Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Yes, I can definitely see how rough it's going to be and this is a really, probably the worse time in my life (professionally and personally) to be having crying jags but I am NOT taking another one of those pills. I know I'm not suicidal and never have had any kind of emotional problems so I knew it was a med but wasn't sure if it was the Effexor or the Prempro but now I'm sure it is the Effexor. I am going to research all the supplements you mentioned to see if maybe some or all of them might help me. I already take magnesium for numerous things so I am sure combined they will be very beneficial.

The way I am looking at it now is that this is a showdown between me and Effexor and I am not going to lose to a drug. I am too damn stubborn so I am trying to inject some humor in my situations and just go with what I said earlier: This too shall pass!

Thank you so much for such informative information about what has helped you. I truly value anything that is more of a natural cure or aid. I have also been researching reflexology and am trying some of it too.

I am so THANKFUL I found this blog thru Mayo Clinic! I am meeting with my doctor tomorrow to plan my withdrawal course from Venlafaxine, and will be showing her all these responses from this blog. No matter what, and with God's help, I will flush this drug from my body! I pray every night for all of the victims who are going through hell because of this drug. I am considering creating an online petition to gather signatures to present to the FDA and Congress (hopefully we'll get that far) to get the "Extended Release" form of this drug banded from the United States! (the "regular version has already been taken off the market according to infomation I have read online). I would greatly appreciate any feedback as to everyone's thoughts! Thank you.

@sadiesmom 1st) you’re not taking up space in this world. 2nd) i too have my struggling with tapering off venlafaxine. my dose has become .75mg and i still cannot get that last bit out of my life. every attempt makes behind my eyes feel like a fish tank. mood swings are extreme. and more. i want you to know, you aren’t alone. if you want a friend in times when it’s this bad, please feel free to private message me. Also, have you considered going to a local shelter and looking for a senior rescue dog? i did and it changed my life. once i got sober from booze, i knew i’d need something to put my energy into. i got a 9 year old tiny sleepy pal named betty whites she gets me out, makes me smile and is so very low maintenance. something to consider.. you’ll save their lives and they save yours 🙂 so, just trying to help with getting out a little day by day and also, you’d be surprised how much of a sense of purpose that gives you. be well. chris, san diego CA.

I can't seem to find a Dr that knows how to taper me off. I was taking 300mg and my Dr dropped me to 275, and then 175. I have a chemical imbalance and have been on an emotional rollercoaster. I've been on 175 for 3 months now and have terrible brain zaps, crying a lot, nausea, migraines, body pain, nightmares, severe depression and anxiety. I'm not sure what to do next. My prescription came in wrong once and I was a week without meds and ended up in emergency room in such severe withdrawals that I had massive migraine, talking strangely in a very confused state, brain zaps, crying uncontrollably, severe nausea to point of feeling I would pass out. They had no idea what to do for me and said they didn't think Effexor withdrawal could cause such symptoms...lol. No matter that even Google says its worse than heroin withdrawal! I'm not in a good place at all and need to finish tapering off so I can be put on other meds for chemical imbalance and depression.

This drug is insidious. It has been 6 weeks since I stopped taking effexor completely. I titrated down over a period of over 9 months. I have experienced depression, extreme emotions (crying a lot) and am now starting to experience anxiety. I'm getting frightening thoughts and its hard to get rid of these thoughts. I just read a post that said melatonin may seem to help with anxiety. I'm going to try that. I started taking 400 mgs. of SAMe about 30 days ago. I feel like it has helped. I had some problems with upset stomach, but drink a full glass of water when taking the tablet (must be taken on an empty stomach. I might need to increase the dosage. SAMe is an amino acid that is naturally produced by the body. I'm not sure that there is any prescription medication that doesn't cause side effects. Anytime something messes with the chemistry of the brain side effects are bound to occur. If someone has any recommendation about other helpful options, please reply.

I can't seem to find a Dr that knows how to taper me off. I was taking 300mg and my Dr dropped me to 275, and then 175. I have a chemical imbalance and have been on an emotional rollercoaster. I've been on 175 for 3 months now and have terrible brain zaps, crying a lot, nausea, migraines, body pain, nightmares, severe depression and anxiety. I'm not sure what to do next. My prescription came in wrong once and I was a week without meds and ended up in emergency room in such severe withdrawals that I had massive migraine, talking strangely in a very confused state, brain zaps, crying uncontrollably, severe nausea to point of feeling I would pass out. They had no idea what to do for me and said they didn't think Effexor withdrawal could cause such symptoms...lol. No matter that even Google says its worse than heroin withdrawal! I'm not in a good place at all and need to finish tapering off so I can be put on other meds for chemical imbalance and depression.

I am so THANKFUL I found this blog thru Mayo Clinic! I am meeting with my doctor tomorrow to plan my withdrawal course from Venlafaxine, and will be showing her all these responses from this blog. No matter what, and with God's help, I will flush this drug from my body! I pray every night for all of the victims who are going through hell because of this drug. I am considering creating an online petition to gather signatures to present to the FDA and Congress (hopefully we'll get that far) to get the "Extended Release" form of this drug banded from the United States! (the "regular version has already been taken off the market according to infomation I have read online). I would greatly appreciate any feedback as to everyone's thoughts! Thank you.