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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ihateeffexor on June 29, 2005, at 9:46:01
okay- so this is my THIRD try to post something-
but basically- i'm coming off of Effexor XR- i'm already down to 75 mg but i feel just AWFUL- all of the usual symptoms- does anyone have any advice? i feel like shooting myself.
Posted by alexandra_k on June 29, 2005, at 18:33:01
In reply to Coming off Effexor, posted by Ihateeffexor on June 29, 2005, at 9:46:01
Hello. Glad you managed to post something. I hate effexor too. There is a withdrawal board which deals with withdrawal effects of psych. meds. The board is almost (but not quite) solely devoted to effexor withdrawal!
I have been there too (which is why I hate effexor as well).
There should be a lot of info from that board about how to make the withdrawal easier. You could start a new thread in an attempt to get the 'best of' or you could hunt the archives and check out the threads already on the board for suggestions.
You might want to check out some of the other boards too...
Welcome to Babble, I hope you like it here.
Posted by ihateeffexor on June 29, 2005, at 19:55:19
In reply to Re: Coming off Effexor » Ihateeffexor, posted by alexandra_k on June 29, 2005, at 18:33:01
> Hello. Glad you managed to post something. I hate effexor too. There is a withdrawal board which deals with withdrawal effects of psych. meds. The board is almost (but not quite) solely devoted to effexor withdrawal!
>
> I have been there too (which is why I hate effexor as well).
>
> There should be a lot of info from that board about how to make the withdrawal easier. You could start a new thread in an attempt to get the 'best of' or you could hunt the archives and check out the threads already on the board for suggestions.
>
> You might want to check out some of the other boards too...
>
> Welcome to Babble, I hope you like it here.Thanks for the follow up i'm finding a lot of helpful information. this is so scary- i'm getting married in August and i'm in the happiest time of my life- so i'm managing emotionally- my fiance is incredibly supportive- but the physical symptoms are just awful. i can't understand why my doctor didn't tell me this to begin with. i think the worst part is my inability to sleep at night and my night sweats- i feel like i'm baking in an oven. do you know when i can expect some relief? i'm just beginning the 37.5 and i have to say, i'm scared to come off totally because 37.5 is still better than none at all. i just feel like the world is spinning around me and i'm not quite going fast enough- if that makes any sense at all.
Posted by alexandra_k on June 30, 2005, at 0:38:38
In reply to Re: Coming off Effexor, posted by ihateeffexor on June 29, 2005, at 19:55:19
I imagine that p-docs don't talk about effexor withdrawal when they are putting someone on the medication because they don't want to put them off taking it. If the depression really is that bad then I guess it is about doing what you can to alleviate that - and they'll worry about the withdrawal effects when they come.
Congratulations on your up and coming marriage! Thats really great that you are feeling a lot better :-)
Now I don't know too much about meds...
So best take this with more than a grain of salt...
But I seem to recall something about people splitting capsuals. There is an average amount of grains inside and so you can get a finer grained (ha!) taper off the medication by doing it that way rather than being confined to the standard dosages. That way you can taper it down a lot more slowely and hopefully minimise the nasty side-effects.
I seem to recall something else about what people were taking that was meant to be really helpful with the side-effects. I think it might have been some kind of cough syrup????? But don't go taking any old cough syrup because it might have to be a special kind and I might be wrong about it being a cough syrup.Sigh.
I'm not really very much use at all...
Posted by Ihateeffexor on June 30, 2005, at 7:45:50
In reply to Re: Coming off Effexor » ihateeffexor, posted by alexandra_k on June 30, 2005, at 0:38:38
Actually- i called a health food store on Monday- the woman who owns it is married to a pharmacist at CVS- so he did some research for me and recommended this stuff called "Relaxing Sleep Tonic Compound"- my mom picked it up for me today and she's dropping it off- i'll let you know how it works- sleep has been the hardest thing i think. right now, i have no appetite and no desire to work out- although i know the gym would probably be great. i also feel like i'm retaining fluids horribly- i feel like a big porker right now. i'm trying to be patient- we'll see how the next few days go- my doctor actually did suggest the splitting the capsules open- so i'm probably going to try that.
Posted by rabble_rouser on June 30, 2005, at 10:49:31
In reply to Re: Coming off Effexor, posted by Ihateeffexor on June 30, 2005, at 7:45:50
Hi hate,
Thought I'd say hi and provide that 'best of' that alexandra-k mentioned. I've been lurking round the withdrawal board for a while, and this is what I've picked up along with my own experiences:
1) Clarityn - an antihistamine with some evidence of stopping the 'brain whooshes' that effexor withdrawal (EW) gives you.
2) Meditation and exercise - both help to balance you out, and if you subscribe to the neurotransmitter theories of depression, exercise is noted for boosting norepinephrine and serotonin (the ones that effexor hits.) Great for stress.
3) My personal favourites - Amino acids, the building blocks of the brain's communication systems. These particular ones all have evidence of working specifically on norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholine and dopamine - key transmitters for effexor. I've been taking Choline, DL-phenylalanine, L-Glutamine, L-Tyrosine, Green Tea extract (theanine), Ginkgo biloba, Omega 3's, Co-Q 10 and Big A*s B complex vitamins (turn your pee neon yellow- be aware!). I got withdrawal last time I came off effexor BADLY. This time round I'm fine. Bank balance ain't though.
4) Certain multivitamins and green tea. Check out posts by apenname - she has some great words of advice and encouragement.
Forgive me if I have missed any. As alexandra_k said, check out the archives on the withdrawal board - its growing all the time and yes, effexor seems to be the hot topic right now.
All the best and blue skies,
Ross (rabble_rouser)
Posted by alexandra_k on June 30, 2005, at 18:07:20
In reply to Re: Coming off Effexor, posted by rabble_rouser on June 30, 2005, at 10:49:31
> 1) Clarityn - an antihistamine with some evidence of stopping the 'brain whooshes' that effexor withdrawal (EW) gives you.
Thats what I was thinking of!
Cough syrup...
ahem ;-)Thanks for that rabble :-)
There is also a link around here somewhere...
I think you can get to it of Dr Bob's homepage.
There is some info about different meds, what they do, helpful hints for getting off them too etc. Might be worth a look.I hate fluid retention :-(
Yup.
Posted by Ihateeffexor on July 6, 2005, at 15:26:13
In reply to Re: Coming off Effexor, posted by alexandra_k on June 30, 2005, at 18:07:20
So, i've been Effexor free since Sunday- but i'm absolutely dying now- i'm an emotional wreck- i blew up at a co-worker today because he got snotty with me- i can't take anything. i burst out crying last night for no reason. i keep telling myself that this is all in the name of having a healthy baby because we're going to start trying for a baby pretty soon, but right now, i could shoot myself- i am so forgettful, dizzy and just downright emotional.
Posted by rabble_rouser on July 11, 2005, at 6:18:15
In reply to Re: Coming off Effexor, posted by Ihateeffexor on July 6, 2005, at 15:26:13
hello ihate,
I sympathise with you, I really do. It is not your fault that this happens but I know it must feel that way. I hope everything is ok with you and your colleague now.
Something I found helpful was to buy some clear gelcaps from a health food shop and keep a little effexor dose on hand. They are just like the caplets the effeoxr comes in, but as they are clear you can measure out whatever amount you want. If you have just made a jump down from 37.5 to zero, it is not surprising that you are feeling bad.
You might like to try keeping a small (e.g. 5-10mg) dose with you in a gelcap to take if the withdrawal really narcs you off. The best way to do this I have found is to take one tab and distibute it evenly bewteen a few gelcaps, i.e. take a 37.5 and split it between 3.
I have found anger to be a problem in the past, and have found meditation to be helpful. It aids me to recognise how I am feeling in any given moment. Often if you acknowledge you are already 'on edge', it serves as a look-out that you are prone to losing it. The awareness really helps me because I am reminded to take that couple of extra seconds before I react to others, and to choose my words carefully. Sometimes I find it best just to say nothing!
Sometimes when I am feeling angry at work, I will go and sit quietly (locked in the toilet :) ) and let all my thoughts go, and let my system calm down. It gives a much greater perspective and a sense of calm.
Green Tea or extract can also be a great nerve-calmer, but I think the emergency effexor dose would be most helpful to you.
Best wishes
Rabble_rouser
This is the end of the thread.
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