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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by KMM on August 22, 2005, at 22:01:40
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by graceneeded on August 21, 2005, at 9:10:40
I too am reducing off 225 mgs of Effexor. My psychiatrist recommended taking 187.5 for two weeks then 150 for two weeks. At this point I am to add 150 mg of Wellbutrin XL and see how I feel. If it is too much, I will reduce the Effexor down to 75. We just moved to the UK for my husband's job and they do not sell the 37.5 in XR here. It takes forever for my medicine to arrive from the US so in the meantime I have been opening the 75 mg capsule, splitting the contents and taking 1/2 each day with 2 75 mg tablets (total of 187.5). I feel fine. I also experienced too many side effects at 225 mgs of Effexor.
Just an FYI, my doctor did not recommend adding the Wellbutrin right away at all. She said that it would make me feel quite jittery and unwell. I give you a lot of credit for realizing that your thoughts are irrational - we can't all do that.
Good Luck!
Kris
Posted by graceneeded on August 22, 2005, at 22:01:40
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by KMM on August 21, 2005, at 14:38:32
I really don't know what to think about the whole thing. My Doctor claims its all a medical thing and his wife my psychologist tells me its all from the way I think. I will be glad to get off the Effexor and hope the Wellburton does well. I just want to know I have done all I can to stand and turn the rest over to God, if my irrational thoughts would let me!!!!!!!!
Posted by graceneeded on August 22, 2005, at 22:01:40
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by KMM on August 21, 2005, at 14:38:32
I started to decrease from 225 to 150 last Friday. Had the worst headaches and depression I had ever experienced. So I took someone's advice and took Dramamine and the headache went away. At night I took another one and one Benedryal and slept like a baby. Woke up feeling pretty good. The Benedryal even helped with the anxiousness. (PLEASE EXCUSE MIS-SPELLED WORDS). Do not know when these will wear off so I have them with me.
Posted by sad1 on August 22, 2005, at 22:01:40
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by graceneeded on August 21, 2005, at 9:10:40
So, you worked your way up to 225mg in 4 years and your doctor is having you come off it completely in 3 weeks! I am shocked your doctor would even have you drop from 225mg to 150mg in one week.
I completely agree with kim79. You should be weaning off Effexor very gradually, that's what my doctor told me. My doctor described it EXACTLY as kim did, i.e., switching between 225mg and 187.5mg every other day the first week, then the next week take the 187.5mg every day, and so on... I am on 75mg and my doctor told me if I was to go off it, that it would take me 3-4 weeks to do so, and I'm only taking 1/3 of your dosage.
For now, if you can handle the withdrawals at 150mg, do yourself a favor and at least drop the rest very slowly. If you still can't handle it, maybe take 187.5 every or every other day to function better, and then drop to 150mg once your body has a chance to adjust. Your poor thing, no wonder you're suffering! Just remember that your doctor doesn't have to go through the withdrawals, you do. I would go to another doctor for a second opinion.
> I have been on Effexor xr for 4 years and worked up to 225mg. I thought it was great stuff at 150 but had to go up to 225 and the side effects were too much. Started to come down to 150 on Friday 8-19-05 and started Wellburton the same day. The headaches have been unreal along with the sweats and irrational thoughts. I took Dramamine today to see if it helps. I am due to be off Effexor in two weeks. I sure hope the Wellburton helps. Depressed with a headache in Georgia.
Posted by 4WD on August 22, 2005, at 22:01:40
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares, posted by graceneeded on August 21, 2005, at 15:14:35
> I really don't know what to think about the whole thing. My Doctor claims its all a medical thing and his wife my psychologist tells me its all from the way I think. I will be glad to get off the Effexor and hope the Wellburton does well. I just want to know I have done all I can to stand and turn the rest over to God, if my irrational thoughts would let me!!!!!!!!
Hi,I know just what you mean. I keep trying to turn stuff over to God but it's next to impossible to do that if your brain is wired such that you can't stop worrying!
Marsrha
Posted by graceneeded on August 22, 2005, at 22:01:40
In reply to Re: Weaning from Effexor - Nightmares » graceneeded, posted by 4WD on August 22, 2005, at 14:02:10
Do you suffer from OCD and excessive worring?
Posted by TinMan on August 22, 2005, at 22:01:40
In reply to Help for Effexor Withdrawls, posted by graceneeded on August 22, 2005, at 7:25:32
OK...my Dr. called me back today, finally. He said I would be just fine going from 225 mg to 150 mg in one day. (Yup! True story and he is a Psychiatrist!) He did not want to put me on another AD (Wellbutrin).
I am not so sure about this after reading other's posts. Now, I think I am pretty stoic and can handle this. I did, after all, get off a high dose of Paxil but I was going on Effexor at the same time. I will let you know how it goes for me.
What a world, what a world,
TinMan
Posted by Ishy on August 29, 2005, at 18:25:36
In reply to Fibromyalgia Effexor - YES!!!!, posted by Bayla on June 13, 2001, at 19:33:40
I just want to say that the side effects outweighed the pain for me. And the pain came back after awhile of being on Effexor. I have been diagnosed with about as severe of FMS as you can get.
Plus, please do some research on quitting the drug - I had electric shocks, clumps of hair that fell out, fainting spells, and worse. And I tapered slower than the doctor wanted me to (he wanted to put me on a different drug). I changed doctors and vowed to tell people the truth about Effexor.
> > > Re: Muscle Aches
> I've been on the Effexor a week now and my Fibro pain is 75% reduced...a miracle. I had some sleepiness the first few days; my BP actually has been running lower than my baseline; and I'm sleeping great. The most unbelievable aspect is the dramatic decrease in my pain. Yes, Yes - in reviewing the threads I'm sure I'm going to get a barrage of "Just you Wait...the other shoe will drop", etc. However, to those of you with Fibromyalgia (and are receiving the med for this diagnosis - not depression), GO FOR IT! It's worth trying, believe me. This week has been the best in 4 years...and my Fibro specialist chose the drug after reading it's response in clinical trials for Fibro and positive experiences with other patients. This is a good forum; gave me parameters to monitor. However we need to remember that the drug is used for a variety of syndromes/somatic disorders which each, in themselves, has a unique metabolic and/or neuro "uptake", etc.
Posted by graceneeded on August 29, 2005, at 18:25:37
In reply to Re: Fibromyalgia Effexor - YES!!!!, posted by Ishy on August 25, 2005, at 20:14:00
I just got past my first week of droping from 225 to 150 and today started at 75mg. The first couple of days was pure sea sickness and was only helped by Dramamine. Today feels ok so far but you know how that goes it is still early! Danny
Posted by TinMan on August 29, 2005, at 18:25:37
In reply to Going Off Effexor is a Trip, posted by graceneeded on August 26, 2005, at 7:06:34
> I just got past my first week of droping from 225 to 150 and today started at 75mg. The first couple of days was pure sea sickness and was only helped by Dramamine. Today feels ok so far but you know how that goes it is still early! Danny
Hey Danny!Sounds like you are doing okay. Glad to hear that the Dramamine helped.
I, too, have dropped from 225 to 150 mg. Didn't really have any side effects. Perhaps, as I thought, I was "over" medicated. I had braced myself for some withdrawal symptoms but I feel fine. My Dr. did not want to add Wellbutrin, so I just stopped taking that extra pill.
The therapy that that I have been getting and working with has helped me tremendously! With therapy, Effexor and this board, I am doing okay and am in a calm, focused place. -TinMan
Posted by graceneeded on September 5, 2005, at 19:27:25
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Well I took my last 75mg. of Effexor XL on Saturday. From 225 to 0 in 2-3 weeks and boy what a noise in my head. I can hear my eyes move. Will be off Welburtin by Thursday so I guess I will be leaving this site soon. Had to take Dramimene and Benedrayl yesterday from seasickness. Keep me in your prayers. I am eating everything in sight.
Danny
Posted by apriely on September 5, 2005, at 19:27:25
In reply to Re: Redirect: withdraw sympton, posted by apriely on September 5, 2005, at 16:28:30
> I have been on 75mg of effexor for almost a year. It has truly been a livesaver. It has worked amazingly for my anxiety. However, I have recently moved and started new employment and do not have insurance. I stopped taking the effexor 3 days ago. I feel so terrible! I am having dizziness, light headedness, nasuea , headaches, and just a weird feeling all over my body. I am especially depressed though. I am crying over everyhting and absolutely nothing!! I am getting angry at people for tiny things that normally would not upset me! I dont know what to do! Does anyone know how long these symptoms usually carry on? any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!
Posted by kim79 on September 6, 2005, at 23:53:44
In reply to Off of Effexor as of Yesterday, posted by graceneeded on September 5, 2005, at 7:10:16
No Dan you can't leave you have to stick around and let everyone know how long the "pain" lasts!!
So far in my withdrawl I have been pain & dizzyness free!! I'm taking it really SLOW this time though. Last time I tried the 150 down to 75 over 2 weeks and it about killed me!!! I got through the first week then gave into the "headache sedation effects" of effexor and have been on 150 ever since, that was almost a year ago.
Now I am taking out 2 little white balls more every day. Today I took out 34 little white balls!! All's good so far!! When I take out 50 little white balls that will be equal to being down 37.5mg. Yeah at 2 a day 50 little balls takes 25 days...but I have been though the withdrawl hell and I didn't like being so sick and dizzy and cranky all the time. Now I still feel like me, like there has been no dose change at all. I'm giving my brain time to kick it's own "happy chemicals" into gear and it's working!!!!
It may take awhile but in 200 days (total) I will be free and that sure beats being on this med forever or going through the withdrawls of getting off too fast. I will continue to keep everyone posted though. I'm thinking it might be tougher to get off as the dose gets lower, but we shall see!!
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!!
Kimberly
Posted by kim79 on September 7, 2005, at 0:18:40
In reply to Help for withdrawal symptoms, posted by apriely on September 5, 2005, at 16:32:56
Ohhh no!!!! That totally sucks!!! you are going to be no good to anyone unless you taper off slower. I know how it feels, eww and my eyeballs are spinning for you!!
How many pills do you have left? If none try to get some sample from your Dr. at LEAST 10 75mg pills (20 would be ideal!)
For every 37.5 mg there are approx 100 little white balls in a capsule. That means at 75mg you were taking 200 white balls a day. If you lower your dose by 10 balls a day you would need 10 75mg pills. However to make this work you MUST save the extra white balls!!! Buy some empty gel caps at your local pharamcy to "re package your meds" Then sit down with your pills and some labeled plastic baggies marked days 1-20. Carefully open a pill and pour out the correct # of balls for that day into an empty gel cap for it's corrosponding day. Close the little buggers put them in their days baggie and go to the next day
Ex:
day 1 take out 10 little white balls put them in empty gel cap for day 20
day 2 take out 20 little white balls put them in empty gel cap for day 19
day 3 take out 30 little white balls put them in empty gel cap for day 18
day 4 minus 40 into day 17
day 5 minus 50 into day 16
day 6 minus 60 into day 15
day 7 minus 70 into day 14
day 8 minus 80 into day 13
day 9 minus 90 into day 12
day 10 minus 100 into day 11...
and that should be your 20 days right thereIf you have 20 pills left though I'd recommend dropping by 5 white balls a day. Using the same process as above but by 5's it will take 40 days but it will be really close to withdrawls free!!
Good luck!!
Kimberly> > I have been on 75mg of effexor for almost a year. It has truly been a livesaver. It has worked amazingly for my anxiety. However, I have recently moved and started new employment and do not have insurance. I stopped taking the effexor 3 days ago. I feel so terrible! I am having dizziness, light headedness, nasuea , headaches, and just a weird feeling all over my body. I am especially depressed though. I am crying over everyhting and absolutely nothing!! I am getting angry at people for tiny things that normally would not upset me! I dont know what to do! Does anyone know how long these symptoms usually carry on? any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!
>
Posted by kim79 on September 7, 2005, at 0:25:44
In reply to Re: Fibromyalgia Effexor - YES!!!!, posted by Ishy on August 25, 2005, at 20:14:00
I don't think it matters why you were put on this drug. I think it effects the brain chemistry in such a way that it makes it hard for anyone and just about everyone to get off. What ever makes it work also messes with a part of the brain that makes you very dizzy and sick when you try to go off too quickly (IE anything faster than 1mg a day!!!) Or so it would seem!! Miss 1 dose and in under 24 hours you will know how fish feel swimming in the ocean!!
Kimberly
Posted by TinMan on September 7, 2005, at 7:53:25
In reply to Off of Effexor as of Yesterday, posted by graceneeded on September 5, 2005, at 7:10:16
Hey Danny, thanks for the words of encouragement. Congratulations on getting off of the Effexor.
Honestly, I haven't experienced any side effects going from 225 mg to 150 mg. I don't get sea sick either, so maybe that has something to do with it? Don't know.
I DO know that for me, it really helps with the anxiety (GAD), panic attacks, OCD, and depression. Also, it helps to focus my mind so I can think. I am not afraid to try different things now and if they work for me, I can learn the behavior because I can actually think clearly about it with focus.
The side effects that I still have after being on it for a few months are; sleepiness, hunger all the time, and absolutely no sex desire. I hate that part.
I hope I make sense. Anyway, Effexor is not for everyone. - TinMan
Posted by Kodie on September 7, 2005, at 9:37:23
In reply to Re: Help for withdrawal symptoms, posted by kim79 on September 7, 2005, at 0:18:40
I went off of Effexor XR 75mg 4 days ago. I've been taking it for a little over a year. In fact I went off of ALL my medication, except tramadol 50mg and Ambien 10mg. So far, I can't tell ANY difference in the way I feel than I did when I was taking all of my medicine. Most of it was not mind bending, just BP meds, Plavix, Furosemide, Spironolactone and Potassium Chlor.
I'm uninsured too, and the cost has been running 453.00 per month. I just can't afford it any more.
So far, so good. Wish me luck.
Posted by 3mom on November 21, 2005, at 21:37:37
In reply to Withdrawal from Effexor to Pacil, posted by HollyQuest on November 19, 2005, at 8:29:40
Hi. i'm a mom of three small kids. i was a relaxed, great mom of two, and a mom that yelled a lot of three. i started effexor 75 and have been a relaxed mom of three and very pleased with the med. i have never been depressed or taken any other ad. i was just getting a little too upset about the little things kids do, and i didn't want that for my family. my obgyn put me on this like it was no big deal. i have been on it about 5 months now with really no side effects. i was bored tonight and started surfing the web and found this sight. now i am petrified that i am going to become addicted to effexor and scared that when i decide to come off of it, it will be terrible. can't you take one little bead out of the capsule everyday until you get down to no beads and thus have little or no withdrawals? it seems like you could ween yourself off of slow enough, but I haven't read that anyone has been able to come off of it without being nonfunctional and terribly sick. Has anyone come off of this with a good experience? does anyone use this drug for just a little anxiety? it seems that everything i have read has been stuff more severe than me just getting a little upset about kids spilling milk. is this medicine too serious for me? help!!
Posted by spierson1253 on November 21, 2005, at 21:37:37
In reply to scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by 3mom on November 20, 2005, at 20:41:47
You'll need to talk to your doctor. There is probably something you can take that will help you thru getting off the Effexor.
From what I've been able to gather, this drug was first touted as side-effect free. My doctor still swears up and down that there are no side-effects and it's "all in my head." I have the printout from the pharmacy that lists all the side-effects and I'm going to give it to him.
Good luck. What you did to be a good mom was selfless and so full of love.
Posted by 3mom on November 21, 2005, at 21:37:37
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal » 3mom, posted by spierson1253 on November 20, 2005, at 23:05:56
should i be scared to continue taking this for just having a little too much on my plate? it has worked wonderfully, but after reading this website, it seems that maybe it is a more serious drug than i thought. i don't have depression, i just needed to be to handle a 4,2, and 1 year old a little better. is this the drug for me? if it isn't dangerous, i would like to stay on it.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 21, 2005, at 21:37:37
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by 3mom on November 21, 2005, at 9:10:17
I don't know about being afraid. If it's working for you, and life with your babies is better, then I wouldn't worry about it. If your concern is that high, discuss it with your doctor. With these kinds of meds, it's hard to find one that works perfectly. If it ain't broke -- don't fix it. Please, do discuss it with your doctor but do NOT stress over it. Just go play with your babies and enjoy it.
Posted by nana on November 21, 2005, at 21:37:38
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by 3mom on November 21, 2005, at 9:10:17
Hi, I would say if it has made you have more fun with your kids and you feel wonderful that your kids are enjoying having you around more. You are relaxed, want to play and your kids will just eat it up. Dont throw away a good thing. My story is I have a Granddaugter that is 4 and has many health problems which affect her behavior. She acts out and you never know when she will have a meltdown. I started on this because I was turning in to a screaming maniac since she came to live with me and her brother. Two children with problems from their parents and one with a major medical problem (brain tumor ) was more than I could take. I still have anger moments but I REAllY enjoy life now. Be happy you deserve that and so do you kids. The med effects everybody different. We all have some side affects BUT the change in me has made it so I can look myself in the mirror and not feel guilty for being a bad Grandma. Good luck and enjoy you kids they are only small for a short time and they grow up and have kids of their own. Be happy!!
Posted by nana on November 21, 2005, at 21:37:38
In reply to scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by 3mom on November 20, 2005, at 20:41:47
Hi, I use mine to keep my self in control and enjoy my grandkids. I think being a responsible Mom and enjoying your kids is important. Even if it is only spilt milk to you it is a big thing on how you handle yourself when you deal with it. I think you are a wonderful Mom to realize you need some help and to keep your family happy and your kids not afraid to make a mistake. They will grow up better kids for your actions. Keep up the good work and ENJOY!!
Posted by spierson1253 on November 21, 2005, at 21:37:38
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by nana on November 21, 2005, at 11:27:01
Well said, Grandma. I am the grandmother of four, and they are the joy of my life. It is my children I have issues with. But with the med, I find that the cruel things they say or do (or don't do) can be handled. I know a lot of their problems were caused by me and the bad decisions I made while they were young. However, they are adults now, and responsible for their own behavior, and I will not accept fault or guilt for that. I cannot go back and undo what was done, and I have apologized all I am going to. They have to heal or come to terms with themselves now. I can't do it for them.
I am happy with the Effexor. I quite thoroughly believe that my "fall from grace" these past 4 days has been the effects of the Ambien. I also believe it is the cause of the heavy anxiety that sits on my chest like a house, as the two seemed to have occurred at the same time. Tonight I am going to forego the Ambien, and take a Xanax, which always helped me sleep before. Without side-effects, I might add. I'm just afraid of it's highly addictive properties. But as one of you said to me last week, if it works, use it for now and deal with any addiction issues when that time comes around. Good advice.
Posted by 3mom on November 21, 2005, at 21:37:38
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by nana on November 21, 2005, at 11:32:00
i'm so glad to hear of someone that is using the med for what i am using it for. i was never at the point where i was worried i was going to hurt my children or anything, i was just raising my voice all the time instead of calmly disciplining them and talking to them about what they are doing wrong. all my children are 19 months apart. when i only had the two, when they fought, it was no big deal. i made them hug and apologize, and that was it. when i had my third, i was so busy changing diapers for two, hand-feeding two of them, and feeding one a bottle, washing bottles, bathing them, ... i was just overwhelmed to say the least and didn't like the type of mother i was being. when they fought, i just yelled. now on effexor, i am just as busy, although my baby is now 13 months, so he's off bottles and eating real food, but i'm relaxed and just having a good time with them again. i can handle complete chaos with a smile!! i have 3 sweet, precious children that think i'm a good mom. thank you lord!!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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