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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 66. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 1:57:18
Thought I'd start a new thread posting my personal experience while tapering off of Effexor:
Here's the tapering from 225mg to date:
Day 1 = 187.50 (saturday) 12-25-04
Day 2 = 150mg
Day 3 = 150
Day 4 = 150
Day 5 = 112.50 (wednesday)Day 6 = 112.50 thurs 12-30-04
Day 7 = 112.50 fri
Day 8 = 112.50 sat
Day 9 = 75 mg Sun
Day 10 = 75 mg Mon
Day 11 = 75 mg Tuesday 1-4-05During this time, I have been functionable ( went skiing, moved into a new office.) The first couple 2-3 days I slept more and was able to not work as much, not because I couldnt, but because I wanted to give myself that care. Withdrawl symptoms? barely, some head twinges (others call them zaps), these come and go. Some minor mood swings. Nothing uncontrollable. A couple very brief anxiety surges. So far so good. Will post again in a few days. Renee
Posted by xxNightOwl28 on January 5, 2005, at 6:11:04
In reply to Renee Tapering Off Effexor, posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 1:57:18
Thats great I am glad you have the courage to try. I am on 150mg per day and I am having extreme drowsiness, fatigue, cloudy eyes, and painful yes painful drowsiness. I sleep 12 hours a night and I am still drowsy all day long. I want to stop so bad but I am so scared after hearing all the horror stories like going blind.
Posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 13:17:11
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor, posted by xxNightOwl28 on January 5, 2005, at 6:11:04
Hi, I too had the major fatigue, could barely get out of bed in the morning! I was on 150 mg for most of the time I was on Effexor. Who is monitoring your medication? Please know that, yes there are those who experience the horrors that you read on the posts, but there are also those of us who have been successful in withdraw. FaithT who has posted, withdrew successfully. Renee
Posted by KaraS on January 5, 2005, at 15:37:59
In reply to Renee Tapering Off Effexor, posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 1:57:18
> Thought I'd start a new thread posting my personal experience while tapering off of Effexor:
>
> Here's the tapering from 225mg to date:
>
> Day 1 = 187.50 (saturday) 12-25-04
> Day 2 = 150mg
> Day 3 = 150
> Day 4 = 150
> Day 5 = 112.50 (wednesday)
>
> Day 6 = 112.50 thurs 12-30-04
> Day 7 = 112.50 fri
> Day 8 = 112.50 sat
> Day 9 = 75 mg Sun
> Day 10 = 75 mg Mon
> Day 11 = 75 mg Tuesday 1-4-05
>
> During this time, I have been functionable ( went skiing, moved into a new office.) The first couple 2-3 days I slept more and was able to not work as much, not because I couldnt, but because I wanted to give myself that care. Withdrawl symptoms? barely, some head twinges (others call them zaps), these come and go. Some minor mood swings. Nothing uncontrollable. A couple very brief anxiety surges. So far so good. Will post again in a few days. Renee
>I had no problems until the last 10 mg. Then I took another serotonergic agent and that completely got rid of all symptoms. Do you have Prozac or anything else to help at the end?
Posted by not2late4u on January 6, 2005, at 0:47:02
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » not2late4u, posted by KaraS on January 5, 2005, at 15:37:59
Hi, I have Klonopin, which I understand isnt a seratonin type of drug. I dont take it every day, just as needed. I've only taken 3 of them, mostly to help me get to sleep, (not because of withdrawing). I prayed God will help me. I hope I'll be one of those who will breeze through! We'll soon see :)
Posted by thinkfast on January 6, 2005, at 2:59:14
In reply to Renee Tapering Off Effexor, posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 1:57:18
How long until effexor withdrawl peaks out? from the cold turkey method? Sorry to hi-jack the post...
Posted by ed_uk on January 6, 2005, at 3:21:24
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor, posted by thinkfast on January 6, 2005, at 2:59:14
Hi,
I went of Effexor 150mg by the cold turkey method. The withdrawal peaked after a few days and lasted a couple of weeks. I was lucky- it wasn't that bad.
Ed.
Posted by not2late4u on January 6, 2005, at 13:03:54
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » thinkfast, posted by ed_uk on January 6, 2005, at 3:21:24
Hi Ed, thanks for helping out with that one, I didnt know.
Thinkfast, This thread is open to all, glad you posted. Renee
Posted by not2late4u on January 8, 2005, at 1:55:33
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » ed_uk, posted by not2late4u on January 6, 2005, at 13:03:54
Update:
Day 12 = 37.5mg - I felt more of what others call brain zaps.
Day 13 = 37.5mg - felt a lot more brain zaps, felt emotional, more irritable and late afternoon felt a bit headachey. Harder to focus, a little more loopy. Took Klonopin twice today.
Day 14 - ditto from day 13 (but not sure if that’s a mixture of the meds withdraw and sorry fellas, that time of the month). Headache went away later in day. Will stay with the 37.5mg until I feel its time to drop, probably near the end of January since I have a 5 day ski trip planned and want to be able to enjoy it. No Klonopin today. Feeling a little down. On a scale from 1–10, 10 being unbearable. So far I’d say withdraw at its highest has been a 4.5. Renee.
Posted by KaraS on January 8, 2005, at 3:08:20
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor, posted by not2late4u on January 8, 2005, at 1:55:33
> Update:
> Day 12 = 37.5mg - I felt more of what others call brain zaps.
> Day 13 = 37.5mg - felt a lot more brain zaps, felt emotional, more irritable and late afternoon felt a bit headachey. Harder to focus, a little more loopy. Took Klonopin twice today.
> Day 14 - ditto from day 13 (but not sure if that’s a mixture of the meds withdraw and sorry fellas, that time of the month). Headache went away later in day. Will stay with the 37.5mg until I feel its time to drop, probably near the end of January since I have a 5 day ski trip planned and want to be able to enjoy it. No Klonopin today. Feeling a little down. On a scale from 1–10, 10 being unbearable. So far I’d say withdraw at its highest has been a 4.5. Renee.
>
I wouldn't drop from 37.5 down to nothing if I were you. I chopped that last 37.5 mg. pill into four sections and did it more slowly yet I still had problems when I stopped taking the last quarter of a pill. I had virtually no problems until that point either. That's when I needed to add in another serotonergic medication to help me out.
Posted by not2late4u on January 8, 2005, at 19:34:24
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » not2late4u, posted by KaraS on January 8, 2005, at 3:08:20
Hi Kara, I think I agree with you. Will you keep this thread in mind in case I need ya? Brain zaps not as bad, but still more than at the 75 mg. definately irritable. Mood definately down. Not depressed, just down. Doing fairly well looking at the end result and asking God to help me througout the day. Still very doable at this point. Did exercise today for 30min at the gym. Were your pills capsules? Was is hard to measure out 1/4? Thanks Kara, Renee.
Posted by KaraS on January 8, 2005, at 19:51:45
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » KaraS, posted by not2late4u on January 8, 2005, at 19:34:24
> Hi Kara, I think I agree with you. Will you keep this thread in mind in case I need ya? Brain zaps not as bad, but still more than at the 75 mg. definately irritable. Mood definately down. Not depressed, just down. Doing fairly well looking at the end result and asking God to help me througout the day. Still very doable at this point. Did exercise today for 30min at the gym. Were your pills capsules? Was is hard to measure out 1/4? Thanks Kara, Renee.
I had XR capsules when I was at 75 mg. I opened them and judged amounts when I wanted to take smaller amounts. Later I moved to 37.5 mg. pills. These I was able to cut with a pill cutter. The drug companies say not to open the capsules (because it's cheaper to get higher amounts and open the capsules than it is to buy more of the lower potency ones) but each of the pellets was sustained release and I had no problem opening the capsules.
I'm here if you need me. Good luck.
Kara
Posted by dancingstar on January 8, 2005, at 20:18:57
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor, posted by thinkfast on January 6, 2005, at 2:59:14
Cold turkey from 150 mg. it took me 3 months as of September, and my stomach is just starting to recover, I have neurological damage, the electric shock thing they speak of just now started full force, but I'm mostly, comparitively speaking, better. It could be because I wasn't prescribed Effexor for depresseion, just a back injury and originally mild fatigue that I had such a hard time with the drug. It was one of those off-label uses I hear about.
Those that have gotten off easily have taken similar drugs, like Cymbalta, or have had other problems, like cancer to deal with, where the symptoms might be conflicting. Rarely have I seen anyone just get off the drug with no problems and no extenuating circumstances...that have reported here, but it happens.
I doubt it's okay to hijack the thread; so I won't give you any advice or anything. Just wanted to answer your question.
[email protected]
Posted by dancingstar on January 8, 2005, at 20:27:59
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » KaraS, posted by not2late4u on January 8, 2005, at 19:34:24
Renee,
One thing I find different for you than for me is that in spite of the excruciating pain that I had three days after I stopped taking E, I instantly had more energy and my mood was uplifted as if I had been poisoned and was removing it from my system. You are more depressed. Maybe it didn't agree with me all along, but it affected me so slowly that I didn't realize it and didn't know what to look out for.
Sounds like going slow is the right thing for you. Hope you recover quickly.
Posted by xxNightOwl28 on January 8, 2005, at 23:45:16
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » thinkfast, posted by dancingstar on January 8, 2005, at 20:18:57
Splitting Effex XR capsules is not a good idea as each of the balls inside are not the same strength, would could be happening is you get a higher dose at once of Effex than before, it is not a good idea!
Posted by dancingstar on January 8, 2005, at 23:51:47
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » thinkfast, posted by ed_uk on January 6, 2005, at 3:21:24
Ed,
Why do you think it was easy for you and a bloody nightmare for me?
Were you taking any other drugs whatsoever?
I take all the homeopathic or herbal stuff and vitamins; so it's not that, and we know it wasn't prescribed to me for depression. I did feel poisoned, but I didn't know it.
If you are not on any other drugs at all, may I ask if you are of that European background that they speak of? I am.
Thanks in advance if you get this. Just looking for answers.
-Bebe
Posted by not2late4u on January 9, 2005, at 19:22:05
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » thinkfast, posted by dancingstar on January 8, 2005, at 20:18:57
Bebe,
Thank you for not hijacking the thread. There are no other extenuating circumstances for me and I never posted that there havent been any problems coming off this drug. I am simply posting my personal experience, such as you have on other threads. Please respect that. Renee
Posted by not2late4u on January 9, 2005, at 19:24:22
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor, posted by xxNightOwl28 on January 8, 2005, at 23:45:16
Hi nightowl, my psych mentioned I can alternate the last dose every other day. Think I might try that when Im ready. Thanks for your post, I didnt know that. Renee
Posted by not2late4u on January 9, 2005, at 19:29:14
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » not2late4u, posted by dancingstar on January 8, 2005, at 20:27:59
HI Bebe,
I was prescribed Effexor to get off of Paxil (paxil made me gain weight and no motivation/depression). I went on paxil for severe anxiety. Alot of times depression is a secondary event due to anxiety, which it was in my case. It has been easier for me to get up in the morning now that I have reduced my doseage. Thats a good sign. Thanks, Renee
Posted by dancingstar on January 9, 2005, at 19:33:42
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » dancingstar, posted by not2late4u on January 9, 2005, at 19:29:14
Yes, Renee, it is. I think it will continue to be that way.
This is my first experience with anxiety, though. I can see that it is unpleasant, but that's gotten a little better, too...if you are intereted in knowing.
Posted by not2late4u on January 9, 2005, at 19:38:30
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor, posted by dancingstar on January 9, 2005, at 19:33:42
Bebe, you mentioned your first experience with anxiety? That is my specialty! (haha, unfortunately!).....I'm open to listening if you wish to share. Renee
Posted by FaithT on January 9, 2005, at 20:02:44
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » dancingstar, posted by not2late4u on January 9, 2005, at 19:38:30
Dear Renee~
If there is anything at all that I can do to help you through this, just say the word. The most important thing, is to have good communication with your psych. as you get down to the very end. As you said, you can take an Effexor, every other day if you need to, if you start to feel funky.
For me it was like a weird kind of feeling, but as I said, it passed. You know what to expect going in, so that's good. I think I told you that if you have trouble sleeping, Melatonin supps. worked well for me..along with benydryl.
I truly wish you the very best of luck through this.
Many hugs, Faith~
Posted by dancingstar on January 9, 2005, at 20:16:23
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » dancingstar, posted by not2late4u on January 9, 2005, at 19:38:30
Thanks, Renee. I'm just off for a run in the rain. I've gotten nothing done, and I'm moving in a couple of weeks.
I don't mean to endlessly complain about this, but honestly, since I stopped taking Effexor, my whole nervous system has been a little whacky.
It's happened two times kind of badly, once when I was a Christmas party with old friends and once when the guy that helps run my office wanted to go deliver the gifts that I always bring to clients and secretaries. I'm usually relatively calm, but now anytime that any adrenaline gets going or if I get around too many people, my system seems to malfunction and I can't catch my breath properly.
I own a small business and also was teaching things like spinning and cardio-kickbox at the gym and personal training for fun until I got to be really, really tired and in some strange pain that knocked me down about two and a half years ago -- two years ago I quit teaching completely cause I was too tired. But I never had this "can't catch my breath" kind of feeling until recently. It makes me want to stay home.
I should have known better than to take Effexor. My friend's brother is a family practice doctor, and I saw it in his office when I was there cause of a back injury. When I asked him what it was for, he told me that it gave people energy and made them happy. That sounded good to me. I asked if there were any side effects, and he said that there were some sexual side effects, but that I didn't have to worry about them that they probably didn't apply to me. I mention this to you only to tell you that I wasn't taking it for anxiety or anything...just for "energy." Great, huh?
I appreciate any non-drug help that you have to offer cause I am afraid that my body doesn't do well with drugs, and really don't want to take them. This time I will take full responsibility :-)
Thanks!
Posted by dancingstar on January 9, 2005, at 20:24:01
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » dancingstar, posted by not2late4u on January 9, 2005, at 19:38:30
If you feel really icky and need suggestions for food and stuff, though I hope you don't need that, you know who to ask ;-)....
-Bebe
Posted by not2late4u on January 10, 2005, at 0:45:54
In reply to Re: Renee Tapering Off Effexor » not2late4u, posted by FaithT on January 9, 2005, at 20:02:44
Thank you Faith, I was hoping you'd find this thread. I have an appt with my psych next tuesday for a follow up on my tapering. Sounds like we both have good psychs. He told me about melatonin as well. Cant take benedryl, too sensitive, but I have Klonopin for when I need help sleeping. I feel better today, less emotionally unstable. Less brain shocks or whatever they are :) Even feeling like my sex drive is starting to improve. Thanks for your support! Renee
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