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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Keemo on April 13, 2005, at 17:49:23
I have been on Effexor XR 150mg (in the morning) with 50 mg of Imiprimine (at night) for the last 6 years.
I was on it about 10 years ago also and tried to go off cold turkey but that did not go well. I had flu-like symptoms, dizziness, confusion etc.This time I decided to be smarter about it because I know if I even miss one dose I feel side-effects. So I went to my new Dr. (we have moved to another town) and told him I wanted to wean off and he cut my dose in 1/2 to 75mg a day.
It is the second day and I feel tired, light-headed, I'm having trouble concentrating and have a terrible headache up the back of my head. Also yesterday I started getting this sharp pain, in my right ear, which has been happening off and on today too.
Is all of this normal with gradual withdrawl? I thought it would be easier this time. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks
Posted by Minnie-Haha on April 14, 2005, at 17:41:27
In reply to Weaning off Effexor XR, posted by Keemo on April 13, 2005, at 17:49:23
> ... This time I decided to be smarter about it because I know if I even miss one dose I feel side-effects. So I went to my new Dr. (we have moved to another town) and told him I wanted to wean off and he cut my dose in 1/2 to 75mg a day.
>
> It is the second day and I feel tired, light-headed, I'm having trouble concentrating and have a terrible headache up the back of my head. Also yesterday I started getting this sharp pain, in my right ear, which has been happening off and on today too...You might need to taper off even more slowly. Maybe instead of 1/2, just cut down first to 3/4. Also, some report relief by using Benadryl, or even a short-term RX of Prozac.
Look around here in the Withdrawal section and you should find lots of advice on discontinuing Effexor.
Good luck!
Posted by Keemo on April 15, 2005, at 10:51:25
In reply to Re: Weaning off Effexor XR, posted by Minnie-Haha on April 14, 2005, at 17:41:27
> > ... This time I decided to be smarter about it because I know if I even miss one dose I feel side-effects. So I went to my new Dr. (we have moved to another town) and told him I wanted to wean off and he cut my dose in 1/2 to 75mg a day.
> >
> > It is the second day and I feel tired, light-headed, I'm having trouble concentrating and have a terrible headache up the back of my head. Also yesterday I started getting this sharp pain, in my right ear, which has been happening off and on today too...
>
> You might need to taper off even more slowly. Maybe instead of 1/2, just cut down first to 3/4. Also, some report relief by using Benadryl, or even a short-term RX of Prozac.
>
> Look around here in the Withdrawal section and you should find lots of advice on discontinuing Effexor.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Thanks Minnie HaHa, Yesterday was day 3 and I felt pretty good, a little light headed but was ok otherwise. Today, day 4, woke up with a headache again and a stuffy nose. Will try the Benadryl, I've read a lot of people have tried that. I don't understand why it works but I'll try it.
Posted by Readersleaders on April 17, 2005, at 20:04:11
In reply to Weaning off Effexor XR, posted by Keemo on April 13, 2005, at 17:49:23
Try tapering in doses that don't have such big gaps in them and leave your body enough time in between reductions to adjust.
Try taking one 75mg/XR and one 37.5mg/XR = 112.50mg. Stay at any new dose until your system adjusts to it (I recommend based on my own tapering at least 2 weeks--more if you need too).
Then go to tablets by using: 4/25mg tablets/per day = 100mg
Take 2 in the morning and 2 at night. (I always take mine with food in my stomach). Stay at this dose for at least 2 weeks before reducing again.Then try taking one 37.50mg tablet in the morning and one 37.50mg tablet in the evening = 75mg/per day.
Next you could try 1/25mg. tablet in the morning and 1/25mg. tablet at night = 50mg per day
Keep tapering down in small steps and leave enough time in between doses.
Go to bed at a decent hour, eat properly--get rid of sugars, caffeine laden foods and drinks. Don't watch horror type movies/shows--the mind is much more sensistive to this type of stuff and can make the tapering process much more troublesome. Be around positive people, read uplifting literature and keep a journal of all the good things going on in your life so that you can look at it on days when you don't feel so good and have hope.
> I have been on Effexor XR 150mg (in the morning) with 50 mg of Imiprimine (at night) for the last 6 years.
> I was on it about 10 years ago also and tried to go off cold turkey but that did not go well. I had flu-like symptoms, dizziness, confusion etc.
>
> This time I decided to be smarter about it because I know if I even miss one dose I feel side-effects. So I went to my new Dr. (we have moved to another town) and told him I wanted to wean off and he cut my dose in 1/2 to 75mg a day.
>
> It is the second day and I feel tired, light-headed, I'm having trouble concentrating and have a terrible headache up the back of my head. Also yesterday I started getting this sharp pain, in my right ear, which has been happening off and on today too.
>
> Is all of this normal with gradual withdrawl? I thought it would be easier this time. Any input would be appreciated.
> Thanks
Posted by Keemo on April 18, 2005, at 12:44:35
In reply to Re: Weaning off Effexor XR, posted by Readersleaders on April 17, 2005, at 20:04:11
Thanks Readersleaders, I think I will be talking to my Dr. again. I was thinking last night about how long it's going to take to get off this stuff. He gave me a 2 month prescription of the 75mg capsules so I have another 5 weeks I think. Then will cut it down some more, so I could be at this for 4 months or more, each time experiencing more withdrawl symptoms?
Wouldn't just going cold turkey and dealing with it all at once be easier in the long run? Or will I crash and burn and be back where I started?
Just a thought.
Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 20, 2005, at 11:09:23
In reply to Re: Weaning off Effexor XR, posted by Keemo on April 18, 2005, at 12:44:35
When I tried to skip every other day and stretch out the hours between doses----I crashed! I was violently ill and had to go home and sleep, sleep, sleep. So, I took the advice from these posts. I began reducing my doseage! (Friday will be 2 weeks). I wondered why we could not just quit cold turkey and now I know!!!! I am finding that even such a small amout as 1/16th of a 150 mg capsule can keep the withdrawals at bay for 24 hrs!!!
Posted by Keemo on April 21, 2005, at 10:01:32
In reply to Re: Weaning off Effexor XR, posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 20, 2005, at 11:09:23
> When I tried to skip every other day and stretch out the hours between doses----I crashed! I was violently ill and had to go home and sleep, sleep, sleep. So, I took the advice from these posts. I began reducing my doseage! (Friday will be 2 weeks). I wondered why we could not just quit cold turkey and now I know!!!! I am finding that even such a small amout as 1/16th of a 150 mg capsule can keep the withdrawals at bay for 24 hrs!!!
Thanks Dizzy, great screen name by the way. I've been doing better this week. But had to fast for 24hrs for a cholesterol test yesterday and forgot to take my meds after. Now this morning I'm so light-headed and out of it, I can't believe it. It feels like every time I blink, I'm going to tip over and I have to walk my daughter to the school bus 20 min. from our house. Wish me luck!
Spinning in Pender
Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 21, 2005, at 11:04:29
In reply to Re: Weaning off Effexor XR, posted by Keemo on April 21, 2005, at 10:01:32
Keemo,
I do wish you the best of luck!!! Can you take just a little bit so you wont spin? This board has taught me one thing--no points for suffering! That dragging out the time and trying to deal with the withdrawals is not the way to go! Tapering is it! I just wanna know how long before I dont have to take these miniscule little doses! I can not handle the brain zaps and disorientation! As far as my screen name, I just thought ok, this is how I feel--Dizzy!
Posted by Keemo on April 21, 2005, at 12:34:16
In reply to Re: Weaning off Effexor XR, posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 21, 2005, at 11:04:29
I am taking the 75mg capsules, so it's kind of hard to take "a little bit" to stop spinning. I don't know if I should switch to tablets or what I should do. I just hate the spinny feeling I have been going through, especially since forgetting my dose yesterday.
I think I'll try the Benadryl, so many people have mentioned that it takes away some of the withdrawl effects. But Benadryl tends to put me to sleep also and I have a 4 1/2 hr ferry ride tonight. Hopefully I can stay awake and not scare the other passengers with my snoring! ;0)
Posted by Dizzy in Dixie on April 21, 2005, at 13:38:24
In reply to Re: Weaning off Effexor XR, posted by Keemo on April 21, 2005, at 12:34:16
Keemo,
My capsules are 150mg and I split them! Yes, I slide them open and line out all the little balls! I first split it in half (I eye-ball it, I dont count the balls!) Then I split it in half again. Then I split it in half again! I then put a dose back in an empty capsule if I think I am gonna be away from home for more than 12 hrs--as sometimes this is as long as I can go! Nothing to it! What amazes me is that such a small dose keeps the side effects at bay! I only take Benedryl occasionally now and when I do, it does not make me sleepy. For some reason I am very, very tired at the end of the work day! I am trying to find out if this is something that too will pass!!!
~Dizzy
This is the end of the thread.
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