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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canadaanj | @canadaanj | May 17, 2019

In reply to @searchgirl "I counted mine couple days ago and got 110 beads in my 37.5 mg. I’ll need..." + (show)

That's weird. In my 75 mg capsules there are usually between 194 and 197 beads which works out to 97 or 98 beads each day. Perhaps they are made by a different company and made differently. I HAVE noticed that some of the beads are smaller.

canadaanj | @canadaanj | May 17, 2019

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@canadaanj Now remember, we’re not just talking slow here, we’re talking slooooooow. Small percentages!!! Good luck,..." + (show)

haha....i uuuuunnnnnderstaaaaaand. lol. Thanks! 🙂

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | May 17, 2019

In reply to @canadaanj "haha....i uuuuunnnnnderstaaaaaand. lol. Thanks! :-)" + (show)

@canadaanj
lol
Jake

sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 17, 2019

The number of beads varies by manufacturer, also its recommended to count the bead in 3 or 4 capsules to come up with an average.

bd1323 | @bd1323 | May 17, 2019

To the moderators, it would be interesting and perhaps helpful if there were simple summary stats for posts on this topic (and ideally any other related to Effexor or withdrawal from SNRIs like Pristiq) that showed the number of unique users reporting symptoms - for those of us where the doc says "that's unusual" 🙂

sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 17, 2019

It's my experience that doctors look at anything "found on the internet" as suspect and hogwash. Even if it comes from a reputable source such as Mayo or NIH. Unless it's their idea.

searchgirl | @searchgirl | May 17, 2019

In reply to @canadaanj "That's weird. In my 75 mg capsules there are usually between 194 and 197 beads which..." + (show)

I’m in Canada so maybe there’s a difference...who knows!

searchgirl | @searchgirl | May 17, 2019

So, it’s day 6 of my wean and I’m not feeling much.....yet..... went to my doc and she was not happy with my decision but I’m going to chalk it up as a concerned doc. She said I might not be able to completely get off meds because I’ve been on too long...10 years. I’m doing it anyway. I expect to feel something but I’m also using my usual cbd with thc mix oil.

I’m very curious though how many weaned off Effexor successfully and are happy with their decision.

grandmaR | @grandmar | May 17, 2019

In reply to @bd1323 "Thanks everyone for the replies, I've learned and great deal reading here about others experiences, and..." + (show)

@bd1323
Hi!
I am sure you have gotten LOTS of replies, let me be another voice heard.
Even though we all react to meds differently and we all have different withdrawal symptoms, I believe most of us agree that going off the drug SLOWLY is the way to go.
The withdrawals can be HORRIBLE and land you in the hospital!
These withdrawals can happen at any time and last a long time.
There is always time to try something else.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take it slow!
Happy weekend!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

bd1323 | @bd1323 | May 17, 2019

In reply to @grandmar "@bd1323 Hi! I am sure you have gotten LOTS of replies, let me be another voice..." + (show)

@ GrandmaR Thanks Ronnie! I totally appreciate it - my gut reaction is 'hey get off this junk asap because the longer you are on it the worse it will be' but it seems after reading through many of these posts and other sources, doing it slower than I have been may be necessary, I already went back from 75mg to 150 last night, strange the 225 to 150 drop didn't hit me as hard so there must be some threshold for different folks. Happy weekend to you as well!