Indygrl68 Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 Hello I've been taking Effexor XR for 11 years. I was prescribed it after a total hysterectomy to help with mood swings and night sweats. I've passed the surgical menopause and no longer want to take the Effexor. I hate the way I feel when I miss a dose. I get brain zaps and my lips tingle. I can't focus and get dizzy. I spoke to my MD and under his care I'm weaning off of his medication. I was initially taking 150mg daily but am tapering now. First 2 weeks I did 1 37.5mg tablet three times daily. I'm into my third day of lowering it to 37.5 mg twice daily and I am feeling like I'm on an emotional roller coaster. Everything upsets me. Crying and blubbering. I have no other nasty symptoms like I've read that other people do as of yet. I'm relieved that I'm not the only one out there that is dealing with this. I hate this medication Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Jemima Posted September 6, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 6, 2013 This topic was moved from the Tapering discussion on 9/6/13. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted September 6, 2013 Administrator Share Posted September 6, 2013 Welcome, Indygrl. It sounds like you are getting withdrawal symptoms. You may be reducing Effexor too fast for your nervous system. See this topic for ways to taper more gradually http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/ This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Jemima Posted September 6, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 6, 2013 Indygrl68, That is way too fast a taper. Unfortunately, most doctors don't know how to taper people off psychiatric meds properly because the drug companies gloss over how difficult these drugs are to quit. If you felt all right at the 112.5 dose, I'd recommend that you go back on that schedule and stabilize for at least a month. If you don't feel better at that dose after four full days, it might help to go back up to your original dose. Again, stay there for at least a month. Once you're stabilized and feeling ready, then you can taper off much more slowly. When you have a chance, please post your drug history in your signature. That way it will appear in all of your posts. How To Add Your Drug History To Your Signature I'm glad you found us. Welcome to the forum. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment
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