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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sheri on February 7, 2004, at 12:30:51
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by justjustine on February 7, 2004, at 11:17:34
THANK YOU!! your message was really helpful. his brother is with him now so I think he is ok, and I read your message to his brother over the phone along with some other info I found based on your suggestions. Yet, he is hesitant to take a bit more effexor so he can then taper off without the approval of his doctor. so he has call into his doctor. he is going to ask his doctor about opening up the capsuls and taking some in order to tapper off. i guess he still sort of trusts this doctor for some reason, but is interested in finding a new doctor. but how does he find a new doctor? do you know of any web pages where people recommend doctors in different cities?? thank you again!! sheri
> your friend's doctor doesn't have the proper experience in dealing with withdrawal from effexor.
>
> please tell your friend to log in here and search the old posts - effexor withdrawal is a hellride, especially if you have rebound depression on top of the physical symptoms.
>
> i was sick for a month and took vicodin to get through it. another person wrote here the other day they were taking lortab - that's how bad it can be.
>
> also try this search engine www.vivisimo.com and search for venlafaxine withdrawal taper and other info.
>
> if his effexor is the caplets, he only needs to get a razor blade and start shaving them down. save what he shaves off, for cost effectiveness. i had capsules and opened them up and poured it off.
>
> but please emphasize to him that this is real and won't get better until it gets worse for at least a week or two. in fact, if he's only one day off, the withdrawals are only beginning to hit and aren't even close to peaked.
>
> i'm praying for him!
>
> > HI: a friend just called because he is miserable and has been crying all day. his doctor told him it was fine to go off effexor cold turkey!! he was also surprised to learn that effexor is not an SSRI? I suggested that maybe some of crying could be part of the withdrawal. does this make sense to anyone? what else can I tell him? can anyone explain to me what effexor is if it is not an SSRI? he says he can not taper off because his effexor is in caps that he can not break apart. does that sound right? thank you!!! Sheri
>
Posted by noa on February 7, 2004, at 13:17:33
In reply to Re: Going off Effexor to get Pregnant? Advice?, posted by 4peace on February 7, 2004, at 11:42:23
This is something I've discussed hypothetically with my pdoc. He has recommended in vitro fertilization to minimize the amount of time off the med--ie, eliminate the trying-to-get-pregnant period of time. But to get off the med, he says it would be a matter of tapering off. I had asked him about using Prozac to wean off, and he said he wouldn't recommend that for me but there are other strategies.
Posted by justjustine on February 7, 2004, at 13:57:15
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by sheri on February 7, 2004, at 12:30:51
regarding getting a new doctor - i don't know his financial or insurance situation, but i would just start calling around. look for a doctor who has dealt specifically with effexor withdrawal - or if they've dealt with paxil withdrawal they probably know enough.
i also got good results with an acupuncturist i knew who had experience dealing with other kinds of drug withdrawal.
anyway, i'm glad i could help - and i'm glad you guys are there to help your friend!
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 7, 2004, at 14:32:52
In reply to ODE TO A LITTLE RED HEN, posted by on-the-wave on February 5, 2004, at 8:57:40
> she neither stopped to look about her, nor to investigate the cause of the dull throbbing sensation in her head. She ... ran blindly along the path... The other animals, not being well educated in the ways of the world and want to believe any story that would make them feel important and unique in the large forest, concurred with her story.
Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel put down. I've asked you to be civil before, so now I'm going to block you from posting for a week.
If you have any questions about this or comments about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways to express yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
or email me, or redirect a follow-up to Psycho-Babble Administration after your block is over. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by EFFEXED on February 7, 2004, at 14:59:08
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My DR gave me zyprexa to help me sleep and to kick up the effexor a bit I am on 75 of effexor he wants to up me to 150 but I said no due to all the poast I have read here about getting off the effexor I only take 2.5 of the zyprexa or well I break the 5mg pill in half I take it at night to help me sleep but in the morning I am soooooo tired it kicks my but so I am not sure how long I will take it as for the effexor I have been verry happy with the results I for the moast part dont even notice any effects any more I feel normal again all but the sleep part but thats the depression still keeping me up but I wont up my dose no matter what well got to go.
thanks cindy in TX
Posted by dms777smd on February 7, 2004, at 17:20:23
In reply to anyone used zyprexa with effexor to help sleep?, posted by EFFEXED on February 7, 2004, at 14:59:08
I have a friend that was on zyprexa and celexa but he was on the zyprexa cause he's schizophrenic.lol,,,,he seemed to do good on it,but if it's just depression your dealing with(I don't mean that depression isn't hell,I've been there and it really sucks) than I don't think your doc should be giving you zyprexa to sleep,,it's a major tranquilizer(antipsychotic)and it has a lot of bad side effects,,,especially when you've been on it for a while.Have you tried Benadryl?Or valerian root,,,that's seemed to help me sleep.If you have tried it than your doc needs to give you something else to sleep.Not Zyprexa,you're not a schitzo,,,,right?But anyway,I take Atarax for my anxiety and it makes me really tierd so I can't really take it during the day(at work)I just take it after work.50-100mg of atarax will make you sleep and it doesn't make me really tired in the morning like other stuff i've taken.You could even try 10-25mg of it if you are sensitive to drugs and the doctors seem to not be so stingy with it(like they are with benzos)because it's just an antihistamine,,,,but it doesn't give me a real tired or hangover feeling in the morning like benadryl does to me.You should try it,,,,it helps me sleep.
Posted by EFFEXED on February 7, 2004, at 17:43:53
In reply to Re: anyone used zyprexa with effexor to help sleep? » EFFEXED, posted by dms777smd on February 7, 2004, at 17:20:23
no not a schitzo dont know why he would give me something so strong he did say it would up the effect of the effexor dont realy know much about this kind of stuff this is the first ad I have ever been on and dont know any one who has been through this before kind of in the dark on things guess I am puting all my faith in my dr when maybe I shouldnt.
thanks cindy
Posted by catala on February 7, 2004, at 18:13:17
In reply to flylady info, posted by Lyrical13 on January 7, 2004, at 19:45:55
mail address, Crazy Lady & co. 670 N 610 E Alpine UT, 84004 1-800-789-8004
I have one it is great This address was correct at the time I bought my planner
Posted by Clayton on February 7, 2004, at 21:43:52
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by sheri on February 7, 2004, at 1:26:00
Effexor is not an SSRI because, bedises affecting serstonin, it also blockks the reuptake of norepinehine, Therefor, techanically, it is an SSNRI.
I have have not aken this medicine bit have read many post by folks who had cuccefffully split up a single capsile.
Best of lock!
Posted by lacey2001 on February 8, 2004, at 1:25:05
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med? » sheri, posted by Clayton on February 7, 2004, at 21:43:52
I posted earlier about wanting to get pregnant and coming off of Effexor. I had a Dr appointment with someone new...just moved here from another city. I told her my story of being on 75 mg for only three months. She said 75 mg will be easy ( I am skeptical but anyway)
She looked at my meds and said it isn't the kind you can break so she she gave me samples of one week's worth of 37.5. After the one week I am too stop completely. My question is what if I have bad withdrawls from this and does they seem okay? I don't have the white capsules but the caplets I think they are called with the medication loose inside. Anyone break those and pour a few grains out to help with withdrawls? She told me I cannot break them but I have heard good stories in here about perhaps doing so if needed?
I also have completely lost my appetite and that is another reason to get off of them. I am down to 109 lbs. Does this sound familiar to someone else in here? But this isn't my main reason for quitting.
Bottom line is I would rather have mild depression while pregnant than take any chances so I will be gratful once I am completely off of them.Tanya
Posted by redmaryjane on February 8, 2004, at 8:01:44
In reply to Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by KimRN73 on February 4, 2004, at 12:04:47
I went off Effexor XR within two days...I was on the highest dose and needed to get on Paxil asap (in my mind). I actually felt better coming off of the Effexor because being *on* it was affecting me in such a strange way. I was becoming increasingly hypomanic and would rarely eat on effexor. A quite dangerous combination!
Anyway, it went well and Paxil has worked much better for me.
Good luck. I would go slow but not freak out too much about it. I think having some sort of benzo. helps, also ibruprofen or something for headache if needed.
Posted by justjustine on February 8, 2004, at 10:11:34
In reply to Help Please! I need advice., posted by lacey2001 on February 8, 2004, at 1:25:05
yes, open them up and pour some of it out. it helps if you have a little scale and can measure more accurately. if you have hard pills, you just shave them down with a razor. save the scraps and spills in case you need them later!
i went from 150 down to 75 very gradually by myself, then my doctor decided i could go to 37 for a week then 0. big bad painful mistake.
good luck!
Posted by 4peace on February 8, 2004, at 13:09:59
In reply to Re: anyone used zyprexa with effexor to help sleep? » EFFEXED, posted by dms777smd on February 7, 2004, at 17:20:23
I am on Effexor XR, slow relase capsules. I take 2 (37.5) capules each morning. How can I slowly ween myself off of these before I try to get pregnant. Has anyone had to switch to the pill form which is easier to break up? Any success, advice, concerns?
Posted by lacey2001 on February 8, 2004, at 13:24:02
In reply to Going off of Effexor XR (slow realese capsuls), posted by 4peace on February 8, 2004, at 13:09:59
You and I seem to be in the same boat right now. We are both at 75 mg and trying to get off to become pregnant. Maybe we can email each other privately to help each other along. By the way my hubby and I are going to be trying for our second child too:)
Here is my email addey [email protected]Tanya
I am on Effexor XR, slow relase capsules. I take 2 (37.5) capules each morning. How can I slowly ween myself off of these before I try to get pregnant. Has anyone had to switch to the pill form which is easier to break up? Any success, advice, concerns?
Posted by platinumbride on February 8, 2004, at 14:50:31
In reply to Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by KimRN73 on February 4, 2004, at 12:04:47
I was on effexor, both the plain old one and the XR for about 8 weeks. I had no problem getting off of it (the problem was simply that this 'wonder drug' did not help me). I think I tapered within a week's time and then tried something new.
Good luck...unitl I read these posts, I had no idea whatsoever how tough this drug was to kick.
Diane
I am wanting to do the SLOW tapering of Effexor...but I'm freakin out because of these posts on here. I am on the regular tabs, NOT XR, 150mg daily. I plan on breaking the tabs into 4 pieces and taking the same dosage morning and night for a week at a time until im down to none. My doctor did give me zoloft 50mg daily to replace my effexor, but i wanted to hear if anyone has tapered off Effexor successfully without goin thru HELL. I do okay on this med, the only side effects are dizziness 1/2 way into the day, and i get tired easily. And i think it has contributed to my 25lb wt. gain and high blood pressure. I have been on Effexor for 3-4 yrs...started low but now on 75mg twice daily.
> Please fill me in without freaking me out HAHA
> Kim :)
Posted by poochi on February 9, 2004, at 1:05:21
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor: Attn 4peace, posted by lacey2001 on February 8, 2004, at 13:24:02
> >
> I am on Effexor XR, slow relase capsules. I take 2 (37.5) capules each morning. How can I slowly ween myself off of these before I try to get pregnant. Has anyone had to switch to the pill form which is easier to break up? Any success, advice, concerns?
>
>I am on 37.5 every 2 days, can't seem to go any longer with out the dizziness starting, any body with any ideas how to cut back more?
thanx.
Posted by Stryker88 on February 9, 2004, at 15:04:05
In reply to anyone used zyprexa with effexor to help sleep?, posted by EFFEXED on February 7, 2004, at 14:59:08
Hi my doctor also prescribed me Zyprexa just becasue during a 45 min session I said sometimes I have weird thoughts. You are right it totally knocked me out when I fell asleep, sometimes I was almost late for work because it almost put me in a comatose state. I quit taking it because it did nothting for me but make me tired and foggy.
Posted by lacey2001 on February 9, 2004, at 17:00:35
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor: Attn 4peace » lacey2001, posted by poochi on February 9, 2004, at 1:05:21
I wish I could help you there. I will be dealing with the same dilemma when I cut down to 37.5.
Anyone have any ideas for us?Tanya
>
> I am on 37.5 every 2 days, can't seem to go any longer with out the dizziness starting, any body with any ideas how to cut back more?
> thanx.
>
Posted by platinumbride on February 9, 2004, at 21:52:47
In reply to Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by KimRN73 on February 4, 2004, at 12:04:47
I posted this before but it didn't seem to take, so I'm trying again.
I was on Effexor for about 8 weeks and went off with no problem (except for the fact that I still felt like *(&^ and wanted to die).
Maybe I am a freak, but I really have never had problems going off antidepressants.......and I only go off them when they stop working. I am all about better living through chemistry :-)
I feel really badly for the hell people are going through here getting off of these meds! Maybe you will get lucky....definitely taper though. Best of luck to you and all who are wondering which is worse the symptoms or the cure.....
Diane
> I am wanting to do the SLOW tapering of Effexor...but I'm freakin out because of these posts on here. I am on the regular tabs, NOT XR, 150mg daily. I plan on breaking the tabs into 4 pieces and taking the same dosage morning and night for a week at a time until im down to none. My doctor did give me zoloft 50mg daily to replace my effexor, but i wanted to hear if anyone has tapered off Effexor successfully without goin thru HELL. I do okay on this med, the only side effects are dizziness 1/2 way into the day, and i get tired easily. And i think it has contributed to my 25lb wt. gain and high blood pressure. I have been on Effexor for 3-4 yrs...started low but now on 75mg twice daily.
> Please fill me in without freaking me out HAHA
> Kim :)
Posted by Clayton on February 10, 2004, at 2:21:35
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med? » KimRN73, posted by platinumbride on February 9, 2004, at 21:52:47
I guess I'm a freek, too. I take Paxil (40mg/day) and had quit cold turkey several times with NO adverse side-effects at all. I have also restarted it after several months at the 40 mg dose (no titration upward) without ill effects.
I realize Paxil is not Effexor, but it seems to have the next "best" reputation for problems with withdrawl symptoms insing "Brain Zaps"s, according the the posts I've read on this board.
So why am I immune to these negative effects?
It's enough to make me want to try Effexor to see if I am immnune to those side-effects, too. My recklesss intuition tell me I well may be.
Paxil is beginning to poop out and I may need a new AD soon. Any advive on this bizarre notion of mine? (Trade Pazil for Effexor)?
Posted by Salty_Dog on February 10, 2004, at 4:07:17
In reply to Trade Effexor of Paxil??, posted by Clayton on February 10, 2004, at 2:21:35
I just stopped Effexor XR last Wednesday.
I went from 600 mg to 0 mg in 10 days, but, I was in a hospital and I switched to Lexapro (20 mg).I had lost 50 lbs. in the three weeks prior to hospitalization. I had tried to quit on my own but I got so depressed that I tried to starve myself to death.
I will write more after I get some sleep.
Posted by chase9 on February 10, 2004, at 11:51:26
In reply to Re: Sudden descent into Efexor hell, posted by MrsT on January 15, 2004, at 22:32:59
I have just started taking efexor for two weeks felt better after first week then bad again so the doc upped the dose but now im having abnormal thoughts thats making my anxiety worse anybody else have this happen if so did you go off or lower dose.any input would be great Iam off to see doc again this morning.
Posted by poochi on February 11, 2004, at 11:38:27
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor: Attn 4peace, posted by lacey2001 on February 9, 2004, at 17:00:35
Hi everybody
Well, i'm still on Effexor, 37.5 every 2 days, maybe one day i'll be able to push it to 3.., but anyways, my question is: I've read that some people have had weight LOSS coming off effexor, but what about weight GAIN? I've gained 10 pounds in a week and 1/2, trying to come off of this drug. And I don't think i've been eating much more than usual, my appetite seems to have stayed the same. BUT the scale is going UP !!!
this sucks! This happen to anyone else?
Posted by moody on February 11, 2004, at 12:52:33
In reply to Trade Effexor of Paxil??, posted by Clayton on February 10, 2004, at 2:21:35
chase9: I also just started effexor xr (well, about a month ago now). I had the same problems as you with the up and down cycle so my doctor eventually increased my dose to 225 mg/day -- though the only days I ever feel like myself (whatever that means) are those days that I take 300 mg...so..is increasing the dosage the best thing? Perhaps its only a temporary solution...let me know what your doctor says and I hope you feel better.
Posted by KimberlyDi on February 11, 2004, at 16:55:29
In reply to new friend of effexor xr, posted by moody on February 11, 2004, at 12:52:33
> chase9: I also just started effexor xr (well, about a month ago now). I had the same problems as you with the up and down cycle so my doctor eventually increased my dose to 225 mg/day -- though the only days I ever feel like myself (whatever that means) are those days that I take 300 mg...so..is increasing the dosage the best thing? Perhaps its only a temporary solution...let me know what your doctor says and I hope you feel better.
>
At 300mg, I was "Home Again", at last, in my skin.When I bumped my dosage up alittle before the pdoc OK'd it, she was understanding after I explained the reasons why. I didn't try it again though.
:) Good Luck, KDi in TX
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