1. < Depression & Anxiety

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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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 28, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "Everything IS going to be ok. You are still the you that you were before this..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

Everything IS going to be ok. You are still the you that you were before this pharmaceutical deluge. (Bear with me, @sandij, I’m not only replying to you, I’m also talking to myself - and hoping I help others, too!)

For years I listened to other people but when did that happen? After my divorce! My self esteem plummeted and I questioned everything. Deciding for ME to go off Effexor after over 20 years was all me!

Yep! The crying outbursts came and I still cry everyday - but like you said, an emotional release. And I let them come.

I count my blessings, get sun, watch sitcoms, and just plain force myself to enjoy the good in life. BUT - don’t get me wrong. That “homesick” feeling is there. The weight is there. And what’s back is the anxiety. Every morning.

Guess what I did and it helped tremendously and I recommend it so so highly! I listen and follow a YouTube guided meditation. This one is nice and worked wonders!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZToicYcHIOU

Good luck all! Hope this helps some or all who need it.

BUBS! (Short for bubbles)

Jump to this post

@BUBS
I am so glad you came and checked in with us. My thoughts have been wondering how you have been doing much of the day.
Have you added CBD? It totally takes away my anxiety.
How are things with mom?
Bright Wings

REPLY
1 reply
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Apr 28, 2019
In reply to @sharonlou "@merpreb This is day 3 of cutting my 150mg Effexor dosage back by 25% at my..." + (show)
@sharonlou

@merpreb This is day 3 of cutting my 150mg Effexor dosage back by 25% at my doctor's instructions. I would have bet $$ that I would have withdrawal symptoms because the side effects are so awful if I accidentally skip a dose, but skipping a dose is 100% reduction and so far no problems at all at this initial reduction. I feel geat, no brain zaps at night which always clues me in that I forgot to take it in the morning. It really comes down to how each person reacts to weaning. My reason for starting on Effexor was anxiety so I will be on the lookout for any reemergence; it so often shows up in my dreams first which is kind of interesting. I hope I won't have any problems when I have hip replacement surgery later this year but will make sure all the docs know where I am with the Effexor. You were one of the lucky ones as far as the side effects. None of us knows how we will react until we actually start the process. Appreciate all the info here for sure. Blessings to all.

Jump to this post

I don’t recommend increasing the amount you cut out anymore for a while! I think 25% is a lot! But I am quite glad you are doing well! This site is great for support and you know what else? Doctors aren’t the best advisors when it comes to weening off this terrible drug. Doing it their way sometimes makes people feel they can’t do it. So if you start feeling bad, just don’t cut back any more and then, on your next taper, go much more slowly. Most especially when you get down to 75mgs or lower. As I have revealed on this site in the past, it took me 18 months to slowly ween off the last 37.5 mgs. (I may have gone slower than necessary, but I was going through a family crisis at the time as well and took extra precautions). BUT, not too bad in the w/d symptoms!

It can be done. Just remember to set yourself up to succeed! Ain’t no prize in rushing 🙂

-BUBS

REPLY
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Apr 28, 2019
In reply to @brightwings "@BUBS I am so glad you came and checked in with us. My thoughts have been..." + (show)
@brightwings

@BUBS
I am so glad you came and checked in with us. My thoughts have been wondering how you have been doing much of the day.
Have you added CBD? It totally takes away my anxiety.
How are things with mom?
Bright Wings

Jump to this post

Mom is doing well. My brother and I talk about how best to ease mom into switching to an assisted living facility. Thank God dad prepared for this! $$$

BUT, I find the best way to talk/communicate/be with mom is to just enjoy her and introduce NO pressure about moving or the fact that she did NOT walk on the moon. Still saddens me but, as the employees of the assisted living place say “who am I to say she DIDN’T walk on the moon? What’s the harm in talking about it for a half a minute or so?

So, to answer your question, mom is good. (And good weather helps)

CBD - yes, I have used it for anxiety. I also made “Rick Simpson oil” aka Phoenix Tears for dad when he was alive. (And I tried it before giving it to him!). That was fun as I have never smoked pot before. But yes, I see why people do it! CBD definitely helps me with physical pain and also immediately curbs anxiety. But since meditation works very well, I prefer that.

Like a dummy, when my dad passed away (during my Effexor ween) I completely upended my life and moved! (Not entirely uncommon - but it’s hard). I count my blessing everyday and here lately, this anxiety and depression remind me of having these same feelings in the past - and that I got through them. Because I was determined.

And I never ever stopped seeking help or gave up!

Hence, this fabulous forum!

-BUBS

REPLY
1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 28, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "Mom is doing well. My brother and I talk about how best to ease mom into..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

Mom is doing well. My brother and I talk about how best to ease mom into switching to an assisted living facility. Thank God dad prepared for this! $$$

BUT, I find the best way to talk/communicate/be with mom is to just enjoy her and introduce NO pressure about moving or the fact that she did NOT walk on the moon. Still saddens me but, as the employees of the assisted living place say “who am I to say she DIDN’T walk on the moon? What’s the harm in talking about it for a half a minute or so?

So, to answer your question, mom is good. (And good weather helps)

CBD - yes, I have used it for anxiety. I also made “Rick Simpson oil” aka Phoenix Tears for dad when he was alive. (And I tried it before giving it to him!). That was fun as I have never smoked pot before. But yes, I see why people do it! CBD definitely helps me with physical pain and also immediately curbs anxiety. But since meditation works very well, I prefer that.

Like a dummy, when my dad passed away (during my Effexor ween) I completely upended my life and moved! (Not entirely uncommon - but it’s hard). I count my blessing everyday and here lately, this anxiety and depression remind me of having these same feelings in the past - and that I got through them. Because I was determined.

And I never ever stopped seeking help or gave up!

Hence, this fabulous forum!

-BUBS

Jump to this post

@BUBS
You go girl....best to you. Bright Wings

REPLY
texasduchess | @texasduchess | Apr 28, 2019
In reply to @sharonlou "@merpreb This is day 3 of cutting my 150mg Effexor dosage back by 25% at my..." + (show)
@sharonlou

@merpreb This is day 3 of cutting my 150mg Effexor dosage back by 25% at my doctor's instructions. I would have bet $$ that I would have withdrawal symptoms because the side effects are so awful if I accidentally skip a dose, but skipping a dose is 100% reduction and so far no problems at all at this initial reduction. I feel geat, no brain zaps at night which always clues me in that I forgot to take it in the morning. It really comes down to how each person reacts to weaning. My reason for starting on Effexor was anxiety so I will be on the lookout for any reemergence; it so often shows up in my dreams first which is kind of interesting. I hope I won't have any problems when I have hip replacement surgery later this year but will make sure all the docs know where I am with the Effexor. You were one of the lucky ones as far as the side effects. None of us knows how we will react until we actually start the process. Appreciate all the info here for sure. Blessings to all.

Jump to this post

@sharonlou
You mentioned that you're going to have hip replacement surgery later this year AND that you'll tell your doctors about your Effexor. Please be on the lookout for serotonin syndrome--I was only ever on 25mg Effexor AND my doctors knew--I experienced SS when I was told to use dextromethorphan (cough medicine) during a sinus infection and while on fentanyl and hydrocodone after breast reconstruction surgery. I think both doctors thought 25mg was too little to worry about, but it wasn't.

REPLY
1 reply
grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 29, 2019

Good Morning All!

It makes me sad to say that both my children have inherited my emotional issues, namely generalized anxiety (which I inherited from my dad).
I am grateful that my was able to find a med that works for her on her first shot.
Sadly, my son has not been so lucky.
I cannot tell you how many different meds he has tried at different dosages and combinations.
Nothing has worked!
He is now reaching 40 years old and my sweet and loving son is beside himself.
It impacts his ability to be the father and husband he has always been.
After almost 3 years of trying different meds and psychiatrists, he has landed on one doc that seems to be the most insightful.
After a long discussion with me and his doctor, they have decided to try Effexor.
I have had a lot of success with it (and I did try a few others, too).
The doc said that if I did well, it might work well for him, too.
I am NOT going to try to discourage him.
He is well aware of the addictive properties and the possible horrible withdrawals.
He has told me that he has had them with other meds he tried.
BTW, he also tried the CBD and other remedies.
At this point, I just want him to feel well.
He has come to the realization that he will probably need meds for anxiety for the rest of his life, like me and his older sister, so he is not going to dwell on the withdrawal affects since if the Effexor works, he will remain on them.

I wish my baby boy all the luck in the world in fighting this HORRIBLE disease that can take everything away!

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

REPLY
1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 29, 2019

@grandmar
Thanks for sharing that with us. Anxiety sucks...most of us here know that.
The docs tried 17 different antidepressants on me. Only the Effexor worked. That's why I was on it 33 years. There is no shame in taking medications to live a normal life.
I am glad it is helping him and thus you also.
Hang in there, we hate to see our children suffer, don't we.
Thanks for sharing that, smiling at you. Bright Wings

REPLY
1 reply
grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 29, 2019
In reply to @brightwings "@grandmar Thanks for sharing that with us. Anxiety sucks...most of us here know that. The docs..." + (show)
@brightwings

@grandmar
Thanks for sharing that with us. Anxiety sucks...most of us here know that.
The docs tried 17 different antidepressants on me. Only the Effexor worked. That's why I was on it 33 years. There is no shame in taking medications to live a normal life.
I am glad it is helping him and thus you also.
Hang in there, we hate to see our children suffer, don't we.
Thanks for sharing that, smiling at you. Bright Wings

Jump to this post

Good morning!
I've NEVER been ashamed. This disease is just a part of who I am.
My philosophy has ALWAYS been...."this is me. Like me or not, it is your choice."
My son has not yet started the Effexor. He is on vaca and didn't want to try anything new until he returns.
Ronnie

REPLY
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 29, 2019

@grandmar
No that was MY issue...being ashamed that I needed so many medications to feel better. And I kept taking every path God put in front of me to get to a whole person.
Now I am med free. But it was a 33 year journey to get here.
Didn't mean to put that on you, my friend, smiling at you...I think you are wonderful the way you are.
Bright Wings

REPLY
1 reply
texasduchess | @texasduchess | Apr 29, 2019
In reply to @grandmar "Good Morning All! It makes me sad to say that both my children have inherited my..." + (show)
@grandmar

Good Morning All!

It makes me sad to say that both my children have inherited my emotional issues, namely generalized anxiety (which I inherited from my dad).
I am grateful that my was able to find a med that works for her on her first shot.
Sadly, my son has not been so lucky.
I cannot tell you how many different meds he has tried at different dosages and combinations.
Nothing has worked!
He is now reaching 40 years old and my sweet and loving son is beside himself.
It impacts his ability to be the father and husband he has always been.
After almost 3 years of trying different meds and psychiatrists, he has landed on one doc that seems to be the most insightful.
After a long discussion with me and his doctor, they have decided to try Effexor.
I have had a lot of success with it (and I did try a few others, too).
The doc said that if I did well, it might work well for him, too.
I am NOT going to try to discourage him.
He is well aware of the addictive properties and the possible horrible withdrawals.
He has told me that he has had them with other meds he tried.
BTW, he also tried the CBD and other remedies.
At this point, I just want him to feel well.
He has come to the realization that he will probably need meds for anxiety for the rest of his life, like me and his older sister, so he is not going to dwell on the withdrawal affects since if the Effexor works, he will remain on them.

I wish my baby boy all the luck in the world in fighting this HORRIBLE disease that can take everything away!

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Jump to this post

@grandmar
I experienced anxiety as a withdrawal symptom; it was awful. I hope Effexor works for your son's GAD. I was only on Effexor for hot flashes; I had no issues on it (it worked great!), only after getting off it. If I'd known THAT, I would have stayed on Effexor.

REPLY
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