Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

I am definitely more unwilling to put up with people's b.s. I fully intend for that to continue!!!

Agreed

The brain freezes are getting better, I still am emotional, teary, raging, worse than the symptoms before Effexor. It’s been almost two weeks cold turkey.Im never taking another drug without consulting a pharmacist.

Evil putting it lightly!

How long after finishing the taper off Effexor before it’s ok to have a glass of wine?

Not long. Effexor is time released , it’s out out your body in hours.

@amberpep
Hi Abby,
First, let me say that here is NO such thing as a 'dumb' question.
One reason to have this site, other than for support, is to help us educate each other.

I am still on Effexor 300 mg daily.
Many people on Effexor are having all sorts of side effects that are not pleasant.
I am not in the medical field but I can share my experiences and experiences I've read on this site.

For many of us, Effexor has been a God sent, but the side effects has become a problem.
For me, there are 2 that I dislike: 1. I no longer have any sort of memory. I don't mean a simple, 'oh yes, I remember that now.' For me it is as if I never heard it before. 2. Weight gain is another issue. Not only did I gain weight, but I am unable to lose it. I even had weight loss surgery and now I am gaining the weight back and I can't seem to do anything to stop it. Not good!

Other than the Effexor, which helped me more than any other med, I do not like ot take meds.
I would like to either lower my dose or get off of it completely.
The one thing I haven't read much about is what members are doing after they get off the Effexor.
I don't mean those who are taking it for hot flashes, I mean those who take it for depression and/or anxiety.

As always, if you are having side effects that really bother you, talk to the doctor who prescribed it.
Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@nseidel
Good Morning!
No reason to be so pissed at yourself!
I don't know how long you've been on Effexor.
I've been on it about 20 years.
Back then, there was no such thing as the internet, so I just took the meds and it helped me!
I did take a break, once, under the guidance of my PCP.
I was weaning off when the original symptoms came back, full force!
When I had my first anxiety attack (when I was coming off Effexor), it happened when I was at a work function.
It was then that I decided I wanted to go back on.
That night I took my full dose and the following morning I took my full dose, too.
Only problem, they didn't work.
The psychiatrist who was monitoring my symptoms, told me that once you get off Effexor, you need to use something else for at least 6 months.
I went on 2 or 3 different meds but nothing worked.
When I hit the 6 month point, I asked to go back on Effexor.
I did go back on, but it never worked the same way.
I decided to stay on the Effexor because the other meds I tried did nothing.
Those days, my dose was VERY low.
I don't remember what it was but compared to what I take now, it was much less.

I really don't like to take these meds or other meds for such a long period of time, especially since the side effects for coming off are so horrible!
I have a few other issues that are going on, including my psychiatrist, who left the practice.
I also have at least one more surgery.
I don't want to do two things at once, so I will wait until I am done with the surgeries.
It should take me to the new year.
I am going to go VERY slowly.
I take 150m in the morning and at bed time.
Even if I don't get off totally, I want to see at which amount I can go to and still have it help me without all the effects.

Have a great day!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

After stopping Effexor at the end of tapering, Does having a glass of wine with dinner make the side effects of withdrawal worse?

@grandmar I know what you mean about tackling one thing at a time. You have been through so much if the Effexor helps you even though not as much the thing to do is take thus. I no longer take any psych meds as these type of meds messed me up. I would that there was one that did help. I now have such a fear of medications even taking a thyroid medication is frightening. This one I cannot go without.
Wishing you well with your surgery.