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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (6363)Comment receiving replies
Hi All - I've been on Prozac and then Effexor for close to 20 years now and began to wonder exactly why I was taking them anymore. At first, it was because of extreme stress and anxiety and was periodic low dosages. Within a few years, it became seasonal and I needed them through the winter as well. Then it was continual. My doctor at the time, who regularly sent me to a psychiatrist for evaluations, explained that it was like a "brain vitamin" due to chemical imbalances, so that I did not feel the stigma associated with it. Several years ago, stressors in my life between job and relationships brought my dosage up to 375mg per day. But those stressors are now gone, so I began to seriously question why I would still need to take this medication. I began to slowly decrease my dosage about every three months, of course, with my doctor's awareness. I have finally gotten down to 37.5 mg and it is absolutely terrifying. The brain zaps, dizziness, vertigo, unfocussed thinking, heightened awareness of sounds and movements, sleep disruptions.... I'm afraid to get rid of the last dose. Thankfully my doctor is patiently working with me. Going every other day on the dose was too much, so I'm back on for 3 days at a time. On my off day, I'm to take a Clonazepam twice, 12 hours apart. Do this for two weeks, then reduce it to every 2 days, then 1 off with the Clonazepam. I am only to take the Clonazepam on my "off" days. I've reduced my caffeine intake, scheduled my sleeping, and a friend is now my activity coach, as everyone knows that physical activity will help you produce natural serotonin. I'm going to stay on this path and keep moving at all costs. My life is finally GREAT so why should I have to be on this medication? I'm not going to let the withdrawals control my life.....
I wish everyone luck in their journey to remove themselves, but please ask to remember to be PATIENT with yourselves. Try different types of dosage removals.... once you get to the lowest dose, maybe try extended the dosage time from 24 hours to 30 hours for a couple of weeks, then 36 hours and so on. My brain zaps occurred immediately at the 25 hour mark, so that is why I'm going every 3 days and then 1 off. We'll see. I have high hopes and determination.
Again, thanks everyone for sharing their stories and good luck to you all.
Replies to "Hi All - I've been on Prozac and then Effexor for close to 20 years now..."
@sadiesmom that’s great that the change in meds is improving life. Don’t be sad about what is past, be happy that you are now able to start to resume normalcy, that’s what important. The past is history.
I can really feel for you in how you feel about your son. I thank God I have never been in a similar situation. My son and daughter mean the world to me, when they have any problems it bothers me so much, sometimes I think more than it does them. My daughter suffers from migraines and when she is having one and miserable she often calls me, knowing I went through the same right up until menopause. When she does I wish she lived close enough so that I could go over to her place and be there for her, putting cool compresses on her forehead.
Try not to look back at “should have”s. As they say, hindsight is always 20/20. You did what you felt was best at the time, you don’t deserve self blame.
You sound so good now and like you are getting stronger every day, that’s what you should be concentrating on. I am really happy for you that you are finally seeing a better future.
JK
I know about "pathetic", but I believe it's not a description of the true me, but the condition of having an illness. It's great to observe the forward progression of the awakening you're experiencing. Just don't let any bad days be too discouraging. My own experience is that those days do come, but the good news is that they come and GO!
Jim
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I'm about 6 weeks out from taking the Effexor and my psychiatrist weaned me off with low doses of Prozac. At first 20mg but I thought I was losing my mind. The anxiety damn near killed me. She has upped my Xanax from .25 to .5 twice a day. It takes longer to go into affect but I think it lasts longer. Either that or the symptoms of the Effexor withdrawal are easing. However, yesterday I started having these "things" across my forehead. They feel like someone has stretched a rubber band across my forehead as tight as it could go and then let go! SNAP! Is this a brain zap? They don't really cause me any pain but just kind of disorient me for a second or so. It was a beautiful day here today so I tried to get some of my Christmas decorations up outside. I haven't put any up since my son passed away but am TRULY trying to get back into some kind of life routine. I noticed them more and more as the day went on....particularly when I bent over. It scared me. One good thing is that the brain fog of the Effexor is slowly lifting and I can actually do some daily chores. I cleaned out my fridge today which could have supplied an entire classroom with science projects! YUCK! When I see how far I have let things go in my life, it truly saddens me. I wasn't even able to keep my fridge cleaned out and my laundry done. Laundry is pretty well caught up and I'm trying to get my summer clothes out of my drawers and into containers for storage. I feel like this is a HUGE step for me. I have been living out of laundry baskets for the past five years never knowing where anything was....and ended up wearing the same things over and over and over again knowing that I had other nice clothes but just couldn't concentrate long enough to go look for them. How pathetic is that? I kind of feel like I've found new fall wardrobe! I found things hanging in my basement that I haven't seen for two or three seasons. The depression kept me in flannel pants and tshirts for the better part of the last few years. Now that I have some perception of just how bad off I was, it scares me to death. I truly could not take care of myself or my house....I needed a battle buddy to help me but there just wasn't anyone...these have been the loneliest, most horrifying years of my life. I miss my son so much....the holidays are so hard. For those of you who have family members who have seen military related combat and have returned home with PTSD, TBI or other issues, don't wait on the VA to help them. There isn't anyone there who will help. It takes true dedication of their FAMILY and FRIENDS to get them healthy again. At least as healthy as they will probably ever be. Watching a young 22 year old self destruct for 6 long years was so tragic. I begged the VA for help. I begged other Veterans for help. But there just wasn't anyone there. In hindsight, I wish I would have made him quit his job, move back in with me so that I could be there with him when he would endure the nightmares, flashbacks, rage and despair that visited him every single day and night. I listened to others tell me that he was a man and he would have to figure it out for himself. A mother knows in her gut when her child is suffering no matter how old they are. If I could just hold him one more time and tell him I would do anything and I mean anything to help him. I think that is one of the most horrible things about mental health. Yes, he was a man but he didn't know how to reach out. Sometimes when we find ourselves in those situations we HAVE to have someone who loves us advocate for us, hold us when we need it, sit at the edge of the bed and comfort us, and truly show us the love and compassion that are the only things that will get us through those dark times....Never be afraid to hold someone's hand, give a hug, knock on their door until they answer it, and tell them how much you love and care about them....it will save a life....I promise.