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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bonny2020 | @bonny2020 | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @flind "I'm on day 12 - venlafaxine free. The adjustments continue. I no longer have 'cotton-wool brain'..." + (show)
@flind

I'm on day 12 - venlafaxine free. The adjustments continue. I no longer have 'cotton-wool brain' but it still feels like my brain is working very hard to re-wire itself... fatigue and scatterbrain are the 'new norm' today & yesterday. I'm keeping on my supplements & exercise - praying for all the little synapses & dendrites to make the right connections again!

Jump to this post

That's great, keep it up

REPLY
sl144er | @sl144er | Mar 3, 2020

I’ve been taking EffexorXR 75mg for 6 or 7 years now and recently spoke with my PCP about discontinuing the drug. He said it was up to me and said the safest way would be to just stop. He said trying to discontinue by taking a pill every other day or decreasing the dosage could create more problems and actually be dangerous. He advised that if I did decide to discontinue, it would be best to pick a timeframe when I didn’t have a lot going on (or something to that effect). I didn’t ask how long it would take...dumb me...had no idea that withdrawal would be this miserable. I thought it might take 3 or 4 days before the effects wore off. I’m now on day 5 of “cold turkey” and not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel yet. Headache, queasiness, itching, brain fog, weepy spells, vertigo, digestive upsets, etc...

I was beginning to think I had the flu but decided to research Effexor withdrawal first to see if there was any information available. OMG. In some ways it’s reassuring to know what’s going on, but in other ways, I’m really worried about what I’ve learned and am wondering how long this horrible feeling might last. A lot of what I’ve read says it could take months to completely get through it.

Any others going the cold turkey route? Would love to hear from you.

REPLY
4 replies
sl144er | @sl144er | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @flind "I'm on day 12 - venlafaxine free. The adjustments continue. I no longer have 'cotton-wool brain'..." + (show)
@flind

I'm on day 12 - venlafaxine free. The adjustments continue. I no longer have 'cotton-wool brain' but it still feels like my brain is working very hard to re-wire itself... fatigue and scatterbrain are the 'new norm' today & yesterday. I'm keeping on my supplements & exercise - praying for all the little synapses & dendrites to make the right connections again!

Jump to this post

Did you taper off or just stop all at once?

REPLY
sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @sl144er "I’ve been taking EffexorXR 75mg for 6 or 7 years now and recently spoke with my..." + (show)
@sl144er

I’ve been taking EffexorXR 75mg for 6 or 7 years now and recently spoke with my PCP about discontinuing the drug. He said it was up to me and said the safest way would be to just stop. He said trying to discontinue by taking a pill every other day or decreasing the dosage could create more problems and actually be dangerous. He advised that if I did decide to discontinue, it would be best to pick a timeframe when I didn’t have a lot going on (or something to that effect). I didn’t ask how long it would take...dumb me...had no idea that withdrawal would be this miserable. I thought it might take 3 or 4 days before the effects wore off. I’m now on day 5 of “cold turkey” and not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel yet. Headache, queasiness, itching, brain fog, weepy spells, vertigo, digestive upsets, etc...

I was beginning to think I had the flu but decided to research Effexor withdrawal first to see if there was any information available. OMG. In some ways it’s reassuring to know what’s going on, but in other ways, I’m really worried about what I’ve learned and am wondering how long this horrible feeling might last. A lot of what I’ve read says it could take months to completely get through it.

Any others going the cold turkey route? Would love to hear from you.

Jump to this post

@sl144er reinstate at 75 mg until your symptoms are gone, then if you want off, start a very slow taper, and please don't listen to that doctor!

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1 reply
laujenkins | @laujenkins | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @flind "I'm on day 12 - venlafaxine free. The adjustments continue. I no longer have 'cotton-wool brain'..." + (show)
@flind

I'm on day 12 - venlafaxine free. The adjustments continue. I no longer have 'cotton-wool brain' but it still feels like my brain is working very hard to re-wire itself... fatigue and scatterbrain are the 'new norm' today & yesterday. I'm keeping on my supplements & exercise - praying for all the little synapses & dendrites to make the right connections again!

Jump to this post

So interesting how you say it feels like your brain is rewiring! As soon as I read that I thought, that’s exactly what it feels like! Scatter brain for sure for me too! I’ve been almost walking into a lot of things too. So I definitely need to be careful! 😂

REPLY
laujenkins | @laujenkins | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @sl144er "I’ve been taking EffexorXR 75mg for 6 or 7 years now and recently spoke with my..." + (show)
@sl144er

I’ve been taking EffexorXR 75mg for 6 or 7 years now and recently spoke with my PCP about discontinuing the drug. He said it was up to me and said the safest way would be to just stop. He said trying to discontinue by taking a pill every other day or decreasing the dosage could create more problems and actually be dangerous. He advised that if I did decide to discontinue, it would be best to pick a timeframe when I didn’t have a lot going on (or something to that effect). I didn’t ask how long it would take...dumb me...had no idea that withdrawal would be this miserable. I thought it might take 3 or 4 days before the effects wore off. I’m now on day 5 of “cold turkey” and not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel yet. Headache, queasiness, itching, brain fog, weepy spells, vertigo, digestive upsets, etc...

I was beginning to think I had the flu but decided to research Effexor withdrawal first to see if there was any information available. OMG. In some ways it’s reassuring to know what’s going on, but in other ways, I’m really worried about what I’ve learned and am wondering how long this horrible feeling might last. A lot of what I’ve read says it could take months to completely get through it.

Any others going the cold turkey route? Would love to hear from you.

Jump to this post

Didn’t go the cold turkey route, I wouldn’t have been able to do it! I have a daughter that I need to take care of and was worried of the incapacitation the withdrawal brings!
I’ve read that it’s honestly different for everyone. Also, being in this group, it seems to be the consensus. Some people have gotten through it quickly and others have taken months!
I’m so sorry your going through all this! You’re definitely in the right group for support!
Some things that really helped me was, definitely this group - reading and taking about this makes me feel like I’m not crazy! Staying around home and in a safe feeling environment! It’s been about 6 days since I’ve been out for a longer period of my house! I also have been taking a large dosage of omegas and b 12!
Maybe if it gets too much maybe add a small dose back in until your body gets used to it?
I tapered about 12.5 mg a per week and even coming off 12.5 mg to 0 was intense.

I’m on day 6 and definitely starting to feel better!

I really hope you start to feel better soon! Please keep us updated and reach out for any support!

REPLY
laujenkins | @laujenkins | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @sandij "@sl144er reinstate at 75 mg until your symptoms are gone, then if you want off, start..." + (show)
@sandij

@sl144er reinstate at 75 mg until your symptoms are gone, then if you want off, start a very slow taper, and please don't listen to that doctor!

Jump to this post

I’m not a doctor, but I completely agree!! Don’t listen to that doctor!

REPLY
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Mar 4, 2020
In reply to @sl144er "I’ve been taking EffexorXR 75mg for 6 or 7 years now and recently spoke with my..." + (show)
@sl144er

I’ve been taking EffexorXR 75mg for 6 or 7 years now and recently spoke with my PCP about discontinuing the drug. He said it was up to me and said the safest way would be to just stop. He said trying to discontinue by taking a pill every other day or decreasing the dosage could create more problems and actually be dangerous. He advised that if I did decide to discontinue, it would be best to pick a timeframe when I didn’t have a lot going on (or something to that effect). I didn’t ask how long it would take...dumb me...had no idea that withdrawal would be this miserable. I thought it might take 3 or 4 days before the effects wore off. I’m now on day 5 of “cold turkey” and not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel yet. Headache, queasiness, itching, brain fog, weepy spells, vertigo, digestive upsets, etc...

I was beginning to think I had the flu but decided to research Effexor withdrawal first to see if there was any information available. OMG. In some ways it’s reassuring to know what’s going on, but in other ways, I’m really worried about what I’ve learned and am wondering how long this horrible feeling might last. A lot of what I’ve read says it could take months to completely get through it.

Any others going the cold turkey route? Would love to hear from you.

Jump to this post

Why are doctors advising this? It’s terrifying.

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1 reply
sears | @sears | Mar 4, 2020
In reply to @secretwhitepop "Why are doctors advising this? It’s terrifying." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

Why are doctors advising this? It’s terrifying.

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Because benzodiazepines and antidepressants have been found to be very dangerous drugs. Doctors are yanking their patients off benzos right and left regardless of the consequences. They like replacing the Benzos with antidepressants. Anti depressants have their own horrible short term and long term side effects and horrible withdrawals. This is all getting really pitiful for those of us who suffer with debilitating anxiety and depression.

REPLY
1 reply
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Mar 4, 2020
In reply to @sears "Because benzodiazepines and antidepressants have been found to be very dangerous drugs. Doctors are yanking their..." + (show)
@sears

Because benzodiazepines and antidepressants have been found to be very dangerous drugs. Doctors are yanking their patients off benzos right and left regardless of the consequences. They like replacing the Benzos with antidepressants. Anti depressants have their own horrible short term and long term side effects and horrible withdrawals. This is all getting really pitiful for those of us who suffer with debilitating anxiety and depression.

Jump to this post

Doctors have to chill and realize they’re not God. There are so many il-informed people who put theirs trust in these folks! That being said, I also understand the pressures doctors are under to yank these drugs AND keep a high client base. (I understand but don’t condone)

It’s a sad state of affairs.

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