Effexor Withdrawal

[Lucie845]

I was in an auto accident 15 years ago!  It ended my career and caused me to have two nervous breakdowns back to back.  The doctors had me on so much medication I did not know my name or anyone else.  After several years my memory started coming back.  I was able to find some sanity that I could grab ahold of and I began to take notice of meds that I was taking.  I began weaning myself off this and that.  I found a wonderful Christian family doctor that cared more for his patients than just giving a quick fix.  He has helped me thru this journey with withdrawals.  I am now down to 150mg of Venlafaxine.  However, every time I get lower than that I get very ill.  I don't feel like I'm depressed and I really want off this med.but I cannot get off of it.  The pain is overwhelming!  I feel as if my head will explode and the vertigo is awful. I still fall a lot and, of course, I get hurt but I need someone's help in getting off this med.   I'm afraid that if something happens to me and I cannot talk or communicate, I will suffer really bad because I can't tell them about the medicine....Venlafaxine!    

[Lucie845]

Thank you for your kind words.  I know that I want to spend the rest of my life helping others and letting them know how important they are.  Life is precious and every day is a new day.  And, I truly care......

Lucie

[LeaAnn807]

Hi there! Since we deal with addiction over on this part of the forum, I was going to suggest that you maybe look over on the depression part?  I'm sure they would have way more info over there to help you.  I'm just afraid we won't be able to properly help you.  Having said that, I do know that Effexor needs to be tapered.  Your doctor should be able to help you with it.  And I'm sure you will get lots of support if you find the part of Medhelp that deals more with depression and treatments for it.  They will probably know exactly what you're going through with this.  Sorry I can't be any help to you!  Good luck! : )

[Pat1956100]

I have even read where people open the capsules and take out a few beads at a time to reduce their intake very slowly.  It would be interesting to know if there are the same amount of beads in each capsule but I'm not going to count mine, YET.

[Pat1956100]

Hi Lucie
Effexor is an anti-depressant and nothing to be embarrassed about especially after everything you have been through.  It need to be tapered off of very slowly.  Your doctor can drop you to the lower dosages slowly and you should be okay.  It may take some time to taper off of it but it is worth it.  
I am on 150mg as well and I am going to see my doctor next week about slowly going off of it.
Good luck and post if you have any other questions.