![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 5449 to 5473 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by pasto on October 14, 2003, at 18:13:49
In reply to Re: Sensitive Teeth?? » emilyann20 , posted by KimberlyDi on October 14, 2003, at 16:16:35
xxx
Posted by zinya on October 14, 2003, at 18:39:29
In reply to Re: Effexor is a Great Drug!Online Petition!, posted by LittleLeo on October 13, 2003, at 19:24:54
Greetings, all
I've been offline a while lately - Partly it was a good sign as i've been relatively more productive lately in my "regular life" ... but now since yesterday a setback with one of my 3-day left-temple intolerable headaches plus now an all-new nerve-lightning pain flare-up in my right forearm that limits my typing and may be a recurrence of carpal tunnel i had in 2000.
I'm still tapering down, at 37.5 mg since Sept 28 and planning tonight to move to half dose (opening capsule - or maybe i'll go to 25 mg - a 75 mg divided in 3rds - for a while first. As i've long realized here and advocated in return, i'm going REALLY slowly, more slowly than my impatient side might want but geared to "Better slow than sorry"... So far S-Es from withdrawal seem to be fairly minimal (these two problems today are unrelated - they happened pre-Effexor) .. Sweating is much less (which has allowed me to do the productive physical tasks until it does eventually kick in enough to make me drip so much i have to quit) and my heart beat has remained normal once again, no longer going crazy. But i also know from reading here that the worst withdrawal risks are in these last stages i'm just now entering...
What i write today to relay is something my chiropractor became aware of and just sent me and it leads to a potentially interesting looking website for other reasons as well as Effexor... Thus read on ... and i sign off for now with hugs,
zinyaSubject: YourLawyer.com Information: Effexor
Date: Tue, Oct 14, 2003, 2:10 AMThe following was sent to you from YourLawyer.com
(http://www.yourlawyer.com)
---------------------------------------------------Click below to view the page:
http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice/overview.htm?topic=Effexor---------------------------------------------------
There are several related pages re Effexor on this website -- including a form anyone can fill out about their experience for a lawyer's evaluation of their "case" -- but i'll paste here one of the key pages of the website:
Overview: Effexor
Wyeth warned doctors that tests showed its antidepressant Effexor caused an increased risk of suicidal behavior in children.In what is known as a "Dear Doctor" letter, Madison-based Wyeth is telling health professionals that clinical studies of the long-acting version, Effexor XR, found a higher incidence in children of "hostility and suicide-related adverse events, such as suicidal ideation and self-harm." No children in the tests committed suicide.
"You should be alert to signs of suicidal ideation in children and adolescent patients prescribed Effexor or Effexor XR (and) reassess the benefit-risk balance" for each patient, the Wyeth letter states.
The caution comes after U.S. and British regulators in June said no one under 18 should take GlaxoSmithKline's popular antidepressant Paxil because it could increase a child's risk of suicide attempts. Pediatric patients already taking Paxil were told to stop use gradually, under a doctor's supervision.
Wyeth's Aug. 22 letter, written by Dr. Victoria Kusiak, North American medical director for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, said that in a study of Effexor XR's use against major depression, 2 percent of the children reported thoughts about suicide, versus none in a comparison group getting a dummy pill.
Additionally, 2 percent displayed hostility, more than double the rate in those getting a placebo. In a study of patients under 18 with generalized anxiety disorder, 1 percent displayed abnormal or changed behavior; none did so in the comparison group.
The letter notes that the studies did not show Effexor relieves depression or anxiety in children.
Effexor was first approved in 1993; along with the once-a-day Effexor XR, it now generates $2.1 billion in annual sales for Wyeth, making it the company's biggest selling drug.
Visit http://www.yourlawyer.com to learn about current personal injury,
product liability and consumer fraud litigation. If you need immediate
assistance, please call our us at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
Posted by Soooz on October 14, 2003, at 19:05:42
In reply to Re: Odd bodily sensation, posted by BJL on October 13, 2003, at 12:43:23
> Soooz, how are you doing today? There are obviously many of us concerned about you. Please let us know!! -Bobbi-
>
>
> > I just found this thread (and I know its an old one) but I am sitting here sobbing as I realize that I was right. If I miss as much as one dose of my Effexor (I am taking 225 mg once a day), I get a tingling sensation through my whole body. It can be my face, my hands, even my lips and teeth which seems to be elevated when I am moving, walking, turning my head, etc. Thursday I called my pharmacy for a refill. It seems they can't get it until Monday? I took my last 3 pills on Friday night so I missed last night’s dose only. I am a wreck. I can’t concentrate. I feel all of the above along with the tingling and even here I feel that I am not coherent, or at least, not to the normal level. The depression from this is worse that any of the depression I experienced before going on the Effexor. I wont give it up. But how do I make it thru another 24 plus hours of this?
> >
> >
>
>Thanks for asking. I am doing worlds better! I called my mother to borrow some of her effexor to get thru the weekend. Within 2 hours I was feeling back to normal again. I made it through the weekend and have picked up my prescription. This board is so enlightening. The pharmacist knew that the half life was short, but didnt expect such problems. He said he would now know to call another store. I wasnt thinking clearly on Sunday or I would have called and asked. Thanks again everyone!
Posted by Larry B. Piercy on October 14, 2003, at 19:15:49
In reply to Re: Effexor is a Great Drug!Online Petition!, posted by pasto on October 13, 2003, at 18:20:49
I was happy with effexor and paxil too - for awhile.
Then I begain to gain weight(40lbs + over 2 years), sleep alot, lost my passion for work and hobbies(and got fired because of "my lack of passion for my work")after 12 years with the same company.
I felt overall happy, but had no motivation to do anything. I look back at the last few years and I wasted them in a drugged stupor. Having no stress or anxiety came at too high a price.But the real issue begins when you reduce your dose, forget you pills on a business trip or stop all together. Anytime of "no stress" is paid for with side effects that would bring an elephant to its knees. 45 days later and the swhoosing noises when I move my eyes have finally left my ears for the most part. But the confusion, lack of concentration, and the HUGE frustration(that leads to unrealistic anger) is still there and I dont know if or when its ever going to get better...
oh and as a male - say goodbye to your sex life.
Posted by Larry B. Piercy on October 14, 2003, at 19:36:08
In reply to Sexual, other side effects , posted by TT40 on October 14, 2003, at 13:12:07
The only good news is that the bad sexual effects last only slightly longer than the prescription. Wish the withdrawls were as tempoary.
Posted by Larry B. Piercy on October 14, 2003, at 19:59:24
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 8, 2003, at 15:36:41
My youngest son had surgery 2 times his first years of life. The release I had to sign stated evrything that could/has/or might ever go wrong and made me question if he would be better off with a tumor over his eye or risk the surgery. The other surgery was an emergency one, but the same form had to be signed before his life could be saved.
Companies are so interested in covering all the possible issues to reduce lawsuits, that you can't tell the "Never happens but we dont want to get sued" from the "almost always happens and is a real concern".
Either way--- the product should "do no harm" as those in the medical field have promised. What other profession is in a prepetual state of "practice" and never warrenties thier work/products. The presciption can almost kill you and you can't even get a refund.
Sorry- still have the withdrawl rage.
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 14, 2003, at 21:03:27
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone?, posted by Larry B. Piercy on October 14, 2003, at 19:59:24
You are right on about the "never happens but don't want to be sued" vs. the "almost always happens". The warning they have finally been forced to put on their lables or insert in the package is a joke! All things have warnings on them because at one time or another a very fluke thing happened and most people don't pay much attention to them, yet we feel sorry for the people that do suffer; however, when the effects happen aren't a fluke but very much a rule, there should be a completely different warning for that!! I feel your anger...I am on my 16th day of being off this medicaton and I still feel very very ill! I have substitued Effexor with Benadryl, Dramamine and Mylanta...what kind of a life is that PLUS it doesn't make it that much better, it only helps me sleep.
majority> My youngest son had surgery 2 times his first years of life. The release I had to sign stated evrything that could/has/or might ever go wrong and made me question if he would be better off with a tumor over his eye or risk the surgery. The other surgery was an emergency one, but the same form had to be signed before his life could be saved.
>
> Companies are so interested in covering all the possible issues to reduce lawsuits, that you can't tell the "Never happens but we dont want to get sued" from the "almost always happens and is a real concern".
>
> Either way--- the product should "do no harm" as those in the medical field have promised. What other profession is in a prepetual state of "practice" and never warrenties thier work/products. The presciption can almost kill you and you can't even get a refund.
>
> Sorry- still have the withdrawl rage.
Posted by zeugma on October 14, 2003, at 23:34:24
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone? » Larry B. Piercy, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 14, 2003, at 21:03:27
> You are right on about the "never happens but don't want to be sued" vs. the "almost always happens". The warning they have finally been forced to put on their lables or insert in the package is a joke! All things have warnings on them because at one time or another a very fluke thing happened and most people don't pay much attention to them, yet we feel sorry for the people that do suffer;
This is inaccurate. I take several psych meds, including nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant which has been used for almost forty years, and the warning list on the label mentions nothing about discontinuation syndrome. So it's not true that warnings should be ignored because all meds have them. I read the warning labels on all my medications carefully and keep track of what they're doing to me because no doctor is in a position to do that 24/7 even if you are in a hospital. It's a big mistake to take these drugs lightly.
however, when the effects happen aren't a fluke but very much a rule, there should be a completely different warning for that!! I feel your anger...I am on my 16th day of being off this medicaton and I still feel very very ill! I have substitued Effexor with Benadryl, Dramamine and Mylanta...what kind of a life is that PLUS it doesn't make it that much better, it only helps me sleep.
>
> majority> My youngest son had surgery 2 times his first years of life. The release I had to sign stated evrything that could/has/or might ever go wrong and made me question if he would be better off with a tumor over his eye or risk the surgery. The other surgery was an emergency one, but the same form had to be signed before his life could be saved.
> >
> > Companies are so interested in covering all the possible issues to reduce lawsuits, that you can't tell the "Never happens but we dont want to get sued" from the "almost always happens and is a real concern".
> >
> > Either way--- the product should "do no harm" as those in the medical field have promised. What other profession is in a prepetual state of "practice" and never warrenties thier work/products. The presciption can almost kill you and you can't even get a refund.
> >
> > Sorry- still have the withdrawl rage.
>
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 15, 2003, at 0:00:14
In reply to testing web site: can't enter post, posted by pasto on October 14, 2003, at 18:13:49
> xxx
See:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#reload
Bob
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 15, 2003, at 2:54:25
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone? » Sufferfromeffexor, posted by zeugma on October 14, 2003, at 23:34:24
<So it's not true that warnings should be ignored because all meds have them.>
I didn't say they SHOULD be ignored (I would never imply that)...what I said is that they are mostly ignored. I am glad you read all your labels, but I on the other hand am used to seeing warning labels on just about everything. I am really just applying this in the "general" not saying absolute! I think it is wrong that your psych meds don't have a warning label, I hope you never have to experience the withdrawals from it. And again, I just want to make this clear, I am not talking about side effects while on the medication (I really didn't have any disabling SE's besides becoming numb to my life)...I am only talking about when you STOP the medication and aren't switching to anything else...I am directly speaking of weaming off and than taking nothing period. I have switched between Effexor and Zoloft, or Paxil etc...and never had any troubles...only when I don't take anything at all have I experiened these debilitating withdrawals!!! I am just angry because I don't want to stay on Effexor simply because I can't come off of it...that is pointless and it shouldn't be required. I am angry because I couldn't find a doctor or get information from Wyeth to help bring me off this med, and so have stayed on it for almost 8 years for nothing!!!
> You are right on about the "never happens but don't want to be sued" vs. the "almost always happens". The warning they have finally been forced to put on their lables or insert in the package is a joke! All things have warnings on them because at one time or another a very fluke thing happened and most people don't pay much attention to them, yet we feel sorry for the people that do suffer;
>
>
>
> This is inaccurate. I take several psych meds, including nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant which has been used for almost forty years, and the warning list on the label mentions nothing about discontinuation syndrome. So it's not true that warnings should be ignored because all meds have them. I read the warning labels on all my medications carefully and keep track of what they're doing to me because no doctor is in a position to do that 24/7 even if you are in a hospital. It's a big mistake to take these drugs lightly.
>
> however, when the effects happen aren't a fluke but very much a rule, there should be a completely different warning for that!! I feel your anger...I am on my 16th day of being off this medicaton and I still feel very very ill! I have substitued Effexor with Benadryl, Dramamine and Mylanta...what kind of a life is that PLUS it doesn't make it that much better, it only helps me sleep.
> >
> > majority> My youngest son had surgery 2 times his first years of life. The release I had to sign stated evrything that could/has/or might ever go wrong and made me question if he would be better off with a tumor over his eye or risk the surgery. The other surgery was an emergency one, but the same form had to be signed before his life could be saved.
> > >
> > > Companies are so interested in covering all the possible issues to reduce lawsuits, that you can't tell the "Never happens but we dont want to get sued" from the "almost always happens and is a real concern".
> > >
> > > Either way--- the product should "do no harm" as those in the medical field have promised. What other profession is in a prepetual state of "practice" and never warrenties thier work/products. The presciption can almost kill you and you can't even get a refund.
> > >
> > > Sorry- still have the withdrawl rage.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by MamaB on October 15, 2003, at 6:28:36
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by emilyann20 on October 14, 2003, at 13:11:11
Emily,
What dose are you on and have you been taking it regularly? Sounds horrendous! MamaB
Posted by loolot on October 15, 2003, at 14:04:20
In reply to Sexual, other side effects , posted by TT40 on October 14, 2003, at 13:12:07
>
> One positive side effect has related to pain -- not sure if it is coincidence or if Effexor actually had an impact. I have chronic low back pain. I've tried physical therapy, drugs, etc. and nothing has provided permanent relief. Over the past few weeks however, the pain has decreased significantly -- to the point I am forgeting about having the back problem -- does this sound familiar???? >>Effexor cured my asthma after nothing else worked. It was amazing. I think it may be because it acts as an anti inflammatory. Thats my guess.
Posted by TT40 on October 15, 2003, at 15:15:27
In reply to Re: Sexual, other side effects , posted by loolot on October 15, 2003, at 14:04:20
Thanks for the feedback -- this input is helpful as I decide how to discuss with my doctor. I think he overdid the initial dosage.
> >
> > One positive side effect has related to pain -- not sure if it is coincidence or if Effexor actually had an impact. I have chronic low back pain. I've tried physical therapy, drugs, etc. and nothing has provided permanent relief. Over the past few weeks however, the pain has decreased significantly -- to the point I am forgeting about having the back problem -- does this sound familiar???? >>
>
> Effexor cured my asthma after nothing else worked. It was amazing. I think it may be because it acts as an anti inflammatory. Thats my guess.
>
Posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 15, 2003, at 19:31:08
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello all...I have some sad news. This is my 18th day of being off Effexor XR and I finally caved. I opened that little capsule up and counted out 30 beads and poured those beads back in and took the capsule. I feel really lousy for caving in but heck...I am in complete misery here and no one is giving me answers. My moodiness is no fun for my husband, but than I get annoyed because he isn't being supportive. I hate this stuff!!! Anyway, I said I would keep anyone who wanted to follow my progress, updated and there you have it! I am once again taking Effexor.
Posted by zeugma on October 15, 2003, at 21:15:22
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone? » zeugma, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 15, 2003, at 2:54:25
> <So it's not true that warnings should be ignored because all meds have them.>
>
> I didn't say they SHOULD be ignored (I would never imply that)...what I said is that they are mostly ignored. I am glad you read all your labels, but I on the other hand am used to seeing warning labels on just about everything. I am really just applying this in the "general" not saying absolute! I think it is wrong that your psych meds don't have a warning label, I hope you never have to experience the withdrawals from it.
Not all AD's have withdrawals. I withdrew from nortriptyline cold turkey in the early 90's with no adverse effects. The older antidepressants in general have fewer withdrawal problems than the newer ones. This is ironic considering how 'improved' the new drugs are said to be.
Did you have a GP or a psychiatrist prescribe your meds? I can't believe a competent psychiatrist could prescribe a drug like Effexor without giving you a complete rundown on adverse effects, including discontinuation syndromes. Psych meds are powerful drugs, and IMO it is an absolute necessity to communicate fully with your prescriber about adverse effects from your meds, plans to raise or decrease the dose, etc. I think too many people (doctors included) are lulled into thinking that the new AD's are so safe that they can be passed out like candy.
And again,
I just want to make this clear, I am not talking about side effects while on the medication (I really didn't have any disabling SE's besides becoming numb to my life)...I am only talking about when you STOP the medication and aren't switching to anything else...I am directly speaking of weaming off and than taking nothing period. I have switched between Effexor and Zoloft, or Paxil etc...and never had any troubles...only when I don't take anything at all have I experiened these debilitating withdrawals!!! I am just angry because I don't want to stay on Effexor simply because I can't come off of it...that is pointless and it shouldn't be required. I am angry because I couldn't find a doctor or get information from Wyeth to help bring me off this med, and so have stayed on it for almost 8 years for nothing!!!
>
> > You are right on about the "never happens but don't want to be sued" vs. the "almost always happens". The warning they have finally been forced to put on their lables or insert in the package is a joke! All things have warnings on them because at one time or another a very fluke thing happened and most people don't pay much attention to them, yet we feel sorry for the people that do suffer;
> >
> >
> >
> > This is inaccurate. I take several psych meds, including nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant which has been used for almost forty years, and the warning list on the label mentions nothing about discontinuation syndrome. So it's not true that warnings should be ignored because all meds have them. I read the warning labels on all my medications carefully and keep track of what they're doing to me because no doctor is in a position to do that 24/7 even if you are in a hospital. It's a big mistake to take these drugs lightly.
> >
> > however, when the effects happen aren't a fluke but very much a rule, there should be a completely different warning for that!! I feel your anger...I am on my 16th day of being off this medicaton and I still feel very very ill! I have substitued Effexor with Benadryl, Dramamine and Mylanta...what kind of a life is that PLUS it doesn't make it that much better, it only helps me sleep.
> > >
> > > majority> My youngest son had surgery 2 times his first years of life. The release I had to sign stated evrything that could/has/or might ever go wrong and made me question if he would be better off with a tumor over his eye or risk the surgery. The other surgery was an emergency one, but the same form had to be signed before his life could be saved.
> > > >
> > > > Companies are so interested in covering all the possible issues to reduce lawsuits, that you can't tell the "Never happens but we dont want to get sued" from the "almost always happens and is a real concern".
> > > >
> > > > Either way--- the product should "do no harm" as those in the medical field have promised. What other profession is in a prepetual state of "practice" and never warrenties thier work/products. The presciption can almost kill you and you can't even get a refund.
> > > >
> > > > Sorry- still have the withdrawl rage.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by shawna on October 17, 2003, at 16:22:13
In reply to Re: Lawsuit Anyone? » Sufferfromeffexor, posted by zeugma on October 15, 2003, at 21:15:22
effexor seems to thrown me into the "change of life" scenerio
>with sweats and flashes and periods popping up any/all the time lightly
>is this normal?
>i have not read that this was a side effect?ALTHOUGH IN THE PAMPHLET IT DOES SLIGHTLY REFER TO ESCOLATING MEAPAUSE
Posted by Nurtureman on October 17, 2003, at 16:38:36
In reply to Re: RE EFFEXOR-DID ANYONE HAVE TINNITUS SYMPTOMS » petey, posted by JANNBEAU on November 14, 2001, at 14:44:37
Did not know until recently that the ringing in my ears was probably due to 225mg daily dose of Effexor-XR I've been taking for nearly a year. Prior to this, I was on a 150mg daily. The ringing in my ears has worsened since dosage was increased but my doctor never made the connection. After nearly five years on an anti-depressant, I'm coming off Effexor gradually starting today.
Posted by lovemybabies on October 18, 2003, at 1:42:17
In reply to EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by shawna on October 17, 2003, at 16:22:13
Ok, THIS got my attention. Do you mean Effexor can bring on early menopause?? I hadn't read this nor did my GP mention it. Are you symptomatic? I'm 37 and a little to young for The Change.
Thanks,
Jen
Posted by lovemybabies on October 18, 2003, at 1:46:49
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 15, 2003, at 19:31:08
I'm just curious--I've been on Effexor for 9 months and so far feel it has changed my life for the better...has anybody felt this way and then have things go downhill? Sometimes I feel like I'm a little too absentminded and scatterbrained. I'm happy, funny, optimistic about life, great with my kids, yada-yada...but think I'm becoming a 'happy idiot.' Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Jen
Posted by patarie on October 18, 2003, at 4:17:45
In reply to EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by shawna on October 17, 2003, at 16:22:13
I am on 225 of Effexor this is my second week on that dosage, I'm not sure I like it, I had a whole summer of coming back from a horrible episode with depression and anxiety. Discovered that my good ole friend Prozac had let me down, LOL, without my knowing it was happening. I have had depression since I was 4 yrs old and went 30 yrs without treatment so I'm looking at having to take meds for the rest of my life to keep the depression under control. Here's the deal.. Prozac helped me for so long, 10 yrs. but 60 m was as high as my Doc took me before trying something else. Then he put me on not Celexa but that other stuff, pro something, and it didn't do the trick, just took me to around the 50 percent level on the highest dosage he could prescribe. as I was still suicidal at that point and needed some thing faster so he put me on Effexor. I just remembered Lexapro, On Effexor I'm just not there yet as for as feeling my old self. And I think I am having some ear problems with it and I really hate the way it makes me feel if I accidentally miss a dose. Anybody had this kind of problem with prozac and do you think a higher dosage of Prozac would have helped. Also he took me off Buspar so the anxiety is getting worse again but he said that the effexor would kick in for that in a few. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? i'm also wondering if I really need meds that act on both neuro transmittors. I really loved Prozac, hope it's not a lost cause as I,m getting tired of this med hoppin.
Posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 15:12:00
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by patarie on October 18, 2003, at 4:17:45
hi i just found this site, and wow...pretty cool, i think...but i have been on effexor er for about three weeks, started at 37.5mg for three days, then up to 75mg per day, which i usually take in the middle of the day...anyway, i have been having most of the side effects/withdrawal symptoms listed here for about a week. actually, i may have had symptoms for longer than that, but i had been taking klonopin and phrenilin also, and i ran out of both of them...so now i am noticing that i cannot get to sleep very well, have violent muscle twitching when i do sleep, vivid dreams/nightmares, wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble going back to sleep, little "shocks" of muscle twitching when awake, no appetite, confused thinking...so i want to get off of this stuff before i get more used to it. i only have the 75mg capsules...so how do i go down on the dosage? i have been reading lots of the posts, but i haven't found that out yet, so would like some help from anyone please...!
Posted by zinya on October 18, 2003, at 21:30:02
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 15:12:00
hi melbob,
my first check-in for several days and lo and behold a question right up my alley...
You can open the capsules and divide them up to ease yourself down gradually. You haven't been on too long but possibly your body - from the sound of sleep/twitch problems (you're sure there's no additional factor of klonopin withdrawal? geez, i once had half the smallest dose of klonopin and it immediately felt like daggers behind my eyes - never again -- but as we all learn here, each one of us is unique and no way can you predict your reaction to any of these drugs nor withdrawal from them...
I spent 3 months on effexor, working up very gradually (given sensitivities to every other a-d i'd ever tried) and was at 150 when i decided i just couldn't tolerate the SEs any longer, which for me were constant inordinate sweating day and night plus a way too rapid heartbeat that got scary...
I started tapering down Sept 2 and i'm down to 25 mg now (75 divided by 3 -- i open a capsule into 3 little glass custard cups and divvy up the granules as equally as possible and then put back into empty capsules saved from downing some nights without the capsule itself) ... From reports here (anecdotal), it seems the last stages are the roughest so i'm particularly planning slow further phase out from here - to 19.75 (1/4 of a 75) then to 10 mg., then probably to 10 mg every other day (i take mine at night on full stomach after dinner) and then to 10 mg every 3rd day and then probably quit.
There is an issue one person finally raised after i started out asking the same Q as you here - one user who noted that the granules in the capsules are coated to slightly different degrees which is what determines the time-release nature, and on my way "up" i did quit dividing capsules after hearing that pov but i never had a single problem yet from divvying granules in terms of making for erratic SEs or drug effects during 24 hr period.
So i think it's quite safe to divvy the granules - and i'd stay at least several days at each lower dose before proceeeding...
good luck,
zinya
Posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 22:25:49
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS » melbob, posted by zinya on October 18, 2003, at 21:30:02
hi zinya...
thanks so much for the quick response...i just went and bought some benadryl, feeling a bit weird, as i haven't taken any effexor today at all...if i don't feel better soon, i guess i will try opening up the capsule; i was hoping that perhaps i could just stop cold-turkey, but that may not be a great idea, huh?! i will let you know how it goes...i do not like this weird feeling of "not being here"; and those twitches are no fun either (and i only took the klonopin short-term, so i don't think it is that; though anything is possible!); am also having muscle pains for no discernible reason...
thanks again...
melbob
Posted by zinya on October 19, 2003, at 1:09:40
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 15:12:00
I just got 'hit' this past week with a severe bout of carpal tunnel - something i had 3 yrs ago but had cured it in a month or so that time... I learned then that hormone imbalances (estrogen in particular) play a role in carpal tunnel. And suddenly tonight it occurred to me that the fact i'm going off Effexor might have had some role in why i suddenly got this again now - it wouldn't be such a stretch that Effexor level changes could be messing with and triggering the carpal problems ... not unlike the way some direct estrogen level changes triggered it 3 yrs ago.
Anyone else have any such experience or linkage?
Posted by zinya on October 19, 2003, at 1:18:43
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS » zinya, posted by melbob on October 18, 2003, at 22:25:49
Melbob,
I've been reading people's Effexor experiences here long enough to URGE you, no matter how much you are tempted to cold turkey -- seriously, melbob, do not do it. People who try cold turkey systematically regret it , big time. It can be nightmarish. You've got the capsules. Open one and take half and taper off gradually. This isn't the kind of drug to think you can be cavalier about. Really. Take a half capsule.
good luck,
zinya
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