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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (6299)Comment receiving replies
Hello,
I am a 23 yr old male. I am a disabled veteran diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome, degenerative disc disease, multiple disc herniations, radiculapothy of both lower extremities, spinal arthritis, PTSD, severe anxiety, amd major depression. Back in April of 2017 was hospitalized due to my back injury. Ive never taken any antidepressants before but my body does not respond well to medications. In 2014 I was given a lethal combination of painkillers and muscle relaxers by my on base health clinic which caused an overdose. Ever since then it seems like my body rejects meds or builds up tolerance at an alarmingly fast amount of time. Long story short during my 2 week hospital stint in April, i was visited by a physc doctor. She prescribed me Venlafaxine. I started at 75mg but very quickly was increased to 150mg. During the first few weeks of taking this medication, I noticed that I felt extremely ill and week as well as became easily frustrated, agitated, and much more angry. I notified the VA who had taken over my treatment. My doctor told me that those were commom side effect and they would soon gradually fade. Abput 2 1/2 to 3 months in the anger frustration and agitation had gained strength. My wife constantly told me that this medication was changing my personality drastically. About the same time my depression had came in full force and was always affecting me. I was always unhappy and would blow up at the smallest of things. I began to realize something was indeed wrong. My PCP instructed me to taper off which caused the sickness to come back along with intense amounts of pain. I was then told to just discontinue taking the meds and no present day, 8 months later my personality hasnt changed back to before the meds where even though in pain with depression, i was still able to enjoy things with my wife and be a caring loving husband as well as a devoted father. I am constantly angry and unhappy. Agitated with the smallest of things falling further and further into my depression. This has my marriage barley held together by strings and i need help. My doctor has now presceibed mw Prozac to help. But is there anything i can do to be the man I was. I hope and pray that this dark cloud in my life fades away. I want to be happy and have a strong marriage but these issues make it impossible. Has anyone experienced anything similar? Is there any hope or am I a lost cause to this horrible decision to try venlafaxine?
Thank you for your input.
Replies to "Hello, I am a 23 yr old male. I am a disabled veteran diagnosed with chronic..."
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @floyd1956. Your experience with tapering off Effexor/venlafaxine and then feeling like you were dying unfortunately seems to be a common one, from what other members have shared on this thread.
How are you feeling today?
Life surely isn't easy on us who suffer with mental issues, is it? I also have civilian PTSD from my son's suicide. He was a young Marine who took his life after he returned home from Iraq after his third deployment. I am SO glad that your brother is getting the care he needs, earned and deserves from his local VA. Most Veterans are not so fortunate. I am divorced and live alone and really don't have much of a support system, which is my real problem. My parents and siblings have "had enough" as they say, thinking that after losing a child time should heal all wounds and life should resume as normal. That will never happen for me. Thank you for your advice about your psychiatrists. It's true. Some are meant to be and some are not. And those who are not are a REAL detriment to those who look to them for real help. I've been seeing someone since my psychiatrist also left her practice a couple of years ago to go to work for the VA. She enlisted in the Army and is helping (I hope!) our Veterans. Her husband was a Veteran and she and I talked a lot about my son....it was a connection I really hated to lose....unless you've gone through it, you can't imagine the pain of losing a child. One day at a time...baby steps and lots of prayers....I hope you continue to improve on your journey....
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@aober
I have to apologize from time to time to my wife about my shortness and irritability. I didn't serve in the military, but am treated for major depression, PTSD and other mental health issues, along with medical issues. I have what is called civilian PTSD, and I tell therapists I have PTSD from holy wars, having been a minister all of my adult life. After several suicide attempts, I retired at 55, and have seen a parade of therapists for twelve years. I've tried a parade of medications, as well. My psychiatrist added one last week to help with depression, which seems to have worsened the past several months.
I tried Effexor a number of years ago, but found it didn't help me, and tapered on to Wellbutrin while I tapered off Effexor. I guess I was fortunate not to have taken it long enough for it to be a problem getting off.
I was blessed with a good psychiatrist (who has since retired), who cared about me and put a lot of extra time and effort to stabilize me. My current one is also concerned and wants to help me. I think that has been key to my treatment. I met with one 3 times, and had no interest in seeing him ever again. One of my good therapists moved to work for more money at the VA. I'm certain she's doing good work with the veterans in her care.
My brother is a Vietnam vet, and had a rough life the 30 years after. Around ten years ago, he was almost dead from drugs and alcohol abuse. Our parents and a sister stuck close to him for a few years, and he's been clean and sober for quite awhile now, and lives alone in our parents' condo since they died. He lives in Fresno, close to a reasonably good VA hospital.
I guess I'm just saying that each of us needs an advocate, good doctors, and many of us need good psychiatric care. I hope that you find those people who are able to treat you appropriately and compassionately. I hope, as well, that your wife is strong enough to walk through this process with you.
Jim