success ☼ Hudgens's story

[Hudgens]

I was thinking that perhaps the glaze-like coating on the inside of the bottle after refrigeration could be a combination of fillers and binders. The binders would explain the fact that it doesn't seem to remix with the rest of the part, that just settles to the bottom of the bottle, when shaken. So if the rest of the suspension is just the Effexor itself, wouldn't that be OK?

 

Binders are a kind of gluey substance, right? So maybe they act differently than the Effexor particals; maybe they thicken and clump on the inside edge of the bottle along with some of the binders. This would explain how this sort of thing could happen and still have people who use this method reporting good results.

 

I am really bad at explaining things, does anyone get what I'm getting at?

[tezza]

Hi Benz,

 

As for the syringe, I've been using the same one for over a year. I have Comar name brand (1mL)and the markings have stayed intact but It doesn't have ticks between the tenths. Mine has held up very well, I've never tried the Baxa because I could never find one.

 

My other syringe (larger one) has CVS Pharmacy on it and the markings wear off that one. As I've gone down in dose, it doesn't matter because the lower markings are still there. I've used that one for over nine months. I just rinse and separate for drying. I only use each syringe once daily.

 

Now, the suspension question.... Again, I've not used your particular medication but I do see a coating inside my medicine cup. It is the color of the enteric coating of my tablet so I've never been concerned about it, in my case. ( I use two medicine cups, one slightly smaller around than the other. I place the smaller on top of the other and it fits down inside the rim of the larger so I can shake it around.)

[Altostrata]

My Baxa syringes have lasted a long, long time.

 

As Effexor is soluble in water, that stuff on the inside of the container must be the tablet filler. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/

[Hudgens]

One more possibly dumb question--Would the suspension minus the binders and fillers be the same as just plain Prestiq? Or do you think even without the other stuff I'm still only taking Effexor.

 

I ask because I had a bad reaction to Prestiq.

 

Thanks.

[Altostrata]

Read the applicable topics in the Tapering forum.

[Hudgens]

Read topic, but honestly don't see where my question is answered. Still, my guess is you'd have said something if there was anything to my apprehensions. Thanks regardless.

[Altostrata]

Benz's screen name changed to Hudgens at his request.

 

Pristiq is a purified form of Effexor. If you're taking Effexor, you're not taking Pristiq.

[Hudgens]

Thanks, Alto, for the screen name change and the reassurance.

 

I had this anxiety all day, but not too bad. But now 3 and a half hours after my 2nd dose, I'm getting this anxiety and body aches that are beyond just about anything I've had during the past 8 months (the time period since I started having any real WD symptoms). It's so obviously WD, though, I'm mean it just has that sickly feeling about it. I even got something like night sweats during a short nap this evening. Could be a wave, but more probably because of a cut inadvertently made switching to the DIY Liqiud. This is my 6th day using the liquid. I'm going to try 2 tylenol and a hot shower. Hudgens

[Hudgens]

After the Tylenol and shower I just suddenly started feeling better, still a little rough, but better, more manageable. The really severe flu-like symptom and anxiety occured between 630 and 830 pm. Maybe the back and forth, feeling bad/ feeling good, is an indication I will settle down, even if I did make a unintended cut when switching to the liquid. I mean as opposed to just feeling bad for days and days. Hard to believe I was that far off guessing what dose I was at before the switch to DIY liquid.

[Narcissus]

It's so obviously WD, though, I'm mean it just has that sickly feeling about it.

Yes, that 'sickly feeling' is what makes it distinguishable from normal experience, I'm almost grateful for it. Think if it were just the emotional symptoms without any of the physical cues! That would truly be a nightmare.

 

Maybe the back and forth, feeling bad/ feeling good, is an indication I will settle down,

Most likely. They seem to be characteristic of early withdrawal.

[Meimeiquest]

Tylenol and Advil seem to help me. Advil raises lithium levels, but it's still weird.

[Hudgens]

Thanks, Narcissus. I had an unusually rough night. Some sleep at least. And a little more anxiety than I'm used to this morning.

But I feel different since starting the liquid/syringe methode 6 days ago--a very definite feeling that things weren't as good as before and getting worse.

 

I know many here will advise me to hang in there a little longer to let things settle down, and I know there's a lot of experience behind that recomendation, but the water suspension just effects me differently than my old dry dose, even though I take the latter with a glass of water. Maybe the liquid hits me faster and goes out of me faster.

Maybe I took an unsustainable cut when switching. Of course there's no way of telling. I just have to go with my feelings and they are that the liquid doesn't work well for me--whereas the dry Effexor dose always, more or less, did.

 

Thanks for responding, Hudgens

[tezza]

It may be that you took a cut when you switched to liquid. If so, it may take some time to settle. I'm sorry you're having trouble with the switch.

 

I switched from weighing pieces of tablet ( of my medicine ) to liquid and didn't have a problem, if anything, I felt somewhat better. Again, all of us are different, so there's really no way to tell.

 

I know that doesn't help you a lot, I hope you feel better real soon.

[Hudgens]

Thanks, Tezza, I'm sure I will.

 

Thanks, Meimei, as far as I know, the Tylenol only helps me with the flu-like symptom, but I've got some persistent anxiety this morning, and I'm going for my first group therapy meeting (Behavioral/cognitive managing emotional symptoms group) this afternoon, so I may try the Tylenol on the anxiety if it's still very present, an hour before I leave. Hope you're both having a good day. And you too, Narcissus.

[Meimeiquest]

Hope the group turns out to be great!

[Altostrata]

Try increasing the liquid dosage slightly.

[Hudgens]

Yes the group went very well.

And thanks, Alto.

[Meimeiquest]

If you learn anything fabulous you want to share, we're all "eyes." Glad it was good.

[Rhiannon]

It may be that you took a cut when you switched to liquid. If so, it may take some time to settle. I'm sorry you're having trouble with the switch.

 

I switched from weighing pieces of tablet ( of my medicine ) to liquid and didn't have a problem, if anything, I felt somewhat better. Again, all of us are different, so there's really no way to tell.

 

I know that doesn't help you a lot, I hope you feel better real soon.

 

It's not unusual for a switch to liquid to act like a cut, in my experience with benzos. And I should think that would very likely affect how you absorb the med, probably causing you to absorb it faster, so it may not be as spread out as it was before when it was the dry tablet (which takes a while to dissolve no doubt).

 

Liquid is so advantageous for tapering that if there's any way you can hang in there, it's probably worth a try. Maybe as Alto suggests, a slight increase of the liquid.

[flower]

I too had issues when I went to liquid Celexa. I came here for advice. Next time I won't make a cut right away when I switch.

[Altostrata]

Hudgens's mode of measurement when dry tapering was so approximate, it might take some adjustment to find the right liquid dosage.

[Hudgens]

Not a bad day, woke up after 5-6 hrs sleep, no wd symptoms to speak of. Stayed that way most of day, until around 6pm when flu-like feelings began, then, a little later, mild to moderate anxiety. Turning in to read now, hoping anxiety/flu feelings ease in a few hours (many times they have). Reading a Dashiell Hammett novel -Red Harvest- can't read it without picturing Bogart as the detective. Really enjoying this one. A peacefully night to all, Hudgens

[lexicon]

I hope things calm down for you Benz ..

I am saddened to read that you are having some disturbances .. I hope that they work themselves out, and that you will feel better ..

Thinking of you, and wishing you a relaxed, blessed night ..Lexicon

[lexicon]

Hi meimei ..,

Just to say that I have missed your wise comments, and presence ..

Thinking of you, and wishing that you are feeling good ..

Have a blessed night ..xx

[Hudgens]

Only managed 3 hours of sleep last night. Woke up with mild anxiety and low mood. Mood improved by early afternoon, but anxiety became moderate and mixed with flu-like symptoms and some lightheadedness. All of which increased to uncomfortable degree during and after a one hour, midafternoon nap. None of the symptoms, however, were bad enough to keep me from getting done various things. Mood completely normalized around 630pm, then anxiety, flu, and lightheadedness eased,

just before going out to eat with relatives. Back home now, and am suddenly feeling almost exhausted, but with only traces of today's symptoms. To bed and book, and hopefully a restful night. Hoping everyone else the same, Hudgens

[Meimeiquest]

Glad your little window came at the right time! Encouraged to hear of your progress.

[Hudgens]

Yes, Meimei, it certainly did. Really hoping you're doing well, Hudgens (doesn't "Hudgens" sound like someone's butler?)

[Meimeiquest]

It's distinguished...better than being a dreaded BENZO!

[flower]

To be in bed with a book reading would be a blessing..Enjoy..This is a good thing.

[Hudgens]

Today was almost a repeat of yesterday, but I got 5 hours of sleep the night before, and the anxiety and lightheadedness came back later after almost disappearing in the early evening. Well, I suppose it will ease in the next few hours as I settle down to read and sleep. But who knows? WD has its own schedule. Hudgens

[Meimeiquest]

Keep hanging in there!

[Hudgens]

Last night, just as I was falling to sleep, I got a dose of confusion and anxiety. Both disappeared as fast as I shook off the twighlight sleep (not fully awake, not fully asleep) I was in. Still, I couldn't get back to sleep until 2 hours later, and only managed 2 hours of sleep for that night.

 

The confusion is a sleep disturbance that comes from too much cortosol production (I see on line that these sleep disturbances are reported by those with anxiety disorders), and 8 months of partial insomnia. In other words, it's WD.

 

Anyway, today went just like the last few days: some anxiety and lightheadedness in the morning, increasing early evening, increasing for a short time (1 hour) to an uncomfortable level, then easing again suddenly right before bedtime (10 pm-12 midnight). Walked and ate both good and bad foods today. Hudgens

[lexicon]

Hi dear Benz, I hope you do not mind me calling you Benz ..

I have been thinking of you, but have been having a tough time since I entered the 4 th month since the antidepressants were dropped ..

What a nightmare this is .. Instead of getting some relief as time goes by, the unbearable distress is back ..

Shortness of breath, unsteadiness, anxiety, dizziness, stomach pain, crying, Like someone opened the flood gates ..

I am saddened to read about your troubles ..But I think things will get better ..We just need to believe that better days will come ..

I wish that you will be able to have a relaxing night ..

Thinking of you ..Lexicon

[Hudgens]

Thanks, Lex. Yes, I guess we'll look back on this time of our lives as very tough times.

 

Last night I was woken by a popping noise in my head, I think it's related to the brain zaps. I heard 5 or 6 small pops which stopped after I woke up. I remember having these in the past, but not exactly when. I did some research on line and found out they are absolutely harmless. I went back to sleep and they didn't reoccur. I managed 4 hours of sleep, altogether.

 

Today was mostly a partial window. Some anxiety for about an hour, and some lightheadedness throughout (but this doesn't usually bother me as much as other symptoms, unless it gets very bad). My mood was a little low today, too, in the beginning, but it lifted by early afternoon. So, for the most part I felt fairly normal all day, and so I got a lot of things done. Still feeling good now at bedtime. Very tired though. So now to read (Huck Finn), and sleep. A peacefull night to everyone, Hudgens

[flower]

Hi dear Benz, I hope you do not mind me calling you Benz ..

I have been thinking of you, but have been having a tough time since I entered the 4 th month since the antidepressants were dropped ..

What a nightmare this is .. Instead of getting some relief as time goes by, the unbearable distress is back ..

Shortness of breath, unsteadiness, anxiety, dizziness, stomach pain, crying, Like someone opened the flood gates ..

I am saddened to read about your troubles ..But I think things will get better ..We just need to believe that better days will come ..

I wish that you will be able to have a relaxing night ..

Thinking of you ..Lexicon

 

Sorry Lexi, you are so sad. Maybe today will be better. This morning is rough me too. Wish I could take a pill and feel better for one day...Hang in there.

[flower]

Thanks, Lex. Yes, I guess we'll look back on this time of our lives as very tough times.

 

Last night I was woken by a popping noise in my head, I think it's related to the brain zaps. I heard 5 or 6 small pops which stopped after I woke up. I remember having these in the past, but not exactly when. I did some research on line and found out they are absolutely harmless. I went back to sleep and they didn't reoccur. I managed 4 hours of sleep, altogether.

 

Today was mostly a partial window. Some anxiety for about an hour, and some lightheadedness throughout (but this doesn't usually bother me as much as other symptoms, unless it gets very bad). My mood was a little low today, too, in the beginning, but it lifted by early afternoon. So, for the most part I felt fairly normal all day, and so I got a lot of things done. Still feeling good now at bedtime. Very tired though. So now to read (Huck Finn), and sleep. A peacefull night to everyone, Hudgens

 

It's great to see someone feeling better. Have a great day..