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As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: May 20 12:17pm | Replies (172)Comment receiving replies
Thank you @sheffieldsmith.
I have been on Effexor 150 mg for many years, and thought it was a great medication until I began experiencing terrible eye pain. Having never read about the side effects, I finally did and saw that eye pain was one of the more serious side effects. I contacted my doctor and he lowered my dose to 75 mg. After a day or so I began to feel quite sick, but attributed the feeling to my disease. Last night I finally went on line and read an interesting article in the Lancet, which describes Effexor as one of the more difficult antidepressants to taper off. I send a note to my doctor advising that I would not normally question his discretion, I thought that perhaps cutting my dose in half was too much and that I wanted to discuss a tapering schedule when I see him this coming Monday.
I read your post with great interest, as is very helpful information. I had no idea the ramifications of taking this medication, although it worked for me until it did not. In fact, I would read posts by other people on this platform who complained about Effexor, and I would think to myself, " I wonder what the problem is, as I have no problem." Obviously the drug is not the right choice for me, and in all honesty I am trying to get off of many of my medications in an effort to avoid further damage to my liver.
Thank you
Replies to "Thank you @sheffieldsmith. I have been on Effexor 150 mg for many years, and thought it..."
doctors are continually telling their patients to make huge reductions on effexor with no taper and it is not appropriate. it can make you suicidal and basically unable to function. you should taper by no more than 10 percent a month. so 10 percent reduction would out you at 135 mg for rhe first month. please go to survivingantidepressants.org people there have fantastic advice and provide tapering calculators
Frances 007, Hi. Yes I also read "the lancet" article. I have had terrible issues with EFFEXOR (aka VENLAFAXINE in UK). I had severe eye issues also. I also got 95% of the side - effects. It transpires I am allergic to ANY Anti - dep. Have you had any lasting adverse effects after stopping (extreme tiredness/ eye issues/ brain fog ? appreciate any info Thanks SIMON
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I mentioned that I would ask my doctor about a tapering schedule, and his conclusion was to take 75mg on alternate days, the 150mg on the other days. Not a tapering schedule in my mind because yesterday after taking the 150mg capsule the eye pain came back with a vengeant, and it felt like someone was sticking a hot poker in my left eye. I will discuss the tapering schedule with him later this afternoon, among other things. I have printed out the tapering schedule described and will bring this with me. I also spoke to my pharmacist yesterday about the Effexor, and he too said that this drug is very difficult to get off of. Had I known that when it was prescribed, I never would have taken it.