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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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 16, 2019
In reply to @sandij "I've been waking up crying lately too. After having horrible nightmares. I'm down to about 66..." + (show)
@sandij

I've been waking up crying lately too. After having horrible nightmares. I'm down to about 66 mg of effexor daily. I cancel almost all of my appointments if I have them, and I can barely drag myself into the other room, where I teach online for just an hour or two a day, to out in a happy face. I used to be able to do three or four hours. I hurt all the time, maybe because of the fibro? I do better when I stay on my supplement regime but I'm too stubborn sometimes to want to take anything. I'm also really cold all the time. I dont know what's going on but I had a lesion detected on my liver and now I'm waiting for test results and automatically thinking a slow painful death would be fitting for me. I've caused a lot of trouble and pain for others. Karma I guess. It's not a good day today. Hang in there everyonr.

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@sandij
I have been where you are today...nightmares suck and they are caused by the withdrawal.
This too shall pass....that is what I kept telling myself.....
Smiling at you cuz I know its too hard to smile today. Bright Wings

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saku | @saku | Apr 16, 2019
In reply to @grandmar "Hi All! UPDATE...……... Starting week 2 of my reduced dosage of Effexor. As a reminder, I..." + (show)
@grandmar

Hi All!

UPDATE...……...
Starting week 2 of my reduced dosage of Effexor.
As a reminder, I went from 2-75mg in the evening to 1-75mg in the evening.
I haven't touched my morning dosage of 2-75mg.

Sleep is still an issue, but I am thinking it MAY NOT BE the Effexor withdrawal at all.
I have lots going on in my mind as I plan for a vacation.
I keep reading that checking air fares at a 'given' time is the best.
I find, strangely (and I am strange...lol), that I get up with enough time to do my morning routine before I get on my computer, to check fares at that 'given' time.
Guess that's something I have to work on.

Only other thing I am noticing, is that my memory is starting to fade again and I am getting that feeling of my head in the clouds, again.
I felt this way before I started my reduction; those are the BIG reasons I wanted to cut back.
I feel like I've gone backwards.
Of course, I will forge ahead.

Since I do not plan to touch my morning dosage for a while, I am hoping my body will adjust.
My granddaughter ends school in a few weeks and I want to be clear headed in order to spend quality time with her.
Therefore, I don't want to start anymore reductions, just in case.
I'm thinking after the summer to continue.
It took since November to get to this point.

Have a peaceful day!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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I was on 75 once a day and although that is not a high dosage, I have been on it well over 20 years. Over the course of a year I was able to wean myself off completely and have not taken any since Feb. 2019. I do have some days that I feel kind of blank and the other day I did not recognize someone I had spoken to only minutes before. This scares me but I am hoping it is still the effects of effexor

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3 replies
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 16, 2019
In reply to @sandij "I've been waking up crying lately too. After having horrible nightmares. I'm down to about 66..." + (show)
@sandij

I've been waking up crying lately too. After having horrible nightmares. I'm down to about 66 mg of effexor daily. I cancel almost all of my appointments if I have them, and I can barely drag myself into the other room, where I teach online for just an hour or two a day, to out in a happy face. I used to be able to do three or four hours. I hurt all the time, maybe because of the fibro? I do better when I stay on my supplement regime but I'm too stubborn sometimes to want to take anything. I'm also really cold all the time. I dont know what's going on but I had a lesion detected on my liver and now I'm waiting for test results and automatically thinking a slow painful death would be fitting for me. I've caused a lot of trouble and pain for others. Karma I guess. It's not a good day today. Hang in there everyonr.

Jump to this post

@sandij
How old are you. If I might ask.
My brain keeps dinging at me to share I had a stroke during one of those night mares. Yes, I completely recovered from it except for a lot of missing brain cells.
Have you thought about taking a baby aspirin before you sleep?
Also, I was told about red clover tea. I use it daily, it calms me and helps remove heavy metals. Remember, I was poisoned by pesticides in Sept and October.
Now, this tea supplies us ladies with an estrogen like substance. I had a total hysterectomy at 40 something. So this tea gives me something I have been missing, helps me sleep too.
This tea is NOT for men or folks with cancer....
Sandi, Hang in there. You are not alone. We are here for you, good day or not!
I know you mentioned you were at 66mg. How fast are you dropping?
Concerned, Bright Wings

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 16, 2019
In reply to @saku "I was on 75 once a day and although that is not a high dosage, I..." + (show)
@saku

I was on 75 once a day and although that is not a high dosage, I have been on it well over 20 years. Over the course of a year I was able to wean myself off completely and have not taken any since Feb. 2019. I do have some days that I feel kind of blank and the other day I did not recognize someone I had spoken to only minutes before. This scares me but I am hoping it is still the effects of effexor

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@saku
Welcome, yes you are in the right place.
Yes, what you are discribing is still the Effexor. I used it for 33 years. My last dose was Jan, 2018. Only I did it the hard way. I found this place months later cuz I was still having difficulty.
So welcome again.
Get to reading others peoples posts and see what you identify with.
Your name is interesting to me. Is it Japanese? My husband was Japanese from Hawaii.
Smiling at you, Bright Wings

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secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Apr 16, 2019
In reply to @saku "I was on 75 once a day and although that is not a high dosage, I..." + (show)
@saku

I was on 75 once a day and although that is not a high dosage, I have been on it well over 20 years. Over the course of a year I was able to wean myself off completely and have not taken any since Feb. 2019. I do have some days that I feel kind of blank and the other day I did not recognize someone I had spoken to only minutes before. This scares me but I am hoping it is still the effects of effexor

Jump to this post

Hello friend in weening! I got myself down to 37.5 for several years then took 18 months to ween off that and my last was February 1, 2019. Please keep sharing! Today was the worst day and I woke up crying! It’s a beautiful sunny day, nothing should be wrong, but actually, still reeling over my dads passing over a year ago and mom has dementia and looking at more appropriate living situation for her tomorrow! I hate my job but am so sagging happy to have one I feel like a schlub! Oh, please someone just tell me there’s a light at the end of this tunnel!

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1 reply
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Apr 16, 2019
In reply to @saku "I was on 75 once a day and although that is not a high dosage, I..." + (show)
@saku

I was on 75 once a day and although that is not a high dosage, I have been on it well over 20 years. Over the course of a year I was able to wean myself off completely and have not taken any since Feb. 2019. I do have some days that I feel kind of blank and the other day I did not recognize someone I had spoken to only minutes before. This scares me but I am hoping it is still the effects of effexor

Jump to this post

I, too, was on 75 for a good 15 years then went down to 37.5 and stayed. Today I am truly ready to throw in the towel - but, my daughter still makes me smile and brings me joy. (When I first went on meds, nothing gave me joy. So maybe there’s still hope!)

Of course, maybe Lexipro or Wellbutrin? Are they are horrendous to ween off of like Effexor?

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farmboy | @farmboy | Apr 16, 2019

Good evening everyone. Today has been a bad day. I felt good for about 2 weeks and over the weekend everything went down hill. Back to odd thoughts, racing thoughts, confused,very moody and sad.

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1 reply
rascal1 | @rascal1 | Apr 16, 2019

I have ups and downs like you. So much has to do with family illnesses, my upcoming shoulder replacements, etc. My anxiety and depression don’t help. Thinking too much about these things doesn’t help. Taking walks and soaking up the sunshine and nature help so much!
We’re all here for each other!
May you find the peace you deserve!
Rascal

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1 reply
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Apr 16, 2019

I appreciate your post! And I agree.

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