Dianar: Effexor

[Dianar]

I’ve been on Effexor about 20 years.  I came off last year when I quit smoking after 40 years.  I tapered over 5 months but had bad anxiety and insomnia several months later.  Dr put me back on Effexor.  I still suffer from anxiety tho not as bad but my marriage has suffered terrible.  This has changed my personality.  I don’t feel much of anything.  I’ve moved out and now I’m questioning whether it was good to go back on the Effexor.  I’ve felt numb, like my brain isn’t working right and I don’t know myself.  I’ve also had terrible constipation.  I should add that when I came off the Effexor I had been on 75 mg.  The dr upped it to 150 after I went back on.  150 mg had been the original dose 20 years ago, but somewhere along the way I had gotten my PCP to lower it.  After coming off the Effexor my PCP wouldn’t reinstate it because they were no longer writing prescriptions for this drug.  I had to find a psych dr and wait 2 months to get in.  I feel lost and alone.  My family, job and home are in jeopardy and I know when I came off the Effexor before I was in such bad shape I was incapable of making decisions.  I hate the way I feel.  I feel alone and no one understands. 

 

Edited June 3, 2019 by ChessieCat
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[Shep]

Hi, Dianar.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants.

 

What you're describing is common for antidepressant withdrawal, but with a slow and careful taper, these symptoms will fade out and you'll be able to feel your emotions again.

 

Is Effexor the only drug you're currently taking? What dose are you on now? 

 

Here is some information to get you started:

 

Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine)

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain

 

Healing from antidepressants. Patterns of recovery video (4 minutes)

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

You may find some helpful information to handle your symptoms here: 

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements, as many members report their nervous systems are simply too fragile to handle them. However, magnesium and fish oil tend to be calming to the nervous system and many people report they do help. Please only add in one supplement at a time and at a small dose. For more, please see:

 

 King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

 

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Please continue to use this thread to document your taper and to ask questions. 

 

 

[laydefish]

Hi @Dianar & Welcome! Sorry to hear that you're struggling so, I totally understand! I'm currently 9 months antidepressant free after 11 years and I feel more like myself than I have in years. In fact this Valentine's Day my husband and I got remarried, You see, in 2012  we divorced after 25 years of marriage why/ well the major reason was because I was in withdrawal from these medications and didn't know it and I was no longer myself I basically lost it. Long story short after my head cleared from stopping the medications (I was actually poly drugged, so there were many more) We both realize what was really happening and got back together where we belong. unfortunately these medications do alter your nervous system and brain structure but that's not permanent and you can heal please stay strong all the advice of the moderators here they're really knowledgeable and feel free to contact me anytime. Sincerely laydefish