Weaning off Effexor with CBD Oil
After having my son last year, I had really bad postpartum. I talked to my doctor and she prescribed me Effexor. I started out with 75mg, it wasn't enough, so the doctor prescribed me 150mg. I was on that for awhile, but the side effects were interfering with my libido, so the doctor suggested I wean off of Effexor and start Wellbutrin. As I was weaning, I had the worst withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms were too much, so I quit trying to wean completely off of the Effexor, and was taking the 75mg of that and 150mg of Wellbutrin. It helped, a little, but my goal was to get completely off of Effexor so I'm trying again. And now my goal is to get off of the Effexor and Wellbutrin completely and try something natural like CBD oil. It's so hard dealing with the withdrawal symptoms, I'm trying to tell myself that this is a temporary thing and it'll be worth it in the end. Any advice for the symptoms? And has anyone had success with CBD oil for helping to wean, and using that for depression and anxiety?
Thanks!
Liked by Parus, Merry, Volunteer Mentor
renwald
@renwald
@renwald
Posts: 67
Joined: Sep 21, 2018
Sorry you’re having trouble with the meds. Effexor is like a big, vicious animal that crawls in and goes to sleep. It can scare the other smaller problems away. If you want something different after using it however, to get off of it, you may find it’s difficult to get rid of. Weaning off of it is a chore and there are threads on here about that very subject. That is the point when you’re poking the big vicious animal with a sharp stick. The animal isn’t particularly loyal and is apt to bite and continue to bite hard day and night before it ever tries to get up and leave.
I’m out of my element on canabis oils. Considering federal law has thwarted reliable therapeutic studies and research for decades, it seems an unproven item. My ‘barbershop’ advice is to proceed with great caution for the psycho-active agents, neurochemistry and neurochemistry-behavior are complex in action and reaction. One can always answer shop or get second opinions among medical specialists but I’d be as conservative as possible when tinkering with the neurotransmitters.
My understanding (and it’s limited at best) has been that with the most well researched anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, anti convulsants etc, the treatment is akin to throwing a handful of fertilizer in all directs rather than narrowed to one limited item. This means that the entire range, scope and depth of what is already out there as treatment is not fully understood in all the areas it affects and you may get a lot of unforeseen cause and effects.
If you add something like canabis oil, you’re throwing another wild card in the mix. Bear in mind, accidental death by medicines and drugs in general is the second highest cause of death in the country. If you decide to tinker with it, at least tell the md (preferably Psychiatrist whose job is to know how psyche meds interact) what you’re intending to do since they are in a position to tell you dangerous interactions and contraindications.
All this is made more complex and distressing if nothing else is working. At the root of all is lies psychic pain that is individualized and we want it to go away one way or another. At least make every effort to avoid doing more harm from something preventable by a few skillful questions and professional insights by those trained in the field.
@memeblair
Hi and Welcome!
I am one of the people Lisa suggested to give you some input about weaning off Effexor.
As a little background….I am 63 years old. I've been on Effexor for many years (lost count). After a few events that shook me to my soul, I am now taking 300 mg of Effexor. Because I had weight loss surgery, I cannot take released formula, I take regular pills (which for reducing probably works out better than the capsules). I take 2-75 mg pills in the AM and the PM.
I am weaning VERY, VERY slowly. I am doing it on my own without the help of a doctor. The psychiatrist who monitored my Effexor left the practice and I have not yet found a new doc. Before she left, she left with a 6 mos. script to my prescription provider. I tried to wean off with the assistance of my doctor many years ago when I was on a much lower dosage but the schedule was much to quick and wound up back on meds. I am NOT using anything, at this time to assist with withdrawal since I am not having any symptioms (at this time).
As I said, I take 2 pill in the AM and PM. I cut one of my PM pills into 1/4s. I removedd 1/4 from my PM dosage every other night for 3 weeks. Since I felt fine, I went to every PM for 3 weeks. At the end of next week, if I continue to feel well, I will remove another 1/4 of a pill in the PM every other night for 3 weeks. If I do well, then every PM.
I guess you can see the pattern. I reduce the PM pill by 1/4 ever other night for 3 weeks, then every night for 3 weeks. I always 'read' my body to make sure I am OK and not having withdrawal symptoms. If I do get them, I will remain on the dosage or go back for another week (or more if needed). It is MY OPINION, that slow and steady will (hopefully) win the race.
BTW……I am NOT looking to totally come off the Effexor. I am just looking to get onto a dosage that will keep my anxiety under control and my head clear. I am thinking 37.5 mg in the AM and PM. That, I will see as I get closer. As I said, I am in NO rush to complete this process.
Hope this helps!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
I just tead this post and is almost the same as my story. I have taken effexor many many years. I am now at 300mg . Last week I was introdeced to Cbd oil. So, I stopped taking 150mg(I know that is alot at once) I put a few drops of cbd oil under my tongue in the morning and same at night and guess what
…NO withdrawel symptoms at ALL!!! I have tryed getting off effexor many times so I know how bad it feels. I am totally amazed. If this CBD oil is what it takes not to feel sick then I will continue it. How are you doing now?
Shelley
I just tead this post and is almost the same as my story. I have taken effexor many many years. I am now at 300mg . Last week I was introdeced to Cbd oil. So, I stopped taking 150mg(I know that is alot at once) I put a few drops of cbd oil under my tongue in the morning and same at night and guess what
…NO withdrawel symptoms at ALL!!! I have tryed getting off effexor many times so I know how bad it feels. I am totally amazed. If this CBD oil is what it takes not to feel sick then I will continue it. How are you doing now?
Shelley
I’m doing great. I’ve weened myself down to 6.5 now. I also haven’t been experiencing any withdrawals as well. Feel free to private message me on Connect. I don’t get on here anymore but felt the need to reply to you since I got it thru my email. Look forward to hearing from you
I just tead this post and is almost the same as my story. I have taken effexor many many years. I am now at 300mg . Last week I was introdeced to Cbd oil. So, I stopped taking 150mg(I know that is alot at once) I put a few drops of cbd oil under my tongue in the morning and same at night and guess what
…NO withdrawel symptoms at ALL!!! I have tryed getting off effexor many times so I know how bad it feels. I am totally amazed. If this CBD oil is what it takes not to feel sick then I will continue it. How are you doing now?
Shelley
If you have Facebook check out the group called effexor (venlafaxine) tapering, discontinuation syndrome and protracted w/d
renwald
@renwald
@renwald
Posts: 67
Joined: Sep 21, 2018
I am weaning myself off of Effexor with CBD oil and so far so good. I was on 300mg of effexor, cut the dose in half and using a couple drops of cbd oil in the morning and have had zero of the nasty withdrawel. I am amazed!!
Any idea of the chemistry involved? I’m quite interested to understand that. I think Effexor alters, among other things, norepinephrine and dopamine but I’m not certain. I’m even less certain about the reasons for the harsh withdrawal symptoms biochemically. How the psychoactive agents in CBD oil bind or block receptors is quite important along with what happens if one stops CBD.
Liked by Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor, shelleee
Any idea of the chemistry involved? I’m quite interested to understand that. I think Effexor alters, among other things, norepinephrine and dopamine but I’m not certain. I’m even less certain about the reasons for the harsh withdrawal symptoms biochemically. How the psychoactive agents in CBD oil bind or block receptors is quite important along with what happens if one stops CBD.
I have all those questions and more!
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor
@artscaping
@artscaping
Posts: 1633
Joined: Jul 11, 2017
Any idea of the chemistry involved? I’m quite interested to understand that. I think Effexor alters, among other things, norepinephrine and dopamine but I’m not certain. I’m even less certain about the reasons for the harsh withdrawal symptoms biochemically. How the psychoactive agents in CBD oil bind or block receptors is quite important along with what happens if one stops CBD.
@shelleee, @renwald Good evening. I have no medical background and am not familiar with your withdrawal process. It appears that you have chosen to use CBD as a replacement. I am a worry wort and so I have to tell you that to my knowledge, CBD products at 100% have no psychoactive agents.
CBD products must have .03% or less of THC, the psychoactive component, an amount that may not "bind or block receptors".
There is a federal law prohibiting the products with THC greater than.03% from crossing state lines. I wish I could be of more help. I also do not think that stopping CBD creates withdrawal issues. Be free of suffering and sleep well tonight. Chris
I am happy I found this forum. I am on Effexor 150 mg. I’ve been on it for two years. My goal is to get off of it completely. I’ve tried doing it before slowly and was taking one pill every three days. I’m back to taking it every day now because the withdrawals became to much and with the job I have I need to be vigilant and alert. I’m doing this without a doctor bc right now I don’t have one. She quit her practice and moved. She did give me a few months of refills. The reason I want off of it is because I don’t feel I’m living my life like I used to. I’m hoping to find support and guidance and maybe someone who can share their experience with me. Thank you
@ang811 You are not alone. I am going through the exact same thing and I even believe it may have caused weight gain. I've been considering tapering off the drug for a couple weeks now; however, the withdrawals (as you mentioned) are too much.
Liked by grandmaR
grandmaR
@grandmar
@grandmar
Posts: 1161
Joined: Feb 06, 2018
@ang811 You are not alone. I am going through the exact same thing and I even believe it may have caused weight gain. I've been considering tapering off the drug for a couple weeks now; however, the withdrawals (as you mentioned) are too much.
Hi!
I COULD be POSSIBLE to taper off Effexor without horrible withdrawals IF you do it VERY, VERY, VERY SLOWLY!!!!!!
I was taking 300 mg. a day.
It took me about 5 months to taper down 25%.
I am now staying on that dosage for a few months before I begin to taper down another 25%.
Did I mention VERY, VERY, VERY SLOWLY?
Effexor WILL contribute to weight gain and/or difficulty taking off weight.
Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
@ophirbushi
@ang811, it's good that you stopped doing alternate days, since it is really not the right way to wean off. I recommend this group on Facebook: it's called "EFFEXOR (Venlafaxine) Tapering Discontinuation Syndrome and Protracted W/D" that has valuable information, at least in my opinion, on how to wean off from Effexor safely.
The thing I wish I've been told before trying to wean off is that it's dangerous, and if not done slowly and correctly it can cause long term or even permanent damage.
Also note that especially in the low dosages you need to be extra slow and careful, because its effect grows exponentially in the low dosages.
All this is not in order to dissuade you from weaning, only to give you the information on how to do it safely, information I wish I knew before trying to wean off myself.
I wish you success and much health. Ophir.