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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kbmayo | @kbmayo | May 2, 2019
In reply to @grandmar "@sandij Good Morning, As you might be able to tell, sleep is something I have an..." + (show)
@grandmar

@sandij

Good Morning,
As you might be able to tell, sleep is something I have an issue with, too.
I fall asleep, but I don't stay asleep.
I get about 3-5 hours a night.
As you may or may not remember, the psychiatrist I've been using for the last 4 years has left her practice.
I can't seem to find a new one who will either accept my insurance and/or have an appointment available for new patients until the new millenium!!!
Anyway, I was at my PCP for my regular 6 mos. checkup and we also discussed what I can do about sleep.
I am not willing to take another pill, either.
We spoke about melatonin.
He said I could try that but begin with a very low dose since everyone reacts differently.
I asked if I will have that hung over feeling in the morning and he said that it was possible.
I am going to give it a try but only when I feel I need it, like either one of those rare nights I don't sleep at all or if I have had several nights where I have only slept for 3 hours.

Here is to a good night's sleep!!!!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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I've had good results with 3mg time-release melatonin. (I use Natrol brand.) I don't wake up feeling hung over; I do feel like I've had a deep sleep. Good luck!

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1 reply
sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 2, 2019

@wandasophia are you taking one 150 mg and one 75 mg each day? If my math is correct that's 225 mg per day. Are you taking 225 or 150 mg each day?
I understand that you are running out of meds, just trying to get a clear picture of exactly how many mg you are taking now, and what you have on hand to work with.
What did the PCP use as a justification not to continue at 150 so you could taper slowly?
There is a plethora of information on this forum that is extremely beneficial but can also be quite overwhelming, I realize! Especially with these meds affecting our brains. There are many success stories and no reason that you cannot be one of them, but let's see where you are starting from.

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sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 2, 2019
In reply to @kbmayo "I've had good results with 3mg time-release melatonin. (I use Natrol brand.) I don't wake up..." + (show)
@kbmayo

I've had good results with 3mg time-release melatonin. (I use Natrol brand.) I don't wake up feeling hung over; I do feel like I've had a deep sleep. Good luck!

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Thank you, I believe this is exactly what my husband uses. His sleep patterns are so different from mine..he falls asleep almost as soon as his head hits the pillow but cannot get back to sleep if he wakes during the night. I cannot get my brain to shut off and it takes me hours to fall asleep which only adds to the anxiety when I know the alarm will sound off in a few hours. I have been listening to binaural beats or the thunder and rain on youtube using earbuds but I still find my mind racing. Been this way all my life really!

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 2, 2019
In reply to @rascal1 "Why are you lowering your CBD @brightwings ? Hoping you feel better soon!" + (show)
@rascal1

Why are you lowering your CBD @brightwings ?
Hoping you feel better soon!

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@rascal1
I lowered my dose because of lack of availability at my regular store. They apologized so much but they couldn't get my regular order from Lazarus Naturals.
So now I got my disability papers into the company. 60% off from now on!
I should say I was driving almost 130 miles round trip to pick the CBD up...
So going back to pick up more was out of the question.
BW

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searchgirl | @searchgirl | May 2, 2019

I posted a few weeks ago about weaning off Effexor after being on it for 10 years. I believe I was wrongly given these when menopause began and hormones were knocking me around! I’m now on 75 mg and saw my doc, spoke to my pharmacist my counsellor and the docs recommendation is to take 75mg one day then 37.5 the next day for at least a month. After a month I need to Check in how it’s going and then continue on to the next stage. I’m excited to start this but not looking forward to the withdrawals. I’m healthy, no other issues so I’m so ready for this now. Wish me the best for my journey, I will report back on my progress.

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2 replies
searchgirl | @searchgirl | May 2, 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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I’m the same way about meds. I’m starting my weaning in a week or so it’s reassuring t know you’re doing good. I’m doing one day 75 mg, next day is 37.5 etc. As per my doc who didn’t blink when I told her! Keep your s posted sandi.

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searchgirl | @searchgirl | May 2, 2019
In reply to @texasduchess "@rascal1 I just noticed that you're going to have surgery 5/21. I commented a couple of..." + (show)
@texasduchess

@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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I agree we don’t get much info on meds like this, our local pharmacist has been the utmost best to talk with, specially the do’s and do nots! I found out the hard way not to consume grapefruit on these meds. I was so sick but couldn’t figure out why until my pharmacist told me.

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1 reply
sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 2, 2019

@searchgirl if I could make the suggestion that if you are able to remove beads from the capsules, you may have best success avoiding withdrawal by keeping a consistent dosage each day rather than bouncing back and forth from 75 to 37.5. The bead counting isn't difficult should you choose to go that route. Either way, its great that you are on 75! Many of us were taking a much higher dosage. So you are ahead of the game. 😆

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 2, 2019
In reply to @sandij "@searchgirl if I could make the suggestion that if you are able to remove beads from..." + (show)
@sandij

@searchgirl if I could make the suggestion that if you are able to remove beads from the capsules, you may have best success avoiding withdrawal by keeping a consistent dosage each day rather than bouncing back and forth from 75 to 37.5. The bead counting isn't difficult should you choose to go that route. Either way, its great that you are on 75! Many of us were taking a much higher dosage. So you are ahead of the game. 😆

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@searchgirl
If you follow the docs advise you will be terrible sick. I know, I did it the dumb way, not even considering the withdrawal effects. Please get to reading other folks experiences. Then trust your gut as to what to do.
Smiling at you, Bright Wings.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | May 2, 2019

Hello, all - a few of you have mentioned some sleep challenges lately. Just wanted to encourage you to check out the Mayo Clinic Connect Sleep Health group, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/sleep-health, if you've not already, as there are many interesting threads there on all sorts of sleep topics. One in particular I thought might be of interest is this one on insomnia https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/josephene-i-am-having-terrible-insomnia-as-well-nothing-seems-to-help/.

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