![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by needtoquit on November 12, 2004, at 11:28:17
Hi everybody. I just signed up for this site. I started taking Effexor 3 years ago for anxiety and depression. It worked great and I got my life on track. Then I decided to quit taking Effexor because of the side effects and because I felt like I could be happy without it. I was on 150mg daily. Since then I have decreased gradually for 3 months. It has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do. My pharmacist found some (now discontinued) immediate release tablets so I could divide them up. I am now taking 1/4 of a 37.5 mg tablet a day. I am so frustrated because I still can't quit. I can't divide them up into much smaller of a dose. I can't go a day without any. My withdrawal symptoms are diarrhea, anorexia, dizziness, this shocking feeling, bad dreams, and tearfulness.
I guess I am just looking for some support and any recommendations. No one I know has ever gone through this before. My GP is very nice and supportive but I think a bit uneducated about withdrawal because really, how often would he have a patient quit taking effexor.
Posted by crazychickuk on November 12, 2004, at 11:51:13
In reply to effexor withdrawal, posted by needtoquit on November 12, 2004, at 11:28:17
coud try prozac its been known to help with effexor withdrawl..
Posted by MKB on November 12, 2004, at 12:35:19
In reply to effexor withdrawal, posted by needtoquit on November 12, 2004, at 11:28:17
If you look at previous threads, you will see that many have suffered the same thing you are going through right now. I found this site for exactly the same reason. I wanted to know what was happening to me and whether it could be the Effexor. To read of others' experiences, go to www.petitiononline.com/effexor/ and view the signatures. I would say warn your loved ones you need support for a few weeks as you may not be yourself, get off it and stay off it!
Posted by needtoquit on November 12, 2004, at 13:20:02
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal, posted by crazychickuk on November 12, 2004, at 11:51:13
I am hesitant to ask my doctor for a prescription for Prozac. It would be great if it worked....but might I have just as much trouble coming off of it? I am scared I will end up a bigger mess than I am right now.
The worst part is being a psych nurse, while these zaps go through me and I haven't eaten in a week, I stand idly by while the psychiatrist puts another one of my patients on Effexor.
I found someone's suggestion in another thread that she had opened up her 37.5 XR capsules and divided them up. I might try that to taper down a bit more.
This website is good for me. My only support I have disclosed this to is my husband and he does not understand at all what I am going through. I feel so alone.
Posted by ants on November 12, 2004, at 13:31:20
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal, posted by needtoquit on November 12, 2004, at 13:20:02
based on my readings of previous posts on effexor withdrawal, I would say that the prozac will not be such a problem to discontinue. the reason effexor withdrawal is so tough is because the halflife is very short. Prozac's is very long, and so it has less discontinuation effects. You can google search within this site to find more posts on the topic-there are a LOT.
good luck.
ants
Posted by MKB on November 12, 2004, at 14:06:41
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal, posted by needtoquit on November 12, 2004, at 13:20:02
Please keep in touch. It's unfortunate your husband doesn't seem to understand. I also had a hard time finding understanding. My significant other said "Lighten up." How's that for encouraging? The Prozac is know to help with withdrawal from Effexor. I didn't do it that way, but it's pretty standard. It might make things easier for you.
The first time I went to the psychiatrist (a few days ago), there was an Effexor rep sitting in the waiting room with a plastic see-through bag full of Effexor samples. I wanted to slug her. The doc noticed her when he opened the door to call me. He smiled and waved like she was his best friend. Wonder how much he gets for every Effexor prescription he writes? Don't worry; the day will come when Wyeth has to answer for what they've done.
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.