When to jump to zero mg effexor? (and being patient!)

@pjs70
Why are people choosing to wean off this drug? Is it because you are cured and don’t need it anymore or has it stopped working? If you still suffer depression/anxiety, what will do after you’re off Effexor?

I had a different experience. I was on 150 mg of Effexor and tapered by 50 mg/month with no problems. Obviously, that’s not everyone’s experience! I was on it for a severe depression—not so much anxiety. What resolved that depression was 2 weeks of SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intermittent Neuromodular Therapy)—which is a variation of TMS treatment. Even tho’ the depression was completely resolved with SAINT, I was afraid of going off the Effexor—but eventually, after a year or so, I started the above taper. In May, it will be 4 years post SAINT with no recurrence. I understand that in some people there is a recurrence, which just goes to show that there is individual variation in response to treatments.
Perhaps try tapering by 1 mg/month? You can always go back up if you start having anxiety or “zaps.” If that happens, then try a 0.5 mg/month taper. You’ll get there!!

@pjs70
Why are people choosing to wean off this drug? Is it because you are cured and don’t need it anymore or has it stopped working? If you still suffer depression/anxiety, what will do after you’re off Effexor?

@pjs70
Why are people choosing to wean off this drug? Is it because you are cured and don’t need it anymore or has it stopped working? If you still suffer depression/anxiety, what will do after you’re off Effexor?

@meingan I was placed on Effexor for hot flashes--which should not happen today, but gynecologists are still prescribing it. I was not told when to stop taking it, nor how difficult it would be to stop. There is no excuse for anyone to be put on this drug now without being warned how difficult it is to stop--known as "informed consent"--but many doctors have no idea how difficult it is to taper Effexor. It is not even readily available in tapering doses, which is unconscionable. I filed a complaint with the FDA for these reasons.

@meingan I was placed on Effexor for hot flashes--which should not happen today, but gynecologists are still prescribing it. I was not told when to stop taking it, nor how difficult it would be to stop. There is no excuse for anyone to be put on this drug now without being warned how difficult it is to stop--known as "informed consent"--but many doctors have no idea how difficult it is to taper Effexor. It is not even readily available in tapering doses, which is unconscionable. I filed a complaint with the FDA for these reasons.

@njoys @tisme @pjs70
Thank you all for sharing your stories. I feel deeply saddened for your suffering. I had started taking Effexor for 4 weeks and seeing all the horror stories I stopped cold turkey. Fortunately I didn’t suffer noticeable withdrawal symptoms but I also take a Benzo, clonazepam to control my anxiety. I take an average low dose of 0.25 -0.5 mg per day.
I asked this question to you all because I was thinking I should try the EF again because I’m suffering daily with the anxiety.
I have a niece who started on it about 1.5 - 2 months ago and she is tolerating it well it seems.
Anxiety is such a common problem. Why is it so difficult to come up with safe and effective drugs?

@meingan I was placed on Effexor for hot flashes--which should not happen today, but gynecologists are still prescribing it. I was not told when to stop taking it, nor how difficult it would be to stop. There is no excuse for anyone to be put on this drug now without being warned how difficult it is to stop--known as "informed consent"--but many doctors have no idea how difficult it is to taper Effexor. It is not even readily available in tapering doses, which is unconscionable. I filed a complaint with the FDA for these reasons.

@njoys
The strangest thing about my anxiety is that it started suddenly out of nowhere. I also have a skin condition all over different parts of my body also started this same year, out of nowhere. I am a 67 yr women and am currently trying hormone replacement therapy because it seems that since my anxiety is not lifestyle changes or situational, it may be hormones.
The other very strange thing is that by bedtime the anxiety subsides but like clockwork it starts immediately on waking and lasts all day.
I’m being cared for by a naturopathic doctor with the HRT. Only been on it for 2.5 weeks and haven’t notice much. But I’m going to persevere because I understand HRT may take 3 months to show effectiveness.
So if you have hot flashes, HRT might be what you need.

I had a different experience. I was on 150 mg of Effexor and tapered by 50 mg/month with no problems. Obviously, that’s not everyone’s experience! I was on it for a severe depression—not so much anxiety. What resolved that depression was 2 weeks of SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intermittent Neuromodular Therapy)—which is a variation of TMS treatment. Even tho’ the depression was completely resolved with SAINT, I was afraid of going off the Effexor—but eventually, after a year or so, I started the above taper. In May, it will be 4 years post SAINT with no recurrence. I understand that in some people there is a recurrence, which just goes to show that there is individual variation in response to treatments.
Perhaps try tapering by 1 mg/month? You can always go back up if you start having anxiety or “zaps.” If that happens, then try a 0.5 mg/month taper. You’ll get there!!