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

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Oct 17, 2019

Thanks for coming jake. BW

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zapped | @zapped | Oct 18, 2019
In reply to @brightwings "Bright Wings here with you. Thank you for being so clear about what is going on...." + (show)
@brightwings

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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Thank you @brightwings and @jakedduck1 I feel like a total mess today as well. The version of the medication I have is a capsule with the granules inside so I can’t quarter them sadly. I’m in Sweden and for some reason in our drugs database, we seem to only have the capsule form in stock. I do have my own vegetable caps, but no way to measure out the contents of each capsule. Our drug database also doesn’t state if the capsules can be divided. I’m 46, the doctors aren’t clear if I’m in any phase of Menopause.

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Oct 18, 2019

@zapped welcome.
You didn’t mention what dosage you are on.
I mention menopause, there is a great fix for low estrogen. Go to the health food store, pick up red clover tea. Steep in boiling water for 10 minutes. I add a scant tsp of honey as it steeps. Drink hot or cold.
Ah, it makes me feel so much better.
Ok now CBD will also help a bunch. Like a lot a bunch. To help you feel much better. With out the CBD, oh man I was a complete mess!!!! I probably would of had to go back on the meds.
It doesn’t matter if you have capsules. Almost better, cuz you can open them, count out the dosage of pellets you want to reduce your dosage that way.
@jakedduck1
Now to all who monitor this site, I am headed to my Tribal Ceremony tomorrow. Someone else step up, ok???
Bright Wings

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1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 18, 2019
In reply to @zapped "Thank you @brightwings and @jakedduck1 I feel like a total mess today as well. The version..." + (show)
@zapped

Thank you @brightwings and @jakedduck1 I feel like a total mess today as well. The version of the medication I have is a capsule with the granules inside so I can’t quarter them sadly. I’m in Sweden and for some reason in our drugs database, we seem to only have the capsule form in stock. I do have my own vegetable caps, but no way to measure out the contents of each capsule. Our drug database also doesn’t state if the capsules can be divided. I’m 46, the doctors aren’t clear if I’m in any phase of Menopause.

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@zapped
There are people here much more knowledgeable than me, especially when it comes to reducing the beads. Hopefully one will help you to reduce your dose by removing beads. Do it VERY VERY SLOWLY!
Jake

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2 replies
doorman | @doorman | Oct 18, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@zapped There are people here much more knowledgeable than me, especially when it comes to reducing..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@zapped
There are people here much more knowledgeable than me, especially when it comes to reducing the beads. Hopefully one will help you to reduce your dose by removing beads. Do it VERY VERY SLOWLY!
Jake

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How slow is SLOWLY?

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3 replies
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Oct 18, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@zapped There are people here much more knowledgeable than me, especially when it comes to reducing..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@zapped
There are people here much more knowledgeable than me, especially when it comes to reducing the beads. Hopefully one will help you to reduce your dose by removing beads. Do it VERY VERY SLOWLY!
Jake

Jump to this post

Jake, can you call them please.

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Oct 18, 2019

We don’t know your dosage yet. How can we say???

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 18, 2019
In reply to @doorman "How slow is SLOWLY?" + (show)
@doorman

How slow is SLOWLY?

Jump to this post

@doorman
Most seem to do well reducing 5-10% of you last dose amount. Of course different people react differently. I've read of people stopping cold turkey with no problems but wouldn't chance it myself. A compounding pharmacy would be the best option but may not be covered by insurance. The is a place in Europe that makes tapering kits. I'll look back and try to get that info for you.
Do you usually have problems stopping medication?
Jake

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2 replies
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 18, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@doorman Most seem to do well reducing 5-10% of you last dose amount. Of course different..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@doorman
Most seem to do well reducing 5-10% of you last dose amount. Of course different people react differently. I've read of people stopping cold turkey with no problems but wouldn't chance it myself. A compounding pharmacy would be the best option but may not be covered by insurance. The is a place in Europe that makes tapering kits. I'll look back and try to get that info for you.
Do you usually have problems stopping medication?
Jake

Jump to this post

@doorman
Here is some info on it.
https://www.madinamerica.com/2018/05/tapering-strips-help-people-discontinue-antidepressants/
The company is in the Netherlands called Cinderella Therapeutics.
Jake

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