Weaning off Effexor- is there any way to make this more bearable?

@lilred
If your doctor told you to decrease your dose by that much and that quickly s/he’s an idiot. Every 3 days is insanity. Doctors are not Gods. You might want to think about your doctors advice considering medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. So in 24 days you went from 300mg to -0- WOW!
There have been studies done that recommend reducing your dose 5-10% every 4 -6 weeks. I’d guess those zaps are going to be around for awhile unless your one of the lucky ones. You may want to ask your doctor about restarting your medication until the zaps stop, unless he’s the one who came up with this plan, if so I’d be looking for a new doctor.
Good luck and wishing you health and happiness,
Jake

OMG WHO IS YOUR DOCTOR? He or she should come with a health warning. You are very very lucky the side effects were not a hundred times worse - the advice you received was highly dangerous, it should have taken about 4 to 6 months at least for you to come off 300mg Effexor, and don’t worry, they are an excellent drug for anxiety etc. and with the right help you can come off them completely over time. 300 mg is a high dose. I suggest you go back on them under the right supervision. Please see a doctor with experience in mental health you CANNOT play around with these drugs. The very best of luck.

Well, the thing was that we only continue going down like that if my brain/body tolerated it. Never would have continued doing it like that if I were having adverse effects during the drop. The only time I’ve felt bad side effects is the days after I took my last dose.

I am so happy with my doctor that I would defend her as well. Please please see this as it really is - under no circumstances should you have been allowed to reduce ur dosage the way you did, NEVER EVER EVER. it has nothing to do with it suiting ur Brain Body it was a huge risk, which tells us, your doctor knows nothing about mental health. That is not to say he/she is not a good doctor. There are horses for courses. One size does not fit all. If you look up reducing Effexor on google, it will explain it to you better than I can ,slowly slowly is the only way. Take care of yourself.

@lilred
Hi
Are you still having symptoms? If so you might want to ask your doctor if you should take a low dose to stop your symptoms then restart your taper at a much slower rate.
Hope to hear your better soon,
Jake

Im actually gradually starting to feel relief. It’s a slow process but at least it’s starting to clear up.

@lilred
Hello!
There are many of us trying to come off of Effexor, who are experiencing the same thing you are.
I just started last week weaning down from 150mg in the am and pm.
I have not yet experienced the 'zaps.'

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ANTIDEPRESSANT WITHDRAWAL: IS THERE SUCH A THING?

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If you stop taking antidepressants, could you experience antidepressant withdrawal? Do withdrawal symptoms mean you were addicted to the drug?
Answer From Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Antidepressant withdrawal is possible if you abruptly stop taking an antidepressant, particularly if you've been taking it longer than six weeks. Symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal are sometimes called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome and typically last for a few weeks. Certain antidepressants are more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms than others.

Quitting an antidepressant suddenly may cause symptoms within a day or two, such as:

Anxiety
Insomnia or vivid dreams
Headaches
Dizziness
Tiredness
Irritability
Flu-like symptoms, including achy muscles and chills
Nausea
Electric shock sensations
Return of depression symptoms
Having antidepressant withdrawal symptoms doesn't mean you're addicted to an antidepressant. Addiction represents harmful, long-term chemical changes in the brain. It's characterized by intense cravings, the inability to control your use of a substance and negative consequences from that substance use. Antidepressants don't cause these issues.

To minimize the risk of antidepressant withdrawal, talk with your doctor before you stop taking an antidepressant. Your doctor may recommend that you gradually reduce the dose of your antidepressant for several weeks or more to allow your body to adapt to the absence of the medication.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe another antidepressant or another type of medication on a short-term basis to help ease symptoms as your body adjusts. If you're switching from one type of antidepressant to another, your doctor may have you start taking the new one before you completely stop taking the original medication.

It's sometimes difficult to tell the difference between withdrawal symptoms and returning depression symptoms after you stop taking an antidepressant. Keep your doctor informed of your signs and symptoms. If your depression symptoms return, your doctor may recommend that you start taking an antidepressant again or that you get other treatment
Products and services
Mayo Clinic on Better Hearing Balance
Free E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall

Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now
If you stop taking antidepressants, could you experience antidepressant withdrawal? Do withdrawal symptoms mean you were addicted to the drug?
Answer From Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Antidepressant withdrawal is possible if you abruptly stop taking an antidepressant, particularly if you've been taking it longer than six weeks. Symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal are sometimes called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome and typically last for a few weeks. Certain antidepressants are more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms than others.

Quitting an antidepressant suddenly may cause symptoms within a day or two, such as:

Anxiety
Insomnia or vivid dreams
Headaches
Dizziness
Tiredness
Irritability
Flu-like symptoms, including achy muscles and chills
Nausea
Electric shock sensations
Return of depression symptoms
Having antidepressant withdrawal symptoms doesn't mean you're addicted to an antidepressant. Addiction represents harmful, long-term chemical changes in the brain. It's characterized by intense cravings, the inability to control your use of a substance and negative consequences from that substance use. Antidepressants don't cause these issues.

To minimize the risk of antidepressant withdrawal, talk with your doctor before you stop taking an antidepressant. Your doctor may recommend that you gradually reduce the dose of your antidepressant for several weeks or more to allow your body to adapt to the absence of the medication.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe another antidepressant or another type of medication on a short-term basis to help ease symptoms as your body adjusts. If you're switching from one type of antidepressant to another, your doctor may have you start taking the new one before you completely stop taking the original medication.

It's sometimes difficult to tell the difference between withdrawal symptoms and returning depression symptoms after you stop taking an antidepressant. Keep your doctor informed of your signs and symptoms. If your depression symptoms return, your doctor may recommend that you start taking an antidepressant again or that you get other treatment

I had the same thing happen to me when I tried to wean off. My doctor did a slower titrate. I started by taking the next lower dose for a week. Then every few days for a week or so. Then we went to the next lower dosage, and so on. At one point she skipped the last lowest dosage and cut me off. Did I ever get sick. Those brain zaps are horrible, nausea, but worst of all is I sobbed for two days uncontrollably. Anxiety off the charts. I had taken it for 7 or 8 years. I tried a few others and finally settled for Wellbutrin as well. I started on medication back in 1999 and back then I was told the drug was perfectly safe and there would be no problem if I had to get off of it. My most recent psych nurse said back then they were not as aware. So many psychotropic meds have withdrawals.

Please speak to a psychiatrist if u need too, I attend my psychiatrist once a year since I started taking Effexor 13 years ago. I had to take 225mg starting with 75mg 4 weeks later 150mg and 4 weeks later 225mg.

Reducing down was done by reducing the mg very slowly until u reach 10 or 5mg. I don’t know how low the mg’s go to but stay on the lowest dose for at least two months. if u are not having bad side effects on the low dose, miss one day first week then two days second week and so on. If you are on 300mg you should come down over eight to 12 months, I am not a doctor but I am explaining to u the way I was managed by a mature psychiatrist slowly slowly reduce. (Also May I suggest u look up the web And ask how to reduce the mg while taking Effexor) hope this helps.

I would like to know about this too.