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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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@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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1 Reaction@cherrycherry
How's is going now? Are you still clear of the panic attacks and off the Effexor?
@david707 isn't that a bit of up and down?? how do u know how many beads your getting?? say ( just for a number ) 100beads in one half of the capsule and 40 in the other half ??
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1 Reaction@rufus31 hi ,still off . I have painkillers petagablin 25 mg. X2 daily . I’m sure these are helping? I don’t feel that great but no panics waking me up,Thankfully. I feel super sensitive and confused but that could be old age 🤣Thank you for taking the time to ask,it’s greatly appreciated
@cherrycherry
That's great news that you have been able to stay off. I would think the painkillers assist a little in numbing any major withdrawal effects. I hope the path only gets better for you 🙂
I have changed to other meds from Effexor numerous times without any significant side effects. Sounds like you need a minimum dosage to keep anxiety at bay. Your doctor may suggest a different med. You might ask for some small dosages of Valium or Xanax while switching. Many doctors are too cautious about prescribing Benzos even for the short term. Hopefully your doctor is more sympathetic to the unnecessary pain we go through while seeking a remedy. I am presently taking a natural anxiety remedy that works for me while taking 75 mg Effexor. You also need to inform your doctor about your lack of sleep which interferes with your coping with stress.