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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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Aug 18, 2018

@clevermom50

Weight gain is an uncommon side side. Lack of appetite and no appetite and anorexia are more common.
Personally Since your titrating down so quickly and having side effects your going to fast. I’m afraid you will get more severe side effects. PersonIlally I would take each dosage for a week at a time, minimum, preferably two weeks. Your body needs time to adjust. Wouldn’t it be better to go more slowly hopefully possibly avoiding these side effects.
Best of luck,
Jake

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Aug 18, 2018
In reply to @lindaellenfrelk "I too am in the process of coming off of a 30 year hate relationship With..." + (show)
@lindaellenfrelk

I too am in the process of coming off of a 30 year hate relationship With Effexor. As some of you did, I also tried to do it cold turkey and weening myself. I kept telling my doctor(s) that I was tired all the time and just plain blah. They answer was “take 2 instead of 1”. I look back now and think “really?”. Anyway, I found a doctor willing to send me to a psychiatrist in order to evaluate my state of mind and he agreed that 30 years was way to long since my reason for going on them had ended 29 years ago. He put me on a weening plan that we both agreed upon. During my 8 weeks of weening, I had no issues at all. 2 days after my last pill, the brain zaps began along with the demonic dreams. I have watched my diet and have been drinking plenty of fluids along with a lot of rest. The bad dreams have subsided although the dreams I do have are certainly weird. The brain zaps are still pretty intense but through this message board, I am encouraged. My psychiatrist said indeed, Effexor is the worst one to come off of. Best of luck to all of us in this effort to get back to living our best healthy lives,

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@lindaellenfrelk

Have your doctors indicated how long these zaps may last? Hope you’ll keep us informed.
Jake

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danalee5 | @danalee5 | Aug 18, 2018

I am down to 37.5 am and 37.5 pm now from 225mg daily 3 months ago. My doc said to take a half capsule of the 37.5 1x a day and the full 37.5 the other time. My question is does anyone know how many beads are in a 37.5mg capsule?

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6 replies
kbmayo | @kbmayo | Aug 18, 2018

According to a site I've been using for my count, there are 124 beads in a 37.5 capsule. Good luck!

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danalee5 | @danalee5 | Aug 18, 2018

@kbmayo
Thank you! What site are you using?

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catbitess | @catamite | Aug 18, 2018
In reply to @danalee5 "I am down to 37.5 am and 37.5 pm now from 225mg daily 3 months ago...." + (show)
@danalee5

I am down to 37.5 am and 37.5 pm now from 225mg daily 3 months ago. My doc said to take a half capsule of the 37.5 1x a day and the full 37.5 the other time. My question is does anyone know how many beads are in a 37.5mg capsule?

Jump to this post

You are exactly where I am: 225mg down to 37.5mg, and I started 3 months ago as well. My doctor gave me an RX for 25mg which I should now take for 2 weeks. Then cut in half to 12.5mg for 2 weeks, and then stop. Im almost afraid, as the last time I stopped I was very sick. I realize I went to 0 way too quickly, and had to backtrack. I wish you good luck. Please post and let us know how you are doing, danalee5.

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kbmayo | @kbmayo | Aug 18, 2018

The site where I found the number of beads per capsule is abeffexor.blogspot.com. I think I've read at least 25-30 blogs on this!!

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3 replies
danalee5 | @danalee5 | Aug 18, 2018
In reply to @danalee5 "I am down to 37.5 am and 37.5 pm now from 225mg daily 3 months ago...." + (show)
@danalee5

I am down to 37.5 am and 37.5 pm now from 225mg daily 3 months ago. My doc said to take a half capsule of the 37.5 1x a day and the full 37.5 the other time. My question is does anyone know how many beads are in a 37.5mg capsule?

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@catamite
Congratulations on making it this far! It is not an easy journey. I wish you luck as well. Were you taking the time release capsules before and now have switched to the pills?

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kbmayo | @kbmayo | Aug 18, 2018
In reply to @danalee5 "I am down to 37.5 am and 37.5 pm now from 225mg daily 3 months ago...." + (show)
@danalee5

I am down to 37.5 am and 37.5 pm now from 225mg daily 3 months ago. My doc said to take a half capsule of the 37.5 1x a day and the full 37.5 the other time. My question is does anyone know how many beads are in a 37.5mg capsule?

Jump to this post

I was on pills years ago, but I've been on XR for as long as I can remember. That's why my tapering has been so tedious -- having to figure out how many of those tiny beads to take out for each reduction, then counting them out has made me want to throw the whole damn thing up against the wall more than once! But I've just taken a couple of deep breaths and resumed counting, trying to focus on how great it will be to finally be off them.

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catbitess | @catamite | Aug 18, 2018
In reply to @danalee5 "I am down to 37.5 am and 37.5 pm now from 225mg daily 3 months ago...." + (show)
@danalee5

I am down to 37.5 am and 37.5 pm now from 225mg daily 3 months ago. My doc said to take a half capsule of the 37.5 1x a day and the full 37.5 the other time. My question is does anyone know how many beads are in a 37.5mg capsule?

Jump to this post

yes, I was on time release. Now dr. says take the tablet. I start the tablet tomorrow. We'll see what happens.

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