Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

These drugs are hard to kick for most. Maybe taper off a bit slower I'm having same issue with Effexor . Xanax is a major problem for me as well Got very sick when I did not take for 3 days. Ran out . Had to go to ER ...horrid headache , threw up, 300 BP That scared me to death The anxiety was horrible and I tried everything to calm down TV, counting backwards, meditate , telling myself it was all in my head ..except it was not I was having intense physical distress Good luck I blame my MD for NOT warning me about withdrawal MD oath ' First Do NO harm " ?

Always reduce your meds slowly. I have found some docs reduce meds to quickly. SLOW AND STEADY is the way to succeed.

Sure you can get off it, just remember to get off it slowly. I never thought I’d get off Klonopin but I kept cutting it until I was taking tiny pieces very tiny pieces. It took a long time but I did it without any problems. Wishing you the best.

@writerelh

If you decide to try another antidepressant, I recommend that you ask your doctor for a DNA test that will indicate whether or not the tested antidepressant will work for you. This will cut out the experimentation with unknown drugs until you find the best one for you. I don't know the cost for doing this test, but I know from this community that people are using the tests now. Best of luck getting off the Effexor. Read the ways others have used to withdraw from Effexor; be sure to go slow. Some have taken as long as a year to withdraw.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor

@kaoru1106

I am not a medical professional, but does sound like you have withdrawn too fast. Read through the previous posts on this thread and go back to the level you think will keep you stable. Then go VERY slowly cutting back on the drug. Some on these posts have taken as long as a year to withdraw from Effexor. You can do it, but going slowly will allow you to still function in your life. Most doctors don't understand the length of time it takes people to get off these drugs. Sometimes your pharmacist has more information about withdrawal and how to do it, but then each of us is different. Listen to your body as you are withdrawing. Best of luck.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor

I have been on effexor since 2015 . I was put on it without being informed of anything about it and have been trying to get off ever since. My doctor won't help me so I am fixing to go cold turkey. It's getting more depressing being on it than it's worth. I have read what everyone has posted and all great if you have a doctor willing to help. Good luck to you all.

@kaoru1106
So sorry for what you are going through.
I had a similar experience.
After being in therapy for a while, my therapist suggested I see a psychiatrist for a 'little something' to take the edge off my anxiety. I agreed.
I was also prescribed Effexor XL 37.5 once a day and then twice a day.
I did VERY well on it. Only a tiny headache for a few days, but nothing that would make me want to come off.
My PCP thought I was doing very well and thought I should come off.
She never told me why or the possible impact.
The words addiction or withdrawal NEVER came up.
Rather than going back to the psychiatrist who prescribed them, I followed what my PCP suggested.
The plan was very much like yours.
By the time I was totally off my evening pill, I felt great!!!!!!!!!!
No side effects!
Then one day (I don't remember how much after stopping my pm pill) I was at a workshop for work.
It was actually a good one and I was having a terrific time and even laughing.
During the break, I went to use the bathroom.
(Sorry for TMI) I sat down to do my business, when an all too familiar thing started to happen.
My legs started shaking, then my body started to quiver along with the shaking and I broke out into a cold sweat with a cotton mouth.
I tried to get up to wash my face but my hands started to shake so much, I couldn't use them to help me get up.
I WAS HAVING THE ALWAYS FUN ANXIETY ATTACK.
Thankfully, my hubby was picking me up with my friends to go out for dinner.
By the time they came, the attack was over and I was 'normal'.
As soon as I got home, I took my pm pill.
Needless to say, I made an appointment to see the psychiatrist.
The taking of the pm did not help the anxiety attacks from coming back.
She asked why I went off without talking with her. I told her.
She told me that after you go off the pills, it won't work for at least 9 months.
So, we tried other meds, non worked and the 'getting on' process was horrible.
At 9 months I asked her if we would try the Effexor, again.
She put me back on them and although they never worked as well as they once did, they worked, but not as well as they once did.

Fast forward more than 10 years. I am now on the max dose.
I don't have anxiety attacks, but my brain is mush!
The Effexor has certainly gotten me through some rough times.
I've been on these pills for more years that I'd like to count, but I think it is time to come off.
I am facing the possibility of a couple of surgeries over the next few months, so coming off right now is not the answer.
I do know one thing from my previous experience...…
1. Do this with my psychiatrist;
2. Do it VERY slowly, even if it will take me more than a year (and with all I take it will probably take that long)..

So that is my story.
I hope things work out for you!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Thank you so much. I am very relieved to find this board. My entire life I have had very few answers as to what ails me. I keep requesting that doctors group my symptoms and individual diagnoses to see if they can come to a conclusive answer, instead of all these bandaid fixes I call them.
To answer your question about Quetiapine (Seroquel), I didn't take it as prescribed, as it made me sleepy. They wanted me to take it 3x /day, which is absolutely ridiculous. I'm telling you, the mental health professionals here keep you sick. A couple of months ago, my husband's son told me his therapist discussed with him that mental health has decided to take "a new approach" and focus on recovery. Um, ya think? Its ludicrous here.
That being said, I only take the Quetiapine (Seroquel) occasionally and if absolutely necessary. I remembered it was called "baby heroin" on the streets years ago, so have been very cautious. Yes, it helps with the anxiety and stress related symptoms by sedating you, but i have been one that believes in "pushing through it".
Pain is intense during the withdrawals. Yesterday was a very bad day for me. We have been hauling, cutting, splitting fuelwood, so yes, I have pushed myself too much.
This feels a lot like when i was in detox in 1990. After one week there, i went into full withdrawals. Deep body aches, and pain. Everywhere. My only suggestion for others is not to give in, and try very hard to keep busy. Push through the pain. Push through the anxiety. Distract yourself, i work in the gardens, (vegetables and flower). Even if it means sitting on the ground and doing it. Anything but curling up on the couch, which seems to amplify the pain, merely be cause one is focusing on it.
Tylenol extra strength is the only medication I will take.
I can't consider a class action lawsuit, because these medications have (and God) have kept me alive over the years, so they have done what they were supposed to

One small aside.... everybody else is talking about taking around 150 mg. I was on 300mg. Were they trying to kill me?!

@fallenangel13

I'm a Volunteer Mentor with Mayo Connect and as such am not a medical professional. However, I'm concerned that you are thinking of going off Effexor cold turkey. This drug carries very strong and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Even though your doctor won't help you, your pharmacist may be willing to help. My pharmacist saved me a lot of pain by helping me withdraw from Gabapentin a year ago when my pain doctor wouldn't help.

Read through the previous posts on Mayo Connect and you will find that people who have successfully withdrawn from Effexor have had to go very slowly to do so. Also, some people have been put onto another antidepressant without the bad side effects of Effexor, for a period of time. Then they have been able to withdraw from their new medication more easily.

I hope you can learn from other's experiences with the withdrawal from Effexor. Please stay with us on Mayo Connect as you proceed your withdrawal process and let me know how you're doing physically and emotionally.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor