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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (6363)Comment receiving replies
Honestly, I don't think it's true that there's many people with no negative withdrawl effects from Effexor. There are waaay to many people with issues about it. France tried to ban it - I don't know if they actually did and a lawsuit was taken up against the pharmaceutical company for not providing accurate info on it's withdrawl effects and not providing low enough dosage to get off of it smoothly. I've had only minor effects getting off of 3 other antidepressants. There was nothing to write home about. I think that for some reason there's an attempt to downplay the withdrawl off this. I do think it's true that if told that things can be bad maybe there's some truth to the placebo effect but I would like to know what I'm being prescribed and the benefits/risks/effects. Then I choose what I"m willing to risk.
Replies to "Honestly, I don't think it's true that there's many people with no negative withdrawl effects from..."
@mdw123
I also want to know what I’m taking. My doctor has started asking me “May I write you a prescription for xyz?” Once my doc brought me her PDR, I said “where’s the supplement” she said “try and get by.” She has a good since of humor.
Anyway, approximately 30+ million people in the US take antidepressants. Also keep in mind on forums your much more likely to have people who have negative effects. You must keep in mind how long some of these people have been taking them. 25% of people taking them have been on them for ten years or longer. Patients need to do more than just have the attitude of just popping a pill. The reason your doctor doesn’t give you a discontinuation schedule is because the manufacturer doesn’t have one. Keep in mind antidepressants were not really intended for long term use. Studies were usually done for 2 years or less. Although stopping slowly is no guarantee it will prevent the effects of discontinuation syndrome it usually helps. Effexor has a very short half life. Shorter the half life the sooner the Withdrawal symptoms normally show up. Effexor half life is only 5 hours.
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@mdw123 I KNOW I had/have withdrawal effects from Effexor. I tapered off very slowly over two months from only 25mg. I didn't have any problems UNTIL 6.5 weeks after the last dose. Insomnia, shakes, dizziness, anxiety, fear, crying jags, despondency and akathisia all occurred. I wasn't ever taking Effexor for emotional/mental issues--I was taking it because it controlled hot flashes. I do not believe in that 6.5 weeks, I developed a mental condition; I believe my body could no longer find any of the drug in my fat stores (I was on it for 18 years) and these were withdrawal symptoms.