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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kbmayo | @kbmayo | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @cherylannm "I was just joking. Being Effexor free I wish I could stop all pills even that..." + (show)
@cherylannm

I was just joking. Being Effexor free I wish I could stop all pills even that .

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Sometimes I need to lighten up -- I guess this was one of those times! (And I've recently seen stories about a study showing we may not need to take that aspirin either!!)

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catbitess | @catamite | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @natmill "Hi , I've been off Effexor for four weeks . My neurologist put me on this..." + (show)
@natmill

Hi , I've been off Effexor for four weeks . My neurologist put me on this three years ago for a condition called PPPD vestibular desease. I've experienced all these horrific side effects that everyone talks about . I weaned off the drug over Eight months with the supervision of my dr . Each week is getting better . I can now function during the day and am so much better however my nights are still difficult . I experience night sweats terribly. I'm feel like I'm burning up with in seconds and then I can get tremors and feel like I'm freezing . I also have insomnia. It takes me how's to fall asleep . Has anyone experienced this and if so how long will this last ?
Thank you for reading and looking forward to a response.

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Yes, I am experiencing this now. I am extremely agitated. Cannot sleep.

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1 reply
catbitess | @catamite | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @texasduchess "@natmill Please click on my name and read my posts particularly about the supplements I am..." + (show)
@texasduchess

@natmill
Please click on my name and read my posts particularly about the supplements I am taking. I weaned off very slowly and had NO problems until six weeks after the last dose. Effexor affects your brain and your neurotransmitters; it can take months for your brain to learn to balance these neurotransmitters again on its own, but taking supplements are helping me. I haven't had sweats, but have definitely experienced the tremors (it's an inside shakiness, not something you can see if I put my hands out), bouts of being quite cold (this is somewhat amusing as I was prescribed Effexor for menopausal hot flashes) and insomnia. The supplements can be purchased at Vit*min Shoppe although the L*dtke l-tryptophan cannot (VS has a version that works, though; I just read the L*dtke brand was the "gold" standard and switched to it). Ben*dryl can help with your insomnia and Dram*mine for the jitters. I have also experienced akathisia on occasion (anxiety, fear/terror, agitation, restlessness and compulsion to pace) that has taken half to a whole 5mg Valium (prescribed) to control. My last Effexor dose was 4/14 and it is now five months later. I started taking supplements around 6/15, but it took a couple of weeks to come up with the regimen that's working for me. I suspect recovery is very individual—depending on your age, why you were taking Effexor, the dosage, length of time on Effexor, etc.

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I am looking for the supplements people are recommending. I am going to get some Benadryl today.

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catbitess | @catamite | Sep 18, 2018

I have been totally off for four days now and am a complete mess. Sweaty, weepy, high anxiety, sleepless.

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2 replies
kbmayo | @kbmayo | Sep 18, 2018

I'm so very sorry. That must be really awful. Did you taper or go off in a hurry? And what was your dosage? Are you planning on just toughing it out or is there some way -- drug-free -- that you can make it easier for yourself? Good luck!!

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stlouisgmajenn | @stlouisgmajenn | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @texasduchess "@natmill Please click on my name and read my posts particularly about the supplements I am..." + (show)
@texasduchess

@natmill
Please click on my name and read my posts particularly about the supplements I am taking. I weaned off very slowly and had NO problems until six weeks after the last dose. Effexor affects your brain and your neurotransmitters; it can take months for your brain to learn to balance these neurotransmitters again on its own, but taking supplements are helping me. I haven't had sweats, but have definitely experienced the tremors (it's an inside shakiness, not something you can see if I put my hands out), bouts of being quite cold (this is somewhat amusing as I was prescribed Effexor for menopausal hot flashes) and insomnia. The supplements can be purchased at Vit*min Shoppe although the L*dtke l-tryptophan cannot (VS has a version that works, though; I just read the L*dtke brand was the "gold" standard and switched to it). Ben*dryl can help with your insomnia and Dram*mine for the jitters. I have also experienced akathisia on occasion (anxiety, fear/terror, agitation, restlessness and compulsion to pace) that has taken half to a whole 5mg Valium (prescribed) to control. My last Effexor dose was 4/14 and it is now five months later. I started taking supplements around 6/15, but it took a couple of weeks to come up with the regimen that's working for me. I suspect recovery is very individual—depending on your age, why you were taking Effexor, the dosage, length of time on Effexor, etc.

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Effexor sure is crappy. Been on it 10 years, maybe 15. Slowly weaning myself off. Had 2 mini strokes or perhaps just "brain zaps". On it 4 bipolar and PTSD, seeing a reg MD at a medicare clinic in Missouri. Last time I saw him he asked me why I was taking Effexor. Silly goose - HE's the one who prescribed it. Motivated me to investigate it. Glad I did. Doing my best to get off it. Joined a class action lawsuit 2. I may not live long enough 2 see any financial gain, but perhaps my granddaughter can pay off her college student loans. Somebody should benefit from all our pain, aches and grief.

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2 replies
stlouisgmajenn | @stlouisgmajenn | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @catamite "I have been totally off for four days now and am a complete mess. Sweaty, weepy,..." + (show)
@catamite

I have been totally off for four days now and am a complete mess. Sweaty, weepy, high anxiety, sleepless.

Jump to this post

Sweaty's a mess. Weepy is crap. I HATE weepy. Weepy pisses me off.

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youngsally | @youngsally | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @cherylannm "I went from 225 to 150 to 37.5 in six weeks I am now off completely..." + (show)
@cherylannm

I went from 225 to 150 to 37.5 in six weeks I am now off completely 2 weeks today . I feel great. Best thing I ever did , quick and finally off this horrific drug. I won’t take another pill the rest of my life .

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Congrats -- I am similarly off Effexor completely for the fourth day. I've had some horrid symptoms (mostly hot flashes and extreme irritability) - and I asked my psychiatrist if she thought I should try to stretch out the titration (say 37.5mg every other day). She said I would feel better soon - and surprisingly after an awful Sunday and Monday - today has been okay....

I realize that getting off Effexor is very difficult for many people - and mine wasn't always good - but I am relieved that it wasn't all that bad....except for the customer "not" service people who were unfortunate enough to pick up my call on those bad days. But damn, it felt good to tell Amex that they need to learn how to file paperwork correctly.

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youngsally | @youngsally | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @natmill "Hi , I've been off Effexor for four weeks . My neurologist put me on this..." + (show)
@natmill

Hi , I've been off Effexor for four weeks . My neurologist put me on this three years ago for a condition called PPPD vestibular desease. I've experienced all these horrific side effects that everyone talks about . I weaned off the drug over Eight months with the supervision of my dr . Each week is getting better . I can now function during the day and am so much better however my nights are still difficult . I experience night sweats terribly. I'm feel like I'm burning up with in seconds and then I can get tremors and feel like I'm freezing . I also have insomnia. It takes me how's to fall asleep . Has anyone experienced this and if so how long will this last ?
Thank you for reading and looking forward to a response.

Jump to this post

I didn't get hot flashes until I got down to 37.5mg (after being at 150mg for 15 years)....Hot flashes SUCK....I'm 54 and had a symptom-free menopause...so my hot flashes may be the effexor taper and or post-menopausal hot flashes. Either way, I am sleeping with ice packs - even bought a fancy one that is designed for migrane sufferers - they help me a lot. Insomnia is something I've had for years...but mostly has to do with being unable to fall asleep as opposed to staying asleep. I take Melatonin a few hours before bedtime and benadryl or 0.5 klonopin if I am still awake with racing thoughts after a few hours...but I'm working to get back those as well. I see the psychiatrist next week and we might try trazodone to help with the sleep issues - and I hope the ice packs will eventually be a thing of the past.

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youngsally | @youngsally | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @catamite "I have been totally off for four days now and am a complete mess. Sweaty, weepy,..." + (show)
@catamite

I have been totally off for four days now and am a complete mess. Sweaty, weepy, high anxiety, sleepless.

Jump to this post

Welcome to my yesterday - and part of last week. I am completely off the Effexor for four days but yesterday, I sent my psychiatrist an email -- she said she would expect my symptoms to ease up in a few days -- today was much better (although I did sleep for most of the day)....I think it's a day to day process and I try to look at the bright side of it....which admittedly is tough when you feel like crap...but at least I know that I am a mess....and it is nice to be able to recognize it, label it....and then use it against someone who is making my life difficult...because sharing is good, right 🙂

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