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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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jul 21, 2018

@amalia78

Although you seem to be doing well now I have my doubts you’ll continue to do well till the end. I could be wrong however, rare as it is, it has been known to happen...lol

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jul 21, 2018

@amelia78

How are you doing Amalia? Any symptoms? Please let us know??

amalia78 | @amalia78 | Jul 21, 2018

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@amelia78 How are you doing Amalia? Any symptoms? Please let us know??" + (show)

Thanks for asking! Much better this morning. No crazy dreams last night. Head still buzzing but no nausea. Drank ginger tea yesterday, maybe that helped.Plan to continue with the 4bead reduction tomorrow.Will be removing 20 beads per day for next week. I think the dosage will average out. No extreme change.

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Jul 21, 2018

Checking in. Feeling much better except for getting too hot yesterday helping to clean the ceremony grounds. I have consequences for that. Saved me a bunch of money and met 2 wonderful new guys. I love spending time with these incredible people. Makes me feel incredible too.
Ok, bye Bright Wings

terri672 | @terri672 | Jul 21, 2018

In reply to @sadiesmom "Just an fyi to those of you who are struggling....I started my withdrawal in October 2017...." + (show)

@sadiesmom

Just an fyi to those of you who are struggling....I started my withdrawal in October 2017. BAD time of year for me as I lost my son to PTSD on 1/3/12 and the holidays are a KILLER. I took Effexor for almost ten years (started after divorce after 31 years of marriage and my son was on his third deployment to Iraq). This medication was slowly killing me: kidney problems, 75 lb weight gain in 4 years, high pb, trigliceryds, (sp?), insomnia, and I generally slept 16 to 18 hours a day. I had to retire from a job that I DEARLY loved. The light bulb finally came on to me that I had to do something to get a hold of my life and start living again. In the past 10 months, I have lost 50 lbs, am Effexor free, but NOT without horrendous withdrawal effects. I was being seen by a gastro doctor for extreme conditions. Couldn't keep anything down and what did stay down was immediately passed creating a problem so horrible that I literally didn't leave my home for months. I resorted to adult diapers at the age of 58. I was devastated. After spending thousands of dollars and still no answers, I did a ton of research on the withdrawal effects of Effexor. There I found my answers. I am still losing weight as I am finding new and more active things to do with my life. I bought a bicycle! I ride 8 to 10 miles a day. It really helps curb the anxiety, which I still find a problem. I'm working with a therapist on how to learn to deal with the loss of my son....he was only 29 when he left this world and I will grieve for him until I die....I know that. My advice for anyone is 1) REFUSE to ingest this drug in any dosage, shape or form. Cymbalta is in the same classification, so I would steer clear of that as well. Besides, one of its worst side effects is chronic diarrhea. My "medication provider" as she called herself (I always thought a psychiatrist had to dispense these meds but that's what she called herself) refused to prescribe anything for anxiety as long as I wasn't taking an antidepressant. My pcp stepped up and LISTENED TO ME and is closely monitoring this medication. I have SWORN to never take any antidepressant drugs ever again. The withdrawal put me in the hospital twice with severe dehydration, hallucinations and I really thought I was going to die. There were days when I prayed I would to stop the hell. My advice is to take is SLOW. And I mean REALLY slow. If it takes you 6 or 9 months or longer to totally withdraw, then so be it. Your body will thank you for it. And so will your mind. In my opinion, it is only by the Grace of God that I am sitting here writing this.....these medications (poisons) are nothing to fool with.

Jump to this post

What were the answers that you found? Please share... I am on the long acting, enteric coated XR form.. I am going to contact my doctor before I start my stopping!. Yesterday I was out and had forgotten to take my effexor before I left home. I had the worst brain zaps and headache I think I've ever had in my life, even after taking my med. when I got home at 5... I'm really worried. I've been on it for over 10 years....

terri672 | @terri672 | Jul 21, 2018

In reply to @brightwings "Wow, I have been awake for almost 2 hours and I AM NOT SMILING! I woke..." + (show)

Can you share some more about CBD oil? Are there different strengths, how do you use it, etc.. Also same on the edibles??? thank you

terri672 | @terri672 | Jul 21, 2018

In reply to @brightwings "@terri672 Google headshopfinder in your town. You can find the CBD oil there. CBD made from..." + (show)

Thank you... Trying to get educated before getting off of Effexor. I've been on it for over 10 years. I've developed so many issues since I got on it. Some may be coincidence, but a lot of joint, autoimmune issues and also muscle burning and sensitive to touch. Fibromyalgia is also worse. I've gotten off of most of my medication and changed my way of eating. My body is healing, but have to deal with the last 2, which are effexor and aciphex, a PPI which is probably the cause of my IBS. I'm really worried about it, so I want to be prepared before I start the process. Will be consulting my GP and also a wellness doctor before I start. I want to be prepared.

terri672 | @terri672 | Jul 21, 2018

In reply to @jdevita "I have been on Venlaflaxin (generic Effexor) 150 mg for over 6 years. FORGET it if..." + (show)

So sorry! Has this been the worst day of your 8 weeks? It seems like starting the off day later and later so that you are increasing by hours instead of a full day might be better? Just MHO.... Can anyone else describe their process of getting off???

JK | @contentandwell | Jul 22, 2018

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@contentandwell You ask regarding Effexor “why are so many people so anxious to get off of..." + (show)

@jakedduck1 I think people want to stay on them because being on them improved the state of mind they were in prior to being on them. I am sure they are afraid of their depression or whatever getting worse if they get off. How do people who do get off of them manage to function if they had trouble with functioning before being on these drugs? This is an area I am really totally unknowledgeable about but have someone very dear to me is on some of these drugs so I want to understand it all better. I would certainly not want to encourage a person to get off of them if their depression would get worse.
Does being on them long term deaden a person's emotions, making them sort of flatline?
JK