KayB Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 Hello, I am glad to have found this forum. I have been on Effexor for 10+ years and I very much want to be off. I have tried tapering several times without success so far, still hopeful. Withdrawal symptoms are horrible. Not only have I not been able to taper, but I have also found that as time goes by, I have had to increase my dose just to avoid the withdrawal symptoms. Any advice or encouragement is welcome! I hope to encourage you on your journey as well. Never used antidepressants in my life, until in 2007 I was diagnosed with breast cancer (doing fine now!). Cancer surgeon put me on Effexor 50 mg to enable me to tolerate Tamoxifen (which caused SE of depression), and it worked. I took Tamoxifen for 5 years along with Effexor 50 mg. Effexor makes me feel numb emotionally which I do not like. I expected to be able to go off of the Effexor when I stopped the Tamoxifen but instead my body wanted more Effexor. My dose went up to 75 XR. I tried multiple times to wean off of it, but couldn't due to SE of withdrawal (headache, nausea, vomiting, shaking). About 2 years ago the 75 was not enough but I did not want to go up so the doctor put me on 25 mg of desipramine along with the 75 XR. I tried going on Prozac 20 mg for a while and it enabled me to not have to go up on Effexor but it did not enable me to wean down on Effexor (still got the withdrawal effects when I went down on Effexor). Prozac had other side effects that I did not like (brain fog, forgetfulness, difficulty to focus/concentrate). I went off of Prozac. Since being off of Prozac I have withdrawal episodes once every 2-3 weeks and when they start I have to take lots of Effexor to prevent them from getting out of control so I may end up taking 450 mg XR of Effexor in one day just to ward off the headache, nausea, vomiting. Most recently my doctor is trying to treat the symptoms of withdrawal (which she thinks may be a migraine). Currently I am still on 75 mg XR Effexor and 25 mg desipramine. When I begin to get withdrawal symptoms I take an Imitrix for the migraine. Last weekend was the first time that I had a chance to try it and it seems to have worked! The first goal is to get me stable on the 75 mg XR for a couple of months. The second goal is to wean me down on my Effexor. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted November 21, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 21, 2019 (edited) Welcome to SA, KayB. We have helped many members taper off Effexor, and we're happy to help you. The fact that you've had to increase your dose to avoid withdrawal in dilates you are in "poop-out" where the drug is no longer working. So it's a very good idea to get off the drug. 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. Please include the type of Effexor you're taking. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? The following link gives specific instructions for tapering of the different types of Effexor. The most common method is counting the number of beads in a capsule, then reducing that number by 10% every four weeks. Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine) We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 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. This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here. Edited November 21, 2019 by Gridley Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
KayB Posted November 28, 2019 Author Share Posted November 28, 2019 Hi Gridley, thank you so much for your response and the helpful information. I am currently taking Omega 3 but I have not been taking magnesium so I just ordered some. Thanks for the recommendation. I also completed my signature. Never used antidepressants in my life, until in 2007 I was diagnosed with breast cancer (doing fine now!). Cancer surgeon put me on Effexor 50 mg to enable me to tolerate Tamoxifen (which caused SE of depression), and it worked. I took Tamoxifen for 5 years along with Effexor 50 mg. Effexor makes me feel numb emotionally which I do not like. I expected to be able to go off of the Effexor when I stopped the Tamoxifen but instead my body wanted more Effexor. My dose went up to 75 XR. I tried multiple times to wean off of it, but couldn't due to SE of withdrawal (headache, nausea, vomiting, shaking). About 2 years ago the 75 was not enough but I did not want to go up so the doctor put me on 25 mg of desipramine along with the 75 XR. I tried going on Prozac 20 mg for a while and it enabled me to not have to go up on Effexor but it did not enable me to wean down on Effexor (still got the withdrawal effects when I went down on Effexor). Prozac had other side effects that I did not like (brain fog, forgetfulness, difficulty to focus/concentrate). I went off of Prozac. Since being off of Prozac I have withdrawal episodes once every 2-3 weeks and when they start I have to take lots of Effexor to prevent them from getting out of control so I may end up taking 450 mg XR of Effexor in one day just to ward off the headache, nausea, vomiting. Most recently my doctor is trying to treat the symptoms of withdrawal (which she thinks may be a migraine). Currently I am still on 75 mg XR Effexor and 25 mg desipramine. When I begin to get withdrawal symptoms I take an Imitrix for the migraine. Last weekend was the first time that I had a chance to try it and it seems to have worked! The first goal is to get me stable on the 75 mg XR for a couple of months. The second goal is to wean me down on my Effexor. Link to comment
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