Looking for help and support in stopping Effexor

I urge you to BELIEVE the horror stories. 😳
I was within that hell, after being on Effexor Extended Release for about 15 years, prescribed by my primary who was evidently clueless about the evils of that drug, and also failed to check my blood pressure regularly. (I've been taking 2 BP meds for years now due to how my pressure went from a tranquil zone to a serious high.) She was a hands-off physician, insipid physicals (I spent more time with the nurse than with my doctor) and missed altogether how I was NOT improving while on that drug. Finally woke up to that fact: On an antidepressant and yet my depression kept getting WORSE. I didn't feel good about myself, and became anorexic. I'll cut to the chase since I've detailed several times before on this site my ordeal and the journey toward freedom from the clutches of that devil drug: I sought the help of a trusted neurologist in my life at that time, she agreed to help me taper off and get off that drug. With a carefully detailed week by week calendar, I slowly got off the drug because STOPPING TOO SOON can result in serious conditions, especially for me with heart arrhythmia. People have been known to die from cardiac arrest. It took many months, and she was always available to me for check ups and also when I needed to just 'check-in' with a call. BUT I SUCCEEDED GETTING OFF THE DEVIL DRUG and am FOREVER grateful to that doctor. And yes, I dropped that primary doctor who had such a laid-back approach to practicing medicine.

I do NOT support "counting beads" as a means of tapering off this or any other "bead" medication. My extensive research found that medical institutions do not support that method either. I know quite a few members on this site have written that they use that method. But I've also read of members who find it so difficult weaning on their own that they then UP the dosage and remain on the drug. GET MEDICAL SUPPORT.

One member recently commented that her physician informed her that Effexor was the best one possible. SO UNTRUE, and SO UNPROFESSIONAL in my opinion.

I subsequently went a few years without any antidepressant, finally agreeing to Zoloft (low dose). That did not help either, and also created hallucinations, etc....so AGAIN got help from the psychiatric nurse who had prescribed it. I found Zoloft to be even harder to get rid out of my body, dragging on weeks after the last "weaning dose", having to deal with torturous side effects. The PN wrote prescription to my pharmacist for DROPS, to be taken in a specific amount of water, and after a time (don't recall how long) I was FINALLY FREE, no "whoosh" sounds in my ears, nor any of the other nasties that had lingered.

I swore off ALL antidepressants after those awful experiences. My personal choice. Everyone has to make their own. But my advice when asked is DO NOT take Effexor, be wary of how you decide to get off the medication, and be especially careful if you have a chemical/drug sensitive system.
Best of luck to you, I know all too well how difficult is the journey of depression.

My anxiety is always going to be there. But the switch was unilateral to me

Did you have problems or side effects with deslafexane
that encouraged you to stop taking it? Im curious since I’ve been on it 6 months just had problem with nausea when first started taking it.
Im wondering if it may cause a little anxiety also. Thank you

I was on effexor so it's a step down as a weaning tool.the desvenlafaxine was no different to me than effexor, maybe less effective. To ME. with the help of desvenlafaxine and a benign ssri I will be done weaning off effexor. Thank goodness. I've heard horror stories of getting off effexor. This has been no picnic for sure!!!! Answer is desvenlafaxine did not help me at all except to help me off effexor. All snri are hell to come off.

How did the Pristiq help you wean off effexor? Did it prevent side effects? Did you cross-taper? Thanks in advance.

Several weeks ago, I was determined to quit effexor since it was not helping me. But the wait-time for an appointment with IBH was weeks. So...I tapered off rather crudely with the "bead method." I'm here, home from work, getting the "zaps" while I write this. For 4 days it's been zaps, nausea, hypersensitivity to scents/light/sound, irritability, fatigue, amongst other things. I'm getting married in a couple months and I heard withdrawal can last weeks, months, even years. For now all I can do is cope with the symptoms and hopefully get approved for short-term disability. God, I hope psychiatry gets the memo soon. Rx meds don't always help and can sometimes make things so much worse. These things shouldn't be handed out like candy. Mental health is so much more than "chemical imbalances," and people need to be treated holistically.

I had over 20 years. I rode out the withdrawals from 37.5 with exercise and patience. It was worth it.

Yes!!!! I will advise what I did in a week after I am 4 days clear of the desvenlafaxine. I want to be certain it works. I will say that anyone quitting desvenlafaxine or effexor without taking something mild along side of the 1 month stoppage is completely CRAZY!!!!!! But it's been simple and only 4 weeks. I had 3 days of dizziness. And I have 3 days to go before I completely STOP. And I'm EXTREMELY sensitive to everything. I'll write in 1 week.

I agree with RX meds being handed out like candy. The Medical Industrial Complex has many parallels with the Military Industrial Complex
Those that fall under the umbrella of either absolutely feel they are necessary for their well being or safety.
Most that profit from either, sincerely believe the same.
I was a functional alcoholic and drug user for decades. I saw nothing wrong as I was able to (barely) hold down jobs and relationships. Psychotropic meds can cause a false sense of normalcy until they are gone. I applaud you quitting!!! I used marijuana as a crutch until it was required to stop, in order to become a kidney donor for Mayo. I had no problem discontinuing that.
But it did help the anxiety. I absolutely do not advocate or endorse the use of any psychotropic drug. And I have zero desire to use any ever again. You are a rock star for doing what you are doing!! Through our common destination our paths have crossed. And for this brief moment we travel together. I hope to meet again my friend.

It is an honor @trooperdogg1960. Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your own story. I wish you many more triumphs! Peace, my friend.