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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sdindia on July 4, 2005, at 21:24:54
Hi, I visited this board once when I was first considering quitting Effexor because it is not working for me.
I have been taking Wellbutrin SR 150mg twice a day for almost 5 years.
After complaining to my psych MD of anxiety-related symptoms, he suggested adding Effexor XR. He started out with 37.5's. Three months later I still complained of anxiety symptoms, and moved it up to 75mg once a day. Again, 3 months later, I reported the symptoms had not been alleviated and I experienced insomnia also, he increased the Effexor to 150mg once a day and reduced the Wellbutrin SR to 150mg once a day.
After 6 months of crying, insomnia, and taking several sick days from a new job, I saw my primary care doctor who wrote me a prescription for Wellbutrin XL 300mg, which I have been taking for almost a month and am happy with.
I quit the Effexor cold turkey 2 days ago, and am trying NOT to take it anymore, as I feel it didn't help me at all.
When I was taking it, I always felt like there was a cloud over me, that I couldn't get excited or feel passion about anything I did before I started the 'combination therapy'.
I am taking the Wellbutrin XL 300mg once a day and intend to continue doing so. The last Effexor I took was 7/2 in the morning. It is now 7/4 at 10pm. What I am feeling now is 'zaps' through my body and pretty spaced out. I find it's hard for me to keep my concentration on a conversation, but I am trying.
My questions now are:
Will the fact that I am taking the Wellbutrin keep my Effexor withdrawal effects to a minimum? Does anyone know?AND
How long can this be expected to last?
Besides the 'zaps' and spaciness, I have no other symptoms (KNOCK ON WOOD). I've headed off the nausea by keeping dry snacks and Pepcid Complete around. I am sleeping much better, too.
I would appreciate any and all information anyone has regarding stopping Effexor while continuing Wellbutrin.
THANKS VERY MUCH!!!
Posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 8:40:38
In reply to Any Info on Cold Turkey Effexor w/Wellbutrin XL, posted by sdindia on July 4, 2005, at 21:24:54
No, taking Wellbutrin will not moderate your reaction to discontinuing Effexor so abruptly. You have made a choice to follow in the footsteps of so many others who have put themselves through a painful experience. I recommend that you not quit Effexor "cold-turkey" and restart it. You can then taper the dosage downward at a rate that allows your brain adjust and that prevents the withdrawal syndrome. It usually takes 3 days for the withdrawal symptoms to appear after discontinuing Effexor abruptly.
Would you be interested in investigating ways of tapering Effexor?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 8:52:03
In reply to Re: Any Info on Cold Turkey Effexor w/Wellbutrin XL, posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 8:40:38
I forgot to give some details as to why Wellbutrin would not prevent a withdrawal syndrome from appearing from the abrupt discontinuation of Effexor. Wellbutrin and Effexor do not share any mechanism of action. Most of the withdrawal symptoms associated with Effexor are due to its serotonin reuptake blockade. Wellbutring does not do this, so there is no buffering of, or substitution for, this serotonin effect when Effexor is removed.
One thing that you can do to ease the discontinuation process is to use a drug that does act as a buffer and substitutes for Effexor. Prozac is the most effective drug to substitute for Effexor. You can switch over to Prozac for a short while and then taper that drug. Its maintenance of blood levels is much smoother and long lasting, and the withdrawal symptoms much reduced as the Prozac leaves the system much more slowly. You may only have to take Prozac for a week.
- Scott
Posted by sdindia on July 5, 2005, at 11:48:26
In reply to Re: Any Info on Cold Turkey Effexor w/Wellbutrin XL, posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 8:40:38
Hi, and thank you for the information you have volunteered. I actually feel quite well, considering this is the third day following discontinuation of Effexor. I actually work at a community mental health center and am just about finished with my master's in the same field, so I am aware of these effects in addition to the effects of many other psych meds. Since the half-life of Effexor is so short, and it's been over 72 hours since my last dose, I am not overly concerned. I am resentful, however, towards myself, for not researching this med more before I started taking it, and even more so resent my psychiatrist for not enlightening me regarding this withdrawal issue.
Since I am still in one piece, I don't tend to catastrophize, and take care of my health in other ways, I am going to continue on the path I am currently on. I am well aware of tapering, and have a prescription sitting beside me for 37.5mg pills to facilitate this. I will continue to check this board mainly for support, and if I feel very ill (which I do not feel coming), I will fill the prescription.
Hopefully I won't need to.
Thanks,
sdindia
Posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 20:20:17
In reply to Re: Any Info on Cold Turkey Effexor w/Wellbutrin XL, posted by sdindia on July 5, 2005, at 11:48:26
So far so good!
I guess it makes sense to stay the course. I sincerely hope you are one of the lucky ones who are spared an intense withdrawal syndrome.
Good luck.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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