Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

That is new. Hmm. Have to google that condition? We have Viagra what do women take?

@val56 You are on Seroquel, experiencing horrible side effects, and you want help to get off of the medication. It sounds like your provider does not think you should be having withdraw symptoms at your dose. You are looking to members for help/guidance.

Below I have linked three previous discussions related to this topic. You may wish to scroll through the discussion posts.
- Effexor discontinuation symptoms: Missed 2 days (150 mg) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/effexor-discontinuation-symptoms/
- Effexor XR withdrawal symptoms while still taking the same dosage. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/effexor-xr-withdrawal-symptoms-while-still-taking-the-same-dosage/
- Will CBD oil help reduce withdrawal symptoms of tapering down Effexor? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/will-cbd-oil-help-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms-of-tapering-down-effexor/

Members like @vickimurray @doorman @toxavenger @jakedduck1 @brightwings @sandij @texasduchess @notaround @njp1013 have discussed this topic and may be able to offer suggestions.

I do not have medical training but my understanding is that Effexor is notoriously one of the most difficult medications to taper. Have you considered getting a second opinion regarding Effexor withdraw?

Oh, oops. I often look up initials I do not recognize but thought I would just ask; good that things like this can be discussed openly these days.... now I will look for any chat on FI (faecal incontinence) J.

What is the name of the drug that treats ED in Women?

I want to know too!

@sunshinebb Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You started on Effexor 7 months ago and since then you have been experiencing tingling and burning sensations. Members like @karathine99 @doorman @sears @val56 have experience with this topic and may be able to offer support.

I'm wondering if you could tell me a little more information? How long after taking Effexor did the symptoms start, do you have any other co-occurring medical issues, and like @secretwhitepop, I would like to know if you have told your doctor yet about these symptoms?

I was forced to withdraw from venlafaxine cold turkey a few years ago because I lost my insurance, and could not afford to buy the medication. It’s very difficult, and it takes a few weeks. (Our lovely US health system:()
Look into benzodiazepine withdrawal techniques. There are many YouTube videos that you can utilize. There is a method developed by a doctor in the UK for withdrawing in microdoses. You might be able to work with a compounding pharmacy to very very slowly withdraw from this medication.

Good luck, if you have any questions let me know

<p><strong>Want to get off Effexor</strong></p><p>Hello everyone,</p><p>I hope someone can provide insight into Effexor and CBD or Hemp oils. I have been on Effexor for about a year (3 time since starting anti-depressants 5 years ago). I want to get off this medication and have tried in the past. The withdraws have been so bad that I went up going back on it. We hope to get pregnant within the year and I do not want to be on this while with child. My doctor has suggested switching to Celexa (also have been on) but I am wondering if I will still experience withdraws when immediately stopping Effexor and starting Celexa. Ideally, I would like to be on no medication and go a more natural route. I have been looking into CBD/Hemp oils. Does anyone have experience with this? Thank you.</p><p>Lindey</p>

@iindeyt01: @LLndeyt01, I have taken Effexor [and several other anti-depreaasants] in the past and then discontinued it, so I understand your concern about withdrawal symptoms. In case you suddenly stop Effexor [as I did] and immediately start Celexa, there is a high probability that you will experience severe withdrawal symptoms. You haven't written what dose of Effexor you are taking. CBD/Hemp oil is not an anti-depressant but an anti-anxiety substance, so it may not be advisable to substitute it for an anti-depressant.

@lindeyt01 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

You want to be off of Effexor and all anti-depressants before you try to get pregnant. You have tried in the past to get off of Effexor but due to the withdraw symptoms you had to go back to your normal dose. You want to find a natural replacement for Effexor. Did I get that right?

Effexor is notoriously one of the most difficult anti-depressants to ween off of and emotional support is important. You will notice that I moved your question to a previous discussion related to minimizing withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. I did this so you could connect with members like @hopalongnm3 @secretwhitepop @sunshinebb @sears @karathine99 @olivia75 that can offer you emotional support and suggestions.

Below I have linked related discussions where members like @jeanster @jojo5 @behrouz @texasduchess @sears @doorman @vickimurray have recently discussed the topic of Effexor. You may wish to scroll through the previous discussions and posts for information and to connect with members.
- Effexor discontinuation symptoms: Missed 2 days (150 mg) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/effexor-discontinuation-symptoms/
- Long term effects AFTER withdrawing from Effexor https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/long-term-effects-after-withdrawing-from-effexor/

You have posted in the topic linked below regarding Effexor and CBD oil.
- Weaning off Effexor with CBD Oil https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weaning-off-effexor-with-cbd-oil/

May I ask if you intend to use CBD oil during pregnancy or as a means to lessen the withdraw symptoms of effexor? I'm wondering if you have a positive relationship with your provider that prescribes you Effexor? Would you feel comfortable running non-medication alternatives past your provider?