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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | May 6, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "I’m so sorry you’re not doing well. Has anyone discussed electroshock therapy? Maybe it’s not called..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

I’m so sorry you’re not doing well. Has anyone discussed electroshock therapy? Maybe it’s not called that anymore, however. But I have heard wonderful things about it. I have a friend who was treated with it and it helped tremendously. I wish doctors and people understood anxiety and depression better. I agree. These past few days have been harsh. For you even more.

Incidentally, perhaps it’s obvious but, are you a farmer? Reason I ask is because where I live, there are commercial in TV asking “do you know a farmer with depression” and it’s a common thing. I love in delaware, bTW. I’ll see if I can find out more. Perhaps there’s something specifically you need/are lacking that could help.

Keep on hanging in there

Jump to this post

@secretwhitepop and @farmboy - I believe what you were referring to, secretwhitepop, is electroconvulsive therapy, and here's some current Mayo Clinic information on that type of therapy https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/about/pac-20393894.

REPLY
searchgirl | @searchgirl | May 6, 2019
In reply to @nathan5 "Hi @searchgirl, I was on 75mg and then went to 37.5 for a good 6 months..." + (show)
@nathan5

Hi @searchgirl, I was on 75mg and then went to 37.5 for a good 6 months and then over 2 months I emptied the pills to half (18mg) and then none. The best things that work for me are limiting coffee and eating food as bland as poss (boring I know). Showering before bed, listening to calming music and concentrate on breathing.
Things that really tip me over edge are loud bar/restaurants, vacations (even relaxing ones). Work meetings.
Sugar and chocolate at night and too much caffeine.

Jump to this post

That’s great information Nathan. People say it’s a low dose and I should not overthink too much. One of my friends weaned off with no issues but she’s been on other drugs too that were far worse. She took 2 days on 75 then 37.5. Then I’ll figure how I feel and decide then. Feeling more confident as I weigh out my options.

REPLY
1 reply
farmboy | @farmboy | May 6, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "I’m so sorry you’re not doing well. Has anyone discussed electroshock therapy? Maybe it’s not called..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

I’m so sorry you’re not doing well. Has anyone discussed electroshock therapy? Maybe it’s not called that anymore, however. But I have heard wonderful things about it. I have a friend who was treated with it and it helped tremendously. I wish doctors and people understood anxiety and depression better. I agree. These past few days have been harsh. For you even more.

Incidentally, perhaps it’s obvious but, are you a farmer? Reason I ask is because where I live, there are commercial in TV asking “do you know a farmer with depression” and it’s a common thing. I love in delaware, bTW. I’ll see if I can find out more. Perhaps there’s something specifically you need/are lacking that could help.

Keep on hanging in there

Jump to this post

I do a little farming. Mainly deal with horses and truck when I can. Yes I've seen alot of commercial about farmers and depression. The way the farm economy is there is farmers taking their own lives around here. Very sad.

REPLY
1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 6, 2019
In reply to @searchgirl "That’s great information Nathan. People say it’s a low dose and I should not overthink too..." + (show)
@searchgirl

That’s great information Nathan. People say it’s a low dose and I should not overthink too much. One of my friends weaned off with no issues but she’s been on other drugs too that were far worse. She took 2 days on 75 then 37.5. Then I’ll figure how I feel and decide then. Feeling more confident as I weigh out my options.

Jump to this post

@searchgirl,
how long have you been on it? BW

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 7, 2019
In reply to @sandij "Figure it out like this, subtract 10% from 75 mg. 75 minus 7.5 equals 67.5. So..." + (show)
@sandij

Figure it out like this, subtract 10% from 75 mg. 75 minus 7.5 equals 67.5. So if you want your dosage to be close to a 10 percent cut, you would take one 37.5 mg pill and a little more than three quarters of another 37.5 mg pill.

Jump to this post

@sandij- I'm horrible at math. Where does the 37.5 come in?

REPLY
1 reply
texasduchess | @texasduchess | May 7, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@sandij- I'm horrible at math. Where does the 37.5 come in?" + (show)
@merpreb

@sandij- I'm horrible at math. Where does the 37.5 come in?

Jump to this post

@merpreb
The 37.5 comes in if someone is taking 75mg of Effexor and that dose consists of two 37.5 pills.

If that person wants to reduce the 75mg by 10%, s/he would take one 37.5 pill and cut the second 37.5 pill into fourths and take three of the fourths. Total dose would be 65.63--fairly close to 10% of 75mg (67.5).

REPLY
2 replies
texasduchess | @texasduchess | May 7, 2019
In reply to @texasduchess "@merpreb The 37.5 comes in if someone is taking 75mg of Effexor and that dose consists..." + (show)
@texasduchess

@merpreb
The 37.5 comes in if someone is taking 75mg of Effexor and that dose consists of two 37.5 pills.

If that person wants to reduce the 75mg by 10%, s/he would take one 37.5 pill and cut the second 37.5 pill into fourths and take three of the fourths. Total dose would be 65.63--fairly close to 10% of 75mg (67.5).

Jump to this post

@texasduchess
Oops ... fairly close to 90% of 75mg (67.5).

REPLY
sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 7, 2019

Today marked day 20 of effexor free. Also no ambien, which is great since I was one of those who experienced the "ambien walrus", doing things I was completely unaware of after I'd taken it (usually shopping on amazon and surprised when packages were showing up). Benadryl 25 mg is helping with the shivering, I take it usually morning and evening, sometimes also mid day. CBD products, Chinese herbs prescribed by the acupuncturist, melatonin at night, increasing my water intake, and sleeping when I need to. Today is the first day I've actually felt like sewing and I consider that a win.
I hope everyone had a great day and another one follows.

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 8, 2019

@sandij- Isn't it great when things go in an upward movement? Having blackouts is very scary. What did you do with the things that you ordered? Have you liked anything that you ordered from Amazon?

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 8, 2019
In reply to @texasduchess "@merpreb The 37.5 comes in if someone is taking 75mg of Effexor and that dose consists..." + (show)
@texasduchess

@merpreb
The 37.5 comes in if someone is taking 75mg of Effexor and that dose consists of two 37.5 pills.

If that person wants to reduce the 75mg by 10%, s/he would take one 37.5 pill and cut the second 37.5 pill into fourths and take three of the fourths. Total dose would be 65.63--fairly close to 10% of 75mg (67.5).

Jump to this post

Ah ha! I knew that @texasduchess. lolol. I had forgotten the dosage that it came in. Thank you. When I weaned I didn't have a problem except that my depression came back like a tornado.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.