I have been taking 300mg of Effexor every day for over two years and am now trying to get off of it. I am reducing my dosage, per doctors orders by 37.5mg per week, therefore it will be 8 weeks before I am completely off. I am into my fourth week now, taking 150mg in the morning and 37.5mg in the afternoon. I am beginning to have bad dreams again and am beginning to feel edgy.
Have any of you had a similar experience that ultimately got better? How long did it take?
2006-07-30 11:20:02 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
It's likely Effexor withdrawal (even though you're coming off properly), which is notoriously brutal. I'm on 375mg and once tried to decrease and just couldn't do it because of the symptoms. I don't know specifcally about the dreams or edginess, but they certainly seem like possible symptoms of withdrawal. Unfortunately, 37.5 is the lowest dose and thus the only way to decrease- I think they really need to make something smaller, specifically for those coming off it. I have heard of doctors suggesting opening the capsule and actually counting out the little things to take a smaller dose, but I don't know if that's widely accepted. DO NOT do it without talking to the doc, but it might be something worth bringing up to him/her. Sorry, there's not a whole lot that can be done to fix this without staying on the med.
2006-08-01 09:38:44 · answer #1 · answered by jdfatc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi and very best wishes to you. I have been on a much lower dose than you started on, so am not able to help sorry, except to say that I think you need to see your doctor FAST. He/she may want to stabilise you on a lower than previous dose for a little while before stopping the Efexor completely. Are you trying other relaxation methods at the same time? They may help a little.
Anyway - best wishes. Hope you are feeling much better soon.
2006-07-30 11:26:55 · answer #2 · answered by beluke_3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started taking DHEA, as I increased the DHEA, I decreased the Effexor, no withdrawal symptoms at all, and I am off the Effexor completely now, took me two months.
2006-07-30 12:22:08 · answer #3 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i use efferxor and i bet its part of the withdraw. if i even miss a few doses my body feels funny. talk to your doctor is your best bet
2006-07-30 11:24:12 · answer #4 · answered by Aubrey P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some people are lifers and cannot ever quit taking it, you may be that kind of person
2006-07-30 11:23:58 · answer #5 · answered by DesignR 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋