Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

any advise on how to wean when you are taking capsules and don't want to go and get smaller dose. I have been opening the capsules and emptying some out for 2 weeks now and tried to stop and it was BAD. Are all meds like this so hard to stop taking?

I'm down to my last few days -- 4 more, to be exact -- and I've done the whole thing by opening the capsules and counting out beads. When I get fully off, I'll post my taper schedule. I do know it's different for each of us, but so far -- knock on wood!! -- it's been relatively painless physically. (Emotionally and mentally is another story, but I think that's unavoidable.) I'm coming off a daily dose of 150 XR, so it's taken me a while. But I know TOTALLY what a bitch it is to count out those tiny beads!! I was so tempted more than once to just say the hell with it and quit. But having experienced the brain zaps and other physical symptoms a few times when I didn't get my scrip renewed in time, I decided to hang in there and count the damn beads!!

I'm down to my last few days -- 4 more, to be exact -- and I've done the whole thing by opening the capsules and counting out beads. When I get fully off, I'll post my taper schedule. I do know it's different for each of us, but so far -- knock on wood!! -- it's been relatively painless physically. (Emotionally and mentally is another story, but I think that's unavoidable.) I'm coming off a daily dose of 150 XR, so it's taken me a while. But I know TOTALLY what a bitch it is to count out those tiny beads!! I was so tempted more than once to just say the hell with it and quit. But having experienced the brain zaps and other physical symptoms a few times when I didn't get my scrip renewed in time, I decided to hang in there and count the damn beads!!

I'm down to my last few days -- 4 more, to be exact -- and I've done the whole thing by opening the capsules and counting out beads. When I get fully off, I'll post my taper schedule. I do know it's different for each of us, but so far -- knock on wood!! -- it's been relatively painless physically. (Emotionally and mentally is another story, but I think that's unavoidable.) I'm coming off a daily dose of 150 XR, so it's taken me a while. But I know TOTALLY what a bitch it is to count out those tiny beads!! I was so tempted more than once to just say the hell with it and quit. But having experienced the brain zaps and other physical symptoms a few times when I didn't get my scrip renewed in time, I decided to hang in there and count the damn beads!!

I'm down to my last few days -- 4 more, to be exact -- and I've done the whole thing by opening the capsules and counting out beads. When I get fully off, I'll post my taper schedule. I do know it's different for each of us, but so far -- knock on wood!! -- it's been relatively painless physically. (Emotionally and mentally is another story, but I think that's unavoidable.) I'm coming off a daily dose of 150 XR, so it's taken me a while. But I know TOTALLY what a bitch it is to count out those tiny beads!! I was so tempted more than once to just say the hell with it and quit. But having experienced the brain zaps and other physical symptoms a few times when I didn't get my scrip renewed in time, I decided to hang in there and count the damn beads!!

I'm down to my last few days -- 4 more, to be exact -- and I've done the whole thing by opening the capsules and counting out beads. When I get fully off, I'll post my taper schedule. I do know it's different for each of us, but so far -- knock on wood!! -- it's been relatively painless physically. (Emotionally and mentally is another story, but I think that's unavoidable.) I'm coming off a daily dose of 150 XR, so it's taken me a while. But I know TOTALLY what a bitch it is to count out those tiny beads!! I was so tempted more than once to just say the hell with it and quit. But having experienced the brain zaps and other physical symptoms a few times when I didn't get my scrip renewed in time, I decided to hang in there and count the damn beads!!

Every day I just make it a priority to take care of myself. I am scheduling nothing so that I can take it as it comes. I just lost a very good friend because I backed out of a plan we had made to get together. I don't bother to explain as it is not something that anyone will understand easily. Even my children are unaware of what is going on with me. I am way too tired to explain.

I have been without effexor for 12 days now. Some days I feel okay and others I feel horrible. My symptoms are most;y nausea and great fatigue. Crying jags are frequemt. Also, I was just diagnosed with high blood pressure. I wonder if this too is a withdrawl thing. I have begun to question why it is so important to me to keep off this drug. When will I start to feel human again?

You went totally off after how long on it.