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As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (209)Comment receiving replies
Hi, I'm so glad to hear that you've successfully tapered down this med. Can I please ask more details - how long have you been on the meds? Are you taking any supplements?
I have been on Effexor XR 37.5 for almost 4 years. Was on 75mg for two years prior.
Anyways, I recently decided to taper off this medicine. I counted the beads inside the capsule, there were a total of 180 beads. I decided to remove 10 beads. when I did that I experienced some withdrawal symptoms a couple days later such as very low mood and slight nausea.
Then 5 days ago, I decided to remove 10 more beads bringing my total to 160.
again after 2 days I started experiencing symptoms such as bad nausea and dizziness. Then last night in the middle of my sleep I woke up and I felt an electrical sensation on the back of my neck. I'm sure it wasn't a brainz app because I've had those in the past. I don't know if it was a seizure but I would just like some advice from someone who's been through it.
Also could you please kindly share the contact of the doctor who is helping you through this on DM? I've tried asking around in my country but it seems like the doctors here do not have knowledge about withdrawals.
Please, any help would be good, it's been so scary.
Replies to "Hi, I'm so glad to hear that you've successfully tapered down this med. Can I please..."
Go slower. Take out a few beads at a time. It’s not a race. Keep sane dose for a month or two before taking out more beads.
If you go too fast you have experienced the nasty side effects. I took out one bead more every month and stayed with that for at least a month before changing it again.
You are experiencing brain zaps and they are a very real problem when withdrawing from Effexor XR. I would recommend you go slower than you are! My daughter took an entire year to ween off of Effexor! You can do it but slow as you go is key. So many doctors here in the US will not prescribe Effexor XR because it’s very very difficult to get off.
Also, you need to be ready to have low mood swings and anxiety for 2-3 months after you are completely off of it. It would be beneficial to have a prescription of Ativan that you can take at night once in a while to combat the anxiety.
Online sources I have found (because you are correct; doctors don't know much about this, though those in the UK seem to be ahead of the US) suggest a taper of 5 to 10 percent. I have written up a plan for myself to begin to taper by removing 5% (9 of your 180 beads) for the first two or three months, before removing another 9 (18 total) as a second step. The new number of beads I remove will decrease over time, as recommended, so I am prepared to take three years to accomplish this. I have failed at weaning off twice, with withdrawal symptoms ambushing me two months after a complete stop and feeling normal, so I know that it will be an extra-slow process for me. I was on Effexor 75 mg for many years and am now on 37.5. Outro dot com is another reference for those of us looking to withdraw from antidepressants, with information available through a link near the bottom of the page: https://www.outro.com
Sorry you're going through this weaning off process alone. Alone is a mistake. Please keep on trying to find a responsible psychiatrist who will gradually cut Effexor down every month or so. If you want the name of my physician, just to email him, private message me. It's hard work to advocate for yourself, but it must be done with responsible, professional help. Don't give up your search. Do-it-yourself- weaning off psychotropicdrugs is Russian roulette. The brain is a baby that needs to be weaned from chemical dependency oh so gently & carefully. Prayer & positive, courageous action are vital. I know from experience. Be strong & believe in the life force within you.
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