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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
@patjen Please read the many posts on this thread. I took over two months to taper off 25mg (taken for 18 years for hot flashes). When a taper is too fast (experiencing withdrawal symptoms), the recommendation is to go back to the dose where you were feeling fine and stay there for a while (weeks, months, whatever) before attempting to taper again to not so quite a reduced dose. Slower is better and more likely to lead to successful cessation of Effexor--especially since you've been on this drug for a long time. Please be aware that Effexor messes with your brain's neurotransmitters--serotonin and norepinephrine; while reducing and after getting off Effexor, it takes your brain a while to figure out how to rebalance serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin is believed to help regulate mood and social behavior, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire and function. Norepinephrine acts as a stress hormone and is released into the blood when the brain perceives that a stressful event has occurred.
Is your doctor helping you get off Effexor? It is easier to reduce your dose if he changes you over to the tablet form (which can be cut), or gives you a prescription where you can use a compounding pharmacy to make reduced dosages (costs some and may not be available where you live). Click on my name and see my past posts where I explain the "Prozac bridge" technique some have used successfully to get off Effexor; you then taper off Prozac which is supposed to be easier.
For the bruxism, your dentist can help you with an appliance you wear at night to reduce the wear and tear on your teeth and jaws; you "click" these onto your top set of teeth and the plastic material cushions your teeth. I have also seen some over-the-counter ones at drug stores--less expensive and no waiting for the appliance to be custom-made.
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@texasduchess Thank you so much for your response 🙂 I woke up today feeling much better after taking that 1/2 dose yesterday. Yes...will continue on this dose for a while and then attempt to taper again...in Australia the 37.5mg dose is only available with an authority prescription which gives you one mth's supply...it is a capsule and not a tablet...so it is necessary to visit the GP each mth for a new script...I feel that halving the beads in the capsules a better solution...no, I am not doing this with medical supervision...mainly because I have not met a doctor or physician locally who really understands SNRI withdrawal syndrome...I have an elevated BP and have been on anti hypertensives for quite a few years and also developed inappropriate sinus tachycardia which I control with Coralan...my cholesterol is also elevated and I am very resistive to taking a Statin...I am watching my diet currently....am abstaining from alcohol and trying to exercise daily...I had success with reducing my Cholesterol in the past with Bergamet...don't want to take another drug considered poison to rectify a condition that the Effexor may be responsible for....The Corolan was initially prescribed by a cardiologist some yrs ago when I developed the tachycardia...I have mentioned on numerous occasions to specialists and GP's re the possible connection to the Effexor and my hypertension and tachycardia...they just look at me blankly...they have no idea re the possible connection with my symptoms and don't really appear too interested in investigating the connection....yes..I have spoken to my dentist re the occlusal splints and will pursue this 🙂 I had invisalign treatment so already have a retainer for my top teeth which I pop in when the symptoms become too much...you should see the wear and tear on this little number !! gives me an indication of the punishment it receives whilst I sleep....I have read about the Prozac bridge technique and will consider it if I am unsuccessful with tapering...thank you so much for your advice...so, tell me....are you now off this drug completely and how do you feel...I really need to hear a success story as I haven't found one on the internet currently 🙂 Kindest regards...Pat