Effexor tapering down. . .need advice!

Posted by Sarah on 06/15/04 at 02:02 PM

Wow, didn’t know there were so many of us out there trying to get off of this drug! Here’s my story–I started on prozac at 16, then switched to paxil around age 18 and took it pretty consistently for the next 6 years. I did try to get off paxil a few times, but the depression would return and I’d go back on. At age 25 I had another major depressive episode, and the doc switched me to effexor, and it seemed like a lifesaver. I felt so much better, it was amazing. I was on 300mg daily (150 2xday), and I was told I’d have to take medication for the rest of my life for my depression.

Now I think I’ve discovered the source of it all–that harmless little birth control pill! I’ve been off of it since January, and I’m starting to believe the hormones caused my depression in the first place! I’ve been tapering down my efexor since then– daily doses of 300 to 225 to 150 to 112.5 to 75 to 37.5 (this was done over the course of 6 months in consultation with my GP). For the last month, I’ve been taking 37.5 every 36 hours, and I plan to go to every other day in another week or so.

I’m starting to notice the withdrawal symptoms after 24 hours, mostly dizziness, nausea, headache, irritability, lethargy. It’s not unbearable now, but I’m worried for when I’ve got to go 48 hours without it. My question is, am I just prolonging the agony by doing it this way? Should I just go cold turkey and get it over with? I’ve been in a new job for a month, and I’m scared of screwing it up while I’m getting off this drug.

Replies	Posted By	#	Date & Time
Re: Effexor tapering down. . .need advice!	pee pantie	1	03/01/07 03:09 AM
Re: Effexor tapering down. . .need advice!	Char	3	06/22/04 09:16 AM
Re: Effexor tapering down. . .need advice!	Dallas Travers	3	06/17/04 03:46 PM