Taper Effexor

Hi, I've been on Effexor/Venlafaxine (delayed release) for about ten years, most of which was at 300mg daily. The side effects have suddenly increased, the most annoying being night sweats so heavy I have to sleep on incontinence bed pads and waterproof cushions, but also I get violent involuntary leg twitches every couple of minutes starting with a pain in my feet at night and I frequently can't sleep (some nights I don't sleep at all). I'm thinking this is seretonin syndrome. I'm in the UK and have tried to see a psychiatrist but no joy.... and my doctor won't change my psych meds.... so I'm stuck. I've heard about tapering by opening the capsules and removing beads. This seems like a good idea. I wondered if anyone out there had tapered from 300mg, wha...

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I am an MD who was RX Effexor XR for depression over 10 years ago. I took 75mg for many years and felt fine for a long time, but then wanted to get off of it. I would be in a panic if I forgot to take my pill and would experience strange dizzy/buzzing sensation behind my eyes. I was able to taper down to the 37.5mg pretty easily by alternating daily between 75mg/37.5mg. Then I got stuck and tried taking the lower dose every other day or every 36 hours but the side effects were too great. Then luckily, my new partner suggested opening up the capsules and tapering off with beads. I have been doing that now for about a year and a half. The original generic brand capsule had about 39 beads in and I was able to get down to 6 beads. When I tried to stop I couldn't function. I was shocked ...

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Hello, I started taking Effexor solely for anxiety about 7 years ago (75 mg). At the age of 23 I decided I wanted to attempt life without a medication for anxiety. My doctor cut my dosage in half (37.5 mg). Although I feel like I am doing ok with the half dosage in the area of anxiety, I feel different than I did before taking Effexor. I am extremely irritable, I don't feel like myself, and just feel (for lack of better terms) BLAH! I am so worried that I either have to stay on Effexor 75 mg for life or live this -blah- life. Has anyone ever experienced these feelings after decreasing the dosage? I have been on a half dose for about a year and the feelings haven't gone away. ## You might want to go back to your doctor and explain this. Perhaps tapering in smaller increments? If ...

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I had a heart attack on 9-26-16...I was doing decent afterward for several weeks. I decided to go off effexor 150mg. after 10+ years. The reason is because effexor can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weight gain, all in which I have problems with and especially now I need to control them more. I've been tapering for a month with mild withdrawal, some days better or worse than others. Mostly irritability, vertigo, brain fog, tired all the time, yet I cannot sleep. Headaches come and go and quite a bit of body, muscle, joint aches. What's concerning me at this point is my chest is very sore, left side. I'm wondering if the tapering is causing discomfort? As of 2 days ago I decreased again and am down to 37.5. I thought I'd be feeling a lot worse, maybe tha...

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hi I started Effexor ER 3 days ago and beginning the first day I started to get fairly severe stomach and lower back cramping along with having to defecate several times a day. Has anyone ever experienced this type of side effect when just starting the medication? Thank you everyone. ## Hello, Jay! How are you? I'm very sorry about the symptoms you've had. However, the symptoms you've described are reported as possible side effects, when someone is new to taking this medication and it may take a few weeks for them to taper off, as your body gets used to the Effexor. You may also experience dizziness, fatigue and increased salivation, according to the FDA. Is there anything else I can help with?

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Hi all - I have been taking Effexor for well over a decade. In June, I reduced my dosage from 225mg/day to 150mg/day which I continued until the end of Feb this year. For the last 10 days I have been taking 75mg/day instead and I have had some bad side effects. Will this pass while my body adjusts to the new dose? If so, how long will I feel crappy for? Was just wondering if anyone had tried a similar reduction and had any expereince to share?? Many thanks ## Yes, things should improve, once your body adjusts to the new dosage, but you may experience other withdrawal effects, such as rebound depression, anxiety, pain, diarrhea, and body aches, according to NIH reports. Why are you tapering so rapidly? Has your doctor told you to do it this fast? Are you on any other medications? ## Hi V...

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Has anyone suffered a burning sensation while taking Effexor? I don't know if it was caused by sun exposure but have had a burning sensation in my back for 3 weeks now. Feels like sunburn but no redness, peeling or anything. ## Hello, Sarah! How are you? Yes, that has been a reported side effect of Effexor. How long have you been taking it? It's usually not caused by sun exposure, it just tends to happen. Other side effects may include nausea, drowsiness and weight changes. Most side effects occur during the first 4 to 6 weeks of taking a medication, then taper off, once your body gets used to the drug. ## Hello Sarah, After reading your post I'm really worried about you because you might be the victim of effexor side effects which further leads to uncurable diseases. I woul...

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My daughter has been trying to taper off effexor for 6 months. She has had nausea, vertigo, brain zaps. A couple days ago she says she felt like crying for non reason. Yesterday she had these feelings off and on all day. How long does this it last? Is there anything for these crying spells? Please help. ## HI, Lexy! I'm very sorry about your daughter is going through. What type of taper is she doing? Is her doctor helping her? The crying could mean that she's trying to do it too fast, because that's what usually causes such rebound effects. Learn more Effexor details here. If someone has been on them for a long period of time, these medications must be very slowly tapered. ## Thanks for repkying Verwon, She has been tapering slowly, except when she cut her dose from 150mg (o...

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I tapered off Effexor XR and onto 10mg Brintellix. No withdrawal symptoms - seamless transition. I have been on Brintellix now for about 3 weeks. I have to say I feel more alert, my anxiety is low, my sleep is better. So far so good. I had to stop taking Tramadol and Buspar to avoid the interaction but have had no need for the Buspar since and I can just take another opiod pain killer if I need to. Did not experience the nausea that seems to be the most common side effect. Keep your fingers crossed. ## Awesome! I am very glad that it's working so well for you. Can you post back and update me? Thanks! Do you have any questions or concerns? ## Hi I will be trying Brintellix soon to get ease the depression and anxiety from tapering Effexor. How are you doing now. I need help desperatel...

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Hello, I started Brintellix 4 weeks ago. I started with 5mg and tapered off Effexor over the next 2 weeks (bad reaction to Effexor). The switch from Effexor to Brintellix wasn't as bad as I thought, neither was the increase to 10 mg. I was on the 10mg for 2 weeks with a marked improvement in my overall condition (anxiety and depression). Anxiety was non existent and, although still difficult, I began to be able to function better. I updated my doctor and he recommended increasing the dose to 15mg. This was yesterday and it was hell. For an hour or so I felt more upbeat, lighter on my feet. It felt like this was it, this is what's going to work at long last. But then I experienced a sudden, what I would describe as, a crash. I became very anxious and very depressed. The fact that...

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Experienced weight gain while taking tamoxifen and effexor will I lose when I get off these medicinesB ## Yes, there is a good chance that it will taper off, after you are off the medications, if it was solely caused by them. Though it may take awhile, depending on how long you have been on them. Have you talked to your doctor about it? They may be able to give you to tips to start losing some, while you are still taking them. Are you making sure to eat healthy and get proper exercise?

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I stopped taking Effexor 75 mg on Tuseday and started Zoloft 100 mg on Wednesday. I felt sick all day life the flu, I then took 100 Zoloft on Thursday and still feel sick, and I did throw up earlier. I really feel like I'm going through withdrawals from something. I am also taking 50 mg of Trazodone. I started that this Wednesday. I have been on 1 mg of Klonopin for years. What is going on? ## Ideally, it would have been best to slowly taper down on the Effexor, while going up on the dose of the Zoloft. Since you didn't do that, you just stopped taking it, you are likely experiencing some withdrawal/rebound effects. Learn more Zoloft details here. Have your symptoms improved any?

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I had back surgery in July and was given Norco for about three months. Tapering was some of that. I didn't know that Norco was like Vicodin which the doctor knew I couldn't take. I went from high doses tapering down for three months not knowing that that was what was making me sick. I've been off for five months and have felt horrible all this time. Weak, tired, stuffed head, just sick. What do I have to do to get well.? I had depression about 20 years ago but got well with ECT and anti depressants. I've been taking Effexor and Xanax all this time and have felt wonderful. Now this has made me sick again. Could this have caused more depression? ## Hello, Chris! How are you feeling? Withdrawal effects from Norco wouldn't linger this long after stopping it. They tend to...

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i just stared takinh these 3 days ago, i have noticed they make me tired, shaky, dry mouth,clumsy. somewhat disorented, forgetful, i was told there for anxiety, i was on effexor, and prozac but she pelaced those wth the citalopram hbr 20 mg. are these symptoms normal and will they go away in time???? thank you. ## Citalopram is an antidepressant, that is also used to treat several other disorders, including anxiety. And yes, these side effects are all normal symptoms that can occur when you start taking it. They should start to taper off after a few weeks, when your body adjusts to the new medication. If they don't or get more intense, you will need to speak to your doctor. You can read more on this medication here: Is there anything else I can help you with? ## IAM A REALLY OUT GOI...

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Is there. A dose you have to reach before it works ## Hello, Theresa! How are you? Usually, there is a minimum and maximum effective dose, but they are not the same for everyone. It's going to vary from person to person. One person may do well and get great results from the lowest dose available, but someone else may require the highest. There are also people that it may not work for, at all. Learn more Luvox details here. I've responded to several of your posts about the various medications, which ones have you actually tried? Are they just not working for you? ## I have tried many Effexor Zoloft lexapro also used abilify as an add on for a short time and zyprexa for a short time added on. I was most recently on paxil and now am tapering to luvox I never here from you again can...

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