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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@farmboy

I do a little farming. Mainly deal with horses and truck when I can. Yes I've seen alot of commercial about farmers and depression. The way the farm economy is there is farmers taking their own lives around here. Very sad.

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Hi, @farmboy - how are you doing? Thinking of you today.

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@lisalucier

Hi, @farmboy - how are you doing? Thinking of you today.

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@farmboy, please come check in with us. How are you doing? That was a pretty tough withdrawal.

Funny, I was thinking about you today also.
You did not have the easiest time either.
Please come check in with us.

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I was thinking about @farmboy too

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@lisalucier

I get it, @laujenkins, that you don't want to miss out on the life of your little toddler and at a critical period when activity becomes a big thing for them. We called one of our children "the destroyer" at that age, cause he could not walk by a bookcase without knocking down the books or swiping at something along his path.

How are you feeling today?

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Feeling good the last few days! Still some withdrawal symptoms but nothing I can’t manage. Decreased a small amount tonight again, going to see how I am tomorrow! I will keep everyone posted.

Thanks for the message!

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@laujenkins

Feeling good the last few days! Still some withdrawal symptoms but nothing I can’t manage. Decreased a small amount tonight again, going to see how I am tomorrow! I will keep everyone posted.

Thanks for the message!

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Good, keep checking in because we really do care.

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@brightwings

Good, keep checking in because we really do care.

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Thank you so much!!

Decreased dosage by 12.5 mg again on Wednesday evening, currently taking 25 mg. Down from 75mg. Definitely felt withdrawal effects Thursday morning and Friday before bed. Headaches are more apparent during the day and nausea comes in waves. Nothing I can’t handle. I’ve been taking Advil and Ginger chews to help and it definitely has!

In regard to withdrawal, I feel the headaches and nausea. I do have minor brain zaps, but only minor, I’ve felt more intense ones before. I cry at silly things maybe once a day (no big deal). Also feel like I am eating a lot more and can’t control stopping right now. I definitely need to watch that! Overall, definitely manageable! Every day feels better! Will reduce to 12.5 mg next week!

I honestly do feel better overall, I think about how I feel without the withdrawal symptoms and it’s fantastic. Not as tired, more energy, not foggy, more engaged in conversations. More playful with daughter and more “get up and go” attitude!

Very happy about everything! One step at a time! One day closer to being medication free 💜

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@laujenkins

Thank you so much!!

Decreased dosage by 12.5 mg again on Wednesday evening, currently taking 25 mg. Down from 75mg. Definitely felt withdrawal effects Thursday morning and Friday before bed. Headaches are more apparent during the day and nausea comes in waves. Nothing I can’t handle. I’ve been taking Advil and Ginger chews to help and it definitely has!

In regard to withdrawal, I feel the headaches and nausea. I do have minor brain zaps, but only minor, I’ve felt more intense ones before. I cry at silly things maybe once a day (no big deal). Also feel like I am eating a lot more and can’t control stopping right now. I definitely need to watch that! Overall, definitely manageable! Every day feels better! Will reduce to 12.5 mg next week!

I honestly do feel better overall, I think about how I feel without the withdrawal symptoms and it’s fantastic. Not as tired, more energy, not foggy, more engaged in conversations. More playful with daughter and more “get up and go” attitude!

Very happy about everything! One step at a time! One day closer to being medication free 💜

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Fourth day into the new dosage of 25mg. Yesterday I was a little concerned because I’ve been binge eating a lot! I looked up on “Dr. Google” and it looks like Effexor has been used to help treat people with binge eating disorders.
I don’t know if I’m just freaking myself out, but does anyone know if being on a medication can create a problem that it is supposed to treat? (Idk if this is a stupid question), thought I’d just ask.
I feel like the withdrawal is getting a lot better, however, I’m still moody, can definitely be more irritated throughout the day. I feel like I’m very one extreme to the other, for example, if mu house is messy I’m like “meh, It’s not a big deal” and ignore it, but them get into a spirt where I get so anxious and upset because I have to have is all cleaned RIGHT NOW.
I feel like I need to talk myself to myself a lot, more like self meditation to remind myself to just breathe and relax.

Overall, when I do sit down and think about how I feel I am happy about it. I’m still happy about my decision and confident this is the right choice for me.

Looking forward to hearing people’s thoughts! 💜

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@laujenkins

Fourth day into the new dosage of 25mg. Yesterday I was a little concerned because I’ve been binge eating a lot! I looked up on “Dr. Google” and it looks like Effexor has been used to help treat people with binge eating disorders.
I don’t know if I’m just freaking myself out, but does anyone know if being on a medication can create a problem that it is supposed to treat? (Idk if this is a stupid question), thought I’d just ask.
I feel like the withdrawal is getting a lot better, however, I’m still moody, can definitely be more irritated throughout the day. I feel like I’m very one extreme to the other, for example, if mu house is messy I’m like “meh, It’s not a big deal” and ignore it, but them get into a spirt where I get so anxious and upset because I have to have is all cleaned RIGHT NOW.
I feel like I need to talk myself to myself a lot, more like self meditation to remind myself to just breathe and relax.

Overall, when I do sit down and think about how I feel I am happy about it. I’m still happy about my decision and confident this is the right choice for me.

Looking forward to hearing people’s thoughts! 💜

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Applause, applause, applause.
Smiling at you.
Yup, you are definitely in withdrawal. I'm not being sassy either.
Please dont worry about the eating right now. You are taking away something that was very important to your brain and allowed you to function well.
I understand both extremes.
Just go with the flow. You are succeeding, even if it doesn't feel like it. Bright Wings

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@laujenkins

Fourth day into the new dosage of 25mg. Yesterday I was a little concerned because I’ve been binge eating a lot! I looked up on “Dr. Google” and it looks like Effexor has been used to help treat people with binge eating disorders.
I don’t know if I’m just freaking myself out, but does anyone know if being on a medication can create a problem that it is supposed to treat? (Idk if this is a stupid question), thought I’d just ask.
I feel like the withdrawal is getting a lot better, however, I’m still moody, can definitely be more irritated throughout the day. I feel like I’m very one extreme to the other, for example, if mu house is messy I’m like “meh, It’s not a big deal” and ignore it, but them get into a spirt where I get so anxious and upset because I have to have is all cleaned RIGHT NOW.
I feel like I need to talk myself to myself a lot, more like self meditation to remind myself to just breathe and relax.

Overall, when I do sit down and think about how I feel I am happy about it. I’m still happy about my decision and confident this is the right choice for me.

Looking forward to hearing people’s thoughts! 💜

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Listen to Brightwings 🙂

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@brightwings

Applause, applause, applause.
Smiling at you.
Yup, you are definitely in withdrawal. I'm not being sassy either.
Please dont worry about the eating right now. You are taking away something that was very important to your brain and allowed you to function well.
I understand both extremes.
Just go with the flow. You are succeeding, even if it doesn't feel like it. Bright Wings

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Thank you for this!

Definitely the words of encouragement I needed!

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