1. < Addiction & Recovery

Is this the correct way to remove beads for Effexor withdrawal?

Posted by rmce72a @rmce72a, Jun 10, 2022

I am starting my taper from Effexor XR 75. I began by taking out one bead a day, then 2, then 3, but I have decided I need to know how much I am actually taking. This is what I have done this week. Is this reasonable?

Here is what my taper schedule looks like for this week of counting beads in each capsule to determine aprox dose of each.

6/7 256 bead divided by 75 = .293/bead

removed 6 beads =1.76 meaning I took 73.2mg

6/8 260 beads divided by 75 = .288/bead

removed 6 beads =1.73 meaning I took 73.2mg

6/9 247 beads divided by 75=.303/bead

removed 6=1.82 meaning I took 73.1mg

6/10 (today) 272 beads=.276/bead

removed 7 beads=1.93 meaning I took 73.1mg

Am I doing it right?

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moloney2508 | @moloney2508 | Aug 24, 2023
In reply to @rmce72a "I am starting my Effexor XR 75 withdrawal journey. I am going very slowly by removing..." + (show)
@rmce72a

I am starting my Effexor XR 75 withdrawal journey. I am going very slowly by removing only minimal beads. I am curious to see how other have done with this method and your bead schedule.

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I do 10 beads every week or so and it's been great with no withdrawals so far. Done it like this twice over the years.

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k18 | @k18 | Sep 13, 2023
In reply to @dolan "I began with the help of my internalist and NP to wean off of Effexor 150..." + (show)
@dolan

I began with the help of my internalist and NP to wean off of Effexor 150 and 37.5(twice per day). After a CHP test they found that Wellbutrin changed the properties of the Effexor so I may or may not need to go back on Wellbutrin after weaning off of that in April/May. I am starting a new med in conjunction with the Effexor until the Effexor is out of my system and this is a very long process. 12 weeks. Thank goodness they set up a table for me to follow in regard to the capsules when and strength. It's working well.

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I am curious as to what a CHP test is? I am on a withdrawal period right now from Pristiq which is the sister drug to Effexor. I also take Wellbutrin.

thank you!

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1 reply
kelvinthomas | @kelvinthomas | Sep 16, 2023

It may work, but removing beads from XR is NOT recommend. Only the non XR. I'm on 150mg and have been for 20 years. Tried dropping to 75mg in one swoop as recommended by Dr. Third night nightmares were so bad hurled my body out of bed and hit corner of night table over left eye socket.

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kimball1 | @kimball1 | Sep 18, 2023

Hi,
My suggestion is to look up hyperbolic tapering, articles by Anders Sorenson, and utube Josef Witt-Doerring. Also there are Facebook support groups that helped me too.

You’re so smart to post this. I withdrew from Cymbalta, a different antidepressant, too fast and have spent two plus years recovering. Symptoms have slowly improved but the challenge was almost too much.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 27, 2023
In reply to @k18 "I am curious as to what a CHP test is? I am on a withdrawal period..." + (show)
@k18

I am curious as to what a CHP test is? I am on a withdrawal period right now from Pristiq which is the sister drug to Effexor. I also take Wellbutrin.

thank you!

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Hi @k18, I think @dolan may have been referring to a Complete Health Panel (CHP). How are you doing with your taper of Pristiq?

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bbarrish7 | @bbarrish7 | Oct 27, 2023
In reply to @kelvinthomas "You cannot take beads out of any XR Effexor whether 75 mg or 150mg. Can only..." + (show)
@kelvinthomas

You cannot take beads out of any XR Effexor whether 75 mg or 150mg. Can only do it with non XR. Then you can start taking out beads slowly, over time depending on how long you've been on it. I've been taking effexor 150XR for 10 to 15 years. Tried to drop to 75mgXR. Fine first 2 days. 3rd. night I had severely horrible nightmares. So bad that in my sleep I threw myself out of bed and hit my head on end table. Back on regular dose and no more nightmares.

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I did the same exact thing when using Wellbutrin as a bridge. I don't think I even really woke up until the next morning. Took away the Wellbutrin and was fine.

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kelvinthomas | @kelvinthomas | Jan 3 7:53pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@rmce72a, I see that you started 2 discussions on the same topic in the Addictions &..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@rmce72a, I see that you started 2 discussions on the same topic in the Addictions & Recovery group. I've moved the 2 discussions into one and included it in the Depression & Anxiety group since quite a few members there are talking about Effexor.

I highly recommend reviewing this related discussion.
– Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-on-minimising-withdrawal-symptoms-from-effexor-aka-venlafaxine

Like you @texasduchess @jakedduck1 @kbmayo @mimid0506 @summertime4 @sandij and many others have tapered off venlafaxine capsules.

@samrichardson posts here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/694900/ about the advice he was given from his pharmacist about counting beads and detailed information about his research and experience.

Please note that this is not universally recommended as outlined here by a Mayo Clinic pharmacist. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/696464/

The concern is that if the beads are not standardized the dosing by bead counting would be variable. The manufacturer offers no indication that there is any particular amount of drug per bead, and release from the beads themselves could vary from the drug delivery from the bead and capsule since they are not designed to be taken that way.

The bottom line is that everyone is different and tapering is not a one size fits all. The final mile is the toughest and I can hear @jakedduck1 in my virtual ear reminding me to tell you - take. it. S L O W.

@rmce72a, the bead counting approach that you posted, was this recommended to you by your doctor or pharmacist? How long do you wait before reducing the dose to the next taper?

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Colleen Young,
I'm not suggesting a man like me (80) start start counting beads. I would go to a skilled compounder!

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1 reply
kelvinthomas | @kelvinthomas | Jan 3 8:26pm
In reply to @dolan "I had never heard of bead counting. Doing that would drive me back on something for..." + (show)
@dolan

I had never heard of bead counting. Doing that would drive me back on something for stress/depression! I'm so sorry that some one doesn't help you. She began telling me about what I was to do and I was so confused. Then said...the doc usually does a table and she asked her to do one for me. When I got it home I wrote the dates so I knew exactly. I take 18 pills a day. I started the next day after seeing her so needed to be prepared. I set the am ones out the night before. Good luck and if you have any more questions let me know if I can help.

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I wouldn't dare to count the beads at my age (81). Go to a highly rated compounder!!
Or, if they have a liquid gel that would be much easier for a compounder to handle.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 3 8:38pm
In reply to @kelvinthomas "Colleen Young, I'm not suggesting a man like me (80) start start counting beads. I would..." + (show)
@kelvinthomas

Colleen Young,
I'm not suggesting a man like me (80) start start counting beads. I would go to a skilled compounder!

Jump to this post

I agree, @kelvinthomas.
Counting beads is not universally recommended as outlined here by a Mayo Clinic pharmacist.

The concern is that if the beads are not standardized the dosing by bead counting would be variable. The manufacturer offers no indication that there is any particular amount of drug per bead, and release from the beads themselves could vary from the drug delivery from the bead and capsule since they are not designed to be taken that way.

You're wise to use a compounding pharmacy with a skilled compounder.

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