Withdrawing of Effexor

[ttdriver]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

Hi Cheryl Ann ..

I've been on Effexor since Dec 04 and my doctor and I agree that I am doing so well now, that I no longer need them.

Going cold turkey off any antidepressant is difficult, if not impossible. I am weaning off them slowly (down to 1/2 dose now) and the migraine is finally gone (after 24 MISERABLE HOURS)... so far so good and I am so looking forward to not taking them ever again!

I have to say, though, that when I was dealing with serious depression, the Effexor really helped me alot .. but now, I am doing GREAT! I truly hope and pray I never have to take an antidepressant again.

Betty

[cesara]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

Betty! Good for you that you've gotten to the point that you no longer need Effexor!! I too, was on Effexor from Aug 2003 to about May 2005. (a preemptive attack on post-partum as I'm prone to it...sigh)

The withdrawls can be tough and I experienced almost all the symptoms you have described here.

Rest assured it WILL go away with proper reduction of your med levels and finally none at all. I was still experiencing symptoms (dizziness especially) for up to 2 months after I had finished taking them! So, just stay with it and know that it WILL get better....I promise!!

This should make you feel better......when I went off Paxil my withdrawl symptoms were wayyyyyyyyy worse! Effexor was a wayyyy easier drug to go off of....so, it could have been worse...hehehe

Best of luck to you, missy....you are not alone

[cesara]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

Oh! And, you mentioned something I totally agree with. When I was put on Effexor it was sooooo needed and I'm glad I did it. No regrets here. Depression is NASTY and it's so important to take care of it....and when you're ready to go off of it, you're ready!

I actually weaned myself twice, and the first time, after 2 months I went back on because I realized I still wasn't 'better'. The second time was right though.

Again, best of luck to you sweetie!

[ttdriver]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

Tara, thank you!! You've really encouraged me! Except for the first 24-36 hour migraine from reducing the dose to 37.5, I have been feeling ALOT better. The dizziness subsided quickly (within a day) and I've had no other symptoms. So I am encouraged! Next week, I'll go to the 'every other day' dose and see how it goes!

I so appreciate your insight!

Betty

[2big4mysize]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

you still doing okay?

[ttdriver]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

Oh man, today I didn't take my 37.5 mg .. and I am soooooooooooo dizzy. Feel like I've been riding a tilt-a-whirl all day! Am I ever gonna get off these dastardly things?

What the **** do they do to your brain?

Betty

[ttdriver]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

Oh crap. I gave in at 6:30 tonight and took half a dose. Couldn't take it any more. Okay, so I went 36 hours without any ... which is pretty good, but I still HATE the fact that I had to take one.




Betty

[laineyb]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

Yeah, he told me the various side effects but said not everyone experiences the same things .. so far, just the headache and a little dizziness/nausea after eating.

Betty

At least he warned you of it. When I stopped taking it in 2003 they said, "OH Effexor does not have withdrawal effects just go down over the next week or so. WELL--It took me over two months to get off the 150mg dose of it and it was worse that alcohol withdrawals. I was off it for 4 days once and almost had to go to the hospital I was so sick with withdrawal.I only take herbals now due to the experience with effexor. The only way I finally got off it was to take a small dose of ST. JOHNs WORT the last week or so along with the Effexor. They usually say don't take both together but the docs were to the point they were willing to let me try anything.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

dang it ate my reply yesterday.

how you doing now?

[laineyb]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

Hey 2big! It's been a long time since I was on the site. I haven't posted since it was updated and the "falling out in 2003".
I am doing good. I took St. John's Wort until about 2-3 months ago and stopped taking it when I was really sick with nervous stomach and throwing up all the time. Family troubles do that you know.

So far so good off it.
Elaine

[2big4mysize]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

welcome back to ADBB glad you are doing okay.

oops sorry betty didn't mean to hijack yor topic. how you doing is the dizzy gone? can you take 1/2 a pill so you don't go cold turkey?

[ttdriver]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

I AM AT 41 HOURS WITHOUT ANY EFFEXOR AND FEELING REALLY GOOD!




Betty

[2big4mysize]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

glad your dizziness is gone. any rebound depression issuees your doc warn you about because of the uptake inhibitor being gone now?

[Savinmommy]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

I was on effexor after severe PPD. Getting off that was the worst 2 weeks of my life. I was very angry that my Dr didn't warned me about the withdrawal before I agreed to take it. I will never take a drug like that ever again. I had these weird "shock" like sensations in my head all day long, had weird vision things going on, and was very dizzy. Very scary to think about what it did to my brain. I found allot of info googleing effexor withdrawal. 41 hours is great! If you start you feel bad take a 1/4 at least. Eventually, you won't feel bad anymore and won't need it. Don't stay miserable trying not to take one. I wish you all the best during this time. You will feel normal again! Good luck!

[ttdriver]

Re: Withdrawing of Effexor

I will never take a drug like that ever again.

I hear you. I know Effexor helped me when I was REALLY DOWN, but the payback (grrr) is withdrawing. Right now, I'm at 44 hours since the last half dose. The headache is back, but so far, I'm hanging in there.

IT WILL BE A JUBILANT DAY WHEN I NEVER HAVE TO TAKE THIS DRUG AGAIN.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement. You don't know how much it means to me.



Betty