Nikki79: ready to be free

[Nikki79]

Hi everyone, I am so thankful to find this forum. I have been on Effexor XR 75mg for 10 months as prescribed by my doctor for anxiety issues. I am another person that wished I had known more about this drug before I began taking it. I have been seeing my psychologist during this time and I am feeling so much better and ready to stop taking Effexor XR. After having no real idea what I was in for i began searching online as my doctor (who I now think has no idea what this drug can do when stopped) just gave me a prescription for the 37.5mg and said start them alternating days with your 75mg. This worried me greatly when i started educating myself more on the withdrawal symptoms. My very supporting partner both discussed it and after much research decided we will open up the 75mg capsule and start the long process of bead counting and 10% reduction. I feel much safer doing it this way than just dropping the 50% to 37.5mg. So here I am day 2 and all is well so far but I am strapping myself in and doing everything possible to make it less severe as possible. Exercising, cleaned up my diet, started taking vitamin supplements and fish oil. I would appreciate any other tips there is a lot of info around but I am always grateful for more. I am ready to be free of Effexor XR. My anxiety is in check so far and am feeling positive. Thanks for reading, Nikki.

[Gridley]

Welcome, Nikki.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

You were very wise to avoid the terrible alternate day dosing and the 50% drop.  Here is some specific information on the 10% taper and tapering Effexor:

  

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Brain Remodelling

 

Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine)

 

Regarding supplements, the only two we recommend are magnesium (magnesium glycinate is a good form) and omega fish oil.  

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

While it is often a first response to stress to take a B-Complex, in withdrawal it can be overstimulating.

 

Hypersensitive to B Vitamin or B-Complex  

 

We also recommend that you develop a toolkit of non-drug coping skills.

 

The Dr. Claire Weekes Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms.

 

Some members find strenuous exercise helpful, while others find a gentle walk in nature works better for them.  Take it easy on the exercise and work up to what is most beneficial to you.

 

This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community.  I hope you’ll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation.  I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but I am glad that you found us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 26, 2018 by Gridley

[Nikki79]

Thanks for replying Gridley I am so glad I found this also. And thank so you so much for the links. I have been getting up before work and doing some cardio at my gym, hopefully I am ticking a few boxes and this time in my life won't be too hard to take.

[Nikki79]

So one week down and things have been seemingly ok so far besides Saturday. I've had constant headaches since Wednesday which although annoying they have been tolerable. Saturday I had a little melt down and couldn't stop crying for unknowns reasons. And then an hour or so later i just felt ok again, crying stops. I was sure it was just a symptom and tried not to think about it much more, I apologized to my partner for ruining the day although she was telling me it was fine and not to worry. We know we have a road ahead I am very lucky to have someone by my side. Supplements have been fine and no issues with taking them. All systems go, one week down. Thanks for reading, Nikki.