Posted by suzieshell on June 5, 2004, at 10:02:27
My experience with Effexor:
During the time while I was taking Effexor, it seemed to work fine for me. My only advice is to be aware that if you ever want to stop taking it you may endure negative withdrawal symptoms. Everyone is different, so you may experience negative withdrawals, or not experience any at all. I recently joined a couple support groups and I've been reading/researching what others are saying about their symptoms, and my symptoms are very similar, and in some cases exact. My doctor weaned me off Effexor using a Starter Pack. Supposedly that is supposed to work. Again, everyone is different, so maybe some people need to be tapered off longer. About two days after I finished the pack (May 14, 2004), I started having horrible withdrawals and they have gotten better, but I still sporadically have them. I experienced continuous dizzy spells (Vertigo), major depression, crying profusely about anything or nothing, spacing out, shivers, easily agitated, feeling groggy. I haven't been able to focus at work, it has been taking me longer to perform tasks and work on projects). My friend noticed I had jarbled speech. Another friend commented that my eyes were glazy. I was having brain freezes, where I couldn't think of anything that I was supposed to say or do(this was especially a problem at work). I would occassionally hear ringing in my ears. When turning my head to look left or right, I'd get dizzy spells(this still happens, as well has the dizzy spells without turning my head, but not as frequently. Most of the withdrawal symptoms have lessened, but I still have outbursts of crying and terrible depression at times. It's been cyclical. One day may be okay and another can be really bad. I have felt worthless and cried frequently. Exercise seems to help, but hasn't made me complete yet. I used to feel great after exercising, and I'm hoping I can get back to that point.
For the past 3 weeks, I have felt like my life has been a complete wreck. I feel like I've lost my sanity and I'm continuously on edge. I am hoping that the symptoms aren't permanent and did not cause permanent damage. I am hoping that the withdrawals will go away soon. I don't know how long the symptoms are supposed to last or will last. I've read that people have had them sporadically for a few months, then I've read that they may never go away, also I have read that they will go away completely. It has only been 3 weeks for me, so I don't know what to expect at this point.
I was put on the Effexor 150 mg a day, for anxiety, and prior to Effexor, I took Paxil, 10 mg a day. Also, with Paxil, the withdrawal symptoms are just as dreadful. The reason I am off the medicine is because I don't want to have to depend on medication for the rest of my life.
I have been Effexor free since May 14, 2004 and don't plan to get back on it ever again--or anything else at that. I am scared that any of these drugs will cause horrible withdrawal symptoms.
My advice is to please continue to research this drug and educate yourself about the withdrawal symptoms and weaning process. I don't want anyone to go through this.
My question is, how long will these symptoms last? will they ever go away? If anyone has been Effexor XR free for longer than a month, what is your experience with withdrawals after this point?
Take care and Good luck.
Michele
poster:suzieshell
thread:354002
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040602/msgs/354002.html