@efexnot You sound very determined so I hope you can manage your withdrawal schedule. Effexor really sounds like a horrible drug to be on and withdraw from. I wish you success, and please keep us informed.
JK

I began the journey of weaning off of Effexor last October. The holidays are particularly hard for me since losing my son. It was a TERRIBLE time to start the withdrawal process but I was seriously afraid I wasn't going to be able to stay in this world much longer. My BEST advice to you is to take is SLOW. I wouldn't reduce the dosage for at least a month. Yes, it will take you longer but your withdrawal will be so much easier. My doctor weaned me off of the Effexor cutting the dosage by 1/4 each week and on to a low dose of Lexapro which keeps me so nauseated and tired. I got deathly ill and couldn't keep anything down. I was going from both ends and sweated like I have never sweated in my life. I ended up in the ER New Years Eve Day because I was so dehydrated. I have lost 35 lbs since January without even trying. If that doesn't tell you what Effexor does to your body, I don't know what does. I have been experiencing severe gastric problems and have seen a gastroenterologist, had a colonoscopy and endoscopy and he says everything is "fine". My next stop is an endocrinologist. I just can't beat this dang gone fatigue. I have to push myself to do anything. Thankfully, the weather broke today in Ohio and I worked in my yard all day. My butt is soooooooo dragging this evening but it's a fatigue from physical activity which I can take! I know that grief and depression play a huge role in our physical being, i.e. fatigue and flat emotions. I am now almost 6 months out from being off of the Effexor and still wonder if it is totally gone from my body. My next step is to get off of the Lexapro and see if my appetite and fatigue adjust themselves. I know that I have to change my sedentary life style to increase my energy levels, eat "clean" and keep busy. I told myself that my body was bigger than my brain and I was going to beat these horrendous pharmaceuticals. I am considering trying CBD oil (cannibis) soon if I can't get a hold of this anxiety. I wish everyone well who is taking this journey. It's not for the faint of heart but it can be done. Just take is long and slow....hugs to you all!

@sadiesmom I applaud all of you working to get off of these drugs, they cannot possibly be good for you and if you can do without them that's the best thing. I do know some people cannot though.
Congratulations on your success so far, I hope it continues and that your fatigue will lessen.
JK

Hi @efexnot. I hope hope hope you are doing this along with a psych doctor's help or with a psych nurse as I have found near me who understood that when I said I wanted off, I meant I wanted off. As of the past few days I have still been having symptoms from the drug Effexor/lVenlafaxine time release withdrawal. I was physically sick this weekend. My husband and I planned a trip to an outdoor museum. I thought I was ok and then the nausea hit me.....I needed shade and water and then just needed air conditioning and finally went home. I have been off of the drug completely for going on three weeks now and still having symptoms. I was at 37.5 mg for a year. This is a bad drug all the way around. I have been healthy and athletic and active all of my life. This drug withdrawal has me on the sofa for long periods because of the withdrawal creating lethargy. The stomach and indigestion, acid problems and digestive problems are immense and I have NEVER had stomach problems in my life. They only occurred during tapering down of this drug and during the taper to o mg of Effexor. There are many accounts of people ending up in the ER withdrawing from this drug. It is not like ANY other drug nor should it EVER be compared to any. I have found this website helpful. http://www.theroadback.org I do not use their supplements. I am taking others although the site has a good list of the withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. It also dissects the "theory of venlafaxine's "half life" as well as the other components of venlafaxine which have different "half lifes" and different chemical withdrawal in a human body including the long term effects. I hope you are feeling better.

What I want to know, is why is this even still on the market?? I know it’s been removed a couple of times but it keeps coming back. Bigpharma at our expense? Hope you all are making it through another day. Still nauseated. Still weird feeling. Still nightmares. Still funky vision/coordination, etc. Good luck. We will get through this!

Thanks for the kind words. I have had an amazing last few days despite titrating down 37.5 mg on Monday (4/9/2018). I am planning a very busy weekend for myself with lots of gardening and outdoor time, then starting the big "8 day plan" Next Monday.

@efexfreeforever Yes, I have a psych, and a nurse that I can call. I am a nurse practitioner myself, so I know a thing or two about this medication. My psych recommended titrating 37.5mg/MONTH(!), and I had to laugh at that. Now that I know what withdrawal can feel like, I'm ready to confront it head-on. I'll post regular updates here. I'm expecting a good month of symptoms after being completely off of it. Your posts are helpful to document the post-medication journey. Thanks for that.

Best wishes to all.

Thanks also for the website. I'm checking it out now.

I apologize in advance for spamming this thread with my personal story. I am just so excited to be doing this and can hardly contain my enthusiasm. Tonight, I took a major step toward making this a little more real: In my hand is the rest of my taper - 2 days of 150mg, 4 days of 75mg, and 3 days of 37.5mg. In the bag is the remainder of my supply that I have rather ceremoniously destroyed. 🙂

I also wanted to add some substantive comments on the original inquiry of this thread - "Tips on minimising withdrawal symptoms from [venlafaxine]". I have a couple tips that have helped me:

1. Propranolol - Propranolol is a beta-blocker (technically a blood pressure medication) that is often prescribed for performance anxiety. It is a mild anxiolytic, and has helped to take the edge off for me during periods of severe withdrawal. You may want to ask your prescriber if propranolol would be helpful for you. I have been using 10mg 1-3 times daily.

2. Clonidine - This one is a little more controversial. Clonidine is also technically a blood pressure medication - an α(2)-agonist; a very short-acting medication that is used in opioid, alcohol, and cocaine withdrawal. I figured I would give it a try for venlafaxine withdrawal, specifically for symptoms like agitation, fever, sweats, irritability. I found it to be quite helpful - especially at bedtime. If you do use this medication, be very careful - as I mentioned, it does have a short helf life, and should be taken one dose at a time, and ONLY as prescribed. It can drop your blood pressure quickly, and cause rebound hypertension if used inappropriately. I have been using 0.1 mg 1-3 times daily.

3. Benzodiazepines - This is also controversial, and is very patient-specific. If used very temporarily, and for the right patient, these medications can be very helpful to address the symptoms of acure withdrawal. For me personally, I have used 1 mg clonazepam once or twice daily.

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Thanks, all, and warmest regards!