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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 11:54:54
I recently cut my 75mg effexor dose in half for one week, all went well.
then discontinued two days ago-feeling horrible!
electric shock like feelings, strange wing flapping like sounds in my ears, dizzy, sick to my stomach.
anyone else kicked effexor?
how long till this stops?
Posted by bobo on February 10, 2003, at 13:18:02
In reply to Going Off Effexor, posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 11:54:54
you went off to fast--go back to the 75 and then taper down to the 37.5--the bad stuff will stop when you go back on--be well
Posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 13:31:20
In reply to Re: Going Off Effexor, posted by bobo on February 10, 2003, at 13:18:02
> you went off to fast--go back to the 75 and then taper down to the 37.5--the bad stuff will stop when you go back on--be well
I did. I was on 75 and then went down to 37.5 for a week...i was fine at 37.5, but went off completely two days ago.
Posted by Katia on February 10, 2003, at 14:05:32
In reply to Going Off Effexor, posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 11:54:54
Hi Jenny,
You and I are on the EXACT schedule. I was at 150mg dropped 112.5mg for a week then at 75mg for a week, then at 37.5 for a week. Two days ago I completely quit and the electrical things are just getting worse, so much that today I took 37.5 again. It's also now taking me a good two three hours to fall asleep! I will maybe take this every two days for the next week and try tapering from here. This really is a nightmare, no one warned me going on this. I have been on Effex. since Sept. and have been transitioning to Zoloft in the past month as well. Let's keep in touch with our simulataneous withdrawal and see if we can't just support each other if nothing else!
Katia> I recently cut my 75mg effexor dose in half for one week, all went well.
> then discontinued two days ago-feeling horrible!
> electric shock like feelings, strange wing flapping like sounds in my ears, dizzy, sick to my stomach.
> anyone else kicked effexor?
> how long till this stops?
Posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 14:10:07
In reply to Re: Going Off Effexor, posted by Katia on February 10, 2003, at 14:05:32
> Hi Jenny,
> You and I are on the EXACT schedule. I was at 150mg dropped 112.5mg for a week then at 75mg for a week, then at 37.5 for a week. Two days ago I completely quit and the electrical things are just getting worse, so much that today I took 37.5 again. It's also now taking me a good two three hours to fall asleep! I will maybe take this every two days for the next week and try tapering from here. This really is a nightmare, no one warned me going on this. I have been on Effex. since Sept. and have been transitioning to Zoloft in the past month as well. Let's keep in touch with our simulataneous withdrawal and see if we can't just support each other if nothing else!
> KatiaKatia,
We are right in step with one another (too bad for us both!). I think i will go home at lunch and take 37.5 and do the every other day thing for a week like you are doing.
This is truly evil.
I just started taking Wellbutrin with the Effexor but am so tired of the complete lack of memory that I want to get off as much as possible.
I can read the same passage in a book day after day and it's like I've never seen it before!
Thanks again for the response.
I hope the even slower taper works for both of us.
Jenny
Posted by Dysfunk on February 10, 2003, at 16:56:18
In reply to Going Off Effexor, posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 11:54:54
I kicked Effexor. I had terrible withdrawal symptoms- halfing the dosage each week. Finally I feel "normal". Try to reduce the dosage slower or remain at that dose for 2 weeks before dropping again. Once it is over though, it is OVER! I felt a huge burden lift when the aches and pains finally stopped (my side withdrawals were bad neck and back pain). Good luck, take it slow!
Posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 17:05:24
In reply to Re: Going Off Effexor, posted by Dysfunk on February 10, 2003, at 16:56:18
how long did you feel bad once you went down to 0?
Posted by Katia on February 11, 2003, at 2:48:06
In reply to Re: Going Off Effexor, posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 14:10:07
Hi jenny,
Thanks for the reply. I did (on my third day off)today took 37.5 and it made such a difference. I'll try and go again two more days and the third, if I have to take 37.5 again. My pdoc advised to do this and she is very well known and a great doctor. We'll see. Yes, I know what you mean about lose of concentration, I'm in grad school and it is really hard for me now. I've been sleeping HOURS on Effexor since I started in Sept. It really helped pull me out of hell with depression, but I've been like a well-rested zombie - spacy and such, plus the electrical things but not as bad as the withdrawal. I was going to go on Wellbutrin to augment, but I was an insomniac prior to Eff. that we're trying Zoloft now. It's my first time trying anti-depressants after a lifetime of being depressed (I'm 32). keep in touch about your progress (or lack of). Did you take the 32.5 today? This IS evil!!
take care-Katia
> Katia,
> We are right in step with one another (too bad for us both!). I think i will go home at lunch and take 37.5 and do the every other day thing for a week like you are doing.
> This is truly evil.
> I just started taking Wellbutrin with the Effexor but am so tired of the complete lack of memory that I want to get off as much as possible.
> I can read the same passage in a book day after day and it's like I've never seen it before!
> Thanks again for the response.
> I hope the even slower taper works for both of us.
> Jenny
Posted by Katia on February 11, 2003, at 2:50:53
In reply to Thanks Dysfunk, posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 17:05:24
My question exactly!!! How long????
thanks.> how long did you feel bad once you went down to 0?
>
>
>
>
Posted by geoff on February 12, 2003, at 12:25:20
In reply to Re: Thanks Dysfunk, posted by Katia on February 11, 2003, at 2:50:53
Maybe this is my problem. I was on 225 mg effexor for over a year. A few months ago I started on Welbutrin as an enhancer. Two weeks ago I started going off the effexor. The Dr. said to drop to 150 mg for a week and then stop altogether. Which I did. We also upped the dosage on the Welbutrin.
My symptoms have been dizzyness, insomnia, dizzyness, headaches, dizzyness, neck aches and dizzyness. I assumed it was the welbutrin because these are listed as side effects. It could be the effexor withdrawal. Now I have no idea what to do. Stop the welbutrin, go back on the effexor? I'm at a loss and this is worse than the depression.
geoff
Posted by Katia on February 12, 2003, at 16:48:43
In reply to Re: Thanks Dysfunk, posted by geoff on February 12, 2003, at 12:25:20
Hi,
I recommend tapering as slowly as possible. I'm at a loss too, and the withdrawals are very very scary with the same horror intensity of depression. I couldn't take it, so I had to take 37.5mg on the third day of nothing (I am simultaneouly transitioning onto Zoloft). I've taken a good month to taper from 150mg of effexor and I'm still having a hard time. Now I'm taking the 37.5 everyother day in hopes that this will help ween me better. it's a bloody nightmare. I am having trouble sleeping too, headaches, electrical shocks, heart palpitations, etc.. etc..
i'd recommend to you to stay on the Wellbutrin and ween/taper off the Effexor before you judge Wellbutrin. You need to give it time to see what's what. good luck
katia> Maybe this is my problem. I was on 225 mg effexor for over a year. A few months ago I started on Welbutrin as an enhancer. Two weeks ago I started going off the effexor. The Dr. said to drop to 150 mg for a week and then stop altogether. Which I did. We also upped the dosage on the Welbutrin.
>
> My symptoms have been dizzyness, insomnia, dizzyness, headaches, dizzyness, neck aches and dizzyness. I assumed it was the welbutrin because these are listed as side effects. It could be the effexor withdrawal. Now I have no idea what to do. Stop the welbutrin, go back on the effexor? I'm at a loss and this is worse than the depression.
>
> geoff
Posted by Dysfunk on February 12, 2003, at 16:55:44
In reply to Thanks Dysfunk, posted by jennygump on February 10, 2003, at 17:05:24
About one week I was sick from withddrawals.
Posted by Dysfunk on February 12, 2003, at 16:58:24
In reply to Re: Thanks Dysfunk, posted by geoff on February 12, 2003, at 12:25:20
Geoff:
I would continue on the amount of Effexor you are on and wean more slowly....if you finished, see if you can add a low dose every day or every other day til it is out of your system. I definitely feel that the Effexor made my life miserable. You may experience withdrawals, you may not. BUT, if you can do something to feel less ill- try it. Good luck!
Posted by LA on February 13, 2003, at 20:41:10
In reply to Re: Thanks Dysfunk, posted by Dysfunk on February 12, 2003, at 16:58:24
Hi,
I haven't read all the posts.
I am been on effexor xr since Oct.
This is the schedule the new doc has given me to come off the effexor
currently at 300
next two days take to 225
" " " " 150
" " "" 112
75
37.5
So starting on the 12th finishing up on the 22nd
and appointment to see him on the 24th
I told him I was concerned about possible side effects and he told me with this schedule I was taking it slow enough that I really shouldn't have any side effects.
Anyone have any insight ?
Thanks
LA
Posted by missinglynxx on February 14, 2003, at 11:27:06
In reply to going off Effexor does this sound right ?, posted by LA on February 13, 2003, at 20:41:10
Doctors always say stupid sweeping generalizations like that. I would :think: that Taper is FAR TO extreme (Timewise). I would go as slow as Molassis..... What dont you dig about the Effexor?
Posted by fairnymph on February 14, 2003, at 16:48:33
In reply to going off Effexor does this sound right ?, posted by LA on February 13, 2003, at 20:41:10
I think you should taper much more gradually and slowly. Go down by 50 mg at first then once you get to 150 go down by 25 mg, stay at each new lower dose for 5+ days before going down again.
And listen to your body...if you feel ok, go down in dose, if you don't, stay at that dose for a couple more days.
Posted by Dysfunk on February 15, 2003, at 14:18:50
In reply to going off Effexor does this sound right ?, posted by LA on February 13, 2003, at 20:41:10
After reading the board and experiencing the withdrawls from Effexor myself, I can say that it effects everyone differently. Maybe you will be lucky and it won't be as severe as my withdrawal.
This is the end of the thread.
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