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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
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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Welcome, @abq179. You will be able to post links soon. We block links for new registrants to block spammers. However, I reviewed the links you wanted to post. Here they are:
- Switching and stopping antidepressants (Australian Prescriber 2016) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4919171/
- Project Tapering (Tapering Strips, Netherlands) http://www.taperingstrip.org/
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4 ReactionsThanks Colleen. I understand the restrictions for new registrants.
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3 Reactions@colleenyoung @abq179 I posted info about the Cinderella tapering kits on 8/31 and mentioned this again 4 days ago; click on my name to see these posts if you want to look at the other links I gave.
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2 Reactions@drtrust84 You can read posts from others who got off Effexor, had depression return and restarted Effexor--they say expect it to take 4 to 6 to 8 weeks to feel that the Effexor is working--https://www.drugs.com/answers/back-effexor-xr-2393131.html
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1 ReactionHello everyone from QLD Australia...I was prescribed Effexor 75mgs 16 years ago at the age of 45...reflecting...I would now hazard a guess that many of my symptoms then could well have been managed with prudent hormone replacement therapy...my GP made the idea of commencing this drug no more harmful than taking a couple of Panadol...nothing was mentioned re possible side effects or the difficulties associated with withdrawal...so on the plus side...this medication helped me greatly with my social anxiety...my short fuse (particularly at work)...my insomnia...and I just felt generally much happier and much less anxious...Over the last 16 years I have attempted to wean myself off this drug with nil success...currently am withdrawing from it again and feeling terrible...not sleeping well...headaches...intermittent suicidal ideation...I now have chronic issues with teeth grinding and jaw clenching from this drug which is quite distressing..so someone out there tell me...are there any success stories from people who have been on this drug long term and have ceased taking it ??...everything I read on the net seems to state otherwise...will the withdrawal symptoms gradually wane if I hang in there ? Will this mandibular dystonia and bruxism ever right itself ? Thank you all for your posts...it has been very helpful to me to know that I am not alone here...but can this nightmare ever be resolved? God bless you all...my kindred spirits... Apologies for my sideways profile piccie...have tried to correct this without success...even though piccie was right way up when uploaded 😉 Oh...and I didn't mention the effect this drug had on my sex life...from having a very satisfying physical relationship with my husband...that changed to a total loss of libido/inclination and total disinterest in the whole scenario...fortunately I am blessed with a very patient and understanding partner.
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1 ReactionI have just opened a capsule and taken 1/2 dose with yoghurt...I cannot stand these withdrawal symptoms...perhaps I attempted to withdraw too quickly (over 6 weeks)....all I know is I just need some relief...
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1 Reaction@patjen Please read the many posts on this thread. I took over two months to taper off 25mg (taken for 18 years for hot flashes). When a taper is too fast (experiencing withdrawal symptoms), the recommendation is to go back to the dose where you were feeling fine and stay there for a while (weeks, months, whatever) before attempting to taper again to not so quite a reduced dose. Slower is better and more likely to lead to successful cessation of Effexor--especially since you've been on this drug for a long time. Please be aware that Effexor messes with your brain's neurotransmitters--serotonin and norepinephrine; while reducing and after getting off Effexor, it takes your brain a while to figure out how to rebalance serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin is believed to help regulate mood and social behavior, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire and function. Norepinephrine acts as a stress hormone and is released into the blood when the brain perceives that a stressful event has occurred.
Is your doctor helping you get off Effexor? It is easier to reduce your dose if he changes you over to the tablet form (which can be cut), or gives you a prescription where you can use a compounding pharmacy to make reduced dosages (costs some and may not be available where you live). Click on my name and see my past posts where I explain the "Prozac bridge" technique some have used successfully to get off Effexor; you then taper off Prozac which is supposed to be easier.
For the bruxism, your dentist can help you with an appliance you wear at night to reduce the wear and tear on your teeth and jaws; you "click" these onto your top set of teeth and the plastic material cushions your teeth. I have also seen some over-the-counter ones at drug stores--less expensive and no waiting for the appliance to be custom-made.
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2 ReactionsDear why you decided to get off the medicen after all this years
You dont feel it’s helping you anymore?
Or its just because of teeth grinding and jaw clenching??
@texasduchess Thank you so much for your response 🙂 I woke up today feeling much better after taking that 1/2 dose yesterday. Yes...will continue on this dose for a while and then attempt to taper again...in Australia the 37.5mg dose is only available with an authority prescription which gives you one mth's supply...it is a capsule and not a tablet...so it is necessary to visit the GP each mth for a new script...I feel that halving the beads in the capsules a better solution...no, I am not doing this with medical supervision...mainly because I have not met a doctor or physician locally who really understands SNRI withdrawal syndrome...I have an elevated BP and have been on anti hypertensives for quite a few years and also developed inappropriate sinus tachycardia which I control with Coralan...my cholesterol is also elevated and I am very resistive to taking a Statin...I am watching my diet currently....am abstaining from alcohol and trying to exercise daily...I had success with reducing my Cholesterol in the past with Bergamet...don't want to take another drug considered poison to rectify a condition that the Effexor may be responsible for....The Corolan was initially prescribed by a cardiologist some yrs ago when I developed the tachycardia...I have mentioned on numerous occasions to specialists and GP's re the possible connection to the Effexor and my hypertension and tachycardia...they just look at me blankly...they have no idea re the possible connection with my symptoms and don't really appear too interested in investigating the connection....yes..I have spoken to my dentist re the occlusal splints and will pursue this 🙂 I had invisalign treatment so already have a retainer for my top teeth which I pop in when the symptoms become too much...you should see the wear and tear on this little number !! gives me an indication of the punishment it receives whilst I sleep....I have read about the Prozac bridge technique and will consider it if I am unsuccessful with tapering...thank you so much for your advice...so, tell me....are you now off this drug completely and how do you feel...I really need to hear a success story as I haven't found one on the internet currently 🙂 Kindest regards...Pat
@drtrust84 Please read my response to @texasduchess above....and yes, I felt that the drug wasn't working as well as it previously did...also, I retired last Nov and just felt that maybe without the work related stressors that I could do this now. Yes, the teeth grinding and jaw clenching is very distressing at times...and would like to see if my tachycardia and hypertension improve...along with my hyperlipidaemia... 🙂