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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 701 to 725 of 1313. Go back in thread:
Posted by annesand on April 13, 2004, at 7:18:31
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by cyclegrrrl on April 12, 2004, at 16:22:18
Thanks for this. I've been tapering for about a month, but today is my first day on zero effexor. I'm grateful for a pep talk! I'll probably end up doing a seasonal thing like you, but it's not the worst thing in the world. Best wishes for a wonderful spring and summer!
Posted by triedalldrugs on April 13, 2004, at 8:05:31
In reply to Vitamins, Herbs, Success, posted by Marjean on April 9, 2004, at 11:53:22
I am on day 15 after quitting cold turkey from 75 mg. I wouldn't have made it except for the help from all of you and these herbal products:
Isotonix OPC-3 (took a double dose 3 times a day for the first week) and Isotonix B-12 formula. The OPC-3 rids your body of toxins, so it speeds the process of getting rid of Effexor.I don't sell these products, so I don't get anything if someone buys them after hearing about them from me. I get them from my massage therapist, who quit her antidepressants and made it through because of these products and so now she is a distributor. Her web site is thesehands.unfranchise.com. She is not a computer geek and so uses a standard web site provided by the company...please don't be put off by the advertising. Put in opc-3 in the search field.
I am still having some side effects, but very minimal and very minimal depression. This is like a whole new world to me, to feel good and not have to remember to take a pill!
Good luck everyone! You can do it.
Posted by kphoo on April 13, 2004, at 9:48:46
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
for everyone who hates effexor (guess that's all of us!!)- and are sick of these drugs and the side effects and torture they cause us...please go to the link below and consider the lucinda b
program- I feel compelled to share this- if only somebody would have told me about it sooner- the suffering I could have avoidedhttp://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040409/msgs/335452.html
Posted by TanyaJean on April 13, 2004, at 13:05:44
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by cyclegrrrl on April 12, 2004, at 16:22:18
I don't know how any of you went off effexor cold turkey. I did the tapering off and now have been off effexor for over two weeks. Just about 2 days ago the "brain zaps" and dizziness went away. For four days straight I was vomiting and couldn't keep much down, aside from slimfast and I was drinking that just so I could keep my other meds down (just 2 others for rheumatoid arthritis).
Even though I've been very sick, my crushing fatigue is gone. About 2 years ago I became sick with what they called fibromyalgia. At the time I had been taking prozac and thought that was what had caused the problem. I stopped taking the prozac right away. So in and out of the doctors because this fatigue and pain was getting worse and worse and they immediately put me on paxil. Because it's in my head? I was on paxil for a while and told my doctor I didn't like how I felt when I wasn't on it, like if I missed it for day. He put me on effexor (come to find out, it reacted in the same way). Now off the effexor, even though I still have my joint pain, I have none of the fatigue that would cause me to nap 3 hours every afternoon.
Posted by msdepres on April 14, 2004, at 11:22:34
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
I just can't believe how bad this is - withdrawal from effexor is my worst nightmare. The only time I had anything like it was when I quit cold turkey from elavil and had months of brain zaps - which scared me to death.
Today is day 4 and I'm not sure how I'm going to make it. I have ben crying like no time before in my life. The brain zaps are scary, but this emotional rollercoaster is insane.
I have all the symptoms I've read about - what can I do to tolerate this withdrawal? This is so unlike me! I can understand the suicide syndrom.
Can anyone out there give me some advise or what you are doing or have done to keep going?
Posted by triedalldrugs on April 14, 2004, at 13:25:40
In reply to Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by janey on November 1, 1998, at 16:30:34
Janey, I would try tapering off, as many people in the list have suggested. I went cold turkey, but used an herbal supplement to help and by day 7 it wasn't so bad. But if you're having such severe symptoms of withdrawal, I would count out the beads as many people have suggested. Do you have a prescription left that you can fill and try a gradual withdrawal?
Posted by deb723 on April 14, 2004, at 13:45:17
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » janey, posted by msdepres on April 14, 2004, at 11:22:34
YOU WILL MAKE IT!
I consider days 4 and 5 as "my days from hell" so there is light at the end of the tunnel! I kept an online diary of my withdrawal, from tapering on through, however, I am consumed with doing my taxes now,(Boy, I'm so happy I waited until withdrawal time to do this :-), anyway, I haven't written in it since last Friday but believe me when I say although I do not feel out of the woods yet it, is a MARKED IMPROVEMENT from days 4 and 5! Here's the link to my blog and have faith...you will get through this.
deb
http://www.stuffiwannasay.blogspot.com
Posted by worm on April 14, 2004, at 17:08:18
In reply to IT WILL GET BETTER!, posted by deb723 on April 14, 2004, at 13:45:17
> YOU WILL MAKE IT!
Deb is right - I have been off for 2 weeks now, completely, and aside from a crying jag yesterday (I'm trying to break up with my boyfriend at the same time, I think he is the reason I am depressed in the first place!) I have been good - even got through Easter without screaming at anyone. Of course, it IS spring, but my mood is better, energy level is better, I am still not able to concentrate very well, and it is affecting my work, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
When I get really bad, I do pop a Prozac (20 mg) that I have leftover. That gets me through the rough spots.
Mgesh
Posted by TanyaJean on April 14, 2004, at 21:54:35
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » janey, posted by msdepres on April 14, 2004, at 11:22:34
> I just can't believe how bad this is - withdrawal from effexor is my worst nightmare. The only time I had anything like it was when I quit cold turkey from elavil and had months of brain zaps - which scared me to death.
> Today is day 4 and I'm not sure how I'm going to make it. I have ben crying like no time before in my life. The brain zaps are scary, but this emotional rollercoaster is insane.
> I have all the symptoms I've read about - what can I do to tolerate this withdrawal? This is so unlike me! I can understand the suicide syndrom.
> Can anyone out there give me some advise or what you are doing or have done to keep going?
>The only way I can keep going is support. I have 2 friends going through the exact same thing. One is having more emotional trouble from the withdrawal than I am. I am still dealing with a lot nausea all day long. It's been close to 3 weeks totally off effexor. The brain zaps have almost diminished for me. The dizziness is almost gone.
Posted by roomy on April 15, 2004, at 5:58:43
In reply to IT WILL GET BETTER!, posted by deb723 on April 14, 2004, at 13:45:17
> YOU WILL MAKE IT!
however, I am consumed with doing my taxes now,(Boy, I'm so happy I waited until withdrawal time to do this :-),Deb, you crack me up! A perfect example of getting better every day. When your sense of humor starts to return. I was just a walking calm, unemotional zombie while on effexor for years. Then while getting OFF the effexor, I thought I would never laugh or smile again. Now, 3.5 Months since I have stopped, I have my sense of humor back. ...and as for you Janey...yeah, hang in there. You will be glad you did. (you may try an over the counter medication for motion sickness, but it makes you sleepy)
be tough, but cry when you need to. I allowed myself to cry whenever I wanted and I think I cried myself out! but allow yourself to be happy too. you will make it!
good luck
Roomy
Posted by annesand on April 15, 2004, at 7:07:54
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » janey, posted by msdepres on April 14, 2004, at 11:22:34
I haven't tried this, but lots of others here have. They say that temporarily taking Prozac smooths out the withdrawal symptoms because the half life is a lot longer. Can somebody else fill in the details??
Posted by TanyaJean on April 15, 2004, at 16:11:28
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by annesand on April 15, 2004, at 7:07:54
> I haven't tried this, but lots of others here have. They say that temporarily taking Prozac smooths out the withdrawal symptoms because the half life is a lot longer. Can somebody else fill in the details??
*I've heard many people say that prozac helps. A person on here wrote that to get people off effexor he would prescribe prozac at the same time. He would taper off until the person was no longer on effexor and THEN taper the person off prozac. I've heard other people say the prozac helps so much. Prozac was no problem getting off, at least for me. No withdrawal. I wish I had known before I had done all of this. I would have done just about anything not to go through the last 3 weeks of hell.
I keep posting, and I apologize if it gets annoying. I'm so shocked at everything I'm going through and have to write about it. If I can keep one person from ever trying effexor....
For 2 years I've been sleeping my life away and felt so lousy and it was the effexor. I have an inflammatory disease, but the effexor made everything much worse.
Posted by TanyaJean on April 15, 2004, at 16:27:46
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by annesand on April 15, 2004, at 7:07:54
> I haven't tried this, but lots of others here have. They say that temporarily taking Prozac smooths out the withdrawal symptoms because the half life is a lot longer. Can somebody else fill in the details??
This is the post I read a few days ago - just some other information regarding withdrawal and prozac with effexor: Just copy and paste the address.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011213/msgs/87523.html
Posted by Acorac on April 16, 2004, at 12:03:31
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by TanyaJean on April 15, 2004, at 16:27:46
My wife is on Effexor and our sex life is non existent (once in the last 4 months) I really want to be supportive but it's very difficult. What can she safely take to increase libido.?????
> > I haven't tried this, but lots of others here have. They say that temporarily taking Prozac smooths out the withdrawal symptoms because the half life is a lot longer. Can somebody else fill in the details??
>
> This is the post I read a few days ago - just some other information regarding withdrawal and prozac with effexor: Just copy and paste the address.
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011213/msgs/87523.html
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by TanyaJean on April 16, 2004, at 13:53:18
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Acorac on April 16, 2004, at 12:03:31
> My wife is on Effexor and our sex life is non existent (once in the last 4 months) I really want to be supportive but it's very difficult. What can she safely take to increase libido.?????
(I'm talking to my friend and she said for her to stop taking effexor. I know it's not that simple). Effexor kills the lebido. Wellbutrin is something a lot of women switch to and truly it doesn't kill everything off like effexor does. Effexor totally killed off the lebido. It's not her, it's all because of the effexor. I'm sure it's difficult, it was for my husband. I'm sure the issue is sex for her is incredibly frustrating, it was for me. I don't know about herbal supplements but they are out there. Anyone else know?
Posted by collegeguy on April 16, 2004, at 21:37:24
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - Increasing lebido?, posted by TanyaJean on April 16, 2004, at 13:53:18
I was on low dose (37.5 mg) of Effexor XR for just under a month when the side effects became too much for me and I decided to discontinue suddenly despite the fact it was helping my anxiety and depression (Effexor turned me into a practical narcoleptic). For about three days after I stopped the side effects were horrendous --dizziness, sleepiness and a general, very powerful flu-like feeling. I treated myself with OTC medications like Benadryl and meclizine (antihistamines) for the dizziness, and Excedrin geltabs for the headaches and fatigue (excederin has a small amount of caffeine in it).
When I saw my new pdoc (I had decided to switch doctors because my original doctor would not budge in her prescription of either an SSRI (or SNRI) medication plus Wellbutrin (if there were fatigue or sexual side effects) despite these drugs endlessly causing adverse effects in me), he put me on 5 days of Prozac (10 mg once a day). Prozac can be useful in treating withdrawal from other antidepressants like Effexor (which is extremely short acting) because it will temporarily (for the days following withdrawal) keep your serotonin levels high enough to prevent most of the cholinergic rebound that occurs once you stop the med and then taper out of your system very slowly on its own once you cease the short course. How exactly the prozac is used of course is something that needs to be decided by your pdoc based on your effexor dose and length of time on it, but I know for me it almost completely eliminated the withdrawal symptoms (some dizziness lingered for about a week though).
Good luck!
Posted by Aldus Huxley on April 21, 2004, at 18:57:35
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by collegeguy on April 16, 2004, at 21:37:24
I started taking Effexor XR (150mg) in June of 2001 when I was diagnosed with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and ADD. My pdoc also prescribed Wellbutrin for the ADD and also for purposes of counteracting the sexual side effects I was experiencing with Effexor (really weird orgasms). I didn't particularly enjoy the Wellbutrin, so after a series of other dopamine increasing drugs, I ended up with Adderall XR (now at 30mg) which I feel has helped immensely.
So, although I never had a real problem with Effexor, by December, 2003, I felt its efficacy was questionable and thought if I could get off any med it would be a plus. So I decided to go off of the Effexor. However, I was apprehensive about asking my pdoc to stop taking it since she was prescribing the Adderall (and also Xanax and/or Valium) and I didn't want her to think I was skipping the SSRI just to take the potentially "fun" meds. She trusts me and I am really not abusing the Adderall (ok, admittedly, I OCCASIONALLY will chew one before going out on a Friday night, but that's about it, as I would rather utilize them for my work day). In other words, I was just concerned she would stop prescribing the Adderall.
So, to do this on my own, I basically started dividing my Effexor XR 150mg capsules into two doses by opening the capsule and splitting the beads. I did this for about two weeks, then began dividing the 150mg into 3 doses, taking one of these thirds each day. Finally, I was down to dividing it by 4 (approximately 37.5mg now). After about two weeks of this, I would take a 37.5mg dose (approximated obviously) every other day. After around 1 week of this, I just stopped. I suffered the "brain shocks" somewhat, but understandably, nothing like those I would experience if I missed a 150mg dose two days in a row. I also suffered a little depression and some spontaneous crying or exaggerated emotions (i.e. for no real reason I remember starting to cry in the middle of the movie "Daylight" with Sylverter Stallone--perhaps I was just happy those people were getting out of the tunnel safely!).
Also, during this whole withdrawal process, I took 5HTP (and a lot more magnesium and inositol) hoping this would ameliorate any withdrawal effects (can't say for sure if these other compounds helped, but it definitely helped psychologically--in that I thought I was benefitting my brain with the mag and inositol, and boosting serotonin a bit with the 5HTP).
These mild withdrawal effects lasted maybe 2 weeks and then I was fine. For about 2-3 months afterwards however, I would get the familiar "brain shock" (albeit a mild one) when I was stressed over something, but now, I don't notice any withdrawal effects at all.
So, if you want off of Effexor, just do what your pdoc would do anyway--titrate down. It was painless (for me anyway) until I stopped completely, and as stated, the withdrawal affects then were rather mild. Even if you are on 75mg or 37.5 mg currently, just follow the above recipe (or, better yet, act in concert with your pdoc and get the approriate prescription strengths).
For me, Adderall XR was the ticket to productivity, focus, and mood enhancement/anti-depression. I don't want to be on it forever, but until some of the more significant professional and personal problems in my life subside, I am content with taking it.
Posted by roomy on April 22, 2004, at 5:46:16
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by Aldus Huxley on April 21, 2004, at 18:57:35
I have been effexor-free for three and a half months and have been doing quite well for about a month. Until yesterday that is. I have been around some depressing people and situations and have had to make an effort to not become emotional or depressed. I was doing quite well and then it all came flooding out yesterday when I was all alone and it SHOULD have been a good day. But, I suppose most people have a day or two like that so digress. Anyway....back to the reason I am posting today...VALIUM????!!! No freakin wonder you didd't suffer any withdrawl!!!
Congrats for being off effexor anyway, and Happy day for you today!!
-Roomy
Posted by Aldus Huxley on April 22, 2004, at 18:13:37
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » Aldus Huxley, posted by roomy on April 22, 2004, at 5:46:16
> I have been effexor-free for three and a half months and have been doing quite well for about a month. Until yesterday that is. I have been around some depressing people and situations and have had to make an effort to not become emotional or depressed. I was doing quite well and then it all came flooding out yesterday when I was all alone and it SHOULD have been a good day. But, I suppose most people have a day or two like that so digress. Anyway....back to the reason I am posting today...VALIUM????!!! No freakin wonder you didd't suffer any withdrawl!!!
> Congrats for being off effexor anyway, and Happy day for you today!!
> -RoomyWell, the Valium wasn't really being proffered at that point (I was being prescribed it for a stressful time in the middle of 2003 and had maybe 3 10mg tabs in December), nor did I want to ask and perhaps inadvertantly disclose my little project...but still, Xanax was very helpful. Is Valium that desireable? I thought Xanax was more preferable than Valium for the pleasant calm/soporific effects--especially because Xanax is short acting (i.e. no hangover).
Posted by roomy on April 23, 2004, at 7:05:07
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » roomy, posted by Aldus Huxley on April 22, 2004, at 18:13:37
> Well, the Valium wasn't really being proffered at that point (I was being prescribed it for a stressful time in the middle of 2003 and had maybe 3 10mg tabs in December), nor did I want to ask and perhaps inadvertantly disclose my little project...but still, Xanax was very helpful. Is Valium that desireable? I thought Xanax was more preferable than Valium for the pleasant calm/soporific effects--especially because Xanax is short acting (i.e. no hangover).
To tell you the truth, I had to take valium WAY before I was ever on any antidepressants of any kind. I could never go to a doctor or dentist without passing out cold. It got to be down right stupid so they got together and gave me an Rx for Valium. It was a very small dose and I only took it to premedicate before doctors and dentist appts. It didnt help much which was the start of being put on anti-depressants. Well I still had several refills left of Valium and a few left in the bottle I had. I got rid of the refill slips and flushed the rest of the bottle. Today I find out that there are some dudes I work with that would have paid BIG TIME CASH for those drugs. ??
Kind of a long way to answer your question: Is Valium really that desireable? I never thought so but OBVIOUSLY for some it is. Xanax? hmmm I get all those mixed up. Zyban is for quitting smoking right? and Zantac is for heartburn? I guess I am not familar with Xanax. As long as we are on the topic of drugs other than effexor...let me zing one off ya. When I was on Effexor, it made me sooo soooo tired. Plus I gained weight. so..my doctor put me on Addipex. (sp) It was FANTASTIC! BUT...I could only be on it for three months at a time. It gave me energy and I didnt actually LOSE weight but whenever I went off it, I GAINED weight. Now that my doctor has lost her liscense and I have a new doctor, I am off all medication but he wont put me back on addipex. Even three month would prolly get me back to the weight I need to be. MAN have I been rambling! sorry folks! the sun is shining and I am gonna go out and play! Have a good one!
-Roomy
Posted by 4hope on April 23, 2004, at 16:13:04
In reply to Effexor XR Story and my opinion 25 F mother of 1, posted by Sinaminika on March 23, 2004, at 10:57:49
Its been 96 hours (4 days) being off of Effexor XR. I took 75mg for almost 5 months. I dropped down to 35 for two weeks and then went off of it completely. The first three days were HELL!! I had the brain zaps and wanted to kill myself. Today is much better. I still have them but everytime I get them I just say, "THank YOU JESUS" because He really saved me. I was trying to get pregnant while on this and my stupid doc told me it was fine. I can't imgagine what this drug would have done to my child.
I have been excercising for three months and during withdrawls I cried all the way there and back but I forced myself to do it. I went to acupuncture 3 days, had a de-tox massage, and have been taking herbs and vitamins to stregthen myself.
I am hoping in a few days the brain zaps will be gone completly and I can get back to my old self.
It's been a rough journey but I am glad me and Effexor are parting ways and WILL NEVER be friends again!!!
Hope
Posted by triedalldrugs on April 23, 2004, at 17:30:43
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Story and my opinion 25 F mother of 1, posted by 4hope on April 23, 2004, at 16:13:04
Hope, hang in there, you will make it. And it's worth it in the end when you're completely free of it. I am at the end of week 4 after quitting cold turkey and the herbal supplements help immensely. Almost no effects as of today, just slight dizziness but nothing like before. You can do it!
Posted by Raggy on April 24, 2004, at 10:36:18
In reply to Re: How long does withdrawal from Effexor last?, posted by fastblackZZR on March 4, 2004, at 12:50:06
On Montel Williams show this week they talked about these antidepressants and they had this doctor on there who wanted feed back on what these antidepressants do to people. All your feelings and if you get more depressed or suicidal or your feelings on any of the top antidepressants. He had 2 people on there that had a lot of trouble with effexor and the other talked about prozac.
If you could take a few minutes to vent your feelings on the good or bad of these antidepressants, it would be good. We all know that the drug companies dont do the right studies and they hide certain facts of these drugs. Here is his address:
http://www.prozacbacklash.com/
Even though it says prozac he wanted feed back on all these drugs.
Thanks, finally someone who wants to get something done about these doctors who are giving these drugs too freely.
Posted by SeeknSolace on April 25, 2004, at 7:02:40
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by annesand on April 15, 2004, at 7:07:54
Hey annesand, I'll give you my experience with prozac. I too had read that prozac is given to aid in the withdrawals of effexor. I got all the info I could on this prior to my last pdoc appointment. She had confirmed what I had read. I told her I want to get off effexor. She gave me the starter blister pack 75mg/37.5mg that they give you when you start, only took it in reverse. I was on 150 mgs for 2 years. After deciding I'm ready to be done with this, I was on the 75 mgs for one week.. it went well.. I thought maybe I can go cold turkey. I did for four days.. I dont have to remind you all what hell that is.
I decided to go on the 37.5 because I couldnt take the sickness of not having it. The evil little pill made me feel back to my sense of normality.
I called the pdoc the next day, told her I didnt do well coming off the effexor.. was bed ridden, couldnt go to work for 2 days. I didnt tell her I tried cold turkey.. she has been a b**** to me several times, very unprof, but thats besides the point.. had to lie to get the prozac, because I knew the 37.5 was about to run out.
She prescribed me ten pills only of 10 mgs of prozac. I took my first prozac the same day I took my last dose of 37.5. The second day on the prozac, I was a little sick, just a bit unbearable. I broke open an effexor and took about a third of its contents, then about 36 hours later, did it again.. after that, I refused to take any more and stayed on only the prozac. I knew I had to be strong to get free from the effexor.
There was evidence of the transitions, some sense of having an adrenaline rush but also feelings of what the reasons why I got on effexor to begin with. After a couple days, there was a sense of some balance.
I was not at all sick while taking the prozac. Still had the brain zaps and sense of euphoria and depression.. I'm bipolar anyways. But it was mild in comparison to other things I've felt before and preferential over the effexor withdrawals without the prozac.
Two days ago I took the last one. Yesterday was quite difficult. I'm prone to anxiety attacks.. the effexor suppressed these, I was in a bad state while out shopping, but kept on telling myself it will pass.. to keep moving/living.
I hope the anxiety is only symptomatic of the withdrawals, but as I said, had the attacks frequently prior to effexor.. just dont want to go back to pre-effexor days.
But to answer your quetion, yes prozac did help, still have the brain zaps, but its tolerable.. it all takes time...
I dont think more then 10 days worth of prozac: 10mgs each, is necessary, so be informed before going to your doc.
> I haven't tried this, but lots of others here have. They say that temporarily taking Prozac smooths out the withdrawal symptoms because the half life is a lot longer. Can somebody else fill in the details??
Posted by Raggy on April 25, 2004, at 7:36:02
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news » annesand, posted by SeeknSolace on April 25, 2004, at 7:02:40
> Hey annesand, I'll give you my experience with prozac. I too had read that prozac is given to aid in the withdrawals of effexor. I got all the info I could on this prior to my last pdoc appointment. She had confirmed what I had read. I told her I want to get off effexor. She gave me the starter blister pack 75mg/37.5mg that they give you when you start, only took it in reverse. I was on 150 mgs for 2 years. After deciding I'm ready to be done with this, I was on the 75 mgs for one week.. it went well.. I thought maybe I can go cold turkey. I did for four days.. I dont have to remind you all what hell that is.
>
> I decided to go on the 37.5 because I couldnt take the sickness of not having it. The evil little pill made me feel back to my sense of normality.
>
> I called the pdoc the next day, told her I didnt do well coming off the effexor.. was bed ridden, couldnt go to work for 2 days. I didnt tell her I tried cold turkey.. she has been a b**** to me several times, very unprof, but thats besides the point.. had to lie to get the prozac, because I knew the 37.5 was about to run out.
>
> She prescribed me ten pills only of 10 mgs of prozac. I took my first prozac the same day I took my last dose of 37.5. The second day on the prozac, I was a little sick, just a bit unbearable. I broke open an effexor and took about a third of its contents, then about 36 hours later, did it again.. after that, I refused to take any more and stayed on only the prozac. I knew I had to be strong to get free from the effexor.
>
> There was evidence of the transitions, some sense of having an adrenaline rush but also feelings of what the reasons why I got on effexor to begin with. After a couple days, there was a sense of some balance.
>
> I was not at all sick while taking the prozac. Still had the brain zaps and sense of euphoria and depression.. I'm bipolar anyways. But it was mild in comparison to other things I've felt before and preferential over the effexor withdrawals without the prozac.
>
> Two days ago I took the last one. Yesterday was quite difficult. I'm prone to anxiety attacks.. the effexor suppressed these, I was in a bad state while out shopping, but kept on telling myself it will pass.. to keep moving/living.
>
> I hope the anxiety is only symptomatic of the withdrawals, but as I said, had the attacks frequently prior to effexor.. just dont want to go back to pre-effexor days.
>
> But to answer your quetion, yes prozac did help, still have the brain zaps, but its tolerable.. it all takes time...
>
> I dont think more then 10 days worth of prozac: 10mgs each, is necessary, so be informed before going to your doc.
>
> > I haven't tried this, but lots of others here have. They say that temporarily taking Prozac smooths out the withdrawal symptoms because the half life is a lot longer. Can somebody else fill in the details??
>
>This is the kind of info this doctor wants, he wants to know how you feel on the drug and how you feel when you get off it. We could be doing a lot of people a great thing by visiting his website and telling him. If we can help one person and their families from this hell, it is well worth it. His website is.www.prozacbacklash.com
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
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