Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Take it slow and if you have to stay steady at a dosage for longer.

HI, I just received IV ketamine Infusions for chronic daily migraine pain and depression. I'm on Effexor ER 75 mg. twice a day. I started taking it once a day after the ketamine. I'm having frequent weird headaches that don't feel at all like my usual migraine, and lots of low grade annoying nausea that Zofran isn't really helping. The pain doc said he thought it was from the Ketamine on the phone. In his office he said I could come off Effexor now. I don't think he knows how hard that would be....So I came to this site to read other people's experiences. Your advice sounds logical. What do you mean by overlapping the last Effexor? I don't have Prozac in the house, but I do have Trintellix which is also a SSRI and works I believe on norepinephrine too. What do you think I should do? I also have ketamine lozenges which I've been blaming for the nausea, but it definitely could be from cutting the effexor dose in half. Help!

Great comments and resources. Thank you!

Well I also know that I will never escape myself and my emotions. I've gotten into studying Human Design and it completely makes sense for me, I will always experience life as waves...and have to wait through emotional waves before clarity comes. It was actually a relief to see that I'm not the only one who is made this way, although it would have saved me much grief if I'd been introduced to HDS years ago. No matter, the knowledge I have now is proving beneficial.
After I had a good cry today I'm feeling better.

I have really gotten a lot of info from this group on stopping Effexor. I have been on 225 for several years. I have decided to stop taking it and have been given a plan by my dr to wean off it. I was really surprised by what I read regarding the withdrawal symptoms. Scared really. I had no idea my body was so addicted to this medication. That said, I am an all or nothing kind of gal. I tried a few days of lower dose and have been having nausau, headache, brain fog and dizziness I thought to forget this, I am not going to feel like this for months. So, cold turkey! I decided if I am going to feel awful I am going to get it out of the way all at once. I read one of the posts on here to use ibuprofen, eat a few more carbs, rest and hydrate. I have to say, they are actually better on day 2 of cold turkey than they were on day 5 of a lower dose. YES, I know this is not recommended but I know my body and my mind and I just was not up to the months of this. Clearly, a person has to use their best judgement. I do want to thank all on here who have given lots of advice and things to watch for. I love this venue for discussion. I will post next week to let you know how I am managing.

@rascal1
Ha, fabulous attitude, my rear end!!!!!
I used to be such a whiner...true story...all my friends left me. It got my attention, let me tell you.
I had to change or be lonely.
I chose to change.
.
It has taken me years to get where I am...thankfully I remember what I did and try to teach it. It"s always someone's choice to take advantage of what I teach or not.
I used to try to Re-lnvent the wheel until I realized I could just listen and try to use other skills folks were using cuz I could see they felt a lot better than I did.
Just saying, I wasn't always this happy person. Smiling at you, Bright Wings

@rainswuth
Yup, the nausea and other symptoms sound like withdrawal to me.
CBD will cut the nausea. And help the withdrawal symptoms. Anxiety, fear depression....
.
I can't tell you how to cut down cuz I went cold turkey...hard headed, dangerous way to get off the Effexor but I didn't find this site until months after my last dose.
Do not do what I did!!!!
Count the beads inside to reduce your intake of Effexor.
Get to reading here, no need to reinvent the wheel. Then see what you identify with and take that route. Trust your gut...
Peace to you, Bright Wings

@rascal1
By the way, your name ALWAYS makes me giggle. Why? Cuz I love how you state who you are in your name as I do. Oh, I look like a sweet old granny but I too LOVE being a rascel.
Ok, I missed this before, you are getting both your shoulders replaced??? Oh my gosh girl!!! You do have some health challenges going on.
I am posting this for a few reasons. 1. I want you to know I recognize your pain. I recognize your valor. I recognize your drive to go on, no matter what.
My hat is off to you. I honor you and the struggles you are going thru.
Ok, a little personal info...
My mom died suddenly of a stroke Dec 14, 2010.
My husband fell and started bleeding in 3 places in his head, Feb 11, 2011. He died in 8 hours.
A month later, my knee blew out. I had to have it replaced.
Months later, the bank let me know they were taking my house.....I said, Oh no you are not. I put it up for sale and sold it 5 days before the bank took it.
With the $3,000 profit, not counting the $45,000 loss, I jumped on a plane and took off for Africa.
I was so tired of whining and feeling sorry for myself, I chose to go work with those less fortunate than I was....
Best thing I ever did too.
I remember, giggling at the memory, the mission I was working at was given a sheep by one of the Elders of a tribe the mission was serving.
Ok, so I heard all kind of stories about how this guy had donated a sheep before but never came across with it...
I chose to take an action and went to get that sheep...I walked the whole way, walking faster than a young male nurse from a big city. I walked with ease, miles and miles...I came back without our sheep to boot. That elder is probably still donating a sheep and not coming across with it! Grin
.
Hahaha, so anyways, if I can do it, you can too girlfriend.
That knee replacement was the best thing I ever did.
Have a great day cuz I know I am...remember, attitude is everything.
Bright Wings

Well I also know that I will never escape myself and my emotions. I've gotten into studying Human Design and it completely makes sense for me, I will always experience life as waves...and have to wait through emotional waves before clarity comes. It was actually a relief to see that I'm not the only one who is made this way, although it would have saved me much grief if I'd been introduced to HDS years ago. No matter, the knowledge I have now is proving beneficial.
After I had a good cry today I'm feeling better.

I’m still on low dose Effexor and Klonopin but CBD does not seem to be helping me. I take 1/2 dropper twice a day. I want to transition off the meds and onto CBD oil.
By the way, I’m a grandma too of 4 wonderful teenagers. I’m 75 years old. Lost my daughter to ovarian cancer 2 1:2 years ago thus the meds. 3 of my grandchildren are her children left with a single dad.
Then I lost my dog Rascal to cancer in October and, thus, my name here! It’s been rough!