Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Is your doctor part of this plan??
I didn’t tell my docs one thing but I was an RN with knowledge of all the parts of hospital units, both for physical and mental illnesses, cuz I worked them as a rent a nurse.
I went to the doc November, ‘18, after my stroke. All lab tests normal. So after reading the effects of withdrawal in March of ‘19, I realized I did it to myself. Nightmares.
And I have completely recovered. Why, cuz you can’t keep a good girl down and I am the energizer bunny.

I do wonder if the cbd would have prevented it. It releases my body and mind so much. Bright Wings

Jake can you honestly say you have seen a symptom free withdrawal???

@brightwings
I haven’t actually seen it but I believe it’s reasonable to expect a symptom free taper if it’s slow enough but people aren’t willing to go slow. Some take this drug for years or decades at a high dose and expect to be symptom free in a matter of months. Not likely to happen. There may be some out there that were able to quit quickly with no problems.
Jake

I vaguely remember coming here after finally figuring out why I was feeling so bad was from the withdrawal.
I was an incredible mess, that’s for sure. I’m really flying now!!!

Hi, @suzannetherese - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It sounds hard to be trying to function while having the nausea with flu like symptoms, aching all over, sleep interruptions, tiredness and dry mouth.

Here are a few items that may be useful for you:
-Information on getting started on Mayo Clinic Connect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/

- Mayo Clinic information on CBD https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-is-cbd-safe-to-use/ and https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd-products-hemp-oil-may-be-helpful-but-more-research-is-needed-mayo-clinic-review-says/

I'd suggest talking with your doctor before using CBD. You might also check with a pharmacist. Has your doctor given you a schedule for your taper?

Question....exactly how do you reduce Effexor xr? I’d like to get off of it. Thanks. As far as dreaming, that is a highly individual event. I’m on 75 mg. Effexor, and I don’t dream very much at all.

I wish I knew how to stop dreaming. If anyone hold the secret please share. As to reducing from Effexor 75 mg I’m not sure how. I would ask my doctor first or my pharmacist.

Anyone experiencing dreaming a lot every night while lowering dosage of Effexor xr ?

Hello, @suzannetherese - I wanted to let you know I moved your post about dreaming a lot every night while lowering the dosage of venlafaxine (Effexor) here to this larger discussion of tapering off this medication so that you can interact with many others here like @grandmar @brightwings @sandij @kdo0827 @notaround and others.

Are these dreams pleasant or unpleasant? Are they affecting you sleep?