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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ksad | @ksad | Mar 24, 2020

Hi. Even if doctors and their behaviours are frustrating they are what we have to work with. Learning what our bodies and brains can do, how they work, and recognizing limitations is a way to make sense out of it all. Being at the mercy of people and systems we don't trust definitely makes all the issues bigger and more of a burden. I wonder if doctors realize how much?

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sears | @sears | Mar 24, 2020
In reply to @suzy31 "I always thought my psych doctor would always do the right thing but not so much..." + (show)
@suzy31

I always thought my psych doctor would always do the right thing but not so much anymore they would rather do the easiest thing as I've found out through this Effexor thing. He would rather just keep me on it if he could that would be the easiest. Since I'm complaining so much he has to get me off of it now. I'm rather disappointed in him. I don't know maybe they do want to help but they truly don't see what these drugs really do.

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They sure love putting us on this stuff though!

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sears | @sears | Mar 24, 2020
In reply to @sandij "I got off and said I would never go on it again no matter how bad..." + (show)
@sandij

I got off and said I would never go on it again no matter how bad withdrawal was. That someday withdrawal would be over. After six months if windows and waves I had to begin effexor again. I went on 75 and now to 150. At 75 I was begging for something else to add to take the edge off, because I did not want to increase again (because I want to be off of it someday). I got no relief and started taking half dose of 10 mg ambien at about 4 pm because I was ready to kill myself after a day of withdrawal. I never went over 10 mg of ambien a day but knew I was abusing it, using it as a benzo to treat the withdrawal. I begged so many doctors to give me something to help so I would not be abusing the ambien. I got no relief from buspar or hydroxizine. I finally have a psychiatric NP who gave me seroquel to sleep and is on board with a slow taper from effexor when I get stable. I mentioned my mood swings and that I felt maybe I could be bipolar. She thought not but handed me the questionaire and it turns out to be the case. I began taking vraylor which I'm sure will turn out to have its own set of side effects, but I feel my moods are stable now. Or else I'm just more aware of them. Either way its a win. I'm way more positive and clear headed. I also began taking adderall again ( not prescribed for adhd but for energy, however I see I am ADHD as well). I'm now slowly tapering by dumping some beads from the 150 mg capsules and changing my rx to 4 37.5 mg capsules daily to assist in the bead counting. I actually had no problems the first time I tapered effexor, going from 150 to 75, which I know is not recommended but it was fine for me. When i get my 37.5 capsules I may try a 37.5 decrease. We'll see. Anyway, thats my convoluted story for today and I hope it helps someone on this forum if only to help you realize you are not alone, crazy, or irresponsible in this quest.

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I seriously think Effexor should be taken off the market. Doctors really need to think long and hard about prescribing this med. Withdrawals sound worse than any benzo taper I’ve heard of.

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Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Mar 24, 2020

Most don't care! Usually if they are tied into a hospital group or insurance they are told what they can do and what they can't! They have No Time for anything out of the ordinary.
Sundance(RB)

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Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Mar 24, 2020

Sorry I have been gone from this site for the last three months. What is Effexor used for?
Thanks,
Sundance (RB)

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abbynormal | @abbynormal | Mar 24, 2020

Hello, I just found this group while Googling "How to Withdraw From Effexor". Seeing that I'm working from home for the next several months, I thought now would be a good time to get off of this terrible drug. I've been taking 37.5mg for 15 years, mostly because I survived going from 75mg to 37.5 and just couldn't deal with the withdrawal again (terrible nausea and brain zaps). This time my doctor wants me to taper down by opening a capsule, counting the beads, and slowly decreasing the number of beads I consume (via a spoonful of pudding) over several months. Has anyone tried this? I'm also 15 years older than when I went off the first time at 35 and I don't know if it will be even worse now. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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1 reply
ksad | @ksad | Mar 24, 2020
In reply to @sears "I think pretty much all of us are disappointed in our doctors. You’re not alone." + (show)
@sears

I think pretty much all of us are disappointed in our doctors. You’re not alone.

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Very true.

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Mar 24, 2020
In reply to @abbynormal "Hello, I just found this group while Googling "How to Withdraw From Effexor". Seeing that I'm..." + (show)
@abbynormal

Hello, I just found this group while Googling "How to Withdraw From Effexor". Seeing that I'm working from home for the next several months, I thought now would be a good time to get off of this terrible drug. I've been taking 37.5mg for 15 years, mostly because I survived going from 75mg to 37.5 and just couldn't deal with the withdrawal again (terrible nausea and brain zaps). This time my doctor wants me to taper down by opening a capsule, counting the beads, and slowly decreasing the number of beads I consume (via a spoonful of pudding) over several months. Has anyone tried this? I'm also 15 years older than when I went off the first time at 35 and I don't know if it will be even worse now. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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Hello, @abbynormal, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry to hear your previous attempt at tapering off of venlafaxine (Effexor) did not go so well. If you click VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the entire thread on venlafaxine tapering.

You mentioned your doctor suggested tapering by counting beads in the capsules and slowly decreasing the amount over several months. Some members who have mentioned this method and may have some thoughts for you from their personal experiences tapering this way include @sandij @doorman @kbmayo. @texasduchess and @jakedduck1 also may have some input.

Have you already decreased your dosage since you discussed the taper with the doctor, abbynormal? If so, how did it go?

Also, good to hear from you, @sundance6. Venlafaxine (Effexor) is used to treat depression and some anxiety and panic disorders https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/venlafaxine-oral-route/description/drg-20067379.

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1 reply
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Mar 24, 2020
In reply to @stephee11 "After my doctor refused to take my calls, I called my local health unit and they..." + (show)
@stephee11

After my doctor refused to take my calls, I called my local health unit and they took me off Wellbutrin and ease my way back to my previous dosage of 150. I’m going to slowly taper down after that because I need to get off of this medication. With all of this coronavirus stuff going on, my anxiety thought that I got it when my chest got tight after I started my Wellbutrin.

Hopefully I can finally beat this.

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Hi, @stephee11 - did your local health unit have any suggestions on the symptoms you are describing?

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1 reply
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Mar 24, 2020
In reply to @suzy31 "I just found out something very frustrating my doctor prescribed me 20 milligram Prozac tablets because..." + (show)
@suzy31

I just found out something very frustrating my doctor prescribed me 20 milligram Prozac tablets because he insisted that I only take 10 milligrams for the first 4 days and that my insurance would pay for the tablets because they were generic. Little did he know they refused and wanted a prior authorization because they were tablets. I just found that out today from the pharmacy where my doctor is at. That's why I haven't gotten them yet. I'm lucky because generics are cheap so the pharmacy let me put it on my house account and they are sending them finally. My insurance will only cover the Prozac 20 milligram capsules and not the tablets. OH, brother! So I had to call my doctor and leave a message for his nurse to tell her what happened.

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Hi, @suzy31 - sorry to hear about this mix-up with your insurance and the fluoxetine (Prozac). Has it now arrived, or are you awaiting it in the mail?

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