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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tundra | @tundra | Apr 14, 2018
In reply to @nanke99 "Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years..." + (show)
@nanke99

Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years ago. It was a very difficult process, so I fully sympathize. You MUST wean off
VERY SLOWLY. I don't remember what my dosage was at the time (225mg?), but it took me about 9 months. Please do not let that long time scare you, it's worth going slow, that will be your biggest help w/ withdrawal. At the time I had a very difficult time finding any doctor with experience getting people off it.
Luckily I was advised to to find one and luckily I did. It is considered harder to get off than heroine. Not trying to scare you, just want to make sure you go as slow as possible. Mostly, I was moody/angry, had headaches, and some brain "shivers". The brain shivers I already had while on the meds.
I think we went down in 25mg increments over several weeks for each reduction. Keep us posted and good luck! Just give yourself some time and it will be over before you know it!

Jump to this post

I am looking for information also on using CBD oil to use to taper off my benzo. I have high anxiety and have gone into tolerance with my benzo. I do NOT want to up my meds. I am currently down to 30mg a day but like you would love to know if passing CBD pass my Psychiatrist would be worth a try. I need all the info I can get prior to my appt with her May 4th. I also just had a genetic swab done for my tolerance with any medication. Good Luck to you

REPLY
lynnardgirl | @lynnardgirl | Apr 14, 2018
In reply to @nanke99 "Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years..." + (show)
@nanke99

Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years ago. It was a very difficult process, so I fully sympathize. You MUST wean off
VERY SLOWLY. I don't remember what my dosage was at the time (225mg?), but it took me about 9 months. Please do not let that long time scare you, it's worth going slow, that will be your biggest help w/ withdrawal. At the time I had a very difficult time finding any doctor with experience getting people off it.
Luckily I was advised to to find one and luckily I did. It is considered harder to get off than heroine. Not trying to scare you, just want to make sure you go as slow as possible. Mostly, I was moody/angry, had headaches, and some brain "shivers". The brain shivers I already had while on the meds.
I think we went down in 25mg increments over several weeks for each reduction. Keep us posted and good luck! Just give yourself some time and it will be over before you know it!

Jump to this post

Please please look into buying CBD oil from hempworx the only way I got off my Effexor!
100% pure oil won’t make you high because of the low low THC.03 order the 500 natural flavor not peppermint because peppermint is a simulate makes my anxiety worse!

REPLY
lynnardgirl | @lynnardgirl | Apr 14, 2018

The only way that I could do it was with CBD oil! Looked at so many but finally found Hempworx amazing won’t make you high because of the low low thc .03 helps with mostly physical and mental issues life saver for me

REPLY
lynnardgirl | @lynnardgirl | Apr 14, 2018
In reply to @nanke99 "Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years..." + (show)
@nanke99

Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years ago. It was a very difficult process, so I fully sympathize. You MUST wean off
VERY SLOWLY. I don't remember what my dosage was at the time (225mg?), but it took me about 9 months. Please do not let that long time scare you, it's worth going slow, that will be your biggest help w/ withdrawal. At the time I had a very difficult time finding any doctor with experience getting people off it.
Luckily I was advised to to find one and luckily I did. It is considered harder to get off than heroine. Not trying to scare you, just want to make sure you go as slow as possible. Mostly, I was moody/angry, had headaches, and some brain "shivers". The brain shivers I already had while on the meds.
I think we went down in 25mg increments over several weeks for each reduction. Keep us posted and good luck! Just give yourself some time and it will be over before you know it!

Jump to this post

CBD oil! Used for mental and physical pain and withdrawal from meds! All natural unbelievable saved me from horrible withdrawals

REPLY
tundra | @tundra | Apr 14, 2018
In reply to @nanke99 "Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years..." + (show)
@nanke99

Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years ago. It was a very difficult process, so I fully sympathize. You MUST wean off
VERY SLOWLY. I don't remember what my dosage was at the time (225mg?), but it took me about 9 months. Please do not let that long time scare you, it's worth going slow, that will be your biggest help w/ withdrawal. At the time I had a very difficult time finding any doctor with experience getting people off it.
Luckily I was advised to to find one and luckily I did. It is considered harder to get off than heroine. Not trying to scare you, just want to make sure you go as slow as possible. Mostly, I was moody/angry, had headaches, and some brain "shivers". The brain shivers I already had while on the meds.
I think we went down in 25mg increments over several weeks for each reduction. Keep us posted and good luck! Just give yourself some time and it will be over before you know it!

Jump to this post

Thanks so much for your input..

REPLY
Jamie Olson | @jamienolson | Apr 15, 2018
In reply to @nanke99 "Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years..." + (show)
@nanke99

Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years ago. It was a very difficult process, so I fully sympathize. You MUST wean off
VERY SLOWLY. I don't remember what my dosage was at the time (225mg?), but it took me about 9 months. Please do not let that long time scare you, it's worth going slow, that will be your biggest help w/ withdrawal. At the time I had a very difficult time finding any doctor with experience getting people off it.
Luckily I was advised to to find one and luckily I did. It is considered harder to get off than heroine. Not trying to scare you, just want to make sure you go as slow as possible. Mostly, I was moody/angry, had headaches, and some brain "shivers". The brain shivers I already had while on the meds.
I think we went down in 25mg increments over several weeks for each reduction. Keep us posted and good luck! Just give yourself some time and it will be over before you know it!

Jump to this post

Hello @jasiowa, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

There are different levels of compounds found in the natural hemp or cannabis plant. CBD levels vary depending on how the plant is bred. Most CBD oil comes from industrial hemp, which usually has a higher CBD content than marijuana.

Makers of CBD oil use different methods to extract the compound. The extract is then added to a carrier oil and called CBD oil. CBD oil comes in many different strengths and is used in various ways. It is always best to discuss CBD oil with a qualified health care practitioner before using it.

What brings you to Mayo Clinic Connect?

REPLY
jasiowa | @jasiowa | Apr 15, 2018
In reply to @nanke99 "Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years..." + (show)
@nanke99

Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years ago. It was a very difficult process, so I fully sympathize. You MUST wean off
VERY SLOWLY. I don't remember what my dosage was at the time (225mg?), but it took me about 9 months. Please do not let that long time scare you, it's worth going slow, that will be your biggest help w/ withdrawal. At the time I had a very difficult time finding any doctor with experience getting people off it.
Luckily I was advised to to find one and luckily I did. It is considered harder to get off than heroine. Not trying to scare you, just want to make sure you go as slow as possible. Mostly, I was moody/angry, had headaches, and some brain "shivers". The brain shivers I already had while on the meds.
I think we went down in 25mg increments over several weeks for each reduction. Keep us posted and good luck! Just give yourself some time and it will be over before you know it!

Jump to this post

Thanks somuch for telling me about CBD oil. I joined because i have been takinf venlafaxine and wanted to stop taking it. Was looking for the best wat to do so. I have gained a lot of insight from the posts of others. Thank you

REPLY
brandih080908 | @brandih080908 | Apr 15, 2018

Hi, I am hoping some of you can help. About 6 months ago I began taking 37.5mg of Effexor only once per day. I got a refill from my doctor but she upped it to 75mg once per day. I am wanting to wean off. But I am unsure how to go about it. Most of the threads I found, people are taking high doses for a long time. Has anyone had experience weaning off a low dose for a short time (only 6 months)? I have been dumping out half the contents of my 75mg pill the last two weeks so I can stay at no more than 37.5mg since I plan to wean.

REPLY
1 reply
Jamie Olson | @jamienolson | Apr 15, 2018
In reply to @brandih080908 "Hi, I am hoping some of you can help. About 6 months ago I began taking..." + (show)
@brandih080908

Hi, I am hoping some of you can help. About 6 months ago I began taking 37.5mg of Effexor only once per day. I got a refill from my doctor but she upped it to 75mg once per day. I am wanting to wean off. But I am unsure how to go about it. Most of the threads I found, people are taking high doses for a long time. Has anyone had experience weaning off a low dose for a short time (only 6 months)? I have been dumping out half the contents of my 75mg pill the last two weeks so I can stay at no more than 37.5mg since I plan to wean.

Jump to this post

Hi Brandi, Welcome to the group. You will notice I merged your topic with an already existing conversation on Effexor and weaning off. You will find a lot of information posted within this thread from other members who have also been working their way off of Effexor. Please feel free to ask any questions to this very inviting community. 🙂

Have you found yourself with any of the withdrawal symptoms?

REPLY
tundra | @tundra | Apr 15, 2018
In reply to @nanke99 "Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years..." + (show)
@nanke99

Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years ago. It was a very difficult process, so I fully sympathize. You MUST wean off
VERY SLOWLY. I don't remember what my dosage was at the time (225mg?), but it took me about 9 months. Please do not let that long time scare you, it's worth going slow, that will be your biggest help w/ withdrawal. At the time I had a very difficult time finding any doctor with experience getting people off it.
Luckily I was advised to to find one and luckily I did. It is considered harder to get off than heroine. Not trying to scare you, just want to make sure you go as slow as possible. Mostly, I was moody/angry, had headaches, and some brain "shivers". The brain shivers I already had while on the meds.
I think we went down in 25mg increments over several weeks for each reduction. Keep us posted and good luck! Just give yourself some time and it will be over before you know it!

Jump to this post

I am researching it every where. I would never do anything without talking to my Psychiatrist. I had a genetic swab done last week and meet with my Psychiatrist on May 4th. I'm in tolerance right now after 15 years of 30mg a day of oxazepam. I'm struggling right now but I will fight on. I am a survivor, just need to get off my medication now.

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