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Effexor tapering question
I was on 112.5mg of XR for chronic pain. I started to taper from it over 20 weeks ago by cutting every 2 weeks. It was changed to IR in liquid form and I split it into 3 doses a day. Problem is I never did the math on how much the psychiatrist was cutting every time. I wasn't having issues at first as soon as I came down to around 60mg I'm getting stomach pain constantly, lost weight because can't eat due to pain, insomnia is horrible 3 4 days no sleep. I'm at 31mg and I can't keep going like this. I did the math and if I ask for an adjustment to cut 10% of the last dose every 2 weeks will take me another year or so to get off this horrendous drug. Is there a way I can ask to be given another medication that can cover effexor so I don't have to take it anymore and taper off that other one then. This is too painful.
Will I face withdrawal if I cross to another antidepressant? Please inform me.
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@cherrycherry just an update . No panics for 3 days .!! And no Venafaxine !!
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1 ReactionPsychiatrist cancelled (Argh!) my upcoming app't that I was waiting so desperately for ... Thankfully I was able to talk to him on the phone (Yay!) We decided since 6mos+ of increasing either my Effexor and/or Celexa, was not producing the desired results, it was time to chart a new course.
This is where you guys come in.
I'm about to embark on weaning myself off of 22yrs of being on Effexor, currently at 262.5mg.
I know it is going to be extremely difficult (Oh boy there is lots on that in the Forum😮 ) ....I'm just wondering if anybody, has done this without the extreme problems that others have reported??
I'm going to go VERY slow. I will count the little balls out of the capsule if I have to!
I am hoping to hear a couple of positive stories😬
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2 ReactionsHi @rufus31 - wanted you to know I moved your post here where others are talking about tapering off of venlafaxine (Effexor):
- Effexor tapering question https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/effexor-tapering-question/
Fellow members @cherrycherry @casstate @sallyo420 and others may have some tips for you and positive stories for coming off venlafaxine (Effexor).
rufus31 - did your prescribing doctor have a recommendation for a taper schedule for you? If so, what did they suggest?
Hi,
I wanted to reply and let you know I had very little trouble stopping Effexor xr after about 15 years. However, another drug, abilify, was a toughie for me. I think it’s dependent on the person (I know, duh). But hang in there, hopefully it goes smoothly for you 🤞🤞.
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2 Reactions@lisalucier
Thank you so much for doing that. I look forward to reading other people's experiences, hopefully some positive 😉
Yes, since the increases did not work (150->225->300😮 then down to 262.5) we figured it was time to wean off so we could introduce another antidepressant. I'm still on the Celexa, so am really hoping that will balance off some of the possible neg's of coming off the Effexor.
He referred me to the usual way of doing it, but I am going to do it at a much slower pace.
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1 Reaction@joy1976
Thank you 😊 Hearing that put a little smile on my face. Many years ago I tapered from 225 to 150 and it wasn't too bad. I haven't been below 150 for 22yrs though!
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2 Reactions@rufus31
A hyperbolic taper, right from the start, is recommended by the experts in deprescribing (Horowitz, Sorensen, Peacock). I would do some reading before you start so you are comfortable with how to do it. If I could go back and do it this way, I might not be suffering like I am. Good luck!
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1 Reaction@lisalucier My doctor was fine with me using the Prozac to use as a bridge but no one has done any studies on it and there are no official protocols so I think doctors are afraid of possibility liability. Anyway, I figured it out with a lot of research. My doctor prescribed the 37.5 mg of Effexor and I used that to get off of the 75mg. I used 40mg Prozac with the 37.5mg Effexor to begin the taper. After a few days to a week, I dropped the 37.5 Effexor and used 60mg Prozac. I did that with the next 2, 75mg as I was on 225mg. I was off the Effexor in a about 3 weeks and on the Prozac 40mg-60mg at the end and stayed on it for 2 months as there are sometimes some long term effects from the Effexor. After 1 month off the Effexor I had migraine headaches for 3 day from 5-10pm? Then they were gone? I read it can take a year sometimes for all the effects to go away. I haven't noticed any after 2 months. I had no withdrawal coming off the Effexor. Going off the Prozac was easy with the long half life.
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2 Reactions@mmsm
Thank you. 🙂 I had never heard of hyperbolic tapering. I just read up quickly about it and it seems so logical. I shall most certainly pay more attention now when I am down in the lower dose areas.
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1 Reaction@rufus31 I have been on & off Effexor for the last 25 years w/o significant withdrawal. But it was usually to switch to another medicine. Of late I switched again to another med but back again to 75 mg Effexor with no side effects. I have been opening the 150 mg caps and downing approximately 1/2 the beads every morning. I think it is a waste of time to count the little beads. I have not noticed any withdrawal symptoms. I am now doing great on 75 mg.
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