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missdelaney: effexor taper in 42 days?


missdelaney

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once i started seeing a psychiatrist, he put me on lamictol (not sure how that's spelled) to get me off of effexor. i'm about to start tapering and he said it's a 42 day schedule. he stated that once people are on a medication that works for them and start to come off effexor, that there won't be any mental side effects. has anyone heard of this? everything i've read has only been about people who are coming off of it without being on something else. i've felt A LOT better since i've been on this new stuff (i've also been doing a lot of energy work, which is also helping) but...is 42 days too good to be true?

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

Good to hear from you, missD.

 

I've never heard of this. It's very interesting.

 

Why did the doctor prescribe Lamictal to you? What dosage are you taking? How long have you been on it?

 

How about the Effexor, what dosage and how long?

 

To achieve the 42-day taper, what is the taper schedule?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I would love for it to be true that there is a way to get off of an SNRI in 42 days. However, I am sceptical. If you start feeling w/d symptoms - SLOW DOWN!!! Don't let an "expert" give you bad advice. Listen to your body first.

 

Good luck with it!

 

1989 - 1992 Parnate* 

1992-1998 Paxil - pooped out*, oxazapam, inderal

1998 - 2005 Celexa - pooped out* klonopin, oxazapam, inderal

*don't remember doses

2005 -2007   Cymbalta 60 mg oxazapam, inderal, klonopin

Started taper in 2007:

CT klonopin, oxazapam, inderal (beta blocker) - 2007

Cymbalta 60mg to 30mg 2007 -2010

July 2010 - March 2018 on hiatus due to worsening w/d symptoms, which abated and finally disappeared. Then I stalled for about 5 years because I didn't want to deal with W/D.

March 2018 - May 2018 switch from 30mg Cymbalta to 20mg Celexa 

19 mg Celexa October 7, 2018

18 mg Celexa November 5, 2018

17 mg Celexa  December 2, 2019

16 mg Celexa January 6, 2018 

15 mg Celexa March 7, 2019

14 mg Celexa April 24, 2019

13 mg Celexa June 28, 2019

12.8 mg Celexa November 10, 2019

12.4 Celexa August 31, 2020

12.2 Celexa December 28, 2020

12 mg Celexa March 2021

11 mg  Celexa February 2023

 

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i was given lamictal because my depression is pretty severe and, to quote him "if it can take care of people who are bi-polar, it'll take care of you" i have noticed a definite difference since i started taking the lamictal. i'm currently on 600mg (although i'm hoping to go down once i'm off the effexor for good. the effexor seemed, to me, to be fighting back for a bit) i've been on this since april, with a gradual build up to 600mg.

 

i've been on effexor for a little under ten years, with my final dosage being 150mg for the past 5 or 6. i have no idea what the taper schedule is, i'll be finding that out this weekend.

 

i also want to mention that i've been doing a lot of energy work, reiki specifically. this has helped an enormous amount as well. i'm just a bit worried because everything i've read has said the effexor taper will take significantly longer than what my psychiatrist is saying.

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

Interesting. What kind of experience does your psychiatrist have tapering people off Effexor after putting them on Lamictal? Is this a common technique for him?

 

(I'll be hard to get at the truth of this, because they always say they have lots of experience in whatever even if they are making it up as they go along.)

 

How did you get to 600mg Lamictal? That's a fairly hefty dosage, see FDA info http://www.drugs.com/pro/lamictal.html

 

What symptoms did you have that made him decide on adding Lamictal?

 

Did he tell you he was putting you on Lamictal to get you off Effexor?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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he says it's the one he uses the most since it works on so many people. yes, 600mg is a lot, however, that was my choice, because of my current circumstances. he doesn't want me to go any higher.

 

my symptoms were basically a complete lack of control on my depression. through sheer willpower i was able to keep most of my stuff under the surface, but for some reason, i couldn't do it anymore. i was crying a lot, picking fights with people, unable to control my thoughts. which is why i sought help outside of my gen prac. and yes, he told me he was putting me the lamictal to get me off of effexor. from what i gather, he hates effexor as well.

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

How long were you taking Effexor? Did it always have these side effects?

 

Was there a period you thought it was effective for your depression?

 

When did these symptoms start?

 

Was the lamotrigine effective at lower than 600mg? Why did you decide to take the maximum? Did the doctor tell you to take a large dose, then decrease it once you were off the Lamictal? (I'm confused as to why he let you choose your dosage.)

 

How did the doctor taper you up on the lamotrigine?

 

Sorry to be asking so many questions. This technique of switching to lamotrigine is interesting and I am wondering why this doctor is doing it and where he got the idea.

 

I am thinking he is following a treatment for what's called "treatment-resistant depression." This means he believes antidepressants have failed for you (true enough).

 

As a psychiatrist, he is relatively enlightened, not trying additional antidepressants or combinations on you that will make you worse.

 

Here's an example of the research:

 

J Clin Psychiatry. 2002 Aug;63(8):737-41.

Lamotrigine as an augmentation agent in treatment-resistant depression.

Barbee JG, Jamhour NJ.

 

Source

 

Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1542 Tulane Ave., Box T4-6, New Orleans, LA 70122, USA. jbarbe@lsuhsc.edu

 

ABSTRACT at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12197456

 

BACKGROUND: The anticonvulsant lamotrigine has been reported to be efficacious and well tolerated as monotherapy in the treatment of bipolar patients as well as in treatment-refractory bipolar disorder. However, there is a paucity of research on the use of lamotrigine as an augmentation agent in treatment-refractory unipolar major depressive disorder. METHOD: This study was a retrospective chart review on the efficacy of lamotrigine augmentation in 37 individuals diagnosed with chronic or recurrent major depressive disorder (DSM-IV) who had failed to respond adequately to at least 2 previous trials of antidepressants. Thirty-one patients who were on lamotrigine treatment for at least 6 weeks (6 discontinued prematurely due to adverse events) took a mean dose of 112.90 mg/day for a mean of 41.80 weeks. The primary efficacy parameter for this study was the Clinical Global Impressions scale, which was retrospectively applied. In addition, these data were supplemented by an analysis of prospectively rated Global Assessment of Functioning scores. RESULTS: On the basis of intent-to-treat analysis, response rates were as follows: 40.5% (15/37) much improved or very much improved, 21.6% (8/37) mildly improved, and 37.8% (14/37) unchanged. The percentage of patients who were rated much or very much improved and completed 6 weeks on the drug was 48.4% (15/31). No differences were found in the doses of lamotrigine given to responders and nonresponders. CONCLUSION: Analyses revealed that lamotrigine treatment was most effective for patients who had been depressed for shorter periods of time and had failed fewer previous trials of antidepressants. Data also suggested a trend toward increased response for patients with comorbid anxiety disorders and/or chronic pain syndromes.

 

 

"Treatment-resistant depression" may not be depression at all, but an iatrogenic (drug-cause) adverse reaction to antidepressants. Also see this paper 2011 Tardive dysphoria: The role of long term antidepressant use in inducing chronic depression

 

I'd need to do a lot more research to see if a 42-day tapering schedule of the antidepressant is indicated anywhere.

 

I am also extremely interested in lamotrigine used for "treatment-resistant depression," as I believe many of us who have prolonged withdrawal syndrome might be thrown into this basket, since we have become hypersensitive to psychiatric drugs in general. I am on a very low dose of lamotrigine, currently 5mg per day, to assist my recovery from prolonged withdrawal syndrome.

 

At any rate, getting off Effexor seems like a very, very good idea for you.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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effexor never really worked for me, but i couldn't tell at the time. i was severely depressed through college, but i chalked it up to being stressed. i had a major break down right before graduation. i've been out of college since 2007 and didn't see an improvement. once i realized my gen prac kinda didn't care (i had physical health issues and he blew them off), i decided to see someone else for my depression.

 

i've been on effexor xr since....2002-2003? it's always had the side effects, and no i've never thought it particularly worked for me. my mindset was "well the doctor knows what's best"

 

i noticed an immediate difference once i started on the lamictal. the effects started getting better and lasted longer the higher up i went. he told me about the goldilocks effect. keep going up, until you don't notice a difference between a higher dose and a lower one. i've been going through a lot (boyfriend and i broke up, currently trying to work things out) i'm hoping once the dust settles, i'll be able to go a dose or two. i was tapered up very slowly, 25 - 50 mg at a time.

 

here's what the taper schedule looks like

Day 1 = 150mg Day 43 = XXX

Day 2 = 150mg Day 44 = XXX

Day 3 = 150mg Day 45 = 25mg

Day 4 = 125mg Day 46 = XXX

Day 6 = 150mg Day 47 = XXX

Day 7 = 125mg Day 48 = XXX

Day 8 = 125mg Day 49 = 25mg

Day 9 = 100mg STOP

Day 10 = 125mg

Day 11 = 100 mg

Day 12 = 100mg

Day 13 = 100mg

Day 14 = 100mg

Day 15 = 75mg

Day 16 = 100mg

Day 17 = 75mg

Day 18 = 100mg

Day 19 = 75mg

Day 20 = 75mg

Day 21 = 75mg

Day 22 = 75 mg

Day 23 = 50 mg

Day 24 = 75 mg

Day 25 = 50 mg

Day 26 = 75 mg

Day 27 = 50 mg

Day 28 = 50 mg

Day 29 = 50 mg

Day 30 = 25 mg

Day 31 = 50 mg

Day 32 = 25 mg

Day 33 = 50 mg

Day 34 = 25 mg

Day 35 = 25 mg

Day 36 = 25 mg

Day 37 = 25 mg

Day 38 = 25 mg

Day 39 = XXX

Day 40 = 25mg

Day 41 = XXX

Day 42 = 25mg

 

i'm currently on xr and have a few pills left...not sure if i should switch over to non-xr immediately or wait until i go down to 125. i'm also considering taking the doses throughout the day so the effects last a bit longer. i've recently been getting anxiety in the morning, totally new effect, so i'd like to combat that by taking some before i go to bed.

 

at any rate, your input is greatly appreciated

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

Okay, you've been on Effexor XR for more than 7 years. One theory says the longer you are on, the higher the risk of withdrawal syndrome.

 

My guess is the Lamictal is counteracting the noradrenergic effects of Effexor, and that is why you feel better with the combination.

 

So you did not notice a difference between 600mg and 400mg of Lamictal? That would indicate to me 400mg is adequate. The reason I'm asking about this is because Lamictal also has its withdrawal issues, and a higher dosage will take longer to taper off of.

 

....

here's what the taper schedule looks like

Day 1 = 150mg Day 43 = XXX

Day 2 = 150mg Day 44 = XXX

Day 3 = 150mg Day 45 = 25mg

Day 4 = 125mg Day 46 = XXX

Day 6 = 150mg Day 47 = XXX

Day 7 = 125mg Day 48 = XXX

Day 8 = 125mg Day 49 = 25mg

Day 9 = 100mg STOP

Day 10 = 125mg

Day 11 = 100 mg

Day 12 = 100mg

Day 13 = 100mg

Day 14 = 100mg

Day 15 = 75mg

Day 16 = 100mg

Day 17 = 75mg

Day 18 = 100mg

Day 19 = 75mg

Day 20 = 75mg

Day 21 = 75mg

Day 22 = 75 mg

Day 23 = 50 mg

Day 24 = 75 mg

Day 25 = 50 mg

Day 26 = 75 mg

Day 27 = 50 mg

Day 28 = 50 mg

Day 29 = 50 mg

Day 30 = 25 mg

Day 31 = 50 mg

Day 32 = 25 mg

Day 33 = 50 mg

Day 34 = 25 mg

Day 35 = 25 mg

Day 36 = 25 mg

Day 37 = 25 mg

Day 38 = 25 mg

Day 39 = XXX

Day 40 = 25mg

Day 41 = XXX

Day 42 = 25mg

.....

 

Your doctor is proposing a 6-week taper off Effexor XR, which you have taken for more than 7 years. Effexor XR is notorious for its brutal withdrawal syndrome. Some tapering guides suggest a month of tapering per year you've been on the drug. His is not a conservative taper.

 

We believe an even slower taper is safer. First we suggest trying a 10% reduction to see how that works for you over 3 weeks or so. It can take that long for withdrawal symptoms to appear, and if they do, you want to taper slower. If you don't get severe withdrawal symptoms, you might be able to push it a little in the second drop; it's a good idea to wait another 3 weeks to see how that goes, etc.

 

Some people can go faster, some need to go slower. You won't know which group you're in until you're done. What you don't want to do is trigger withdrawal symptoms with too big a drop, because that can make the rest of the taper extremely miserable and cause post-acute withdrawal problems later.

 

On day 4, your doctor is recommending a 17% drop. Then he has you jump around in dosage until day 9. Then he has you jump around in dosage some more until the end.

 

If you read other Intro topics, you'll see many people are brought here by the alternating-dosage method. There are complaints about this all over the Web. This causes fluctuations of the level of the drug in your brain and body, when what you want to do is make a smooth, gradual exit. Next to cold turkey, the alternating-dosages method seems like the best way to generate horrible withdrawal symptoms in people susceptible to withdrawal symptoms.

 

Now, you may be one of those lucky people with rubber brains who can withstand this kind of bouncing around in dosage. Or not. There's no telling, it's up to you.

 

Since the rest of his schedule involves similar dosage inconsistencies, if I were you, I wouldn't do it. I would take a look at Tips for tapering off Effexor and Effexor XR (venlafaxine) and pick a method to go off slowly and smoothly. You may need to see another doctor for this.

 

I had thought he might have some information about Lamictal cushioning withdrawal, but I believe he's just added it for "treatment-resistant depression" and, given his withdrawal schedule, is not very well informed about gradual tapering.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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no there was a difference between the 450 and 600. but i'm hoping that once everything is said and done with my current situation, that i'll be able to go down to 450.

 

i would agree that he doesn't seem to be too informed about an effexor taper....but he's done it a lot (according to him)...maybe he's never done it with someone who's been on it for so long?

 

i am slightly worried that i want to be off of it so bad that i'll just power through and deal with all of the horrible withdrawal symptoms just so i can get it out of my system. i can't stand the thought of being on it any longer.

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

missD, many doctors use wonky withdrawal schedules and claim they work because when patients come out on the other end with withdrawal symptoms, the docs simply diagnose it as relapse and remedicate them, often with interesting combinations that include antipsychotics.

 

Your doctor may congratulate himself every day on how brilliant he is, but it's you who has to deal with the withdrawal symptoms.

 

Now, as I said, you may be one of those people with neurological resiliency who can tolerate that withdrawal schedule, but if you read some of the Intro topics here, you'll see how difficult it can be to "power through" withdrawal symptoms, and Effexor is a prime offender.

 

It's up to you. In this game, you pays your money and you takes your choice. Whatever you decide, please let us know how you're doing. It will help others make similar decisions.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi, Miss Delaney,

 

The most important thing you can take away from visiting a forum like this is that the folks who speak with authority on the subject of AD withdrawal have personal experience and years of research into what little information there is about these drugs. Many of the doctors prescribing the crap haven't followed what research there is as carefully as members of this board have.

 

This is going to sound a bit harsh - even crude, so brace yourself. I can tell that your doctor does not know jack sh*t about withdrawing from ADs because he is recommending changing dose from day to day. It is against everything that we are accustomed to believe about the expertise of physicians. But that recommendation is a clear sign that he hasn't done his homework. To verify my assertation, try talking to a pharmacist.

 

Keep in mind that NOBODY knows how these drugs work or why withdrawal is such a drawnout nightmare for some. Please, please take some time to acquaint yourself with the knowledge that folks here have gained. Chances are that they actually know more than your M.D. and they will listen to you when you have issues - unlike docs who generally do not listen too carefully to anybody who doubts their wisdom or has experiences that contradict their opinions.

 

1989 - 1992 Parnate* 

1992-1998 Paxil - pooped out*, oxazapam, inderal

1998 - 2005 Celexa - pooped out* klonopin, oxazapam, inderal

*don't remember doses

2005 -2007   Cymbalta 60 mg oxazapam, inderal, klonopin

Started taper in 2007:

CT klonopin, oxazapam, inderal (beta blocker) - 2007

Cymbalta 60mg to 30mg 2007 -2010

July 2010 - March 2018 on hiatus due to worsening w/d symptoms, which abated and finally disappeared. Then I stalled for about 5 years because I didn't want to deal with W/D.

March 2018 - May 2018 switch from 30mg Cymbalta to 20mg Celexa 

19 mg Celexa October 7, 2018

18 mg Celexa November 5, 2018

17 mg Celexa  December 2, 2019

16 mg Celexa January 6, 2018 

15 mg Celexa March 7, 2019

14 mg Celexa April 24, 2019

13 mg Celexa June 28, 2019

12.8 mg Celexa November 10, 2019

12.4 Celexa August 31, 2020

12.2 Celexa December 28, 2020

12 mg Celexa March 2021

11 mg  Celexa February 2023

 

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thanks guys. i also have another question. i'm assuming that trying to quit smoking isn't the greatest idea while i'm tapering, correct?

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

How easy will it be for you to quit smoking?

 

Smoking puts an added burden on your nervous system, and so does nicotine withdrawal.

 

If you can cut down on smoking even a little bit, it will raise your overall health.

 

But, I agree, both kinds of stress might be too much for you.

 

I'm not a smoker, maybe smokers or ex-smokers can weigh in here?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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i go through ups and downs with smoking. i was able to quit for about 2 years. i just get tired of it and stop altogether. i've tried doing it this time around, but because of stress, it doesn't last very long for me. i'm going to try to cut back, but i don't think i can stop altogether just yet. what a horrible catch-22

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

missD, I talked to a knowledgeable psychiatrist today, a Lamictal expert, and asked him about the Lamictal dosage and tapering off Effexor.

 

He said Lamictal will not cushion Effexor withdrawal. To taper people off Effexor and Pristiq, he prefers to switch to a relatively low dose of Prozac and taper off from that. He said in his experience, this works well.

 

I told him patients are terrified of this switch, and he admitted he needs to coach them though it.

 

He recommended finding a doctor who knows how to do the Prozac switch. They're out there, this technique is known among psychiatrists; you might need to make a bunch of phone calls to find one.

 

He also thought the Lamictal dosage was quite high. He said he wouldn't prescribe that level of dosage, the Effexor must be counteracting the usually stupefying effect of the Lamictal (and vice versa).

 

I know this puts you into a quandary, and I'm sorry. I thought you should know this additional information.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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missD, I talked to a knowledgeable psychiatrist today, a Lamictal expert, and asked him about the Lamictal dosage and tapering off Effexor.

 

He said Lamictal will not cushion Effexor withdrawal. To taper people off Effexor and Pristiq, he prefers to switch to a relatively low dose of Prozac and taper off from that. He said in his experience, this works well.

 

I told him patients are terrified of this switch, and he admitted he needs to coach them though it.

 

He recommended finding a doctor who knows how to do the Prozac switch. They're out there, this technique is known among psychiatrists; you might need to make a bunch of phone calls to find one.

 

He also thought the Lamictal dosage was quite high. He said he wouldn't prescribe that level of dosage, the Effexor must be counteracting the usually stupefying effect of the Lamictal (and vice versa).

 

I know this puts you into a quandary, and I'm sorry. I thought you should know this additional information.

 

actually, the effexor counteracting the lamictal was exactly what i thought was going on. and i can't do anything with prozac. it was what i was originally given and i didn't like it. gave me stomach issues, and i already have plenty of problems with my digestive system. thanks for your input. it's greatly appreciated

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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first day on a lower dose. i was a bit dizzy in the morning, but after that passed, everything was a-ok

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

What dosage did you take, missD? Are you talking about the Effexor or Lamictal?

 

It can take some time before withdrawal effects show up. If they do, you might want to slow down your taper.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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What dosage did you take, missD? Are you talking about the Effexor or Lamictal?

 

It can take some time before withdrawal effects show up. If they do, you might want to slow down your taper.

 

i went to 125 on the effexor. for clarification, i was on effexor xr. i'm now taking effexor. however, today, my schedule said to take 150 today. so i took the xr again...lo and behold, racing thoughts and anxiety were back by the afternoon. i was actually in a really good mood when i first got to work.

 

i'm also about to go out and buy some st. john's wort to take at night to help with symptoms. nay suggestions as to what doasge?

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

i went to 125 on the effexor. for clarification, i was on effexor xr. i'm now taking effexor. however, today, my schedule said to take 150 today. so i took the xr again...lo and behold, racing thoughts and anxiety were back by the afternoon. i was actually in a really good mood when i first got to work.

 

i'm also about to go out and buy some st. john's wort to take at night to help with symptoms. nay suggestions as to what doasge?

 

Please don't add St. John's Wort. It will not help with symptoms. It is a noradrenergic and will exacerbate any nervousness, anxiety, or sleeplessness you get.

 

So you took 125mg regular Effexor for one day and then 150mg the next day?

 

....i'm currently on xr and have a few pills left...not sure if i should switch over to non-xr immediately or wait until i go down to 125. i'm also considering taking the doses throughout the day so the effects last a bit longer. i've recently been getting anxiety in the morning, totally new effect, so i'd like to combat that by taking some before i go to bed....

 

Did the morning anxiety start when you started taking the Lamictal?

 

It sounds to me like the Effexor makes you anxious and maybe adds to the sleep problems. If I were you, I wouldn't take it at night.

 

Noradrenergics = anxiety, nervousness, insomnia

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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ok got it...no st. john's wort.

 

the morning anxiety started way after i began the lamictal. i think it has to do with looking at things that were making me sad (pictures of me and the ex)

 

and yes, i took 125 yesterday and 150 today

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

When are you taking the Lamictal? In the morning?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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yes. everything is being taken in the morning. now that i'm done with the xr, i think the morning anxiety has abated. granted i can only base this off two non-consecutive days, but to me it's the only explanation that makes sense.

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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it's been a week. i've concluded that the morning anxiety was definitely a result of the effexor xr. as for tapering off of the effexor, so far all i've had are bouts of nausea and dizziness for about 2 hours after taking it. the only real problem i'm having is waking up in the middle of the night, seemingly always at three. i know other people on here have had the same problem with effexor, however since it's soooo hot and humid here, i don't feel like i can draw any conclusions just yet.

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

How much Effexor are you taking now, missD?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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100mg, down from 150.

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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is it possible that birth control would effect my taper? last week i was on my period, therefore not on bc, and i was....awesome. completely happy and content, minus the nausea that keeps popping up. but today sucked a lot. major anxiety and crying today.

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

The birth control pill interacts with Lamictal. Your doctor should have been alert to this.

 

See DRUG INTERACTIONS on this page http://www.rxlist.com/lamictal-drug.htm

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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i was informed about it, but just that it makes it less effective

 

**edit** the precautions stated in the article say the same thing. I believe my anxiety yesterday was triggered by a friend saying a lot of negative things about my current situation (i'm very suseptible to listening to other people than my gut). Other than yesterday, my anxiety has been very low and quite managable. Thank you for linking me to that article :)

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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  • Administrator

When you take lamotrigine with birth control pills, it lowers the effectiveness of the birth control.

 

When you remove the birth control pills, it changes the metabolism of and causes a rise in lamotrigine.

 

Too much lamotrigine can cause a paradoxical effect of anxiety and sleeplessness.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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quick update:

 

i'm now currently on 100mg. the dizziness has gone away, but i'm still dealing with morning nausea. i've found that if i eat about 30 minutes before taking my medicine, i feel fine. unfortunately, most of the time i just don't feel like eating in the morning, so i suck it up and deal with it.

 

i've found that alcohol is what has been triggering my anxiety through WD. i know, i know...i absolutely should not be drinking. i'm trying to get out more and when you live in a small town, the bar is really all there is to do. hopefully i can get my act together and just order a soda or cranberry juice.

 

overall, i'm very pleased that my only symptom has been 2 hours of nausea and dry heaving. the day-after-drinking-days excluded, i haven't had any emotional problems. sometimes i feel the need to purge via crying. i get a good cry in, talk to my boyfriend and all is well.

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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A particularly intense nausea is also indicative of a too-high Lamictal dosage. For me, it manifested as dry heaves.

 

I believe the withdrawal nausea is vomiting.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 2 weeks later...

another quick update: i'm halfway through my taper schedule (down to 50mg now) and my symptoms have remained the same. i have actually thrown up twice...it may be a result of pushing myself right after taking the pills?? not entirely sure. (halfway through writing this, i realized i should probably take the medications 30 minutes apart to figure out exactly which one is causing it)

 

anyway, i've actually been feeling a lot better. i'm able to process my emotions, my anxiety has gone down considerably (it's still high, but at least it's not longer very super high) and i'm no longer focusing on the negative. occasionally i'll experience a few hours where i can't determine if i'm thinking my thoughts or if my brain is repairing itself by lightly touching on my insecurities.

 

i just wanted to let you know how i was doing and that i haven't dropped off the face of the earth. i appear to be the exception, but i'm very encouraged that my withdrawal symptoms have been minor compared to other people on this site.

 

*edited to add* i mostly get anxious right after i leave friends. it seems that the second i'm alone, i get very upset. last weekend i visited some friends of mine, and before i even left, i started crying. nothing bad, just tearing up. i started full-on crying on the way home. yesterday, i was home from work and i was completely fine. aside from being sick and bored, i was actually in a pretty good mood. it seems very strange to me.

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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You started reducing on July 19, right? So you're about 17 days in?

 

Very good to hear you haven't had major problems!

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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21 days tomorrow. 21 more to go :D

currently on 600mg of lamictal, while tapering from 150mg of effexor xr. currently on 50mg of effexor.

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