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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by livingjuliet on July 7, 2004, at 19:50:23
Ok, so I this is my situation-- I've been on Effexor for several years now. Probably since I was about 16 years old-- I'm almost 23 now. I am a lot better than I used to be-- used to be very angry, have tons of anxiety, very depressed, etc. I was a mess. The past few years I have gotten a lot better, and a while ago (probably close to 2 years ago, although I can't exactly remember) I talked to my doctor about going off of the medicine. He said it sounded like I was ok to try and reduce it gradually, so I started to do so, but I never finished going off of it. I was taking, for a long while, 225 MG a day (3 pills) and I reduced it down to 2, and stayed on that for a long while. Then, some time ago (maybe around the first of this year), I decided I wanted to try and get off of it for good. So I started taking just 1 pill a day for a while, then down to half, then 1/4th of a pill for a couple weeks, then I stopped altogether.
The last time I took it (besides today, because I decided to go back on it) was a few weeks ago. I've noticed myself going in a complete downward spiral, and it's really scary. I talked to my friends & parents and I realize that sometimes people just have a chemical imbalance and NEED the medicine. I really wanted to think I was "better" and didn't need it, but how I have been the past few weeks leads me to believe I really DO need it. I have been freaking out at things, extremely irritable, crying at the smallest things, and acting totally paranoid & crazy, and feeling like I cannot control it whatsoever.
Do you think that this is all from withdrawal, or do you think it's more probable that I need the medicine, to balance me out? I started it again today, because I just feel like I can't cope without it. I hate that feeling.
I might try to go off of it later, but now is just not a good time because the stress and craziness of going off of the medicine, on top of all the stress I'm currently under, is not a good combination.
I'd appreciate anyone's advice or input... thank you.
Tiffany
Posted by lilj on July 7, 2004, at 19:58:11
In reply to Withdrawl, or do I really need it?, posted by livingjuliet on July 7, 2004, at 19:50:23
Tiffany,
I can totally relate to your situation. I was on wellbutrin for almost two years and decided to go off, felt weird, went on celexa, tried to go off, same thing over and over again.
I tend to have internal axiety symptoms, more panic stuff, but I recently went off the lexapro all together because I felt in the past it was situational, and maybe not a chemical imbalance. Well, its been about a month and I've been freaking out lately - completely irrational thoughts, thinking all my friends hate me, not wanting to do anything, etc, etc...
I don't know if this helps, because I'm not giving you any real answer, but just know you are not alone in this up and down. I'm going to see a pdoc for the first time next week and I'm hoping to just get some sort of answers...
Jen
Posted by Tony C. on July 7, 2004, at 21:43:54
In reply to Withdrawl, or do I really need it?, posted by livingjuliet on July 7, 2004, at 19:50:23
Dear Tiffany you remind me so much of me in certain ways, you take Effexor for 7 years, I take Serzone for 7 years, now I take the Generic Nefazodone. I to felt as though I was better, and went from 200mg to 180 a day over last 33 days, BUT I started to feel odd, and it WASN'T going away, so I believe I may be a person who needs meds for an imbalance, and you maybe also, so DO NOT Suffer if you don't have to, get to your Doc and get the Meds you need.
Best Wishes Tony C.
Posted by Glydin on July 7, 2004, at 21:53:31
In reply to Withdrawl, or do I really need it?, posted by livingjuliet on July 7, 2004, at 19:50:23
Only you and your doc are really equipped to answer the question of your subject line. I cannot speak specifically to the use of Effexor as I've not taken it nor weaned off it. Others will be able to shed more light on that subject. What I can give an opinion on is using or not using meds, in general. I think it boils down to a risk versus benefit question and a quality of life issue. Most of us go though times we think we are "cured" and our meds are just a nuisance to remember only to be proven wrong. There are some of us that discontinuing meds is the right thing to do. We live in our bodies and usually the answer becomes apparent.
This is the end of the thread.
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