Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@careth2
Hi!
I am also in the process of weaning down my Effexor.
How often were you making reductions?
How were the reductions made?
You have to 'read' your own body. No one, not even a doctor can tell you how you feel. Doctors can only relate info based on readings and patients' expe6.
As I am sure you know, we all are different.
Now, I'm not in the medical field so all I can do is offer suggestions based on my own experiences.
This is my 2nd try at weaning off.
The first time I followed a schedule my doc made.
I reduced too much, too fast and it was a HORRIBLE site.
First, if you are having such issues, why not add back a little Effexor. Possibly 1/4 - 1/2 a pill in the am or pm. If that doesn't help, possibly add to the pm , too.
I takr two 75mg in the am and pm.
I reduce 1/4 of one pm pill every other day for 2-3 weeks. If I am Ok, then I do it every night for 2-3 weeks.
If I have issues, I plan on adding back 1/4 pill in the pm until I feel ready to try again.
I do not intend to come off altogether, just take what I consider to be a reasonable amount.
BTW....I am doing this on my own. My doc left the practice and I haven't been to a new one.
I hope this helps!
Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
😎

Well I have been weaning off since November. From one 75 mg pill once a day. Went to a few weeks on 37.5 then 2 weeks on 25 then to 12.5. Then all of a sudden the shit hit the fan. All the discontinuation symptoms at once! So I bumped back to 12.5 morning and evening but still headaches and nausea and emotional stuff. Trying to be kind to myself and take it slowly- let my body tell me how to proceed. But don’t know if adding Prozac is right.

Sounds like you went slowly. I know that a few members have added another med while weaning in order to reduce withdrawal.
Good luck!
Ronnie

Hi, @agiusto - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Hard with having weaned off the venlafaxine (Effexor) and experiencing such bad anxiety. Perhaps members here will have some ideas for you of what they have used effectively for anxiety. Has your doctor suggested something to take, now that you are off the venlafaxine (Effexor)?

For anxiety I find the relaxation audios at excel at life (please Google it because links don't work well from my phone) to help.

I think it's even better after using the audios to train myself to relax. I was one of those people who literally didn't know how to relax. Now when I put on my favorite track, I feel much calmer within minutes. It's something to help along with considering an anti anxiety med, especially for more low level constant anxiety rather than a panic attack.

Well I’m still weaning and he wants me to add Prozac.Has anyone done that on this forum?

@nancy54 Look up "Prozac bridge"--some have found this a helpful way to get off Effexor.

I also had to slow down the tapering, and now that I’m at about 23mg I’m having very serious memory issues, unable to remember how to get to a medical clinic that I’ve frequented for the past five years, unable to remember names of good friends, and worse. Have any of you experienced such dramatic memory loss while weaning off Effexor?

@dedeno- Welcome to Mayo Connect. How long have you been having memory problems? Have you consulted with your doctor? If you are taking any other medications do you know if they are compatible? Things, as you know, can change in a nanosecond. How are you getting by?

My memory has been declining slowly for a couple of years (I’m 77), but in the last few days the decline has become frankly dramatic. This new drop has happened so rapidly. I take armodafinil and Xyrem for narcolepsy, but there is no indication that either of those drugs causes memory loss. Thank you for your help, Merry.