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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catbitess | @catamite | Oct 15, 2018

I've done it. Still waiting to feel better though.

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1 reply
nseidel | @nseidel | Oct 15, 2018
In reply to @ccjohncc "First the only dumb question is the one not asked. To answer I can only speak..." + (show)
@ccjohncc

First the only dumb question is the one not asked. To answer I can only speak for myself. I have been on it for over 20 years. These drugs were not intended to be taken forever. It no longer provides the anti depression effects but in fact is now a contributing effect to my depression. God only knows what possible damage it can be doing so I want off of it. My only regret is having waited so long but at least I've begun.

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I’m pissed that I took it so blindly so long.The getting off of it is hell and I’m going to make sure I make a big noise about it.

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nseidel | @nseidel | Oct 15, 2018
In reply to @ccjohncc "First the only dumb question is the one not asked. To answer I can only speak..." + (show)
@ccjohncc

First the only dumb question is the one not asked. To answer I can only speak for myself. I have been on it for over 20 years. These drugs were not intended to be taken forever. It no longer provides the anti depression effects but in fact is now a contributing effect to my depression. God only knows what possible damage it can be doing so I want off of it. My only regret is having waited so long but at least I've begun.

Jump to this post

I’m right there with you and just so pissed at myself

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2 replies
nseidel | @nseidel | Oct 15, 2018
In reply to @martha108 "Good luck lovely It can be done Nasty side effects but you'll come out the other..." + (show)
@martha108

Good luck lovely
It can be done
Nasty side effects but you'll come out the other end x

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Thankyou I think I’m better and then I rage then I want to vomit How can this make me so ill

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1 reply
nseidel | @nseidel | Oct 15, 2018
In reply to @catamite "I've done it. Still waiting to feel better though." + (show)
@catamite

I've done it. Still waiting to feel better though.

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I get that, at least it’s nice to have someone understand

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Barb | @amberpep | Oct 15, 2018

I understand why you're all wanting to get off of this. Are you working with your doctor to taper it off slowly? I went off Zoloft about 6 months ago, after 15 years, and my doctor tapered me off of it extremely slowly .... took about 6 weeks if not more. I doubt I'd try to go off anything without working with my doctor. (P.S. What is a "brain zap?")
abby

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coolbreeze301 | @coolbreeze301 | Oct 15, 2018

Brain zaps equals electrical types shock inside your head...mine were caused by eye movement alone. The shocks got strong enough to make me very ill, dizzy, unable to do anything, usually in groups of 3-6 shocks each time . I've been electrocuted before and it felt similar inside my head to a certain degree. I only started this med back in march and it effected my 3wks after and was hell everyday after the taper down doses started. Evil drug

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2 replies
catbitess | @catamite | Oct 15, 2018
In reply to @nseidel "Thankyou I think I’m better and then I rage then I want to vomit How can..." + (show)
@nseidel

Thankyou I think I’m better and then I rage then I want to vomit How can this make me so ill

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Oh I hear you. I am still naseous and it has been a month off for me. I am also more unwilling to put up with people's bs.

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1 reply
ccjohncc | @ccjohncc | Oct 15, 2018
In reply to @nseidel "I’m right there with you and just so pissed at myself" + (show)
@nseidel

I’m right there with you and just so pissed at myself

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I counted about 350 beads in one 150 generic venlafaxine XR. so I'm taking 20 beads off for 6 weeks than 40 beads etc. If it gets a bit rough I'll just cut back on the amount as the dose gets smaller. Naturally 40 beads subtracted from 350 not the same as front say 200. I'm going to strive to make each drop about 6% of whatever the current dose is. So basically I'll be talking 310 beads a day for 42 days then 270 for the next 42 days. Then 296 for 42 days then 280 then 256 ,240 ,225,210,198,186,175,165,155 ,146,137,129,121,116,109,102,96,90 ,85,80,75,70, 64,60,56,52,50,47,34,32,30,28,26,24,22,21,20,19.18,17,etc

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1 reply
ccjohncc | @ccjohncc | Oct 15, 2018
In reply to @ccjohncc "I counted about 350 beads in one 150 generic venlafaxine XR. so I'm taking 20 beads..." + (show)
@ccjohncc

I counted about 350 beads in one 150 generic venlafaxine XR. so I'm taking 20 beads off for 6 weeks than 40 beads etc. If it gets a bit rough I'll just cut back on the amount as the dose gets smaller. Naturally 40 beads subtracted from 350 not the same as front say 200. I'm going to strive to make each drop about 6% of whatever the current dose is. So basically I'll be talking 310 beads a day for 42 days then 270 for the next 42 days. Then 296 for 42 days then 280 then 256 ,240 ,225,210,198,186,175,165,155 ,146,137,129,121,116,109,102,96,90 ,85,80,75,70, 64,60,56,52,50,47,34,32,30,28,26,24,22,21,20,19.18,17,etc

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Of course that's over 4 years so I may try faster lol but if not at least in 4 1/2 years I'll be off this crap. I know it wasn't crap when it helped me but its crap now. I'll keep you posted on my progress. I hope that others will join with me. Together we can and all that good stuff! Right? 😉😁

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