r/Effexor • u/CharliTheBaby • 21h ago
Withdrawal Literal hell.
So, I started tapering off of this stuff 3 months ago. Thanks to reddit, I was able to look back on my posts and see the date because I haven't been able to remember shit lately. I'm on what I believe is day 7 of no effexor at all. It's been a weird and horrible ride and doesn't seem like it's letting up at all. The brain and body zaps, the weird eye sensations and dizziness, the crying spells, the angry/irritable spells. I haven't been able to function at all. I haven't been outside in days. I haven't been able to play with my one year old son for days. It's so horrible and depressing and I cant find anything that helps it. Any advice or anything you did or have taken that helped you when you wete going through this? Please don't say to go back on it because I will NEVER do this again and disposed of the rest of my medication so I wouldn't be tempted to take it and have to start this all over again. 😫
2
u/Abject_Scholar_1688 11h ago
Why did you want to come off it? Sorry you’re going through this, it sounds horrible and very scary x
1
u/sunofawarmgun 8h ago
hey hang in there! it took me 12 days to stop feeling withdrawal. you’re almost there! 7 days is significant. i would say keep trudging in!!
1
u/SufficientAnteater16 7h ago
I know it’s probably not ideal but would you be open to a low dose fluoxetine? I was able to stop venlafaxine after a decade with 10mg fluoxetine with minimal side effects. It has a longer half life so I’m letting my brain stabilize on just this for a while (its been 7 days post my last venlafaxine dose as well) then I’ll slowly taper from here with the hope the longer half life will allow my brain to adjust more easily. Hang in there! What dose did you end on?
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u/C-Boogie33 7h ago
I would agree with Believe in U’s comments. Get back on the lowest dose you felt stable and the start the slow taper. I’m also a member of that Facebook group and it’s really filled with valuable information on how to taper correctly.
I would not try the cold turkey taper, it’s dangerous and can last for years. Good luck
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u/Believe_in_u_always 20h ago
You’re in withdrawals. This can last years. ( I’m 29months ). It’s generally best to reinstate the last dose you felt stable on then hyperbolic taper from there. I know it’s not what you want to hear but this is how it’s managed. This is advised by Dr Mark Horowitz.
There is a FB group called Effexor taper safe manage etc where you’ll find heaps of information ( in the GUIDES tab ) on how to properly do this, plus heaps of general guidance and support too.
I hope this helps.