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Posted by mxgirl13 on December 23, 2002, at 9:58:48
In reply to Re: Effexor --some little big Qs, posted by jimmygold70 on December 21, 2002, at 12:15:56
I've been sucessfully taking Effexor XR (3) 75mg capsules per day for 5 years (including therapy and a psychiatrist). Unfortunately, no insurance has forced me to stop taking this in a hurry. I had no problems going to 2 capsules per day. I can do one, but I get dizzy, headache, sweats, and fly off the handle before I know what I'm doing if I wait for more than a day and a half before taking another. Fortunately for this purpose I am unemployed and can handle more symptoms. I have memory problems. I cannot recall words; I get stuck in mid sentence on the smallest thing.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me? How long will I have to muddle through at one pill every day to day and a half while my husband and I suffer (or until they run out)? I tried going 3 days without and it was an utter disaster.
I'm staying away from caffeine and alcohol during this time. Does this help? I am craving carbs like CRAZY.
I am taking .5mg Xanax to get to sleep at night. Is this interfering with the Effexor? I can't get to sleep without it. I feel like I'll just jump right out of the bed if I don't take one to calm down.
I'll appreciate anything anyone has to offer. Thank you so much.
Posted by Geezer on December 23, 2002, at 10:17:03
In reply to Re: Effexor coming off of 5 years use. Help!, posted by mxgirl13 on December 23, 2002, at 9:58:48
> I've been sucessfully taking Effexor XR (3) 75mg capsules per day for 5 years (including therapy and a psychiatrist). Unfortunately, no insurance has forced me to stop taking this in a hurry. I had no problems going to 2 capsules per day. I can do one, but I get dizzy, headache, sweats, and fly off the handle before I know what I'm doing if I wait for more than a day and a half before taking another. Fortunately for this purpose I am unemployed and can handle more symptoms. I have memory problems. I cannot recall words; I get stuck in mid sentence on the smallest thing.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions for me? How long will I have to muddle through at one pill every day to day and a half while my husband and I suffer (or until they run out)? I tried going 3 days without and it was an utter disaster.
>
> I'm staying away from caffeine and alcohol during this time. Does this help? I am craving carbs like CRAZY.
>
> I am taking .5mg Xanax to get to sleep at night. Is this interfering with the Effexor? I can't get to sleep without it. I feel like I'll just jump right out of the bed if I don't take one to calm down.
>
> I'll appreciate anything anyone has to offer. Thank you so much.You might try substituting a low dose of Prozac for the Effexor every other day for a couple of weeks, then stop the Prozac. This is only my experience but the long half life of Prozac may help the withdrawal. I have never taken Effexor (for the very reasons you mention) but had no withdrawal when I quit Prozac after 18 months. I don't know of any problem with taking the Xanax - seems to me prolonged insomnia would only make matters worse. Hope you have relief soon.
Geezer
Posted by EGR on December 23, 2002, at 15:45:17
In reply to Re: Effexor coming off of 5 years use. Help! » mxgirl13, posted by Geezer on December 23, 2002, at 10:17:03
Why don't you try a 75 and a 37.5 a day for two or three weeks and then drop down to 75? Then alternate between 75 and 112.5 a day for a few weeks and then go down to 75 a day, etc.
Posted by Alara on December 23, 2002, at 23:25:55
In reply to Re: Effexor coming off of 5 years use. Help!, posted by mxgirl13 on December 23, 2002, at 9:58:48
MxGirl,
I came off 75mg a day of EffexorXR cold turkey after four years (owing to an emergency vet bill). The first couple of days were hell, but after 1 week I was feeling almost completely normal. The physical withdrawal process took approximately 7-10 days for me. Try taking a night time cold and flu formula for some relief.
The psychological withdrawal may take longer. I occasionally felt irritable and angry for no reason for about a month after withdrawing. In general, my mood was very good for the first couple of weeks. After that I experienced a few mood swings, which resolved after 2 months or so. (St Johns Wort helped tremendously here.)
Effexor withdrawal is tough, but be assured that you are not dying or going crazy! Hope this helps.
Alara
Posted by askbob on December 24, 2002, at 0:00:59
In reply to Re: Effexor coming off of 5 years use. Help!, posted by mxgirl13 on December 23, 2002, at 9:58:48
My experience with Xanax is it is addictive. I was taking St. John's Wort for anxiety plus Xanax every night at .5mg -- then under stress started increasing it to 1.0mg. At this point it gets addictive, and my nerves were shot. Like a junkie, I started dabbling in various herbal relaxants, and got so screwed up that I ended up in the hospital.
Don't try to save money by doing herbals! Especially stay away from Kava-kava -- it is dangerous when taking a sedative like Xanax.
See if your doctor will switch you to Klonapin -- a safer alternative. I switched, and could not sleep for a week. Eventually it worked, though, and I don't feel so tired every afternoon. I used to feel exhausted every day after work (while taking Xanax before bed).
>
> I am taking .5mg Xanax to get to sleep at night. Is this interfering with the Effexor? I can't get to sleep without it. I feel like I'll just jump right out of the bed if I don't take one to calm down.
>
> I'll appreciate anything anyone has to offer. Thank you so much.
Posted by mxgirl13 on December 24, 2002, at 11:52:07
In reply to Re: Effexor and Xanax -- get off Xanax first, posted by askbob on December 24, 2002, at 0:00:59
Thanks everybody who replied already! I wasn't sure what I'd see back, if anything, but you guys are really great.
I was taking 3-75mg Effexor XR per day, and went down to 2 with no prob. Today is the 2nd day at a day and a half interval between 1-75mg capsules and no dizzyness yet. I guess I can count myself really lucky I don't feel nausia. As I don't have insurance right now, I don't have access to a doctor or new meds. Does anyone know if it's ok to split up the capsule? I was told I couldn't.
I've been able to handle anxiety through behavioral modification and I bet it was almost a year ago since I had to take a Xanax mid day for it. Even then it was just .25mg. I'm stuck on the depression though. I get low and don't feel like doing anything. It's sad because I know when it's happening, but it's not life threatening. That's why with my current circumstances I believe I can do without Effexor.
I've had bouts of insomnia for 10 years now. I was taking Temazepam 15 mg capsules, but I only have 6 left, and I seriously want to keep them for emergencies, so I switched over to .25mg Xanax right at bed time. I have dreams with this, but they are only mildly shocking, so I can deal with them. I go into sleep deprivation on the third day if I don't take anything. If I do manage to fall asleep without meds the dreams are insane. Blood and guts everywhere, beautiful depression dreams, if you've had 'em you'll know I don't appreciate waking up from them.
Thanks, Alara, for your info on going cold turkey. Oh, I'm so afraid of withdraw. It's so awful to experience. I gave up on day 3 of cold turkey because I went crazy on my kid. I mean I hollered a good deal and shoved him in his room, but neither of us appreciated it. Do symptoms for a week start on this day or is it starting from the first day you stopped? I wonder if I was half way there that day. Does the night time cold medicine hang with you the following day? Did you take if every night? Just that week? My doctor said that Tylenol PM sticks with you for 24 hours and makes you slow in the head although you can't really it.
I've never heard of Klonapin (sp?). I'll research it to see if it sounds good for me once I do get insurance again. Thank you for letting me know about it. My psych said the Temazepam was ok to take. Anyone have experience with this? I tried a TON of sleep aids and this is the only one that worked to keep the dreams away and keep me from twiching myself right out of the bed.
Anyone know if memory probs come from Xanax or Effexor? I hear from both. My memory has been worse since Effexor, but I feel especially dingy if I have too much Xanax.
Herbals, yikes! I tried Kava Kava and had a breakdown! It was awful! I did ask my doctor at the time before I tried it, and all he said was that he couldn't say one way or the other about it because it wasn't FDA approved. Thanks, doc.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Posted by dond on December 25, 2002, at 13:32:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Glenda on April 14, 2000, at 12:59:09
started effexor xr dec.18th for migraines causing vertigo problems. on 6th day went to Christmas eve midnight service and was about 3 hours late taking medicine. at service was nervous, feel nauseated and had chest palpations. is this normal?
Posted by lynnads on December 25, 2002, at 17:46:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by dond on December 25, 2002, at 13:32:45
> started effexor xr dec.18th for migraines causing vertigo problems. on 6th day went to Christmas eve midnight service and was about 3 hours late taking medicine. at service was nervous, feel nauseated and had chest palpations. is this normal?
I just started taking Effexor XR not too long ago myself. My doctor warned me about the side effects which include pretty much everything you described (So, in short, it is normal). Lucky for me I haven't had the nausea part, but the heart palpitations are quite prevelant along with a few other really annoying side effects. If you want more information on side effects visit the effexor website http://www.effexor.com
Good luck to you.
Posted by mxgirl13 on December 25, 2002, at 18:12:55
In reply to Re: Effexor and Xanax and Withdraw, posted by mxgirl13 on December 24, 2002, at 11:52:07
Ok, I'm trying cold turkey. This is day 3 1/2. I'm really getting hit hard with the dizzyness, headache, and yes, now nausia. I can't even sit and read. I have to sit in the dark with my eyes shut. Oh, this is hard. Does it get even harder than this as they days go by, or is it just this until I get over this stupid drug???
People who have just started taking this, BEWARE! If you think getting started is hard, you don't want to experience this! I beg you to try any other alternative drug you can first.
Ok, I sound a bit stressed. This is difficult.
Is it alright to take Mylanta and Xanax .25mg at the same time, anyone? What works good against this nausia, except eating?
Posted by Sioux on December 25, 2002, at 18:55:15
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY, posted by mxgirl13 on December 25, 2002, at 18:12:55
> Ok, I'm trying cold turkey. This is day 3
Oh, my goodness! Cold turkey is not a good idea.
The brain is designed to absolutely resist changes in its very complex chemistry. Drugs that modify the brain chemistry take time to ramp up and time to ramp down, to allow each of the various feedback systems to re-regulate.
The capsules may be opened and the granules divided.
Posted by mxgirl13 on December 25, 2002, at 19:15:50
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY, posted by Sioux on December 25, 2002, at 18:55:15
Yes, I understand in a perfect world that this is what I should do. I would love to. I'm really glad to hear that I can open the capsules. Is it harmful to me or just really difficult symptom wise to go cold turkey? As lack of insurance is what put me in this situation, I can't get other meds to assist and I only have a few capsules left. What's your recommendation?
> > Ok, I'm trying cold turkey. This is day 3
>
> Oh, my goodness! Cold turkey is not a good idea.
>
> The brain is designed to absolutely resist changes in its very complex chemistry. Drugs that modify the brain chemistry take time to ramp up and time to ramp down, to allow each of the various feedback systems to re-regulate.
>
> The capsules may be opened and the granules divided.
>
Posted by Sioux on December 25, 2002, at 19:24:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY, posted by Sioux on December 25, 2002, at 18:55:15
Source: Meoni P, Hackett D. Poster presentation. Data on file, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories.
EFFEXOR® XR (venlafaxine HCl) is indicated for depression, depression with associated anxiety symptoms, and generalized anxiety disorder.
EFFEXOR® XR is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). EFFEXOR® XR should not be used in combination with an MAOI or within at least 14 days of discontinuing treatment with an MAOI because of potential for serious adverse reactions. Based on the half-life of EFFEXOR® XR, at least 7 days should be allowed after stopping EFFEXOR® XR before starting an MAOI.
The efficacy and safety of EFFEXOR® XR for pediatric use have not been established.
Treatment with venlafaxine is associated with sustained increases in blood pressure (BP) in some patients. Three percent of EFFEXOR® XR patients in depression studies (doses of 75 to 375 mg/day) and 0.4% in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) studies (doses of 75 to 225 mg/day) had sustained BP elevations. The incidence of sustained increases in BP at doses greater than 300 mg/day has not been fully evaluated. Less than 1% discontinued treatment because of elevated BP. Experience with immediate release venlafaxine in depression studies showed that sustained hypertension was dose related, increasing from 3% to 7% at doses of 100 mg/day to 300 mg/day, to 13% at doses above 300 mg/day. Regular BP monitoring is recommended.
The most common adverse events reported in EFFEXOR® XR placebo-controlled depression trials (incidence >10% and >2x that of placebo) were nausea, dizziness, somnolence, abnormal ejaculation, sweating, dry mouth, and nervousness; and in GAD trials were nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, abnormal ejaculation, anorexia, constipation, nervousness, and sweating.
As with any psychotropic drug, EFFEXOR® XR may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills; patients should be advised to exercise caution until they have adapted to therapy.
Patients should not be abruptly discontinued from antidepressant medication, including EFFEXOR® XR.
Posted by Sioux on December 25, 2002, at 19:36:32
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY, posted by mxgirl13 on December 25, 2002, at 19:15:50
>>>> Is it harmful to me or just really difficult symptom wise to go cold turkey? As lack of insurance is what put me in this situation, I can't get other meds to assist and I only have a few capsules left. What's your recommendation?
<<<<<Take the manufacturer's information which I just posted or get it from their website (www.effexor.com \ healthcare professionals) to an emergency room and tell them you need help in doing this and why; also go the hospital's caseworker section and they will identify funding sources for you; the pharmacy may be able to help, too, because manufacturers get tax-breaks for 'mercy' programs; pursue the chaplain's office, if need be, and/or any of the church-supported help lines.
I don't know which of the states you live in; the hoops are different for each one. Be informed, be polite, be persistent. You really should be taking 6 wks - 3 mos to get off the drug.
Take care of yourself! Suffering *is* harmful to you.
Posted by EGR on December 25, 2002, at 21:48:05
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY, posted by Sioux on December 25, 2002, at 19:36:32
> >>>> Is it harmful to me or just really difficult symptom wise to go cold turkey? As lack of insurance is what put me in this situation, I can't get other meds to assist and I only have a few capsules left. What's your recommendation?
> <<<<<
>
> Take the manufacturer's information which I just posted or get it from their website (www.effexor.com \ healthcare professionals) to an emergency room and tell them you need help in doing this and why; also go the hospital's caseworker section and they will identify funding sources for you; the pharmacy may be able to help, too, because manufacturers get tax-breaks for 'mercy' programs; pursue the chaplain's office, if need be, and/or any of the church-supported help lines.
>
> I don't know which of the states you live in; the hoops are different for each one. Be informed, be polite, be persistent. You really should be taking 6 wks - 3 mos to get off the drug.
>
> Take care of yourself! Suffering *is* harmful to you.I'd have to second that! Most hospitals have access to funding for situations like yours. In fact, hospitals, by law, can't turn you away because you can't pay.
Posted by mxgirl13 on December 26, 2002, at 11:38:19
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY » Sioux, posted by EGR on December 25, 2002, at 21:48:05
Thanks Sioux and EGR. I didn't know those were options for me. I really appreciate your assistance and information. I'll check it out right away.
> > >>>> Is it harmful to me or just really difficult symptom wise to go cold turkey? As lack of insurance is what put me in this situation, I can't get other meds to assist and I only have a few capsules left. What's your recommendation?
> > <<<<<
> >
> > Take the manufacturer's information which I just posted or get it from their website (www.effexor.com \ healthcare professionals) to an emergency room and tell them you need help in doing this and why; also go the hospital's caseworker section and they will identify funding sources for you; the pharmacy may be able to help, too, because manufacturers get tax-breaks for 'mercy' programs; pursue the chaplain's office, if need be, and/or any of the church-supported help lines.
> >
> > I don't know which of the states you live in; the hoops are different for each one. Be informed, be polite, be persistent. You really should be taking 6 wks - 3 mos to get off the drug.
> >
> > Take care of yourself! Suffering *is* harmful to you.
>
> I'd have to second that! Most hospitals have access to funding for situations like yours. In fact, hospitals, by law, can't turn you away because you can't pay.
>
Posted by jimmygold70 on December 26, 2002, at 13:03:44
In reply to Re: Effexor coming off of 5 years use. Help!, posted by mxgirl13 on December 23, 2002, at 9:58:48
You should move to a long-acting, cheap AD (i.e. Generic Prozac - $10-15/month) switch in that schedule:
1) Week 1 - 150mg Effexor XR + 20mg Prozac
2) Week 2 - 75mg Effexor XR + 40 mg Prozac
3) Week 3 - 75mg Effexor XR + 40 mg Prozac
4) Week 4 - No EffexorRisperdal might help you as well but it is pricey. In this case, you can add Klonopin (0.5 mg three time a day) for a couple of weeks, taking the dose down slowly over 2 weeks (1.5mg->1mg->0.5mg->Nothing).
I had luck with the above, and talking to some psychopharmacologists - they liked it.
Jimmy
Posted by joy on December 27, 2002, at 10:14:46
In reply to Re: Effexor and Xanax and Withdraw, posted by mxgirl13 on December 24, 2002, at 11:52:07
Hi. I would not stop the Xanax at this time. If you want to take a lower dose, that is okay, but don't stop it now. It's the only thing I can take to help me sleep through the night. You are dealing with enough now; take the Xanax for sleeping; don't switch to another benzo at this time. Best wishes.
Joy
Posted by askBob on December 27, 2002, at 22:53:13
In reply to Re: Effexor coming off of 5 years use. Help! » mxgirl13, posted by jimmygold70 on December 26, 2002, at 13:03:44
Jimmy has a good point. you should gradually replace one med with another in the same family. I think they call this "titration". You should also know that it can take 4 - 6 weeks for any of the SSRI family of antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa) to take full effect. And you really ought to check it out with a good psychiatrist or at least an experienced pharmacist, such as at a mental health teaching hospital or university.
Bob
> You should move to a long-acting, cheap AD (i.e. Generic Prozac - $10-15/month) switch in that schedule:
> 1) Week 1 - 150mg Effexor XR + 20mg Prozac
> 2) Week 2 - 75mg Effexor XR + 40 mg Prozac
> 3) Week 3 - 75mg Effexor XR + 40 mg Prozac
> 4) Week 4 - No Effexor
>
> Risperdal might help you as well but it is pricey. In this case, you can add Klonopin (0.5 mg three time a day) for a couple of weeks, taking the dose down slowly over 2 weeks (1.5mg->1mg->0.5mg->Nothing).
>
> I had luck with the above, and talking to some psychopharmacologists - they liked it.
>
> Jimmy
>
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 27, 2002, at 23:39:59
In reply to Re: Effexor coming off of 5 years use. Help!, posted by mxgirl13 on December 23, 2002, at 9:58:48
If no one else has suggested it, could you ask your doctor for a starter pack or two -- they can give them out for free -- to cover you until you get insurance or until you can taper off?
I've quit ssri s and an sari nearly cold turkey before, was very hard. I sympathize!
I advise, give into your carb cravings -- your body is using it to make more serotonin. And take something to help u sleep. :D
good luck,
bookgurl99
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 27, 2002, at 23:51:20
In reply to Re: Effexor coming off of 5 years use. Help! » mxgirl13, posted by jimmygold70 on December 26, 2002, at 13:03:44
I wanted to point out that Effexor is not an SSRI, as Prozac is. Effexor is an SNRI (serotonin noripenephrine reuptake inhibitor). As such , the effects of each may be multiplied if they are taken together.
Posted by charlie mac on December 28, 2002, at 20:46:02
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
i have been on effexor for 2 months now and on 150mg for roughly 3 weeks. recently i have had what i call "heart shudders" which i explain as; a heart beat that feels a lot stronger than a normal beat, and stronger than a rapid beat as well, with a shift in vision as well as a shudder throughout my body. i have been having these heart shudders(heart palpitations?) for as long as i can remember, but as of recently they have increased in frequency with a factor of about 100. i went from having a few in one month to roughly 50-75 in a day. this change has occured in a short span of only 2 days, possibly 3(i wasnt keeping count before). is this a reaction to the effexor? should i possibly switch meds? should i be worried? any answers or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Sioux on December 28, 2002, at 22:16:18
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by charlie mac on December 28, 2002, at 20:46:02
>> "heart shudders" which i explain as; a heart beat that feels a lot stronger than a normal beat, and stronger than a rapid beat as well,
<<This could be anxiety but must be evaluated by a cardiologist, Effexor or no. Hmmm? Do it and keep us posted.
-- S
Posted by daisyduke on December 29, 2002, at 21:32:11
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY, posted by mxgirl13 on December 26, 2002, at 11:38:19
> Thanks Sioux and EGR. I didn't know those were options for me. I really appreciate your assistance and information. I'll check it out right away.
>
>
> > > >>>> Is it harmful to me or just really difficult symptom wise to go cold turkey? As lack of insurance is what put me in this situation, I can't get other meds to assist and I only have a few capsules left. What's your recommendation?
> > > <<<<<
> > >
> > > Take the manufacturer's information which I just posted or get it from their website (www.effexor.com \ healthcare professionals) to an emergency room and tell them you need help in doing this and why; also go the hospital's caseworker section and they will identify funding sources for you; the pharmacy may be able to help, too, because manufacturers get tax-breaks for 'mercy' programs; pursue the chaplain's office, if need be, and/or any of the church-supported help lines.
> > >
> > > I don't know which of the states you live in; the hoops are different for each one. Be informed, be polite, be persistent. You really should be taking 6 wks - 3 mos to get off the drug.
> > >
> > > Take care of yourself! Suffering *is* harmful to you.
> >
> > I'd have to second that! Most hospitals have access to funding for situations like yours. In fact, hospitals, by law, can't turn you away because you can't pay.
> >
>
>I'm trying to go off cold turkey aswell.. Will it affect me long term do you know? Also what does the doctor to do get you off of this drug?? I am so dizzy that i can't have my eyes open for too long. I've gone with missing effexor before..and its deadly..i mean i feel like death. Can't move. Can't stand up. Throwing up constantly. If i split the capsules..Can i take the drugs without capsule? how would i do that? Any help would be great. THanks
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 29, 2002, at 22:08:57
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY, posted by daisyduke on December 29, 2002, at 21:32:11
I'm not an md, but you could always measure out half the capsules and mix them into yogurt or orange juice; I've heard of people titrating off meds that way.
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 29, 2002, at 22:09:21
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY, posted by daisyduke on December 29, 2002, at 21:32:11
I'm not an md, but you could always measure out half the capsules and mix them into yogurt or orange juice; I've heard of people titrating off meds that way.
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