Posted by SLS on May 5, 2005, at 8:11:01
In reply to Re: Getting off Effexor, posted by Lstevens29 on May 1, 2005, at 15:23:24
Hi.
Going from 150mg to 75mg represents a decrease of 50%. That is a big number. If you would like to carry on with your tapering process and you are still experiencing a significant withdrawal syndrome at 75mg, You might want to restart from some intermediate dose and decrease more slowly. You should not be allowing yourself to suffer withdrawal symptoms constantly.
It is better to begin taking smaller doses of Effexor several times a day rather than only once or twice a day. This will become more important as you move to dosages less than 75mg. For now, try to find the daily dosage that will allow you to go most of the day without withdrawal symptoms. Maybe you could try 37.5mg three times a day. Hopefully, this will prevent symptoms from appearing. You might want to stay at this dosage for a week or so before moving further downward. At this point it becomes easier to work with the 25mg tablets. You could go to 37.5/25/37.5 for awhile and then 37.5/25/25, and then 25/25/25.
At lower dosages, I advocate a flexible-dosing strategy for discontinuing Effexor. What that means is that you take small doses of Effexor as you need them, rather than according to a daily or hourly schedule. What I found that has worked best for me is to cut the tablets into smaller and smaller pieces and take only as much as will get me through 6-8 hours without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. This usually means that I take 3-4 small doses a day. Wait until you begin to feel withdrawal symptoms reappearing before taking subsequent dosages, but don't allow the symptoms to remain unmedicated for more than an hour. I usually wait 1/2 hour before dosing. It usually doesn't take more than 30-40 minutes for symptoms to recede after the dose. You should find that you need smaller and smaller doses to last 6-8 hours. When you get to the point where no further reduction in dose facilitates the disappearance of withdrawal symptoms, that's when you discontinue the drug entirely. Hopefully, the final withdrawal syndrome episode will be mild and short-lived.
- Scott> Thank you Bart.... I may mention that to my doc about the prozac.... I am also looking for a new job.... but I have such severe withdrawl today... it is hard to think about taking that on...Do you mind me asking what dosage you are at.... I was at 150 mg.... and was doing pretty good until I ran out of medicine (my fault) and went 4 days without.... that was 2 weeks ago.... and I have felt lousy ever since.... I have been on 75 mg for 2 weeks... maybe I should try 75 plus 25mg for awhile..... killer!
poster:SLS
thread:493580
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050424/msgs/494026.html