@vdandy

How long were you on Celexa before it stopped working? I have been taking it (Citalopram) 6 years now, and since withdrawing from a year on Tramadol after surgery, it doesn't seem to be working as well as it did. I have been having periodic anxiety attacks in the morning. At first I just thought they were from withdrawal, but they are continuing. So, I'm wondering if the Tramadol messed with the effectiveness of the Citalopram. I'll talk with my doctor, but I want to do a little research first. I have really liked taking the Citalopram as it changed my life for the better.

Thanks,
Gail B
Volunteer Mentor

@jitegemea I am 3 weeks totally off venlafaxine after weaning off for a month. I too had bad dizziness, uncontrollable crying, slow cognitive processes, etc. Its horrible. The last 2 days have been my best so far. Not much dizziness but still extremely emotional & still times of confusion. However, I have not had any hallucinations which sounds pretty scary. I’d probably head to the emergency room if it happened to me. My doctor gave me a 10 day supply of Ativan to help with the withdrawals but I only use it if I’m having a very bad day. It does help a lot.

@amberpep I have heard that some drug companies will help with people who truly cannot afford the medications. You should ask your pharmacist about that. Obviously you need to supply income information, etc., but it would worth it if it means the difference in being able to get the drugs you need or not.
JK

I have been tapering off venlafaxine. I am at less then half my original dose and am taking Prozac at the same time. I feel great ! I’m happy. I have tried and failed to quit before, so am happy. Prozac will work and be less expensive for me.

@jitegemea

Please let us know how you are doing today. I'm concerned about you. Thanks,

GailB
Volunteer Mentor

Oh wow. Not sure who this was for but I thank you so much for your information. II think I already posted this question but do you know how long it takes the body to purge this drug from the body??

Hi Jen. RE: Effexor/Venaflaxine:
You have been helpful. I gained upwards 35 lbs and very quickly as well. My BP increased putting me in the HBP range- a first for me, I've always been 110-112/60-65. Now am at 120-122/ 70+. Am a 'clean' cook and eat pretty healthy. From my research I learned that significant weight gain in a rather short time frame is common, and BP increases. I only researched scientific, reliable sources (and a lot of my information came from the drug manufacturer site itself). The worst thing I learned is that these symptoms do NOT go away as long as one is taking this medication. And is certainly the case for me. I reduced my intake on my own and am hoping I am off the drug as of today (first day with no Venaflaxine). To clarify the comparison to heroine, I am the one who posted and hope I did not confuse anyone, from my research EFFEXOR (venaflaxine hcl er) IS THE HARDEST TO WITHDRAW FROM IN ITS CLASS, AND, IN ITS CLASS IS COMPARED TO HEROINE ADDICTION DUE TO ITS DIFFICULTY IN WITHDRAWING FROM. Yes, that scared the mess out of me and is exactly why I am getting off of it and will never, ever take this particular drug again, ever. I will continue to search for an alternative. Thank you also for your input re: Cymbalta.

Hi mrsubi52-
I agree with amberpe, the Good Rx may be of help.

I got this for you off of the NAMI site- Effexor Fact Sheet (www.namihelps.org). It is at the very bottom of the page. I hope you are able to get some help. I get it, also am in the same boat as you. Please follow-up and let us know if you have been able to get some help and if any of these suggestions has helped you. Good luck.

or low-cost medications provided by pharmaceutical companies
Some pharmaceutical companies offer medication assistance programs to low-income
individuals and families. These programs typically require a doctor’s consent and proof
of financial status. They may also require that you have either no health insurance, or no
prescription drug benefit through your health insurance. Please contact the
pharmaceutical company directly for specific eligibility requirements and application
information.
Effexor Rx Assistance Program: 1- 800-568-9938

@amberpep

Getting our prescriptions during the deductible stage is killer, even when we know it's coming. We have two deductibles to pay, more than $600. Then, on top of that is the medical deductible. Unfortunately, we're not all rich. I know that's how the system works, but it would surely be great if we could find a better way.

My wife started getting her social security in December, and that means we lost our food assistance. That's half of what she gets. I know how it feels to have to choose between groceries and other essentials. It's not a great way to live. I hope you find a way to get the meds you need, Abby.

I am currently in the final stages of withdrawing from Effexor. I have been on Effexor for 25 years. I began at 25mg and began withdrawal at a dosage of 300mg. It has helped me enormously. My withdrawal process began the day I was diagnosed with PTSD and started on medication to control my symptoms within that framework. I am extremely lucky that I had friends who led me to a woman with extensive experience in the area. We have been working together for over a year. The dosage decreases have, indeed, been in small increments. I am now down from months at 37.5mg and working on the last 25mg by managing withdrawal symptoms. I was stuck at 37.5 for months due to the ugliness of the withdrawal symptoms-vertigo and nausea primarily. The symptoms were so severe I needed a way to decrease the dosage at a very delicate drop. They were so severe I seriously considered buying a medical scale at over a thousand dollars. At any rate, I decided a solution was my best bet. I'm a nurse so got a medicine cup, several syringes and set up a chart of dosage per ml of warm water. I decided the crucial variable was maintaining the solution's consistency as I measure it. In other words, the same amount of the medicine to the same amount of water. I make sure the med is dissolved as well as I can get it. I crush it first. Then I constantly shake the solution as I measure it, pull it into the syringe and manipulate the amount of water. I started at 25mg in 10ml water. For a dosage decrease I simply take less of the water. I dump the extra back into the cup in case I need to fine tune my measurement. With each decrease of a 1 ml water I carve off 2.5mg of Efffexor. I stayed at 9ml for 3 days until the resulting symptoms were livable then moved to down to 8ml of the solution. I've been at 8ml for 3 days so tomorrow I drop down to 7ml. The first day of reducing the Effexor is still unpleasant. That's dropping only 2.5 mg. The second day at that drop is still rather uncomfortable. By day 3 I feel ok. The exception is the body aches that, for me, have become more and more acute. I was convinced my osteoarthritis was getting MUCH worse VERY fast until I read the comments here, for which I thank you. I absolutely agree that management of withdrawal of symptoms is critical to the process. For me, I had to go to extremes in minimizing the decrease in dosage, but it is only at this level it has been needed. For others this may not be the case. Thank you all for the confirmation that this process SUCKS and good luck to all who are dealing with it. FYI This is the first time I have ever posted in my life. What does that say about Effexor withdrawal?

Wow, tomorrow will be 4 weeks totally off Effexor. I feel like I take one step forward and two back. Yesterday was pretty bad for me and I almost caved in to calling my doctor to start me back up on something. But I took an ativan before bed, had a great nights sleep, & the world feels good again! Going on a trip today to visit family and I’m so afraid that I’ll spoil the trip with my irritableness, agitation, and ugly mouth. Trying really hard to keep that a bay! The Ativan helps a lot, sure wish is was safe and non-habit forming cuz it seems to work better for me than any of the anti-depresssnts have. Which leaves me in another quandary – do I really have depression or anxiety issues? Ugh, life is hard! Not sure how much longer hubby can handle me w/o meds but hoping to make it till my next dr appt April 4.

Oh when withdrawaubg from Effexor, have any of you experience shortness of breath? Seems like I’m always huffing & puffing these days. Can’t even walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath.

@lalyfa My anxiety was relieved when I began taking Citalopram for depression. I no longer have panic attacks or general anxiety like I had before. I couldn't fly without taking an Ativan. As time went on, I found I had to take 1/2 a 1mg Ativan if things were bad with my boss at work, etc. Now that I'm retired, and taking Citalopram, my fears are gone. I feel free at last. I am thankful for my antidepressant, but that doesn't mean you should stop getting off yours. You need to do what is best for you working with your doctors. I wish you the best.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor