buggedout: hi, early stages of my Effexor XR taper

[buggedout]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

That sounds like because of withdrawal, your nervous system has become hypersensitive to any stress. I would stop tapering for now. Do what you can to relax at home. See

 

Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system

 

Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

Ways to cope with daily anxiety

 

Thank you. Super helpful

[primekittycat]

Hey bugged out!! I'm so proud of you for tapering this far! Seriously, give yourself some props as we all know this isn't easy. I'm so glad altostrata told you not to jump off at 15 mg. You would be so surprised to know what withdrawal effects you can still have even after going down to the 1 or 2 milligram level. I need to update my signature and intro post but I am down to one bead now, at my calculations it's about 0.38mg. Long story short I have been dealing with a bad pinched nerve in my neck since January (getting better though) and possible autoimmune symptoms and have not come off of that one bead yet.

 

Also I can relate to your emotional state at about the 25 mg mark that you're at now. I remember that being around the mark where I started to really feel my emotions and started to feel like I couldn't control them very well. This virus situation wouldn't help either.  Trust me, it will get much better as long as you continue to keep the taper slow and steady.

 

Hope you're doing well overall though, good to hear from you!!

[buggedout]

Just wanted to announce that I am just about 16 weeks pregnant!

 

This was planned and we are very excited.

 

I have not done any weaning since my last one in April, and I don't plan to do any more until after I have my baby.

 

I do worry about the effects of Effexor on my baby, but overall I have a positive outlook, since the dose is so low. My midwife agrees that I should hold off on weaning. I worry about the effects that weaning may have as well.

 

I've read a couple nightmare stories online about women who had problems, but they were on extremely high doses. Most medical literature out there says that Effexor is considered a safe anti-depressant while pregnant, and some women are even switched to Effexor from other medications when they get pregnant.

 

Does anyone out there have experience with Effexor or any SNRI/SSRI and pregnancy? 

[ChessieCat]

Wow!!!  Congratulations.

 

antidepressants-withdrawal-during-pregnancy

 

[primekittycat]

Congratulations buggedout!!! I'm so happy for you! I just had a friend who had a baby while on the full dose of Wellbutrin. Obviously that's a different drug but everything was fine. She has pretty serious bipolar disorder so it was best for her to stay on. Anyways, best of luck to you  

[buggedout]

Hi everyone, just an update!

 

My son was born healthy on March 21st of this year.

 

I've done a couple weans since, and I have recalculated my current dose: 16.875mg!

 

Feels like I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

I couldn't remember when it is recommended to jump off so that's why I decided to check in today and look back on previous posts.

 

One bit of crappy info... I had a big stockpile of Effexor beads but it's running out, so I had to buy more. My doctor would only prescribe me 37.5's (which obviously don't go as far as the 150's did) and pfizer has changed their discount program. Instead of getting it for $30 a month they now only offer $150 off the full price. My insurance covered some but I still had to pay $182! and it will only last me just over 2 months. So now I am very determined to get off of it quick.

 

Generic makes me sick so I'm stuck with brand.

 

I can't wait to be free.

[buggedout]

This post is just for my own record, I wanted to create an updated weaning schedule since I've been severely side-tracked. I think I want to make my cuts on the 1st of each month just to make it simple.

 

October 30th (today) - 16.9 mg

December 1st - 15.21 mg

January 1st - 13.69 mg

February 1st - 12.32 mg

March 1st - 11.09 mg

April 1st - 9.89 mg

May 1st - 8.9 mg

June 1st - 8 mg

July 1st - 7.2 mg

August 1st - 6.48mg

September 1st - 5.83 mg

October 1st - 5.25 mg

November 1st - 4.73 mg

December 1st - 4.26 mg

 

Will reevaluate in December 2022.

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, buggedout said:

I think I want to make my cuts on the 1st of each month just to make it simple.

 

I would suggest that you do every 4 weeks.  It is only 1 extra "month" in the year.  And it will allow you to align your reduction with your menstrual cycle.

 

aligning-tapering-to-menstrual-cycle

 

[buggedout]

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

 

I would suggest that you do every 4 weeks.  It is only 1 extra "month" in the year.  And it will allow you to align your reduction with your menstrual cycle.

 

aligning-tapering-to-menstrual-cycle

 

 

That is great advice!

 

And will get me to where I need to be quicker.

[buggedout]

I'm very eager, but don't get me wrong I am not going to rush it or do anything that will jeopardize my current progress.

 

My goal is to be free from the stuff by my 2022 birthday which is late December. Seems possible. But I know it could take longer.

 

My husband told me that he wants it to be out of my system before I get pregnant again. I'd like that too. 

[buggedout]

Well, there is no way I will be free of the stuff before my birthday this Dec, haha. I actually don't think I made any additional cuts since the most recent one in my signature. I also got pregnant again. I'm due in January 2023.

 

So, there won't be any weans for a while sadly. But I am actually going to start back weaning after I give birth, probably about 6 weeks post partum or whenever my hormones return to normal. I can't stand being on this stuff anymore. I'm convinced it's the reason why I've been having issues sleeping all of these years. That's not a problem I ever had before taking effexor. What happens is I wake up around 2am and I can't get back to sleep, sometimes for several hours. The other night I was awake from 1am to 7am! I could not get my anxiety to stop.

 

I'm going to make a weaning schedule, make my pills up in advance and actually stick with it. This is getting insane.

 

I also started ordering my brand name effexor online, I got a years worth for just over 100 bucks. And a years worth lasts me about 3 years since I obviously reduce them. So I don't ever want to have to buy it ever again. 

 

 

[Altostrata]

On 10/23/2022 at 2:39 PM, buggedout said:

I also started ordering my brand name effexor online, I got a years worth for just over 100 bucks. And a years worth lasts me about 3 years since I obviously reduce them. So I don't ever want to have to buy it ever again. 

 

Look closely on the packaging for the expiration date. I wouldn't take it very long after the expiration date, the drug might have deteriorated.

[buggedout]

Resumed reductions finally, I'm almost 3 months post partum. It's weird when my hormones are wonky already as it is lol. But I'm going to stick with it now, monthly, until I am finally done. I just finished making up the next few months so that I won't have an excuse not to wean. According to my weaning schedule, I should be free of it this time next year!

Finally feel like I'm on the home stretch...

[buggedout]

Reductions are going according to schedule. I've made sure to make up each dose a month in advance.

 

However, today I am not doing so well 

 

I missed my dose accidentally on Sat night and my mind still hasn't recovered, despite being a few days since taking it again. I assume it's taking longer to readjust because it has only been a couple weeks on this dose.

 

In the meantime, I can't seem to kick the brain fog and depression. I feel completely hopeless about life in general, and especially hopeless about effexor and ever getting off of it and feeling normal.

 

I've lost all motivation. Like I'm scared to leave the house to do things.

 

It's awful. Normally I feel fine again after a day but this won't seem to end. It's like I'm stuck in my head.

[buggedout]

Continuing my taper. I waited an extra 10 days because it took me a couple of weeks to fully stabilize after missing my pill. I will never make that mistake again.

Today I made up enough pills to last the next 60 days.

However, my scale was barely sensitive enough to manage. When I make future batches of pills I will have to count the beads instead of weighing them. I suppose this is a milestone. But I'm not sure exactly how to go about doing that, although I have a couple of ideas. Basically, separate the beads in batches based on size, xs, s, m, l.  Then, figure out how many make up the weight of the current dose. Then count out 10% of those beads. I'm not sure what size bead would be best to work with at this stage. 🤔 

If anybody has any tips or ideas on how to switch from weighing to counting the beads, it would be appreciated.

[FindRest]

How many beads are you down to? I am down to 9 beads (Effexor xr brand) and still can weigh them fine on my scale. I also use a certain number of xs, s, m, l, then weigh them. After my dr-led CT, I was very sensitized, so sorting them by size then weighing seemed necessary. It made a big difference for me. 
 

I’ve found that each original capsule of mine had a lot more medium and small in them, and much fewer large beads. I figured out the ratio of each size in the original capsule and applied it to my tapered capsule. After reading the patents, I believe the size of beads determines the time-release, and is why I think taking some of each is very important.

 

As far as switching from weighing to counting, you can do it by averaging the number of beads in your current tapered capsules and start there. Or, if you’re wanting to sort by size you can sort the sizes in an original capsule and figure out the ratio of xs, s, m, l, per mg. Then apply that to your current mg dose. I know I simplified my explanation here but many choose not to worry about size of beads and I didn’t want to overwhelm you with information if not needed.

 

After you switch from weighing to counting, you may very well need to wait longer before your next taper. I wouldn’t taper again until your body gets used to your new ‘counted’ dose, which is bound to be a bit different than your current ‘weighed’ dose.

Edited July 11, 2023 by FindRest

[buggedout]

On 7/11/2023 at 12:30 AM, FindRest said:

How many beads are you down to? I am down to 9 beads (Effexor xr brand) and still can weigh them fine on my scale. I also use a certain number of xs, s, m, l, then weigh them. After my dr-led CT, I was very sensitized, so sorting them by size then weighing seemed necessary. It made a big difference for me. 
 

I’ve found that each original capsule of mine had a lot more medium and small in them, and much fewer large beads. I figured out the ratio of each size in the original capsule and applied it to my tapered capsule. After reading the patents, I believe the size of beads determines the time-release, and is why I think taking some of each is very important.

 

As far as switching from weighing to counting, you can do it by averaging the number of beads in your current tapered capsules and start there. Or, if you’re wanting to sort by size you can sort the sizes in an original capsule and figure out the ratio of xs, s, m, l, per mg. Then apply that to your current mg dose. I know I simplified my explanation here but many choose not to worry about size of beads and I didn’t want to overwhelm you with information if not needed.

 

After you switch from weighing to counting, you may very well need to wait longer before your next taper. I wouldn’t taper again until your body gets used to your new ‘counted’ dose, which is bound to be a bit different than your current ‘weighed’ dose.

Wow, that is insane that the size of the beads would determine the time release. I am so glad you mentioned that! Thank you, I will definitely take that into consideration. I'll have to calculate the ratio and do mine that way as well. I think that is also a good method because that way, all of the beads get used up and none are wasted. 

I'm not actually sure how many beads I am down to currently. I think I counted maybe 25 or 30 during my last reduction when I was curious. 

 

Figures it's only going to get more difficult and time consuming near the end.

 

I will also check my scale again. It definitely still has sensitivity but I had difficulty getting each pill the exact same weight. They were like like .001 off from eachother. But I suppose if I only use it to cross reference what I have counted out then it would be something that will actually help keep things accurate. 

 

I'll be glad when I don't have to do this anymore.

 

Thanks for your help!

[FindRest]

If you go the sorting route, I found it much easier going to the store and buying different brands of hand strainers/sieves in the kitchen area, along with some in the hardware area used for drains. The holes in the mesh of the strainers vary per strainer and allow you to sort quickly. You’ll have to try various ones out to see which combo of strainers work best for you.

 

I eventually ended up using professional lab sieves I purchased on Amazon. They are more expensive but easier to use and more accurate. I’d try the store strainers first. It’s good to go to different stores to find an assortment. Then, just return the ones that don’t work. 

Edited July 12, 2023 by FindRest

[FindRest]

Also, are you recalibrating your scale each day you use it?

[buggedout]

On 7/12/2023 at 2:22 PM, FindRest said:

If you go the sorting route, I found it much easier going to the store and buying different brands of hand strainers/sieves in the kitchen area, along with some in the hardware area used for drains. The holes in the mesh of the strainers vary per strainer and allow you to sort quickly. You’ll have to try various ones out to see which combo of strainers work best for you.

 

I eventually ended up using professional lab sieves I purchased on Amazon. They are more expensive but easier to use and more accurate. I’d try the store strainers first. It’s good to go to different stores to find an assortment. Then, just return the ones that don’t work. 

 

I think I'm ready to order the sieves. I don't mind spending a bit of money if they do what I need them to do.

 

Do you happen to know what size yours are? I noticed that they seem to have some kind of standard sizing, measured in microns. If not, I'll just try out a bunch. There is one set on amazon that has 4 sizes: 53 micron, 120 micron, 250 micron, and 850 micron. I am thinking of starting with those and returning if they don't work for me.

 

I have recalibrated my scale, it seems to be working OK, although its still a little touchy. I'd like to start counting the beads now anyway. I think that will give me a clearer picture of what the end of my weaning schedule will look like.

 

I've been staying on schedule for the most part. But getting very eager to make the jump. The weans are getting more difficult. Longer for me to stabilize, and serious mood problems that last a week or two.

 

As a side note, my weighed pill capsules currently contain anywhere between 18 and 23 beads, depending on the size.

 

If I can count the beads and use a specific amount of each sized beads, I do believe that will help.

[buggedout]

Well, I went ahead and ordered some sieves from Amazon, after researching the sizes. I believe they arrive today sometime. I ordered 6 different ones and will return the ones that I don't end up using.

 

This has by far been the worst wean I've ever endured. It sent me into such a deep, hopeless depression. Yesterday was OK because Halloween was a distraction, and I had a lot of fun with my kids. Today is getting better. My baby is teething and NOT sleeping much at all in the night, so I think that my brain just isn't able to adjust without proper sleep.

 

I'm also wondering, if it's because I'm getting into the single digit mg's. I've read that the further along you taper, the harder it becomes. I think I'm going to hold this dose for a couple extra weeks before weaning again.

 

I really can't afford to go through this every time I make my cuts. It had a huge impact on my ability to care for my children and took a toll on my marriage.