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 @liz223 "My heart hurts for you. I lost a young adult child. Maybe someday I can write..." + (show)

@liz223
Oh my dear, my heart is bleeding with yours. I know I used to held so much in...long story short...it contributed to my physical problems. The pain I was not talking about was breaking my body. I have had 19 surgeries. All that stopped as I started sharing with others.
WHEN YOU ARE READY...we are here to listen and "be with you". No one should do this alone. Smiling and holding out my hand if you choose to take it, great! If you don't choose, that is great too because we don't force anyone to do anything here. Sending a wonderful hug if you choose to accept it. You can always throw it in a drawer to save for later. Smiling at you, Bright Wings

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

In reply to @arachel "I've been posting pretty regularly here since I started my withdrawal from 150 mg back in..." + (show)

@arachel

I've been posting pretty regularly here since I started my withdrawal from 150 mg back in January. This is my second attempt at getting completely off of Effexor. The first try came in 2013 at my then doctor's encouragement. He thought I had been on the drug too long and he was right. Ten years was too long. Unfortunately, this doctor was not very well versed in this drug and how to guide a patient through the wean down process. After a very bumpy road, and six months into trying to withdraw, I ended up in the emergency room in the throws of the worst panic attack of my life. Diagnosis was "withdrawal" and I was encouraged to get back on the drug and I did. In retrospect, that recommendation was wrong, wrong, wrong. I was down to 10mg and if I had a doctor who knew what the hell was happening I could have gotten past that downslide and off the drug instead of back where I started. Five years after that incident and still taking Effexor, I was back in another doctors office. He also encouraged me to wean off the drug. He, like the other guy, didn't have any better insight into how to do it except to try to put a day between dosages. No, no, no.....wrong again. You can't skip a day without adding some Effexor to your diet. This time I felt I would be my own best advocate and I started with this forum. Somewhere here (don't quite remember who it was) I read that people were opening the capsule and removing the little beads in slow degrees until you've reached the ultimate goal of zero. Now, that seemed logical to me. That's how I started to do it. I got myself down to 75mg and then down to 37.5 with very little consequence. By the way, my doctor was completely against my doing it this way, but his way was too painful, so I took things into my own hands. I continued to open the capsule decrease the beads until I had 10 little beads left in the capsule. This was two weeks ago. It's here where I started to have a few problems. I started to have horrific nightmares, some dizziness and nausea and weird feelings in my head . The nightmares are the worst part. Two days ago I quit completely, zip, zero, nothing. Today was a bit better than yesterday and I hope that the nightmares start to subside but as long as I have my husband beside me to hold me during the night I'm going to see it through. I'm sitting here now with a glass of wine at my side....definitely helps....and the feeling that no matter what happens I will get on the other side of this. It bothers me that the medical profession, full well knowing how powerful this drug is, does not know how to help their patients to a successful result. Why do we have to suffer to achieve this end.
P.S. I want to note that I read that Fish Oil supplements are helpful with this process. I do take fish oil and maybe that's why I've gotten this far, but it's just a guess and after all, it doesn't hurt to try.

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@arachel
How are you doing now? Its about 8 days later...please share with us again. Smiling at you, Bright Wings

arachel | @arachel | Jun 9, 2018

In reply to @arachel "I've been posting pretty regularly here since I started my withdrawal from 150 mg back in..." + (show)

@arachel

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I'm really not doing all that well. I've gone through some terrible days The withdrawal was more than I could take and the doctor feels that my brain is just not producing serotonin on its own. I did wean off very gradually and methodically but in the end it wasn't enough. I started taking Effexor again, but it will take a few weeks before I feel better. Thanks for asking.

Parus | @parus | Jun 9, 2018

All I can say is my withdrawal from EFFEXOR over 8 years ago is NOT something I would want to experience again. I can say I am more at peace with myself and others without this DRUG. Withdrawal from these type of DRUGS can be lethal w/o proper supervision. Sad that professionals are NOT better educated or just don't care...

medfree17 | @medfree17 | Jun 9, 2018

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

Yes my CBD oils is hemp. It is THC free

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

@parus
I am so with you on this.

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

I am posting this so any that are interested can participate.
The NEXT SACRED CEREMONY in southern Missouri is scheduled for June 23, it starts at 9 am. Don't be late unless you have long distances to travel. I like to get there the evening before. The folks who attend are so wonderful, interesting, and healing folks.
The church is called New Haven Native American Church, Ava, Missouri. Google it.
There is a small chapel to stay in overnight if you choose. Lots of others will be there. We are up to about 70 or so folks every ceremony.
The location of the ceremony is 14 miles west of Ava, Missouri, straight west of Ava on highway 14. When you cross the Bryant River, you are there. Turn right at first driveway after river.
This ceremony is called Be Still in The Moment. Or Peyote. These sacred medicines have allowed me to get off the antidepressants. AND Ayawaska ended my depression.
So any questions, ask away. Smiling at you, Hope to see you there. Bright Wings

lilgem71 | @lilgem71 | Jun 9, 2018

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

It sure helps to know I'm not alone but as the days pass it seems worse

lilgem71 | @lilgem71 | Jun 9, 2018

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

I have never felt this bad ever it doesn't help my BF of ten years has similar depression and anxiety issues and is also taking 150 MG hope he never has to get off it a though it makes him worse on it he calls me horrible names and blames me of faking how I feel just makes me feel worse I'm trying my hardest to fight these deep dark demons with this site being my only support and change in medicine but can't take one for anxiety because it makes me sleep and then I'm accused of being lazy where does it end

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)

@llilgem71
Oh Honey you are not along. I for one am with you. We are all going thru this together. I am sending you my hand to hold as you go thru this. The more you can describe it to yourself, the more you will be able to feel me.
My heart goes out to you Darling, smiling at you. Keep telling yourself...AND THIS TOO SHALL PASS
BRIGHT WINGS