Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Hi!
I have been on Effexor for over a year and a half after lexapro stopped working for me and feel like it really helped me with depression and obsessive thoughts. This march I discussed with mt doctor wanting to switch because of how much weight I gained and how sluggish tired I felt. It took from end of March until last week to totally ween down. Once I was down to the lowest 37 tablet I started feeling manic and sad all over again. She put me right on prozac 10 mg without taking the 2 together and I continued and still continue to feel really down and obsessive intrusive thoughts. My doctor told me I was withdrawing I asked to be put back on Effexor even though I wish to not be on it. Started it 2 nights ago and I’m hoping they work the same as they did before. Really nervous. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Hello @amandaxoxo1 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It sounds like this taper didn't end quite the way you were planning/hoping but it is great to hear that your doctor is so in tune with you and noticed a need and was proactive in helping you quickly.

I know you wish to connect with others who have possibly went through a taper, so wanted to bring in members @texasduchess @sunshinestacy @tshere95 @cathy615 @nancy54 who have shared about tapering off Effexor with the help of a Prozac bridge, as it is sometimes referred to.

How has your experience been now that you are on day 3?

Hi Thankyou so much for reaching out!
Originally my doctor wanted to wait for my “ gene sight” test to come back. It’s a new dna test that shows what meds work best for your body. I felt that I couldn’t wait. I am beginning to feel less crying spells , but still spending my days with ruminating thoughts.
Had a app this am with her and by Friday I can bump up to 112 I believe she said. My original dose that worked well for me was 150 before I weened down.

Thankyou for sending me names of others who successfully got off

Just went over my gene test which says I am ultrarapid metabolizer. Does anyone know how that will affect my withdrawal from Effexor and potential for side effects?

Great question.

Hi @amandaxoxo1, I moved your comment about tapering off Effexor to this long running discussion with many other members. There are over 500 pages of comments.
- Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-on-minimising-withdrawal-symptoms-from-effexor-aka-venlafaxine/

The biggest takeaway from all the members here is to go S L O W. Many people find that final mile on 37 mg to be the toughest. Having to increase the dose again for a while is normal. You need to do what is right for you. It sounds like you have a doctor you trust and who is working closely with you.

There have been folks on "Tips ..." who mentioned that they restarted Effexor after realizing they still needed it. One I particularly remember is grandmaR who restarted it after a considerable time off. You can go back through these pages, read her posts and see if you can find the specific one. Although I strongly recommend reading ALL the posts on "Tips ...," if you want to save some time, I can tell you that I started posting August 2018, so it would be after that and she told posters here that she wouldn't be active on "Tips ..." possibly in late 2019, or even into 2020.

Hi Colleen Thankyou so much! Appreciate the response. I started 150 mg on Friday but still am not feeling back to normal- my doctor says they will hopefully kick in by this Friday. I am totally regretting ever trying to get off since it was working great for me mentally. Crossing my fingers it works the second time around

I am in the process of eliminating Viibryd. When I found out my new insurance did not cover it and generic offerings are in litigation I can not afford the 400 dollar price point. I tapered off from 40 but just like all the other meds, it’s a path of torture that requires serious discipline to fight through. The hardest part is your brain on delay. Personally I have issues of streams and (no idea the medical term) but a shock that trembles through my body. Loud noise is bone crushing and it’s just feeling worse than having Covid. All SSRI’s should be pulled, they only numb you to just get by.
I did get a recommendation to supplement with magnesium to ease the zaps. (I’m not a doctor) and it seems to help. I wish everyone the best of luck on this poison and take over of the brain. I really hope I can post a week from now and report I am doing better. Right now It’s hard but I will not succumb to the challenge. I always tell myself ”it could always be worth” thanks to my doctor for enough “starter packs” to taper down. Same withdrawal effects of lexapro if not worse. Good luck everyone.

A very gradual decrease an amount of Venlafaxine is imperative. But be aware that you may need to transition to another SSRI or you will go back into depression that is untreated