How I got off effexor.

First I would like to say that my dosage was 75mg throughout my entire time (3 years) on effexor xr. Like many others, I experienced the brain shocks/shivers whenever I forgot to take my medication and in many cases found myself rushing home as quickly as I could to get the missed dose.I finally decided enough was enough and in October 2008, I weaned myself off effexor for 2 weeks and detoxed for one week.

I started by "stretching" doses. Basically what that means is to take your normal dose then only take another dose when the shivers become unbearable. When stretching, the time in between doses usually ranged from 2-3 days. I did this for 14 calendar days and stopped taking the effexor altogether.
For seven days thereafter-took a week off from work- I stayed mostly in bed while detoxing (getting up only to bathe, use the bathroom and fix something to eat (mostly cereal and soup). I dressed as warm as possible by wearing layers of clothing and turned the heat up as high as possible to encourage sweating and speed up the detoxification process.

I tried to move and walk around as little as possible and was careful not to look side to side since that can also cause brain shivers (I either turned my whole head or entire body). I also drank lots of water (bought 2 one gallon bottlesbefore starting detox) and non-citrus juice (they're easier on the liver) and on about the 5th day of detox, starting taking Futurebiotics' "Life Energy" ($8-$9 at Vitamin Shoppe). During the detox I experienced cold symptoms as my body expelled toxins and it helped to take 1000mg flaxseed, 3000mg of Vitamin C and 400mg Vitamin E daily along with my multivitamin.

I let my family know what I was doing so that I wouldn't be disturbed. My mother made sure that I ate and that helped a lot


While on the web I found that there are natural calming herbs (panic attacks), SSRI's and mood stablizers (5HTP, Sam-e and I'm sure there are others) available over the counter and are without the harsh side effects common with effexor. I've been on different meds for 9 years (zoloft, wellbutrin, lorazepam, risperdal, symbyax,) and effexor has been the most difficult to get off.

It has now been one month since the initial weaning and I get brain shivers here and there and only once daily when they do occur. I've added a liver factors supplement to further cleanse and strengthen the liver, enzymes to ease the strain on the liver and echinacea and goldenseal to my vitamin regimen to boost my immune system.

Was it worth it? Definitely.

And if the debilitating depression does return, I will opt for massages, exercise (especially jumping ones) and natural (herbal) remedies which are non addictive and actually healthy.

Good luck to all.


It is what it is; "This too shall pass" and then on to the next stage of life.

If you would like to more info on weaning and detoxing you can check out The Road Back Website www.theroadback.org which lists detox schedules for many anti -depressants.