Am I totally screwed?

[guy2515]

I have not 1 but 2 addictions, and no more tablets left..of both.

It all started off with me taking antidepressants (effexor) after a few years of that I decided to quit it. I did so by cutting down my dose of 225mg to 36.5 and avoided the withdrawal effects by taking about 200mg of codeine..per day. So this went on for a while (2 months), I was almost off the effexor, I was taking about 10mg, everything is going well and I'm loving the codeine..however it was getting expensive and the codeine was losing it's power day by day. So I stop the codeine. I then get horrible depression which I begin taking about 175mg of effexor for. I'm on day 2 of no codeine but I'm back on the effexor. Problem is, I have no more pills left of either. Another problem is that since I have a job where any sort of addiction would get me immediately fired..So I can't talk to a doctor about this.

Am I screwed? Is there any hope left? Will I have to go through 2 withdrawals at the same time?

[xstevex]

I think if your up front with doc he cant refuse to give you a script if thats what its gonna take to get through it....most are somewhat compassionate about these sort of things....good luck , but do it and get it over with!
xs

[Back2Me]

You can do it but it will be tough. Might as well get it all over with though. My first time I detoxed from oxy, perc's, ambein, and ativan ( although not as addicted to the Ativan) but I cut them all CT.  it was hell but after 2 weeks I was good. Staying good was another story.

[guy2515]

I used codeine to get off effexor because it got rid of all the withdrawl symptoms that come with getting off effexor, (depression, headaches etc). I didn't think I could get addicted to it this fast though. And it sure is expensive.

[guy2515]

I want to stop the effexor though..It really makes me useless sometimes during drills..I'm on I think day 3 of no codeine and now I'm going to get about 20 more 75mg effexor pills and then ween myself off it. How effective is the amino acid protocol? I bought all of the items listed so hopefully it'll help. Are the effects from it instantaneous or do they take time to build up in the system before any effect?

[jamajessie]

You were taking codeine to keep from withdrawing from effexor? Effexor is a antidepressant right? I was on that years ago.

The withdrawals you feel now are from the codeine. Not Effexor.
Who gave you the idea that it was a good to wean off a antidepressant with an narcotic that you obtained illegally. Why didnt you just go back to the Dr and get another RX for Effexor.  

[pharma9]

I would stop the codeine but keep taking effexor.Effexor is not a narcotic or controlled drug and has to be weaned slowly.
You will need something for depression when you stop the codeine.
Unless you are having side effects there is no stigma in taking effexor.

[gnarly_1]

HI the army doctor should have no problem prescribing you the effexor if you need it
but it sounds like your just going to have to go thew the codeine withdrawals your kinda in a precarious position if you go in to the doctor they might make you drop a u/a or do blood work on you b/4 prescribing the effexor im not sure how the military handles this kind of thing but the codeine wont stay in your system long so  after your withdrawal you could go in then....just get back on the effexor b/4 you crash into a deep depression it is better to treat this b/4 it is really bad then to treat it after the fact...keep posting for support
good luck and God bless.......Gnarly....BTW thanks for protecting our country    

[guy2515]

Well my original dose was 225mg (effexor), I tapered off myself with the use of codeine to about 10mg, then stopped the codeine and the WD effects came in, not sure from which drug..The depression was getting to me so I'm back to 175mg of effexor. I don't think it's too many, I'm feeling fine, no more depression but also no more tablets..I'm really scared of crashing.

[dominosarah]

The codeine you can get off of, i am just worried about the effexor.  I take it you took too many?

[guy2515]

Um well, ok, I'm in the army, and I'd have to go to the doc on the base, and I'm pretty sure he's allowed to take the necessary notions to get someone discharged..which seems like I will be if I do this. Is there anyway of doing this by myself?

[dominosarah]

You need to get ahold of the doctor about the effexor.  This needs to be tapered off of.  You need to come clean about what is going on here.   Your doctor wouldnt call your job.  

  Look in the health pages and check out the amino acid protocol.  Get going on some healthy supplements.  I highly recommend some sort of aftercare also.....Our secrets keep us sick.  There is always hope.......sara

[vicki595]

You can still see a doctor and be honest. The doctor cannot share any information about you with anyone unless he/she is ordered by a court of law to do so.

So,call the doctor and get this straightened out with the effexor.  You don't need codeine to help you "withdraw" from effexor.

Good luck and be careful~
Vicki