Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Venlafaxine Detox Success story!

I've been on a high dose of Venlfaxine for years, and I've successfully tapered off slowly over the coarse of 6months. My Dr thought I could taper off in about 2 months. But I listened to my body and gave myself 3+ weeks between each dose drop. Sort of as a reward to myself, I let myself feel leveled out again before dropping right away. This made a HUGE difference in moral.
One of my dose drops actually took me about 5 weeks to level out fully. So it definitely depends on how your body reacts.
Each time I lowered my dose I had horrible migraines and diarrhea. No pain medication helped the migraines because it was chemical instead of physical.
The only thing that helped was sleep for 2-3days after each drop.
Once a month I planned time to detox and set 3days aside to let my body run its coarse.

However once I finished my final dose I experienced flu like symptoms for about 2 weeks!
Full body shakes, fully body sweating, constant diarrhea(8+ times per day), migraines, and severe nausea. I could barely keep anything down, so I highly recommend eating foods gentle on your system for this part. Low fiber, light seasonings, and stay hydrated!!
Those first two weeks officially off Venlafaxine, were horrible for me physically. But by week three I started to feel the emotional symptoms.
There was some anxiety, but nothing close to what I was experiencing before I needed to start Venlafaxine years ago.
I've gone through a couple years of therapy that have helped immensely getting to this point.
BUT I want people to know, it IS possible!
I'm a success story!

It was ridiculously hard to come off of this medication.
I was not told of the withdrawal symptoms prior to starting this medication.
But when I started this medication I needed it. I would not be here today with out being on Venlafaxine for all these years. I am so thankful I had it while I needed it!

My biggest advice? Stay home if you can. Don't fight your anxiety While detoxing. Let it run its coarse. Then try going into the world again. And LEAN on your people!
Your going to need them.
Their positivity and reassurance, while transitioning back into the lucid world, will make it all so much more bearable!
This detox is brutal and it messes with your head. Your going to need help from people you love.
Have hope, and you can come fully off this medication!
Remind yourself that all the symptoms are temporary and it WILL get better!
I truly wish you all the best!!!

Hello @rmce72a . I am currently tapering off the Effexor and understanding what you are going through. A friend gave me some CBD gummies this past Friday, and that really helped me settle down. I also use clonazepam for anxiety and that is also helpful. I thought it was all my imagination, the "brain zaps" until I looked it up and discovered that it is actually a medical term. This drug has to be the most horrible medication I have ever taken or tapered off of. And while I am going through this, I am dealing with an undiagnosed liver disease, and found a lump on my breast a few days ago. One more thing. Oy vey. Here are some colorful birds for you.

Thank you, Frances. How are you progressing with your taper? This is the most miserable physical experience I have ever gone through. I am down on 3 mg in a year, and I'm still ill nearly all the time. Thank you for your response, and the birdies! 🙂 Rebecca

I haven't taken Cymbalta, but I am taking generic Celexa (citalopram) 20 mg/day with very good results, and I'm taking it for anxiety. I tapered off Effexor with no bridge and things were fine for several months, but then anxiety returned and kept getting stronger. My doctor tried me on Wellbutrin, which made things worse because one possible side effect is increased anxiety, so he took me off that and started me on citalopram. (I have a couple of friends who take it and it works for them, too -- they're both on a stronger dose, 40mg daily -- which I haven't needed.) I also take a generic beta blocker -- metaprolol, 25mg -- so that I don't get the big rush of adrenaline that can increase anxiety and trigger panic attacks. You might want to ask your doctor about trying you on a different medication. Good luck!!

Checking in...
I was just reflecting on what I am doing and how different it is from just one month ago.
.
Today I am feeling good, filled with the zest for living, baking 5 loves of bread and preparing to go camping...and kayaking.
.
One month ago I was preparing to go to my Tribal gathering, (I am 10% Indian) to say good bye to the Many sons and daughters of my heart.
.
I knew I was dying......
.
Yet God in his mercy, spared my life again. I am so humbly grateful.
.
I know I have both feet firmly rooted in life now. I have the skills, determination, drive and the DNA to live to be 105.
.
What a difference a month makes...
.
Bright Wings, who is so grateful
.
It was pain in my body from a misaligned spine that almost took me out. I am seeing a chiropractor and well, I am Definately feeling good and happy. Moving to a healthier house this week. Life feels sweet.
.
See, there is life after withdrawing from Venlafaxine.

Oh! I also forgot to mention. I struggled really bad with skin crawlies/ itches while detoxing. It felt like my skin was the fuzzy black and white tv screen.
It drove me nuts! My Dr prescribed me Hydroxyzine to help with this and it worked amazing!
Hydroxyzine is basically stronger Benadryl.
It makes you sleepy but it's non addictive. There are no crazy side effects but it helped a lot. You take it as needed like Benadryl for itchy skin from a mild allergy.

hello @kimbersue . For what it is worth, my doctor sent me a note late yesterday to go back to the 150 mg dose I was previously taking. I sent him a response " If I understand you correctly, you want me to go back to the original dose, knowing that it has caused me severe eye pain, a side effect that my pharmacist told me was not a good sign." Also, the Effexor was not doing a whole lot for my anxiety, thus the clonazepam, which he wants me to taper off of at some point. However, with everything else on my plate, I do not see this happening anytime soon.

Thank you for your support

How long do the effexor withdrawal symptoms last? I have read that they may last up to a year, is that correct? I had been on Effexor XR, 150 mg., for 18 years. Under a doctors supervision, I weaned off of it after 5 months. It's been a month completely off and I suffer different problems, like headaches, gut pain, dizziness, nausea on a daily basis. So, how long will I have to experience this?