Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Really sorry to hear that, @lolita9. Sounds frustrating with the brain zaps and then having to go back on the medication. Hopefully you were able to rest some today.

I hope the behavioral management group is helpful to you. This is a tough journey off Effexor/venlafaxine.

You may recall that @travy, @salela, @linxy, @coloradogirl have also talked about the brain zaps, and they may have some thoughts for going through that path and trying to get off the medication completely. @beconscious, @ontariobonnie, @mell_88, @diane72, @anni and @libbyroo have talked about the same brain zap symptom with tapering off Pristiq/desvenlafaxine, another antidepressant with a lot in common with Effexor/venlafaxine.

Will you let us know how your consult tomorrow goes?

i would like to join the mental health group. and also the kidney bladder group thank you. peCH BARBARA

Hi, @peach414144. That's sounds great to have you join those groups. So, if you go to the Mayo Clinic Connect home page, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/, you will see "Groups" at the top. If you go into the dropdown menu from that, you will see "Group Directory." Click on that, and you will see images for each of the groups with a "+Follow" underneath. If you click on that "Follow," you will then be following that new group and get emails with new posts.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Don't give up hope. I needed a very slow taper because my body is more reactive to all kinds of medications. You might need that too, especially if you tried going off all at once. I hope your appointment goes well. You might discuss with them as well and see if they have advice. My daughter is bipolar and did poorly on SSRIs because they are the wrong meds for her. It was a psychiatric nurse practioner who helped her most, both in providing the support for getting off the wrong meds and onto the right ones.

@peach414144

Hi, Barbara. To join those groups, you can click on groups, then go through the list and follow the ones you want to join. I hope that's enough information to get you to the groups.

Jim

sorry jim hd at but age 80 i need a 5 year old to guide me.further. i try but i need a hands on helper. anyway here i am doing my best to help. i enjoy helping. i would place my picture on this site but then again "where is the 5 year old?" with the experiences i have from all the ailments i have helps to understand the many, many sufferings we experience. i will continue to do my best. with love, barbara.

I started on 37.5mg about eight months ago and didn’t notice any improvement in my depression. I was taking it alongside Buspar for anxiety. My doctor increased the dose of Effexor to 150mg and I admit I began to feel good after a couple of months. Unfortunately, the side effects (mainly unbearable migraines and inability to orgasm) are not worth enduring for the benefits. I am going through a program called Hungy for Happiness which has an incredible success rate and I believe will help me to get to the root of my depression and the overeating that occurs because of my resistance to experience unpleasant feelings.

So, I’ve decided to wean myself off of the Effexor. I cut down to 75mg for two weeks and seemed to be doing just fine, except that the migraines became more frequent. I then made the mistake of not taking ANY Effexor for three days. I had zero headaches but I began to feel manic (things that were mildly amusing became the funniest things in the world, I felt on top of the world over nothing at all) and suddenly I would crash down into a puddle of fear, uncontrollable crying and an overall feeling of hopelessnesss and self hatred.

I felt like a crazy person so I decided to take 50mg about an hour ago. I’m going to do a slower weaning process. I’m incresibly saddened by the fact that both doctors who recommended this medication failed to mention the seriousness of the side effects should I decide to stop taking it. This drug is a nightmare. I’ll post an update soon.

@lolabelle

Do let us know how you're doing. Changing meds can be a real challenge.

Jim

Hello @lolabelle,

Welcome to Connect; it sounds like you've been through quite a bit!

Effexor is a widely used antidepressant, but it is also one that can cause severe symptoms (within hours0 if stopped abruptly. In my experience, the longer you have been on it, and the higher the dose, there is a greater chance of experiencing symptoms of withdrawal.
I was on 300 mg of Effexor XR for 8 years, and it took almost a month, with supervision from my physician, to taper off without adverse symptoms. It's always a good idea to get a healthcare professional involved in your decision to stop.

It's unfortunate that you were not made aware about the seriousness of stopping this drug, but I'm glad to know that you've joined a program that you have confidence in – you're advocating for your mental and emotional well-being, and that is a crucial step. I wish you all success, and as Jim said, please let us know of your progress.

Hi there ..... I totally agree with Lisa .... I think doctors do us a great disservice by not letting us know what the side effects could be. I'm taking Klonopin for anxiety for quite awhile now, and the passed 6-7 months I have had a rough time with lack of balance, falling, etc. I take everything very slowly now, but that's not my usual way of doing things. When I went to a Mayo book, it states right there the side effects ... "lack of balance, falls, etc." ..... everyone of which I have. I wish I'd have known.
abby