Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

I'd be interested to know that, too. My doctor -- my GP -- put me on 150mg sustained release Wellbutrin almost two weeks ago when I told him at my annual exam about the anxiety and depression coming back after I'd been off venlafaxine about 4 months, and it's helped a lot so far. (The anxiety was especially crippling.) Things aren't perfect, but they're better. I've had several friends die in the last month, which has been really tough emotionally, and the winter where I live has been especially hard. He's very willing to up the dose to 300mg if I think it's necessary, but I want to wait until I've recovered some from these life events before I do that. (I can't take SSRIs; I tried them years ago, before Effexor, and felt like I was coming out of my skin. That's why my psychiatrist at the time put me on Effexor.) I've also been taking water-soluble CBD oil twice a day, and that seems to help a bit, too. (My doc didn't recommend that; a friend suggested it because she was able to substitute that for the Prozac she'd been taking.) I've also been reading books on overcoming anxiety and trying to do what they suggest, which has helped, too.

@farmboy
My doctor gave me a prescription for 5mg Valium that I can take when the anxiety and akathisia get out of control; I usually get relief with 1/2 of one 5mg tablet. I used my first prescription (15 pills) between June 20 and the end of August (my doctor had me take three days off work and take 2 whole pills each day to "get ahead" of the anxiety and akathisia and then, use as needed); I still have 26 out of the bottle of 30 pills picked up at the beginning of September.

Other folks have used a "Prozac bridge" to get through the withdrawal.

If you click on my name, you can read my previous posts. I've mentioned several times the supplements I'm taking. Lidtk* l-tryptophan (you CANNOT take while on Effexor) and GABA have helped me the most with anxiety. I also picked up Natural Calm, a magnesium supplement you mix and drink, from CVS. You're supposed to take it regularly for it to be effective; I only tried it once, or twice when things were really bad; I couldn't wait several days for relief--I took the Valium.

I reaaly appreciate the different circumstances and how everyone is so different. I have been on effexor 225 for years. Due to ins problems, my GP recommended Wellbutrin. Altjough I heard about tapering of course I was too arrogant to think it applied to me. I went to 150mg effexor for one week and then switched to welbutrin (low does). Two days just nauses but now can barely function.

Always feel like I am in a dense fog, dizzy, and in my 90s. excessive crying, nauses, can’t get a good quality of sleep, night sweats, arm and leg tingles and the trembling atnight. Cut off caffeine as it makes me more nausea. Can muster up some energy for a few hours a day. How long will this last? I really need some good advice.

Thank you texasduchess. I'll click on your name and read through your supplements. Doc put me on remeron but doesn't help with the anxiety. What it does do,it makes me eat like a hog and have some really weird dreams. Thanks for the reply.

I take lorazepam right now but it doesn't stick with during the day and does very little even when the anxiety is ramped up. Clozepam is the same way. I need something that sticks with me through out the day. I also take remeron but it doesn't help at all. Makes me eat like a hog and dream weird dreams though.

I’m afraid I don’t have advice but can totally relate to how you feel. On day 2 of reducing my dose and I’m a mess! After not being able to cry for 18mths I’m tearful and the brain zaps are unbearable! Also feeling very anxious and panicky which is something I’ve not experienced before! How long will I be like this!!!???

@ahnjdb92
The fogginess and dizziness puts you at high risk of falling--not good at your age. Tell your doctor ASAP the effects you are experiencing. The switch from Effexor to Wellbutrin sounds too fast at too steep a reduction.

This is a really good article about how to switch from one antidepressant to another--https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4919171/

You mentioned insurance problems as why you are getting off Effexor--here's some info from another thread here at Mayo Clinic--"I use discount cards supplied by the manufacturers to help you cover your copay. If you will go to https://www.effexorxr.com/, you can sign up for a discount card that will allow you to pay as little as $4 for a thirty day supply. As long as Medicare or Medicaid is not your primary insurance [this might be an issue for you], you will receive a significant discount and these are available for most drugs and if you still can not afford any drug prescribed, most of the pharmaceutical companies have programs to help you get the medicine you need."

Texasduchess,have you ever heard of Lumiday? I researched it today and asked the guy at GNC about it.. He said it's a good product and hard to keep on the shelf this time of year. The reviews I have read seems to be good to. Let me know what you think please. Thank you, Farmboy.

@farmboy
This is the first I've heard of this product--but I shop at Vitamin Sh*ppe and I don't see this on their website. I believe you are still taking some Effexor--Lumiday contains St. John's Wort and 5-HTP--both of these can cause serotonin syndrome when taken with Effexor. (I experienced serotonin syndrome twice while only ever on 25mg of Effexor when both my PCP and breast reconstruction surgeon had me take other medications that shouldn't be taken with Effexor).

It has various D and B vitamins. It also contains ashwagandha (this is one of the supplements I take) and rhodiola rosea (another supplement I've used now and again; a small study found it to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms and had fewer side effects than those who took sertraline). L-theanine may reduce stress and anxiety, but can cause sleepiness. Guess, this is why the maker suggests that you not drive while using Lumiday.

Mostly, I'd be concerned about the St. John's Wort and 5-HTP if still on any amount of Effexor.

@farmboy
I went back and read your previous posts. When the withdrawal symptoms are too much, the usual recommendation is to go back to the dose where you didn't have those W/D effects, stay there for a while (weeks, months, etc.) before again tapering to not so big a drop. Your tapers have been pretty steep and you haven't stayed at the next lower dose for long. You may think you're losing ground by going back, but the discomfort you're experiencing is not worth it. The main advice on this site is go slow. Some suggest no more than a 5-10% drop at a time (or even less if your W/D is bad). I'm not sure if you're still at 37.5mg, or if you've gone to 0. Depending on where you are, you can try going back to 75mg, or 37.5mg and see if you get relief. After some weeks (or even months), you can taper to a slightly smaller dose, stay there weeks and then, try tapering again.