1. < Depression & Anxiety

Elderly mom suddenly off Effexor

Posted by jennymama @jennymama, Apr 20, 2022

Hi all, I’m new to the group! My 83 year old mom had a fall in her home 2 weeks ago and underwent partial hip replacement. In the hospital they took her off all her meds since she arrived there. She has post operative delirium that they cannot find a distinct cause for. She is extremely confused, nonverbal at most times and often agitated and has even needed restraints.She is needing IV for everything including fluids and nutrition and they said they do not have Effexor in IV form. I am beginning to realize that withdrawal from Effexor (venlafaxine) can be significant and wondering if it can even partially explain her dramatic change in cognition and confusion. They don’t believe she’s had a stroke as 3 CT scans have not shown anything significant.She takes 112.5 mg/ day for many years, probably at least 10. She’s been reassessed for swallowing and can now swallow so are reintroducing soft diet, and are beginning to out her back on her regular meds. She has her first dose of Effexor today for the first time since 16 days ago. Any thoughts on withdrawal my mom be suffering and also how long it may take for the Effexor to start working again? She’s been very agitated and scared at night and only getting fragmented sleeps. Thanks!

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annalybay | @annalybay | Mar 6, 2023
In reply to @annalybay "Though it's likely this topic has been covered before, I am new to this site. A..." + (show)
@annalybay

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.

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To mayonina82:
Thank you so very much.

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roberteh | @roberteh | Mar 7, 2023
In reply to @mdjoseph "How can I wean off this med? It’s a capsule?" + (show)
@mdjoseph

How can I wean off this med? It’s a capsule?

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I counted the granules in a capsule and gradually reduced the number over a few months. There were issues but it was manageable.

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kratz5 | @kratz5 | Mar 7, 2023

Please let us know if being back on Effexor helps with the problems she is experiencing.
Thank you

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kolady1 | @kolady1 | Mar 8, 2023

The hospital and Doctors/ nurses should have Known how Effexor can mess you up if not withdrawn slowly!!!!
Hope she is better soon!

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kimball1 | @kimball1 | Apr 3, 2023
In reply to @annalybay "Though it's likely this topic has been covered before, I am new to this site. A..." + (show)
@annalybay

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.

Jump to this post

Hi Anna, I have been struggling with this for going on two years. Like you, the antidepressant I had been on for many years stopped working and I decided to go off by means of what my doctor and I thought was a slow taper. I have since been involved with a site called InnerCompass and a Facebook group called Cymbalta Hurts Worse and have learned a lot about what is called PAWS or Protracted Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome.

It seems the trick to getting off antidepressants is to go much more slowly than my doctor or I realized. Try looking up Anders Sorenson, Psychologist. For another perspective about the use of antidepressants, benzodiazepines and antipsychotic meds, Robert Whitaker, a science history writer.

Best of luck to you. Kim

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2 replies
annalybay | @annalybay | Apr 3, 2023
In reply to @kimball1 "Hi Anna, I have been struggling with this for going on two years. Like you, the..." + (show)
@kimball1

Hi Anna, I have been struggling with this for going on two years. Like you, the antidepressant I had been on for many years stopped working and I decided to go off by means of what my doctor and I thought was a slow taper. I have since been involved with a site called InnerCompass and a Facebook group called Cymbalta Hurts Worse and have learned a lot about what is called PAWS or Protracted Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome.

It seems the trick to getting off antidepressants is to go much more slowly than my doctor or I realized. Try looking up Anders Sorenson, Psychologist. For another perspective about the use of antidepressants, benzodiazepines and antipsychotic meds, Robert Whitaker, a science history writer.

Best of luck to you. Kim

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Hi Kim, I believe I may relate to some degree: Lexapro going south caused debilitating pain which lasted for two years until I found competent care (harder to come by) and relief by beginning Effexor. The positive effect was immediate and lasted 6 years until early last fall when it too stopped working. A slow tapering off and recently stopped and experienced the usual withdrawal symptoms, a sense of disorientation being the worst. Last week I was prescribed Trintellus 10mg. and as of yet I'm not sure if it will work of not. I should find out this week. So much of the science around this is theory; almost everyone having different experiences. Long ago I took Paxil for a few years and wanting to be free of drugs, simply stopped with no trouble at all. Incomprehensible. Nonetheless, I so appreciate your references and will see what they reveal.

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rockybear | @rockybear | Apr 3, 2023

So sorry to hear about your Mom. I know from personal experience coming off Effexor is horrible !!! Yes, I do believe it has played a part in what your Mom is experiencing. It has been known to cause seizures if not titrated down carefully!!!!

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annalybay | @annalybay | Apr 4, 2023
In reply to @kimball1 "Hi Anna, I have been struggling with this for going on two years. Like you, the..." + (show)
@kimball1

Hi Anna, I have been struggling with this for going on two years. Like you, the antidepressant I had been on for many years stopped working and I decided to go off by means of what my doctor and I thought was a slow taper. I have since been involved with a site called InnerCompass and a Facebook group called Cymbalta Hurts Worse and have learned a lot about what is called PAWS or Protracted Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome.

It seems the trick to getting off antidepressants is to go much more slowly than my doctor or I realized. Try looking up Anders Sorenson, Psychologist. For another perspective about the use of antidepressants, benzodiazepines and antipsychotic meds, Robert Whitaker, a science history writer.

Best of luck to you. Kim

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Kim
Thank you for the three additional reactions. Very kind of you.
Ray

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annalybay | @annalybay | Jun 18, 2023

A follow up to a previous post about Effexor stopped working after six years on it. Since then my psychiatrist has prescribed 7 different antidepressants, all of which have failed and have to some degree made things worse. It seems he's never dealt with antidepressant tachyphylaxis (the name for an AD ceasing to work) before. Research I've done shows that no different AD works on this condition; instead, what does work is a 'drug vacation' lasting several unpleasant and painful months. After this time of readjustment the brain will once again react favorably to a new AD. Meanwhile I take Benadryl and a very low dose of clonazepam. Unable to try CDB. Okay days and bad days, and one has little enthusiasm for anything. If anyone knows of any herbal or mineral supplements that make things easier, even 'partly cloudy', I would greatly appreciate hearing about it.

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