coming off Effexor

[Maile25]

day 6 off Effexor cold turkey: hot flashes hourly, disorientation, confusion, increased back pain, 72 years old and in good health. Anyone experienced this?

was on it for nerve root compression in back.

[Randone101]

was it recommended you go cold turkey? When I came off lexapro I was told to wean and I did it very slow and had no symptoms.

[Maile25 in reply to Randone101]

Yes, should have weaned.

[Randone101 in reply to Maile25]

It’s going to be okay, I imagine if the symptoms are aggressive enough you can take another dose and then start properly weaning off.

[Maile25 in reply to Randone101]

Yes, trying to avoid that buts always an option. Thanks for the support, this is all so strange to me.

[Randone101 in reply to Maile25]

If you have anyone in your life you can talk to I recommend it, my mom is always there for me and I have a couple friends I can chat with.

The brain is so complex and not understood, I pray that in a decade they can just scan your brain and figure out what’s wrong 🤣

[Maile25 in reply to Randone101]

Great suggestion, and yes, my amazing 37 year old daughter . I think your prayers will most likely come true with all the high tech imaging being developed.

[Randone101 in reply to Maile25]

good I’m glad to hear that, I hope anyone here that doesn’t have someone close to talk to can find someone in this community, we’re social creatures and desperately need socialization to feel better

[MARYRD27]

why are you not tapering off?

[Maile25 in reply to MARYRD27]

Doc didn’t feel I needed to after taking it for only 6 months. 37.5 mg ( I always require half doses, sensitive)

[LoveforAll41]

How high was your dose Maile25? I stopped cold turkey on 125mg. I felt pretty crazy for a couple weeks. Was VERY irritable. I always just remind myself that something physically crazy is going on and it makes riding it out much easier for me. Finally, a real tangible thing to blame other than my crazy thoughts 😜☮️

[Maile25 in reply to LoveforAll41]

Thank you, yes I have been trying to remind myself of that!

[SayNOtoPanic]

If it’s very bad, definitely take it and then taper slow. Have heard Effexor needs tapering. Lifting you in prayer. 🙏🏻

[Weatherwoman]

I know that I could not go off Effexor Cold Turkey. It's taken me two years, so far, to Cut WAY back on my Effexor that I was taking for years for OCD/Anxiety! Was on 150 mg. & now am on 12 & 1/2 mg. Went off VERY slowly. Haven't noticed any bad symptoms going off, and OCD not worse. Anxiety about the same, and work on that on a daily basis with breathing ex., therapy that I've had over the years, talking, or texting friends, but careful Not to overload them, diversion with classes, hobbies. However, when I get ill (as now am with a Bad cold/sinus), I simply can't seem to stop the anxious, "what-if" thoughts. Also, am alone now as lost my precious Sig. Other of 27 years, and navigating being older & alone. I do take Ativan (1/2 of 1 mg.) which is helpful. Don't care if it's addictive, it helps. Anyway, don't think it's a good idea to go off any medication "cold turkey," but glad you are doing better now!

[Maile25 in reply to Weatherwoman]

In retrospect I would have weaned differently- my regrets.

I’m sorry for the loss of your SO. This must make it even more difficult. I’m finding that I need to just be chill and kind to myself right now because my head is unbalanced . Take care of yourself.

[Weatherwoman in reply to Maile25]

Thanks for your post & kind words. Yes, chill & be kind to yourself --Good Rx!