weaning off Effexor…and I think it is a mistake!
Question:
Suzanne, Saw your note and wanted to share my experiences with you. I take Effexor 75 3 times a day. It hasn’t done anything for the depression. But then, neither hasProzac,Paxil, Wellbutrin, or Ritalin-SR. I have about decided that the place I am in now may well be as good as it gets. I am desperately trying to find a treatment center or hospital that has a worthwhile program for functional adults who happen to be severely depressed. I am wondering about your dosage of trazedone. I have a prescription for it, but taking one justs sends me into a drugged sleep with very vivid nightmares. I only take it if the insomnia gets so bad that I go for a week w/little or no sleep. It causes me to feel very medicated and "hungover" the next day. I stay away from it if at all possible. I have become accustomed to being up all nite sometimes. I know it’s not healthy, but I’d rather feel real exhaustion than to feel and sound medicated. Hang in there! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – well, I’m back. Over the past week or so, I have been trying to wean off my ADs. It hasn’t been going as well as I had hoped. The problem is…I am having a lot of personal stress right now, and I am not sure if I am getting depressed just because of that, or if I would already be feeling effects of less drugs! My system is so fucked up. I normally take 3 trazodone tablets to go to sleep at night, and I can tell the difference just lowering it to 2.5!! I toss and turn most of the night!! I am contemplating trying melatonin…at least I don’t have to go to a doctor for it. But the Effexor thing is a bigger problem. I know that it has helped me in the past…I have been on the stuff since last November. But I just CAN’T AFFORD IT. We have loads of unpaid bills around here, and there is no way in hell that I am going to be able to buy another bottle when this runs out. (yeah yeah, big self-pity-party for me!) As far as withdrawal effects, I haven’t had any thus far. I have gone from 300 mg/day to 150 mg/day with no problems…other than starting to get more depressed. Frankly, I think that I may have the same mentality (about the financial & personal problems I am going through) even if I WERE on the higher dosage. *shrug* I guess I didn’t really ask anything…I’m just having a bad day. 
Suzanne
Response:
[snip] I don’t know much about effexor, so I’ll not comment on that, but I have found that melotonin does help me sleep, but I haven’t needed it since I stopped taking paxil (months ago). Sorry to hear things are bad for you. The drugs we need should be affordable – what – only the rich can get cured? Bullshit. The world does indeed suck stinking rotten lemons. Simply Steve "I was right! Everything I knew WAS wrong!" -Firesign Theatre nielsens(at)ccmail(dot)orst(dot)edu
Response:
well, I’m back. Over the past week or so, I have been trying to wean off my ADs. It hasn’t been going as well as I had hoped. The problem is…I am having a lot of personal stress right now, and I am not sure if I am getting depressed just because of that, or if I would already be feeling effects of less drugs! My system is so fucked up. I normally take 3 trazodone tablets to go to sleep at night, and I can tell the difference just lowering it to 2.5!! I toss and turn most of the night!! I am contemplating trying melatonin…at least I don’t have to go to a doctor for it. But the Effexor thing is a bigger problem. I know that it has helped me in the past…I have been on the stuff since last November. But I just CAN’T AFFORD IT. We have loads of unpaid bills around here, and there is no way in hell that I am going to be able to buy another bottle when this runs out. (yeah yeah, big self-pity-party for me!) As far as withdrawal effects, I haven’t had any thus far. I have gone from 300 mg/day to 150 mg/day with no problems…other than starting to get more depressed. Frankly, I think that I may have the same mentality (about the financial & personal problems I am going through) even if I WERE on the higher dosage. *shrug* I guess I didn’t really ask anything…I’m just having a bad day. Suzanne
