Posted by Charlie on June 30, 2001, at 21:49:59
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl , posted by liz taylor on June 28, 2001, at 13:44:02
Hi all,
Wow, I am so glad to find this site! This really helps me understand what I have been going through and have been contributing to other factors. I was taking Effexor xr for about 7 months. I felt good and liked the changes that occured. At some point, I wanted to try going without the medication to see what what was really me and what was connected to the drugs. About a month ago I forgot to take my morning 75mg. I felt good all day, and that night was able to meditate (something I haven't been able to do since taking effexor xr) The next day I didn't take it and by noon I felt awful...headache, dizziness and feeling sick. I went home, took a pill and spent the rest of the day in bed. Didn't really connect this to the effexor, but must have had enough suspicion to take a pill. Last week,with doctors guidance, I ended a weeks taper down using 37.5 mg tabs. also went on holidays camping and hiking. As the days wore on, I felt more dizzy and sick. I attributed this to heat exhaustion. and was wondering why I wasn't getting better. I'm drinking lots of water and eating some salty stuff. Hadn't connected it to effexor xr until I reached this site. but that's what it is. I was most interested in hearing about the "electricity feeling". I have that with visual occurances sometimes,(light) as well as persisting dizziness. and dreams... wow, had a nap this afternoon in which I was a teacher. I was actually two people in the dream at the same time, like different aspscts of the same self, and we were talking about the holocaust to children. They said, oh nothing will come of this, and I said, to my Jewish students, No, that's not what's going to happen", and I started crying in the dream, because I had knowledge of the future. Then outside the window, destruction. and that's only one of the dreams.
It's not nice to know that others are suffering, but, Thank-you for contributing to this board. It's helped me understand what I'm going through. Hang in there, everybody!
Charlie > > I too am withdrawing from effexor xr. I was on just 150 mg for about a year after being on prozac for about 3 years. I wanted to get off since I was soooo tired and could not get through a day. My joints and muscles ached every day and I could not hardly exercise, which has been very important to me over the years. I think effexor has truely changed my life and not for the better. I totally lost my personality, i had no motivation and my job performance greatly declined. I dont want to blame everything on meds, but I really believe it was a big factor. Now I have been totally off for 14 days after just tapering for 2 weeks(it should have been longer as I am now reading).
> > This has been a nightmare with all the effects (or effexors as I call them) that others have posted about. I thought it was better after a week and then I saw it get even worse. The last 2 days have been unbearable with constant shock like sensations and dizziness. I was sick, fatigued, weak, muscles ache. I can totally not function. I went to half days at work and even this was too much. I work with people with mental illness and it is totally hard to recommend meds to them now. I feel for all of you going through this.
> > I am just so afraid that this will not pass soon enough. My boss at work just does not understand and I am taking most of my days off. I feel I will need more and dont know how we are going to pay bills. My wife has been great, but it is very hard for her. How can one medication cause so much turmoil? I will pray for all of you and I need your prayers also. With God only,
> >
> > John H.
>
> Dear John: I have had all the side effects you and others have mentioned and I have not gotten off the Effexor XR as yet. I go fo about 4-5 months and feel pretty good though the side effects seem to be getting worse, i.e. joint aches, sweatieness, jittery, tired ALL the time, blurred vision. It scares me to think of getting worse than this when I go off this drug.
>
> I have an appointment with my doc tomorrow and I am hoping to be able to get off, but my depression is worse, rather than better - I'm on 150mg every AM. The doc told me last time when the depression came back and we upped the does to 150 from75 that I may have to up it again. Since the side effects are getting worse at 150 and the depression is worse, I really see no reason to up the does.
>
> Since the beginning of the Effexor I have had a hard time getting to sleep at night and then a VERY hard time waking in the morning. I'd say it was time to find something else. If I could not take anything I would but my family (veery supportive) knows I need something - I've been on the Effexor for 10 months. Before that I was VERY depressed and it really helped for a while, but what with the side effects and now depression getting worse even at 150 mg. I think I need a change.
>
> Thanks for your words as they made me ralizethat I need a change. I will pray that all goes well with you.
>
> Sincerely, Liz Taylor
poster:Charlie
thread:1016
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010625/msgs/68547.html