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Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help Page 93 of 140

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stevia herb (for sweetening)

It is natural I use it in my lip balms. I even have a site you can get a free sample & the sample jars are BIG, a little goes a looooong way!

If anyones interested I'll look it up in my bookmarks.

Penny
 
Penny S last decade
Penny--I'm doing well. I'm glad to hear that you're back to doing things that you love. I was just reading an article in Time magazine about a woman who made soaps... Are you still on the Effexor?

Yea, it's homecoming week here, I've been to wallyworld more than I can take so MiKayla can get stuff for spirit week, today was the mall. GRRR! Get home right away I need this I need that, finally agree to bring her (make it fast I said) Then my friend Bonnie called & said her daughter's dress for homecoming wasn't gonna come in time, could I help make it? ( my sister & I used to have a tailor shop together) so we cut the patterns tonight. I'll work on it tomorrow. Then the mary kay lady called ( I'm having a party for the micro dermabrasion) & gave me attitude about me postponing again, are you f****ing kidding me??? This summer has been the craziest in my life.

I'm just done & tired of ppl who want something from me 2 minutes after I walk in the door or 2 minites into a conversation.

Hubby isn't any help I need someone to talk to & he's not there

I'm glad you're feeling good hon!!

Penny
 
Penny S last decade
My wifes great. The protein drink had a very noticable positive effect on her. She keeps asking me if I'm sure there isn't drugs in it! After only two days. She said she woke up during the night on night 1 and felt tingly all over in her muscles--(in a good way). Now she can't believe how full of life she feels! She has been off E for several months now, and is taking coromega every day. Looks like we made it!
 
mikemo last decade
MikeMo,

Why not whey protein?

SweetLo
 
SweetLo last decade
Honestly, I don't have anything particularly against Whey protein. I just wanted to minimize the number of variables.

If you want to try the whey protein, that's fine. Just check the ingredients for sugars. There are a lot out there that are loaded with different types of sweeteners. The one I listed had none, just stavia herb.
 
mikemo last decade
BTW, I found a sure way to detox quickly without feeling the effects...get the flu! I ran a fever for a few days and definitely had to have sweat out any of the remaining drug in my system! It turned into bronchitis, but as I was at my Dr.'s yesterday, I relized I hadn't had the vertigo or brain zaps. I chalked up the nauseous to the flu. LOL
 
SweetLo last decade
BTW, I found a sure way to detox quickly without feeling the effects...get the flu! I ran a fever for a few days and definitely had to have sweat out any of the remaining drug in my system! It turned into bronchitis, but as I was at my Dr.'s yesterday, I relized I hadn't had the vertigo or brain zaps. I chalked up the nauseous to the flu. LOL
Report post to moderator



LOl apprieciate the humor!! The flu sucks! I hope you're feeling better!

Penny
 
Penny S last decade
The inspiration I have read on this site is astronomical. I accidentally came across this site as my psychologist has suggested I go onto an over the counter anti-depressant called sam-E. After researching whether I could take sam-E whilst on Effexor has led me to this site. It’s a relief to find (but sad cause of the way we have been brought together) so many people out there who are so kind as to help each other with this deadly poison and who better could help than the people of the world who have been through this. I live in Western Australia and have been on Effexor for 14 years for depression with the dosage going up and down, currently on 150mgs. I am now desperate to have a life again and get off this horrible drug. When going onto Effexor I had all the symptoms including passing out, I have always had the brain zaps, sweating, no sex drive, actually no drive for anything in life at all for at least 10 years, this led me to drugs and alcohol which of course shouldn’t be used when on Effexor but it gave me relief from a nothing life. I really believe that when I am off Effexor altogether my other nasty habits will fall away. My ultimate aim is to get off all chemical substances of any description as I will be getting married next year and I desperately want children. I have high cholesterol, been diagnosed with underactive thyroid when before Effexor I didn’t have these so it will be interesting to see how these are after I stop. I worked out my own plan to get off Effexor but have since read Mikemo’s theory which I like better however it’s such a huge step for me to start weaning off as it’s taken me 10 years to get the guts to do it purely because of the side effects. I missed doses in the beginning however I haven’t in the last 10 years gone more than 36 hours without a tablet, most people never leave home without a certain something and I have never forgotten or let my prescription run past 36 hours without Effexor in my system including sitting at emergency on a red alert for Cyclone George that hit Port Hedland this year just to get the tablets as the chemist was closed. I’ve been labelled allot of things over the years for my I will not leave home without it which I guess is understandable for people with no knowledge of what it feels like. My fiancée has in general been great but he’s not coping so well with the way I’ve structured the weaning process as I have to get up sometimes in the wee hours of the morning which wakes him up, he works 14 hour days occasionally.
Because I didn’t no how to split the capsules the way I began was last Thursday instead of having the cap at 10pm on Thursday I had it at 4am Friday thus a 6 hour time difference so every 30 hours instead of every 24, and I did this for 4 days and now I’m up to a cap every 36 hours so on and so forth. This hasn’t caused me too many side effects until one cap every 36 hours. I have no concentration, I am hyperactive (a different feeling for me), sweat allot, have the brain zaps, cannot sleep and when I do yep the good old nightmares (lucid dreaming when you feel you are awake but you are dreaming), can’t stop eating when the cap is due, a little fuzzy/nauseous. Today is a real grump day for me, very irritable, just want to smash something, however I have noticed a new positive me since starting cutting down and I like it. My biggest most frightening side effect is the nausea and passing out which hasn’t happened yet but I’m very anxious about when it’s going to strike me.
I am going to somehow try and switch my method with Mikemo’s method it’s just a little confusing at the moment because I don’t know how to integrate what I’ve started to Mikemo’s way. Mikemo or anyone that understands Math’s a little better than me can they help me switch from 150mgs each 36 hours to Mikemo’s way?
I would so appreciate the help and am so inspired by all the people on this site. I really am sorry for the length I tend to babble.
MandyC
 
MandyC last decade
Mandy,

You're 150 every 36 hours is the equivelent to 100mg every 24 hours. That's great! However, by stretching out the time gap like that, you are opening a window to the withdrawl effects, day after day. Not good, and not neccesary.

If you read the thread called 'Effexor Capsule Splitting Method' you'll find an easy way to break these capsules down into smaller doses. Get a bag of empty gelcaps from the healthfood store so you can make your own doses.

I'd start off with 110mg on a 24 hour cycle. I'd also like to see you move the dose to the morning instead of evening. (Be careful not to take doses within 18 hours of each other, though, when switching to the morning)

Take 4 days at 110mg and then report back. You should notice a big improvement in you withdrawl effects.

Ask questions if you need help with splitting them down to that dose.
 
mikemo last decade
Mandy,

You're 150 every 36 hours is the equivelent to 100mg every 24 hours. That's great! However, by stretching out the time gap like that, you are opening a window to the withdrawl effects, day after day. Not good, and not neccesary.

If you read the thread called 'Effexor Capsule Splitting Method' you'll find an easy way to break these capsules down into smaller doses. Get a bag of empty gelcaps from the healthfood store so you can make your own doses.

I'd start off with 110mg on a 24 hour cycle. I'd also like to see you move the dose to the morning instead of evening. (Be careful not to take doses within 18 hours of each other, though, when switching to the morning)

Take 4 days at 110mg and then report back. You should notice a big improvement in you withdrawl effects.

Ask questions if you need help with splitting them down to that dose.
 
mikemo last decade
Thank you Mikemo your advice is greatly appreciated. I will do the capsule splitting and change to the mornings at 110mgs as said. With the way I began regardless of how many hours I can stretch the capsule out I never get off the 150mgs capsule on a given day which ultimately leads me to more side effects and never truly getting off this poison.
Thanks Mikemo I will report back in 4 days.
 
MandyC last decade
Am happy to report so far so good. My symptoms are quite minimal just very restless/hyperactive which is a new feeling for me and I don't mind it as I have always been just so lazy, I'm starting to do house work but don't focus to well on just one task at a time. I still sweat allot but always have on this drug so that's not bothering me to much. Brain zaps are also minimal. Yay so far so good. Today is Friday Aussie time so won't be able to post or report back till Monday. Am going to the doctor much to my disgust as my fiancée isn't feeling comfortable about the splitting capsule method so it's created a bit of tension as regardless of what the doctor says (Doctor's can't understand the withdrawal unless they have been on effexor) I am doing it Mikemo's way. But I am going to take the opportunity to present this information to the doctor so he can start being aware of just how horrific this poison is to get off. My fiancée is coming with me to the doctor and I am going to show my fiancée just how doctors just don’t know effexor and the side effects and the doctor will try and make you drop way to quick. My first line to the doctor will be so I want to stop taking effexor how would you suggest? I no his answer (maybe I'm jumping the gun) will be to drop a huge amount of mgs which I will not be doing under any circumstance. This way my fiancée can have a little more faith in that I no my own body and I no effexor.
I’m so determined, I will not fail!
 
MandyC last decade
Dear Mikemo,
I've been on 150 mg of Effexor since August of this year.
It was a horrible drug for me and I wanted off. My psychiatrist dropped me from 150 mg of Effexor XR to 112.5 mg of the generic/non extended release on 9/15.
It was a disaster and I developed the worst migraines of my life.
At the time I thought it was because he switched me to the generic, but have come to realize that's it's because he dropped me too much.
Not only that, I believe that besides the switch to generic - which might have a difference in makeup, the fact that one goes to Extended Release to non XR - is a big difference.
I went back up to 150 mg of brand name XR and am trying to stabilize.
I am on a nutrional program called 'LABEL ME SANE' which was created for people trying to come off of anti depressants and benzos, and am going to stay on it until I wean myself off of this terrible drug.
I was told that 10 % increments is the way to go, and that the best way to achieve this is to have the prescription written to a compounding pharmacist.
I could do that, but it would cost, and frankly, I barely have the energy and will power at this point, to write this post.
I'd like to try the capsule splitting plan, but have been told that the beads are a mixture of substances that combine to make up the drug Effexor XR.
If that is correct, then I'm worried that splitting them up wouldn't accurately divy up the 'substances'.
I'd like to know your view on that...
If I do go ahead with this plan, can you tell me how to proceed from the 150 mg dose.
I know you've probably already explained it to tons of suffering people, but could you do it once more for me? I would certainly appreciate your help.
mourningperson
 
mourningperson last decade
What have any of you done about the restless leg syndrome? What about when you just want to give up? I am so ready to start drinking again. I can't stand being around anyone and just really hate my life right now....please tell me this is part of the process. I'm taking 5-htp each morning, the Healthy N' Fit protein powder at night and don't know if I should be doing something else. I'm so tired of all of this.
 
SweetLo last decade
Hi SweetLo
I’ve had restless legs since cutting back on the effexor, however mine isn't that painful it's more that I just can't keep my legs still which causes them to ache and often it feels like something crawling all over my legs. Your restless legs sound horrible and you worry you might start drinking again? I am a drinker I haven’t got as far as you have but once off effexor that is my next bad habit to get rid of. In saying this I found this site below which may help I really don't no, maybe have a look. I no you aren’t allowed to drink on the medication, however it's another drug and I'm pretty sure it needs to be prescribed by your doctor. http://www.requip.com/

mourning person
Mikemo's way of the capsule splitting is by far the best advice I've ever received in terms of weaning off effexor. I must admit I haven’t swapped to it yet because I had a try and panicked because I couldn't get the little balls even enough along the paper. I really think if we practice the splitting method it will get easier, we need to make sure we can dedicate putting the time aside at a time of day that is the least stressful and just give it ago. Good luck, I'm going home tonight to try again. It's scary but if we don't keep trying we won't succeed.

Mikemo
As above I haven’t got to having a split capsule yet but will try to split one tonight for tomorrow morning.
I was very wrong (hate being wrong) about my doctor, he told me to go down very slowly over 6 months. I presented your splitting method to him along with this site what he read whilst I was there he said was fantastic. You are a legend all around the world.
It's rather different here in Australia as my 150mgs pack that I buy only costs me $30.20AUD because the government subsidises certain medications (I should be so thank full). The generic brand of effexor hasn't been released in Australia as far as I am aware but I'm certain the ingredients have to be the same.
I am curious about the little beads as in my capsule they are all the same size and white, I haven’t counted them but notice in previous threads allot of people have been concerned what part is the effexor and what part is the filler?

MandyC
 
MandyC last decade
Dear SweetLo,
I read on quite a few diff. sites that one should not combine 5HTP and Effexor. This is an excerpt:

There is the possibility of a severe adverse reaction to this combination - serotonin syndrome. This is potentially lethal. Also, around 80% of docs will not be familiar with serotonin syndrome.

5htp will raise serotonin levels. Effexor/venlafaxine raises serotonin levels. Being on two serotonergic drugs is usually something to be avoided. Labels on 5htp would be expected to state 'Contraindications: This product should not be taken with prescription antidepressants, weight control drugs, or other serotonin modifying agents.' or equivalent.

Something to take a look at,
love,
mourningperson
 
mourningperson last decade
Mourningperson,
I've actually been off of the Evil E since October 10...I am a graduate of the MikeMo splitting method.

MandyC,
I wish I could do the splitting for you, practice makes perfect. lol

I honestly don't know what I'd do had I not found this site! Thank you all for your sharing.
 
SweetLo last decade
Sorry,
I'm new to this forum.
Did anyone experience suicidal thoughts and hopelessness on Effexor?
I also take Ambien for sleep and Klonopin only when necessary, which has is increasing of late due to my hopelessness regarding my symptoms from Effexor......
mourningperson
 
mourningperson last decade
SweetLo
Been off Evil E since Oct 10, that's fantastic, I no your journey has been tough as I've looked at old posts and I no u still have some way to go however you have come so far, done so much and should be so proud.
I really do wish you could split the capsules for me but yep I’m sure with practice as you said I will become perfect. He He
I must admit this site is inspirational, I wouldn't have tried stopping effexor I would of just kept on taking it year after year if I hadn't found this site. I can't wait to be free...

mourningperson
I have been on effexor for 14 years and can admit not only are there horrible effects stopping and starting this drug there are horrible effects taking this drug. I no its an anti-depressant but I believe it's had the opposite effect on me (after the first few months) and made me constantly depressed. I often wrote suicide letters and really thought this was the best way out of this stuffed up world cause when you are in real despair it seems like the easiest answer BUT IT'NOT. People would get just plain sick of me cause I was always so down and constantly spoke negative. Just keep in mind when you feel that way to tell yourself it's the effexor and maybe one of the other drugs you are prescribed, it's not the real you. Give yourself some time to get off the effexor (which doesn't help right now) and see how you feel when that drug is out of your system.
Don't ever follow through with the thought of suicide there’s to many people out there that are willing to listen especially this site, complete strangers so willing to help each other.

MandyC
 
MandyC last decade
mourningperson,

Be careful with that Klonopin! It is wildly addictive. I'm not much of an Ambien expert, so you'll have to read up on it. But it is clearly the least of your troubles.

You really need to have a goal. One who aims for nothing inparticular invariably hits it.

From what you've said, a good goal would be to be completely off Klonopin and Effexor by March 2008. I know that seems like a long time, but it is worth it to go slow. Plus, you are dealing with more than one nasty. If all you had on your plate was the Ambien, you'd be just fine.

So, how often do you take the Klonopin?
 
mikemo last decade
MandyC,

Wow, it really is amazing to think that I might have made a difference in this world. I'm just happy to have helped a few people. But remember, it is each of you that runs the race. I just stand on the sidelines and cheer you on!

Thanks!

Mike
 
mikemo last decade
mikemo,
i used to take the klonopin occasionally if i had a meltdown.
but i'm beginning to meltdown more and more.
these past few days, i've been taking it every day, which i never did in the past.
could you please tell me how to taper off of the 150 mg of effexor xr?
and what about the beads containing a mixture of substances, etc - as per my original post?
your help would be of great help,
i'm losing it.
mp
 
mourningperson last decade
It's OK. We'll work on the Effexor.

First of all, the little beads are self contained doses of effexor. They come in assorted sizes to effectivly control the 'extended release'. They do not 'combine into effexor after you take it. So what you were told is incorrect.

Some people used to ount out the little balls to taper off. That would work, if the balls were always the same size. But they aren't. That's why the dividing method I've outlined in the past works so well. Because you are always taking a known dose (150mg) and dividing it up based on the length of a 'line' of little beads. If you draw a line 4 inches long on a creased paper and dump a 150mg capsule into it, you could split it at the 2 inch mark and be certain that you have two 75mg doses. You can't get that from counting the balls.

To take it another step further, if you draw a line with 15 segments, each segment would be 10mg. So Let's do that.

Fold a paper in half and open it back up. Get a ruler and draw a line 3.75 inches long in the crease. Draw little tick marks at each 1/4'. Now count them. There should be 15 segments. Dump a capsule into that crease and spread the balls out evenly. Use a toothpick, and divide off 1/4' and put it aside. Pour the 140mg back into a capsule and put it in a baggy. Mark the bag as 140mg.

You need to get a bag of empty gelcaps from the health food store for you to dump that leaftover 10mg into. Put it in a new baggy and label the bag '10mg'. Those doses will come in handy later on.

There are lots of ways of dividing and recombining doses to get the doses you need. Get creative with it, but ALWAYS know exactly how much is on the paper before you pour them back into a dose.

Now, with all of that said, we need to get a good schedule for you. Before we start on that, though, we need to talk a bit more about how it is that you are 'losing it'. Can you explain a bit more?

In the meantime, keep taking 150mg, or at least 140mg as described above. Try and get your dose shifted to the morning, and klonopin only as needed, and try to keep it LATE in the day. I'm here for you!
 
mikemo last decade
mikemo,
I used to have the energy to parse out my psychic pain, but after all of the years of trying to find the answers to why I'm depressed, I'm finally at the end of the rope.
As I said before, I don't even have the energy left in me to write these posts, but something must be left in me, as I'm reaching out for your help.
I've been depressed most of my adult life, but it was manageable. About 1.5 years ago it escalated. There's a good chance that it's because I became perimenopausal.
My provider, Kaiser, has thrown every anti dep. ever made at me, except for the MAIO's.
2 years ago I had the vagal nerve implant, didn't work.
Last Jan, in desperation, I had 13 ECT treatments. It was scary, invasive, and turned me into a subdued persona and ruined my memory.
As a last ditch, my psych. dr. put me on Effexor in Aug. Didn't do anything but make me sick, that's why I'm trying to get off.
I feel that between addressing the hormonal aspects, which I'm going to see a dr. about in 2 weeks, doing omega 3's, amino acids, and other nutritional elements, I may get my depression under control.
But, at the moment, between finally losing the 'fight' that's always been in me, and the drugs that have been handed to me like candy, I'm suicidal - plain and simple.
I've been in a drugged haze for the past few days because I cry so much and so hard, that I have to take the Klon. to make me stop.
The world looks like a huge ball of pain and suffering to me, not just for myself, but for all the people and animals that are suffering now, and have throughout the beginning of time.
I feel bereft of any reliance on God and feel so confused in my mind about spirituality, that I wish my head was a nut and I had a giant nutcracker, so that I could stop the constant cycle of thoughts of trying to understand it.
I know this is serious and may not be the forum for it, but you asked.....
I used to be healthy and strong, but all of these meds have reduced me to an entity that is isolated (although I have a loving husband and friends) and afraid.
mp
 
mourningperson last decade
Mikemo
You have made a difference in this world. I've handed out to three specialists your splitting method. I tried to cheat with the splitting and went to the chemist this morning to see if a pharmacist could do it for me and he was the least amount of help I've come across to date. I shouldn't have gotten angry at him but I did. He said the capsules aren’t designed to be split and that no you cannot do that while proceeding to talk to me in pharmaceutical language which I don't understand. I told him my doctor said its fine to split if that is one's way off coming off such a crap drug and basically I got no where. I still left him with your splitting method and said I will come back in a few days to see what his opinion is. So that’s what happens when one tries to cheat.
Mikemo when people are desperate for help and there’s someone to help them (real help that works) that makes the helper a legend. I no this started for you because you obviously love your wife so much and were so very supportive and then realised there’s so many of us that need help. Most of us don't get that support through loved ones or friends so when it’s found through a stranger it's simply priceless. You are a legend for your advice, theories, information and we all love having you cheer us on, but yes us people trying to get off effexor are the only people that can make it work. People do much better when they are getting support.
Maybe you and your wife should write a book or speak at seminars, her telling the people on effexor feelings of withdrawal etc and you explaining the techniques involved. Sorry I’m getting carried away because I’m so passionate about getting off effexor.

Mourningperson
You have been through so much and I really feel for you. Mikemo is so switched on and he may have information to either help you or point you in a direction that can help. It’s rather concerning that you are suicidal I really can’t give any advice other than to say are you able to have someone with you 24 hours a day until your mind is stabilised a little? A friend, your husband, a support group? I don’t know what sort of services are available where you live.
Please keep battling on and no that I am thinking of you x
 
MandyC last decade
mourningperson,

You are going to make it. I know it is hard to see right now, but there will be an end to your suffering WITHOUT suicide. You can have your life back. People live good lives, and you can too. You remember what it was like before all of this. You can get there again.

It's not quick. And it's not easy. But we are going to stick around throughout it all and have a big party when you make it (you will). It will be so worth it, like a new sunrise.

So, I have more questions:

1. Have you tried opening up an effexor capsule yet?

2. Can you get some empty gelcaps from the healthfood store?

3. What time do you usually take Klonopin and what time do you usually take Ambien?

4. Can you describe your sleep?

5. What sort of Amino Acids do you take?

I know that isolation feeling. I haven't mentioned it, but when my wife went through depression, I did as well. I think that may be why I'm so supportive. The only difference was that I didn't go on any meds, which was very hard. I don't know if it was a good idea or not. She coped better during the depression with the meds, but then she had to deal with getting off of them, which wasn't so bad with the taper method. So I'm not completely 'anti-meds', but I do think there needs to be better 'exit plans' from our docs.

Anyway, I hate that feeling of being in a fishbowl, the whole world seemingly moving on around you. It's just an illusion though. How you feel is not how it really is.

There is a little hole, a light at the end of the tunnel. It may be a long tunnel, but there is a light. You need to stay focused on that light. Everytime you feel slightly better than before, think of that light as getting closer, the circle getting a little bigger. Progress is your motivation and reward, setbacks are merely challenges to laugh at.

Please answer my questions above. I look forward to hearing from you, sweetheart!
 
mikemo last decade

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