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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Sherman | @shermananski | Feb 8, 2020

I dropped from 37.5 to 0 last night. I feel a little unsettled as in “what do I do now“ but that’s not unusual for me.

I’ve never been prone to “withdrawal.” But the last time I came off, it was paxil, And I had a horrible relapse months later. With no psychiatrist to run to. I have a resident now who will be moving now in June. If I relapse I’m going to the hospital and I’m not leaving until I get treatment with the head psychiatrist. Scared. Meanwhile I will not miss Effexor.

REPLY
4 replies
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Feb 8, 2020
In reply to @shermananski "I dropped from 37.5 to 0 last night. I feel a little unsettled as in “what..." + (show)
@shermananski

I dropped from 37.5 to 0 last night. I feel a little unsettled as in “what do I do now“ but that’s not unusual for me.

I’ve never been prone to “withdrawal.” But the last time I came off, it was paxil, And I had a horrible relapse months later. With no psychiatrist to run to. I have a resident now who will be moving now in June. If I relapse I’m going to the hospital and I’m not leaving until I get treatment with the head psychiatrist. Scared. Meanwhile I will not miss Effexor.

Jump to this post

DO NOT DO THIS. YOU WILL DECEND INTO HELL.
Cut the tablets into quarters.
Then drop slowly after that.
Your brain needs time to adjust to the decrease, or you will pay the price.

REPLY
1 reply
laujenkins | @laujenkins | Feb 8, 2020
In reply to @shermananski "I dropped from 37.5 to 0 last night. I feel a little unsettled as in “what..." + (show)
@shermananski

I dropped from 37.5 to 0 last night. I feel a little unsettled as in “what do I do now“ but that’s not unusual for me.

I’ve never been prone to “withdrawal.” But the last time I came off, it was paxil, And I had a horrible relapse months later. With no psychiatrist to run to. I have a resident now who will be moving now in June. If I relapse I’m going to the hospital and I’m not leaving until I get treatment with the head psychiatrist. Scared. Meanwhile I will not miss Effexor.

Jump to this post

Hey Shermananski,

Everyone is different and definitely knows their own body.

Just a recommendation, why don’t you try opening the capsule and see if you can break it up into smaller doses? That way it won’t be such a shock. This is what I have been doing, removing one or two white tablet at a time and it’s been manageable!

This is with Effexor, not sure how Paxil is packaged! Also here’s a pic I added that recommends how to decrease meds! I circled the one for Paxil!

Good luck with your journey!

REPLY
1 reply
Sherman | @shermananski | Feb 8, 2020
In reply to @laujenkins "Hey Shermananski, Everyone is different and definitely knows their own body. Just a recommendation, why don’t..." + (show)
@laujenkins

Hey Shermananski,

Everyone is different and definitely knows their own body.

Just a recommendation, why don’t you try opening the capsule and see if you can break it up into smaller doses? That way it won’t be such a shock. This is what I have been doing, removing one or two white tablet at a time and it’s been manageable!

This is with Effexor, not sure how Paxil is packaged! Also here’s a pic I added that recommends how to decrease meds! I circled the one for Paxil!

Good luck with your journey!

Jump to this post

Thank you. I have the small beads. I’m guessing it’s the extended release. I think I’m ok. Actually I feel better. Like you, I don’t doubt what people experience, but the reason I got on this list serve at the outset was Effexor side effects. Not withdrawal. I now need a how not to relapse forum.

REPLY
Sherman | @shermananski | Feb 8, 2020
In reply to @brightwings "DO NOT DO THIS. YOU WILL DECEND INTO HELL. Cut the tablets into quarters. Then drop..." + (show)
@brightwings

DO NOT DO THIS. YOU WILL DECEND INTO HELL.
Cut the tablets into quarters.
Then drop slowly after that.
Your brain needs time to adjust to the decrease, or you will pay the price.

Jump to this post

Thank you. I have beads... but I hear your concerns. If I start having problems I’ll reintroduce the Effexor immediately. And call my psychiatrist and get his opinion. I trust him to listen and be proactive. If it’s bad enough I’ll plop myself into the ER as I’m a clinic patient and say get me the chief doc stat.

REPLY
1 reply
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Feb 8, 2020
In reply to @shermananski "I dropped from 37.5 to 0 last night. I feel a little unsettled as in “what..." + (show)
@shermananski

I dropped from 37.5 to 0 last night. I feel a little unsettled as in “what do I do now“ but that’s not unusual for me.

I’ve never been prone to “withdrawal.” But the last time I came off, it was paxil, And I had a horrible relapse months later. With no psychiatrist to run to. I have a resident now who will be moving now in June. If I relapse I’m going to the hospital and I’m not leaving until I get treatment with the head psychiatrist. Scared. Meanwhile I will not miss Effexor.

Jump to this post

Please listen to Brightwings. What’s the hurry? Go easy on yourself. Set yourself up for success.

REPLY
1 reply
laujenkins | @laujenkins | Feb 8, 2020
In reply to @shermananski "Thank you. I have beads... but I hear your concerns. If I start having problems I’ll..." + (show)
@shermananski

Thank you. I have beads... but I hear your concerns. If I start having problems I’ll reintroduce the Effexor immediately. And call my psychiatrist and get his opinion. I trust him to listen and be proactive. If it’s bad enough I’ll plop myself into the ER as I’m a clinic patient and say get me the chief doc stat.

Jump to this post

Sounds great! Once again, I truly believe that everyone knows their own body and can gauge what is beat for them. I believe everyone is different when it comes to weaning off this medication and should listen to what their bodies tell them!

All the best!

REPLY
cp6401 | @cp6401 | Feb 9, 2020
In reply to @laujenkins "Hi all, Second day decreasing my meds in half. Down from 75mg to 37.5 mg. Minor..." + (show)
@laujenkins

Hi all,

Second day decreasing my meds in half. Down from 75mg to 37.5 mg. Minor withdrawals. I actually feel more energetic and less tired throughout the day. Had some mood swings yesterday but really kept myself busy and felt good.

My question is, is there a time line where getting off Effexor is too fast? Is it just the withdrawal symptoms people are concerned about? What other concerns are there with coming off Effexor too quickly? Is it just a “everyone is different” kind of process?

Thank you for your tips and feedback!

Jump to this post

For me The cut from 75 to 37.5 was the hardest and in retrospect I would not have cut by that much.. I don’t know your background but I had been on for 22 years.. so a 50% reduction brought out my worst..out and was the most intense..

Now having said this, Its important to realize that it’s temporary and will pass. Especially when it doesn’t feel like it in the moment..

REPLY
1 reply
cp6401 | @cp6401 | Feb 9, 2020
In reply to @shermananski "I dropped from 37.5 to 0 last night. I feel a little unsettled as in “what..." + (show)
@shermananski

I dropped from 37.5 to 0 last night. I feel a little unsettled as in “what do I do now“ but that’s not unusual for me.

I’ve never been prone to “withdrawal.” But the last time I came off, it was paxil, And I had a horrible relapse months later. With no psychiatrist to run to. I have a resident now who will be moving now in June. If I relapse I’m going to the hospital and I’m not leaving until I get treatment with the head psychiatrist. Scared. Meanwhile I will not miss Effexor.

Jump to this post

Good for you!

I’m going on a week and a half, by taking Effexor xr 37.5 one day on one day off.. so far so good...perhaps that’s something you could explore... I was against it at first.. completely, and carefully weighted the pros and cons but my psych doc, gp, and pharmacist explained that’s the best most successful way.. even thought I’ve been reading that it’s not the easiest way...the difference with me is that Effexor never really worked... so I didn’t want to prolong suffering and take it slow if the med is having an adverse effects

for me at first it was a mindf*** as I’d been taking an ad before bed since my teens..but one day at a time, some are better than others etc..

But I really feel like everyone is different and what works for others may not work for me..so in the end, with feedback from All. the docs and wife, I decide what is my best next step

REPLY
1 reply
laujenkins | @laujenkins | Feb 9, 2020
In reply to @cp6401 "For me The cut from 75 to 37.5 was the hardest and in retrospect I would..." + (show)
@cp6401

For me The cut from 75 to 37.5 was the hardest and in retrospect I would not have cut by that much.. I don’t know your background but I had been on for 22 years.. so a 50% reduction brought out my worst..out and was the most intense..

Now having said this, Its important to realize that it’s temporary and will pass. Especially when it doesn’t feel like it in the moment..

Jump to this post

Thank you for this!

I completely agree that it is a huge jump! I Actually have done it before I was pregnant with my daughter and it was ok for me!

I definitely won’t be doing 37.5 to 0. I will be tapering from 37.5.

I feel better today. It’s been 3 days on 37.5 and it’s going well! Listening to my body and making sure it can handle it!

Thanks for all the tips and advice!

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