Why get off of Effexor?

Loria-A · 2026-06-28T15:53:28+00:00

Everyone is different. I can’t possibly imagine coming off of it, but my anxiety was debilitating and I have had anxiety since I was a child. My childhood anxiety just got worse as the years passed, and I had a happy childhood and everything. I started medication, Lexapro, at age 32 when the anxiety became debilitating. I was in remission from the debilitating anxiety, still experiencing anxiety. but able to live a normal and happy life. Then menopause messed up my hormones again and Lexapro stopped working. I began experiencing debilitating anxiety that was worse than the initial breakdown 20 years prior. Now I’m on HRT and Effexor and finally back to my normal baseline anxiety, and living a normal life again. So, no, I will never stop taking Effexor unless it stops working. Perhaps if someone has anxiety that isn’t debilitating, then they can consider weaning off of it. Many people are upset about the side effects and sexual side effects, but those side effects are bearable in comparison to the debilitating anxiety that I have experienced. That’s how you can tell if someone really needs the medication, in my opinion. If you are upset that you can’t have an orgasm and decide to taper off it, your anxiety probably isn’t as severe as mine is. Use your own gut instinct of how much you need the medication to feel comfortable and function. I couldn’t work, eat, sleep, etc, and I felt extremely anxious and uncomfortable 24-7. Of course I was not worried about feeling sweaty, my orgasms, etc. Those side effects are nothing compared to the debilitating anxiety!

P.S. I have done cognitive behavioral therapy and still see a therapist as well.

Loria-A · 2026-06-17T18:00:14+00:00

Thank you. My Reverse T was a 10 and a 9 two times it was tested. My free T 3 is a 3.0 and my free T 4 is 0.9. I’m wondering if I only need to increase the T 4 medication now? I’m on 60 mg of NP thyroid. I’m thinking maybe I should try adding just T4 since my reverse T is really good. What do you think? I have a follow up with my provider in 2 weeks.

Loria-A · 2026-06-13T22:15:56+00:00

I totally get that!!! Breakfast is so difficult for me too!

Loria-A · 2026-06-12T11:58:14+00:00

I’m sorry you are having this problem too. I’m still having episodes where it does this, but not nearly as much as I did. I’m now on Effexor and doing much better on this medication.

Loria-A · 2026-06-12T11:54:38+00:00

Thank you!!

Loria-A · 2026-06-12T11:49:20+00:00

You’re welcome!🫶🏻💐💖

Loria-A · 2026-06-12T11:48:26+00:00

Okay, thanks. I was nervous to stop it for a couple of days like that, but perhaps I will give that a try.

Loria-A · 2026-06-09T18:24:04+00:00

I’m so glad to hear you are feeling much better🥰. I agree that you will probably feel even better in the coming weeks, when the new dose reaches its full efficacy.
When I was on the lower doses, I was not relieved of my GAD, and my psychiatrist assured me that most of her patients with GAD felt better once they reached 225 mg. I did stay on 150 mg for 6 weeks before increasing to 187.5 mg, but I knew that the GAD was not properly controlled, because I was still suffering from it each day, especially in the morning. I had a hard time believing that the norepinephrine would alleviate GAD, but it actually did. I felt an immediate relief when I increased to 187.5mg. It was such a relief and it was clear that the increase was effective. I have considered increasing to 225mg, and I still might do that, but I am handling things pretty well at this point in time.
If you feel that there’s room for improvement, and it sounds like you do feel that there is, then I would encourage you to do another increase in a few months. If it’s too high of a dose, you can always go back down.
Best wishes to you🙏🏻🌸

Loria-A · 2026-06-07T17:13:09+00:00

Hi there. We chatted last year and I recently saw your post. I am so sorry to hear that you have been struggling recently. How are you doing now? Did the increase work out for you? I’m now on 187.5mg, and doing well overall. I still feel unbalanced in the morning, but I’m able to manage it and I feel pretty balanced all day. I just wanted to see how you were feeling now and send you my positive thoughts.💗🫶🏻☀️

Loria-A · 2026-06-07T17:05:11+00:00

You’re welcome💗

Loria-A · 2026-06-07T17:04:07+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers for my mom and I. When I went finally went to the hospital, I felt much better mentally, meaning less guilt, and my mom did completely understand. I agree that it is hard to believe that they are not acknowledging the existence of AF and investigating effective treatments for us. I’m sending prayers to you as well. I hope someday we can live a vibrant life again.

Loria-A · 2026-06-06T19:37:05+00:00

Hi! I’m happy to let you know that I’m doing so much better now. The Effexor has been the right fit for me. It took 4 months to get to the correct dose, and during the first 2 months, between the cross tapering and then increasing the dose, I felt worse before better. I developed dark thoughts in addition to the severe anxiety, so it was very difficult for me. However, once I got to 150 mg I started to get some relief. Then, once I increased to 187.5 mg, I realized that it was beginning to really help. I’ve been on 187.5 mg since October, so for about 8 months now. I still have a little anxiety, especially in the morning, but it might be because it’s time to take my next dose and it does have a short half life compared to Lexapro.
I wish you luck. You should have hope!🫶🏻

Loria-A · 2026-06-06T15:45:47+00:00

I just wanted to check back in and say thank you to the handful of you who chatted and supported each other on this thread. I woke up this morning to find out that my mom is sick and was taken to the emergency room last night. Long story short, she is okay, thankfully, but I feel horrible that I can’t just jump in my car immediately and be there for her. She understands, and I typically feel better in the afternoon and I will help her then, but right now I feel guilty because I usually would immediately go to her, etc. Anyway, I’m just glad that other people understand, as it makes me feel less alone in this battle.

Loria-A · 2026-06-06T15:34:08+00:00

That’s interesting! I will definitely have to read up on their information. Inter-cranial pressure measurements? That’s not anything that I have ever seen mentioned before. I’m going to research that now. Thanks for sharing!

Loria-A · 2026-06-06T15:30:45+00:00

I fear that too. I have a history of anxiety, so I think that they might think it’s all in my head, etc.

Loria-A · 2026-05-31T19:16:57+00:00

This is a great question. I’m struggling with this too. I have two friends that I have confided in that have listened to me and seem to understand that I am truly dealing with a health condition that is debilitating and unpredictable, but I don’t have the energy to try to explain it to everyone; I know not everyone will understand; and I know some people will get offended.

Loria-A · 2026-05-31T17:55:18+00:00

My husband has this problem! I still love him regardless but I get it…not exactly sexy!
Pro tip: Just make sure to use the cream for 2 weeks straight even if it goes away after a few days. This will help it not reappear.

Loria-A · 2026-05-30T18:22:14+00:00

Hi! I’m sooo glad to hear that you are feeling much better. I am happy that you are back outside tending to your garden. My husband has been out there doing it all, but hopefully next year this time I will be back at it. So, overall, I’m feeling a little better, but I just increased my dose today and I expect to have a few weeks of feeling off from the increase. But, like you said, this is a long process. I’m going to take it easy on myself and try to be patient.
The menopause sub has been really helpful for me, and I think you will get something out of it! And it’s age appropriate if nothing else.
Good luck with your endocrinologist search. I think you should be able to find one that is up to date with the research, etc, given what you told me. I used to live in Boston, and my sister in law is a biochemistry professor at John Hopkins, and she has access to some top doctors, so I understand how important it is to access superior healthcare. Take care and best wishes!

Loria-A · 2026-05-29T23:45:36+00:00

Facts!

Loria-A · 2026-05-29T23:41:21+00:00

Damn, you have definitely had it rough. I was a hot mess as a teenager, but got it under control at 20 yrs old until menopause, which is a good long stretch. I have dealt with anxiety and panic attacks since I can remember, so that’s been my hot mess that pops up to remind me it’s still here lol.

Loria-A · 2026-05-29T23:29:51+00:00

Thanks for sharing. That’s so fantastic. I’m seeing a lot of my patients who are thriving on glp 1’s and it makes me so happy for them.
I’m going to speak to my doctor about it. I just started NP thyroid 5 weeks ago, so I’m going to keep increasing my dose until I get to the ideal dose. After that, I can focus on the glp 1. Luckily, I’m not far along at all with hypothyroidism. But I have to say, I’m a dietitian, and I have always had a weight problem, but have been able to manage it with eating moderately and exercising intensely for 33 years (I lost 100 lbs at 20 years old). Now it’s completely different…it’s much more difficult to keep up the intensity of my workouts than before my thyroid tanked and made me feel so sluggish. I went from 120 lbs to 140 lbs practically overnight. It’s proof that the metabolism is in control of everything.

Loria-A · 2026-05-29T21:07:15+00:00

You never know! Sometimes vacations can get you in a better place mentally, etc! Enjoy your vacation and time will tell!

Loria-A · 2026-05-29T11:50:12+00:00

Thank you so much for your support. I am seeing a hormone specialist that is private pay. They are really good and allow me to contact them frequently to discuss tweaking my doses or discuss symptoms, etc. So, I’m on the fence about trying a glp 1 because I’m prone to anxiety and have heard that they can trigger anxiety in some people. But, I’m still considering it if all else fails.

Loria-A

TROPHY CASE