1. < Depression & Anxiety

Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Posted by richyrich @richyrich, Nov 2, 2016

I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you

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mommapsych | @mommapsych | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "Hi. You say “your old fainting problem”. That caught my eye, you see, because I’m making..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

Hi. You say “your old fainting problem”. That caught my eye, you see, because I’m making an appointment to see the doctor today due to vertigo. Sure, you get head spins when weening off Effexor, but I’ve been completely off since February 1, this year. Had some head spins. Now, crazy vertigo. Happens while sitting! I’m going to see what my doctor thinks, but I’m very concerned. I was in the middle of a staff meeting and just sort of listed off to the right. It was all I could do to “maintain”. Covered with sweat and thought I was going to throw up.

Kind of hoping it’s a sinus or ear thing, but who knows.

I wonder if it’s a withdrawal issue?

Jump to this post

@secretwhitepop my daughter has occasionally felt dizzy/fainted while weaning. This was never an issue prior.

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @notaround "Checking in here to say so far so good being a month off venlafaxine. My old..." + (show)
@notaround

Checking in here to say so far so good being a month off venlafaxine.

My old fainting problem has been a little more common recently (orthostatic syncope, or faint if I stand up too fast) but I don't think that's withdrawal. Feels slightly different.

In good news, being off Prozac for a few weeks has fixed the chronic runs.

Bad news is Depression has been hitting me like a baseball bat. Hanging in there but not functional enough. Today I did dishes for the first time in like two weeks.

Going to check on clinical trials at my next followup in early May.

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@notaround- I'm sorry your depression has returned that badly. Mine did too and for a month I felt awful, just awful. I had to go back on something. I was put on Zoloft and later Bupropion. I wont take the chance of finding out if I need an antidepressant again. I know that I will. So I'm settled with that fact. There are many many people who taper off of them for various reasons however they forget the reason that they were started in the first place. Make sure that you don't let this go on too long as your brain adapts to less serotonin. Would you consider ever going on an antidepressant again?

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1 reply
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Apr 12, 2019

Just wanted to let you know that today's Connect member spotlight will offer you a glimpse into one of the active members on this "Tips on minimising withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)" thread, @grandmar, such as how she came to Connect, how she finds balance in life, and whom she would love to see cast as herself if Hollywood made a movie about her life.

Devoted grandma contends with chronic pain: Meet @grandmar https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/devoted-grandma-contends-with-chronic-pain-meet-grandmar/

Please check it out and share it with others.

REPLY
texasduchess | @texasduchess | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "Hi. You say “your old fainting problem”. That caught my eye, you see, because I’m making..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

Hi. You say “your old fainting problem”. That caught my eye, you see, because I’m making an appointment to see the doctor today due to vertigo. Sure, you get head spins when weening off Effexor, but I’ve been completely off since February 1, this year. Had some head spins. Now, crazy vertigo. Happens while sitting! I’m going to see what my doctor thinks, but I’m very concerned. I was in the middle of a staff meeting and just sort of listed off to the right. It was all I could do to “maintain”. Covered with sweat and thought I was going to throw up.

Kind of hoping it’s a sinus or ear thing, but who knows.

I wonder if it’s a withdrawal issue?

Jump to this post

@secretwhitepop
Vertigo (dizziness) can definitely be an Effexor withdrawal symptom. Many posters on this thread have experienced this; you may find OTC Dram*mine, or Bon*ne helpful. On 4/15, I will be a year out from my last dose (tapered off slowly from 25mg) and I still carry Dram*mine with me as the dizziness can come on unexpectedly. Vertigo was not an issue for me until I quit Effexor. You are wise to get it checked out since the dizziness seems to have restarted and is worse.

REPLY
1 reply
notaround | @notaround | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "Hi. You say “your old fainting problem”. That caught my eye, you see, because I’m making..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

Hi. You say “your old fainting problem”. That caught my eye, you see, because I’m making an appointment to see the doctor today due to vertigo. Sure, you get head spins when weening off Effexor, but I’ve been completely off since February 1, this year. Had some head spins. Now, crazy vertigo. Happens while sitting! I’m going to see what my doctor thinks, but I’m very concerned. I was in the middle of a staff meeting and just sort of listed off to the right. It was all I could do to “maintain”. Covered with sweat and thought I was going to throw up.

Kind of hoping it’s a sinus or ear thing, but who knows.

I wonder if it’s a withdrawal issue?

Jump to this post

Well I can tell the difference because I don't feel dizzy before I pass out for like half a second. Withdrawal was super dizzy and then just like you, tilting to the side. But that also is vertigo which can be an ear issue.

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1 reply
notaround | @notaround | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@notaround- I'm sorry your depression has returned that badly. Mine did too and for a month..." + (show)
@merpreb

@notaround- I'm sorry your depression has returned that badly. Mine did too and for a month I felt awful, just awful. I had to go back on something. I was put on Zoloft and later Bupropion. I wont take the chance of finding out if I need an antidepressant again. I know that I will. So I'm settled with that fact. There are many many people who taper off of them for various reasons however they forget the reason that they were started in the first place. Make sure that you don't let this go on too long as your brain adapts to less serotonin. Would you consider ever going on an antidepressant again?

Jump to this post

Oh I definitely am still medicated. Did a Prozac 'bridge' then switched to Cymbalta. Just isn't doing enough. Gonna see about increasing the dose next appointment (which will be long enough to see if it will work). I had a nice break from depression for almost two weeks.

I've learned the hard way, through a psych ward stay, that I need to be medicated. My brain is not functional for long without it. Just need to find something that works.

Doc is willing to try a straight up Rx stimulant to see if it can get me to where I can do the necessary self care to get better.

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1 reply
grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 12, 2019
In reply to @notaround "Oh I definitely am still medicated. Did a Prozac 'bridge' then switched to Cymbalta. Just isn't..." + (show)
@notaround

Oh I definitely am still medicated. Did a Prozac 'bridge' then switched to Cymbalta. Just isn't doing enough. Gonna see about increasing the dose next appointment (which will be long enough to see if it will work). I had a nice break from depression for almost two weeks.

I've learned the hard way, through a psych ward stay, that I need to be medicated. My brain is not functional for long without it. Just need to find something that works.

Doc is willing to try a straight up Rx stimulant to see if it can get me to where I can do the necessary self care to get better.

Jump to this post

@notaround
It is wonderful that you realize that you need medication and cannot fight your disease on your own.
So many of us who use psychotropic drugs are ashamed that we need it and won't discuss it.
These diseases are not something we make up on a sad or nerve-wracking day.
These are diseases controlled (or not) by the inner workings of our brain and body.
I how you find what works for you, quickly!

Best of luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Apr 13, 2019
In reply to @texasduchess "@secretwhitepop Vertigo (dizziness) can definitely be an Effexor withdrawal symptom. Many posters on this thread have..." + (show)
@texasduchess

@secretwhitepop
Vertigo (dizziness) can definitely be an Effexor withdrawal symptom. Many posters on this thread have experienced this; you may find OTC Dram*mine, or Bon*ne helpful. On 4/15, I will be a year out from my last dose (tapered off slowly from 25mg) and I still carry Dram*mine with me as the dizziness can come on unexpectedly. Vertigo was not an issue for me until I quit Effexor. You are wise to get it checked out since the dizziness seems to have restarted and is worse.

Jump to this post

The only thing is that this is different from the occasionally dizziness or head spins. This is full blown vertigo that has me falling over. It’s scary! But since it’s only been a couple months, I’m still chalking it up to withdrawal. We’ll see what the doc says. (She’ll probably put me back on meds!)

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 13, 2019

@secretwhitepop- Good morning- Have you had an appointment with an ENT (ear nose throat) doctor? I would encourage this. Also sometimes thee stiones in your ears go astray. They help keep you balanced and they are in your inner ears. They need to be re-set and you can do this at home. I have used the Epley Method although there are others. It works like a dream for me. My husband helps me. It's important to do the exercises percisely and if it works and then returns you can do it again later in the day.
https://www.webmd.com/brain/home-remedies-vertigo#1-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtT2PDJVXlk
Have you ever heard of this?

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1 reply
babydoll | @babydoll | Apr 13, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "The only thing is that this is different from the occasionally dizziness or head spins. This..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

The only thing is that this is different from the occasionally dizziness or head spins. This is full blown vertigo that has me falling over. It’s scary! But since it’s only been a couple months, I’m still chalking it up to withdrawal. We’ll see what the doc says. (She’ll probably put me back on meds!)

Jump to this post

@secretwhitepop I have a family member who has meniers disease. He thought it was Effexor withdrawal as well. I would check with your doctor. Look it up, he is dizzy a lot and any common bug, as in colds, allergies, etc will exacerbate the symptoms. I would look into it before started medication if you don’t really need it. Good luck, praying for you!

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