Question posted by oldvintageantiques on 27 Aug 2014
Last updated on 3 October 2018
I have 10 pills left and am living in Mexico. I would like to stop taking this medication if possible. I have been taking it constantly since 2007.
Will I need to get more pills here in Mexico to wean myself off of it, and should the dosage amount be reduced? How many days would it take to get off the drug? What are the Side effects of withdrawal that I should expect?
8/26/14
Thank you
I know this was a question you asked a while back. How did it go for you?!
Good advice from Laurie! Personally I don't think I'll EVER stop my Effexor again. I had to stop it twice in hospital; the withdrawals were bad enough, but the rebound depression was so terrible that the second time I ended up in a psychiatric hospital.
Some people can stop it if they've been taking it for a situational depression, but those with clinical depression of ten have to take it for life.
Good luck! And be careful! WCV
Thanks WildcatVet, I do suffer from situational depression, anxiety disorder, or whatever the professionals call it, I believe. I might be able to wean myself off of it, but at this point I have decided I really don't want to endure the withdrawals, weight gain, or risk coming into another stressful time in my mid-life and aging process. Middle age can be stressful, aging alone can be stressful, and travel is stressful. For a living I am now retired and house and pet sitting in Mexico and plan to travel around the world as long as I am healthy and can afford it, to pet and house sit. So, best keep on the Venlafaxine for the long haul!
Thank you so much for your help,
Victoria
You can expect some pretty aweful withdrawal effects if you stop abruptly from 75mgs such as headache, nausea, diarrhea and "brain zaps" which are strange electrical like sensations in your head. Best to reduce dosage slowly. If you can obtain 37.5 mg pills, reduce to this for at least 2 weeks then reduce again by taking every other day for 2 weeks before stopping. If you can not obtain 37.5mg pills, take the 75mg pills evey other day for 2 weeks, then try and stop. May still have withdrawals, but less. Why may I ask are you wanting to stop?
So true... I tried to get off venlafaxin and went down from 75 mg to 35.5 for 2 week then was taking them on and off again for about 2 weeks then stopped and had a terrible bout of depression... I'm still on the 35.5 and don't know if I'll ever get off... hope it was just a side effect from getting off too quick what do you think?
LaurieShay, thank you. Now that I have reconsidered, I don't think I will stop! Thanks to your reply and the others here. I am 66, and started at age 50 taking Paxil, which caused a lot of weight gain, although did relieve symptoms of situational depression. My husband of 10 years was dying. Then after taking Paxil until about 2002, I quit taking any antidepressants. Things got bad again in 2007 with another midlife crisis, so I started the Venlafaxine at the suggestion of my sister who is on 150mg. I experienced weight loss (plus started exercising more and eating healthier foods) and felt so much better. So, I guess I have felt now, since I have retired and living in Mexico part-time and Atlanta part-time, I am all better and should go without. But this is a premature decision. I still have the primary responsibility of caring for my mother who is age 95, and this cause a lot of stress when I will return to Atlanta later this year.
She depends on me so much since the death of my father in 2005. SO, I believe as a middle aged woman living alone, and traveling, I just as well am better off continuing to take this med. I found some yesterday really cheap here in Mexico, for about $.10 per pill. So I am good to continue the 75mg and keep feeling great.
I appreciate your help,
Victoria
simonemj, thank you for your comment. I have decided to stay on the 75mg, and you can view my other comments under these posts. I think I started at 37.5 or 75mg, cannot remember... I know one phase I did take 37.5 in the am and 37.5 in the pm and that worked well. I have been steadily on 75mg for at least 5 or so years as I remember. I feel great most all the time.
I wonder if your doctor would recommend you going back to the 75mg? I tried once to go up to 150mg when I was having a particularly difficult adjustment period, about 2 years ago, and it made me feel so, so groggy and spaced out, so after about 2 weeks, I went back down to the 75mg. That seems to be just right for me, so I am staying with it now.
Best wishes to you,
Victoria
I take 75 mg for hot flashes, not depression. My physician just moved to a new practice so I am now waiting to see if my health coverage is going to approve them as a preferred group of physicians. After picking up my last Venlafaxine prescription, I was reading the quite lengthy list of side effects, some of which I can associate with. I decided I would rather deal with the hot flashes than risk the side effects. I took a pill Monday, went without on Tuesday, and this morning (Wednesday) was experiencing the dizziness and drain zaps so went ahead and took a dose. Since I am unable to speak to my doctor until I hear back about the addition of her practice, I am winging it by myself, except for on-line info. Since I can't get a prescription for 37.5 mg capsules, and obviously can't divide the 75 mg capsules. Any suggestions other than a 75 mg every other day for two weeks? In two weeks, since I am not taking the med for depression, should I be able to just stop?
generalized anxiety disorder, venlafaxine, medication, pill
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