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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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njoys | @njoys | Feb 15 9:18am
In reply to @annfog1954 "I went off the Effexor back in October. Probably did it a bit too fast. My..." + (show)
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I went off the Effexor back in October. Probably did it a bit too fast. My psychiatrist also helped me to taper off Wellbutrin in late November. She gave me a small dose of Prozac to help take off the edges because the withdrawal was intense.

I am now on Lamictal only. Still feel very altered, tire easily and depressed. Am trying to put one foot in front of the other but worry it will be like this forever. My doctor thinks my continued symptoms are out of the norm but not impossible.

Pep talks are welcomed.

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@annfog1954 If you think you "probably did it a bit too fast," then you almost certainly did. I cannot speak to the other drugs you have taken, but delayed/continued withdrawal symptoms from a too-fast taper from Effexor do occur. My worst withdrawal symptoms kicked in two months after stopping Effexor entirely.

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depressedbutnotdead | @depressedbutnotdead | Feb 16 6:05am

I was never warned by doctors or pharmacists how difficult it is to quit this drug. In my case it proved to be driving me into far deeper and dangerous depression than I was already experiencing. I quit cold turkey in a fit of rage and before I knew what was going on. It was miserable and persisted for weeks, but the depression was lifting so quickly that I rode it out. Especially after discovering studies on PubMed and BMJ describing what had been going on with me in almost precise detail. It’s highly uncommon, but documented.

If I had known both the risks and the difficulties of quitting, I don’t think I would have accepted the prescription. But I was never told. It was simply handed to me. I feel that doctors need to be both more informative with patients and more careful with prescribing this one. I think the number of threads here about how hard it is to stop support that view.

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cistus | @cistus | Feb 16 8:42am
In reply to @annfog1954 "I went off the Effexor back in October. Probably did it a bit too fast. My..." + (show)
Profile picture for annfog1954 @annfog1954

I went off the Effexor back in October. Probably did it a bit too fast. My psychiatrist also helped me to taper off Wellbutrin in late November. She gave me a small dose of Prozac to help take off the edges because the withdrawal was intense.

I am now on Lamictal only. Still feel very altered, tire easily and depressed. Am trying to put one foot in front of the other but worry it will be like this forever. My doctor thinks my continued symptoms are out of the norm but not impossible.

Pep talks are welcomed.

Jump to this post

@annfog1954
I've been trying for over 2 yr to taper off venlafaxine but I find instant release wipes me out. Reducing the drug gradually inevitably means instant release for at least part of the dose. In England even the tiny beads of Efexor are useless bec they are so variable. I can't find a way through. Help!

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monfraser1973 | @monfraser1973 | Feb 16 10:52am
In reply to @cistus "@annfog1954 I've been trying for over 2 yr to taper off venlafaxine but I find instant..." + (show)
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@annfog1954
I've been trying for over 2 yr to taper off venlafaxine but I find instant release wipes me out. Reducing the drug gradually inevitably means instant release for at least part of the dose. In England even the tiny beads of Efexor are useless bec they are so variable. I can't find a way through. Help!

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Terrible drug it s 😞

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sally8412 | @sally8412 | 6 hours ago
In reply to @catamite "Your information is very helpful. I am two days off effexor and am wondering what to..." + (show)
Profile picture for catbitess @catamite

Your information is very helpful. I am two days off effexor and am wondering what to expect. I feel a little dizzy, but that seems to be my only problem. I have been on 225mg of velafaxine for nearly twenty years. I started weaning myself off about four months ago. I got down to 37.5 mg after 4 months, and finally just stopped everything two days ago. I think it is going to be interesting to feel again.

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@catamite can’t believe you are not having more severe symptoms!!! Been almost 20yrs for me too & i am on 75mg but if I miss 2 pills I get crazy. Did you go on for depression? Did that come back since you’ve been off?

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