Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

in reply to @depressedbutnotdead I think I am nearing the end of my tapering, although my PCP did prescribe the Prozac so I could taper off more easily. I may try it because now the nightmares are starting again. I thought I was doing really well measuring out the bead in the capsules, as I was not having the brain zaps, just total insomnia. It's not so bad, as I can stay up and work on my art for hours on end. Hmm. You think I should try the Prozac and taper off that?

This has been hell. Was off for seven weeks but my body and mind couldn’t do it anymore. Was pure hell. Anyone else experience this horror.

I’m a 54 year old female and was put on Venlafaxine 75 mg about six years ago due to menopause. It’s been about 8 years since starting menopause. Menopause was a nightmare to be honest and all you’re told at the Drs is “it’s a part of life” well I thought I was loosing it and it was hell so this was my only option at the time. Over the years my dose was increased up to 225 mg.
I’m ready to get off it so I’ve been tapering off with the direction from my Dr. and I’m currently down to 37.5 mg. I’ve had many withdrawal symptoms…fatigue, night sweats, fogging feeling in brain, sinus pressure with zaps, nausea, and a lot of dreaming at night. This is all with tapering so I can’t imagine going cold turkey. I will continue with the tapering and be off this for good.

Looking back, I feel there needs to be more resources and support for Menopausal patients. The symptoms I experienced during this stage made me a different person that I didn’t like. Health insurance companies need to support women at this stage with options like holistic health care not just conventional medicine. Conventional medicine Drs are too quick to just put you on an anxiety medication and not address the underlying problem. Some of this is due to insurance not paying for additional testing which should be done because our bodies significantly change along with our mental health during menopause.

@texasduchess your story is exactly one of the reasons I decided to jump off at the dosage I was on (about 68 mg). 68 mg is not a dangerous dose to cold turkey from, in my opinion, and the longer I continue counting beads slowly, the longer of a time the effexor is in my system....I will probably experience WD symptoms either way I do it, so best for me to just begin the healing instead of prolonging the agony. I don't know what happened but one day I was just like "enough is enough". It's been a week now, since my last dose. Some vertigo, labile emotions such as rage and crying jags catch me totally by surprise but they pass like a cloud going across the face of the sun.
With that being said, this week has brought its challenges. Including an argument with my husband over my lack of financial contribution and my neediness. This topic rears its ugly head from time to time but this time a trust line was crossed for me when he verbalized the D word. To me once you say this, the marriage dynamic is completely changed forever. It is unfortunate that he has made comments, "in anger", that I will not forget.
I teach a few hours a day online, I have done it for 3 years which is about my limit to stay at one job, and I am over it. I vascillate between gratitude that I can make money from home, to feeling like an absolute prisoner when I am forced to sit and smile and engage no matter what. I have a lot of regular students and I can never, ever have a bad class. I am over it. I took a break from it for a few weeks hoping I would be rejuvenated when I returned but, the opposite happened. Have no desire to do anything to bring money in. At a standstill with all of that.
Then on Wednesday I had a spot on my face that I recognized immediately as MRSA (I have had it several times but not for years) and am now on antibiotics, with the possibility of another dr visit if they have to (GOD FORBID) drain it. Just the thought of this makes me nauseous. Since I could not teach with my face looking this way, I'm having to scramble for documentation so that my cancellations will be "forgiven" and I can keep my job.
Am I the only one who finds irony in this entire situation?
I hope you are all having a great day!

I'm not going to offer medical advice, that's not wise. I didn't consult my doctor when I made the initial decision to quit venlafaxine, and toughing it out until the symptoms subsided wasn't fun. I'm pretty bull-headed, and also stepped off of an already lowered dose, so my experience is unique to my situation. How I could have eased the symptoms I do not know.

in reply to @depressedbutnotdead I think I am nearing the end of my tapering, although my PCP did prescribe the Prozac so I could taper off more easily. I may try it because now the nightmares are starting again. I thought I was doing really well measuring out the bead in the capsules, as I was not having the brain zaps, just total insomnia. It's not so bad, as I can stay up and work on my art for hours on end. Hmm. You think I should try the Prozac and taper off that?

I hate effexor. Worst thing I have e er taken. Can't seem to get off it. I don't sleep, have neck pain, anxiety. Please help me. I look at the effexor pills and I think maybe I will just go take one a d see if it helps. Been off about 3 weeks