How do you handle having withdrawls from an antidepressant?

[My Lips Were Made To....]

Particuarly Effexor?

I've slowly been weening myself off of it (over a month now) ever since I lost my medical insurance, but I'm still finding myself going through withdrawls. It feels like I have these little electric shocks in my brain quite often and it's really getting old.

Any suggestions?
I live in a small town. We don't have any type of free clinics here or anything that is based on income. Trust me...I have looked into everything. I decided to change my antidepressant because I didn't feel the Effexor wasn't helping me anymore. I have been trying to get off of this medication for several months now. I had slowly tapered off and eventually was down to 35 mg. After a while of being on that I stopped taking the 35 mg. All of this was under a doctors care at the time. I had MAJOR withdrawls from that. Thought I was literally going crazy. I was put back on the 35 mg and we were going to slowly take me off. Well, I lost my insurance and wasn't able to do that under the doctors care. So I started taking one every other day. Then every third day, etc. I have done this over a month now and still am finding I am having withdrawls.

[LDB449]

If you have tried everything, I really don't know what anyone can tell you. Sorry

[Roxx]

Wish I could help you on this, withdrawls take time and your bodies chemistry has to readjust. Some find it easier when cutting down on the caffeine and having a little wine.

[Máire Siobhán]

Sorry to hear you've lost your health insurance. We all live in fear of that in the US. I wonder if there is a free clinic near you where you could be seen about this? I'm unclear from your Q what you mean by "slower... over a month" but a clinic at a hospital would have free or reduced fee, esp. at a teaching hospital. Perhaps also your pharmacist could advise on this situation. Maybe at least read the prescribing info for you on how to go off it, to see if you're in the recommended zone for tapering off.

[littleelttilmik]

I'd try getting folic acid 0.4mg daily, trytophan tablets and vitamin B6 (= pyridoxine) into you.

[Lakely]

Go to the nearest privately owned Health Food Store. They know more about detoxification than anyone else.

[naughtynurse917]

A lot of times, if you contact the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the medication you take and tell them you situation....they have a budget saved for that type of circumstance and they will give you your meds for free or at a discounted price

Bon chance! : )

[q s]

I had withdrawals from Lexipro... i went for a long walk. I know the electrical shocks that you are talking about.

SteveC