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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (6299)Comment receiving replies
Wow, just found this place as I have decided today to finally wean myself off Effexor/venlafaxine. Taking 75 mg for over 10 years and now that I’m retired, I feel strongly that this doctor I had then pushed them on me without any questions or background of depression. I was going thru menopause and hormones were bouncing around me like a teenager. Fast forward to now at 64 I’m experiencing some ptsd from childhood trauma and I’m still on meds. I feel like my meds are not working anymore and expect my doc to recommend increasing the dosage but I can’t do this anymore. I’m in counselling for ptsd, trauma right now and I’m working of living thru it.
I understand weaning is long process and I’m here to learn real experiences from this group. I will be contacting my current new doctor to let her know I will be weaning myself off ASAP.
I read several posts here talking about weaning thru reducing the bits in the pill itself. Wondering what you would use to perform this daunting task! Or do pharmacists create lower dosage pills to essentially wean me off thru my drs prescriptions. Wish it was that easy.
I’ve lived reasonably well without meds until menopause so I feel strongly I was misdiagnosed and want my own creative life back. Tired of the zings in my head, ear ringing, vivid disturbing dreams, and gastro issues, etc etc... My goal is to finally “BE” without these meds.
Your help is greatly appreciated! ❤️
Replies to "Wow, just found this place as I have decided today to finally wean myself off Effexor/venlafaxine...."
@searchgirl welcome! We just open up the capsules and take out the little balls...our pediatrician prescribes and nominally supervises the process but generally speaking we're on our own. My best advice to you is to take it SLOW! Docs will recommend big drops in dosage but we've had success going down 1-5 mg every few weeks. Yes, it takes longer but there have been virtually no withdrawl symptoms. It's taken almost a year to go from 150 down to 50 but we're ok with that😊
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What you want to be is successful with your weening, and so I highly recommend NOT doing anything until you inform your doctor. Then, yes, if everyone is on the same page, do NOT rush this process. I was on 75 for over 20 years and then 37.5 for a year and a half for weening. Take your time. Open the capsules. Meditate and learn mindfulness. Get enough sleep and ban stress from your life. You definitely Italy can do this. It has been done. The trick is do NOT rush. But also, that’s what worked for me. Don’t get discouraged if your doctor recommends Zoloft or Prozac as a bridge. Read these posts. Some people do better with a bridge. Lastly, I’m glad you got yourself counseling. I hope they are good! But just remember to go easy on yourself. You’re smart and know your body. I have a good feeling about you!