Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

That advice is no good. The withdrawal is from the last little bit of the Efexor being metabolised really quickly. So, tapering will not help. Instead, overlap your last three Efexor tablets (37.5 or 75 mg, which ever is the lowest you tolerate) And then stop them both, or stay on the Prozac if you prefer. No more withdrawal symptoms at al. The Prozac inhibits the metabolism of the Effexor, you see.

I am literally going through this process as we speak I been on this for quite a number of years of my life now however just over the last six months I actually began to feel for want of a clearer description a walking Zombie . Being not a young person I decided that this was not the way I wanted to continue my life . My G. P wanted to up my dose i for once spoke up and said no . This is a big decision for I have lived with acute clinical depression all my adult life And as recently as 2012 I was admitted in To Physciatric Hospital . However I am going ahead and am on a journey it's not a pleasant one I being honest my symptoms are Headaches Headsaps Tummy Upset and to my body aches and feels chills. I am going to push on through any suggestion or guidance I would be gratefully received giving the length of years my body's had this in my system I not being deluded and realise no pain no gain . Positive point is I can already start to think more clearly x

I went off Venlafaxine 4 weeks ago after being on it for several years. I tapered down from 225 to 75 myself, it was really ok. But i couldn't get down to 37.5 without getting brain zaps, nausea, headaches, insomnia, trembling, anxiety and all the rest. I went to see a psychiatrist who booked me into hospital for a couple of days to help me get off and to monitor me. For the first 2 days he put me on 37.5, then and from day 3 nothing. From day 1 though he put me on Urbanol that helped with anxiety, Aropax SR 25 mg, pain meds and nausea meds as necessary, Biotrazadone 100mg at night, Disipal that helped with the brainzaps and shaking and Inderal. Using those meds really helped a lot, i only experienced slight brain zaps, a little bit of nausea, diarrhea and vertigo, nothing as severe as when i tried to go of Venlafaxine by myself. Im off it now and adter a month i only get slight brain zaps occasionally, feeling a little weak and tired but nothing too bad. I could stop using Disipal, Inderal, pain and nausea meds.

Hello @linxy

Welcome to Mayo Connect! I'm so happy that you found this online patient support group. I especially appreciate your sharing your story about your withdrawal from this med. Mayo Connect is a place where we all learn from each other and your experience of withdrawal from Venlafaxine/Effexor is a good one to share! I'm so glad to hear that you found a doctor who could work with you so effectively and could provide other meds to help you through the withdrawal process. Please share with us, if you are comfortable doing so, what you mean by "brain zaps"?

Teresa

Hi @hopeful33250 and @linxy. Teresa, it's hard to know what the brain zaps are unless you have had them, but for anyone who has gone off of one of these anti-depressants, it's a common side effect. It feels like a slight electrical current that runs through your brain. They are usually not painful but they are very strange and disconcerting. (Some people also get them as a side effect of the meds or when increasing their dosage). In my case, I got them anytime I moved my head too sharply. The good news is that once you're fully off the meds, they usually go away within a few weeks. Mine did at least.

@coloradogirl Thanks for your explanation of brain zaps. I appreciate the additional information. Teresa

Thank you @coloradogirl for explaining about the brain zaps and thank you @hopeful33250 for the kind welcome. As Coloradogirl have said, i also get mine when i move my head around. Hopefully soon it will disappear.

@linxy

Yes, from the experience of @coloradogirl this sounds like a temporary result of going off the med. Will you post again and let us know how you are doing?

Teresa

Hello @shorty2017

It looks like you tried to post a message, but it somehow came up blank. If you are having a problem, please let myself or one of the moderators know by private message and we will try and help you.

Teresa