Connect
← Return to Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Discussion
Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (6363)Comment receiving replies
Been trying to get off Effexor XL for a few weeks now. I was up to over 300 mgs. The brain zaps are terrible. The reason I want off so bad is the sweating. I’m constantly wiping my face all the time, and take showers to cool off. I weaned down to 75mgs, and then every other day. I just can’t do it. My ears ring, zaps all the time in my brain Daily, almost constant. I just took a 150mg to help me calm down. This is nuts!
Replies to "Been trying to get off Effexor XL for a few weeks now. I was up to..."
I just finished getting off Effexor. My last 37.5 mg dose was four days ago. I posted a few weeks ago about a number of supplements and vitamins I was taking that helped me get off the drug after taking 375mg for 12 years. I’ve seen similar posts from others that say taking omega-3 oil has been extremely helpful for them. I’ve also heard that others have found success taking a low dose SSRI like Prozac for a month until the Effexor is out of their system. Is your doctor aware that you have been tapering your dose? Most doctors are well aware of the difficulties people have coming off SNRIs and have treatment plans available that detail how to reduce the medication gradually. You also may need to be ramping up on a different medication if you are having issues with the Effexor.
It sounds to me like you're tapering off the Effexor way too fast. There are many people in this discussion who have shared their horror stories about this, some of them having bad things begin weeks and months after stopping. The concensus seems to be that the tapering off process for most people should be done extremely slowly, in very small increments, over the course of several months. I recommend that you have a talk with your doctor and/or pharmacist about this. You really don't want to go through the hell that numerous others in this discussion have. Be patient with this.
Let us know how things go over the coming weeks.
Jim
Connect
I'm sorry you are having a frustrating experience. I still have not started weaning just yet. My doctor doesn't like to start it in the winter so I'm waiting till January to start it slowly. Please keep us updated as all these different experiences helps us all at least be aware of possible side effects.