Weaning off Effexor

[Kathyp703]

I've been on Effexor for over 10 years with great success. However, I recently saw my Sleep doc who thinks that it may be causing my PLMD, which in turn can make me cranky and edgy during the day. He has recommended that I try and reduce my dose of Effexor from 300mg/day. I had a malabsorbtive procedure 18 years ago, and have to take higher levels of certain medications in order to absorb what I need and by spreading the dose over 3 times a day. I'm wondering if anyone else had had to reduce their dose and what effects I may experience? I've just cut back by 35mg a day (evening dose) and haven't had too much of an effect except a slight increase in anxiety, and a little headachey. My doc told me I may have a rough time and so we're taking this very slowly.

[NiBa5]

Hi

Please please please go slowly to taper it off. Then I think you’ll be fine. I quit a long time use of Lexapro due to my health reason . It caused me severe “post acute withdrawal symptoms”. I’m still on recovery that takes time. I truly hope your tapering off process will go ok.

Hugs

[Kathyp703 in reply to NiBa5]

Thank you! That's my plan, slowwwwww along with my doctors advice. Possibly replacing Effexor with Wellbutrin is my goal. (It doesn't cause leg movements).

[NiBa5 in reply to Kathyp703]

I truly hope you won’t go through “h*ll” that I went through. Psychotropic meds are tricky. I didn’t know Wellbutrin won’t cause involuntary movement. My brain doesn’t accept either SNRI or SDRI. I didn’t take any med for a year then I came back to Prozac (Fluoxetine).

[Kathyp703]

Update: it's been 1 week since I lowered my dose by 37.5mg. The first 3-4 days were interesting. I had a very low grade headache(not strong enough for any pain killers), and I was very spaced out. Day 5 and forward I've felt like myself. One more week, and if all goes well, I'll cut another 37.5mg. Stay tuned!

[Kathyp703]

UPDATE 10/18/20: I successfully tapered down by 37.5mg of Effexor, and have now tapered down another 37.5mg. The only side effects I seem to have (within a few days of each transition) is that I get slightly confused, and a light headache. Both go away after a few days. I plan on staying at my current dose of 225mg for another week, then trying to taper off another 37.5mg. I'm now able now to feel joy! I told my husband that previously I felt absolutely nothing, like a member of the walking dead. That's how I felt. There is hope!