Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Hi guys! Just not doing so good when it comes to stressful situations. It’s the best kind of stress, picking out stuff for a new home (because, after saving money and buying an old home to fix up, we can’t live in boxes anymore!). So, I’ve been off Effexor since February and have had ups and downs. Mostly downs. Which is to be expected. Under a lot of stress. Just landed a new job with the school system making less than half my current salary. My husband is now working for a seafood store. My current job requires a massive commute because - oh, when dad died last year, I sort of moved our whole family. Mom has dementia. I’ve lost interest in just about everything but I’m trying.

I’m thinking of going back on an SSRI. Lexipro works for my mom. I’m really miserable and anxious and keep making insane snap decisions and anxiety is through the roof. That being said, it’s my anxiousness that pushes me to get things done. (I’m happy I got my new job. It’s a better place.)

I don’t want to be on again off again with these medications. And I was in Effexor for more than 20 years!

Going to meditate now. That helps. But (like I’ve done in the past) I’m seriously thinking about calling my doctor and starting up again.

Any advice is helpful. I love this forum.

PS: this is mostly for my family and friends. They are noticing...

Sorry to keep you guys hanging yesterday. I wrote the info on my CBD company yesterday and it didn't post. I must have hit a wrong button or something...
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My CBD company info...
Lazarus Naturals
Portland Oregon
I use CBD Coconut Oil, 1200 mg in 4 ounces.
Cost retail, $50. I had been using 2 bottles a month, AND I have been able to cut way back recently.
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Now, if you are a Veteran, Disabled or Low Income, fill out the form on the web site...
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The CBD I was paying $100 retail a month is now costing me $40 a month. That is such a blessing. (Disabled since 1992.)
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CBD gave me my life back, as I used to know it. It handles my body pain and discomfort, removes my anxiety and allows me to do the things I want to do instead of sitting in a chair vegetating 24/7.
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I had been using 75 mg a day, I used only 25 mg yesterday.
What ever the cost or dosage, I will use this until the day I die.
Hope this helps, Bright Wings

Hey bubbles, so sorry to hear of your distress. I want you to know I hear you.
May I suggest one more thing I have been doing recently that has Definately helping me.
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I have been going to a chiropractor for a miss-aligned spine...its great AND she also uses Accupuncture. I am starting to believe its the Accupuncture that has reduced my need for the CBD. Accupuncture balances the electrical system of the body....it is an ancient form of medicine and look how much I have changed in the last month or so....
Its really helping.
I hope you will try it.
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Write down all your symptoms before you go in. I used to suffer from dizziness also. I realize I had things placed in my house so I could teach out and steady myself as I walked thru a room. Like, a tall lamp, my sewing table, wall, oh so many things... Now I get up and just walk, confident in my footing and balance....
Bubbles, you have become part of our family here. We love you....
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This is your life, you are in charge of it. These are your decisions to make and what ever you decide, I will back you!
Smiling at you, Darling, Bright Wings

Now remember, I never had a normal childhood...EVER....the folks who should have loved me unconditionally, had their own hidden agenda. Oh, during the day, other children envied me my so loving family...they too wanted to have the loving family we showed to the world.
But night was something else. Oh, my horrible story is written somewhere here. I think it would be sufficient to say when my therapy was done, I found out I had 150 different personalities. Yes, that is not a typo...
I took back my life. My mother had to die before I could fully integrate, I completely finished integrating my last 8 personalities on 1/11/11. It was a personal journey I would not want to wish on anyone. I kept going cuz I was worth it. That's why I have so many mottos I share constantly, cuz I used them myself.
I am a DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES kind of girl.
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One thing I used very successfully was a native American plant medicine called Ayahuasca. It is from South America. It removed the cause of my depression. It changed the events that started at age 3 months. .
I don't remember where you are, but I know a great Medicine man in Jefferson City, Missouri.
I have Great respect for him. He also travels to administer Sacred Plant Medicine. It has to be given by a Medicine Man for it to be legal.. Certainly there are others all over. If you are interested, send me a private message. I will see how to connect you...
Bright Wings

Thank you so much! I am a big supporter of acupuncture and it cured my back issues. You are right! I will try it. But I am also feeling, today, as I have in the past, that I am going to give in. It’s almost too exhausting all the stuff I have to go through just to be and feel normal.

My symptoms are the feeling of what I used to call “homesick” in my tummy. Now I know that as anxiety.

I’ve had it most of my life, looking back, and have been a snappy individual - as in always with a quick and sarcastic retort... irritable but funny. So I got by. It made people laugh.

Now I’m not doing so good. Since my dad died I truly don’t see a point in doing a lot of things. Not thinking “S” but definitely wondering what it’s all for.

Thinking of trying Lexipro. Just an easy SSRI to lift my mood. I’m on nothing now, so it won’t interfere with anything. I am truly at a loss and meanwhile it’s a beautiful day and I am, otherwise, healthy. There is truly no reason to feel this way.

And funnily, when it lifts, it just plain lifts. So strange! (But it doesn’t last!)

Just wondering if I should stay off the meds completely and the lifts will continue or throw in the towel.

I really appreciate that and your advice and you always being there. I really do. Ha! And it’s so weird for me to accept that you’re not my bestie I grew up with (I have none of them) but a perfect stranger who is not perfect (wink) and no longer a stranger.

At any rate, I have heard about ayahuasca but am hesitant to try it. But it’s not completely off my radar. So thank you.

I will try acupuncture and get back to exercising and meditation. Which worked.

Plumber here now 🙂

Thank you.

Bubbles, I would be honored to be your bestie!
I never had them either...
Check your private messages. BW

The homesick in the tummy feeling started for me as a young child and continues to this day. And like you said, when it lifts, it lifts! No rhyme nor reason. Effexor never took that feeling away.

I've watched some documentaries about ayahuasca. It scares me. Mostly because I would have trouble trusting the intention of who is administering it. But I'm sure if you have a trusted practitioner it would be ok, I just dont ever see it happening for me. Acupuncture and chiropractic I swear by! My acupuncturist has passed on many helpful xhi gong exercises to me (admittedly I rarely do them). I have been going to the gym, walking and doing a lot of vipassana meditation. Oh I've lost 10 pounds because I no longer eat chocolate, sweets, I've lost my taste for Cherry Coke, it's like living the life of a stranger!! So, lots of positive changes.

I wanna be in the bestie club!! Please!