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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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dianrib | @dianrib | Jun 9, 2018
In reply to @arachel "I've given up giving up taking Effexor for the second time now. I had to start..." + (show)
Profile picture for arachel @arachel

I've given up giving up taking Effexor for the second time now. I had to start taking my Effexor again 4 days ago so I'm still in the midst of the horror show of withdrawal and the slow crawl back to something resembling sanity. I'm typing right now because I don't know what else to do with my thoughts of gloom and doom. My heart is pounding and I just want to throw up. I took a Xanax yesterday and it got me through, but I didn't take any today because I'm afraid of developing a new addiction. I just can't escape myself. I tried reading, crocheting, watching tv and I just can't concentrate. I took a walk this morning and that felt good, but the panic attacks and depression took hold again quickly. I did go to the doctor and he told me that I needed to get back on Effexor because my serotonin levels were obviously in the toilet (my word, not his). My personal torture is also having an affect on my husband. He has been patient, but everyone has their breaking point. I don't think he wants to sympathize much longer. If he gives up on me, I don't know what I'll do. If anyone has any helpful thoughts or information, I could sure use it now. Thanks

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I've been there ..Its a vicious cycle , trying to kick these meds No one warned about the terrible side effects of stopping or cutting down . Why ??? Why is that legal to put people thru this ? Greedy Big pharma gets away with pushing these meds on TV but takes NO responsibility for the bad after effects. Doctors too They pledge 'First do no harm' what a joke Most just say Keep taking these meds for life !! Hell NO

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Profile picture for dianrib
dianrib | @dianrib | Jun 9, 2018
In reply to @arachel "I've given up giving up taking Effexor for the second time now. I had to start..." + (show)
Profile picture for arachel @arachel

I've given up giving up taking Effexor for the second time now. I had to start taking my Effexor again 4 days ago so I'm still in the midst of the horror show of withdrawal and the slow crawl back to something resembling sanity. I'm typing right now because I don't know what else to do with my thoughts of gloom and doom. My heart is pounding and I just want to throw up. I took a Xanax yesterday and it got me through, but I didn't take any today because I'm afraid of developing a new addiction. I just can't escape myself. I tried reading, crocheting, watching tv and I just can't concentrate. I took a walk this morning and that felt good, but the panic attacks and depression took hold again quickly. I did go to the doctor and he told me that I needed to get back on Effexor because my serotonin levels were obviously in the toilet (my word, not his). My personal torture is also having an affect on my husband. He has been patient, but everyone has their breaking point. I don't think he wants to sympathize much longer. If he gives up on me, I don't know what I'll do. If anyone has any helpful thoughts or information, I could sure use it now. Thanks

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Meant to add Xanax is Hell to get off of I've tried for 3 day ( ran out ) and would up in the ER with horrid headache, 300 BP...unbearable anxiety There has to be a better way...

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tennessegirl aka Melinda | @tennessegirl | Jun 9, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "tennesseegirl and everyone ..... you hit the nail on the head when you said your family..." + (show)
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tennesseegirl and everyone ..... you hit the nail on the head when you said your family doesn't understand. Mine don't either. I was totally out of the Effexor for a week and by day 4 I was about to jump out of my skin with anxiety. I had a headache, major anxiety, was dizzy and just plainly felt awful. My mouth is also dry and there's other things I take that can cause that also .... you can't win. Well, I got my Effexor yesterday (my daughter was kind enough to get it for me because I had $0 left.) By last night I could feel a change ..... I didn't sleep well, so I took 2 melatonin and that helped. This morning I am really dragging ..... zero energy, headache, totally want to sleep. I told my daughter this AM as she wanted me to come over today - about 20 miles away - and I told her I just didn't trust myself on the road ...... as usual, she didn't get it. Forgive the language here, but everything in me wants to scream "well, if you'd have read the damn stuff I sent you, you'd know why I felt this way." But, I guess it's easier for them t stick their heads in the sand. I've tried, but it's major avoidance with them ..... makes it very hard on bad days.
Take care, you're not along with your family.
abby

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We are all here with you! Good Grief...family is supposed to be your support. Mine did not get the memo! Called me lazy..told me to get off My a** & do something. Terrible.. I just don't let them in my house or read their crappy texts. One of my sisters and my nephew are blocked! Ahhhhhh!

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tennessegirl aka Melinda | @tennessegirl | Jun 9, 2018

Not off.....tapering. Halves and quarters. Its been 6 days now....feeling better everyday. I do take half in am as preventative but that's way down from 75mg BID.....and never past 8 pm!

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tennessegirl aka Melinda | @tennessegirl | Jun 9, 2018
In reply to @dianrib "Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real..." + (show)
Profile picture for dianrib @dianrib

Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real bad

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Increase your dose! Try my method. Everyone is different and I do not remember how long you have been on it! For me just about 2 years

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tennessegirl aka Melinda | @tennessegirl | Jun 9, 2018
In reply to @dianrib "Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real..." + (show)
Profile picture for dianrib @dianrib

Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real bad

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Increase your dose. Slow down on the titration. Even if you have to take a pill to avoid the roller coaster. Then if you start to feel that way start w a half or a quarter....We are all different. I've only been taking it for 2 years tho.
Tapering down definitely not off! Its been 6 days. Halves and quarters. I do take half in the am and if I start the roller coaster..I start w a 1/4 and nothing after 8 pm.

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Profile picture for tennessegirl aka Melinda
tennessegirl aka Melinda | @tennessegirl | Jun 9, 2018
In reply to @arachel "I've given up giving up taking Effexor for the second time now. I had to start..." + (show)
Profile picture for arachel @arachel

I've given up giving up taking Effexor for the second time now. I had to start taking my Effexor again 4 days ago so I'm still in the midst of the horror show of withdrawal and the slow crawl back to something resembling sanity. I'm typing right now because I don't know what else to do with my thoughts of gloom and doom. My heart is pounding and I just want to throw up. I took a Xanax yesterday and it got me through, but I didn't take any today because I'm afraid of developing a new addiction. I just can't escape myself. I tried reading, crocheting, watching tv and I just can't concentrate. I took a walk this morning and that felt good, but the panic attacks and depression took hold again quickly. I did go to the doctor and he told me that I needed to get back on Effexor because my serotonin levels were obviously in the toilet (my word, not his). My personal torture is also having an affect on my husband. He has been patient, but everyone has their breaking point. I don't think he wants to sympathize much longer. If he gives up on me, I don't know what I'll do. If anyone has any helpful thoughts or information, I could sure use it now. Thanks

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Gawd...that must be like trying to lose weight and quit smoking! I take Xanax. It helps because of anxiety and panic attacks. I was only sleeping 2 hrs @ a time at nite too. Since tapering the Effexor...I sleep thru the nite. But the Xanax helps if I wake up in a panic.

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dianrib | @dianrib | Jun 9, 2018
In reply to @parus "All I can say is my withdrawal from EFFEXOR over 8 years ago is NOT something..." + (show)
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All I can say is my withdrawal from EFFEXOR over 8 years ago is NOT something I would want to experience again. I can say I am more at peace with myself and others without this DRUG. Withdrawal from these type of DRUGS can be lethal w/o proper supervision. Sad that professionals are NOT better educated or just don't care...

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agree Professionals / MD 's do NOT seem to care Their response is ' Keep taking the same meds that caused the problem in the first place ! Something legal needs to be done... Meds that affect the brain are not to be taken in such a cavalier manner.

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Profile picture for dianrib
dianrib | @dianrib | Jun 9, 2018
In reply to @dianrib "Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real..." + (show)
Profile picture for dianrib @dianrib

Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real bad

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Tennessee Why do you say 'Increase your dose' sorry but I'm confused

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tennessegirl aka Melinda | @tennessegirl | Jun 9, 2018
In reply to @dianrib "Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real..." + (show)
Profile picture for dianrib @dianrib

Just 5 days off meds ? Thats great When I just cut down I feel real bad

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Didn't you say you felt worse by following your current method? Maybe you have cut back too much.....And too quickly.

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