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coming off effexor

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Posted 10/31/2016 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,
I'm coming off Effexor at the moment, gradually. I have been on 150mg for about 2 years. I was at 225 for a little while but stepped back down a few months ago. Effexor has been really helpful for me, I am much healthier and feel a lot better about myself and think about things is much healthier ways.
I've stepped down to 100mg and it's just been under a week. I feel like I'm coping ok relative to others' experiences. I feel exhausted and sleep like a log. My body feels quite drained and I feel a strong depressed feeling in my chest. I guess I just feel down. I am able to work and carry on, but honestly don't feel like it! Would like to go to bed if I could. I have been more teary and sensitive, but managing to keep it together as I know it's because I am withdrawing. Also experiencing night sweats and vivid dreams, but they are the least of my worries.
I guess I just wanted to vent and share my experience, and seek support to persevere with this! Thanks for listening. :)
Posted 10/31/2016 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
So, does your doctor know you decided to stop?

We see this a lot on this board. People are depressed, take medications, feel better, and decide they don't need the medications anymore. And then when they feel worse--decide that the feeling is withdrawal.

Maybe you are doing this with the knowledge of your doctor. I hope so. If so--your brain will become accustomed to the new normal soon.

If your doctor didn't sign up to this course of action,I hereby smack you upside the head--and tell your to go call your doctor and come clean.
Posted 10/31/2016 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
That's a good point. I guess I am attributing the negative feelings to withdrawal, with the hope that that is all it is. I guess its very hard to tell until my brain has found its normal. I guess that there is a fear there that once I'm off the Effexor a little bit, and then altogether, that I won't be able to cope the way I have been whilst on it. It's hard to remember what I was like before I was on it, but I really want to be able to succeed without it. I don't really want to be on it forever, especially if these are the kinds of side effects it can do to you.
Yes I am in touch with my doctor, although I suspect they don't know how hard it is!
Posted 10/31/2016 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
Why are you going off of Effexor? I took it for about 20 years. No problems with it. I too hope that the doc knows what is going on. I would let them know everything. Maybe you are going off too fast.

Hope this works out.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 10/31/2016 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
Any AD is going to change the way the brain processes information. It is the way they work.

A lot of people do not want the chemical help, don't trust it or don't want to be dependent on a pill. I am not saying it is right or wrong, simply how they feel.

I have know since early 2000s that I will be on some sort of medication for the remainder of my life ( for conditions other than depression.) Am I happy about it? No. But I accept that they manage my medical conditions. I am in the process of trying to wean down on other medications (not ADs). My doctors know and approve. I have been off opiates now for a month. In the next few weeks, I am going to focus on reducing ambien again. I have tried twice before and couldn't manage it.

I type all this because management is sometimes any of us can hope for. I am glad your doctor knows. It takes a month or so to really get it out of your system. That being said--you will not know for a while if your depression has become managed.
Posted 10/31/2016 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Effexor (Venaflaxine) for 12 years... I have weaned my self off it in the last 30 weeks... by opening capsules and pouring little white particals of medicine out increasing five particles a week... Been with out any for 11 days. My life feels like I am in high speed... I talk way faster than I did. As others have said my tears come easily... I am fired up about life. My issue now is almost concentrating on things... I did this non doctor assisted. I did it as if I missed one pill my night mares were horrid... I did not want to be so dependent on a medicine. I would not mind even taking another medication just not one like that. Any words of wisdom... switching doctors in the midst of this is gonna make this hard. Mine is retiring.... so I need to make a change and mental health is so hard to start over with.... Medicines have changed in 12 years....
Posted 10/31/2016 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/mental-health/mental-health-ethnic-minority-experiences/not-taking-prescribed-medication
Posted 10/31/2016 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068890/

Approximately 50% of patients do not take their medications as prescribed.

90 million adults in the US are thought to medical illiteracy.

Factors contributing to poor medication adherence are myriad and include those that are related to:

patients (eg, suboptimal health literacy and lack of involvement in the treatment decision–making process),


http://www.learnaboutrxsafety.org/healthy-dose.aspx

Nearly three out of four Americans report not always taking their prescription medicine as directed.

Post Edited (Myself 09) : 10/31/2016 11:49:30 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/31/2016 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/dangers-of-stopping-antidepressants

FromHealthline--The dangers of stopping antidepressants
Posted 10/31/2016 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Pottskog,

I do not recommend going off medications unassisted by the doctor. Are you all the way off now? I hope you are doing okay.

Learn mindfulness and meditation to help with the concentration. mindful.org is a good place to start. Plus there are many books on it. It helps you have control of your thinking.

Myself, thanks for the links...

Hugs, Karen...
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