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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (6299)Comment receiving replies
I honestly don't think it needs to be outlawed. That would create a huge problem for people who need it. Look at the 'opioid crisis' which all it has done is take needed medicine away from people in horrible pain.
I don't blame my psychiatrist for putting me on venlafaxine - but I do blame him for not warning me about the withdrawal. It should only be prescribed with a plan in place to help patients taper off. And backup plans in case of insurance problems. The side effects from this med were actually very mild compared to sertraline and a few others.
I hope everyone remembers that at least for depression, this is a medication that can do a lot of good. For me, it was the only thing that worked (until it stopped working). It is not inherently bad or dangerous. It's really the stopping taking it that is the problem.
I'm rather concerned about new patients that seem to find this thread and immediately decide to quit cold turkey without giving it a chance. Untreated depression is dangerous! The fad of anti-medication is actually killing people. Getting someone with depression into treatment is hard enough. And supplements don't work for moderate to severe depression. Even if they could, they have no guarantee they contain what is on the label, unlike a prescription.
Replies to "I honestly don't think it needs to be outlawed. That would create a huge problem for..."
After reading your post,yes it might work well for others. Please don't let my opinion of effexor effect other people's opinions. I do agree with you before putting someone on it there should be a plan in place if they need off of it.
@notaround
I agree. Effexor definitely has its uses. My first breast cancer was fed by estrogen and I was pre-menopausal. One of my treatments was to take the drug Tamoxifen which binds to estrogen. It put me into a chemical menopause. My hot flashes were being freezing cold one minute, boiling the next, freezing, boiling .... I was miserable and would have gone around the bend if I had not been given Effexor for its off-label use/side effect of controlling body temperature (at low doses). Back then, I did not have the time, nor the ability to research/try different drugs, or natural supplements to see if they would moderate my temperature. Effexor worked from the first pill and 20 years ago (and even today) was the standard of care to those in my situation.
The big issue to me is that there is no tried-and-true formula/protocol for getting off Effexor. It's all guess work and trial-and-error. Poster Leonard Holloway (@jakedduck1) said something like, "You'd have to look long and hard for a doctor who could help ... if you found one at all."
Hi, @notaround - thanks for what you've said here and the reminder that though many in this "Tips on minimising withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)" discussion are looking to taper off of this medication — many with extremely tough withdrawal symptoms — that venlafaxine (Effexor) can also do good for patients. A common thread in the many Connect discussions on antidepressants is that one medication does not fit all — what works is highly individualized.
Members can find another side of the discussion on venlafaxine (Effexor) in this thread https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/effexor-anyone-find-it-helps/. @notaround, I'd encourage you to post there with any comments you'd have, as well.
Thanks, also, for the concern you expressed for any patients taking venlafaxine (Effexor) who may find this thread and decide to quit cold turkey. Some of the members in this discussion may recall previous posts citing a Mayo Clinic pharmacist that said a slow taper, overseen by a medical professional, is usually recommended to avoid significant withdrawal-like symptoms and the possibility it may cause a sudden worsening of depression. This post has a summary of the pharmacist's points https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-on-minimising-withdrawal-symptoms-from-effexor-aka-venlafaxine/?pg=79#comment-111331.
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I am in agreement with you!! I do not blame my psychiatrist for putting me on this drug. I was suffering from extreme anxiety. I could not go out of my house to go to work and I couldn't even go for a ride to my children's houses. I was put on Effexor. It was a life saver. It worked so well that my PCP suggested I come off and she gave me a schedule. Within a couple days, I had a severe anxiety attack while at a work function. I went back on my pills when I go home. After a couple of weeks I saw it did not help. I was devastated. The psychiatrist explained that it wouldn't work for about 6 months. So, we tried a few other meds and NON worked. At 6 months I requested that I go back on the Effexor. I did, and it worked. It never worked as well, but I did just fine.
That was many years ago. Throughout the years, my dosage has gone up and up. My highest dosage was 300 mg (two 75 mg in the morning and at night). My memory started to go and I always felt like my head was in a fog. This time, I decided to lower the dosage. My psychiatrist left so I am doing this VERY, VERY slowly! It is not my intention to get completely off, just to get down to a dosage I feel is reasonable. I am thinking 37.5 mg in the morning and evening.
I will not bore you with the schedule I am using, but so far, so good. If that IS of interest to you, you can click on my name and see my postings where I have described my process many times.
So yes, I do not think people should automatically come off if it is working and the patient is feeling good.
Thanks for bringing this topic to light!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)