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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@secretwhitepop

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.

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I will definitely do that!

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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

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@secretwhitepop

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.

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Thank you and best wishes on your journey.

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@ercoled57

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.

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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!)

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@brightwings

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

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I've been reading tons for the past 5+ years on this topic. And I am so glad you are doing well. Blessings to you too!

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@secretwhitepop

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!)

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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.

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@ercoled57

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.

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

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@sandij

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

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OMG! That's wonderful. Thanks for letting me know. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

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@ercoled57

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.

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Wise words.

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@sandij

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

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Same here. With drop in bp and weight also.

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