1. < Depression & Anxiety

Looking for help and support in stopping Effexor

Posted by magskay @magskay, Feb 4 7:56pm

I want to discontinue Effexor. I’ve heard horror stories. Looking for answers, solutions that worked. I’ve been on it for about 16 years and am down to lowest dose available. If I miss a dose I get terribly sick with dizziness and nausea. It’s awful.

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trooperdogg1960 | @trooperdogg1960 | Mar 27 5:14pm
In reply to @aeromantics "It is an honor @trooperdogg1960. Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your..." + (show)
@aeromantics

It is an honor @trooperdogg1960. Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your own story. I wish you many more triumphs! Peace, my friend.

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It is I, who owes you thanks. Any person I can help by sharing my past, brings happiness to my soul. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face today.

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larrypains | @larrypains | Mar 29 1:59pm

Effexor withdrawl update! Put on desvenlafaxine to see if it worked better than effexor. No dice
Same medicine really. So I weaned off effexor. Taking 100 MG effexor then put on 5 MG zyprexa. Took both for 3 weeks
4th week 50mg effexor and stayed at 5mg zyprexa. 5th week STOPPED effexor but continued 5mg zyprexa and added 20 MG Prozac. I am off effexor 5 days now. I continue the 5mg zyprexa and 20 MG Prozac. For the first 2 days I was dizzy and my sleep was a little broken up. But day 5 no withdrawals. Don't feel great but nothing like the horror stories I've read about. I was on effexor for 15 years. No more!!!! I continue the 5mg zyprexa and 20 MG Prozac until I see my Dr. Next month. I am terribly sensitive to meds and I continue to suffer from depression and anxiety. But I'm off effexor forever. It was good until it pooped out. Will never take a SNRI again. I pray!!! And I pray for those who are suffering.

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2 replies
larrypains | @larrypains | Mar 31 4:15am
In reply to @larrypains "Effexor withdrawl update! Put on desvenlafaxine to see if it worked better than effexor. No dice..." + (show)
@larrypains

Effexor withdrawl update! Put on desvenlafaxine to see if it worked better than effexor. No dice
Same medicine really. So I weaned off effexor. Taking 100 MG effexor then put on 5 MG zyprexa. Took both for 3 weeks
4th week 50mg effexor and stayed at 5mg zyprexa. 5th week STOPPED effexor but continued 5mg zyprexa and added 20 MG Prozac. I am off effexor 5 days now. I continue the 5mg zyprexa and 20 MG Prozac. For the first 2 days I was dizzy and my sleep was a little broken up. But day 5 no withdrawals. Don't feel great but nothing like the horror stories I've read about. I was on effexor for 15 years. No more!!!! I continue the 5mg zyprexa and 20 MG Prozac until I see my Dr. Next month. I am terribly sensitive to meds and I continue to suffer from depression and anxiety. But I'm off effexor forever. It was good until it pooped out. Will never take a SNRI again. I pray!!! And I pray for those who are suffering.

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Thank you!!!

REPLY
mmsm | @mmsm | Mar 31 10:15am
In reply to @larrypains "Effexor withdrawl update! Put on desvenlafaxine to see if it worked better than effexor. No dice..." + (show)
@larrypains

Effexor withdrawl update! Put on desvenlafaxine to see if it worked better than effexor. No dice
Same medicine really. So I weaned off effexor. Taking 100 MG effexor then put on 5 MG zyprexa. Took both for 3 weeks
4th week 50mg effexor and stayed at 5mg zyprexa. 5th week STOPPED effexor but continued 5mg zyprexa and added 20 MG Prozac. I am off effexor 5 days now. I continue the 5mg zyprexa and 20 MG Prozac. For the first 2 days I was dizzy and my sleep was a little broken up. But day 5 no withdrawals. Don't feel great but nothing like the horror stories I've read about. I was on effexor for 15 years. No more!!!! I continue the 5mg zyprexa and 20 MG Prozac until I see my Dr. Next month. I am terribly sensitive to meds and I continue to suffer from depression and anxiety. But I'm off effexor forever. It was good until it pooped out. Will never take a SNRI again. I pray!!! And I pray for those who are suffering.

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So glad you didn't get major effexor withdrawal.

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larrypains | @larrypains | Mar 31 11:11am

Getting more now that I stopped completely. This is rough. Thanks

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1 reply
mmsm | @mmsm | Apr 1 10:56am
In reply to @larrypains "Getting more now that I stopped completely. This is rough. Thanks" + (show)
@larrypains

Getting more now that I stopped completely. This is rough. Thanks

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So sorry. I was hoping desvenlafaxine or Prozac would help you.

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1 reply
larrypains | @larrypains | Apr 1 1:38pm
In reply to @mmsm "So sorry. I was hoping desvenlafaxine or Prozac would help you." + (show)
@mmsm

So sorry. I was hoping desvenlafaxine or Prozac would help you.

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Thanks. It did help. At least I could stop without all the misery I have readd about. Was also 3 weeks not 3 years. Still feel lousy. But tolerable

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delia74 | @delia74 | Apr 1 1:38pm
In reply to @aeromantics "Several weeks ago, I was determined to quit effexor since it was not helping me. But..." + (show)
@aeromantics

Several weeks ago, I was determined to quit effexor since it was not helping me. But the wait-time for an appointment with IBH was weeks. So...I tapered off rather crudely with the "bead method." I'm here, home from work, getting the "zaps" while I write this. For 4 days it's been zaps, nausea, hypersensitivity to scents/light/sound, irritability, fatigue, amongst other things. I'm getting married in a couple months and I heard withdrawal can last weeks, months, even years. For now all I can do is cope with the symptoms and hopefully get approved for short-term disability. God, I hope psychiatry gets the memo soon. Rx meds don't always help and can sometimes make things so much worse. These things shouldn't be handed out like candy. Mental health is so much more than "chemical imbalances," and people need to be treated holistically.

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Karyna, I so empathize and commiserate with what you are enduring. It's so important for you to be able to have a means of dealing with your symptoms, particularly since you are getting married in such a short time from now. That should be a GLORIOUS EVENT FOR YOU, and I don't want you to live in dread with not knowing how your body and mind will behave. I got help from a trusted neurologist, not from the clueless primary who had prescribed Effexor years before I decided to take back control of what was happening to me. Please see about getting in to see a neurologist who can guide you, assist you, HELP you. Effexor is a horrid drug, and yes it can be hell to get off it. But I don't recommend doing it alone, especially with such a happy event coming up. Strongly advise that you avoid ALL alcoholic beverages (as in toasts at rehearsal dinner, bridal showers, and day of wedding itself). I also do not advise taking on another medication as a "bridge" as so many members have written that they have done. GET MEDICAL HELP.

I have you in my daily prayers, Karyna. Please don't continue this difficult journey on your own. There's another important reason: Stopping this drug abruptly or ineffectively can cause cardiac issues, including reported deaths. That was another reason why I sought medical assistance with the tapering/getting off Effexor: I've had irregular heartbeats for years, and there is history of cardiac disease and deaths on both sides of family tree. The drug created issues with blood pressure which I didn't have this prior to the drug. To this day, I deal with blood pressure issues, AND the irregular heartbeats, and I'm on 2 blood pressure medications.

I'd appreciate knowing what you decide to do, and your progress. 🙏🏽🌺 God bless you and your hubby-to-be.

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1 reply
Karyna | @aeromantics | Apr 21 8:17pm
In reply to @delia74 "Karyna, I so empathize and commiserate with what you are enduring. It's so important for you..." + (show)
@delia74

Karyna, I so empathize and commiserate with what you are enduring. It's so important for you to be able to have a means of dealing with your symptoms, particularly since you are getting married in such a short time from now. That should be a GLORIOUS EVENT FOR YOU, and I don't want you to live in dread with not knowing how your body and mind will behave. I got help from a trusted neurologist, not from the clueless primary who had prescribed Effexor years before I decided to take back control of what was happening to me. Please see about getting in to see a neurologist who can guide you, assist you, HELP you. Effexor is a horrid drug, and yes it can be hell to get off it. But I don't recommend doing it alone, especially with such a happy event coming up. Strongly advise that you avoid ALL alcoholic beverages (as in toasts at rehearsal dinner, bridal showers, and day of wedding itself). I also do not advise taking on another medication as a "bridge" as so many members have written that they have done. GET MEDICAL HELP.

I have you in my daily prayers, Karyna. Please don't continue this difficult journey on your own. There's another important reason: Stopping this drug abruptly or ineffectively can cause cardiac issues, including reported deaths. That was another reason why I sought medical assistance with the tapering/getting off Effexor: I've had irregular heartbeats for years, and there is history of cardiac disease and deaths on both sides of family tree. The drug created issues with blood pressure which I didn't have this prior to the drug. To this day, I deal with blood pressure issues, AND the irregular heartbeats, and I'm on 2 blood pressure medications.

I'd appreciate knowing what you decide to do, and your progress. 🙏🏽🌺 God bless you and your hubby-to-be.

Jump to this post

@delia74 thank you so much for the kind, thoughtful response. It really means a lot to me. Getting in for an appointment is tricky right now but at least I have one scheduled. Good news though, the symptoms that bothered me most have improved. Nausea is gone and brain shocks are occasional. For some reason pineapple has been helpful. Green tea and sunlight are good (I was repulsed by coffee for a while). Running was not easy at first but I persisted and it's been getting better. I've been a runner for 12 years and now I see myself running for life. It sure beats Effexor as an anti-depressant. Coping with stress is important too (yoga, meditation, deep breathing). I'm taking micronutrient supplements daily, trying to get 7 hrs sleep each night, and checking in with coach, counselor and friends. I'm feeling optimistic for my wedding day but I appreciate your prayers anyway! Thank you so much. I hope you are well. 🍵

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depressedbutnotdead | @depressedbutnotdead | Apr 22 10:30am

I was on Effexor for over 20 years when I stopped altogether. I opted to ride it out at 37.5 rather than taper. It was highly unpleasant for about two weeks, then the symptoms began declining. At about four weeks they were only noticeable a bit. By six weeks they were gone. The severity and duration are different for each person, as is the capacity for tolerating it. So I cannot promise that what worked for me will work for you. But that was my experience.

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