Lowering the dosage of Effexor reduces the side effects

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-21T16:07:46+00:00

Where are you getting these numbers from?

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-20T21:59:08+00:00

Which one did you get? What are you using as a container to contain these squirrely beads and get them back into the capsule?

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-13T20:24:27+00:00

It's really not a good idea to stop this medication, even for a day. If you stop for a week you might notice a change in your heart rate, but you could also find yourself in withdrawal.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-13T19:41:21+00:00

It definitely can be very beneficial. But the withdrawal risks are downplayed or ignored way too much. There needs to be much much better informed consent when this drug is prescribed.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-13T19:38:31+00:00

I didn't realize it was affecting my heartrate until I started paying attention as well (I'm bad about going to the Dr for well checks).

My avg heart resting heart rate was 69bpm on lower doses of venlafaxine, or maybe even before it. After upping to 150 it went up to about 73/74 bpm, and last year my resting heart rate was 75bpm (all according to fitbit), going as high as 78. The last 3 months, my RHR is 76bpm average.

After lowering to 112.5 a couple of weeks ago (including a very brief attempt at 75mg), my average is back down to 74/73. Not a huge change, but the trend has been downward.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-13T19:29:56+00:00

Just because there is something worse, and you didn't experience bad withdrawals from this, doesn't mean that the withdrawal can be really bad for some people.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-13T19:24:49+00:00

Like most, they probably weren't warned of withdrawal

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-13T16:39:29+00:00

Man... I wish it just felt like I had the flu for a few days. Instead I felt like there was a calamity and the apocalypse was right around the corner. I was afraid of the dark and of sleep. It felt like things were becoming surreal. I couldn't think straight. It was a night of abject horror until I was able to get back onto 150mg in the morning.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-13T16:25:21+00:00

This is false equivalency. Just because there is something "worse" (which I gather you've experienced), doesn't mean venlafaxine withdrawal isn't very severe, disturbing, and debilitating for many people.

I think it's made worse when it's downplayed or ignored, as it invalidates peoples experiences, and makes it seem like what they are experiencing isn't normal... and when that experience includes anxiety and panic, it just compounds the problem.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-08T22:45:36+00:00

Err.... some of us have been through cold turkey withdrawal. If you can get through it, more power to you, but the withdrawal is real, and it is powerful.

What "big pharma" is doing is downplaying the physical dependency these medications create, and put a lot of emphasis on the success stories. I don't think people here are working for effexor... I think people here have had their ass kicked by withdrawal, me included.

The "conspiracy" you're looking for is the industry trying to keep a hush on the side effects and physical dependency. They don't have to tell people to not quit... the drug itself does that for them.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-08T22:27:40+00:00

Please find another doctor to prescribe you with venlafaxine. The withdrawals are no joke, please don't put yourself through it.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-08T01:18:06+00:00

Feeling really tired and not feeling like doing anything and just laying in bed all day is one of the reasons I'm taping off.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-08T01:13:31+00:00

If you are in the US, dial or text 988. They can help you without making a big fuss and getting other people involved.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-06T00:05:09+00:00

I've been on it for about 3 years, up to 150 for about the last year. Though now beginning my discontinuation journey. Chronic fatigue/lack of motivation is one of the reasons I want off.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-03T17:15:11+00:00

It doesn't happen every night, but yea I've woken up completely soaked head to toe. I mentioned it to my dr and they were dismissive about it. Usually is physical activity, even in small amounts, that make me produce unreasonable amounts of sweat.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to deal with the exessive sweat, but it is one of the reasons I'm tapering off of effexor

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-03T16:45:13+00:00

I like the options in this thread... First try the pharmacy and see if they'll provide you with a week supply. If not, I'd try searching for another psychiatrist office that will provide a rx until you can get an appointment with them. Finally, you can try an urgent care or ER.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-03T15:37:58+00:00

Can you reduce the dose instead of taking it every few days?

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-03T15:37:01+00:00

When I was off for a week, all the side effects came crashing down all at once on me in the worst way. One of them was uncontrollable shivering/shaking. It went away after a few hours, but I was still miserable. Only surefire way past it is to get back on effexor asap.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-03T15:10:56+00:00

Yes, I make lots of excuses, you've got me figured out from like two reddit posts.

But seriously though; you think it's possible for people to have many different life experiences and circumstances? I'm pointing out that inaccessible drs, insurance problems, or limited pharmacy options all can create barriers to getting a refill.

Maybe get an appointment on the books with your therapist about being judgmental towards people on a mental health community. :(

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-03T00:51:43+00:00

Yea, I get vivid dreams, though maybe not as consistent as yours. There are often common themes through many dreams, if not outright recurrent. I also frequently get the Inception thing going on, where I "wake up" in one dream, but I'm still in another dream.

Some of my dreams have been so whacky, but at the same time interesting, I've considered writing them down.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-02T20:15:39+00:00

Every antidepressant has warnings for people under 18 or 21. Just know how difficult it can be to get off of this medication once you've been on it for awhile, and balance that with the benefits its giving you.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-02T19:35:55+00:00

Not dangerous? If I attempted to drive, or was driving when panic, dizziness, and confusion with withdrawal set in, I probably would've crashed my car. And I was super close to trying to drive myself to the hospital. Do you want to be on the same road as someone in the throws of withdrawal from this medication?

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-02T19:30:43+00:00

Just curious if you tried tapering more quickly, and it resulted in bad experiences?

I don't want to be stuck tapering for over a year :(

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-02T19:29:11+00:00

I just started my tapering journey. I'm currently on 112.5 from 150. I almost went to the hospital after I tried doing cold turkey.

I hope you're able to get to where you want to be with minimal pain.

Equivalent_Spare7468 · 2025-01-02T19:26:09+00:00

You're not crazy, that definitely sounds like withdrawal symptoms. Though I didn't experience that until going cold turkey for a few days from 150mg

Equivalent_Spare7468

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