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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
Hello! I am not sure how to post so I’m just replying. First I’d like to say YAY!!!!! I am so excited to find people that know what being on Effexor is like!!! I have been on and off Effexor for 20 years now, each other time I got off I was only on a max dose of 150mg. This time I’m on 225mg for the past 2 1/2 years. I appreciate all of your input/ sharing of experiences!!!
My question is this, in your experience have you found this med to cause sudden onset of sweating? And have you found it to numb you? I know it keeps you from going down but I feel like it keeps me from going up too. Thus the wanting to get off, I am working with a psychiatrist but prefer first hand experience even though I do realize everyone is different. Thank you for your time!
Jo
Replies to "Hello! I am not sure how to post so I’m just replying. First I’d like to..."
Glad you’re here, I was glad to find this place too. I think most psychiatrists would also urge psychological counseling. I resisted arrogantly for years until I finally gave in and went to a clinical social worker who uses cognitive based training. In less than a month I learned new skills and the self hating part of depression vanished. She said I learned unusually fast and it’s been many months since any such feelings have returned. So having those skills can hopefully offset symptoms.
@jdemet
I have definitely read while researching and many times on this site that Effexor caused sweating. Oddly, at low dosages, it curtails sweating which is why many breast cancer patients who cannot take hormones are given Effexor when menopausal hot flashes start. (I was on 25mg for this very reason.)
In researching and on this site, I have also read about the "numbness" of feelings effect. This is cited many times as why someone wants off Effexor.
You are very fortunate to be working with a psychiatrist to get off Effexor. I have been unable to find one (I am in the DFW Metroplex!); I'd like to work with someone who has familiarity with these drugs and getting people on/off them. My oncologist has 35 years' experience and has put hundreds of women patients on Effexor, but I am the only one who has told him of having difficulties with Effexor withdrawal. He is working with me, but we're both newbies to this.
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15 years at 150mg (extended release)....but completely off for nearly 10 days on a 4-5 week taper. Sweating when I tapered - YUP (I think I bought most of the icepacks on Amazon)..... I usually get some facial numbing going up or down on the drug - but I suspect you may be speaking about emotional blunting. In that case, Effexor can mellow the top end (I've had experiences of feeling really good and productive when I've cut my dose for a few days to try and reboot the drug at my old dose)....but that's not it's primary function....and the emotional blunting is something I believe gets reported for all the SSRIs.