Connect
← Return to Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Discussion
Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (6299)Comment receiving replies
Thank you for your comment. What I have done. 5/6 weeks ago I started tapering off, 25 mg at a time and I got down to the last 25mg on apr 20th. I posted in that group and everyone went nuts! and said it was to fast. I started to notice horrible side effects and brain zaps. So I started upping the dose and I am at 3 x 37.5 mg. I am planning to get fully back onto the 150 mg. Is this safe? What I am afraid of is months down the road and feeling worse if I tapper too fast now. I went through some terrible things with Lyrica in the past and getting off of that. I am so scared to get off of this. Now is not the time. Now during covid I feel like I need to be mentally and physically at 100% and weaning now can't let me do that. So my question is... Is it ok to go back onto 150mg/day. I am now at 112.5 mg/day. I just upped this morning 37.5 m to get to 112.5 mg/day. Maybe if I give this 2 weeks can I up again to the full dose.
Replies to "Thank you for your comment. What I have done. 5/6 weeks ago I started tapering off,..."
Please ask your provider if it’s okay to do this.
Connect
I took Effexor for almost 2 years and the reason I stopped was the terrible side effects that are inevitable no matter how you taper off the drug. I was on 150 same as you and went down to 75 then I quit cold turkey. I would eat and it wouldn’t digest Id just throw it all up, weird things in my vision like flashing and yea the brain zaps. When you were on your lowest dosing you’re side effects wouldn’t have lasted longer than 2 to 3 weeks than maybe some side effects that don’t really leave you after taking Effexor. Biggest thing to keep in mind is that no matter How you come at this ur going to feel terrible for alittle bit and you’ll get better. After quitting cold on 75mg... everyone’s different but I would say it all completely went away after a month getting better and better as time went on. This drug has possibly damaged my stomach so anyone with weak stomach lining or weak intestinal walls I don’t think this is healthy for anyone. I got severe bronchitis after 1 and a Half months of being off it and I’m paranoid it has something to do with that as well. I’m scared for anyone taking this as it could damage them long term.