Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

I’ve been on 75mg of Effexor for about 5 years. I’ve finally decided to come off as I’ve tried it in the past and have just given up on stopping. It’s been 7 days since I’ve had a tablet and every day I have vomited numerous times. Felt insanely nauseous and my head is just pounding. Unfortunately no anti-naseous medication have worked. I’ve had to have two weeks off work which isn’t beneficial as I have bills to pay. Although this time quitting wasn’t as bad as previous times. I only take a low does but I tapered down in a way 3 nights I’ll take 75mg, 1 night I’ll take 37.5 for a week. The. 2 nights 75, 1 night 37.5 for a week until I have been on 37.5 for a week. I decided to just stop after this as I need to get it done so I can go back to work. The vomiting isn’t so bad I believe you get used to it lol, just the horrible head feeling is horrendous. Any food I eat comes back up even if it’s recommended food to eat when nauseous. Back to work tomorrow even though no symptoms have died down but hopefully it won’t be too bad!

Oh yes I also feel I can cry at anything. Especially watching tv and someone else on it is sad I just ball my eyes out lol. But no signs of the depression or anxiety which is good

Hi, there are a lot of people who have posted here on how they weaned. Since it is so difficult, one rec@ommendation by my psychiatrist is to use Prozac to hold you over til you have weaned. Then wean off Prozac, which is much easier to do.

Others here have recommended opening capsuke and removing a few balls a day or a week to taper very slowly. Also CBD oil to help relieve symptoms. Everyone says take it slow! Also, talk to your Dr and pharmacist. Best of luck! A lot of people here to support you!

Never too late to try

It really depends on how sensitive you are to meds. If I miss a dose I get very sick.

Hi @dianrib,
We are aware of the issue with double messages and are working on a solution. Part of the issue is that Connect has grown too big for our current email server, meaning we have to upgrade. That our community has grown and more people are getting support and help is a good thing. Now our technology has to catch up. 🙂

The new email server should be in place by mid-July and then you will no longer receive duplicate emails. I'm sorry for the annoyance in the meantime.

All the best,
Lisa

@clairfull @tarsh @kzorle @cathy615
Wow, lots going on here. Welcome, you will be glad you came. The most important thing you can do is get to reading. Then read some more. We are folks helping folks and you are the most important part of this group. READ
Most of your concerns have already been addressed and we could recap the insights but may miss that one clue that would be most helpful to you. So read.
@clairfull I see you are on the tabs. Look for the method of cutting them in half and quarters. You are crashing into withdrawal everyday doing it the way you are. Baby, you have not even started the hard symptoms yet. You CAN do this just not the way you are today. We are with you.
@wandren I took it for 26 years. Last dose March 14th. DO NOT DO WHAT I DID
I am successful and still in mildish withdrawal although bearable, life is much sweeter. Working on stepping into action to claim my future. I am working to learn about rewiring the brain to do the job the drug used to do. Stay tuned.
@kzorle Impressive, please share how things are going. Good for you!!! Depression? Symptoms? Hardest part of all of it? Current challenge? I got off in March. I am eager for your replies.
@cathy616 Wow girl, impressive recap! You have been reading. There is no way I could have done that synopsis in so few words. Good for you. Come on, share more about you and what's going on.
Ok here is my progress. Last week has been harder. The back round anxiety has been increasing. I am aware, it is bearable. I have been taking actions, many of them to honor my feelings and care for my body.
My lower back is very loudly complaining after being under control for so many years. I ruptured 3 discs in my neck and lower back in 2006 on a bad safari in Kenya. Got my neck fixed. Don't want more surgery.
But, I haven't been able to stand up straight. So I called the Flippin Hippee and learned this. NOT TAKING ENOUGH CBD oil.
I am increasing to 700mg bottle. I will take 2 droppers 3 times a day. I have been wasting my precious energy in minute to minute pain control when by increasing my CBD, the oil does the work for me naturally. I want to jump with joy. I am my own detective to making my life easier.
Its important to remember each dropper contains 1 ml. I was taking Lazarus Naturals. 225 mg bottle That means each ml contains 15 mg of CBD. I thought I was taking 50 mg 3 times a day or 150 mg per day. I was really taking 21 mg a day. I know my old bad eyes contributed to this error. Ask questions! I certainly will.
Now, I am still getting rushes of emotions. Easier, not so intense. I am receiving compliments about how good I look from many people. Its gratifying that all this hard work is paying off.
Twice in the last month or so, my husband has come to me and touched me. He fell and died in 2011 in 8 hours. That was 2 months after my mother fell and died. Both almost instant. So anyways, been missing him terribly. Understatement
I was given a tremendous gift...twice...I am so grateful. I have been experiencing so many feelings because of that full body hug and again in a hand shake. Talk about a mind F.... And he really did come. Why?
I learned I still have a deep pocket of pain over his sudden death. He has relayed to me I have to let it go to go on to the new exciting future I know I have coming soon. AND IT SUCKS I HAVE TO GRIEVE AGAIN.
Yet grieve I will. I choose to honor my feelings and let go and cry again and again. Why? I am worth it. I choose to feel bad now so I can get over it. Gee I used to hate that statement. Yet I KNOW by crying and grieving now I can move on. He honored me enough to let me know I still have work to do. He hates that pocket of pain I carry. Me too now I know its there.
So I am honoring the pain, my husband and myself by allowing myself to cry and cry and cry. I am going to be better for it.
Still smiling, even if its thru my tears, bright wings
I will be out of pocket in the wilderness for the weekend. Bye

Thanks

RE I used Prozac before Effexor . I Did not have any bad reactions stopping. Why my MD took me off Prozac & put me on Effexor, which is, for many, 'addictive' I do NOT know . Maybe docs need to try these ( toxic meds ) before handing them out with no warnings !!

@brightwings

Thank you for your post. You are so helpful to everyone in this thread on Mayo Connect. Sharing what has worked for you, and sharing with us your grieving for your husband touched my heart. Be well Cute Suzie.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor