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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Clarity on November 6, 2005, at 9:51:21
I've been on Effexor for many years and am feeling well enough to try it drug-free but it's very tough! I'm suffering way more side-effects now than when I began the drug. I can't sleep, which is a new problem for me. I've gradually reduced from one big pill(75 mg?) and one little (35?) a day down to one little one every third day. This is my first attempt at skipping the third day and I've been unable to stay asleep. When will this drug let me go?
Posted by SLS on November 6, 2005, at 9:51:21
In reply to getting off effexor, posted by Clarity on November 4, 2005, at 3:12:39
Hi.
You are much better off taking small amounts of Effexor every day instead of skipping days. The drug has such a short half-life, it drains out of the body too fast to use a day-skipping strategy. It's like going cold-turkey two days out of three. This is counterproductive and can only extend and amplify your withdrawal symptoms, not mitigate them. I recommend a flexible dosing strategy. In short, it involves taking very small doses of Effexor several times a day. Once you feel the withdrawal symptoms appear, you simply take a small dose as if you were taking aspirin for a headache - sort of a PRN. You are better off taking smaller and smaller doses rather than fewer and fewer. This will happen automatically. Optimally, you choose to take the minimum amount of Effexor that will allow you to go 6-8 hours without withdrawal symptoms. Then, once the symptoms reappear, you take your next dose.
- Scott
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> I've been on Effexor for many years and am feeling well enough to try it drug-free but it's very tough! I'm suffering way more side-effects now than when I began the drug. I can't sleep, which is a new problem for me. I've gradually reduced from one big pill(75 mg?) and one little (35?) a day down to one little one every third day. This is my first attempt at skipping the third day and I've been unable to stay asleep. When will this drug let me go?
Posted by Clarity on November 6, 2005, at 9:51:21
In reply to Re: getting off effexor » Clarity, posted by SLS on November 4, 2005, at 7:52:47
Thanks for this. It makes a lot of sense. But my pharmacist told me effexor doesn't come in smaller doses. You can't cut a capsule in half. How do I access smaller doses?
> Hi.
>
> You are much better off taking small amounts of Effexor every day instead of skipping days. The drug has such a short half-life, it drains out of the body too fast to use a day-skipping strategy. It's like going cold-turkey two days out of three. This is counterproductive and can only extend and amplify your withdrawal symptoms, not mitigate them. I recommend a flexible dosing strategy. In short, it involves taking very small doses of Effexor several times a day. Once you feel the withdrawal symptoms appear, you simply take a small dose as if you were taking aspirin for a headache - sort of a PRN. You are better off taking smaller and smaller doses rather than fewer and fewer. This will happen automatically. Optimally, you choose to take the minimum amount of Effexor that will allow you to go 6-8 hours without withdrawal symptoms. Then, once the symptoms reappear, you take your next dose.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------
>
>
> > I've been on Effexor for many years and am feeling well enough to try it drug-free but it's very tough! I'm suffering way more side-effects now than when I began the drug. I can't sleep, which is a new problem for me. I've gradually reduced from one big pill(75 mg?) and one little (35?) a day down to one little one every third day. This is my first attempt at skipping the third day and I've been unable to stay asleep. When will this drug let me go?
>
>
Posted by blueberry on November 6, 2005, at 9:51:21
In reply to Re: getting off effexor, posted by Clarity on November 4, 2005, at 16:41:21
You could try what others here have done successfully. Open a capsule and empty some of the contents out. It doesn't have to be exact. You can estimate a half capsule, quarter capsule, etc, until finally you'll be down to just a tiny bit in the bottom of the capsule. It seems a tedious thing to do each day, but the drug companies don't give us any choice. It's worth it though. You'll get good at it. Some folks say benadryl is good for effexor withdrawals and insomnia.
Posted by linkadge on November 6, 2005, at 9:51:21
In reply to Re: getting off effexor, posted by blueberry on November 4, 2005, at 17:37:30
If you can't access the capsules, and only have tablets, then disolve the tablet in a mesuared amount of water, and then pour half out. (or a third, or whatever you want to decreas by)
Linkadge
Posted by tizza on November 9, 2005, at 18:53:17
In reply to Re: getting off effexor, posted by blueberry on November 4, 2005, at 17:37:30
I did exactly what bluberry said. When I got down to 75mg XR, I opened the capsules and sprinkled out a few pellets each day for 6 weeks until there was literally nothing left. Once the withdrawals started I used benadryl for the vertigo and it did help relieve the symptoms but not stop them. I still had to take 2 weeks off work, I got very sick and messed up, I was totally suicidal and lost, BUT HANG IN THERE!!!! IT GOES AWAY!! I have been on anti depressants for almost 2 years this time around and different types over this period and NOW I feel better than I ever have. I might still get the occasional zap every other day but they are very minimal and don't effect me at all. It's like a nasty little reminder that I will never put that poison in my body EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!! Good luck, and put your seat belt on because it's going to be a bumpy ride. Just remember, at the time you think there is no way out and one morning you will wake up a changed person. I wish you good will and understand what you are about to go through, be strong, you can beat it. Paul
Posted by ReadersLeaders on November 10, 2005, at 0:03:49
In reply to getting off effexor, posted by Clarity on November 4, 2005, at 3:12:39
Could you specify if you are taking capsules or tablets?
RL
> I've been on Effexor for many years and am feeling well enough to try it drug-free but it's very tough! I'm suffering way more side-effects now than when I began the drug. I can't sleep, which is a new problem for me. I've gradually reduced from one big pill(75 mg?) and one little (35?) a day down to one little one every third day. This is my first attempt at skipping the third day and I've been unable to stay asleep. When will this drug let me go?
This is the end of the thread.
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