Quote:
Originally Posted by Abby
I've been taking effexor (venlafaxine) 150mg for 11 months and the side effects are getting worse. I went to the dr the other day to discuss constant tiredness, pains in my stomach and that i want to come off effexor. I didn't manage to discuss this though as he seemed to want to discuss the weather and make assumptions - like i drink alcohol - does he not realise i'm on a drug that you aren't allowed to drink alcohol with?! Perhaps it was a flippant comment but it made me feel like he didn't understand anything if he thinks i'm on this strong AD and yet go out partying every night!
He ordered a blood test for the tiredness but simply suspected it is a flu symptom that is not fully blown or something. I booked the blood test for yesterday but forgot to go (yeh i know bad me!) but to be honest i couldn't see the point anyway - i feel worse for wasting nhs time than missing for any personal reasons!
Anyway...getting to the point, i've decided i want to get off the meds without speaking to the dr again because since moving home i've been 2x and i don't wanna go again. I know everyone says you should do this under a dr but why? Does anyone have any tips? I know this is the right time physically...it does scare me slightly emotionally...but if anything that just proves that i'm psychologically addicted - bad, bad!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Abby, Effexor is HELL to come off of. Do a search on Effexor withrawals. I'm sure you'll find something. I was only on it for 6 weeks and had a very difficult time coming off of it. I even tapered down very slowly. Like the other poster said, ask for the 37.5 mg., if you do not already have them. And break them in half as well. It was years ago when I was on it so I think they were capsules if I remember correctly?? I kinda remember opening the capsules and divididing the dosage.
I'm serious when I say it's hard going off. Terrible headaches and moods. Some people get brain zaps. good luck.