Date:  Fri May 4, 2001  6:22 pm		

Hello,
I just joined the group and am hopeful that by sharing
what we're going through getting off or dealing with
being on the myriad of AD's we're on, we can help each
other.

I'm three weeks off Effexor RX and am amazed at how
horrible the withdrawal has been. I was on the lowest
dose possible (75 mgs) and took it for 8 months. Just
now the brain shakes have finally stopped and I'm not
sick to my stomach and dizzy all the time. I have the
same experiences described below, feeling like I'm
removed from whatever's happening and free falling. I
was hesitant to drive the first week, but had to due
to work responsibilities. 

Now that the initial withdrawal symptoms are gone, I'm
left feeling depressed, angry (at myself for taking
this crap and my doctor for prescribing it) and about
30 lbs heavier than when I started. This has taught me
one major lesson, never to put anything in my body
that I haven't researched fully. If I had found this
group or the others like it I've been reading and
learning from, I would never have had the first
prescription filled.

How long does this withdrawal process last, in
general?

Thanks for any advice and I am very pleased to have
found you all.

Linda

Date:  Fri May 4, 2001  8:59 pm

Response1:
Hi Linda. Welcome, you've come to the right place.  Some of us are still 
hurting, some of us are further along in the process and are feeling better 
but have bouts of fatigue and head/neck pain.  But you sound like your feet 
are on the ground, so hang in there, and we're here for you! I've been off 
paxil since fall 1999, still dealing but I've come so far from where I was 
before the meds... but you might find that once the withdrawl is worked out, 
you're gonna be more pissed off than anything else.  I know many of us are 
extremely angry, which does cause stress and anxiety.  For me, the group 
helps that so much, just to have a place to vent my rage against the drug 
companies and the psychiatric industry!  Feel free to get those bad feelings 
out, because I think being isolated like I was at the time, my bottled up 
anger made me feel so much worse, and sometimes still does! Peace,

Heather

Date:  Sat May 5, 2001  6:13 am

Response2: 
Hold on to your chair Linda, the worst part of the withdrawl seems 
to be the first 18 months, and then for some they are over it and for 
others they still have years to go,  you sound like your well on your 
way, just remember, it takes alot longer then any of us want.
Take care and welcome to the group,

Cynthia