When to jump to zero mg effexor? (and being patient!)

Posted by mmsm @mmsm, Sep 27 9:00am

I have been weaning off effexor er for a year, and am down to 8.1mg (weighing beads). At what point is it safe/recommended to jump to zero? I have seen different recommendations by different experts (Sorenson, Horowitz).
Also, I'm having such a tough time with the amount of time this is taking. How can I wrap my brain around it and be more patient? I feel like I'm just missing my life.

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kratz5 | @kratz5 | Dec 8 5:09pm

In reply to @pjs70 "@kratz5 just don’t try to go off it fast It’s a nightmare" + (show)

@pjs70 was it working for you, helping with your depression ???

keithcarey84 | @keithcarey84 | 6 days ago

In reply to @kratz5 "@mmsm I have been taking Effexor for about 7 years and have had no issues. Taking..." + (show)

@kratz5 i just went down to 225 partly because my left arm shakes so violently when i travel with a dinner plate.

saliannadana | @saliannadana | 6 days ago

I would love to warm of this medication but am advised against it by my doctor. How did you get to a point that you can remove it from your life?!

saliannadana | @saliannadana | 6 days ago

In reply to @tisme "I would love to wean off it , the only reason I still take it is..." + (show)

@tisme Yes the brain caps are amazing! Even when I forget one dose, but late in the afternoon I feel as if I'm floating when I move--hard to explain, but it's like my head is trying to catch up with my body as I move. Very weird

saliannadana | @saliannadana | 6 days ago

I have been taking this for so many years I can't remember. What I do know is that missing even a first ours me into an emotional crash and head rushes but the end of the day! Weaning would be marvelous, but where and how to start?

pjs70 | @pjs70 | 5 days ago

In reply to @mmsm "@tisme I think I am going to slow down and do a smaller percentage, like 5%...." + (show)

@mmsm If you do it at 3-5mg every 30 days you will probably feel ok with only minimal side effects if you have symptoms then just don’t wean for more days. listen to your body. If you need an antidepressant for those symptoms then please consult your psychiatrist or doctor about another less nasty drug so that you are covered

pjs70 | @pjs70 | 5 days ago

In reply to @saliannadana "@tisme Yes the brain caps are amazing! Even when I forget one dose, but late in..." + (show)

@saliannadana yes that is very true but when you are weaning it is not as intense in those regards. I guess I just let me have that stuff happen as long as I can get off the nasty stuff. wean in very minimal amts. 3mg works well for me. I let my receptors adjust over a 30 day period so that they are stable before I go down any more. even at that I know when I stop it at 3-4 mg dose I will have symptoms I am prepared with benedryl and inderal and am going to be on CBD oil

pjs70 | @pjs70 | 5 days ago

In reply to @saliannadana "I have been taking this for so many years I can't remember. What I do know..." + (show)

@saliannadana what dose are you taking?

pjs70 | @pjs70 | 5 days ago

In reply to @keithcarey84 "@kratz5 i just went down to 225 partly because my left arm shakes so violently when..." + (show)

@keithcarey84 damn stuff I hope you can wean lower then that
I had chest pain so intense that I had to rule out angina by angiogram. I also had a terrible panic attack when I stopped it. full withdrawal symptoms awful
so now I am weaning slowly and have some minor symptoms and floating feeling leg zaps but I am determined to get off. Docs don’t like to deal with all of this but mine is an angel she really helps me a lot.

pjs70 | @pjs70 | 5 days ago

In reply to @saliannadana "I would love to warm of this medication but am advised against it by my doctor...." + (show)

@saliannadana your doc is probably not wanting to deal with the time that you will have to put in to wean slowly and the fact that you will probably need added support. Lazy
find a doc trained in these drugs or a pharmacist to talk to to start the process. be SLOW and know it is gonna be odd. long process but will be worth it