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Effexor Tapering Off and Side Effects
I am tapering off Effexor after being on it for over a decade. I've noticed my stomach gets queasy & I have digestion issues. Has anybody else had this problem?
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I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder about 12 years ago and was put on Effexor. 2 years ago I had a lengthy episode to the point it was necessary to increase my Effexor dosage to 375 mg daily. I’ve been relatively stable since then and now trying to reduce my dosage. I am scared to reduce the dosage because of how bad I felt 2 years ago. I have worked hard at giving myself different tools to use (DBT, Music therapy, meditation, breathing techniques)
I don’t have a lot of medical support as the Psychiatrist that worked with me for almost a year passed away and there was nobody to replace her. I live in a very small rural community. The locum for my town told me to try reducing from the 375 mg to 300 mg daily. I’m on Day #4 and so far so good. I am wondering if I am going to experience negative symptoms, how long it might be before that happens? Thank you
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2 ReactionsUnder the circumstances, you can be your own best resource. 375 is the highest dose. Coming down 25 a week, or what you feel comfortable with, could work.
There is a Catch 22. You might do fine on much less than 325, but simply knowing that you are reducing the dose could cause increased anxiety.
A kind of placebo reaction in reverse.
Mostly, keep trying to find a physician who knows what she's doing. Having professional back-up can help you feel more secure.
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1 ReactionI know getting off too soon can hurt you, how long, can't put a time frame to it because everyone is different, reacts different, I know that when I get cut back its small, 50 mg and can go a month just to watch reactions good or not.
I would strongly recommend you read Deprescribing Guidelines by Dr Horowitz of Maudsley Hospital
He recommends a very slow decrease to avoid withdrawal effects
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2 ReactionsThe truth is, everyone's body is different. But to give you a bit of an idea, the extended-release version of Effexor leaves your body pretty quickly. About half of it is gone in 15 hours. The problem is that withdrawal symptoms can take a while to show up. It might be a few days, or even a couple of weeks, because your brain and body need time to get used to the lower amount of medicine.
It's great you are using DBT, music therapy and breathing techniques. These are helpful, not just for your anxiety, but also for dealing with the feelings that come with lowering your dose. Maybe you can try using them even more as you continue to cut back. Good luck!
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2 ReactionsKeep positive thoughts while you're adjusting dosage...it works🩵
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3 ReactionsI'd say give each reduction a least two weeks.
Best of luck!
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1 ReactionAbsolutely! Dr. Horowitz explains the effects of this drug on your brain/body, and how important a percentage decrease is. For example, a drop from 375 to 300 is a 20% decrease. If you can maintain that for weeks, then that's great. But you will likely need to decrease that percentage over time, because that becomes too much of a decrease from lower doses. In other words, it's doubtful you will be able to make a decrease of 75 mg each step of the way because that would become a larger percentage decrease (of the balance). Horowitz recommends something closer to 10%. But please look for his recommendations online or for his book because he explains things much better than I can.
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1 ReactionWhen you get to small doses you need to have longer periods at same dose
I have stayed as long as 6 weeks until I felt able to decrease further
Tapering small doses is the most difficult
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7 ReactionsI have currently been on 98 mg; I take 23 mg compounded formula in am and 75 mg XR in pm.
I’ve been on 23 mg for over a month now and still not ready to drop it any further. I am going so very slowly, .25 mg at a time. Anyone else having this issue?