Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

The way I see it is this...when u take an antidepressant its like implanting an extremely advanced AI chip in ur brain...ur brain could not maneuver effectively which made u dysfunctional n d antidepressant sort of takes control from ur real brain n drives...being AI its extremely good n can handle any situation with ease...no stress no person no environmental influence no ups n downs will be too much for it to handle...it operates with precision n keeps u feeling great cos its managing all d workload ur real brain could not...

Now imagine taking back that control...u just pull out d chip I.e stop taking d antidepressant cold turkey or u snap one connection at a time I.e weaning off slowly...d immediate effects r going to be chaotic cos for a while ur body will be in a state of confusion cos during d change of guard there is a short period of transition where nobody is in charge...ur physical body acts out cos its not used to d no management phase...it needs stability but what it goes throws is nothing short of chaos...

So d key to overcoming this chaos is taking help from ur physical body to bring ur real brain back to power...u eat well n exercise...d only 2 things ur physical body needs to do to support ur real brain n ensure it not only comes to power but stays there so u never have to go back to d antidepressant d artificial intelligence that made things so easy but made u a slave in d process...

D withdrawal symptoms I faced were brain zaps, extremely vivid dreams, a bit of nausea, feeling like im in a new place cos everything seems unfamiliar, a sense of total confusion n an uneasiness...but this is not what I fear...

D real fear is going to be a few months down d line when d depression rears its ugly head...so u need to plan well for that n u need to start NOW...continue to eat healthy n exercise regularly...do things uve not done before...breathe deeply n consciously, meditate, try yoga, motivate urself, try herbal teas, take supplements like choline n inositol (check with ur doctor before doing so) that r good for mental health n get into a routine...

The only way u will successfully tide over d external is to have an extremely strong internal...!!

Hi @john and @texasduchess

I’ve done a lot of research on boils. Whatever you do, don’t squeeze or burst them. This can spread infection deep into your cells. I have been using a warm compress (or simply taking relaxing baths with Epsom salts and lavender essential oils which also helps the wean) and that has made a world of difference!

The one on my arm is gone. The one on my thigh is nearly gone. Yes, they can be potentially life threatening, but only in extreme cases and if they spread into deeper tissue or are not heailing. Otherwise, you can treat at home.

Happy to say that yesterday I didn't get super sleepy (it was more like I got a dose of sleeping pills than just being tired) within a few hours of waking up like I have been for the past few weeks.

I can't seem to get to sleep tonight, but I'm still going to count this as progress. Only had a nap after work instead of also taking one during my break. I'm happy to not be sleeping away my entire life, which is a good sign I'm not in the throes of an episode.
Wish I could say I did something in particular but I think it was a matter of patience. I slept whenever I was very sleepy - maybe that helped? At first I tried to fight it and stay awake but that resulted in falling asleep sitting up which was a pain. I'm down to 75mg a day and seem to be holding stable as far as major problems.

I'm glad there are people who understand this incredibly specific kind of hell. Supporting each other makes it more bearable.

@notaround
Glad to hear hear your holding steady. Hope your titrating down very slowly, 5-10% every 2-4 weeks. The only way to win here is by going slow!!!
Please keep us updated and wishing you a Successful ending to your Effexor imprisonment.
Jake

I have been withdrawing from effexor with next to no side effects. This is how I am doing it. We will use 75mg as an example. The first week I would take- day 1- regular 75 mg does. day 2- 37.5 day 3- 75 mg. day day 4- 37.5 mg. day 5- 75 mg...I kept this routine up for 7-10 days and let my body tell me when I was ready for the next step.
week two- I took 37.5 mg. every day. week three- day 1- 37.5 mg day 2- no pill day 3- 37.5 mg. day 4- no pill day - day 5 37.5mg. and I continued this letting my body and mind guide me. the last week I took no pill. No side effects at all. just take your time and listen to your mind and body.

@richyrich
Hey richy,
If I were you I’d reduce your dose by 5-10% every 2-4 weeks depending on how long you’ve been on it and your dose.
I didn’t think I’d ever get off Klonapin, a benzodiazepine. I was literally only taking small shavings at the end. It was the worst drug I ever came off of, haven’t taken another benzo since. I hate that **** stuff.
You can do it buddy I know you can. Just be patient and reduce at a snails pace and you’ll win this race. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. Go for it....
Looking forward to reading your success story.
Best of luck,
Jake

@notaround
Glad to hear hear your holding steady. Hope your titrating down very slowly, 5-10% every 2-4 weeks. The only way to win here is by going slow!!!
Please keep us updated and wishing you the best.
Jake

Why is this thread continuing? I’m a newcomer and to see over 2,000 comments on one comment is overwhelming and not at all helpful. There should be moderators closing or helping this discussion.

@anita1958
Thank you for sharing. That is pretty much the way I planned to do it. I take so much, 150mg in AM and PM (2-75mg at a time). I am think of stsrting with my pm pill then the am pill.
The week after next i will finish my pill boxes that I've already made then start.
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Hi @42430, and welcome to Connect. You're quite right that this discussion is over 2,000 messages long and growing. Members have connected, formed relationships and continue to support one another as they taper off venlafaxine (Effexor). This is precisely the core objective of Mayo Clinic Connect: connect with others to improve health and well-being, set goals, report progress and get support from fellow members when one reaches milestones and even when one has an unexpected setback.

I have sent you a private message to discuss your concerns privately, so that we don't detract from the main topic of this discussion.