![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anne Barkley on June 20, 2005, at 22:23:21
I've been on 150 mg. of Effexor XR for 3 years, and because of elevated liver function tests am now trying to get off of it altogether. My doctor had me reduce dosage to 75 mg. for one week. That worked fine--no problems! Next step was to reduce to 37.5 mg. for two weeks. That is working fine! Next step is to be EFFEXOR-FREE and I am scared to death. I do not want to go the Prozac route that I see so many of you talking about. Any other suggestions??
Posted by SLS on June 20, 2005, at 22:23:21
In reply to Getting off of Effexor, posted by Anne Barkley on June 19, 2005, at 10:06:45
> I've been on 150 mg. of Effexor XR for 3 years, and because of elevated liver function tests am now trying to get off of it altogether. My doctor had me reduce dosage to 75 mg. for one week. That worked fine--no problems! Next step was to reduce to 37.5 mg. for two weeks. That is working fine! Next step is to be EFFEXOR-FREE and I am scared to death. I do not want to go the Prozac route that I see so many of you talking about. Any other suggestions??
Continue to taper further. Check out the "Withdrawal" board for some more ideas.http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/
I have used a flexible dosage strategy that has worked well for me once I get to the lower dosages.
- Scott
Posted by Tom Twilight on June 20, 2005, at 22:23:21
In reply to Getting off of Effexor, posted by Anne Barkley on June 19, 2005, at 10:06:45
Personaly my withdrawal from Effexor was relativly easy, and I withdrew from 225mgs to nothing in two weeks.
I had been on it for several monthsI just felt a bit dizzy for a few days.
I think Ed had a fairly easy withdrawal to, correct me if I'm wrong Ed!
I would like to say that I'm not trying to 'discredit' people who had bad withdrawals, I just wanted to say that you won't automaticly have them.
Don't make yourself really depressed assuming that you'll have a terrible time geting off like like I did!I would also like to say that I think, for me L-Tryptophan helped a bit with withdrawals, perhapse because it raises seratonin levels.
Posted by Anne Barkley on June 20, 2005, at 22:23:21
In reply to Re: Getting off of Effexor, posted by SLS on June 19, 2005, at 11:09:12
I would love to know what you mean by "flexible dosage schedule" that has worked for you. What I'm thinking of doing is asking for an Rx for the Effexor tablets and cutting them in half--trying that for a couple of weeks. (The 37.5 mg. capsule is the smallest capsule dosage.)
Posted by SLS on June 21, 2005, at 7:18:42
In reply to Re: Getting off of Effexor, posted by Anne Barkley on June 19, 2005, at 21:42:03
> I would love to know what you mean by "flexible dosage schedule" that has worked for you. What I'm thinking of doing is asking for an Rx for the Effexor tablets and cutting them in half--trying that for a couple of weeks. (The 37.5 mg. capsule is the smallest capsule dosage.)
Hi.I'm sorry to have to do this to you, but I think you might want to use the Search function at the bottom of the page. I am really fighting to stay focused this morning, and I don't have the energy to describe the whole method that I have used.
Before doing anything different, if you are having success with what you are doing, then keep doing it!
Flexible Dosing in summary:Once you reach 75mg or less, take small amounts of Effexor 3-4 times a day. Split the pills as you have suggested. Try to get the 25mg tablets. Break them up into very small pieces. You don't have to be very precise. Take a dose only when you need to. Wait until you feel the withdrawal symptoms appear until you take your next dose. You'll be using Effexor on an as-needed basis much the same way as you would use aspirin for a headache. After a bit of experimentation, try to take the amount of Effexor that will allow you to remain free of withdrawal symptoms for between 6-8 hours - no longer. You will find that it takes less and less Effexor to do this. When you finally reach the point where you can't reduce the dose and still make it for 6 hours, just stop the drug completely. Hopefully, your period of withdrawal will be relatively mild and brief.
Here is a search link for you to try:
http://www.google.com/search?q=flexible+dose+sls&sitesearch=dr-bob.org
- Scott
Posted by rabble_rouser on June 24, 2005, at 6:02:31
In reply to Re: Getting off of Effexor » Anne Barkley, posted by SLS on June 21, 2005, at 7:18:42
Hi Guys,
Hope all is well. It may not be for everyone, but please read my post "Effexor side effects and withdrawal - this might help". Am on day 3 of cutting my dose in half and STILL NO EFFECTS. Hope it works for you too.
All the best
Ross [rabble_rouser]
> > I would love to know what you mean by "flexible dosage schedule" that has worked for you. What I'm thinking of doing is asking for an Rx for the Effexor tablets and cutting them in half--trying that for a couple of weeks. (The 37.5 mg. capsule is the smallest capsule dosage.)
>
>
> Hi.
>
> I'm sorry to have to do this to you, but I think you might want to use the Search function at the bottom of the page. I am really fighting to stay focused this morning, and I don't have the energy to describe the whole method that I have used.
>
> Before doing anything different, if you are having success with what you are doing, then keep doing it!
>
>
> Flexible Dosing in summary:
>
> Once you reach 75mg or less, take small amounts of Effexor 3-4 times a day. Split the pills as you have suggested. Try to get the 25mg tablets. Break them up into very small pieces. You don't have to be very precise. Take a dose only when you need to. Wait until you feel the withdrawal symptoms appear until you take your next dose. You'll be using Effexor on an as-needed basis much the same way as you would use aspirin for a headache. After a bit of experimentation, try to take the amount of Effexor that will allow you to remain free of withdrawal symptoms for between 6-8 hours - no longer. You will find that it takes less and less Effexor to do this. When you finally reach the point where you can't reduce the dose and still make it for 6 hours, just stop the drug completely. Hopefully, your period of withdrawal will be relatively mild and brief.
>
> Here is a search link for you to try:
>
> http://www.google.com/search?q=flexible+dose+sls&sitesearch=dr-bob.org
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by rabble_rouser on June 25, 2005, at 21:21:13
In reply to Re: Getting off of Effexor, posted by rabble_rouser on June 24, 2005, at 6:02:31
I cut my dose in half AGAIN - still feeling amazing. In fact, I feel even better. Let me say again - last time I came off effexor, it was hell. eyeballs aching, brain zaps, dizziness, angry enough that i nearly knocked my friend out.
I do not own a vitamins website. I am not a psychologist. I have nothing to gain from tealling you this stuff. If you want to ignore what i have to say then go for it - but the vits ive been taking have eliminated EVERY effexor side effect going, when in the past i got them all.
Rabble rouser
> Hi Guys,
>
> Hope all is well. It may not be for everyone, but please read my post "Effexor side effects and withdrawal - this might help". Am on day 3 of cutting my dose in half and STILL NO EFFECTS. Hope it works for you too.
>
> All the best
>
> Ross [rabble_rouser]
>
>
>
>
> > > I would love to know what you mean by "flexible dosage schedule" that has worked for you. What I'm thinking of doing is asking for an Rx for the Effexor tablets and cutting them in half--trying that for a couple of weeks. (The 37.5 mg. capsule is the smallest capsule dosage.)
> >
> >
> > Hi.
> >
> > I'm sorry to have to do this to you, but I think you might want to use the Search function at the bottom of the page. I am really fighting to stay focused this morning, and I don't have the energy to describe the whole method that I have used.
> >
> > Before doing anything different, if you are having success with what you are doing, then keep doing it!
> >
> >
> > Flexible Dosing in summary:
> >
> > Once you reach 75mg or less, take small amounts of Effexor 3-4 times a day. Split the pills as you have suggested. Try to get the 25mg tablets. Break them up into very small pieces. You don't have to be very precise. Take a dose only when you need to. Wait until you feel the withdrawal symptoms appear until you take your next dose. You'll be using Effexor on an as-needed basis much the same way as you would use aspirin for a headache. After a bit of experimentation, try to take the amount of Effexor that will allow you to remain free of withdrawal symptoms for between 6-8 hours - no longer. You will find that it takes less and less Effexor to do this. When you finally reach the point where you can't reduce the dose and still make it for 6 hours, just stop the drug completely. Hopefully, your period of withdrawal will be relatively mild and brief.
> >
> > Here is a search link for you to try:
> >
> > http://www.google.com/search?q=flexible+dose+sls&sitesearch=dr-bob.org
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
>
Posted by apenname on June 25, 2005, at 21:39:39
In reply to Re: Getting off of Effexor, posted by rabble_rouser on June 25, 2005, at 21:21:13
I'm curious how it goes for you once you're off the Effexor XR completely, the side effects didn't kick in for me until then.
I do heartily appreciate your advice, but am not going to personally add new vitamins (I already take a multivitamin and calcium), as most vitamins I've tried in the past tend to make me sick to my stomach, and it took a lot of trial and error to find one I could stomach. But I think from my own current withdrawal experience that there's something to be said for treating your body well (even if it means getting more vitamins or exercise or sleep) and staying positive.
This board has helped me go from feeling awful to having hope and ways to get through this. Thanks, everyone!
Posted by rabble_rouser on June 26, 2005, at 9:35:52
In reply to Re: Getting off of Effexor, posted by rabble_rouser on June 25, 2005, at 21:21:13
Hm my last post came off a bit grumpy ... Sorry! Things can sound different in your head to how they look on screen ...
Ross
:) xxx
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Withdrawal | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.