Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Eight years ago my doctor switched me from Zoloft to Effexor ER because I didn't like the weight I had gained. (If I only knew then what I know now). I had been take Effexor ER 75 for almost 8 years for anxiety. I've only missed my doses a few times during that time and the withdraw effects were so serious that I thought I was really sick until I caught on it was the meds. I continued to gain weight, my memory loss is noticeable and had my family questioning me on it. I tried once 3 years ago to taper off and had a lot of stress going on so I went back. I had felt pretty decent and normal and was ready to give it a go again at getting off of this stuff. I didn't like that though of being addicted to anything! I have now been tapering for 9 months. I went from 75mg ER to 37.5 ER. I did that for about 3 months so my body would adjust. I then went from 37.5 ER to 25 mgIR(non-extended release). The first night of this transition, I woke up in the middle of the night with my first full blown panic attack in almost 8 years. It was the first time my husband had seen me have one and I'm glad he was with me. I stuck with it as I am determined to get off this nasty Effexor that has taken control of me. With the help of the occasional use of Xanax .25mg. I take one and half tablets and it helps get me through tough times, especially when driving. I talked to my doctor and inquired about bridging weaning with Prozac as I've ready good things on this. 6 weeks ago, I started taking 10mg prozac daily and the 25 mg effexor IR. My anxiety got worse before it got better. I had another panic attack. I started having trouble getting to sleep at night, I just could not get my mind to shut down. My doctor recommended to take Benadryl to temporarily help. On the nights I tried to go without nothing and gave up and took a Xanax as it helped me relax to sleep faster than the Benadryl. I have cut out a lot of caffeine to help. Twice in the last 3 weeks I was able to sleep without help, until this past Sunday at church. I put in a prayer request for myself and my issues with anxiety and sleep. I have now had 5 days that I have been able to go to sleep without my mind racing. Some may say it's the Prozac kicking in finally, but I believe otherwise. Regardless, 3 days ago as instructed, I cut my 25 mg tablets in half so I'm now taking 12.5 mg Effexor IR once a day. I was really, really nervous about this. But the worst effects I have had are the constant headaches. Every taper causes headaches that takes weeks to get better. As I know it's part of the process, I do not take anything for them, I just do my best to tolerate. It has been a long and difficult journey. My family has had to see me vulnerable and dependent upon them at times. This can cause depression in itself, yet my faith and determination are helping me get through this. I will stay on this lower dosage of 12.5 until my body seems to adjust most likely a month or so. From there I intend to just be finished and then if all goes well, a quick taper off the prozac. I know that I may never be "normal" again, but I will be ok knowing I'm off the Effexor. I wished I had never been prescribed this to begin with and wouldn't recommend it for anyone. While painful at first, I have no regrets over using the Prozac bridge during this transition. I fear how I would really feel without it. I apologize for the lengthy story, however I felt more details may help others relate as well.

Can anyone tell me if heightened blood pressure is a side affect of Efexor? Also is a decrease from 150 mg to 75 mg too large a leap. My doctor just lowered mine that much. Then my dumbass after about two weeks desided to stop it all together. My b/p tonight was 145/100. Thought I was dying had to ice my head and take low dose aspirin because I thought I was having a heart attack. I'm trying to get off all my mental health meds for religious reasons. I see by all the other comments that's it's going to take longer and be harder than I thought. Thanks for any help you can give.
Dixie Sister

Hello @dixiesister, and welcome to Connect.

Speaking from experience, unfortunately high blood pressure or hypertension is one of the possible side effects with long-term use of Effexor. But more concerning is that you "Do not stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. This will decrease the chance of side effects, such as agitation, confusion, headache, irritability, numbness or tingling feeling, restlessness, trouble sleeping, or unusual drowsiness or weakness." https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/venlafaxine-oral-route/precautions/drg-20067379

I'd like to invite @nanke99 @richyrich @cathy615 @hayleesmommy @bekinprogress @careth2 @linxy @elecia87 @lolita9 @salela, and others in this group to share their thoughts and insights as well.

@dixiesister, would you be able to share some more details? For how long have you been taking Effexor? May I ask why you decided to stop? We look forward to getting to know you.

@kanaazpereira thank you for responding. Today I thought I was having a heart attack. I was so hot that I had one bag of ice tied on the back of my head and one on the bottoms of feet. B/p of 144/100 scared the hell out of me. The excessive crying really upsets me because I hate to cry for any reason. I've been on Effexor for 10+ years. I'm wanting off for Religious reasons. Once I found Yahweh (God) and read more of the scripture I found out he doesn't want us to use anything that doesn't grow in nature. When I read where that other person on here said that getting off Effexor was worse then trying to get off heroin it scared me.. but reading others made me realize it's going to take longer than I thought. Thanks again for replying now I know since i aready take meds for my b/p.. I need to go have my b/p checked more often.

@dixiesister - Where did you read that we should only what is found in nature?

Curious to know.

Jim

now down to 37.5 mg but cant seem to go lower. I have found a compounding chemist who will make capsules in any lower dose so going to try that with a slower withdrawal.

@wendyw - Are you going to be changing to another antidepressant?

Jim

my son has weaned himself down to 37.5 mg of Effexor but the side affects are terrible when he tries to cut that out. He has now gone to a compounding chemist who will make it in lower dosages in a slow release capsule. He says the times he has come off Zoloft were a breeze for him compared to Effexor. Everyone reacts differently.

This is actually for my 40 year old son. He has been on several medications for anxiety over many years. His new psychiatrist said it was time to stop the Effexor as after this time it wouldn't be doing much so he reduced dosage by half every 2 weeks. The last 37.5 mg has proven impossible to stop with severe side effects. Hence trying the compounding pharmacy. They are making some half strength but can make any strength in a slow release capsule. I think he will wait until he sees how he is with nothing. He has developed severe kidney stones since being on Effexor and I have read this can possibly be a symptom so at this point he just wants to be drug free and if necessary start with something without the side effects he has been having.

@wendyw - Has your son discussed overlapping the stopping of Effexor and starting the new antidepressant? For many people, this greatly reduces the withdrawal symptoms. My doctor had me taper off Effexor at the same time as beginning Wellbutrin, and I don't remember having any problems. Obviously, this varies greatly from one person to another.

Jim