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[CLKD]

Effexor reduction took 9 weeks of tapering  - I had rebound symptoms each time the dose was reduced, once I gave myself a  and realised that the bounce back didn't last more than 24 hours, I got on OK.  It was the fear that I would feel worse rather than be OK!!!!

Your GP may well have what the Pharmacist suggested, mine certainly did.  He had medication available only for withdrawal, not usually prescribed i.e. 5mg and cutting it in half as the tablets were scoured.  Some GPs have liquid forms of medication for such purposes. What severe withdrawals have you read about?  STOP reading !!!! I had a lesser dose for 24 hours, then took that every 4 nights, then had 5 nights between each B4 the dose was dropped.  They don't stay in the system for long enough to hang about once there's a gap of 4 nights.  A lot of withdrawal problem is psychological, I worried that I would feel worse (oh already said that) and never feel well.  Go for it if you want to stop taking them!

Prozac is the most difficult to taper off.  That made me really angry so stopped without problems after 2 weeks  .

Right - back to the subject …...

[pinkdove]

CLKD  I am not reading i KNOW that effexor is the hardest ad to get off, and i don't think it is a case of giving yourself a kick, or psychological, the withdrawal can be very severe if not done in the correct way, i am also aware that you can get liquid forms of some meds to help with reduction, i had this getting off citalopram.

The tablet i take is the lowest dose prescribed in the uk which i have got down to on my own and slowly. and is extended release, therefore it is not suitable to cut.  alternating days is not the way i want to reduce, as it is not a steady dose and can cause more problems.

I know a lot of people who have withdrawn from effexor, and you are one of the lucky one's to get off it that fast with withdrawals only lasting 24 hrs.

Effexor has a very short half life, making it harder to get off, wheras prozac has a long half life, which is why it is often used to help with withdrawals  when trying to get off effexor.

Being on prozac for only 2 weeks is a very short time. ad withdrawal has many factors, how high a dose you have been on, how long you have taken them for, and how you taper off them, and indeed start up effects.

Yes i am going to get off effexor, i am not afraid i am trying to do it in the best way i can to minimise withdrawal, i will go for it SLOWLY, as i don't want a relapse.

Yes.....back to the subject

[CLKD]

How have you found out that effexor is 'the hardest'?  …….. I didn't have to taper with any other AD, if my brain became used to what I was taking then I had 1 clear day and then swapped.  I've been taking them since the 1990s, gosh I fought hard against but am so glad that I got a Life again.  Now if my brain feels 'low' for more than 2/3 mornings, I recognise it - so up the dosage for about a week or until I feel OK again.  It took me ages to begin to 'manage' my brain's requirements  . 

My GP told me that Prozac 'this drug has no side effects', well people have found otherwise as I did [long story short]  ……. in the US there are Law Suites going on to this day ……… I can't remember which dose I was given as it was very early to the market but I got so so angry  ……. which was scary  . (I've got problems with the word 'dose' today, it keeps printing 'does'  ).

A Pharmacist explained to me that the longer a person tries to withdraw from an AD the longer it is likely to take, particularly if a person has associated anxiety.  When he started to go into chemical details and brain chemistry he lost me  but his reasoning seemed logical at the time, (2001) - hence the availability for UK GPs to smaller dosages ……… my GP never put me under pressure which also helped, I was encouraged not to go back to a higher dose because the bounce back feelings *would* go ……. I didn't believe him at times  …….. my brain was OK about it all, it was my gut that was bothersome …

Good luck!  It can be hard work finding the 'right' balance  . 

As for your question: if you have been prescribed 1 patch then go for it.  Make sure that the area of application is clean and dry to encourage constant sticking! ;-) ……. it's 1 a week …………. maybe put a mark on the calendar 'cos I would surely forget when the week is up 

[CLKD]

From NetDoctor:

"FemSeven conti patches are a continuous form of combined HRT. One patch is worn at all times without a break. Each FemSeven conti patch contains both estradiol and levonorgestrel, so that both hormones are received each day. The patches release the hormones through the skin into the bloodstream at a constant rate and are designed to be changed every week, ie a patch is worn for seven days and then replaced with a new one. This type of HRT does not produce a monthly bleed. It is suitable for women whose natural periods have already stopped, eg for postmenopausal women who have not had a period for at least 12 months".

In case Hurdity isn't along ;-)

[jorainbow]

Re effexor I was on it for about 6mths 2004. It was awful starting it but sorted me out quickly on 75mg extended release. Piled weight on so gp changed to 75mg normal  tablets which I reduced then broke in half and then quarters . I am in the UK so dont understand why it's not prescribed as this may help???

[pinkdove]

Hi Jorainbow, yes this is what my Gp is going to do for me, change the 37,5mg extended release to the standard, so that i can do the same as you, half, then quarter them.

I have been on effexor since 2010, and my highest dose was 150mg, it has taken me many months to get to 37.5, but i have not had many side effects, thank god. i was ok starting them as i went from one ad to another, and it has been the best med i have taken by far, really sorted me out with depression and anxiety, but like you the weight has piled on

I meant that in the uk 37,5 is the lowest dose of effexor prescribed, you can get 25mg in the usa, i always liked the extended release, but it is not really suitable to half. thanks for the advice, gives me hope x

CKLD My Gp told me it was the hardest because of its short half life, and i was warned by my psyc who i was seeing when i started them, that they were very hard to get off, but if done slowly and under supervision, it can be done with the minimum of side effects. I am not intending to swap meds, i have done this in the past, i am stopping t completely. but as you say, meds act different with people, as i suppose with Hrt, one size does not fit all

[jorainbow]

Excellent pinkdove I hope it goes ok for you xx . I recall odd brain zaps as I came off them but maybe as I wasn't on too long that may have eased things. I do recall what you say about the half life being correct and they are not a first choice for most prescribers but certainly work! I would request them if needed ever again. I just took each day at a time - good luck I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine 

[CLKD]

I still get brain zaps  at the most inappaproiate times    …….. try explaining to anyone that hasn't felt them, it's easier to say that I've been stung.  I get another zappy sensation when laying down too, with a flashing light in one eye, well behind the eye  - weird.  Getting used to it though 

Don't you just love it when Drs 'warn' you that it might be difficult to wean off, you'll feel worse B4 better - why don't they prescribe and keep shut up  .  I can make my own symptoms, I don't need to read the leaflet in the box  .

I have never put on weight with ADs  ………. I've altered shape with meno but not added any weight, >phew<

[Hurdity]

Pinkdove - I've been out all day! Personally in your case I would start with half a patch because I seem to recall you are 62 maybe or in your 60's and haven't used HRT before? Your body has been without oestrogen for a long time. Your endometrium may well have atrophied, and your oestrogen receptors presumably inactive for a long time. They need to whirr into action and there will be side effects which you will have to ride out before you feel the benefits. Many women of your age would feel much better with just a low dose ie 25 mcg - but this is only available in a combi HRT patch if you cut the patch - otherwise it is separate patch and progestogen which has already been mentioned. I would probably use half a patch for a month and see how you get on. Also I haven't used these patches but I gather sometimes they come a bit unstuck before the week is up - someone else may be along to share experiences or maybe start a new thread specifically about Femseven sequi/conti or do a search?

Although I haven't taken ADs I do know of the withdrawal difficulties - my daughter used to be on one of these and had a bad time withdrawing/changing types. I also know that some ADs require micro-tapering with liquids over a very long time - some on this forum have done this. For a (male of course) doctor to suggest that it (resultant withdrawal symptoms) is psychological is unbelievable - and is like saying that pms is all in the mind, or PND or menopausal symptoms - it beggars belief!!!

From NetDoctor:

"FemSeven conti patches are a continuous form of combined HRT. One patch is worn at all times without a break. Each FemSeven conti patch contains both estradiol and levonorgestrel, so that both hormones are received each day. The patches release the hormones through the skin into the bloodstream at a constant rate and are designed to be changed every week, ie a patch is worn for seven days and then replaced with a new one. This type of HRT does not produce a monthly bleed. It is suitable for women whose natural periods have already stopped, eg for postmenopausal women who have not had a period for at least 12 months".

CLKD - I rest my case - not that I need to. You don't take HRT so you are forgiven for not knowing that the information which you yourself found easily above on an ordinary website (that Femseven conti contains progestogen) - is very very basic and should be known by any GP who is prescribing any medication. Also that any GP (and of course they are just that - I am always saying so myself) should know where to look up the constituents of any medication s/he prescribes. Re this forum - I used this website (not this forum - note - the website is the place where all the information about menopause and HRT preparations is found - the forum is a minor part - just the chat bit - I wouldn't expect a doctor to direct women here - except of course for support) - as an example of how easily it is to find information about pharmaceutical products, and the SPCs I referred to are available to anyone. Doctors will also have their own specialised info sources and should use them. What's wrong with: "hold on a minute I just need to check something".

Good luck pinkdove and let us know how you get on.

Hurdity x

[pinkdove]

Thank you so much Hurdity, yes i am 62, so will cut the patch in half for the first month as you say it might be a bit much to start on a full patch.

Also reducing my meds as you know, but i will wait to see how the Hrt goes before i reduce further, maybe in another week or so.

I will let you all know how i get on, xxx

[CLKD]

Don't patronise me.


Hurdity - do you have personal experience of weaning off long-term medication or of counselling those that have problems doing so? or is all your knowledge taken from printed sources?  I admire any GP that tells a patient they are going to check with a Pharmacist - better than giving out a prescription with no communication at all.

Sorry pinkdove to hijack but sometimes 

[Hurdity]

I'm certainly not patronising you CLKD!! This thread is between pinkdove and forum members – but you took issue with my criticism of a GP  (which I made in sympathy with pinkdove's plight) for lack of knowledge about a very basic piece of information on HRT  (where you named me and referred to my comments - see below) – which you seemed to think was unjustified, but which incidentally you yourself suggested earlier that the doctor could look up in a book! “Why didn't your GP look in the appropriate book or ring the Pharmacist B4 offering the prescription.” .

I responded to your direct comment/question to me – which is really not relevant to the thread and pinkdove's situation.  I don't need to answer your questions on this thread – I am responding to pinkdove and giving either my opinions, experience or information as we all are. Perhaps I should have ignored your comments but you were clearly asking for a response!!!

Hurdity - why should every GP have complete knowledge about everything?   They are GPs.  Some are newly qualified and still finding their way round the various routes to knowledge.  I would be interested if you can tell us how many GPs are actually aware of 'this forum'?

I am trying to sympathise with and help pinkdove (as we all are most of the time) - not justify my comments to you nor answer questions that are off on a tangent to the thread!!!! I don't like arguments but you have mentioned me in several posts!!! Pinkdove seems to be OK with what I've said.....

Hope you feel better soon pinkdove 

Hurdity x

[pinkdove]

Thank you Hurdity, i appreciate all the advice and help you have given me.

Day 2 on half the patch, yesterday i felt fine, no problems at all, had a good sleep last night, no problems this morning, so fingers crossed i have done the right thing, time will tell, i will keep you posted 

[linz57]

I wish you well with the half patch pinkdove, you may well find you don't need to increase the dosage but it's always a case of trying to see what works. I was on a full patch for 18 months but now find I'm doing ok on half and I'm a similar age to you. Sometimes we just need a low dose to take the edge off our symptoms and help us cope again. Good luck!

[pinkdove]

Linz57  Thank you that is nice to hear that you are doing ok on half a patch, was'nt sure i could do that, but hurdity gave me some good advice, yes i think (hopefully) a low dose will be all i need