Tuikea: Enlafax (Venlafaxine) Taper

[Tuikea]

Hi 👋 

Current Meds
Enlafax 75mg daily 
Synthroid 1 x 75mcg daily (Thyroid meds)
-----------------------------------

I have been on AD most of my adult life I am now 68y.

It started with postnatal depression age 23y I was put on Amitriptyline.

I managed to cope off AD for some years then in my early 40s anxiety hit me again and I started Paxil. 

I was on Paxil for about 15y and decided to go cold turkey not understanding what was about to happen. I was bed ridden with Anxiety the doctor tried several AD to help and nothing did until Effexor within 3 days I was up and about coping with work again. Effexor has been changed to Enlafax in NZ and my first attempt to get off was in 2018 that was a fail as I got back depression and anxiety and reinstated.

I have tried several times to reduce but end up back on 225mg I don't feel good on this drug and have started getting physical health problems.

 

2024

I am trying again and so far I feel good

 

 

 

[Emonda]

Welcome to S.A. @Tuikea,

 

15 hours ago, Tuikea said:

I have been on AD most of my adult life I am now 68y.

 

I, too, have been on these things almost my entire adult life, although I am a little younger and taking a different AD.

 

In my experience and the experience of many others on this site, if you taper slowly, you can make real progress in trying to get off these things or significantly reduce your dose.

 

It would be worth reading this link: Why taper by 10% of my dosage? 

 

It would also be beneficial for you to read the link below:

 

 

When you taper faster than the 10% maximum recommendation, WD symptoms are the likely outcome: Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

You seem to be going much faster than the maximum of 10%. I'd pause the taper for months and let your body catch up.

 

A few helpful links:

 

Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Non-drug coping strategies

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but two that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. Add one at a time and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Avoid alcohol. 

 

Don't change the manufacturer of your AD.

 

This is your own Introduction topic.  Each member has only ONE Introduction topic.  Your own Introduction topic is the best place to ask questions and the place to journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story. 

 

Once again, welcome to S.A.

 

Emonda

 

 

[Tuikea]

Thanks Emonda for the links and advice, yes I have done the taper fast up until now I am staying put on 75mg for a minimum of 6 weeks longer probably like you say.

I received some digital scales to day so I can start doing 10% from now on when I am sure I am stable.

I have been having problems with my body so I wanted to get onto 75mg. I had already stopped drinking wine about 8 months ago.

I am feeling really good mentally so far I hope it stays this good.

I can cope with the physical side effects of tapering, it's the anxiety that I can't cope with and this time seems different.

I am off to read the links now, I am also following people's progress.

 

 

 

[KaiLee]

Hello, and welcome.

I am glad to hear that you're feeling good!