withdraws from effexor - Addiction & Recovery Message Board

crylt · 03-14-2003, 02:53 PM

I have been trying to go off of effexor for 3 weeks now and I am having terrible withdraws. I took 175mg for 4 years and the doctor tried to take me off cold turkey well that did not work so now he is trying to wean me off but I am still getting those withdraw feelings. Does anyone have any thoughts on what I can do to get off this stuff....

------------------
crylt

GinaLee · 03-14-2003, 03:21 PM

I'm afraid I don't but I would hope that the people that read your post will offer help or at least support to help you get to the place that you obviously want to be. Don't go away! There is love here for you.

------------------
Gina

Dawn in NH · 03-18-2003, 12:11 PM

Wow - this is news to me. I wasn't aware there would be withdrawal symptoms from an antidepressant. A friend of mine just quit using these simply because she couldn't afford them anymore. Her doc had no knowledge of this, which I thought was pretty risky in a seriously depressed person. Anyway, she said she had no withdrawals at all. However, she was depressed again. Needless to say, I took her straight to the pharmacy and had them refilled, and she's fine now.

Did your doc take you off all meds/antidepressants, or just the Effexor? I mean, does he simply want you off anti depressants, or just that particular med? Bottom line, if you're having trouble with withdrawal, you NEED to speak to your doctor and get him/her more involved. Maybe he can put you on a different med such as Paxil or Prozac.To cut you completely off, change that plan only after you suffer withdrawals and THEN decide to wean you off is both medically and ethically wrong. What happened to "First do no Harm"?

Good Luck - Dawn

[This message has been edited by Dawn in NH (edited 03-18-2003).]

BlueSkies · 03-18-2003, 12:29 PM

You are never supposed to go off antidepressants cold turkey, apparently your doctor is not very well informed.

I took effexor for a while, I absolutely hated it. I did have some withdrawl, but it went away relatively quickly because I didn't take it that long.

You might get more answers on the depression board, I've heard some people say Nyquil works.

Good luck!

lane71501 · 03-18-2003, 01:15 PM

i did the same thing with celexa about 8-9 months ago. even though i have insurance, they were expensive as all get out. they also were making me feel kinda nutty. like i'm not already! hahaha! gotta admit, i did feel like crap for a few days and then levelled back out. however, dawn, you are right. my depression and feelings of inadequacy are back full force which naturally makes me want to drink to feel better. ok, i'm back husband just called. made me feel good, hope he's doing ok. says he is. i'm gonna be out of here in about 15 minutes so dawn, what do you think this guy is gonna talk about tomorrow night?