Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Hi, @sandij - though we'd love to have you around in this particular discussion of tapering off of venlafaxine (Effexor), it's also just fine if you choose to step away. I'd encourage you, though, to check out other Connect discussions that might be of interest. A specific discussion you may be interested in related to your work on placing all your focus on the positive aspects in your life and having gratitude for the place you are in is the Connect Just Want to Talk group's gratitude discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gratitude-discussion-group. I've seen many members mention just how uplifting reading others' posts in this conversation can be and in sharing things they are personally grateful for.

@mammy
Thank you for the update!
I am happy that your heart was not involved!
I can't understand how docs do not know how to taper this drug.
I am sure patients, like you, have complained about the withdrawal.
Sadly, I think that SOME docs either aren't listening or they don't care.
There are so many of us on this drug, trying to come off or to reduce that they MUST hear the horror stories.
They are not stupid!
They have to realize that the advice they are giving patients is incorrect!

Sorry, just venting!
I really don't know how you are working under those circumstances.
I don't want to be a downer, but you should not be surprised when you have more withdrawal symptoms.
Sadly, they will come, but now you know what they are and what to expect.

Good luck to you!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I was put on Effexor a few years ago to help with my dizziness and migraines. It hasn't helped at all. I told my doc and she said " that's just your anxiety, you need to increase your dose " BS! I dont have anxiety at all. No clue where she came up with that. I was already on 225mg a day. I've gotten myself down to 150mg every other day, but I don't know how to decrease from there. Ideas???

Just an update. My last pill was on Monday (37.5 mg) and I have had a few brain zaps but took a Benadryl based on info I found and it has seemed to work. I’ve been a little grouchy and moody but it is getting better. My zaps have not been bad at all especially when compared to when I went without for a few days on 75mg. If this is the worst of it then I am glad I finally quit taking them.

@angiee
Read these posts–at the very least, look back 1–2 weeks–you'll find links to quite a few helpful articles and sites as well as good advice on how to taper off Effexor as well as what withdrawal symptoms can occur and how to minimize/deal with them.

Reducing/quitting Effexor (and other antidepressants) can CAUSE the very issues they were designed to treat--a backlash effect; you may well experience anxiety, agitation, irritability, depression, etc., while tapering off EVEN if you were put on Effexor for non-emotional/non-psychiatric reasons. Many of us experienced major dizziness and vertigo while reducing--if you still have dizziness; this may get worse. Effexor makes profound changes to how our brains balance the neurotransmitters needed to function. Your brain has to reset itself and learn how to work on its own; the time this takes varies enormously.

Reducing SLOOWWWLY significantly minimizes the unpleasant (and sometimes debilitating) withdrawal effects. Your doctor will need to get on board. Prescriptions for other dosage amounts (i.e., 75mg, or 37.5mg), or for a different formulation (changing from extended-release to regular release, or from capsules to tablets) will allow you to mix and match to lower doses. With the right prescription, a compounding pharmacy can even make tapered doses for you.

@jmwspud
Glad the Ben*dryl is working for your brain zaps/shivers. Let us know how you continue to get on.

Take it SLOW.... that just can't be stressed enough.
Taper dosage by no more than 20% at a time and step down every 4-6 weeks. There are loads of posts within this board about tapering methods. (counting beads if capsules, cutting pills)
Will it take a while (12 months or more?) YES! Will it be worth it? YES!
Withdrawal from Venlafaxine is debilitating for some.
Best wishes!

I whole heartedly agree! Stress, sugar and lack of sleep all out me in a tailspin! Meditate too.

@farm_mom
I remember that you're motivated to get off Effexor because of eye side effects (glaucoma). Others have mentioned blurriness. I took my last dose of Effexor 4/14/18 and had my annual eye exam on 5/22/18. Prescription was unchanged. Picked up my new contacts a week later and couldn't see with them. Was reexamined--left eye had changed in that week from -4.75 to -4.25 (improved!). It's a year later and just had my eyes examined--both eyes are now -4.00 (more improvement!).

No kidding? That would be amazing if it works for me too!