Anorgasmia and 37.5mg Venlafaxine/Effexor capsules

[You may see this post on other sites - it is still me posting; I am desperate for help or even just some comfort]

I was assigned female at birth and have a clitoris.

I am now anorgasmic (unable to achieve orgasm) due to the venlafaxine I've been taking for probably over a year and a half now.

My GPs cut me down from 150mg very fast, causing hellish side effects. When my psychiatrist was finally able to be reached, he said exactly what I had been trying to tell the patronising GPs: that venlafaxine is a stronger drug than some and it is not wise to come off quickly.

I've managed to reach 37.5mg. It had been assumed that I could simply stop taking that after a few weeks but when I tried it was horror all over again, monstrous brain zaps...

The problem is that I missed my psychiatric appointment last month due largely to stress and lack of sleep. He was supposed to arrange another date but my carer and I have still not heard anything. Obviously the holidays will have something to do with it all.

Still, I can't take this anymore. Being able to pleasure myself was one of my only respites in awful times. I've bought great vibrators and blood flow enhancers, yet they don't make any difference - this is not going to go away until I'm off the drug and even then I might not get it back.

As far as I've been able to tell, there isn't really any suitable treatment for me in regards to anorgasmia.


QUESTIONS

- Can I take apart the capsule of venlafaxine/effexor and remove one/two of the little balls in a bid to taper myself off more?

- Are there any ways to help my anorgasmia which aren't mentioned on regular medical sites? Obviously these would have to be safe?

- Do you have experience with med-induced anorgasmia as a female/assigned female? Can you tell me about it? How long were you on the drug and how long did it take to get your sensation back, if you did?

- How likely is it that this will be lifelong? I know it is not supposed to be all that common and also the amount of time it will take to return to normal has to do with how much and how long I was on the drug.

- Do you have any other advice for me?


Thank you for reading, I'm at my wit's end.

Ah, I feel your pain!
Yes, venlafaxine made it difficult to orgasm.
I myself was on venlafaxine (starting at 150 mg) for three solid years, and am so very happy to say that as of three weeks ago, am antidepressant free! Yay!

Now here's the practical stuff:
1. There WILL be some hellishness. It helped a lot to think of every hellish bit as a little payment towards freedom. I went off from 75 mg, because I have worked long and hard on my mind, body and soul, and dear God, I needed every last bit of that fortitude, and also because I'd had enough and had made up my mind. NOT recommended.

2. Things that help: Omega 3-6-9 supplements. Cod liver oil and evening primrose oil capsules together add up to the same thing. I take his regularly, but read of them used during withdrawal, bless us mental health sufferers, one and all. A good strong 1500 mg total every four-six hours helped. Spirulina helps, because chlorophyll and iron and nutrition in this difficult time. Hydrate like crazy (haha, like crazy..) because it flushes things out! Having to pee all the time is a great thing!

3. Yes, I would take a couple little venlafaxine balls when I absolutely couldn't stand it.

4. Peppermint oil to sniff, for the delightful nausea. Substitutes would be mint leaves, keeping a stick of cinnamon to chew on, chewing gum, what have you.

5. The strange parts: I felt very strong cravings for spicy food, for sweet food, and even some random arousal. All ways my body tried to trigger endorphin release. All helped, IN MODERATION. You don't want to experience any sort of crash here, right?

6. I devoted myself to the withdrawal. Made enough food for a week, prepared to stay in bed, kept a cold compress in the chiller at all times. And welcomed the hellishness with morbid relish, because it meant freedom.

Good luck, and good job getting this far! Remember, progress is relative! One millimetre of progress is still a victory, and even no progress is just a chance to marshall your forces. Great capacity for sadness means great capacity for happiness

Good job!