[theotherangel]

Oh, geez...I've read some of these on Effexor, and see myself. I am sort of unemotional...I don't laugh anymore. My short term memory is nil.
I was at my psyciatrist today. He mentioned he has heard things as well, and suggested Cymbalta. He said it is up to me if I want to wean off the Effexor, or just go straight on to Cymbalta.
My question is...has anyone done this, or changed meds like this, without weaning off one?
If so, what happened?
I thank you ahead of time for any responses. I am a newbie, so you will see quite a few posts by me...be forewarned.

Karen

[Maxpower]

I weaned off effexor for prozac/wellbutrin combination. You are going to experience some vertigo and anxiety from coming off the effexor, at least I did. I used klonopin and started the wellbutrin immediately and only after the effexor was out, i used prozac.

[theotherangel]

Okay...so let me get this straight...Effexor is not good
...Cymbalta is not good.

I have secondary depression, from having the conditions I have. In my words, I feel sorry for myself alot.

What is a good drug, if there is anything good to say about them, if you need to take something?

[theotherangel]

Well, my doc settled it today.
He is taken me off Effexor XR and Gabapentin and put me on Topamax.

[theotherangel]

Forget this post, or that I made it. I apologize for taking up too much room on the boards.

[theotherangel]

Yes, and thank you for bringing this subject up. I always try natural remedies first, my family doc, works in conjunction with my naturapath. They just happen to share an office. Nice for me. I still get my accupuncture. As well as B6 and B12 shots.

[bilmo2008]

Originally Posted by Maxpower

I weaned off effexor for prozac/wellbutrin combination. You are going to experience some vertigo and anxiety from coming off the effexor, at least I did. I used klonopin and started the wellbutrin immediately and only after the effexor was out, i used prozac.

interesting post. it's exactly what I was looking for. I am new by the
way. Got a question. I am considering going cold turkey from Effexor XR
150mg. my Doc just yesterday switched me to Pristiq, which is the new
and not necessarily improved Effexor XR. it's a racket so Wyeth can keep a patent in place for another umpteen years. the pros? he can give me free samples of Pristiq, whereas samples of Effexor XR have gone bye bye, not
unlike Windows98, 2000, Me, etcccsoon to be XP. you get the idea.
the cons? Pristiq is not available in NON extended release. with the
Effexor, my samples were 75mg. directions: take 2 every morning. I
had planned to taper off using those 75's. now i am stuck with the
lowest dose of Pristiq which equals the 150 mg of effexor, "approximately".
so, I'm considering cold turkey. What's your opinion, if any?
Thanks! Bill

[bilmo2008]

Originally Posted by Maxpower

I weaned off effexor for prozac/wellbutrin combination. You are going to experience some vertigo and anxiety from coming off the effexor, at least I did. I used klonopin and started the wellbutrin immediately and only after the effexor was out, i used prozac.

perhaps blindness is a side effect of effexor/pristiq? nah, can't blame it on
that. and I was on the cutting edge of short term memory loss meds
decades ago! can't blame that'n on effexor either

seriously, I do NOT like the withdrawl. have not touched cymbalta, or
lexapro, or polyrazzmatazz XR or any of those other rat poisons. but
effexor, or rather lack of it causes the electro shock phenomenon in ones
head. not pleasant. and bad bad headaches to boot. I tried cold turkey
and aborted mission.

to be redundant, ie; my first post, I am going to try to cold turkey
again. and if anyone knows the worst case scenario for said cold turkey,
please explain. if it's just feeling horrible for a month, I can do it.

I just don't want a case of the DT's like a gutter bum in a drunk tank.
and those people do die on a regular basis. it's not funny, and it's
terrible. essentially it is due to Delirium tremens in chronic alcoholics.

don't know what they call it with effexor addicts. I aint met one yet that cold turkey'd.

[sammyb88]

Cymbalta takes the cake! I've done way better on Cymbalta than I did of Effexor XR. It feels nice to be alive, that's all I got to say about that.