Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Ok, I am reporting in...I just got home from having the time of my life.
I did go to the music jam. Oh, my, I had such a good time. I sang The Beautiful Tennessee Waltz. It was the number one song the day I was born. I also sang, In the Garden.
Next week I will add Teen Angel and Wake up, Little Susie.
Oh my, I have not been able to sing since 2008 or so.
So many folks told me I sang beautifully and told me to make sure I came back!
Oh I am a happy girl and that's a fact, Jack...
I am so incredibly grateful......
Smiling in wonder and happiness.
Bright Wings

My 16 (then 15) year old daughter has been weaning from Effexor for about 8 months. We couldn't find anyone to help us as we live in an area with a critical shortage of adolescent psych. providers. Our pediatrician finally consented to supervise. She had been on Effexor for about 9 months and was taking 150 mg when we began the weaning process. At first, our pediatrician thought we could go from 150 to 75...no go. My daughter reacted like she did when she forgot a dose once that ended up in an ER visit! We sat down with our doctor and asked if we could wean her by just counting out the little balls and taking her down a couple every week. We found out that one little ball approximately equals 1 mg. We started June of 2018 and are now down to 55 mg. So far, so good. She does have headaches the first couple of days after we reduce the dosage. She is also experiencing significant and on-going gastro-intestinal difficulties and we won't know until she is off completely what role the Effexor is playing with these symptoms. We DEEPLY regret ever putting her on this medication. The effects were understated by the prescribing provider. In retrospect, she was in crisis that ended up resolving itself after a few lifestyle changes and we jumped the gun with medication. Sometimes I just wish we could rip the bandaid off and be done with it, but she just can't tolerate it when we take her down more than 5 mg at a time. We see the light at the end of the tunnel though and are cautiously optimistic that we will be done weaning this summer although we understand from this forum that it could still take weeks/months until she is feeling more herself again. Good luck to all of you and know that you have a friend on your journey!

My 16 (then 15) year old daughter has been weaning from Effexor for about 8 months. We couldn't find anyone to help us as we live in an area with a critical shortage of adolescent psych. providers. Our pediatrician finally consented to supervise. She had been on Effexor for about 9 months and was taking 150 mg when we began the weaning process. At first, our pediatrician thought we could go from 150 to 75...no go. My daughter reacted like she did when she forgot a dose once that ended up in an ER visit! We sat down with our doctor and asked if we could wean her by just counting out the little balls and taking her down a couple every week. We found out that one little ball approximately equals 1 mg. We started June of 2018 and are now down to 55 mg. So far, so good. She does have headaches the first couple of days after we reduce the dosage. She is also experiencing significant and on-going gastro-intestinal difficulties and we won't know until she is off completely what role the Effexor is playing with these symptoms. We DEEPLY regret ever putting her on this medication. The effects were understated by the prescribing provider. In retrospect, she was in crisis that ended up resolving itself after a few lifestyle changes and we jumped the gun with medication. Sometimes I just wish we could rip the bandaid off and be done with it, but she just can't tolerate it when we take her down more than 5 mg at a time. We see the light at the end of the tunnel though and are cautiously optimistic that we will be done weaning this summer although we understand from this forum that it could still take weeks/months until she is feeling more herself again. Good luck to all of you and know that you have a friend on your journey!

I am new to this forum.... 11 years ago I had a crown put on a tooth. The next day I was overwhelmed with a sudden and extremely dry mouth. My first reaction was that nickel was used...which I am allergic. Long, long story shortened, dentist didn’t agree, I had crown removed, changed dentists and went in search of reason for the over intense, high anxiety reaction to my mouth. After going to 8 different specialists, an oral pathologist was able to show me literature which described my situation to a T. Diagnosed with Burning Mouth Syndrome ( similar to Sjogrens Syndrome, but brought about quickly and without explanation, such as taking medication which could cause it)...I was put on Pristq for anxiety. Improvement at approximately 50-60% was obtained which helped but would have liked better, I was on that until changed to Effexor for anxiety due to cost/government. Etc.
I have always had a low tolerance of meds, and take nothing other than this, so only put on 37.5mg. The Effectiveness was about 10% better .. so after talking with my Dr he was going to change me to something that worked on neuropathy type problems..Cymbalta. I was given instructions on decreasing my Med with took about 2 weeks until completely being off them. Last Tues was my last pill. There was no deterioration of the discomfort of my mouth so I thought I might stop taking any other Med at this time. I had no problems until Friday. Got ready to go to the gym but nausea and dizziness started up. I have vertigo occasionally, and thought that was what was happening. Rested for a couple of hours only to get up with multiple other things going at me! Hot/cold, nausea/ headache, emotions swinging right and left, tears/anger/rage...just to name a few. The weekend has been UNBELIEVABLE! Started reading on this sight on Friday night, from posts dating back to early 2005..Described me to a tee except the sucidal thoughts Insomnia hit that night but when able to sleep had scary nightmares! So sorry for this long post...went to gym yesterday..stumbling, confused and emotional but determined to exercise. Rode the stationary bike for 5 miles. Unable to do anything else. I have read on here that it could be up to 3 weeks to longer to get thru this nightmare. Has anyone had faster improvement using exercise? What about diet? Nothing sounds good. Have eaten soup for 3 days and only water. Having the shakes more today (Sunday) with tears popping up unexpectedly. Has anyone seen improvement with a specific diet? Thank you for this forum. It has given me insight and hope that there is light somewhere, sometime at the end of this tunnel. Looking for milestones..one week down on Tues! Patrn

@mommapsych There is something called 5HTP. You can get it over the counter or on the internet. Very helpful. Also, Omegbrite and Complex B vitamins were recommended to me before I ever started the process. When she has the headaches, check her blood pressure. It caused mine to go extremely high. I was on it for about 10 years. After 8 months, my pressure was rising so high, my doctor said to rip the bandaid off and I was down to a sliver anyway, so i did it. It is a horrible drug. If you have access to it, look into NAD therapy.... they have a formula that goes under the tongue. I've been off for about 6 weeks and have the worst brain fog ever still. The brain zaps were intense for me about 2 weeks, now less and less and I get a little light headed, especially in the evening. The 5HTP really helps... Good luck

My 16 (then 15) year old daughter has been weaning from Effexor for about 8 months. We couldn't find anyone to help us as we live in an area with a critical shortage of adolescent psych. providers. Our pediatrician finally consented to supervise. She had been on Effexor for about 9 months and was taking 150 mg when we began the weaning process. At first, our pediatrician thought we could go from 150 to 75...no go. My daughter reacted like she did when she forgot a dose once that ended up in an ER visit! We sat down with our doctor and asked if we could wean her by just counting out the little balls and taking her down a couple every week. We found out that one little ball approximately equals 1 mg. We started June of 2018 and are now down to 55 mg. So far, so good. She does have headaches the first couple of days after we reduce the dosage. She is also experiencing significant and on-going gastro-intestinal difficulties and we won't know until she is off completely what role the Effexor is playing with these symptoms. We DEEPLY regret ever putting her on this medication. The effects were understated by the prescribing provider. In retrospect, she was in crisis that ended up resolving itself after a few lifestyle changes and we jumped the gun with medication. Sometimes I just wish we could rip the bandaid off and be done with it, but she just can't tolerate it when we take her down more than 5 mg at a time. We see the light at the end of the tunnel though and are cautiously optimistic that we will be done weaning this summer although we understand from this forum that it could still take weeks/months until she is feeling more herself again. Good luck to all of you and know that you have a friend on your journey!