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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tennessegirl aka Melinda | @tennessegirl | Jun 11, 2018
In reply to @brightwings "I am posting this so any that are interested can participate. The NEXT SACRED CEREMONY in..." + (show)
@brightwings

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

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THANKS

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anniegk | @anniegk | Jun 11, 2018

It is exhausting trying to hide Anxiety.

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1 reply
cdileonardo4 | @cdileonardo4 | Jun 11, 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!

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Hey going off Effexor went from 150 to 75 to37.5 each a Month
Now every other day. Feeling a little yuck
Tell me where cannget oils. !!
Not going back onit!!

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toasty | @toasty | Jun 12, 2018
In reply to @anxiouslisa "@toasty how are you feeling? It broke my heart when you mentioned "trying to act normal"...." + (show)
@anxiouslisa

@toasty how are you feeling? It broke my heart when you mentioned "trying to act normal". I can relate. Trying to hide our anxiety is exhausting.

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@anxiouslisa The days I take 150mg, I feel ok mostly but on the days I take 75mg I can tell by the end of the day that things are right. Today is a 75 mg day and it's about 3pm here. I feel ok except for a headache which may not be related. But later tonight will be when I feel bad. Day before yesterday I felt very dizzy, like feeling that I needed to reach out and grab the wall at times. It's very scary and people that haven't been through it don't understand. I'm thinking I might try doing 75 each day by the end of this week. I've been switching them for about 2 weeks.

Trying to act normal is very exhausting. I know people that say oh yea I have anxiety too....but they are out doing things that I know I can't do, smh after this experience I am not going back on anything. It's just too scary. I'm thinking of trying CBD oil.

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toasty | @toasty | Jun 12, 2018
In reply to @anniegk "It is exhausting trying to hide Anxiety." + (show)
@anniegk

It is exhausting trying to hide Anxiety.

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@anniegk
I agree, it really is!

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toasty | @toasty | Jun 12, 2018
In reply to @dianrib "Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real..." + (show)
@dianrib

Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real bad

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@amelia42 I thought they didn't a 100mg pill. I'm trying to go from 150 to 75 now. I've been switching them back and forth per my dr for about 2 weeks now. Thinking of trying to just go to 75 but I'm scared.

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tshere95 | @tshere95 | Jun 12, 2018

I miss one day and I feel like I'm losing my mind. Honestly, it is such a scary feeling.

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dianrib | @dianrib | Jun 12, 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 is online Good luck

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dianrib | @dianrib | Jun 12, 2018

It is hard but keep the faith

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toasty | @toasty | Jun 12, 2018

Well, I took only 75mg today and tonight I feel ok. So, I think I will try just taking 75mg again tomorrow and see how it goes.

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