Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you
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@angelo How much Ativan were you on? I had a problem causing me a lot of stress about 12 or 13 years ago. The doctor I was seeing then gave me Ativan, never mentioning that it should not be used constantly so I took some every night so I could sleep. After a few months she finally said something about it so I got off of it but I did not need to "withdraw", I just stopped taking it with no ill effects. Was that because I was just taking a low dose, once a day? I forget how much I was taking, maybe 5 mg.
JK
Contentandwell, when you must put up with so many years of constantly walking on eggshells, it’s hard. It’s weird; I don’t hate her or dislike her but I wish she would do something about her mood problem. I feel that sometimes you have to let the person know that she’s got the problem. She’s a wonderful mother. However, she badmouthed me in front of my grandchildren which isn’t good. I treat her like I do my daughter. Anyhow, I’ve accepted this is the way it may always be. Thanks for messaging.
@jakeduck1
Thanks Jake, I will look into it. I think my insurance only covers me for a cpap.
@kbmayo
I don’t know how you have the patience for that. I tried it. See if your insurance will pay for you to go to a Compounding Pharmacy. They do all the work for you. They prepared the capsules for me. In Canada we can only get capsules. Hope it works well for you.
I was on 300 mg for years but when i started to have problems w my kidneys it was reduced to 225 mg. I have a new MD as of 2 yrs ago. We discussed reducing it more. I spoke w a pharmacist who suggested reducing by 37.5 mg every 2 weeks. I'm taking 187.5 mg now. Went back up for a couple of weeks bc of depression but it was re to infection. Will b going down to 150 mg next week. Some nausea, tremor but better sleep. Do not go cold turkey. It can kill u.
Can someone please advise me. I notice a lot on here talk about seeing a family doctor as well as a psychiatrist. I only see my family doctor. Not sure how much they learn. He’s young. Should I be seeing a psychiatrist?
Also, before any of you decided to wean off Effexor, were you feeling motivated and not feeling depressed?
If you want to know the side effects of drugs or weaning off, ask a pharmacist! they have far more education about drugs than doc, np or PA. I am PA and have taken effexor xr for 18 years. it is not the drug that bothers me, it is forgetting to take it!
Am so surprised a doc would allow you to take 300mg. 225mg is maximum dose for this drug.
@maryathome I do know what it is like, I deal with a situation like this also. Frankly, right now it has me feeling a bit hostile toward the person so I am basically avoiding her as much as possible.
It is never OK to badmouth someone in front of their children. That is simply wrong, wrong, wrong.
You are right, all we can do is accept and sometimes swallow our words.
JK
You might want to check to see if you have sleep apnea. I used to never be able to sleep long enough and then I needed a nap in the afternoon and I was still tired. Sleep apnea is so bad for your body, heart, etc.. Might want to get checked out!
@merryb1
I keep my pills in front of my coffee machine. I find that if I take them the same time everyday, I will remember.
@contandwell
I have never hated or disliked her. I see a lot of good in her for her children but when she badmouths my son (who is so good to her and the children), it upsets me. Once she told me “my doctor said not to let my MIL bother me”. Her doctor has no idea.