Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Posted by richyrich @richyrich, Nov 2, 2016

I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you

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cwis | @cwis | Jan 1, 2019

No, about it was about venlaflexine being far souble

Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 1, 2019

In reply to @cwis "No, about it was about venlaflexine being far souble" + (show)

@cwis. It's water soluble.

texasduchess | @texasduchess | Jan 1, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@texasduchess- Are yo aware that one of the side effects of tamoxifen are hot flashes?" + (show)

@merpreb Yes, pre-menopausal women with estrogen-fed breast cancer are given Tamoxifen. It binds with estrogen and essentially puts you into a chemical menopause--hence, the hot flashes.

texasduchess | @texasduchess | Jan 1, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@texasdutchess- Hello. What supplements do you take?" + (show)

@merpreb

I am taking 3 times per day (about 7 hours apart):
• 3 1,000 mg fish oil capsules (EPA 650 mg)
• 1 1,000 mg vitamin C helps the l-tryptophan
• 1 500 mg L*dtke brand l-tryptophan (caution--don't take while on Effexor)
• 2 500 mg Solg*r brand GABA
• 1 500 mg l-arginine
• 1 470 mg ashwagandha root extract capsule

Once per day: 1 15 mg l-methylfolate (prescription)

Occasionally:
• Dram*mine (for vertigo)
• Ben*dryl as needed as a sleep aid
• 2.5 mg diazepam (prescription) as needed when akathisia/anxiety gets too bad

Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 2, 2019

In reply to @texasduchess "@merpreb Yes, pre-menopausal women with estrogen-fed breast cancer are given Tamoxifen. It binds with estrogen and..." + (show)

@texasduchess- Are the hot flashes that you are having now due to the tamoxifen or your own menopause?

Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 2, 2019

In reply to @texasduchess "@merpreb I am taking 3 times per day (about 7 hours apart): • 3 1,000 mg fish..." + (show)

@texasdutchess- It looks like you are taking a lot of supplements to help reduce anxiety. Could they be interfering with each other? Overloading on serotonin? There is an illness called Serotonin Syndrome. Also for vertigo have you ever taken Antivert? It will help make you sleepy too. You will need an Rx for it. It worked very well for me when my migraines were really bad.

texasduchess | @texasduchess | Jan 2, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@texasdutchess- It looks like you are taking a lot of supplements to help reduce anxiety. Could..." + (show)

@merpreb I never had anxiety, or akathisia until I was well off Effexor. I experienced Serotonin Syndrome twice while on Effexor--didn't know that was what I had until I started researching getting off Effexor after I tapered off and had withdrawal issues--both times it was caused by drugs interacting with my Effexor DESPITE my having told both my PCP and reconstruction surgeon that I was on Effexor (I think they dismissed my Effexor use as something to consider as I was only on 25mg, but it occurred even at this low dose of Effexor).

I am taking the supplements 3 times per day (was taking these supplements 4 to 5 times a day depending on the length of my day) and will eliminate the evening dose soon while spacing the other two further apart.

The vertigo isn't a problem very often and I've only had it since getting off Effexor and having withdrawal issues. Dram*mine usually takes care of it.

texasduchess | @texasduchess | Jan 2, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@texasduchess- Are the hot flashes that you are having now due to the tamoxifen or your..." + (show)

@merpreb I'm old enough now that hot flashes would no longer be an issue--that was the whole point of my going off Effexor--the hot flashes were why I was put on it and I no longer needed it.