How To Reduce Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms

I hear you. I've been off anti-depressants for years now and I had troubles getting off them. Specifically Effexor, although getting off of it, was much less problematic than others, for sure. Getting off Paxil was the worst. Effexor was no treat though either. You just have to ride it out and wean off slowly. Took me almost a month. Even with weaning, it can be difficult though, but not weaning, it's absolutely dreadful. So, it could be worse. Regardless, getting off of any of them, can be hellish sometimes. I did not enjoy it and would never go back, either.

In the end, they solve nothing really. They just keep you from going over the edge and offing yourself if your depression or anxiety is bad. They never really address the root problem, they just treat symptoms and band aid the problem. Your healthy, natural approach is the way to go. That is actually addressing the root problem. Nutrients to help the brain chemicals and you are on the right track. Look into dark chocolate and Cashews too. They are enjoyable and precursors to brain chemicals, like Serotonin. Many people have found relief from them. Also Lemon Balm, Ashwagandha, Ceylon Cinnamon (from Sri Lanka), Cloves, Allspice, Passion Flower, Rhodiola etc.

I take a herbal supplement that helps, called Veeva, which includes many of the things I just mentioned. It's a Canadian thing and is sometimes available in the U.S. and elsewhere. Sometimes not, cause I have heard of some people having problems getting it outside of Canada, but they do ship internationally. Anyway, it's clinically proven and has a lot of R&D behind it (10 years) and is a patented formulation. It works. I found the yellow box/label helpful and is the original patented one, but some say the purple one is decent too. 

 ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

I hope my post helps
I was on effexor for a year when I almost lost my vision and had several cracked teeth not to mention other horrible side effects. Every time I decided to stop, the horrible withdrawal symptoms were showing up within 24 hours. I was feeling hopeless and at the age of 35 my health was worst that someone 90 only because of effexor. I had absolutely no medical conditions before starting this medication

Now this is how I was finally able to quit without ANY withdrawal symptoms. I was on 75mg. I dod my research and told my doctor I wanted to stop taking effexor and needed to use Prozac effexor bridge. Google it if you don't know what it is...the doctor put me on 20mg Prozac. I was taking 1 Prozac 20mg in the morning and 1 effexor 75 mg as usual in the afternoon for 2 weeks. 2 weeks was enough time for Prozac to be in my blood stream. Then after 2 weeks I went from 75mg of effexor to 37.5. So I was taking 1 Prozac 20mg in the morning and 1 effexor 37.5 for another 2 weeks...after that 2 weeks, I was just taking 1 Prozac 20mg in the morning and NO effexor. Its been 2 weeks and no headaches or any other withdrawal symptoms. I'm planning on not taking Prozac in 2 more weeks. If you have tried everything else like I did, do what I did. I know it's the only way. I tried everything else. I know how bad the pain is and that's why I'm writing on effexor blogs to help. You can do itsmile

Hi ssickler, how is it going now?

I reduced taking effexor from 112.5 mg to 75 mg for one week and then took 37.5 mg for 4 days, and have stopped it now. I am on day 3 of no effexor. It has not been easy - its mostly dizziness, nausea, fatigue, very vivid dreams and general feeling of yuckiness. I am taking omega flax pills - 2 pills a day, 2 vitamin b, 1 multi-vitamin, and eating whatever i crave. Frequent visits to the bathroom. I am hoping that the symptoms subside after 2 more days.

I am on day 7 of no effexor - vertigo, nausea, body aches, flu like symptoms, and fatigue continue. I wonder how much longer this will last?

Hello, was just checking up on you to see how your doing? Are you off all meds? I'm new to this website.
I'm stuck on 12.5 mg of regular generic effexor. My brain tells me it's time to take a dose in the morning with the electric shiver shocks. I'm afraid to jump off at this point. Should I continue to decrease my dose and then jump or am I just drawing the inevitable out.
I hate being on this stuff because I feel like my emotions have been taken away from me. I don't laugh at things or ever cry. I feel like a robot. And I know they knew when releasing this drug that people wouldn't be able to get off of it. Very evil of them to not tell people and to not have a protocal in place for people.
But I'm glad that ive weaned myself down to this amount over a period of a couple of months. I was on 75mg to start and at one point my doctor wanted to double that. Lol I'm glad I said no.
Anyways I read your post and find comfort that there's people out there that are going or have went through the stuff I have regarding the withdrawals. Very wicked stuff. And the drug companies don't give a darn about getting people hooked on this stuff or anything else for that matter. I can say that the drug did help me when I needed it too but had no idea that it would be this hard to get off. And I want my emotions back. I feel like a frickin robot. Thanks for your time.

Just wondering how your doing? Are you still off effexor? I've been on 12.5 mgs for about 6 months. I'm thinking of cutting that in half and seeing if I handle it well.

I agree with everything you have said
You are so right about music being a huge help.
I am on day 5 of getting off Venlor (the generic) after being on 150XR for about 10 years. My husband is divorcing me and has taken me off his medical aid and I was retrenched a year ago so I can no longer afford the meds
I have Chronic Major Depression with anxiety.
I am trying a protein shake now. I found some omega 3 and I have a vit B complex that I can take.
The stomach pain is unbearable.
My stomach runs like water. My head aches.
I am coming off cold turkey once and for all. I just hope I will feel a bit better in 2 days time as I have to travel to another city to look for work.
Thanks for your advise.
B

The only way to go off a high-powered drug such as Venlafaxine is to do as your Dr. advises. You must titrate this med. A good Dr. will have you do it in a slow manner so that the body isn't thrown into withdrawals. My Dr. had me take 75mg.X4days then 50mg. X 4days, 37.5mg. X4 days and finally 1/2 37.5mg X 4 days. I never had any symptoms. Also remember a lot of the stories you read, list every known withdrawal there is. Please see your Dr. He is the one with the expertise to help you get off them as easily as possible. Never, Never, go off any anti depressant with out help from your Physician Good Luck

I am just now 4 days off of Effexor ER. This is terrible and I went and purchased some vitamins. I feel out of my body right now and I have uncontrollable crying.

So been there! High doses of fish oil- 4x recommended amount really helped. It was a rough withdrawal but i got through it, took about 3 weeks to feel normal with an occasional brain zap. Im 8 months out and everything has been bad to normal for awhile. took me a good 2 months.

❤️ your humor! Thanks for sharing.

Oh my gosh I have become the same. I tried to come off it cold turkey in my late 3o's. Nightmare from hell. I went back on it. I'm heavy now and have the attitude you stated. I'm almost 55. No friends, people generally dislike me now. It's pretty much destroyed my life. I can say I wasn't depressed though. What to do. I'm trying to get off this wicked med. Either way your screwed into loneliness. Help me please!!!

A word of hope and light at the end of the tunnel. I had to go on VenlafaxineXL starting on 75mg up to a total of 275 mg daily 11 yrs ago. I was in a really bad place with an overload of life situations both past and present simultaneously. So i found an amazing Counselor which i met weekly for yrs. I went right through my trauma's and healed myself with the aforementioned in a safe environment. thank god i have become who i was meant to be without the chains so to speak. So on the first of January 2018 I decided to go off my meds. Of course i felt I could do it myself and duly went off 75 mg twice a week the first wk, three times the second week. By week Three i was completely off the 75 mgs. yippy. I was delighted with myself !!!!!
Week four I took the run of myself and went from 150 mgs to NOTHING by the end of the week. Oops( PANIC,SWEATS,NIGHTMARES,ILL PHYSICALLY, i legged it to my Doctor who wasn't impressed but explained i must taper gradually., sure i was telling her how fantastic i felt I was lol :-) Anyway I am down to 37.5 mgs daily, and will remain on that dose to give my body and brain a breather for a week or two. I will cut them in half then for another spell until i am comfortable to half them again, until i end up weaned completely off them. My Symptoms have been, headache, sweats, panic at times, also the 3rd day seems to be the killer. It is a tough journey but so well worth it. I love the feeling of freedom. I feel as though someone has entered my brain and spring cleaned it. the horrible fogginess is gone. Sorry for the massive long explanation, Im not good on crisp and to the point details..I wish you the absolute very best on your journey but take heart, we are all in this together like "browns cow"s as the saying goes. :-)
Big hug to all. Bernadette

OMG!!! I am living in fear of trying to get off of this drug. I was prescribed it after smy double mastectomy. It was perscribed by my oncologist for my extreme hot flashes due to the hormone blockers. I learned first hand of the withdraw symptoms when I ran out of my RX. The brain zaps and dizziness started about 8 hours after I missed my pill. It was a weekend of course. The Doctor was closed. By the 2nd day, I was so sick and thinking I need my drugs. I freak out if I leave the house without taking it. Severe anxiety sets in. I live in fear of quiting the venlafexine. I have gained 50 lbs. I cannot concentrate and have trouble making decisions. It is destroying my being. I want off of it. But the withdraw symptoms are horrifying. Does this happen with all anti-depressents? Why would my ßdoctor be so quick to prescribe this medication. Wtf I want off of it. I own my own business and there is no medical leave. I do not have the privilage of taking much time off. I wish I had done more research before starting it. I trusted my doctors. Trusted my breast surgeons recommendation for a plastic surgeon. Trusted that he was listening to my concerns. That would be a BIG negative. He was just telling me what I wanted to hear. Ended up with two appendages so hard like soft balls between my breast bone and muscle. He put to big of impmants in. Two years of a chronic rash from the skin stretch so tight. Now Im a legal drug addict. Really? I was thinking it would take about two weeks. But after reading these hoŕror stories, it looks like they can last much longer. Ugh