As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine)

Posted by sheffieldsmith @sheffieldsmith, May 31, 2020

Below you will find the tapering plan that I used to successfully wean myself off Effexor (Venlafaxine). Feel free to share this with your doctor If you would like. I researched and came up with this plan, which was approved by my doctor, although she thought I could probably have weaned myself off sooner. But the reality is that we all have differing tolerance levels for tapering and weaning off this powerful drug from our bodies. Some people can taper faster, but usually not those who have been on this drug for years (like myself, since October 2002). I tapered off EffexorXR 150mg capsules about 5 years ago down to 75mg, and was on that maintenance dosage for a couple of years until I started weaning off the 75mg a year ago in April 2019. As of October, 2029, I’ve been withdrawal symptom free, but I still have occasional periods of anxiety when triggered. But I realize these waves of anxiety will soon pass, and I cope by deep breathing, taking a walk, having a cup of chamomile tea, etc. Cutting my exposure to watching upsetting news has really helped a lot as well. These days I seek things that bring joy and peace in such a turbulent world. Wishing you all a successful weaning off this powerful drug.

Weaning off Venlafaxine XR 75mg (Effexor-(extended release)capsules:
Weaning plan off plan that worked for BSS:
1. Inform your doctor you are tapering down from 75 mg Venlafaxine and ask them to prescribe 37.50 tabs to help with tapering doses (1/2 dosage down from 75 mg Venlafaxine capsules). The tabs are easier to cut into halves and quarter dosages than counting out beads from the capsules.
2. Begin your taper only after you are on a non-withdrawal symptomatic dosage level. If you were having w/d symptoms at 75 mg, you’ll need to go back to the level at which you were symptomless and stay there for 2-3 weeks before deceasing to a slow taper. NOTE: after successfully tapering from 150mg Venlafaxine down to 75mg for a month, I was unable to tolerate a drop cold turkey from a daily dosage of 75mg down to 37.50mg (50%) without having bothersome withdrawal symptoms of dizziness, brain fog, brain zaps, and nausea. So after researching various tapering plans, I came up with a slower tapering schedule my body could tolerate to finish the tapering from 75mg to 37.50mg, and then on to complete the tapering. Your body may even need slower tapering, so adjust according.
3. Week 1-2: Take 75mg caps MWFSu; take 37.50mg tab on alternate days Tu,Th, Sa. At the end of week 2, if you only have relatively mild to no withdrawal symptoms, proceed to week 3. IMPORTANT: If you have intolerable symptoms, adjust to a slower tapering schedule by adding an additional 1/2 tab on the alternate days (or take a total of one and a half 37.50 tabs on alternate days). You’ll then have to tweak the rest of your tapering schedule. If all goes well, proceed with week 3.
4. Week 3-4: Cut a few 37.50 tabs in half with a pill cutter or exacto knife blade to create quarter pieces. Take 37.50mg tab on MWFSu and take 3/4 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa.
5. Week 5-6: Take 3/4 of a tab MWFSu, and take 1/2 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. If only mild symptoms, proceed to week 5.
6. Week 7-8: Take 1/2 tab on MWFSu; and take 1/4 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. If no symptoms, continue to week 7.
7. Week 9-10: Take 1/4 tab on MWFSu; and take 1/8 tab (cut 1/4 tabs in half) on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. *Notice the quartering of doses into crumbs now...very important to keep small dosage tapering to remain withdrawal symptom free.
8. Week 11-12: Take 1/8 tab crumb on MWFSu; take none on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. *If skipping alternate days produces symptoms, stay on 1/8 tab crumbs for a couple of weeks before alternating skip days for a couple of weeks.
You’ll find that this schedule may have to be tweaked for you by extending the time you stay on a taper...possibly up to 3-4 weeks before beginning a new tapering down. It all depends on how you tolerate the first two weeks.

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mbryan | @mbryan | May 21, 2023

In reply to @cfos "I see you are still not off completely. Ignore my other question. Would you mind describing..." + (show)

I actually am completely off of it now! I just didn't taper off of it slow enough. My doctor was also not educating me on the medicine or during the process of withdrawal at all. I am feeling so much better now because I was able to treat the symptoms that I was having! I got fasting blood work done. The high cortisol levels in turn made my glucose levels rise.

cfos | @cfos | May 22, 2023

In reply to @mbryan "Yes, I have finished my taper and am completely off of meds and it honestly is..." + (show)

Thanks for sharing. I do eat many of the foods you have listed but I know I can and should do better. I have often thought high cortisol is one of my problems especially in the morning when I wake at 2, 3 or 4 am and cannot fall back to sleep.

Are you feeling well/normal? Any long lasting withdrawal?

I’m tapering off cymbalta which is similar to Effexor. I’m down to about 4 mg counting beads. I never felt good on these drugs and I am struggling each day as I taper.

One more question. Do you drink coffee?

brendaloukes | @brendaloukes | May 22, 2023

In reply to @mbryan "I am having trouble staying full/feeling full/feeling constantly hungry. I need some advice on what to..." + (show)

I am on day 4 today. I slept better because I took Benadryl but still slogged w night sweats. Brain zaps are still present. I am at an isolated cabin with no stress and I am telling myself, I got this. My appetite is poor unless it’s junk food! Thank you all for this thread.

mbryan | @mbryan | May 22, 2023

In reply to @cfos "Thanks for sharing. I do eat many of the foods you have listed but I know..." + (show)

When I started eating those foods, I made it every day and incorporated most of those foods in every single meal and snack. You of course, should make sure to have some sugars in your diet, but I made sure to incorporate some if not all of those plus lots of water every single day.

I have had to quit drinking coffee/alcohol, but since I'm feeling pretty much 100% better, I'm going to try and incorporate it back into my diet after eating breakfast. The only other thing I have really had to control is my mental (stress management) and my heart rate because it was high due to my cortisol levels.

Make sure to take a walk in the morning for 10 minutes or more. Bring your water with you if you need it, that's what I did and still do. Have a routine when you wake up before and/or after the walk - include the walk in your morning routine! Don't scroll on your phone first thing in the morning. Meditate. Also, ginger and green tea after a meal help to lower your blood sugars. I struggled for a good 2 months after constantly feeling faint and gaining weight due to eating so much food from that feeling. I'm finally feeling so much better and all of these things actually really helped me.

Something else that has really helped me are Happy Mammoth's Hormone Harmony pills. I couldn't really feel the effects at first, but once I started to feel better, I felt the effects. This will help to balance out your hormones which includes cortisol, your stress hormone.

mbryan | @mbryan | May 22, 2023

In reply to @brendaloukes "I am on day 4 today. I slept better because I took Benadryl but still slogged..." + (show)

Instead of eating junk food, eat foods that will help lower your cortisol. This will help you immensely. I would try eating healthy foods even if it's forced because they will make you feel better overall.

cfos | @cfos | May 22, 2023

In reply to @mbryan "When I started eating those foods, I made it every day and incorporated most of those..." + (show)

You are awesome! Thank you so very much for all your suggestions. I’m so happy that you are feeling better. I am determined to feel well again. There was a time when I couldn’t get off the couch. I am so much better than that. I have a lot more to go.

Some of the things I have done: lots of meditation using Calm app, tapping using Tapping Solutions app, Deepak Chopra’s app, Fitbit watch. I try to eat clean but I need to do more. I need to give up coffee.

Can’t wait to try the Happy Harmony pills and change up my diet.

Thank you, again!❤️❤️

mbryan | @mbryan | May 22, 2023

In reply to @cfos "You are awesome! Thank you so very much for all your suggestions. I’m so happy that..." + (show)

You are so welcome! I am so happy to help, and love helping. I had such a traumatic experience, and I want people to know that you will be better again! It takes some time. You GOT THIS! The only way I gave up coffee was because I felt SO horrible.

If you ever need anything else, like tips or just uplifting let me know!

Mort | @kuma | May 25, 2023

In reply to @cfos "I tapered off Effexor several years back. I had a horrible time and thought I was..." + (show)

I am on Venlafaxine. Thank you for the heads up. I am saying this because it was not too many years ago I came off ZOLOFT. I now understand why I thought I was dying during the withdrawal process yet when I asked the doctor about what I was experiencing he said in effect no no there is no connection. Come on medical world be honest with your patients.

cfos | @cfos | May 25, 2023

In reply to @kuma "I am on Venlafaxine. Thank you for the heads up. I am saying this because it..." + (show)

There are more doctors coming around but if they’ve never had a patient with this problem….!?!? They should be reading all the new information that has come out over the past decade or so. I hate that I ever tried these meds. I’ve never felt well on any of them and I have tried four with several diagnoses that were wrong. Too many docs and patients passing them off as “happy” pills.