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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Profile picture for david707 @david707

@tisme Venlafaxine comes in 75 and 35 1/2 mg capsules. So my insurance allowed my psychiatric nurse to order these lower doses so I went down over time. I am about to do so again.....150 to 75mg. Actually you can open the 150mg capsule and pour out some of the beads in a cup approximating how much you want to lower the dose which I am about to do.

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getting down to 37 was easy last time but to get of that WOW so I stayed on it I found a group on the internet who are all about effexor , they suggest going down over a period of time by opening the capsule and counting the beads on a black surface ( easier to see the beads) and going down by 10% havent tried it yet , worried counting the beads with arthritic fingers. might try it though they suggested putting the beads not used into a gelatine capsule

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Profile picture for mialucy123 @mialucy123

Has anyone used cannabis gummies to help with withdrawal symptoms like nausea and sleep? If so, was it helpful?

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@mialucy123 I have and use cannabis gummies or drops nightly to help with sleep and anxiety. But I take it as CBD & CBN. After a few nights I realized it effects my nervous system 24 hrs, but of course it depends on how much is taken. I noticed that, just like regular weed with THC, the drops/gummies have a side effect of producing a "Don't give a shit" attitude and I am not getting things done, like I used to. So I am relaxed all day but I have to push myself to be more responsible.

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

getting down to 37 was easy last time but to get of that WOW so I stayed on it I found a group on the internet who are all about effexor , they suggest going down over a period of time by opening the capsule and counting the beads on a black surface ( easier to see the beads) and going down by 10% havent tried it yet , worried counting the beads with arthritic fingers. might try it though they suggested putting the beads not used into a gelatine capsule

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@tisme Wow! I wasn't that fussy (counting the beads). I just estimated and poured the beads directly in my mouth and saved the rest in the capsule. Realize the med is already in your system for days, so don't have to be so accurate. I also take Gabapentin and increasing the amount was an option.

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

getting down to 37 was easy last time but to get of that WOW so I stayed on it I found a group on the internet who are all about effexor , they suggest going down over a period of time by opening the capsule and counting the beads on a black surface ( easier to see the beads) and going down by 10% havent tried it yet , worried counting the beads with arthritic fingers. might try it though they suggested putting the beads not used into a gelatine capsule

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You can buy supplies cheaply on Amazon. I bought a kit that had tweezers, among other things. They also have gelatin capsules quite cheap.

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Profile picture for spreels2 @spreels2

Hello, and greetings from Plymouth, NC!! I don't understand why you are taking a benzo to help with withdrawal symptoms...l had to take Gabapentin to help with withdrawal symptoms from clonazepam. Will you continue to take clonazapam indefinitely?

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My psychiatrist has had me on Clonazapam for many years. I need it for anxiety and depression. I have now tapered from 4 mg to 1.75. It has been a life saver. You call it a benzo, I call it a meditation that has saved me.
MJD

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

getting down to 37 was easy last time but to get of that WOW so I stayed on it I found a group on the internet who are all about effexor , they suggest going down over a period of time by opening the capsule and counting the beads on a black surface ( easier to see the beads) and going down by 10% havent tried it yet , worried counting the beads with arthritic fingers. might try it though they suggested putting the beads not used into a gelatine capsule

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@tisme it is possible to get liquid form of Venlafaxine
I get solution 5/37.5 mg from my pharmacy once I reduced from 37,5mg twice daily
You can therefore reduce by micro doses

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Profile picture for looplu79 @looplu79

@tisme it is possible to get liquid form of Venlafaxine
I get solution 5/37.5 mg from my pharmacy once I reduced from 37,5mg twice daily
You can therefore reduce by micro doses

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@looplu79 Not in Australia

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

getting down to 37 was easy last time but to get of that WOW so I stayed on it I found a group on the internet who are all about effexor , they suggest going down over a period of time by opening the capsule and counting the beads on a black surface ( easier to see the beads) and going down by 10% havent tried it yet , worried counting the beads with arthritic fingers. might try it though they suggested putting the beads not used into a gelatine capsule

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@tisme
Can you tell me the info on the group online that discusses getting off Effexor?

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its on facebook can't remember the name but look up effexor see what you get

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

its on facebook can't remember the name but look up effexor see what you get

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@tisme also interested

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