Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@amberpep

Getting our prescriptions during the deductible stage is killer, even when we know it's coming. We have two deductibles to pay, more than $600. Then, on top of that is the medical deductible. Unfortunately, we're not all rich. I know that's how the system works, but it would surely be great if we could find a better way.

My wife started getting her social security in December, and that means we lost our food assistance. That's half of what she gets. I know how it feels to have to choose between groceries and other essentials. It's not a great way to live. I hope you find a way to get the meds you need, Abby.

I am currently in the final stages of withdrawing from Effexor. I have been on Effexor for 25 years. I began at 25mg and began withdrawal at a dosage of 300mg. It has helped me enormously. My withdrawal process began the day I was diagnosed with PTSD and started on medication to control my symptoms within that framework. I am extremely lucky that I had friends who led me to a woman with extensive experience in the area. We have been working together for over a year. The dosage decreases have, indeed, been in small increments. I am now down from months at 37.5mg and working on the last 25mg by managing withdrawal symptoms. I was stuck at 37.5 for months due to the ugliness of the withdrawal symptoms-vertigo and nausea primarily. The symptoms were so severe I needed a way to decrease the dosage at a very delicate drop. They were so severe I seriously considered buying a medical scale at over a thousand dollars. At any rate, I decided a solution was my best bet. I'm a nurse so got a medicine cup, several syringes and set up a chart of dosage per ml of warm water. I decided the crucial variable was maintaining the solution's consistency as I measure it. In other words, the same amount of the medicine to the same amount of water. I make sure the med is dissolved as well as I can get it. I crush it first. Then I constantly shake the solution as I measure it, pull it into the syringe and manipulate the amount of water. I started at 25mg in 10ml water. For a dosage decrease I simply take less of the water. I dump the extra back into the cup in case I need to fine tune my measurement. With each decrease of a 1 ml water I carve off 2.5mg of Efffexor. I stayed at 9ml for 3 days until the resulting symptoms were livable then moved to down to 8ml of the solution. I've been at 8ml for 3 days so tomorrow I drop down to 7ml. The first day of reducing the Effexor is still unpleasant. That's dropping only 2.5 mg. The second day at that drop is still rather uncomfortable. By day 3 I feel ok. The exception is the body aches that, for me, have become more and more acute. I was convinced my osteoarthritis was getting MUCH worse VERY fast until I read the comments here, for which I thank you. I absolutely agree that management of withdrawal of symptoms is critical to the process. For me, I had to go to extremes in minimizing the decrease in dosage, but it is only at this level it has been needed. For others this may not be the case. Thank you all for the confirmation that this process SUCKS and good luck to all who are dealing with it. FYI This is the first time I have ever posted in my life. What does that say about Effexor withdrawal?

Wow, tomorrow will be 4 weeks totally off Effexor. I feel like I take one step forward and two back. Yesterday was pretty bad for me and I almost caved in to calling my doctor to start me back up on something. But I took an ativan before bed, had a great nights sleep, & the world feels good again! Going on a trip today to visit family and I’m so afraid that I’ll spoil the trip with my irritableness, agitation, and ugly mouth. Trying really hard to keep that a bay! The Ativan helps a lot, sure wish is was safe and non-habit forming cuz it seems to work better for me than any of the anti-depresssnts have. Which leaves me in another quandary - do I really have depression or anxiety issues? Ugh, life is hard! Not sure how much longer hubby can handle me w/o meds but hoping to make it till my next dr appt April 4.

Oh when withdrawaubg from Effexor, have any of you experience shortness of breath? Seems like I’m always huffing & puffing these days. Can’t even walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath.

@lalyfa My anxiety was relieved when I began taking Citalopram for depression. I no longer have panic attacks or general anxiety like I had before. I couldn't fly without taking an Ativan. As time went on, I found I had to take 1/2 a 1mg Ativan if things were bad with my boss at work, etc. Now that I'm retired, and taking Citalopram, my fears are gone. I feel free at last. I am thankful for my antidepressant, but that doesn't mean you should stop getting off yours. You need to do what is best for you working with your doctors. I wish you the best.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor

Thank you @gailb! I have a strong feeling I will be going back on the anti-depressants soon. Finding the right one will be the trick. I’ve taken Citalopram in the past but made me feel too tired & ‘fuzzy’ in the brain. My doctor has mentioned lexapro but I know that causes sweating also and I had enough of that while on Venlaxafine. It feels like a constant battle. Wish there was something that could relieve depression symptoms but not make me feel so tired & fuzzy. Guess it will come down to me dealing with those side effects or making my family miserable. Well, it won’t be the later!

My husband took Effexor and when that didn’t work they switched him to Cymbalta and he is doing better. I have tried over 15 medications and finally found one that works. You will figure out something it just takes time and is hard on the family I agree. Try to keep communication open about how much you are trying to feel better and that your symptoms are not your fault. Wish you well!

thanks. i did wean off --sort of---had to start on lexapro but from my research it is much safer and easier to wean off of when the time comes for that. wish i did not have to take any of them but feel i need for my terrible anxiety (mother's longterm illness, i was caregiver to her and dad, no support from two siblings who live close by, i lost job (s) due to multiple foot surgeries - 5 surgeries in 9 mo to be exact- i know i need something as I am having difficulty handling all of this but i regret ever taking effexor.

@lalyfa Great going getting off of Effexor. I know someone who was only on it for a short time and even then it took four months to wean off of it. If you try to limit your ativan then hopefully it won't cause addiction. As I have mentioned before I generally take about one a month for a night when I am having a particularly time stopping my mind from whirling, but back in around 2005 I was taking it more frequently not knowing it was addictive and I was going through a tough time. Thankfully I did not get addicted to it.
JK

@imfu From all I have seen on here and from what I heard from someone I know, Effexor seems to do more harm than good. There must be other pharmaceuticals that can provide relief without the troubles caused by Effexor.
JK

20 years on this drug. I have quit cold turkey and oh my lord. This is hell, the feelings I would get if I just missed a dose. Wow. This IS HELL . I just want to die it hurts so bad. Everything is firing inside my head. Oh why did I ever allow this to happen.