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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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @amelia42 "Hi everybody. I'm happy to have found this forum. I'm also weaning off Effexor and I..." + (show)

@imfu
Excellent answer. I can see you have been reading. Hurrah. Smiling at you, Bright Wings

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @amelia42 "Hi everybody. I'm happy to have found this forum. I'm also weaning off Effexor and I..." + (show)

@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

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @karhvp "I have reduced from 150mg to 75 mg about 6-7 weeks ago and are still having..." + (show)

@indri500
I am familiar with what you are talking about. The body twitching etc. I was taking a potassium tablet when that happened. I know someone else who uses magnesium for that. Not sure of the dosage of magnesium.
Also, head for the bathtub. Your choice, Epson salts or bubble bath. Both will relax you. However, wait an hour after getting out of tub to hit the sack. Its our bodies process to have to take time to recuperate after a hot bath or shower.
Wishing you well, Bright Wings

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @karhvp "I have reduced from 150mg to 75 mg about 6-7 weeks ago and are still having..." + (show)

@indri500
This is just a hunch, are you in Indianapolis?
Anyways, check at vape shops, both near you or across a border near you. I myself use the Flippin Hippee in Mountain home, AR. Google them. Ask questions. Listen! These are wonderful folks. They like me cuz I make them laugh.
So what is everyone doing to handle the rushes of emotion? Keep going, keep going, if you can't get over the mountain, go around it. It may take a little longer but I used to take 3 steps forward and slide back 2. When going around the mountain you don't lose as much ground if you start sliding. Anyway, this has taken me all the way to end my depression. Good luck and I am sending determination to go with that luck. Bright Wings

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @medfree17 "So I ended up making the decision to come of the Venafalaxine! Best decision ever! I..." + (show)

@tennesseegirl
You rock girl, just my humble opinion...bright wings flying at last

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @medfree17 "So I ended up making the decision to come of the Venafalaxine! Best decision ever! I..." + (show)

@amelia42, how kind of you to support others when you are going thru it yourself. My hat is off to you. How are you handling the anxiety or rushes of emotions? I had to say out loud...self regulating...then look up...don't drop that chin. It has to do with what chemicals are being dumped into your brain...IF YOU FEEL LOUSY DO NOT LAY DOWN OR if you are laying down, GET UP. Again it affects what chemicals are released.
Other times, there is nothing to do but say, and this too shall pass...
Cuz some days are like that. Hang in there, we are all with you. Bright Wings

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @amberpep "Hi .... I've been taking Effexor for about 2 years now, and I'm usually very conscientious..." + (show)

@amberpep
Our bodies are all different. I suspect you are on the extended XR caps. That lasts a lot longer in your system than the pills. I often forgot to take XR caps with out symptoms.
What are your plans? Are you going to keep taking it or get off? Keep coming back, bright wings

amelia42 | @amelia42 | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @medfree17 "So I ended up making the decision to come of the Venafalaxine! Best decision ever! I..." + (show)

After reading SO many comments I'm going to buy CBD oil tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion. Here's to hope!

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @sawiety "I wanted to pop into this community for personal support and to help others that are..." + (show)

@sawiety

I wanted to pop into this community for personal support and to help others that are tapering off of effexor xr or venelafaxine.

I follow a strict Paleo diet and have eliminated or reversed 5 chronic, autoimmune diseases. Effexor is my final (12th) drug to get off of. It’s been a 3 year process and I’m thrilled to report I no longer have ulcerative colitis, ADHD, eczema, hypothyroidism and anxiety/depression. Most of the medications were easy to eliminate, but effexor has taken more planning and self care.

Last July (2017), I decided it was time to begin the tapering process. I was only taking 75 mg., but knew from the experience of accidentally skipping a dose, that I should not follow my doctor’s orders of getting off it in one month. After all, I had been taking it for nearly 18 years! So instead, I began by taking 10 beads out of the capsule.

I did ok, but it was a rough start. Thankfully it was summer and I didn’t need to be near my fifth grade students. I continued with the taper and got to 37.5 mg and settled there for a few months while preparing for my son’s wedding.

Since January 2018, I’ve been decreasing the dose by about 2 beads every other week. For the most part, this has been manageable, but I’ve had days where I’ve felt nauseated, dizzy and agitated. I’ve needed to be so careful in my job as 10 year olds do not deserve to be treated unfairly. So, that’s a big reason why I’ve taken this slowly.

Now it’s the following summer and just last week I went from 15 beads to 10 beads. I had a fairly good week until day 6, which was yesterday. I experienced hot flashes (not typical on a Paleo diet despite my age ~ 53 years), apathy, fatigue and the occasional brain zap. Today I do not want to function, but I don’t feel depressed or anxious ~ just unmotivated.

I’m slightly nervous about these last 10 beads. I intend to drop to 5 beads in 6 days, and then down to two and hopefully in a month, I’ll call it quits. But, I’m nervous about the final dose. The few dreadful experiences I’ve encountered are enough to make me nervous about the whole thing.

Anyhow, this endeavor will have taken me a solid year. But I feel the slow tapering was worth it for me. I am such a sensitive person and I don’t handle physical symptoms well. I know that my diet (no grains, sugar, pasteurized dairy, starches or legumes), has been a positive in all this and has probably made this transition easier than for some people. Nonetheless, my brain wants to be off this junk.

Definitely Omega 3 fats and high quality fish oil have proven to be helpful. These are part of my diet anyhow, so just upping the dose has proven beneficial. Hoping to rely on this during the final stretch.

I’ll write again when I totally get off it. Each time I dropped a few beads, my brain reminded me it was time for the next dose. Unsure what will happen when I eliminate it entirely. Would love any advice that anyone is willing to share.

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@tennesseegirl
Oh my gosh, your dad And husband? My gosh, the same thing happened to me. I am so sorry!!!
Long story short, my mom died 6 weeks after I was given a prophecy I would be the mother of the world...I looked up at God and scoffed. I said out loud, while looking up at God, I have an 81 year old mother with Alzheimer's disease, I am not going anywhere God! I have a 75 year old husband who is healthy, I am not going anywhere. (This probably sounds like an extreme answer but remember, I had already gone on a trip around the world with my mom for 3 1/2 months. I knew what happens when prophecies are given.
Long story short again, my mom passed away 6 weeks later. Dec 14...on 1/11/11 I completely integrated all the rest of my personalities. (My mom was my greatest abuser). THEN 6 weeks after that, my beloved husband fell and died in 8 1/2 hours.
Now I know God did not cause any of that to happen.
When I heard later in the year, I should go be a missionary in Africa, my answer was, "I'm going God!". Lol I did too. 6 months in Kenya
Forgive me for getting distracted with my story. How are you handling the grief? Concerned, bright wings

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @medfree17 "So I ended up making the decision to come of the Venafalaxine! Best decision ever! I..." + (show)

@amelia42
CBD oil is more than hope, it works!

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