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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 17 hours ago | Replies (6411)Comment receiving replies
UPDATE: I have been weaning off 112 mg of Effexor XR that I have been on for approximately 15 years. I also take 75 mg of Wellbutrin XL.
I am tapering slowly- 10 mg every 4 weeks. I am now on my 3rd week at 70 mg.
NEED ADVICE PLEASE: Since I got down to 70 mg, I started feeling more anxious than usual so I’ve been taking 1 mg of Ativan as well. Today I feel right out of it. My eyes feel heavy, feel down and just want to sleep. Do I stay on 70 mg longer than the 4 weeks I’m used to? I feel like hell at the moment. 75% of the time I’m not depressed but still not much motivation. Can’t be bothered with putting up my tree or Xmas lights outdoors like I’m used to. The anxiousness really bothers me. I asked my doctor to take my blood pressure fearing it’s something other than the pills. He said BP is fine.
Replies to "UPDATE: I have been weaning off 112 mg of Effexor XR that I have been on..."
Sabrina, give it a few days to see how you feel, the anxiety may dissipate. And sleep if you need to, your body is healing and needs rest. Epsom salts baths usually help me with anxiety. Hang in there, it sounds like you've made great progress!
@maryathome
Good Morning!
One of the reasons we wean so slowly is to try to have as few side affects as possible.
It is just my OPINION that you need to read your own body.
Doctors can give you suggestions based on the history of others and what works.
If you are having such horrible withdrawal, I SUGGEST either upping it back to where you were fine (although you may NOT get the same impact) and staying on that dosage for longer, or staying on the dosage you are on now for longer.
Remember, the doctor gave you guidelines. Read your body and do what works best.
I am also weaning very slowly, 1/4 of a tablet taken away every other day for 3 weeks and then every day for 3 weeks. However, if I start to get any withdrawal symptoms that are bothersome, I will stay on the dosage or add to the dosage for as long as necessary. I do not care if it takes me a year or more. I take 150 mg in the am and 150 mg in the pm. Not looking to come off all together but looking to come down substantially.
Please remember that I am NOT in the medical field. I am basing answers on my own experiences.
Feel good!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
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@sabrina..did your doctor suggest anything or say anything when you told him how you felt?