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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)?
I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you
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how long did it take you? I did the cross taper from Effexor to Lexapro. I am on day 60, day one of week 9. the spikes i get are better and have gone 2-3 days with none. Using hydroxyzine as a bridge on those bad spikes. There was a period of 2-3 weeks that was horrible! I keep thinking i will never get out of this. I was on Zoloft for over 20 years and went through caregiver burnout in 2017 after taking care of my mom who had Alzheimer's. then covid hit and the anxiety went through the roof. then my husband's health went south and started dialysis in April of 21, and basically watched him go down for four years. I am 64 about to turn 65. He passed away April 4 2025 and 11 months later had one of my brothers tragically killed. About two years ago i realized the zoloft was no longer working and dr put my on effexor. They never once told me how hard it was to get off or i would have never taken it. Anways...everything i read says by week 12 of the Lexapro things should get much better. I have a highly sensitive system and under stand it could linger for a couple weeks past that, but the spikes by week 12 will be much better. I pray this is true
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1 ReactionI cut from a dosage of 75 to 37 pretty easily but the last 37 took me a year exactly (100 beads). Taking my last bead tonight. Good riddance to a drug that really helped me through some hard times. I am seeing my doctor soon and am really going to advocate for patients getting more help when they off. There has got to better way. Liquid reduction maybe? Good luck. You’ve been through a lot. You can find your light again but it will be hard. Start small. Little bites of nature and exercise maybe? Best wishes…
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1 ReactionTHAT alone is giving me hope!! I just began on my own and now realize that this will be the most difficult process of my life. I do have an appt with a psychiatrist
Who I’m hoping is as good as others have found.
@catamite I was told to just go back on venafaxine because of terrible withdrawal , I was even told well these symptoms show you need the drug?? And told my body wouldn’t adapt to coming off ? I don’t believe most GPS are really very knowledgeable about how to help withdrawal. And if you say you have been on the internet looking for help . Oh no!! You will get there but it’s not easy . Wishing you strength to kick theses you really are not alone but please ask for doctors help when it gets too much ,some of the withdrawal symptoms can be traumatic .