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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (6363)Comment receiving replies
It has to be a very slow tapering off. Look it up in one of the Effexor groups on Facebook. People tell their experiences. Personally I took Effexor XR for about a year. It helped with my depression and OCD but it made my anxiety worse. I tapered off in three weeks. The first day I stopped taking it I didn’t feel right. The next day I was vomiting, had physical withdrawal symptoms and had absolutely no filter. I was saying things to people that I would never have the nerve to say at any other time. It was awful. My psychiatrist suggested I go inpatient as they manage the meds much quicker but I refused to do so. I started on Zoloft immediately after I stopped Effexor but it took time to kick in. During that time I was so sick and a totally different person. My psychiatrist said I weaned off too quickly that’s why things happened the way they did. I was on a medical leave from work and was in a rush to get back. Guess what two years later due to a reduction in students I was made part time. So much for rushing to get back. Take your time, do it very slowly and you will be fine.
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Your last sentence is golden! I was on Effexor XR for several years when my Psychiatrist and I decided to stop. She created a rigid, detailed plan and suggestedthat I chart each day. That chart and check offs helped immesureably. There were some difficult moments and I certainly experienced several "brain freeze" events but that chart kept me going until that last pill when I realized I was free.
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Maybe the book "The Anti-Depressant Solution" might help. Written by Dr. Joseph Glenmullen, who has spent 30 years helping people discontinue Zoloft, Effexor and other drugs in this category. The book gives guidelines on how much taper, the withdrawal symptoms, checklist to help track the withdrawal symptoms, case studies and more. In April 2020, I was put on 25mg of Zoloft for anviety. By June 2020 I was have severe heart palpitations thanks to the Zoloft. (Turns out I am in the special 4% of people extremely sensitive to Zoloft.) The tapers had me in complete misery. One taper put me in the hospital. I found the book in April 2021. By following Dr. Glenmullen's recommendations, I have discovered that I only taper 0.4mg at a time without being in complete misery. Presently my dose is 5.6mg. I am using the liquid Zoloft. Please also do research on both drugs. Got to the website of the drugs manufacturer. There you will find a more complete profile of the drug then what the pharmacy give you. Good luck and let us know how you are doing!