Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

I meant "addiction issues" but pretty sure you all spotted my typo. LOL One thing that helped me with the symptoms is a warm beverage called Golden Milk. There are several recipes out there in Google depending on your needs. It helped with nausea and helped me rest. With the support of my husband, I was able to sleep a lot that last week. If you are working, you might want to take some pto or a brief leave to get through it. Also found that tears came easily. At this point, I do feel balanced without any depression or abnormal anxiety and energy is increasing. I look forward to slowly increasing my activity/exercise level and taking on some healthier habits. I feel the med was a major factor causing fatigue. Hope this helps someone out there!

Successfully withdrew from Effexor.
I've been on Effexor (Venlaxafine for over 20 years at 150mg and decided other recently discovered scientific (haha) breakthroughs provided better proven results.
So - I decided to s l o w l y wean myself off that nasty little drug by opening the capsule and removing one additional little mini-tablet every 2 weeks. The capsules I was prescribed actually had mini-"pucks" which were 12.5mg each (12 in a 150mg capsule). Using a weekly pill box, it was easier to set out the week's dosages and keep a log on reducing the amounts.
I think I had a total of 1 (one)VERY minor brain "zap" / sense of vertigo which quickly dissipated. Note: (Here is where some of you might not be comfortable) - I also started, at about the 100mg mark with effexor to microdose with psilocybin (aka "magic mushroom") at levels that are far below "psychedelic" . ANOTHER NOTE: This is not a legal substance (YET!) but being fast tracked by the US FDA who refers it as a "Breakthrough Therapy" for severe depression (do your research - Johns Hopkins, Mayo etc.)
I hit the 12.5mg mark last week and am holding at that level because I am also experiencing what johnnydelo describes regarding insomnia. I think it might be the "last gasp" of physiological addiction while my 5HT2A receptors get back online and I'll go 4 weeks then go zero.
Last comments regarding psilocybin. Try to find a negative (reputable) report on psilocybin. You'll quickly find out why, in a few years, it will be in common use. (It's been used, along with other entheogens throughout the world for millennia to heal and grow) But also realize that the best results are one or two large doses of psilocybin combined with therapy, especially group therapy. At least in Canada, there are many dispensaries that can ship psilocybin to you directly and confidentially if you do your online search for it.
Very best of luck and life to all - and if you encounter any doctor who tells you otherwise about psilocybin use, spend 5 minutes online and send them the links to mountains of professional opinion otherwise that you will find-
Hope what worked for me works for you - A

Successfully withdrew from Effexor.
I've been on Effexor (Venlaxafine for over 20 years at 150mg and decided other recently discovered scientific (haha) breakthroughs provided better proven results.
So - I decided to s l o w l y wean myself off that nasty little drug by opening the capsule and removing one additional little mini-tablet every 2 weeks. The capsules I was prescribed actually had mini-"pucks" which were 12.5mg each (12 in a 150mg capsule). Using a weekly pill box, it was easier to set out the week's dosages and keep a log on reducing the amounts.
I think I had a total of 1 (one)VERY minor brain "zap" / sense of vertigo which quickly dissipated. Note: (Here is where some of you might not be comfortable) - I also started, at about the 100mg mark with effexor to microdose with psilocybin (aka "magic mushroom") at levels that are far below "psychedelic" . ANOTHER NOTE: This is not a legal substance (YET!) but being fast tracked by the US FDA who refers it as a "Breakthrough Therapy" for severe depression (do your research - Johns Hopkins, Mayo etc.)
I hit the 12.5mg mark last week and am holding at that level because I am also experiencing what johnnydelo describes regarding insomnia. I think it might be the "last gasp" of physiological addiction while my 5HT2A receptors get back online and I'll go 4 weeks then go zero.
Last comments regarding psilocybin. Try to find a negative (reputable) report on psilocybin. You'll quickly find out why, in a few years, it will be in common use. (It's been used, along with other entheogens throughout the world for millennia to heal and grow) But also realize that the best results are one or two large doses of psilocybin combined with therapy, especially group therapy. At least in Canada, there are many dispensaries that can ship psilocybin to you directly and confidentially if you do your online search for it.
Very best of luck and life to all - and if you encounter any doctor who tells you otherwise about psilocybin use, spend 5 minutes online and send them the links to mountains of professional opinion otherwise that you will find-
Hope what worked for me works for you - A

Hi there! I am new to Connect, but hopefully can offer some insight. I DID go off 150 Effexor XR (name brand) COLD TURKEY on January 2016. I survived it, but will never in my life EVER go off ANY antidepressant cold turkey. I had taken Effexor for at least 8 years, Zoloft prior to that and and Imipramine (sp?) as the first antidepressant (in all 25+ years on antidepressants.) It all started with running out of meds over a long weekend and deciding it was time to try to get off antidepressants to see how I would do. Since I had recently retired from teaching, thought this would be an ideal time to give it a go. In addition, Effexor just wasn't helping all that much anymore (I thought.) The first 3 days I felt like I was going to die! When I realized that I wasn't dying, decided to keep going to get it all over with. In addition to the symptoms you have heard about, I had deep bone/joint pain that felt like I was being pinched with clamps. Also had skin sensations and peeling, and noticed a strange smell on my skin. Each day got a little better and by the 3rd week started to function a bit more normally. I was very emotional, however, which caused my family great concern. Well, to make a long story short, the depression crept back in full and I am still trying to get my life back. I did everything I could to stay stable, including herbal supplements and took a vacation where I hiked 6 miles daily for 9 days on hilly, rocky terrain. I finally had to accept that I'm a person who will need antidepressants for the rest of my life. With the help of a PCP and counselor, I am on my 3rd antidepressant & may need to resort to going back on Effexor, because nothing seems to be working. All in all, in my opinion, the chronic depression is worse than the withdrawal symptoms that do eventually end. If you are a person with situational depression, you may be successful weaning off Effexor gradually. If I were to do it again, that's what I would do (while replacing Effexor with something else.) Here are the things that helped me with the physical withdrawal symptoms:
1. Get plenty of sleep/rest.
2. Eat a very well-balanced diet (this is not the time to worry about your weight.) Lots of soup & easy to digest foods the 1st few days.
3. Drink plenty of water, including coconut water.
4. Have a glass of wine in the evening (if advisable.)
5. Get outside and walk or other excersize (the warm sunshine will feel good!)
6. Hot yoga 3-4 times per week. Stay in class even if you feel nauseous & can only do a few postures.
7. Soak in a hot tub (with bath salts if available.)
8. Use a good moisturizer on face & body several times per day.
9. Get several professional massages.
10. Take Tylenol for muscle pain, if OK on your stomach.
11. A heating pad is also helpful at bedtime or during naps.
12. If you are single & live alone, make sure a few trusted friends/family members know what you are doing.
13. In general, be kind & gentle to yourself.
14. NEVER give up! Keep going, even when you don't feel like it (which will be often.) YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!

Hello! I’m new to this page. I was on Effexor for 7 years and got off in June 2020. Everything was fine until October 2020 when I started to feel overwhelmed and anxious. It’s hasn’t stopped. I am wondering if my body is still adjusting form being on the Effexor (it’s Feb. 2022) or am I just depressed and I need to get back on something? Thanks!

After being on Venlafaxine (effexor) for @30 + years I decided to get off of it.
I started an exercise routine at home and signed up to take a language course through zoom as well as learning how to bake bread. (Sourdough!).
I did those few things so that I had a number of set, positive challenges to look forward to during withdrawal .
I was on 37.5 Mgs twice daily. I started tapering off October 1 ,2021 and finished two weeks early on February 10, 2022.
To be clear, I have never suffered from severe depression or anxiety. I really don’t understand why I was prescribed this medicine. At the time I was married to an abusive husband and I was far from home. I had no support system and was suffering bouts of extreme anger and tears(No surprise). Anyway the medication did help me with my temper/anger but getting out of my marriage and starting over was ultimately the proper cure. Anyway that was over 25 years ago and I have moved on to a happy marriage and life.
I would have liked to get off Effexor sooner but the withdrawal is horrible and I didn’t have the time to feel disgusting and run my happy household as well. So I waited until I Had the wherewithal to focus on getting off the drug.
It wasn’t easy but I did get several encouraging tips by reading this blog and now have successfully completed my journey with this drug. I simply tapered off.
First 4 weeks 1 1/2 tab, second 4 weeks 1 1/4 tab next 4weeks 1 tab, next 4 weeks 1/2 tab last few weeks 1/4 tab and done. I felt slightly nauseous most days and extremely
Nauseous a few mornings during the last bit of my 1/4 tab days… so I just quit two weeks early…Sick Of It! No brain zaps for me , just a fuzzy sensation all day. But that could be age as well. I’m 67 and in great health but doesn’t fuzziness come with age,Ha! That’s my excuse!
And here I am feeling much better and so happy to be free of having to take an un necessary (for me)drug .Now that Spring is almost here the sunny days and outdoor fresh air will also help me to fight off any lingering icky feelings.
I remember when I quit smoking (Years and years ago) that I really didn’t feel quite right for around a year. I’m thinking this might be the same way. Getting off this drug is a huge commitment and so I would suggest setting yourself up for success Before taking the plunge. Find a Few healthy hobbies/distractions to keep yourself occupied. Have a support system in place ( spouse, friend, co-worker) who knows what is going on with you and realize that you are probably not going to feel perfectly fine for a few months. This was not sad or scary for me. It was just a fact. I wanted to quit this drug there was a price I was willing to pay. Now I Am happy to Be FREE!!
Thank you to the other bloggers who told their stories and helped me to realize this CAN be done !

1 million thank you‘s! Your story is so very encouraging. I tried tapering off of my sleeping med, temazepam, only to give up after about four months. I just could not handle the insomnia. However, now I am going to give it another try and focus on the suggestions that you offered. Wish me luck and thank you again.

Hello! I’m new to this page. I was on Effexor for 7 years and got off in June 2020. Everything was fine until October 2020 when I started to feel overwhelmed and anxious. It’s hasn’t stopped. I am wondering if my body is still adjusting form being on the Effexor (it’s Feb. 2022) or am I just depressed and I need to get back on something? Thanks!