Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Ok, I read back some posts just now. I have a few comments to make.
1. The little beads in the capsules are extended release...which means there is a coating on each bead to get it to dissolve after the stomach. SO, DO NOT DISOLVE IN JUICE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS of the med IS LOST.
2. Now folks who got off before me were counting the beads inside the capsules and cutting them down by 5 beads each day or something like that.
So if someone counts the beads, then weighs them.....it would be much easier to get the next dose than counting each time...you would need an electronic kitchen scale.
Ok company here. Be back later. Bright wings

@shaker1056- Hi there shaker, I am huddled up here in Canada in my igloo and wondering how it is going where you are.
Hope it is warmer there than we are here! I am looking out at a frozen snow-covered river where hardy souls today have trekked-
some with their dogs- the latter loving being off-leash! Lovely scene! Am hoping your remission continues as you wait to meet your new Grandchild!
Thinking of you and your family, Best wishes from the frozen north!
Ainsleigh

@gloria428 I just have to quote Leonard Holloway from this thread--"What kind of screwed up crackpot quack are you going to?" If you suddenly stop taking venlafaxine, withdrawal symptoms could cause hospitalization, permanent disabilities, or even death. (The Recovery Village)

Hi there Ainsleigh. How are things. My cancer is still in remission and I havenone treatment left. Wow. What a ride this has been. I’m looking forward to being finished. Its hard on the whole family!!!! Not just the person who actually has the big C. But it will make you stronger. Its so friggin cold out though. Wont be venturing out in the near futur. I’m really looking forward to spending time with my grandkids. Practcally lost 6 months if their lives with this sidetrack. And we have another G’daughter coming in March. Wow!!!!!!! Well thats all the bews for now. Hope your in good spirits and keep smiling!!!!!!!

How do I explain to my dr that I feel I am having severe anxiety withdraw from effexor I am on 75mg and cannot get down to 37:5 thanks

@chisel1253janey
Oh, we are right there with you on this. Been there, done that.
Ok, these days in Any doctors office, we have to be proactive without being a pain in the butt. The doctor gets to go home but we have to live with what ever going on.
I use mottos to help me stay focused yet PROACTIVE.
I AM WORTH IT is one of my mottos.
What I did was to call my pharmacist first, basically I called him for 2 reasons, 1. To practice what I would say to the doc. 2. To ask for suggestions and to focus on what is happening during withdrawal to our bodies and how dangerous are the withdrawal effects getting. I shared with him all the things going on in my body and mood, then listened.
Next I repeated back to him what I heard him say. Sometimes I took notes of what he was teaching me. It was very helpful to then go into the docs office feeling prepared and confident.
I hope that's clear. My brain is in a MS muddle right now.
Anyone else, feel free to jump in.
.
Go find the method of counting the beads in each capsule and reducing your dosage that way. That has worked for so many folks. I think folks were reducing the count by 5 beads each day. It worked, that's all I know.
Smiling at you, bright wings

The 37.5 comes in a tablet and is easily split. Perhaps try reducing it more slowly? I was originally on 150. Yesterday I split 1-37.5 into quarters, taking 1/4 pm and 1/4 am. So far, so good. I can tell you that I will NEVER take a medication I am not familiar with without doing some research again. This has been hell.

@rosevillegirl
Good for you! You may even want to cut the quarters in half for you last couple weeks or month. Better to go to slow than to fast.
Best of luck,
Jake

@rosevillegirl
I forgot, doesn’t it also come in 25mg?
Jake

I missed one dose (currently on 75 mg) because I couldn't remember if I had taken it or not, and wanted to err on the lesser rather than greater amount. I was so dizzy it was difficult to drive! This is what I despise about this medication! To be held hostage by a capsule is scary...think about if I was suddenly without my prescription, I would be completely helpless, and it's not like it has ever really done me any good anyway! Makes me so angry at these drug companies and doctors.