Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@jdemet
I have definitely read while researching and many times on this site that Effexor caused sweating. Oddly, at low dosages, it curtails sweating which is why many breast cancer patients who cannot take hormones are given Effexor when menopausal hot flashes start. (I was on 25mg for this very reason.)

In researching and on this site, I have also read about the "numbness" of feelings effect. This is cited many times as why someone wants off Effexor.

You are very fortunate to be working with a psychiatrist to get off Effexor. I have been unable to find one (I am in the DFW Metroplex!); I'd like to work with someone who has familiarity with these drugs and getting people on/off them. My oncologist has 35 years' experience and has put hundreds of women patients on Effexor, but I am the only one who has told him of having difficulties with Effexor withdrawal. He is working with me, but we're both newbies to this.

I’ve found this habit of short time frames and concern only with pharmacies reactions to be consistent in a number of states and psychiatrists. After a while, one can’t help but notice a pattern emerging.

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?

You went totally off after how long on it.

I was on effexor for twenty years.

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 was on 225mg of effexor for 20 years. Started trying to get off in May of 2018. Went like this: 225>150mg>75mg>37.5mh>12mg>0. This over 5 months. I took my time. What is the hurry.

Psychiatrists don't necessarily get a lot of training in psychotherapy....but your observation is correct...many focus on psychopharmacology and leave the rest to other mental health professionals. One has to ask or do some research on the psychiatrist ahead of time....but having a referral from another mental health professional - or even your PCP can help.

@youngsally
Good Morning,
It is my understanding that psychiatrists are used to manage psychotropic drugs.
Psychologists and social workers conduct the therapy part.
Since they are NOT medical doctors like the psychiatrist, they cannot write scripts.
You will do some talking with the psychiatrist, too.
The purpose of that is to help determine if your meds are the right dosage or even the correct medicine.
The psychiatrist tries to "match" up your behaviors and feelings from visit to visit.
That is why it is VERY IMPORTANT to be honest with the doctor and tell him/her everything.
Hope this is useful!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

It's difficult to count beads because the number and size vary from capsule to capsule...the easiest should be to call the doctors office and make the request for lower dose capsules - but know that 37.5mg is the lowest...but you might see if the doc is okay with taking it every other day or some other taper. In my experience, it helped to hold at the same dosage (in my case 37.5mg) for a few weeks instead of the one week as originally planned.

Not all of the SSRIs/SNRIs are difficult to taper....but just as many people have side effects getting on....you get to revisit what you had on your way off.