Posted by Sherrie on May 10, 2002, at 22:44:41
In reply to Re: Long-term effects, posted by stjames on July 8, 2000, at 23:15:07
I thank God I found this website tonight! I don't think I could've stood another day alone. Please bear with me. I started Effexor XR 37.5 mg. on 3/3/02 while still taking Paxil, which I took for years (?). The plan was to taper me off the Paxil that I thought was no longer working because I was so depressed and my thinking was so fuzzy. For 6 weeks, I took 15 mg. of Paxil and after the first 2 weeks of Effexor XR, I was up to 75 mg. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. I was so euphoric! But that got old and wore me out. So my doc said take 10 mg. for 4 days, then 5 mg. for 6 days (of Paxil). It was awful! I had the electric shock sensations, dizziness, cried over everything, and all I wanted to do was sleep. I was in the deepest, darkest depression I've been in for years. I called the doc, who was about to go on vacation, and he told me it was just my dissociative disorder acting up! Said if I wasn't better in a week to get back on the Paxil. No way was I ever going back on that. My mind has cleared up so much, even with all the symptoms. In a few days, I was walking into walls, falling, having enormous, sudden bouts of rage, over-reacting to everything, paranoid, and just wanted to die. I called and saw one of doc's associates, who increased the Effexor - 37.5 more for 2 weeks, then 75 more for 150 mg. In just a few hours, my symptoms went away. It was unreal! I'm still taking the 75 + 37.5 mg. dose, but now I'm having migraine headaches, which I haven't had in a long time, my stomach is bloated and cramping/aching, my neck is stiff, I feel like everyone is against me, sick of me and yet, I feel like everyone is stupid and irresponsible. I'm aware that my feelings are not rational but can't change them. I don't have the energy to get dressed. I don't know what to do. If I get off the Effexor, I'll go into total darkness (that's the way it feels). I want my mind to feel clean or free, without all the anxiety and confusion these drugs cause, but I don't want that total despair. I certainly don't want to go through more withdrawals. Could this happen from taking it only 9-10 weeks? I'm sure I still have remnants of the Paxil, or maybe not. I know that I can't continue like this. I'm so tired of my doctor blaming everything on my D.I.D. I've worked HARD the past 35 years in therapy. I think I'm more aware of my feelings than this doctor! Would appreciate any help. I'm so distrustful right now but desparate! Thanks and God bless.
poster:Sherrie
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020510/msgs/105947.html