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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 14 hours ago | Replies (6411)Comment receiving replies
Hi everybody. I'm happy to have found this forum. I'm also weaning off Effexor and I heard the horror stories about the process. I was feeling pretty confident when I went from 300mg to 225mg to 150mg. I have been doing this under my doctor's care and was surprised how easy it has been. Until now. I'm now at the 75mg mark and it has been horrendous. The third day in I started to feel a lot of vertigo, weird brain zaps and lack of coordination. It got so uncomfortable I started taking 150mg again for a couple days. I wanted to try it again so have stuck out the 75mg for about 2 weeks. I thought I had the flu last week when I started having a nauseous "car sick" feeling that kept me pretty home bound. This feeling has only gotten worse over the last week. Horrible headaches, diarrhea, I feel like I'm in slow motion if that makes sense. I feel edgy like I want to jump out of my own skin. It's extremely unsettling and quite honestly, I'm scared. I feel like I may lose control. I'm not sure how to describe it properly, almost like I'm fearful the withdrawals will get so bad it will overcome me. I'm near tears writing this because I really must get off this med since it's been 15 years and doctors have told me this is basically ineffective in mood disorders (bipolar 2).
I did call the doctor today who was not in. Hoping to hear tomorrow. Anyone have any wisdom on a time frame or coping methods to get through this?
I'm curious why such a drastic shift from the 150mg to 75mg. Has anyone alternated 150mg and 75mg for awhile? I'm willing to push through this if there's hope here. I don't want to have to take this med the rest of my life just to avoid the withdrawals.
Anyone successfully off completely that can send a bit of motivation my way? This is horrible. Not sure if I can pull this off. I'm trying!
Replies to "Hi everybody. I'm happy to have found this forum. I'm also weaning off Effexor and I..."
BTW Amelia, I had the same symptoms as you and understand how you are feeling. I was literally bedridden for three days. I felt I was going to die. I truly did. But I swear, once I eliminated effexor I felt better. I read a suggestion to take an Ativan if you have for nausea. I finally found some CBD oil in a drawer and tired that for nausea. I wonder if Dramamine would help you. I'd inquire but I read that may help. I hope you are doing okay. Let us know please and continue to reach out. I will check this site periodically throughout the next few days to see how you are.
Hang in there Amelia. Rereading your post reminded me that my doctor had me go from 150 ( my highest level) to 112.5 before going to 75. Then to 37.5. Then every other day. The entire process was five weeks.
I also had some moments when I wanted to jump out of my skin. Feeling electric zaps through my body.
On some days I feel great but mostly it is hard. Although getting better.
Good luck
@amelia42
I started my withdrawal almost a year ago. I finished my withdrawal this week. Do not withdraw like I did. You WILL get extreme symptoms.
Please get to reading here. There is a way of counting the beads in those capsules to make your withdrawal easier. I wish you well, Bright Wings
@imfu
Excellent answer. I can see you have been reading. Hurrah. Smiling at you, Bright Wings
@kecrim10mi
Wow good for you. Sounds like your body is doing great getting off this med. How are you handling the rushes of emotion? Smiling at you, Bright Wings
Omg that sounds like me! Just got down to 75mg (a 3 week process from 150) and feeling awful! Today the diarrhea started. Oh the vertigo and fatigue!! But determined to hang in there and get this done. Here's a weird question - are you (ahem) excitable? That's the only good part (my husband agrees!). Ugh.
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Hi Amelia. Yes! You can do this and WILL! I had no help either other than this wonderful forum. I finally tried own my with success by doing what you are doing, titrating. I fully understand your feelings and concerns. It is frightening to those of us who want to be healthy to purge these toxin from our bodies. This forum, and especially me, are with you, behind you. If you beginning to feel hopeless do not hesitate to reach out to either this forum or your local hotline for support. You CAN get through this Amelia. And you WILL. When I was off the effexor and it was out of my system another doctor in the same practice prescribed Celexa. I am told that often just by switching medications helps. I believe it would have been a bit easier had I known this but for me, I wanted to ensure all effexor was out of my system before starting a new drug though I am told that was necessary. Hang in there. You are so close! DO not give up. Do not feel there is no hope because there is. Read Jess' post, I wonder if there is anyway you can take a supplemental dose until you hear back from your Dr?? Mine were in capsule form and I assume yours are too given the dosage. Perhaps your pharmacist can help with that question. I ask my pharmacist most all of my medication questions and find her to be incredibly insightful and helpful, much more so than the Dr who wrote the Rx. Please do not give up. I know it is horrific now but It does get better. I promise. Keep up the great work Amelia. I wish you all the best. Please post your progression. We are all here for you.