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Re: Can't get off Effexor! Please help (CAM)

Posted by Mark H. on September 21, 2001, at 19:54:43

In reply to Can't get off Effexor! Please help (CAM), posted by DebbieLynn on September 21, 2001, at 11:21:13

Hi Debbie,

Not being able to drop from 225mg/day to 187.5mg/day without severe withdrawal symptoms does not bode well for you. There is the possibility that the symptoms you experienced were a non-causal coincidence, especially since it describes a type of flu that has been going around lately.

However, if you really are that sensitive, then reducing your dose in 37.5 mg increments isn't going to work for you, so you may want to try cutting back by HALF that amount to see if you can tolerate it.

Your doctor needs to understand that it can take anywhere from several weeks to several MONTHS to taper off of Effexor successfully. Even tapering very slowly and finally taking tiny fragments of tablets in the final days, I had flu-like symptoms for a full 6 weeks AFTER completely stopping Effexor in 1995 (I went back on in 1997 and have taken it since). The first several days I felt like an emotional and physical whirlwind, unable to stand still long enough to shave or shower, crying or laughing hysterically over the smallest things, feeling inappropriately passionate and completely out of control. I could barely concentrate enough to get the simplest tasks done at work.

I take two medications that potentiate Effexor (make it stronger and allow me to take less than I used to). However, the circumstances for my taking those adjunctive medications, while not unique, are nevertheless specific to my condition. I have no idea whether it would be appropriate for you to try an adjunctive as a way of helping to lower your dose. Please ask your doctor, however. (The adjunctive meds I take are pindolol, a beta-blocker, and methylphenidate, a stimulant -- there are definite drawbacks to taking either one of these strong medications.)

Over the years, Effexor has definitely increased my weight (by about 20%), my blood pressure and my resting pulse (which is in the upper 90s all the time). On the other hand, I enjoy a quality of life and level of productivity and usefulness that I might not otherwise be able to sustain.

Is it really worth it to you to go off of Effexor? Do you really need to? It must seem strange that I would ask these questions, but if Effexor is helping you and going off of it will be exceptionally difficult for you, are you sure that's the direction you want to go?

I hope you find a way to get what you want and need, and that you'll share your experience with the rest of us.

Best wishes,

Mark H.


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