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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cindyd on November 24, 2003, at 12:18:00
I was on 300 mg. of Effexor for so long I can't remember when I started it.
Recently it quite working and I had to switch to Wellbutin.
My Dr. weaned me off the Effexor over a month, and today is day 3 with no Effexor. For the past 3 days I have felt very bad, symptoms include:
The sweats & shakaes
Nausea
Metallic taste in mouth
Light headednessHow long do these symptoms go on for? If I could get rid of the nausea and the metal taste, I could live with the others.
I have a call into my dr. right now.
Thanks for your help.
Posted by MamaCindy2000 on November 24, 2003, at 15:46:25
In reply to How long does withdrawl symptoms last?, posted by cindyd on November 24, 2003, at 12:18:00
what is the lowest dose you were on? Many doctors dont understand "discontinuation effects" as the drug companys call them. I dont know if I should blame them (doctors), or researchers (drug companys). Any how......I took my 37.5 capsules, and seperated into half, then 3rds, 1/4. I was on 225mgs. for 3 months. Took 2 months to withdraw. Then 3 days after my last dose I had the worst withdrawls really bad. Felt like the flu in my head. The zappy feeling everyone talks about. So I took about 1/2-1/3 of my effexorXR 37.5 mg capsule. That was Sat. I threw away the rest of my Effexor XR. I feel OK.
BTW, A low dose (.25-.5mgs.) Xanex was helpful with my withdrawls
Posted by T_R_D on November 24, 2003, at 17:25:14
In reply to How long does withdrawl symptoms last?, posted by cindyd on November 24, 2003, at 12:18:00
Hi cindyd, go see your doc and ask for a few days worth of Prozac (I took it for three days.) It DRASTICALLY reduced the "brain zaps" and dizziness for me. It worked like a charm. I did have an upset tummy due to the Prozac for that brief period but it was much more tolerable.
I also took some Benadryl for the cold/flu-like symptoms. It made me REALLY dozy but at least I was in a space where I was nice and relaxed :)
In terms of how long? Without this handy tip (the first time I quite Effexor) it took three weeks. With this tip--about one week, tops after I started the Prozac. It's a pretty good remedy--give it a shot!
Good luck and take care,
Karen
Posted by cindyd on November 24, 2003, at 17:38:18
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawl symptoms last?, posted by T_R_D on November 24, 2003, at 17:25:14
> Hi cindyd, go see your doc and ask for a few days worth of Prozac (I took it for three days.) It DRASTICALLY reduced the "brain zaps" and dizziness for me. It worked like a charm. I did have an upset tummy due to the Prozac for that brief period but it was much more tolerable.
>
> I also took some Benadryl for the cold/flu-like symptoms. It made me REALLY dozy but at least I was in a space where I was nice and relaxed :)
>
> In terms of how long? Without this handy tip (the first time I quite Effexor) it took three weeks. With this tip--about one week, tops after I started the Prozac. It's a pretty good remedy--give it a shot!
>
> Good luck and take care,
> KarenHi Karen: thanks for the tip. I have been off it since Thurs. and the whole weekend I soent in bed.
When I called the dr. today he said to divide the 75 mg. capsule and do that for a few days, weaning down until no more.
If I had any idea this drug was going to affect me in this way, I never would have been put on it.
I'll call the dr. right now and ask for that Prozac.
Cindy
Posted by T_R_D on November 24, 2003, at 17:58:46
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawl symptoms last?, posted by cindyd on November 24, 2003, at 17:38:18
Hey, you're welcome! let me know how you make out!
K.
Posted by maxx44 on November 24, 2003, at 19:48:27
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawl symptoms last? » cindyd, posted by MamaCindy2000 on November 24, 2003, at 15:46:25
xanax, any benzo will shut down many withdrawal symptoms. alcohol rehab inpatients always get them. just avoid using them, after the crisis has passed. the dr.-approved two glasses of wine may help, if you're not an alcoholic. i've been on good, old anti-s off and on for years---in my case i could just quit---nightmares maybe. i'm surprised at the # of people talking about addiction to anti-ds---the newer ones. never been on them, tried 'em and went back to the old classics---they know about them. almost any med usually has to be tapered down. even though you might have stopped too quick, your deal should get better soon. if you don't like what's happening, feel dangerous---go to a good er. i had to do that when i just quit a benzo. withdrawal for me is a year's taper and then years of symptoms. you don't want that. when you get over this you may wish to ask your dr. about more understood drugs. by this time you probably feel better. best wishes
Posted by cindyd on November 25, 2003, at 18:50:24
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawl symptoms last?, posted by maxx44 on November 24, 2003, at 19:48:27
Well, alcohol is not an option. The Dr. called me and wants me to take 37.5 mg. in morning and 37.5 at night, which is what I started, I am still having symptoms, but they aren't as intense.
After a week of this I will go to 37.5 once a day and then 1/2 of that, etc. until I am off.
My dr. is willing to give me the Prozac once I have gone through the weaning process again.
Right now the metallic taste iin my mouth is wicked and the sweats.....yikes.
Thanks for the input
Posted by maxx44 on November 25, 2003, at 21:39:31
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawl symptoms last?, posted by cindyd on November 25, 2003, at 18:50:24
thought it would get better--been there---but it's rare for things to work the same on 2 people.
you're home-free. with me each med sort of has its own 'me'. that's interesting. and i suspect universal. the tofranil 'me' is not the non-needing tofranil 'me'---the original'me'---but it seems to have its own 'surivival instinct'. that is clear in cocaine addicts. the cocaine personality does not wish to die---killed by the non-addicted, recovered, former user. it and most drugs, certainly shrink meds, have all pulled this one on me---they're not anti-biotics. perhaps a large portion of withdrawal, even the physical attempts on the withdrawing 'on-drug-person' to drag the user back, is in part the drug-activated personality wanting to 'stay-alive'.? no doubt meds or disease may make our brain look different---but it is the most dynamic organ at overcoming obstacles and 're-setting'. maybe dr. nash found a non-drug way to whack the crazy guy for the sane? and stop the crazy guy from manipulateing his neuro-chemistry back into drug use?
This is the end of the thread.
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