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@mommapsych

My 16 (then 15) year old daughter has been weaning from Effexor for about 8 months. We couldn't find anyone to help us as we live in an area with a critical shortage of adolescent psych. providers. Our pediatrician finally consented to supervise. She had been on Effexor for about 9 months and was taking 150 mg when we began the weaning process. At first, our pediatrician thought we could go from 150 to 75...no go. My daughter reacted like she did when she forgot a dose once that ended up in an ER visit! We sat down with our doctor and asked if we could wean her by just counting out the little balls and taking her down a couple every week. We found out that one little ball approximately equals 1 mg. We started June of 2018 and are now down to 55 mg. So far, so good. She does have headaches the first couple of days after we reduce the dosage. She is also experiencing significant and on-going gastro-intestinal difficulties and we won't know until she is off completely what role the Effexor is playing with these symptoms. We DEEPLY regret ever putting her on this medication. The effects were understated by the prescribing provider. In retrospect, she was in crisis that ended up resolving itself after a few lifestyle changes and we jumped the gun with medication. Sometimes I just wish we could rip the bandaid off and be done with it, but she just can't tolerate it when we take her down more than 5 mg at a time. We see the light at the end of the tunnel though and are cautiously optimistic that we will be done weaning this summer although we understand from this forum that it could still take weeks/months until she is feeling more herself again. Good luck to all of you and know that you have a friend on your journey!

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Replies to "My 16 (then 15) year old daughter has been weaning from Effexor for about 8 months...."

@mommapsych bless her heart! Such a young age to have to go through this. But so glad you know to go slow. Your in my prayers!

@mommapsych There is something called 5HTP. You can get it over the counter or on the internet. Very helpful. Also, Omegbrite and Complex B vitamins were recommended to me before I ever started the process. When she has the headaches, check her blood pressure. It caused mine to go extremely high. I was on it for about 10 years. After 8 months, my pressure was rising so high, my doctor said to rip the bandaid off and I was down to a sliver anyway, so i did it. It is a horrible drug. If you have access to it, look into NAD therapy.... they have a formula that goes under the tongue. I've been off for about 6 weeks and have the worst brain fog ever still. The brain zaps were intense for me about 2 weeks, now less and less and I get a little light headed, especially in the evening. The 5HTP really helps... Good luck

I am so very sorry you are all going through this! Please don't blame yourselves as parents for allowing your child to be treated, you were only doing what you could and as we here all know, there is no information about how difficult this med is to go off of in the dispensing information. Congrats for searching out the best for her, and good good luck!