Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Hi there! I am new to Connect, but hopefully can offer some insight. I DID go off 150 Effexor XR (name brand) COLD TURKEY on January 2016. I survived it, but will never in my life EVER go off ANY antidepressant cold turkey. I had taken Effexor for at least 8 years, Zoloft prior to that and and Imipramine (sp?) as the first antidepressant (in all 25+ years on antidepressants.) It all started with running out of meds over a long weekend and deciding it was time to try to get off antidepressants to see how I would do. Since I had recently retired from teaching, thought this would be an ideal time to give it a go. In addition, Effexor just wasn't helping all that much anymore (I thought.) The first 3 days I felt like I was going to die! When I realized that I wasn't dying, decided to keep going to get it all over with. In addition to the symptoms you have heard about, I had deep bone/joint pain that felt like I was being pinched with clamps. Also had skin sensations and peeling, and noticed a strange smell on my skin. Each day got a little better and by the 3rd week started to function a bit more normally. I was very emotional, however, which caused my family great concern. Well, to make a long story short, the depression crept back in full and I am still trying to get my life back. I did everything I could to stay stable, including herbal supplements and took a vacation where I hiked 6 miles daily for 9 days on hilly, rocky terrain. I finally had to accept that I'm a person who will need antidepressants for the rest of my life. With the help of a PCP and counselor, I am on my 3rd antidepressant & may need to resort to going back on Effexor, because nothing seems to be working. All in all, in my opinion, the chronic depression is worse than the withdrawal symptoms that do eventually end. If you are a person with situational depression, you may be successful weaning off Effexor gradually. If I were to do it again, that's what I would do (while replacing Effexor with something else.) Here are the things that helped me with the physical withdrawal symptoms:
1. Get plenty of sleep/rest.
2. Eat a very well-balanced diet (this is not the time to worry about your weight.) Lots of soup & easy to digest foods the 1st few days.
3. Drink plenty of water, including coconut water.
4. Have a glass of wine in the evening (if advisable.)
5. Get outside and walk or other excersize (the warm sunshine will feel good!)
6. Hot yoga 3-4 times per week. Stay in class even if you feel nauseous & can only do a few postures.
7. Soak in a hot tub (with bath salts if available.)
8. Use a good moisturizer on face & body several times per day.
9. Get several professional massages.
10. Take Tylenol for muscle pain, if OK on your stomach.
11. A heating pad is also helpful at bedtime or during naps.
12. If you are single & live alone, make sure a few trusted friends/family members know what you are doing.
13. In general, be kind & gentle to yourself.
14. NEVER give up! Keep going, even when you don't feel like it (which will be often.) YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!

I was switched from Effexor to Trintellix. I wish I never took Effexor, the side effects of coming off of them are horrible. I feel "brain zaps", feel like I could "snap" and it feels like things are lagging if that makes sense. I have been crying, feeling mentally off. I wish doctors would tell their patients about the withdrawals from this drug. It's awful and I am wondering how long I have to deal with this. It's making me more depressed. My hopes is that Trintellix will help my depression, I already know that it does not have the horrible withdrawal effects if I ever have to go off of it. (I was on Effexor 75mg daily) Thanks for letting me share my experience. I was told that fish oil, frozen and taken at night will help minimize the side effects, so I will try that.

Hi, I have been slowly withdrawing from effexor for months. I went from 200 down to 37.5 over three months. I was at 37.5 for a month and now I went completely off four days ago. I'm shaky, sweaty or cold and can't sleep. How long will this last??

Due to a variety of events, family and personal, I went cold turkey from 300mg Effexor two weeks ago. I have taken many if your suggestions and cannot thank you enough. This was unplanned, but I have hated this drug for the entire four years I was on it. But I do not recommend doing withdrawal thus way unless you have to due to some circumstances. So far, I am surviving and look forward everyday to an end of symptoms. So what is working for me so far:

1. Try hard to sleep (40+ Hours up twice were hellish) Benadryl, Melatonin, and more have helped a lot. Once I sleep the weird dreams, fevers, and body aches have tended to wake me a lot- but I can usually go down again.

2. Carb loading has been unavoidable due to severe cravings. So, I stocked up with whole wheat bagels, crackers, etc and have removed most treats. I have felt incredibly weak a lot of the time, and thus have doubled my protein intake. Food prep has been hit of miss so I also bought some easy, quick, and decently healthy foods. I also ordered food delivery 3 times in these past 2 week- unheard of for me. Whole wheat pretzels so good!

3. I have two great dogs, but caring for them has been really hard right now. I made adjustments- a second water dish for them- this time in the bathroom since making it 2o feet away to their water fountain has been too hard once or twice, but I will make to the bathroom obviously. Called a friend, and hired a dog walker to help care for them. I have had awful headaches, fevers, and balance issues at times. Their love and snuggles has made all this more doable.

4. Got a shower bench- sometimes standing and balance issues were getting between me and being clean. Lol- this was not a time too consider kicking Amazon too. 😉 Body aches improve for me in warm water.

5. I have found mixing up relaxing and distracting activities has worked best. Some reading, meditation, snuggling, online games, watching dramas with subtitles has a nice amount of challenge, etc. I hope to be able to walk the dogs again soon, bike, swim etc- but they have simply been too much. I will try adding my recumbent exercise bike again tomorrow.

6. I have Prozac coming this week, and I have anti-anxiety medicine available. The latter, I have had to reach for about every second or third day for at least a dose.

7. Masturbation has helped a lot the couple of times I have tried, but sexual dysfunction had never been a problem for me on anti depressives. So, I may not be representative of most there.

8. I have been using the free, nonprofit app- how we feel project to do check ins at least 2-3 times a day. This helps me monitor things and even allows me to share the simple basic of my rating with anyone I want to.

Hi, guys, I just posted my successful Tapering and weaning off Effexor (Venlafaxine). I hope it is a helpful guide to SLOW tapering, which has been found to be the most symptom free way to taper. Good luck!

I am three days off effexor. Feel horrid. Started decreasing dosage four months ago. Got to 35.5 and just decided to chuck it once and for all. I have upset stomach, squirts, nightmares, lethargy. I have some edibles to help me sleep but my stomach doesn't much like them. I am so miserable.

I would just say “ am stronger then a horrific pill” . And fast and furious was my approach... if I can do it everyone can ... good luck guys . Keep me posted .