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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

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

REPLY
@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 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.

REPLY
@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

REPLY
@martha108

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

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
@catamite

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

Jump to this post

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

REPLY

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

REPLY

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

REPLY
@nseidel

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

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
@nseidel

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

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
@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

Jump to this post

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? 😉😁

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.