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As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (209)Comment receiving replies
I am most worried about the possibility of a cessation of the importation of the drug's generic version, venefaxine and even name brand Effexor. I had a problem when one of my blood pressure medicines ceased production. Luckily there was a similar alternative and no withdrawal. If the drug, venafaxine, cannot be imported from China or India or wherever it is made, what happens then? What if it is not available? There will be a lot of suffering when we all have to go cold turkey. I am on 225 mgs and have been on it for more than 20 years. I am scared - very scared about this since the world is a powderkeg. I received no information and no warning from my psychiatrist about withdrawal and I think that is immoral and unprofessional. I know there are pluses to psychotropics but it was prescribed and is given to patients as if it were candy. This is my second day of lowering my dosage and I feel dizzy, angry and am dreading the future. If this is day two of withdrawal and I fear the future will get worse, I will have to go back to my original dosage. In addition, I had to fight my horrible Medicare Advantage Plan from Aetna as they sent me a letter that the drug plan is making it so I can only buy one pill each day even though I am taking three a day now. It seems that all I have done since I retired was to fight my insurance company because I have to depend on their Know nothing customer support people who all read prepared remarks from a script. What a foul system.
Replies to "I am most worried about the possibility of a cessation of the importation of the drug's..."
Have you sufficiently researched how to lower the dosage? It is important to do it slowly and in small reductions. I filed a complaint with the FDA that this drug is not supplied in smaller amounts, so as to facilitate withdrawal. Unless they receive a barrage of complaints, however, the FDA will do nothing about it.
The UK now requires warnings about this drug; it's called informed consent. Sadly, it is not yet required in the United States.
I am sorry you have had a bad experience with a "Medicare Advantage" plan. After witnessing the nightmare my parents went through while enrolled in one, I never recommend it, if one can afford to stay in Medicare.
Please learn some tips and tricks to lessen your worries! You can find helpful hints on this website. My anxiety ballooned during withdrawal; I had to resume this drug (at a lower dose than I was on, thankfully), but learning coping techniques is invaluable. Good luck and best wishes to you.
Not long ago I was taking Zoloft. Now I am taking Venlafaxine 75mg daily. I have a wonderful team of doctors at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle. I give them the credit.
Namaste 🙏🏻
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It is awful to hear what you’ve been going through. Medicine is super tricky, never works the same for people. I will say that Effexor worked great for me and for cost saving reasons, I chose to take Venlafaxine. I’ve been taking Venlafaxine for 5 years and seems to work exactly the same, if not more. Having to lower dosages is even tougher, I know. Once you’ve made it through the tough days. You will feel so much better. The withdrawals can keep us from liking anything during those tough days…
Hang in there!!! You can do it!!!