Posted by EffexorGirl on February 21, 2004, at 23:31:47
Hi,
I am getting ready to go to a party tonight--feeling the best I've felt in months--and it occurred to me that I am 99% on the other side of Effexor now and that this is the day I had hoped for during that long strange trip down Effexor Withdrawal Lane a month or so ago. I suddenly felt an overwhelming gratitude tonight for 1) being off my meds and functioning at a high level, and 2) for having had the support of reading these boards during my withdrawal. In posting this now, I simply hope to give back by imparting some hope, or at the very least, give some validation for what you are going through.
The stats:
Effexor prescribed for: anxiety and depression
Effexor 150mg/day
Wellbutrin 150mg/day
1 1/2 years
Stopped taking them cold turkey on Jan. 15, 2004.**Okay, bear in mind, as I'm sure you know already, that this is NOT medically advisable. I am seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist. I just reached a point where I felt a steely resolve to get off my meds. I felt after a year and a half that the meds were hampering my drive in life and getting in the way of being able to make some much needed changes. After about a year into Effexor I felt its efficacy start to decrease. I started feeling very sleepy and lethargic and extremely unmotivated. I felt as if I should go off at the time, as maybe they had done their job and were now hampering forward movement. My psychiatrist instead prescribed Wellbutrin to help with my energy levels. They did provide a boost and I was able to keep on both meds for another half year. At the beginning of this year, however, I again had the feeling that they were no longer working. Instead of running the risk of being convinced to stay on them longer or switching meds or such, I decided to bite the bullet and get off of them. (Not medically advisable, again, goes without saying.)
The first week was BAD. Real bad. All the symptoms your posts have talked about...don't need to go into all of them. I tried to sleep as much as I could. Took lots of Benadryl and Dramamine. Felt like I was coming undone, put some relationships at risk, started being honest with others about what I was going through, kept surfing these boards, and just went for it. After a week, the symptoms decreased. I could work, I started FEELING MY FEELINGS (this was welcome, if not a little overwhelming), started having more energy, needing to sleep less, etc.
(Oh, I also did something silly and posted a picture and bio of myself on an online website, and the action and flirtations that ensued were a much-needed distraction.)
It's been 5 weeks now, and I can't believe the turns my life has taken. I got out of the lease of the apartment I couldn't afford, launched a statewide job search and went on numerous interviews while somehow holding down my current job, added a freelance editing gig, faced an IRS audit (!), which I am dealing with instead of running away from, got my finances in order, and went on some dates with some great men.
I feel stronger, more grounded and more connected and engaged with life. I have my old energy back, without the anxiety and depression. When I was going off Effexor I truly thought it was a horrid medication. I can now more clearly appreciate what it did for my brain chemistry and serotonin levels. I truly do think it is effective and therapeutic if taken properly for 9 months to a year, which is what my doctor recommended. I feel changed in the best possible way.
If you are facing withdrawal, I wish you all my best and encourage you to see it through. You can do it. Take extra special care of yourself right now. And know that every day gets better.
If you are just starting Effexor, cross the withdrawal road when you come to it and know that you, too, will feel better--both while on it and once you are finished taking it.
Best wishes to all of you,
EffexorGirl
poster:EffexorGirl
thread:316377
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040218/msgs/316377.html