Effexor

[Depressed_Individual]

I have been tapering off of Effexor for three weeks now. I reduce my dosage by 37.5mg every Monday. I have really bad withdrawals every time I decrease my dosage. I get very depressed and feel like crying more than usual. Today has been very hard. I feel like I can’t keep it together. I am worried I an going to have s break down. I don’t know what to do. I want to get through this but the negative thoughts won’t stop

[kenster1]

Have you consulted with your doctor maybe redce it at a higher dose over a longer period of time.

[Depressed_Individual in reply to kenster1]

I have. I told my doctor I have had suicidal thoughts and she told me to go to the ER if I plan ok acting on them. I don’t think she cares about me. I just want to be off this medication ASAP. It has poisoned me

[kenster1 in reply to Depressed_Individual]

It's a nightmare for most of us although some don't have long lasting effects but it's not well advised to suddenly stop. A programme I watched said if you are on meds a year then you should reduce then stop over a year or it can bite us harder if we don't.

[Weatherwoman in reply to Depressed_Individual]

Re. Effexor: I had been on that drug for over ten years! Was taking it for OCD, anxiety, depression. It did help some with the OCD, but had a lot of unwanted side effects. Was on 150 mg. at the highest. Went down to 100 mg. for a few years. Then, went to 50 mg. Had to go back to 100 mg. due to setbacks. Finally, a year ago, due to side effects, etc. started tapering down. Went from 75 mg. to 50 in months. Then, went from 50 mg. to 25 mg., and now on 12 mg. I am crying more, but think that is mostly due to my Grief losing my Sig. Other two years ago. Also, lost my Mom & some friends & relatives. Point is, it's probably best to taper off S l o w l y, I would think. But, of course, you should be guided by a Caring, interested physician be it a Primary Care Dr., a Psychiatrist, or Psych Nurse. Every body is different. Hope you get the help you need.

[Depressed_Individual in reply to Weatherwoman]

Thank you so much for your support. It sounds like you have had a hard time with Effexor amongst other things. You seem like a strong person. I really hope that you eventually feel better. None of us deserve to suffer. Thank you again. I really really appreciate the support

[Depressed_Individual]

Multiple sources on the internet said coming off Effexor is hard. My doctor said people rarely experience withdrawal symptoms. I feel like she lied to my face. I am at 75mg so I will be finished taking the medication in two weeks. Apparently the withdrawal symptoms from stoping the medication are worse than the withdrawals from reducing the dose. I have been through hell the last two months. My depression got worse when I started taking the medication and my doctor just kept increasing the dose. I have hurt and cried so much. There are times I have given up on life. Times I have held a knife to my throat. If it wasn’t for my mom I wouldn’t be here. It has just been such a struggle. I really hoped this medication would help but it just made everything worse. I am sorry for letting that all out on you

[-Charlie in reply to Depressed_Individual]

I had a really difficult time on Effexor. It raised my blood pressure and made me shaky. There are many other meds you can try - it’s hit and miss how each person will react to a med. Let your mom or doctor know it’s just not working for you. I was switched from Effexor to Lexapo and it was night and day difference. I was eventually able to stop the Lexapo but it’s a slow wean process - the slower you go the less the withdrawals, but yes, there’s definitely withdrawals stopping any antidepressants. I’m surprised your doctor told you different. Hope you can find what works for you. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. xxx

[Depressed_Individual in reply to -Charlie]

Thank you for your response! I appreciate it. I switched from Lexapro to Effexor in December. I am now back to taking Lexapro and weaning off of Effexor. I hope that I will stabilize eventually. These withdrawals are brutal. I am sorry you had a rough go with Effexor too. I hope you are well now. Than you for your support❤️

[-Charlie in reply to Depressed_Individual]

You’re very welcome. Sounds like you’re doing everything right adding back the Lexapro while you wean off the Effexor. I believe Lexapro is a good antidepressant with minimal side effects compared to others. Hang in there…better days are ahead. All of us on this forum have been through ups and downs with med changes so we truly understand and are here for you however we can help. Take care of yourself and try to be patient through the process. xx

[Depressed_Individual in reply to -Charlie]

thank you so much. I really needed some encouragement today. Bless you

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to Depressed_Individual]

so sorry you are going through this. Lifting you in prayer for an easier time with tapering off. Hand you tried breaking it down by cutting it? I read in a forum once that was the best way for people to get off Effexor. One gentlemen had explained how he kept cutting it by half every few days until it was down to almost nothing. 🙏🏻are you able to change doctors?

[Depressed_Individual in reply to SayNOtoPanic]

Thank you so much for your support. It really means a lot to me. My doctor has instructed me to reduce my dosage by 37.5mg every week. I am at 75mg now so I will be done with it soon but the withdrawals could ho on for months. I would love to change doctors but it is very hard to get a new doctor here. Thank you again. God bless you

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to Depressed_Individual]

You’re welcome!! Let’s send prayers up that the withdrawl side effects are gone soon and you will be well. 🙏🏻 Hopefully you can find a new doctor too at some point and feel supported and heard. God bless you too.

[MM08]

I completely understand what you are going through. Please know that it will get better, even though it's awful right now. I know you want to just be off the med, but, from my own experience, you need to slow down and drop less frequently by smaller amounts. My first drop was from 225mg to 150mg, because that's what my Dr told me to do. I ended up in the Psych ER, literally thinking I was dying. Now, I'm at 48 mg (weighing the beads), and still feel bad, although not like I was. Be sure to get help when you need it, both medical and psychological. And be patient with yourself. Withdrawal is no joke.

[Depressed_Individual in reply to MM08]

thank you so much for your support. It means so much to me during this challenging period of my life. I am so sorry that you have struggled so much. You don’t deserve to and you seem like such a strong person. I hope things get easier for you. Take care and thank you again