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DiscussionTips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 14 hours ago | Replies (6412)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "I was on 75 mg daily for well over 20 years. I had tried the Drs...."
Big question for me is how long have you've been completely off the meds? From what I've been told, it takes 1-2w to not feel any more withdrawal symptoms. Also, the med has a long release/life cycle, meaning it still in your system after you stop.
@saku
I did not have any difficulty with withdrawal until 6.5 weeks AFTER my last tapered dose. Effexor/venlafaxine gets stored in fatty tissue all over your body and I think it took 6.5 weeks for my body to use up all the bits in all the nooks and crannies. Like you I was not on that much (25mg) for a long time (18 years). The anxiety, akathisia and irritability were very not like me, so I knew it was discontinuation syndrome/withdrawal effect. You can click on my name and read back through my posts to see what supplements I am taking; they help tremendously--especially Lidtke tryptophan (cannot be taken while on Effexor) and GABA. It's been 10 months since my last dose of Effexor and even with the supplements, I have some days when anxiety and akathisia break through--weekends are really tough; I need distraction, not contemplation. Also, be mindful of what you watch on TV, read, or listen to--some things are just too agitating. It is getting better--I feel "normal" most of the time; it helps to know that for some of us, recovery (PAWS--post-acute withdrawal syndrome--https://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/post-acute-withdrawal.htm) can be as long as a couple of years.