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.

sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 15, 2019

@grandmar I'm so glad that schedule is working for you. Sounds like you're doing great!

sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 15, 2019

@brightwings no trite words here, just a reminder not to make a permanent decision while in a temporary state of mind..and it's always temporary. However with that being said, I am not implying that your situation is an easy one. Sending love from Georgia.

grandmaR | @grandmar | May 15, 2019

In reply to @sandij "@grandmar I'm so glad that schedule is working for you. Sounds like you're doing great!" + (show)

@sandij
Thank you, I am.
I'm taking my sweet time doing this.
I think we need to remember that there is no one solution that works best for everyone.
But I know the one thing we ALL agree on...;;;;slow and steady wins the race.

Have a great evening!
Ronnie

texasduchess | @texasduchess | May 15, 2019

In reply to @brightwings "@sandij @Merry I am here. I have been reading from afar. Good work guy's... I went..." + (show)

@brightwings
I hoped to meet you in person some day. What happens when we die? The ones who love us miss us. I will miss you. You have helped so many of us on here. Thank you.

Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 15, 2019

Thank you. Rejoice with me please, I will be pain free.
I spent my life helping folks cuz so many people helped me thru the years. And you noticed I stepped back recently. I believe I have done enough. Others can step in now.
.
I am so proud of what I accomplished in my life time, both for myself and others. I had a rough start but took back my life often one baby step at a time. And I did it.
There is more to my story coming. Stay tuned...
BTW, I am an ancient soul...I know its not in the bible but many of my family members are too. I will come back and tell the story later. Blew my mind.....
Bright Wings

secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | May 15, 2019

In reply to @brightwings "Thank you. Rejoice with me please, I will be pain free. I spent my life helping..." + (show)

How wonderful for you! You deserve it!

lauren123 | @lauren123 | May 15, 2019

In reply to @brightwings "@sandij @Merry I am here. I have been reading from afar. Good work guy's... I went..." + (show)

@brightwings This is a lovely statement that really triggers my heart energy. I often think of how life might end, and wonder if people who don't have chronic pain can ever possibly understand. Thank you for your acknowledgement of how this family has been supportive. You are full of grace and love. Wishing you a painless journey.

nathan5 | @nathan5 | May 16, 2019

Hi everyone, I said I'd update after going to my doctor. He's put me back on 75mg of Effexor. He said not to feel bad about failing to get off them and to look at it as a test (a failed one) that the fact that my anxiety had got so bad, shows I still need it. He also gave me some Lorazepam, but I'm hesitant to take that.. He also referred me to an anxiety counselling service.
I've been back on Effexor since Monday, so far I still feel terrible. Last two days I feel like my chest and stomach are full of bees. Couldn't sleep last night so took a zopiclone which knocked me out. Took day off work today and snuggled up on couch (with the bees lol). It's 9.30 in evening now, pouring with rain outside and freezing. Just put electric blanket on my bed, so I'll have a nice warm shower, hop into bed and hope for best tomorrow!

notaround | @notaround | May 16, 2019

In reply to @lisalucier "HI, @notaround - thanks very much for this update. Since you are talking about a stimulant..." + (show)

Provigil. It's used for narcolepsy and staring to be used now for chronic fatigue syndrome. It's the next thing to try if duloxetine doesn't work.

I wish the fatigue was from the venlafaxine. Then it would go away once it works its way out. I knew it was a possibility. But I've had issues with fatigue pretty much always, since I was an adult. I started to fall apart completely at 18.

In my freshman year of college, before even my first antidepressant, I was sleeping about 14 hours a day. So it isn't any one medication. I'm staring down the probable diagnosis of CFS. But it's a diagnosis of exclusion.

Sorry for rambling. I've rewritten this post a few times now and it keeps coming out too long.