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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@nicolejewel

Hello,
After 10 years of Effexor 375mg, many trials trying to get off it, or trying to switch to other meds, I finally decided I had to stay on it "for life"... Every time I tried to taper off, or even switch to a different med, I suffered from acute anxiety, and my depression came flooding back. I was over weight but eating healthy, excercising, watching my portions, restricting, restricting, restricting ... and no weight loss. Just gradual and persistant weight gain. I was afraid of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, etc. I was afraid of living a shorter life. I "knew" I wasn't going to stop my meds but I had to do something. I decided to try a gluten-free diet, not expecting much, just wanting to feel in control of something about my health. The first 5 days off gluten I felt tired and a bit gloomy. Then a cloud lifted and I started to feel the meaning of a word I had never taken seriously: vitality. After 3 solid weeks gluten-free, I decided to lower my dose of Effexor, just by 75mg. Nothing. No withdrawl symptoms whatsoever. I was expecting the "electrical chocs" and of course the anxiety and depression to come flooding back. No reactions. Two weeks after that attempt, I decided to see just how much I could reduce Effexor without suffering the symptoms for which it had been prescribed (namely depression and anxiety). Weeks and weeks, months and months later, still no withdrawl symptoms. Nothing but steady cognitive functioning. Normal crying. No depression. No anxiety. I felt like I had been taking Effexor for a condition caused by my metabolism. Who would have thought my depression and anxiety were fuelled by a product so innocent as whole grains and multigrain wheat? I got my healthy weight back, my appetite back, my brain back. I feel younger. Gluten intolerance is in fashion at the moment but maybe it is also serious issue. Perhaps we should be checked for metabolic issues (not just thyroid problems!) before been given meds. I feel lucky my health didn't spiral down any further than it did. I try not to feel mad at my psychiatrist for not being more aware about metabolic issues. I really tried to accept my psychiatric diagnosis and prescrbed pills but I'm so glad I didn't give up trying "something" and that that "something" was so simple as giving up gluten to be healthy. Is gluten your problem? Maybe not. But checking your metabolism is a good idea if you are on meds or before going on them. Take gentle care.

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Through a saliva test, I was found to have gluten intolerance. I have eliminated all wheat products from my diet and I have noticed that I no longer have heartburn or indigestion. There is a ton of information on the web that is helpful and that's where I've gotten my information. Your public library should have numerous recipe books on that topic that will help you as well.

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@lilmac44

It will be 4 months at the end of March that I completely stopped Effexor. I continue to suffer from extreme fatigue, hypoglycemic like symptoms, anxiety and shakiness. My cortisol is high at night which interferes with a good night's sleep. I have eliminated wheat from my diet, high carbohydrate foods and sugar. My diet is good and I am eating vegetables, seafood and other foods that provide protein. I rarely eat red meat. I don't know if these symptoms are a result from withdrawal from Effexor or caused by Adrenal dysfunction. Has anyone else experienced these side effects? If so, how long do/did they last in this withdrawal process?

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I have had some of the same symptoms you are experiencing. It is 530 am and I have not been able to sleep- that is why I am on here. I did a search to find out if anyone else is having problems getting weaned off the drugs. I started a couple months ago weaning off effexor. I started taking it when going through menopause (it helps menopause symptoms) . Started on 75 mg then a few years later had a melt down and they upped it to 150mg. Well i have been on it now for 10 years at least and have completed menopause so i decided to wean off. I started on my own by doing 1 capsule every other day then went to the physician and asked how to get completely off. I took 75 mg. a day for 2 weeks and then he told me to go to every other day for one week and stop, He said that was adequate timing to get off the drug. That has not exactly worked. I was ok on the 75mg. daily but now I am having panic attacks, crying for no reason during a movie etc. Tonight I have not been able to sleep due to tearfulness throughout the day and a panic attack tonight. I have had several panic attacks over the past few days.I have debated about asking for more meds but I only have 4 more to go. I can't sleep so i read suggestions on here & went to buy appropriate food hoping it might help.I do not want to go back to effexor again, I had no idea getting off would be so hard, I am going to try and stick it out because I am not working this week. Hopefully my symptoms will be gone before returning to work. The panic attack is the scariest thing for me....At least now I know what to tell people who ask me about antidepressants. Just want to get over the withdrawal S&S.

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@lilmac44

It will be 4 months at the end of March that I completely stopped Effexor. I continue to suffer from extreme fatigue, hypoglycemic like symptoms, anxiety and shakiness. My cortisol is high at night which interferes with a good night's sleep. I have eliminated wheat from my diet, high carbohydrate foods and sugar. My diet is good and I am eating vegetables, seafood and other foods that provide protein. I rarely eat red meat. I don't know if these symptoms are a result from withdrawal from Effexor or caused by Adrenal dysfunction. Has anyone else experienced these side effects? If so, how long do/did they last in this withdrawal process?

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I am by no means an expert but I too had issues with feeling scared and anxious when I went to bed. Not sure if they were panic attacks for me but I have always loved to sleep in total darkness but was scared not to have some kind of light on. It made me feel like there was something there in the darkness. Freaky feeling when I started weaning off Effexor. I didn't know it was caused by the Effexor but after reading what everyone else is going through I now know it was.

If I were you I would go back to the lowest dose that didn't make me feel so bad and didn't cause the panic attacks and start weaning a lot slower from there. A lot slower.

You will get lots of good information on this site. They helped me tremendously! Good luck and don't give up! You will get there.

One more thing, I was also taking Effexor for my menopause symptoms but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) it didn't work for me after a couple months and by that time I had researched the drug enough to know I didn't want to go to a higher dose so then started weaning off it. I was only on it for a few months and it took me a couple months to get off it successfully so you need to go a lot slower and be patient, I think! Also, the doctor I was seeing didn't even think I needed to wean off it since I was only taking 75 mg so that tells you they don't always know what is best for each individual.

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@lilmac44

It will be 4 months at the end of March that I completely stopped Effexor. I continue to suffer from extreme fatigue, hypoglycemic like symptoms, anxiety and shakiness. My cortisol is high at night which interferes with a good night's sleep. I have eliminated wheat from my diet, high carbohydrate foods and sugar. My diet is good and I am eating vegetables, seafood and other foods that provide protein. I rarely eat red meat. I don't know if these symptoms are a result from withdrawal from Effexor or caused by Adrenal dysfunction. Has anyone else experienced these side effects? If so, how long do/did they last in this withdrawal process?

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That is way to fast to withdraw from Effexor. I withdrew over a period of 9 months & I still experienced extreme emotions, crying, anxiety, panic attacks. Plus, I was never on anything larger than 75 mgs. Everyone is different, but I strongly suggest that you taper much slower than what you are currently doing.

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It’s now been about 2-1/2 months since stopping Effexor. I was hoping to not have to go back on any anti-depressants but don’t see that happening. I’ve been trying the cbd oil but that doesn’t seem to help either. I see my doctor next week and will talk to her about it. I hate the thought of going through the different meds again trying to find one that works for me. In the past I’ve tried Zoloft, Celexa, Paxil, and Effexor. Right before stopping all the meds she suggested I try Wellbutrin so I’m wondering if I should give it a try. I’m so afraid of going back on any of these meds since seeing the effects these drugs really have on us but I’m making everyone around me miserable including myself. Has anyone had success with Wellbutrin? Is it as hard to stop taking as the Effexor?

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@lalyfa

It’s now been about 2-1/2 months since stopping Effexor. I was hoping to not have to go back on any anti-depressants but don’t see that happening. I’ve been trying the cbd oil but that doesn’t seem to help either. I see my doctor next week and will talk to her about it. I hate the thought of going through the different meds again trying to find one that works for me. In the past I’ve tried Zoloft, Celexa, Paxil, and Effexor. Right before stopping all the meds she suggested I try Wellbutrin so I’m wondering if I should give it a try. I’m so afraid of going back on any of these meds since seeing the effects these drugs really have on us but I’m making everyone around me miserable including myself. Has anyone had success with Wellbutrin? Is it as hard to stop taking as the Effexor?

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I truly believe you MUST want to be clean and not look for anything to replace any one of these poisons. Yes it is very tough. But you and you alone CAN be clean. I pray for the best outcome for you. I stopped smoking the same way after 47 years of smoking. You just must do things for yourself

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What if you lived what I call a "non-depressive lifestyle" with deep breathing, exercise (as you can tolerate), volunteering (when you help others, like visiting a lonely person in a nursing home, you help yourself, too), doing things you enjoy, being gentle with yourself, and lots of social activity? Worth a shot? Feel well!

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@lalyfa

It’s now been about 2-1/2 months since stopping Effexor. I was hoping to not have to go back on any anti-depressants but don’t see that happening. I’ve been trying the cbd oil but that doesn’t seem to help either. I see my doctor next week and will talk to her about it. I hate the thought of going through the different meds again trying to find one that works for me. In the past I’ve tried Zoloft, Celexa, Paxil, and Effexor. Right before stopping all the meds she suggested I try Wellbutrin so I’m wondering if I should give it a try. I’m so afraid of going back on any of these meds since seeing the effects these drugs really have on us but I’m making everyone around me miserable including myself. Has anyone had success with Wellbutrin? Is it as hard to stop taking as the Effexor?

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Have you tried the genetic testing to see what might be the best drug for you?

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@lalyfa

It’s now been about 2-1/2 months since stopping Effexor. I was hoping to not have to go back on any anti-depressants but don’t see that happening. I’ve been trying the cbd oil but that doesn’t seem to help either. I see my doctor next week and will talk to her about it. I hate the thought of going through the different meds again trying to find one that works for me. In the past I’ve tried Zoloft, Celexa, Paxil, and Effexor. Right before stopping all the meds she suggested I try Wellbutrin so I’m wondering if I should give it a try. I’m so afraid of going back on any of these meds since seeing the effects these drugs really have on us but I’m making everyone around me miserable including myself. Has anyone had success with Wellbutrin? Is it as hard to stop taking as the Effexor?

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@ainsleigh I have not tried the genetic testing but will talk to my doctor about it next week!

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I am so happy I found this group..I have been asking different psychiatrists..even my current one..2 take me off it...there is no more efficacy.
.I have more & more breakthrough depression...so my current psych...just kept upping my dose...I knew intuitively that no one has taken me off due 2 the detox...Now I need 2 really get off this...many years ago my awesome PCP..gave me Prozac while I tapered off...worked great...got on Effexor AGAIN & have been on it 4 years...I know it will b a slow detox...they better give me something 4 the brain zaps...maybe Prozac again? I will b discussing all this next month when I c my Psych...U ALL HAVE BEEN SOOOO HELPFUL TY TY TY...pray 4 me & my detox lol
Jill

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