Weaning off Effexor (Venlaflaxine)

[Jordan_O]

Hi! I am curious to see if anyone has had experience weaning off of Effexor?

I have been weaning off with the help of my doctor and therapist and am now currently taking 150mg. These past couple of days though have really hit me hard. I've been feeling extra tired as well as sad which is normal given the current circumstances we are all living in, but I was wondering how much of this may be the Effexor and if anyone has any tips they have found useful.

Thank you!

[Churchlady19]

Jordan,

Hi! I am responding to your Effexor inquiry because I have been down that road. Am copying a reply to someone else from a few weeks ago - when I went back on it after 9 months off!

The withdrawal is awful - do it very slowly! But, as you will see from my previous post, I went back on it and am so glad I did!

"Funny thing. I was on it for 10 years. After bariatric surgery in 2018, a psychiatrist told me he thought my weight gain was from a combination of the meds (Effexor & Wellbutrin) & that anxiety & depression were not my problem. He thought that I had ADD. I went off Effexor - a nightmare withdrawal - and started ADD meds. After 9 months of extreme anxiety, depression, no appetite, unable to work, losing 45 pounds, I went back on Effexor 3 weeks ago - and I thank God my primary care physician had the smarts to allow me to do so - especially with this pandemic. I would not have been able to leave my house or survive with all that is happening right now.

I know meds are not the answer for everyone but I am so happy they are available. And I would rather try & work through my ADD , eat mindfully, & exercise than ever feel how I felt without Effexor."

Good luck!