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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by anneL on December 13, 2005, at 23:49:51
Hi,
I have been on Effexor 225 mg. and Klonopin 1 mg. for sleep for almost 6 years straight. I feel completely "hooked" on both medications because my withdrawal symptoms are so severe if I miss a dose of either. How do I get off of these medications? In the last six years, I have gotten down to 150 mg. of Effexor with disaterous effects (continual vivid nightmares), I have not even tried to get off the Klonopin thinking getting off of one at a time would be helpful. Any help or insight would be helpful. I have a feeling that I will be on both meds for life.
:) anneL
Posted by blueberry on December 15, 2005, at 17:24:27
In reply to Is there any painfree way to get off Effexor?, posted by anneL on December 13, 2005, at 23:49:51
How to get off effexor pain free. After 6 years. All I can say is do it real real slow in eensy weensy tiny steps. You'll probably have to get good at opening the capsules and dumping tiny amounts out, slowly over time increasing the amount you dump out. I wouldn't realistically look at the process as taking days or weeks, but maybe more like a couple months or more. Others have done it, but it does take a while.
Adding a little prozac in the background can help too. Even just 5mg every third day or so can put a nice base under the effexor so that missing a dose or lowering a dose doesn't feel so dramatic.
Posted by NZgirl on December 20, 2005, at 16:21:04
In reply to Re: Is there any painfree way to get off Effexor?, posted by blueberry on December 15, 2005, at 17:24:27
I have read many many postings from people wanting to get off Effexor, or trying to get off Effexor - the vast majority have made comments that it is one of the most painful, difficult things they have ever had to do. It was for me too. I have read a small handful of posts where people say they managed to get off Effexor with very little side effects - they are the lucky ones and from what I can gather, are few and far between.
I agree with the previous posting - depending on your dose, and how long you have been taking Effexor, I would allow many months to get off it, reducing in small amounts (about 5 - 10%)every 2 weeks. There are lots of suggestions on other postings here telling you how to do that. You will need to be cutting up pills, or breaking open the capsules. Apparently some people have managed to get the drug in liquid form which makes things alot easier. Make sure you take it every day - dont try to reduce by skipping days as you will just be in withdrawal and you will feel terrible.
There are also plenty of suggestions for meds to help with the withdrawal - Benedryl and Ginger the 2 main ones. Suggestions also include fish oil. Try to eat a healthy diet, cut out caffiene as it makes it worse.
Good news though - it does get better, you will get better. I am about a month off Effexor now and I am almost back to normal - it has been a very difficult time and I'm fortunate to have an understanding boss and family.
Good luck
Posted by elkat on January 3, 2006, at 9:36:38
In reply to Re: Is there any painfree way to get off Effexor?, posted by NZgirl on December 20, 2005, at 16:21:04
This might sound strange, but I had a doctor switch me over to Straterra, then I quit the Straterra after a month and was off both meds. I don't recall anything that was particularly bad. I didn't go on the Straterra to quit the Effexor per se.
This same doctor said prozac for a short period of time helps also.
This is the end of the thread.
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