Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

I have been on 300mg of Effexor XR for on and off 16 years and I must say when I've let my script end and not realised or have had a "I don't need them" moment, I've become quiet unwell. Then I get to the stage that the withdrawal symptoms are so horrific I'm scared to move to get to the chemist or doctor. My experience of symptoms are cluster or tension headache (behind the eyes, forehead and temple), brain zaps combined with a swelling sound and feeling, anxious, bottom lip tingles, face spasms, like every footstep sent an earthquake motion through my body, every movement of my head would cause heavy and disoriented feelings, body cramps and muscle spasms, confusion, then depression because I feel like death. It almost seems worthless to get my script filled and maybe it would be easier to bare it but it became unbareble, but took me 4 days to be able to move to get to the chemist. Laying and suffering in silence and wondering if I was dying I googled it, and discovered I'm not alone and I'm not dying. Thank you everyone for your support, time and experiences. It's refreshing to know I'm not alone in feeling this way.

I didn't mean to derail - unfortunately it's something we have to face as patients - having to advocate for ourselves and ask for help from loved ones. So I thought the tip pragmatic despite it being something that shouldn't be necessary. Gods know it's a complicated issue to try to fix.

And I realized something: having a severe allergic reaction (for me when my tongue swells up) seems to make the withdrawal worse for a day or two after. I have no idea why, but I can see a pattern between significant reactions and the magnification of the withdrawal symptoms. So maybe there is some sort of immune system involvement. Or maybe it's common sense that a big shock to the system makes an already difficult situation worse. So make sure you avoid stuff you're allergic to, if you can.

@notaround It's ridiculous when insurance companies play fast and loose with someone's health by not getting an Effexor prescription authorized; it's well known this is a drug you don't just stop.

You can click on my name, see my previous posts and find the ones where I talk about supplements. I didn't start these until 6.5 weeks after my last tapered dose of Effexor. From what I'd read, it was now too late to get relief by restarting Effexor at this point. Supplements (particularly L-tryptophan) helped and when the akathisia got intense, half of a 5mg prescribed Valium as needed.

L-tryptophan cannot be taken with Effexor as it can cause a rare, but serious condition called serotonin syndrome. You shouldn't take dextromethorphan (cough suppressant), or hydrocodone either, but my PCP and a surgeon both prescribed these knowing I was on Effexor and I definitely developed serotonin syndrome (on just 25mg of Effexor!). Drug interactions are reported by a few people who take Effexor and GABA together.

@shaker1956 Yikes! You could have been killed. My mono was 40 years ago and at the time, I didn't know any women who worked out, or really did intense sports (unless they were in school sports), but my doctor was very serious when he cautioned me about my spleen possibly rupturing.

I need some advice. I have been slowly weaning off 112mg of Effexor XR. I have been tapering by 10 mg every 4 weeks and have been doing great. At 90mg my mood changed and I started feeling down, so my compounding pharmacy told me to go back to 97.5mg for another four weeks and then back to 90mg for another 4 weeks. I have now done two weeks of 80mg and I’m feeling a lot of anxiety (especially when I’m watching t.v. or when I go to bed. I am also on 150mg Wellbutrin XL. My doctor had suggested I wait until I wean off Effexor XR before I wean off Wellbutrin.

I’m wondering if the anxiety is coming from the Wellbutrin, since in the past I was unable to increase the dose because it caused me a lot of anxiety and agitation. The reason I took Wellbutrin was because Effexor effected my libido. To sleep and relax, I need to take 2mg of Lorazepam, where in the past 1mg was sufficient.

Do you think I’m feeling anxiety because the lower I go on Effexor, the higher dose of Wellbutrin is making me anxious? Also, would it be better for me to stay at 80mg of Effexor and go no lower and instead wean off Wellbutrin; and if that takes away the anxiety, then I can continue weaning off Effexor? I hope this makes sense.

I have brought my husband and best friend with me,at my worst point 2 years ago, because I was unable to do anything but shake and cry in his office, that is when he did concede to put me back on my original dose. So I was in better control this time and did ask him to refer me to a psychiatrist, but he did don't reply, but he told me he would keep me on the same dosage for the next few months.

@lorraine59 Seems odd he would not refer you. Try contacting a Psychiatrist and see if their office can get a referral if needed.

I am quite sure (here in Canada) that he has to refer me to a psychiatrist. But I will give it a try. Thanks

@maryathome I'm definitely not a doctor but I also have noticed that my anxiety is worse at 75mg than it was at a higher dose. If I'm remembering correctly, venlafaxine has stronger effects on serotonin or norpenifrin (can't spell today) at different doses.

It is probably something that will pass. I'm not sure if 150mg of wellbutrin is a high dose. But it is probably better to deal with one med at a time unless the anxiety becomes unbearable (panic attacks happening regularly).

Excel at Life has some pretty good audio relaxation files. I find that listening to one helps my before-bed anxiety.
https://www.excelatlife.com/mobile.htm#relaxationaudios
Hope you get some sleep and rest.

@nanke99

I was on 75mg of Venlafaxine for around 10 years until after being off with Depression since 21 May 2018 I got my GP to refer me for help again.

The NHS Psychiatrist upped my dosage of Venlafaxine from 75mg to 150mg and I have been on that dose ever since.

But I do not feel good at all and have been considering just coming off Cold Turkey until I read your post.

How can I find a Doctor who is experienced in getting people off of Venlafaxine? If not how bad would Cold Turkey be?

I am annoyed as I went to see the Psychiatrist for him to make me feel better not worse.

Any help greatly appreciated.