1. < Depression & Anxiety

Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Posted by richyrich @richyrich, Nov 2, 2016

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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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 20, 2017
In reply to @sadiesmom "I am really struggling with the withdrawal off of Effexor. I had taken it for about..." + (show)
@sadiesmom

I am really struggling with the withdrawal off of Effexor. I had taken it for about 10 years. First subscribed after divorce of 30 year marriage and then five years later lost my son to PTSD related suicide from serving 3 tours to Iraq. The Effexor was making me physically ill. My BP was off the charts and no bp meds were helping. I was a walking sweat box. By the time I had showered, done my hair and got dressed, I was ready for another shower. At night I had to get up and change my pjs, sheets, blankets or put a dry beach towel down to get back to sleep. At my last PCP I told him I thought I had a kidney infection so he did a urine culture. He found a "considerable amount" of blood in my urine. I was retested the following three months and referred to a urologist. I began reading symptoms of long term use of Effexor and decided it was causing severe physical complications. I found a reputable psychiatrist (good luck with that!) and told her about my physical problems and my concern about the Effexor. She acted like it was a piece of cake to get off of it. She weaned me off of the Effexor (took about 4 weeks) while she started me on Prozac. The Prozac was increased as the Effexor was decreased. I immediately noticed that I didn't have that "foggy brain" that I had had for so many years and felt like my concentration definitely improved. Then BAM! After being off of the Effexor for about two months, my anxiety is off the charts. Before I even open my eyes in the morning, the anxiety is unbearable. I have a little wiener dog that I have to get up and feed and let out. I literally feel like getting in my vehicle and running it into the river. It's total hell. I eat a bit of breakfast and try to get on with my day but within an hour I am literally incapable of taking care of myself or my dog. I become paralyzed with the anxiety. Absolutely paralyzed. I cannot function. I have asked my psych to up the Xanax to 3 or 4 .25 tabs a day but she's refusing telling me I just have to tough it out. By noon or 1:00 I have already taken the 2 tabs allowed for the day and then the anxiety REALLY goes through the roof. I try to stay busy, (I'm retired) but I literally cannot function. If I can heat up a can of soup to eat for the day or load the dishwasher, I feel like I've accomplished something. It is absolutely HORRIBLE. My 60th bday was last week and I was in such horrible shape I couldn't leave the house to go to dinner with my daughter and her family. Now I am having the "flu like" symptoms of withdrawal; achy joints, nausea and diarhea (sp??) and extreme weakness. I can barely stand long enough to get from the couch or bed to the bathroom. And taking a shower doesn't happen but maybe once a week. I'm wondering if I'm going to survive this. It is such a double edged sword. I know the Efffexor was killing me, literally, with my kidney and bp problems but I'm seriously wondering if I'm going to make it through this. All I think about is killing myself because I don't see a way out of this....I know that grief plays a huge part of my anxiety and depression and the holidays are definitely a trigger, but I have never felt this badly in the six years since my son is gone....I feel like a train wreck.....

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@sadiesmom

Have you thought about joining a support group? Grief support groups are often available through churches and/or funeral homes. Also, if you have a NAMI chapter in your area, they have great support groups for folks who deal with anxiety and depression. This is a good way to, as you say, "start dealing with my junk." Many of these support groups have members who see mental health professionals and it is a good way to network. I agree with you that grief does get complicated when losses pile up on each other.

If you have a moment to follow up on these ideas, will you let us know what you find?

Teresa

REPLY
sadiesmom | @sadiesmom | Nov 20, 2017

Thank you Wendy. That's what I'm finding out. I think psychiatrists "assume" everyone is the same in detoxing and start everyone off with the same plan. However, having been on Effexor for so long, my brain is taking its own route on detoxing......I'm trying to stay in this world and it's a hard job, let me tell you....hugs.

REPLY
1 reply
wendyw | @wendyw | Nov 20, 2017
In reply to @sadiesmom "Thank you Wendy. That's what I'm finding out. I think psychiatrists "assume" everyone is the same..." + (show)
@sadiesmom

Thank you Wendy. That's what I'm finding out. I think psychiatrists "assume" everyone is the same in detoxing and start everyone off with the same plan. However, having been on Effexor for so long, my brain is taking its own route on detoxing......I'm trying to stay in this world and it's a hard job, let me tell you....hugs.

Jump to this post

Sharing our experiences helps doesn’t it? My sons pharmacists is wonderful, I think he’s more supportive, encouraging and keen to help than his doctors! While he is always careful to remind him he is not a doctor he normalises the experience for my son. He also told him that if life is too hard for him without medication that’s perfectly normal too. My husband is diabetic and of course itheres never a thought to discontinue his vital medication. And for sone of us we will always need medication to help us cope with our mental health issues which can have a physical cause like chemical imbalance,
And add your very sad experiences of course you need and deserve support in so many ways. Cyber love from Australia to you.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Nov 20, 2017
In reply to @sadiesmom "I am really struggling with the withdrawal off of Effexor. I had taken it for about..." + (show)
@sadiesmom

I am really struggling with the withdrawal off of Effexor. I had taken it for about 10 years. First subscribed after divorce of 30 year marriage and then five years later lost my son to PTSD related suicide from serving 3 tours to Iraq. The Effexor was making me physically ill. My BP was off the charts and no bp meds were helping. I was a walking sweat box. By the time I had showered, done my hair and got dressed, I was ready for another shower. At night I had to get up and change my pjs, sheets, blankets or put a dry beach towel down to get back to sleep. At my last PCP I told him I thought I had a kidney infection so he did a urine culture. He found a "considerable amount" of blood in my urine. I was retested the following three months and referred to a urologist. I began reading symptoms of long term use of Effexor and decided it was causing severe physical complications. I found a reputable psychiatrist (good luck with that!) and told her about my physical problems and my concern about the Effexor. She acted like it was a piece of cake to get off of it. She weaned me off of the Effexor (took about 4 weeks) while she started me on Prozac. The Prozac was increased as the Effexor was decreased. I immediately noticed that I didn't have that "foggy brain" that I had had for so many years and felt like my concentration definitely improved. Then BAM! After being off of the Effexor for about two months, my anxiety is off the charts. Before I even open my eyes in the morning, the anxiety is unbearable. I have a little wiener dog that I have to get up and feed and let out. I literally feel like getting in my vehicle and running it into the river. It's total hell. I eat a bit of breakfast and try to get on with my day but within an hour I am literally incapable of taking care of myself or my dog. I become paralyzed with the anxiety. Absolutely paralyzed. I cannot function. I have asked my psych to up the Xanax to 3 or 4 .25 tabs a day but she's refusing telling me I just have to tough it out. By noon or 1:00 I have already taken the 2 tabs allowed for the day and then the anxiety REALLY goes through the roof. I try to stay busy, (I'm retired) but I literally cannot function. If I can heat up a can of soup to eat for the day or load the dishwasher, I feel like I've accomplished something. It is absolutely HORRIBLE. My 60th bday was last week and I was in such horrible shape I couldn't leave the house to go to dinner with my daughter and her family. Now I am having the "flu like" symptoms of withdrawal; achy joints, nausea and diarhea (sp??) and extreme weakness. I can barely stand long enough to get from the couch or bed to the bathroom. And taking a shower doesn't happen but maybe once a week. I'm wondering if I'm going to survive this. It is such a double edged sword. I know the Efffexor was killing me, literally, with my kidney and bp problems but I'm seriously wondering if I'm going to make it through this. All I think about is killing myself because I don't see a way out of this....I know that grief plays a huge part of my anxiety and depression and the holidays are definitely a trigger, but I have never felt this badly in the six years since my son is gone....I feel like a train wreck.....

Jump to this post

@sadiesmom @hopeful33250 I have not had need for this so far but I know people who have gone to support groups, particularly for grief, and it's been very helpful. We have a relative who could really benefit from it but she won't go. Frankly we are all worried about her because it's been two years and she cannot move on at all.
JK

REPLY
sadiesmom | @sadiesmom | Nov 20, 2017
In reply to @sadiesmom "I am really struggling with the withdrawal off of Effexor. I had taken it for about..." + (show)
@sadiesmom

I am really struggling with the withdrawal off of Effexor. I had taken it for about 10 years. First subscribed after divorce of 30 year marriage and then five years later lost my son to PTSD related suicide from serving 3 tours to Iraq. The Effexor was making me physically ill. My BP was off the charts and no bp meds were helping. I was a walking sweat box. By the time I had showered, done my hair and got dressed, I was ready for another shower. At night I had to get up and change my pjs, sheets, blankets or put a dry beach towel down to get back to sleep. At my last PCP I told him I thought I had a kidney infection so he did a urine culture. He found a "considerable amount" of blood in my urine. I was retested the following three months and referred to a urologist. I began reading symptoms of long term use of Effexor and decided it was causing severe physical complications. I found a reputable psychiatrist (good luck with that!) and told her about my physical problems and my concern about the Effexor. She acted like it was a piece of cake to get off of it. She weaned me off of the Effexor (took about 4 weeks) while she started me on Prozac. The Prozac was increased as the Effexor was decreased. I immediately noticed that I didn't have that "foggy brain" that I had had for so many years and felt like my concentration definitely improved. Then BAM! After being off of the Effexor for about two months, my anxiety is off the charts. Before I even open my eyes in the morning, the anxiety is unbearable. I have a little wiener dog that I have to get up and feed and let out. I literally feel like getting in my vehicle and running it into the river. It's total hell. I eat a bit of breakfast and try to get on with my day but within an hour I am literally incapable of taking care of myself or my dog. I become paralyzed with the anxiety. Absolutely paralyzed. I cannot function. I have asked my psych to up the Xanax to 3 or 4 .25 tabs a day but she's refusing telling me I just have to tough it out. By noon or 1:00 I have already taken the 2 tabs allowed for the day and then the anxiety REALLY goes through the roof. I try to stay busy, (I'm retired) but I literally cannot function. If I can heat up a can of soup to eat for the day or load the dishwasher, I feel like I've accomplished something. It is absolutely HORRIBLE. My 60th bday was last week and I was in such horrible shape I couldn't leave the house to go to dinner with my daughter and her family. Now I am having the "flu like" symptoms of withdrawal; achy joints, nausea and diarhea (sp??) and extreme weakness. I can barely stand long enough to get from the couch or bed to the bathroom. And taking a shower doesn't happen but maybe once a week. I'm wondering if I'm going to survive this. It is such a double edged sword. I know the Efffexor was killing me, literally, with my kidney and bp problems but I'm seriously wondering if I'm going to make it through this. All I think about is killing myself because I don't see a way out of this....I know that grief plays a huge part of my anxiety and depression and the holidays are definitely a trigger, but I have never felt this badly in the six years since my son is gone....I feel like a train wreck.....

Jump to this post

I have been to MANY grief support groups in the past five years. There is an organization called TAPS for military survivors, no matter how the loss. It helped for a while but to tell you the truth, the number of military suicides is growing so quickly, I couldn't take it. Every single day there would be new families grieving the senseless death of their warrior. I have been in a parent support group, suicide support group, women's support group and they help for a while. A couple of them were really great but ended up kind of fizzling out....I guess folks got what they needed and moved on. My problem is I'm single...divorced, retired, live alone, don't have any family support and a daughter that lives an hour away. My friends tried to support me in the beginning but unless you've lost a child by suicide, you have no idea. Nothing can comfort you.....nothing. I turned to a psychiatrist and therapist thinking I was doing the right thing but in hind sight I wish I would have NEVER taken an antidepressant. This is a living hell. I would truly encourage your friend to get into some sort of support group because they really are beneficial....I met some wonderful folks but they were scattered all over the US and I didn't have anyone locally that I could depend on. I wish her the best....she can always connect with me....

REPLY
sadiesmom | @sadiesmom | Nov 20, 2017

Such kind words....thank you so much.....

REPLY
yanksterdoofus | @yanksterdoofus | Nov 21, 2017

I have very much appreciated finding this thread. I've been on 225 mg Venlafaxine ER (capsules) for several years and I genuinely think I'd be better off with out it at this point. I've run out a couple of times and mostly experienced dizziness, vertigo and terrible nightmares, but not increased depression. My issues deal more with getting started on things and concentrating on tasks other than things not associated with working. LOL

I have noticed that several have had issues going from 37.5 mg to zero. Who has tried splitting the 37.5 in half and then weaning off from 18.25 mg? I've been on this crap for about 12 years so taking months to wean off doesn't bother me

Anyways, some of your stories scare me but I'm going to speak with my doctor about a plan and go for it. I wish you all continued luck.

REPLY
sadiesmom | @sadiesmom | Nov 21, 2017

I encourage you to go to the FDA website and read the history about Effexor XR. It took 14 years for it to be approved by the FDA. FOURTEEN! It was "invented" to alleviate taking multiple pills daily but I think it would have been better to take take lower doses than to get hooked on this stuff. It is HELL and I mean HELL getting off of this stuff. I have been through horrible life trials (divorce and loss of my son) and I have NEVER had anxiety like I'm having right now. The physical affects are like the worst case of the flu you've ever had in your life. Chills, nausea, diarrhea (and I MEAN diarrhea to the point you can't leave your house). I have absolutely NO appetite which isn't a bad thing since this shit made me gain 50 lbs. but nothing sounds good and I have to force myself to eat. I can barely even get a glass of ice water down. Soup broth is about all I can tolerate. I am about six weeks into this so I'm not turning back. I'm going to ride it out (I hope I survive) and get off of this poison. It should be criminal to produce a drug this potent without giving explicit WARNINGS about the withdrawal symptoms. I had no intention of staying on it long term but a divorce after 30 years of marriage and the suicide of my son five years later made my depression unbearable. I think I have slept most of the last five years. But the Effexor only exacerbated the brain fog, total lack of any kind of motivation, poor personal hygiene and the inability to really take care of myself. I know that grief played a big part of my fatigue and always will but if I can get a handle on this anxiety, I'm NEVER going on any kind of antidepressant again. EVER. My case may be one out of the norm, and I hope that is the case. My advice is to get off of it as soon as you can....trust your body and how you feel....especially your mind. I have been hospitalized SIX times for overdosing in the past five years after my son passed away. I truly wonder if it was the drugs.....as they all come with a "may cause suicidal ideation" label. I truly wanted to die after I lost my son and still some days the urge is hard to resist but I think with the proper care from a physician, better support (grief support is almost non existent), and a true friend that would have been by my side through the worst, I don't think I would be where I am now. Being single and alone was almost unbearable.....I had no idea I would get the kind of response I have from my posts.....I only hope that no one has to endure what I have in these past six weeks. It's a hell on earth, that's for sure....

REPLY
7 replies
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Nov 21, 2017
In reply to @sadiesmom "I encourage you to go to the FDA website and read the history about Effexor XR...." + (show)
@sadiesmom

I encourage you to go to the FDA website and read the history about Effexor XR. It took 14 years for it to be approved by the FDA. FOURTEEN! It was "invented" to alleviate taking multiple pills daily but I think it would have been better to take take lower doses than to get hooked on this stuff. It is HELL and I mean HELL getting off of this stuff. I have been through horrible life trials (divorce and loss of my son) and I have NEVER had anxiety like I'm having right now. The physical affects are like the worst case of the flu you've ever had in your life. Chills, nausea, diarrhea (and I MEAN diarrhea to the point you can't leave your house). I have absolutely NO appetite which isn't a bad thing since this shit made me gain 50 lbs. but nothing sounds good and I have to force myself to eat. I can barely even get a glass of ice water down. Soup broth is about all I can tolerate. I am about six weeks into this so I'm not turning back. I'm going to ride it out (I hope I survive) and get off of this poison. It should be criminal to produce a drug this potent without giving explicit WARNINGS about the withdrawal symptoms. I had no intention of staying on it long term but a divorce after 30 years of marriage and the suicide of my son five years later made my depression unbearable. I think I have slept most of the last five years. But the Effexor only exacerbated the brain fog, total lack of any kind of motivation, poor personal hygiene and the inability to really take care of myself. I know that grief played a big part of my fatigue and always will but if I can get a handle on this anxiety, I'm NEVER going on any kind of antidepressant again. EVER. My case may be one out of the norm, and I hope that is the case. My advice is to get off of it as soon as you can....trust your body and how you feel....especially your mind. I have been hospitalized SIX times for overdosing in the past five years after my son passed away. I truly wonder if it was the drugs.....as they all come with a "may cause suicidal ideation" label. I truly wanted to die after I lost my son and still some days the urge is hard to resist but I think with the proper care from a physician, better support (grief support is almost non existent), and a true friend that would have been by my side through the worst, I don't think I would be where I am now. Being single and alone was almost unbearable.....I had no idea I would get the kind of response I have from my posts.....I only hope that no one has to endure what I have in these past six weeks. It's a hell on earth, that's for sure....

Jump to this post

@sadiesmom

Have you noticed any increment of change for the better the past few days?

I think that the loss of hope is the most devastating effect of depression. I know that it's one of the classic symptoms, along with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, memory loss, reduced brain function and body function, loss of ambition, desire, pleasure, motivation...the list goes on. Thankfully, help is available at many levels. Sometimes the challenge is just finding the resources we need, not to mention having the energy to do that.

I hope that you'll begin to see the smallest improvements each day as you go through the nightmareish process of withdrawal. I'm praying that for you.

Jim

REPLY
yanksterdoofus | @yanksterdoofus | Nov 22, 2017

I have been reading with some encouragement of great success achieved by implementing a Effexor/Prozak tapering bridge in conjunction with mega doses of Omega3 and B vitamin. Have any of you tried such a method? I also am coming to the conclusion that this cannot be rushed and, if you've been on this crap for years, to not be surprised if it takes as much as six months or more to wean off. I'd rather have it take some time than rush things and experience the hell I read about.

REPLY
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