1. < Depression & Anxiety

Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Posted by richyrich @richyrich, Nov 2, 2016

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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msrubi52 | @msrubi52 | Mar 11, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "Hi all .... it's been awhile since I've been here. I had a real shock today..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi all .... it's been awhile since I've been here. I had a real shock today and frankly don't know how I'll pay it. I had to renew 4 Rx's today, and the total for all 4 is over $200. The two highest ones are Effexor (90 tablets-2 a day), and Wellbutrin (90 tablets - 1 a day.). I can't afford this and these are the generics.I already live in low income housing and am just making it, and now these prices have skyrocketed!
abby

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@amberpep have you looked at GoodRx? Not sure where you live but without insurance generic Wellbutrin, even the XL is under $30 and the generic Effexor is under &15 . You might want to check on there and shop around. Good luck!

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Mar 11, 2018
In reply to @jitegemea "Currently experiencing Venaflaxine withdrawl symptoms. Confusion, outbreaks of uncontrollable crying, dizziness, REALLY slow cognitive processes... Have..." + (show)
@jitegemea

Currently experiencing Venaflaxine withdrawl symptoms. Confusion, outbreaks of uncontrollable crying, dizziness, REALLY slow cognitive processes... Have been on Sertraline 100 mg/day and Venaflaxine 150mg/day for several years. Really want to face the music and deal with my anxiety and depression without medication if possible. Started weaning myself off both meds. Reduced Sertraline to 50 mg/day for four weeks, then reduced Venaflaxine to 75mg/day for four weeks, then stopped the sertraline completely for four weeks and just this week stopped the last of the Venaflaxine. MAJOR mistake, I believe. I am almost hallucinating. Dizziness, period uncontrollable weeping, confusion... Surprisingly, no anxiety or depression (original diagnosis). Overall the worst is just this incredible cognitive sluggishness. As a public figure addressing groups regularly 4-5 times/week. This is going to be a problem. I hope to be able to see my GP (prescribing DR) this week. This discussion thread has helped immensely to process my confusion...

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Go to the emergency room at a hospital close to you. You should only be withdrawing under supervision of your physician or pharmacist. They will be able to help you.

Gail B
Volunteer Mentor

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GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Mar 11, 2018
In reply to @msrubi52 "My doc just prescribed Effexor. Wellbutrin wasn’t effective for my depression and increased anxiety (and weight,..." + (show)
@msrubi52

My doc just prescribed Effexor. Wellbutrin wasn’t effective for my depression and increased anxiety (and weight, go figure). Since I discontinued wb last year I’ve had stent placement and have to take Plavix. SSRIs are out of the running so my options are limited. I’ve read multiple horror stories about withdrawals from Effexor and stories of success. I guess I’m curious as to why any of you who discontinued it, chose to do so? If it works, shouldn’t it be forever? TIA

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@vdandy

How long were you on Celexa before it stopped working? I have been taking it (Citalopram) 6 years now, and since withdrawing from a year on Tramadol after surgery, it doesn't seem to be working as well as it did. I have been having periodic anxiety attacks in the morning. At first I just thought they were from withdrawal, but they are continuing. So, I'm wondering if the Tramadol messed with the effectiveness of the Citalopram. I'll talk with my doctor, but I want to do a little research first. I have really liked taking the Citalopram as it changed my life for the better.

Thanks,
Gail B
Volunteer Mentor

REPLY
lalyfa | @lalyfa | Mar 11, 2018
In reply to @jitegemea "Currently experiencing Venaflaxine withdrawl symptoms. Confusion, outbreaks of uncontrollable crying, dizziness, REALLY slow cognitive processes... Have..." + (show)
@jitegemea

Currently experiencing Venaflaxine withdrawl symptoms. Confusion, outbreaks of uncontrollable crying, dizziness, REALLY slow cognitive processes... Have been on Sertraline 100 mg/day and Venaflaxine 150mg/day for several years. Really want to face the music and deal with my anxiety and depression without medication if possible. Started weaning myself off both meds. Reduced Sertraline to 50 mg/day for four weeks, then reduced Venaflaxine to 75mg/day for four weeks, then stopped the sertraline completely for four weeks and just this week stopped the last of the Venaflaxine. MAJOR mistake, I believe. I am almost hallucinating. Dizziness, period uncontrollable weeping, confusion... Surprisingly, no anxiety or depression (original diagnosis). Overall the worst is just this incredible cognitive sluggishness. As a public figure addressing groups regularly 4-5 times/week. This is going to be a problem. I hope to be able to see my GP (prescribing DR) this week. This discussion thread has helped immensely to process my confusion...

Jump to this post

@jitegemea I am 3 weeks totally off venlafaxine after weaning off for a month. I too had bad dizziness, uncontrollable crying, slow cognitive processes, etc. Its horrible. The last 2 days have been my best so far. Not much dizziness but still extremely emotional & still times of confusion. However, I have not had any hallucinations which sounds pretty scary. I’d probably head to the emergency room if it happened to me. My doctor gave me a 10 day supply of Ativan to help with the withdrawals but I only use it if I’m having a very bad day. It does help a lot.

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 11, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "Hi all .... it's been awhile since I've been here. I had a real shock today..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi all .... it's been awhile since I've been here. I had a real shock today and frankly don't know how I'll pay it. I had to renew 4 Rx's today, and the total for all 4 is over $200. The two highest ones are Effexor (90 tablets-2 a day), and Wellbutrin (90 tablets - 1 a day.). I can't afford this and these are the generics.I already live in low income housing and am just making it, and now these prices have skyrocketed!
abby

Jump to this post

@amberpep I have heard that some drug companies will help with people who truly cannot afford the medications. You should ask your pharmacist about that. Obviously you need to supply income information, etc., but it would worth it if it means the difference in being able to get the drugs you need or not.
JK

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maplegrove | @maplegrove | Mar 12, 2018

I have been tapering off venlafaxine. I am at less then half my original dose and am taking Prozac at the same time. I feel great ! I’m happy. I have tried and failed to quit before, so am happy. Prozac will work and be less expensive for me.

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GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @jitegemea "Currently experiencing Venaflaxine withdrawl symptoms. Confusion, outbreaks of uncontrollable crying, dizziness, REALLY slow cognitive processes... Have..." + (show)
@jitegemea

Currently experiencing Venaflaxine withdrawl symptoms. Confusion, outbreaks of uncontrollable crying, dizziness, REALLY slow cognitive processes... Have been on Sertraline 100 mg/day and Venaflaxine 150mg/day for several years. Really want to face the music and deal with my anxiety and depression without medication if possible. Started weaning myself off both meds. Reduced Sertraline to 50 mg/day for four weeks, then reduced Venaflaxine to 75mg/day for four weeks, then stopped the sertraline completely for four weeks and just this week stopped the last of the Venaflaxine. MAJOR mistake, I believe. I am almost hallucinating. Dizziness, period uncontrollable weeping, confusion... Surprisingly, no anxiety or depression (original diagnosis). Overall the worst is just this incredible cognitive sluggishness. As a public figure addressing groups regularly 4-5 times/week. This is going to be a problem. I hope to be able to see my GP (prescribing DR) this week. This discussion thread has helped immensely to process my confusion...

Jump to this post

@jitegemea

Please let us know how you are doing today. I'm concerned about you. Thanks,

GailB
Volunteer Mentor

REPLY
imfu | @imfu | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @careth2 "Hi there! I am new to Connect, but hopefully can offer some insight. I DID go..." + (show)
@careth2

Hi there! I am new to Connect, but hopefully can offer some insight. I DID go off 150 Effexor XR (name brand) COLD TURKEY on January 2016. I survived it, but will never in my life EVER go off ANY antidepressant cold turkey. I had taken Effexor for at least 8 years, Zoloft prior to that and and Imipramine (sp?) as the first antidepressant (in all 25+ years on antidepressants.) It all started with running out of meds over a long weekend and deciding it was time to try to get off antidepressants to see how I would do. Since I had recently retired from teaching, thought this would be an ideal time to give it a go. In addition, Effexor just wasn't helping all that much anymore (I thought.) The first 3 days I felt like I was going to die! When I realized that I wasn't dying, decided to keep going to get it all over with. In addition to the symptoms you have heard about, I had deep bone/joint pain that felt like I was being pinched with clamps. Also had skin sensations and peeling, and noticed a strange smell on my skin. Each day got a little better and by the 3rd week started to function a bit more normally. I was very emotional, however, which caused my family great concern. Well, to make a long story short, the depression crept back in full and I am still trying to get my life back. I did everything I could to stay stable, including herbal supplements and took a vacation where I hiked 6 miles daily for 9 days on hilly, rocky terrain. I finally had to accept that I'm a person who will need antidepressants for the rest of my life. With the help of a PCP and counselor, I am on my 3rd antidepressant & may need to resort to going back on Effexor, because nothing seems to be working. All in all, in my opinion, the chronic depression is worse than the withdrawal symptoms that do eventually end. If you are a person with situational depression, you may be successful weaning off Effexor gradually. If I were to do it again, that's what I would do (while replacing Effexor with something else.) Here are the things that helped me with the physical withdrawal symptoms:
1. Get plenty of sleep/rest.
2. Eat a very well-balanced diet (this is not the time to worry about your weight.) Lots of soup & easy to digest foods the 1st few days.
3. Drink plenty of water, including coconut water.
4. Have a glass of wine in the evening (if advisable.)
5. Get outside and walk or other excersize (the warm sunshine will feel good!)
6. Hot yoga 3-4 times per week. Stay in class even if you feel nauseous & can only do a few postures.
7. Soak in a hot tub (with bath salts if available.)
8. Use a good moisturizer on face & body several times per day.
9. Get several professional massages.
10. Take Tylenol for muscle pain, if OK on your stomach.
11. A heating pad is also helpful at bedtime or during naps.
12. If you are single & live alone, make sure a few trusted friends/family members know what you are doing.
13. In general, be kind & gentle to yourself.
14. NEVER give up! Keep going, even when you don't feel like it (which will be often.) YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!

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Oh wow. Not sure who this was for but I thank you so much for your information. II think I already posted this question but do you know how long it takes the body to purge this drug from the body??

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imfu | @imfu | Mar 12, 2018

Hi Jen. RE: Effexor/Venaflaxine:
You have been helpful. I gained upwards 35 lbs and very quickly as well. My BP increased putting me in the HBP range- a first for me, I've always been 110-112/60-65. Now am at 120-122/ 70+. Am a 'clean' cook and eat pretty healthy. From my research I learned that significant weight gain in a rather short time frame is common, and BP increases. I only researched scientific, reliable sources (and a lot of my information came from the drug manufacturer site itself). The worst thing I learned is that these symptoms do NOT go away as long as one is taking this medication. And is certainly the case for me. I reduced my intake on my own and am hoping I am off the drug as of today (first day with no Venaflaxine). To clarify the comparison to heroine, I am the one who posted and hope I did not confuse anyone, from my research EFFEXOR (venaflaxine hcl er) IS THE HARDEST TO WITHDRAW FROM IN ITS CLASS, AND, IN ITS CLASS IS COMPARED TO HEROINE ADDICTION DUE TO ITS DIFFICULTY IN WITHDRAWING FROM. Yes, that scared the mess out of me and is exactly why I am getting off of it and will never, ever take this particular drug again, ever. I will continue to search for an alternative. Thank you also for your input re: Cymbalta.

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imfu | @imfu | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "Hi all .... it's been awhile since I've been here. I had a real shock today..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi all .... it's been awhile since I've been here. I had a real shock today and frankly don't know how I'll pay it. I had to renew 4 Rx's today, and the total for all 4 is over $200. The two highest ones are Effexor (90 tablets-2 a day), and Wellbutrin (90 tablets - 1 a day.). I can't afford this and these are the generics.I already live in low income housing and am just making it, and now these prices have skyrocketed!
abby

Jump to this post

Hi mrsubi52-
I agree with amberpe, the Good Rx may be of help.

I got this for you off of the NAMI site- Effexor Fact Sheet (www.namihelps.org). It is at the very bottom of the page. I hope you are able to get some help. I get it, also am in the same boat as you. Please follow-up and let us know if you have been able to get some help and if any of these suggestions has helped you. Good luck.

or low-cost medications provided by pharmaceutical companies
Some pharmaceutical companies offer medication assistance programs to low-income
individuals and families. These programs typically require a doctor’s consent and proof
of financial status. They may also require that you have either no health insurance, or no
prescription drug benefit through your health insurance. Please contact the
pharmaceutical company directly for specific eligibility requirements and application
information.
Effexor Rx Assistance Program: 1- 800-568-9938

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