Success with venlafaxine withdrawal
Posted , 77 users are following.
Hi guys,
After 6 long years on venlafaxine, I have finally gotten off the drug. I don't know if this will be of any use to anyone, but I wanted to share some hopeful words and tips for anyone trying to come off of this nasty medication. I should clarify, however, that I am not angry for having been put on this medication, as I am sure it saved my life. That being said, 6 years, 225mg/day and an additional 20kg later (!!! just awful !!!) I am so glad to be Effexor free.
The details:
I was taking Effexor XR and had been on my maximum dose for 3.5 years. Prior to that I was on 150mg for about 2 years. I took 3 x 75mg capsules every morning as a once a day dose. Taking three tablets was initially to save money (for some reason it was cheaper here in Australia to do it that way) but it ended up having the extra bonus of making withdrawal easier.
What worked for me may not work for everyone, but this is the approach my GP and I came up with. Most was my own plan, based on what I found worked, but my GP gave me the initial "tablet dropping" idea and trusted me to take it slowly, listen to my body and see her as needed. It worked very, very well, with minimal side effects. If it helps even one of you it will be worth having posted this.
First things first:
1. Make sure you are taking care of yourself and are in a good place emotionally before even contemplating withdrawal.
2. You are going to need supportive people around you- I don't know if I could have done it without my boyfriend. Tell your family/friends AND DOCTOR what you are doing. This is crucial. You may also want to tell someone you trust at work what is going on, so they know why you may seem a little dazed every so often.
3. Make sure you are eating really well. I switched to a vegan diet about half way through and, although this is not for everyone, this made withdrawal so much easier. I am sure the huge amounts of vegetables made a difference. I especially noticed that days when I ate lots of sea vegetables I coped best with symptoms, so consider working them into your normal diet.
4. Take a multivitamin and drink lots of water. At least 2 litres a day. This will help minimise the horrible nausea you will probably experience.
5. Drink ginger tea/use ginger. This is also for the nausea and I found it was essential in the days after stopping completely. It really does help. I also wondered if some people might find a prescription for maxalon or stemetil helpful, as the nausea and dizziness was the worst for me.
6. Get lots of sleep. I mean heaps of it. Anyone who has withdrawn from this med (or even skipped a dose!) knows how tired you will get.
Now the tablet reduction:
I started by reducing my total weekly dose by 1 tablet per week (taking 2 tabs one day and 3 every other day) for a few weeks. This sounds like nothing, but even this produced quite bad side effects at first (teariness, exhaustion, dizziness and nausea). Only when I was comfortable (ie no side effects) with this dose regimen did I move on.
Then, I took 2 tabs instead of 3 on two days a week for a few weeks until I was comfortable (making sure to space the 2 tablet days out, eg Sat and Wed). Then I got into the habit of taking tablets as follows. I made sure to plan/write all of this down on our calender beforehand, to use as a guide and make sure I didn't mess it up:
3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2 etc for about 3 to 4 weeks
Then:
3, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2 etc for about another 3 weeks to month.
Then:
3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, etc for about a month. Then when I got to 2 tablets (150mg) a day on every day of the week I rested on that for quite a while (mostly as I was nervous about going too fast). Then, I did a pretty much similar thing to get down to one tablet a day. Then the same to get to 37.5 mg. I actually stopped pretty abruptly from the 37.5 mg stage, as I felt entirely ready. After that I had about 5 days of feeling pretty crappy, with symptoms as above, then I started getting better. Day 3 with no drugs was the worst for me.
So, in the end, it took me about 8 months to go from 225 to nothing. I know that seems an eternity, but I think that is why I coped so well. Five days after dropping from 37.5mg to nothing, I had almost no symptoms. Seven days later I had none. Even if you take nothing else from this, please know that it is possible to get off of this nasty drug BUT you must be careful, listen to your body, do it with support from those around you and in communication with your GP.
Good luck to all of you
xx
17 likes, 204 replies
sig555 oz82
Posted
Hi
Checking in again after what seemed a long withdrawal from Effexor. It took me almost two years all up (from 225 mg with several reinstatements to the lowest bearable dose) but I am Effexor free for a week now with no more withdrawal symptoms.
For what it is worth, my experience was that if the withdrawal is done too quickly the symptoms get so bad that I had to reinstate the drug albeit at the last level I felt just ok on and stay there for a while. It was tedious but it was the only way for me. I am a professional single mum working full time and I had to function.
The last 37 mg were the slowest. There was no way I could go to zero (I tried - not a good idea!). I then did the counting beads method even though I had sworn to myself I would not do that nor need it but I was wrong. I did get impatient at the end and reduced a bit quickly with resulting withdrawals (I should have known by now) but I managed to recover within a week. Now I have been "clean" for seven days and counting. Still feeling a bit tired but no more nasty withdrawal symptoms.
I was starting to doubt whether I could do it but I could. Let me assure you, if I can do it you can too! The trick is the gradual withdrawal. That's all there is to it.
Will be checking in again to let you know as to weight loss. I have certainly lost tons of weight during withdrawal but once comfortable on a new reduced level of the drug I started to eat more again and put some of the lost weight back on. Now that I am completely off it my metabolism should go back to normal (I am naturally slim but at the moment a bit too chubby for my liking around the middle). I know this was a burning question of mine whilst on Effexor (and somewhat still now) so I will report with weight loss success (hopefully). I certainly feel much more energetic and am more physically active as a result. That in itself will have an impact, I am sure.
So chin up, fellow withdrawers! It will all be good.
Wishing you all the very best of luck!
Luccia5 sig555
Posted
So inspiring. I just cannot believe how lucky I was to find this site. I no-longer feel alone, stupid, defeatest, and any other negative adjective you care to throw into the mix. I have now tried the Benedryl and whether psychological or not, I am now 6 days without a 'fix'. I am taking one caffeine pill a day to help with the tiredness and drinking more water as suggested - seems to help with the 'palpitations'. All in all a much happier person and mood swings this week a lot better.
kira812 oz82
Posted
Hello I'm curious if you had any weight gain after you dropped Effexor? I was taking 150 mg and weaned myself out of it. But started random weight gain in over a couple months gained 8 lbs. when I was on it for over a year i didn't have any weight gain at all?
Luccia5 kira812
Posted
I must admit I haven't really noticed. I did put on a huge amunt of weight when I started taking the Effexor - about 10kilos. I will weigh myself over the next few months and report back. I am hungrier but find a cup of something tends to suffice. I feel more 'energetic' on good days so am doing more which may help me sort the original weight gain out. Sorry I cannot be more helpful but promise to report back.
m89928 kira812
Posted
I have been off Effexor for 13 months now and can report that I lost 25lbs, most of it within the initial several months. I had gained 20-30 lbs over the years of taking the drug.
dolores10636 oz82
Posted
Luccia5 dolores10636
Posted
Yes, thank you. If it all gets too much I will speak to doc about this option. I do think the Benedryl along with the multi vits are helping. I am really starting to feel much more 'stable' amd more able to manage the 'palpitations'. I just want off all meds. What has been interesting is, that since I started to reduce Effexor, my cholestorol level has increased - bizarre! Could be coincindence but then my blood pressure which had increased quite considerably.over the period I was taking Effexor has now levelled out and is back to normal. Once Effexor sorted we plan to get rid of the blood pressure meds - woohoo. Told her about this site and she is going to recommend it to others.
kleo4 oz82
Posted
Mmmm.. I've just been prescribed venlafaxine. After reading the horrible nightmares you've all been through I'm scared of taking the tablets! I've never wanted to take them but my binge eating disorder is all over the place and really has me down. I don't know what to do? Maybe ask for a different AD to help instead? St john's wort?
stephane oz82
Posted
Hi, I've been on Effexor XR 75 mgs. for over 10 years now. Since 3 years ago, I had been tapering to the point that I originally got off last August but anxiety returned by November. I reinstated to less than 37.5 mgs (much higher than I should have) and have since then started a slow taper off the drug. I've been reducing beads and am now on 3 beads. I have no w/d symptoms to speak of. I plan on holding for 3 - 4 months before I drop another bead. I expect it'll take me 1-2 years to get off this small amount. I'm hoping that I won't have w/d symptoms long after stopping and that that will be it.
d89573 oz82
Posted
Hi --
just stopping by to share my experience.
75 mg tablets for two yrs.
Was through being "tide" to a medication.
Stopped cold turkey.
After one week of "withdrawals" --
Days 1 - 3 EXTREMELY tired, loss of appetite, dry mouth in the morning; kind of mind foggy.
Days 4 & 5 same symptoms, plus a headache each night, muscle cramps/legs, waves of heat/perspiration.
Days 5 & 6 - Took two Ibuprofin for headache each night -- it took care of any/ALL my aches & pains -- GREAT NIGHT SLEEP. :-)
Day 7 - No nightly headache/no Ibuprofen. No leg cramps. Still have the "heat wave" sensation.
Day 8 - After a FULL NIGHT SLEEP/ZERO IBUPROFEN, woke up feeling LIKE ME -- my head is clear !
What did I do about the nausea, other side effects?
I have always always had a good, plant-based diet -- so there was no issue, no change needed there for me.
I drank LOTS & LOTS of clean, pure WATER!!
At night I would have a couple cups of caffiene-free tea -- hot.
I want to share the FREEDOM I feel.
After Day 1, I made myself go for a walk.
I used to walk close to 4 miles daily.
My walk on Day 2 of cold turkey was about 30 minutes.....and I was drenched in sweat (had my water bottle with me...just keep sipping -- helped w/ the nausea as well! That and chewing gum!!), & I was utterly EXHAUSTED!
Days 3 - 6 -- same routine -- lots of WATER! MADE myself get outside & walk daily. Again, lots of perspiration....no other negative symptoms I can remember.
Day 7 -- walk (1 hr), perspiration, drink LOTS of cool water.....feel clear-headed.
Day 8 & beyond -- SUNSHINE, exercise, LOTS of cool water DAILY.
I feel BLESSED & I am here to give HOPE to ANYONE who is experiencing withdrawals from stopping cold-turkey.
Am here....... a cheerleader for anyone who needs it!
-- BE WELL........
:-D
(P.S., this isn't meant to be a "reply." I wasn't able to just "enter text."
Sammy1515 oz82
Posted
Hi-
Thanks for your post. I too, have been on for 10+ years but have wanted to try the wean for a very long time. But, it never seems like a "good" time. As of yesterday, I went from 150 to 112.5 which is the lowest I've ever been on since the I first got on. Already irritable and a bit antsy, but am going to try to keep busy and keep my eyes on the prize as they say. I will pray alot and do it slowly. Not wanting to even attempt cold turkey. I hope all is well with you and that you have had continued success being off Effexor.
jacqueline69942 oz82
Posted
jacqueline69942 oz82
Posted
winifred40254 oz82
Posted
Hi , I'm nearly 4 weeks into your plan with my Dr's support. I have been on the same dose as you were for many many years !
Now I think its doing more harm than good ! When I saw your post, i couldnt believe it , it was so helpful - I will take even a year to get off , to minimise withdrawal .
I will be back to tell you how I'm getting on !
Thanks so much !!
tache101 oz82
Posted
Hello,
Congratulations on your success on quitting effexor. Also it was so good of you to post your results. Yours is the only positive results I could find.
I'm also trying to quit effexor. I'm almost down to one 37.5 mg a day. It has been a long road.
I'm wondering how you feel now. Did you have any good effects from quitting. A friend of mine said she was very romantic and that would be wonderful after not having any desire for so long.
Thank you in advance,
Clare
winifred40254 tache101
Posted
fed up Im ok . As soon as I feel better i will go down to 221. I cant thank you enough for your original post detailing how you tapered down . I have already got off co- codamol 30/500 which I have been on for 25 years.! A ntidep. 40 years !!
I hope you are well now ? Let me know! Wxx