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 | May 6, 2019
In reply to @texasduchess "@grandmar Brain zaps are a common antidepressant discontinuation symptom described by patients taking venlafaxine, duloxetine, citalopram..." + (show)
@texasduchess

@grandmar
Brain zaps are a common antidepressant discontinuation symptom described by patients taking venlafaxine, duloxetine, citalopram and paroxetine. Anxiety medications and sleeping pills that target GABA also appear to be linked to brain zaps. The symptom is described variously as “an electrical, shock–like sensation in the brain,” “the sensation of the brain shivering,” “brain zaps,” “brain shocks,” “brain shivers,” “head shocks,” or “cranial zings.” The "brain shivers," or electric shock-like sensations are not dangerous, but can be unpleasant. They can happen frequently enough to disrupt daily life, or quality of life. Some are confined to the brain, or head; in other cases, they begin there, but spread out to other parts of the body. Sometimes moving one's eyes quickly from side to side can trigger brain zaps. Sometimes brain zaps are accompanied by disorientation, tinnitus, vertigo and lightheadedness.

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Thank you for the explanation!

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farm_mom | @farm_mom | May 6, 2019
In reply to @sandij "@searchgirl I'm not out of the woods yet, but I can say that one thing I..." + (show)
@sandij

@searchgirl I'm not out of the woods yet, but I can say that one thing I have noticed since tapering down from 225 mg, at 150 mg and then 75 I have had less fatigue. This makes me wonder if effexor was causing the fatigue. I guess time will tell. When i have my windows i feel great.

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I have NO DOUBT Effexor causes a lot of my fatigue. I feel like I'm emerging from fog.

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2 replies
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 6, 2019

Morning, nope, afternoon by now.
Listen friends, I suddenly have tons on my plate. Heaps and heaps of crap.
I am here reading. So if you don't see my posts its cuz I am taking care of life and other things...
Smiling at you, bright wings who is flying close to the horizon at present...oh gosh, the view from here is amazing.

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grandmaR | @grandmar | May 6, 2019
In reply to @farm_mom "I have NO DOUBT Effexor causes a lot of my fatigue. I feel like I'm emerging..." + (show)
@farm_mom

I have NO DOUBT Effexor causes a lot of my fatigue. I feel like I'm emerging from fog.

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Exactly my thoughts and my feelings since I've begun reduction.
Ronnie

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searchgirl | @searchgirl | May 6, 2019
In reply to @nathan5 "OK so I've been off Effexor/venlafaxine for just over two months and the withdrawals have been..." + (show)
@nathan5

OK so I've been off Effexor/venlafaxine for just over two months and the withdrawals have been terrible. Not being able to sleep was the first issue which passed after about 1 month. I've been iratable and snappy with everyone. I had a panic attack at a work meeting for the first time in 20 years. Now I'm currently dealing with morning worry anxiety and generally feeling anxious. Although I feel mostly fine for most of the day, by the time 5pm arrives I begin to feel tired and sick which limits what I can do in evenings.
Worst symptom is now I'm getting uncomfortable shivering just after I try to fall asleep. It begins with hot flushes and feeling of like I may vomit, and then I go into uncontrollable shivers for half an hour or so. Eventually after about an hour the feeling disapates and I can fall asleep. I'm so close to starting back on them again. Someone please help.

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Nathan, what dosage were you on? And how did you taper? I’m on the brim of tapering too and soaking up everything I can to make it a decent journey. I never realized that the shivering is also part of this. I sure hope some relief and if something works for you no matter how small, let us know.

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1 reply
searchgirl | @searchgirl | May 6, 2019
In reply to @farm_mom "I have NO DOUBT Effexor causes a lot of my fatigue. I feel like I'm emerging..." + (show)
@farm_mom

I have NO DOUBT Effexor causes a lot of my fatigue. I feel like I'm emerging from fog.

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That’s such good news and a peek at how you can really should feel must be exciting. That’s what I’m hoping for. The mass amount of symptoms I’m finding out about have opened me up to everything I’ve been putting up with (like a really bad marriage lol). Shiver have been plaguing me and I haven’t even tapered!! That tells me my drug isn’t working anymore and it’s time for me to start.....as BrightWings told me, stop flip-flopping around and start!!!!

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 6, 2019
In reply to @searchgirl "That’s such good news and a peek at how you can really should feel must be..." + (show)
@searchgirl

That’s such good news and a peek at how you can really should feel must be exciting. That’s what I’m hoping for. The mass amount of symptoms I’m finding out about have opened me up to everything I’ve been putting up with (like a really bad marriage lol). Shiver have been plaguing me and I haven’t even tapered!! That tells me my drug isn’t working anymore and it’s time for me to start.....as BrightWings told me, stop flip-flopping around and start!!!!

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@searchgirl
Do something, anything will help. BW

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searchgirl | @searchgirl | May 6, 2019

Time to take action as I’m already feeling withdrawals from the Effexor not working anymore. Didn’t know shivers were part of it as that has increased lately...blows me away how many symptoms!!

I’m on 75 mg
Now have 37.5 caps to start
Will cut some caps in half.
Then start taking 37.5 + 18 = approx 55,5. This is per day from 75 mg. Is this too fast?
I’ll do this for a month if I’m feeling ok then only 37.5. for the next month, etc.

Does this sound about right?
TIA

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2 replies
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | May 6, 2019
In reply to @searchgirl "Time to take action as I’m already feeling withdrawals from the Effexor not working anymore. Didn’t..." + (show)
@searchgirl

Time to take action as I’m already feeling withdrawals from the Effexor not working anymore. Didn’t know shivers were part of it as that has increased lately...blows me away how many symptoms!!

I’m on 75 mg
Now have 37.5 caps to start
Will cut some caps in half.
Then start taking 37.5 + 18 = approx 55,5. This is per day from 75 mg. Is this too fast?
I’ll do this for a month if I’m feeling ok then only 37.5. for the next month, etc.

Does this sound about right?
TIA

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@searchgirl
I personally believe the decrease your contemplating is to large/fast. Your planning a 26% reduction. I wouldn’t reduce by that large of a percentage myself, especially this medication. The slower you taper the greater your chances of an uneventful taper. I’m a great believer in the 5-10% method. It takes awhile but to me the much higher success rate of no to minimal withdrawal symptoms is well worth the extra time. I think your staying on the lower dose for a month is an excellent idea.
Wishing you the best of luck,
Jake

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 6, 2019
In reply to @searchgirl "Time to take action as I’m already feeling withdrawals from the Effexor not working anymore. Didn’t..." + (show)
@searchgirl

Time to take action as I’m already feeling withdrawals from the Effexor not working anymore. Didn’t know shivers were part of it as that has increased lately...blows me away how many symptoms!!

I’m on 75 mg
Now have 37.5 caps to start
Will cut some caps in half.
Then start taking 37.5 + 18 = approx 55,5. This is per day from 75 mg. Is this too fast?
I’ll do this for a month if I’m feeling ok then only 37.5. for the next month, etc.

Does this sound about right?
TIA

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Sounds too fast to me but this is your body and your recovery. BW

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