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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snooterbell | @snooterbell | Sep 1, 2018
In reply to @youngsally "Sounds excellent - let me know how your discussion goes. My friend won't even bring up..." + (show)
@youngsally

Sounds excellent - let me know how your discussion goes. My friend won't even bring up the fact that her AI is making her irritable to her oncologist and ask if there might be a different AI she could try (in her mind there is nothing wrong - it's everyone else that is the problem - according to her husband)

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Will do.

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haleysmom | @haleysmom | Sep 1, 2018

Well the symptoms have begun. Yesterday was day 4 and I was ok in the morning and then started feeling a headache and sick to my stomach. Last night was horrible insomnia and today I have been throwing up with headache and crying. I'm also in physical pain because I had surgery and I am getting another surgery Tuesday. It's just alot at one time.

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2 replies
youngsally | @youngsally | Sep 1, 2018
In reply to @haleysmom "Well the symptoms have begun. Yesterday was day 4 and I was ok in the morning..." + (show)
@haleysmom

Well the symptoms have begun. Yesterday was day 4 and I was ok in the morning and then started feeling a headache and sick to my stomach. Last night was horrible insomnia and today I have been throwing up with headache and crying. I'm also in physical pain because I had surgery and I am getting another surgery Tuesday. It's just alot at one time.

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Sounds like a lot...is it possible to leave a message with one of your MDs? It's important for the doctors to know what is going on - and they can figure out what they can do to make you more comfortable but it is also important because the surgeon/anesthesiologist will definitely want to know. There will definitely be someone on call if your docs are away this weekend.

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1 reply
haleysmom | @haleysmom | Sep 1, 2018
In reply to @youngsally "Sounds like a lot...is it possible to leave a message with one of your MDs? It's..." + (show)
@youngsally

Sounds like a lot...is it possible to leave a message with one of your MDs? It's important for the doctors to know what is going on - and they can figure out what they can do to make you more comfortable but it is also important because the surgeon/anesthesiologist will definitely want to know. There will definitely be someone on call if your docs are away this weekend.

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It is so much, but I felt like I was doing so great without the effexor. I was in physical pain from surgery, but I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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grandmaR | @grandmar | Sep 1, 2018
In reply to @haleysmom "Well the symptoms have begun. Yesterday was day 4 and I was ok in the morning..." + (show)
@haleysmom

Well the symptoms have begun. Yesterday was day 4 and I was ok in the morning and then started feeling a headache and sick to my stomach. Last night was horrible insomnia and today I have been throwing up with headache and crying. I'm also in physical pain because I had surgery and I am getting another surgery Tuesday. It's just alot at one time.

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@haleysmom
Hi!
So sorry you are having such a difficult time. I am guessing it was not the best time to deal with this.
Hope you will be well enough for surgery.
Ronnie

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 2, 2018

I took it for years for menopausal symptoms. I had no symptoms of withdrawal and did it over a period of a month. Ask your doctor first and then if that's not satisfactory google it. Best of luck

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1 reply
snooterbell | @snooterbell | Sep 2, 2018
In reply to @merpreb "I took it for years for menopausal symptoms. I had no symptoms of withdrawal and did..." + (show)
@merpreb

I took it for years for menopausal symptoms. I had no symptoms of withdrawal and did it over a period of a month. Ask your doctor first and then if that's not satisfactory google it. Best of luck

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That’s encouraging! Thank you!

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stlouisgmajenn | @stlouisgmajenn | Sep 3, 2018
In reply to @youngsally "Best to ask a psychiatrist - but it's not unheard of - it depends on whether..." + (show)
@youngsally

Best to ask a psychiatrist - but it's not unheard of - it depends on whether the ingredient causing your discontinuation symptoms is the serotonin or the norepinephrine....if it's both or just serotonin - the prozac might help.. .As an SNRI, Effexor works on both chemicals - while Prozac is an SSRI....but prozac, zoloft etc seem to be easier to taper from.

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The last few years on Effexor I roll out of bed long enough to go pee, feed my cats and drink a slug of almond milk. I used to have so much energy, b4 I was deemed crazy and put on meds. My question is this:
How can I get up enough energy to physically workout to renew my brain? I used to feel on top of the world, have so much energy. Used to work out at least 5 days a week, about 1.5 hours a day at a local gym. I looked so good, felt so good. Now I'm tired and look so old.

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2 replies
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 3, 2018
In reply to @snooterbell "That’s encouraging! Thank you!" + (show)
@snooterbell

That’s encouraging! Thank you!

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you are more than welcome

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