1. < Depression & Anxiety

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.

ercoled57 | @ercoled57 | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @kbmayo "What anti-anxiety and anti-depression meds are you taking? I had to go back on, too. It..." + (show)
@kbmayo

What anti-anxiety and anti-depression meds are you taking? I had to go back on, too. It took some experimentation to get to where I currently am and it's better, but not great. I was sorry I had to take anything, but, as you said, c'est la vie!

Jump to this post

I'm only on Effexor XR.

REPLY
1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @ercoled57 "I am 61." + (show)
@ercoled57

I am 61.

Jump to this post

Yes, definitely get the tea. It helps big time.

REPLY
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @ercoled57 "I'm only on Effexor XR." + (show)
@ercoled57

I'm only on Effexor XR.

Jump to this post

I was one 150 mg for 33 years. Effexor XR

REPLY
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Sep 30, 2019

I am am Elder in my tribe in Missouri. My name is the Sacred Crystal Grandmother.
I teach healing.
Go to the rock shop or google hematite.
It is a black rock.
Look for a necklace or large piece.
It pulls bad negative energy out of you and removes bad feelings you can’t remove any other way.
When the crystals feel heavy, clear the energy out of them
By smudging or laying on another bigger crystal. Or pile of crystals.
I wore a necklace for 6 days, I HAD to take it off at day 6.
It felt like it weighed 5 pounds.
Now I have many pieces.
Another thing this crystal does is create a zone around you. People entering the zone treat you nicer!!!
How cool is that???
Enjoy, Bright Wings

REPLY
1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @brightwings "I am am Elder in my tribe in Missouri. My name is the Sacred Crystal Grandmother...." + (show)
@brightwings

I am am Elder in my tribe in Missouri. My name is the Sacred Crystal Grandmother.
I teach healing.
Go to the rock shop or google hematite.
It is a black rock.
Look for a necklace or large piece.
It pulls bad negative energy out of you and removes bad feelings you can’t remove any other way.
When the crystals feel heavy, clear the energy out of them
By smudging or laying on another bigger crystal. Or pile of crystals.
I wore a necklace for 6 days, I HAD to take it off at day 6.
It felt like it weighed 5 pounds.
Now I have many pieces.
Another thing this crystal does is create a zone around you. People entering the zone treat you nicer!!!
How cool is that???
Enjoy, Bright Wings

Jump to this post

If you are going thru menopause or have gone thru it, Red Clover Tea May be for you.
Call or go into the health food store and ask questions, share symptoms. Ask for products.
Trust your gut!!!

REPLY
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @ercoled57 "My blood pressure is elevated and has been since I started taking it. In the past..." + (show)
@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.

Jump to this post

I’m a person with typically low BP and mine got elevated, too, while on Effexor. Definite correlation. Also weight gain.

I’ve been taking zoloft and Seroquel for a couple months now and, BP and weight haven’t changed. This is a good thing!

REPLY
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @kbmayo "Curious as to what anti-anxiety and anti-depression meds you're on. I've had to go back on,..." + (show)
@kbmayo

Curious as to what anti-anxiety and anti-depression meds you're on. I've had to go back on, too, and while it's ok, it isn't great. However, it took some experimentation to get to this point, so I'm reluctant to ask to try anything else. And c'est la vie?? Indeed -- for me, too!

Jump to this post

I’m on the lowest dose of Zoloft in the morning and the lowest dose of Seroquel at night. It’s been working out great. Doc is convinced I am bipolar. Effexor worked fine for me for about 20 years, but I’m 51 and have had hormonal changes I thought would allow me to go back to being med free... no such luck.

But, little side effects on the meds I’m now taking. Which is great.

REPLY
sheffieldsmith | @sheffieldsmith | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @ercoled57 "I would like to do it by smaller increments however the EFFEXOR XR are in capsule..." + (show)
@ercoled57

I would like to do it by smaller increments however the EFFEXOR XR are in capsule form and the smallest capsule size is 37.5 mg. The doctors won't order the regular Effexor since I've been on Effexor XR for so long. They said that switching from one to the other can be as difficult as tapering down.

Jump to this post

If you can taper successfully down to a daily 37.50mg tab of Effexor (generic form is Venlafaxine) without any noticeable side effects, then you could try cutting the tabs in quarters with an exacto knife blade and take 3/4 tab for two weeks, then taper to 1/2 for two weeks, and continue until you have gotten down to 1/4 tab for a couple of weeks. I followed this plan and I made it successfully without any major side effects in my final tapering off. Good luck in finding the slow taper that works for you!

REPLY
1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @sheffieldsmith "If you can taper successfully down to a daily 37.50mg tab of Effexor (generic form is..." + (show)
@sheffieldsmith

If you can taper successfully down to a daily 37.50mg tab of Effexor (generic form is Venlafaxine) without any noticeable side effects, then you could try cutting the tabs in quarters with an exacto knife blade and take 3/4 tab for two weeks, then taper to 1/2 for two weeks, and continue until you have gotten down to 1/4 tab for a couple of weeks. I followed this plan and I made it successfully without any major side effects in my final tapering off. Good luck in finding the slow taper that works for you!

Jump to this post

@sheffieldsmith
She is taking a capsule and her doc won’t prescribe tablets.
Jake

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.