What is the best approach to properly up-taper Venlafaxine XR? Dr Hain recommends that I open the capsule and use 1/3 of the beads. The problem is that there are over 100 beads so it is a time consuming and imprecise approach.
Are there other forms of Venlafaxine that have less beads? Hain says they usually have about 30 beads in his printout. However, as I said, mine has over 100. I’ve heard there is a tablet version, is it as effective?
Lastly, in his patient instructions, Hain wanted me to start on just “one bead at a time”. I previously mentioned previous issues with Venlafaxine. However, given that there are over 100 beads in a 37.5mg capsule this would be an arduous process.
I started with Effexor last Saturday. My capsules have about 140/150 little beads in it. So yeah my husband makes sure he puts only 50 in one capsule…it is quite a hazzle but probably worth it. Yesterday I started with an extra 50 in one capsule, so one in the morning and one at night. Hopefully I will be able to get to the full dose next week.
Good luck and I hope it will help you to get rid of your symptoms.
Shazam: I thought it was better to put the beads back in the capsule and then take it…due to the xr? So the capsule partly protects the xr function? But maybe I am wrong ;-).
That is totally up to you. I upped every week with 12.5 mg but that is mainly because I am really sick at the moment and I want these pills to work as quickly as they can.
Do you work? Or do you have the time to feel sick? It all kind of depends on your situation I guess.
I have time to experiment, but I would rather not waste it.
Today I bumped up to 25mg or so. I definitely feel the effects. I probably feel the worst I’ve felt in weeks. I think the drug is responsible as I felt better in the morning before I up-tapered. However, the drug knocks some of the bad physical symptoms. So although I know I don’t feel great, I would generally feel a lot worse if I felt this way.
I’ll try this dose for a few days and if I still feel crummy I’ll go back to 12.5mg
It is interesting because I feel worse after 10-12 hours. I am now on my 4th day of 37.5 mg.
I do believe that you can’t really say if it’s working or not yet…most people I have heard are saying that you should at least try 3 months before you can say anything about it. Unless if you cant stand the side effects ofcourse.
So the xr should mean that it gives a constant dosage…weird how everybody reacts differently.
I know that feeling like shit immidiatly makes you doubting ey? All the things I have read about of Effexor is that the people who do get through the first months eventually get their symptoms to a minimum (overall).
But if you are not in a hurry to let this medicine do its job…you can also stick to the 12.5mg for a bit longer and see what that does. I am really sick at the moment already so I just bumped it up because I am bedridden and want this pill to work ASAP.
Fair enough. Your issues are a lot worse than mine. Luckily I am not bedridden. I was kind of bed ridden a few years ago so I can relate.
Now luckily that is a fairly rare occurrence (maybe once a year). However, I do still have days where I stay home and sit on the couch and close my eyes.
I’d say my chief issues for the past few months are mild vertigo, dizziness and reading and cognitive issues.
Whatever works for you works for you!!! Good to hear that you feel better on 12.5 mg. I have read things that Dr Hain also says that some people have improved with just a very small dose. And the less medication the better I think! Hope you will continue to improve.
Think I will start with asprinin as well. I think for me the rocking feeling is part of a blood flow issue in my vestibular system. And I have heard that asprinin is making your blood less thick…so maybe that helps.