TLDR: Dr. wants to cross-taper Effexor XR to Trentellex. E.X.: drop Effexor from 75mg to 37.5mg while upping the Trentellex from 5mg up to 20mg. A big drop of Effexor like this seems sketchy, any advice?
Hello, I'm (35M) very grateful to be part of this group and I'm sorry if I stray from proper form as I'm new.
I have been on Effexor XR for 18 years for GAD and depression - never more than 150mg/day and currently 75mg. I cannot attests to this med helping me and I continue to take it because of the severity of the W/D syndrome. What I hate most about it is the ***ual dysfunction side effects (lack of ***ual desire, impotence and trouble achieving orgasm). Getting off Effexor has become one of my most important goals in my life.
Recently I've been feeling anxious and depressed and avoided seeing my doctor because I knew he would want to up my dose. I fought long and hard to get to 75mg and the side effects are just barely manageable so I absolutely will not.
He suggested Trintellex, - and knowing my intense desire to get off Effexor - suggested a cross taper. The plan is to take 5mg Trintellex a long with my usual 75mg of Effexor for 2 weeks and then reassess the anxiety/depression and maybe start weaning Effexor from 75mg to 37.5mg while simultaneously upping the Trintellex. I've been lurking here long enough to know I'm in for some serious W/D if I cut by 50%, but does anyone know if the Trintellex will make this bearable?
I would have flat out said no, but after some research I discovered that Trintellex may have less ***ual side-effects and has a much longer half-life (which could be easier to getting off)
As far as my options for weaning Effexor, the generic Effexor XR I get here in Canada has mini-tablets inside and not beads so I'm limited in how I can taper. Immediate release is also unavailable in Canada afaik.
Hello, I'm (35M) very grateful to be part of this group and I'm sorry if I stray from proper form as I'm new.
I have been on Effexor XR for 18 years for GAD and depression - never more than 150mg/day and currently 75mg. I cannot attests to this med helping me and I continue to take it because of the severity of the W/D syndrome. What I hate most about it is the ***ual dysfunction side effects (lack of ***ual desire, impotence and trouble achieving orgasm). Getting off Effexor has become one of my most important goals in my life.
Recently I've been feeling anxious and depressed and avoided seeing my doctor because I knew he would want to up my dose. I fought long and hard to get to 75mg and the side effects are just barely manageable so I absolutely will not.
He suggested Trintellex, - and knowing my intense desire to get off Effexor - suggested a cross taper. The plan is to take 5mg Trintellex a long with my usual 75mg of Effexor for 2 weeks and then reassess the anxiety/depression and maybe start weaning Effexor from 75mg to 37.5mg while simultaneously upping the Trintellex. I've been lurking here long enough to know I'm in for some serious W/D if I cut by 50%, but does anyone know if the Trintellex will make this bearable?
I would have flat out said no, but after some research I discovered that Trintellex may have less ***ual side-effects and has a much longer half-life (which could be easier to getting off)
As far as my options for weaning Effexor, the generic Effexor XR I get here in Canada has mini-tablets inside and not beads so I'm limited in how I can taper. Immediate release is also unavailable in Canada afaik.
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