Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Taper slower. Don’t be a hero 🙂 if you want to stay at 112.5, stay for at least a month. This is some serious stuff and the withdrawal can be horrific.

What some folks do (me included) is to open up the capsules and take out five or so little beads for a month. Then 10, etc etc. when you get to about half the beads go ahead and get a smaller RX. Then open those caps up. Took me 18 months to ween off 37.5. Remember, as the dosage gets smaller, take out fewer beads at a clip. (Because percentage-wise, it’s a lot more at the smaller doses). But know this, you will be ok. I am weened off completely.

That being said, however, I am back on an anti anxiety and anti depression med. wish I didn’t need to, but c’est la vie.

It is also all dependent on what my doctor will prescribe and what my insurance will cover. At first the insurance wouldn't cover the smaller tablets so I could taper down because I had been taking the 150 mg for so long. It took a special note from the doctor for them to approve it.

Don’t rush this. Taper slowly.

If you’ve been reading you will know this isn’t easy. I wish you well. If you haven’t been reading, this is your recovery. Do it.

On a personal note, I am doing fantastic. Beyond my wildest dreams fantastic.

There are dips in every road but I’m handling things well.
I am joining more and more circles and sharing my light everywhere I go.
Smiling at you, Bright Wings

Just curious, are you weening off for a particular reason? Only reason I ask is because it IS rough and I thought I could handle it because lots of things in my life have changed for the better and I thought I could handle it. And I did for about 6 months... but I guess I’m one of those folks who truly need meds to feel “like myself”. (And I’ll eventually come to terms with that - i’m Old school!)

My blood pressure is elevated and has been since I started taking it. In the past the doctor's didn't believe there was a correlation but there is. My new doctor who does understand the correlation between Effexor and blood pressure truly believes that if I go off this medication I can probably go off my blood pressure medication as well. I was put on antidepressants due to post partum depression almost 24 years ago. In the past these medications were over prescribed. Also I have read a lot of studies that state that these medications work best in the short term while people are getting the other help they need (counseling, exercise, etc). Additionally I work in health care and see so many people who are over medicated. I don't want to be one if I can help it.

I've stopped taking high blood pressure meds since I stopped the effexor, because my BP issue resolved when off the effexor.

My blood pressure is elevated and has been since I started taking it. In the past the doctor's didn't believe there was a correlation but there is. My new doctor who does understand the correlation between Effexor and blood pressure truly believes that if I go off this medication I can probably go off my blood pressure medication as well. I was put on antidepressants due to post partum depression almost 24 years ago. In the past these medications were over prescribed. Also I have read a lot of studies that state that these medications work best in the short term while people are getting the other help they need (counseling, exercise, etc). Additionally I work in health care and see so many people who are over medicated. I don't want to be one if I can help it.

I've stopped taking high blood pressure meds since I stopped the effexor, because my BP issue resolved when off the effexor.