Hey TexasD. My Doc told me thats the lowest dosage to come off this god forsaken horrible drug. It will be 8 weeks tomorrow and I really do feel like absolute crap!!!! I’m trying CBD, L-Tryptophan as well as Omega 3 and vitd3. I have insomnia, tingling in the hands and more. Sure am wondering when I’m supposed to feel better. I didnt feel good on Effexor but I didnt feel this crappy. This is the worst!! When I have a crappy sleep i have a crappy next day!!!!!

@shaker1956

Hi Shaker. I'm a Volunteer Mentor and not a medical professional, and cannot make medical diagnoses or give medical advice. How I have withdrawn from other drugs, so I highly respect the advice of others on this site who have withdrawn from Effexor. If you go back several pages you will find others who have successfully withdrawn from Effexor.

At the time they reached 37.5 mg, they opened up the capsule each time and removed a number of the beads inside, usually 10 at a time. As they adjusted to the reduced capsule, they would begin reducing the number by an additional 5 or 10 beads, going again until they adjusted physically to the reduced intake. If they found that removing 10 beads was too much, they would go back up to only removing 5 at a time. Eventually they could stop taking any of it. That could take a year or longer.

Please go slowly in your withdrawal. Doctors don't take Effexor, and most doctors don't know much about drugs. Your pharmacist is a more knowledgeable resource about the effects of drugs and withdrawal. However, those who have been through it are the best resource. This drug seems to be a particularly difficult one for withdrawal. Again, go back through these posts and read the experiences of others who have been successful. I'm hoping the best for you. It may mean that you need to go back to your previous dosage and start your withdrawal again -- much more slowly. Good luck.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

Hi Gail. Thanks for the info. I’m just wondering that because i’m 8 weeks complete without Ven if it would be a step back if I would restart it. I dont see my Doc until the 4th of Sept so Thats still aways away. I sure do feel the pits and I’m trying all these vitamins-CBD, Tryptophan and others. Its the insomnia that I find so hard to deal with. Cant seem to shake it!!!!! Enjoy your day!!!!

I am three days off effexor. Feel horrid. Started decreasing dosage four months ago. Got to 35.5 and just decided to chuck it once and for all. I have upset stomach, squirts, nightmares, lethargy. I have some edibles to help me sleep but my stomach doesn't much like them. I am so miserable.

I've read that once you've gotten off the drug (and at 8 weeks without, I'd say so), it's too late to go back; your current uncomfortable "discontinuation" symptoms could get a LOT worse if you restarted venlafaxine. Many Effexor withdrawers have found Ben*dryl helpful for getting to sleep (I did); I also used lemon balm, kava and rhodiola rosea. Please see my other posts about the supplements that have helped me and the dosage/frequency.

Texas, I am taking your advice. Thank you.

Thanks for the info Texas D. I was ready to try and get a Dr’s app’t and try something so I can get on with life. Today is 8 weeks complete since I took my last hit of Venla. I just started L-Triptophan which is supposed to help with Zaps. Had a horrible sleep last night which causes me to have a horrible day after when that happens. Oh well I’m hoping I start feeling better soon. I dont know how much longer I can put up with this B4 I go back to the Dr with my hands up. But I really dont want to give up!!!!!!!!

Fish oil supplements can help the "brain zaps" some experience while getting off Effexor. "During withdrawal from an antidepressant, one of the quickest ways to help the brain heal is to supplement high-quality omega-3s." Read more here–https://mentalhealthdaily.com/2015/03/19/10-best-supplements-for-antidepressant-withdrawal/.

Thats an interesting site there TexasD. Thanks for that. I already take a few of those supplements-fish oil, high quality. Just started taking L-Tryptophan, 220mg’s. I take 1 pill B4 bed. Also take 2 x vit D3 and one multi vit for ppl 50 and older. Also taking CBD oil which is suppose to help with anxiety and depression. I’m trying to find a site to make sure that I can take all these and they dont fight each other. I need to take the Tryp for a few more days to see if its working or not. Oh well time will tell. Like I said before—— hope it does soon. If I can only get a good nights sleep then then next day is not too bad.........

You can learn about some supplement interactions here—https://bottomlineinc.com/health/supplements/new-dangers-supplement-users

My discontinuation symptoms began at the end of the first week of June (about six weeks after my last tapered dose of Effexor). I tried Thean*ne Serene, Anxi*-T, Natur*al Calm and 5-HTP for the anxiety and took melatonin, valerian and Ben*dryl to sleep. On 6/19, in desperation about the akasthisia, I sent my husband to Vitam*n Sh*ppe at 8:30 pm to get L-tryptophan before they closed at 9. Taking one 500 mg L-tryptophan as soon as he got back immediately relieved the akathisia (agitation/anxiety/restlessness) I was feeling.

Note: I am not a doctor and you should consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

I am taking 4-5 times per day (usually 4 to 5 hours apart, depending on how late I stay up):
• 3 1,000 mg fish oil capsules (EPA 650 mg)
• 1 500 mg L*dtke brand l-tryptophan (This made such a difference to the agitation I was feeling!)
• 2 500 mg Solg*r brand GABA
• 1 500 mg l-arginine
• 1 470 mg ashwagandha root extract capsule
• 5 100 mg B6 tablets (now reduced to 2 qty)

Occasionally I take:
• Dram*mine (for vertigo)
• Ben*dryl (sleep aid) as needed (I don't need it very often now)
• My oncologist who prescribed the Effexor many years ago prescribed 15 5 mg diazepam to take as needed when the akathisia/anxiety gets too bad. Since filling that prescription on 6/20 and figuring out what supplements help me, I’ve only used 5.5 tablets (taking 1/2 tablet now and then).
• Lemon balm Purported to possess sedative, or tranquilizing effects.
• Kava Increases the number of attachment sites for GABA in the brain. By creating more attachment sites, the effects of GABA might be more profound, which results in a mild sedated state. (Good for the fluttery feeling I sometimes get in my chest and anxiety.)
• Rhodiola rosea extract—Modulates the enzyme monoamine oxidase which metabolizes serotonin. When it is inhibited, serotonin synthesis increases.

I was on Effexor for 18 years, so I don't expect to return to normal for a while yet. I will keep up this regimen for another 45 days and then try tapering to 3-4 times per day, 1-2 times per day, etc.

P.S. I have noticed that I must be careful what shows I watch (nothing too violent, too stimulating, too many camera angles) and I can't get too hot (it's August in Texas!), or I start feeling anxious/agitated. So, I am trying to maintain an even keel and not do anything out of the ordinary for now (so not taking up skydiving).