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I was put on a generic brand of the antidepressant "Effexor" in November for depression and anxiety. It helped, but caused the extremely unpleasant side effect of insomnia - I haven't had a good night's sleep since before I started the drug. I told my doctor about this, and he's got me taking a progressively lower dosage of the drug for the next three weeks, to slowly ween me off of it, so that I can stop taking the drug completely by February 15th. At first, everything was fine, but now I think that I might be suffering withdrawal symptoms. I'm having progressively more vivid and disturbing dreams, I feel nauseous. I'm panicky and anxious for no reason, and I keep getting these horribly violent shivers.
I'm also upset with my doctor. He had prescribed this medication because, in his words, "it won't produce any side effects from going off of it". I feel lied to. I spent a while doing some research today, and it seems like there is an endless supply of information about how many problems people had both while on and going off of this medication.
I'm not sure if these are withdrawal symptoms that I'm suffering or what, but I'm looking for help. Has anyone else gone through anything like this? Does anybody have any advice?
Posts: 128 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 2006
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I, one time, went cold turkey off of Paxil. It did not feel good. I remember feeling sick and panicky like you have described. If I were you, I would kind of treat myself as if I were ill. (And you kind of are) Eat soup or some other comfort food that you like, read a good book and try to relax. I know, way easier said than done, but I promise: it will be over soon!
One other thing I will suggest is calling or going back to the doctor and see if there is anything they can prescribe to help you get through the next few weeks of nausea and feeling so icky. Also, if you are feeling violently ill you may also want to ask about being weaned a bit slower.
Also? Any way you can switch doctors? It's not cool to feel lied to - obviously, side effects ARE possible, otherwise he wouldn't be weaning you off of them. Most anti-depressants are known for having side effects when you quit them. You don't want to continue to receive your health care from someone you don't feel like you can trust, if you can help it at all. Obviously, not always possible but definitely look into it.
One other thing I will suggest - coming from someone who has been pregnant twice, and has withdrawn from various medications: ginger root tea. Works way better than ginger ale at settling your tummy and warm tea is soothing, anyway. Hang in there!
-------------------- The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you. - B.B. King Posts: 1180 | From: WA | Registered: Apr 2006
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Thanks Alice. I've been eating chicken fingers and reading a good book, just like you suggested. I'm going to call the health clinic that I go to, and ask about changing doctors. Hopefully this is over soon!
Posts: 128 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 2006
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[Hi Alatariel, I just wanted to come by and say "hi," and that I hope life's been treating you well. ]
Posts: 3318 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Hi Ecofem! Life's starting to look pretty good, and hopefully even better once I'm off of these drugs! I hope that you're doing well, too. Your help and advice has made a big difference for me. Posts: 128 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 2006
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[Thanks, Alatariel! I'm happy to hear things are starting to look pretty good. I hope the transition period goes well and leads to something even better!]
Posts: 3318 | Registered: Jun 2003
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I've been on a low dosage of Prozac for the past three years and I just started tapering off on the medication about two weeks ago (with my doctor's approval and supervision). I haven't felt any side effects yet, but if I do, I'll be sure to ask you for some tips.
So sorry you're feeling crummy :^(
Posts: 59 | From: California | Registered: Feb 2010
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