Posted by R.Anne on December 10, 2000, at 23:06:20
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal - Just in Time for Christmas! , posted by Katy on December 10, 2000, at 6:20:11
> Greetings all - I'm a newcomer to this board, but have been much reassured by reading all the posts that I am not the only one out there dealing with this stuff. I only took Effexor XR 150mg for about 3 months (it helped a great deal, and I'm a veteran of the SSRI wars & have tried almost everything else) - I was going through a particularly bad patch of depression & felt I needed to go back on meds for awhile, but I can't stay on because I'm going to be trying to get pregnant in the next few months & don't want to add any risk factors.
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> Just stopped taking Effexor XR, after tapering down to 75mg/day for 2 weeks and 37.5mg/day for another 10 days. I've been off completely for a week now, and the withdrawal is getting WORSE BY THE DAY! Horrible, uncontrollable mood swings, crying jags that will not stop no matter what I do, the feeling of my eyes jumping around all the time, etc. etc. I have Ativan for when it gets really bad, but I don't want to get too friendly with it, for obvious reasons.
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> Can anyone shed some light on how long this withdrawal usually lasts? If I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel - even a long tunnel - I could deal with it more easily. I'd appreciate any feedback you can offer me. You know, the most ironic part of all this is that I'm a sales rep for the drug company that makes Effexor - you would think they could give me a "get out of withdrawal free card" or something. Ah, well, enough rambling....many thanks in advance to anyone who responds.
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I think you have probably seen the worst of the withdrawal. I cannot imagine it being much longer. You could try to do things to relax naturally since you want to have a baby. The libraries and bookstores have books and tapes on relaxation, meditation. I think the deep breathing relaxation cd is a very good one-I have it. Got it through Columbia. Massages, hot baths, exercise and walks will help, too. They all can relax you naturally. I also find burning potpouri liquid relaxing! They have some great scents out, too. As for your depression-a good psychologist can help you out. Good luck!
poster:R.Anne
thread:50321
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50368.html