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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grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 30, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@grandmar Hi Ronnie, Curious why the Psychiatrist would say that since Klonopin is an Anticonvulsant and..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@grandmar
Hi Ronnie,
Curious why the Psychiatrist would say that since Klonopin is an Anticonvulsant and Seizures generally are long term.
Jake

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@jakedduck1
Good morning!
I never asked. The only thing I could think of is that since it is not being used for those purposes, it might not be beneficial, in the long run, to use it for emotional issues.
Could be the dosage and how often it is used in the course of the day?
I'm just guessing, but it is a good question that I will ask when I get a new psychiatrist.
Ronnie

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grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 30, 2019
In reply to @rascal1 "Thanks Ronnie. Drs are so different in their medical viewpoints and how they treat their patients!...." + (show)
@rascal1

Thanks Ronnie. Drs are so different in their medical viewpoints and how they treat their patients!. My dr has me taking a low dose of each. You are probably so better off without the Klonopin all the time as it is a Benzo and so very addictive, I do appreciate your comments. Thanks for sharing! The best to you!

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@rascal1
You are most welcome.
But truth is, I think ALL these drugs are addictive. It seems that coming off any of these meds can cause issues if trying to go cold turkey or decrease too quickly.
I guess it's taking the best of the worse?????
Have a great day!
Ronnie

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1 reply
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Apr 30, 2019
In reply to @babydoll "Good Morning everyone! I have no idea how to start a thread, so I just hit..." + (show)
@babydoll

Good Morning everyone! I have no idea how to start a thread, so I just hit reply! I am looking for suggestions. I have been Effexor free since February! Yes, I had a horrible time, had to have a bridge of Prozac, didn’t help at first, but now I feel great. I still get anxiety, but not as bad. My problem now is restless leg syndrome! I have had this diagnosis for years and take Requip for it, but since stopping Effexor it is worse than ever! I can not sleep for the aching feeling of having to keep moving my legs. It starts around 6 PM and I’m walking, dancing, whatever to keep it at bay! Has anyone else had this problem? Also, I want you all to know that each and everyone of you are in my prayers, this is a journey we are on to feel better and I love the support and suggestions that I read from you all! Keep smiling your all beautiful and worth it!

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@babydoll - if you ever want to start a new discussion thread on Connect, go to the gray box at the bottom of any Connect page, click on "Get Started on Connect" and look under "How to Start a New Discussion." Here's the link if you prefer to go there directly https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/

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rascal1 | @rascal1 | Apr 30, 2019
In reply to @grandmar "@rascal1 You are most welcome. But truth is, I think ALL these drugs are addictive. It..." + (show)
@grandmar

@rascal1
You are most welcome.
But truth is, I think ALL these drugs are addictive. It seems that coming off any of these meds can cause issues if trying to go cold turkey or decrease too quickly.
I guess it's taking the best of the worse?????
Have a great day!
Ronnie

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I agrrr! Thanks so very much!

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sharonlou | @sharonlou | May 1, 2019
In reply to @sandij "@sharonlou I went from 225 to 150, stayed there for 6 weeks, then 150 to 75...." + (show)
@sandij

@sharonlou I went from 225 to 150, stayed there for 6 weeks, then 150 to 75. Stayed there for six weeks or longer before I started experimenting with going lower. Symptoms I experienced mostly were: dizziness when shifting focus (turning my head for instance, to look in different directions) , nausea, fatigue, shaking or shivering like I was cold. All of these symptoms would come and go. Stay the course. If you find yourself having anxiety, it may ver well be caused by withdrawal and bot necessarily relapse into old anxiety. I think that all of us here, yourself included, are extremely self aware and we KNOW what we need to do. Have a great day!

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@sandij After the 4th day of cutting my 150mg Effexor by 25% the withdrawal symptoms returned at night with the brain zaps and an anxiety dream but nowhere near as bad as missing a dose. Cut down dose by 20% yesterday and today with no ill effects yet. From other's experiences here I know it will be up and down, day by day. Appreciate the responses!

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sharonlou | @sharonlou | May 1, 2019
In reply to @texasduchess "@sharonlou You mentioned that you're going to have hip replacement surgery later this year AND that..." + (show)
@texasduchess

@sharonlou
You mentioned that you're going to have hip replacement surgery later this year AND that you'll tell your doctors about your Effexor. Please be on the lookout for serotonin syndrome--I was only ever on 25mg Effexor AND my doctors knew--I experienced SS when I was told to use dextromethorphan (cough medicine) during a sinus infection and while on fentanyl and hydrocodone after breast reconstruction surgery. I think both doctors thought 25mg was too little to worry about, but it wasn't.

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@texasduchess
Thank you for the warning about serotonin syndrome which I have about in the fine print somewhere. I'll look it up again. We really Can't leave all of this to the white coated expert, particularly how we react to certain things. I wish now that I had kept track of all of the antidepressants I have been on or tried over the years. I ran out of one over a long weekend and I've never felt such desperation before or since, just could not sit still. Had to pace. The trial and error is so hard on a person.

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1 reply
texasduchess | @texasduchess | May 1, 2019
In reply to @rascal1 "Thank you so much for your intelligent and thoughtful reply. I’m taking 15Omg oh Effexor since..." + (show)
@rascal1

Thank you so much for your intelligent and thoughtful reply. I’m taking 15Omg oh Effexor since January along with Klonopin .75mg. I have had much depression and anxiety and just want to sleep all the time to avoid these awful feelings. I was going to try CBD oil but read the contraindications with klonopin and somewhat with Effexor . I have right shoulder replacement May 21 and am so very concerned about all this.
Thank you for your concerned input!

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@rascal1
I just noticed that you're going to have surgery 5/21. I commented a couple of days back to @sharonlou (who also has a surgery coming up, but later than yours) that you MUST be sure that your doctor(s) know that you're on Effexor. Anesthisia and pain drugs (such as fentanyl and hydrocodone) can interact with Effexor; in my case, I experienced serotonin syndrome. My doctors KNEW I was on Effexor, but I think both the anesthetist and surgeon thought 25mg Effexor was too little to worry about, but it wasn't. My SS came on after several days of being on the pain drugs (so not a life-threatening sudden reaction as can occur), but I was home alone by then. If I had had some inkling the interaction could happen, it wouldn't have been so frightening; my doctors should have anticipated it and sent me home with just-in-case instructions/prescriptions if it happened.

Anyone taking Effexor should also be aware that ordinary cough medicine containing dextromethorphan can cause "significant" drug interactions with Effexor! I wasn't warned about that either by one of my doctors AND experienced serotonin syndrome when I was told to use a DM cough med during a sinus infection. I don't know if I'm super-sensitive to these interactions, but keep in mind, I was ONLY on 25mg Effexor.

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1 reply
sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 1, 2019

Just checking in.
I saw a new doctor today who seemed very unimpressed that I don't want to take a lot of medications. Guess there's just no money in healthy people!
I'm so grateful for the support here. Most people have no idea what we have experienced.
I think I am doing ok, effexor-free since 4/17. I have to keep reminding myself of the date!
Wishing everyone a beautiful day!

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3 replies
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 1, 2019
In reply to @sandij "Just checking in. I saw a new doctor today who seemed very unimpressed that I don't..." + (show)
@sandij

Just checking in.
I saw a new doctor today who seemed very unimpressed that I don't want to take a lot of medications. Guess there's just no money in healthy people!
I'm so grateful for the support here. Most people have no idea what we have experienced.
I think I am doing ok, effexor-free since 4/17. I have to keep reminding myself of the date!
Wishing everyone a beautiful day!

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Two thumbs up!
BW

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