1. < Depression & Anxiety

Weaning off Effexor with CBD Oil

Posted by melanier @melanier, Dec 27, 2018

After having my son last year, I had really bad postpartum. I talked to my doctor and she prescribed me Effexor. I started out with 75mg, it wasn't enough, so the doctor prescribed me 150mg. I was on that for awhile, but the side effects were interfering with my libido, so the doctor suggested I wean off of Effexor and start Wellbutrin. As I was weaning, I had the worst withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms were too much, so I quit trying to wean completely off of the Effexor, and was taking the 75mg of that and 150mg of Wellbutrin. It helped, a little, but my goal was to get completely off of Effexor so I'm trying again. And now my goal is to get off of the Effexor and Wellbutrin completely and try something natural like CBD oil. It's so hard dealing with the withdrawal symptoms, I'm trying to tell myself that this is a temporary thing and it'll be worth it in the end. Any advice for the symptoms? And has anyone had success with CBD oil for helping to wean, and using that for depression and anxiety?

Thanks!

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grandmaR | @grandmar | Feb 2, 2021
In reply to @lindeyt01 "@grandmar Thank you so much for your support. I had a similar incident where my psychiatric..." + (show)
@lindeyt01

@grandmar Thank you so much for your support. I had a similar incident where my psychiatric nurse suddenly left the practice when I was in mid-crisis. The only thing the practice could tell me was to find a new clinic (which I had to have a referral to). It was so disheartening. Congratulations on lowering your dosage!!!! I recently reviewed my medical records to get a clear idea of all my medication changes. When I first switched to Efferox I was told to continue to take Celexa at 10mgs and the Efferox at 37.5. I do not recall having as many side effects that time as I have had now. I think this is because I had not been on Celexa very long and both were low dosages. I am definitely not going cold turkey and switch back to Celexa this time around (like my PCP suggests). I am going to follow up with my doctor about a tampering method.

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@lindeyt01
You are very welcome.
When I lowered my Effexor, that was and has always been the only medication I have been taking.
I'm glad you will be speaking to others.
Please remember that many doctors suggest either going cold turkey or a fast decrease plan.
I know when I questioned my new psychiatrist about how he does the reduction for Effexor, it was MUCH faster than I did it.
Good luck!
Ronnie

REPLY
pankaj | @pankaj | Feb 2, 2021
In reply to @lindeyt01 "@pankaj Thank you for your reply. That is good to know. My doctor did not mention..." + (show)
@lindeyt01

@pankaj Thank you for your reply. That is good to know. My doctor did not mention any withdrawal symptoms associated with the medication swap. I have been reluctant to change over to Celexa. When I asked the pharmacist she said, "you should be ok, but everyone's body is different."

It is not so much the depression piece that impacts my life the greatest, it is my anxiety. I speak with a counselor weekly and have so for the last 6 months. She has provided me with my resources and new tools to help. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, GAD, and Major Depression. I was diagnosed with these disorders prior to seeking therapy. Unfortunately, I am constantly told by health care professionals that if I have anxiety, I have depression. I challenge that.

The reason I brought up CBD/Hemp oils is, I am curious if they will help the withdrawal symptoms. I experience panic and brain zaps when I have tried to come off the medications before.

Currently on:
Effexor 35.7 mg
Effexor 75 mg
Buspirone 10 mg (one a day up to three times a day)
I take it all at night.

I have been on
Celexa-lots of weight gain and no sexual desire
changed to Effexor (same issues and it made me so tired)
Prozac (anxious nonstop)
back to Celexa (same issues and very nauseated)
And back to Effexor
All of these medications were taken with Buspirone. Been on that for 5 years.

I have tried Vistaril as well. It helps but makes me so mean.

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@llndeyt01: Depression and anxiety are two sides of the same coin. I am saying this from experience, because I suffer from both. That is why the long-term treatment of anxiety is with anti-depressants, and not just anti-anxiety drugs. In many cases, a combination of both is used, as in your case [and mine]. Celexa is considered one of the safest drugs because it has virtually no side effects, in most cases. Effexor, on the other hand, is known for strong side effects. If you really want to shift completely from Effexor to Celexa--assuming that this is possible, in the first place--please do it under the supervision of your doctor, and gradually. Effexor is a drug which has to be handled carefully under medical supervision. But please don't worry or panic. Your illness is not something which cannot be handled. You will be fine, and will lead a normal life. It is simply a question of getting good medical advice. Also, pray to God. Prayer has great therapeutic value. I will pray for you. God bless you.

REPLY
hopalongnm3 | @hopalongnm3 | Feb 2, 2021
In reply to @lindeyt01 "@pankaj Thank you for your reply. That is good to know. My doctor did not mention..." + (show)
@lindeyt01

@pankaj Thank you for your reply. That is good to know. My doctor did not mention any withdrawal symptoms associated with the medication swap. I have been reluctant to change over to Celexa. When I asked the pharmacist she said, "you should be ok, but everyone's body is different."

It is not so much the depression piece that impacts my life the greatest, it is my anxiety. I speak with a counselor weekly and have so for the last 6 months. She has provided me with my resources and new tools to help. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, GAD, and Major Depression. I was diagnosed with these disorders prior to seeking therapy. Unfortunately, I am constantly told by health care professionals that if I have anxiety, I have depression. I challenge that.

The reason I brought up CBD/Hemp oils is, I am curious if they will help the withdrawal symptoms. I experience panic and brain zaps when I have tried to come off the medications before.

Currently on:
Effexor 35.7 mg
Effexor 75 mg
Buspirone 10 mg (one a day up to three times a day)
I take it all at night.

I have been on
Celexa-lots of weight gain and no sexual desire
changed to Effexor (same issues and it made me so tired)
Prozac (anxious nonstop)
back to Celexa (same issues and very nauseated)
And back to Effexor
All of these medications were taken with Buspirone. Been on that for 5 years.

I have tried Vistaril as well. It helps but makes me so mean.

Jump to this post

Some antidepressants make anxiety worse, at least at first. Get a firm diagnosis that rules out a Bipolar spectrum disorder. The drugs treating this kind of depression/anxiety are completely different.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Feb 5, 2021
In reply to @lindeyt01 "@gingerw Thank you for the link. I am hoping that if I do have any withdrawals,..." + (show)
@lindeyt01

@gingerw Thank you for the link. I am hoping that if I do have any withdrawals, CBD will help.

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Hi there, @lindeyt01, I just read about your wish to use CBD to help prevent withdrawal symptoms. I see that you asked for some feedback for those who have done this type of withdrawal and Ginger is just the perfect mentor to help you.

Just one year ago, my PCP and I decided together that I should withdraw from Nortriptyline and replace it with an extra dose of CBD. I use a 2:1 CBD/THC for all of my pain management from Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN). The withdrawal and replacement with medical cannabis worked but not without some really tough days fighting constipation. So be patient, Evaluate your progress with your clinician. Check-in with @gingerw as you move through the process. At this point, I think I am done with anti-depressants. However, when my neurologist prescribed Nortriptyline it was a lifesaver in many ways,

May you be safe and protected from inner and outer harm,
Chris

REPLY
kieren09 | @kieren09 | Mar 13, 2021
In reply to @shelleee "I just tead this post and is almost the same as my story. I have taken..." + (show)
@shelleee

I just tead this post and is almost the same as my story. I have taken effexor many many years. I am now at 300mg . Last week I was introdeced to Cbd oil. So, I stopped taking 150mg(I know that is alot at once) I put a few drops of cbd oil under my tongue in the morning and same at night and guess what
...NO withdrawel symptoms at ALL!!! I have tryed getting off effexor many times so I know how bad it feels. I am totally amazed. If this CBD oil is what it takes not to feel sick then I will continue it. How are you doing now?
Shelley

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Hi Sheree, Your post was put on in July 2019. I am very keen to see if you were able to come off Effexor using cbd oil.

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Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Mar 14, 2021

Hello @kieren09 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I noticed you started a new discussion with your first post on Weaning off Effexor with CBD Oil and then found this discussion, which is perfect. You will notice that I have removed your first post so you can connect here with members on this topic to get the support you are seeking.

One tip to help you notify members of your interest to connect with them is to include the "@" + their username/handle such as @shelleee in the case of Sheree. Unfortunately, it does look like that member is not receiving email notifications, however.

You will find other helpful members in this discussion such as @artscaping @grandmar and @gingerw who may all provide you with some helpful perspective on this topic.

As we wait for them, can I ask if you have started by consulting with your doctor on this plan to wean off Effexor? If so, what was recommended?

REPLY
1 reply
sunshinestacy | @sunshinestacy | Mar 14, 2021

I suggest getting 10 mg of prozac to ween off Effexor then down to 5 my then get off. Effexor is really rough to come off Prozaccis used often to get off these.

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grandmaR | @grandmar | Mar 14, 2021

@kieren09
Welcome!
How can I help you regarding weaning off of Effexor?
GRANDMAr (Ronnie)

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 14, 2021
In reply to @amandajro "Hello @kieren09 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I noticed you started a new discussion with..." + (show)
@amandajro

Hello @kieren09 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I noticed you started a new discussion with your first post on Weaning off Effexor with CBD Oil and then found this discussion, which is perfect. You will notice that I have removed your first post so you can connect here with members on this topic to get the support you are seeking.

One tip to help you notify members of your interest to connect with them is to include the "@" + their username/handle such as @shelleee in the case of Sheree. Unfortunately, it does look like that member is not receiving email notifications, however.

You will find other helpful members in this discussion such as @artscaping @grandmar and @gingerw who may all provide you with some helpful perspective on this topic.

As we wait for them, can I ask if you have started by consulting with your doctor on this plan to wean off Effexor? If so, what was recommended?

Jump to this post

@kieren09 @amandajro Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I do not have any experience with Effexor, so cannot offer you any tips or information. I do use CBD tincture or capsules, for help with pain control or depression maintenance. Usually I start at 30 mg and will go up to 60 mg.
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
kieren09 | @kieren09 | Mar 15, 2021
In reply to @grandmar "@kieren09 Welcome! How can I help you regarding weaning off of Effexor? GRANDMAr (Ronnie)" + (show)
@grandmar

@kieren09
Welcome!
How can I help you regarding weaning off of Effexor?
GRANDMAr (Ronnie)

Jump to this post

I’m wondering if anyone has or knows of anyone who has managed to come off Effexor?

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