and switched me straight over to Zoloft. He told me to stop taking the Effexor which I did and start on the Zoloft. The problem is I'm feeling really sick to my stomach, irritable, my depression has gotten worse and feel like I have the flu or something. My question is, is this Effexor withdrawl or side effects from Zoloft? Sholud I be tapering off of Effexor and taking Zoloft at the same time?
Posted by Camille Dumont on September 21, 2003, at 12:20:55
In reply to Effexor Cold Turkey Question, posted by Me4GZus on September 21, 2003, at 11:54:02
> Hello,
> My doc just took me off of Effexor RX last Tuesday and switched me straight over to Zoloft. He told me to stop taking the Effexor which I did and start on the Zoloft. The problem is I'm feeling really sick to my stomach, irritable, my depression has gotten worse and feel like I have the flu or something. My question is, is this Effexor withdrawl or side effects from Zoloft? Sholud I be tapering off of Effexor and taking Zoloft at the same time?Its quite possibly the Effexor ... how much were you taking?
I once forgot my meds at home so went from 150 to 0 for two days and it was hell. I felt depressed, suicidal, groggy and I would get such scary nightmares that I didn't want to go to sleep anymore... I stopped eating and I didn't want to even get dressed. Effexor has NASTY withdrawal effects ... I think mainly because it has such a short half-life ... missing my dose for a few hours is enought to get me sick.
Posted by Bill LL on September 22, 2003, at 10:40:47
In reply to Effexor Cold Turkey Question, posted by Me4GZus on September 21, 2003, at 11:54:02
I like your screen name!
The problems are from Effexor withdrawal. Your doc should have told you to taper off gradually while taking Zoloft at the same time. Give him a call and ask him if you can try that.
It might also be a good idea to start on a lower Zoloft dose and gradually go up while tapering off of Effexor.
Posted by oeps7 on September 22, 2003, at 11:56:23
In reply to Re: Effexor Cold Turkey Question, posted by Bill LL on September 22, 2003, at 10:40:47
I agree that your pdoc should have tapered you. I have tapered down from effexor 300 - 0 over two months am on 50 of zoloft and still have effexor withdrawals.
Take care,
mary
Posted by cubic_me on September 24, 2003, at 6:41:43
In reply to Re: Effexor Cold Turkey Question, posted by oeps7 on September 22, 2003, at 11:56:23
I went the other way and changed directly from Zoloft to Efexor. I was getting withdrawal from Zoloft (dizziness, flu like symptoms) at the same time as the sickness from starting Efexor. I knew they were from different things because I had tried to come off Zoloft before and had only got certain symptoms. Now I get withdrawal from Efexor within hours of missing a dose.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it depend on the symptoms and what you know about yourself. In my experience people often feel nauseous for a few days when they start a new drug and withdrawal from effexor can lead to 'headshocks', dizziness, faitness, unusual dreams, tingling in hands and feet etc. So you could be suffering from withdrawal, or starting the new meds, or a mixture of both.
This is the end of the thread.
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