[miserableffectsor]

Ok, I'm back again. I have read everaything I can find on withdrawing from this nasty drug, and have concluded that the really big problem is when you get down to zero. I had been taking 75 per day for five or six years. I had gone for a month at 37.5 on one of my attempts to quit. I recall that when I went to every other day at 37.5 I got the zingers and the dizzyness and realized that I could not function properly at work and as the mother of a young child.

So this time I did 37.5 for two weeks with no problem. Then I went to zero and I am having horrible withdrawl. The zingers the dizziness, cold sweats, and now the flu symptoms. Everything hurts. So, my information to share with others is that there is no way around the withdrawl symptoms and my question, remains the same How long will this agony last? Do I take Claratin D, Benadryl or Oat Seed extract to lessen the symptoms? And what about xanax for the symptoms? Anyone have any experinece with that?

And finally, I have become involved in natural medicine and this whole Effexor withdrawl insanity has really pushed me over the edge in my total lack of respect (to put it mildly) in the medical profession, the pharmaceutical companies and in advertising and marketing. They don't just "sell" they lie!

Wishing wellness to everyone

Wendy

[stressGirl]

I understand how you feel Wendy. I too am have lots of nasty withdrawl symtoms. I'm tring to go on 37.5 mgs your lucky that you have made it to 37.5. I was on 75mgs for three years and I went down to 50mgs, 25mgs spead out during the day. I went through hell for a week and a half then the withdrawl symtoms stoped. I waited about a mounth just to make sure the withdrawl wouldn't come back. So now I'm tring 37.5mgs and this is day three. And I am really tired all the time,feel like an heavey rock is on my cheast and have really bad cramps and diarrea. I feel hot and cold, see sparks, my eyes hurt, have a lump in my throut, feel like I've lost something dear to me. I had this feeling before it lasts about a week but seems like years. It's probably physical withdrawl. I think the key to getting off this evil drug is to ride it out and do want you can to relive what you can. I take a nerve pill when I feel like I can't cope. I take graval to help my upset tummy and helps me sleep too. I'm going to try homeopathic stuff because I don't want to go on anymore anti-depessents. Effexor Xr withdrawl is the most painfull thing I've ever gone through and when the withdrawl stops it feels like heaven. Trust me no matter how long it takes to get off this drug it is well worth it when you feel the relif from the withdrawl. I'm there with ya! getting through it. Try some homeopathic remidies for withdrawl maybe it will help the brain zaps. Maybe try 20mgs then 10mgs and so on.

Jul.