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Forum Name: Antidepressants

Question: Follow-up to Effexor XR (from tjford)

tjford - Fri Sep 03, 2004 10:07 pm

Thanks for the quick response to my questions. Actually, I have not yet gone off Effexor XR. Today is the first day at a reduced dose of 75 mg. I am to stay at the reduced dose for one week before stopping completely and starting Celexa, which is why I am somewhat nervous about not only the withdrawal symptoms, but also serotonin syndrome. (I am not much of a medication taker, which is why I am being a bit neurotic about this. I probably only take Tylenol a few times a year and use vitamin supplements such as a multi, B-Complex. Recently tried adding amino acids but only for a very brief period). If I reduce to 75 mg. from 150 mg. for one week and then stop completely, could I potentially experience withdrawal symptoms? I have another question. In my previous e-mail, I mentioned that I had been using an L-Tyrosine supplement for about 2 weeks (starting with 500 mg, three times a day, then 500 mg, twice a day and finally 500 mg once a day for the two week period). Are you able to tell me if a person can experience hypomania while using the amino acid L-Tyrosine or experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping an amino acid. I have been nauseaus and very anxious since I stopped the supplementation. I did a lot of research on amino acid supplementation prior to taking anything, and did not see anything about toxicity, side effects or withdrawal. The only other explanation I can think of for how I have been feeling for the past week and a half is perhaps the Depo Provera my doctor put me on to regulate my periods (Unfortunately, I did not know much about Depo before being given the injection and wasn't told much by my doctor). Any ideas? Thanks so much.

Dr. Tamer Fouad - Sat Sep 04, 2004 12:53 am

For more on Effexor withdrawal and the optimal withdrawal method, please visit this page. L-Tyrosine has not been associated with the symptoms you have described. Best regards,

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