Posted by Dr...Not! on January 2, 2004, at 13:13:23
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms!, posted by Carmen Lydia on January 1, 2004, at 23:14:39
I had the same problems (sleeping & digestive). The fiber did help (Citricel, prunes & bran flakes), but the sleepiness . . . ! If I sat down in a soft chair, I nodded off! And that was after two cups of strong, black coffee!
I'm down to 75 mg per day of Effexor XR, and will continue my "detox" from this dosage for another 2 months. What seems to work for me is to cut back my dosage in the increment available (37.5 mg), and then stay at that dosage for a couple of months, until my body gets used to the reduced dosage.
I spoke to my psychiatrist about the use of Prozac to reduce the withdrawal symptoms, and she wasn't sure how it could be any use, as Prozac takes weeks to kick in, and the people using it only took it for a couple of days. In addition, she said Prozac takes weeks to leave your system.
Rather than have me start taking any other medications, she prefers that we continue the way we've been going (reduce the dosage and wait for my body to get used to it). Then, when we get to the final 37.5 mg, we would choose a time to deal with the final withdrawal symptoms and try to face them head-on, using people instead of medications for my safety net. She said we'd pick a 3-week period when she would be available by phone, when friends of mine would be available by phone and in person, and we'd see if I could get through the sweats, nightmares, trembling, heart palpitations and nausea. If I simply couldn't stand it any longer, and the "moral supports" weren't enough, she said I should just take my regular dose (37.5 mg, at that time), and the physical problems would cease. After 2 more months, we'd try it again. If that didn't work, she'd come up with another plan.
There's always hope! Never give up!
poster:Dr...Not!
thread:12459
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031231/msgs/295760.html