Posted by Dr...Not! on November 8, 2003, at 21:04:05
In reply to Breaking Off . . . (are we rolling, Bob?), posted by Dr...Not! on November 8, 2003, at 20:30:26
Although it is almost Thanksgiving,
COLD TURKEY is NOT AN OPTION
for Effexor withdrawal.Many, many posts have listed problems people had when trying to drop Effexor using the "cold turkey" method.
GRADUAL WITHDRAWL SEEMS THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT!!!!
Find a doctor who will work with you on this. Cut back on your dosage in small increments (Effexor XR capsules are issued in sizes of 37.5, 75 and 150 mg, so I reduced dosages by 37.5 at a time). I started at 300mg/day. After each reduction in dosage of 37.5mg, I stayed at the new dosage for a full month.
However, towards the end (and while my doctor was away on vacation) I turned into a smarty-pants and wanted OFF ASAP, so (contrary to doctor's instructions, of course) I dropped to 112.5mg, to 75mg, to 37.5mg, to zero with only a week between . . . and now am sadder and wiser and back on 37.5mg (and possibly more) because my body couldn't handle it.
It is true that SOME people do not experience withdrawal symptoms.
However, MOST people do !!!
A N D . . .
the longer you have been on Effexor and the higher your dosage during that time, the more severe your withdrawal symptoms will be.I just read (in another area of Psycho-Babble) that people take Benadryl to lessen Effexor's side effects or withdrawal symptoms. The post did not say what symptoms were being addressed, but I'm going out tomorrow to get some Benedryl!
poster:Dr...Not!
thread:12459
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031105/msgs/277821.html