Posted by Sean Swanson on August 15, 2001, at 22:04:25
This message is for all those who have been struggling in an effort to get off Effexor XR or similar drugs. I noticed many threads out there that relate to this subject, but since I cannot possibly find and reply to them all, I have started a new one. If, after reading this, you feel that this information might help someone you know, please direct them to it.
I had been taking Effexor XR for depression for about four months as of March 2001. After missing a dose one day, I decided to see if I could continue without it. Halfway through the next day I was such a wreck that I had to give in and take another dose. I tried to quit two other times after that without success. In mid-March I was hospitalized for one week to begin tapering off all medications under close supervision. When I was admitted I was on 225 mg. Effexor per day, upon discharge I was down to 75 mg. Effexor and completely off everything else. I had already begun to experience withdrawal symptoms while in the hospital, but I had mistaken them for something else as I also underwent surgery for an unrelated matter while I was there.
I continued to taper off Effexor for the next two months. From March 19th to May 1st, I went from 75 mg. down to 12.5 mg per day. I had to switch from the extended release capsules to breaking up tablets into tiny pieces for the smaller doses. The withdrawal symptoms continued through the entire process, but were at least bearable. In May, however, being totally off the drug proved to be extremely difficult for me. I fought hard to stay off it even knowing that just one dose would immediately ease the suffering I was going through.
After surviving the first week with absolutely NO medications, I knew then that I could do this. The withdrawals began to decrease giving me hope. Unfortunately, the next three months turned into a "roller coaster ride" with aftershocks coming and going, increasing and decreasing. Finally, by the end of July, the symptoms became very slight and now I only experience very mild shock-like sensations on rare occasions, usually when I am more tired or sleepy than normal.
During these past three or four weeks of minimal withdrawal symptoms, I have begun to "wake up" from the bad effects of the drugs, and now I'm feeling more positive every day. I am happy to say that after several months of being off work due to mental disability and ultimately losing my employment of over twelve years, I am absolutely looking forward to going back to work in a new position with a new employer and I will remain TOTALLY DRUG FREE!!!!
(ps: I realize that some drugs may work well for some people. It is not my intention to put down any drug, but to give hope to those who are trying to come off of those drugs that are not doing any good. I also believe that support from caring friends and family is more powerful than any drug could ever be.)
I also recommend any recent publications from JOHN GRAY.
poster:Sean Swanson
thread:75233
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75233.html