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DiscussionTips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Nov 11 7:38am | Replies (6363)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Those initial doses sound high to me (but I'm no expert). The fact that four psychiatrists..."
Thank you again for your kind words.
I believe the first psychiatrist made a mistake putting me on such high levels of meds without trying lower doses first. The resulting mania destroyed my life.
After that every new provider took one look at my meds and concluded that I must really need them. At no point did they completely relieve my depression. Even when I was manic I still wanted to die.
No one considered decreasing any meds until I asked last June. Somewhere, between June an December I hit a sweet spot where I felt whole. Now I am starting at the bottom and working my way up, hopefully to a stable place.
The last three days I have had crippling anxiety, something I have not had before. It has been so bad that I have not left the house.
So I looked up the side effects of starting venlafaxine and sure enough anxiety is common. I don't remember experiencing anxiety fifteen years ago, but I've got it now. It would have been nice if someone had told me that I might become anxious for a week or two. I've been freaking out trying to cope.
I don't know if I actually should have been prescribed meds all those years ago. My depression was most likely tied to my lifestyle and was actually mild compared to what I have experienced since.
At this point it is quite possible that I can no longer function without medication. I am so desperate to stop suffering I’ll do whatever is necessary.
May we all find the peace and good health we deserve.