[indigonightowl]

I already posted in the section for depression-related topics, but I know that anti-depressants, especially ones like Cymbalta and sometimes Effexor, are prescribed for FMS (and CFS? I don't know), so I thought maybe one of you might have some suggestions. I weaned myself off of Effexor and although I did it just like the doc said to, I'm going through hellish withdrawal symptoms. Anybody had any experience dealing with a/d withdrawal? Know of any good strains that are helpful in counteracting some of the mental effects of the med withdrawal? Or maybe certain vitamins or supplements that are helpful? I swear it feels like my head is buzzing and filled with warm liquid, and I am sooo spacy and batty and can barely remember what I did an hour ago, let alone yesterday. I'm a wreck!

Oh, the irony. Everybody's so afraid this is what medicinal marijuana will do to people if it becomes more widely legalized... and yet this is the result of a widely accepted and frequently (and easily) prescribed pharmaceutical drug. Ugh.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have!!

[NewVoid]

you should taper yourself off. take half doses, for a couple days, then quater doses then none. this will reduce the symptoms but you will still suffer a bit. you can ask your doc for some valium to get you through the withdrawal. indicas tend to help.

[flylightly]

effexor is a demon ive posted about it and its horrors and withdrawal horrors in other forums on WT. It was horrendous for me, and still is.

[jokerdewd]

Originally Posted by NewVoid

you should taper yourself off. take half doses, for a couple days, then quater doses then none. this will reduce the symptoms but you will still suffer a bit. you can ask your doc for some valium to get you through the withdrawal. indicas tend to help.

This is some excellent advice. Slowly taper off the anti anxiety medication.
I threw my meds away after I decided I was way more messed up taking the drugs than I was before I started. I remember pulling off the freeway thinking I was having a stroke because I could not stop my mind from wandering.
After about a week of really nasty symptoms I felt better than before and I will never take another anti anxiety drug again.

[66buds]

Hope your doing ok, I stopped taking paxil about 6 months ago and I still get the brain zaps

[Looney2nz]

Weaning off of ANY SSRI anti-depressant should be done VERY VERY slowly and methodically.

Effexor is actually more helpful to folks with FM than Cymbalta, as it actually works on the nerve fibers.