Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Marie416 on April 18, 2002, at 15:51:04
I have been on effexor at 150 mg and have been reducing 37.5 every 5 days. Tomorrow I go to 1 pill of 37.5. I think each time I have decreased it I felt a little light headed or irritable for first couple of days. Am I going to really feel these crazy withdrawal symptoms when I've finished completely or should I have been experiencing them with each drop. I only have 6 pills left so I am worried I won't have any right away if I get bad withdrawal once ending completely. Any advice?
Posted by kickink on April 18, 2002, at 16:12:09
In reply to Weaning from Effexor question for ya, posted by Marie416 on April 18, 2002, at 15:51:04
I just posted a similar message. I am also trying to wean off of Effexor. The last time it was HELLL! I had terrible symptoms even with the slow tapering so I am going to try to switch to Prozac. I felt like I had the worst Flu ever, I was so Manic-Depressive crazy, Short tempered, angry, crying, then elated, sweating, Dizzy "jello-head" it was awful.
Just curious, why are you getting off of it??
Posted by Marie416 on April 19, 2002, at 15:52:48
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor question for ya, posted by kickink on April 18, 2002, at 16:12:09
> I just posted a similar message. I am also trying to wean off of Effexor. The last time it was HELLL! I had terrible symptoms even with the slow tapering so I am going to try to switch to Prozac. I felt like I had the worst Flu ever, I was so Manic-Depressive crazy, Short tempered, angry, crying, then elated, sweating, Dizzy "jello-head" it was awful.
>
> Just curious, why are you getting off of it??You are a blessing! That is how I feel, like I have the flu or am about to, very run down and lightheaded. I simply just feel sick and tired, (you know what I mean). Plus, I don't know if its the withdrawal or the lack of serotonin but I feel like some of my depression/anxiety is coming back. It's like I feel more down and way more sensitive and insecure, feeling like my boyfriend doesn't love me as much,etc. and I feel periods of anxiety. Maybe it's just because I do feel so run down. In answer to your question, I am getting off it because since I have been on it I have had no sex drive COULDN'T CARE LESS IF I EVER DID IT AGAIN. And kissing is not all that wonderful either. I also had not much sensation during sex when I did muster up the energy to do it. That's really not me so I am hoping once I am done with the last pill, the drive comes back. Also, I gained 20 lbs, went from 5/6 to 9/10 and it didn't seem to end. I can't say that I wasn't overeating because in the beginning I craved sweets and carbs and just had an I don't care kind of attitude. I had to push myself to exercise which was never really like me. The other reason was feeling so tired and unmotivated, that I maybe could have worked through but combined with the weight gain and sex loss, forget about it. I am on 300 mg a day of wellbutrin. It didn't counteract the sex drive with the effexor which I had hoped it would. We'll see once I completely end the effexor.
Posted by Reese on April 23, 2002, at 22:51:55
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor question for ya, posted by Marie416 on April 19, 2002, at 15:52:48
try taking an antihistamine. worked wonders for me.
> > I just posted a similar message. I am also trying to wean off of Effexor. The last time it was HELLL! I had terrible symptoms even with the slow tapering so I am going to try to switch to Prozac. I felt like I had the worst Flu ever, I was so Manic-Depressive crazy, Short tempered, angry, crying, then elated, sweating, Dizzy "jello-head" it was awful.
> >
> > Just curious, why are you getting off of it??
>
>
>
> You are a blessing! That is how I feel, like I have the flu or am about to, very run down and lightheaded. I simply just feel sick and tired, (you know what I mean). Plus, I don't know if its the withdrawal or the lack of serotonin but I feel like some of my depression/anxiety is coming back. It's like I feel more down and way more sensitive and insecure, feeling like my boyfriend doesn't love me as much,etc. and I feel periods of anxiety. Maybe it's just because I do feel so run down. In answer to your question, I am getting off it because since I have been on it I have had no sex drive COULDN'T CARE LESS IF I EVER DID IT AGAIN. And kissing is not all that wonderful either. I also had not much sensation during sex when I did muster up the energy to do it. That's really not me so I am hoping once I am done with the last pill, the drive comes back. Also, I gained 20 lbs, went from 5/6 to 9/10 and it didn't seem to end. I can't say that I wasn't overeating because in the beginning I craved sweets and carbs and just had an I don't care kind of attitude. I had to push myself to exercise which was never really like me. The other reason was feeling so tired and unmotivated, that I maybe could have worked through but combined with the weight gain and sex loss, forget about it. I am on 300 mg a day of wellbutrin. It didn't counteract the sex drive with the effexor which I had hoped it would. We'll see once I completely end the effexor.
Posted by ST on April 30, 2002, at 4:05:43
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor question for ya, posted by Reese on April 23, 2002, at 22:51:55
I have been tapering off Effexor for about three weeks now. Today will be the first day I try to go without it. What I've done is take the 37.5 tabs and broken them up. The past week I've gone from the whole 37.5 tablet to 1/2 tablet and then finally down to 1/4 tablet yesterday. Throughout the whole process, though, whenever I started to feel flu-ish, I would pop 1/2 of a 37.5 tablet and the symptoms would subside within a few hours. I just tried to always keep a little bit in my system at all times. We'll see what happens tomorrow.
I've always been extra sensitive, however, to meds. I weaned off Wellbutrin once and it was awful! (I'm now back on it!) Same with Serzone and withdrawal was horrible with Celexa. I expected Effexor to be the worst and maybe that's why my symtoms have been more manageable.
Good luck to all who are trying to get off of it!
Sarah
Posted by amber_spirit on April 30, 2002, at 13:32:58
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor question for ya, posted by ST on April 30, 2002, at 4:05:43
Just a positive thought. I quit effexor xr
cold turkey about a week ago and no side effects.
I've been on 150mg for about 2 years. My pdoc
used to suggest "medication vacations" to help
with the sexual dysfunction - I'd not take it on
Sat. morning and by Sat evening could "enjoy" a
little more. I was supposed to take it right away,
but sometimes would skip Sat. and Sun with no
problems.Yet again, not everyone reacts the same...
AS
Posted by skipper on August 7, 2003, at 14:16:48
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor question for ya, posted by ST on April 30, 2002, at 4:05:43
I ma going to try to wean off Effexor - I have had such a difficult time - all the side effects etc. those of you who posted have been very encouraging to me - thank you for sharing - I am still looking for an MD in Los Angeles who specializes in the weaning/withdrawing of these type of medications. Skipper
Posted by 07shel27 on August 8, 2003, at 8:55:33
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor question for ya, posted by skipper on August 7, 2003, at 14:16:48
I saw somewhere on this site about taking prozac for like 3 days after you stopped taking the Effexor. If I find the message I will send it to you. I believe by taking the prozac for a few days helps level everything out and the side effects are cut down.
> I ma going to try to wean off Effexor - I have had such a difficult time - all the side effects etc. those of you who posted have been very encouraging to me - thank you for sharing - I am still looking for an MD in Los Angeles who specializes in the weaning/withdrawing of these type of medications. Skipper
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