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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (6363)
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@clearview3

I am tapering off Effexor after 17 years and taking Lexapro at the same time to help with the symptoms. I know how difficult Effexor's side effects are if you should miss a dose; I noticed some symptoms are like migraine symptoms. I am experiencing mostly tiredness, pinpoint flashes of bright light, and craving sugar. I have had a general anxiety disorder since adolescence. On the bright side of tapering, I have noticed cognitively, I feel capable of full thought. I am going down to 37.5 in a few days and appreciate the feedback I have read on this site! Here is to all of us feeling better!

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spec | @spec | Nov 15, 2019

I've been taking Effexor for 16 or 17 years. It stopped working 2 years ago. I've been weaning down from 300 mg of Effexor for over a year now. I'm at 37.5 every other day and it's been rough. Flu like symptoms and the electric shocks and of course anxiety. My plan has been wean down a step, hold steady at this dose for 4 weeks, then wean down again, hold stead for 4 weeks etc. I am taking a truck load of other meds to help with the weaning: Cymbalta, Buspirone and Gabapentin. They seem to help. At my current rate, I'll be off Effexor mid Feb 2020. Then hopefully drop some of these other meds after my body adjusts to the new normal. I imagine I'll be taking Cymbalta for like, ever. My problem is anxiety primarily but depression is a close second.

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