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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sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | Feb 6, 2020

Six months and then I reinstated. Things are better now.

REPLY
rainer | @rainer | Feb 6, 2020
In reply to @laujenkins "Hi Lisa, I am new to the group and mayo clinic.I was unsure how to post..." + (show)
@laujenkins

Hi Lisa, I am new to the group and mayo clinic.I was unsure how to post a new conversation in this specific topic, so I just added my comment here. I found this discussion and was very excited to see more people wanting to get off Effexor.
I am working on tapering off and able to deal with the lower side effects.
My biggest question that I was unable to find in this discussion was after people tapered off Effexor and ended up not taking it anymore, how long did it take them for the side effects of withdrawal to stop? 1 week? A month? (I understand it is different for everyone, but just looking for other experiences)

Thank you!

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I'd like to let you know about about a website that has been an immeasurable help to me - it is survivingantidepressants.org. There are two books by Robert Whitaker - Anatomy of an Epidemic and Mad in America - that are also helpful. As well as a podcast called Mad in America. https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/ - Best of luck - there is NO quick fix to getting off any of these drugs. The slower and lower the taper - the less withdrawal side effects you will have. The above website gives specific instructions on how to titrate different drugs.

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2 replies
sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | Feb 6, 2020

Those are both excellent resources, @rainer , thanks for posting!
This is another good one: https://withdrawal.theinnercompass.org/

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laujenkins | @laujenkins | Feb 6, 2020
In reply to @rainer "I'd like to let you know about about a website that has been an immeasurable help..." + (show)
@rainer

I'd like to let you know about about a website that has been an immeasurable help to me - it is survivingantidepressants.org. There are two books by Robert Whitaker - Anatomy of an Epidemic and Mad in America - that are also helpful. As well as a podcast called Mad in America. https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/ - Best of luck - there is NO quick fix to getting off any of these drugs. The slower and lower the taper - the less withdrawal side effects you will have. The above website gives specific instructions on how to titrate different drugs.

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Thank you so much! I will look into these resources!

REPLY
laujenkins | @laujenkins | Feb 7, 2020
In reply to @rainer "I'd like to let you know about about a website that has been an immeasurable help..." + (show)
@rainer

I'd like to let you know about about a website that has been an immeasurable help to me - it is survivingantidepressants.org. There are two books by Robert Whitaker - Anatomy of an Epidemic and Mad in America - that are also helpful. As well as a podcast called Mad in America. https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/ - Best of luck - there is NO quick fix to getting off any of these drugs. The slower and lower the taper - the less withdrawal side effects you will have. The above website gives specific instructions on how to titrate different drugs.

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Hi all,

Second day decreasing my meds in half. Down from 75mg to 37.5 mg. Minor withdrawals. I actually feel more energetic and less tired throughout the day. Had some mood swings yesterday but really kept myself busy and felt good.

My question is, is there a time line where getting off Effexor is too fast? Is it just the withdrawal symptoms people are concerned about? What other concerns are there with coming off Effexor too quickly? Is it just a “everyone is different” kind of process?

Thank you for your tips and feedback!

REPLY
3 replies
sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | Feb 7, 2020
In reply to @laujenkins "Hi all, Second day decreasing my meds in half. Down from 75mg to 37.5 mg. Minor..." + (show)
@laujenkins

Hi all,

Second day decreasing my meds in half. Down from 75mg to 37.5 mg. Minor withdrawals. I actually feel more energetic and less tired throughout the day. Had some mood swings yesterday but really kept myself busy and felt good.

My question is, is there a time line where getting off Effexor is too fast? Is it just the withdrawal symptoms people are concerned about? What other concerns are there with coming off Effexor too quickly? Is it just a “everyone is different” kind of process?

Thank you for your tips and feedback!

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Besides avoiding any physical dangers from stopping, which it doesn't sound like you are doing, I would think the biggest risk would be the possibility of relapse into the condition that you originally had (anxiety, depression)

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Feb 7, 2020
In reply to @laujenkins "Hi all, Second day decreasing my meds in half. Down from 75mg to 37.5 mg. Minor..." + (show)
@laujenkins

Hi all,

Second day decreasing my meds in half. Down from 75mg to 37.5 mg. Minor withdrawals. I actually feel more energetic and less tired throughout the day. Had some mood swings yesterday but really kept myself busy and felt good.

My question is, is there a time line where getting off Effexor is too fast? Is it just the withdrawal symptoms people are concerned about? What other concerns are there with coming off Effexor too quickly? Is it just a “everyone is different” kind of process?

Thank you for your tips and feedback!

Jump to this post

Hello, now the folks who keep coming and answering are speaking truth.
Get to reading past accounts of withdrawal.
I, myself had a full on stroke from withdrawing too quickly.
This is your withdrawal and your life.
Be proactive and read what happened to others.
Or Suffer, like so many others have.
Bright Wings

REPLY
laujenkins | @laujenkins | Feb 7, 2020
In reply to @sandij "Besides avoiding any physical dangers from stopping, which it doesn't sound like you are doing, I..." + (show)
@sandij

Besides avoiding any physical dangers from stopping, which it doesn't sound like you are doing, I would think the biggest risk would be the possibility of relapse into the condition that you originally had (anxiety, depression)

Jump to this post

Into the full second day of tapering off my Effexor. Today I wasn’t able to get a full workout in and didn’t stick to my meal plan as usual. Noticed today was more difficult with my mood swings, emotional, more impatient. These were symptoms close to 23 or so hours after my dose, so I was thinking it’s just getting out of my system. Nothing I’m too worried about, very minor on the withdrawal scale. I found a great article on tapering off with charts and schedules on timelines.

Thanks for letting me log my journey!

Shared files

PIIS1042099116301724 (PIIS1042099116301724.pdf)

REPLY
1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Feb 7, 2020
In reply to @laujenkins "Into the full second day of tapering off my Effexor. Today I wasn’t able to get..." + (show)
@laujenkins

Into the full second day of tapering off my Effexor. Today I wasn’t able to get a full workout in and didn’t stick to my meal plan as usual. Noticed today was more difficult with my mood swings, emotional, more impatient. These were symptoms close to 23 or so hours after my dose, so I was thinking it’s just getting out of my system. Nothing I’m too worried about, very minor on the withdrawal scale. I found a great article on tapering off with charts and schedules on timelines.

Thanks for letting me log my journey!

Jump to this post

Start with some chamomile tea thru the day for your impatience.
It works. Bright Wings

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