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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SLS on October 27, 2006, at 0:51:44
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by prasnhym on October 26, 2006, at 13:08:16
> Hi Scott
> You are the one i was wanting to respond! Thank you so much...I had called in and asked my doc to call in 37.5's and i went and picked them up not realizing till too late that it was still 75's. I do not have insurance and don't want to buy the right dose now. I don't know about multiple doses a day because it is xr's time released i believe. I took 5 granules out of yesterday's dose and 8 out of todays. And i will continue to take out 3 more per day. And towards the end when i get to about 30 granules take only one or two granules out a day till I am out of effexor. What do you think of my plan?I think it is worth a try. If you run into trouble, then you can make adjustments along the way. Try to remain flexible and not be so committed to a plan that you put yourself through hell unnecessarily. One thing that seems evident to me with SRI drugs like Effexor is that the more you allow the withdrawal symptoms to grow, the longer they seem to last. My guess is that there is a kindling phenomenon occurring. I understand that you went "cold-turkey" last time and that the withdrawal syndrome lasted for about two weeks. I've heard of worse. It is unlikely that you will have to suffer the same way this time.
Why don't you begin your plan and see what happens? If you get stuck, perhaps alternatives can be decided upon based upon what is observed.
I have always taken Effexor XR in divided doses. During the taper process, I have removed small numbers of pellets from capsules and swallowed them. I have also bitten off small pieces of tablets. These are things that are not endorsed by the manufacturer, but that I have nonetheless found effective. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not yet produced a taper pack and has not endorsed a taper method, so I guess we are still left to our own creative efforts to discontinue their product. I can only report to you what has worked for me and pass along to you the reports of others.
- Scott
Posted by corafree on October 28, 2006, at 17:34:38
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls » prasnhym, posted by SLS on October 27, 2006, at 0:51:44
To anyone taking E or discontinuing it, just wanted to mention, 'maybe again(?)', that I have always taken it in divided doses. One in a.m. and another in approx. 6or7hrs later. The 'extended' does not work w/ my metabolism.
cf
Posted by Carolyne on October 30, 2006, at 9:08:04
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by corafree on October 28, 2006, at 17:34:38
Hey Guys,
I am on my fourth day without effexor XR. I had been taking them since February for anxiety attacks. I felt great on them but had to come off of them due to the hives I had begun to develop. I have been weaned off the medication in two weeks. I was on the 75 mg per day.
Besides the brain shivers and the odd vertigo feeling, it's not that bad. I bought this homeopathic book that says the best way to help your body cope with the withdrawals symptoms is to get some vitamin B6 in to your system as well as getting acupuncture done to help balance out your body. I have my first appointment tomorrow..
I don't think it is half as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I know before I was coming off I had read alot of threads on here that we're making me terrified of coming off of these, but it's not the end of the world. I do spend a lot of my time laughing at what it feels like, it does make you feel weird, but it's not unbearable.
Posted by prasnhym on October 30, 2006, at 9:24:54
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls » prasnhym, posted by SLS on October 27, 2006, at 0:51:44
> > Hi Scott
> > You are the one i was wanting to respond! Thank you so much...I had called in and asked my doc to call in 37.5's and i went and picked them up not realizing till too late that it was still 75's. I do not have insurance and don't want to buy the right dose now. I don't know about multiple doses a day because it is xr's time released i believe. I took 5 granules out of yesterday's dose and 8 out of todays. And i will continue to take out 3 more per day. And towards the end when i get to about 30 granules take only one or two granules out a day till I am out of effexor. What do you think of my plan?
>
> I think it is worth a try. If you run into trouble, then you can make adjustments along the way. Try to remain flexible and not be so committed to a plan that you put yourself through hell unnecessarily. One thing that seems evident to me with SRI drugs like Effexor is that the more you allow the withdrawal symptoms to grow, the longer they seem to last. My guess is that there is a kindling phenomenon occurring. I understand that you went "cold-turkey" last time and that the withdrawal syndrome lasted for about two weeks. I've heard of worse. It is unlikely that you will have to suffer the same way this time.
>
> Why don't you begin your plan and see what happens? If you get stuck, perhaps alternatives can be decided upon based upon what is observed.
>
> I have always taken Effexor XR in divided doses. During the taper process, I have removed small numbers of pellets from capsules and swallowed them. I have also bitten off small pieces of tablets. These are things that are not endorsed by the manufacturer, but that I have nonetheless found effective. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not yet produced a taper pack and has not endorsed a taper method, so I guess we are still left to our own creative efforts to discontinue their product. I can only report to you what has worked for me and pass along to you the reports of others.
>
>
> - Scott
>
Hey Scott
I just wanted to let you know that i am doing ok. Each day i take 3 more granules out of each capsule. Today i will take out 18. Tomorrow i will take out 21. I am doing it slowly because i am one of the ones who have experienced horrendous withdrawals, the main one being a loud roaring/ringing/buzzing sound in my head that does not stop. I am glad to see that there are lucky/blessed ones on here that do not experience bad withdrawals. I realize some of our posts really scare people out of trying to quit. If someone wants off for any reason they need to just slowly come off and see how they feel and not fear it...I am coming off this way with almost no problems. It will take me just over a month to do it and i am free. I appreciate everyone's help here!
Tia
Posted by over 55 on October 30, 2006, at 10:25:55
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by prasnhym on October 30, 2006, at 9:24:54
Our posts are sometimes scary; but the more information a person has when trying to wean off, the better it may go for them. Luckily I found this site just as I was deciding to go off so did it slow and relatively pain free. I did take Prozac (20 mg) for the month I weaned off. It took about 6 weeks to go off completely after 5 years of use and now am off everything except some suppliments. I did take Omega 3 at the same time as weaning. I wish I could say I lost vast amounts of weight (didn't), but do have more energy; which was my main reason for going off. I just was exhausted all the time and gained about 60 lbs over all. I still have random leg/foot pains (not too often) and low intensiity brain zaps (infrequently); but overall am happy I did go off. There is a way to sucessfully wean off and read some old posts too to get a full picture of what may come up for you. But be encouraged that it is possible as it has been 4 months off for me.
Posted by SLS on October 30, 2006, at 13:49:04
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by over 55 on October 30, 2006, at 10:25:55
> I did take Prozac (20 mg) for the month I weaned off.
When did you add the Prozac relative to tapering the Effexor?
Did you then taper the Prozac?
- Scott
Posted by over 55 on October 30, 2006, at 16:22:15
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls » over 55, posted by SLS on October 30, 2006, at 13:49:04
> > I did take Prozac (20 mg) for the month I weaned off.
>
> When did you add the Prozac relative to tapering the Effexor?
>
> Did you then taper the Prozac?
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott,
I was at 225 mg E-XR and let go of 1 capsule of 75mg first week. 2nd week started Prozac along with cutting back another 75mg Effexor. Stayed on that regime for two weeks and then off the Effexor and stayed on the Prozac for two more week; taking it every other day towards the end of the 2nd week. Then every 3rd day for another week and then I just stopped it altogether when the prescription ran out. No side effects from quitting the Prozac that I could tell.
Posted by SLS on October 31, 2006, at 11:36:51
In reply to Re: Withdrawl - sls, posted by over 55 on October 30, 2006, at 16:22:15
> > > I did take Prozac (20 mg) for the month I weaned off.
> >
> > When did you add the Prozac relative to tapering the Effexor?
> >
> > Did you then taper the Prozac?
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> Hi Scott,
>
> I was at 225 mg E-XR and let go of 1 capsule of 75mg first week. 2nd week started Prozac along with cutting back another 75mg Effexor. Stayed on that regime for two weeks and then off the Effexor and stayed on the Prozac for two more week; taking it every other day towards the end of the 2nd week. Then every 3rd day for another week and then I just stopped it altogether when the prescription ran out. No side effects from quitting the Prozac that I could tell.Excellent.
Thanks for responding.
Stay well.
- Scott
Posted by amycouchr on November 21, 2006, at 7:31:14
I really would like to get off of effexor XR it is working well for me but I have put on so much weight that in combination with the prednisone that I have to take for my asthma I'm balloonning up. I really don't know what I want to do I just need to see it in writing. Have other people had weight gain with effexor that is not the only drug I'm on and I'll never be able to get off of prednisone.
Posted by Gee on November 21, 2006, at 7:31:15
In reply to effexor withdrawal, posted by amycouchr on November 20, 2006, at 15:26:36
I have, but most of it is water weight. I know that once I get off it, I'll lose it... I hope
Posted by chiron on November 21, 2006, at 7:31:16
In reply to effexor withdrawal, posted by amycouchr on November 20, 2006, at 15:26:36
I didn't gain weight with Effexor, but I did have hellish withdrawals (if you decide to go off)
Posted by Amanda_S on November 27, 2006, at 2:08:09
I am wondering if any of you have withdrawn cold turkey? If so, how long until the leg jerks, brain zaps & short-term memory loss (where I know what I want to say or write but can't get it out) stop? I took it for 7 months at 75mg day. But for the last month only every other day. Now its day 5 of being off the med totally. (I am on Wellbutrin now d/t weight gain and NO libido on Effexor, plus no lessening of depression). Please offer any advise. The side effects are not debilitating, just annoying and I'd love to know there's a light at the end of all this! Thanks and God Bless!!
Posted by BebeBoo on November 28, 2006, at 16:22:17
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR, posted by corafree on October 21, 2006, at 16:11:14
I was taking effexor xr 75 mg. I wasn't taking the prescribed doses though i was taking 4 and 5 at a time. I also smoked it. Please don't be stupid like me! I am going through masive withdrawls. I go through shaking for hours at a time and everything. Its horrible! I have been off it now for 1 week. I am still going through all of the withdrawls. Its not fun! Please don't be stupid like i was.
Posted by BebeBoo on November 28, 2006, at 21:57:39
I was taking effexor xr 75 mg. I wasn't taking the prescribed doses though i was taking 4 and 5 at a time. I also smoked it. Please don't be stupid like me! I am going through masive withdrawls. I go through shaking for hours at a time and everything. Its horrible! I have been off it now for 1 week. I am still going through all of the withdrawls. Its not fun! Please don't be stupid like i was.
Posted by tensor on November 28, 2006, at 21:57:40
In reply to Re: effexor xr withdrawal symptoms, posted by BebeBoo on November 28, 2006, at 16:15:53
>I wasn't taking the prescribed doses though i was taking 4 and 5 at a time
why?
/Mattias
Posted by BebeBoo on November 28, 2006, at 21:57:40
In reply to Re: effexor xr withdrawal symptoms » BebeBoo, posted by tensor on November 28, 2006, at 16:27:44
beacuse i was an addict. i have the desease of addiction. and i tried it once because i was stupid and i got addicted
Posted by lymom3 on November 28, 2006, at 21:57:40
In reply to Re: effexor xr withdrawal symptoms » tensor, posted by BebeBoo on November 28, 2006, at 16:47:30
withdrawal from Effexor for me was about 10 days before I was back to normal...hang in there
Posted by blueberry on November 28, 2006, at 21:57:40
In reply to Re: effexor xr withdrawal symptoms, posted by BebeBoo on November 28, 2006, at 16:15:53
> I was taking effexor xr 75 mg. I wasn't taking the prescribed doses though i was taking 4 and 5 at a time. I also smoked it. Please don't be stupid like me! I am going through masive withdrawls. I go through shaking for hours at a time and everything. Its horrible! I have been off it now for 1 week. I am still going through all of the withdrawls. Its not fun! Please don't be stupid like i was.
>Addicted to effexor? Actually liking multiple doses of it at a time? Smoking it? I've never heard of any of these things. I was going to ask why you didn't wean off of it slowly, but I can see that for whatever reason the addiction thing probably would be too much to fight and cold turkey would be the only way.
How did you smoke effexor? In a bong? Rolled up with tobacco? What effect did you get from it?
Effexor withdrawals are worse than most. One remedy that I've heard helps a lot is benadryl. I don't know why it helps, but there have been numerous reports that it does.
Posted by dancingstar on November 28, 2006, at 23:06:24
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR » corafree, posted by BebeBoo on November 28, 2006, at 16:22:17
You smoked Effexor? I have never heard of that. I do hope you feel better soon. You might want to check in with your doctor.
Posted by SandiDee on November 29, 2006, at 17:40:12
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR » BebeBoo, posted by dancingstar on November 28, 2006, at 23:06:24
Tomorrow I start weaning off my Effexor XR. I have been taking 225 mg. for a little over a year now. It worked fine for quite awhile, but lately doesn't seem to have the same effect, so my Dr. and I talked about starting Celexa, which means coming off the Effexor first. Tomorrow I go to 150 mg. for a week, then 75 mg. for another week, then start the Celexa, and check in with Dr. in another 2 weeks. Anyone have any insight as to what I may experience? I have read alot of posts here, but most seem to be about 75 mg. Any info would be appreciated.
Posted by elsie_girl on November 29, 2006, at 20:12:16
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR, posted by SandiDee on November 29, 2006, at 17:40:12
> Tomorrow I start weaning off my Effexor XR. I have been taking 225 mg. for a little over a year now. It worked fine for quite awhile, but lately doesn't seem to have the same effect, so my Dr. and I talked about starting Celexa, which means coming off the Effexor first. Tomorrow I go to 150 mg. for a week, then 75 mg. for another week, then start the Celexa, and check in with Dr. in another 2 weeks. Anyone have any insight as to what I may experience? I have read alot of posts here, but most seem to be about 75 mg. Any info would be appreciated.<
I have posted before as have many. I was on 325mg for about 5 years. Eventually I decided the side-effects outweighed the benefits of being on Efexor. I reduced one capsule (75mg) every two weeks until I got down to the last 75mg capsule i.e. 250mg for 2 weeks, then 175mg for 2 weeks etc. I was on 75mg for 4 weeks and then spilling out half of my capsule daily i.e. 37.5mg daily etc. I still had a lot of problems with this. I didn't have much problems with the reduction, but in the days immediately after stopping completely. I went through Hell! Many have posted that they have been prescribed other meds to help them through the withdrawal period e.g. Prozac. Make sure you ask your doctor for help if you need it. Good luck!
Elsie
Posted by over 55 on November 30, 2006, at 8:36:08
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR » SandiDee, posted by elsie_girl on November 29, 2006, at 20:12:16
I agree with all said here and do read the old posts as they are helpful. Slow...slow...slow seems to be the key and listen to your body as you go; everyone is so different. I have been off Effexor about 4 1/2 months now and doing fine even with the holidays approaching. Took Prozac to wean and then weaned off prozac relatively quickly. Good luck on your journey and keep us posted on your progress.
Posted by corafree on November 30, 2006, at 15:05:28
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR, posted by over 55 on November 30, 2006, at 8:36:08
Posting 2 explain reason not participating in thread. SO (of 11yrs) left me & I'm grieving. Didn't want 2 worry or suggest disinterest. W/o u, my best friends, here, I'd not have tools 2 tap into capability and way to recovery. But, at this time, I can't 'do my part' here. Pls forgive me.
cf
Posted by over 55 on December 4, 2006, at 9:22:56
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR, posted by corafree on November 30, 2006, at 15:05:28
No explanation needed needed CF. I have gathered much strength in the past from your posting and know you will make it through this tough time and be victorious. Life is just not fair at times. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. (((((((((CF))))))))))
Posted by bayleebug on December 26, 2006, at 10:38:51
In reply to Re: Horrible Withdrawls from EFFEXOR XR, posted by over 55 on December 4, 2006, at 9:22:56
I began my withdrawl from effexor XR the Friday before christmas. This is HELL. I don't know how much of this I can take. My symptoms are terrible. I could not get off the couch for three days and then when I finally have, I am so tired within five minutes I lay back down. Now I have to work. The DR switched me to Prozac 20mg after two years of Effexsor XR 150mg, cold turkey. If I have to go through this same thing with the Prozac, I don't know how much I can stand.
My question is how long do I have to feel this way, in general? Do I continue to withdrawal or do I simply refigure my finances to afford the effexsor each month? I am so tired.
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