It is true that Prozac helps with the withdrawals of Effexor. I personally have never tried it, but all of my research said the same thing: Prozac! It has to do with the half-lives of the drugs. Prozac is much easier to come off of.
I as well had many problems coming off of Effexor. I was on the XR 150mg for 4 years. I quit it cold turkey, and have been off of it for almost 6 months now. He WILL get through this. The withdrawals are comparable to ones that heroin addicts go through. I wouldn't wish those withdrawals on my worst enemy. It did take me about 2 months to feel fairly normal again. The first few weeks were the worst. I had to call out of work, and didn't leave the house. I was so physically ill- nausea, dizziness, brain zaps, aches and pains, headaches, diarrhea...and also emotionally all over the place. I cried trying to complete my accounting homework one evening (of course I decided to come off of this in the middle of one of my college semesters!).
The most important thing to know it that this drug and this addiction CAN be beat! I promise you. Just be as supportive as possible. Have your son come onto sites like this, and talk about his experiences, or at least read others'. There is so much information out there on these withdrawals, and just knowing that you are not the only one going through this is a relief in itself. I feel horrible for what I put my mom through when I came off of my pills (she was NOT a happy camper). But she knew what was going on, and just tried her best to cope with it. This will pass, I promise you that.
In the meantime: B6, B12, D3, and Fish oil. I cannot stress enough the positive impacts these vitamins will have! They won't take the withdrawals away, but they will help improve his mood, and hopefully give him the extra strength to push through this.
If you have any other questions, just ask! Good luck to you both, and God bless!
Someone may have already said this (this is my first post) - but when I was on Effexor and wanted to get off it, my doctor did a replacement of Effexor with Prozac. No weaning. He said one can replace the other with none of the horrible side effects people can experience in trying to get off of Effexor. For me, this worked. I got of Effexor in one day, and then weaned off of Prozac over a period of weeks, with no yucky side effects whatsoever.
Thanks for your response and suggestions. I am getting to the point that I think he should be admitted to the hospital. His withdrawals appear to me to be like he is coming off drugs. It is very scarey. Thanks again
Thanks for your comments. We did go to the ER yesterday because he was still very confused and tired. The ER found nothing physically worng with him. They also did not really treat him. After determining that he was physcially OK. They advised us to go to our regular physican and provided mental health support. The mental health support will begin next week. He seems better today. Howver, he is very upset that I did not let him drive my car to work to talk to his boss. I am concerned with his safety and need to be OK with his disappointment in my decision.
I had a bad experience from just 1 tablet of Effexor, but with what you are describing I think I'd be going to hospital with him!
What are your son's difficulties? was he taking this med for depression? is he on any other meds?
After 45 days I would be very worried about him being incoherant, he shouldn't be difficult to understand at all.. I would get him to a doctor asap, there may be something he could take to help him through this withdrawal, but there could be something quite serious going on here.
thats something he should have definately tappered down on! that stuff is really strong. i think you should take him to the dr. more might be going on.. 45 days is a very very long time to still be having issues from it!
alter brain chemistry, part of his brain has been switched off for however long he was on them we are addicted after only 2 months.
How well has he done to keep off them for 45 days well done !!!! I was on 150 mg's for 9 and a half years and I couldn't function for 3 months I am a single mum and I had to take my son and live at my mothers.
Coming off them causes withdrawals, worse when done quickly but be warned DO NOT GO BACK ON THEM !!!! Withdrawals will not go away when you go back infact they go worse because it's another change for your brain to deal with. The withdrawals are infact the brain trying to heal and as bad as they are indirectly it's a sign to moving on and getting better. I was so bad I woke up to IBS, nausea, palpitations, body jerks.
I went to a private Dr who dealt in withdrawal and he gave me beta blocker propananol I took 40 mg's every morning he also gave me clonidine 150 mg's to take of a night they give it to people coming off drugs.
If he is not taking any anti-depressant he can take 5HTP converts to seretonin if taken of a morning, converts to melatonin it taken of a night its natural from the health shop. He could also take avenis sativa calms anxiety take 20 drops of tincture in a little water 3 times aday.
I know how horrible it must be to watch your son suffer but it will come to pass he can get through this encourage him and support him for indeed he is a brave man who will get his life back !!!!! I was like a zombie and slept years of my life away. Remember withdrawals mimic anxiety and depression this is adrennaline overload not the depression coming back.
Good Luck This Will Come To Pass !!!!!
Love
Lorraine xx