Elderly mom suddenly off Effexor

I can’t find my post?

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'Stopping venlafaxine abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, feeling dizzy, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin)."
I simply Googled effexor withdrawal, that I'm sure the doctor/pharmacists could have
done with their sophisticated data bases.
A few years ago, after a heart attack and angioplasty, I was supposed to keep my right leg still..I Googled a description of what I was experiencing at 2 AM.--an urge to kick-out and itching. I had akathesia, let the nurse know my findings, and I was placed on Atarax.
I thought this was a local problem, but apparently not.
When I talked with my psychiatrist, he explained that it is common practice from MDs, especially in ERs and general surgery to discontinue meds , especially psychiatric meds without benefit of tapering, without counter-measures to ameliorate withdrawal.
During another stay because of a heart attack and angioplasty, I was advised to stop klonopin cold turkey...uhhh no. After much researching of my records, by my pharmacist and conversation with the residents: "We meant you were supposed to stop chlonodine. Not klonopin."
Be an advocate! Be a squeaky wheel. Report to patient relations. Report wreckless misinformation.
This is a pervasive problem because when a person goes into the hospital for a procedure, a disconnect occurs, often because there is no longerccontinuity of care among the patients' regular care providers and the ones assigned by the hospital.
It doesn't take much to say, "Patient Advocate, please."
I'm still able to do that. In case I'm not, my family has been instructed, "Patient Advocate, please."
Also some hospitals have a "CODE" that can be called by the patient or family if it's perceived that "care or lack of care" is endangering the patient.
My go-to places for info is Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic if cardiac related.
Best of Health to everyone

Thanks for the ((hug))
I needed it.

@mdjoseph, here is the link to your first post: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/707742/

You are wanting to support someone who is 94 years old to taper off of Effexor. Is that correct? Can you share a bit more about the situation? Why are they needing to come of the medication?

Good grief! Your mother was almost certainly experiencing Effexor (venlafaxine) withdrawal symptoms! Agitation, being scared at night and only getting fragmented sleep are classic Effexor WD symptoms. That doctor claiming, "it would take at least 3 weeks for the body to have any withdrawal symptoms," is WOEFULLY ignorant. I KNEW when I missed ONE dose and I was ONLY ever on 25 mg regular-release daily.

Withdrawal symptoms typically begin as early as 12 hours after the last dose. Effexor has a half-life of four hours and is completely out of the system within a day. "Serious withdrawal symptoms may occur within hours of cessation, or reduction of the usual dosage ... irrespective of dosage."—https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1681629/

I hope your mom's Effexor was reinstated and if so, that she had quick relief of her WD symptoms. On Connect's "Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)" discussion (almost 500 pages!), when someone experiences withdrawal symptoms when quitting/tapering Effexor, the number one recommendation is to GO BACK ASAP to the dose where the person did NOT have the WD symptoms.

They just keep giving you lower doses...then every other day, once every two days, etc

I took Effexor for years, many years ago. I did well on it for help with depression. At a point in time, it stopped working for me and it’s taken a few years to find another antidepressant that helps. I have fibromyalgia and am currently taking Fetzima, a medication similar to others that are meant to help with fibromyalgia symptoms. It works well for me for mdd also.
If a medication is providing its intended benefit and helps, I’m not sure why you would change unless there is a concern about long term use or other reactions. Most meds have side effects to some degree.
I always do my homework and read what different online sites say about medications I’m prescribed. I read the enclosed information that usually comes with a medication also, ask my pharmacist and doctor.
Time changes medication as new options are available but that doesn’t always mean their better. Years ago, after a hysterectomy I was put on Premarin. Come to find out I should only have taken it a couple years but was left on it for over 10 years. When I educated myself and talked to my doctor about my concerns, I was weened off it.
I have always been weened off every medication I’ve taken until 2 months ago when I was cut off opioid medication without taper. I’m experiencing awful withdrawal symptoms. Last Friday night I slept 2 hours due to restless leg syndrome. Being cut off of long term medication’s is dangerous and reckless! I’m glad to hear you’ve started your mom back on her medications! I’m sure you will see some signs of improvement. Withdrawal is hard on the mind and body. When put on medication for benefit of symptoms, being cut off regardless of the reason sends our body’s into turmoil.

Thank you for your input and advice. Effexor is working for me, so I will continue with it. I have tried several over the years and it has worked for me long term. I hope your issues get resolved. I know how it s to be in between medications. I do take Gabapentin (Neurontin) for restless legs. You might want to try it if you haven't already. Good luck and thanks again for the information. I do appreciate it.

Though it's likely this topic has been covered before, I am new to this site.
A brief history: seven years ago I was prescribed 150mg Effexor ER in order to get out of the protracted withdrawal from Lexapro which had stopped working after six years. Effexor worked very well until last summer, when it too started to fail; by last fall complete failure, and my doc tried increasing the dose (no effect) and then Abilify (a two day nightmare). There remained no choice but to gradually taper the dose by 32.5mg reductions. I am now at that lowest dose and due to go down to zero in a week. I know I'm not breaking new ground in saying how painful this has been, along with the corrosive effect upon one's enthusiasm, and I anticipate the same when I'm completely off of it. Among the few who experience what I believe is now called antidepressant tachyphylaxis. If anyone has had the same and has found anything that provides even slight relief, I would appreciate hearing about it.

Thank you