Comments on: My Experiences Coming Off Effexor XR http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/ wondering what to write in this "blog thing" since 2002 ... Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:54:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: ss http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8568 ss Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:17:18 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8568 Hi. I would really like to thank Beth (above) for writing such a POSITIVE note for once! All you hear is negative stuff, so hearing some positive was what I really needed. I too am coming off Effexor XR. I was on 150 mg, then down to 75, then 37.5, and now I open the capsules and am down to only 10 beads. I have had very little side effects. Maybe a little groggy/foggy in the morning and some upset stomach, but nothing compared to when I tried cold turkey. I take fish oil too and a great multivitamin and think this helps overall. If you are trying to get off the medication, the only thing I can advise is to do it SLOWLY. Don't be in such a hurry. Take your time and give your body/brain chemicals time to adjust to the switch. You WILL get through this! I have been taking ONLY 10 beads now for about a week and have really only felt a little nauseous from time to time. I will try and taper down more probably in about a week or so and hopefully be Effexor free within a month! Good luck to all....and remember....you can do this, just be patient and give it time! Hi. I would really like to thank Beth (above) for writing such a POSITIVE note for once! All you hear is negative stuff, so hearing some positive was what I really needed. I too am coming off Effexor XR. I was on 150 mg, then down to 75, then 37.5, and now I open the capsules and am down to only 10 beads. I have had very little side effects. Maybe a little groggy/foggy in the morning and some upset stomach, but nothing compared to when I tried cold turkey. I take fish oil too and a great multivitamin and think this helps overall. If you are trying to get off the medication, the only thing I can advise is to do it SLOWLY. Don’t be in such a hurry. Take your time and give your body/brain chemicals time to adjust to the switch. You WILL get through this! I have been taking ONLY 10 beads now for about a week and have really only felt a little nauseous from time to time. I will try and taper down more probably in about a week or so and hopefully be Effexor free within a month! Good luck to all….and remember….you can do this, just be patient and give it time!

]]> By: Tricia http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8560 Tricia Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:11:53 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8560 I wanted to just say to Beth from last year, thank you for a positive comment. I have read just fear from everyone and it has caused me such anxiety and has scared me to the point of not withdrawing. I wanted to just say to Beth from last year, thank you for a positive comment. I have read just fear from everyone and it has caused me such anxiety and has scared me to the point of not withdrawing.

]]> By: Christina http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8516 Christina Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:43:18 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8516 I have been on 150 mg for 5 years. I have decided to come of the drug as I am tired of being dependent on it. At first I started by taking 10 beads out. I did this for a few days with no side effects. I then began to take 15 out a day. I have been doing this for several days now and feel fine. I will do this for awhile longer and if I am still feeling no side effects, I will try 20 beads until I get down to 150mg which is approximately 226 beads. At that point I will have my doctor prescribe me this amount and continue on removing beads until I get to the next lower dosage. I am keeping track of the amount of beads I remove each day on a calender. I take vitamins and minerals including omega 3 and I eat very healthy and exercise on a regular basis. I also encourage yoga and meditation. I feel these remedies are good for fighting anxiety and depression so will help me as I am weening myself off this medication. As far as how many beads to take out per day, this will probably be different for everyone. I was a little nervous taking the 10 out on the first day, but it worked for me. If you are reluctant to take that much out in the beginning, then start with 5 or 3 and go from there. I have been on 150 mg for 5 years. I have decided to come of the drug as I am tired of being dependent on it. At first I started by taking 10 beads out. I did this for a few days with no side effects. I then began to take 15 out a day. I have been doing this for several days now and feel fine. I will do this for awhile longer and if I am still feeling no side effects, I will try 20 beads until I get down to 150mg which is approximately 226 beads. At that point I will have my doctor prescribe me this amount and continue on removing beads until I get to the next lower dosage. I am keeping track of the amount of beads I remove each day on a calender. I take vitamins and minerals including omega 3 and I eat very healthy and exercise on a regular basis. I also encourage yoga and meditation. I feel these remedies are good for fighting anxiety and depression so will help me as I am weening myself off this medication. As far as how many beads to take out per day, this will probably be different for everyone. I was a little nervous taking the 10 out on the first day, but it worked for me. If you are reluctant to take that much out in the beginning, then start with 5 or 3 and go from there.

]]> By: Joanne http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8475 Joanne Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:44:40 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8475 Great site Ive been on effexor 75 for 2 yrs and have decided to come off due to massive weight gain. This tablet did save my life and I found it brilliant. It turned me frm a paranoid peson who has suffered frm depression since I was 15 and this medication really brought me out of my self and gave me oodles of confidence. Something I never experienced. Apart frm the weight gain it caused I soon realised I was living in a grey area where emotions were unreachable. I knew at times I was stressed but cud nit show it. At one point over the 2 yrs I tried to go cold turkey. Dat was a big mistake. I stood up frm my bed and collapsed again because my head was uncontrollably swimming and I cud not stand. So I left it another yr and here I am a few stone heavier. So for my heart and health reasons ive decided to come of effexor. I have been taking 5 beeds a day out of my 75 mg. I'm up to 40 tomorrow and so far so good apart frm the insomnia. My doc gave me sleeping tabs but they dnt even work. My brain is full steam ahead when it's nite time. But I'm managing great during the day. I'm on fish oil omega 3, complete b vitamins and very gud multivitamin. I've loads of energy something I haven't had in a long time and I think I've cried 3 times in the last 3days. Something I haven't done in 2 yrs :) my advice is slowly slowly. I think the bead method is the best method for withdrawing. But I will say effexor saved my life when I needed it. Great site
Ive been on effexor 75 for 2 yrs and have decided to come off due to massive weight gain. This tablet did save my life and I found it brilliant. It turned me frm a paranoid peson who has suffered frm depression since I was 15 and this medication really brought me out of my self and gave me oodles of confidence. Something I never experienced. Apart frm the weight gain it caused I soon realised I was living in a grey area where emotions were unreachable. I knew at times I was stressed but cud nit show it. At one point over the 2 yrs I tried to go cold turkey. Dat was a big mistake. I stood up frm my bed and collapsed again because my head was uncontrollably swimming and I cud not stand. So I left it another yr and here I am a few stone heavier. So for my heart and health reasons ive decided to come of effexor. I have been taking 5 beeds a day out of my 75 mg. I’m up to 40 tomorrow and so far so good apart frm the insomnia. My doc gave me sleeping tabs but they dnt even work. My brain is full steam ahead when it’s nite time. But I’m managing great during the day. I’m on fish oil omega 3, complete b vitamins and very gud multivitamin. I’ve loads of energy something I haven’t had in a long time and I think I’ve cried 3 times in the last 3days. Something I haven’t done in 2 yrs :) my advice is slowly slowly. I think the bead method is the best method for withdrawing. But I will say effexor saved my life when I needed it.

]]> By: beth http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8299 beth Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:52:38 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8299 Hi, I just wanted to say something positive since everything you read on these sites is so scary.....are we trying to scare each other???? My doctor put me on effexor 1 year ago. I was suffering from some mild anxiety due to a bad break up. I was started at 37.5 for two weeks. My doctor told me that there is NO therapeutic effects at this does. It simply gets your system used to the drug but will not help anxiety. Then I was bumped up to 75mg where I have been all year. Shortly after going on this drug I started reading this message boards and was ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED at the things I read about withdrawl. I went back to my doctor and was so upset that he did not tell me about these side effects. He assured me not to believe everything I read and that he absolutely disagrees that effexor is the hardest drig to come off. All year I have been so worried about coming off this drug. Reading these sites has caused me more anxiety than my inital problem! I just pictured myself unable to function and thought I would end up in a pschy unit! Recently things in my life have been very good and I found out last month that I am pregnant. I obviously wanted off of effexor and fast. I went to my doctor and he told me to take 37.5mgs for two weeks and then stop. I did that and am now on my third day without any effexor in my system. I felt great the first day, a little dizzy on the second day and a little dizzy today. Its nothing bad. I'm still going to work and actually find it better if you get up and move around. When for a run last night and that helped alot. Planning to do the same tonight. And really - is being a little dizzy for a few days really that bad. Its not the end of the world. Just pretend you have the flu! All I want to say is BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!! You can do this. Don't believe all the horror stories you hear. For every person that writes on these posts about how miserable they are, there are probably 10 people doing fine and are out enjoying life. Effexor is one of the most prescribed anit-depressants/anti-anxiety meds today. Millions of people are on it each year. If it were impossible to come off - doctors would not put you on it in the first place.I wasted an entire year being afraid for nothing thanks to the negativity on these message boards! So here's some positivity - if you're ready to come off Effexor (mentally feeling well) than go for it. There's a drug free world waiting for you out there -you can do it!!!! Hi,

I just wanted to say something positive since everything you read on these sites is so scary…..are we trying to scare each other???? My doctor put me on effexor 1 year ago. I was suffering from some mild anxiety due to a bad break up. I was started at 37.5 for two weeks. My doctor told me that there is NO therapeutic effects at this does. It simply gets your system used to the drug but will not help anxiety. Then I was bumped up to 75mg where I have been all year. Shortly after going on this drug I started reading this message boards and was ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED at the things I read about withdrawl. I went back to my doctor and was so upset that he did not tell me about these side effects. He assured me not to believe everything I read and that he absolutely disagrees that effexor is the hardest drig to come off. All year I have been so worried about coming off this drug. Reading these sites has caused me more anxiety than my inital problem! I just pictured myself unable to function and thought I would end up in a pschy unit!
Recently things in my life have been very good and I found out last month that I am pregnant. I obviously wanted off of effexor and fast. I went to my doctor and he told me to take 37.5mgs for two weeks and then stop. I did that and am now on my third day without any effexor in my system. I felt great the first day, a little dizzy on the second day and a little dizzy today. Its nothing bad. I’m still going to work and actually find it better if you get up and move around. When for a run last night and that helped alot. Planning to do the same tonight. And really - is being a little dizzy for a few days really that bad. Its not the end of the world. Just pretend you have the flu!
All I want to say is BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!! You can do this. Don’t believe all the horror stories you hear. For every person that writes on these posts about how miserable they are, there are probably 10 people doing fine and are out enjoying life. Effexor is one of the most prescribed anit-depressants/anti-anxiety meds today. Millions of people are on it each year. If it were impossible to come off - doctors would not put you on it in the first place.I wasted an entire year being afraid for nothing thanks to the negativity on these message boards! So here’s some positivity - if you’re ready to come off Effexor (mentally feeling well) than go for it. There’s a drug free world waiting for you out there -you can do it!!!!

]]> By: Vautour http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8038 Vautour Wed, 27 May 2009 00:20:50 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-8038 It's been two months today that I started coming off effexor. I'm not experiencing any side effects at all. I feel like my self but, I can't miss a day. I was at 150 mg and now I'm down at 112.5 (75 mg+35.5 mg). I'm still doing the bead counting method, 3 beads more every day...Good luck to anyone who is thinking of coming off. It's worth it :) It’s been two months today that I started coming off effexor. I’m not experiencing any side effects at all. I feel like my self but, I can’t miss a day. I was at 150 mg and now I’m down at 112.5 (75 mg+35.5 mg). I’m still doing the bead counting method, 3 beads more every day…Good luck to anyone who is thinking of coming off. It’s worth it :)

]]> By: Vautour http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-7997 Vautour Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:42:01 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-7997 Thanks for all the posts...I have been taking 150 mg effexor for 10 years. About 5 that I needed it and the other 5, I try to stop but couldn't b/c of the severe withdrawls. This time I did a lot of research and started the bead counting methode. I started 3 days ago. I'm tacking 3 beads every day so far so good. But what helps this time is that I'm more determine and MAD that doctors would prescribe this stuff for their own benefits ($$). Me too, I know it will take a long time but it's only temporary cause I'll be free after... And will dedicated my time to warn others about this poison... :) Thanks for all the posts…I have been taking 150 mg effexor for 10 years. About 5 that I needed it and the other 5, I try to stop but couldn’t b/c of the severe withdrawls. This time I did a lot of research and started the bead counting methode. I started 3 days ago. I’m tacking 3 beads every day so far so good. But what helps this time is that I’m more determine and MAD that doctors would prescribe this stuff for their own benefits ($$). Me too, I know it will take a long time but it’s only temporary cause I’ll be free after… And will dedicated my time to warn others about this poison… :)

]]> By: Goodtimes http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-7974 Goodtimes Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:59:56 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-7974 Oh yeah.. just a side note. I have had no side effects so far... interesting because i am probably the first person that i know of to be coming off this easy. I have a feeling that being completely free tomorrow of this drug will be a punishment though. LOL wish me luck. Oh yeah.. just a side note. I have had no side effects so far… interesting because i am probably the first person that i know of to be coming off this easy. I have a feeling that being completely free tomorrow of this drug will be a punishment though. LOL wish me luck.

]]> By: Goodtimes http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-7973 Goodtimes Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:58:08 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-7973 Hey... Just thought I would share: Im coming off effexor after a year on 150mg. I recently got told that i had to go up to 225mg a day and though no way, im not doing this anymore i want to be happy. Hard, very hard but im doing it. I was so so scared to come off but once i made the decision i havent looked back. I go down half a capsule every 4 days. Tomorrow will be my first day coming off completely. Im scared. I start a new job in 3 days, i hope i can hold it to pay off my house. But i have faith and I know you can do it to. Just keep reminding yourself that its only temporary and you will be free of this drug forever soon enough. :) Good luck to all of you, keep sharing your stories and believing in yourself. Hey…

Just thought I would share: Im coming off effexor after a year on 150mg. I recently got told that i had to go up to 225mg a day and though no way, im not doing this anymore i want to be happy. Hard, very hard but im doing it. I was so so scared to come off but once i made the decision i havent looked back. I go down half a capsule every 4 days. Tomorrow will be my first day coming off completely. Im scared. I start a new job in 3 days, i hope i can hold it to pay off my house. But i have faith and I know you can do it to. Just keep reminding yourself that its only temporary and you will be free of this drug forever soon enough. :) Good luck to all of you, keep sharing your stories and believing in yourself.

]]> By: Jo Bulle http://www.josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-7913 Jo Bulle Sat, 08 Nov 2008 11:15:29 +0000 http://josh-n-lisa.com/2007/07/25/my-experiences-coming-off-effexor-xr/#comment-7913 I have been on Exeffexor for 3.5 yrs as result of suffering clinical depression. I have been on 300mg daily for all this time and would dearly love to get off this medication. I am keen to hear from others with happenings of weaning off this medication, and how they did it. My doctor thinks the condition will only come back even worse next time if I go off it, and it will be harder to treat and the medication apparently doesnt work as well each subsequent illness. I look forward to hearing of others stories. I have been on Exeffexor for 3.5 yrs as result of suffering clinical depression. I have been on 300mg daily for all this time and would dearly love to get off this medication. I am keen to hear from others with happenings of weaning off this medication, and how they did it. My doctor thinks the condition will only come back even worse next time if I go off it, and it will be harder to treat and the medication apparently doesnt work as well each subsequent illness. I look forward to hearing of others stories.

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