Posted by Troubled1 on February 9, 2005, at 23:39:09
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi everyone. This is going to be a LONG message as I wish to share some info regarding myself in an effort to address several members' concerns/questions at the same time. First, I just wanted to update you on my effort to get off Effexor. I had reduced over night from 225 mg to 75 mg. Had some nausea and dizziness but Gravol seemed to help. After 3 days on 75, I decided to just go for it and quit taking it all together. It is day 3 (I think, maybe 4) with no Effexor. Nausea and dizziness got worse at first but now seem to be tapering off (still using Gravol). I did notice that my dreams changed to nightmares and I was actually scared like a child again one night. I was afraid to go back to sleep as I was convinced that killers were hiding in my bedroom. Managed to realize the absurdity of this and did fall back to sleep. Haven't had terrifying dreams since that night. My sleep itself has been better. I can actually fall asleep at a normal time now and am not waking after 2 hrs like I had been on Effexor. At this point, I still require a lot of sleep (12 hours) but the good news is that when I am awake, I am much more alert and focussed. I no longer feel the uncontrollable urge to curl up and go to sleep in the middle of the day. The drugged feeling is pretty much gone and I feel like I have feelings and emotions again. I do have to admit that I am crying easily again and today, for the first time so far, I am irritable as all get out. I am not normally an irritable depressed person so I have to assume that the irritability is part of the withdrawal process and will pass. The only other time I can remember being this snappy is years ago when on Prozac. I was one of the ones that got violent (yelling, throwing things) on Prozac so got off it right away. Has anyone tried a natural product called Serenity? I found it on the internet and have ordered a 30-day free trial of it. It is a natural form of lithium with no side effects. Testimonials on the website are positive but you can never tell what's real and isn't. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying it so I am eagerly awaiting it's arrival. Can check it out if interested at www.urbannutritioninc.com or just do a search for Serenity if above address doesn't work. It is supposed to work much more quickly than synthetic drugs (1-3 weeks to notice a difference). I will definitely keep you all informed of my progress on it once it arrives. For those of you currently weaning off Effexor, hang in there. Everyone's body chemistry is different but don't be too quick to assume that irritablilty, etc. while weaning, is due to a resurgence of your original condition (anxiety, depression, etc.). It may just be withdrawal and once the drug is completely out of your system (could be several weeks)you may feel differently. If not, you can always try a different drug which may work better with your body. I have had some success with Zoloft in the past with no side effects other than sexual but never felt completely like my old cheerful self so thought I'd try Effexor this time. Big mistake for me as it turned out although I did think it was great at first. I had no side effects on Welbutrin in past but didn't feel it lifted my mood as well as Zoloft. Something to note re Effexor. It seems that most members of this site, didn't notice the nasty side effects until they had been on it for a long time. For me it was about 1.5 years on it. So, for those who are having success on it after a short time, just be vigilent and, if you start feeling extremly fatigued, etc. in the future, address this ASAP with your doctor. Mine thinks that my fatigue, etc.is all in my head (HA HA)due to the fact that I am getting even more depressed over being depressed for so long and unable to work. I am currently proving him wrong since the physical issues are now subsiding without the Effexor. Only you know your own body well enough to figure out what is really going on. Trust your instincts. Also, for those who suffered from depression with fatigue (prior to being on meds), if you haven't had your thyroid tested recently, do so. I suffer from hypothyroidism as well as depression and know that there is a huge link between the two. Many have been misdiagnosed with depression only to find out later that their thyroids were the cause. Even if you are genuinely depressed, it could be due to the exhaustion that comes with hypothyroidism. It's hard to stay cheerful when you are so tired that it takes every ounce of energy you can summon up just to do some housework after working all day at your job. By the way, I have been a practising Social Worker for 14 years now who also has a degree in psychology and worked in a psychiatric hospital in the past. It seemed that I could handle a ton of stress at work and at home until my thyroid went on the fritz. I haven't felt like myself since that time even though I've been on Synthroid continuously and my TSH levels are consistently within the "normal range". I personally feel that my depression is a symptom of my thyroid and plan on discussing new studies/treatments with my Endocrinologist next week. I am hopeful that by trying these new treatments for my thyroid, my mood will lift as well. If you are interested in this and wish to find out more, search the internet for new experiments done on hypothyroidism and T3 levels. Well, I will end this now before it is book length but hope that this info has helped someone. Take care all and feel free to ask me if you have any questions re all that I have said here.
Karen
poster:Troubled1
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050207/msgs/455783.html