![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kay on January 14, 2001, at 3:50:03
I was put on Effexor Sr 150mg about a year ago for mild anxiety and have had a good experience with it. I recently spoke with my doctor though about trying something else due to a certain side effect. So she changed me to Wellbutrin. I have stopped the Effexor cold turkey and the next day started the Wellbutrin. Not a good idea. Today, the third day, as been awful. The vertigo, nausea, vivid dreams that are there as soon as I fall asleep, the feeling as if I am not here, the crying, irritability, and a meaness that came over me that is definitely not me! I have not been myself at all, totally changed personality. I knew that I would have some withdrawal symptoms because I had missed some doses of the Effexor but I had no idea they would be this bad. Anyway, I am definitely going back to the doctor so I can start tapering because this is not working. It was nice to hear through this website that I am not the only one and that the symptoms are very similiar to the ones mentioned by others, though I do not wish the experience on anyone. Anyway, off to bed for another vivid dream, yeah.... :)
Posted by Alli on January 16, 2001, at 13:54:25
In reply to very difficult getting off Effexor SR, posted by kay on January 14, 2001, at 3:50:03
Kay ~ I'm in the process of weaning myself off of Effexor, and I'm experiencing the same stuff you are. I never would've imagined that "switching" would've still caused the withdrawal symptoms. I've added Kava-Kava and St. John's Wort into the withdrawal... and if I can get to the store today I'll add some stress tabs in there too. It's been like having a bad cold lately. Not really here, TIRED, irritable, deep sleep and wacky dreams (like when one has a fever), etc. I can't wait for all of this to wear off. Good luck!
Posted by svc on January 18, 2001, at 14:25:01
In reply to Re: very difficult getting off Effexor SR, posted by Alli on January 16, 2001, at 13:54:25
I too just got off Effexor. I am having most of the side effects that you have metioned. I thought I was going crazy. Any suggestions for coping? I am now on Wellbutrin too. Good luck!!
> Kay ~ I'm in the process of weaning myself off of Effexor, and I'm experiencing the same stuff you are. I never would've imagined that "switching" would've still caused the withdrawal symptoms. I've added Kava-Kava and St. John's Wort into the withdrawal... and if I can get to the store today I'll add some stress tabs in there too. It's been like having a bad cold lately. Not really here, TIRED, irritable, deep sleep and wacky dreams (like when one has a fever), etc. I can't wait for all of this to wear off. Good luck!
Posted by kay on January 19, 2001, at 3:13:04
In reply to Re: very difficult getting off Effexor SR, posted by svc on January 18, 2001, at 14:25:01
SVC and Alli, Isn't it hard? If I ever would have known about the withdrawal effects I don't think I would have taken it. After seven days of dealing with the effects I finally went to my doctor. I was hoping I wouldn't have to but I had had enough. Well she put me back on Effexor as a taper as well as continuing the Wellbutrin. She suggested 75mg for three-four days and then switching the 37.5 and the 75 every other day and then 37.5 for a couple days. After being off for a week now I decided I was just going to try the 37.5 for a while. I took the first one last night and totally feel better. I could not believe the difference. She said it will probally take around 2 months to totally get off the Effexor and not have side effects. She did say also that a lot of others were having the same problems(no kidding) and that Effexor was going to be her last resort prescription for her patients. That is good to know. She should have never had me go cold turkey in the first place though and I think she realized that. Anyway, coping stragies... pray, get lots of rest and I noticed that staying busy helped keep my mind off of the vertigo, and nausea a little. I am a ER nurse and during the whole week I only missed 4 hours of work which is pretty good I think considering this has been one of the worst weeks of my life. Anyway, good luck to you both!! I know how hard it is. It kind of gives you a better feeling about it knowing that others have experienced it too and we are not crazy... Anyway, good luck. Any coping strategies you guys have used?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.