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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MrsDelT on February 22, 2006, at 10:39:20
Hi!
I have been on Effexor XR 75mg for almost a year now. I originally went on it because of major issues in my marriage, and the threat of divorce, that was leaving me very depressed and anxious. Since being on the medication, I feel much better. Things are going very well in my marriage (in addition to the Effexor for the depression, we went to marriage counseling) and I do not feel the least bit depressed.
I just found out that my insurance carrier is discontinuing this drug as a preferred medication and I either have to switch to something else, or pay regular price. I spoke to my doctor (not a pdoc, just my regular doctor who prescribes the RX) who suggested that I switch to Cymbalta (which is a preffered drug and covered by my insurance). I have been reading about all of the horrible withdrawal symptoms associated with coming off the Effexor and I am scared to death. I have had pretty good success with this RX. I have had a few mild side effects that include decreased sex drive, memory loss, and, of course, the "so called" brian zaps, during the course of taking this med. (That is the wierdest thing I have ever experienced.) The first time I experienced it was this past summer. My husband and I went to Vegas (my first time there) and in all the excitement and lack of a regular sleeping schedule (I take the pill before I go to bed), I did not take it for 4 days. By the end of the 4th day, I felt this undescribable whirlling in my head. I at first attributed it to the heat and lack of sleep, then I realized that it was mild withdrawal. I couldnt wait to take it so that I would feel better. Now, I only have to miss my dose by a few hours and I feel this "dizziness" in my head.
I dont really feel like I need to continue taking an anti-depressant, because I feel great. I am happier than I have been in years, my marriage is strong and wonderful (except in the sex department, because of my decreased labido)and I feel like I can handle my life without the pills. I have read the forums on the Cymbalta, and it sounds pretty similar to the Effexor XR. The same type of withdrawal symptoms with maybe a little more intensity. Has anyone out there switched from Effexor XR to Cymbalta? What are your thoughts on me quitting the meds all together? Am I fooling myself into thinking that I got better on my own, or is it really just that the anti-depressant has actually helped me, and if I quit taking it, will I go back to being miserable? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help!
MrsDelT
Posted by SLS on February 23, 2006, at 7:26:57
In reply to Effexor XR vs. Cymbalta, posted by MrsDelT on February 22, 2006, at 10:39:20
Your depression sounds like it was situational and not spontaneously biological. Although you may indeed have a biological vulnerability to depression, depression and anxiety might not appear ever again, even after discontinuing medication.
I think it is worth at least trying to discontinue Effexor. The more gradually you taper your dosage, the lower your chances are to relapse or suffer withdrawal symptoms. Remember, however, that to lower the dosage from 75mg to 37.5mg is a full %50 reduction, and might be too much. Because Effexor stays in the body for such a short period of time, you might want to take small amounts of it 2-3 times a day. Some people break open the capsules and count pellets. If you are using tablets, you could ask for the 25mg preparation and cut it into 12.5mg pieces.
If you are given the advice to take Effexor every other day or every third day, I would disregard it and simply lower the total daily dose. You can use Benadryl for withdrawal symptoms should they appear. It helps, but may not completely eliminate them. The other thing that some people do is to switch to Prozac for a few weeks. It has a much longer half life and gently lowers the level of drug in the body. Personally, I use a flexible-dosing strategy for which I take very small doses of Effexor as soon as I feel withdrawal symptoms appear. I use as little as is necessary to last 6-8 hours. I end up taking 3 or more doses a day. Using this method, I have discontinued Effexor 300mg within two weeks. You might want to browse the archives using the Google search function at the bottom of the page. Try searching for "flexible dosing SLS". I have not yet put together a treatise on the subject, but you should be able to get a good idea as to how to administer flexible-dosing after reading some of the old posts.
Warning: Abruptly stopping Effexor "cold-turkey" can trigger events in the brain that lead to a protracted period of withdrawal that can last for weeks or months. Of course, the withdrawal syndrome will be more intense as well if you discontinue the drug this way. As many times as I have been on and off this medication and ones similar to it, I would still not inflict such a shock on my body as to stop taking it all at once.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by antigua on March 14, 2006, at 10:26:05
In reply to Effexor XR vs. Cymbalta, posted by MrsDelT on February 22, 2006, at 10:39:20
I switched from Effexor to Cymbalta and my pdoc slowly cut back the Effexor while he ramped up the Cymbalta. It took about a month. It worked very well for me; very little side effects. Xanax for the extra anxiety.
good luck,
antigua
This is the end of the thread.
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