Effexor withdrawal and restarting or not

[dsb62010]

About 3 years ago, I was prescribed Effexor XR after having been sent to the Emergency Room by my primary to be evaluated for a stroke (I was 41 at the time).  The week before that I had been diagnosed with Bells Palsy and had partial facial paralysis and subsequent to that I started having left sided numbness and weakness especially in my left leg.  Since the Neurologist I was sent to after my ER visit and 24 hour hospital stay could not find anything specifically wrong other than a bulging disk in my neck, he started me on the Effexor at 150 mg and suggested I might go as high as 300.  He felt since my dad had died suddenly in my early 20's I was experiencing some anxiety over that when the stroke scenario presented itself.  Over the next 3 years, I got to a baseline dosage of 75 mg and in the last year was also diagnosed with insulin resistance and thyroid disorder.  With proper management of these areas under the care of an endocrinologist, I lost 40 lbs and had a lot more energy and focus and based on suggestions from this doctor, I have been trying to come off the Effexor.  I certainly had issues with post partum depression in the past but not sure if I needed a drug of this level my endocrinologist felt.  So over the last two months I have gradually tapered off the Effexor including counting the granules and have been off it for about 10 days and the withdrawal symptoms are getting very bad at this time.  My endocrinologist,  who is basically the only doctor I have been seeing other than my OB/Gyn's office, prescribed taking methylprednisolone during the course of coming off the Effexor but up until this last week, I felt like I was doing well and was not sure of how this drug would effect me.  Is this something I should take now  to help with the withdrawal effects (my pharmacy could not understand why this was prescribed for this).  I did speak with my endocrinologist and he felt like I sounded extremely disjointed and recommended I restart the Effexor at 37.5 mg for now.  I guess the advice I am looking for is since I have gone through the process this far to get to this point, does it really make sense to get back on this drug?  I feel like I am constantly screaming at my 4 kids and can't focus and have extreme numbness in my hands and get dizzy when I try to lay down or look at a computer screen like this.  He said maybe putting me on something like Xanax might be an option but since I am supposed to be taking the family on a vacation next week, he recommended restarting the effexor for now.  I really don't have a primary who knows me and if taking the methylprednisolone will help me to get through this withdrawal period I will do that but I am starting to question obviously what is wrong with me to start and what it is I truly need to take if anything.

[therese83]

Ok, you are in withdrawal, and sometimes there is a 'rebound of symptoms' which is the original symptoms only worse.

You need to see a better Doctor, why would you be given a steroid ?

I gave up this medication years ago, it takes 3 - 6 weeks to feel a bit normal, then you could see if you still have depression.
My Doctor gave me Lyrica, I took it once, it zoned me out for 24 hours, but got me through.

I would not take xanax, that is a temporary fix, not good.  you wont know where you are with anything.
Be kind to yourself, lie down if you can, rest , tel people you are not feeling well, you are not superhuman, take care

[M4Y0U]

Xanax is another bad idea. Those kind of medication are usually used for short term relieve of anxiety as they are very addictive and hard to stop once you are hooked on and this is why there is a debate right now about too much prescriptions of benzodiapines.

Xanax should be used for occasional insomia, panic attack and will often be prescribed daily but since you tried to stop Effexor I think it would be a bad idea to get hooked on another medication that is so hard to stop.

I'm not in a situation to say if you need medication but for now it is clear that the way to go with Effexor is taper off very slowly.

Consulting a psychologist would be good to get a diagnosis on mental issues if the Effexor was used for such purpose. I don't know if it is used for an off-label use and for anxiety/depression in your case.

A follow up is obviously needed.

M4