Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

I have been weaning myself off of Effexor for the last six weeks. I have been taking it for 24 years. I had no idea how hard this would be. I decreased my dose every seven days and had headaches, dizziness, and zaps for a few days each time I decreased. I took my last dose on Saturday. I thought I would have only a few days of symptoms. I have had constant headaches, dizziness, and the zaps are almost constant. This is the first day I am going to try to get out. I am so glad I found this thread, just to know I’m not alone. I am very active and people have no idea what we go through when we try to gain some control over our lives. I had no idea how much this drug was controlling how I think, feel, and how numb I was to normal emotions. I normally don’t post on any sites, but the support each of you are giving others in sharing your most personal experiences is something I want to be a part of. So glad not to be as alone as I thought!

Hi, @cp6401 - good to hear you are much better.

A couple of other Connect threads you might want to check out include:

- Long-term depression https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/long-term-depression

- Best antidepressants for anxiety https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/antidepressants-and-benzo-taper

- Going off citalopram (Celexa) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/going-off-citalopram

When you mention TRT, are you referring to testosterone therapy like that described in this Mayo Clinic article https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728?

Wow, I didn’t think there was that many ppl who have been on anti depressants for so long. That fact that I’ve been on for that long makes me feel alone and wondering if I’ll ever recover or be able to live without them.. I too, have been weaning myself off of Effexor, although I’ve been on many Different anti depressants. Personally I want to get off because I feel like it’s marking me worse.. creating mood drops and keeping my perception surreal... I also get anxiety for no apparent reason. (Pretty good at this as I have ocd, I got pretty good at picking off my triggers over the years..)..is this crazy? Can I ask what is your reason for wanting to quit? Or anyone for that matter? What’s your reasons to quit? I’d be interested in hearing from anyone but especially those who have been on for more than 10years..

Thanks so much

I have recently found a joy in my spiritual growth that I have never felt. I want to experience life as myself with no chemicals to change who I am or who I am becoming. I have a growing personal relationship with Christ and I find that for a long time I have given to much control to mankind and medication to solving my life’s problems. I am a recently retired RN. Most people would be surprised at the number of medical professionals are on antidepressants. It’s so easy to go into a Drs office with problems that are never discovered, but only symptoms which are controlled or covered up with a pill. For the first time in my adult life I am working on myself. This has been very difficult, but I am determined to see it through. Please don’t think that I believe that medication is not a good solution to mental health issues. For me, I just want to find out who I am after all of these years of taking a drug that has a direct effect on my brain chemicals. I hope you can find some inspiration from my story. I understand how you feel when you say your perception is surreal.

I can completely relate to everything you are saying. On my quest to do the same I decided to taper off effexor as I'd been on it for over 20 years. Unfortunately I went too fast, suffered for six months, reinstated, and am still not myself. I'm back up to 150 mg and got put on buspar as well. I am not myself. Ironic that on my desire to become the real me, I'm now further from that goal than ever. I just try to hold hope that it's all in gods plan. Praying for you on your journey.

Wow, I didn’t think there was that many ppl who have been on anti depressants for so long. That fact that I’ve been on for that long makes me feel alone and wondering if I’ll ever recover or be able to live without them.. I too, have been weaning myself off of Effexor, although I’ve been on many Different anti depressants. Personally I want to get off because I feel like it’s marking me worse.. creating mood drops and keeping my perception surreal... I also get anxiety for no apparent reason. (Pretty good at this as I have ocd, I got pretty good at picking off my triggers over the years..)..is this crazy? Can I ask what is your reason for wanting to quit? Or anyone for that matter? What’s your reasons to quit? I’d be interested in hearing from anyone but especially those who have been on for more than 10years..

Thanks so much

Oh! I started on zoloft for a few months, then Effexor for the best part of 20 years! Then weened off now back on zoloft. And nope, don’t feel like myself yet, but I am also suffering from vertigo currently... so that’s a whole other ball of wax!

Oh! I started on zoloft for a few months, then Effexor for the best part of 20 years! Then weened off now back on zoloft. And nope, don’t feel like myself yet, but I am also suffering from vertigo currently... so that’s a whole other ball of wax!