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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Joanie on May 20, 2003, at 11:36:30
I've read too much about effexor and after 2 months, I know it isn't working for my depression anyway. What's the best way to get off it? I have 150 mg capsules so I can't half them. Please advise. Thanks.
Posted by Bill L on May 20, 2003, at 14:17:41
In reply to What's the easiest/best way to get off Effexor??, posted by Joanie on May 20, 2003, at 11:36:30
The best way is to ask your doc for Prozac. Take the Prozac while you are weaning off of Effexor.
I have never tried Effexor (I am doing very well on Lexapro). But I have done a lot of reading of medical journals and posts over the years. My impression of Effexor is that it is a very safe and effective medication. Doctors like to prescribe it because of it's high success rate as well as its safety. You may just need a higher dose.
Posted by LynnPerley on May 21, 2003, at 21:47:56
In reply to What's the easiest/best way to get off Effexor??, posted by Joanie on May 20, 2003, at 11:36:30
Definitely talk to your doc. Two months shoudl be enough time to see some benefit but you may just need to increase your dose or add something.
Posted by nmk on May 22, 2003, at 13:05:08
In reply to What's the easiest/best way to get off Effexor??, posted by Joanie on May 20, 2003, at 11:36:30
My effexor withdrawal was pure hell. I was on 150 mg and tapered slowly over a period of two months. The worst of it was when I hit 75 mg and had to taper down. I experienced extreme dizziness and nausea to the point where the sight of food would make me cry. I ended up breaking open the capsules and taking about 20 spheroids out per day. Even then, it wasn't pleasant. I have read that many posters had a more tolerable experience by adding Prozac so you may want to discuss that option with your doc. Best of luck and hang in there.
Nicole
Posted by Zuzu on May 28, 2003, at 21:09:52
In reply to What's the easiest/best way to get off Effexor??, posted by Joanie on May 20, 2003, at 11:36:30
I've been on and off Effexor for the past 4 years. Mostly on, on now. When I did go off, I had to taper it off very slowly. Are you on the XR's? I wasn't, so I could break the tabs up. I also took Benadryl, the little pink ones, to help with withdrawl symptoms....got all the way down to 12.5mg (from 150mg), before I could go off. Took almost 6 weeks! Tried Pamelor after that, which almost killed me, then went back on Effexor, as it has worked the best for me, out of all the other meds I have tried.
Good Luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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