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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (6412)Comment receiving replies
Holy crap! I tried that and had a complete emotional breakdown out of the blue in public and it came out of nowhere. Then I was so sick. I had to start taking a lower dosage. I'm so ticked off that I wasn't informed about this med when prescribed. I've been on and off of a number of antidepressants with only brain zaps to deal with but this one is a whole other category of scary to get off of. I'm down to 75 since first week of September and have gotten to where I can take it every other day but get quite sick by the 3rd day - nausea, tired, achy, headaches..
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@mdw123
Good Morning!
I've been on Effexor for many, many years.
Right now, I am on 300 mg (150 in am and pm).
After some terrible things I experiences, my Effexor dosage was upped several times.
Beyond that, my story about stopping Effexor.
I ALWAYS had this nervous feeling within my body, even when I was a very young child.
At one point in my adult life, I started to go for therapy, but the therapy did not work regarding the internal 'nervousness' I was feeling.
My therapist suggested I see a psychiatrist about meds.
I did and was put on Effexor and was diagnosed with generalized anxiety.
It worked GREAT!
I worked so well, that my primary care physician suggested I come off them SLOWLY.
I cannot remember the tapering off schedule, but I do remember that I started with the evening dosage.
It was in the summer, about a month after my doc suggested to come off the Effexor.
I don't remember at what point I was in the tapering off schedule.
I was a school principal.
I worked summers and enjoyed the quiet school a lot!
I went to a fantastic workshop.
The presentor was top notch and had us in stiches.
I was having such a good time!!!!!
I excused myself from the table to use the rest room.
Walking down the hall, I had this wavy feeling go through me.
I got to the rest room as quickly as I could because I remembered exactly what it was.
I had the start of an anxiety attack.
I got into the rest room an sat down.
I started with the self talk as my entire body started to quiver, sweat ran down my fact and my mouth became one cotton ball.
It took a few splashed of cold water and shaking before I was in good enough shape to return to my seat.
Point is, there was NOTHING to bring on the attack.
I now know, I was starting withdrawal.
When I got home I took an Effexor.
I waited but it didn't work.
I called the psychiatrist and she explained that once you get off it (any part of your dosage) you cannot go back on for another 6 months.
We tried 2 other meds (can't remember which), neither of them worked.
When I hit the 6 month period, I went back on to Effexor (my choice).
It never worked as well, but at the time, it was the only thing that did work.
Like many members, I would like to come off. I know it will be a VERY long process.
I am thinking up to 2 years.
GOOD LUCK!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)