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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Yes, I had very profound dreams while going cold turkey from venlafaxine.
One was such a bad nightmare, I couldn’t wake up out of it, this caused my stoke. I have completely recovered from it except for missing brain cells.
Share what your dosage is currently and when your last drop was, please.
We are with you GF. Bright Wings

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@suzannetherese

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.

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Wait last time we spoke you were on 150 mg. When did you drop again. This is way too big a drop.
Have you found the method of breaking out the capsules and counting beads??
I am calling @jakedduck1
He is the expert on reducing safely.

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No, no ! Bright wings....I’m still on 150 mg. I will not go lower for a long while after feeling the way I did. But I still have lots of crazy dreams.

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Did you read the withdrawal symptoms???
Which ones are you relating to right now?
Changes recently???

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See kid, this team is on it. It’s a well flowing stream.

Wow, 318 pages here now. I think there were 141 pages here when I started.

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Hey @richyrich were you able to finally get off Venlafaxine? I was on this med at the 150 mg dose for about two years and have stepped down to 37,5 mg for about 6 months because I was afraid to stop take no it because I was constantly getting that brain zap, fluttering, and walking into walls from the dizzy feelings. I also experienced a great deal of nightmares and night terrors. Last week I was told I should be able to stop and he 37,5 mg dose, but I feel quite awful from it. Two days after I stopped, I almost fell getting into the shower and held on to the wall to keep from falling down. Now I still have that brain fluttering feeling, dizziness (especially with faster neck movements or eye movement), insomnia, nightmares, and night terrors as well. I feel as I’m trapped in a brain fog or haze. I never had an issue quitting Zoloft, which I was on for over 10 years but stopped when they finally figured out that the debilitating daily nausea I felt was because of Zoloft. Because of the experience with trying to get off Venlafaxine, I never want another daily depression medication EVER! I’m also angry that my psych doctor was so quick to get me on this medication and I was never warned once about how bad it could be trying to stop it. I was going to research if using herbal medicine, teas, or tinctures would help in the detoxification process, but will consult a specialist in herbal medicine first.

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Bright Wings here with you. Thank you for being so clear about what is going on.
Yes, I was on 150 mg of Effexor for 33 years. I am completely off it just short of 2 years now.
This IS DOABLE.
WE are a team here. So listen to us cuz we been together a long time now.
Ok, my suggestion, get back on the 37.5 today. And everyday for a bit. Let’s get you stable again then we can start cutting those tabs in quarters.
That will lessen the side effect sooo much.
@jakedduck1 is the authority on safest way to get off this stuff. At least in my eyes.
Welcome and let’s work together to get you feeling better. Most of us are volunteers.
Welcome, let’s see if we can help you feel better.
Bright Wings

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@zapped

Hey @richyrich were you able to finally get off Venlafaxine? I was on this med at the 150 mg dose for about two years and have stepped down to 37,5 mg for about 6 months because I was afraid to stop take no it because I was constantly getting that brain zap, fluttering, and walking into walls from the dizzy feelings. I also experienced a great deal of nightmares and night terrors. Last week I was told I should be able to stop and he 37,5 mg dose, but I feel quite awful from it. Two days after I stopped, I almost fell getting into the shower and held on to the wall to keep from falling down. Now I still have that brain fluttering feeling, dizziness (especially with faster neck movements or eye movement), insomnia, nightmares, and night terrors as well. I feel as I’m trapped in a brain fog or haze. I never had an issue quitting Zoloft, which I was on for over 10 years but stopped when they finally figured out that the debilitating daily nausea I felt was because of Zoloft. Because of the experience with trying to get off Venlafaxine, I never want another daily depression medication EVER! I’m also angry that my psych doctor was so quick to get me on this medication and I was never warned once about how bad it could be trying to stop it. I was going to research if using herbal medicine, teas, or tinctures would help in the detoxification process, but will consult a specialist in herbal medicine first.

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How old are you??? Menopause??

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