Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

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.

@poisonivy You've got this. I hope this week goes better. Hang in there, and keep pushing on!

Help please. I am starting my taper from Effexor XE after being on it for 3 months I hate it! I had a nervous breakdown in January and checked myself into the hospital. My doctor had given me Xanax and ambien. After being on it for 5 weeks I was sick. I thought I did the right thing by seeking help. instead they doped me up on gabapentin and Effexor. I weaned my self off gaba stopping it last week. Took me 28 days.
My psych nurse knows I am ready to be off meds by t because I still have bad anxiety due to health anxiety she is transitioning me to lexapro. It’s been 1 day on the taper and I am already getting a headache. My taper schedule is as follows: 112.5 edfexor and 10mg lexapro. First week- second week 75 mg Effexor 20 mg lexapro- 3 week 37.5 Effexor and 20 lexapro- week four the same as week three then off do good
I have n get taken antidepressants before! Is this going to be hard? I really need to get better! I have tmjd, ear noises (due to a paxtulous Eustachian tube?) and must keep getting better. I feel so anxious all the time!

Hi, @tambra -- just wanted to clarify whether you are saying that walking at the gym has helped with any remnant side effects from tapering off venlafaxine (Effexor), or that it has helped with the depression?

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!

I have been on Effexor for over 20 years weaned off just 3 weeks ago and taking CBD oil that helps so much with the withdrawals!
You will be fine! Just remember one day at a time and let me know if you want info on my CBD oil wow couldn’t go without it

Just be careful to go VERY slowly.....In my case, I wish I would have spread the decreased dosages by at least one month....not by the week. I had taken it for almost 10 years, though. The withdrawal almost killed me....I think if I would have taken it slower, the symptoms might not have been as bad. I'm 6 months out since the weaning process began, am completely off of the Effexor but I think i am still having withdrawal symptoms, especially the fatigue and gastric issues. UGH! If I knew then what I know now, i would have never taken that first Effexor capsule.....best of luck!

Finally Effexor free!!! It took me 1.5 months- started at 150mg and then removed an increasing amount of the tiny beads in the ER capsule. Week 1: down to 100mg Week 2: 75mg Week 3: 50mg Week 4- 25mg and then I finally just stopped last Wednesday

To say this has been a journey would be an understatement. I always took my Effexor at night and some days the symptoms would escalate right before it was time for my last dose. If I was having particularly bad vertigo or nausea I would increase my tapered dose just a bit to get through that day. I’m still getting brain zaps and vertigo but nowhere near when I first started tapering down. Insomnia is something new - I could sleep 12hoira a day on Effexor with no issues but now I can sleep just 5 hours and wake up feeling ready to go. My emotions are coming back full swing too HELLO THERE ANXIETY! It’s so bizarre having these feelings and passions return after a year of being on Effexor. My friends and family have been warned and I’m quick to let them know if I’m feeling anxious (mostly in the car).

Tips for withdrawal:
-Let your friends and family know what is going on and ask them for their support - this way if you flake on them because of symptoms they are a little more understanding.
-LAUGH at yourself and your ridiculous emotions- if they come across as inappropriate, they probably are
-Stay away from booze
-CBD will help with brain zaps, anxiety, and nausea
-Exercise on days you feel up to it
-Get plenty of sleep
-Commit to being Effexor free - if you give up now you will just start all over again.
-Know that most MDs will try to treat your symptoms with medications because that is what they were trained to do, this might not be what you need and the meds probably won’t help until the detox is finally over.
-Staying hydrated and eating smaller potions helped with the nausea or maybe it was a result of the nausea?
-Get plenty of carbs! That is what fuels your brain and should help it repair itself.
-Isolate yourself if you are feeling bitter, angry, or irritated. It’s not your loved ones fault that this med changed your brain chemistry.
-Replace negative coping mechanisms like alcohol with positive ones like exercise