Posted by Lizzy7711 on February 22, 2004, at 16:42:59
In reply to Re: Efexor XR - Long Term Withdrawal - Anyone Else?, posted by ARDEE on January 18, 2004, at 16:46:12
Hi, I started taking effexor about 6 weeks ago, i've been on 150mg for the past 3 weeks, just found this site last night and it's very scary seeing the withdrawal symptoms. My doc did tell me not to ever suddenly stop taking it, but she didn't go into detail at all! How are you doing now, a month later? Since i've been on it such a short time, i'm wondering if the side effects of withdrawal would be less.
The thing is, I started taking it for depression, what I've found is that although it's only helped the depression a little, it has totally cured my irritability and impatience, especially around my 4 yr old daughter. Yes, I have no libido, but i'm alone anyway...and I can see what people mean about feeling kinda flat. But the way I used to get irritated, I think from anxiety, with my daughter was so damaging that it feels SO good to feel like i'm responding to her patiently and positively.
So, i'm just weighing out whether I should go off of it since no way do I want to deal with withdrawal like others have talked about, and the possibility of long-term effects. There has got to be a better way to handle my irritability and depression than a drug that can mess up our brains THAT much!
any ideas /advice is most welcome!
thanks,
Liz
> Discovered this page when searching for side effects of withdrawal from Effexor XR.
> Have been a relatively short term user, (4mnths)75mg per day.
> From what I have read, God help anyone trying to come off higher doses.
> Experienced nausea,"head Zaps", consistent with changing eye focus or head movement, cold/flu like symptons.
> started to take 75mg every 2nd. day for a period of time and then 75mg every 3rd. day before stopping completely.
> This is my 5th. day off and symptons have abated to some degree but not entirely.
> I have visited the manufacturers site and found information only pertaining to Effexor's effectiveness in the treatment of depression.(similar to brochure in the pack)
> No mention of symptoms of withdrawal, or methods or treatments for diminishing unpleasant side effects.
> It would seem that my prescribing G.P. has no awareness of the symptons of withdrawal as this subject was not mentioned when prescribing the drug.(Not much time to cover these subjects with a scheduled throughput of around 6 patients per hour.)
> Will attempt to revisit my G.P.to discuss this issue but in my home town in a small State of Australia,it is not unusual to have to wait 3 weeks for an appointment.
> One thing I know for sure is that I will never take Effexor XR again.
>
poster:Lizzy7711
thread:104118
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040218/msgs/316576.html