kaza31- withdrawing from effexor xr 150mg

[kaza31]

Hi there Altostrata.. I am currently taking Effexor xr 150mg have been for five years. don't take any other form of medications.. a year and a half ago I tried to withdraw from Effexor, a couple of weeks after stopping I got very bad withdrawal symptoms which I didn't know could happen even after I had finished them.. I wasn't aware of the effects of Effexor until I started researching myself on the internet.  unfortunately at that time my doctor put me back on the 150mg, whereas I now know I should have been put back on a smaller dose and started reducing that when I was feeling better..  

  anyhow I have started my withdrawal from Effexor again in February. Ive never liked being on the tablet, made me so tired all the time and sweating but had to take them as like we all know withdrawal starts.. in February I began my reductions, I  have been taken one bead out of the capsule each day, I monitor how Im feeling with regards withdrawal symptoms and if they begin I stop there and don't remove anymore.. when I the symptoms have passed I begin taking a bead out each day etc etc.. Ive be going very slowly with it, at present I have removed 110 beads out of 544 beads in the capsules which is rroughly a fifth of 150mg ie 30mg... The last withdrawal I had very bad brain zaps however this time I don't get them (fingers crossed it continues). I get little flutters or movements in left side of head, if that makes sense but there not painful.. Ive been supplementing with Omega 3,6,9 fish oils with vitamin D and E, B vitamin complex and magnesium through tablet and through Epsom salt baths. maybe they have stopped the zapping im not sure... I walk everyday for at least an hour, I eating extremely healthy and have completely stopped alcohol as for some reason it seems to make my withdrawal symptoms so much worse. ... My worse symptoms at present I seem to get from withdrawal is sleep problems, lack of energy, im motivated to do things but I just feel so  exhausted and tired all the time, just a general blahh feeling lol if that make sense. ive been keeping a journal of my bead reduction over the months and symptoms, supplements ive taken, food ive eaten etc to keep track of everything..

So after all that lol  Does my withdrawal schedule seem ok to you?? and Do you think the withdrawal symptoms im getting is normal or signs of depression returning and that I need to be on a antidepressant... its all so confusing as to what to do with regards withdrawal..... I just know I don't want to take medication anymore, I rather take something natural like st johns work or 5htp to see if I do ok with it.. im 31 and want to be off Effexor as I want to start planning for a baby and want this rubbish out of my body..

  many thanks

[kaza31]

Hi there everyone, my name is Karen, im 31 years old and have been on Effexor xr 150mg for five years now..

Two years ago I tried to withdraw from Effexor, had terrible withdrawal symptoms but managed to stop them.. roughly six weeks later was when I became so ill I honestly thought I was dying of some disease, never experienced anything like it in my life..

I started have lots of anxiety attacks, depersonalisation, sweating like crazy, no appetite, frequent urination flutter feelings across my head, couldn't sleep, body felt wired up all the time, the slightest bang or noise made me jump out of my skin, if lots of people were talking in my company I got irritated by the noise chatter. when I tried to go to sleep, I would have night sweats, vivid dreams and nightmares, would wake every hour or so, and wake up soaking with sweat, I also spent the night constantly peeing.. However the scariest symptoms for me was definitely when I felt myself drifting off to sleep I would jump suddenly awake for no reason, frightened and scared with my heart racing.  Other times just as I was going of to sleep I would hear a loud noise like a gunshot or something in my ear and I would jolt awake not knowing what was going on.. I honestly started to think I had a brain tumour or something like it... I started to fear going asleep as I was scared of the noises etc.. I would maybe finally fall asleep at 5 or 6 am and sleep very lightly the rest of the time with frequent wakenings, I was exhausted, frightened and fear I was dying...

I felt helpless, went back to the doctor and saw my psychologist who said that I must be someone who needs to stay on  medication for life, and so I was prescribed Effexor xr 150mg again,,, but they also added Seroquel 50mg and tamazipam 20mg on top of it.. Thank god I seemed to have some wits about me, I wouldn't take the Seroquel or tamazipam I refused them.. if I hadn't I probably would have had another problem on my hands.. I told the psychologist I needed someone to talk to about what was happening as I was very frightened... I was given a mental health nurse to talk to each week... when I told her my symptoms she looked at me like I was crazy, never heard of depersonalisation, instead of reassuring me that this was still withdrawal I was going through, she started chatting about my childhood how it was... ok maybe why I developed depression in the first place, has connections to my childhood I have know idea really.. but right there and then all I need was assurance  I was not going mad, that this was normal, and that there was ways I could be helped.

So I was prescribed Effexor 150mg again and basically had to just get on with it.. (Effexor never has agreed with me I hated the medication always made me tired all the time)...  After another year and half of putting up with the Effexor and also contemplating my future ie I really want to have a child and am afraid to when taking this drug...  I decided in February this year to start a withdrawal again.. I now am more aware of what can happen, mainly through looking at this forum which is amazing and other research I have done so I know what to expect now..

I decided the method I would take this time is taken the beads out of capsules.  ( last time I was switched to the tablet form from capsule and cut the tablets, I think the drops were to quick for me).

So I have been taken one bead out each day, when I start to feel some withdrawal symptoms I stop till I start to feel ok and then I begin take one out each day again.. so far I have taken out 112 beads out of 544 beads in the capsule, which works out roughly 30mg taken out... the main symptoms I have our extreme tiredness, weak no energy and trouble sleeping again.. This time I don't seem to have the brain zaps like I had, mainly just flutterly feeilings ( if that makes sense lol)... I have been taking high omega 3,6,9 supplement with vitamin d3 and e, and a magnesium supplement so im not sure if maybe that has helped the zaps..

  I recently had bloodworks done and have very low iron level at 7 maybe this explains for the weakness and tiredness and my thyroid readings still keep coming back high, currently Im taking a prescribed iron supplement too and have to get thyroid checked again to see if I need medication for it.. Honestly I blame this Effexor since I took them I have had non stop medical problems.. these include, urinary infections, stomach/bloating problems ibs, constipation one minute diarrahoea the next...  I had my gall bladder removed four years ago aged 27 was told I was very young having it, and my diet is very healthy one.. The surgeon told my they say its only people who have bad diets, overweight etc who should have problems..I even have  problems with feeling like if I don't get to a toilet quickly I might wet myself, like ive no control im only 31 and in good shape, no babies so it isn't my pelvic floor to blame lol.. doctor has no explanation for it..

 

so my withdrawal journey begins again for me, Im going to try and update regularly how im feeling like a journal for myself as well as hopefully someone else may see it and recognise themselves in the story and not do what I did going back on medication again.. the best idea for me seems that I should have been put back on a low dose till I got stable again and then reduced again, hindsight isn't it a wonderful thing lol...

  Presently I have a strict routine with myself to manage my symptoms, I walk in our local woods each day for half hour for exercise and light exposure, eat very healthy with lots of foods know for helping brain turkey, bananas etc, I completely stopped alcohol It doesn't seem to agree with me on withdrawal makes me worse.. I go  to bed and up at same time everyday, last cup of tea I take is lunch time, no caffeine in evening time I have an Epsom salts bath every night before bed (they contain magnesium meant to help detox body, aid sleep, and relaxation etc) I made a lavender body lotion which I put one, I heard laveneder helps sleep ( im trying anthing at this point in time lol) I don't use computers, tv or anything after 6pm, I go for my walk around this time, then socialise go to friends, family, out for dinner or whatever etc... I start my wind down at nine, sort out everything I need to for next day, have my bath, I do a relaxation guided cd,  I then have a herbal tea, take my magnesium supplement and read for about an hour.. I like to have the lights out by at least 10.30pm.. its a very strict routine but im willing to stick to it through this, im going to be kind to myself and help myself in anyway I can, im determined to get off these so badly... Lately the good weather we have been having has helped a lot, sitting in the sun in the evening or walking in it has definitely lifted my mood and spirits...

 That is all for now, sorry for such a long post lol I will continue to post with my journey through my withdrawal.. I wish everyone on the forum lots of luck and definitely think we are all very brave and courageous people for going what we are and still continuing to fight...   all the best

[areyouthere]

Hi Karen & welcome. Wow. You've done your homework!! Good for you. Iron level of 7 is very low if that is your hemoglobin. It;s no wonder you are tired.

 

In addition to the iron supplement and while you're eating healthy foods.... look up those high in iron and include those too!!!!

 

There's something else... is it folic acid ??? That aids in the absorbtion of iron into the blood stream. Certain foods are high in that ingredient as well. Well done!!

 

RU

[kaza31]

hi there, areyoutthere, thank you for your message...was actually just at doctors today, got results of iron back, even after 2 months 305 mg irons supplement my iron is still the same.. Doctor was very thorough and he  basically ordered blood tests done for everything as to why my iron is so low in the first place.. he says there can be lots of reasons like cealiac disease, abnormal bleeding etc (hopefully not).. he is apparently checking for iron again, blood count, b12 vitamin, cortisol, folate, thyroid, vitamin d, something that said bone which Im not sure what that is, also checked urine and gave me a full body check from head to toe, checking stomach area, glands etc.. he was very good... it was nice to have a doctor listen for once, and not make me feel I was a hypochondriac. my last doctor was so difficult when I went I was talking about the tiredness and no energy, he said "that's maybe you just getting older." I burst out laughing and said at 31 I really don't think extreme tiredness should be an issue with me, I don't think I should have to worry about that till im a lot older" 

 when ive been so tired and am barely able to function cuz of it you cant help but worry that there is something more wrong.. my new doctor even said "what is it your worried might be wrong" I said leukaemia or cancer that's how ill I feel at the moment, as Ive know someone who had similar symptoms and I am barely able to function day to day, he reassured me that my blood check two months ago would have pick up abnormalities and told me try not too worry we'll get to the bottom of it all....

  He is definitely in agreement with me that I need to get off Effexor, over the past couple of days ive developed a bad rash around my neck and in creases of my arms, ive not used anything different.. He said that Effexor has lots of side effects, and one being photosensitivity to the sun, the weather has been great this past two weeks and ive been out walking every day in it.. He thinks it may just be another symptom in a long list of others and that Effexor has stopped working for me and so all im getting is the bad side effects now..  If my bloods all come back ok, he thinks its the Effexor which is causing all this to my body.

 

  We discussed the Effexor withdrawal again and he has given me 75mg capsules instead of 150mg ones, he said take one 75mg in morning and the 75mg one at night take the beads out of it. when I have stopped the one at night then reduce the morning one, I don't know hopefully it works..

  Hope you are keeping well through your own withdrawal, send you lots of luck.

God bless x

[Jemima]

Here's our topic on getting off of Effexor.  The idea is to get off as slowly as necessary to remain comfortable and functional, which may be more slowly than your doctor has recommended.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/

 

Please take a good look at the Tapering discussion where there is a lot of good, general information on why we recommend tapering at 10% or less of the current dosage.

 

I'm very glad to see that your doctor is receptive to the idea of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome and gradual withdrawal.  He or she is a great deal more enlightened than most.

 

Welcome to the forum, Kaza.  I'm glad that you found us.

[Narcissus]

Welcome Kaza.  Effexor is a nasty drug, kicking it will likely be a lot of work.  But you've come to the right place.  As Jemima says, take a look at the Effexor thread and have a look around.  It sounds like you've got a nice little routine set up to get you through the withdrawal.  Good luck and keep us updated.Would you consider adding a summary of your drug history to your signature?  

[kaza31]

hi there narcissus,  thankyou for your message you sent time.. ur going through the same thing I see trying to get off of exffexor.. I have started what doctor said today,i took a 75mg capsule this morning and then took the relevant amount out of the 75mg capsule I took tonite, so that im still taking 130mg..ill see how I get on doing this the next few days and I will then start taking more beads out to lower it..

 

could you tell me how do I do a signature to show my drug history?

 

many thanks

[Narcissus]

If you scroll up to the top of this page you'll see your name in the top right corner.  Click it and in the menu that appears click "My Profile".  Then on the profile page click on "Edit My Profile" in the top right corner.  On the next screen select "Signature" on the menu on the left.  Write a short outline of your drug history/taper attempts and click "Save Changes".  

[kaza31]

many thanks Narcissus , ill give it a try now

[Karma]

Hi Kaza

 

Welcome to the forum.  I am also coming off of Effexor.  When I read your symptoms I thought to myself, she probably has celiac disease.  Why?  Because celiac damages the villi in your intestines and renders you unable to absorb nutrients such as iron from your food. It sounds like you have a good doctor who is willing to consider some kind of nutritional cause to your symptoms.

 

Once you get the results back from your doctor you may have a path to go down to truly get well. 

 

I have celiac disease and hashimoto's thyroiditis.  I was fortunate to find a doctor who was willing to consider that there could be other causes of my symptoms.  I got on a gluten free diet, started adding supplements like magnesium to help me absorb other nutrients.  I did find that B complex helped me build iron, but I did that before I started trying to come off of Effexor.  I also started taking a natural desiccated thyroid.  I gradually got better.

 

Since you have experienced withdrawals before I want to caution you to make adjustments gradually.  So if the doctor comes back and says for example, you need to start B complex, increase magnesium and add thyroid treatment ... tell him you only want to make one change at a time - be willing to consider all the adjustments just take it slowly. 

 

When you add a supplement or new medication hold your effexor taper where you are stable so that you can tell what is causing the symptoms, or hopefully making you feel better. See this topic for an idea of how to monitor your symptoms: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1779-rate-symptoms-daily-to-catch-withdrawal-early/

 

I'm so glad you found us!

 

Karma

[kaza31]

hi there karma

 

thanks for your reply... ive been taking a magnesium supplement which i started about four  months ago tho i mainly started it for help with sleep at night.. I also have been taking a vitamin c supplement and more iron enriched foods..  i never thought about b vitamins, ill wait to see how my bloods come back hopefully will be back this week and maybe i will try it.

 

I do know that if i eat white pasta or rice, i get very bloated ive always been like that.. so couple months back switched to brown version..  i should maybe try cutting out gluten foods for couple days and keep a record see how i feel..

 

What is hasimotos thyroiditis??? 

 

My last three thyroid test came back over normal, but my previous doctor said i didn't need medication as it was just slightly over, so im just not sure whats going on.

 

As i said three years ago i had my gall bladder out, i was told then i could experience bowel problems etc after but i never really did.. it only seems to be since i began the first withdrawal im having problems.. would having no gall bladder cause problems in the digestion of food and iron absorption i wonder?

 

anyways ill find out soon when results come back, i hope something is found.. obviously i don't want something serious, but the way ive been feeling it has to be something wrong..

 

all the best x

[kaza31]

hi everyone

 

so thought i would add an update on  my withdrawal.. so instead of taking a full capusle 120mg capsule ( 112 beads-30mg taken out) in the morning.. as doctor suggested i have been taking a 75mg capsule in the morning and then 45mg capsule at night ( 30mg out - beads taken out=120mg total)..

Another thing is the 75mg capsule are made by a different manufacturer think its called  Morningside wheras my 150mg was Rodiomel .. hope i spelt these names right lol.. They don't do the 75mg in Rodiomel..  So i not sure if the change of manufacturer could cause added symptoms now to existing ones...

 

The past two nights i have taken capsules like stated above...  i found i got to sleep a lot quicker than norm, i slept for longer periods of time and didn't have as many wakenings.. however the vivid dreams were still quite intense in nature they always are.. I felt very hot and had some night sweats, and ended up sleeping with just bed sheet over me.. had to drink quite bit of water during the night..

 

Today i felt a sick feeling much of the day, and could only really stomach toast and some fruit. drank plenty of water though.. this evening i went for a hour long walk and when i came back felt better, sicky feeling had past and so i was able to eat some cereal.. too much information sorry but i also had a bit of diarrhoea so not sure if its the change in medication or if its just that i had diarrohoea lol, also headachey feeling, dizziness quite a lot..

 

Hopefully tonite i get to sleep just as quick, and feel a bit better tomorrow.. Im going to give it a few days till i feel good again and then begin to take  more beads out of the night time capsule..

 

all the best

[Finn]

Hi! Sounds like you really had it rough from Effexor. I'm sorry for that, and I hope you have found a method that will help you have a successful taper this time.

[Nikki]

Kaza I was reading your post on Mamap's thread and you sound like a lovely woman.  Effexor is a tough one. I have had several friends who took it.

 

You live a very healthy life-style and have a supportive family which is sooooo good.  For the past few weeks my BFF has had low iron levels, only because of that I know that low levels can cause tiredness.  She is anemic and fatigue is how it affects her.

 

But you are being very thorough with your tests which again is you taking care of you.  So there are positives in your story.

 

Nice to meet you......hang in there....you are doing everything you can.

[kaza31]

aww thankyou nikki that was a lovely message..  yeah your right there are positives, I am very lucky to have the family I do, they're great. they want to see me off of them as much as I do..

 

I have always pretty much lived a healthy lifestyle with regards diet and exercise, but I found im willing to trying everything else like supplements, relaxation tapes etc also to help me through.. it just seems since my first withdrawal my health has gone down hill... I have set up a strict routine for myself whilst withdrawing with regards very healthy diet, no alcohol( worsens my symptoms),bed early at nite etc  but sometimes I swear I feel like im living like a nun lol they must be having more fun and excitement than I am at the minute. lol...

 

anyways,, I can have all the late nights, alcohol and parties when I finally get of this medication.. im definitely gonna throw myself a big party and celebrate, drink lots of cocktails and eat lots and lots of junk food lol !!! 

 

Are you currently in withdrawal from medication?? if so, how u been feeling?

[kaza31]

thanks finn for your message..

 

yea it has been pretty tough going through this withdrawal.. I see you managed to get down low enough on the Effexor to 49mg that's good going, give yourself a pat on the back for that !!.. did you take capsules or tablets? how long did you taper? Did you find withdrawal difficult?

 

all the best

[Karma]

hi there karma

 

thanks for your reply... ive been taking a magnesium supplement which i started about four  months ago tho i mainly started it for help with sleep at night.. I also have been taking a vitamin c supplement and more iron enriched foods..  i never thought about b vitamins, ill wait to see how my bloods come back hopefully will be back this week and maybe i will try it.

 

I do know that if i eat white pasta or rice, i get very bloated ive always been like that.. so couple months back switched to brown version..  i should maybe try cutting out gluten foods for couple days and keep a record see how i feel..

 

What is hasimotos thyroiditis??? 

 

My last three thyroid test came back over normal, but my previous doctor said i didn't need medication as it was just slightly over, so im just not sure whats going on.

 

As i said three years ago i had my gall bladder out, i was told then i could experience bowel problems etc after but i never really did.. it only seems to be since i began the first withdrawal im having problems.. would having no gall bladder cause problems in the digestion of food and iron absorption i wonder?

 

anyways ill find out soon when results come back, i hope something is found.. obviously i don't want something serious, but the way ive been feeling it has to be something wrong..

 

all the best x

Hi Kaza

 

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a type of hypothyroidism.  It is an autoimmune disease like celiac disease where the body begins to attack the thyroid organ and that results in the thyroid producing alternately too much thyroid and then not enough thyroid.  The patient can literally go from being hypothyroid (low thyroid) to being hyperthyroid (too much thyroid).  That is what happened to me.  It was easily treated.

 

When you say that your thyroid test came back over normal, I'm guessing that your TSH value was over range and the doctor indicated that it didn't warrant medication.  Here is what I have found, it is my physical symptoms that matter more than the lab tests.  The lab tests are one data point that should be considered in combination with the physical symptoms exhibited by the patient. Here is a thread I started about thyroid symptoms that you might find informative http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1593-thyroid-symptoms/?hl=thyroid.

 

I also saw where your effexor is from a different manufacturer - it is possible that you could experience some symptoms - good or bad - when switching to a medication from a different manufacturer.  I take regular effexor and when I got down to a really low dose I started having it compounded as a liquid so it was easier to taper - when I switched from cutting up tablets to the liquid at the same dose I did notice some slight shift in symptoms.  Give it a little time and should stabilize with the new manufacturer's formula and be able to continue.

 

Karma

[kaza31]

hi there karma

 

yes my thyroid think it was tsh 4 would that be right ? kept coming back over range but just slightly, doctor had said it isn't enough to warrant medications.. Waiting now to see want the new set of blood tests say?

 

strange tho I looked up about gallbladder removal.. it stated that gallbladder is vey important as it stores the bile from the liver, and it is this bile which is used to digest food and absorb all your nutrients.. when the gallbladder is removed the liver bile has no where to be stored so it continuously drips bile into the intestines.. this can affect bowel movements, causing diarrahea etc, too much gas, bloating etc and also there is not enough bile stored to help take the necessary nutrients from food.. Maybe this has meant im lacking in certain vitamins even though I eat healthily..

 

I wasn't give any indications of this when I had surgery, was just told my bowel movements could be off key for a while.. maybe this is where my lacking in iron etc lies im not sure.. tho it was three years ago, so probably would have had problems sooner that just coming on now..

[kaza31]

hi everyone

 

so just an update to how things have been going for me on my withdrawal..

 

I got results back from the blood tests and again my iron level has come back just ever so slightly improved, but still very low, the doctor said he isn't sure whats going on because my b12, vitamin d, folic acid, blood etc test all came back ok  plus ive been eaten a diet full of iron enriched foods.. however my thyroid still came back slightly over range.. my doctor doesn't think I need to take medication for this as its only slightly over.. He suggested I come back in again in a months time and get bloods done again to keep an eye on this... I have to continue taking iron supplements........ 

 

he told me too come back in as he is going to give me a liver blood test because long term antidepressant use, may have caused damage and the next step is maybe  being sent to get camera inside, as my gallbladder is gone he wants to check for digestion problems or potential bleeds..

 

In the meantime im continuing to take the supplement, as well as of a few days ago I have begun drinking green juices made with kale, spinach, lemon ,oranges, , apple and water and ice cubes blended together.. its given me all the essential iron and vitamin c my body needs and I drink this every morning... im trying everything at the moment to get my iron levels up.

 

with regards withdrawal symptoms from Effexor, I have reduced down to 117.5mg from 120mgs..  im still taken one 75mg capsule in the morning and then the second capsule at night with beads removed to make up 42.5mg..  last night I had some dizziness and slight headache but overall felt ok.. slept ok, a couple times woke up mainly to use the toilet.. strangely enough I find my bowels moving very frequently almost diarrhoea like.... also had a fluttery feeling in left side of my head..

 

Touch wood I have to say this weekend was ok for me overall.. I spent Friday evening and Saturday outdoors painting fences and walls in my garden, weather was lovely, felt motivated and quite relaxed for once.. I  even surprised myself today by taking action and  filling out an application form for a new job im interested in, its a special needs classroom assistant . The job starts in September and I would love to get it... a week ago my concentration levels were awful, but today filling out the form the words just seemed to flow I didn't find it difficult and felt great satisfaction in completing it and posting it.. felt like im taking back control in my life.

 

I know along the way im still going to face difficult days with this withdrawal, but for just once having a really good day felt amazing...I 

 

that's all for now, I will continue to post my updates

 

all the best

K x

[DrugSlave]

Hi Kaza,

 

I can certainly empathize with you in your struggles. I'm currently dealing with Effexor withdrawal. I have been on it for 10 years. I was on 150mg and now I'm down to 27mg. I recognize a lot of what you've described with your withdrawal symptoms. I used to have horrible dreams a few years ago but they have gone away. I've been really tired for the last decade due to Effexor, though it looks like iron might be a factor for your fatigue issues. I developed an aversion to alcohol after drinking my entire adult life. I found just before I gave it up that I was getting really hungover on relatively small amounts of beer. Off it completely now.

 

Other symptoms you mention that I've experienced: sweating, sleep problems, depression, depersonalization, frequent urination at night, irritated by "noise chatter" as you call it, etc.

 

I'm wondering if taking 75mg in the morning and 45mg at night is a good idea. I would think taking equal amounts 12 hours apart would be a better solution. You want a consist amount in your system at all times. The way you are doing it now, there is a fluctuation throughout the day. I'm surprised no one else has commented on that. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge than me will give their opinion. 

 

I found that going from 150mg to 75mg was relatively easy. I was going in half a 37.5mg capsule decrements. Once I got down to 56mg, the withdrawal started. Now I get a strong increase in symptoms from a drop of 10% from 30mg to 27mg. So, take it as slow as you can.

 

I'm very impressed by your daily regimen. So disciplined, wow...

 

Best of luck to you and everyone else!

Take care, peace

[kaza31]

hi there Drugslave thank you for your message..

 

it was my doctor who told me to do it this way.. do you think I would be better just taking it all at the same time in the morning like I used too?? or splitting it so I take 60mg in morning and 60mg at night??

 

were you on the tablets or capsule form?

[DrugSlave]

"do you think I would be better just taking it all at the same time in the morning like I used too?? or splitting it so I take 60mg in morning and 60mg at night?? were you on the tablets or capsule form?"

 

I am taking capsules. I was surprised when you wrote that you are taking capsules twice a day. From what I've read, capsules are always extended release. Are your capsules extended release? I thought only patients taking regular tablets would be taking them twice a day. I thought the idea of extended release was that the medication is slowly released allowing the user to take it once a day. I don't know the answer to your question of whether taking 60mg morning/60mg night or taking 120mg once a day would be better. But I think either of those scenarios would be better than 75mg in the morning and 45mg at night. Switching from once a day to twice a day or vice versa could create withdrawal effects so keep that in mind.

 

Anyway, please don't go just on what I'm saying. There are people on here who would know better than me. I would look into it more if I were you.

 

Best of luck, I hope this helps

[Narcissus]

I'm not really sure about the splitting up of the dose either, although I think I have heard of other people doing this...perhaps to try to relieve insomnia?  I'm really not sure.  I agree with DrugSlave though that it seems odd to be taking different amounts in the morning than at night.  If you're used to taking it in the morning I would go back to that...but again I'm not really familiar with this particular issue.  You might consider asking your doctor why he has you taking different dosages throughout the day, perhaps he had something in mind.  Thank you DrugSlave for pointing out this detail, I (and I suspect others) breezed over it somehow.  

[Altostrata]

Hello, kaza.

 

My guess is the difference in manufacturers has more effect than splitting the dosage into day and evening. It's possible to split the dosage, though unusual, because Effexor XR is extended-release. If you're accustomed to doing this, I'd be very gradual in making any changes in timing.

 

But using a consistent brand morning and night seems to me to be important.

[kaza31]

thankyou Drug slave, Narcissus and Altostrata for the advice given, I wouldn't have really known anything about the problem taking it morning and night just was going by what doctor said.. But I understand what you mean by Xr being extended release, so at night I would have less mg in  my system than morning..

 

Does extended release mean it is released into the system over a long period of time??

 

think Ill just go back to taking it in the morning.. to be honest no matter if I was taking it in morning or night I still have some trouble sleeping anyways..

 

thanks again

[Altostrata]

Be very gradual in changing the way you take this drug.

 

I would stabilize on the way you're taking it now -- making sure to take the same manufacturer's capsule in the morning and evening -- then maybe try reducing the evening dosage by one bead at a time.

[kaza31]

just aa update on my withdrawal

 

so I contacted my doctor asking about why I had to take one 75mg dose in morning and one 37.5mg at night and he said he felt the night dose would help with the sleep issues...ive stabilised taking one in morning and one at night now for roughly two weeks now, ive also reduced down to 112.5mg from 120mg..

 

withdrawal symptoms ive had are some dizziness, increased sweating, some days I felt sickish just didn't feel like eating much.. a bit of depersonalisation on a couple of days, a lot of flutterly feeling (don't know how else to describe it on left side of temple on head.. driving the car one of the days I felt really lightheaded and eyes felt funny, so turned back home again didn't go to do messages that I needed too, just was afraid to drive like that.. increased bowel movement (sorry if its too much information) very loose, which is strange considering im taking an iron supplement which is meant to do the opposite..

 

another thing is the rash I keep getting on my neck and creases in arms.. it lasts a couple of days, then clears again, then comes back. it seems to be happening when im reducing medication or maybe its just a coincidence.. im gonna start writing in my journal the dates the rash comes on etc a see if there really is a correlation happening,,

 

one final thing is,  the fact that I started crying watching a programme couple nights ago.. it was so silly, the programme was just about a woman who couldnt get pregnant, she was trying ivf everything and it wouldn't happen.. finally in the show, she found out she was pregnant.. then went to the baby being born and it was showing you her reaction, she was crying and her sisters and mum were all hugging her etc.. I just started bawling, like tears wouldn't stop.. it was so strange, I started to really question why this was happening, the reason being because.....

 

Last year my cousin died of cancerous tumours in the brain, we were all devastated, I felt so sad,  like I could feel it in my chest how sad I was, but I was not able to cry, even when I saw everyone around me doing it, the tears just wouldn't come.. I felt so guilty like what was wrong with me... I felt so much sorrow for my aunt and uncle and cousins and did everything I could to help them, but felt so bad underneath it all like im a bad person cause im not crying.....I found it difficult to cry about many things, I really feel the emotions on an intense level so I know im experiencing them but I just couldnt release them as tears. 

 

That's what I felt so strange the other night because I cried about someone I don't even know having a baby, yet at my cousins funeral there was nothing...

 

I have been having dreams about him.. one was really strange and frightened me..  I was in an airport and waiting at the lifts , I was  banging the buttons in frustration telling the lift to hurry up I was getting so angry,, to my right I saw someone coming up an elevator, the lights were very bright and I found it hard to see but when I kept looking I realised I recognised the person.. it was my cousin, but it was him in his younger days when he was like 20 not like 38 when he died.. he had a huge smile on his face.. but I got really frightened, I started getting upset and I kept saying why are you here talking to me?? what happened me?? did I die?? why are you here?why am I here?? I was crying so much.. I kept saying I don't wanna die, please help me?? he kept saying to me youre ok, youre ok, its fine.. but I was so frightened I really thought I had died and he was coming for me.. he said to me, your gonna open your eyes and wake up now, you will be ok, and he just gave me the most beautiful smile...  I woke up soaking with sweat, my eyes were all watery, I was really scared I honestly thought I was having a premonition of my death.

 

my dreams of him seem so real, it could just be the medication withdrawal is causing me to have bad dreams and mixing up all my thoughts and feelings, or im just starting to working out emotional feelings from his death.. another side of me just hopes that the dream is a message from him that he is ok as he;s smiling and that he;s telling me to stop worrying that im gonna be ok too..

 

i just feel that with only nearly a 40mg drop of medications from 150mg to 112.5mg im already feeling the benefits of it with regards feeling things, being able to express my emotions and hope that with more reductions i really start to get back to the real me again... 

 

all the best

Kx

[wantrelief]

Hey Kaza,

 

I am so sorry about the loss of your cousin.  When I read about your dream I definitely interpreted it that your cousin is comforting you, telling you that you will be alright through this process.....I found it really comforting and hopeful.  I hope it is ok that I am sharing that with you.

[Narcissus]

Hi Kaza, everything you're describing falls within the realm of normal withdrawal symptoms.  Glad to hear that you're becoming better able to feel, even if it is a bit distressing.  Also, many people report having strange and intense dreams during withdrawal, so there's that aspect too.  

[kaza31]

hi wantrelief

 

how are you.. thanks for your message,, of course I didnt mind you making a comment about my dream.. 

 

 I know lots of people don't believe in spirituality and life after death etc.. but I honestly believe  in things like that.. it felt like so kind of personal message to me..

 

all I know is after having the dream whether frightening or not, ive let go of some of the guilt which is a good thing.. ive realised even the I couldn't cry I still felt the sorrow in an intense way.. by having the dream whether its a message to me or just my subconscious conjuring it all up, its released emotions which have been built up for over a year which is only beneficial.

 

there will probably be more emotions will unfold as I continue to withdraw but It felt good to actually be able to remember what it is to cry tears...

 

how have you been doing through your own withdrawal??

 

Kx

 

. 

[kaza31]

hi narcissus

 

thanks very much for your message

 

 its sounds strange me saying how it felt good crying,, but it honestly did.. it makes me feel that I making progress and going in the right direction.. I even have found myself laughing more too, especially around my nieces and nephews..i took them too the seaside on sunday past, it was such a lovely day. we did simple things like when I was younger like making sand castles, throwing stones in the sea, collecting shells, flying kites, eating ice cream and fish and chips. 

 

they all fell asleep on the drive home they were so wore out, I was too but it was the good kind of tired.. I took lots of pictures which I printed and stuck in frames in my bedroom, im going to let it remind me of the good days ive being having, so when I have a tough day on withdrawal I just look at it and know ill have a good day again..

 

 

(with regards withdrawal is the rash I mentioned ive been getting on  my neck and creases of arms a part of withdrawal symptoms too)

 

how has your own withdrawal be going for you??

[Narcissus]

That outing with your kids sound lovely, please bring me along next time you go.Some fish oil gave me some problems recently, but otherwise I'm fine.  I'm in the midst of a wave at the moment so I'm a little disoriented, I'm hoping that the wave will pass soon.Be well.

[wantrelief]

hi wantrelief

 

how are you.. thanks for your message,, of course I didnt mind you making a comment about my dream.. 

 

 I know lots of people don't believe in spirituality and life after death etc.. but I honestly believe  in things like that.. it felt like so kind of personal message to me..

 

all I know is after having the dream whether frightening or not, ive let go of some of the guilt which is a good thing.. ive realised even the I couldn't cry I still felt the sorrow in an intense way.. by having the dream whether its a message to me or just my subconscious conjuring it all up, its released emotions which have been built up for over a year which is only beneficial.

 

there will probably be more emotions will unfold as I continue to withdraw but It felt good to actually be able to remember what it is to cry tears...

 

how have you been doing through your own withdrawal??

 

Kx

 

Hi Kaza,

 

I am glad you did not take offense to my interpretation of your dream.    I am very interested in the concept of life after death - actually I am going to be attending a seminar at the end of this month on that very subject!  

 

I am so happy for you that post-dream you have been able to let go some of the guilt/emotions you have been carrying - that is wonderful!  It must feel so good now to cry.  

 

Thank you for asking how I am doing.  You can check out my journal for specifics as my story is a bit complicated.  I haven't started tapering quite yet - or rather I tried a small cut of Celexa recently and it didn't go so well so now I am getting geared up to try again.  I have had the inability to cry since switching to Celexa and it is awful.  It is so weird because I am not feeling well at all and would love to get some frustrations out by crying but I can't.  

 

It sounds like you are doing really well with your taper.  I wish you continued success!  

 

Michele

 

 

 

 

. 

[kaza31]

hi everyone

 

so this morning when I woke up I had the strangest visual disturbances.. it took me a couple minutes to get my focus sorted.. when I opened my eyes, the only way I can describe it is (  you know those little telescopes you look through and when you turn it It goes different shapes and colours is it a kalidescope its called?? not sure) well for a minute or too I was seeing weird shapes and colours like distorted.. very freaky.. I had to blink and rub my eyes for a while.. I felt a bit disorientated and light headed when I got up, but after a while it went a away..

 

it was depersonalisation or derealisation as I know what that's like..

 

any thoughts to this anyone?? is it still my withdrawal??

 

thanks

Kx

[Altostrata]

Transitory visual disturbances are common withdrawal symptoms. You may wish to taper a little more gradually.

[DrugSlave]

I would suggest staying on the same dosage for 4 to 6 weeks to stabilize. Let your system adjust. Not this time around, but last time I had strong withdrawal symptoms I was getting eye symptoms as well. When I turned my head, my vision didn't keep up with my head. It was a second behind. It was a bit blurry. Weird. I feel it in the back of my eyes right now but I don't get the visual symptoms.

 

cheers