Posted by SLS on May 31, 2005, at 23:28:43
In reply to Re: How long do Effexor XL withdrawals last?, posted by kcjuggler on May 31, 2005, at 23:05:02
Hi.
To make a long story short, cut the pills into 1/8 if you can - precision is not necessary - and take small doses several times a day. You will probably end up dosing 3-5 times a day. You'll be using Effexor as a PRN like aspirin for a headache. It is important to wait until the withdrawal effects reappear before taking your next dose. This is a flexible-dosing strategy that works well when one is trying to taper the last 25% of the original dosage.
Like I said, precision in dividing up doses is not critical here. However, through experimentation, you would like to find the amount of Effexor that will allow you to be free of symptoms for 6-8 hours. This might mean using 1/4 pill to start off. I have no idea. If you go well beyond the 8 hours, take smaller doses. You will find that you need smaller and smaller doses to mitigate the withdrawal. When you get stuck in that you cannot reduce the dosage any further without making it lasting 6 hours, just discontinue it completely. The withdrawal syndrome should be relatively mild and short-lived.
I don't know what percentage of people this flexible-dosing strategy is ideal for, but I think it is worth a try. I find that I can get off of 300mg of Effexor within 2 weeks this way without suffering residual symptoms thereafter.
- Scott> I'd like to know the answer as well. I tried to go from 37.5 to zero, and failed. I ended up going to my "regular" doctor, whom suggested I continue taking the Effexor every day - but half the 37.5 mg pill until they were gone. (I still have some left, but wanted to try to stop, since this past weekend was a long weekend.)
>
> I took half of the 37.5 mg pill every day for 20 days. Today is my 5th day without taking any Effexor. Every now and then I'll get the "brain shock" (I like that description - thanks Lisa). I'll also feel some vertigo and find myself to be very easily agitated. These symptoms are no where near as bad as before, but still annoying.
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> Should I try 1/4 of the 37.5 pill? How long 2 weeks?
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> I don't want to go back to Effexor, as I think tomorrow might be the "day" when there are no more withdrawal symptoms. If I try the 1/4 pill approach, how many days of withdrawal symptoms do I endure before trying an 1/8 of a pill?
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> I feel like I'm on the 1 yard line and it's 4th down. I'm so close, do I go for 7 points (no pill), or settle for a field goal (1/4 pill)?
>
> kc
poster:SLS
thread:486906
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050519/msgs/506114.html