![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 54 to 78 of 113. Go back in thread:
Posted by rabble_rouser on June 25, 2005, at 21:40:39
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by feelin crazy on June 25, 2005, at 0:50:35
choline, ginkgo biloba, co q-10, l-phenylalanine, l-tyrosine, l-glutamine, omega 3's, multivit and mega B vits.
Kiss goodbye to symptoms.
Posted by ariel on June 27, 2005, at 9:33:58
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » apenname, posted by SLS on June 14, 2005, at 15:49:16
i am planning to get off effexor -- very, very, very gradually, as outlined in all the extremely helpful posts on this site!
ok, i've been on effexor xr for 10 years. my dosage for the past 4 yrs has been 225 mg a day, sometimes 300 mgs a day (maybe a couple times a month). my main reason for discontinuing this med is the information i got from my therapist last year. before i hit menopause this year, i was hit with several bouts of bad depression due to fluctuating hormones. the therapist reminded me that no pill is "magic", that the brain can override the effects if one doesn't work at it. altho she wants me to stay on effexor (and i don't know a therapist who would counsel otherwise), it got me to thinking. my depression, which i always thought was chemical, she feels is more situational. now that i'm more hormonally balanced, and with the information her therapy has provided, i feel i can deal with my problems without meds.
i have never popped open an effexor capsule to see what's inside. i thought it was powder, but one of the posts indicates the cap contains little beads. i'm prepared to count them out as part of the weaning process. i will take as much time as i need. also: someone here strongly recommends natural vitamin and mineral supplements. please tell me what they are.
once i'm prepared, then it will come down to when to start this. i'm inclined to start very soon. no time is a really "good" time, with late summer/early fall being a tough time for me(change of seasons, child leaving for college, houseguests gone).
i've read all the info in your posts but would really appreciate help and replies. thanks so much!
Posted by SLS on June 27, 2005, at 10:17:25
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » SLS, posted by ariel on June 27, 2005, at 9:33:58
Hi Ariel.
I'm on my way out the door, but I wanted to acknowledge your post. You might want to ask your doctor for the 25mg tablets to help you through the tapering process. Splitting them is easier than counting beads and fine enough to produce sufficiently small doses.
- Scott
Posted by apenname on June 27, 2005, at 10:19:56
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » SLS, posted by ariel on June 27, 2005, at 9:33:58
Answers to some questions:
rabble_rouser and others: I take One Daily Essentials multivitamin, Mega Foods brand. This is a "100% whole foods" vitamin that I found after trial and error of different multivitamins to find one I could handle without stomach upset. A google search of "mega foods vitamin one daily" gives links to stores that list the multivitamin's components. I've been taking this vitamin for at least 4 years now, and in that time, I've been on Effexor XR 225 mg, then stepped down Effexor, and up Lexapro, and then discontinued Lexapro for a very depressed week, then Wellburtrin for awhile, and then back on Effexor XR, and now during discontinuation of Effexor XR.
I also take 2 tablets a day of "Caltrate 600 +D", a calcium supplement, either a "store brand" or Wyeth's brand.I don't know whether my neurochemistry, my extra attempts to reduce stress in my life during this Effexor XR decrease, the multivitamin, or all of the above meant that I didn't have side effects until this last step of 37.5mg to 0 mg. I also may have had some earlier on but thought they were the cause of something else (stress, sinus infection, weather change, etc.)
ariel: I got some free sample packs from my psychiatrist which contained 75mg and 37.5mg doses. You can open up a capsule on a tray or plate. I found that the little "beads" aren't all the same size, so I would just push the "beads" to two little piles with the edge of a spoon, and judge equality by eye. You might find counting easier: my husband did. When I was dizzy trying to do this, I ended up having a few beads roll around and I accidentally had them bounce off the plate and onto the carpeted floor (which I then had to vaccuum to keep the cat from eating them). A piece of clean cloth on top of an edged tray made that less likely to happen. Also, preparing the "dose" ahead of time, or having someone else do it has helped.
I leave my half dose on the tray to take with applesauce (my psychiatrist recommended peanut butter), and carefully put the rest back in the capsule to carry with me if I need it.Thanks to the other posters who gave me hope and advice for splitting dosages and dealing with withdrawal side effects!
Posted by rabble_rouser on June 28, 2005, at 6:52:26
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by apenname on June 27, 2005, at 10:19:56
Hi penname,
thanks for the info! I agree totally with what you say about stress reduction too - every little helps. I have found meditation to be helpful and really good fun.
I started taking all those vits when first going back on effexor in the hope they would boost levels of neurotransmitters even further (if the internet hype is to be believed). I accidentally found they eliminated my side effects, so I stuck with them. And they seem to do the trick on withdrawal too. As you say pen, every one has different neurochemistry so its gonna be different for all.
Found an article about the effects of some of these vitamins http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/esparza3.html
which may be informative also.
The best advice I have heard when you are coming off, is to prepare every area of your life. Do all the little things like diet and exercise (if you can) and try to get others around you involved. I have found it helpful to keep my dad notified of how I am every other day to make sure I'm not going off the deep end.
In other news, there has been a recent trial of an electronic brain-stimulator thingy, which apparently 'instantly cures depression'. The research was done in Georgia and is called Deep Brain Stimulation, centering on an area of the brain called area 25. Sounds very X files, but cool if it works.
Blue skies
Ross (rabble_rouser)
Posted by ariel on June 28, 2005, at 12:53:38
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by rabble_rouser on June 28, 2005, at 6:52:26
thank you for the information!
i broke open a cap today and took some of the beads along with 2 75 mg caps. i didn't count the beads, though. just sort of eyed them. if this sort of inexact method backfires on me, i will do what penname does. i had several freebie packs of the pills but used them all (darn!). i will probably have to order one more 90 day supply thru my scrip service. better to be safe than very sorry. the costs is fairly minimal (like $20).
i take my pills begore morning coffee, like around 8-9AM. it's about 1:45 pm, after lunch, and i feel just slightly heavy headed. i know what it feels like when the pills aren't in my system, having skipped doses by mistake (only maybe twice in 10 years). like the flu -- sweaty, achy, nauseous, everything people have described. takes only a few hours of a missed dose to feel like sh*t. if i go thru a minor version of this, i can handle it as i am extremely fortunate to be retired with very few daily responsibilities. i can spend the day on the couch, or nap, or walk for hours, or whatever i want. if i get a depression rebound, though, i will have to call up all my emotional reserves. thing is, i'm just as likely to get depressed on the pills as off. which is why i want to get them out of my system.
i will research the multivitamin connection. i am very bad when it comes to taking supplements. very lazy. if i commit to a supply and have laid out the dough, that should be enough motivation. also, if they indeed make me feel better.
ok, one more question: i don't blame weight gain on effexor. but...have any of you lost weight once off the pills?
Posted by ariel on June 28, 2005, at 13:44:10
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by apenname on June 27, 2005, at 10:19:56
> Answers to some questions:
> rabble_rouser and others: I take One Daily Essentials multivitamin, Mega Foods brand. This is a "100% whole foods" vitamin that I found after trial and error of different multivitamins to find one I could handle without stomach upset. A google search of "mega foods vitamin one daily" gives links to stores that list the multivitamin's components.i just placed an order for the Mega Foods vit. you recommend. i like that it doesn't have additives like gingko or kava kava or other "natural" caffeine like stimulants. i'm sure it will help. as it is, i do eat yogurt, fruits, raw veg., whole grains, drink a glass of green tea, several glasses of water daily.
i also read several posts from one of the many sites that discuss med withdrawal. one such post emphasizes what you experienced types know--you have to be patient, be very careful with the actual cutting down, and listen to your body. i have been on this drug for 10 years. if i can cut down by 5-10% over time, i'll be fortunate. i <am> determined to be drug free.
Posted by apenname on June 28, 2005, at 15:42:17
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » apenname, posted by ariel on June 28, 2005, at 13:44:10
As for weight gain: I've experienced it on the medicine, but it might also be natural (I was heading that way and have not been trying to exercise or watch what I eat, although I've been eating somewhat healthy type foods).
When I was almost done with the Effexor, I happened to also find I had to buy all new shorts, that I'd gained more weight than I thought, and wanted to do everything: Go from Zero exercise to once a day, go from eating half healthy half bad to all healthy. But with the onset of the dizziness and the runs (since the 37.5 mg week), I realized I'm putting my body through enough stress going off the medicine, I need to be careful not to over-do it. Friends who aren't medicated who've gone from Zero to fit have warned me about that. So I'm trying to wean myself on to exercise and healthy food as I wean off the Effexor XR. But if you're already non-sedentary: go for it!Today I'm 3 days since my last ~9.4 mg dose, and am feeling tired and uncertain if the dizziness is about to hit or I've just had a long day of meetings and need a break. If you read back through the threads, some people take just a "bead" instead of a specific dose when the symptoms hit, there are different methods.
Don't forget to take the "beads" with food, even the prescription pamphlet suggests applesauce if a partial pill is needed (in the last section). I think this makes sure that they get absorbed by the body in that same extended release method.
Also: you can maybe get a few "holdover" pills from your local pharmacist, bring in your current prescription.
Posted by k5 on June 29, 2005, at 14:58:19
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » ariel, posted by apenname on June 28, 2005, at 15:42:17
It's my third day off Effexor XR. I was on 150 mg for about two years and tapered off...went to 75 mg for a month then 37.5 for two weeks. I've had nausea, diarrhea, the brain shivers, headaches, and a hard time falling asleep. Please tell me this won't last for weeks? What can I do to ease these awful symptoms? I appreciate the help.
Posted by apenname on June 30, 2005, at 10:07:40
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by apenname on June 27, 2005, at 10:19:56
Update:
Yesterday after 4 days of nothing since 9.4mg, dizziness hit me hard. I took an hour or so to try and figure out if it was just being tired and stressed from work, but ended up taking ~5mg, and a much-needed nap and was fine afterwards. Later, some depression hit, but it's not only manageable but normal-life-caused: the sort of thing anyone would have to deal with under my set of circumstances.Going well with the slow decreased dosing. I'm very positive when I look at my calendar and see that every dose I've taken as needed to stop the dizziness have been either a longer time span between doses at the same amount or the same time between doses, but the second being a smaller dose. Progress!
Posted by ariel on June 30, 2005, at 10:33:55
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by apenname on June 30, 2005, at 10:07:40
Again, thank you for your help! If it wasn't for boards like this, so many of us wouldn't be getting the information we need.
Ok, so this is my 3rd day on a reduced dosage. I'm doing 2 75s and a third of the beads from a 75 mg capsule. Knock wood, I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. I even pushed it yesterday by going clothes shopping, an activity I detest. Not only did I luck out in the clothes dept., I felt emotionally and physically fine afterwards. As I mentioned, I know what withdrawal feels like and I haven't felt anything that comes close to those couple days I spent suffering when I missed doses.
I'm not going to order any more pills if I'm able to keep up this regime. By my count, I have enough to get me through a couple of months of a gradual cutting down. if i have to, I'll hit up my doctor for some freebies.
It's funny that I experienced occasional dizziness on my full dosage and no dizziness now that I've cut down. I'm taking the multivitamin I have on hand while I'm waiting for the MegaFoods order to arrive. Like you, penname, I was putting on weight, pill or no pill. Perimenopause was bitch, especially when it came to food cravings. I'm wondering if my newly menopausal state is a factor in my not experiencing my former severe withdrawal effects. I know that it certainly is re my far more stabile emotional state. Also, the last year of therapy has made a tremendous difference in my thinking. Maybe my having convinced myself that it's going to be OK is a factor. if I sunk into depression despite the high doage of effexor, then the opposite may be true.
Anyways, this may all be a nice little respite until the next step. I empathize with everyone here and hope that we can all be Effexor free soon!
Posted by 4WD on June 30, 2005, at 22:02:55
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by ariel on June 30, 2005, at 10:33:55
> Again, thank you for your help! If it wasn't for boards like this, so many of us wouldn't be getting the information we need.
>
> Ok, so this is my 3rd day on a reduced dosage. I'm doing 2 75s and a third of the beads from a 75 mg capsule. Knock wood, I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. I even pushed it yesterday by going clothes shopping, an activity I detest. Not only did I luck out in the clothes dept., I felt emotionally and physically fine afterwards. As I mentioned, I know what withdrawal feels like and I haven't felt anything that comes close to those couple days I spent suffering when I missed doses.
>
> I'm not going to order any more pills if I'm able to keep up this regime. By my count, I have enough to get me through a couple of months of a gradual cutting down. if i have to, I'll hit up my doctor for some freebies.
>
> It's funny that I experienced occasional dizziness on my full dosage and no dizziness now that I've cut down. I'm taking the multivitamin I have on hand while I'm waiting for the MegaFoods order to arrive. Like you, penname, I was putting on weight, pill or no pill. Perimenopause was bitch, especially when it came to food cravings. I'm wondering if my newly menopausal state is a factor in my not experiencing my former severe withdrawal effects. I know that it certainly is re my far more stabile emotional state. Also, the last year of therapy has made a tremendous difference in my thinking. Maybe my having convinced myself that it's going to be OK is a factor. if I sunk into depression despite the high doage of effexor, then the opposite may be true.
>
> Anyways, this may all be a nice little respite until the next step. I empathize with everyone here and hope that we can all be Effexor free soon!Good for you! I'm glad you are doing so well. One thing I noticed coming off Effexor while perimenopausal was that I had more hot flashes. So don't be surprised if that starts to happen at some point. It was like the Effexor was partially protecting me against the flashes.
Marsha
Posted by ariel on July 1, 2005, at 16:15:42
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » ariel, posted by 4WD on June 30, 2005, at 22:02:55
Effexor did nothing to prevent hot flashes in my case. I had them throughout perimenopause (10 years), big soakings day and night. If the pill did anything to help me during that period, I was fooled. I know women are precribed antidepressants to help with perimenopausal symptoms. If I could, I'd tell them to tough it out rather than having to go throw withdrawal if/when they decide to stop.
Posted by 4WD on July 1, 2005, at 21:37:47
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by ariel on July 1, 2005, at 16:15:42
If I could, I'd tell them to tough it out rather than having to go throw withdrawal if/when they decide to stop.
Me too. I expect the same thing will happen anyway when I eventually quit my HRT. I think I could stand the hot flashes during the day but I hate waking up soaking wet and I hate not being able to sleep.
Posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 7:11:31
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by ariel on July 1, 2005, at 16:15:42
Hi,
I'm male, 21. When I took Effexor, I had really bad hot flashes all the time!
~Ed
Posted by SLS on July 2, 2005, at 9:13:04
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » ariel, posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 7:11:31
> Hi,
>
> I'm male, 21. When I took Effexor, I had really bad hot flashes all the time!
>
> ~Ed
This is a very common side effect of Effexor - profuse sweating, especially at night.
- Scott
Posted by ariel on July 2, 2005, at 13:04:14
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by SLS on July 2, 2005, at 9:13:04
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm male, 21. When I took Effexor, I had really bad hot flashes all the time!
> >
> > ~Ed
>
>
> This is a very common side effect of Effexor - profuse sweating, especially at night.
>
>
> - ScottYou poor guys! Well, you certainly can empathize with middle aged women, LOL.
Very interesting that my night sweats were exacerbated by the Effexor. Now that I'm over the worst, I still can get sweaty from dreaming. i tiwll be interesting to see if the sweats stop once the dosage is reduced further.
It's day 4 or 5 of my reduced dosage. Still, no remarkable withdrawal side effects. I should stay so lucky! Next week, I'll cut down again. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Posted by SLS on July 2, 2005, at 14:39:37
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by ariel on July 2, 2005, at 13:04:14
You might want to try the flexible-dosing strategy that I've been yapping about for the last few months. It becomes especially useful once you reach dosages of 75mg and lower.
- Scott
Posted by 4WD on July 2, 2005, at 21:44:01
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » ariel, posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 7:11:31
> Hi,
>
> I'm male, 21. When I took Effexor, I had really bad hot flashes all the time!
>
> ~EdCymbalta made me much more prone to sweat. And I noticed that I overheated more easily on both it and Effexor. But when I quit Effexor I got hot flashes. Weird.
Marsha
Posted by ariel on July 3, 2005, at 14:29:16
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » ariel, posted by SLS on July 2, 2005, at 14:39:37
> You might want to try the flexible-dosing strategy that I've been yapping about for the last few months. It becomes especially useful once you reach dosages of 75mg and lower.
>
>
> - ScottThanks, Scott, for reminding me. I just printed out your instructions. Makes sense to dose every few hours to accurately measure how long I can go without.
I have to laugh about what was posted re trying to prepare oneself and surroundings for the dosage withdrawal. I thought that having my college aged child at home would help me by keeping me busy this summer. He certainly has "helped" me keep my mind off feeling at loose ends -- last nite he drank far too much, decided to cook bacon, then spilled scalding hot grease all over his hand. His friends hightailed it out of here, leaving me with an injured foul mouthed drunk. Even the EMTs wouldn't stick around. You'd think he had more than a first degree burn, the way he carried on for almost 3 hours. My usual reaction to this boy's crises is to sink immediately into despair. Last nite, though, I held it together. Maybe I'm working harder, knowing I don't have the chemical "assistance".
Posted by apenname on July 3, 2005, at 21:39:44
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by ariel on July 3, 2005, at 14:29:16
way to go being dealing with the situation!
I'd made things 'simpler' and reduced work load and everything for the de-medication period. Now as I'm getting back into work, I'm not done with withdrawal and not certain I can fight the depression off. I'm finding getting things done actually helps. Even though I'm annoyed at the people who were doing parts of my job for screwing up. Not nearly so traumatizing as what you're up to.Sometimes responsibility is a pain, sometimes realizing that you're the one taking care of things is an ego boost, even though dealing with the problems can be painful during.
Posted by ariel on July 5, 2005, at 14:33:47
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » ariel, posted by apenname on July 3, 2005, at 21:39:44
Kudos to you for sticking with it! And esp. since you have to be out in the world working. I never would've even considered going off Effexor if I was still working. All of you who do while holding down jobs are brave!
Ok, so it's been a week and today I cut down for the 2nd time. Still, whatever symptoms I have are either so low key I'm not noticing them or maybe not there at all. I'm still on a lot of medicine, like 150+ mgs. I expect when I'm getting down to the lower doses, I'm going to be feeling it.
Posted by robin1 on July 5, 2005, at 16:10:45
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last? » apenname, posted by SLS on June 14, 2005, at 15:49:16
help! my pharmacist told me i cannot take wellbutrin while i'm getting off effexor, yet i saw you mention that in one of the other messages.
i'm on my 3rd day of no effexor, and my 3rd day of wellbutrin. of course, i have the horrible side effects. can i take some effexor with the wellbutrin to help keep those to a minimum???
why don't they tell us about this in the beginning?!?!? i went thru this with paxil and it was hell. will i have the same problem with wellbutrin??!
i'm looking into otc anxietol-7...supposedly NO side effects.
anyway...what do you think about wellbutrin AND effexor?
r.
Posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 20:38:58
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by robin1 on July 5, 2005, at 16:10:45
> help! my pharmacist told me i cannot take wellbutrin while i'm getting off effexor, yet i saw you mention that in one of the other messages.
>
> i'm on my 3rd day of no effexor, and my 3rd day of wellbutrin. of course, i have the horrible side effects. can i take some effexor with the wellbutrin to help keep those to a minimum???
>
> why don't they tell us about this in the beginning?!?!? i went thru this with paxil and it was hell. will i have the same problem with wellbutrin??!
>
> i'm looking into otc anxietol-7...supposedly NO side effects.
>
> anyway...what do you think about wellbutrin AND effexor?
All I can say is that I have seen a number of people respond well to the combination who did not respond to either alone. I think it is worth a try.
- Scott
Posted by apenname on July 5, 2005, at 20:50:23
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XR withdrawals last?, posted by robin1 on July 5, 2005, at 16:10:45
Hm. pharmacist say no wellbutrin+effexor? Are you on anything else that the pharmacist might know about that would cause them to say "don't do it"? There's another couple of threads about wellbutrin+effexor with a lot of good education on the actions of wellbutrin+effexor.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050611/msgs/523534.html
My new psychiatrist was surprised that my previous psychiatrist hadn't tried me on wellbutrin+effexor.People have different reactions from medications, and there are a lot of factors which can vary that, which makes it very difficult for anyone to predict what will happen. What I found informative and comforting: keeping statistics in mind, read the prescribing pamphlet, and pay attention to the reports of people's side effects on the medicine (how many people in the study, how many people got the side effect on the medicine, and how many people got the side effect on the placebo!)
Go forward in 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.