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Long term effects AFTER withdrawing from Effexor
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Oct 20 8:01am | Replies (195)Comment receiving replies
I just read through all the comments in this thread. I started my search today online for long term, or permanent side effects from Effexor/Venlafaxine. I started taking this medication in 2016, and after experiencing bad withdrawal symptoms from missing just one dose, I was scared and decided I wanted to wean off it. I was only on it for about a year, prescribed to me for my chronic pain and depression. I can't remember which dosage I was on, I want to say I went up to 150mg over the course of a year, but I honestly can't remember due to my severe memory issues.
I started weaning off in the spring of 2017, and by September of 2017 I had to quit my job and stop working because the withdrawal symptoms were so severe. Some days I couldn't get out of bed, because I would become so dizzy I would get hit with severe nausea. Like extreme vertigo symptoms. It took me over a year to wean off the medication completely, but I still wasn't able to work.
I already had health issues before starting this medication, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in April of 2015, and have suffered from depression and anxiety since I was a young teenager. I was in a car accident in September of 2016 where I was rear-ended, and a couple weeks after the accident I started having some problems. I was already on Venlafaxine for almost a year at that point. I went to see a Neurologist, and was diagnosed with Post-Concussion Syndrome in February of 2017. A couple months after that, is when I started weaning off Venlafaxine. I always suspected I had POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) after the accident, but after being diagnosed with Post-Concussion Syndrome, I gave up on that diagnosis for a short while. My symptoms only seem to have worsened since being off Venlafaxine, and I started to wonder if I really did have POTS and was misdiagnosed, or if it could possible be permanent damage from Venlafaxine. I have seen many doctors, most of which wouldn't listen to me, and just dismissed me since the heart monitors they attached me to didn't show anything strange.
I started seeing a new doctor recently, and she was a breath of fresh air. She listened to me, and immediately gave me a referral to Neurology for a tilt table test (a test I was previously refused). So, once I get that done I can finally rule out POTS. If I don't have it, then I'm really thinking I could have some permanent damage from Venlafaxine. I can't go back on that medication, my memory problems are too bad and I too easily miss medication dosages. Not sure what my next step will be, but reading this entire thread has been incredibly informative.
Replies to "I just read through all the comments in this thread. I started my search today online..."
Dear friend. My story is different but basically have suffered withdrawal symptoms from Effexor myself. I went from 150 mg 5-6 years ago to 75 then to 37.5 for over a year before I weened myself off over a 3 -4 week period. I have felt drained physically and have fought depression for up to four months. I’m six months into the withdrawals and finally realize the fatigue and physical weakness is subsiding. BTW, I also fought the dizziness for several months. It hasn’t been any fun but I’m finally realizing my quality of life is improving. I have other physical maladies which have hindered me from being as active as I like to be, which added to my plight, but I’m also getting a better understanding of how to deal with them at the same time. I had quadruple bypass surgery in April of 2022. Very successful surgery with fast overal recovery time. I blew through the cardio rehab. But at my post op visit after surgery the attending told me my right lung was not working as a result of phrenic nerve damage resulting in my diaphragm not working. I feel it was by Gods grace that I didn’t kill my self by the way I worked prior to the operation. I’m seeking “ His “ wisdom now on what to do about this. I just started physical therapy which offers me hope of improving my lung capacity. In the process I’m beginning to have “ brighter” days. I’m trying now to see a thoracic surgeon to get an evaluation to see what options I have. I’m thankful I quit the Effexor and believe you will “ come out the woods” even as I have. Jesus said He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly John 10:10
I believe He still heals and Luke 1:37 says with God, all things are possible. I feel like I’m on the right road and believe you are too. Psalm 55:22 says cast thy burdens on the Lord and He shall sustain thee. My prayer for you in 2024 is this. Above all things that you will prosper, and be in health, even as your soul prospers. That’s 3 John vs2 in the KJV Bible. “ I also use the New Living Translation Bible.
Just hang in there. Psalm 121 keep looking up. 😀
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Hi Mary Lucifer . I have undertaken years of research into the VENLAFAXINE / EFFEXOR issue. I have, over time, managed to garner a good overall knowledge of the raft of problems the drug can cause. I have consulted heads of peer groups - who have amassed considerable patient feedback. My own Ven issues cross references to all of this patient data. It took me nearly 4 yrs to titrate off (with my Pharmacist & Dr close monitoring of), down from Ven 75mg. I am still getting many types of side / withdrawal effects, + 1 year after this hyper slow titration regime.
Not considering any issues arising from your Car accident , from my perspective, I had severe memory & cognition issues with Venlafaxine while, on it. ( This is a reported back issue). Despite titration, this did not get immediately better, pro - rata, to the dose reductions I was making. Now, One Year after stopping completely, I have some improvement ref memory. Ref dizzy / vertigo, I was originally told to get off the drug 75mg to zero dose over only 3 months, by a Dr = BIG MISTAKE . As per you , the dizzyness & vertigo was terrible.
So, I re-introduced Ven @ original 75mg dose & started titration again as per above. This practice DID , (very slowly) , then stop the Diz / Vertigo problems. BUT, I still get them , to a lesser degree. From what you say 150mg to zero in 1 year is , from the feedback I have read here, too fast = to combat severe dizzyness & vertigo that will arise. You could ask your Dr to get pre-made up titration down doses and take these each day. As for permanent damage. A peer group representative recently told me things can take a very long time to settle and everyone is different here. But, as you will have picked up on this Site, hyper slow titration off (with on-going Medical professional monitoring of), is the key factor in mitigating against ALL of the side effects. This is what all prescribing Dr's need to be aware of AND that every patient reaction to VEN/EFFEXOR is different.