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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
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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I have been off of the Effexor for almost three months now and it's been some of the worst times of my life. My dr. weened me off way too quickly. I would recommend not reducing doses for at least a month, if not longer. A week is NOT long enough, which is what my dr. recommended. I ended up in the ER because I was suicidal during this first month of detox. This drug should be illegal. If you read the side affects (PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION THAT IS INCLUDED WHEN YOU PICK UP YOUR PRESCRIPTION). Do some research on how long it took the manufacturer to get it patented....FOURTEEN years, I believe it said. That should tell us something. The problem started when the manufacturer moved from Effexor to Effexor XR (time released). This was probably to save the insurance companies money as patients were taking the regular Effexor 2-3 times a day. "Well let's just manufacture a drug that is only taken ONCE a day and that will save the drug companies money." I have also been doing some research on natural ways to combat depression and anxiety. GABA is recommended to take 25mg 2x a day and increase to 100 mg 2x a day. L-tyroine and tryptophan. (sp??) B6, Magnesium, Iron, Vit D, calcium and B12 are supposed to help as well. Almost every website that I researched mentioned the Magnesium. I started taking the Vit D, magnesium, Iron and B12 a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure that they are helping but my symptoms are easing, SLOWLY. Gabapentin (prescription) is also very good at easing the anxiety I encounter in the mornings. It is non habit forming (supposedly!). I also joined a local Planet Fitness and when my anxiety is so bad that I feel like I'm going to burst, I get on my tennis shoes and head to the gym for about an hour just to walk on the treadmill. I can clear my mind for at least a little while during the day. Do some research on the natural ways to combat depression and anxiety. I have spent hours and hours and hours trying to find a way to get off of pharmaceuticals FOREVER. I know I will always grieve over the loss of my son and the loss of my marriage but I have to find a way to go on in this world for my beautiful daughter. She is the sunshine of my life and I truly want to be the best mother to her that I can be. In these times, we have to be our own advocate. Big pharmacology is KILLING us slowing, believe it or not. Please, please, please keep your comments and experiences coming. One way or another we will conquer this demon one person at a time. Hugs to everyone....
Yes, I can definitely see how rough it's going to be and this is a really, probably the worse time in my life (professionally and personally) to be having crying jags but I am NOT taking another one of those pills. I know I'm not suicidal and never have had any kind of emotional problems so I knew it was a med but wasn't sure if it was the Effexor or the Prempro but now I'm sure it is the Effexor. I am going to research all the supplements you mentioned to see if maybe some or all of them might help me. I already take magnesium for numerous things so I am sure combined they will be very beneficial.
The way I am looking at it now is that this is a showdown between me and Effexor and I am not going to lose to a drug. I am too damn stubborn so I am trying to inject some humor in my situations and just go with what I said earlier: This too shall pass!
Thank you so much for such informative information about what has helped you. I truly value anything that is more of a natural cure or aid. I have also been researching reflexology and am trying some of it too.
@mkmenge
I am so THANKFUL I found this blog thru Mayo Clinic! I am meeting with my doctor tomorrow to plan my withdrawal course from Venlafaxine, and will be showing her all these responses from this blog. No matter what, and with God's help, I will flush this drug from my body! I pray every night for all of the victims who are going through hell because of this drug. I am considering creating an online petition to gather signatures to present to the FDA and Congress (hopefully we'll get that far) to get the "Extended Release" form of this drug banded from the United States! (the "regular version has already been taken off the market according to infomation I have read online). I would greatly appreciate any feedback as to everyone's thoughts! Thank you.
Yes!!!!!!!!!
Meant to say that I cannot exercise as long as the class runs, 45 minutes to an hour. This is the pool, in the afternoon when I go. Very rarely many people there.
JK
@faithssurvivor1 I am so sorry for what you are going through. I am not familiar at all with Effexor but from what I have read here I would never allow it to be prescribed for me.
I just wanted to offer my concern for you in this battle to get off this drug, I hope you can succeed without any more agony.
JK
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2 Reactions@lilmac44 with all the problems this drug causes I think it should be off the market.
Ty!!!!!!
I hope we can get this petition off the ground. I mentioned these blogs to my psychiatrists and told her that the hospital in which she practices should meet and discuss the horrible side effects and the horrible withdrawal this drug causes and CEASE to prescribe the drug. PERIOD. However, in reality, that's how these places make their money, isn't it? Keep folks addicted to these drugs, keep them coming back for more and when they do finally decide it's time to ween off, they are ASSURED that us, their patients continue to need their services. I have said all along that all big pharma is about is making money, not curing their patients. I am hoping there is someone out there who has the where with all to figure out how to proceed and have this deadly drug banned to save future patients from the agony and suffering this drug causes.
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