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As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine)
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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Hi, I'm so glad to hear that you've successfully tapered down this med. Can I please ask more details - how long have you been on the meds? Are you taking any supplements?
I have been on Effexor XR 37.5 for almost 4 years. Was on 75mg for two years prior.
Anyways, I recently decided to taper off this medicine. I counted the beads inside the capsule, there were a total of 180 beads. I decided to remove 10 beads. when I did that I experienced some withdrawal symptoms a couple days later such as very low mood and slight nausea.
Then 5 days ago, I decided to remove 10 more beads bringing my total to 160.
again after 2 days I started experiencing symptoms such as bad nausea and dizziness. Then last night in the middle of my sleep I woke up and I felt an electrical sensation on the back of my neck. I'm sure it wasn't a brainz app because I've had those in the past. I don't know if it was a seizure but I would just like some advice from someone who's been through it.
Also could you please kindly share the contact of the doctor who is helping you through this on DM? I've tried asking around in my country but it seems like the doctors here do not have knowledge about withdrawals.
Please, any help would be good, it's been so scary.
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1 ReactionNightfox
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1 ReactionAfter you take a few beads out of the capsule, do you then close the capsule to swallow the medicine? Wondering how that works. Thanks.
Yes, open capsule, remove beads close capsule and take with water.
I usually open a month at at a time so I don’t have to do it every day. Also. Do t me tempted to keep taking out more and more.
When I got down to low dose I took out one bead more than previous month and stick with dose for a full month so body could adjust. It’s tempting to race ahead but slow is best.
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1 ReactionGo slower. Take out a few beads at a time. It’s not a race. Keep sane dose for a month or two before taking out more beads.
If you go too fast you have experienced the nasty side effects. I took out one bead more every month and stayed with that for at least a month before changing it again.
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1 ReactionHere is another resource for learning how to taper these medications:
https://withdrawal.theinnercompass.org/prepare
Very helpful! I remember doing this taper on my own years ago…what a nightmare!
I was taking a few beads out of the capsule just to stop the brain zaps. It seems like it took forever to get off this nasty med.
At the moment I’m tapering off of Cymbalta. I shall see how this goes.
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2 ReactionsGood for you! Important to partner with a psychiatrist sensitive to the role of spirituality & prayer/meditation to wean ourselves off years of unnecessary dependency on anti-depressants and other psychotropic meds. prescribed willy nilly by irresponsible docs. 12-Step programs have helped me let go of anti-depressants. Addiction is addiction, folks, whether self-prescribed or m.d.-prescribed. You too can be free . Seek God & not irresponsible, buyer-beware docs!
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1 ReactionUh, I don’t believe in God . Your message makes me uncomfortable.
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2 ReactionsSorry to hear that. But it's vital for wellness to believe in something. Hope that docs are not all you believe in. That false god took me straight to the loony bin.
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