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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looplu79 | @looplu79 | Jan 14 7:49am
In reply to @zainahelizabeth "I’ve had a horrendous skin problem where my entire body, including the insides of my ear..." + (show)
@zainahelizabeth

I’ve had a horrendous skin problem where my entire body, including the insides of my ear canals, was covered with a thick exudate.

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How unfortunate
Thankfully mine is nothing like that
Thank you

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1 reply
crowe13 | @crowe13 | Jan 28 1:03pm
In reply to @looplu79 "How unfortunate Thankfully mine is nothing like that Thank you" + (show)
@looplu79

How unfortunate
Thankfully mine is nothing like that
Thank you

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I'm already trying to get off of Venlafaxine, it really only subsides the anxiety minimally, I am only on 37.5 and have only been on it since March of last year. I've tried to go up to 75mg a few times, each time trying, my symptoms just got worse. So, I'm just going to smoking Marijuana, which actually helps me tremendously. I have my Medical card and there are about 7 different types that are great for anxiety and depressed, so much better than tsken pills. In my opinion.

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mcden | @mcden | Feb 15 2:15pm

Hi richyrich,
I completely sympathize with you! Withdrawal symptoms are horrendous - the brain shivers, anxiety and all the rest. I too was on Effexor XL for years. Every single time I asked doctors to reevaluate my dosage -or if I still needed the drug or not - all they did was up the dosage! I found a forum by folks in the same boat. We have to take getting off Effexor ourselves. I'll try and find that forum, but it was about 12 years ago.
I got a pill sorting kit and a supply of empty capsules. The good thing is that the Effexor capsules contain tiny beads. If I remember correctly I counted the beads in a single capsule first. Every two weeks I reduced the amount by about 10% which I then put into an empty capsule. It took me about five months to be totally off Effexor. It is key that you reduce the amount of the drug in your new capsules VERY gradually. The emotional feelings, brain shivers, and anxiety WILL go away in time without the horrendous withdrawal symptoms. My heart goes out to you. Good luck!

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simon007 | @simon007 | 6 days ago
In reply to @njoys "Withdrawal caused horrific anxiety, once it struck. The first time it happened, I didn't realize that..." + (show)
@njoys

Withdrawal caused horrific anxiety, once it struck. The first time it happened, I didn't realize that it was withdrawal because my mother had died and my husband was being tested for a serious condition (which turned out not to be). I was in such a state that I called my doctor and asked for a prescription renewal because I couldn't cope (though I was put on Effexor for hot flashes). Of course, withdrawal symptoms ended and I had sought grief counseling, so that was that. Then, a few years later, I decided to get off Effexor again. I did the same thing--decreased my dosage from 75 mg to nothing over a period of months. Was fine for about two months, then BAM. Literally. Woke up in a panic that was hell for days--nightmares, if I could sleep at all, not wanting to get out of bed, too terrified to leave the house, wanting to cry, shaky, unable to eat. After some time, it struck me that I had felt this way before: after my first effort to end Effexor. When my doctor was no help, I turned to online research and found this post, as well as other valuable online resources, mostly from other patients! including Mark Horowitz's story. The evidence continues to pile up that this is a major issue for individuals who were prescribed an antidepressant without an end date, and without being warned about possible dependency and the difficulty of stopping the drug. See the December edition of Outro dot com's newsletter, Outro Health, which includes this link: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/coming-off-antidepressants.
In the meantime, I had to learn to deal with my anxiety--mostly through physical movement of any kind (because sitting and dwelling on it was detrimental), as well as strenuous exercise and deep breathing. Talking about it also helped. Withdrawal symptoms went away when I resumed Effexor up to 50mg immediate release tablets.
Now, more than a year after my second extreme withdrawal episode, I have started my third and final discontinuation of Effexor. I am optimistic because I have an independent pharmacist who is happy to help, and my doctor is willing to prescribe whatever it is I need to end my dependency on this drug. My pharmacist provided an equivalent liquid solution which I can easily decrease by 10% per month. (He used the guidance provided in The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines.) That is my plan, and if I need to adjust it, I can. I can even count beads in my leftover capsules and decrease them by 10% if that's what it takes. I know it will take time for my brain to adjust to a reduced amount of this drug, but I am ready to do whatever it takes.

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Njoys, Hi. I was on VEN / Effexor from April 2017. Unbearable side effects = I got nearly all, + the drug was of no use, led me to titrate off. Finishing, end Oct 2022, after DR & Pharmacist oversight of my hyper slow titration regime. BUT, I still get continuos terrible legacy ALLERGIC side effects from VENLAFAXINE. I was only on 75mg. Principally , extreme fatigue all day. 10 hrs in bed. Swollen lips,
Poor short term memory, Brain fog. I have contacted ALL UK Professors involved in this field, incl Royal Coll of Psych UK past President. No reply from Dr Horowitz UK. No help forthcoming. After years of Internet dialogue & research, it appears I am amongst a rare group who react violently to ANY Anti-depressant. Before VEN/EFFEXOR, i was given Mirtazapine, Risperidone & Quietipine . Only 2x pills of each ,gave me Psychosis & eye sight loss. I was Hospitalised @ one point as a result of these reactions. It appears in the rarest of cases like mine, it takes YEARS, after titration, for these legacy allergic affects to stop. AND , these effects go away & come BACK ! I can attest to this , (e.g. bleeding blood spots on head, tight breathing chest,). I have seen (Horowitz) mention 4 years as an average , for these legacy effects to subside in extreme cases. It is clear ,(reading yesterday ), Medical science are still in the dark about the long term adverse effects of these "new gen" Anti-depressants. Has anyone had such experiences as me? & what was / is the prognosis? Thanks

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nclaireb | @nclaireb | 1 day ago

I'm currently on my last stages of reducing Venlafaxine. I've been on it for approximately 3/4 years with a maximum dose of 225mg. In 8 months, with the help of my doctor, I've reduced to 37.5mg every other day. The next step is 37.5 every two days. Everything is going well apart from the nausea (which they gave me antisickness tablets for) and the brain fog. No matter what I try, I can't get past the brain fog. I hydrate, eat well, reduced caffeine, INCREASED caffeine, sleep well, I just cannot get past it.
Any tips would be appreciated. It's my biggest downfall. I can deal with the brain zaps, but the brain fog is the worst. I just feel like I can't think of see clearly.

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1 reply
simon007 | @simon007 | 7 hours ago
In reply to @nclaireb "I'm currently on my last stages of reducing Venlafaxine. I've been on it for approximately 3/4..." + (show)
@nclaireb

I'm currently on my last stages of reducing Venlafaxine. I've been on it for approximately 3/4 years with a maximum dose of 225mg. In 8 months, with the help of my doctor, I've reduced to 37.5mg every other day. The next step is 37.5 every two days. Everything is going well apart from the nausea (which they gave me antisickness tablets for) and the brain fog. No matter what I try, I can't get past the brain fog. I hydrate, eat well, reduced caffeine, INCREASED caffeine, sleep well, I just cannot get past it.
Any tips would be appreciated. It's my biggest downfall. I can deal with the brain zaps, but the brain fog is the worst. I just feel like I can't think of see clearly.

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Hi NClaireB, (My sister is named Claire). Thanks for this post , this is the very problem I still get. I am too looking for Patient feedback, as to how long this Brain Fog symptom last. I was only on 75mg Ven for 18 months , but, it took 3 years to titrate off, as I was hyper sensitive to the drug. I suffered from nearly all listed side effects. After 2 years, I still get Brian Fog. Pre VEN , I had a photographic memory & have a very high IQ. BUT, Ven severely affected this. There is some *improvement of late of the Fog lifting. (*in the last 3 months). It is very bad ist thing in morning. It seems these VEN "legacy" side effects can last for a long time after titration off, from what I have read. Walking & exercise is said to help. I did try to ask Dr's if the length of time you are on the drug , directly corrolates in turn, to how long it will take for your body (& mind) to be clear of it's adverse effects. Note that - All the Dr stated "rules" of VEN "half life" are not at all realistic , in terms of the severe & long term legacy / post titration symptoms some patients experience. I have investigated this phenomenon for over 3 years , speaking to Neuropharmacologist Professors. Hope we can get some feedback. Regards.

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