Day 12

Yet more dizziness, headaches and nausea. All I want to do is lie down, but life must go on. I've been popping fiorinal to lessen this, but even though they aren't terribly strong, I'm worried about developing a codeine/butalbital addiction in place of this goddamn addiction that I'm trying to kick. What is even more frustrating is that I went to a family lunch today and the meal time conversation was drug addiction and how to clean up the streets. As I'm fighting the nausea, my uncle is stating that no matter what your addiction, you can kick it after 4 days of withdrawal. Bullshit! I'm on something given to me by my doctors and after almost 2 weeks on the withdrawal program I keep wondering if I went to the hospital and asked nicely, if they would put me in a barbiturate coma for a month or so.

Even though I feel lousy, I'm going to drop down another 75 mg tonight. I want this over as quickly as possible. At least with the prozac I haven't had to deal with the shocks. It's early, but I think it's time to go smoke up then get to sleep.

Day 10

Woke up after only three or four hours sleep feeling crazy. Like my mind was going fast. Is this what you call having a racing mind? I always assumed that was faster than what I experienced. Eventually got back to sleep. Then this evening started feeling depressed. Have felt that way ever since. Smoked some tea, that seemed to take the edge off. The depression is a familiar enough feeling that I really don't mind it, but I've never had my thoughts race before I started the prozac. I still don't think it's the right word. It's like my brain is flipping through topics very quickly. I always associated racing minds with adrenaline responses or with negative/dangerous thoughts, but these were so banal that I can't even remember them. Boring topics really. Time to take a handful of pills and go off to sleep.

Day 9

Migraines, migraines, migraines. The last few days has been nothing really to speak of except for daily migraines (also, I've been out of town). I can't be certain that these are due to the detox as I am prone to them anyway. I've been thinking of speeding things up and dropping down another 75 mg at the end of the week. We'll see how things go.

Day 5

Was jittery all day. At times it was like every cell of my body was vibrating. I started feeling crazy. Had I not had enough experience with psychotropics, I would think I was it was me that was nuts rather than just reacting to the prozac. What is touted as the miracle drug (well, that penicillin and viagra) is my idea of a monster. But I think I'll stick with it, I can deal with crazy, I can't deal with constant shocks.

Day 4

Felt depressed and anxious most of the day. There were no triggers that caused this. I've been feeling more anxious the past couple of days. Only change so far is the addition of 20 mg of prozac.

Day 3

Ended up the urgent care at my clinic due to a paperwork problem and my clinic's seeming inability to pass on a message to my doctor to please fix the issue. The clinic doctor suggested I stop tapering effexor and start tapering lithium instead since it's an easier withdrawal. Seems like a good idea, but "computer says no". Even with the blood tests and tremor, it's still an easier drug to be on.

It must also be noted that while at the clinic at Ottawa U, the guy in front of me gave the secretary his student card to register, and in the minute and a half they had it, they managed to lose his card. Good stuff.

Day 2

First off, wow. Everyone's comments are amazing, thank you so much, I promise I'll address them individually tomorrow when I have more energy. To clear a few things up, I am only taking prozac to lessen my side effects, it will be stopped after the effexor withdrawal is complete. And effexor isn't my only mood stabilizer, I still take lithium and clonazepam. Those are next on the chopping block.

Today felt fine apart from some anxiety and depression. However I think this may have had more to do with working an 11 hour shift at a crappy job (I start a new job Oct 1, so I don't want to quit for another week), than it does with taking prozac. On days like today, god bless marijuana and god bless clonazepam!

Day 1

Took all 300 mg of effexor and started 20 mg of prozac as a step-down as it's half life is much longer. So far so good. However, I have learned that when they say you should take prozac in the morning, following instructions. I feel like bouncing off the walls, and I need to get to bed. At least I know for next time...

Intro

I've been taking the anti-depressant Effexor (venlafaxine) for probably about five years now, probably a bit longer, and I've had enough. The side effects are not pleasant, and when it's not covered, it's too bloody expensive.

I talked to my doctor today, and I think it helped that he was new and had no idea of my history. But he also doesn't know much about getting off this crazy drug. So we decided on a withdrawal program that will hopefully ease my body from the physical addiction.

I should be noted that many have said that getting off this shit is worse than getting off cocaine.