Atp12: Help fixing taper schedule

[Atp12]

Hi - before I knew better, I listened to my MD on how to wean off. Please see my signature for details. Right now, I am stuck at 37.5mg Effexor XR (Venlafaxine) every two days. After seeing this site, I see I should be taking a daily dose, but reducing by 10% every so often. My question is, where do I go from here? Do I go back to taking 37.5mg daily, then begin reducing by 10% when comfortable? I don't want to erase all my progress I've accomplished over the last year, but the mood imbalances from taking the capsules every two days are really taking a toll. My goal is to come off Effexor ASAP because I am trying to naturally rebalance my body and will be trying to conceive within the next few years. 

 

Any help is appreciated.

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  Thank you for your patience.  Please let me give you some information, and then some suggestions at the end of this post.  

 

Have you been or are you on any other drugs or supplements besides Effexor?  If so, please list.  You say "every other day" and "every two days", which to me are the same thing.  Did you mean every third day after Jan. 2023?  As in, take the dose, then skip 2 days, then take another dose of 37.5? 

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

What symptoms are you having at this time? 

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the reduction becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Tips for Tapering Effexor

 

Please clarify what you mean by the following.  To me, it sounds like the same thing.  Then, we can advise you what to do. 

 

2022 - November Effexor 37.5 every other day (as instructed by MD)
2023 - January Effexor 37.5 every two days (as instructed by MD)

 

 

 

Edited July 7, 2023 by getofflex

[Atp12]

18 hours ago, getofflex said:

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  Thank you for your patience.  Please let me give you some information, and then some suggestions at the end of this post.  

 

Have you been or are you on any other drugs or supplements besides Effexor?  If so, please list.  You say "every other day" and "every two days", which to me are the same thing.  Did you mean every third day after Jan. 2023?  As in, take the dose, then skip 2 days, then take another dose of 37.5? 

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

What symptoms are you having at this time? 

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the reduction becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Tips for Tapering Effexor

 

Please clarify what you mean by the following.  To me, it sounds like the same thing.  Then, we can advise you what to do. 

 

2022 - November Effexor 37.5 every other day (as instructed by MD)
2023 - January Effexor 37.5 every two days (as instructed by MD)

 

 

 

Hi @getofflex,

 

Thank you for your reply.  To answer your questions:

 

1. Other drugs/supplements: At the time of starting Effexor (2018), I was on various prescription meds, all non-anti-depressants - mainly immunosuppressants and steroids. I took myself off of them in 2019. As of now, I am on various herbal/homeopathic supplements - Physica Nat Colon CR, Supreme Nutrition Manjistha, Physica Hydrangea Intrinsic, Biotics Research Paratoid TS, Physica Holoplexus, Microbiome Labs Wheat Rescue, Microbiome Labs Mega IGG, Desbio Neuro 1.  I am working with an integrative health practitioner (and am a new one myself) to heal Lyme and co-infections, mold toxicity, gut dysbiosis, etc.

 

2.  Currently (and as of Jan 2023) I am stuck at taking Effexor every three days (sorry for the confusion). If I take 37.5mg Monday, I don't take it again until Thursday.

 

3.  Symptoms: Brain zaps and fog (mainly just the night before I take another dose now), emotional/crying (day/night before taking another dose), headaches, depression, anxiety, irritability, uncontrolled stress, overall mood imbalances. I just don't feel like myself and it has been this way for so long I am starting to lose track of what my "normal" felt like.

 

I hope this helps clarify. I am hopeful you (or someone!) can help recommend the best path forward to begin tapering the correct way so that I can end this nightmare!

 

Thanks so much,

Alyssa

[getofflex]

I would suggest that instead of taking Effexor 37.5 every three days, you take 12.5 mg each and every day.  Take it at the same time of day, and don't miss any doses.  "Tips for Tapering Effexor" link above will explain how to measure the non standard doses.  As you probably know, skipping doses is hard on the nervous system, because the drug level goes up and down in the bloodstream and is confusing for the nervous system.  I would suggest holding on this 12.5 mg dose for a while, and then doing a gradual taper as explained above. (Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage). I would hold for about 3-6 months, and allow my nervous system a chance to heal and rest before resuming tapering.  This should help to resolve the symptoms you describe above, which are typical symptoms of withdrawal from psych meds.  

[Atp12]

16 hours ago, getofflex said:

I would suggest that instead of taking Effexor 37.5 every three days, you take 12.5 mg each and every day.  Take it at the same time of day, and don't miss any doses.  "Tips for Tapering Effexor" link above will explain how to measure the non standard doses.  As you probably know, skipping doses is hard on the nervous system, because the drug level goes up and down in the bloodstream and is confusing for the nervous system.  I would suggest holding on this 12.5 mg dose for a while, and then doing a gradual taper as explained above. (Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage). I would hold for about 3-6 months, and allow my nervous system a chance to heal and rest before resuming tapering.  This should help to resolve the symptoms you describe above, which are typical symptoms of withdrawal from psych meds.  

Thank you so much @getofflex, I really appreciate your help! Started this today 😊

[getofflex]

On 7/9/2023 at 10:03 AM, Atp12 said:

Thank you so much @getofflex, I really appreciate your help! Started this today 😊

Please see my signature for this message - Please do not private message me or tag me.