Posted by metric on March 18, 2009, at 18:57:07
In reply to Abilify, EffexorXR, Xanax, Adderall, Topamax etc., posted by adrieneruble on March 17, 2009, at 19:05:46
> I am trying to stop taking Effexor XR and Abilify. I have found I no longer can tolerate the side effects. I explained that to my doctor and she simply said she would not recommend it as I am Borderline, ADD and Bipolar 2. Since I am just tired feeling like a lab rat, I have decided not to replace them with anything else. (I've been playing the medication game and guess that side effect for 13 years. I've been on them all)
> I am going to take supplements and try that approach instead.
>
> So for a while I just stopped taking them. Then I would take one of each. Now I take one every other day. Effexor XR 300mg to 150mg and Abilify 30mg to 10mg. I am a mess. Pains in my muscles, irritability, emotional wreck, insomnia and loss of appetite are my major issues. I read that your only supposed to reduce your meds every 14 days...yeah ooops.
>
> Now while all this is going on I'm still taking my other meds: Adderall 30mg x2, Topamax 25mg 2x2, Naproxen 500mg, Ambien 10mg x2 (as needed now), Xanax x4 (as needed now), Promethazine (as needed), Sumatritan (as needed)and Lipitor and Tricor- which I just quit taking.
>
> After reading how some of this stuff interacts with each other, I'm scared to take any of it.
> Why hasn't any of my doctors warned me?
> I want off it all! I know I can't or shouldn't do it all at once so I'm targeting the two with the specific side effects that I need to end.
>
> I'm tired but I can't sleep. I'm scared- how long will this last? I feel like every time I take my pills I'm playing Russian Roulette. This pill mixed with that pill causes this and so on...
> Now the lack of pills and I'm really in bad shape. Doctors should be more responsible or more informative or something. Seriously no one told me, nobody monitored these things-
>
> I am going to follow a Effexor XR taper schedule and try to do this a little better. I have the 37.5's to do it with.
> Abilify?
> Advice?
> Thank you for your time.
>
>
First, toss the Abilify. There's no need to taper it. It's probably just making you feel awful.
One thing to keep in mind as you reduce your Effexor-XR and Abilify is that the amphetamine (Adderall) might become more stimulating, which could contribute to the symptoms you mentioned.After you're down to 37.5 mg of Effexor-XR, you can open up the capsule and remove some of the beads (save them for later); proceed at your rate of comfort. Taking some extra Xanax and/or diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help with withdrawal symptoms.
poster:metric
thread:885806
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090313/msgs/885982.html